'Lay Down Your Burdens' (Part 1) Story Code: '219' by Ronald D. Moore

On the Colonial fleet, Vice President Baltar and President Roslin prepare for their first presidential debate, which will be televised live. While Roslin memorises her talking points and carries out a superstitious routine, Baltar has doubts over the likelihood that he will win the campaign. Aboard the Pegasus, Starbuck briefs the Raptor crews and marines on a dangerous mission to rescue the civilian survivors on Caprica; with Boomer’s help, they will link the computer from the captured Cylon Raider into their Raptors’ navigation systems, enabling them to make a series of jumps back to the planet. On the Galactica, Cally searches for Chief Tyrol, only to find him asleep under a Viper – and as the Chief is suddenly shocked into consciousness from a nightmare, he reflexively beats his colleague in a brutal assault; regaining his senses, Tyrol is shocked at his actions, and rushes Cally to the medical bay for assistance. A short while later, Tyrol is counselled by a priest named Brother Cavil; when the astute priest uncovers the fact that the Chief has been having suicidal dreams, he quickly determines the problem: Tyrol is subconsciously afraid that, like Boomer, he might be a Cylon agent. Boomer and Helo join their comrades on the rescue mission; the couple are struggling to come to terms with the death of their baby, Hela, unaware that the death was staged, and that their child has been secretly placed in the care of a foster parent named Maya. With Boomer acting as interface between computer systems, the Raptor squadron makes the first jump to Caprica; however, Racetrack’s ship receives incorrect co-ordinates, and they become separated from their comrades. As Racetrack and his team prepare to return to the Galactica, they suddenly discover a planet nearby: rich in fresh water and potentially habitable, the world is protected from detection by the Cylons due to its location inside a nebula. News of the discovery spreads fast, and it is not long before Tom Zarek realises that the planet offers Baltar a powerful weapon that will win him the election. At the debate, Baltar plays on the civilian population's desire for a new, safe home – and popular opinion immediately swings in his favour…

Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), Mary McDonnell (Laura Roslin), Katee Sackhoff (Captain Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace), Jamie Bamber (Major Lee 'Apollo' Adama), James Callis (Doctor Gaius Baltar), Tricia Helfer (Number 6), Grace Park (Lieutenant J.G. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii), Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh), Aaron Douglas (Chief Petty Officer Tyrol), Tahmoh Penikett (Lieutenant Karl 'Helo' Agathon), Nicki Clyne (Crewman Specialist Cally),Alessandro Juliani (Lieutenant Gaeta), Kandyse McClure (Petty officer 2nd Dualla), Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek), Michael Trucco (Sam Anders), Rekha Sharma (Tory Foster), Dean Stockwell (Brother Cavil), Alisen Down (Jean Barolay), Leah Cairns (Margaret 'Racetrack' Edmonson), Erica Cerra (Maya)

Directed by Michael Rymer
Produced by Harvey Frand
Co-Executive Producer Toni Graphia
Executive Producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick
Consulting Producer Glen A. Larson

TX (US - Sci-Fi Channel):
3rd March 2006 @ 10.00 pm

Notes:
*Featuring Commander Adama, Colonel Tigh, Major Apollo, Captain Starbuck, Lieutenant Boomer and Laura Roslin