In this first episode of Sci-Fi Therapy, hosts Mark (a theologian) and Nilima (a psychotherapist) introduce their podcast's deep dive into Battlestar Galactica (2006). They explain the show's setting, where humanity lives across twelve planets, each named after a zodiac sign. The humans, who created artificial intelligence (the Cylons), are in conflict after the Cylons rebelled. The episode also introduces faster-than-light travel and the tension between humans and Cylons after a 40-year armistice ends with a devastating attack.

In the pilot episode of Battlestar Galactica, the Cylons launch a surprise attack, and the human race is pushed to the brink of extinction. The story unfolds on the Battlestar Galactica, an older military ship being decommissioned, and focuses on key characters like Commander Adama, his estranged son Apollo, the feisty pilot Starbuck, and the controversial Dr. Gaius Baltar, who is secretly aiding the Cylons. As the Cylon threat intensifies, the survivors struggle to maintain order, leading to a dramatic cliffhanger where the fate of key characters is uncertain.

The podcast provides both a psychological and theological lens on the show's themes of artificial intelligence, human identity, and survival.

In the 2nd part of the pilot Episode Mark and Nilima talk about Lee Adama and his father and what blame, grief and the need for approval mean in a parent-child relationship. They take a look at how authority works and how humans behave under pressure and if Gaius Baltar, despite being absolutely despicable, could actually be some sort of prophet. They end by circling back to the pilot’s core: in chaos, people want structure—and Adama/Roslin create it by dividing military vs. civilian leadership—while the show keeps dangling the question: is any of this “God’s will,” or just humans and Cylons making meaning out of horror?