“The Ties That Bind” is episode three of season four of the new Battlestar Galactica.
In the previous episode, “Six of One”, Faust and other Cylons had Cavil and his side shot by Centurions. That Cavil is now being revived, greeted by another and Boomer. He’s told what happened and Cavil says the Sixes have no idea of the threat they’ve unleashed. He wants to get back to his ship and is told that it isn’t his any longer. The Sixes and their acolytes have used their new pets for ethnic cleansing. The whole fleet is split. So much for Boomer’s swing vote.
Cally is in bed, remembering arguing with Tyrol. She gets up and heads to Joe’s Bar. Tyrol is drinking with Tory at the bar as Cally arrives with Nicky. She sees them together and, given that Tory is holding Tyrol’s arm, thinks they are seeing each other. And Tory may well be hitting on Tyrol. Cally approaches, shouting, before throwing up. Tyrol is upset; Tory, not so much.
Roslin is being treated by Dr Cottle for her cancer when Adama arrives and starts reading a book to her.
Apollo is giving a news conference on Colonial One with the president and Tom Zarek, accepting his appointment as the Caprica delegate to the Quorum. When it’s opened for questions, the president is asked if Apollo defending Gaius Baltar will cause problems, and what happened to the Demetrius, the sewage recycling freighter that jumped away three weeks ago. The president passes the second off to Adama, who says it’s a military mission and won’t comment on rumours that Starbuck is in charge. She is; Adama gave her the freighter on case she was right. Afterwards, Roslin tells Adama she’s shocked it took so long for questions to arise about the Demetrius and it’s not going to blow over.
On the Demetrius, Starbuck is trying to remember what she saw to find the course. Those accompanying her, which includes Anders, Helo, Athena, Gaeta and other pilots, are not being impressed by her constant course changes and some are clearly worried she’s leading them into a Cylon ambush. Anders asks Starbuck for more; she tells him he knows everything he needs to know.
Tyrol tries telling Cally he’s not having an affair. It doesn’t look like she believes him.
Cavil is returned to where he was killed; Centurions are still cleaning the blood away. He says he places the blame on himself; the others had legitimate concerns and he refused to hear. He’s listening now, so what needs to be done to restore unity. Faust tells him to stop lobotomising the Raiders. Cavil agrees. She also wants the D’Annas unboxing. Cavil says their insane quest led to all this. Faust wants to unite all twelve models once and for all. Cavil doesn’t think the others will accept, but he will make their case. Faust asks a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship. It doesn’t move until she says please. Cavil tells Faust she’s opened a bigger can of worms than she’s realised.
Apollo is in the Quorum room on Colonial One when Zarek enters. Zarek comments on how inspiring it is. Apollo wanted to meet the president, but was told she wasn’t in. Zarek says she is; just not for Apollo. By supporting Baltar, he crossed a line, and Roslin doesn’t forgive or forget. Apollo says she forgave Zarek when she made him vice president. Zarek says that’s to keep him on the side-lines, and Roslin will try to do the same for Apollo. Apollo asks Zarek why he nominated Apollo. Because he stood up for Baltar and put Roslin on the stand to do it. Apollo says he didn’t take the job to undermine the president. Zarek doesn’t want Apollo to; he’s on Roslin’s side. But he’s concerned about the secrecy and control she’s increasing. Apollo suggests a benevolent tyrant is what they need. Zarek says tyrants crave power for its own sake; Roslin just wants to save them all. He gives Apollo a classified file.
The Cylons are definitely having internal problems; it seems that Cavil doesn’t have the same belief in god and believes himself to be a machine, contrary to what many of the other Cylons believe. Cally goes poking around when she doesn’t seem to be in the best state mentality. Starbuck isn’t inspiring confidence in those with her.