Flight of the Phoenix (Battlestar Galactica)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Flight of the Phoenix


Series = Battlestar Galactica
Season = 2
Episode = 9
Airdate = September 16, 2005
Production = 209
Writer = David Weddle
Bradley Thompson
Director = Michael Nankin
Guests =
Episode list = Episode chronology
Prev = Final Cut
Next = Pegasus

"Flight of the Phoenix" is an episode of the reimagined "Battlestar Galactica" television series. This episode echoes the plot of the original series episode "The Long Patrol" where Starbuck tests out an experimental Viper with a new propulsion system. The title of this episode recalls the 1964 novel "Flight of the Phoenix" by Elleston Trevor.

Plot

Survivor Count: 47,853

Facing torn and conflicted feelings over their respective relationships with Boomer, Chief Tyrol and Helo have an argument which leads to a brawl in the hangar bay. To deal with the increasing stress in his personal and professional life, Tyrol begins to salvage parts to build a new fighter from scratch to replace a Viper he had to scrap. At first the rest of the deck crew are skeptical, but eventually the whole flight deck as well as some officers from the "Galactica" CIC joins in as the Chief's idea captures their imagination. However, finding metal to skin the ship becomes a problem; most of the scrap metal remaining has been tagged for use in Viper repair. At Helo's suggestion, the Chief uses carbon composites for the skin, making it stealth capable and invisible to "Galactica"'s DRADIS radar system.

Meanwhile, isolated systems malfunctions on the "Galactica" start becoming more serious and frequent. It becomes clear that the ship is infected with remnants of the Cylon computer virus that it picked up when it became separated from the fleet (see "Scattered"). The Cylon virus is a heuristic learning program; it has spent the intervening time cracking the ship's passwords and testing its ability to control "Galactica" systems. While Dr. Baltar and Lt. Gaeta work to delete the virus, Commander Adama has Helo ask Boomer for help.

Boomer becomes alarmed when she recognizes that the virus code will soon shut down the "Galactica" defences and warns that a simultaneous Cylon attack is imminent. The virus could hijack every system on the ship, venting the ship's atmosphere to space and turning its guns on the civilian fleet. Hundreds of Cylon Raiders and Cylon Heavy Raiders jump in and hold formation as "Galactica" scrambles its outnumbered Viper squadrons to meet them. As the virus attack is about to culminate, Commander Adama is forced to trust Boomer, allowing her to "plug" herself directly into "Galactica"'s computer and communications system.

Unexpectedly, Boomer broadcasts a virus of her own back to the incoming Cylon Raiders, rendering them helpless and easy pickings for "Galactica"'s Vipers. The Viper pilots consider this "payback" for the way the Cylons destroyed Colonial forces in their initial attack on the colonies. Boomer is returned to her cell, possibly having won a grudging respect from Adama.

Chief Tyrol's stealth fighter, now known as the Blackbird, makes a successful maiden flight with Starbuck as test pilot. The crew name it "Laura" in President Roslin's honor.

External links

* at the Battlestar Wiki