The Cylon Death Machine. Review.

[kingfish]

http://pp226.proboards25.com/index.cgi?board=nope&action=display&num=1084289599

[kingfish]

The other members of the team.

1) Sergeant Vickers- He held the line at the battle of Caprica. Thane uses some type of capsule that containes a gass that renders him unconscious.

2) Sergeant Haals- Senior Gunnery master.

3) Voight- Laser repair technician.

Aeriana- This is an ice station where Boomer and Starbuck served.

Boomer : We were never at any ice station.

Starbuck: Computers never lie.

Apollo: Tampering with a computer readout is a serious offense.


"Killer" Killian- He is an excellent warrior. He manages three kills and saves the demolition team.

Here is where the book greatly differs from the episode we saw on tv. The Cylons have developed a shell-fighter which is actually an idea Vulpa came up with because of the heavy losses being inflicted upon the Cylons by the colonials. This new ship is constructed with the barest of components and explodes along with it's targets. When the shuttle and Viper are tracked Vulpa orders that one of these new ships along with three manned Cylon Raiders be dispatched to neutralize the threat. The pulsar isn't used to shoot down Killians ship because at that moment Ravishol and the clones are performing routine maintenence on it. Killian manages to destroy the first Cylon raider easily, the second one manages to destroy one of his engiines as well as severely damaging the fuel system. The Viper will explode shortly from this dangerous malfunction. Thane is the one that recognizes the new Cylon ship and warns the others. Starbuck radios Killian who in an act of heroism destroys the new Cylon ship by ramming it. This also destroys the last Cylon ship. The shuttle is never hit by Cylon fire. Starbuck by pushing the ship to the limit causes the ship to rupture.

[kingfish]

I wish when they filmed the episode that they followed the book more closely. The Cylons are very capable warriors. They even have skin. There is an insect on one of their worlds that can actually drive a Cylon mad by getting under the heavy armor and causing an itch. Cylons also have the ability to laugh but don't because this behavior is considered suspicious.

[Eric Paddon]

I'm one of those who feels that despite the fact it was the result of network censor meddling, making the Cylons emotionless robots rather than living creatures ultimately lent more to the series over the long haul, because if they had been living creatures, there wouldn't have been the important point brought out in WOTG concerning Iblis's role in causing the destruction of the reptilian race and the rise of the Cylon robots. It's worth noting that the novelization of WOTG loses this completely because they stick to the Cylons as creatures, and thus it's less effective overall IMO.

Regarding "Cylon Death Machine" (aka GOIPZ), I found the use of Imperious Leader talking to a Starbuck replicant for amusement a bit silly. If that's an insight into how the character of Imperious Leader was going to be used as a recurring villain then we should be doubly grateful that Baltar was brought back from the dead to serve that role.

[kingfish]

The fate of Wolfe- It would seem that the novel greatly differed from the show. After the avalance, Wolfe decides to make his break with Leda and Croft. Croft manages to take the gun away from him but he doesn't escape. He remaines with the team. Apollo agrees that if the mission is successful Wolfe and leda can take a ship and go. Wolfe is killed by Vulpa who strangles him in a scene remenicent of Darth Vader strangling the Rebel soldier in the beginning of episode IV: A new Hope.


The Clones- Ser 5-9 isn't injured in the avalance and helps lead the assault on the Cylon garrison mnning the gun. Tenna is also along.

Leda- The Cylons don't shoot her like Serina in Lost Planet. After the explosion causes the elevator not to move, Apollo blasts a hole in the floor. They decide to lower themselves to the bottom. Leda removes her gloves. Another explosion causes her to lose her grip and she falls to her death.
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The Finale:

Vulpa doesn't die in the explosion. He manages to lead an attack on the rescue team by using the Ghost ships. The rescue shuttle is piloted by Athena and is escorted by a squadron of Colonial Vipers. Some of the ghosts are shot down but two of the Vipers are destroyed. Apollo and croft manage to rescue Boxey.

Vulpa's ship is shot down but he doesn't die. he goes into a meditative state.

Thoughts: they should have made the book into a mini series. It is way too long for a two hour episode.

Characters missing from the novel:

1) Rigel- She was the one who stated that they did it when the gun explodes. This line is uttered by Athena.

2) Giles- Remember he and Starbuck went at it when he wanted to stowe Cree's equipment.

3) Jolly and Greenbean- They are seen defending the fleet when the Cylons attack it twice. Many cadets are killed in the attacks. However only two Vipers are shown being blown to bits in the episode.

[gmd3d]

The Cylon Death Machine. one of the best episodes in the BSG to me anyway
I like the mood in the show. The book was and is a lot better some much great stuff in there