I know Tigh has been through alot but his behavior has been so unproffesional I can't believe Adama continues to allow him to perfom as XO.

Yes a sleeper episode. But Keith the one scene that made me sit up and take notice was the Athena in black panties shot.

Isabel,

Dualla didn't want to see Cottle because she does not care for him as a doctor. Her lines in the bar is the only reasons she mentioned.

Since this column is less active now, may I reflect a bit on some loose-end topics? It is a bit lengthy so I apologise in advance.

Now in rewatching Sundays episode I really do think it was an excellent installment of our beloved show. Some, (and rightly so) think some of these plots are simply re-done and hashed over ideas of other shows in the past. But it is not just the core-plot that makes a show interesting, it is the infusion of the different players, variables, and in short...."the journey, not the destination". I cannot say enough of how this talented essemble of actors tend to engage us and even polarize us in our loyalties and positions to the issues and players. That is a good thing when it comes to entertainment. It means the show is making people watch and be interested.

There is a mild debate on # of episodes per season desired (By the way, I agree with David that the powers want a specific # of episodes. And I am sure they are shooting for 5 seasons). I am one who desires the 20-plus episodes. The basic reason of course is that one always wishes for more of a good thing, eh? To set the record straight, I submit that I and others in my camp wish for 20 GOOD episodes. I respect the thinking that fewer episodes result in better episodes. I understand that. Some say it puts too much pressure on the writers to quality-write that many shows. And if Ron Moore implies that then who am I to argue? But I think the quality of shows are the product of good storylines, not pressure. You do not kill the disease by euthanizing the patient, you remove the disease, in this case, weak storylines (i.e. the Peyton Place syndrom) . It is merely a question of how you look at it I suppose. In either case, 13 episodes for season 4 is better than nothing, and hopefully, we'll get that movie.

The extra scene had three problems. Firstly, a fellow as smart as Helo is out of character for fessing up and not letting sleeping cylons lie, when the status quo on that subject was so history. Then, he put Adama in a very awkward (and perhaps unfair) position, violating Adamas unspoken pardon. Finally, the scene was broken and seemed cut off, and not resolving the outcome of the conversation. But all in all, we cannot condemn the powers for giving us an extra treat.

Those who know me understand that I could not possibly omit a mention of my favorite subject.
In that, it was very refreshing to see Sharon treated like a human being in this episode. Even the passing acceptance of her by the humans is mercifully better than the pariah treatment of episodes past. Very touching of her scenes playing the good mother and husband. Helo is the luckiest man alive.

Thank those of you if you have read this far, and put up with my musings. Guess I'm just in a good mood about season 4. I in turn, always enjoy reading your comments...you, the faithful.

okay does anyone have an answer to this question: what was dualla's reason for not wanting to be treated by doc cottle? i watched all of seasons one and two in catch up mode over one weekend so i may have missed something. i know dualla made a comment about cottle in the bar scene (when tyrol starts talking trash about the saggitarons) but i didn't hear the comment, so i was still lost about her issue with him. anyone know the answer?

Bill:
I agree 100%. I have wondered if peoples hatred of this episode stems from an inability to sympathize, comprehend or deal with racism that exists in the US or the rest of our world.

Michael Canfield:
1. Do you mean Baltar and not Balthazar?
2. I did wonder why we didn't hear of any stink from Zarek on the whole thing. Perhaps he brought it up to the pres before he started talking about the riots and that scene got cut.
3. Who besides Tigh is showing resentment towards Helo?

@Michael Canfield/28: Balthazar? Bringing a little bit of Charmed into our BSG aren't we?

No one has mentioned it, so I guess I have to pile on with another complaint. V.P. Tom Zarek is also Sagittaron. It would be one thing if he weren't shown in the episode giving dire warnings to Roslyn about Balthazar's trial. But Zarek has always been a feather ruffler; if there was a disease outbreak on Galactica and mostly Sag were dying he would have heard of it through the rumor mill and be making a stink about it.

Also, why does everyone seem to harbor lingering Helo resentment still, when they've all (even Starbuck) palsy with Sharon?

America has always had an undercurrent of religious, cultural, social and racial differences. Racial disparity is used as a tool to cause tension between the misinformed masses that don't see behind the agenda of the powerful in any organization or peoples. Many of us STILL can't identify with an individual that is different. Why should these facts be any different on the Battlestar Galactica. The entire episode was a small mirror of America. I enjoyed this chapter.

Wow that episode was worse than Black Market and like many here I love BSG so that's saying something. Whats more it's my fave show but I don't like when any show gets preachy and holds up a character, Helo in this piece, to be morally superior to everyone else. Racism is bad, we frakking get it. Hows about trying subtely again sometime soon. I'm really quite mad, I mean the show is such a good show and, for, me at it's best it's unbeatable but if there is one thing the show cannot do it's filler eps. BSG is all about the arcs, it thrives and excells on them. Can we please have them back, Please. I'd be ever so grateful. Oh and give my girl Starbuck some more airtime before the season's up mkay.

I loved this episode. I am a little surprised at the negativity attributed to it by some. After all, it had multiple Grace Park appearances, tense drama, and multiple Grace Park appearances. Ah yes.....another gem by the beautiful Grace Park. It is no accident that the better episodes are the ones that include Mrs. Parks vibrant presence.

I like Helo. Helo has morals. He has scruples. He has convictions. He also laid a haymaker on the trash-talker of the fleet(points for that) and lame example of a second-in-command. Tigh had that coming, although to his credit he came through in the end. There are things I respect about Tigh but he is about as flawed an officer as there ever was. Tough old salt isn't he? Michael Hogan plays his part sooooo well! So yes, I enjoyed this "Helo" episode. And a splendid bonus when Helo is in the limelight is that Sharon is right around the corner!