BSG S04E03: 'The Ties That Bind'

Killing off a regular is always a good way to boost interest, but this episode handled the demise of increasingly paranoid crew member Cally with both style and substance. It was almost as shocking as Cavil's sudden snog with Boomer! Good to see Dean Stockwell muscling in on the action, having been lumbered with the less appetising Scott Bakula for years on Quantum Leap.

It's easy to sympathise with the emotional predicament Cally has found for herself. She's in the middle of a horrendous war, has a young 'un, very claustrophobic living conditions, suspects her husband is having an affair... and then discovers he's a Cylon! Despite many viewers undoubtedly screaming at the television and urging her to spread her findings, her state of mind was understandably fracked by that stage.

Cally's eventual death was moving, following many sudden twists and the appearance of a seeming saviour in Tory, who then stunningly displayed her Cylon credentials by turning into her ruthless executioner.

The return of the scheming Tom Zarek is a real treat. After worming his way into his position of Vice President, he still has his hidden agendas and his attempts to manipulate the impressionable Apollo were great fun to behold.

Away from more impressive battle sequences, this time with the Cylon civil war, it's great to see that Battlestar Galactica can still manage to convey simple, brutal drama. The mental disintegration of Cally needed great acting, writing and direction - and no snazzy CGI. The final series continues to amaze with its consistency.


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