Movies - TV
The 14 Best Battlestar Galactica Episodes, Ranked
By DAVID COURT
14. Scar
"Scar" (Season 2, Episode 15) is a tense cat-and-mouse setup, but it's also key to understanding how Starbuck's blind obsession overrides everything — even the safety of her teammates. The handheld-style camerawork always brought the best out in the show's dogfights, and it works perfectly here.
13. Sometimes a...
"Sometimes a Great Notion" (Season 4, Episode 11) has enough mythology-busting moments to fill an entire season of other shows, and yet none of these major plot points overshadow the excellent pacing of this energetic story. Even for a story so late in the Battlestar Saga, this episode proved the series could still shock viewers.
12. Occupation
It can't be a narrative coincidence that at the same time desperate New Capricans were strapping bombs to their chests, Iraqis were doing the same in real life. The detonation amongst the ranks of New Caprica Police at their graduation is a powerful, potent, and shocking moment, and it would be impossible not to list "Occupation" (Season 3, Episode 1) here.
11. Kobol's... Part 2
With the second half of this two-parter having so many memorable moments, it's hard to catch your breath as the Season 1 finale contains genuine, edge-of-your-seat tension, though the episode ends with some relief. "Kobol's Last Gleaming" (Season 1, Episode 13) is a textbook example of how to pace a season finale while ending on a cliffhanger.
10. Lay Down... Part 1
To abandon some plot threads — and skip ahead with a whole bunch more — is a bold move that doesn't entirely pay off here. Yet, "Lay Down Your Burdens" (Season 2, Episode 19) belongs on this ranking, thanks to the sheer audacity of its writing team that always keeps the viewers on their toes.