'Battlestar Galactica' Retro Recap: 'Hero'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It never ceases to amaze me, the things you uncover when you watch a television series the second time around. Sometimes you catch a plot point you never noticed before, or you suddenly uncover a hidden easter egg you never expected to find. Or, you come to realize that an episode you didn't like originally, is actually far better than you gave it credit, which is precisely what happened to me when I settled into re-watch the Battlestar Galactica episode, 'Hero'.

Because truly, the first time I watched this episode, I utterly despised it. Nothing about it felt right and it's one that I wrote off immediately because of that feeling. But round two...well round two helped me realize that this is actually a solid episode in the BSG saga, and my disdain for it simply comes about for other reasons which we will get to in a moment. Now this particular tale introduces us to a surprise moment in the fleet, when a Cylon Raider, under chase and fire from its own kind, broadcasts a distress signal featuring a human voice. Unsure of exactly how to proceed, the Admiral allows the ship aboard only to discover it is carrying a blast from his past, Lieutenant Daniel 'Bulldog' Novacek; a pilot Adama lost when he was the Commander of the Battlestar Valkyrie. Yet despite the fact that finding another survivor in this fashion should be cause for celebration, dark clouds surround Bulldog's arrival on Galactica; for his presence is a firm reminder of the Admiral's most embarrassing moment career wise, and Bulldog...is also an unknowing pawn when it comes to a larger Cylon plan...

So if that sounds like an engrossing plot...you're right, it is. This is actually quite the fantastic character study about duty and honor and how sometimes the men and women that serve are forced to carry out orders that are extremely grey in nature, and how the tough calls they sometimes make can haunt them for years, as was the case with Adama. His decision to shoot down Daniel to preserve the integrity of the mission, combined the fact that he firmly believes he is responsible for the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies is an utterly brilliant storyline and it evokes a powerful performance from Edward James Olmos as a leader who loses faith in himself for mistakes in his past and the pain that Daniel goes through when he discovers friendly fire put him in the hands of the Cylons is equally as enthralling.

Why then did this episode rub me the wrong way all those years ago? Because this should have happened earlier on in the series. At this point, there's no denying what kind of bold leader Admiral William Adama has become. He can handle and make all the tough calls and little rattles him, and when one considers the execution of his plan on New Caprica, it's clear he's the fleet's biggest hero and is fearless in facing the Cylons, which means this moment of weakness now, makes no sense. It's just so out of place to see Adama suddenly lose all of his confidence and attempt to resign his commission. Had this episode happened say in season one, or early on in season two, it would have been perfect, it would have helped the character grow and even solidified his actions as Admiral because then he's making his wrongs, right.

Which means that when all is said and done...this episode is in essence a beautiful story that is wasted in the overall arc for season three. It simply doesn't fit the narrative at this point and that's a downright shame and it's awkwardness removes the gravity of the performances and even the power of Saul Tigh's heroic moment as well. But while it is awkwardly placed in the overall grand scheme of things, make no mistake about it...this is a powerful character study, and seeing a man as honorable as Adama face his past transgressions is utterly incredible and I'm glad that I have newfound respect for this episode and what it stands for. Either way, it looks like the notion of facing the past in this episode, inspired the writer's room to continue to explore that notion since putting yesterday to bed just so happens to be the focus of the next episode, and that's where we will pick up next time. Until then.

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