[eliteone]

Starring Mary McDonnell, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, James Callis, Tricia Helfer
Co-Starring Michael Hogan, Grace Park, Alessandro Juliani, Tahmoh Penikett, Kandyse McClure, Aaron Douglas, Nicki Clyne, Leah Cairns, Richard Hatch, Erica Cerra,
Special guest: Dean Stockwell (yes Quantum Leap Dean Stockwell)

Synopsis From Sci Fi: SPOLIER BELOW READ IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE PLOT

Aboard the Pegasus, Capt. Kara Thrace briefs a room full of Raptor crews and marines for a dangerous, volunteer-only mission to Caprica, to rescue the civilian survivors on the planet's surface. Using information obtained from the captive Cylon Sharon, they've linked their Raptors' navigation systems to the superior navigational capabilities of their captured Cylon heavy raider.

Meanwhile, in separate private quarters on the Galactica, President Roslin and Vice President Baltar each prepare notes for their first presidential debate, to be televised to the fleet. As Roslin memorizes her talking points, Baltar is hectored by Six's religious exhortations to have faith that the election will unfold as "God intends."

As the rest of the fleet watches the start of the presidential debate, Specialist Cally finds Chief Tyrol asleep under a Viper. She reaches out and wakes him — and he explodes to consciousness, reflexively lashes out and pummels her with a raging, brutal assault. Then he regains control, is horrified by what he's done, and calls desperately for medical assistance.

After the first debate, President Roslin enjoys a commanding lead over Baltar in the polls. Then, as if in response to Baltar's sarcastic plea for a miracle, one of the raptors from the Caprica rescue mission returns early with stunning news: Because of a miscalculated jump, they've accidentally discovered a habitable planet, in a region of space that will hide them from the Cylons' sensors.

On the advice of Tom Zarek, Baltar uses the planet's discovery as a political wedge issue. He fans the civilian population's desire for a new home, a safe home, an end to the constant running. Popular opinion swings sharply against Roslin, who is unprepared to give up the search for Earth.

Tyrol seeks counseling from a priest named Brother Cavil, who gets the chief to talk about the nightmares that have plagued him for weeks. Finally, Cavil helps Tyrol confront what's really bothering him: Somewhere deep down inside, Tyrol is afraid that he might, like Sharon, really be a Cylon.

Light-years away on Caprica, the Colonial rescue mission reaches Sam Anders and his surviving resistance fighters. No sooner are Kara and Sam reunited, however, than they find themselves caught in the midst of a Cylon ambush.

[Zipper]

Another good episode as well. I can really relate to the Chief and it was good seeing him in some internal struggles. It was a shame though for him to smack Cally around. But he has had some stuggles for sometime now. He still loves Boomer but knows Helo is the one for her. Commander Adama is always good in every episode.

[Aussie Trekkie]

It was an excellent episode and i liked the political battle between Roslin and Baltar it seems Roslin will run with the victory but the discovery of the planet protected from being scanned by anybody outside the area may cause problems for the President

[ticktrek]

It was good to see the Chief in some important scenes in this episode. ( Yes, Aaron Douglas is my BSG obsession.) He says in an interview that they filmed much more of that rage scene then they used .

What we shot was so much more graphic than what was aired and I understand why they did not use it. In what aired the rape had not totally begun. It was suggestive. I thought it was a good scene and on point with the story and not added to draw in viewers. I know Ron Moore very well and he is not the kind of person or writer to add scenes purely for sensationalistic or ratings purposes. They have to be on point, truthfully reflect the situation and todays world and be relevant to the story or they are not there.

It was shocking to see how much each character has changed at the end of the episode. This was one of the best cliffhangers I've seen lately, almost as shocking as the ending of TNG's "Best of Both Worlds".

Why do we have to wait so long between seasons????

[Zipper]

It was shocking to see how much each character has changed at the end of the episode. This was one of the best cliffhangers I've seen lately, almost as shocking as the ending of TNG's "Best of Both Worlds".

Refresh my memory Best of Both Worlds was the one where Picard was now a Borg? I just had to look it up again. Loved that episode. My favorit cliffhanger is KOBOL'S LAST GLEAMING, PART 2. Fisrt time I saw it I about fell out of my seat screaming "they shot Adama".

Lay Down your Burdens Part 2 was cool and that whole year thing threw me for a loop. But had to expect the Cylons to come.

[ticktrek]

Refresh my memory Best of Both Worlds was the one where Picard was now a Borg? I just had to look it up again. Loved that episode.

In Best of Both Worlds, we so Picard all Borged out say, "I am Loquitus of Borg," then we had to wait six months to see if he got re-humanized.

That's the way I feel about Lay Down your Burdens. We see everyone in their new home trying to get by with a rotten climate and little else while the "President Baltar" sits like a shiek in a harum. When the Cylons marched down the street, I just knew that the episode was over and it would be another six months before I got to see how they were going to cope.

That six month wait is almost over....