Battlestar Galactica 4.14 "Blood On The Scales" review

The resolution of the two-part uprising story

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Written by: Michael Angeli

Directed by: Wayne Rose

Rating:

THE ONE WHERE
Adama’s on trial, the President’s trapped on the Cylon baseship, anyone with a Cylon connection is in the brig and Zarek uses absolute power on the Quorum of Twelve.

VERDICT
Not quite as good as last week’s, but only in the way “The Best Of Both Worlds, Part II” isn’t quite as good as Part I.

While the cliffhanger’s resolved a little too neatly, this episode gives its cast plenty to chew on. Adama’s stoical refusal to bow to his captors’ demands is completely in character, while Roslin’s rousing call-to-arms speech is inspiring stuff. Even the cheesy-as-hell scenes of Adama marching on the bridge, surrounded by a posse of loyalists, makes you feel warm inside – Galactica may have a reputation for misery, but it’s also capable of uplifting moments like nothing else on TV.

But the episode belongs to Richard Hatch and Alessandro Juliani as the doomed Zarek and Gaeta. Zarek becoming drunk on power – going as far as executing his political rivals – was always a possible fate for the character, so the fact that he takes Gaeta with him makes the latter’s tragedy all the greater. The look shared between the two as they prepare for execution is proof that silences can say much more than words.

SURVIVOR COUNT
39, 603

DID YOU SPOT?
Gaeta ordered Adama’s execution by phone. Adama had the guts to do it in person.

BEST LINE
Roslin: “I’m coming for all of you!”

Richard Edwards

Previous episode . Next episode .

SFX Magazine is the world's number one sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine published by Future PLC. Established in 1995, SFX Magazine prides itself on writing for its fans, welcoming geeks, collectors, and aficionados into its readership for over 25 years. Covering films, TV shows, books, comics, games, merch, and more, SFX Magazine is published every month. If you love it, chances are we do too and you'll find it in SFX.

Latest in Sci-Fi Shows
Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us
The Last of Us is "better" than 28 Days Later, says movie writer Alex Garland: "This is so much more sophisticated and moving"
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 showrunner talks the much-anticipated Star Wars moment that we haven't seen on screen before: "It's a very significant part of our show"
Fallout
Fallout season 2’s dazzling and dystopian New Vegas is coming to life in a new leaked video
Diego Luna as Cassian Andor
The first three episodes of the best Star Wars show are now available to watch for free ahead of the Andor season 2 premiere
The Last of Us season 2 trailer shows spores
The Last of Us season 2 is bringing in one of the biggest game omissions from season 1 – and the showrunners say it's for a "good reason"
Kaitlyn Dever as Abby in The Last Of Us season 2
The Last of Us season 2's Abby star Kaitlyn Dever admits it's been hard to not look at character backlash on the internet
Latest in Reviews
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"
Altered: Trial by Frost booster box and packs on a playmat
Altered: Trial by Frost review - "Satisfying enough to offer highly varied gameplay"
Boro and Alta sit on a bench together in Wanderstop
Wanderstop review: "Exalting the transformative power of tea"
The pump header of the NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB showing a 35 degree cpu
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB review: "Has some solid design points that make installation a lot easier"
Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid gaming keyboard on a wooden desk with blue lighting
Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid review: "one of the best value Hall effect gaming keyboards out there"
Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt in The Electric State
The Electric State review: "Although this may be their most visually stunning movie yet, it looks like the Russos are yet to find their footing outside of the MCU"