"Battlestar Galactica" Retro Recap: "Water"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It didn't take long for all of us to learn just how powerful and gritty the new Battlestar Galactica was going to be with the riveting story it set up in both the miniseries and the series premiere. But once you get past a big time opening like that in a show, you have to wonder where the show will go next. After all, it could have stayed focused on the action, but instead the show decided to let all of us know what it valued most...the characters.

Yes, the second episode of this iconic series, "Water" slowed down the story considerably while setting the stage for how the rest of the series would be laid out. Not only did it have a heavy focus on the characters, something the series is still known for, but it also demonstrated its dedication to story arcs and also demonstrated the fact that this was a show about cause and effect and everything the characters did or took part in would have consequences both good and bad to bear. 

Character wise, Sharon was the big focus this episode since her sleeper agent status as a Cylon took center stage, since we are immediately treated this episode to her coming to from a trance, soaking wet and realizing she has done something terrible since she is in possession of an explosive detonator and when she goes to return it finds that others are missing. It turns out that she has planted them inside the ship's water supply tank and when they detonate, the fleet's water supply is sent into the void. It leads to a scramble to find a viable supply and the hunt is led by Sharon, who must overcome another attempt by herself to sabotage the mission to save the fleet.

But in addition to that plot, as I mentioned before, there was a focus of cause and effect and consequences and Lee Adama was the focus of this. Since Lee is still dealing with the horrors of shooting down the Olympic Carrier and is still uncertain as to whether or not he killed a bunch of innocent human beings. It's a fascinating storyline, and while it doesn't take center stage, I love the fact that the show bothered to address the lasting impact of a simple military decision. But let's not get ahead of ourselves and refocus on the fact that while this episode may not have featured BaseStars and tons of action, it's still a brutal episode. Cylon or no, Sharon's journey in this episode is painful to watch. Not because we know she's evil, but because it's clear she is conflicted. 

She's trying desperately to figure out who she is and there is incredible fear flowing through her every step of the way. It wouldn't be the last time we would go deep inside a character's mind and I appreciate the fact that the show was this quick to do it and I also loved this episode over the fact they bothered to address something few science fiction shows ever do...finite supplies of essentials in space. Either way, this episode accomplished a lot for only being the second/third (depends on which episode guide you live by) of the series and after re-watching it for this recap, I have to say I have a new appreciation for it because it clearly establishes so much for the future of the series, making it one important episode.

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