Battlestar Galactica (TV Series) Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down (2004) User Reviews

Trouble and strife

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 14 September 2010]

After the words Leoben whispered in President Roslin's ear she has been concerned about Commander Adama; this isn't helped when she learns that he has been making off the record communications and he has been making flight on his own to the fleet. To make matters worse at the moment a Cylon raider turns up Adama is off on one of his trips. When he gets back we learn why he was acting so suspiciously; he had found Colonel Tigh's wife Ellen. She was on another ship claiming to have no memories from the time of the attack till a couple of weeks ago, as this is very suspicious Adama moves her to the top of the queue for Cylon testing. Whether she is a Cylon or not she is clearly trouble, she has barely set foot on Galactica when she has got her husband back on the booze. When the two of them join Adama and the president for dinner they both end up drunk. When the results of the Cylon test results come though it is almost a surprise that she passes... until Six mentions to Baltar that everybody passes now; so we will have to wait to find out if she is a Cylon or not. Back on Caprica it has become clear that Sharon is genuinely trying to get away from the other Cylons; it is still to be seen how Helo will react when he learns that she is a Cylon.

This was an interesting episode; Michael Hogan put in a fine performance as Col. Tigh as he falls of the wagon due to his wife who was equally well played by Kate Vernon, it can't be easy playing a character who is meant to be so unlikeable. The final twist of telling us that everybody passed the Cylon test was great; just as I'd got over the surprise that Ellen was not a Cylon we learn that she might be after all! I was glad that the Sharon with Helo appears to be one of the good guys, Grace Park makes the character so likable I'd be disappointed if she'd turned out to be bad, also making one of the Cylons leave the others makes them more interesting.

The Cylon Detector

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 10 September 2008]

When Dr. Baltar finishes his Cylon detector, President Roslin that suspects that Commander Adama may be a Cylon suggests the commander to be the first to be tested. Further, she asks Billy to get information about behavior dating Dualla. She finds that Adama has sent classified messages and has flown in a Raptor in secret missions. When a Cylon raider suddenly approaches Galactica with erratic flight and Adama vanishes, President Roslin increases her suspicion. However, Adama return with Colonel Tigh's missing unfaithful wife Ellen Tigh, who was unconscious on board of the Rising Star, raising the suspicion that she could be a Cylon. Meanwhile in occupied Caprica, Boomer is in love with Helo and escaping to save his life.

In this episode, the Machiavellian character of President Laura Roslin uses all the despicable political tricks, inclusive a date of her minion Billy and a secret conversation with Colonel Tigh, to investigate Commander Adama. It is amazing how the despicable Dr. Gaius Baltar gives the information he wants with his detector. I do not understand why his information is not double-checked, since it is dependable on colors only. Kate Vernon is great in her performance of the unfaithful Ellen Tigh. The unexpected romance of the Cylon Sharon and Helo is one of the best moments of this show. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Retorno" ("The Return")

Battlestar Galactica - Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 26 July 2018]

Gaius Baltar has quite the daunting responsibility: investigating whether or not nearly 50,000 humans are cylon. Because Leoben whispered to Roslin that Commander Adama was a cylon, her concerns that he might be result in tensions and eventually heated exchanges. Adama leaves the BG, much to the worries of Roslin (told of his activities by Tigh when asked), but his purpose for doing so was to bring back Tigh's wife! Ellen (Kate Vernon) has the reputation of a notorious cheat, even a catalyst in Tigh's drinking and generally sour personality. But Ellen's return has renewed his spirits, even as her presence (and behavior) calls for his heavy absorption of spirits, always giggling drunk or stirring up trouble. Ellen points at Adama (often referred to as "the old man") as desiring her just to get Tigh riled up and even plays footsy with a very startled Apollo who gets really uncomfortable quick during a dinner which included the Commander and Madame President (and her hubby right beside her!)! When it is revealed that Adama had Ellen's blood tested to see if she's a cylon, it further rises tempers. According to Baltar, Ellen is human, but Number Six, always around, provokes the idea (that Baltar doesn't discount in a very suspicious response to her playful proclamation that the testing could be suspect) that she is a cylon. With Baltar's allegiance a risk to the BG, cylon activity meant to be undermined could very well strengthen.

I really liked this one conversation between Tigh and Adama about his tactical strategy keeping the BG (and Colonial fleet) safe, where Ellen is a topic. Ellen's misbehavior in the past bothers Adama because he doesn't want her making Tigh's life miserable. But he has a duty not to keep her status (alive due to a mysterious rescue that raises red flags) from Tigh, even if the inevitable emotional toll could become a detriment to his personal and professional life. Ellen already trying to drive a wedge between Tigh and Adama clearly indicates she is a terror in the making on board the BG, but Adama's efforts to let Tigh know their friendship is important to him does help calm the tides. And the hand shake and show of respect is also helpful in maintaining their bond despite Ellen's antics.

The episode includes a cylon raider emerging from a jump, leading Vipers (led by Apollo) into chasing it (eventually damaging the raider's wings), before leaving the space multiple times, and Starbuck catching Baltar with his pants town as he was in the middle of imagining "being rewarded" by Number Six for "all his hard work". The show continues to make Helfer into a sexual dynamo, close camera shots of her delectable body (the dress sliding up her legs, the lens following the curvature of her back), while Baltar's dalliances with her while remaining a constant in his mind override his ability to be completely loyal to the fleet and Adama. Roslin's suspicions of Adama and Adama's frustrations towards her for believing he was a cylon further complicate matters. But Ellen's mischief and naughty actions leave those around her quite annoyed and perturbed...she certainly rattles the resolve and temperament of those in command! Billy and Dualla appear to be an item although their services are to Roslin and Adama respectively. And in Caprica City, the "other" Sharon and Helo happen to escape in tunnels, irking cylon elite who continue to monitor their "progress", doting on the passions of love that exist in humans.

With so much darkness and seriousness in the overall tone of the show, Ellen definitely brings some unique personality that shakes things up.

Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 21 January 2021]

Edward James Olmos directs this episode and gives it some unexpected humour.

It is all due to Adama finding Ellen. Colonel Saul Tigh's wife who was thought to be dead.

It also adds to the paranoia on BSG. President Roslin has suspicions about Adama based on the information given to her by the human Cylon.

She wants Adama to be tested by Gaius as to whether he is a Cylon or not. Pretty soon everyone wants Ellen tested after her outrageous behaviour.

Kate Vernon gives a larger than life performance as the boozy floozy Ellen Tigh. It gives a different dimension to Colonel Tigh who is trying to beat the booze but is now off the wagon.

'Boo'!

[UNOhwen · 20 September 2015]

This episode is about 2 things.

The one of lesser importance; the Cylon detector.

The one of greater importance - the return of Ellen Tigh.

What an entrance Ellen makes - saucy, lustful (not just for Saul), and ... possibly more to Ellen than that.

But, I digress,

Writing this several years after this great series finished it's original run, it's been pointed out more than once about one of the major threads of Battlestar Gactoca, is the strength of Saul and Ellen's relationship.

They truly are 'for better, for worse,' they do stick together.

But, in this - the introduction to this most amazing woman, we see her mercurial, and a player of games - towards Saul.

But, there are still many viewers new to this wondrous series, and, it's not fair to take away anything from it.

Kate Vernon's performance is the most singularly important factor in this episode. She's able to give Ellen not just vitality, but, through her, we feel we 'know' Ellen, and, in a way, we do, but, in a way, we know Ellen as much as Ellen knows Ellen.

This episode's lightness detracts from the importance taking place, but, as I've heard before, 'keep coming back,' the story's only beginning to come together.

A momentary quality spike in a sinking show

[delnegro-IMDb · 7/10 · 21 April 2015]

The simple fact that this episode's plot avoids the pseudo-scientific nonsense that plagues most of the series would be enough to make it better than average, but the real star of the show turns out to be behind the camera (as well as in front).

Edward James Olmos' direction is a breath of fresh air. The shot composition, the pacing, even the acting, are significantly better than average. At times, it's reminiscent of the (absolutely brilliant) "Our Mrs. Reynolds" episode from Firefly.

I doubt I'll manage to make it through the remaining 3 seasons, but I'll definitely check out the other episodes he directed.

I hated this episode.

[wms-92741 · 2/10 · 4 July 2021]

Ellen Tigh is loathsome. The story on Cylon-controlled Caprica is not advancing. The suspicion of Commander Adama from President Roslin is contrived. It appears that Gauis is supposed to be comic relief in this episode, but his character isn't funny and neither is the actor.

It took me four times as long to watch this episode as the previous two episodes, because I kept pausing it and doing other things. Watching this episode was torture. Do yourself a favor and skip it; it is not essential to the overall storyline.

Tigh me up, Tigh me down

[joeghost · 4/10 · 9 February 2021]

This episode just continues my hatred for president Roslin. They know the Cylons can look human, but they also know that there are specific and have repetitive looks to the Cylons that look human. Yet, somehow she suspects Adama of being a Cylon based upon the word of a Cylon who was lying, causing chaos with fleet and desperate. Adama has a long, public history that includes having two adult children that were in the military as well. The whole concept is just poor writing. My next issue is that Gauis tests Boomer and gets an answer in minutes in the last episode, but in this episode suddenly it takes 11 hours to do a test. Again, very sketchy writing. There's so much potential in this series, but it just seems to always come up just a bit short of its potential.

Written by a producers child, surely.

[njdaymond89 · 4/10 · 12 September 2023]

The dinner scene had me clawing my eyes out, alongside the stupid jingle playing in so many scenes, reminiscent of a kids cartoon show.

The acting was TEDIOUS to watch. Genuinely, positively painful. Not high shelf sci-fi. So many characters have made out of character decisions, in so many episodes now.

Why is the President suddenly suspicious of Adama after killing a Clyon last episode, despite her speech of 'not letting them get in your head'? One whisper that 'Adama is a Cylon' sets her off? The first thing she does this episode is suspect Adama of being a Clyon? How did she manage a class full of children!?

An adult didn't write this episodes. This isn't how adults act. These characters are not battle hardened, combat veterans, arguing about wives and telephone calls whilst a Clyon vessel is IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLEET. Sometimes focusing on the humans ruins the story instead of enhancing it.

The writing is terrible. The conflict resolution; 'You do your job good and you're my friend', immediately after a shouting match is non-sensical.

The continued 'Frack' usage still grates.

People revere this show, but so far it's a 6.5/10, at most. My upbringing was Farscape, TNG, Voyager and DS9. Battlestar needs to improve beyond season 1, and I hope it does.

Almost enough to stop watching this Show

[DaMac78 · 2/10 · 12 February 2024]

I'm watching this Show for the first time ever and it's 2024. I was a huge fan of Galactica as a kid and those VHS tapes had to endure countless rewatches!

At first I thought "hmm, this Show has aged quite well" and found the story intriguing. Then this episode came along.. introducing Ellen.. the stupid Music during her cringe scenes.. painful to watch and so "20 years ago".

2 other things I generally don't like in this show: The terrible lighting choice when they are on Caprica. It's completely over saturated and makes the scenes look cheap. Also; I don't care what die hard fans say but: Baltar is a TERRIBLE actor. He is laughable and shouts like a little girl when he jumps. Totally miscast. Not to mention how silly and annoying his constant "in my head" girlfriend is.

I'm finishing this season but if it keeps this up I'm out. Definitely hasn't aged well.