Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine (Issue 7)

Issue 7 A magazine of the Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine line
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Issue 7 of the Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine is a Titan Magazines publication released in October 2006 covering the Re-imagined Series. This was the final issue of the magazine, published just two days before Season 3's premiere on October 6, 2006. Subtitled "Presidential Orders," the issue featured major interviews timed to the season launch but ended abruptly despite promising future content.

Publication Details

Issue 7 was released with two different cover variants:

• Newsstand Edition: Titled "Presidential Orders" - available at newsstands and general retail outlets
• PX Edition (Previews Exclusive): Titled "Presidential Orders" - available exclusively at comic specialty shops

The magazine retailed for $6.99 USD and $9.99 CAD, and was released on October 4, 2006.

Editorial Staff

Issue 7 was produced under the editorial direction of Sharon Gosling, with contributions from multiple staff writers and photographers. The magazine's editorial team included:

• Editor: Sharon Gosling
• Designer: Stu MacKay
• Deputy Editor: Steve White
• Assistant Editor: Ned Hartley
• Administrative Assistant: Natalie Browning
• Senior Editor: Richard Matthews
• Managing Editor: Brian J. Robb

The issue featured special thanks to Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, Carol Marks-George, Cindy Chang, Dawn Rosenquist, Universal Studios, and David Bassom.

Coverage

Main Features

Making Space

The issue opened with an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Season 3's sets, particularly focusing on the Cylon Basestar and New Caprica occupation sets. The feature provided readers with detailed insights into the production design philosophy that guided the series' visual evolution for the third season.

Production Design: Richard Hudolin

Production designer Richard Hudolin was featured discussing his work creating the Cylon Basestar sets for Season 3. Hudolin explained his approach to designing the interior spaces of the Basestar, which needed to convey both the organic nature of Cylon technology and the otherworldly atmosphere of their ships. The production designer detailed how his team created the distinctive hybrid chamber and the various corridors and meeting spaces that would serve as key locations throughout the season.

Hudolin's work on Battlestar Galactica had earned him recognition within the science fiction community, building on his previous acclaimed work on Stargate SG-1 and the 1996 Doctor Who television movie. For the Basestar, he drew inspiration from biological forms and religious architecture, creating spaces that felt simultaneously technological and spiritual, reflecting the Cylons' unique perspective on existence.

Set Decoration: Jonathan Lancaster

Head of set decoration Jonathan Lancaster provided detailed explanations of how his team gave New Caprica its distinctive visual identity during the Cylon occupation. Lancaster explained the philosophy behind creating a settlement that felt both hastily constructed and lived-in, reflecting the desperate circumstances of the Colonial refugees who had fled to the planet.

The set decoration team worked to establish visual continuity between the Season 2 finale and the opening episodes of Season 3, showing how the colony had evolved during the year-long time jump. Lancaster detailed the process of "dressing down" the sets to create an atmosphere of oppression and hardship under Cylon rule, using muted colors, weathered materials, and strategically placed propaganda to convey the occupation's impact on daily life.

Props: Ken Hawryliw

Prop master Ken Hawryliw discussed his approach to creating believable accessories for the series, explaining what distinguishes effective science fiction props from mere set dressing. Hawryliw emphasized the importance of practicality and believability in prop design, noting that Battlestar Galactica's grounded aesthetic required props that could plausibly function in a military environment.

The prop master revealed insights into creating items ranging from small hand props like the chamalla extract containers to larger pieces like weapons and communications equipment. Hawryliw explained how his department worked closely with the production design and visual effects teams to ensure consistency across all aspects of the show's material culture.

Featured Interviews

Tricia Helfer: "Six Shooter"

Tricia Helfer provided one of the issue's most substantial interviews, titled "Six Shooter," in which she discussed the complex evolution of her character(s) heading into Season 3. The actress revealed extensive details about the season's storylines, including Caprica-Six's role in the occupation of New Caprica and her evolving relationship with Gaius Baltar.

Helfer explained the distinction between the Number Six who appears in Baltar's head and Caprica-Six, the physical Cylon who had initiated the relationship with Baltar on Caprica before the attack. She described Caprica-Six as having genuine feelings for Baltar, despite the manipulation involved in their initial connection, and noted that Season 3 would explore the complexity of this relationship as both characters found themselves in increasingly compromised positions.

The actress discussed at length the introduction of the Hybrid, describing the half-organic, half-mechanical entity as the embodiment of the Basestar itself. Helfer explained that the Hybrid represented an intermediate stage between the purely mechanical Cylon Centurions and the fully humanoid models, connected directly to the ship's systems while maintaining a form of consciousness that both fascinated and disturbed the humanoid Cylons.

Helfer also revealed significant information about Cylon society and internal politics, explaining that the supposedly unified Cylon consciousness was fracturing under the stress of the occupation. She described how different Cylon models had conflicting views on how to handle the human survivors, with Caprica-Six and Sharon Valerii advocating for a more conciliatory approach while other models pushed for harsher measures. This internal dissent would become a major storyline throughout the season.

The interview revealed that Cylons operated on a consensus-based decision-making system, but Season 3 would show certain models attempting to override this collective process, creating tension within Cylon society. Helfer described scenes showing Cylon conferences where multiple copies of each model debated policy, noting the technical challenges of filming sequences where she appeared multiple times in the same shot.

Regarding her working relationship with Lucy Lawless, who played D'Anna Biers (later revealed to be Number Three), Helfer expressed enthusiasm about their scenes together. She explained that while she had worked briefly with Lawless in Season 2, particularly in the episode "Downloaded," Season 3 provided much more opportunity for their characters to interact, creating a complex dynamic between Caprica-Six and D'Anna Biers.

The actress also discussed the revelation that Cylons had certain mental "inhibitions" preventing them from thinking about or discussing the five remaining Cylon models that had not yet been revealed to the audience. This detail would become significant to Season 3's mythology, as characters discovered that even the Cylons themselves were forbidden from knowing the identities of the Final Five.

Helfer concluded by discussing the moral complexity of the occupation storyline, noting that the series deliberately blurred the lines between heroes and villains by showing the Cylons' perspective and motivations. She explained that Season 3 would challenge viewers to question whether the Cylons' actions, while oppressive, might stem from genuine (if misguided) attempts to help humanity evolve.

James Callis: Baltar Under Occupation

James Callis discussed the precarious position of his character Gaius Baltar as the collaborationist President under Cylon occupation. The interview explored Baltar's complicated relationships with both Number Six (the version in his head) and Caprica-Six (the physical Cylon), and how his presidency had evolved during the year-long time jump between seasons.

Callis explained that Baltar found himself increasingly isolated, trusted by neither humans nor Cylons despite his attempts to navigate between both groups. The actor described his character as someone who had entered into collaboration believing he could protect humanity, only to discover that his position offered neither real power nor security. Season 3 would show Baltar's gradual realization that he had become a traitor to his own species without gaining the Cylons' true trust.

The interview revealed details about a significant torture sequence in which Caprica-Six and D'Anna Biers interrogate Baltar, marking a major shift in their relationship. Callis discussed how this scene represented Caprica-Six's loss of faith in Baltar, as she came to realize that her emotional attachment to him might have clouded her judgment about his true character and motivations.

Callis also discussed the dynamic between the two versions of Number Six, explaining how the phantom Six in Baltar's head served different narrative purposes than Caprica-Six. He noted that while Caprica-Six represented a real relationship with genuine emotional stakes, the Head Six functioned more as Baltar's conscience, guide, and tormentor, offering insights and pushing him in directions he might not otherwise go.

The actor revealed that Season 3 would explore Baltar learning to use projection, the Cylon ability to alter perceived reality, raising questions about whether this ability came from Head Six, from Caprica-Six's teachings, or from some inherent quality in Baltar himself. This development would add another layer of mystery to Baltar's true nature and his connection to the Cylons.

Jane Espenson: Crafting "The Passage"

Acclaimed television writer Jane Espenson was featured in an exclusive article discussing her work on the Season 3 episode "The Passage." The interview provided insights into how one of television's most respected genre writers approached contributing to the Battlestar Galactica universe.

Espenson revealed that she had actively pursued the opportunity to write for the series, telling Ronald D. Moore and David Eick that she wanted to work on the show. She expressed her admiration for the series' fully realized world and complex characters, describing the opportunity to write for Battlestar Galactica as a chance to "play in that sandbox."

The writer explained that she was assigned a story premise that had already been worked out by the show's staff, rather than pitching her own original concept. Espenson praised the quality of the story she received, noting that working from the staff's outline ensured her episode would fit seamlessly into the season's narrative arc. This collaborative approach was typical of how Battlestar Galactica integrated freelance writers, maintaining tight narrative control while benefiting from outside perspectives.

Espenson directly addressed expectations that her episode might be unusually comedic, given her reputation for humorous writing on series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She clarified that "The Passage" would not be Battlestar Galactica's equivalent of the original Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles," but rather a serious episode consistent with the show's overall tone. While Espenson's characteristic wit might appear in dialogue moments, the episode would maintain the series' dramatic integrity.

The article placed Espenson's contribution in context by noting she was only the third freelance writer to script an episode of Battlestar Galactica, following Jeff Vlaming and Michael Angeli. This exclusivity reflected the show's preference for maintaining a tight writers' room, making Espenson's involvement particularly notable.

Espenson's extensive background in genre television was highlighted, including her work as a writer and producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (where she wrote 23 episodes, more than anyone except creators Joss Whedon and Marti Noxon), Angel, Firefly, The O.C., Gilmore Girls, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She had also worked as co-executive producer on the short-lived series Tru Calling and had written for the animated series The Batman.

Dean Stockwell: Brother Cavil

Veteran actor Dean Stockwell was featured discussing his role as Brother Cavil, the cynical, atheistic Cylon priest later revealed to be Number One. The interview provided insights into how the acclaimed actor approached the role and his thoughts on joining another science fiction franchise.

Stockwell revealed that he was cast in Battlestar Galactica through his agent, who also represented Katee Sackhoff (Kara Thrace). The actor explained that the role came together quickly, and he filmed his first two episodes without having seen the series. He described relying on his instincts about the character and his confidence in the quality of the writing, cast, and direction he observed on set.

The actor discussed his approach to playing a Cylon, emphasizing that he focused on maintaining a consistent personality across multiple copies of the character rather than trying to create distinct personas for each version. Stockwell believed the personality was the key element of the individual Cylon and should not be lost, even when multiple versions of Brother Cavil appeared together.

Stockwell described filming the conference scene in which multiple copies of each Cylon model gathered in the President's office. He explained the technical approach: the director arranged chairs in a circle and placed the camera in the center, filming 360-degree pans multiple times with each actor positioned in different chairs. When assembled in post-production, this technique created the illusion of multiple versions of each Cylon model sitting around the table simultaneously.

The actor expressed particular interest in exploring the tensions between Cylon models, noting that the series would delve into conflicts within Cylon society. He acknowledged uncertainty about where these storylines would lead, citing this unpredictability as one of the show's great strengths.

Stockwell's science fiction credentials were highlighted, including his long-running role as Admiral Al Calavicci in Quantum Leap alongside Scott Bakula, as well as appearances in Star Trek: Enterprise and Stargate SG-1. The interview noted his working relationship with Edward James Olmos, with whom he had previously worked on Miami Vice in the 1980s.

The actor revealed that he had largely retired from series television work to focus on his art, creating collages at his home in New Mexico at 7,000 feet elevation. He described Battlestar Galactica as perfect for his lifestyle because the recurring nature of the role allowed him to travel to Vancouver occasionally without requiring the full-time commitment of a series regular. Stockwell had recently exhibited his artwork in Dallas and Santa Monica, describing his art as operating on a "higher level of creativity" than acting.

Regarding future appearances, Stockwell confirmed his enthusiasm for returning to the series. He revealed that he had read a document distributed to the Cylon actors explaining that there were seven "significant" Cylon models and five others in "mystery mode" whose identities were unknown even to the other Cylons. Brother Cavil was identified as Number Three among the significant seven, and Stockwell learned that the seven models had been programmed to be unable to even think about the other five, creating a mental block that prevented conscious consideration of the Final Five.

Sergio Mimica-Gezzan: Direct Orders

Director Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, a regular since Season 1, discussed his work on the series and his decision to choose Battlestar Galactica over big-screen movie opportunities. The interview focused particularly on his work directing episodes in the opening of Season 3, including the critically important premiere episodes that dealt with the occupation of New Caprica.

Mimica-Gezzan explained his attraction to television directing, particularly on a series like Battlestar Galactica that offered cinematic production values and complex storytelling. He discussed the unique challenges of directing the Season 3 opening, which required depicting a drastically different setting from previous seasons while maintaining visual and tonal continuity with the series' established style.

The director revealed insights into his collaborative process with the show's producers, cinematographers, and production designers, explaining how Battlestar Galactica's documentary-style camerawork required careful planning while also allowing for improvisation and spontaneity on set. He described the series' visual approach as drawing inspiration from war reporting and documentary filmmaking, creating a sense of immediacy and reality that distinguished the show from traditional science fiction television.

News and Features

Emmy Award Nominations

The magazine extensively covered Battlestar Galactica's 2006 Emmy Award nominations, noting both the series' recognition and its controversial exclusion from major categories.

The series received three Emmy nominations for the 2006 awards:

• Outstanding Costumes for a Series - "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II"
  • Glenne Campbell, Costume Designer
  • Glenna Owen, Assistant Designer
  • Cali Newcomen, Assistant Designer

• Outstanding Single Camera Sound Mixing - "Scattered"
  • Kenneth Kobett, Supervising Re-Recording Mixer
  • Rick Bal, Production Mixer
  • Michael Olman

• Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series - "Resurrection Ship, Part II"
  • Gary Hutzel, Visual Effects Supervisor
  • Michael Gibson, Senior Visual Effects Coordinator
  • Doug Drexler, Digital Supervisor
  • Steve Kullback, Visual Effects Coordinator
  • Mark Shimer, Lead Visual Effects Animator
  • Chris Zapara, CGI Supervisor
  • Lane Jolly, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
  • Kyle Toucher, Visual Effects Animator
  • Daniel Osaki, Lead CGI Model Maker

The magazine noted that despite these technical nominations, Battlestar Galactica was disappointingly overlooked in the Best Drama Series category. The series' performances were also excluded from acting nominations, despite a significant campaign by the Sci Fi Channel to secure nominations for Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell.

The article highlighted that Entertainment Weekly had featured Battlestar Galactica as their choice for Best Drama Emmy in the lead-up to nominations, and the influential trade magazine Variety had discussed the series in their Emmy coverage. The magazine quoted Ronald D. Moore addressing the snub directly: "Sci-fi movies and novels have always been considered second-class material. You start with the premise that it's science fiction, it's called Battlestar Galactica and it's on Sci-Fi Channel. So our show has a lot of obstacles to overcome before anyone's even seen it."

Caprica Development

The magazine provided extensive coverage of Caprica, the planned prequel series then in development. Writer and executive producer Remi Aubuchon revealed significant details about the project, which was set to take place 50 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica.

Aubuchon described Caprica as "a very human story about how our hubris can lead us to disaster," explaining that the series would be more influenced by Dallas than Star Trek in its approach to storytelling. The series would follow life on the eponymous Colonial world as humanity created the Cylons, exploring the social, political, and technological factors that led to the creation of artificial life.

The producer revealed that elements of Season 3 of Battlestar Galactica would serve to set up Caprica, and confirmed that William Adama would be aged 11 in the spin-off series, though he declined to confirm whether the young Adama would actually appear on screen. Aubuchon stated that Caprica would end with the Cylon War, explaining: "The series will explain how humans made the Cylon War inevitable. Viewers might well find themselves rooting for the Cylons during much of the series."

The article addressed viewer concerns that Ronald D. Moore and David Eick's involvement with Caprica might limit their work on Battlestar Galactica or reduce the quality of the parent series. Eick directly addressed these fears: "Ron and I are deeply involved with Caprica, and we're very enthusiastic and thrilled about it, but when it comes to the detail work of pounding out the script, there's a third partner involved who's at the helm. I think that is the job that tends to be the one that creates the distractions and dilutes a person's attention and focus. So in this particular case, we don't have that problem."

Book Releases

The magazine announced two significant Battlestar Galactica book releases timed to coincide with Season 3's premiere.

Titan Books released Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion Season Two on August 25, 2006. Written by David Bassom, who also authored the first companion volume, the book provided a detailed behind-the-scenes look at Season 2's production. The companion featured in-depth cast and crew interviews, comprehensive episode coverage, and extensive photography from the season. Mary McDonnell contributed an exclusive foreword to the volume.

Tor Books published Sagittarius is Bleeding, the third original Battlestar Galactica novel, on October 3, 2006. Written by veteran science fiction author Peter David, the novel featured President Laura Roslin facing a dangerous plot involving a secret group known as the Midguardians. David's extensive credentials included acclaimed Star Trek: The Next Generation tie-in novels (Imzadi and Q-Squared), the Babylon 5: Centauri Prime trilogy, and the Star Trek: New Frontier novel series. He had also written extensively for comic books including The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, and television series including Babylon 5, Crusade, and the films Trancers 4: Jack of Swords and Trancers 5: Sudden Deth. The magazine noted this was David's first foray into the Battlestar Galactica universe.

DVD Releases

The magazine provided detailed coverage of upcoming DVD releases for both the U.S. and European markets.

For Region 1 (U.S.) audiences, Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 was scheduled for release on September 19, 2006, priced at $49.98. This three-disc set contained the season's closing 10 episodes, from "Resurrection Ship, Part I" to "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II," presented in anamorphic widescreen video format with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Special features included deleted scenes, Ronald D. Moore podcasts, David Eick's Video Blogs, and an extended version of the tenth episode, "Pegasus."

European viewers received the complete Battlestar Galactica: Season 2 box set on August 28, 2006, priced at £49.99. This six-disc collection contained all 20 episodes of Season 2, providing the entire season in one comprehensive package.

Cast Career Updates

The magazine included a "Battlestar Briefs" section highlighting the cast members' professional activities outside the series.

Jamie Bamber appeared on Celebrity Poker Showdown in Season 8, competing against Kevin Sorbo (Hercules and Andromeda), Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle), and Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm). While Bamber fought hard for his chosen charity, Save the Children, the match was ultimately won by Alexander, who donated his winnings to the United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area charity.

Michael Trucco had joined the cast of the Nicolas Cage film Next and had also starred in an ABC pilot titled Him and Us, a rock star drama based loosely on the life of executive producer Elton John.

Sam Witwer, who portrayed Crashdown, had released the Crashd Tones album Colourful of the Stereo, a 14-track CD showcasing his musical skills. Witwer described the album as "the ultimate expression of what I wanted to do at the time," and provided details at his website, www.samwitwer.com.

Entertainment Industry Recognition

The magazine highlighted Battlestar Galactica's growing recognition within mainstream entertainment media and digital distribution platforms.

Entertainment Weekly featured the series' Cylons in their June 30, 2006 issue as part of "The 113 People and Things We Love Right Now." The magazine's "it" list noted that the new Battlestar Galactica's Cylons "have sci-fi fanboys either in a tizzy or simply running away in fear." The piece was accompanied by an exclusive photo shoot featuring Cylon actresses Lucy Lawless (D'Anna Biers), Tricia Helfer (Number Six), and Grace Park (Sharon Valerii/Number Eight).

John Miller, chief marketing officer of NBC Universal Television, identified Battlestar Galactica as one of the company's most popular downloadable TV series on iTunes. Miller noted that Battlestar Galactica, Monk, and Saturday Night Live were among Universal's top-performing products. He also observed that archive series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents were not being downloaded nearly as much as current shows. To date, NBC had sold more than six million TV episodes via iTunes.

Joss Whedon Praise

The magazine reported that Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Serenity, had become the latest high-profile figure to express his admiration for Battlestar Galactica.

Following praise from author Stephen King, Whedon posted his thoughts to the website Whedonesque.com, writing: "The show is humbling. Not since The Matrix (the first one) have I had such a strong desire to go to writing school. I think it's so passionate, textured, complex, subversive and challenging that it dwarfs everything on TV. Or in theatres. Or bo-ho performances in spaces."

Whedon revealed that he and his wife were only halfway through watching Season 1 at the time of his posting, and quipped that he was "avoiding magazines (including, presumable [sic], Battlestar Galactica The Official Magazine) that might contain spoilers." He joked that viewing the show had added to his "crisis of confidence," before quickly adding: "Apart from that, life is to be loved. The apocalyptic, prolific talent, Whedon's additional credits include Toy Story, Alien Resurrection, and he was reportedly developing the Warner Bros. Wonder Woman film project at the time.

UK Free-to-View Launch

Battlestar Galactica embarked on its first free-to-view TV transmission in the United Kingdom when Sky Three began airing Season 1 on Thursday, June 22, 2006. The channel broadcast the opening episodes "33" and "Water" back-to-back to launch the series.

The free-to-view UK debut was widely welcomed by critics, with the leading British TV listing magazine Radio Times hailing the show as a "dazzling 'wagon-trains-in-space' opera." This broadcast significantly expanded the series' UK audience beyond the subscription-based broadcasts that had previously been its only avenue for British viewers.

Regular Features

Battlestar Galactica Encyclopedia

The magazine continued its encyclopedic coverage of the series with detailed entries on various topics from the show's mythology and production. This issue's encyclopedia section covered:

• ID Tags: Detailed examination of the military identification tags worn by Colonial personnel, including their design, information content, and significance to military culture aboard Galactica.

• Captain Kelly: Profile of the Colonial officer who became a controversial figure during the New Caprica occupation, exploring his role in the resistance movement and the moral complexities of his actions.

• Lords of Kobol: Comprehensive entry on the pantheon of gods worshipped by the Twelve Colonies, examining their mythology, cultural significance, and role in Colonial religion and prophecy.

Meet the Mini-Mates

The magazine featured extensive coverage of Diamond Select Toys' Battlestar Galactica Minimates collectible figure line. The article provided details about Art Asylum's 2-inch articulated figures featuring characters from the Re-imagined Series.

The Minimates line launched in 2006-2007 with multiple series of character two-packs, each figure approximately 2 inches tall with 14 points of articulation. The collectible line included characters from both the Re-imagined Series and, eventually, the Original Series, offering fans affordable, stylized representations of their favorite characters.

Intelligence Files

The "Intelligence Files" section provided in-universe classified reports on Cylon technology and individuals. This issue featured detailed reports on:

• Cylon Basestar: Technical analysis of Basestar construction, capabilities, and tactical deployment, based on intelligence gathered from encounters with the Cylon fleet. The report discussed the organic nature of Basestar technology, its integration with Raider craft, and the implications of Cylon downloading technology for their military strategy.

• Brother Cavil: Intelligence profile of the Cylon model operating under the guise of a Colonial chaplain, analyzing his role within Cylon society and his interactions with human survivors. The report noted Brother Cavil's atheistic philosophy and cynical worldview, contrasting sharply with his religious cover identity.

The Intelligence Files were written in an in-universe style, presenting information as though compiled by Colonial military intelligence, adding an immersive element to the magazine's coverage.

Laura Roslin's Diary

The magazine featured an exclusive fictional diary entry from President Laura Roslin, written in-character by Carol Pinchefsky. The entry reflected on Roslin's near-death experience from cancer and her miraculous recovery through the use of Hera's hybrid blood in the episode "Epiphanies."

The diary provided insights into Roslin's psychological state following her brush with death, her reflections on the Cylon attack, and her evolving understanding of her role as both political and spiritual leader. Roslin contemplated the paradox of being saved by Cylon blood, the loss of her mentor Elosha, and her complex relationship with Commander William Adama.

The fictional diary entry served as character development material, exploring Roslin's inner thoughts about her presidency, her difficult decisions (including ordering Leoben Conoy's execution and requesting Helena Cain's assassination), and her growing acceptance of her role in Colonial prophecy. The entry concluded with Roslin's determination to continue leading humanity toward Earth, acknowledging the ongoing challenges while expressing gratitude for her unexpected survival.

Richard Hatch Column

Tom Zarek actor and Original Series star Richard Hatch contributed the first of what was intended to be an ongoing series of exclusive columns for the magazine. The article represented a significant editorial feature, as Hatch uniquely bridged both the original and Re-imagined Series.

In his inaugural column, Hatch welcomed readers and outlined his intention to share his journey with Battlestar Galactica from its inception through the current Re-imagined version. He reflected on the franchise's evolution and his role in advocating for its continuation during the years between the Original Series and the Re-imagined production.

Hatch recalled conversations with writers, producers, and fans from various shows who had "basically laughed in my face" when he insisted Battlestar Galactica was "a franchise in the making." He noted that dedicated fans had always understood the story's potential, even when industry professionals remained skeptical. Hatch expressed satisfaction that the Re-imagined Series was proving critics wrong, receiving acclaim and achieving success that validated his long-held belief in the franchise's viability.

The actor discussed the initial controversy surrounding the Re-imagined Series, acknowledging that many fans (including himself) had hoped for a continuation of the original story rather than a complete reimagining. However, Hatch praised the Sci Fi Channel for taking the risk on the project and credited Ronald D. Moore and David Eick for their vision in creating the new version.

The column was promoted as "the first of his exclusive articles for The Official Magazine," clearly indicating that the editorial team anticipated publishing future installments. This promise would go unfulfilled due to the magazine's unexpected cancellation with this issue.

Covers and Variants

The magazine was released with multiple cover variations, all featuring the subtitle "Presidential Orders" to reflect the issue's focus on the New Caprica occupation storyline and Gaius Baltar's compromised presidency.

The primary cover featured James Callis and Tricia Helfer, highlighting their characters' central roles in Season 3's opening arc. This design choice reflected the season's focus on the complicated relationship between Gaius Baltar and the various iterations of Number Six, as well as Baltar's position as collaborationist President under Cylon rule.

Preliminary cover designs used in Diamond Comics sales solicitation showed slightly different layouts, providing collectors with variant versions of the final issue. Both the Newsstand Edition (catalog number JUL063618) and the Previews Exclusive Edition (catalog number JUL063619) were promoted through Diamond's catalog system, making them available through different retail channels.

Notes

Sources for this page may be located at: Sources:Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine (Issue 7)

• This was the final issue of The Official Battlestar Galactica Magazine. The magazine ended abruptly after only seven numbered issues (plus the Special/Miniseries issue), with no official reason provided by Titan Magazines.

• The issue made only a brief announcement about being the final edition, despite featuring Richard Hatch's column that was explicitly promoted as "the first of his exclusive articles for The Official Magazine," strongly suggesting additional issues had been planned. The abrupt cancellation left several ongoing features incomplete, including Hatch's column series and the magazine's encyclopedic coverage of the series.

• Issue 7 was published just two days before the Season 3 premiere on October 6, 2006, positioning it perfectly to cover the highly anticipated return following the dramatic cliffhanger ending of Season 2. The timing suggests the cancellation decision may have come very late in the publication cycle, as the content was clearly developed to support the new season's launch.

• Dean Stockwell's character Brother Cavil had been revealed as a Cylon (Number One) in the Season 2 finale "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II" (aired March 10, 2006), approximately six months before this magazine issue. His role expanded significantly in Season 3 as a major antagonist and philosophical counterpoint to other Cylon models.

• Jane Espenson's episode "The Passage" (which she discussed in this issue) aired as the tenth episode of Season 3 on December 8, 2006, approximately two months after the magazine's publication. She went on to write or co-write several additional episodes and eventually became Co-Executive Producer for Season 4. Espenson later wrote the television film Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009) and served as an executive producer on the spin-off series Caprica.

• The Diamond Select Toys Minimates line featured in the issue launched in 2006-2007 with multiple series of character two-packs. The line continued through 2010 and included characters from both the Re-imagined Series and Original Series, becoming one of several collectible figure lines based on the franchise alongside larger-scale action figures from other manufacturers.

• Richard Hudolin's production design work on Battlestar Galactica earned him a Gemini Award for Best Production Design in a Dramatic Series and contributed to the show's Peabody Award recognition. He had previously won a Gemini Award in 2000 for his work on Stargate SG-1 and designed the Eighth Doctor's TARDIS set for the 1996 Doctor Who television movie. Following Battlestar Galactica, Hudolin continued as production designer on the spin-off series Caprica and later worked on series including Arrow.

• The 2006 Emmy nominations discussed in the magazine represented Battlestar Galactica's first significant recognition from the Television Academy, though the series would receive additional nominations in subsequent years. The show's exclusion from major categories like Best Drama Series and acting nominations remained a point of controversy among critics and fans who felt the series deserved greater recognition from the industry.

• Remi Aubuchon's work developing Caprica would eventually result in the series premiering on January 22, 2010 (following a pilot episode that aired on April 21, 2009). The show ran for one season of 18 episodes before cancellation. Aubuchon served as showrunner initially before Jane Espenson took over those duties partway through the season's development and production.

• Like all issues of The Official Battlestar Galactica Magazine, this publication featured full-color photography and production imagery, with a premium paper stock and professional magazine format that distinguished it from other tie-in publications. The magazine's high production values and exclusive content made it a valued resource for fans, making its abrupt cancellation particularly disappointing to the series' following.

• The magazine's cancellation occurred during a period when Battlestar Galactica was experiencing growing critical acclaim and audience recognition, making the decision particularly puzzling. The series was entering what many consider its creative peak with Season 3, and the magazine had established itself as the definitive source for behind-the-scenes information and exclusive interviews with cast and crew.

References

External Links

• JUL063618 - BATTLESTAR GALACTICA MAGAZINE #7 NEWSSTAND EDITION - Previews World (web.archive.org backup link)
• JUL063619 - BATTLESTAR GALACTICA MAGAZINE #7 PX ED - Previews World (web.archive.org backup link)

See Also

• Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine
• James Callis
• Gaius Baltar
• Tricia Helfer
• Number Six
• Caprica-Six
• Dean Stockwell
• Brother Cavil
• Jane Espenson
• Richard Hudolin
• Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
• Season 3 (2006-07)
• New Caprica
• Cylon Occupation Authority
• Sharon Gosling
• Diamond Select Toys
• Remi Aubuchon
• Caprica (series)
• Gary Hutzel
• Richard Hatch