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The following review contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the "Battlestar Galactica" episode "Crossroads, Part 1."

As the first part of “Crossroads” opens for "Battlestar Galactica," we are greeted with a substantial flashback to the occupation of New Caprica, the resulting insurgency and finally the fall of President Baltar (James Callis). Mary McDonnell’s dark narration of the struggle to escape Cylon oppression and the exodus from New Caprica, a place that promised to be a new beginning for the human race, adds so much extra weight to the events that are about to follow: The trial of Gaius Baltar.

In the same respect, the collective events of the whole third season have all led to this moment, and while it’s not exactly “Law and Order,” it’s probably as close as “Battlestar Galactica” will ever get. Finally delving into the murky territory of the moralities of sanctioning suicide bombings on New Caprica, the episode seems to put President Roslin (McDonnell) and Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) on trial just as much as former President Baltar and his Cylon associates.

Were they right for resisting the Cylons? Are suicide bombings justified? And why is Roslin considered a patriot and Baltar a traitor? These are only a few of the questions what are getting thrown around in the courtroom and as expected, very few answers are forthcoming. From the onset, it is clear that the Lampkin-Apollo (Mark Sheppard and Jamie Bamber) legal tag-team are a force to be reckoned with and are more than a match for the court-appointed prosecutor.

Sheppard is probably the finest piece of guest star casting the series has done to-date, as he once again quickly steals the show away from Mr. Adama and presents his argument with such style and intensity that even the audience at home has to wonder if Baltar really is guilty. Even in his other projects, as one of television's greatest character actors, Sheppard is known for leaving a lasting impression. Whether it is the entrepreneurial Badger from the cancelled space-western “Firefly,” or the psychotic Cecil L'ively from “The X-Files,” he will be remembered long after the series has ended its run. “Battlestar Galactica” is no different.
The vulnerability continues through the unfolding drama between Apollo and the unusually harsh Adm. Adama (Edward James Olmos) however could be considered the sole let down of the episode, rehashing a story that was done at the end of the first season when Apollo stood with Roslin on Colonial One against Adama’s wishes. What keeps it fresh now though is that Lee is now not only going up against his father, but his line of questioning seem directed at discrediting the President of the Colonies and could very well be the first step in bringing down the Colonial government. But from amidst his efforts comes a startling announcement: President Roslin’s cancer has returned, and she is once again facing a slow and agonizing death as the faceless menace eats away at her from the inside.

How this revelation will reverberate throughout the fleet is just one of the many developments we’ll see by the finale, and ultimately may prove to be the most pivotal. Was Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch) right when he warned Roslin that Baltar’s trial will bring mass chaos to the fleet? Is Earth just over the horizon? And just what exactly is the significance of the strange music that seems to be haunting Tigh (Michael Hogan), Anders (Michael Trucco) and Tory (Rekha Sharma)? Only one more episode to go until all this and more is revealed.

“Battlestar Galactica” stars Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and Jamie Bamber. “Crossroads, Part 1" was written by Michael Taylor 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.

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