Battlestar Galactica: Season 2-03: Fragged

The Best Scenes in BSG 203:

'Fragged' Out, But Still Enjoyable to Watch

By Koenigrules

Do not let the name of this episode fool you.  While entitled 'Fragged,' it manages to convey to the viewer what happens to some leaders when they have to endure a seemingly, never-ending crisis.  For Crashdown and Tigh, the stress is becoming just too unendurable, and they literally start losing it. 

With respect to the new Commander of the Galactica, Saul Tigh, he hopes that Dr. Cottle will be able to save Adama so that he does not have to continue to assume the responsibilities of command.  But, the operation takes longer than expected.  And Tigh has to deal with the Quorum of Twelve's request to see the incarcerated President Roslin.  Just when he thinks he has things under control and can show the Qourum that Roslin is a raving lunatic (caused by withdrawal reactions from the drug she has been using to endure the pain of her terminal cancer), she surprises him and the Quorum by announcing in a very rational manner that she will lead her people to the Promised Land.  The Quorum (at least the majority of them minus Tom Zarek of course) decide to place their faith in her.  The only thing Tigh can do at this point is to dissolve the Quorum and declare martial law before Roslin incites another uprising.  

However, things are not going well for Tigh.  He is falling apart at the seams and begins to drink heavily.  Further, Cottle tells him that Adama has made it through the operation, but that he will wake up when he is ready to do so.  This does not reassure Tigh at all.  And others in the command center (like Apollo, Dualla and Gaeta) are noticing the effects of his addiction.  Tigh is getting pretty fragged out! 

And he is not the only one; on the planet Kobol, Crashdown is experiencing a similar crisis of leadership.  Blaming himself for the death of Tarn, he wants to set things right by attacking the anti-aircraft battery being built by the Cylons before they use it to bring down search-and-rescue craft sent from the Galactica to recover their party.  Crashdown does not care if there are three, five or even more Cylons manning the guns.  All he wants to do is avenge Tarn's death, even if it means risking all the lives in his team. 

Things really get 'fragged' out when Cally refuses to do the mission.  Rather than reason with her intelligently, Crashdown puts his gun to her head and relates to her that he will "blow her brains out" if she does not comply with orders.  Chief Tyrol draws his gun and just when it looks that Crashdown is ready to kill Cally, he is shot in the back by Baltar who has had enough of this craziness.  Actually, Baltar comes across as a hero here.  He has never killed anyone before.  Even Six acknowledges that he has gained his manhood status.  Later, Baltar lies about Crashdown, noting his bravery so that he can protect the dead man's reputation and honor.  It definitely seems like great things await Gaius Baltar! 

Interestingly, as Tigh and Crashdown become impotent leaders, their subordinates assume the reigns of command quite naturally.  Apollo heads up the search-and-rescue mission to Kobol, and is there for the stranded party when the Cylons are ready to deliver the death blow.  Apollo blows them to smithereens, ensuring the survival of the group he was entrusted to find. 

And Chief Tyrol manages to deactivate the anti-aircraft guns by destroying the satellite control system.  This was the plan the Chief wanted Crashdown to adopt; however, the latter believed this was just too time-consuming to do.  Naturally, Crashdown was in error.  Thankfully, like Apollo, Tyrol accomplishes his objective. 

While some might argue this is an anti-military or anti-patriotic show, this reviewer does not share these sentiments.  Ron Moore is showing us that leaders are not infallible, and that sometimes they do make the wrong decisions.  It is up to others to make sure that when this happens, they will not continue to follow orders blindly but will follow their heart (and conscience) and do the right thing.  Thank the Lords of Kobol we have people like Apollo, Tyrol and even Cally who question irrational and mindless commands.  Perhaps this is what makes us  human beings- and not artificial creations like the Cylons. 

While not as action packed as the opening two-parter, I would rate this an 8.5 out of 10 based on the riveting, rescue sequence at the finale.  And there are still humorous moments inserted along the way, such as Cottle extinguishing his cigarette in a bed pan or Tigh's wife Ellen relating to Saul that Roslin is just plain crazy.  I can hardly wait to see when Adama awakens.  Will he side with Tigh or his son, or perhaps go his own way?  We need not wait long as episode 204 premieres this week on SCI-FI.