In tonight’s BSG we get a few answers — and more questions. Highlights: we talk head character proliferation, study Starbuck’s father’s name, are down with Helo-the-guy-who-buys-back-Kara’s-stuff (and feel sorry for Helo-the-guy-who-accidentally-jumped-Boomer), analyze Head Dad, struggle with the connections between Hera’s kidnapping and Chief’s projection-daughter’s disapperance (and Roslin’s scene at the end of the show), suggest the use of ‘Boomer’ as a verb going forward, compare Tyrol’s all-fun early fling with Boomer to his more adult relationship with Cally, and enjoy a well-deserved laugh over the felgercarb toothpaste (and the incredibly odd in-your-face KFC ads). Predictions, anyone?
Just started listening to it right now, wow what a great episode.
Cool! I get second dibs! … 2nd time in a row I made it on the first page of a podcust discussion! 
I’ve got some driving to do today – thanks for the early post!
Going to be a BUSY day so thanks for getting it out so early Chuck you rock buddy!! 
I walked away believing that Starbuck’s father is Daniel. I’m curious to see what will become of Hera though. (Also, the connection with the music) Also, now the Galactica is pretty much stuck where it is, since it’s hull is breached. I don’t know if the poor ol girl is going to make it. Oh, and I HATE Boomer!!!
I need some answers dammit! Heh heh.
OK, maybe I was on to something after all…
You guys are awesome for getting this podcast out so quickly, thanks.
Just downloading it now. I see RDM has his podcast out now too.
Loved the episode, so many emotions and disappointments.
What a grand tale !!
All hail to BSG !!
I love Starbuck episodes. “Maelstrom,” “Scar,” “Act of Contrition/You Can’t Go Home Again,” all really move me. Even though she’s the most kick-ass, physically active of any of the characters, her stories are almost always introspective and full of feeling, and Katee Sackhoff always nails it. And unlike most others’ episodes, which typically end with them taking some kind of action–like Chief’s B-story, in which he decides to do something REALLY stupid–Starbuck usually spends most of the episode trying to do something before finally ending in a state of emotional and spiritual surrender. I mean, c’mon, the climax of this episode was Starbuck playing the piano! Wonderful stuff!
When all is said and done, given the show’s terrific ensemble cast and number of key characters, Starbuck is THE key. And she’s not finished yet.
Just to get this straight: Is Boomer dead? Did she ram the Raptor into Galactica or did she jump away and all that hit Galactica was the shockwavy thing from the jump?
Nope, she jumped away, and it was the shockwave that hurt Galactica. The Raptor was not in good shape when she jumped, but it was still together.
Ok, so Hera is also still alive in all likelihood.
Do the opera house visions from the end of season 3 make more sense now?
So, why weren’t the Raptor and two Vipers hurt in the same way when the tylium ship jumped right out from under them? That Raptor was centimeters from touching down. (Geez, just a few episodes from the end, and RDM is leaving us with more questions? ;))
On the other hand, I was worried for a split second that it was Hot Dog who’d crashed into the old girl. Whew…
Chuck:
Gods and Monsters
–Brendan Fraser
–Ian McKellan (nominated for Best Actor)
There was a guitar inside the piano!
Do the opera house visions from the end of season 3 make more sense now?
Not to me, they don’t.
Yeah, still waiting for some sense here.
I couldn’t agree with you more. She is everthing. Strong, kick-ass, flawed, tender, vulnerable, a complete jerk at times, and above all she is ever-loyal and courageous. Damn, what a mythic character. Certainly worthy of Homer’s Iliad. I love Starbuck !!
Yes, she is the key. And Starbuck is irrepressible.
In the last couple weeks, the 'casts have discussed some of the classic English-major modes of obvious symbolism. I like to call the tried-true-overdone tropes the “Symbolic or Ironic?” approach of interpretation: if something is remotely applicable, it’s symbolic. If it’s not at all applicable, it’s ironic.
And tangent from there: Since Papa Thrace’s name is so conspicuously original, here’s some totally fabricated bullcrap speculation:
His name is Dreilide Thrace. In German, “drei” means three. So the name is clearly* a reference to the Holy Trinity. So Starbuck – or her Dad, or possibly Daniel – is, like, some kind of figure that represents something in some kind of mythology, sort of.
- kidding
And regarding Starbuck being the key, pianos have keys. LOTS of keys. So there you go – symbolized!