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Battlestar Galactica Season 1 Episode 6

Litmus

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8.6

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AIRED: 2/11/05

After a suicide attack by a humanoid Cylon, the general populace of the fleet learn of the existence of these Cylons. A tribunal is convened to determine if any more of them are hiding among the crew of the Galactica.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (18)

Litmus

10

By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 12, 2012

Litmus was a perfect episode of Battlestar Galactica and I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was more development for the Helo and Sharon on Caprica story line which was awesome. The Cylons really seem to have human characteristics and it's scary how ruthless and cold they can be. Helo has proven to be quite the hero. After a Cylon Human model commits a suicide bombing all types of political and moral dilemmas break out and there was some intriguing drama and character development in this regard. I enjoyed the way every thing intertwined. The best part about each episode including this one are the small character moments like Baltar visiting Starbuck and giving her a cigar he bought for her. These moments are brief yet impact the whole story in a major way. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!!!moreless
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The one where it's: Law and Order: BSG.

8.0

By MovieMark, Sep 21, 2011

A lot of goodies in this episode. Tension is sky high as Adama allows the Commander of Arms an independent tribunal to investigate the dents in Galactica's security, with Roslin having released the knowledge of human looking cylons to the public. Chaos ensues.

A lot of the episode is built up of several characters, including Tyrol, taking the hit for what Boomer did way back in ''Water''. It really is edge-of-your-seat stuff watching various deckhands lie as to Tyrol's whereabouts during the recent explosion, to cover up his relationship with Boomer. Acting kudos to Jill Teed as the power hungry Sgt., the amount of complicated dialogue she's given doesn't seem to phase her in the slightest. She also reminds me a hell of a lot of Michelle Forbes. The final stand-off with Adama was just such a treat to watch. I love how he just blows her entire investigation to the wind once her accusations seem more like a mad witch-hunt.

Meanwhile on Caprica, things start to heat up a little, though I'm still not quite sure what the hell is meant to be happening here. Are they testing the limits of love, or something? Six gives Sharon a right 'ol beating to the face; the sibling rivalry between Six and Sharon could come back to bite the bimbo in the ass.

And another thing, why doesn't the Galactica ship have any digital security? A few cameras here and there would save a hell of a lot guessing work. Just sayin'.

Spoilerish Title Sequence: 4mins and 2 secs into the episode.

Frak-O-Meter: Only 2 fraks this week!Cylon Sex: Where has all of the sex gone?! Spot the six: Head-Six teases/threatens/seduces Baltar about being a target for the Cylons. She's also, once again, kinda scary here. Caprica-Six has a blast kicking the crap out of Sharon.

Death/Injuries: 3 dead and 13 injured this week. Dropping like flies, this lot.

Boomer or Sharon?: Boomer, me thinks. I really liked how she evaded Tyrol's question. It was kind of badass. But poor Sharon's face... I didn't like seeing her like that. Even if she is evil!Ships Lost: I really am just counting down the days until I can fill this gap with all sorts of explody goodness.

Battlestar Bleakness: Where to start? Suicide bombers start us off this week. We see another man completely burned head to toe, too. And how cold was it for Adama to sentence that poor guy to the brigg JUST to prove a point to the Chief. Very harsh.Lots of stuff happening this week, all really watchable. Gods, this show is good!moreless
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"This was definitely the first episode where my heart was racing for nearly the entire episode." SPOILERS.

9.0

By tiewashere, Jun 10, 2011

The idea of a suicide bomber just seems so real in an utterly fantasy-like world. I was very intrigued from the beginning.

So the turning point of season one seems to be here. I've been waiting for this since the beginning. Everyone know knows that the cylons appear as human and the witch hunt has begun. I immediately hated the woman that was in charge of the tribunal and the writing in those scenes was really well done. I feel like this is just the first step for the crew and the people in the fleet dealing with the idea of the "witch hunt". I DO think chaos is going to in sue and I DO think it was bad idea to let everyone know about this highly guarded information. It might just cause some serious problems in the future. This was definitely the first episode where my heart was racing for nearly the entire episode. One thing that keeps striking me is during the previouslys when they say "and they have a plan." Was the whole "plan" with the suicide bomber involved with starting chaos on the ship and making the fleet start to suspect each other as a bomber? There is definitely more to Baltar's storyline than we are being told and I can't wait to find out what that is. Good episode! 9/10.moreless
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The next step.

7.0

By kickdoor, Nov 07, 2010

Baltar finding out he was working without a Cylon safety net was an interesting reveal and as Starbuck put it, "Kinda hits you where you live, huh?" Could have done without The Hulk line(Don't make me angry...) from Six when she and Baltar are in the hallway though.

I thought revealing the news to the public that Cylons look human now would've had a much bigger impact, even if the rumors did soften the blow. Now's the time that speculation and heresay become as good as hard evidence when the accusations start flying. But it seemed to be all contained within the tribunal. Which if I'm honest, didn't do much for me. Seemed a little predictable that the Commander was going to get questioned before it was all said and done. However, it did lead to a great scene between Cdr. Adama and Chief, when Adama explained the price that Chief would have to pay.

The scenes on Caprica were my favorite moments, the three Cylons(Sharon, Six, and Darol?) comments as they watch Helo were well written and their attitude, as if watching a lab rat and wondering if it's gonna go for the cheese or if they are going to have to find another one, was creepy to say the least.

Wasn't a fan of everything but what I did like went far in making up for the rest.moreless
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An ugly portrayal of Adama ruins what could have been a good episode

5.5

By SebastianHaff, May 11, 2010

Up until now I've found Adama likeable, but this episode seems to really turn that on its head.

Taking a quick step aside, the Caprica story was excellent and continues to pick up pace. It's interesting watch them play games with Helo. Also does Sharon switch in and out of Cylon mode, or is does she always know what she's doing?

But back to the main story, the episode gets off to a thrilling start, with Doral exploding himself. However it goes downhill after that.

With the water explosions, explosion in the hangar deck and now a 'suicide' bombing by a Cylon you'd be forgiven for thinking that things are pretty badly run on the Galactica. It's not wrong to ask what the frak is going on, and that's why the setting up of a tribunal seems like a good idea.

But while court-room style episodes of TV can be good if the drama is there, for this episode it is not.

What I dislike most is Adama's portrayal. He thinks the tribunal is a sham, but he can stand up and say it's over. The young crewman however can't, so even if he did lie in the tribunal for whatever reason -- Adama should consider the pressure he was under.

But Adama isn't interested in hearing the truth. Despite people leaving their posts, people engaging in sexual relations and different witness reports -- all of which would lead you to believe of chronic mismanagement -- Adama shuts it all down.

Why is there this lack of discipline? Who is the chief's boss? Is it the XO, what's he up to in all this? How can all this occur?

How can Adama think it's okay to shut down an independant tribunal, but not for a young pilot to lie on the stand?

I think Hadrian obviously had an axe to grind, because she felt under-informed, but she had valid points. Why weren't the pictures sent to the ships and security? They didn't have to explain they were Cylons, just to say be on the lookout for them. But Adama and co. did nothing.

In the end by shutting down the tribunal Adama washes his hands of the situation. People are dead, but he doesn't seem to give a damn about the causes. There is zero accountability in this episode. Instead he lets a kid rot in jail, and for what? He wanted the chief to remain because he needs him to fix ships? Really not a nice portrayal of Adama, and thankfully a rare one in the show.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Edward James Olmos	William Adama
Grace Park	Sharon "Boomer" Valerii
James Callis	Gaius Baltar
Jamie Bamber	Lee "Apollo" Adama
Katee Sackhoff	Kara "Starbuck" Thrace
Mary McDonnell	Laura Roslin

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Raahul Singh	Kimmit	Guest Star
Shaw Madson	Marine Corporal	Guest Star
Nimet Kanji	Candace Myson	Guest Star
Nicki Clyne	Cally Henderson	Recurring Role
Christina Schild	Playa Palacios	Recurring Role
Biski Gugushe	Sekou Hamilton	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- One of the buildings on Caprica has a very large and very obvious Scotiabank symbol on it. As it was a white building, it should have been easy to remove.
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QUOTES (3)
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- Adama: You've lost your way, Sergeant. You've lost sight of the purpose of the law--to protect its citizens, not persecute them. Whatever we are, whatever is left of us, we're better than that.
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- Number Six: Don't make me angry, Gaius. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
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- (before the tribunal)
  Sgt. Hadrian: Why did you allow the relationship [between Sharon and Chief Tyrol] to continue, knowing it was against regulations?
  Adama: I'm a soft touch.
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NOTES (3)
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- The name of Christina Schild's character is listed as "Playa Kohn" in this episode and in the next two episodes. However, she states her name as "Playa Palacios" in the episode "The Hand of God."
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- Biski Gugushe was credited with playing a reporter named "Eick" in the episode. In later episodes, he played a television journalist named Sekou Hamilton. It's unclear whether these are the same character. The name "Eick" is a reference to David Eick, who serves as executive producer of the series, along with Ronald D. Moore.
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- This episode first aired in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2004, on Sky One. Sky One co-financed the first season of the show.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Number Six: Don't make me angry, Gaius. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
  
  This is an allusion to the 70s television series The Incredible Hulk (1978). David Banner uttered a similar version of these lines in many episodes, including the series pilot.
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