As the sun rises on Caprica, Starbuck and Anders discover that the Cylons have vanished. Brother Cavil (Dean Stockwell) declares it a miracle. But when they return to Galactica, they discover that Cavil himself is a Cylon, and he has a message for them: The Heroes of the Cylon—Number Six and Sharon—have persuaded the leadership that the attempt to destroy the humans was an error. From now on they will live apart, in peace.

While voting continues in the presidential election, President Roslin approaches Baltar with the proposal that the winner agree to postpone colonization of the newly discovered planet until further study can be carried out. When Baltar spurns her offer, she realizes she must choose between stealing the election—and thus denying the will of the people—or letting a man they suspect to be a Cylon collaborator take power.