Bastille Day

Was watching this series with a wary eye and had already taken to several of the lead roles. This one introduced a new character, Tom Zarek played by the original Apollo, Richard Hatch who is one hell of a presence and a brilliant addition to the show. The crisis is real and Galactica just does not have the volume of workers to extract the water needed for the fleet, they have no choice but to recruit men from the prison barge. When the prison barge is later held under siege by Tom Zarek and his fellow inmates it turns into a real potent political story. I found it hard to believe the show could be this good at such an early stage. Tom Zarek has appeared in many episodes since this one but does not detract the limelight from the leads.

This episode had a lot of links to terrorism. A lot of people in America think that just because its not perfect here, and they don't get everything they want, that our entire system is corrupt. Therefore, they surmise, we are no "better" than the terrorists. This is just like the leader of the prisoners in this episode. Right now, the whole fleet is facing a water shortage that could threaten everyone's life. But all the prison leader cares about it how the current president was chosen. This is symbolic of the way this country is now. A lot of Americans would rather focus on the side issues than the big ones that affect us all. This episode did an amazing job of dramatizing this issue. What role do prisoners play in our society? Where does democracy fit in during a state of emergency? Thesse questions and more are here in this volatile and exciting episode.

Chief Tyrol concludes that the Galáctica need one thousand men to explore the ice on the planet and pump it to the spacecraft. Commander Adama proposes to use the prisoners on board of "Astral Queen" due to the dangerousness of the mission. However, President Roslin is against slave work and asks that the prisoners should volunteer receiving reduction in their sentences. When Captain Apollo makes the offer to the political activist and leader of the prisoners Tom Zarek, there is an uprising and the group is taken as prisoners. Zarek proposes immediate free elections, questioning the legitimacy of President Roslin.

"Bastille Day" is the best episode so far of this series, with a good discussion of the principles of democracy. In this regard, I loved the attitude of Captain Apollo, picking the side of legitimacy of the government and leadership of the survivors. The problem with this series is the lack of charisma of lead characters, mostly the ridiculous President Roslin, the traitor Dr. Gaius Baltar and the alcoholic Colonel Saul Tigh. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Dia da Bastilha" ("The Bastille Day")

Connor Widdows (From a few of the X-Men franchise films, and one great episode of Chris Carter's "MillenniuM") had been playing "Boxey", who was a major character in the 1978 BSG.

In fact, Connor plays Boxey in the Miniseries, and it's not really a minor part. He comes to Galactica with "Boomer", who had picked him up on Caprica while "Helo" stayed.

In this episode, he is even given a major Role, as the original Boxey was a kind of Mascot for BSG. It appeared as though Connor was being set up to fill this role in the new series. Here, he is shown to be a clever, useful kid.

But he was never seen again after this episode. I've always wondered what happened to him.

But this episode does have something else that is very important: It introduces the character of Tom Zarek, a terrorist. Played by the Original Apollo, Richard Hatch, who had tried for years to resurrect BSG using his own cash. This role was a challenge for Richard, and he succeeded beyond all hopes bringing Zarek to life. But Zarek is a terrorist. A terrorist that may even have good political ideas, but a terrorist nonetheless. A selfish terrorist, even. Now, Mr. Legitimacy even praises this, and Apollo for siding with him, but Mr Legitimate is missing the point: A democracy cannot cow to Terrorists regardless of how right they are, and a government loses it's legitimacy if major changes are made at the behest of a Terrorist. Mr Legitimate tries to legitimize an illegitimate act by a man who used terrorism, and painted it over with politics, pretending he had actual regard for the well being of the Human Race and/or the body politic of the Caprican (and the other 11 tribes) survivors. But if you watch this episode carefully, it is all a SHAM. And Zarek's actions were not, well, the word of the day is Legitimate, is it not?

The important point of this episode, is Apollo's choice. Because Apollo's concern was legitimate concern for the safety of and survival of the human race, not some fake altruism or Jingoism. Apollo knew the core of what was right, and used the same ideals that Zarek was pretending he cared about, to legitimately bring about change along the same lines.

What makes the Zarek character great is not only Mr Hatch's great ability to become Zarek in the flesh and make you believe it, but he did so in a consistent manner all the way to the end of his participation in the series.

I grieved when Mr Hatch passed away into the Universe. But his role as Zarek gives us something to think about, something to not become.

But... Where did Boxey go!

One for the original BSG fans. The return of Richard Hatch and it is not just a nod to the fanboys.

It has to be viewed with the backdrop of the war on terror. Hatch plays enigmatic Tom Zarek, a political prisoner who is also considered to be a dangerous terrorist.

When an ice moon is identified to replenish the fleets water supplies. It is suggested that the prisoners held on the prison ship, Astral Queen are sent for this hazardous mission.

Apollo discovers that the prisoners are unwilling to do the work. Zarek holds control of them. Soon Zarek has organised a siege of the prison ship with Apollo and others held hostage.

In Zarek's sights is the legitimacy of President Roslin. He demands fresh elections, something Apollo has sympathy with.

Richard Hatch was the only actor from the original series to appear in the reboot. He certainly conveys charisma to a complex character. It is too early to tell whether Zarek is sincere.

Zarek does raise an important issue that even in such trying times. For a civilian government to continue it must have legitimacy and a mandate.