Good episode, but it left me wondering one thing - what was the point of the arc?

With only a handful of episodes left in the show, why was it necessary to dedicate 3 episodes to a coup d'etat that ended with the status quo being restored? Sure, it brought Roslin back into being presidential instead of simply the dying leader. It got rid of Zarek, and will result in Anders having an epiphany next week, but I imagine these things could have been acomplished in less time.

Wow, this was a really impressive episode. At risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll agree with everyone above me and say that Mary McDonnell's acting was superb, even beyond her normally superb episodes. You could honestly see and hear the emotion in her face and voice - and not just sadness or anger, but a beautifully layered combination of fear and hope and many more. When she was talking to Zarek/Gaeta and acting strong, you could tell she was two seconds from breaking and her strength of character was the only thing keeping her together. The way she falls apart right at the end was the perfect endpiece to that amazing display of emotion.

Despite all that, I think the thing I liked the most in this episode was Zarek - from both a writing and acting standpoint. I love how he starts out full of idealistic speeches and by the end of the coup his true colors come out - proving true Adama's gut instinct that he is just a power-grabbing dictator wannabe. Gaeta, on the other hand, was honestly doing what he thought was right. The fact that he wavers at the end, right before Adama & Co. come blasting into CIC, was the perfect endpoint for the story arc. (That and the fact that his phantom pain stops right before his execution)

Speaking of Zarek, there aren't too many times where a TV moment will leave me honestly wide-mouthed and speechless, but his order to execute the Quorum was incredibly shocking. I absolutely did not see that coming. The abruptness and coldness with which he gave the order was incredibly well-played.

Since I'm cable-less and watching BSG via Amazon Unbox, I don't get the next-episode teaser, so I can't tell what it implied (if any) about Tyrol in the engine room or Anders' fate. I'm guessing that the cracks in the walls (if that's what it was?) will be discussed and it will be found that if they HAD jumped one more time, at Gaeta's command, the ship would have suffered damage. And I think Anders will die, but I'm not sure what that means for the Final Five. (do they even matter anymore? technically they've already found Earth.)

It is impossible to have a bad episode of Battlestar Galactica.


Erm, no. Just go back to some of Season 2's episodes - Black Market and Captain's Hand. Really not that great.

Wasn't this week the first time we've had a peek at the FTL drive? Possibly the most awesome equipment portrayed since Forbidden Planet! In my opinion, nothing in Star Wars ever came close.

IMHO - comments should only be a couple sentences, not multiple paragraphs.
If you have that much to say, put it on your own blog and post a link if you have to.

"I am of course ignoring the improbability of Lee and Starbuck sneaking around the ship and subduing the guards around the brig, and that the FTL drive can be disabled so easily..."

Really? I really thought that they handled all this rather believably. There was always tension and risk in the air, and there was real danger (i.e. Anders got (fatally???) wounded). And as for the FTL drive, the most enormous of machines can be brought to a standstill by interupting its power supply, and Tyrol would know how to do that. The last time we had a major plane crash, was it because the wings ripped off, or because some little gas cannister or faulty wiring started a fire that brought the plane down?

Speaking of the FTL drive, when we get a glimpse of the mechanism, was there anyone out there, just for a second, who thought about the Omega 13 from Galaxy Quest?

For most of this series, I have not been a fan of Laura Roslin. But I will have to admit, in this episode I truly admired her. Who could not be moved at the crunchtime steel she displayed in one of the worst crisises of her life, and against such long odds. Her obsession of finding Earth and being the dying leader was at last surpassed for a new found quality....her love for Bill Adama. No power in the BSG universe could withstand "The wrath of Roslin" She really did roll the hard six.

I do not need to write about the obvious and extrordinary courage of Adama, Tigh, and the other protagonists, it speaks for itself. But I will point out the guts Tyrol displayed when he was caught in the airvent. It takes a resolve of iron to laugh (literally) in the face of death like that. Tyrol has come full circle from happy, to angry, to miserable, to acceptence, to fear, and finally....to reluctant hero....sounds like Starbuck. It is interesting that the cylons continue to showcase the extreme examples of human emotions and characteristics.

For some odd reason, the execution of Gaeta and Zarak hit me with an almost comedic irony. It was probably because so much happened in such a short time frame. Here was Adama, on the firing line about to be shot with the mutineers looking on....Later, it was Gaeta and Zarak on the line with Adama looking on....almost like a "Gotcha back!" scerenio.

I know my beloved eights (Oh, how magnificent they looked!!!) played more of a supporting role in this thriller. However, an eight actually saved the entire hopes of the human/cylon alliance. When that missile was about to hit the raptor with Roslin....(the president of the colonies I remind you)....in it, did everyone notice how the eight pilot, with all the calm and nerves of steel, outmaneuvered and dodged the missile, saving Roslins life? Also notice how Athena, took the initiative and was the backbone of the rescue party on the Galactica. Yet again, it is the eights who (as usual) antes up major contributions to help save the day.

I thought it was a great episode last night. I know when BSG ends it's run ,... I'll miss it a lot.

What a great episode! Mary McDonnell got me riled up and I wanted to end Gaeta and Zareck myself.

Concerning the preview for next week: I think the scene of Ellen resurrecting is going to be a flashback. Maybe she's been around all this time waiting for the right moment to show herself.

I really loved this episode. It kept my attention the whole time. I will miss this show. Hard to believe we have only 6 episodes left. I think my favorite parts of the episode was when Roslin stood up to Gaeta and Zarek. I also loved the part at the end when Adama and his supporters to back the ship. I actually cheered and laughed. It was so good.