Tonight's episode was the third in the first season entitled "Bastille Day." What is great about this episode is that Moore continues to show how Battlestar Galactica veers away from the trappings of Star Trek, while still managing to employ its best devices. One of the reasons, I believe, Star Trek is so popular is that it has allowed us to look at contemporary issues but in a setting that is displaced from our time and our world. By doing this, we can see more objectively. "Bastille Day" is one of those episodes that wax philosophical on the meaning of "freedom" and "Democracy." In his blog, Battlestar Galactica creator Ron Moore noted that he has no political agenda when he writes for the show, but one cannot help but draw parallels to what is going on in our own world. Whenever we turn on the news, we cannot avoid hearing somebody from the Bush Administration make very rigid definitions of what "freedom" and "Democracy" are. In fact, during the 2004 elections, everybody had a definition for those terms. And, in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, those who we label terrorists have their own definitions about what freedom is and continuously ask why is it that the United States decides what freedom is. The question who is right?
With massive water storage units having been exploded in the previous episode, the fleet finds itself with dangerous low supplies. They must find a way to get more water or people will start dying. The only way is to get 1,000 people to work in an extreme environment to melt ice on a planet where water has been found, thus allowing for a replenished supply. Apollo convinces President Roslyn that the best way to do this is to employ criminals aboard the Astral Queen, a criminal detention ship, to do the work and, in return, the criminals will get freedom points. When they get there, though, they find themselves in the midst of a breakout led by Tom Zarek, who some would label a "freedom fighter" and others a murderous terrorist. Zarek is calling for the resignation of President Roslyn and a free election. Apollo does not believe violence is a solution, but Zarek believes sometimes violence is necessary to spark a revolution.
It's a fascinating discussion. I remember taking political science classes in college and learning that certain events must occur for democracy to take hold. One of those events is civil war. If this is the case, would that mean violence is necessary for freedom -- not that I'm advocating this. I'm a pacifist, but I couldn't help but remember those lessons as I watched this episode and whenever I hear about any news having to do with spreading "freedom" and "democracy" in the world. Anyway, with the diversity of ideology on this planet, the chances of one version of freedom happening would be slim to none.
Anyway, this episode is also a treat for fans of the original Battlestar Galactica as it guest stars Richard Hatch, who played the original Apollo. Hatch stars as Zarek and I have to say did a phenomenal job. When I watched the episode the first time, I didn't recognize him because he seemed so creepy here while he seemed so sweet in the original. On the mini-series DVD, Hatch actually appears in the "making of" documentary and seems kind of bitter that the new version was not so much a "remake" than a "reimagined" version. He was pissed that they made Starbuck and Boomer women and worried that it veered too much from the original. I guess he must have changed his mind. And, to tell you the truth, I'm glad because, like I said, he made an excellent Zarek. I know that he re-appears later in season one, but I hope that he'll continue to have a recurring role.
The other storyline of note in this episode is the continuing development of the relationship between Gaius Baltar and Number Six. We still don't know how Number Six only seems to exist in the mind of Baltar, but this episode showed the amount of control she has over him and, at the same time, the fact that she actually wants to help him. She seems to give him confidence in being able to build a cylon detector. But, why? [Battlestar Galactica on Blogdigger]
