Fortunately for Gaius Baltar, Jack McCoy isn't in space

It's tough for me to post my "full" thoughts on last night's wonderful Battlestar Galactica, "Crossroads part 1," since I'm totally spoiled like month old milk. The subject of my complete addiction to spoilers is probably a topic for another, lengthy post, but needless to say, knowing some of the key points of the story before it unfolded didn't severely lessen the drama of what made it to my TV screen last night. (If you're not a total spoiler whore, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you saw and what you think is going on. And if you're not totally spoiled, then don't worry about reading on, as I will not reveal anything that we didn't see last night).

While last night did have a little bit of sci-fi actiony goodness (the missile lock on the trailing raptor, that jumped out at the last possible second, and the ominous sight of the cylon basestars, were both SFX highlights) the real story was the trial of Gaius Baltar and the human (?) drama unfolding around it. As usual, the performances were top notch:

• Mary McDonnell once again showed why she's criminally unrecognized by the Emmys. Her reaction on the stand when Lee reluctantly goes after her was heartbreaking (mouthing "Please don't do this."). And she followed this up with a press conference we on earth could only hope for (unless it's Dennis Green or Jim Mora); "How long do you have to live, Madame President?" "How long do you have to live?" And finally telling her increasingly frazzled aide Tory (who may or may not be a cylon -- what's the music? And who may or may not be shagging Anders -- what's with the steamy looks?) to get her shit together. And of course, comb her hair.
• Michael Hogan continued his exceptional work as Saul Motherfucking Tigh, manifesting his bitterness and hatred for all things cylon (doth he protest too much? He's hearing some music, too!) in the interrogation of Caprica Six and drunken, bile spewing testimony on the stand. Then finally admitting he killed his whorish wife Ellen for collaborating with the enemy (wish I'd had some of that "tea" a year ago) before completely losing it listening for "sounds" in the walls of the ship.
• Mark Sheppard continues to shine as the oily attorney Romo Lampkin. His opening was great, as was his questioning of the witnesses (I half expected a "you're out of order!" or "did you order the code red!"). And while he is outstanding at the theatrics, he also turned in great work in the quiet moments manipulating Lee and his daddy issues.
• While Lee is often written as a cipher and more as a character searching for a "hook" to play off of with other characters (Starbuck's lover? Kid with daddy issues? President's confidante and knight in shining armor? Dee's cheating hubby? Insurrectionist and conscience of the fleet? "Black Market" badass?) and Bamber doesn't get the acting praise his more accomplished co-stars do, he did nice work last night demonstrating internal struggles and his hesitancy to fully embrace his role defending Baltar.
• Gaeta was delightful snarky, Caprica Six oozed malevolence, and EJO/Adama turned in his usual stellar work. All that acting prowess on the screen, aided by the fact that we didn't see Cally.

As for the trial itself, there were some interesting touches:

• "And what do we do with criminals?" And a loud voice yelling from the crowd, "Throw them out the airlock!" AWESOME!
• The prosecutor's opening tried to hit the right notes (and I always welcome the appearance of a whiteboard of justice), but she couldn't have been more wooden if she was Serena Southerlyn genetically spliced to a sequoia. (In next week's denouement, if Baltar is found innocent, will she say "Is this because I'm a cylon lesbian?")
• When Roslin issued "blanket amnesty" for all that occurred on New Caprica, couldn't the defense make a case that this also extended to Baltar?
• Baltar's looks from the defense table during Lampkin's show. Kind of "what the frak have I gotten myself into with this guy?"
• While the "prez is on hallucinogenic drugs" story is great for a Johnny Cochrane sideshow and distraction, it really only discredits Laura's remembrances of Gaius cavorting with Six on original Caprica, which isn't being tried here. She was off the drugs and clear headed on New Caprica, which relates to her testimony about the death list. Perhaps this is making a statement about the ridiculously and perversely effective tactics defense lawyers do use, but I find it hard to believe this wasn't at least addressed, or that the ship captains/judges allowed this to cloud their judgment.

Aside from the trial, other great things:

• The return of "Chip Baltar" to converse with Six (odd question: Callis' Jesus looking beard appears real -- how do they do this clean shaven Gaius?)
• What's the game they're playing in the SpaceCheers? Looks like a combination of darts and skeeball?
• If Tigh was the only person who could hear the music, I would have suggested that maybe he was given a cylon EyePod on Caprica (ba-dum-dum. Try the veal. I'll be here all week).
• Sam as a nugget now, with Seelix? And is Sam "working through his grief" with both Tory and Seelix?
• Baltar as crazy prophet that can bless the children? I mean sure, I'd sign up for that cult, especially if it involves "worshipping" with a Three and a Six, but wow.
• Dee leaves because Lee quit the military and worked out his daddy issues in court, but NOT because he was fucking Kara 17 different ways? Huh? I guess she married the "idea" of an "Adama" and there might be some credence to the "marrying a Caprican" thread mentioned a few eps ago.
• For once, a "bonus scene" was relevant and interesting.

Setups of two parters are often confusing and "less than," but this was just outstanding. Solid A.