Six Degrees of Separation

This is a very silly episode. It is a lot of fun, mainly because Baltar is more schizophrenic than usual in this episode, and his behavior varies in a pretty short time between craven, analytical, smug, lustful, and even dignified. James Callis does a great job handling this emotional rollercoaster.

Although there are a few side plots, there are really only two major plot lines: Baltar's trial by fire, and the Boomer/Athena trajectory.

The heart of Baltar's story revolves around his relationship with the Cylon god. (Honestly, some of Six's lines make her sound like a Jehovah Witness.) I will try not to repeat too much of what I said in "33," but I do find it fascinating that the Cylons are monotheists, unlike the humans, and in some ways their god sounds like the Christian god.

Before I delve into my analysis, I just want to make a couple more quick points:

First, Cylon behavior is completely at odds with their god's commands, which is an accurate summation of the dichotomy between religious tenets and human behavior exhibited by all major religions through human history (except maybe Buddhists, and I don't know enough to make a judgment about that).

Second, Six looks a lot better in red than in blue.

This episode brings to a head the threat introduced in "33," namely that Baltar has a big secret.  The ghost of Dr. Amarak raises the same threat in tangible proof provided by Shelly Godfrey. Even more interesting is that despite Baltar's involvement in the Cylon attack, Godfrey accuses Baltar of something he didn't do. I think it is mainly so that Baltar feels persecuted since this accusation is completely unjust.

This episode also has the same problems that I discussed in "33" (although it is fun to ignore them and just go with the flow). The non-corporeal Six seems to have a lot of control over events (as I have said in previous posts, they never do come up with a satisfactory explanation of what Six is), including managing the appearance of her flesh and blood counterpart. In fact, I think that Shelly Godfrey is just the Six-in-Baltar's-mind made flesh. In addition, Baltar's redemption is based on embracing the Cylon god while he has a gun pointed to his head (figuratively this time, literally comes later) - sort of the Spanish Inquisition strategy for winning converts.

Of course, none of the fleet's leaders trust Baltar (why would they? He does have something to hide). In fact, Adama is more taciturn and grim than usual in this episode. Even so, Baltar manages to show some dignity:

During the scene in Adama's office he says, "(And) I don't like to be accused of participating in the genocide of the human race based solely on the word of a woman whom I have already indicated to you may well be a Cylon agent."

During his conversation with Roslin he says, "You'll forge me Madame Presiden, if I don't wish to be executed solely on your gut feeling."

In the end they reinstate him despite their misgivings - misgivings that are reaffirmed, no doubt, by Baltar's attempt to destroy evidence, and then screaming for a lawyer (a sure sign of guilt).

As for Boomer and Athena...

Athena and Helo finally get it on, conceiving Hera. It is also the deciding moment when Athena switches loyalties. I always liked Helo and Athena, I think they have a lot of chemistry (unlike Boomer and Tyrol). Their relationship is stable and enduring, in contrast to all the drama and infidelity in some of the other relationships which-I-will-not-name. I also like the way their lovemaking coincides with Boomer's discovery of "Cylon" written on her mirror. I assume Boomer wrote that herself.

But the really creepy moment is Boomer's conversation with Tyrol about the raider. She strokes it and talks about it as if in a trance, and then snaps out of it. Tyrol's reaction is puzzled and a little suspicious. Boomer's subconscious is reflecting the change in the human /Cylon ratio.

My favorite scenes:

• Baltar's initial encounter with Shelly Godfrey. It is really really funny because, up until now, Baltar has been behaving as if he doesn't see or converse with the Six-only-he-sees. Therefore, when he sees Shelly Godfrey, he behaves as if he doesn't see her because he assumes no one else can see her. It's a nice little twist, since no one else present can figure out why he is behaving as if he doesn't see her.
• Baltar opens the door and finds Dee standing there, on the receiving end of his latest proposition to Six. She doesn't actually get to say anything much to Baltar, but her changing expressions convey her reaction beautifully. It's easy to forget that Dee was a very funny and cheerful young woman at the start of the series. She s very charming and appealing when she first meets Billy in the miniseries, and the followup flirtation during "Water," when he throws out the "I really like your hair" line at her is amusing. I attribute her decline into a humorless, morose person to Lee's depressing influence.

The scenes I really hate:

• When Cottle says to Roslin, "It's not that kind of shot."
• Baltar's attempt to influence Gaeta when they are both sitting on the toilet.

I assume that both these scenes were David Eick's idea, and reflect his juvenile sense of humor.

Thank the gods they deleted the scene where we get to see the Cylon Raider shit. Or maybe I've just changed too many diapers in my time. (It is not fun to have 3 kids simultaneously in diapers) and have lost all interest in scatological humor. But then, my taste has never run to the vulgar.