TV Recap: Battlestar Galactica - The Son Also Rises

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As those closest to her deal with Kara’s death, they are concurrently thrust into the trial of Gaius Baltar. Nothing like getting involved in the trial of the century to take your mind off the pain. But, as Admiral Adama told his son he’ll do his job. Lee is openly distraught over the loss of Starbuck, while his father tries to put forth an air of stoicism. It’s not easily maintained as chinks in the Old Man’s armour begin to show. In the end, a son rises from the shadow of his father.

Every man deserves a fair trial, and by extension full legal representation. The thing about using terrorism for justice is that justice is never served. Of course, some people do something so heinous that the ends seem to justify the means. But boy oh boy does that not beg the question, “How do you know they’re guilty?” Which is where trials come in. Someone aboard Galactica didn’t feel Baltar had the right to an attorney, and felt so strongly that they planted a bomb that killed the man. So, needing to attempt a fair trial a new lawyer is found for the good doctor.

I don’t think since Leoben has there been a new character introduced whom I like so much. Romo Lampkin is a delight to watch in his interactions with Lee. Due to his inability to cope with Kara’s death, even going so far as to berate a pilot he mistakes for her in a heart wrenching scene early in the episode, Lee is removed from flight duty and put on as Romo’s security guard. It turns out that Romo knew Apollo’s grandfather, Joseph Adama. The lawyer has many things to teach the young Adama, and I imagine many lessons come straight from Lee’s grandfather.

Basically Romo meets with Baltar for a while, dispenses some truths. Then he talks with Lee, more truthiness in the form of the finest dialogue this side of season 1. Then in a scene that is probably the best thing put on air by the ‘BSG’ writers in the last year, Romo meets with Caprica Six. It’s interesting to note that at this point he finally takes off his sunglasses. We see his eyes, and the emotion behind them. As he tells Six exactly what she wants to here, enslaving her in her very own lie, we can see in Lampkin’s eyes that he’s talking out his ass. We’ve been too engaged in the inner workings of the characters of the show that there’s been a void. Lampkin fills that void. He provides a breath of fresh air the show needs. And he does it with wit and an Irish accent.

Upon returning to his quarters, a bomb incapacitates Romo. Luckily a diligent marine is able to push him out of the way, thus saving his life. Now we move from great dialogue to great symbolism. It turns out that Romo is a klepto. Taking things from people, but not only because he likes to do so. There’s a purpose to his thieving. He takes the president’s glasses because without them she looks less serious, which can help in the trial. He even takes Admiral Adama’s button, noting that it’s tarnished unlike all the other officer’s buttons.

With Romo out of action, Lee meets with his father. The Admiral puts him back on active duty, but Lee refuses. He intends to work with Lampkin to help him with Baltar’s defense. The two argue over this, and finally when challenged by his son the Admiral walks away. Yeah, it’d be nice for Lee to follow his father’s path. But I have to say I enjoy him finding his own way. For the first time, Lee is no longer standing in the shadow of his father. Trying to be the great Adama. He’s made another choice, and is going to stick to it. At least, I hope he does.

So, another week ends. Kara’s death, while present in the episode, surprisingly didn’t overwhelm. I half expected everyone to be breaking down constantly and there to be a great funeral with an impassioned speech by the Old Man. Lee put her picture up on the wall, and that’s about the extent of her funeral. There’s still the distinct possibility that she’s not dead dead. So, why bother with a funeral? Then there was the bombing stuff. McCall ended up being responsible, but the whole plot line was a real down point for the episode. I love Callie’s passion, but her spewing Baltar’s rhetoric is a bit annoying. It’s like she’s becoming a priestess in the religion of Gaius Baltar.

What did you think of the episode? Will Baltar receive a fair trial? Will Adama lead the charge for fairness on the tribunal, or will he try and fry Gaius any way he can? Is Lee strong enough yet to stand up against his father?