Valley of Darkness

Mark here… this episode, 'Valley of Darkness" picks right up at the end of last episode.  Cylon Centurions have gotten aboard Galactica and managed to cut the power (or at least the lights).  The episode is very tense.  It's a sort of typical writing concept, everyone fumbling around in the dark, but it's done well.  Lee Adama and Roslin are stuck making their way through Galactica with a team trying to avoid and yet destroy the Cylons.  It plays out very interesting and even though it's sort of a "filler" episode in that it doesn't really address any overall plot issues, it's still interesting.  Commander Adama is still in critical in sick bay.  We also get some glimpses of the team on Kobol, although it's not super interesting.

Separately we see Helo and Starbuck back on Caprica.  Compared to the drama on Galactica, this is a bit boring.  They make their way to Starbuck's old apartment, where we learn that Starbuck was a painter and liked classical music.  As Laurel said, the show is better than that.  We're supposed to be seeing another side of Starbuck, but it's a bit obvious and dull.  I was happy when they moved on.  There are better ways of showing us Starbuck's character….

Hey Laurel here…Not much to add as this was pretty much just a continuation of what had been started last episode.  The only thing to comment on really is to reiterate what Mark has said about Starbuck.  Her character came on so strong so fast it seems like now they are trying to correct themselves and it is definitely an overcorrection.  She was so hard and masculine in the beginning in almost a comical way,  like a caricature now they are trying to right the ship and it goes to far the other way.  Sensitive artist?  Ok we get it.  She's a "complicated woman".  Quit shoving it in our faces!  Many layers to the onion that is Starbuck!  Enough already!  All of the other ladies in the show are bad ass and feminine at the same time, not flopping from one extreme to the other.  Starbuck's character is so painfully contrived.  Hopefully she will find herself and level out, and this will quit being so annoying!

I think that Roslin is on her way to redeeming herself in the eyes of the crew.  Fingers crossed!  Although I have never doubted her.