Battlestar Galactica Season Three, Episode "Crossroads Part 1", Page 5
Crossroads Part 1 Recap: Scene 17
Still onboard the Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Baltar's trial has come back from the overnight recess and some serious music starts playing in the background. The camera pans around the room to show all the major players in the trial, then stops at Apollo, who leans over to Lampkin and with a determined look says, "Let me do this." Lampkin is surprised by the request and asks, "What? Are you sure, major?" Apollo is embarrassed with his reply, "It ...it's mister now and yeah, I'm sure. It should be me." Dr. Baltar is very worried and pleads with Lampkin, "You're not, seriously, going to let my security ...", but is interrupted by one of the tribunal judges, "We're waiting, Mr. Lampkin." Lampkin stands up straight and says, "If it would please the court, my associate Mr. Adama, will question the witness." The camera zooms in on Admiral Adama, who whispers sarcastically, "His associate." The tribunal judge replies, "The defense may proceed." and Lampkin replies, "Thank you."
Apollo stands up and walks toward the front of the room and proceeds with his first question for President Roslin, "Madam President? Aren't you alive today, because of Gaius Baltar?", to which she replies, "I'm alive today, because the insurgence managed to stop the executions." Apollo replies, "They saved you from the Cylon firing squad, but wasn't it Baltar, who saved your life, when you were dying from cancer?" The prosecutor interrupts, "Relevance?" Apollo looks toward the tribunal and says, "Uh ...Your honors ...", but Lampkin stands up with his interjection, "Hostile witness, your honors. If the court would grant us just a little latitude." The lead judge replies, "We'll allow it." and Apollo says, "Thank you", before continuing, "Um ...Did Gaius Baltar, save your life, when you were dying from cancer?" The president smiles and says, "Dr. Baltar's scientific knowledge did save my life, indeed." and Apollo presses the issue, "Can you be more specific ...How did he save your life, on that occasion?" The president replies, "He injected me with the blood of a half-Cylon, half-human, baby." As soon as she says those words, the camera pans to the back of the room, to show Helo is looking on, while Apollo continues the questioning, "And your cancer vanished?" The camera pans back over to the president and she replies, "Completely.", as she nods in agreement.
Apollo continues with the questioning, "During your illness, what sort of medication were you on?" The president replies, "You know? I was taking a lot of medications at the time and I don't remember their names." Apollo smiles with impatience and is more direct with his following question, "Did you take something called, Chamalla Extract?" The president feels betrayed, smiles, and says, "Hmph ...yes."Apollo turns to the room and speaks loudly, "Isn't it true, that one of the side effects of taking Chamalla, is a propensity, to experience hallucinations?" The president immediately replies, "Yes, that is one of the, possible, side effects of Chamalla." Apollo continues to push the issue, "And isn't it also true, that the visions, that you once described as messages from the gods, were actually the result of a pharmacological reaction from taking Chamalla?" The president replies, "The Chamalla did enable me to see certain things, that were foretold by the scriptures, things that will help this fleet find it's way to Earth. You of all people, should know that major." The prosecutor interjects, "Your honors?" The camera pans over to the lead tribunal judge when she asks, "Mr. Adama, where are you going with this?" and Apollo replies, "Just one more question, your honor."
The judge nods for him to continue and Apollo walks up to the witness stand and looks the president straight in the eye. The president whispers, "Please, don't do this." and shakes nervously, before begging him, "Please." Regardless of the presidents plea, Apollo feels compelled to ask the question, "Madam President, are you taking Chamalla, at this time?" The president replies, "Captain Apollo? Remember that? I always thought it had such a nice ring to it. I am so, so, sorry for you, now." Apollo repeats his question, "Chamalla, Madam President. Perhaps, dissolved in your tea, to mask the bitterness." Admiral Adama interjects, "Don't answer. I'm putting a stop to this, right now."
Apollo looks to the lead tribunal judge and asks, "Your honors, if she is on drugs, it goes to her credibility, as a witness!" Admiral Adama looks over at the president and with authority says, "The witness is dismissed." Lampkin stands up and says, "Your honors, I have to strongly, object. He's, obviously trying to cover something up, here." Admiral Adama interjects, "One more word from you and you'll both be held for contempt." The lead tribunal judge, is shocked when she says, "Admiral!?" One of the other tribunal judges speaks up, "I would like to hear the witness answer the question." and the lead judge agrees, "As would I!" She turns to the president and demands, "Madam President? Are you taking Chamalla, again?" The camera pans around the room, to show the press is holding their microphones close, so that they can record the president's answer, then pans over to Roslin, who nods with her reply, "Yes, I am." The crowd starts to mumble at the shocking news, then the camera pans over, to show a disappointed and betrayed Admiral Adama.
Next, we see Apollo standing there with a self-righteous look on his face, believing he had no other choice. He looks toward the tribunal and says, "No further, questions." and turns to walk back to his seat, but before he gets there the president asks, "Mr. Adama? Aren't you going to ask me why?" Apollo replies, "I'm sorry?" and the president continues, "Why am I taking Chamalla ...again?" Apollo shakes his head and says, "It's not, strictly relevant.", but the president disagrees with, "Well, perhaps it's not relevant to you, but it's relevant to me." There is a silent pause, then the president says, "Go ahead, ask me why. Finish what you started." It dawns on Apollo why the president is making this request, so he nervously asks, "Why are you taking the Chamalla again, Madam President?" The president takes her glasses off, looks out to the crowd and says, "I am taking Chamalla, again, because my cancer has returned." Apollo feels guilty and looks up to his father, who lowers his head in shame.
Crossroads Part 1 Recap: Scene 18
Still onboard the Battlestar Galactica, Dee is in their quarters, packing her things into suitcases, when Apollo tries to justify what he did by saying, "You know, the fact that she's having hallucinations, is relative to Baltar's defense. That's the way the system works, Dee. The accused have a right to challenge the credibility of witnesses. That's just the way it is." Dee urgently replies, "The system is broken, Lee. The system elected that man to be president and the system is trying to let him walk. That is not a system that deserves to be defended. It deserves to be taken apart and put back together again." Apollo, desperately tries to convince her with his reply, "You know, I wish ...", but Dee continues to pack, so he walks up to her and holds her, before saying, "I wish I could make you understand." Dee looks up to him and says, "I do understand, Lee. That's why I'm leaving." and she grabs her bags and walks out the door. Apollo desperately says, "No, you don't ...", but she closes the door behind her. Lee turns around and says, "You Fracking don't.", still believing that he did the right thing. He walks over to the table and in a fit of rage, swipes everything onto the floor.