The Patriot Resource - Battlestar Galactica

The Face of the Enemy Webisode Summaries:

Webisode #2
Written by: Jane Espenson & Seamus Kevin Fahey
Directed by: Wayne Rose
Original Release Date: 12/15/08 on SciFi.com
Characters That Appear: Col. Saul Tigh, Lt. Felix Gaeta, Lt. Louis Hoshi, Specialist Brooks, Civilian Eight, Pilot Eight, Lt. J. 'Shark' Finnegan, Ensign 'Easy' Esrin
Cylons That Appear: Col. Saul Tigh, Civilian Eight, Pilot Eight


Webisode 2 Recap:
Lt. Finnegan can't reach anyone on the wireless.

Ensign Esrin says that she entered the right coordinates.

Specialist Brooks suggests jumping back assuming that a Raptor will be left behind, but Pilot Eight counters that they might not leave a Raptor behind and give away their positions.

Gaeta says that "they" know the Raptor didn't make it, so they'd leave someone behind.

Ensign Esrin reports that the FTL drive isn't responding.

Brooks begins praying to Poseidon, which interests both Eights. Pilot Eight points out that they are a long way from water. Brooks responds that "it's a ship."

Lt. Finnegan reports that the reason the drive isn't responding because they jumped over the red line.

Pilot Eight says that she didn't recognize the star patterns. Brooks questions her being able to recognize star patterns just by the naked eye.

Gaeta realizes that having jumped beyond the red line means that they can't get back to where they started. Gaeta moves to the computer to start working on coordinates. Esrin says that she must have messed up the coordinates. Gaeta counters that the coordinates could have been entered correctly, but corrupted by a "high energy discharged subatomic particle."

Esrin says that they don't know where the fleets is and couldn't even reach them even if they did.

Pilot Eight interjects that Cavil's baseships could be anywhere.

Finnegan asks for quiet and then points out that the calculations are non-linear, but not impossible. Esrin counters that they don't know where they are and it's still possible that she did it.

As Gaeta works at the computer, civilian Eight looks at him. She smiles, asks him if he recognizes her and says that "it's me."

Back on Galactica, Hoshi and Tigh walk down a corridor. Tigh tells Hoshi to pull himself together. Tigh points out that the Raptor occupants know where the fleet is. Hoshi counters that the emergency was a false alarm and everyone else has jumped back. He says that it's been two days and asks for a Raptor and a pilot. Tigh scoffs at the chances of Hoshi finding the ship. Hoshi counters that "there's something in the universe" that already helped them find Earth. He starts to mention something about he and Felix, but just says that there has been "too much loss already." After a moment, Tigh tells him that he'll have to check with Adama first. Hoshi thanks Tigh and then walks off.

On the Raptor, Finnegan reports that they have two weeks' worth of food and water, but only twenty hours of air because the CO2 scrubbers not being fully functional. He tells them to limit exertions and that they'll need to sleep more. He adds that they are only at 68% of ship-normal O2 as it is. Esrin points out at that level that there can be memory loss, irrational behavior, depression and dizziness. Finnegan response is that being dizzy is better than being dead.

to be continued

<end>


Analysis:
  • The Raptor jumped beyond the red line which apparently has damaged the drive.
  • Though they jumped beyond the red line and have no FTL drive, all is apparently not lost. Gaeta mentions that the calculations have become non-linear.
  • The emergency jump was a false alarm.
  • After two days, no rescue operations have been launched from the fleet until Lt. Hoshi requests a single ship and pilot.
  • The exchange between Hoshi and Tigh is ambiguous about public knowledge (or at least Tigh's) of Gaeta and Hoshi's relationship.
  • According to Gaeta, even correct jump coordinates can be corrupted in the computer by a "high energy discharged subatomic particle."
  • Pilot Eight believes that she can recognize star patterns without the aid of a nav computer.
  • Brooks prays to Poseidon, traditionally the god of seafarers. This seems to confuse the Eights, but Brooks points out that they are onboard a [space] ship.
  • The Eights' questioning of Brooks' prayer to Poseidon seems to indicate either a strict or antiquated interpretation of the polytheistic religion.
  • Civilian Eight apparently has fond memories of Gaeta and expects him to have the same.

Cylons:
  • Pilot Eight believes that she can recognize star patterns without the aid of a nav computer.
  • Brooks prays to Poseidon, traditionally the god of seafarers. This seems to confuse the Eights, but Brooks points out that they are onboard a [space] ship.
  • The Eights' questioning of Brooks' prayer to Poseidon seems to indicate either a strict or antiquated interpretation of the polytheistic religion.
  • Civilian Eight apparently has fond memories of Gaeta and expects him to have the same.

Notes:
  • Running time: ~ 3:35
  • According to Jean Espenson's podcast commentary, each webisode was written as a separate script.
  • According to Jean Espenson's podcast commentary, Tigh's scenes were originally written with Admiral Adama in mind. However, Edward James Olmos was directing and acting in the telefilm 'The Plan' at the same time that the webisodes were shot so he was unavailable. Michael Hogan then stepped in and the lines was reworked for Tigh.
  • Because of the compressed production timeline of the webisodes, there was not time to cast the three new characters of Brooks, Esrin and Finn. The solution was to use the audition tapes for the roles of the pyramid coach and two pyramid players featured in the telefilm 'The Plan'. The three actors cast for the webisodes had auditioned for those roles.

Unanswered Questions:
  • Is Gaeta's explanation of corruption of coordinates accurate? Or did he just make it up to make Ensign Esrin not feel responsible for putting everyone at risk?
  • Can the FTL drive be repaired after going beyond the red line?
  • Does Gaeta recognize civilian Eight? Does he want to?





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