Episode Report Card Strega: B- | 715 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT Let Baltar Be Baltar
By Strega | Season 1 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2005.03.18
In the garden on Cloud 9, Zarek's shmoozing the reporters. Playa asks Zarek, "How can you reassure people that you're looking out for their interests, as opposed to the rehabilitation of Tom Zarek?" Zarek proves himself an able politician when he completely fails to answer her question and just goes on about whatever he wants to talk about: "We're facing a situation so unique, so specific, that I believe we need not only new leadership but a whole new way of thinking." Sekou snarks, " Like blowing up a building or two." Zarek whatevers Sekou and points out that there's no economy, no industry, no nothin'. And no media except for news coverage, which might be the most horrifying part. He doesn't say that, but he does say, "We're all held hostage by the idea of the way things used to be." He points to a gardener nearby and points out that the guy is still working every day without getting any compensation for his labor. Well, maybe he likes it.
We briefly cut to the Colonial One, where the Prez sits slumped over in the dark as she listens to Zarek pontificate.
Zarek gets all shouty as he declares that the Prez is holding on to the past: "If we want to survive, we need to completely restructure our lives. We need to think about the community of citizens." He goes on about operating as a collective. So he's a communist? Or a Borg?
Apollo sits in a bar elsewhere on board, listening to Zarek over the radio. He grumbles, "You're not interested in the citizens; you just want power." He tells the bartender to turn the radio off and prepares to slurp down some mouthwash-colored booze. The bartender snaps off the radio, but it turns out that Goatee Guy is also at the bar. Goatee Guy complains that he was listening to the broadcast. Apollo smirks, "That's a shame." Goatee Guy turns to another guy behind him and says, "They all wanna hear Mr. Zarek speak too, don't you, buddy?" His buddy nods vigorously, because he doesn't have any lines. Goatee Guy turns for more support to Briefcase Guy. Oh my goodness, Apollo's wandered into the secret meeting-place of guys without names. Briefcase Guy says that he doesn't really care if the radio's on or not, and Goatee Guy says, "I take that as a yes." Er. Okay. Goatee Guy tells the bartender to turn the radio back on, and Apollo countermands that, and then Goatee belays the countermanding. Basically. They argue a little more, and then Goatee pulls the drink out of Apollo's hand and urges him to "go enjoy the imitation weather." Apollo's all, "No, why don't you." We see Starbuck (Gal) watching the confrontation from a table a little ways off.