Introduction

“The Hand of God” is the tenth episode of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series.

It shares its title with the last episode of the original series.

In the episode, the humans capture a fuel-rich asteroid from the Cylons using a plan devised by Lieutenant Kara “Starbuck” Thrace. President Laura Roslin begins seeing visions, and Gaius Baltar comes to believe that his contribution to the raid on the asteroid was guided by God. On Caprica, Helo and Caprica-Boomer keep running from the Cylons.

Outline of Series 01, Episode 10

President Roslin experiences a hallucination of snakes produced by the herbs she is taking to fight her breast cancer. Later, Priestess Elosha tells her about a prophecy of a leader of the human race in exile: the leader receives a vision of 12 serpents and later dies of “a wasting disease.”

An asteroid made of tylium is discovered, but it is being mined by Cylons. Commander Adama decides to take the asteroid by force and, with help from Starbuck (who is unable to fly a Viper because of a knee injury she received), comes up with a plan that uses the civilian fleet to draw out the Cylon Raiders. President Roslin is briefed on the plan and approves.

The raid begins with Cylon Raiders moving toward civilian freighters, but more are sent toward Galactica, initiating a dog fight that draws the Raiders away from the freighters, which the briefing did not anticipate. Just as all seems lost, the freighters unveil a squadron of 12 Vipers led by Apollo, who now have a clear path to the asteroid. Adama admits to Roslin that he concealed this part of Starbuck’s plan in her initial briefing.

In an attempt to perform in Starbuck’s out-of-the-box style, Apollo avoids the facility’s defences by flying through the mine tunnels. He bombs its tylium containers, setting off a large explosion and destroying the base while leaving several years’ worth of tylium for the fleet to mine.

Dr. Baltar is surprised at the success, as he had only been guessing when asked to identify the location of tylium containers. Head Six prompts him to begin thinking that he may have a role to play on behalf of the Cylon God that he had previously mocked.

On Caprica, Helo and Sharon hide from the pursuing Cylons in an abandoned stable. They flee after spotting a nearby group of Cylon Centurions led by a Number Six copy, the first indication to Helo that there are humanoid Cylons.

Battlestar Galactica TV Series, Films & Webisodes

You can find a full index of Battlestar Galactica TV series, films, and webisodes here.

Trivia

You can read interesting trivia and background details about the BSG franchise here.

Production & Filming Details

• Director: Jeff Woolnough.
• Writers: Bradley Thompson and David Weddle.
• Release Date: 03 January 2005 (UK).
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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