'Battlestar Galactica' Retro Recap: 'Islanded in a Stream of Stars'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When it comes to the end of television seasons, or a television series for that matter, we often forget about what is referred to as the penultimate episode, which is the episode that airs right before the big finale in question and well, it’s always been obvious to me as to why these particular tales slip from our minds. After all, we’re in this to be wowed by a grand finale, and these particular episodes are often nothing more than a quick setup or a waystation on the road to what we want, but after re-watching the final penultimate episode of Battlestar Galactica, I’ve come to realize that perhaps the time has come for all of us to pay closer attention to these particular stories.
 
I say that, simply because I’m guilty of forgetting about these episodes as well, because I too want the main course that awaits us. But this particular chapter in the BSG saga was actually quite the different affair, one that sticks with me now more than ever simply because…this episode in many ways started the grand farewell to the series as a whole, something that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen when it comes to this type of episode. But before we dig too deeply into all of that, we need to take a moment and discuss the other goodies that this episode had to offer as well. Because this particular tale did take the time to introduce the Colony to all of us, a place that is in essence the true Cylon home world and we were also treated to some fine drama in this story as well.
 
After all, the whole aftermath of Hera’s kidnapping made for some compelling moments between Helo and Athena, and it was also wild to see Baltar use Kara as a pawn in his religious machinations. But while all of this was indeed fascinating to watch in its own right, the early farewell to the series came about by way of a grand farewell to the Galactica herself. Because thanks to a hull rupture early on in the story, the crew comes to learn that the ol’ gal only has a handful of jumps left in her bones, forcing the Admiral to make the decision he never wanted to make and abandon ship and transfer his flag to the Basestar, a line that I never thought I would see the Old Man cross.
 
But, his decision makes sense since the Galactica is over fifty years old and beat to hell, and while at first said decision doesn’t seem quite like a metaphorical ‘farewell’ to the series, bear with me for a moment. Because really, the Battlestar Galactica has been our proverbial home for the past four years, and by taking the time to make this decision, and do it in pained fashion since it wasn’t an easy call for Adama, this all serves as a metaphorical reminder for the audience in so many ways that nothing lasts forever, and that change is a necessity in life and we should look upon the things we love and let go of fondly and really, that’s the message this episode is trying to get across to its audience since the next episode that awaits us, is the series finale of this magnificent saga.
 
If anything, that little twist made for a bittersweet and beautiful tale, one that reminded me just how special this entire journey has been over the past four seasons and well, while I enjoyed every plot line that was introduced in this one, and the quality and emotional performances found in this tale, I’m definitely a little sad that the end of our journey draws near, despite the fact that it’s my second time through this series. But I am grateful that his particular story took the time to comfort the audience in its own unique way and whether I like it or not, it looks like it’s time to hit play on the ol’ Blu Ray player and settle in for the grand finale to this incredible and thrilling ride…

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