I really liked this episode. It reminded me of the season 1 episode that scrutinized the idea of tribunal independent of the government. In that vein, it was nice to see the show stick with a single theme again (for the first time in a while) and present it in a way that moved everyone in some capacity or another. The issue pushed all the characters in some way, but not all in the same direction. So while it was certainly slower than the "in time of war" arc, it felt a lot more confident than much of it, and more time was given for consequences.
I would say it trumps all of the totally self-contained episodes we saw in the latter half of season 2, including the black market episode, the hostage episode, the episode about Scar, and episodes that were plot bridges like Epiphanies and The Farm. I preferred it to the Kobol arc. All because it took the time to seriously examine how each of the characters dealt with the same problem. Despite that I knew Gaeta wasn't going to die after the first victim, Roslin's solution to the problem at the end (the way she dealt with it efficiently while everyone else was tearing out their hair or surrendering to the "reality" of it) was unexpected and elegant. Though, would someone tell me why Zarek was de facto President?
I wonder if this episode means we'll be seeing more for Gaeta to do this time around. He's certainly interesting, especially after his experience on New Caprica.
I like the cylon basestar. Baltar's room is theatrical, but it's also amusing to contemplate that it's like that because the decadent furniture is what the cylons believe sates him (despite the rest of the environment). Even though he's got a pretty black-and-white problem to deal with, I can only expect that the solution will be pleasantly weird, like it often is with his storylines.
Interesting how the writers really like working with a plot at a distant location that's completely separate from the primary story (Sharon and Helo on Caprica, Starbuck and the Resistance, Galactica during the Kobol arc, and Starbuck with Leoben in the apartment).
I feel good about this episode. I'll be glad if all of the "minor" storylines are this integrated and thoughtful.
