Battlestar Galactica Season Three, Episode "Crossroads Part 2", Page 3
Suddenly, Dr. Baltar experiences a flash back to the event in question and we see Doral yelling, "Sign it!", but the doctor replies with refusal, "I won't do it. You're going to have to solve your conscience some other way." Doral is enraged by his refusal, so he grabs the doctor's hair and holds a gun to his head, before repeating the demand, "Sign it!!! Sign your name!!! Sign it!!!"
The scene switches back to the courtroom, where Gaeta answers the prosecutor's question, "No. He never did." Dr. Baltar is horrified by Gaeta's testimony and pleads, "Oh Felix ...Oh Felix, what are you doing?" Just then, the prosecutor drops the document on the table, directly in front of Dr. Baltar, who is outraged by Gaeta's testimony. He grabs the document, throws it on the floor and says, "Get that out of my face!" The lead tribunal judge says, "Counsel? Will you control your client?" Dr. Baltar yells, "Look, it's no secret ...", but is interrupted by Lampkin, "Quiet.", but the doctor cannot hold back, "...The whole fleet knows this man tried to stab me through the neck. And you missed!!! Butter fingers!!"
Lampkin apologizes to the tribunal, "Sorry, your honors.", then the prosecutor says, "No further questions.", before taking her seat. The lead tribunal judge signals to the defense that it is their turn to proceed, but Lampkin limps up to the front of the courtroom and just stares at Gaeta. Impatiently, the judge says, "Your witness, counselor." Lampkin stares for a moment longer, then says, "No questions." and turns to go back to his seat. Dr. Baltar screams, "What!!? What are you ..." Then the whole room starts making noise, as the judge pounds her gavel, demanding order.
Admiral Adama looks over at Gaeta and says, "The witness is dismissed." and Dr. Baltar laughs sarcastically, before saying, "Oh ...oh great!", then turns to Lampkin and says, "What the hell are you doing!?" Lampkin whispers his reply, "It's your word against his. He decided to perjure himself and there's nothing we can do to change that, now. We have to altar our strategy."
Crossroads Part 2 Recap: Scene 10
The scene starts out showing a panorama of the fleet, then the camera zooms in on the Battlestar Galactica, before switching inside to show that Dr. Baltar's trial has just come back from recess. The lead tribunal judge asks, "Is the defense prepared to present their case?" Lampkin walks to the center of the courtroom and begins his closing remarks, "Your Honors? At this time, if it would please the court ...uhh ...I would like to offer a motion. The defense would like to move for a miss trial." Dr. Baltar gets to his feet and yells, "No! We do NOT want a miss trial!! I do NOT want a miss trial!!" The lead judge yells, "Gaius Baltar!" and Lampkin waves for the doctor to take his seat and be quiet. Then one of the other judges says, "Behave Dr. Baltar.", then he turns to Lampkin and asks, "On what grounds, counselor?" Lampkin immediately replies, "On the grounds that ONE of the panel, has already prejudged the outcome of this trial and determined the guilt of the defendant." Admiral Adama interjects, "That's a very serious charge, Mr. Lampkin ...Which judge?" and Romo replies, "That would be you, admiral." The crowd starts making noise, then Lampkin continues, "And to prove it, I need to take the unusual step, of calling Mr. Lee Adama to the stand." Apollo leans over in anger and whispers to Lampkin, "You gotta be Fracking kidding me!", but Lampkin insists, "Gaeta has sunk us, this is the only way we're going to win." Apollo replies, "I will not testify against my father." Lampkin gives him a serious look and says, "That is your choice. Either way, I'm putting you on the stand."
The prosecutor gets to her feet and objects, "Your Honors? This is completely improper. Counsel cannot testify at trial, under ANY circumstances.", but Lampkin rebuts, "I can cite at least 7 precedents, off the top of my head." The lead tribunal judge looks over at the admiral, then back to Lampkin with her decision, "Call your witness, counselor." Lampkin says, "Thank you", then turns to Apollo and says, "Mr. Adama?", as he signals for him to take the witness stand.
When Apollo takes his seat on the witness stand, Lampkin begins with his first question, "Mr. Adama? Did you meet with your father, Admiral Adama, four days ago?" Apollo shakes his head and grudgingly replies, "Yes.", so Lampkin continues with his next question, "At that meeting, did Admiral Adama express an opinion, as to whether the defendant deserved a trial?" Apollo has a desperate look on his face, as he looks over at his father. He doesn't want to betray the sacred trust they have between them, so he refuses to answer the question, then Lampkin says, "All I'm looking for is the truth, Mr. Adama. Let's have it ...I'm waiting ...answer the question." Apollo still refuses to answer, so Lampkin yells, "You swore an oath, as an officer of the court. If you DON'T answer the question, you hold the entire system of justice ..." Apollo interrupts with a very loud, "WHAT Fracking System!!!" and the judge demands order, "Mr. Adama!" Romo Lampkin apologizes to the judge, "I'm sorry, your honor. Please, excuse my associate.", then continues, "Alright, then. I'll try something else. Do you believe that the defendant deserves a fair trial?" Apollo looks Lampkin straight in the eye and says, "As a matter of fact, I do.", but Lampkin isn't satisfied with that, so he asks, "Why?" Apollo replies, "Well, aside from the fact that everyone deserves a fair trial, I also happen to believe that he is not guilty of the charges and should be acquitted." Suddenly, the prosecutor gets to her feet with the objection, "Your Honors? I MUST insist on an exception, here! He cannot testify in this manner! It's completely improper!" Apollo doesn't want to be on the stand so he says, "I agree." and the prosecutor continues with her objection, "He can make his arguments, in closing statements, not on the stand!" The lead tribunal judge looks at her colleagues, then turns to the front and says, "I'm inclined to agree with the prosecution."
After hearing the judge's decision, the prosecutor shows her gratitude by saying, "Thank you.", then to the great surprise of everyone, Admiral Adama says, "You can appeal to the president, if you feel that this influences the verdict, but I for one, would like to hear this witness testify." Apollo is shocked and confused by his father's words, then one of the other tribunal judges agrees, "I would second that." With the motion carried, the lead tribunal judge orders Lampkin to continue and naturally he is pleased to hear the decision go his way. Lampkin shows his gratitude by saying, "Thank you, Your Honors.", then tries to get Apollo's attention by calling his name, "Mr Adama? Mr. Adama?" Apollo, who is dumfounded by his father's request, snaps out of it and replies, "Yes?" After getting Apollo's attention, Lampkin repeats his earlier question, "Why do you believe that the defendant, Gaius Baltar, deserves to be acquitted?" Apollo shrugs and says, "Well, because the evidence does not support the charges." Lampkin does not believe Apollo's sincerity and says, "Come on....", so Apollo tries to explain, "Did the defendant make mistakes? Sure! He did ...serious mistakes, but did he actually commit any crimes? Did he commit treason? No. I mean, it was an impossible situation. When the Cylons arrived, what could he possibly do? What could anyone have done? I mean, ask yourself 'What would you have done?'" He looks around the room, then continues, "What would you have done!? If he had refused to surrender, the Cylons would have probably nuked the planet right then and there! So, did he appear to cooperate with the Cylons? Sure. So did hundreds of others. What's the difference between him and them? The president issued a blanket pardon. They were all forgiven. No questions asked. Colonel Tigh! ...Colonel Tigh used suicide bombers to kill dozens of people. Forgiven. Lieutenant Agathon and Chief Tyrol! They murdered an officer on the Pegasus. Forgiven! The admiral! The admiral instituted a military Coup De' tat, against the president! Forgiven!"