Battlestar Galactica: Every Starbuck Episode Ranked Worst To Best

18. Act Of Contrition

Act of Contrition serves as an introduction to why Starbuck and Adama are so close, and an explanation as to why Starbuck and Apollo aren't - at least, not at this time, delving deeper into the revelation that she made to him in the mini-series. Not only was Kara involved with Zack, the youngest Adama brother, but she was his flight instructor, and she passed him when he failed. This decision indirectly led to his death.

Throughout this episode, Kara is given the task of selecting and training new Viper pilots, a task she doesn't relish as it cuts too close to home. After she fails the latest bunch, Apollo believes that it is over her guilt about Zack, rather than anything else. Unfortunately, he lets something slip to Commander Adama - resulting in his being told what happened to Zack.

Not only does he not take the news well, but he ensures Kara knows that he is angry enough to attack her, only barely holding in his rage to force her back to work.

The episode ends with a dogfight in space in which the new pilots distinguish themselves, but Kara is shot down over a red moon.