Introduction

“Downloaded” is the eighteenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series.

It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on 24 February 2006.

The episode takes place alongside the rest of the re-imagined series, with 49,579 human survivors left in the Fleet. The episode primarily details the lives of two specific Cylon models after their apparent destruction who were declared Cylon heroes. One model is “Caprica-Six”, the copy of Number Six who was responsible for disabling the Colonial defense system prior to the events of the miniseries. The other model is Sharon “Boomer” Valerii, a sleeper agent who was a member of the crew of Galactica.

Outline of Series 02, Episode 18

The episode primarily takes place on Cylon-occupied Caprica. After the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the copy of Number Six (Tricia Helfer) that was responsible for disabling the Colonial defence system (affectionately known as “Caprica-Six”) and Sharon “Boomer” Valerii (Grace Park), after being shot by Specialist Cally (“Resistance”) were both “downloaded”: a standard Cylon practice of rebirth which takes place if a model is to perish, and have both been hailed as Cylon heroes due to their efforts in infiltrating human society.

Both are having difficulties in adjusting to life on Caprica. In particular, Caprica-Six is having visions of Gaius Baltar (James Callis) that only she can see, much like Baltar’s visions of Caprica-Six, and Boomer is having problems accepting her Cylon nature to the point of the denial, even in danger of being “boxed”, which means storing a Cylon’s memories without consciousness out of its body. Number Three (Lucy Lawless) asks Caprica-Six to help Boomer in this regard. However, when Caprica-Six starts to associate more with Boomer, they both realise that the holocaust the Cylons effected was a sin. They also come to the conclusion that due to their unique perspectives, Number Three is searching for a reason to box them both.

Caprica-Six and Boomer are next shown conversing with Number Three. While the three move up a stairwell, explosives set by the resistance led by Samuel T. Anders (Michael Trucco) detonate, trapping Anders, Three, Boomer, and Caprica-Six in a parking garage. While Anders is originally shielded and hidden by the blast, Caprica-Six breaks her leg. Number Three offers to euthanize her, but Caprica-Six refuses as she suspects that Number Three will take the opportunity to box her. Shortly afterwards, the three find Anders who Number Three intends to kill before being stopped by Boomer and Caprica-Six. As Number Three goads them, Boomer and Caprica-Six understand that their unique view of humanity through their love for Baltar and Galen Tyrol gives them a perspective that makes them a threat to the Cylon status-quo. When Number Three attempts to kill Anders, she is killed by Caprica-Six who, along with Boomer, allow Anders to escape. Recognising that it will take some time for Number Three to resurrect and report them, Caprica-Six and Boomer form a pact to change the Cylon perspective of humanity together before finally being rescued from the collapsed parking garage by the other Cylons.

The episode’s secondary plot takes place on Galactica. The copy of Number Eight that defected from the Cylons gives birth by caesarian section to a baby who she and Karl Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett) call “Hera”. However, President Laura Roslin, and her secretary, Tory Foster, and Doctor Cottle conspire to fake Hera’s death fearing what would happen if the Cylons knew the child lived. President Roslin also did not want Hera to be raised by her Cylon mother, Sharon, whom she still does not trust. At the end of the episode, the child is given to a woman who believes the child was born on Pegasus, while Helo and Chief Tyrol (Aaron Douglas) scatter the ashes they believe to be Hera’s into space.

Battlestar Galactica TV Series, Films & Webisodes

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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: 24 February 2006 (UK).
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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