'Battlestar Galactica': The beginning of 'Daybreak'

The flashbacks were nice on "Battlestar Galactica" -- anything to satisfy the fans' insatiable desire for more backstory about their favorite characters -- but I was worried.  Then right when I was about to go a bit crazy, like Laura-Roslin-in-the-fountain crazy, we were shifted back to present time in the there and then.

Not at all saying that they weren't great scenes. Roslin throwing her sister a baby shower, only to wake up later to have police inform her that her father, little sister and pregnant sister were killed by a drunk driver.  Her reaction was silent, internal, touching, symbolic and brave all in one action. But, and don't get mad, we know who Roslin is, and after three  seasons we may not have needed to see what helped shape her in this, the second to last episode.

'Battlestar Galactica': Frustration boiling over and a ship's decline

In this episode directed by Edward James Olmos, Adm. William Adama, the rock of "Battlestar Galactica," and other characters are seemingly on the brink of life or death, or at least involved with life or death situations, that tear at them.

A hull breach starts most of the trouble. On a ship that has seen many wars and hundreds of FTL jumps even before the current residents moved in, Galactica is not what it used to be, illustrated by a deadly rip in the ship's hull that kills 61 members, Cylon and human, aboard.  Adama may have been trying to save the ship at all costs, even using Cylon technology, but that may not be enough.

The accident interrupted a discussion about whether to mount another rescue attempt for Hera, seeing  how she's the key to human-Cylon relations.  Boomer is actually taking good care of Hera on the base star, bonding with the little girl despite knowing that she will have to give her up to Cavil to do god-knows-what with her.

'Battlestar Galactica': Hera, Boomer and the sounds of a Cylon

Like a good basketball player, "Battlestar Galactica" lulled everyone to sleep, slowly dribbling the ball as we all tried to steal it. Suddenly, with the shot clock down to 5, it darted past us for a slam dunk. Two points, and even though many knew (or thought they knew) it was coming, there wasn't anything you could do to stop it.

Did we ever really trust Boomer? A little. Athena worked hard and gained our trust, and it's difficult not to trust someone who has the same face of someone you trust. Got that? The stupid Cylon projection trick, seeing Galen smile ... Boomer not only made him believe, but many of us may have thought, "Oh, maybe she's reformed and they'll still kill her because of her crimes" 'cause that's how the gritty "Galactica" seems to work.

'Battlestar Galactica': Final five reunited, and it feels so weird

Apparently, poor judgment carries over when a Cylon is regenerated, and even after thousands of years, Ellen Tigh is still annoying on "Battlestar Galactica."

Ellen, the final Cylon, a maternal model who says that the eight models of Cylons are the children of the final five, touches down on Galactica, bringing trouble with her. First up is Boomer, who is not supposed to be on Galactica after trying to kill Adama and is quickly put in the brig. More on her next episode. Then there's sexy time with Saul Tigh. Come on, Tigh! You've got a new woman and a baby, and sex on tables in interrogation rooms can only lead to trouble.

'Battlestar Galactica': Ellen Tigh's awakening

The Cylon revelations are crystallizing in "Battlestar Galactica" as the final one of the final five is unveiled, Anders becomes aware of the history of the final five on Earth, and the extent of Cavil's hate toward humanity is put on display.

The humans are going through their own evolutions as well. Bill Adama must struggle with the fact that his ship, a symbol of stability and safety among this ragtag fleet, is crumbling around him. Galen Tyrol shows him the damage, and is charged with fixing it. The other Adama, Lee, is given just as big a responsibility by President Roslin: basically to rebuild the government after Tom Zarek decided to scrap the last one (which I still believe was a wrong, out-of-character act for Zarek, despite his history of 20-plus years as a revolutionary who killed people, commenters!). Laura would remain as the president, but Lee would do the actual work.

To the Cylons on Galactica ...

'Battlestar Galactica': The coup's fatal flaw

So many people dislike "Battlestar Galactica's" Felix Gaeta, that you know Alessandro Juliani and the writers must be doing a pretty good job with the character and the whole coup situation.

The insurgency, and Gaeta's misguided attempt at justice, was a great way to reignite the fires that were a bit dormant at the cores of a lot of the characters.  Roslin's leadership, Adama's toughness, Baltar's instability, Tigh's loyalty, Zarek's shiftiness, Tyrol's resourcefulness and Lee's soldiering and devotion to his dad were all qualities that caused us to follow this show unflinchingly.

And Starbuck. Oh Starbuck. She wasn't looking at colorful patterns or questioning who she was and why she was here. She was walking up behind guys at a urinal in space and smashing their heads up against the wall when they looked down to do their business.

'Battlestar Galactica': Felix Gaeta did what?!?!

The coup on "Battlestar Galactica" helped bring back a sense of danger and intrigue that we may not have realized was lost. Starbuck is back to being awesome, Lee has picked up a gun again, Adama and Tigh are back-to-back in the trenches, and despite her objections, Laura Roslin again has taken up the mantle of leadership.

The catalyst for the trouble? A disgruntled Lt. Felix Gaeta. It's understood, to a point. A hero during the occupation, he was almost executed as a traitor. While helping to find Earth, he was shot and lost his leg in a faux mutiny. The Earth was found to be a nuked wasteland, his fellow CIC officer Dee committed suicide (that one still hurts), and there was suddenly an olive branch extended to the murderous Cylons who started this whole thing. Yeah, the reasoning is there. Frustration had built.

But taking over Galactica by force seems a bit extreme.

'Battlestar Galactica': Did you know SHE was the Cylon?

The misdirection on "Battlestar Galactica" was probably all in our minds when it came to who the final Cylon was.  Deanna (Lucy Lawless) was the only one who knew for sure.  Well, she and Ron Moore, who had some interesting things to say about the developments on this"Sometimes a Great Notion" episode over at Chicago Tribune's The Watcher column.

Maybe the Cylon was Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell).  The cancer eating away at her could've been some sort of clue.  Many likely took it as a sign. "... And the Lord annointed a leader to guide a caravan of the heavens towards Earth."  Nope.

For Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), it was all too obvious.  Supposedly blown up, then comes back to life unscathed.  Has weird visions, can 'feel' her way toward Earth and just got increasingly scatter-brained as the season went on.  But not her.

Gaius Baltar (James Callis) saw a Cylon who wasn't there.  All the time! Talked to her, interacted and even fantasized about sex with her. But he's just crazy.

Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos).  That would be crushing. Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber).  How? Helo (Tahmoh Penikett). Heck no. Doc Cottle (Donnelly Rhodes)? Hmmm.

Dee? Anastasia Dualla (Kandyse McClure).  That was my choice.  Communications officer, always close to the main power (Adama) in crisis situations, even married Lil' Adama, Lee.  And the episode didn't let me down ... until the end.  We'll talk more about her later.  SPOILER AHEAD!!!

'Battlestar Galactica' countdown: Visual effects with Gary Hutzel

The review has already been written for "Battlestar Galactica," and we have only a day left until we find out the answers to many questions, and are probably presented with many more.  Over at Hero Complex, an exclusive photo of Katee Sackoff and some fans was posted today, and the site is gearing up for a major scoop tomorrow night.

It's been said that the show is a multi-layered drama -- like "The Sopranos" or "Mad Men" -- that just happens to be a science-fiction program.  Well, that "happens to be" is probably a huge draw to many who swear by the genre.  And usually, like music scores and sound, a major part of sci-fi shows is the tone that the visual effects help set.  That's where visual effects supervisor Gary Hutzel comes in.

We were able to have a chat with him about the show, and how it stacked up against his former employers in the "Star Trek" family.  Effects guys sometimes have some long answers!

JP: How similar or different are the visual effects for "Battlestar Galactica" versus those on "Star Trek?"

GH: Well, "Star Trek" was a completely different environment.  Completely different in the way it was structured.  When we started on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," we were shooting miniatures. There were no CGI ships or any capability of doing CGI like that at the time. The technology just wasn't available. So the requirements of shooting miniatures and compositing on a television schedule pretty much drove the whole process.... It was me and three other guys.

'Battlestar Galactica' countdown: Alessandro Juliani's Felix Gaeta

Alessandro Juliani's Felix Gaeta is an understated but integral character in the "Battlestar Galactica" universe.  He's come through in many tough situations (hot-wiring Galactica, spotting all those frakking Cylon Basestars, saving the whole human race by helping during the occupation), and now he has what seems to be a permanent limp to show for it.

We caught up with Alessandro for a quick Q&A as the season premiere nears.

Pick two moments during the show's run that you would call "defining," for both your character and the show overall.

For Felix — "The Stump Serenade" and a moment yet to be aired that will be extremely obvious once viewed.

For "Battlestar" — Eddie's ad-libbed "So say we all!" in the miniseries.

Question from commenter Jordan: How do you think "Battlestar Galactica" has affected the real world with its portrayals of life's tough issues (i.e., abortion, Iraq war, terrorism, etc.)?

I'd like to think that it may have sparked a few discussions or debates on any or all of these issues. That's really all one can hope for.