Litmus (11 Feb. 2005)

A humanoid Cylon straps himself with explosives and commits a suicide bombing in a crowded hallway on Galactica. Roslin and Adama are forced to publicly reveal that the Cylons now have models that look like humans, and a wave of paranoia spreads over the fleet as everyone starts being suspected of being a Cylon.

Director:

Rod Hardy

Writers:

Ronald D. Moore (developed by), Jeff Vlaming,

Stars:

Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Edward James Olmos	...	Commander William Adama
Mary McDonnell	...	President Laura Roslin
Katee Sackhoff	...	Lt. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace
Jamie Bamber	...	Cpt. Lee 'Apollo' Adama (credit only)
James Callis	...	Dr. Gaius Baltar
Tricia Helfer	...	Number Six
Grace Park	...	Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii
Michael Hogan	...	Colonel Saul Tigh
Aaron Douglas	...	Chief Galen Tyrol
Tahmoh Penikett	...	Lt. Karl 'Helo' Agathon
Paul Campbell	...	Billy Keikeya
Sam Witwer	...	Crashdown
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Dr. Cottle
Jill Teed	...	Sgt. Hadrian
Dominic Zamprogna	...	James 'Jammer' Lyman

Storyline

While Tyrol and Sharon have a secret meeting, a copy of the Cylon Doral blows himself up, killing three humans. Since security was hindered by them not knowing Cylons can look like humans, Roslin and Adama see no other solution than to make the news public. Sergeant Hadrian is given full authority to investigate why Doral had access to a weapons locker and starts a tribunal. She quickly finds a possible suspect when crew members tell different stories about the whereabouts of Tyrol during the bombing. Meanwhile on Caprica, Helo has a decision to make. Going after the disappeared Sharon or fleeing. It's a decision that can cost him his life.

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Plot Keywords:

space opera | space western | spacecraft | heroine | starfighter | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 February 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Vancouver Film Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

R&D TV, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), NBC Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

42 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Commander Adama picks up his reading glasses in episode #1.6, "Litmus", he does so from atop a Reader's Digest Condensed Book copy of "A Walk In The Park".

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Quotes

Number Six: Don't make me angry, Gaius. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

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Connections

Referenced in The Plan (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Main Title Theme"
Written by Richard Gibbs

User Reviews

Witch Hunting

Chief Tyrol and Boomer have an love encounter covered by Tyrol's team and Sharon leaves one hatch open, giving access to the Galactica's arsenal. A copy of the Cylon Doral finds a breach in the security system of Galactica and blows up the bombs tied to his body, killing three humans and leaving thirteen wounded persons. Commander Adama decides to make public the information that Cylons now can resemble humans with the support of President Roslin, bringing mistrust, paranoid and panic to the survivors. Sergeant Hadrian is assigned to investigate the case and bring the suspects to an independent court. She finds inconsistencies in the testimony of Chief Tyrol and his crew about where he was during the bombing. Meanwhile on Caprica, Helo seeks out the other version of Boomer, playing like a puppet to the Cylons.

In "Litmus", the survivors are finally informed that the Cylons can mimic human form. The story is not bad, but the greatest problem with this series is the characters, most of them unpleasant and without any charisma like for example, President Roslin, Sergeant Hadrian, Dr. Gaius Baltar, Colonel Saul Tigh and others. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Tribunal" ("The Tribunal")