The following story contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the "Battlestar Galactica" episode "The Woman King."

Ronald D. Moores revised Battlestar Galactica series is at its best when its dealing with the complex emotional state of the characters through a long-running and equally complicated story-arc filled with twists, turns, loops and rolls. Its stand-alone episodes however are generally problematic, often dividing the fan base completely (Black Market and Hero for example). Some sit in boredom, hoping for the upward twist that never comes whilst others enjoy every dizzying moment of the episodes.

But no matter what camp you belong to, when you read the description of this episode, it does sound like this episode will be just another B-class filler:

The Sagittarons allege that a doctor is discriminating against them. As Helo investigates, he becomes concerned that the doctor may even be murdering patients. Meanwhile, Athena unwittingly brings Herra to the doctor for treatment.

By all accounts, it seemed like the episode was going to be a lumbering dinosaur looking to stretch the season out a little between the hardcore mythology episodes that are such a joy to watch. However, lets be clear - The Woman King is not another Black Market, nor is it one of those awkwardly pieced together episodes previously mentioned. Now while the episode is indeed an individual story, it is told with more savvy and genuine emotion than any other episode since the exodus from New Caprica.

It could be because the Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) love affair was reduced to a single fleeting glance, or it could be that Tahmoh Penikett (Karl "Helo" Agathon) is one hell of a talented actor and this episode saw him take a step forward into the spotlight as the assigned mayor of Dogsville, the makeshift city for the New Caprican refugees.

Penikett makes use of all of his usual charisma, while simultaneously stripping away the usual affability Helo generally has. In the end, what you get is an emotionally vulnerable character who once again goes against his own people for a cause he thinks is just only to be constantly berated by his peers.

Director Michael Rymer (who coincidentally also directed Black Market and Hero) really knew how to piece this story together, because as the episode progresses you dont really know if Dr. Robert (Bruce Davison) is the sectarian killer Helo believes him to be or the kind-hearted patriot as seen through the eyes of Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan). Part of it is the fact that Davisons character comes across as such a likeable guy from the opening acts that you instantly have a hard time believing hed want to go killing off terminally ill Sagittarons in the first place.

The idea that Roberts is the killer is batted around throughout the episode, but all suspicions are immediately vanquished when Roberts returns the religious band from a deceased patient to his mother. Could someone with the decency and respect for Sagittaron beliefs really be a racially motivated killer?

Apart from the character ambiguities, there were also a few nice moments between the other characters - Vice President Tom Zereks (Richard Hatch) warnings of civil unrest during the Baltar trial was a welcome shake-up to the thus far placid Colonial Administration, Athenas (Grace Park) visitation of Caprica Six (Tricia Helfer) was one of those pleasant and intimate set-ups that show seems to thrive on and there were some nice Agathon family moments.

Throw into the mix the return of Sixs phantom Baltar (James Callis) and the impending trial of the former president and what youve got is a wonderful concept for future episodes, and The Woman King sets an impressively high benchmark.

Battlestar Galactica stars Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff and Jamie Bamber. The Woman King was written by Michael Angeli and was directed by Michael Rymer.

Alan Stanley Blair is a staff writer and columnist for Airlock Alpha. Contributing from his home country of Scotland, he can be reached at ablair@airlockalpha.com.