This is a fitting conclusion to the 3-part series ending arc. Delivers the expected conclusions to many conflicts and the requisite emotional drama and nostalgia to be expected from a series finale. Jin's story is the most expertly wrapped up in my opinion.

The only reason I give this ep below a 9 is that the execution seemed a little heavy-handed. Mainly, instead of letting the character's actions speak for themselves and having the viewer decipher the meaning behind them and the inner conflicts and resolutions of each character, the writers instead opt to have each of them basically spill the guts of their inner monologue. Jin does it the most. Just for my tastes, I think more should've been left for viewer interpretation. Overall a strong ep.

This episode is a personal favorite of mine. The maddening simplicity of the plot is mirrored in the antagonist, as well as Spike's tunnel-vision regarding the situation.

The animation, vantage points and filming effects during the action sequences rate among the best in the series. Chaotic, terrifying, psychotic.

The coup-de-grace in the end, Spike loses the battle and is saved only by Pierrot's maddness.

This ep really is kind of frustrating. As so often happens, the creators break up the tense continuity of the on-going plot lines for a "fun" stand-alone. Unlike the other viewer who rated extremely negatively, I saw stereotypes cover both Americans and Japanese; admittedly there were more concerning Americans, but oh well. Deal. Imperialism isn't the best geopolitical phenomenon to happen and the episode takes some good jabs at it.

I would have liked this a little more if things didn't remain so static. All the characters fulfilled token, card-board cut-out roles (for example, Mugen as the typical tough guy/all-star last hope). There was really no development or advancement of characters at all. Just filling in empty spots for the small semblance of a plot to shuffle along to conclusion. Again, not awful, but if you are watching the series straight through, don't expect any depth or conflict resolutions from this ep. You will be sorely disappointed.

At this point, I think its fair to expect great episodes out of the BSG cast and crew. Given these odds, you won't be disappointed.

Though not a great deal of traditional action occurs in this episode, many terrifying, nail-biting moments abound.

The drunken confessional exchange between the two XOs revealing the fate of Pegasus' civilian fleet was the second most riveting sequence in this ep. Col Tilgh was especially good in this sequence. Of course, Adama's giving the assassination order to Starbuck lead this ep for suspense and power.

I thought the final sequence with Adama/Cain talking to Starbuck/Cain's XO was well executed, and provides a shocking amount of parallel between the ruthlessness of both believing they are the righteous. Perhaps another warning of the dangers of a pure military mindset? I thought Olmos' delivery on the kill order to Starbuck was extremely powerful and one of his best acted sequences yet.

I started to think the President was acting suspicious while venting in her quarters to Adama, and then she drops the "transfer me to one of those new, young cylon bodies" line. I hope they weren't trying to set up a revelation for the next cylon. However, in retrospect, this makes decent sense. In particular, it helps make Gaius' appointment to VP more believable if there was direct Cylon influence on Roslin. But they could've gone with a subtler foreshadow if that is the gameplan.

The link between the caged Cylon model 6 and Gaius becomes more interesting. I am beginning to wonder how much each Cylon model has a shared, integrated nexus of knowledge and experiences. Is this dependent on proximity to the Resurrection ship? Or is the ship some sort of decoy? Agh, too many variables. Yet another ep that answers a couple question.