I am – Hercules!!

Those tribal war drums playing over the smoke-filled starfields in that OC “Sith” trailer? Did they remind anybody of anything?

VCR ALERT: This episode starts half an hour later than usual due to a supersized “Stargate.” Or something.

Check it: 1.10 was actually reviewed on this site well before the limeys saw it on Jan. 3. Here’s what “Dark Wendigo” said on Dec. 20:

Battlestar Galactica 1.10 FAQ

What’s it called?
"Hand of God."

How does it begin?
What can I say? All that jumping uses a lot of energy. They're almost out, just enough left for two jumps, a new source of fuel must be found. Madam President starts having hallucinations in public and Starbuck has some new shoes to fill. Things get mighty tense on Caprica... also, could Boomer be pregnant?!?

Didn't they already have resource shortage episode?!
Yes, yes they did. Thankfully this episode takes things to a whole new level! Enough fuel to jump to their heart's content for several years... except for that pesky lil' Cylon base sitting there on top of it. This ep had me glued to my frackin' seat... if there's one thing this series has done well it's that we care about these characters AND BOY do they mess with our emotions here! Let's just say, a desperate Galactica vs. a well-armed Cylon base... Whew... TENSION!

So what else is going on then?
Turns out that the Kamala extract is doing some messed up things to the madam president. Starbuck doesn't like her new role AT ALL and we get an absolutely amazing moment between father and son Adama. Oh and there's a prophecy.

What happens?
Not exactly what you'd expect. Unless you expect some people to die... then you'd be on the money.

Who dies?!
Now that would be telling... But for those of you who are afraid, don't worry it's no one important... yet

What's Good?
The pacing in this episode had me glued to my seat, I think I've still got nail marks in my palms. The father and son talk. Is it just me or is the soundtrack to this series F*ckin insanely good?! Starbuck, Starbuck, Starbuck. Holy crap. It feels like every episode thus far has been building to right here, maybe a bit of an overstatement, but I haven't been this satisfied with a bit o' television in a LONG time!

What's Bad?
Only a few gripes, most of them personal. Not a big fan of 'prophecies' in my television viewing, tho' they do do some nice foreshadowing that just 'cause it's prophesied doesn't mean that it's a good thing. Also, I wish they'd move things along on Caprica... it sucks getting only lil' tiny snippets.

How does it end?
Baltar comes to the only possible, logical conclusion: "I am an Instrument of God."

“Dark Wendigo’s” rating for “Battlestar Galactica” 1.10?

*****

The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
***** better than we deserve
**** better than most motion pictures
*** actually worth your valuable time
** as horrible as most stuff on TV
* makes you quietly pray for bulletins

10:30 p.m. Friday. SciFi.

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