Caprica review: Season 1, Episode 2, “Rebirth”
After the tremendous pilot introduced us to the world of Caprica, one could say that the bar was set unreasonably high. Every show has its good and bad moments.Nevertheless, while the show remains fun and watchable, “Rebirth” felt like a letdown, mainly because it is the first time the show has made a major mistake.
Plot Summary: Spoilers below
Zoe-A is experiencing Zoe’s memories and trying to discover her own identity. Daniel continues to experience problems producing Cylons. He is avoiding Joseph, who is having trouble dealing with his own grief and is haunted by visions of his daughter. Amanda begins investigating Zoe’s life, but is interrupted by Agent Durham who questions her about Ben Stark, who she didn’t know was Zoe’s boyfriend. Lacy goes to lunch at Sister Willow’s house, where Willow plies her for information about Zoe’s work. Two of Daniel’s technicians transport the cylon to his home. Zoe-A reacts violently as one of the assistant tries to work on her, cutting off his finger. Sam takes Willie around little Tauron, where he begins introducing Willie to crime by throwing a trashcan through a window, getting both of them arrested. Amanda convinces Daniel to attend a memorial for the bombing victims. Lacy secretly visits the Graystone house and talks with Zoe-A, who feels trapped in the robot body. At the memorial, Daniel is visibly uncomfortable. Amanda meets Natalie Stark, Ben’s mother, who gives her a number of Zoe’s things, including an STO pendant. Joseph confronts Daniel about the Tamara avatar. Their talk is interrupted by Amanda speaking to the crowd. She says that she didn’t know her own daughter, and declares that Zoe was involved in the bombing as the crowd erupts in anger.
One should not discount Caprica as just another show that is failing to live up to its premise. This episode still holds its own. In particular, elements like the way news clips are seamlessly cut into the narrative, the banter between Daniel and Amanda and Daniel’s private moments of reflection remind us of why the show is excellent. These elements make the characters feel like real people whom the viewers can identify with and care about. This is particularly true of the masterful way the shots of Zoe-A and the CGI cylon are done, reminding us of the character and the person within the metal shell. Viewers will find themselves with a knot in their stomach as Amanda watches movies of Zoe and shiver in their seats as Zoe-A wipes the blood from her hands after injuring the technician. The acting remains superb and the characters remain incredibly well drawn.
However, putting great characters on the screen is not in and of itself enough to make a great episode. The main issue with this particular installment is it lacks any pretense of subtle narrative. The cloud of sinister mystery surrounding Sister Willow dissolves when we are introduced to the polygamous cult known as the Willow family. Instead of a complex villain, Sister Willow feels more like a caricature of a zealous nut. Another problem is the repeated flashbacks to the STO symbol at the end. These give off the impression that the directors don’t think the audience is smart enough to pick up the references that were crafted into the episode. They do nothing crassly insult the viewer’s intelligence. But the worst incident takes place between Zoe-A and Lacy. Zoe-A describes herself as three entities combined into one, when Lacy blurts out the word “trinity”. While the connections to our own religious traditions make the show relevant and thoughtful, this dialogue feels contrived and ham-handed. The writers could not have been more blatant if they filmed Ron Moore in a cathedral wrapped in the Shroud of Turin singing “This show is about religion” to the tune Handel’s Messiah. Good science fiction reflects society back us, rather than forcing itself down our throats. Although this is one incident, its sloppy execution jolts the viewer out of what could have been an engrossing scene.
On the whole, this episode is minor disappointment. The cliff hanger ending is well done and successfully accomplishes two things: it will leave viewers eager for the next installment and thanking their various gods that the current one is over.
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Pretty good series. viewed it the whole way through last night with my wife. She loves the series alot more compared to me.