Water

"Water" introduces a new crisis before the fleet has recovered from the crisis in "33." The episode starts with Roslin's extremely formal, uncomfortable visit to Galactica. As soon as the water tanks explode, the formality disappears and once again Adama and Roslin, who barely know each other, must work together to cope with another threat to humanity. This episode is a reminder that the fleet is a small remnant of the human population traveling with limited supplies through a vast universe that is largely empty. (In discussing season 4.5, the New York Times made the apt analogy of a wagon train travelling through uncharted wilderness).

I think the core of this episode is the meeting between the leaders of the fleet to review the situation. These scenes are as much about the divide between civilian government and military authority, as they are about the water shortage.

The expression of these separate agendas is subtle but critical, and will explode by the end of Season 1.

For example, after Gaeta does his presentation, Roslin presses him for an opinion on the cause of the explosion. When Adama finally gives permision, Gaeta avoids saying it was caused by an explosion and instead offers the theory that the cause is structural damage from the war. It's obvious that Gaeta is lying, and everyone in the military knows it was caused by sabotage. In fact, Roslin probably suspects that herself when she responds "Interesting."

Another example is the comments made by Tigh, which display unconcealed contempt for the civilian population. When Tigh says to Roslin, "Now you want me to guess," Adama, who is looking at some papers, says, without raising his eyes, "Colonel." This small act establishes Adama's total authority over his officers, and is also a small concession to the president.

Finally, Gaius Baltar's relationship to the other characters begins to develop. His conversations with Six continue, and their discussions about god and religion have sexual overtones (actually, overtones is not a sufficiently strong word). Baltar's simultaneous conversations with Six and Adama are very funny, mainly because Baltar is having a nervous breakdown trying to manage what he says, Six is provocative, and Adama is not saying much, but looking distinctly dissatisfied. As usual Baltar is a very bad liar, which doesn't prevent him from doing it all the time. That he is always caught doesn't prevent him from lying again. (In other words, he meets the definition of insanity by constantly doing the same thing but expecting different results.)

As outcome of the meeting is that Baltar and Gaeta begin working together, which thrills Gaeta (who runs after Baltar like a little puppy), and bores Baltar. This is the start of a very complicated relationship that changes drastically over the course of the series and has a profound impact on Gaeta (see my entry on Felix Gaeta for a lengthier discussion).  

The parallel Sharon stories also start to unfold. On Galactica Boomer's actions, for the first time, are a threat to the fleet, and Boomer's sense of self starts to deteriorate. On Caprica, Helo and Athena's relationship begins to heat up. Both these plot lines become more important in determining events as the two Sharons' personalities start to diverge.

Some final thoughts:

I never bought Tyrol and Boomer as a couple. I just never felt that there was any chemistry between them. I also don't believe that Tyrol would cover up for her. On the other hand, I always thought that Helo / Athena and Tyrol / Callie were great matches.

I didn't understand either why Boomer placed the last detonator in the raptor next to her seat. I finally concluded that if they found water that she was supposed to blow the raptor up before they could report back to Galactica. And, in fact, she has to turn it off before she is capable of telling Crashdown that she has found water.

I have already said how much I like the card game between Starbuck and Baltar, but I'll repeat myself here. As far as I am concerned the game is played as if it is another form of foreplay. There is also a nice little touch in the background - as Baltar says he doesn't have any money, Gaeta, anxious to please, reaches towards his pocket to get some out for him.