Battlestar Galactica (TV Series) Flight of the Phoenix (2005) User Reviews

A matter of trust

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 28 November 2010]

It is some time since Colonel Tigh ordered the networking of Galatica's computers but it seems that even though they were only networked briefly the Cylons managed to implant a virus. At first it looks as if various events are just normal system failures but when an occupied room has the oxygen removed it is clearly something more serious. Geita and Baltar are given the job of removing the virus but it soon becomes clear to Adama that there is only one person aboard who could possibly solve the problem: Sharon Valerii… the only question is: can she be trusted? While this is going on Chief Tyrol feeling under pressure as more and more of the Vipers he is meant to be maintaining become unfit to fly, rather than give up he decides to make a new ship. At first everybody things he is losing it but soon they are joining in and offering ideas on how to improve the design.

While this was in some ways a filler episode it did subtly move the plot along; Adama was forced to trust Sharon, the crews collapsing moral was illustrated well before doing something to raise their spirits again. Aaron Douglas put in a good performance as Chief Tyrol; the character really looked as if he was struggling to create something against the odds. It was also nice to see the return of Nicki Clyne as Cally after her characters time in the brig.

A good lesson to learn

[mickymauzer · 7/10 · 4 January 2012]

First, this episode reveals that there is some shortage of properly repaired Vipers aboard Galactica.

The situation is worsened by a virus raging the Galactica's systems performing various dirty tricks here and there. Since the virus certainly looks like a Cylons job to the Galactica's engineers, Sharon Valerii is asked for help. When presented with a piece of code printed on paper, she becomes convinced that it is indeed Cylon and that she knows how to deal with the virus.

Suddenly, a great deal of Cylon ships suddenly jump in, so great that it outnumbers any Cylon fleet seen before in the series. Moments later, Sharon, with permission of Commander Adama, broadcasts a message from aboard Galactica using a broadcasting system. As it turns out, the message is harmful to AI controlling Cylon's fleet, which renders all of it, - hundreds of robotized automated spaceships, - harmless and immobile.

So, it poses an intriguing question for Galactica's crew: what to do next with this sudden gift of destiny in the form of abandoned hi-tech fleet? If captured by Galactica, those Cylon ships could be either reprogrammed to fight for Humanity's cause, or cleaned up to be piloted by Starbuck or somebody else, or salvaged for raw materials and fuel.

Of course, after a great effort made to consider all the cons and pros of each option extremely carefully, the wisest military command aboard Galactica takes the most subtle and long-sighed approach. An order issued to Galactica's fighters fleet says: "kill (aka destroy) the bastards".

Most of all, I appreciate the entertaining value of this episode, especially the scene where three people are in a room out of oxygen.

the paradox of the soul..

[A_Different_Drummer · 10/10 · 7 May 2014]

I mentioned in an earlier review that I missed the series on first-run but snagged the DVD set based on rumors that, in its day, this was considered the second-most addictive series of its kind, the frontrunner being of course Buffy. (Buffy was in an age before DVRs, people used to literally plan their week's activities around Buffy). The rumors were true. This show is amazing. This episode in particular, which was really about the paradoxical nature of the soul (Sharon/Boomer's soul, although as a Cylon, the question of whether she has one to start with is very much a part of the script's DNA, and presented as a puzzle for the viewer to solve). Reminded me of Angel in the Buffy series. One of the most vicious vampires in history. But he's here to help. Sharon is a Cylon, and there is a fleet of Cylon raiders about to wipe out the remains of mankind. But, hey, she's here to help. Other things happen in this episode, but this is the key, I think. Grace Park consistently delivered stellar performances in this series, sometimes delivering dialog with her eyes. She did not get proper acknowledgement for this, but she did for lesser parts in newer productions. It doesn't get any better than this.

Flight of the Phoenix

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 7 December 2021]

There is a computer virus introduced by the Cylons that has been reactivated.

It disrupts the systems in Galactica and is a prelude to a Cylon attack.

Moral is also low among the crew. For Chief Tyrol and Helo. They had to deal with the fallout and distrust for being in a relationship with Boomer.

Ultimately the episode is about trust and building morale. Adama has to trust Boomer to help deal with the virus. A big risk.

Maybe it is a bit too neat that the crew rallied together so easily.