Review: "Razor"

The wait has been long for "Razor" (Sci Fi Channel, Nov. 24, 9 p.m./8 p.m. Central) and not only since season 3's controversial last episodes in March – we've been waiting to find out just what happened in the tumultuous six months of Admiral Cain's command after the destruction of the colonies ever since she first appeared in back season 2's pulse-pounding "Pegasus"/"Resurrection ship" story arc.

The wait has not been in vain. "Razor" is exemplary: outstandingly written, acted, and filmed, it's a showcase exemplar of why the dark and distressing Battlestar Galactica continues to be one of the best shows on television. From Michelle Forbes's arresting performance to the pell-mell editing and bruised and bloody set design, everything about "Razor" is exceptional – and that's leaving aside the treats (including nods to classic Battlestar), twists, and revelations which extend our understanding of the regulars just as much as the Pegasus guest stars. Even the casting is great: to play young William Adama, the creators managed to find an actor, Nico Cortez, who actually looks like a cross between Edward James Olmos and Jamie Bamber, suddenly making you think for the first time that maybe Bamber wasn't physically miscast as Adama's son after all.

This is definitely Forbes's show – she commands attention in every scene she appears in – but the Australian actor Stephanie Jacobsen makes a great impression as Kendra as well, and the regulars that appear (there are very brief appearances by Sharon, Baltar, and Tigh, and others like Helo and Gaeta don't appear at all) are very strong. Of especial note is the easy brilliance of Kara Thrace, once again proving my own personal adage that everything's better with Katee Sackhoff.

Read my review here.