Episode Commentary: Gravedancing

Remember that episode of “Battlestar Galactica” that followed “Sometimes a Great Notion” – where absolutely nothing happens? Bear in mind also that this is precisely the episode that precedes the frakking amazing duo, “The Oath” and “Blood on the Scales.”

Yes, “Gravedancing” may be “Caprica’s” equivalent of “A Disquiet Follows My Soul,” but that may very well turn out to be something spectacular.

As of last week, Joe Adama (Esai Morales) finally seems intent on taking that long-awaited Ha’la’tha-flavored plunge and executing classic, Tauron “blood for blood” mentality, having asked his brother (Sasha Roiz) to “balance it out” with the Graystones.

The man of the family in question (Eric Stoltz), however, is finally warming up to the idea of public relations, and even booked an interview with the corporation-hating Baxter Sarno (Patton Oswalt) on whose show he plans to inform the public that Zoe (Alessandra Torresani) was always troubled and to distance himself – and the holoband – from his deceased and woefully implicated daughter.

Meanwhile, Agent Duram (Brian Markinson) is finally given clearance to search the Graystone household, and even Athena Academy, though not before Sister Clarice (Polly Walker) receives a mysterious message tipping her off.

While nothing of explicit importance happens in this episode, save for the Graystones salvaging a fraction of their public image (and losing 60 percent of the company’s profits), it does raise a fair amount of interesting questions.

Precisely who was it that warned Athena Academy’s head S.T.O., and will Lacy (Magda Apanowicz) actually be able to transfer Cylon Zoe to Gemenon, as she hopes?

The favorites this week absolutely have to be the Taurons. From Grandma-Adama’s arctic advice to young Willie (Sina Najafi) about using fear to achieve desired results from one’s enemies, to Sam’s wickedly wry throughout, Little Tauron seems to be the home of dashing, dangerous, defiant cool on Caprica. And those cultural tattoos tell quite a story.

In fact, the future admiral’s knife-happy uncle is becoming quite a character indeed – witty and fun, but in a decidedly sociopathic way, Sam Adama brings to question just how Willie turns out so virtuous.

Another particularly fun and curious scene involved a dance sequence between Zoe’s biggest fan, Philomon (Alex Arsenault), and the very first intellectually-involved cylon, herself. Charming to the last, it’ll be interesting to see what becomes of this rather unconventional relationship.

As “Caprica” returns next week with “There is Another Sky,” the question of Tamara (Genevieve Buechner) thankfully returns to the fore. Just how will she get out of the V-Club, and what precisely did Leoben mean when he told Roslin those hauntingly famous words in “Flesh and Bone?”

“Adama is a cylon.”

Related posts:

1. ‘Parks and Recreation’ Coverage: Finally, This Season Has Begun Episode Commentary: “The Trial of Leslie Knope” It took some time, but this season of “Parks and Recreation” has finally gotten underway. This week’s episode was big in every way...
2. The Walking Dead Coverage: When the Story is Stuck in a Well Episode Commentary: “Cherokee Rose” After last week’s episode, it was fair to say that “The Walking Dead” had finally woken up a bit. After weeks of a slow build and...
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm Coverage: And When a Hero Comes Along, With the Bread to Carry on…the Train Episode Commentary: The Hero It looks like “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is finally back on track, after a silly episode that was driven by a conflict between Ricky Gervais and Larry...
4. True Blood Season Four Commentary: The Plot Building Continues Episode Commentary: “I Wish I Was the Moon” Well, it finally happened. Eric and Sookie did the nasty. In what will go down as one of the most important moments...
5. Jane Espenson Announces Gay-Themed Web Series ‘Husbands’ As marriage equality takes center stage this weekend in the news, it’s probably very fitting that the issue is also about to get even more Hollywood attention, as well—on the...