andr205s

Andromeda Main Page | Episode Guide | Links

Last Call at the Broken Hammer - Episode #205 (spoilers below!) (Click here for review)

With the Andromeda "still in the shop" Dylan, Beka, Tyr and Trance are searching for Isabel Ortiz (former president of a 20 system alliance). She was known for compassion and skill before the Kalderans overran the alliance and Dylan believes she would be a powerful advocate for the Commonwealth. Dylan explains that the Kalderans were only a reluctant part of the Commonwealth, having been forced into the old empire by the Vedrans.

Trance suggests looking for her on the hardest hit planet of the alliance (Svarrog's Anvil) where they end up in a bar ("The Broken Hammer') passing around a flexi picture of Isabel Ortiz (a blond fair skinned young women). They see a women who appears to be Ortiz, but when Dylan shouts her name a friend (Gorejon) draws and is in turn shot when Dylan, Tyr and Beka draw their weapons. Beka says they have Commonwealth firepower and a Nietzschean followed by the bartender (Saphia) calling off the fight.

The blond women turns out to be a doctor who cares for Gorejon and only agrees to talk to Dylan when Saphia says she thinks he can be trusted. They claim Ortiz was killed by a bounty hunter and Cory took her identify to keep medical supplies coming for a clinic Ortiz helped Cory start. Dylan is skeptical and says friends sent him to find her before the Kalderans do. However, soon a Kalderan scout ship finds them and begins shelling the bar. A pregnant women (Jadis) panics and tries to leave but is restrained since the bar used to be a bunker and is the safest place.

Dylan is convinced Cory is Ortiz since she insists on protecting the people. He and Tyr set up force lances in artillery intercept mode followed by Tyr going to take out the Kalderan mortar while Dylan organizes the Bar "residents".

Trance promises to protect Jadis who lost her family to the Kalderans and her husband to the mines. A large alien (Hsigo) want to turn over Ortiz, but backs down when Trance stands up to him (she says she "must be crazy or very dangerous"). Saphia takes non-combatants to the back, but incoming rounds kill Gorejon and blow off Trance's tail.

While Cory helps Trance (with alcohol to dull the pain), Dylan has them start making grenades from ammonia and chlorine they have on hand. He gives Beka a pep talk and then talks with Cory about restoring the Commonwealth, which she admires but has personally "given up".

Tyr returns having taken out the mortars, but saying another ship is landing. When the Kalderans attempt to enter they are deterred initially and Cory wants to give herself up. However, Jadis (armed by Saphia and told to protect her baby) kills her to try to end the fight. Trance calms Jadis down, saying she will have a healthy baby girl and that perhaps her child will do good to make up for what she has done.

As the shelling restarts Saphia feels guilty for giving Jadis the gun while Dylan realizes Ortiz would have changed her looks to hide herself and decides Saphia is actually Ortiz. She admits this saying Cory was a Corps woman in her bodyguards and had suggested they switch identities. Dylan tells Tyr the truth, but when Hsigo overhears this he tries to kill Ortiz, himself being killed by Dylan, Tyr and Beka and it turns out he was a Kalderan spy. Ortiz blames herself for the alliance's fall since she panicked when the Kalderans attacked. She is afraid and want to surrender but Dylan stops her.

Dylan has Tyr leave Cory's body outside, knowing the Kalderans have a pack mentality and will take some time to test her DNA and decide what to do next. Tyr manages to take out the other mortar battery forcing the Kalderans to enter (in packs) the apparently empty bar. Dylan has them attack from hiding using grenades and guns to kill all the Kalderans as they file in. Trance even kills one to protect Jadis and Dylan kills one hand to hand.

The next morning they clear away the bodies and Trance says she is alright but her (missing) tail itches. Dylan tells Ortiz her friends think she's worth dying for. He tells Jadis she was wrong, but wants her to take care of her child. They now plan to go to the Sinti Board and tell them Ortiz is dead, but Saphia agrees to go with them as Ortiz, glad to be back in the fight!

Synopsis 11/06/01 by Larry Kramer

Andromeda Main Page | Episode Guide | Links