The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Act 2: up to the cabbie)
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*[[imdb:nm0725052|Peter Mark Richman]] as Colonel [[Briggs]]
*[[imdb:nm0725052|Peter Mark Richman]] as Colonel [[Briggs]]
*[[Ken Lynch]] as [[Grover]]
*[[Ken Lynch]] as [[Grover]]
*[[imdb:nm0060701|Arthur Batanides]] as Cabbie
*[[imdb:nm0060701|Arthur Batanides]] as [[Central Park cabbie|Cabbie]]
*[[imdb:nm0278201|John Finnegan]] as Officer in Trauma Room
*[[imdb:nm0278201|John Finnegan]] as Officer in Trauma Room
*[[imdb:nm0897141|Herb Vigran]] as Pop
*[[imdb:nm0897141|Herb Vigran]] as Pop
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*[[imdb:nm0341483|Ed Griffith]] as [[Leroy]] (uncredited)
*[[imdb:nm0341483|Ed Griffith]] as [[Leroy]] (uncredited)
*Unknown as [[Tommy]]
*Unknown as [[Tommy]]
*Unknown as [[Sammy]]


{{Episode List (1980)}}
{{Episode List (1980)}}

Revision as of 08:01, 8 January 2008

The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II
"The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II"
An episode of the Galactica 1980 series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 8
Writer(s) Glen A. Larson
Story by
Director Barry Crane
Assistant Director
Special guest(s) Roger Davis as Andromus
Wolfman Jack as Himself
Production No. 1.8
Nielsen Rating
US airdate USA 1980-04-20
CAN airdate CAN {{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate UK
DVD release
Population survivors
Additional Info
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II Space Croppers
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]


Overview[edit]

The human-looking Cylon android Andromus and Centurion Centuri plan to use a radio station to broadcast a distress signal so that the Cylon fleet can destroy Earth, and it is up to Troy and Dillon to stop them.

Summary[edit]

Act 1[edit]

  • Cops chase Dillon and Troy, who are driving a stolen New York Highway Patrol car. Troy believes that, as New York City is the largest they've seen on earth, they'll be able to lose their pursuers. Dillon remarks that he should tell that to the police pursuing them.
  • The Warriors happen to drive in the Port of New York towards Pier 60. Dillon notes to Troy that they're running out of city. They flip in the air and crash into the water, thus ending the car chase.
  • Troy and Dillon manage to get out of the car before it sinks further into the ocean. The cops see the car sink into the ocean and the cops on scene order the Harbor Patrol to start looking for bodies, while they cordon off the area just in case they made it out.
  • Troy contacts Commander Adama on Galactica. Troy reports that they've located the crashed Cylon ship. Doctor Zee replies that they know and asks if the people of Earth know about the Cylons. Troy tells them that the ship auto-destructed and nothing remains of the ship, to which Adama thanks the Lord. Troy notifies them that not all the crew members perished inside the craft; Troy adds that they are likely en route to a powerful transmission station.
  • Zee begins to tell Adama that the Cylons can't reach the transmitting station, but Adama knows full well about the grave nature of the situation. He tells Troy and Dillon that their mission has never been so grave and tells them to prevent the Cylons from transmitting Earth's location to their battle fleet. Troy and Dillon realize this and begin to make their way out of the Port of New York.
  • The doorbell rings to Arnie's apartment penthouse. Mildred answers it, seeing that Norman Blower and his wife, Shirley, have arrived. Mildred tells her brother that "the boss is here" and he replies to tell him that he's "baking a real surprise" in the kitchen. Norman replies that they've baked a real surprise for them, introducing two more guests, the Cylons Andromus and Centuri, whom they believe to be humans dressed up as spacemen.
  • Arnie comes out of the kitchen to see what the fuss is about and is surprised to see the Cylons. He begins speculating on who is inside the costume, throwing out the name of an acquaintance, Wilt Chamberlain. Norman tells him to guess again, but Arnie replies that he has to return to the kitchen and accidentally spills the beans about what he's cooking: the meatballs. Arnie rues spilling the surprise and Norman sarcastically retorts that he wishes it only were a surprise. Arnie offers to let him have the first taste. Norman refuses, saying that he ought to introduce his friends around.
  • Andromus and Centuri are being introduced to party goers. A group of kids, led by Tommy (dressed as Raggedy Andy) is introduced to the Cylons by Shirley as "Andy" and Centuri, wishing them Happy Halloween. Andromus returns the greeting, saying "Happy Halloween little people."
  • Shirley expresses her hope that they like the crowd, explaining that it is mostly people from the media. He reiterates his interests in radio and Wolfman Jack. She mentions that they've come to the right party, since anything they'd need to know would be answered at the party.
  • Troy and Dillon are walking down a New York street near Remos Club when they hear the sirens. Troy and Dillon duck into an archway before the club. The cop car stops at the curb and a distraught mother runs to to meet them. She berates them for taking so long and tells of her kid who has locked himself in the bathroom. She reports that she can see him through the crack at the door and he's sticking his tongue out at her.
  • After the cops enter the domicile, Dillon checks the signal strength and notes it is getting weaker. He surmises that the Centurions are on the other side of the city.
  • They overhear a dispatch about them and go to the car, which has its driver side door ajar, to listen more closely. However they are interrupted by a middle-aged NYPD cop who asks them if they want something. They reply they're just heading into the city. As they leave, the cop approaches his car and overhears a supplemental update that tells of two Caucasian suspects having wet clothing heading west from the river. The police officer calls out after them and begins a pursuit on foot. They round the corner of a theater building, but the police officer is still pursuing them.
  • Hiding behind a wall, Dillon notes they can't wear their clothing for much longer. Troy observes that the clothing stores are closed and, as Dillon points out, it is difficult to not be noticed when you're soaking wet.
  • They hear music coming from a side door which is unlocked.
  • On the theater's stage, a bunch of performers in dog costumes dance to "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-day". Troy and Dillon, from behind the stage, notice this and see "dancing mammals", which Troy notes as strange.
  • Troy points out a clothes rack with white suits of every size. They help themselves to the clothing, which Dillon remarks a strange looking, but apparently notes their acceptability on Earth.
  • After getting dressed, the director of the play hands the Warriors canes and top hats and pushes them out to the stage. Soon they are thrust in a middle of a performance of the "Good Ship Lollipop" and are pushed and directed by the other irate performers, whose actions the Warriors attempt to emulate without much success.
  • At the crash site of the A-B Raider, investigators are pouring over it without much success. Also at the scene is Colonel Briggs. Behind him is a Highway Patrol officer questioning Max and Leroy, apparently showing them pictures. The officer reports to Briggs, saying that the colonel was right and tells him that the two men climbed out of the ship (which is untrue). They presume they are smugglers.
  • Briggs orders the cops to get their likeness out to every police department in the Tri-State Area. Max notes that this is already been done. Briggs makes it clear that he wants the men taken alive, to which Leroy replies that this would be up to them.
  • Behind the stage, the director is walking over the cop (and his partner) that pursued them to the edge of the stage, pointing Troy and Dillon out. The Warriors notice and say they have to get out of there.
  • They are prompted to pick up the star of the show and they do so. They also take the opportunity to engage their invisibility fields, which has the unintended side effect of making the performer appear as if she's floating in the air.
  • The director and the cops look at the display in astonishment and disbelief. The crowd is wowed by the display and, during this, Troy and Dillon make their escape. The cop asks if the director felt something, after he is bumped by the Warriors.
  • Troy and Dillon exit the stage, now visible. Troy rues over the fact that they've lost a lot of time. Dillon notes that the Cylon signal remains constant at 4.6 acron ions in strength. This means that they either reached their destination or have been stopped by something.
  • Dillon hails a taxi, which, much to his surprise, works out.
  • Wolfman Jack arrives at the party with his trademark wolf howl and gets the party goers psyched.
  • On a balcony, Andromus tells Centuri that he'll need his help; he's learned about the location of the transmission centers and the need of a special key for emergency admittance. Centuri is tasked with finding the keys or taking one of the people who have the keys with them, and will start by investigating Arnie.
  • Tommy runs up to the Wolfman with his group of friends, telling them that he was right about Wolfman attending the party. He tells all the "little ghost and goblins and part-time Frankensteins" to have a good time. Shirley arrives to bring Wolfman to the balcony, when he notices Centuri and is amazed, and asks "who's the chrome head". She tells him his name and Wolfman notes that he has all his fans here, but convinces him to make his way to the balcony to meet a fan that's been dying to meet him all night. He accepts, saying that "anybody with taste like that, I can't keep waiting". He excuses himself from the children.
  • Shirley introduces Andromus to Wolfman Jack. Wolfman tells him to "lay it on him" and does the finger wiggle shake, which, in reply, Andy tries to emulate. Shirley leaves them alone. Wolfman begins the conversation by saying that the "walking monument" belongs to him, which initially confuses him, but Wolfman describes Centuri as having a big dude with a silver hairdo.
  • Andromus notes that he and Centuri enjoyed hearing his transmission very much, but noted it to be primitive. Wolfman replies that primitive is his style, but goes further and notes that what was even more primitive was when Marconi sent the letter "S" across the English Channel in 1901.
  • Andromus does not reply to this directly, saying that he's interested in radio. Wolfman replies by giving him his own take on radio, which he says is the "real music of the spheres" and says that each planet and star are sending out their own signals, "just like the old Wolfman who is a heavenly body in his own right". He adds that the only thing that can stop radio cold is a "big old solar wave" and discusses this further, comparing the sun's coronal ejections to eating spicy food and experiencing flatulence. Andromus notes that this would stop radio transmissions, to which Wolfman replies "Yeah, can you dig it?" Andromus replies that he quite possibly digs it.
  • Troy and Dillon are dropped off at Central Park. Troy notes the "vegetation center in the middle of all this concrete" and tells Dillon that the signal they're getting is coming from the buildings beyond the Park. Dillon observes that it isn't the place where a powerful transmitter would be held.
  • Regardless of that fact, Troy tells Dillon that there's a link to the Cylon mission at the dwelling and begin their trek through the park.
  • Dillon notes that it's too bad that they're on such a serious mission, since New York appears to be a nice place. A bunch of people hiding behind bushes begin to move out as the Warriors walk by.
  • Dillon notes that the signals from the distress beacon are growing stronger. As they continue on the path, they are stopped by a quartet of muggers.
  • The lead mugger notes the "fancy Dans" and asks them if they are going to a party. Troy notes that they are and are also in a hurry. The mugger is satisfied with going through things quickly, making it "short and sweet", saying "your money or your life".
  • Dillon notes that it doesn't seem like an equitable trade and Troy says they don't have any money they can use.
  • In response to the mugger's question about the kind of money they're carrying, Dillon explains that it is stolen money, Troy elaborates that he's correct: while it was obtained due to a misunderstanding the money is technically stolen.
  • Now that "Fancy Dan" has been heard from, the thug leader says to hand over the stolen money and they will worry about it from there. They say they can't do that, since it would implicate you in a bank robbery which would be unfair to them.
  • The lead mugger notes that he's heard "some jive in his time, but this is prime stuff". He offers them one more chance to give up their money. Dillon suggests taking advantage of the vegetation, and they soon jump up on a large branch of the nearby tree despite being rushed by the muggers. The muggers look up at the tree in shock and disbelief. Dillon reminds Troy that they're in a hurry and, after saying farewell to the muggers, they jump from the tree limb to the top of a nearby roof. The main mugger notes that he believes he's seeing things because of all the junk food he's been eating.

Act 2[edit]

  • Centuri tells Andromus, who has finished conversing with Wolfman, that he was unable to locate the keys and must take a human. Andromus replies that he's examined the premises and noted there is a kitchen with an access door, through which they can secret away a human without alerting the guests.
  • Norman sees Andromus on the balcony. Andromus tells Centuri to go to the kitchen and wait, as he will get the human who best suits their purposes.
  • In the kitchen, Arnie slaves over the food. He pulls out a bowl of meatballs from a built-in Cylon weapon known as a microwave. Norman enters, much to Arnie's delight. He cheerfully informs him that he's in time for a fresh batch of meatballs. Norman replies that he should forget the meatballs and he is worried. After a brief discussion over how long he's slaved over the "morsels of heavenly splendor" and Norman's declaration over the fact he doesn't care, Norman asks Arnie what he told the Cylons about the station's security system. Arnie tells him that the conversation involved the Cylon's interest in visiting the station tonight, but that this would be impossible since there are only three sets of keys. Much to Arnie's chagrin, after Norman suggests they call the police, the sad clown reveals that he's known the strangers for only an hour and is concerned over why they're interested in the station.
  • As penance, Arnie tells Norman to take the meatballs and pass them around. Arnie will be out in a minute to make sure they leave nice and quietly. Norman tells him that this could be dangerous, which is when Centuri shows up. Not knowing he's entered, Arnie reminds Norman that he worked his way through school as a bouncer.
  • Arnie notices Centuri's entrance and greets him, saying that they were just talking about him. Centuri asks about their comments regarding "danger", to which Norman replies that the meatballs were dangerous . After a glare from Arnie, Norman adds that they are addictive and they grow on you.
  • This prompts Arnie to tell Centuri to "wait till you sink your chops in one of these". He then proceeds to throw them into the microwave and activate it.
  • Centuri begins to react violently to this, spasming and falling over, knocking over crockery and foodstuff.
  • The guests from the party rush to the kitchen. Mildred goes over to Centuri to check to see if he's all right, commenting that he must have had Arnie's meatballs. Arnie rejects that comment and tells what happened. In the middle of his story, he stumbles on the fact that the microwave may be the cause. Norman dismisses this, unless he had an old pacemaker. They try to remove Centuri's helmet, believing it to be part of the costume.
  • Andromus arrives and asks what they've done. Andromus detects the microwave oven and demands that they turn off the machine. After they fail to do so, he destroys the microwave with the weapon built into his hand.
  • When the microwave explodes, Norman jumps up and accusingly asks if Arnie put gunpowder in the meatballs and barks out for someone to call the fire department.
  • As the guests begin to evacuate, Arnie calls for Wolfman help pick up Centuri. They find that he is very difficult to carry and, upon Andromus' command to rise, Centuri does so. As Centuri tells people to step back from him, Arnie vacates the room. Wolfman tries to follow suit, but Andromus stops him and says they will leave another way.
  • Troy and Dillon run towards The Town House apartment complex. The police and fire department soon arrive.
  • On the floor where Arnie's apartment is, the guests are trying to get out via the elevators. Norman yells at them to use the staircase instead.
  • Troy and Dillon arrive moments later. They approach Arnie's apartment door, while Dillon scans for the signal. He notes that it is getting weaker, which means the Cylons are leaving the building. They head back toward the elevators while Sammy runs towards the burning apartment. He replies that Skippy is in the apartment and rushes in. Troy tells Dillon to pursue the Cylons, while Troy heads toward the apartment. Troy enters the apartment despite the protestations of Mildred.
  • Troy manages to find Sammy. He dips a cloth in the apple bin and instructs Sammy to place it over his nose and mouth, and to breathe through it. They hear the dog barks of Skippy and Troy gets the pet. He returns to the door and instructs Sammy to stay close to the floor, where the air is better.
  • Troy has saved Sammy and is reunited with Mildred and Arnie. Troy makes his exit as Mildred embraces her boy and Skippy is held by Arnie.
  • The firefighters arrive at the scene. They make mention that the floor below is safe and that they can use the stairwell, also mentioning that they can take Sammy to Bellevue for an examination.
  • Colonel Briggs is at the police station. The chief tells Briggs that he is more than happy to assist the government, but is not giving them much to go on. Briggs says that it's an issue under a closed security blanket. This response prompts the chief in a pointed question regarding whether or not his men can be trusted and asks him to explain himself. Briggs replies that "there are things under investigation that do not necessarily seem rational, nor do they present possibility of rational explinations". He believes that the average cop on the street couldn't handle what he has to say.
  • This further angers the chief, who tells him not to underestimate his men.
  • Briggs offers to tell it straight, but says that he better do it alone with the chief. The chief says that Grover is his right man and that everything he hears will also be heard by Grover.
  • Briggs accepts this and tells them that what they are dealing with are aliens. Grover arises from his seated position. The chief asks Grover to give him a few minutes, which he agrees to and departs, politely saying it's a pleasure to meet the Colonel.
  • At Central Park, the lead mugger, still smarting from their encounter with the Warriors, is telling his clowns that the next time he tells them to rush their victims, they rush them. He threatens to find himself some real muscle if they don't do as he says. Tonight, he says, they're going to "teach some lucky dude the meaning of trick-or-treat".
  • Wolfman is walking with the two Cylons through Central Park. He asks them questions about who they are and what they want. Andromus tells him they wish to see the broadcast center, to which an incredulous Wolfman replies, questioning why they'd want to walk 50 blocks.
  • Behind them, Centuri is rushed by the muggers. However, the muggers stop, back away slowly from Centuri and run off. The two muggers run away, with the lead mugger commenting that Halloween night is a bad night for mugging.
  • Wolfman Jack and the Cylons hail a cab, which they enter. The cabbie turns to them in order to ask them where they're going, until he sees Centuri. He stammers the question and is told their destination: the International Trace Center. He hesitantly agrees to the fare.
  • At the police station, Briggs tells his tale. The chief replies that not only is it hard to swallow, but it is ridiculous. He says that he has a fellow officer in a Washington hospital suffering from a "kind of shock that isn't at all ridiculous" and adds that Sydell's brain is "someplace else". The chief replies that they'll say the same thing about him if he agrees to Briggs' request.
  • Briggs reiterates his demand that the Warriors not be harmed. The chief says that while they don't shoot on sight, he says he must alert his men, especially when there's reason to believe there's danger.
  • Grover enters the office and tells the chief that there's a fire over in Central Park. He notes that there's a dozen witnesses in Bellevue that swear that a guy burned down an apartment "with flames coming out of his fingers". The chief rephrases the statement as a question, while Briggs heads out of the office. When asked where he's going, he replies that he's headed toward Bellevue. When asked if he believes the story, he replies sardonically that, "No, of course not." The chief tells Grover to follow them in another car as Grover follows Briggs.
  • The cab pulls up to the ITC. He asks for five bucks to pay the fare.

Act 3[edit]

The damaged Centuri carries Andromus
  • Heading to the roof, Andromus and Centuri begin to position a satellite dish for transmission when Troy and Dillon burst in.
  • Wolfman Jack runs out of the way as the Cylons and Colonials exchange laser fire.
  • Centuri and Andromus are both shot in the exchange.
  • Disoriented, Centuri picks up Andromus and together they stumble off the roof and fall to their doom.
  • The Cylons land right in a garbage truck, which drives past Troy and Dillon as they leave the radio station, their mission complete.

Notes[edit]

  • Apart from the summary of "The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I" at the start of the episode, Jamie Hamilton does not appear during the course of the program, despite the fact Robyn Douglass is credited with appearing in the opening credits.
  • Again, there is much less of an attempt to show educational themes or lessons in this episode than in some others. However, mascots dressed as animated characters do appear in the stage production that Troy and Dillon participate in at one point. Was that put there for the kids, or was that to break up the intensity created by the appearance of Central Park gang members?
  • The song in the background as Wolfman Jack escorts Andromus and Centuri through the corridor of the radio station is "That'll Be The Day" performed by Linda Ronstadt.
  • In a later scene with Wolfman Jack and the two Cylons, "My Life" by Billy Joel begins to play.

Questions[edit]

  • Why didn't the star of the "Good Ship Lollipop" disappear when the Warriors activated their invisibility fields, particularly since anything they've have contact with during the process would also disappear (c.f. "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")?
  • As microwave radiation interferes with Centurions, why wasn't this fact discovered and exploited by the Colonials sooner?
  • Would Andromus and Centuri's bodies be recovered from the dump?

Noteworthy Dialogue[edit]

Arnie and Norman discuss meatballs
Arnie: Norman! Just in time for a fresh batch of meatballs.
Norman: Forget the meatballs, I'm worried.
Arnie: Forget my meatballs? Forget these morsels of heavenly splendor that I spent an hour and a half preparing?
Norman: Arnie, I don't care if you spent a year and a half!
Centuri: You were speaking of danger.
Arnie: (chuckles) Da- Danger? No, I, uh... (point to Norman) Did you say anything about danger?
Norman: Nnono. Uh, well, I, uh, I said that it was dangerous, I mean the meatballs. (Arnie glares at Norman) I mean, you take one, and, uh, you have to take another. And they just grow on you.

Guest Stars[edit]