This review may contain spoilers.

After viewing the pilot again on Syfy in the previous week, it is appropriate that the first episode that gives us new information is titled Rebirth.

The question from fans of the Battlestar Galactica franchise and new viewers alike is whether or not Caprica can stand on its own as a genre defying series? Or, will the audience miss something integral by not knowing the existing mythos? This first episode, however, manages to continue establishing "Caprica" as a standalone series with its own mythology.

Most of the episode centered on what happened to Zoë (Alessandra Torresani) following the events of the pilot episode. After Zoës avatar was downloaded by her father, Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz), into a meta-cognitive re-processor and placed into a cylon, her sentience transformed it into a working military weapon. What he didnt know was that Zoës consciousness stayed within that particular cylon model. What we didnt know -- until this week -- was how the show would manifest Zoës life.

Showing her as both a cylon and then as Zoë herself allowed for the audience to connect that this prototype cylon starts off with her human emotions and feelings, but traps her in that metal body. Zoë has to come to terms with this as she is manhandled by scientists, treated like a scrap of metal, and called a monster by her own mother. She continues to show her genius as she was the one who prevented the scientists and her father from duplicating her consciousness into other metacognitive reprocessors to be placed in other cylons creating more weapons and potentially stealing her identity.

Surrounding Zoës issues of her existence was the struggle of her family. Her father, Daniel Graystone, continued to struggle trying to make the cylons work while dealing with the grief of losing his daughter, although it is unclear whether he grieves over the actual loss or the believed loss of the technology of Zoës avatar. Even though he sponsored a memorial, he clearly does not want to participate like Zoës mother does. Amanda Graystone (Paula Malcomson) battles with holding onto her daughters memory and struggles with the idea that she didn't know who her daughter really was; her grief and knowledge of who Zoë was and her possible involvement with the terrorists manifests itself at the memorial in a very disturbing way.

The Adamas also dealt with grief, as Joseph (Esai Morales) cannot quite come to terms with the loss of his daughter either. Having helped Daniel steal the re-processor, he is the only one who knows about the avatars having seen his own daughters body manifested. But Joseph is literally haunted by the vision, and at the memorial he finds out from Daniel that she may still exist. This thought will clearly drive the story arc of the conflict between Joseph and Daniel for the rest of the season.

Although the Graystones and Adamas are the main focus, there are still some new developments that this episode gives us. While Lacy (Magda Apanowicz) also grieves the loss of Zoë, she is the only one who knows the truth about Zoë as a cylon which makes for a great scene that contrasts the trinity of Zoë but also makes her a threat. When Sister Clarice Willow (Polly Walker) invites her to her house, Lacy finds out that she is part of a polygamous family. Part of that family includes Nestor (Scott Porter) who seems overly interested in computer programming. The two of them are unsuccessful at their attempt to get information from Lacy. But we are shown that we dont know everything about the seemingly tranquil Sister Clarice.

The draw of the show will continue to be what will happen to Zoë. But that draw is not necessarily whether or not she can save herself as much as it is about what happens to the evolution of the cylons. So the appeal becomes less about the saving of Zoë and more about the downfall that brings about destruction. However, that idea is definitely appealing.

What Worked

The episode definitely had a faster pace, which allowed for a lot of information to be given and more character development. The switching between the CGI cylon and Zoë to show the reaction to her as a cylon worked most of the time. It was especially effective when she is manhandled by the scientists, and contrasted well with her inhumane treatment to her sense of what humanity she had left in her metal body.

Joseph Adamas inner conflict with where he comes from and where he wants to be is more interesting than Daniel Graystones. This can be attributed to the masterful acting of Esai Morales. Although there is a clear attempt to show a struggle with ethnicity on Caprica, that struggle is really there to flesh out more about Joseph and to create even more conflict between the two families.

What Didnt Work

There is still a question as to whether or not you have to be a Battlestar Galactica aficionado or not to enjoy Caprica. While the plot stands on its own, isnt it more interesting to think about how the current actions affect what we know will happen? For example, when a human mistreats Zoë as a cylon, we can see from where the cylons may have gotten their resentment that spurred their actions in the future. Or when we see young William Adama (Sina Najafi) being influenced by his Tauron mobster uncle Sam Adama (Sasha Roiz), doesnt it carry more weight knowing who William will grow up to be? It will take more episodes to continue to set Caprica up on its own foundations to find its own audience that may be a mix of new viewers as well as old fans.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

Caprica stars Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson, Polly Walker, Alessandra Torresani, Magda Apanowicz, and Sasha Roiz. Rebirth was written by Mark Verheiden and directed by Jonas Pate.

Caprica airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.