Review: Battlestar Galactica - Exodus Part 2
Written by Bradely Thompson & David Weddle

Whereas last week's episode was primarily build up, this week, in Exodus Part 2, it's all starting to hit the fan...in a big way.

In episode 3.4, Exodus Part 2, Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the Galactica finally launch the rescue mission to free the human race from Cylon occupation on New Caprica. Making a risky FTL jump into the planet's atmosphere, the Galactica launched its Vipers to assist the insurgency while trying to take as much heat off the escaping ships as possible. Meanwhile, Tigh (Michael Hogan) has to make a difficult decision about his wife, who has been betraying the human resistance.

First off, I'd just like to say that the special effects in this episode rivaled that of some blockbuster movies. In a word, they were simply breathtaking. They way the artists fused real-world film and CGI when the Galactica appears of above the planet is truly remarkable. Likewise, the space battle between the Battlestars Pegasus and Galactica were equally inspired. I can't imagine how much money those effects shots cost, but it was money well spent.

Without trying to sound like some blubbering fanboy, my first thought after the episode ended was that it was probably one the best single hours of syndicated television I had ever seen. In fact, it didn't even really feel like a TV show. Really, with the special effects, powerful script, and solid acting all around, it was an experience I will not soon forget.

From the beginning, this episode takes you the short hairs and doesn't let up. Starting with Tigh murdering his wife then talking to her corpse was about as dark as TV gets. He wont be, but Michael Hogan frakking deserves to be nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal as Colonel Tigh. This character is so hardcore, words fail to accurately describe him. Likewise, James Callis certainly has the emotionally destroyed, almost going to cry look down to a science. No longer the arrogant and confident Baltar we all knew and loved, I can't help but feel sorry for him whenever he's on screen.

I'd say the only part of the episode that didn't seem to work was a somewhat hazy sequence near the end in which Gaius and Six try to stop D'Anna from setting off a nuclear bomb. It could be due to the fact that they simply couldn't afford any more effects shots, but I didn't feel a sense of urgency about her setting of a nuke, considering it looked like most the humans had already escaped. Also, in the next scene, we see D'Anna not arming a nuke, but visiting an oracle's hut. Something about that chain of events didn't sit right with me. Though thankfully it was only a small portion of the conclusion sequence.

With high-paced action and drama that winds down to a bitter-sweet ending, Exodus Part 2 is about as good as television can get. Combined with the stellar two-part premier, season 3 of Battlestar Galactica is already shaping up to be the best yet. Now I can't wait to see where the writers take the show from here.

Rating: 10/10 "Holy Shi-!"

~Khyron, 2006