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{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}}{{disambiguation|Baltar (TOS)|the canonical depiction of this character}}
{{Separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch Novelizations}}{{disambiguation|Baltar (TOS)|the canonical depiction of this character}}


'''Baltar''' is the greatest traitor in human history, a former advisor to the [[Adar (TOS alternate)|President of the Quorum]] who orchestrated the betrayal of the [[Twelve Colonies of Man (TOS-RH)|Twelve Colonies]] to the [[Cylons (TOS-RH)|Cylons]], leading to the near-extinction of humanity.<ref name="WAR88">{{cite book/RH|2|88}}</ref> Despite his infamy, Baltar survives for decades after, serving the Cylons before eventually being captured by the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]] and living among the survivors he betrayed.<ref name="ARM26">{{cite book/RH|1|26}}</ref> In his final act, he achieves redemption through self-sacrifice, destroying a massive Cylon armada to save the fleet.<ref name="DES220">{{cite book/RH|6|220}}</ref> Following his death, Baltar transcends mortality, continuing to assist the colonials from beyond the grave as a spectral presence on the astral plane.<ref name="RED198">{{cite book/RH|7|198}}</ref>
 
'''Baltar''' is the greatest traitor in human history, a former advisor to the [[President of the Quorum (TOS-RH)|President of the Quorum]] who orchestrated the betrayal of the [[Twelve Colonies of Man (TOS-RH)|Twelve Colonies]] to the [[Cylons (TOS-RH)|Cylons]], leading to the near-extinction of humanity.<ref name="WAR88">{{cite book/RH|2|88}}</ref> Despite his infamy, Baltar survives for decades after, serving the Cylons before eventually being captured by the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]] and living among the survivors he betrayed.<ref name="ARM26">{{cite book/RH|1|26}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
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===Early Life and Political Career===
===Early Life and Political Career===


Baltar serves as advisor to the President of the Quorum before the Fall of the Colonies.<ref name="ARM26" /> Despite his ambitions, he is passed over repeatedly for the Presidency of the Quorum itself, leading him to realize he will never attain that post through legitimate means.<ref name="WAR88" /> Even if he had achieved the presidency, he recognizes he would still have to contend with the eleven other councilors. This frustration, combined with his belief that he needs to rule absolutely, sets him on his path to betrayal.
Baltar serves as advisor to the President of the Quorum before the Fall of the Colonies.<ref name="ARM26" /> Despite his ambitions, he is passed over repeatedly for the Presidency of the Quorum itself, leading him to realize he will never attain that post through legitimate means.<ref name="WAR88" /> Even if he had achieved the presidency, he recognizes he would still have to contend with the eleven other councilors.<ref name="WAR88" /> This frustration, combined with his belief that he needs to rule absolutely, sets him on his path to betrayal.<ref name="WAR88" />


Baltar is of the same blood as [[Adama (TOS-RH)|Commander Adama]], a son of [[Kobol (TOS-RH)|Kobol]].<ref name="REB96">{{cite book/RH|4|96}}</ref>
Baltar is of the same blood as [[Adama (TOS-RH)|Commander Adama]], a son of [[Kobol (TOS-RH)|Kobol]].<ref name="REB96">{{cite book/RH|4|96}}</ref>
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===The Great Betrayal===
===The Great Betrayal===


After nearly a millennium of warfare between humanity and the Cylons, Baltar devises a scheme to end the war and simultaneously seize absolute power.<ref name="WAR88" /> He orchestrates a false peace initiative with the Cylons, planning for the Cylon Empire to conquer the human race with his assistance.<ref name="WAR25">{{cite book/RH|2|25}}</ref> In exchange, Baltar believes he will rule humanity as regent under the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]], so long as he does not defy Cylon authority.
After nearly a millennium of warfare between humanity and the Cylons, Baltar devises a scheme to end the war and simultaneously seize absolute power.<ref name="WAR88" /> He orchestrates a false peace initiative with the Cylons, planning for the Cylon Empire to conquer the human race with his assistance.<ref name="WAR25">{{cite book/RH|2|25}}</ref> In exchange, Baltar believes he will rule humanity as regent under the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]], so long as he does not defy Cylon authority.<ref name="WAR88" />


Baltar aids the Cylons in deceiving the Quorum, ensuring the Colonies are dealt a devastating defeat. He justifies his actions with the twisted logic that a few million lives are acceptable losses when measured against what he perceives as the future well-being and long-term survival of the human race under his leadership. However, the Cylons betray Baltar's expectations completely—the Imperious Leader seeks nothing less than the complete eradication of humanity from the galaxy.
Baltar aids the Cylons in deceiving the Quorum, ensuring the Colonies are dealt a devastating defeat.<ref name="WAR88" /> He justifies his actions with the twisted logic that a few million lives are acceptable losses when measured against what he perceives as the future well-being and long-term survival of the human race under his leadership.<ref name="WAR88" /> However, the Cylons betray Baltar's expectations completely—the Imperious Leader seeks nothing less than the complete eradication of humanity from the galaxy.<ref name="WAR88" />


===Service to the Cylons===
===Service to the Cylons===


Following the betrayal, Baltar spends eighteen [[yahren]] working with the Cylons, attempting to track down the fleeing [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]] and destroy the last remnants of humanity.<ref name="WAR25" /> During this time, he does whatever is necessary to survive, continuing to obey the Imperious Leader while trying to consolidate some power among the Cylons, only to be betrayed repeatedly.
Following the betrayal, Baltar spends eighteen [[yahren]] working with the Cylons, attempting to track down the fleeing [[Colonial Fleet (TOS-RH)|Colonial Fleet]] and destroy the last remnants of humanity.<ref name="WAR25" /> During this time, he does whatever is necessary to survive, continuing to obey the Imperious Leader while trying to consolidate some power among the Cylons, only to be betrayed repeatedly.<ref name="WAR88" />


Baltar commands a [[Cylon basestar (TOS-RH)|Cylon base star]] for a time, with [[Lucifer (TOS-RH)|Lucifer]] serving as his aide.<ref name="ARM27">{{cite book/RH|1|27}}</ref> However, the Imperious Leader eventually relieves Baltar of command, demoting him to mere advisor while elevating Lucifer to command of the base star. Baltar despises Lucifer, particularly the cogitator's amused tone when saying "By your command."
Baltar commands a [[Cylon basestar (TOS-RH)|Cylon base star]] for a time, with [[Lucifer (TOS-RH)|Lucifer]] serving as his aide.<ref name="ARM27">{{cite book/RH|1|27}}</ref> However, the Imperious Leader eventually relieves Baltar of command, demoting him to mere advisor while elevating Lucifer to command of the base star.<ref name="ARM27" /> Baltar despises Lucifer, particularly the cogitator's amused tone when saying "By your command."<ref name="ARM27" />


During his time among the Cylons, Baltar learns much about their three castes: the nearly mindless [[Cylon Centurions (TOS-RH)|Centurions]], the Imperious Leader himself, and higher-functioning Cylons like Lucifer who possess two brains and serve as officers.<ref name="ARM26" /> He discovers that when an Imperious Leader dies—Cylon lifespans extend beyond two centuries—a new leader is chosen from the ranks of cogitators, who receive a third brain that grants them the capacity for abstract thought and limitless knowledge.<ref name="RES89">{{cite book/RH|3|89}}</ref>
During his time among the Cylons, Baltar learns much about their three castes: the nearly mindless [[Cylon Centurions (TOS-RH)|Centurions]], the Imperious Leader himself, and higher-functioning Cylons like Lucifer who possess two brains and serve as officers.<ref name="ARM26" /> He discovers that when an Imperious Leader dies—Cylon lifespans extend beyond two centuries—a new leader is chosen from the ranks of cogitators, who receive a third brain that grants them the capacity for abstract thought and limitless knowledge.<ref name="RES89">{{cite book/RH|3|89}}</ref>


Baltar also learns critical information about [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]], the ancient being who created the Cylon race millennia earlier through genetic splicing of the reptilian natives of planet [[Cylon (planet) (TOS-RH)|Cylon]] and cybernetic technology, programming them with two species goals: conquest of the universe and extermination of humanity.<ref name="WAR163">{{cite book/RH|2|163}}</ref> Before his death, Iblis prepared an Imperious Leader with all his wisdom and knowledge to carry on in his place, though cogitators consider Iblis largely mythical.<ref name="WAR164">{{cite book/RH|2|164}}</ref> When Baltar faces execution, Iblis offers him information sufficient to save his life.
Baltar also learns critical information about [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]], the ancient being who created the Cylon race millennia earlier through genetic splicing of the reptilian natives of planet [[Cylon (planet) (TOS-RH)|Cylon]] and cybernetic technology, programming them with two species goals: conquest of the universe and extermination of humanity.<ref name="WAR163">{{cite book/RH|2|163}}</ref> Before his death, Iblis prepared an Imperious Leader with all his wisdom and knowledge to carry on in his place, though cogitators consider Iblis largely mythical.<ref name="WAR164">{{cite book/RH|2|164}}</ref> When Baltar faces execution, Iblis offers him information sufficient to save his life.<ref name="WAR164" />


===Return to the Fleet===
===Return to the Fleet===


Eventually, Baltar is captured by Colonial forces and brought back to the fleet. Rather than being executed, he is placed under a form of house arrest with a tracking device implanted around his ankle that causes pain when he strays too far from his designated quarters.<ref name="REB96" /> This [[tracebomb]] implant is controversial, with some Quorum members like [[Kiera|Siress Kiera]] objecting to it as an inhuman form of punishment.<ref name="WAR25" />
Eventually, Baltar is captured by Colonial forces and brought back to the fleet.<ref name="WAR88" /> Rather than being executed, he is placed under a form of house arrest with a tracking device implanted around his ankle that causes pain when he strays too far from his designated quarters.<ref name="REB96" /> This [[tracebomb]] implant is controversial, with some Quorum members like [[Kiera|Siress Kiera]] objecting to it as an inhuman form of punishment.<ref name="WAR25" />


[[Apollo (TOS-RH)|Commander Apollo]] takes personal responsibility for Baltar, allowing him relative freedom in exchange for information about the Cylons and strategic advice. The Council's leniency stems partly from Baltar's extensive knowledge of Cylon capabilities and partly from political considerations. However, Baltar remains a pariah among the fleet's citizens, his name snarled with disgust by the average person.<ref name="WAR88" />
[[Apollo (TOS-RH)|Commander Apollo]] takes personal responsibility for Baltar, allowing him relative freedom in exchange for information about the Cylons and strategic advice.<ref name="REB96" /> The Council's leniency stems partly from Baltar's extensive knowledge of Cylon capabilities and partly from political considerations.<ref name="REB96" /> However, Baltar remains a pariah among the fleet's citizens, his name snarled with disgust by the average person.<ref name="WAR88" />


Despite the restrictions, Baltar manages to acquire luxuries like ambrosa through sympathetic individuals who don't view him as the monster most citizens believe him to be.<ref name="WAR161">{{cite book/RH|2|161}}</ref> He develops a particularly notable friendship with Siress Kiera, appearing with her in public multiple times, which causes considerable controversy within the Quorum.<ref name="WAR69">{{cite book/RH|2|69}}</ref> President [[Tigh (TOS-RH)|Tigh]] is especially incensed by this relationship and seeks a formal censure against Kiera, though the Quorum only issues a private reprimand. Tigh warns that if Kiera continues appearing publicly with Baltar, he will have the traitor imprisoned for life on ''[[Icarus (TOS-RH)|Icarus]]''.
Despite the restrictions, Baltar manages to acquire luxuries like ambrosa through sympathetic individuals who don't view him as the monster most citizens believe him to be.<ref name="WAR161">{{cite book/RH|2|161}}</ref> He develops a particularly notable friendship with Siress Kiera, appearing with her in public multiple times, which causes considerable controversy within the Quorum.<ref name="WAR69">{{cite book/RH|2|69}}</ref> President [[Tigh (TOS-RH)|Tigh]] is especially incensed by this relationship and seeks a formal censure against Kiera, though the Quorum only issues a private reprimand.<ref name="WAR69" /> Tigh warns that if Kiera continues appearing publicly with Baltar, he will have the traitor imprisoned for life on ''[[Icarus (TOS-RH)|Icarus]]''.<ref name="WAR69" />


===Attempts at Redemption===
===Attempts at Redemption===
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However, Baltar's true nature occasionally surfaces. When alone with [[Cain (TOS-RH)|Commander Cain]], he drops his pretense entirely, revealing pride in his accomplishments and showing no remorse for his actions.<ref name="WAR161" /> He demonstrates a philosophy that rejects concepts of good and evil, instead viewing life as a series of "choices."<ref name="REB97">{{cite book/RH|4|97}}</ref>
However, Baltar's true nature occasionally surfaces. When alone with [[Cain (TOS-RH)|Commander Cain]], he drops his pretense entirely, revealing pride in his accomplishments and showing no remorse for his actions.<ref name="WAR161" /> He demonstrates a philosophy that rejects concepts of good and evil, instead viewing life as a series of "choices."<ref name="REB97">{{cite book/RH|4|97}}</ref>


Despite his past, Baltar provides valuable intelligence to the fleet on multiple occasions. He offers the coordinates of a supposedly habitable planet unknown to the Cylons, knowledge he acquired during his time serving them.<ref name="RES27">{{cite book/RH|3|27}}</ref> He insists his continued well-being is tied to the fleet's survival and claims his only future lies in redeeming himself with the colonials.
Despite his past, Baltar provides valuable intelligence to the fleet on multiple occasions. He offers the coordinates of a supposedly habitable planet unknown to the Cylons, knowledge he acquired during his time serving them.<ref name="RES27">{{cite book/RH|3|27}}</ref> He insists his continued well-being is tied to the fleet's survival and claims his only future lies in redeeming himself with the colonials.<ref name="RES27" />


===Conspiracy and Vindication===
===Conspiracy and Vindication===
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During a period of political upheaval, Baltar becomes entangled in a conspiracy orchestrated by Sire [[Aron (TOS-RH)|Aron]]. When Apollo is falsely accused of murdering [[Jinkrat]], Baltar emerges from the shadows to help uncover the truth.<ref name="REB185">{{cite book/RH|4|185}}</ref> Working with [[Koren (TOS-RH)|Koren]], the son of Jinkrat, Baltar helps prove Apollo's innocence by allowing the boy to testify that his father died saving Apollo, not at Apollo's hand.<ref name="REB240">{{cite book/RH|4|240}}</ref>
During a period of political upheaval, Baltar becomes entangled in a conspiracy orchestrated by Sire [[Aron (TOS-RH)|Aron]]. When Apollo is falsely accused of murdering [[Jinkrat]], Baltar emerges from the shadows to help uncover the truth.<ref name="REB185">{{cite book/RH|4|185}}</ref> Working with [[Koren (TOS-RH)|Koren]], the son of Jinkrat, Baltar helps prove Apollo's innocence by allowing the boy to testify that his father died saving Apollo, not at Apollo's hand.<ref name="REB240">{{cite book/RH|4|240}}</ref>


When Aron attempts to kill Apollo during the tribunal, Baltar physically grapples with the conspirator, forcing his laser blast astray and saving Apollo's life.<ref name="REB241">{{cite book/RH|4|241}}</ref> In this moment, Baltar displays genuine courage and looks like "a true member of the Council" and "the great Lord he could once have been."<ref name="REB240" /> His actions during this crisis demonstrate that despite his history, Baltar is capable of acting selflessly when circumstances demand it.
When Aron attempts to kill Apollo during the tribunal, Baltar physically grapples with the conspirator, forcing his laser blast astray and saving Apollo's life.<ref name="REB241">{{cite book/RH|4|241}}</ref> In this moment, Baltar displays genuine courage and looks like "a true member of the Council" and "the great Lord he could once have been."<ref name="REB240" /> His actions during this crisis demonstrate that despite his history, Baltar is capable of acting selflessly when circumstances demand it.<ref name="REB240" />
 
During the confrontation with Aron, Baltar makes a critical statement to the Council: "I'm not lying now, Aron. I am telling the truth!" This moment represents a turning point where Baltar openly acknowledges his past deceptions while insisting on his present honesty.
 
===Cylon Mental Invasion===
 
During the fleet's time on [[Paradis (TOS-RH)|Paradis]], Baltar experiences recurring invasions of his consciousness by the [[Imperious Leader (TOS-RH)|Imperious Leader]].<ref name="DES6">{{cite book/RH|6|6}}</ref> The Cylons wire his brain, using his gray matter as a potential homing beacon for the Cylon fleet while simultaneously flooding his mind with visions of the Cylon homeworld in the midst of civil war. These telepathic intrusions manifest as nightmares featuring red Cylon eyes that won't leave him in peace, continuing even when he is awake.<ref name="DES5">{{cite book/RH|6|5}}</ref>
 
The mental torture proves nearly unbearable. Baltar is shown terrible visions of Cylon society and warfare, starved for explanations but instead tortured with vision upon vision.<ref name="DES139">{{cite book/RH|6|139}}</ref> He later reflects that "there is no greater torture than to be shown and not told." The Imperious Leader projects concepts directly into Baltar's mind, using words to ensure absolute understanding when necessary, while other times simply overwhelming him with incomprehensible alien vistas.
 
Through these forced mental connections, Baltar learns that the Imperious Leader destroyed Paradis using a powerful ray weapon capable of destroying entire planets.<ref name="DES91">{{cite book/RH|6|91}}</ref> The weapon was directed through a spacetime warp, which weakened its effect and required considerable time to build up the necessary destructive force. Baltar realizes the Cylons have found the fleet's location and are coming with overwhelming force.<ref name="DES140">{{cite book/RH|6|140}}</ref>
 
The mental invasion creates a dichotomous existence for Baltar—at times he seems aware of what happens in his physical surroundings while simultaneously experiencing the Cylon visions.<ref name="DES138">{{cite book/RH|6|138}}</ref> He shares this intelligence with Apollo, warning that the Cylons are evolving and that their civil war will only make whichever faction survives stronger and more dangerous.
 
===Final Sacrifice===
 
When a massive Cylon armada approaches the fleet near Paradis, Baltar makes his ultimate choice.<ref name="DES220" /> He escapes from the Med Lab by rendering his guard unconscious with a karate chop, breaking a wine glass in the process and regretting he never thought of a proper toast.<ref name="DES191">{{cite book/RH|6|191}}</ref>
 
Baltar commandeers his old ship and prepares an elaborate trap for the approaching Cylon fleet. He contacts Apollo one final time, mocking Sire Uri and the Council while revealing his plan: "Don't worry about it. I'm about to give the council a lesson in applied civics. Good government must always make some provision for defense." When Apollo asks what he intends to do, Baltar responds: "Watch and enjoy the show. You can say goodbye to the council if you'd like. I'm too busy. I'm about to say goodbye to the Cylons!"
 
The Cylon force is so massive that Apollo can see them from the view port even at a safe distance. Baltar's sense of timing is matched only by his sense of the theatrical.<ref name="DES221">{{cite book/RH|6|221}}</ref> The Cylons never anticipate the attack—Baltar prepares his ship using solonite bombs confiscated from Sire Uri, but combines them with something far more powerful, demonstrating a working knowledge of [[tylium]]'s potential.
 
The resulting explosion has the force of a small sun, consuming the Cylon ships in a brief moment that seems to stretch to infinity. Apollo shouts warnings that no one should look directly at the blinding flash that sends Baltar on his final journey. The mega-explosion wipes out the largest armada of Cylon ships, matching in scale the destruction Baltar helped bring down on his home planet of Caprica—practicing an eye for an eye, "even when a watery human one was paid for with a bright red glow of hate."<ref name="DES132">{{cite book/RH|6|132}}</ref>
 
In the aftermath, when [[Sheba (TOS-RH)|Sheba]] asks what happened, Apollo places his hand against the viewing port and delivers what serves as Baltar's epitaph: "An extraordinary human being just found his way home." Apollo wonders if Baltar's theory about duplicate brains creating other selves might be true, imagining "a succession of Baltars in imperial robes striding down the corridors of time."
 
===Posthumous Existence===
 
Following his sacrificial death, Baltar discovers that death does not end his consciousness.<ref name="RED93">{{cite book/RH|7|93}}</ref> As a materialist who assumed death would bring nullity, he finds himself profoundly disturbed by the realization that he continues to think and experience existence beyond mortality. The transition from life to death brings no pain, but the shock of having thoughts after death forces him to confront an unexpected reality.
 
Baltar's first challenge in his posthumous state involves integrating his fragmented consciousness.<ref name="RED94">{{cite book/RH|7|94}}</ref> The Cylons' practice of cloning his brain and duplicating his mind creates thousands of Baltars, each insisting it is the one true Baltar.<ref name="RED93" /> Through sheer force of will, he brings all the random and quarreling memories under the control of one contemporary mind, spending what feels like an eternity dealing with competing personas and whispering voices claiming to be the true Baltar while dismissing all others as simulacrums.


Once he achieves mental integration, Baltar begins an inventory of his crimes, contemplating the names and lives of each victim who died because of him. In his current state, he has access to all this information—millions of individual lives destroyed by his betrayal. Feeling remorse for the dead becomes a necessary requirement to move forward, and he begins to re-imagine his body, starting with his head and eventually completing the reconstruction down to his feet.<ref name="RED95">{{cite book/RH|7|95}}</ref>
During the confrontation with Aron, Baltar makes a critical statement to the Council: "I'm not lying now, Aron. I am telling the truth!"<ref name="REB240" /> This moment represents a turning point where Baltar openly acknowledges his past deceptions while insisting on his present honesty.<ref name="REB240" />


Eventually, "windows" begin to open—portals through which Baltar can observe events in the living universe. He is amazed to discover that only a short time has passed since his death, rather than the millions of years he expected based on the eternities he experienced while dead. Time flows differently for the dead than for the living, and he realizes he might be able to open windows to both past and future.
===Final Days===


Baltar decides to explore the possibility of communicating with the living, though he doesn't initially know what is possible. He succeeds in brief contact with the spacetime continuum by linking to living human brains with which he has an affinity—particularly Apollo and [[Gar'Tokk (TOS-RH)|Gar'Tokk]].<ref name="RED177">{{cite book/RH|7|177}}</ref> However, his early attempts prove frustrating—he can make himself seen and heard briefly, but cannot sustain contact long enough for effective communication. A more powerful force sometimes blocks his attempts at breaking through, bathed in powerful blue light.
Eventually, Baltar achieves a measure of freedom from his internal torments. In his final moments, he tells Apollo across a communication channel: "For the Lords of Kobol, I go to meet what fate the Gods have in store for me. You died bravely, Baltar."<ref name="REB246">{{cite book/RH|4|246}}</ref> Before the connection ends, he delivers a dire warning about an approaching Cylon assault: "But your fate approaches too, Apollo. You must meet it with every ounce of courage that you have. Your father never faced such a challenge. The Cylons are coming, Apollo. Coming in all their might. And I know better than any man how weak the fleet is now. May the Light of the Lords of Kobol shine on you."<ref name="REB246" />


===Redemption Through Service===
His final words are cut short: "I will see you no—"<ref name="REB246" /> The implication is clear that Baltar dies shortly after delivering this warning, having achieved some form of peace and freedom from the Imperious Leader's mental control that had plagued him for decades.<ref name="REB246" />
 
When the fleet discovers survivors of the Thirteenth Tribe who unknowingly carry a deadly plague, Baltar intensifies his efforts to communicate with Apollo.<ref name="RED136">{{cite book/RH|7|136}}</ref> Through laborious communication—Apollo writing down garbled words until complete sentences emerge—Baltar delivers urgent warnings about the danger threatening Sheba and others. They develop a painstaking system: every time Apollo hears a word clearly, he writes it down; when a word comes through garbled, Apollo raises his hand and Baltar repeats it until every syllable is audible.
 
Baltar's first coherent messages warn about the Thirteenth Tribe survivors and urge Apollo to consult Gar'Tokk's translations.<ref name="RED137">{{cite book/RH|7|137}}</ref> His cryptic references prove accurate—the survivors carry a plague that devastated the ancient Kobollians, and resuscitating them without precautions threatens the entire fleet.<ref name="RED139">{{cite book/RH|7|139}}</ref>
 
Baltar makes a crucial breakthrough when he realizes he is being pulled toward another entity in the Paradis system.<ref name="RED178">{{cite book/RH|7|178}}</ref> Investigating this magnetic influence, he discovers the Cylon basestar laboratory containing living brains in an activated solution—including one of his own cloned brains. This provides him with the additional energy source he needs for sustained contact with the living world.
 
During Apollo's desperate search for a cure to the plague, Baltar appears in a dreamlike underwater realm where Apollo struggles to breathe in what seems like liquid air.<ref name="RED196">{{cite book/RH|7|196}}</ref> Baltar's spectral form achieves greater coherence and control, allowing direct communication about the cure's location. He reveals that [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]] engineered the plague as a biological weapon, and that a cure exists aboard the derelict Cylon basestar in Section Four, Category Ten of the human DNA experiments—a repository of Iblis's twisted research.
 
Baltar explains that he has spent his existence beyond death piecing together this information, learning to navigate the astral plane and uncover Iblis's secrets scattered across the cosmos. When Apollo begins to "drown" in the dreamscape, Baltar urges him to wake and retrieve the cure immediately, promising that Apollo's time to remain in such a place has not yet come.<ref name="RED197">{{cite book/RH|7|197}}</ref>
 
Following Apollo's successful retrieval of the cure, Baltar remains near the Paradis system long enough to ensure the cure's successful implementation.<ref name="RED198" /> He witnesses Apollo's courage in receiving the first injection to verify the treatment works, and observes as Dr. Bell and his team save four hundred lives, including Sheba's recovery from what seemed like inevitable death.
 
As Baltar speeds to his next rendezvous, he relishes the thought of four hundred lives saved—perhaps a drop in the bucket against the millions of lives that haunt him down the corridors of eternity, but a start nonetheless. He moves with grace and dignity toward his own personal redemption, each step on this path helping him better appreciate the redemption of others.
 
Baltar arrives at his destination to discover Imperious Leader with a fourth brain surgically attached, causing the Cylon dictator considerable pain.<ref name="RED199">{{cite book/RH|7|199}}</ref> Without looking up from his headache, Imperious Leader welcomes Baltar back and announces: "Thanks to your invaluable contribution, we can finish what we started." This cliffhanger suggests Baltar's journey beyond death continues, with implications for conflicts yet to unfold.


==Personality and Abilities==
==Personality and Abilities==


Baltar possesses an extraordinary ability to perceive and manipulate the thoughts of others, able to give commands with his mind as easily as breathing.<ref name="REB97" /> The weak-minded and unwary are particularly vulnerable to his mental influence. Even strong-willed individuals like Apollo must guard their thoughts carefully in his presence to avoid giving Baltar any opening to worm his way into their minds.
Baltar possesses an extraordinary ability to perceive and manipulate the thoughts of others, able to give commands with his mind as easily as breathing.<ref name="REB97" /> The weak-minded and unwary are particularly vulnerable to his mental influence.<ref name="REB97" /> Even strong-willed individuals like Apollo must guard their thoughts carefully in his presence to avoid giving Baltar any opening to worm his way into their minds.<ref name="REB97" />
 
Despite his advanced age—the years have not been kind to him as they were to Adama—Baltar retains much of his cunning and intelligence.<ref name="REB96" /> However, there is a visible weakness in his movements and an uncertainty that stems not just from age but from something deeper in his soul. Much of his old fury and vigor fades over time, and he can no longer capture the nastiness he once possessed with such ease.
 
In his heart, Baltar believes he is the hero of his own story, never seeing himself as the villain others perceive.<ref name="RES244">{{cite book/RH|3|244}}</ref> Every choice he makes seems foredoomed to turn into betrayal, though he cannot understand why this is so. He maintains that all his actions were undertaken for the betterment of humanity, believing that nothing could be better for the human race than his own leadership.<ref name="WAR88" />


Baltar is haunted by persistent nightmares featuring the eyes of the Imperious Leader, Count Iblis, and all those who died because of his betrayals, including his long-dead parents.<ref name="PAR2">{{cite book/RH|5|2}}</ref> These nightmares grow increasingly bizarre and intense over time, becoming more elaborate and disturbing with each occurrence. The voice of the Imperious Leader continues to torment him even after his service to the Cylons ends, suggesting a lingering psychological connection.<ref name="PAR4">{{cite book/RH|5|4}}</ref>
Despite his advanced age—the years have not been kind to him as they were to Adama—Baltar retains much of his cunning and intelligence.<ref name="REB96" /> However, there is a visible weakness in his movements and an uncertainty that stems not just from age but from something deeper in his soul.<ref name="REB96" /> Much of his old fury and vigor fades over time, and he can no longer capture the nastiness he once possessed with such ease.<ref name="REB96" />


During his time on Paradis, Baltar reaches a philosophical conclusion about existence, viewing life through a lens of cosmic indifference.<ref name="DES5" /> He finds comfort in the idea that the universe takes no more notice of his treason than it would of an exploding nova or the death of a daggit. He describes history as "only another form of nagging" and dismisses historical judgment of his genocide as irrelevant in the grand scheme of space and time.
In his heart, Baltar believes he is the hero of his own story, never seeing himself as the villain others perceive.<ref name="RES244">{{cite book/RH|3|244}}</ref> Every choice he makes seems foredoomed to turn into betrayal, though he cannot understand why this is so.<ref name="RES244" /> He maintains that all his actions were undertaken for the betterment of humanity, believing that nothing could be better for the human race than his own leadership.<ref name="WAR88" />


However, there is one person who almost makes Baltar feel essential to the future: Commander Apollo.<ref name="DES6" /> Despite being bone-weary of fearing the Cylons, Baltar develops a desire for the Cylons to feel how small they are in the vast mosaic of space and time. This evolution in his thinking presages his ultimate sacrifice.
Baltar is haunted by persistent nightmares featuring the eyes of the Imperious Leader, Count Iblis, and all those who died because of his betrayals, including his long-dead parents.<ref name="PAR2">{{cite book/RH|5|2}}</ref> These nightmares grow increasingly bizarre and intense over time, becoming more elaborate and disturbing with each occurrence.<ref name="PAR2" /> The voice of the Imperious Leader continues to torment him even after his service to the Cylons ends, suggesting a lingering psychological connection.<ref name="PAR4">{{cite book/RH|5|4}}</ref>


==Relationships==
==Relationships==
Line 121: Line 72:
===Apollo===
===Apollo===


Baltar's relationship with Apollo is complex and contradictory. He openly mocks and taunts the commander at times, yet also provides crucial assistance during critical moments. Despite taking personal responsibility for Baltar, Apollo maintains extreme caution around him, knowing the traitor's ability to manipulate minds. Their interactions are marked by mutual wariness, though Baltar occasionally shows what might be genuine concern for Apollo's well-being.<ref name="REB185" />
Baltar's relationship with Apollo is complex and contradictory. He openly mocks and taunts the commander at times, yet also provides crucial assistance during critical moments.<ref name="REB96" /> Despite taking personal responsibility for Baltar, Apollo maintains extreme caution around him, knowing the traitor's ability to manipulate minds.<ref name="REB97" /> Their interactions are marked by mutual wariness, though Baltar occasionally shows what might be genuine concern for Apollo's well-being.<ref name="REB185" />
 
During the Paradis crisis, Baltar and Apollo achieve genuine communication despite the seemingly impossible barriers between them.<ref name="DES139" /> Baltar reflects that if the Council had their way, this unlikely dialogue would never have begun, and if the Cylons' original plan had succeeded, both participants would be dead. When Apollo places his hand on Baltar's shoulder and says "We're here," acknowledging their survival despite overwhelming opposition, Baltar feels a glimmer of hope.<ref name="DES140" />
 
Baltar later describes Apollo as his only friend, worrying that others might condemn the commander through association with him.<ref name="DES138" /> Apollo is astonished by this display, recognizing it as another example of how far Baltar has traveled from his earlier path—the Baltar of old would have gone out of his way to cause exactly that kind of mischief.


On one occasion, Baltar even walks in on [[Athena (TOS-RH)|Athena]] and [[Starbuck (TOS-RH)|Starbuck]] in a compromising situation in Apollo's quarters, an incident that causes Baltar to blush—an expression Apollo has never seen on the villain's face before.<ref name="REB117">{{cite book/RH|4|117}}</ref>
On one occasion, Baltar even walks in on [[Athena (TOS-RH)|Athena]] and [[Starbuck (TOS-RH)|Starbuck]] in a compromising situation in Apollo's quarters, an incident that causes Baltar to blush—an expression Apollo has never seen on the villain's face before.<ref name="REB117">{{cite book/RH|4|117}}</ref>
In death, Apollo becomes Baltar's primary link to the living world.<ref name="RED177" /> Baltar focuses his spectral energies on communicating with Apollo to warn about the plague and guide him to the cure, demonstrating that even beyond death, their connection remains significant.<ref name="RED196" />


===The Cylons===
===The Cylons===


Baltar's relationship with the Cylons is one of perpetual disappointment and betrayal. He despises them, particularly the Imperious Leader who repeatedly deceives him, and Lucifer, whose amused superiority grates on his pride.<ref name="ARM27" /> Yet he remains dependent on them for survival during his years of service. The Imperious Leader tells Baltar he was "the perfect traitor" because he "never loved," a statement that haunts him in his nightmares.<ref name="PAR3">{{cite book/RH|5|3}}</ref> The Cylons consider Baltar dysfunctional and evil precisely because he does not serve his own species, though they acknowledge he possesses one Cylon virtue: he does not let concern for any individual detract from his larger purpose.
Baltar's relationship with the Cylons is one of perpetual disappointment and betrayal. He despises them, particularly the Imperious Leader who repeatedly deceives him, and Lucifer, whose amused superiority grates on his pride.<ref name="ARM27" /> Yet he remains dependent on them for survival during his years of service.<ref name="ARM27" /> The Imperious Leader tells Baltar he was "the perfect traitor" because he "never loved," a statement that haunts him in his nightmares.<ref name="PAR3">{{cite book/RH|5|3}}</ref> The Cylons consider Baltar dysfunctional and evil precisely because he does not serve his own species, though they acknowledge he possesses one Cylon virtue: he does not let concern for any individual detract from his larger purpose.<ref name="PAR3" />
 
During the mental invasions while on Paradis, Baltar's relationship with the Cylons reaches its nadir.<ref name="DES6" /> The Imperious Leader uses his brain as both homing beacon and window into Cylon society, an invasive telepathic connection that Baltar experiences as torture.<ref name="DES139" /> Yet even this violation provides him with intelligence about Cylon civil war and the destruction of Paradis, information he shares with the colonials.<ref name="DES140" />
 
His final act—destroying the largest Cylon armada—represents the ultimate rejection of his former masters and a balancing of cosmic scales.<ref name="DES132" /> In death, when confronted again by Imperious Leader with a fourth brain, Baltar's journey comes full circle as the Cylon dictator acknowledges Baltar's "invaluable contribution" to finishing what they started.<ref name="RED199" />


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 145: Line 86:
* The tracking device around his ankle causes him agony when he strays too far from his quarters, yet on at least one occasion he demonstrates remarkable pain tolerance, showing no reaction despite the device glowing "like a Cylon's eye."<ref name="REB96" />
* The tracking device around his ankle causes him agony when he strays too far from his quarters, yet on at least one occasion he demonstrates remarkable pain tolerance, showing no reaction despite the device glowing "like a Cylon's eye."<ref name="REB96" />
* Despite being one of the most reviled figures in human history, Baltar maintains a small circle of sympathizers who provide him with contraband luxuries and social companionship.<ref name="WAR161" />
* Despite being one of the most reviled figures in human history, Baltar maintains a small circle of sympathizers who provide him with contraband luxuries and social companionship.<ref name="WAR161" />
* Baltar's posthumous existence demonstrates that unlike [[Count Iblis (TOS-RH)|Count Iblis]], who "confused rising above nature with falling below it," Baltar retained his essential humanity even in transcendence.<ref name="RED198" />
* The Cylons' cloning of Baltar's brain creates multiple duplicate consciousnesses that continue to exist after his physical death, validating his earlier speculation about "a succession of Baltars" striding through time.<ref name="DES221" />
* Baltar nearly collides with Count Iblis on the astral plane following his work to save the fleet from the plague, an encounter that would have been "most inopportune" had it occurred.<ref name="RED198" />
* His ability to navigate the astral plane, discover the cure's location, and communicate across the barrier between life and death suggests that death has not diminished his exceptional intellect and willpower, but rather freed them from mortal limitations.<ref name="RED196" />
==Behind the Scenes==
===Author's Approach to the Character===
Co-author [[Brad Linaweaver]] brought a distinctive perspective to writing Baltar that [[Richard Hatch]] particularly praised. According to Linaweaver, Hatch told him that "no one did Baltar as well as yours truly," expanding that "by no one, he included every writer on the original TV series."<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_baltar_praise">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=Richard%20happily%20informed%20me%20that%20no%20one%20did%20Baltar%20as%20well%20as%20yours%20truly.%20He%20expanded%20on%20this%20point.%20By%20no%20one%2C%20he%20included%20every%20writer%20on%20the%20original%20TV%20series|title=A Man for All Reasons: A Personal Tribute to Richard Hatch|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref> Linaweaver stated that Hatch had "never seen anyone get inside the head of the series' human villain the way I comfortably took up residence in a malignant mind."<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_baltar_praise"/>
Linaweaver's approach to Baltar emphasized the villain's internal perspective and philosophical worldview. In ''[[Destiny (book)|Destiny]]'', he portrayed Baltar as viewing himself as "an attentive listener, even if the droning lecture was the product of his own fevered imagination," and having him assert that "one monster's morality is a free man's bad joke."<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_destiny_baltar">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=Baltar%20prided%20himself%20on%20being%20an%20attentive%20listener%2C%20even%20if%20the%20droning%20lecture%20was%20the%20product%20of%20his%20own%20fevered%20imagination|title=A Man for All Reasons|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref>
The characterization explored Baltar as a representative of individualistic evil in contrast to the Cylons' collectivistic evil, with Linaweaver noting that "exceptional humans of either kind are a mystery to Imperious Leader."<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_baltar_philosophy">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=The%20Cylons%20are%20collectivistic%20evil.%20Baltar%20is%20individualistic%20evil%2C%20the%20counterpart%20to%20Apollo%E2%80%99s%20individualistic%20good.%20Exceptional%20humans%20of%20either%20kind%20are%20a%20mystery%20to%20Imperious%20Leader|title=A Man for All Reasons|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref> This philosophical framework positioned Baltar as the individualistic counterpart to Apollo's individualistic good, creating a thematic mirror that explored the nature of choice and morality.
Linaweaver and Hatch believed that their depiction of Baltar in the novels may have influenced the writers of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|reimagined series]]' approach to the character.<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_rdm_influence">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=When%20Universal%20relaunched%2C%20rebooted%20and%20reimagined%20Battlestar%20Galactica%2C%20Richard%20and%20I%20thought%20it%20possible%20the%20new%20writers%20of%20the%20show%20might%20have%20read%20his%20books.%20If%20so%2C%20they%20might%20have%20been%20influenced%20by%20our%20take%20on%20Baltar|title=A Man for All Reasons|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref>
The cover art for ''Destiny'' by Bob Larkin captured what Linaweaver described as "the essence of the book—and unbeknownst to the artist, certain aspects of the collaboration," featuring "a true meeting of minds between Apollo and Baltar."<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_destiny_cover">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=The%20cover%20art%20on%20Destiny%20(by%20Bob%20Larkin)%20captures%20the%20essence%20of%20the%20book%20%E2%80%93%20and%20unbeknownst%20to%20the%20artist%2C%20certain%20aspects%20of%20the%20collaboration.%20After%20so%20many%20stories%20over%20the%20years%20here%2C%20at%20last%2C%20was%20a%20true%20meeting%20of%20minds%20between%20Apollo%20and%20Baltar|title=A Man for All Reasons|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref> This artistic representation reflected how the melodramatic confrontations between Apollo and Baltar allowed the authors to explore their own different ideological perspectives in a productive way, with Linaweaver noting that "friends can discuss politics and religion" through such fictional dialogues.<ref group="commentary" name="linaweaver_mondocult_political_debates">{{cite web|url=http://www.mondocult.com/articles/Linaweaver/Hatch/hatch.html#:~:text=The%20mind%2Dmeld%20offered%20unexpected%20benefits.%20Given%20that%20Richard%20and%20I%20had%20somewhat%20different%20ideologies%20(without%20being%20humorless%20ideologues%20ourselves)%20the%20melodramatic%20confrontations%20in%20the%20story%20allowed%20us%20to%20navigate%20treacherous%20currents.%20In%20other%20words%2C%20friends%20can%20discuss%20politics%20and%20religion%20in%20a%20productive%20way|title=A Man for All Reasons|author=Brad Linaweaver|publisher=Mondo Cult|date=November 2009|accessdate=November 2, 2025}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
===Commentary and Interviews===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}


[[Category:Characters (TOS)]]
[[Category:Characters (TOS)]]
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[[Category:Government Officials (TOS)]]
[[Category:Government Officials (TOS)]]
[[Category:Traitors]]
[[Category:Traitors]]
[[Category:Deceased Characters (TOS)]]

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