Season 2, Episode 02:
Valley Of Darkness
As the Viper pilots disembark after repelling the Cylon attack in the previous episode, Billy meets with Dualla and tries to make amends after supporting Roslin during the military coup.
In Galactica's infirmary, Tigh is speaking with the medic overseeing Bill's condition when the power suddenly goes out. He heads to the CIC and meets with Gaeta, who informs him that the Cylons managed to upload a copy of their virus and have knocked out the ship's power. Captain Kelly then hears a report that Cylons have boarded Galactica.
On the flight deck, Specialist Jammer tells Lee that he doesn't know what's happening. As Lee, Kat, Flyboy and Hot Dog make their way towards their quarters, they are surprised by a Centurion, who kills Flyboy as the others run away. Lee is forced into a corner, and empties his pistol at the Centurion to no avail, only to be saved by a group of Marines using explosive rounds, which they state is the only thing that can destroy the metallic exterior.
Lee gives Hot Dog a note and tells him to take it to the CIC, while informing the rest of the pilots that they have to arm themselves and take back the ship. In the brig, Roslin and Billy hear the sounds of fighting and people screaming in the hallways. She convinces her guard, Corporal Venner, to release her from her cell, and both of them are encountered by Lee and Kat. They head to a munitions locker, only to discover that the Marines have taken most of the explosive ammunition, and are forced to divide it among themselves.
On Caprica, Helo and Kara are walking through the streets when Kara has an idea. She brings Helo to her old apartment, and puts on a piece of music by her father as he scrounges for food. As they rest, Kara asks Helo if he's tired of walking, while dangling the keys to her jeep. They subsequently set out with the Arrow of Apollo in the vehicle.
On Kobol, Tyrol and Cally head back from the Raptor crash site, and discuss Socinus's condition. Elsewhere, Baltar has a vision of seeing Bill carrying the "shape of things to come" and drowning it in a river, then snaps back to reality. Both he, Tyrol and Cally rejoin the group, but Crashdown is less than pleased at their situation. Seelix states that Socinus's injuries are too severe and they can't save him, leading Tyrol to realize that they have to put the specialist down with a lethal dose of morpha. Tyrol reassures Socinus as they inject the latter with the dose and he passes away.
On Galactica, Tigh learns that it will still take some time to restore the ship's power, and that the Centurions are breaking into two groups, with each headed for the fire control stations. Meanwhile, Lee, Roslin and the others see bodies littering the hallways, but discover Jammer and Dualla hiding amidst the carnage. They subsequently bring the two with them, and head for the aft fire control station after Jammer reestablishes contact with the CIC.
The group arrives at the station and takes up positions to defend from the incoming Centurions. The Centurions attack the station, but Lee and the Marines are able to destroy the three attacking units. After the battle, Lee, Roslin and Tigh gather in the Battlestar's infirmary and discuss Bill's condition. The power is back, and Cottle is given word to come over from the Rising Star.
Tigh and Lee have a discussion about what the latter did. Both of them concede that neither of them are fit to wear a Colonial uniform, and will both be judged by Bill when he recovers.
Tropes
- Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: Helo and Starbuck in her apartment on Caprica as her father's music plays, in the otherwise action-packed episode.
- All Your Base Are Belong to Us: The Cylons attempting to take over Galactica.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Lee tries to use one of his father's signature quotes ("Sometimes you have to roll a hard six"), but admits he has no idea what it means.
- Continuity Nod:
- Just before the final fight, Lee tries to reassure himself by talking out loud.
- Roslin is told that Sergeant Hadrian is repelling the Cylon attack in another part of the ship.
- Disposing of a Body: Discussed. Kara asks why there are no corpses in Caprica, and Helo states that the Cylons rounded all the bodies up and cremated them.
- Face Death with Dignity: Roslin demands her guard let her out of her cell so she won't be shot "like a rat in a cage" when the Centurions arrive. Luckily she doesn't die but the intent is the same.
- Heroic BSoD: Dualla.
- Irony: Tigh's statement at the end of the episode that he's glad he never had kids is ironic given the later revelation in the fourth season that he is viewed by the Cylons as their father.
- Immune to Bullets: Played With; the Centurions' armor can block regular, FMJ bullets, but they can be taken out by armor-piercing rounds, which are unfortunately in short supply.
- Mauve Shirt: Flyboy and Socinus, two characters with prior characterization who die in the first half of the episode.
- Mercy Kill: Socinus, who is given a lethal dose of morpha when the crew realizes his injuries can't be fixed.
- Pants-Positive Safety: Billy sticking a pistol into the front of his pants. Dee advises him to use the actual safety as well.
- Plot Armor: Dualla manages to survive the massacre of crewmen in the Galactica corridors, and is able to snap out of her despair after Billy talks to her.
- Precision F-Strike: Played With. In a serious moment, Cally says to Tyrol, "Talk to me, you motherfrakker!" after being generally calm and reserved throughout the series. Tyrol laughs at the absurdity of her remark and Cally begins to laugh after a moment as well.
- Reckless Gun Usage: Dualla tells Billy (a civilian) that sticking a pistol in his pants with the safety off is a bad idea. Later Billy has an accidental discharge when taking the safety off, giving away their position to the Cylons.
- Survival Mantra: Apollo reminds his reluctant fireteam to focus on headshotting the incoming Cylon centurions, as they have a limited number of armor-piercing rounds. He starts repeating the mantra to himself as the Cylons get closer and closer to their position.Apollo: Headshot, reload. Headshot, reload...
