S04E02: 'Six Of One'

An emotionally brutal performance by Katee Sackhoff and a stunning plot twist ensure that 'Six Of One' will go down as one of the best episodes in the history of the Battlestar Galactica. That's high praise indeed.

Her eyes raging like a wild animal, Sackhoff imbues the tortured Starbuck with an incredible intensity and gains our sympathy - even though she may well be the duplicitous final Cylon. The debate over that figure's identity continues to intrigue, especially as Gaius Baltar has started to hear a song in his head, just like the previous four Cylons on board Galactica did.

The scenes on board the Cylon Base Star are magnificently gripping and take the central man versus machine plot in a totally new direction. The concept of the Cylon Centurions being given the power of reason is a terrific twist - and fully exploited when they turn their guns on their supposed superiors for lobotomising the lowly Cylon Raiders. The prospect of a fully-fledged civil war is enough to make even the most stubborn of saliva glands drool in keen anticipation.

There are plenty of compelling subplots to ensure that every scene is effective. President Roslin's life is endangered by cancer once again, Starbuck and the newly promoted Apollo have a heart-warming snog and Baltar is becoming the fleet's version of Russell Brand in terms of his bedroom conquests. The direction and scriptwriting are at such a high level that all these various strands are seamlessly interwoven, like a circus performer keeping many plates spinning concurrently.

Battlestar Galactica is at the top of its game, but can the drama be sustained? The show is certainly setting itself ridiculously high standards as it prepares to enter the home straight.


> What do you think about the episode? Share your views