In church growth circles there’s a phrase that is sometimes used: “Bedroom Evangelism.” It usually refers to when churches grow because their member families are growing, more children are being born into the church than new, unchurched people are joining the congregation. In the Battlestar universe, Six is adding a new twist to bedroom evangelism. She seems to fully understand that Baltar acts on the most basic, primal, carnal level in his own best interests. So, at least in his head, Six likes to evangelize in Baltar’s boudoir, or at the very least when she gets his carnal urges revved. This theological tone is set with the beginning of the episode “Six Degrees of Separation.”
“I don’t see the hand of God in here,” a frustrated Baltar exclaims in his lab while examining some cells under his microscope. Six needles him, pushes him to contemplate God some more. Baltar wonders if he’ll find “evidence of His divine hand” in one of the blood samples. Six asks why Baltar is driven to blaspheme and she theorizes that he has a “need to tempt fate.” Baltar says it’s because of boredom.
The next thing we know we are in Baltar’s sex-fantasy domicylon with him in bed and Six sitting astride him. She suggests that he would find peace if he gave himself over to God’s love. Six understands Baltar. He knows he acts on the carnal level, whatever his physical urges tell him and whatever is in his best interests. So, Six mixes the carnal with the theological, gets Baltar’s primal urges pulsing while encouraging him to believe in the Cylon monotheistic God. While lovers tend to whisper “sweet nothings” in each others’ ears, Six whispers theological points in Baltar’s ears. As Baltar fumbles around with her dress, Six moves his hands away and insists that God has a plan for them. “If you would give yourself over to God’s will, you’d find peace in his love like I have. He has a plan for us.” Baltar is surprised not by the statement that God has a plan, but at Six’s use of a masculine pronoun. Six becomes testy and responds, “There is only one true God,” and she leaves Baltar’s bed.
Baltar says that she’s been repeating the same thing. Standing behind Six, he adds, “I’ve accepted your God and all that.” Baltar refers back a couple of episodes (“33”) to his conversation with Six about seeking forgiveness of his sins as the Olympic Carrier threatened the fleet and Baltar’s reputation. With an eye roll, Six says, “He’s not my God; he is God.” Baltar humors her: “He’s big enough for all of us, isn’t he?” Baltar tries to woo Six back into bed. Six insists that Baltar needs to give himself over to God’s love. “Oh for God’s sake,” Baltar snaps back and turns away from her. Six says that she’s trying to save his soul.
But, according to Baltar, all she is doing is boring him. He rants that her beliefs are “metaphysical nonsense, which to be fair to [Six], actually appeals to the half-educated dullards that make up most of human society,” and adds that no rational human would share her beliefs. Six gets off the bed and heads for the door as Baltar smugly adds, “Which leads me to the inescapable conclusion that Cylons are, in the final—“ He turns to face Six, and discovers that she’s gone. While trying to follow her, he raises his voice to finish his thought: “In the final analysis, little more than toasters.” He opens the bedroom door and looks downstairs, but she is nowhere to be seen. “With great-looking legs,” he concludes his thought. He closes the door and sits on the bed, pouting that at least this time there will be no conclusion for his carnal urges. In this scene no one gets what they want—he doesn’t have his primal urges sated and she hasn’t been able to convert a new believer.
The theological discussions, the bedroom evangelism, in this episode play out very similarly to “33” when Baltar finally confessed his sins and his belief in the Cylon God. In “33” when things were getting bad for Baltar, he confessed and things cleared up for him and his good reputation remained in tact. In “Six Degrees of Separation, “ after Baltar was thrown in the brig, (he was caught trying to destroy the computer that had rendered his image as the one who allowed Cylon access to the defense mainframe before the attack) Baltar gets down on his knees and prays: “Please, dear God…and I acknowledge you are the one true God…deliver me from this evil, and I will devote the rest of what is left of my wretched life to doing good, and to carrying out your divine will.” Baltar cries through the rest of his declaration. “Grant me grace. Grant me forgiveness.” Then Six appears and consoles him. “Shhhh. I’m here now. I’m here. All will be well. It will be as God wants it to be.” Gaeta arrives and gives him the good news that he’s to be freed.
Not only is Baltar exonerated, he becomes a hero as a result of all of this. At the end of the episode, Baltar and Six are back in his home in Caprica and Six continues to play to Baltar’s primal/carnal urges by building up his ego (and libido). “You’re a hero,” Six tells him. “You’re even more popular and powerful than ever before. You’ve had your trial by fire, so now they truly believe in you. Hard for them to accuse you of treason again.” “Was that the plan all along. Build me up in the public mind by first tearing me down…Right. Who am I to question the plans of almighty God.” He asks her, “Was there ever a woman really called Shelly Godfrey? Did she ever exist, was she ever really here?” There is no answer, and Six ascends the stairs and undresses, with Baltar following after her. “God’s will be done.” Unlike the opening scene of the episode, both people get what they want—a new convert and carnal urges sated.
“I don’t see the hand of God in here,” a frustrated Baltar exclaims in his lab while examining some cells under his microscope. Six needles him, pushes him to contemplate God some more. Baltar wonders if he’ll find “evidence of His divine hand” in one of the blood samples. Six asks why Baltar is driven to blaspheme and she theorizes that he has a “need to tempt fate.” Baltar says it’s because of boredom.
The next thing we know we are in Baltar’s sex-fantasy domicylon with him in bed and Six sitting astride him. She suggests that he would find peace if he gave himself over to God’s love. Six understands Baltar. He knows he acts on the carnal level, whatever his physical urges tell him and whatever is in his best interests. So, Six mixes the carnal with the theological, gets Baltar’s primal urges pulsing while encouraging him to believe in the Cylon monotheistic God. While lovers tend to whisper “sweet nothings” in each others’ ears, Six whispers theological points in Baltar’s ears. As Baltar fumbles around with her dress, Six moves his hands away and insists that God has a plan for them. “If you would give yourself over to God’s will, you’d find peace in his love like I have. He has a plan for us.” Baltar is surprised not by the statement that God has a plan, but at Six’s use of a masculine pronoun. Six becomes testy and responds, “There is only one true God,” and she leaves Baltar’s bed.
Baltar says that she’s been repeating the same thing. Standing behind Six, he adds, “I’ve accepted your God and all that.” Baltar refers back a couple of episodes (“33”) to his conversation with Six about seeking forgiveness of his sins as the Olympic Carrier threatened the fleet and Baltar’s reputation. With an eye roll, Six says, “He’s not my God; he is God.” Baltar humors her: “He’s big enough for all of us, isn’t he?” Baltar tries to woo Six back into bed. Six insists that Baltar needs to give himself over to God’s love. “Oh for God’s sake,” Baltar snaps back and turns away from her. Six says that she’s trying to save his soul.
But, according to Baltar, all she is doing is boring him. He rants that her beliefs are “metaphysical nonsense, which to be fair to [Six], actually appeals to the half-educated dullards that make up most of human society,” and adds that no rational human would share her beliefs. Six gets off the bed and heads for the door as Baltar smugly adds, “Which leads me to the inescapable conclusion that Cylons are, in the final—“ He turns to face Six, and discovers that she’s gone. While trying to follow her, he raises his voice to finish his thought: “In the final analysis, little more than toasters.” He opens the bedroom door and looks downstairs, but she is nowhere to be seen. “With great-looking legs,” he concludes his thought. He closes the door and sits on the bed, pouting that at least this time there will be no conclusion for his carnal urges. In this scene no one gets what they want—he doesn’t have his primal urges sated and she hasn’t been able to convert a new believer.
The theological discussions, the bedroom evangelism, in this episode play out very similarly to “33” when Baltar finally confessed his sins and his belief in the Cylon God. In “33” when things were getting bad for Baltar, he confessed and things cleared up for him and his good reputation remained in tact. In “Six Degrees of Separation, “ after Baltar was thrown in the brig, (he was caught trying to destroy the computer that had rendered his image as the one who allowed Cylon access to the defense mainframe before the attack) Baltar gets down on his knees and prays: “Please, dear God…and I acknowledge you are the one true God…deliver me from this evil, and I will devote the rest of what is left of my wretched life to doing good, and to carrying out your divine will.” Baltar cries through the rest of his declaration. “Grant me grace. Grant me forgiveness.” Then Six appears and consoles him. “Shhhh. I’m here now. I’m here. All will be well. It will be as God wants it to be.” Gaeta arrives and gives him the good news that he’s to be freed.
Not only is Baltar exonerated, he becomes a hero as a result of all of this. At the end of the episode, Baltar and Six are back in his home in Caprica and Six continues to play to Baltar’s primal/carnal urges by building up his ego (and libido). “You’re a hero,” Six tells him. “You’re even more popular and powerful than ever before. You’ve had your trial by fire, so now they truly believe in you. Hard for them to accuse you of treason again.” “Was that the plan all along. Build me up in the public mind by first tearing me down…Right. Who am I to question the plans of almighty God.” He asks her, “Was there ever a woman really called Shelly Godfrey? Did she ever exist, was she ever really here?” There is no answer, and Six ascends the stairs and undresses, with Baltar following after her. “God’s will be done.” Unlike the opening scene of the episode, both people get what they want—a new convert and carnal urges sated.
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