Battlestar Galactica: Season 2-06: Home

The Best Scenes in BSG 206:

There's No Place Like 'Home-Part 1'

By Koenigrules

These episodes just keep getting better and better.  Allow me to rate this episode at the outset of my review.  I give it the highest rating possible on the KR scale, 10+, because of the stellar performances of Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos, the 'flirtful' moments between Jamie Bamber & Katee Sackhoff,  Kandyse McClure's fine portrayal as Petty Officer Dualla, and James Remar's/Mr. Meier's almost hypnotic manipulation of Tom Zarek.  Plus, there are some pretty cool effects with the metallic Cylons on Kobol.  And a major death of one of the secondary characters (Elosha) reminds viewers that this war is a fight for survival between the two species: human and Cylon.   

Roslin has definitely become more bloodthirsty in her dealings with the Cylons.  She is ready to throw Boomer-C (the Caprica model) out an airlock until the Cylon relates that she knows the path to the Tomb of Athena on the planet Kobol.  While Roslin does not trust her, she does realize that Cylons are capable of loving humans (like Helo) as well as protecting their own progeny- no matter what the cost.  So she deals with 'the devil' so that her own race can find Earth. 

Some insights are provided into Commander Adama's character as well.  He would place a novice like Lieutenant Birch in the position of CAG for one reason only : "He's loyal…[and] we need a little bit of that right now."  But, it slowly dawns on Adama that this was a bad decision based on the poor performance of the Viper pilots under Birch's command in flight exercises and refueling maneuvers.  Obviously Adama is over-compensating for Apollo's betrayal to the fleet (and himself), and he is reacting instead of talking a more proactive stance. 

This over-compensation is expressed very strongly by Adama when he interacts with Dualla.  He relates that he "can feel the rage" and that "it's going to burst" at any moment.  Dualla plays the role of ship's counselor here as she brings Adama back to ground zero, telling him very boldly that "it's time to heal the wounds" and that he should make good on his promise of finding Earth.  While Adama cuts her off, he does reflect upon her words and realizes the truthfulness behind them.  By the end of the episode, he tells his crew that he is putting the fleet ("our family") back together NOW!  Dualla's smile speaks volumes.  Because of her intervention, Adama is in a position to lead all his people once again. 

Starbuck and Apollo have their moments on the screen too.  In fact, Jamie Bamber added the 'kissing' scene to the story line as he thought this would be the natural reaction that Apollo would display upon seeing Starbuck alive and well after such a long separation.  One would almost think Katee Sackhoff improvised as well when she later asks Apollo to clarify his remark that he loves her.  She teases him by saying, "Did you say you love me?  You can't take it back, Lee.  [I won't let you]."  The chemistry between these two characters is what makes this episode so enjoyable to watch and reminds this reviewer of the playful banter between Hatch and Benedict as Apollo and Starbuck in the original series.   

James Remar's Mr. Meier is a pretty interesting figure.  He comes across much more scheming and manipulative than Tom Zarek (if one can believe that!).  And there is no doubt that he will put the entire fleet in jeopardy by his actions.  As stated in my earlier reviews, Tom is a much more likable character this year.  And the insertion of the malevolent Meier manages to raise Tom to the level of victim more than enemy as he simply goes along with Meier's plan to kill Apollo on Kobol. 

I can hardly wait for the conclusion of 'Home' to see how Commander Adama reunites the fleet.  Moore indicates that Part 2 of 'Home' is really the finale to the Season 1 cliffhanger, and if so, it will probably be one of the most effective episodes of Season 2- if not the best!