S04E08: 'Sine Qua Non'

A mixture of exaltation and frustration, this episode feels like a stark comedown after the heightened climax of the previous instalment.

Frustratingly, the story doesn't directly build upon the Roslin/Basestar and Hera's Six obsession plots that were tantalisingly left hanging at the end of the previous episode. There's also a slight inclination to think that some stalling tactics are being used, which highlights an uneven nature in the series given last week's overly plot-heavy episode.

It's great to see the return of the legendary Romo Lampkin, played with aplomb by Mark Sheppard. He adds a degree of cryptic surrealism amidst all the seriousness of the war. Lampkin's psychoanalytic leanings are always fascinating to hear, although he hardly has the most engaging sparring partner in the comparatively dull Lee Adama. Lee's ascendance to power is unsurprisingly low key and fairly underwhelming too.

Thankfully, Edward James Olmos delivers a captivating turn as Admiral Adama, torn up by the increasing realisation of his Roslin fixation. The prospect of 'Husker' back in the Raptor and back to basics is an exciting one - especially as he hands over control of the fleet to a secret Cylon. His brawl with Saul Tigh is shocking yet plausible, and the look in Tigh's eye when Adama tells him about the Number Six pregnancy is a memorable image.

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