The following review contains MAJOR SPOILERS of the "Battlestar Galactica" episode "Kobol's Last Gleaming." Please note that this episode is not expected to air in Canada and the United States for several weeks.

Its no secret that the concept of a re-imagined Battlestar Galactica caused a division in the existing fans of the 1970s series. A similar division was created in science-fiction fans in general. But it has to be said - - Ronald D. Moores Battlestar Galactica is the most un-sci-fi sci-fi show on television. Galactica is nothing less than a five-star drama set in space.

Part one of the season finale, Kobols Last Gleaming, lives up to that ideal, sporting more than the usual character intricacies and absolutely compelling personal journeys of the soul.

Most science-fiction shows try to avoid the drama, or at the very least stop it from becoming the predominant issue. Its too easy to be swept away by plots, story arcs and a deep and engrossing mythology. So up until now, Galactica hasnt made too much of an effort with it, instead focusing on the heart of the show - - its characters and wonderfully able cast.

As everyone knows, the BSG story is the survivors of the Cylon onslaught looking for Earth. But what has been so easy to overlook due to all the intense action scenes, spectacular special effects and compelling performances, is the fact that since the miniseries, Earth has not been mentioned for any directed purposes. This is how much the producers value the story arc - - it is secondary to the interwoven character drama.

As if to make up for this disregard, the penultimate episode acts as a kind of arc-concentrate - - weve seen so many different personal stories unfolding each week from Apollos (Jamie Bamber) estranged relationship with his father Cmdr. Adama (Edward James Olmos), Starbucks (Katee Sackhoff) problem with authority and Dr. Baltar (James Callis) and Number Sixs (Tricia Helfer) sensual shenanigans. Something that you wouldnt expect, however, is that all of these journeys are greater than the sum of their parts, and ultimately come together in a very well thought out, and logically assembled fashion.

And for the keen viewers, there are several scenes which return in awe-inspiring significance, proving that the rewards for sticking with the series are great. Starbucks surprising belief in the Gods of Kobol and President Roslins (Mary McDonnell) garbled medically-induced visions are but a few of the kinds of stories which return for exploration.

While the opening montage was very impressive, setting up exactly what is going on with the central characters, the reasons for it are almost as jumbled as the presidents visions, with no basis for the events taking place in the first place. The friendly sparring between Apollo and Adama seemed a little forced, Starbuck and Baltars "association" seemed to come out of no where, and almost as surprising is the idea that it was Apollo she was really wanting. Now the Starbuck/Balter scenes were previously explored, but no follow-up was ever carried out. As for Apollo and Adama, they dont appear to be as estranged as they once were - - a development which deserves more than a simple sparring match to convey to the viewers. Had some additional effort been put into setting up this montage, it would doubtlessly be another sign that this is perhaps one of the best sci-fis around.

Like many of the episodes, Kobols Last Gleaming was spearheaded by the performances of James Callis and Katee Sackhoff, who never cease to prove how talented they are and how much entertainment that talent brings to the screens. Callisscenes with a suicidal Boomer (Grace Park) were by far the most thought-provoking scenes the series has produced to date, and is also the closest thing to a tear-jerker. Rarely given the chance to give the level of performance Callis has offered all season, Grace Park was able to show that she too is on the show for a reason, and helps carry the tone of the episode forward unlike ever before.

As for Sackhoff, the majority of her scenes were again with Jamie Bamber, only unlike Colonial Day, these were not scenes of joy. If you thought they were able to work off each other as friends and colleagues, the spark between them is even more intense.

Even the dogfight above Kobol was more stellar than the usual blend of digital wonders the effects team seem to put together each week, and was far more impressive than anything in the Star Trek archives.

So for the last 11 episodes, weve seen the Galactica fleet running from the Cylons ... butting heads with them along the way. But in the next episode well finally see what happens when someone from the Galactica returns home to Caprica in what promises to be an absolutely breathtaking finale to send the series off with a bang!

Alan Stanley Blair is a writer for Airlock Alpha, contributing from his home country of Scotland. He can be reached at ablair@airlockalpha.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: "Battlestar Galactica" currently is airing in the United Kingdom on Sky One, as part of that satellite company's agreement with Sci-Fi Channel to produce the series. It recently premiered in the United States on the Sci-Fi Channel, and in Canada on Space, however, those airings are about two months behind the British broadcast.

Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1
Battlestar Galactica

Grade: A-

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