Caprica Review: “Know Thy Enemy”

Caprica airs its second strong ep in two weeks.

Title: “Know Thy Enemy”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Michael Nankin

Eric Stoltz as Daniel Graystone
Genevieve Buechner as Tamara Adams
Paula Malcomson as Amanda Graystone
Sasha Roiz as Sam Adama
Esai Morales as Joseph Adama
Allesandra Torresani as Zoe
Magda Apanowicz as Lacy Rand
Sina Najafi as Bill Adama
Polly Walker as Sister Clarice Willow
James Marsters as Barnabas Greele
John Pyper-Ferguson as Tomas Virgis
Patton Oswalt as Baxter Sarno
Hiro Kanagawa as Cyrus Xander
Alex Arsenault as Philomon
Liam Sproule as Keon

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

Tomas Virgis challenges Graystone over his theft of tech from the Virgis Corporation and the accompanying complications. The Adamas, meanwhile, fear the Guatrau will discover their involvement.

Zoe/proto-Cylon/avatar takes some proactive steps.

Sister Clarice copies an avatar—because, isn’t that someone’s soul? Couldn’t technology place us in a real heaven? Doesn’t it promise immortality?

In an effort to see their ratings spike, the show introduces the religious/terrorist leader hiding out on Caprica.

High Point

Two brief appearances bode well for the show. Marsters does a good job of establishing his character in very few minutes, and I hope he’ll become a major part of the show. Zoe’s virtual appearance was a little goofy, but we really need to see more of her character.

Low Points

Amanda Graystone continues to behave with an odd naïveté required by the plot. She has access to a lab containing a secret government project, and she brings a drunken visitor in to see it?

The Scores:

Originality: 5/6.

Effects: 6/6.

Story: 5/6. It’s late-night-soapy, but they’re doing it well, and the continuity with the first few seasons of Galactica remains stronger than their continuity with that show’s final seasons.

Joseph Adama’s plot played choppily but, in general, the writers have figured out that they need to feature only a few story arcs each week.

Acting: 5/6.

Emotional Response: 5/6.

Production: 6/6.

Overall: 5/6. This is a busy weekend. I’ll try to provide a more developed review for next week’s episodes. Many of the comments I’ve made in the past, however, apply to this week. It’s the reality of story-arc-driven television series.

In total, the “Know Thy Enemy” receives 37/42

One reply

  1. I find myself thoroughly enjoying this show. I appreciate virtually all of the characters. I like seeing the other colonies. I love the cinematography and the score. The actress cast as Zoe is amazing.

    Thanks for the ongoing reviews!

    -Joe

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