Battlestar Galactica, Season 2.0 (2005)

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Rated: TVMA

Reviewer: Charity Bishop

I am used to adrenaline-packed series and Battlestar Galactica is no exception, even if at times it does push the envelope...

The Galactica is in chaos since the near-fatal shooting of Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) at the hands of Boomer (Grace Park), a Cylon planted on board the ship for still unknown purposes. This unforeseen incident has left the ill-prepared and intimidated Colonel Tigh (Michael Hogan) in command of the fleet. The recent coo staged by President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) has also put her in the brig, along with Adama's son Apollo (Jamie Bamber), who defied his superior officers in order to defend her. But when a space jump goes wrong and leaves them separated from the rest of the survivors of the ill-fated human race, Apollo is released to assist in fighting the Cylons that have infiltrated their ranks... and the ship. In the meantime, they are forced to abandon rescue attempts to locate the stranded team on board the planet, where Gaius (James Callis) is experiencing vivid hallucinations, this time with futuristic overtones, as the beautiful Six (Tricia Helfer) informs him that they will have a child, but the life of the baby will be put in peril by unbelievers. Back on the abandoned Caprica, Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) and Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) must find another means of escaping when their ship is stolen by "another" Boomer. And then there is the fact that Adama is lying unconscious in the medical ward, in desperate need of medical assistance...

Continuing in the theme the first season set in motion, this first half of the second season is just as intense and hair-raising as ever. It's also one of the finest story arcs I have ever seen, continually introducing new twists and turns while pushing character development to the forefront. One of the best things about this sequence of adventures is the relationships. Gaius is less selfish than before and his interaction with a female Cylon prisoner is touching and heart-wrenching; likewise, the family dynamic between Adama and the officers on his ship is equally moving, and more than once different reconciliations brought me to tears. It's inspiring how mistakes can be undone and all involved want what is best for the fleet, in many cases swallowing their pride for the good of their comrades. But that doesn't mean their choices are not difficult, or that there are not repercussions, however! There are consequences for actions and each choice reveals a truth about those involved.

The religious content has been amped up a notch, with division in the ranks among those who believe in the ancient prophecies and those who do not. This is perhaps what sets it apart the most profoundly from other sci-fi series in that it explores primal belief in higher powers without disguising its fundamental truths. The Cylons believe in one God, whereas the human race has adapted to believing in numerous gods, but within all involved mythology are basic similar principles: good and evil, divine guidance, and prophecy. This may or may not prove problematic to Christian audiences, but it does bear mentioning that at one point, Six, who continually appears to Gaius in order to influence his decisions (no one else can see her), identifies herself as an "angel." The faith-driven masses also bow down to President Roslin, which causes her unease (they believe she has been Chosen to lead them to Earth -- the promised land). There are many scenes of praying and intercession, as well as reverent references to beliefs, but an equal amount of profanity and abuse of deities. ("Oh, my gods!" and "gods ****!")

Violence has increased with gunshots casting blood spray into the air. There are several scenes of female prisoners being brutally beaten during interrogations -- by men. The crew of the Galactica is horrified to discover that on another ship, the accepted norm for interrogating female prisoners is rape. Gaius discovers a Cylon prisoner has been thus abused -- we see her covered in bruises and severely mentally traumatized. Conversation hints at rape, where other soldiers reference it in joking fashion (offending a female member of the crew). Boomer is forced down on her bunk and the commanding interrogating officer undoes his pants and drops them, but before he can progress too far, two men come in and save her (the scene is not explicit, but disturbing to watch). It's implied that Starbuck spent the night with a man; we see her getting dressed the next morning. Two episodes feature partial nudity -- Six straddles a chair nude to tempt Gaius and the camera catches quite a bit of skin; elsewhere, Apollo chases a film crew out of their quarters after showering, and nearly loses his towel in the process (he still manages to cover his crotch). Six often appears in revealing clothing, and Starbuck turns up a few times in training bras.

Profanity is on par with the first season and again uses the term "frak," both in a sexual context and as a profanity -- but it's more apparent this time around (and also in one instance coupled with "mother"). There's quite a bit of drinking and smoking. Overall it's a better installment than the last and builds on the characters and their situation without ever progressing into tedium. I was surprised how touching many of the scenes were, one in particular concerning the christening of a new ship. It's not perfect but it comes close.