“ Battlestar Galactica ”

S04E08: 'Sine Qua Non'

Published Tuesday, May 27 2008, 22:00 BST | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 8 comments

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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Lorcan in San Francisco, on June 3rd, 2008
The last episode was strange and did not ring true. I am not sure why Romo pulled the gun on Lee Adama other than his cat was dead. I may have to watch it again but something is not quite right in the series right now.

jane, crewe, on June 1st, 2008
i was very confused at the end of this, but realised that surely it was only lamkin that saw the cat, therefore it could have been dead for weeks?!?!? ugh.. it seems to lack energy mostly.

Kate, Wellington, on June 1st, 2008
Another grand episode added to a fabilous (imho:) 4th season of BSG. I think that unlike a lot of shows, this one will have an ending the show and its fans deserve. Tnx goes out to Everyone involved with BSG.

Tom, London, on May 29th, 2008
After last week's exciting plot-heavy episode this was a total and utter disaster. It had some incredibly important plot developments, yet I believe it was the worst episode of the series so far. Poor script, poor explanations, poor sub-plots, and Lee's search for the new president was as annoying as it was predictable (although what was the deal with the dead cat???). Seems BSG's last series will end up a confusing mess.

Eliot Porter, London, on May 29th, 2008
A confused and largely pointless episode, as we've come to expect from season 4.

Loxx, Abingdon, on May 29th, 2008
Quite a lot of material to cover, but another great ep. look forward to next week :)

Calvin, USA, on May 29th, 2008
I'm done with this show. First Boomer with Cavil and now Tigh with Six? What, are we going to be treated to a threesome with Cottle, Adama and Xena next week? I'm disgusted with the hot, stupid cylon women and pretty well though with the program.

Les Ferris, Newcastle, on May 28th, 2008
I really enjoyed this episode. Natalie's deat and her apparent visions of Earth, the return of Lampkin, the Saul/Adama fight and the now pregnant Caprica Six, and Lee stepping up to the plate. Cant wait for 'The Hub' next week!

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