10 Great TV Shows With Only One Bad Episode

2004's Battlestar Galactica is a major departure from the original series, revising the cosmic robot Cylons into complex villains almost indistinguishable from humans. While the 1978 show was a cheesy space adventure, the reboot served as a dark reimagining that focused on realism, politics, and moral ambiguity.

However, these qualities are nowhere to be seen in the Black Market episode. This soap opera plot explores illegal trading and gambling, which is small potatoes compared to the galactic war the space-faring heroes deal with in every other episode. Not only is the story bare-bones, but it relies too heavily on convenience. 

Corruption is exposed, and murders occur, which should have long-lasting consequences. Instead, these issues are resolved quickly, stripping away any emotional weight. Worst of all, Commander Adama's characterisation is deeply mishandled. Though Adama has always been portrayed as a master tactician who analyses every angle of a situation, he comes across as naïve and easily manipulated here, regressing in a way that feels unearned.

There's no harm in skipping Black Market entirely, as the overarching narrative and characters aren't developed in any meaningful way.