20 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
Humanity's last survivors, led by Commander Adama (military leader of the Battlestar Galactica) and President Roslin (civilian government leader), are on the run from the robotic Cylons, desperately searching for a mythical planet called Earth. The season opens with Commander Adama critically wounded, leaving Colonel Tigh in command. Meanwhile, pilot Starbuck (Kara Thrace) is stranded on Cylon-occupied Caprica, and scientist Gaius Baltar grapples with his inner demons and a Cylon projection of Number Six.
As Adama recovers, Tigh's leadership falters, leading to martial law and a divided fleet. President Roslin, freed from the brig, leads a faction of the fleet to Kobol, following ancient prophecies. Starbuck returns from Caprica with a Cylon named Sharon, who claims to know the way to the Tomb of Athena, a key to finding Earth. The fleet eventually reunites, and they discover a vision of Earth in the Tomb. Later, the fleet encounters another surviving Battlestar, the Pegasus, commanded by the ruthless Admiral Cain. Tensions rise between Adama and Cain, but they form a temporary alliance to destroy a crucial Cylon Resurrection Ship. During the battle, Gina kills Admiral Cain, and Adama is promoted to Admiral.
Roslin, dying of cancer, is miraculously cured when Baltar discovers the fetus of Sharon's human-Cylon hybrid child can save her. Baltar, gaining political power, runs for president. Starbuck leads a mission back to Caprica to rescue human resistance fighters. The fleet discovers a potentially habitable planet, dubbed "New Caprica," which becomes a central issue in the presidential election. Baltar wins the election, and Gina detonates a nuclear warhead on Cloud 9, destroying several ships. One year later, the human fleet has settled on New Caprica, but the season ends with Baltar surrendering the planet to the Cylons, who arrive in force.
Season 2 of Battlestar Galactica covers episodes 1-20. Here's everything that happened:
Season 2, Episode 1: Scattered - Following Adama's shooting, Colonel Tigh takes command as Galactica faces a Cylon basestar. An emergency jump separates Galactica from the fleet due to incorrect coordinates. On Kobol, Tarn is killed during a supply run. Tigh orders the ship's computers networked to calculate the fleet's location. A Heavy Raider crashes into Galactica, and Cylon Centurions emerge as the ship jumps to rejoin the fleet.
Season 2, Episode 2: Valley of Darkness - A Cylon virus cripples Galactica, leading to a Centurion boarding party. Apollo leads the defense, while Roslin is freed from the brig. On Kobol, Tyrol euthanizes a dying marine. On Caprica, Starbuck and Helo visit her apartment. The Centurions are defeated, but Adama remains in critical condition.
Season 2, Episode 3: Fragged - On Kobol, Crashdown's poor leadership leads to Baltar shooting him in the back to prevent him from killing Cally. Tigh struggles with command on Galactica, facing pressure from the Quorum and his own demons. Roslin, in the brig, regains influence after receiving her medication and denounces Tigh's actions. Tigh declares martial law in response.
Season 2, Episode 4: Resistance - Martial law divides the fleet, leading to riots and four civilian deaths. Tyrol is imprisoned, and Baltar manipulates Boomer. On Caprica, Starbuck encounters a resistance group led by Anders. Roslin escapes Galactica with Apollo's help. Cally shoots Boomer as she's transferred.
Season 2, Episode 5: The Farm - After being shot, Starbuck awakens in a Cylon hospital where experiments on human reproduction are being conducted. She discovers the horrifying truth about the "farms" and kills a fellow resistance member to end her suffering. Starbuck escapes with Boomer's help, promising Anders to return. Adama regains command, while Roslin splits the fleet.
Season 2, Episode 6: Home, Part 1 - Following Roslin's lead, a third of the fleet jumps to Kobol. Starbuck and Helo return with Caprica-Sharon, causing tension. Roslin orders Sharon out an airlock, but relents when Sharon claims knowledge of the Tomb of Athena. Adama, prompted by Dualla, decides to reunite the fleet.
Season 2, Episode 7: Home, Part 2 - On Kobol, Sharon shoots Meier, proving her loyalty. Adama reconciles with Roslin and Apollo, reuniting the fleet. The group enters the Tomb of Athena and sees a vision of Earth. Baltar is told by Six she is an angel sent to guide him to the end of the human race. The episode concludes with Adama leading an ovation for Roslin.
Season 2, Episode 8: Final Cut - Journalist D'Anna Biers films a documentary aboard Galactica, intending to expose the military's flaws after the "Gideon massacre". She uncovers a plot against Tigh and the secret of the pregnant Sharon. The documentary, seemingly supportive of Galactica, is broadcast to the fleet. However, the episode concludes with the shocking reveal that Biers is a Cylon and the Cylons are watching the broadcast, including the footage of Sharon.
Season 2, Episode 9: Flight of the Phoenix - A Cylon virus resurfaces, threatening Galactica. Tyrol, grappling with Boomer's memory, channels his energy into building a new stealth fighter, the "Blackbird". Sharon helps purge the virus by sending a counter-virus to the Cylon fleet. The Blackbird is named "Laura" in honor of President Roslin.
Season 2, Episode 10: Pegasus - The Galactica discovers the Battlestar Pegasus, commanded by Admiral Cain. Cain assumes fleet command and clashes with Adama over military discipline. Baltar is horrified to find a tortured Cylon prisoner, Gina. Helo and Tyrol kill a Pegasus officer attempting to rape Sharon. Cain sentences them to death, leading to a standoff as Galactica prepares to retrieve them by force.
Season 2, Episode 11: Resurrection Ship, Part 1 - Tensions escalate between the Galactica and Pegasus, but the discovery of a Cylon Resurrection Ship forces a temporary truce. Adama and Cain plan to assassinate each other, but Starbuck's intel leads to a joint attack plan. The episode concludes with both Adama and Cain separately ordering the other's assassination after the battle, mirroring each other's intentions.
Season 2, Episode 12: Resurrection Ship, Part 2 - The Galactica and Pegasus destroy the Cylon Resurrection Ship. During the battle, Apollo disables the ship's FTL drive but is forced to eject, later rescued by Racetrack. Gina kills Admiral Cain. Adama is promoted to Admiral. The episode concludes with Cain's funeral and Adama's promotion.
Season 2, Episode 13: Epiphanies - As President Roslin nears death from cancer, she orders the termination of Sharon's pregnancy, fearing the Cylon child. Baltar discovers the fetus's blood can cure Roslin, leading to a transfusion that miraculously cures her cancer. Meanwhile, a Cylon sympathizer group sabotages Galactica, and Baltar reconnects with Gina, who is part of the Demand Peace movement. The episode concludes with Roslin recovering, but Baltar secretly provides the Demand Peace movement with a nuclear warhead.
Season 2, Episode 14: Black Market - Apollo investigates the black market after Commander Fisk is murdered. He uncovers a smuggling ring involving essential supplies and child trafficking. Apollo confronts Phelan, the black market leader, and kills him after discovering Shevon and her daughter Paya are involved. Despite Roslin's objections, Apollo allows the black market to continue, under strict conditions.
Season 2, Episode 15: Scar - Starbuck and Kat develop a fierce rivalry while hunting "Scar," a deadly Cylon Raider. Haunted by memories of Anders, Starbuck's reckless flying puts her and Kat in danger. Starbuck lures Scar into a trap, allowing Kat to destroy the Cylon ace. Starbuck then honors pilots lost in battle.
Season 2, Episode 16: Sacrifice - A hostage situation unfolds on Cloud 9, led by Sesha Abinell, who demands Sharon "Boomer" Valerii in exchange for hostages including Apollo, Dualla, and Ellen Tigh. Adama sends the corpse of a dead Cylon. Billy Keikeya is killed saving Dualla. Marines storm the bar, killing the remaining gunmen. Roslin mourns Billy's death.
Season 2, Episode 17: The Captain's Hand - Commander Garner disobeys orders to rescue missing Raptors, leading Pegasus into a Cylon trap. Garner dies repairing the FTL drive, allowing Pegasus to escape. Lee Adama is then promoted to Commander of Pegasus. Roslin faces a political crisis regarding abortion, leading Baltar to announce his presidential candidacy.
Season 2, Episode 18: Downloaded - On Cylon-occupied Caprica, Caprica-Six and Boomer struggle with their roles as heroes after the destruction of the colonies. They grapple with guilt and the Cylon perspective on humanity. Meanwhile, on Galactica, Sharon gives birth to Hera, but Roslin conspires to fake the baby's death. Caprica-Six and Boomer, after killing Number Three, vow to change Cylon views on humanity.
Season 2, Episode 19: Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1 - Tyrol's nightmares lead to an assault on Cally, prompting him to seek guidance. Starbuck leads a risky mission to Caprica to rescue Anders' resistance. A Raptor discovers a potentially habitable planet. Baltar gains ground in the polls by advocating for settling this "New Caprica". The episode ends with Starbuck's team under Cylon fire on Caprica and Baltar seemingly poised to win the election.
Season 2, Episode 20: Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2 - Starbuck's team returns from Caprica with a Cylon, Cavil, who announces the Cylons have left the colonies. Roslin loses the presidential election to Baltar, but it was rigged by Tigh. Gina detonates a nuclear warhead on Cloud 9, destroying multiple ships. One year later, the fleet is on New Caprica, which Baltar surrenders to the Cylons.
