Review: Hero
Written by: David Eick

When I first heard that a new member would be joining the Battlestar cast, I was initially weary. When I saw the promo for Hero, however, my reluctance to accept it only grew.

In episode 3.8, Hero, the Galactica takes in a fleeing Cylon Raider they discovered under attack by other Cylons. Once aboard, they learn it was being piloted by Lt. Daniel "Bulldog" Novacek (Carl Lumbly). Formerly under Adama's command and considered dead, Bulldog soon discovers the truth regarding his capture by the Cylons...then seeks revenge on the man responsible.

I'm trying not to be that kind of fan that bashes his favored show into oblivion. I've seen what that kind of attitude can do, and I don't want Battlestar to suffer such a cruel fate. However, I'm still torn on both this episode and the new character.

I'd say my biggest quarrel with Bulldog is how suddenly they brought him into the show. I'd been cool with it if they introduced him slowly over the course of a few episodes, but having him just appear like he did seemed far to obvious of a plot device. To me, the method of storytelling used seemed like it was below Battlestar's consistently high quality. Also, and maybe it's just me, but I see quite a few parallels between this character and Ronon Dex from Stargate Atlantis. That's twice now Battlestar has pulled a move similar to Atlantis.

Though a total loss this episode was not. Not only did we get to see some Adama back-story, we got to see the return of Saul Tigh to his badass self again. In one of the coolest examples of close quarter combat, the grizzled and one-eyed Tigh perfumed one helluva counter maneuver on the pipe-wielding Bulldog. The move was equal parts hardcore and hilarious.

For now, I'm still on the fence regarding the new character. I think there's some potential there, but I want to see where they take him from here before coming to any conclusions. For me, his inaugural episode was a low-point for the season thus far.

Rating: 7 / 10 "It was OK."

~Khyron