Introduction

“Black Market” is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series.

It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on January 27, 2006.

In the episode, Apollo’s investigation of the fleet’s black market becomes intertwined with his involvement with a prostitute.

Outline of Series 02, Episode 14

Haunted by his near-death experience after ejecting from the Blackbird, Apollo begins sleeping with Shevon, a prostitute on Cloud Nine who reminds him of his pregnant girlfriend who died in the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies. Dee asks Apollo whether their relationship is going anywhere; he brushes her off.

President Laura Roslin decides to crack down on the black market within the fleet. Commander Jack Fisk at first advises against it but then volunteers Pegasus to take the lead. Fisk is later found garroted in his quarters. Assigned to investigate the murder, Apollo discovers Fisk was heavily involved in the black market, and that Vice President Gaius Baltar and Colonel Saul Tigh were among Fisk’s trading partners. Roslin privately asks Baltar to resign; the suggestion insults Baltar and redoubles his determination to stay in office.

Responding to an emergency call from Shevon, Apollo rushes to Cloud Nine to find her bruised and distressed. Thugs enter Shevon’s room and attack Apollo. As he is being strangled, a gangster tells Apollo to stop investigating Fisk’s murder, threatens Shevon and her daughter Paya if he refuses, and knocks Apollo out. Apollo wakes to find Shevon and Paya gone and the wielder of the garrote murdered.

Tom Zarek enters the room soon after. He claims he refused to join Fisk’s smuggling network and suggests that the murderer’s corpse was given to Apollo as “a way out” of his investigation. Apollo is not dissuaded, so Zarek mentions a man named Phelan who runs the black market and gives Apollo the location of his ship. On Phelan’s ship, Apollo discovers the black market is hoarding antibiotics and trafficking in children; Paya is among their prisoners. Phelan, who turns out to be the gangster from before, reveals that Shevon works for him and defends the black market as necessary. Apollo offers Phelan amnesty if he will release Shevon and Paya and shut down his operation. When Phelan refuses, Apollo wrests a bodyguard’s handgun and kills Phelan. Apollo acknowledges that the fleet needs the black market and so does not shut it down. However, he warns the smugglers to remove the human smuggling, hoarding and murder parts of their operation or he will shut them down.

Roslin objects but acquiesces to the resolution. Zarek makes his way aboard Phelan’s ship surrounded by his men, indicating that Zarek will take over the black market. Shevon refuses to see Apollo again, saying she cannot replace his lost love. Dee returns to Billy Keikeya.

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: James Head.
• Writer: Mark Verheiden.
• Release Date: 27 January 2006 (UK).
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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