'Battlestar Galactica' Takes The Stand

In the first year, "Battlestar Galactica" ended in such a drastically dark note – the fleet was in shambles, crash survivors were pinned down on the planet of the gods and the then Cmdr. Adama (Edward James Olmos) was shot by one of his finest pilots.

A season later, the Cylon forces finally caught up with the space-faring refugees on their new home, forcing their only line of defense to jump to safety leaving the civilian encampment to the wolves.

Both of these seasons took a variety of stories that had been developed over the course of the year and brought them to a climax. This season, however, has been far from clear sailing with a few questionable storylines making up the larger story. So the question is, how will these threads help contribute to the grand third season finale? With ratings problems and rumours of cancellation after the fourth season, the finale essentially places “Battlestar Galactica” on trial.

Just like the opening installment of “Crossroads,” all of the courtroom scenes were brimming with the same gritty feelings as the previous week’s episode and works hard to justify the stories that have taken place throughout the course of the season. However this time the resentment over the events of the New Caprica exodus was this time accompanied by an ever increasing amount of tension as it becomes clear that the trial is swiftly coming to a head and that Baltar (James Callis) will walk out of the courtroom a free man.

But what was not expected, was that Adama, the so-called commander-in-chief, who wanted nothing more than to hang Baltar out to dry would change is vote in the final moment, and that even he would agree that the former president is innocent of the crimes accused.

For the third episode in a row, Mark Sheppard steals every scene away from the headline cast in his emotional defense of the former president. From start to finish, he is a constant joy to watch on screen and brings a fresh new perspective to the table. It is a loss that his character will not be back for a more long-term role -- as far as we know, that is -- as he brought a bright new outlook that is welcome on the series.

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