Crossroads (Battlestar Galactica)

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“Crossroads”
Battlestar Galactica episode
Baltar's trial in part one of "Crossroads"
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 19 and 20
Guest stars	Chelah Horsdal Mark Sheppard
Written by	Michael Taylor (Part 1) & Mark Verheiden (Part 2)
Directed by	Michael Rymer
Production no.	319 and 320
Original airdate	March 18, 2007 March 25, 2007
Episode chronology
← Previous	Next →
"The Son Also Rises"	"Battlestar Galactica DVD movie"
Episode chronology

"Crossroads" (Parts one and two) are the nineteenth and twentieth episodes of the third season and season finale from the science fiction television series, Battlestar Galactica. Neither episode begins with a survivor count.

Contents 1 Plot 1.1 Part I 1.2 Part I bonus scene 1.3 Part II 2 Notes 3 References

[edit] Plot

[edit] Part I

The episode begins within a dream where President Roslin finds herself in an opera house chasing little Hera Agathon who runs about the corridors. At one point she finds that Athena is also chasing after the child. Both women follow as Hera runs down flights of stairs and when she reaches to bottom floor, Caprica Six scoops up the child and begins to walk away with her into a blinding light. Roslin then awakens.

Meanwhile, at Joe's Bar, Colonel Tigh sits at the counter with an old radio trying to tune in strange music that is buried in static. Near him, Diana Seelix and Samuel Anders play a game of Pyramid. Anders seems to hear the music too.

On Colonial One, Tory Foster meets with Cassidy, the prosecuting attorney for Baltar's trial. Foster explains that Roslin saw Baltar with the blonde Cylon woman previous to the attack on the Twelve Colonies, but Cassidy isn't convinced that it can be used as evidence against him.

In Galactica's brig, Baltar is visited by a woman with a press pass. He tells her he was forbidden to speak to the media, but the woman instead asks Baltar to bless her child and shows him a photo. Baltar tells her that he isn't "God" and has the woman removed. She shouts "I believe in you!" as guards escort her away.

On the bridge, Admiral Adama is told they are nearing the Ionian Nebula. Suspicious about not having seen the Cylons for weeks, he orders Racetrack to scout behind the fleet to make sure they aren't being followed. Racetrack and her co-pilot Skulls stay behind as the fleet jumps ahead.

Baltar's trial begins with Cassidy delivering a powerful opening argument where she tells the court 5,197 people were killed or executed during the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, as well as some left behind during the exodus, and says that their faith in Baltar as a leader was gravely misplaced. Defense attorney Romo Lampkin begins his shocking opening by completely agreeing with Cassidy, saying Baltar should be shoved out an airlock and there shouldn't even be a trial. As he continues this course of argument, he is able to coax an angry shout to murder Baltar out of a member of the gallery, which he immediately turns around and uses as evidence that Baltar is being railroaded toward an execution to satisfy not justice, but the bloodthirsty instincts of the mob. He turns the tables as Roslin enters the court saying that had Roslin been leader, her stand and fight tactic would have gotten more people killed. He argues that Baltar decided the best course of action when he surrendered to the Cylons and that decision saved lives.

In space, Racetrack and Skulls confirm their worst fears when the Cylons jump into the system. The two barely get away as a Basestar fires a missile at them. On Galactica, Admiral Adama orders a sweep for tracking devices. Roslin, who appears stressed, tell Colonel Tigh to interrogate Caprica Six in the brig to see what she knows. Tigh objects, but Roslin shouts for him to follow the order. As Adama and Roslin discuss her outburst, Apollo takes a sniff from a thermos cup her aide Tory Foster had handed Roslin moments earlier. The cup has a suspicious smell.

Tigh questions Six who indicates that the Cylons detected a radiation pattern from the fleet's Refinery Ship and assumes they have been tracking it. In her head, Baltar appears and tells her to not let Tigh intimidate her. She brings up Tigh's wife Ellen and asks him if he loved her. Tigh furiously strikes her in the face, but Six gets up and punches him back. Tigh orders the guards to shackle her.

Back in court, Tigh takes the witness stand where it soon becomes clear that he is drunk. Lampkin questions him about his ordering the suicide bombing during the New Caprica Police initiation in which many were killed. Tigh admits to approving of the bombing, but says the victims were all traitors, however he indicates Baltar was the real target of the attack. The only thing he regrets is that had Baltar not been a coward and attended the ceremony, they wouldn't be wasting time now with a trial. Tigh becomes emotional when Lampkin questions him about Ellen Tigh's involvement with the Cylons and Tigh admits to killing her for it, but said she did it for him so he wouldn't be tortured. When Tigh begins to hear the strange music again, Lampkin asks if he has been drinking. Tigh admits that he "had a drink" and shouts for the "music" to be turned off.

In Joe's Bar, both Tory Foster and Samuel Anders become distracted by the strange music coming from the radio. No one else seems to hear it.

Meanwhile, as the Refinery Ship undergoes repairs, Apollo comes up with a plan to send the ship on a different course to lead the Cylons astray. Admiral Adama however, is furious about his son's decision to help defend Baltar, and accuses him of revealing the story of Ellen's death to Lampkin. Apollo retorts that he didn't even know how Ellen died, but Adama refuses to believe him, calling him "a liar and a coward". In anger, Apollo resigns from the service.

As the trial continues, Apollo decides to question Roslin who has taken the stand. During his examination, he reminds the court that Roslin once had cancer and points out that it was Baltar who discovered that the Cylon-hybrid Hera had antibodies that cured her, and Roslin concurs. He then asks Roslin to confirm that she had taken the hallucinogenic chamalla extract during her bout with cancer. She openly admits to this too, but out of earshot of the rest of the court, a visibly worried Roslin pleads with Apollo to drop this line of questioning. Apollo continues however, asking Roslin if she is still taking chamalla — a possible explanation for her cup's unusual smell. Roslin painfully admits she has resumed taking the drug which Apollo says jeopardizes her credibility as a witness. Apollo finishes his cross-examination, but Roslin demands that he finish what he started and ask her why she restarted taking the drug. Apollo does so and Roslin stuns everyone by informing that her cancer has returned. When Apollo returns to his quarters, he confronts his angry wife Dee who accuses him of betraying everyone. She says she is leaving him and walks away as Apollo begs her not to go.

On Colonial One, the media hammers Roslin with questions about her cancer and asks if she is going to seek help from Hera again. An angered (and somewhat bedraggled) Tory Foster tells the reporters to stop prying into the President's personal affairs, but Roslin asks her to leave. Afterward, Roslin reprimands Tory for her outburst and the fact that she has been acting strange lately. Tory admits that she hasn't been feeling well, but Roslin tells her to shape up or she'll have her replaced.

Back on Galactica, Felix Gaeta and Helo (who has been assigned as XO in lieu of Tigh), review Apollo's plan for using the Refinery Ship as a decoy. Helo remarks that there was a strange smell in the air back on Caprica whenever a storm was brewing. He uses this as a metaphor believing that trouble is coming.

In his quarters, Colonel Tigh is being driven mad by the strange music and tries to locate its source. He finally believes the music is inside the ship.

[edit] Part I bonus scene

Part I ends in a special bonus scene, the first half of which aired immediately after the episode and the remainder of which is available on Scifi.com. This scene takes place during a recess of Baltar's trial. Apollo and Lampkin sit alone in the courtroom and Apollo asks Lampkin if he realizes Baltar is guilty. Lampkin tells him he's guilty of something, but then again so is everyone. Lampkin asks Apollo, that by separating himself from his father, if he is aware he's betrayed the aristocracy the great Adama family was part of and asks if Apollo is willing to become an outcast.

[edit] Part II

Part II begins with a scene of Admiral Adama preparing for another day of Baltar's Trial. He receives a phone call from Roslin who is reluctant to go in court and requires some verbal motivation to get out of bed. Meanwhile, in a locker room, Anders and Tory are having sex. They both become distracted when they hear the strange music again, but pounding on the hatch switches their attention. Anders unlocks the door as a group of pilots enter. Seelix spots Tory and gives her an uncomfortable glare. Elsewhere, Chief Tyrol is stirred from his sleep by the music showing that he too can hear it. He leaves his quarters to locate the source but comes to a dead end in a ventilation tunnel.

Later, Lee Adama meets with Lampkin and Baltar where Lee suggests they call for a mistrial. Baltar protests saying he thought they were doing quite well mentioning the damaged credibility of Tigh and Roslin who were two chief witnesses for the prosecution. Lee quotes his lawyer grandfather believing their success is actually worsening their case. Lampkin believes Lee is keeping something from them, and Lee explains that Admiral Adama has already decided Baltar's guilt. Regardless of how it goes for their side, Baltar will be found guilty. Still, Baltar wants to proceed to a final verdict.

In the hangar bay, Anders passes Tyrol and overhears him humming the strange music. He takes Tyrol aside and asks where he heard if from, but Tyrol isn't sure and simply believes it was something from his childhood. Ander's thinks the same and realizes something isn't right.

In sickbay, Roslin undergoes treatment for her cancer. Doctor Cottle gives her in injection of Doloxan and the powerful drug rushes to her head. She lies down and soon enters the opera house dream. There she chases after Hera with Athena at her side and events repeat to the scene where Caprica Six picks up Hera. Standing in the door of light behind her however, is Baltar. Roslin screams and awakens to another scream from Athena who is nearby holding Hera. Roslin realizes Athena has the same dream. The two quickly go see Caprica Six in the brig. When Roslin brings up the dream, Six's astonished reaction makes it clear that she also experienced it. Roslin asks Six what her intentions were, where Six says she felt compelled to protect Hera from something.

On the bridge, Tigh tries to tell Adama about the music, but Adama dismisses it, saying only that he will "look into it".

The trial resumes where Felix Gaeta takes the stand. Cassidy submits the execution document listing the names for the Cylon death squad that was signed by Baltar. She asks Gaeta if Baltar was forced into signing the document; in a flashback is the scene on New Caprica where a Doral Cylon made Baltar sign it at gun point. A desperate look falls over Baltar's face as Gaeta looks directly at him and says "no". The courtroom stirs as Baltar shouts that Gaeta is lying. He tells them that everyone knows Gaeta has it out for him and brings up the stabbing with the pen. When Lampkin is asked to cross-examine Gaeta he declines and Gaeta is dismissed which stirs more reaction. Baltar is furious about Gaeta's dimissal, but Lampkin says Gaeta has already perjured himself. Anything he says now will be a lie. Lampkin pursues the mistrial tactic, saying it's the only thing that will save Baltar now.

After a recess, the trial resumes where Lampkin — over Baltar's furious protestations — moves for mistrial, based on the prejudicial statements of Admiral Adama. Lampkin calls for Lee Adama to take the stand. Lee tells him he will not testify against his father, but the other judges agree to hear what Lee has to say. Lee takes the stand where he refuses to divulge his father's statement. Lampkin tries to intimidate him and asks if he thinks Baltar deserves a fair trial.

Lee answers that he believes Baltar is innocent because the evidence is insufficient to prove otherwise. Lee asks everyone what they would have done if they were in Baltar's shoes the day the Cylons arrived. Lee says that everyone has made mistakes and everyone has been forgiven, but it seems no one can forgive Gaius Baltar. He mentions Roslin's blanket amnesty for all Cylon collaborators. He lists a great many questionable incidents that have been forgiven, pardoned or ignored, such as Helo and Tyrol's killing of Lt. Thorne from the Pegasus, Roslin's decision to forgive his father's coup against her over the argument regarding the Arrow of Apollo and his own actions in drawing a gun on Tigh. He points out that he himself was forgiven when he chose to run when the Cylons arrived at New Caprica and suggested they never come back. He believes Baltar is a scapegoat, and just someone to blame for all the shame and guilt that everyone has for being beaten by the Cylons. Cassidy doesn't cross-examine Lee and the defense rests.

The tribunal calls a recess to deliberate and soon returns with a verdict. With a vote of 3 to 2, they find Baltar not guilty. The courtroom erupts with a fury of protests as Baltar is dragged away to safety and Marines rush in to bring order. In his cell, Baltar packs his things and celebrates his victory. He asks Lampkin to come along a book tour, but Lampkin tells him their association is over. Even Lee turns away leaving Baltar with the realization that despite his freedom, he is now an outcast. He asks himself, "How am I going to survive?"

On the bridge, Roslin discusses her disappointment with the verdict to Adama, but she soon learns that he made the swing vote to free Baltar. Adama tells the furious Roslin that he's not asking everyone to forgive and forget, but they need to look to the future. With that he orders the final jump to the Ionian Nebula. The fleet arrives at the nebula, but suddenly a strange power loss affects all ships and they become adrift. Roslin suddenly falls ill as everyone scrambles to regain power.

Roslin enters the opera house dream once again. She sees Six and Baltar holding Hera, but their eyes divert upward to the balcony above. Roslin then sees the final five Cylons looking down at them. In her cell, Caprica Six has the same sudden dream.

Meanwhile, Tigh, Tyrol, and Anders, and Tory begin to hear the music again. This time it moves from dreamy chants and sitars to a distinct electric guitar-driven rock-n-roll song accompanied by actual lyrics: "There must be some way out of here, said the joker to the thief . . . There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief." The four recite the lyrics as they wander in the dark to find the source.

The four converge together in a small room and they stand to look at one another in shock. As they hum the music, Tigh slams the hatch and shouts for them to stop humming. He believes it is impossible and recalls his 40-year military career and his marriage to Ellen. Tory wonders what it all means, while Tyrol believes the only explanation is that they are all Cylons and always have been. Anders angrily refuses to confront the possibility, and when Tory draws closer he tells her to stay away from him.

Meanwhile, Baltar tries to slip past everyone in the darkness and confusion. He is suddenly accosted by three people, one of which he remembers as the woman who asked him to bless her child. She tells Baltar they're here to help him. He asks where they are taking him, where the woman replies to his "new life".

On the bridge, minimal power returns and the DRADIS is restored. At least four Cylon Basestars appear through the static. Adama orders general quarters and has Vipers launched. In the small room, Tigh tells the others to man their battle stations and says he may be something else, but he is first an officer of the fleet and he will serve his duty.

As Lee watches the other pilots scramble to their ships, he stands torn for a moment before rushing to his quarters to fetch his flight suit and helmet. On the bridge, Adama orders the activation of the nuclear missiles as Tigh arrives. With a pale look on his face, Tigh takes his station. He looks over to Tory as she joins President Roslin.

In space, the Vipers launch to engage whatever Raiders the Basestars are launching. Lee, in Viper 3, picks up a curious bogey on his scanner and decides to investigate it. He separates from the Viper wings and flies into the clouds of the nebula. Suddenly he is overtaken by another craft which buzzes him and disappears. Confused, Lee looks around seeing a Viper next to him. In the cockpit is Starbuck. Lee doesn't believe his eyes, but Starbuck tells him "don't freak out, it really is me". She tells him she has been to Earth and she knows how to get there.

The scene zooms out from the two Vipers, past the fleet, past the Cylons, and away from the nebula, until the view encompasses the galaxy itself. There is a sudden zoom-in apparently to another location within the galaxy which stops upon a view of Earth with the North American continent clearly visible.

[edit] Notes

• The song and lyrics that Tory, Tigh, Tyrol and Anders hear is Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower", as adapted by veteran series composer Bear McCreary. The vocals for this version are performed by McCreary's brother Brendan McCreary, aka Bt4, with former Oingo Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek playing various guitars and sitars.^[1] There is no explanation given in the show as to why this particular song is heard, nor where it comes from. According to a conversation McCreary had with Ronald D. Moore, the version heard in the episode is meant to have been recorded by a Colonial artist rather than Bob Dylan himself.
• Ronald D. Moore has confirmed that Tigh, Tyrol, Tory and Anders really are Cylons. ^[2]
• The line "Butterfingers!", which Baltar shouts to Gaeta, was improvised by actor James Callis.
• When asked why the final shot of Earth showed North America in particular, Moore's comment was that it is a American show, but sadly admits that if another continent were shown, for example Africa, some viewers probably wouldn't recognize it as Earth.^[3]

[edit] References