Star-Crossed

Shortly after this episode opens Andromeda receives a distress call from a freighter that is being attacked by the Restorians. It is destroyed but a single escape pod manages to get away. There is a single survivor on board; a humanoid android who identifies himself as Gabriel; a teacher. It isn't long before he starts developing a relationship with Andromeda's physical avatar. While this is going on members of the Free Trade Alliance turn up offering to help Andromeda fight the Resters. They also have some interesting information about the Rester's ship; it was formally a Commonwealth warship, the 'Balance of Judgment', and it significantly outguns Andromeda. Unfortunately things don't go to plan and the crew worry that Andromeda is too distracted by Gabriel to function properly... or is there a more sinister reason for the operation to have failed?

It was nice to see an episode very much centred on Rommie; she may be an android but she as at least as important as the rest of the crew. We see that she is an emotional being rather than just a robot who looks human. The story between her and Gabriel is interesting although we learn a few details about him a little too early. Lexa Doig does a really fine job as Rommie and guest star Michael Shanks is solid as Gabriel. The fights with the Resters provide some impressive action as missiles fly and ships are destroyed. Overall a solid story which provides both action and emotional content.