ENSIGN RO!? | BATTLESTAR GALACTICA | Pegasus | Season 2 Ep 10 | First Time REACTION 

Tricia Helfer is an amazing actress. Each separate version of Six is recognizable by behavior, etc.

The swing from elation at seeing a second Battlestar to the low of the realization of the character of her crew is a wild ride.

The hardest episode in the entire series. Kane got zero information with torture and pain. Adama got tons of information with humane treatment. 🌻

Allways blown away by Tricias performance. And beeing her first big gig. Wow. And she is an absolute sweetheart at cons 😍

I am always blown away by y’all’s humanity. I knew this would be a tough one. I’m so sorry for what’s been done to you. And I’m so proud of who yall are on this show for being able to and wanting to discuss what needs to be discussed when such powerful subjects are depicted in a show.

I just want to say that the actor who played Thorne was a true gentleman with Grace. They communicated very strongly with each other about boundaries, how comfortable she was with every aspect of the filming.

I'm not someone who is generally deeply affected by fiction. Not that I don't get emotional from emotional stories, just not on a visceral level. I usually recover quickly. This episode still makes me feel physically ill. It's a real testament to the acting abilities of everyone on this show.

You don't frak with Adama. I love that about him. Because it's not enough to survive; you must be worthy of survival. The crew of the Pegasus have given up what makes them human - they are no longer worthy. Being human isn't a matter of flesh, but a matter of principles and values. That's what Adama has come to realise, and what he has sworn to defend.

16:13, during the original run of the show a tv critic used to call Lee and Kara the twins. Basically, they act more like siblings both yearning for Daddy Bill's attention and approval. Once I read a review I couldn't unsee it. So I guess Admiral Caine is the crazy Auntie.

You're about to experience arguably the best two episodes of BSG ever.

This is a seriously tough show. And it's all the more brilliant for it. I wish more TV shows had the guts to go where Battlestar goes. Our society would be the better for it.

Tricia Helfer studied the effects of assault on the human body. She did extensive studying in preparation for this episode. As of the time of this episode, she hadn't been assaulted.

Just want to see the excitement of seeing Ro turn to the hatred of Cain.

The BSG movie Razor gives backstory for the Pegasus, but it has a parallel storyline that takes place in a later season so wait to check it out, but it definitely is worth checking out (Michelle Forbes is GREAT in it)

Worth the wait! And to clarify - it was seeing the reaction when Michelle Forbes popped on the screen. I had forgotten what takes place later in the episode. 😢

Remember how you two hated Gaius at the beginning? Now he's the one showing his full humanity while Cain and her crew show us humanity at its worst. And, as always, Helo is just a good guy.

THIS was the episode. THIS was the one that flipped everything on its head. Before this, Cylons were CLEARLY evil and they should be eliminated... but here we get a major dose of empathy... I know there were others, like Sharon, who we felt something for... but this episode (as brutal as it is) was necessary to show that there are monsters on both sides. This show was a commentary of Abu Ghraib and the torture that the "good guys" created. 9/11 was still a fresh wound at the time. While I don't know what you experienced and are feeling... the sense of rage at the perpetrators of that rape was shared by me, as well. You see the ugly truth about humanity as well as the cylons. Both are capable of so much bad and so much good. Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. I really appreciate it. That's why I watch this channel. All the best to you both.

🔔 GG's @ 23:06 ➡ The Pegasus had just over 1750 people aboard when it first encountered the Galactica.

lol at “I want Roslin to push her out an airlock!” Truly, as flawed as Roslin is, I think Adama and her keep each other and in check and that’s why they haven’t lost their humanity and they have been able to keep what is left of humanity alive. Thank you for your openness and generosity in sharing your thoughts about this episode and peoples experience in this subject.

I knew this episode was going to hit you both hard! Soon as I saw your initial happiness at another Battlestar I was thinking ... just wait ... It's a very brutal, raw episode here & kind of shows the path Galactica & her crew could've taken under different circumstances after the Cylon strike. For what it's worth, I remember hearing that the guy who played Thorne was an absolute softy & was reportedly worried about the scene and was working really closely with Grace Park, & it was her pushing for the scene to be as it was. Thank you both for letting us see you tackle that scene, can't begin to imagine how tough that was ❤❤

One problem with talling Cain to take a hike is that the Pegasus massively ouclasses the Galactica. Not only she can effectively do as she pleases, but the Fleet needs the firepower Pegasus represents. And as a guy I never shed a tear for that guy's (won't bother to look for his name) death. That bolt did a service for humankind. For what's worth, RDM's comment on that scene was filled of awkard silences, while he tried to process his feelings about what he was seeing.

This and the next episode are two of the most anxiety producing episodes in all of TV.

The extended episode wasn't cut down just for explicit content. There are several extended scenes and even new ones that fill out the episode. There are more extended episodes going forward.

In the US Navy there are 2 kinds of ships, depending on the personalities of their captain and division commander. "Spic and span" ships are kept in pristine condition. Everything neat and tidy. Any sign of rust or paint damage is dealt with as a priority. But, this comes at a cost. Their crews lose time that could be used in training for operational readiness. On the other hand, "Ship shape" ship's crews are honed weapons, 100% capable of carrying out their tasked functions, tho their ships are maybe a little scruffy. Command philosophy.

Been waiting for this episode to roll around.

This episode felt off from the start. “Welcome back to the fleet” from Cain told me everything I needed know about the situation. Also, sending you gals hugs. This is a rough one.

Studies relating to what people will do when told to by an authority figure are both depressing and terrifying. It should not be overlooked that the characters committing atrocities where doing what their female commanding officer wanted. To be clear not an excuse.

The music in this episode, the acting... it's amazing. Such a brutal topic makes it hard to watch, but I personally get catharsis for my own traumas by watching emotionally painful shit, so bring on the tissues Edit after watching the full discussion at the end: yall are just awesome. thanks for all you do

omg here we gooooooo!!!!

that was hard watching u go through that kat hope ur ok

I can't wait to see which characters perhaps you both have had a change of heart by the end of the series, or loathe or like etc. This show is great at turning our feelings upside down and then around for another spin or two! Thank you both!!!☺️💚💚

You mentioned about how it was making you feel about a cylon, Six.. I was wondering how this is affecting your perception of Baltar?

This episode is important in the context of BG to show another possible response to the Cylon attack. The parallels to post-9/11 and other modern conflicts are valid. This was aired only 4 years after 9/11 so those political and military actions were a direct reference for this episode.

🔔 GG's @ 31:29 ➡ By all means see (or preferably react to) "9/11: In Plane Site" (Director's Cut) 🙂

Loved the after show discussion despite the tough subject matter ✌️

The Pegasus crew.....ain't quite right. You can see that Laird ( their deck chief ) is different from the norm, being a civilian drafted in.

That’s what makes this set of episodes so good, they force civilians to have to look at the world through military eyes during a time of war and what happens to people when they’ve spent nearly a full year under Marshall law. And yea under Marshall law some people will allow their inner evil to take control under the guise of, “well I was just following orders.” Stay strong gals, these next few episodes are going to be a wild journey.

There was a time in one of the pretty early episodes where Adama had to ask himself: "What am I fighting for, seriously? What will I be going back to if we win?" and most importantly "How will I ensure there's something to go back to?" I don't think the last one has hit Cain. I don't know if she's even open to it. It's not a defense, just my personal understanding of a character I absolutely loathe. Forbes did a good job. Cain also recontextualizes Adama, and even Tigh.

From the rebellious ensign Ro to the revengeful, merciless, full of hate Adm. Cain ... Michelle Forbes is such an actress. What the Galactica could have been if she was in the same situation... The Pegasus was. Not looking for earth, for hope but only for revenge and blood... *Told you gonna be a rolla coaster of emotions till the end...

Historical context: This episode aired a few months after the public learned about abuse of Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Graib prison, which would become the real-world analogy for this rather than anything that was rumored at Guantanamo Bay.

loved the discussion we are living in a world where dehumanization and genocide is happening rn and we just ignore it and go about our day like nothing is happening and the good ol propoganda about how ' complicated' it is lets us sleep better.

Brilliant reaction as always. I told you a few weeks ago your feelings for certain characters would start to shift. You'll also gain respect for another character you've historically disliked in the next episode.

Michelle Forbes, what an actor! I liked her as Ro, and hated her as Cain. I also despised 99% of the Pegasus crew.

I wonder what Ro would think of Cain. I don't think they'd like each other very nuch.

As a Trekkie, it was so cool seeing Michelle Forbes again. She’s perfect as the hard-ass Cain. It’s also cool seeing another Battlestar too, especially as it’s more advanced. But, of course, I did pick up on the twist of how, in Trek, the “hero” ships are normally the newest and best ships with the best crews. Whereas, this time, it’s flipped on its head and the crew are the absolute worst, really sadistic. Without spoiling anything, they made a TV movie much later, called “Razor”, which fills in all the backstory for the Pegasus and her crew. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially the uncut/unrated version on blu-ray. I think it was made and released around the time of the start of the final season.

My brother's first reaction to the guys stepping out of the raptor "wow, they're arseholes"😂

Wait, holy crap, I think I have that same narwhal stuffie... Well, RDM couldn't get Michelle to be on DS9, so he did the next best thing =p Gals, Gals, Gals... The military is varied; some commanders are like Cain, some are like Adama, some are competent, some aren't, some are much more relaxed, etc... Cain's Command is far from an "inevitable" outcome of a detached military command (even in a time of war). Ensign Ro DID follow orders- remember the Earring that she took off, until she was given the exception? -- Now, about THAT scene- yes, it was acted. The actors (and crew) were very respectful, (THAT actor was both very respectful and uncomfortable, from what I've heard)- hell, the one pushing for "moar" (in terms of showing it and the horror of it) was Grace Park (Sharon) (because it happens too much in real life); there are some interviews around where she addresses it. (I suggest the "Battlestar Galactica Grace Park Q and A at SyFy complete" at about 12:08 (for certain reasons)) But, that you felt so strongly (as so many of us did and/or do when we see it...), it did what it meant to do. Oh, and the discussions on the Skiffy boards after this episode about "can you rape a machine" vs "Cylons are obviously people" went on for months (if not years) (Last, you should at least watch the opening scene of the extended- as stated, I think the whole extended episode is worth watching, but the opening scene especially has some context for later)

This episode blurred the line between "good" Humans and "evil" Cylons brilliantly. Substituting Cylons for human "others" allowed so much. We all started out "othering" the Cylons, and Pegasus smacked everyone in the face with it. Maybe you had started thinking Boomer was different, but Cylons are still Cylons. Now Six is different, but how about the other Cylons? Something not mentioned often is that Imperial Japan viewed pretty much all other people as Nazis viewed the Jews. Just ask the Koreans and Chinese, who still have strained relations with Japan. Regarding the Palestinians, if Israel was removed from the picture, they still wouldn't be free, since they'd still be ruled by Hamas. Going the other way on othering, how about saying everyone who voted for Trump is a white supremacist fascist? It's just soooo easy to do. The beauty of the crew situation is that Cain was right about integrating the crews and the breakdown discipline on Galactica, as demonstrated by the reaction of Apollo and Starbuck to the news of their reassignment; but she was soooo wrong about pretty much everything else.

Finally! ^^

🔔 GG's @ 25:55 ➡ In answer to your question: No. What exactly transpired you will have to wait to find out until when you react to the BSG movie "RAZOR".

All of this unpleasantness could have been avoided if the president had at some point just given Adama the rank of Fleet Admiral. Since that's exactly the function he's performed since the beginning of the series, it's kind of weird that she didn't. Then, when the Pegasus arrived, what's-her-face would have been fetching his coffee instead of giving orders.

33:35 That detail of Sharon pulling the blanket over herself was improvised by Grace Park, IIRC. It got to me more than anything else in that scene, too. I teared up hearing you talk about it.

ensign ro turned admiral

That was tough to watch. Hope you guys are ok. 😞

If the Cilonies were like most Earth nations, all it would take is the stroke of a pen and Roslin could make Adama superior to Cain.

18:06, all of that aggressive interrogation was approved by Admiral Caine. A lot unfortunate set of circumstances can make monsters of us all. Pegasus Six didn't deserve it and Sharon who is pregnant damn sure didn't deserve it. Episodes like this definitely helped earn this show the Peabody Award so timely social commentary. This was all broadcast during the early days after 9/11 and America's War on Terrorism.

Despite the unpleasant nature of the content that got darker by the second, it was a revelation to see Helfer play that entirely new moment for "Head Six," of processing being totally horrified for maybe the first time in that character's existence, where her normal veneer of control is shattered. And of course the dual roles she begins to take on from this point warrant great respect. Certainly this is not the first time before or after in the series that Ron Moore lets the content be informed by the experience of 9-11 and the consequences of it both here and abroad. Peace to you both, it seems like you dealt with a lot in your reaction.

"This is going to be great." Yeah....about that 😂

28:25 I agree with Paula 100% here.

this episode intro is one if the best ever

Paula, the conversation you and Kat have about the Pegasus crew dehumanizing themselves and becoming monsters,.....it will be interesting to see the reaction to Part Two.

hi pals :)

❤

Oh man theres some expanded universe lore i want to tell you about Cain and the ship Pegasus. But its not the time for that. I have to let get futher in first.

Dehumanizing Cylons is easy, because few even believe they are human. The prequel show Caprica set 58 years before the Fall of the Colonies, at the birth of the Cylons delves into the nature of sentience really well. Off topic but, in treating people of color or Cylons or anyone else as an elevated victim class, seems to me to elevate White aka “normal” people as somehow still superior. In a weird way.

With the emotional element in this reaction, it's amazing that some people are pointing out a spelling mistake in a name from a different tv show 🤦‍♂️

Do you have any idea how hard it was, for us Star Trek fans, to not blab about Ensign Ro being in BSG???

You should also watch the original BSG, however you gotta kind of pick and choose, and only watch the 2 parter episodes.

You mention gitmo. The parallels are not accidental this show was influenced by what was going on in with Americans invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and the "enemy combatents" they rounded up at post 9/11. Enemy combatents being the name given to them to circumvent the Geneva convention. Anyway there was a a dvd released can't remember if it was film or extra off shoot episodes that tell the story of the Pegusus. It was actually really good with a lesbian story line in it. Can't remember it's name though.

Ensign Ro? Admiral Cain is Ensign Ro, if Ro never dealt with her trauma and then the Cardassians came back and liquidated Bajor.

Fully understand the reaction to the SA scene . Cylons nuked caprica , 6 snapped a babies neck , and multiple other horrific things . You need the ability to have sympathy for a cylon , so I feel that is why they went that direction. Great show but it is like they start writing each episode with “ OK , what’s the worst thing that could happen …. Ok what’s worse then that “ and keep going till they find what pushes the plot but also costs them in some way . Lol Watching you guys react I laughed a bit since you both cry at Who and I was like “ oh no , there are not enough tissues on the planet for this series “ . Love your reactions and your energy . Sorry this was a particularly rough one .

A two-hour Battlestar Galactica special - Battlestar Galactica: Razor - fits in here between Season 2, Episodes 17 and 18

Are the two of you going to watch the movies? One, Razor, takes place soon after this. However, it was released much later. And though I feel how the crew of the Pegusus crew treated the female cylons should be abhorent to anyone, how do you feel about the fact that Admirl Cain, as a woman, ordered her crew to chain assault 6? Now, the movie actually goes into how the Cain and her crew got to where they are, and unfortunately, I see how people in that position could actually go that dark.

Another quality winged cat video!

BAHAHAHAHAH PITTER PATTER Better tell Admiral Caine DON'T COME UP THE PROPERTY.

😢 Hiya GG 👋🏻 It feels inappropriate for me to use my usual sign in “fracking” 😒 Anyways, IT’S A TV SHOW, IT’S A TV SHOW, IT’S A TV SHOW….🫣 Bad news is Pegasus hangs around for quite some time (but don’t get comfortable 😉) “So say we all…..FRACKERS!” 😂🚀🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖😹 🇬🇧🫶🏻🇺🇸

🫂

you're at a good point in the story to watch the movie about the pegasus.

An Admiral should have good people skills.... Says the TNG fan😁

No excusing the behavior, but you will understand how and why they got there when you eventually watch the Battlestar Galactica movie Razor. They are all victims.

Not to be that guy but.... Ro Laren has no 'e' in her first name. :)

Hate to be the spelling nazi, but there is no E in Ensign Ro. ;) That being said: I was absolutely floored when Michelle Forbes showed up. She is just the best.

A good time to reflect. We hold the Pegasus crew in disgust and correctly so. But we’ve had the privilege in the show of seeing some cylons. Got to know them as individuals. Been able to see their humanity. They have not. These are machines that just destroyed their civilization and killed everyone they know. We’d all like to think we wouldnt behave the way that the Pegasus crew has but recorded history would just disagree with you. What you feel about the man that died they feel about every cylon, and rightly so…. “They would be the same monsters….” No they wouldnt have been. They dont see them as humans thats the point and why would they. To paint them as “just bad people” is to miss the point.

Ok, first of.....her name in Star Trek was Ro Laren. Please note there are no excessive vowels.

you know, I'm starting to have enough of this "safe space" bullshit. you're watching A DRAMA show such as BSG, and you "content warning" your audience? THIS is how people IS! greedy! treacherous! violent! abusive!... if you can't take this from a fucking FICTION, maybe you should grow a thicker skin, because reality out there ain't gonna "content warning" you! and, FYI, it gets more dramatic down the line, so might as well stop watching now if you can't take it.

Nice reaction as usual,but you cut it too mutch this time

Those of us who saw the original '78 series knew the initial Big Reveal just from the episode title. The story arc of the Pegasus joining the fleet is vaguely similar in both series, just without the sexual transgressions. As far as the comments about most men having self-control - yes, but... 1) guys like to think they are physically stronger. They could overpower any woman but choose not to because they don't want those memories... or consequences. 2) in the last moments before a joy moment/orgasm, men's brains can briefly shut down. The only thoughts inside their skull come from the lizard brain (lebedo): Now, Deeper, YES. Being human also means not being in control during moments of extreme emotions - positive or negative. It's shocking when some persons embrace/flaunt/seek those harmful moments of "psychotic self-expression" with little regard for others. If anyone actually wants to explore the subject of violent sex / emotional scarring.... see a shrink. If there's trauma to work through... 😮 some movies to discuss with a trusted friend are The Accused with Kelly & Foster or the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy (in original Swedish).

It's fascinating to watch you going from joy to suspicion to rage on a single episode, just like I did 20 years ago. And reminding of Guantanamo Bay was exactly their purpose: this episode was released just about 4 years after 9/11, the memory was still very fresh in memory at the time.

So, without any spoilers, the story of Pegasus is flushed out quite a bit more in the movie Battlestar Galactica: Razor. The movie, although released after the third season, is set chronologically after watching Season 2 episode 17 and 18.

Thank you. I know the two of you do not judge gender, sex, orientation, etc... But the fact that you explicitly stated it, as a fellow survivor (who has been torn apart multiple times by women when calling myself a survivor), again, thank you.

Yes, what was shown in the show was not real. And it is worth noting that actor that played LT. Thorne was very uncomfortable in the scene, and made sure that Grace Park did not feel abused.

So this is an element partially lifted from the original series. That also featured a second BattleStar Pegasus which was lead by a war like Admiral Caine (played by Lloyd Bridges if I recall), this is just done in a much darker fashion

It's definitely the case that people can be turned into monsters like this due to circumstance and social pressure. See, for example, the Stanford Prison Experiment. The Milgram Experiment may also be relevant, here. It doesn't help that the Pegasus crew had very different interactions with cylons than the Galactica crew (and, especially, the audience) did. Not only did they not see them as having the kind of emotional inner lives we ascribe to anyone we consider "people," these not-actually-people had just killed the vast majority of the human race. And that wouldn't be abstract to them, it would include almost everyone they'd ever known who wasn't on the ship with them. Combine that with a Stanford Prison Experiment kind of situation, and a rigid power structure headed by someone like Cain, and you have a recipe for all manner of atrocities. Heck, it wasn't all that long ago that various of the characters we love on Galactica would casually talk about putting a cylon out the airlock. "Cylons are people, too" is a fairly recent discovery for the majority of the fleet.

Ensign Ro clearly learned how to be an Admiral from Star Trek. That's why she went crazy like Starfeet Admirals always seem to.

Michelle Forbes was such a good get!

Your reaction to this was amazing, full of humanity, and well done, it was a tough one, much respect to you.

🔔 GG's ➡ TRIVIA TIME! 🔔 QUESTION: WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON THAT THEY ASKED TO PLAY ADMIRAL CAIN? 🔔 ANSWER: JANE SEYMOUR (WHO WAS IN THE ORIGINAL BSG IN 1978!)

🔔 GG's @ 21:07 ➡ Upon now rewatching these particular scenes, I had the thought that it would have been another interesting moment in their discussion if Adama had said to Cain (right before he launched the Strike Team): "Okay look, I'm willing to offer a compromise: Send back my men, who WILL stand trial before a jury of their peers (I give you my word on that). And while you're at it, send back all of Galactica's former crew that you reassigned to Pegasus. I will likewise send back to Pegasus all of its former crew currently stationed here on Galactica. When all of this is done, you go your way, and we'll go ours. Deal?"

This episode was likely more commentary on the Abu Garib Prison scandal in Iraq. U.S. soldiers sexually dehumanizing Iraqi prisoners. The acting in this episode from so many of the cast is just phenomenal. Trisha, James Callis, Grace, Edward, Michelle Forbes just outstanding. Grace had the toughest scene to play. James crying in the scene talking to six hits me every time. Trisha's reaction coming around the corner. Michelle Forbes is fantastic playing Cain. What a stellar performance. Performances.

My one complaint about this episode is they have Cain be the bad guy from the getgo, which clouds the fact that some of her critiques of Adama have merit. It would have been better if the story had been as drawn out as the Kobol arc, with the audience slowly learning how bad Cain is.