This episode opened on the newly repaired Cloud Nine, a luxury ship with a large dome which mimics outdoor life, so the people can walk through perfectly manicured gardens under a beautiful blue sky even though they are in deep space. Here the newly elected government will convene for the first time with one person representing each of the original colonies; there are a couple of surprises the Sagittarians have elected the former terrorist Tom Zarek and Caprica has elected Dr. Baltar, the latter was a surprise even to him as he didn't know that he'd been nominated! As soon as the first meeting starts Zarek demands a vote to select a vice president. He is quickly nominated and President Roslin persuades one of her advises, Wallace Gray, to stand against him. When Apollo and Starbuck get involved in a bar fight with one of Zarek's supporters Starbuck notices that an apparent bystander has a gun hidden in a case that opened when he dropped it. Once captured this man refuses to confirm that he is working for Zarek but it is assumed that he was planning to assassinate the president once Zarek was elected vice president. Unfortunately he is murdered before he can be forced to admit this. Fearing that the president's life will be in constant danger if Zarek is her deputy Roslin is forced to change her choice for vice president, persuading Gray to stand down in favour of Baltar who preformed particularly well on television, even with a more popular candidate the vote is very close but ultimately Baltar gets the job. Back on Caprica Helo and Sharon reach Delphi. By now Helo has come to the conclusion that there are Cylons that look human but he doesn't suspect that Sharon is one until he sees another that looks just like her!
Even though it was a comparatively minor part of the story I found the events on Caprica more interesting that those on the fleet, understandable Helo is shocked to learn that Sharon is a Cylon; it will be interesting to see what happens between the two of them now, she clearly cares about him even though he should be her enemy. The political activities on the fleet weren't that interesting; it doesn't seem that likely that a civilisation whose population had been reduced to that of a medium sized town would continue to have a political system that it had as a huge civilisation. Some humour was to be found there at least; I was amused when the president interrupted Baltar in the toilet to ask him to run for vice president... and only after she leaves do we learn that he was 'entertaining' a female reporter in one of the cubicles before the interruption. As usual James Callis was entertaining as Baltar and Mary McDonnell put in a good performance as the president; her character has changed from when she first got the job, then she was unsure of herself now she has become an arch manipulator, ditching one candidate as soon as she finds somebody more likely to win. It was also good to see Richard Hatch back as Tom Zarek; I can't make up my mind whether he is just another self-serving politician or if he genuinely wants to improve life for the people of the fleet.
Even though it was a comparatively minor part of the story I found the events on Caprica more interesting that those on the fleet, understandable Helo is shocked to learn that Sharon is a Cylon; it will be interesting to see what happens between the two of them now, she clearly cares about him even though he should be her enemy. The political activities on the fleet weren't that interesting; it doesn't seem that likely that a civilisation whose population had been reduced to that of a medium sized town would continue to have a political system that it had as a huge civilisation. Some humour was to be found there at least; I was amused when the president interrupted Baltar in the toilet to ask him to run for vice president... and only after she leaves do we learn that he was 'entertaining' a female reporter in one of the cubicles before the interruption. As usual James Callis was entertaining as Baltar and Mary McDonnell put in a good performance as the president; her character has changed from when she first got the job, then she was unsure of herself now she has become an arch manipulator, ditching one candidate as soon as she finds somebody more likely to win. It was also good to see Richard Hatch back as Tom Zarek; I can't make up my mind whether he is just another self-serving politician or if he genuinely wants to improve life for the people of the fleet.
