Collaborators

Season 3, Episode 4, Aired
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Episode Summary

Tyrol participates in the Circle, a secret tribunal on Galactica that tries and convicts in absentia those accused of collaborating with the Cylons during the Occupation.
The death sentences -- administered without the knowledge of Roslin or Adama -- begin to weigh on Tyrol's conscience.
Baltar faces a similar jury among the Cylons, who must decide whether he is allowed to stay with them.moreless
9.1
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Fan Episode Reviews (27)

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  • Collaborators

    10
    "Perfect"
    By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 17, 2012 Report Abuse
    Collaborators was an extremely entertaining and perfect episode of Battlestar Galactica and I really enjoyed watching because of all the character and plot development. Many deep emotions were touched or triggered in this episode which asked how to deal with traitors, though they may have only done so out of survival instinct or fear. It was interesting to see the different characters points of view. Tigh had some great lines and scenes. Roslin becomes President yet again with the assistance of Tom Zarek who had his own idea of justice for the Cylon collaborators. It was suspenseful watching Gaeta being discussed and headed for execution. Tyrol has some serious dilemmas to work through and made the right choice. In the end Roslin pardons the remaining Cylon collaborators in hopes of moving forward, and it was touching to see Tyrol sit with Gaeta in the Mess Hall as he was alone. I look forward to seeing things work themselves out between the former collaborators and every one else. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!!!moreless

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  • Hopefully the simplistic vengeance-fueled hostility will no longer be a focus after this episode.

    6.9
    "Fair"
    By sandybadlands, Aug 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode moved at a slow pace, suggesting that the plot was intended to be suspenseful, but nothing that happened felt particularly exciting or surprising. The threat of execution (for Gaeta and others) did not feel like a dramatic conflict, since it was easy to determine right from wrong, and so I felt like I was waiting for the tribunal to be faced with the negative consequences of their actions and relent, or else to be shut down. I would have liked to see a more compelling conflict than forgiveness versus mindless revenge.

    Starbuck's story also left me wanting more. Her actions were characteristically chaotic, but it was more difficult than usual to figure this mercuriality out. Tigh, too, seemed to be spiraling out of control faster than I would expect from someone who made a conscious decision to betray his betrayer wife.

    In all, "Collaborators" was a passable episode, but I would like to see more complex challenges for the characters now that they are back on Galactica.moreless

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  • Justice or Vengeance? While lacking action, "Collaborator" ends up being one of the best transition episodes in television history, giving the viewer closure but creating more potential plot lines then any fan could ever hope for. Spoilers inside.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By clifftrapremove, Jul 06, 2010 Report Abuse
    Following the events of Exodus, we see the people of the Battlestar hunting those who betrayed the human race during the cylon occupation. The question of Vengeance versus Justice is raised and the fates of many characters is revealed. The episode shows a major evolving of Gaeta and the death of "Jammer" to the death squads. Gaeta is revealed to be the inside source to resistance on new caprica but the evolution up to this revelation is played out rather well. While it was easy to guess that something like that would occur the actors played their roles extremely well and we see Gaeta regain his post on the battlestar in the end. The episode also acts as a stepping stone closing the New Caprica story line and opening new ones. Roslin is president again, Saul is dealing with the death of his wife at his hands, Baltar is with the cylons which could be extreemly revealing and Starbuck is dealing with the fact that Casey was not her child. Collaborator brings an end to one story line and starts a new one while showing us new sides to characters and creating potential plot lines for the future. While lacking action, this transition episode ends up being one of the best in television history giving the viewer closure but creating more potential then any viewer could ever hope for.moreless

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  • It was going to be about vengeance and pain...

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By Parricida, Dec 26, 2008 Report Abuse
    I had a little longer brake than I usually prefer between this episode and previous one and so I had time to think what the story is going to be and I think I figured most of it out - I knew it was going to be about that Jammer and Gaeta will have his turn and that there will be a lot of trouble with people on different sides - and I most say it is a stunning storyline, the idea - how they worked in different sides and now have to manage to be together on the same side again.

    And the way they talked this episode - showed Tigh and his anger - everyone on the circle - the whole thing going on between Starbuck and Sam. I just think there is no way to describe it - very emotional, atmosphere creating and very dark episode. I loved it.moreless

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  • Still great writing.

    8.8
    "Great"
    By kingrich06, Jul 14, 2008 Report Abuse
    I recently read somewhere where the networks preferred that Battlestar series would be better served if there were more single story episodes and not one big long season story. I would gather this is one of the first attempts of this new line of thinking. The story unfolds as the fleet is back underway on the search of earth. I really like the idea of a secret council and how it is used to find all the people who helped the cylons. The idea of flushing people out airlocks is not unique but effective. No traces or even evidence since most people don't even look outside. The final solution although flawed seemed unique way to deal with the problem. Given the circumstances of the last few episodes it is normal that this episode would be a bit slow in action but still interestingmoreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • After convicting the first suspect and then someone named Chadwick, the Circle has 57 more cases to consider over a three-day period. Thus, we know that this special brand of "justice" is not an open-ended process. Edit
    • Kara Thrace's serial number is 462753 as seen on her dog tag. Edit
    • Among the names on the execution list that Baltar signed on New Caprica are Justin Singh (clerk), Denis Moore (driver), Xander Zorost (mechanic), Laura Roslin (teacher), Lester Thoro (food services), Arimin Stahl (supply), Sally Menlo (facilitator), Kalan Pelham (administrator), Alex Lamere (office worker), Fore Ramone (office worker), Jane Seadle (mechanic), Jacob Morose (entertainer), Sue Emmanual (doctor), Ali Mueller (botanist), and Tom Zarek (detainee). Kara held up the list during her session with the Circle as they debated Felix Gaeta's guilt or innocence. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • The Cylon baseships in this episode have a different appearance than those seen in previous episodes. This is not a new type of baseship, however. Producer and writer Bradley Thompson noted that Gary Hutzel, Mike Gibson and the VFX crew continually upgrade the imagery on the show. They decided to "echo the internal design elements of the baseship on the exterior." Edit
    • Lee: Hey, I've dropped half a stone. A "stone" (pl. also "stone") is a unit of weight almost unheard of in North America, but still used in the UK. It's equal to 14 pounds or about 6.4 kg. So assuming that the Twelve Colonies are using the same standard of measurement, Lee has lost 7 pounds so far. Edit
    • The story takes place on the third day of the Second Exodus, or three days after Adama's rescue of the survivors from New Caprica. The first Exodus took place after the initial Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Adama: Go sleep this off. That's an order. Tigh: Ohhh, yeah. Just go to sleep. Forget about it all. Just forget about everything. Well I'm not forgetting. I'm not gonna forget. Edit
    • Tigh: (to Connor) You think we're a bunch of thugs, handing out punishment on a whim? Jammer didn't get airlocked because you thought he was guilty. There was evidence. You read the witness reports. He was tried and convicted by this Circle. This is about justice. You got that? Justice! Edit
    • Tigh: Well, isn't that nice. A man can turn his coat, collaborate with the enemy, contribute to the deaths of thousands, but the old man needs his phones fixed and suddenly all is forgiven? Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Roslin: I've decided to form a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation. Commissions of truth and reconciliation have been convened in several countries throughout history following brutal dictatorships or other periods of violent upheaval. Those countries include Chile, Argentina, El Salvador, Sierra Leone and South Africa. South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission is considered to be one of the most successful of these commissions. Edit
    • Number Six: Don't make me angry, Gaius. Adama: You wouldn't like her when she's angry. This dialogue mirrors the famous phrase used in the TV series The Incredible Hulk. Dr. David Banner (aka The Hulk): Mr. McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Edit

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