"Retribution" expands on last week's episodes with short bursts of energy in several directions, before settling down to a more manageable level without much of a forward push. Of course, Caprica, unlike Battlestar Galactica, is not a show which lives off twists and intensity, so the momentary flashes were odd, especially since everything died down in the end.
The biggest problem, though, are the heavily stylized flashbacks which were wholly unnecessary. There's lots of closeups, camera shaking, and harsh lighting, but no substance other than a recap of Amanda's uninspiring time in the hospital. I'm hoping this aspect of the episode, maddening already on The Event in a more basic form, doesn't carry over for the rest of the episode.
Daniel continues down the gangster path, threatening a few board members, even pushing one to suicide. However, he's soon forgotten among the mix of plots and is more of an afterthought by the end of the episode. Still, though, the setup is there and Amanda has a good idea of what's going on.
After Lacy's failed bombing (worst terrorist ever?), Clarice cleans up the STO members involved, taking out two students, and finally, poor Barnabas. Lacy, though, is taken captive instead of killed. The police investigation has zeroed in on Clarice, and when Agent Durham asks Amanda about Clarice, she realizes the truth. But when she returns back to the cabin, she finds a distraught Clarice, and instead of shooting her, stays by her side.
Score: 8.7/10
