Battlestar Galactica (TV Series) Downloaded (2006) User Reviews

I think this is possibly the best episode of BSG

[teamwak · 10/10 · 30 September 2006]

It was so well written. I loved that Six was haunted by her own version of Giaus, just like he has visions of Six. I love that her vision of him is so much more composed and dangerous than the real Giaus, who is more pathetic. Excellent acting by James in this.

And the Galactica Sharon who has moved into her old apartment and still keeps photos of her made up parents in her home. Great take on the character.

Both Six and Sharon are damaged goods to the new Cylons. Celebritys in a world that doesn't recognise individuallity. There realisation of the flaws in the people is excellently shown her.

And the ending when Sharon and Six trapped in the rubble decide to work together and change the Cylons. All amazing stuff.

Best hour of TV since Buffy season 6. I dare you to argue :)

Birth and rebirth

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 26 July 2011]

Ever since the series started humanity has been the centre of attention with only the occasional scene showing things from a Cylon perspective; things are different with this episode. After being killed aboard the Galactica Boomer is reborn amongst the Cylons but can't come to terms with what she is and what she did. Despite the fact that she is considered a hero the other Cylons are considering putting her into storage as she refuses to stop acting like Sharon. As a final attempt to save her they get another Cylon hero: Caprica Six, to talk to her. It terns out that their conversation has more of an effect on Six however as Sharon discloses that Gaius Baltar is still alive. We also learn that Baltar isn't the only person with a 'friend' in his head; Caprica Six is accompanied by her own 'head' Baltar. While Caprica Six and a Three are persuading Sharon to move out of her old flat they are caught in an explosion set by the man Starbuck promised to rescue; Anders. This story takes up most of the episode but there are also important developments back aboard the Galactica where Sharon gives birth to a baby daughter; a daughter president Roslin is determined to keep away from any Cylon including her mother.

This is one of my favourite episodes of the second season because we finally get to see things from a Cylon perspective. It was nice to see Lucy Lawless make a welcome return as Cylon number Three; she does a good job in the role as do 'fellow Cylons' Tricia Helfer and Grace Park as Six and Sharon. James Callis is good as Baltar; it is nice to see him being less jumpy than usual as 'head Baltar'. At first viewing this episode feels as though it is largely filler as Boomer has played no part in the story since her 'death' so it looks like they are just trying to find a way to bring the character back, it is more than filler though as the events will persuade her and Six that the Cylons might need a change of tactics… what that change is I won't spoil! The secondary story demonstrates once more that President Roslin can make difficult decisions when she thinks she has to.

Keep coming back. All will be explained.

[UNOhwen · 22 October 2011]

In DOWNLOADED - one of the best episodes of BSG's second season, we're given a peek at what is happening on the other - the Cylon side.

While the Cylons are synthetic humanoids, they still have much more in common with humanity - their enemy - than (some of them) would like.

We follow several story lines,: two Cylons, a Six - or,should I say, THE Six - the one who 'pretended to be human' to have Baltar give her the codes that would allow the Cylons to attack.

The other, is Sharon - an Eight, but, this one BELIEVED she was human, until her programming switched on, and she shot Commander Adama.

The Sharon has a hard time; she now knows that what she believed to be her life, was, a lie. Her memories - her loves... not real. She lives in 'her' Caprica apartment - listening to heavy metal (pun!) music, with this conflict she's feeling, growing.

The Six knew she was impersonating a human, she really DID fall for Baltar, but, she's finding that she's expected to 'conform,' to (Cylon) society, where she's looked on as a hero, but feels that she betrayed the (hu)man she loved.

When Six comes to Sharon's apartment, the turmoil Sharon's feeling, grows, with Sharon showing Six a picture - if her 'family.' she then.

When Six tries to say 'God loves you,' An enraged Sharon pulls a picture out, of her Galactica crew and rages, and screams how she lived them - and, her love was real.

But, because she is a Cylon, she had that love - that reality - taken away, with her attempt on Adama's life.

She feels used. She's hurt, and, this hurt, and conflicting feelings within her, will grow, as the series progresses.

These two machines - woman - both are beginning to explore what 'individuality' means, and, how it can be displayed, in a conformist society.

On Galactica, another Eight, the one known as Sharon Agathon, is giving birth - to the human/Cylon hybrid.

As the pregnancy unfolds with difficulty, Dr. Cottle says to Sharon; 'I find it absolutely amazing. You people went to all the trouble to appear human, and didn't upgrade the plumbing.'

I don't like to recite the plot, I think it more important to let you know what the strings are, what the ever-entangling plots, are showing.

But, with DOWNLOADED, we get a very strong exploration, of what it means to be 'human,' and 'individual,' as it is clearer, that the 'machines,' have more in common with their enemy - humans, and vice versa.

Crucial episode

[ohroonoko · 10/10 · 19 November 2021]

This is the origin of the Cylon civil war when a self aware cylon murders another cylon for the first time, to protect a human. Caprica Six and Sharon assert their conscience, compassion and love for humans and determine to enlighten Cylons. Sharon questions whether the slaughter of mankind was a mistake. We also see Angel Baltar for the first time, and the birth of Hera.

Funny moment: the Caprica license plate behind Sam Anders in the destroyed parking garage reads SEXY MOM and has a bumper sticker that says C BUCKS RULE.

Goof: Sharon Valerii has a photo in her Caprica apartment of herself with Tyrol and Apollo. However, the first time Tyrol and Apollo met was on the day of the Cylon attack on the homeworlds, and Boomer never returned to Caprica again, so how did that photo get there?

Downloaded

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 13 April 2022]

BSG takes a peek at the development of the Cylons by looking at the lives of the resurrected humanised Cylons, Sharon and Six.

The downloaded Cylons are having a traumatic time having being reborn and being with their own kind in Caprica.

Six even has her own imaginary Baltar who only speaks to her.

Back at Galactica, Boomer has given birth to her own human baby. It leads President Roslin to take drastic action.

I sensed this episode was BSG's equivalent of I, Borg from Star Trek: TNG that introduced the character of Hugh who came to regard himself as an individual.

The episode has a twist where the humans come across as monsters regarding the steps they take to keep everyone safe.