As I noted earlier, I was one of the lucky [[frak]]wits that received a screener of “[[He That Believeth In Me]]”, the season four premiere episode written by [[Bradley Thompson]] and [[David Weddle]], and directed by [[Michael Rymer]].

Of course, because I had to sign a confidentiality agreement to get the screener, I am legally bound not to give spoilers. By the definition of the contract, it defines spoilers as any content that is contained in the last 15 minutes of the episode. So that is verboten, otherwise I fear that I may be [[airlock]]ed, [[Laura Roslin]]-style.

I’ve revealed some things on the Battlestar Forum that I don’t consider spoilery, such as how the tail number on a certain pristine Viper is different from what’s been pictured in the various promotional photos for the episode, as well as have tried to fit in where the clips that have been floating around the internet have fit into the context of the episode… With varying degrees of success.

For most of the review, I’ll touch upon my reactions on the show. Of course, it will be short, as I do need to explain the parts of the story in order to elaborate why I feel the way I feel… Which I can’t do until Friday.

In short, HTBIM is not “[[33]]”, “[[Scattered]]”/”[[Valley of Darkness]]” or “[[Occupation]]”/”[[Precipice]]”. It is not like any of the previous season premieres that have come before it. It is different, there is a definite sense that the show is in its third and final act of a three-part story. The episode, while there is a fantastic space battle for the first 10 minutes where people die by the hundreds (again, not really a spoiler, since we knew a battle was coming), is not really “action packed”. There isn’t a sense that the Fleet is being ruthlessly pursued by Cylons a la “33″, despite the encounter at the nebula.

There’s really a sense that, as noted by “The TV Addict” here, we find that this episode raises a lot more questions than it does answers. However, there is a lot of character drama in this episode, so if you grok the characters, you will not be disappointed.

Instead, the drama of the episode centers around [[Kara Thrace]] and the reactions to her appearance, mainly by the religiously-driven Roslin. Unsurprisingly, if you’ve kept up with the relationships on the show, you will know pretty quickly where everyone stands when it comes to Thrace. Let’s say that [[Edward James Olmos]] is really on his game here, and you’ll see the various permutations of the [[Adama Glare]] here. (To make up for the [[Adamastache|mushdache]], no doubt, and the fact that he can’t really yell at Lee anymore.)

There are some scene-stealing moments that will make you laugh out loud. These come in the form of [[Gaius Baltar]] (the B-story of the show) when he enters the commune of the Cult of Baltar (which is the “descriptive term” we’ll be using on the Wiki until they release an official name), and during a certain scene later where he “feels God’s presence”. In this, [[James Callis]] definitely steals the episode. There are many parallels to this cult… let’s just say that it seems to be headed towards a “Manson Family”-esque setup, particularly when you note the composition of the members of this group and certain tendencies.

As pictured on Battlestar Wiki, [[Virtual Six]] no longer wears her seductive red dress, but instead a blouse and skirt. A visual clue to look out for in the episodes, despite the promotional photography that would have you note otherwise.

Now, as for Thrace’s return… let’s just say that everything she’s ever experienced (”lost time”, the feeling of theopany, etc.) seems to mirror alien abductee phenomenon. Think “The X-Files”. Maybe there is something in the Vancouver air?

Anyway, for those of you who are in America, you are in for a real treat. The episode will be streaming live on SciFi.com’s Sci Fi Pulse starting at 12 P.M. Eastern Time. Of course, the episode will air at 10 P.M. on Friday.

As for you overseas knucledraggers, the UK people will be able to see the show on April 8. Check your local listings!

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 am and is filed under Exclusive News, New Goodies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.