Battlestar Galactica: "Home," Part I

Finally, away from Commander Adama, the prophet Laura Roslin finds herself confronted by the political structure of the civilian fleet, as the Quorum of Twelve and she, along with Zarek, discuss the issue of returning to Kobol, whether this was the right choice or a suicidal decision. Roslin weighs in: “At this point, it’s my firm belief that Commander Adama has let us go. Lieutenant Thrace will return. She will have the Arrow of Apollo. And it will help us find our way to Earth.” Roslin speaks the words of faith—faith in Starbuck’s ability to retrieve the Arrow, faith in the scriptures’ leading them to the Tomb of Athena, faith in the existence of Earth. As Quorum members become anxious to get started looking for the Tomb, Elosha reminds them that the scriptures “tell us that any return to Kobol carries with it a cost in blood.” Roslin continues speaking the words of faith as she acknowledges that there are a lot of unanswered questions, but she “refuse[s] to lose sight of what this has always been about—our mission to save humanity….But it is our foretold destiny.” She offers an out for those who do not “have the stomach for this mission,” who do not believe what the scriptures have said, by suggesting that they rejoin Adama’s fleet, rejoin the world of reason, rejoin the world that seems safe and more predictable. However, we don’t see anyone run for the door when she makes this offer.

Another interesting discussion takes place when Meier conspires with Zarek against Lee and Roslin. Zarek dismisses him because the people who are with them believe Roslin will lead them to Earth. Meier reminds Zarek that Roslin is a fraud and asks him if he believes her. Zarek responds, “No, but I believe in the power of myth. I’m not interested in risking our lives any more than you are, but she’s clearly not gonna be talked out of this. And in the end, President or not, it doesn’t really matter. She still needs a commander, a man in charge of the fleet. The man with the guns makes the rules.” It seems that Zarek hasn’t had a change of heart and that Roslin is rightly reluctant to trust him. He is somewhat similar to Roslin, in that he understands that there is a “religious card” (to use her earlier phrase) to be played, that this card has certain power over people with it. However, Roslin is much further on the path of a spiritual journey, while Meier and Zarek are still starring at the signpost. When Meier reminds him that Lee is Roslin’s right hand and would be the more likely candidate for Commander and they recall the scriptures saying that some will die on Kobol—“one man in particular.” They seem to be sarcastic in citing scripture to support their own ambitions for power.

The small landing group arrives on Kobol in the Galleon Meadow Forest, where Elosha quotes scripture: “And the blaze pursued them. And the people of Kobol had a choice, to board the great ship or to take the high road through the rocky ridge, and the body of each tribe’s leader…” Sharon continues reciting the passage: “…was offered to the gods in the Tomb of Athena.” She explains that the ship took the founders of the Thirteen Colonies to their destiny and those who didn’t board the ship took the rocky ridge of a high road leading to the Tomb. Elosha points out that this path is supposed to be marked by gravestones. When she finds a stone, she inadvertently steps on a landmine, is thrown into the air, and is killed, along with a few others who are killed by Cylon centurions. It turns out that the blood that is spilled on Kobol is the priestess, herself. This leaves Roslin in an interesting position. Elosha had been her font for spiritual leadership, her resource of how to be a religious leader; now that Elosha is gone, Roslin picks up Elosha’s book of scriptures herself, taking on the true mantle of spiritual leadership, and she is now the primary religious leader without the aid or lens of an interpreter of the spiritual texts.

Another scene in this episode struck me, not because its particular theological assertions (there aren’t any), but as an excellent sermon illustration. Adama meets with Dualla in his quarters:

Adama: It’s interesting. Betrayal has such a powerful grip on the
mind. It’s almost like a python. It can squeeze out all other
thought. Suffocate all other emotion until everything is dead except for
rage. I’m not talking about anger. I can feel it. Right here.
[He points to his heart.] Like it’s gonna burst. Feel like I wanna
scream. Right now, matter of fact.
Dualla: If I may say
something?
Adama: Speak your mind, Dee.
Dualla: I don’t think
the problem is that you’ve been betrayed. I think it’s that you feel
helpless. You were shot, you were injured. You couldn’t do
anything.
Adama: Don’t make excuses for me.
Dualla: And when
you finally had a chance to do something…you let us down. You made a
promise to all of us, to find Earth, to find us a home. Together. It
doesn’t matter what the President did or even what Lee did, because every day we
remain a part is a day that you’ve broken your promise. The people aboard
those ships made their own decisions.
Adama: It was their decision, not
mine. Thank you, petty officer. You may leave now.
Dualla:
You asked to talk to me, sir. Maybe, because you think that I don’t have
anything to say. But I do. It’s time to heal the wounds,
Commander.

With this conversation still stinging, Adama heads to the CIC and announces that they are going to Kobol to put the family back together. This is an excellent scene as it shows Adama in a rage, feeling betrayed, but he is able to get past these feelings, get past his stubbornness, and sees what is truly important, that is pulling the fleet/family back together.