There has only been limited news coverage in the USA about the recent elections in Zimbabwe. The short of it is that Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe's life president is clinging to power despite the will of the majority of the people, who have amazingly withstood the most unbelievable brutality and violence by Mugabe and his goons. Most people with the means have already fled the country taking with them the much needed skills to repair this damaged nation.

Zimbabwe was a beautiful county. A country rich in natural resources. However 28 years of corruption, gross mismanagement and misrule have lead to a country starved and brutalized. Now, recent news reports indicate rising concerns of increased violence while the people wait for the election recount. (Results have been delayed by Mugabe in a last gasp effort to retain power.)

In Zimbabwe the hyper inflation makes everyone a millionaire.

But don't get too excited. 1 week ago this $10 Million Zimbabwe dollar note was equivalent to about $1 (one US dollar.)

This was a very cool episode.

I didn't blog about last week's episode because I couldn't believe that vacant eyed Callie got airlocked. Bad Tory.

What I liked about this episode is that it looked at how the Final 4 cyclons are dealing with this sudden and shocking identity crisis. Chief fraks up and just wants someone to tell him he frakked up. He seems to go beserk when they sympathise and call him "only human". What great irony. Tory is just scary. She seems to have embraced her new identity. It seems to have liberated her from normal (and moral) human constraints. Tigh is drawn to Six-in-the-Brig Aka Caprica Six. Beautiful scenes between Six, Tigh and Ellen (vision of). What is interesting is that Six and Athena don't seem to be able to recognize the new cylons. Interesting. Only the raiders could sense them. Fascinating. Very little on Kara and her band of merry men. Which is good. This episode didn't need it.

Baltar is as always excellent. I loved the scene where ChipSix has to literally lift him up to get pummeled by the marines who are blocking his quarters.

The scenes between Roslin and Adama - are great. There is such tenderness between these two crusty old warriors.

Poor Carly got voted off this week after deciding that "Jesus Christ Superstar" was more her. I thought her performance was awful - really screechy, and the back up singers seemed to over power her. Brooke seems destined for an onscreen nervous breakdown. But I still love her. I thought it was dangerous to stop and then restart the song. I spent the entire song in clenched nerve mode. I thought that David C's performance was wonderful. The guy can sing. I started off the season hating him - too smug by far! But I've really started to like his performances. Right now, he doesn't need American Idol. He is ready to make his record. David A is so annoying. I love the talent, but no personality. Not a tiny little drop. Jason Castro is in his own world. He has a nice mellow sound to him. I don't think he is the next Idol, but he could make a record. Sayesha gave her best performance. Finally the girl is showing great voice + personality.

Next week Neil Diamond. O dear.

Who I think should go next? I think Brooke is in danger. But I think Sayesha is going to go next. I hope that David A would go. But that will not happen.

My picks for the final 2? David Cooke, and Jason Castro. (I chose Jason because I can't bear David A!)

I couldn't wait for the next episode of Season 4.

I think I am a bit disappointed.

The Starbuck / Roslin confrontation was okay. I really didn't expect Starbuck to be killed this early on, so the sound of the gun shot really didn't do much for me... I kind of guessed that Roslin would miss. The internal politics of the Cylons, and the mini coup that Six brings was mildly interesting. I wonder how this story line is going to play out - Cylons being "gods" and giving the Centurions "reason"? Playing "god" and taking away the Raider's reason.... Mmmm Methinks the Cylons are committing the same mistakes as mankind. When will they ever learn?

The best part of the entire episode was the scene with Baltar & Tory. And then all of a sudden in pops HeadBaltar. Hilarious. I love having Baltar around. He really brings in comic relief. He is such a lowlife.

I thought the fight between Adama and Roslin was great - two people being really cruel to each other. Yep. That's human nature alright.

The Lee farewell scenes were really over done. I felt it was just filling in the time.

And then Adama sends off Starbuck with Helo and a few people to go find Earth...

Come on now - I expect better than this.

So the long awaited BSG Season 4 premiered on Friday. I Tivo'd the show and watched it twice.
Television Without Pity Forums were immediately busy.

My thoughts?

Okay so now Kara aka Starbuck returns from the who knows where telling everyone that she has seen Earth and she can take them there. Small problem - everyone saw her viper blow up in "Maelstrom". Another small problem - it has been 3 months since her "death" yet Starbuck says she has only been gone for 6 hours. Also - her viper is spotless, brand new in fact. No way it is the same ship.

All are deeply suspicious. Roslin especially - who feels that Starbuck is a Cylon and has been from the beginning.

The Final 4 of the Final 5 are still wrestling with their Humlon status. I would be too. Very cool the Anders/ Raider eye contact scene. Now the Cylons know - the final 5 are amongst the fleet. Very odd that it has taken them 4 seasons to figure that out. Maybe they only can sense the final 5 after they have been triggered. Seems a bit of a stretch. But then why can't Athena/ Sharon sense them? Maybe she is "contaminated" with having giving birth to a child. Very odd. But then who or what triggered the final 4? The creators do have some explaining to do.

I thought Baltar's scenes were hilarious. He is really very good at playing the Prophet/ Messiah role. I think he really can't believe that people are so stupid to think that he is anything religious being a completely unreligious person. But his scenes with the dying/ sick child were surprising. Many commentators in the Forums didn't like this story thread. I didn't find it out of place. I thought it brought a little bit of comic relief to the whole mind bending Kara Returned from the Dead story. It is also interesting to see human religious zealotry intermingling with Cylon (there is only one god) Zealotry.

The Dream sequence with Col Tigh made me want to scream - I really thought it was actually happening. Interesting echo of the Sharon/Boomer shooting of Adama. But this time the cylon resists his programming. I do hope the creators continue to explore these themes of free choice/ free will.

Can't wait for next episode.