Bastille Day

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.

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.

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.

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")

With water discovered the problem now is harvesting it and getting it back to the fleet. It will take a large labour force and no ships have the manpower to spare. Except one. The Astral Queen is transporting a large group of felons, enough to do the job. It is decided to offer the prisoners "points" for working to harvest the water with the points translating to time off from, even completion of, their sentences. Now to convince the prisoners.

An interesting episode, for many reasons. The plot involving the prisoners is intriguing and brings up themes such as freedom, terrorist vs freedom fighter and democracy. The series-wide arcs are developing too, especially Colonel Tigh's drinking problem, Dr. Baltar's duplicity, Apollo coming out from his father's shadow.

However, the most interesting here is a casting. The leader of the prisoners, Tom Zarek, is played by Richard Hatch. Hatch played Captain Apollo in the original 1978-79 series of Battlestar Galactica. It is a great nod to the original series to have him in the episode. His confrontation with the current Apollo is the core of this episode, so we have a case of Apollo meeting Apollo. Nice touch.