The Fleet continues through the black void while Apollo and Starbuck visit Boomer in the Life Station as he and the other pilots recover.
Meanwhile Adama and Tigh discuss the void. Adama explains to Tigh about the Book of the Word, where it mentions a void in which the ancestors of the Twelve Colonies once lived. Not long after Adam and Tigh learn of a blip on the scanners. Adama orders a patrol to investigate. The blip is in fact Cylon Raiding party waiting a patrol so they can capture a Colonial Warrior.
Tigh pulls Apollo and Starbuck for the mission but Serina requests she come along, being Apollo's wingman. While they argue Starbuck takes the opportunity to launch Apollo's viper in his place. Apollo and Serina launch shortly after. While the three argue Starbuck ends up captured by the Cylons. Starbuck is quickly brought before Baltar, who informs him that there is a change in the Cylon Empire favorable to humans and that he is there as an envoy of peace and will release Starbuck at the right moment.
Back on board Galactica Apollo and Serina agree to be married, believing that would be what the presumably dead Starbuck would want. Adama performs the ceremony, but just as it's completed, a single star appears and Adama orders to scan for a planet in orbit. Adama then explains he is searching for the planet Kobol. Adama, Apollo and the others land on the surface of the planet, where there are pyramids and ruins.
Meanwhile Lucifer reports to Baltar that a star has appeared and guided Galactica to a dead planet. Baltar recognizes a chance to spring a trap. Adama, Serina, and Apollo explore the ruins. Apollo realizes that Adama is hoping to find the location of the thirteenth tribe (and Earth) by looking here. The three find the entrance to the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol, Serina recognizes that Adama's medallion is the same as the seal on the tomb, and it acts as a key to open it. They enter to find a room that contains a sarcophagus. Baltar appears, greeting them. Adama attacks him, but is stopped by Apollo. Baltar claims that he did not betray the colonies, and that he was spared to lure them into another trap through a message of peace through a new and more benevolent Cylon ruler. He then claims he has the means to lead Galactica to launch a devastating counterattack. As proof of his good intentions, he has released Starbuck. Adama refuses to believe and that the only safe path to take is to follow the thirteenth tribe, who founded Earth.
Believing Baltar's plan has failed, Lucifer orders an attack on the Galactica. Starbuck returns to the camp and informs the others of the basestar just outside sensor range, causing Apollo to order the breaking of the camp. Apollo then brings Baltar back to Adama in the tomb. He informs Adama of the basestar, suggesting they leave while they can. Adama initially refuses, until Baltar sets off a trap, causing the tomb and the map leading to the Earth to be destroyed.
Cylon raiders begin attacking the Colonials on the surface. The now recovered male warriors join the combat, and the Colonials start dealing heavy losses to the raiders. The raiders are routed, and the Vipers are recalled to Galactica.
Starbuck encounters Adama, Apollo, and Serina as they exit the tomb. As the group is about to leave, a Centurion steps out and shoots Serina in the back. Apollo kills the Centurion, but the damage is done.
Back aboard Galactica, Boxey is brought to Serina, who is dying. When Apollo and Boxy emerge from the room Serina is dead. Apollo tells Boxey that he will look after him now, and that he will make a fine warrior.
Tropes:
- Ancient Astronauts: The thirteen tribes of Kobol, who left their planet as their sun began to die and their once amazing civilization was destroyed.
- Big Damn Heroes: The barely standing male pilots rescue the on-the-ground warriors.
- Chekhov's Gun: Adama's medallion.
- Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Baltar places himself in a position where he could backstab the Cylons or the Fleet (or both at once) with even the audience unsure where he actually intends to put the knife. It all ends with him pinned under rubble at the bottom of the pyramid when both sides refuse to trust him.
- Confusion Fu: Used to handwave why these New Meat female pilots don't suffer more casualties; the Cylons were confused by their erratic flying because they're Incompletely Trained.
- Deadpan Snarker: Boomer pulls his off perfectly.Tigh: "You can barely stand!"Boomer: "A Viper is flown from a seated position."
- Gut Punch: Just when it appears that everyone (besides Baltar) is going to make it to the end of the episode, Serina gets shot and killed.
- Jump Scare: Serina is understandably startled when she spots a corpse inside the tomb she and the others are exploring.
- Killed Off for Real: Serina.
- Man Hug: Apollo and Starbuck share this when the latter was released by the Cylons.Starbuck: Hey, hey, hey. It's against regulations to hug a junior officer - unless you mean it.Apollo: We thought you were dead!
- Moment Killer: Apollo and Serina's wedding is interrupted by the discovery of Kobol's dying sun.
- Mummy: Several (non-living) mummified corpses are found inside the tomb of the last Lord of Kobol. Most are the remains of tomb robbers, while the other is the Lord himself.
- Oh, Crap!: Starbuck's reaction upon being surrounded by a squadron of Cylon fighters.
- Pyramid Power: Pyramids are all over the place (thanks in part to filming taking place in real-life Egypt).
- Sarcasm-Blind: While the girls are talking combat, Starbuck and Apollo (the two senior warriors) are left out and stuck having to talk about interior decorating. When Serina finally remembers they're there, she innocently asks if they feel left out. Apollo actually rolls his eyes annoyed.
