I think it would be brilliant if there was really a plan from the beginning, and your find, Shard, gives me hope.
As far as my expectations go... this episode exceeded them. I seriously respect the writer's skill setting up a multitude of face-offs, each reflecting and amplifying the othersin space, on the ground, between the Sharons, in the meeting room on Galactica, between Kara and Lee, Sam and Lee, etc. And then we get some really choice efforts from the cast which seem to have been reserved for the more "critical" episode, or elicited by a more inspired director, such as Helo's "you of all people..... should know what it's like to lose a child," or where Roslin is more moved to hear that the child Hera is still alive than that Athena has learned the truth, or Cavill's brilliant little wink at the end of the parlay.
I was relieved that there was not a "hidden threat" on the planet, and that Tyrol wasn't "feeling watched," per se, as is the cliche. I'm also happy that the messy love situation between the two married couples is being given the soft touch with allusions ("swear an oath and keep to it") and with Dee's all-business way of dealing with her situation.
I can't wait to see how this is resolved.
...I'm also intrigued that Moore has only written one of the episodes this season so far. I wonder if that means we're going to get a run next season or what, since his choreography is always the most elegant, and of course most directly addresses the arc plot.