Review: A Measure of Salvation
Written by: Michael Angeli

For Gaius Baltar fans like myself , this was a hard episode to endure. Although he plays the weak, cowardly bad guy of the series, his torture scenes were no less moving than if it were to be one of the protagonists.

In episode 3.7, A Measure of Salvation, Gaius Baltar (James Calllis) is subjected to torturous interrogation by his Cylon hosts. Although he did lie in the first place, what makes it so undeserving (and painful to watch) is that for once, Baltar isn't hiding anything. Meanwhile, the Galactica takes several of the ill Cylons from the Baseship abandoned in the Lion's Head nebula. After Doc Cottle discovers that the Cylons are falling victim to a disease humanity has long since become immune to, President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) decides to execute the prisoners--making them unwilling carriers of a genocidal weapon of mass destruction.

This plot line about the moral dilemma of using a biological weapon to wipe out an enemy bent on doing the exact same to you is hardly original. In fact, I do believe this was one of the main plots of the last season of Stargate Atlantis. That said, I can't really bash a sci-fi show for reusing such a poignant subject. The writers were able to make it their own, so I have no real complaints. Plus, we got to see just how cold-blooded the usually timid Roslin is.

It also brought about the likely downfall of Helo (Tahmoh Penikett). I was wondering how long he would stay as the Galactica's XO, and from the looks of it, his time is up. This asks the question: who will take his place? I doubt Adama will have anything to do with Tigh anymore. Now that his son has slimmed down, maybe the Adama's will be in command together?

Though as I said at the beginning, the real standout scenes from this episode were those with James Callis and Trisha Helfer. The two of them were certainly a staple of the first season, but up until now, we haven't had much of them interacting. The scene in which Head Six tries to comfort Gaius as he is tortured was riveting television. If ever there was an edge of your seat moment in Battlestar, this was it. The editing, acting, and emotion of it all was painful to the point of captivating.

I feel I must also express my enjoyment of the revelation to the Galactica that Gaius was still alive and helping the Cylons. The look on Adama's face was priceless. From the looks of it, despite the President's general pardon of humanity, there's no chance of Gaius being allowed back in the fleet.

Rating: 9 / 10 "Painfully Enjoyable"

~Khyron, 2006