Battlestar Galactica Final Cut (2004–2009) Online

This episode is different from most other episodes as it follows a character we haven't seen before; D'Anna Biers is a reporter who after broadcasting a piece about the 'Gideon Massacre' is invited to produce a piece about life on Galactica, to show the fleet the human side of the military. At first it looks as if this was a big mistake; while investigating her story she learns of death threats against Col. Tigh, witnesses officers almost coming to blows, sees a pilot break down because she has been taking far to many stimulants and possibly the worst of all she sees Sharon Valarii and learns of her pregnancy. Although she had been promised full access she agrees to Adama's demand that Sharon must be kept a secret.

This episode could have been overly cliché, in fact when we saw the final broadcast of her story I thought it was… until the twist in the final scene that I won't spoil here. Lucy Lawless, best known for playing Xena: Warrior Princess, did a good job as D'Anna; I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her character. Even though there was some action this was a purely character driven episode, so much so that when the fleet was attacked by a pair of Cylon raiders we stayed and watched the reactions of the bridge crew rather than seeing the action. The only real weakness was the subplot involving Col. Tigh and his death threats; it was wrapped up far to easily although the scene where his potential killer confronted him was good; Michael Hogan is great in the role.

But a couple in sound. A balanced examination of the ethics of journalism (the value of truth vs. the value of security, subjectivity vs. objectivity, etc.), with a final twist that may give you goosebumps. And my Gods is Lucy Lawless beautiful! Even more so than in her "Xena" years. She could have been a supermodel, but we were lucky enough that she chose acting instead. ***1/2 out of 4.