"The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part Ⅱ" is the seventh episode of Battlestar Galactica. It premiered on October 29, 1978.
In syndication and on streaming, "The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part Ⅱ" is sometimes listed as the ninth episode of the season. This happens when the series premiere episode, "Saga of a Star World", is split into three episodes.
Plot[]
- The following is taken from Wikipedia, and can be found here.
Continuing from the previous episode, the Colonial and Theta team travels on to the Thetas' city, narrowly avoiding a Cylon patrol. The Thetas explain they were created as slave labour by the Cylons, and many are still enslaved; this convinces the Colonials they won't hand them over. Apollo agrees with the Theta rebel leader that he will sponsor a Theta revolt in exchange for help in destroying the Cyon Pulsar.
Against the objections of Lucifer, Count Baltar orders a raider assault on Galactica before reinforcement Basestars can arrive. Baltar sees a suicidal attack on the Galactica as a necessary gamble in luring the battlestar to the planet.
Back on the planet, the Cylon patrol arrives at the city, having renewed their search for the Colonials. The Thetas are concerned about this incursion; the clones were intended to be born sterile, and have hid their children from them. The Theta rebel leader, identified as "Series 5, Culture 9", introduces Apollo to Dr. Ravoshol. Ravoshol wants nothing to do with Galactica and its Warriors, insisting he only makes peaceful machinery such as an "energy lens system designed to transmit intelligence across the galaxy" crewed by Series 5s. He refuses to accept responsibility for the Cylons' modifications which turned it into the Pulsar weapon. Dr. Ravoshol's office is searched by the Cylon patrol, and Apollo goes into hiding. To keep them away, the doctor calls Vulpa, the garrison leader, to complain about the patrol's disruption of his research; Vulpa agrees to leave him be, but orders for Culture 9's execution as he is identified as AWOL. During the chaos, Thane; Leda and Wolfe plan their escape. Apollo makes a final plea for Dr. Ravoshol's aid, and reveals the existence of the Theta children.
Act 2[]
A Cylon fighter squadron approaches the fleet, and Blue Squadron is launched to intercept with orders to protect the freighters. Count Baltar orders the fighters to retreat in a bid to fool Commander Adama into thinking the Basestar is close enough to service them.
Dr. Ravashol shows Apollo a schematic of the Pulsar, showing exactly how to destroy it. The Thetas hide Boxey and their children, though the Cylons are distracted when they capture Thane while attempting to pass as a Theta. Starbuck dresses as a Theta hoping to infiltrate the Theta circle and rescue Cree, who's interrogation is being increased. Thane's interrogation appears easier than Crees, though he bluffs them into setting off an explosive disguised as a tape recorder, killing himself and the Cylons. The surviving convicts, Croft; Leda and Wolfe, head out into the snow, and argue over the benefits of helping the Colonials. They agree that commandeering a Cylon raider has the better chance of survival and freedom than destroying the Pulsar.
Lucifer reports to Count Baltar that the Cylon strike force is low on fuel and only 30% will actually reach the Basestar on their own power. Baltar orders they turn back and engage the fleet once more to give the impression they are reinforcements. Most of the remaining ships are destroyed when their retreat is ordered. This act has proven successful, as several Cylon Basestars are closing in on Arcta, while Galactica and the fleet is being forced there.
Vulpa's Cylons fire the Pulsar at the fleet, which causes an avalanche. Series 5, Culture 9 is injured in the avalanche, and Tenna is forced to take him back down the mountain. Apollo and the convicts head up the mountain, and Wolfe takes his weapon out to force Apollo to help him escape. Apollo insists that allowing Galactica to be destroyed offers no real chance of escape, but Wolfe and Leda do not care. In a fight with Apollo, Wolfe loses the weapon and runs out into the snow alone. Expecting him to perish and short of time, Croft and Leda agree to work with Apollo.
The three find an entrance to the battery as the fleet enters firing range. Starbuck meanwhile makes his way into the garrison and destroys the two Centurions guarding Cree. He takes Cree to Theta camp and hides him with the others.
The Cylon Basestars move further to the fleet, forcing them to continue their approach to Arcta. The Thetas, fearing the Cylon reinforcements will annihilate them, turn against the Colonials, hoping to use the Pulsar to defend themselves. However, Dr. Ravoshol gets them to change their minds and help regardless, confiding in Starbuck not all of his inventions are in Cylon hands. Boomer and the Theta rebels make their attack on the Cylon garrison at the same time Apollo's team takes control of the Pulsar. A Centurion tries to kill Croft, but Leda grabs him and takes the hit instead and dies. Explosive charges are set up, and the Colonials and Thetas escape from the mountain. When Galactica is finally in range, Vulpa gives out orders to fire the weapon. The charges are set off, destroying the entire base.
Production[]
The episode was originally titled "Ultimate Weapon, Part Ⅱ", and the script was based on material from the abandoned two-parters, "Crossfire" and "The Nari of Sentinel 27", respectively.[1]
Further notes[]
- Apollo made a noticeable goof in the episode, describing the Basestars as "Cylon Battlestars". Adama and Athena also referred to Basestars as "Cylon Battlestars", during Part I. This is understandable, as baseships are considered to be the Cylon equivalent.
- Sparks are seen from Leda's jacket when Vulpa shoots her in the back. However, the jacket is undamaged when Croft cradles her in his arms seconds later. The jacket could be made of self repairing material.
- The schematic of the laser weapon is clearly that of a common relfector telescope. Telescopes are designed to focus light onto a small area.
Sources[]
- ↑ BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. hassleinbooks. Retrieved on 2018-07-07.