Editing Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques

{{project|Official Communique's|image=BSG WIKI Official CrewCast.png|shortcut=BW:OC}}

Members of '''''Battlestar Wiki''''': This page is to coordinate all questions to any official members of the cast or crew of "[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]." Please sign your question after you are done. The "summary" of the question should be be first, if any, and then the questions, in short form, should be placed at the bottom. This is to not confuse people and to keep the questions distinctive.

Cast/Crew: These are questions we are seeking answers to. If you have the time, please answer them as best you can. We will move these questions/answers to the correct page once they have been done. You can also check out ''[[:md:Category:Seeking Official Information|Category:Seeking Official Information]]'' for larger items - particularly pictures.

All questions which have been previously answered can be found on the archive pages. Questions get moved to the archives once items and questions stemming from the issue have stopped.


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{| class="toc plainlinks" summary="Notice" 
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| [[Image:BSG WIKI Caution.png]]
| [[Bradley Thompson]] is very busy. It might be a while before he answers questions. 
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==Cybernetic Living Organism==
Hello, Mr. Thompson, we wanted to ask you a question regarding the meaning of the word "Cylon". 

When we began getting reports and such about the proposed spin-off "Caprica", amongst them was the news that we would learn what the word "Cylon" meant by the end of the pilot. Amongst this information we got a partial name, and then later on more was revealed: "Cybernetic Living Organism". However, we do not know if it is truly the one you, the writers, intend to use, or if it was just a rumor. Is "Cybernetic Living Organism" the canonical origin behind the word "Cylon", or was this just a rumor/old version?

Thank you for your time. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 15:02, 6 July 2007 (CDT)
:The Battlestar Concordance from the original series doesn't document the etymology.  Ron D. Moore's "Caprica," has a character coin the term, saying, "A cybernetic life-form node, a Cylon."  But as "Caprica" has yet to go before cameras, there is yet no "official" version. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 13:39, 20 September 2007 (CDT)
::Thanks Bradley. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] <sup>([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]])</sup> 03:04, 21 September 2007 (CDT)
:::Indeed, thank you! --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 06:47, 4 October 2007 (CDT)

== Season 4 Episode Titles ==

Hello Mr. Thompson,

could you please confirm and maybe add (for us) unknown S4 episode titles, like you did with S3 episodes? So far we know about:
 
*4.01 - [[He That Believeth In Me]]
*4.02 - [[Six of One]]
*4.03 - [[The Ties That Bind]]
*4.04 - [[Escape Velocity]]
*4.05 - Into the West
*4.06 - [[Faith]]
*4.08 - [[Sine Qua Non]]
*4.10 - [[Revelations]]

That leaves 4.07 and 4.09 unknown. Thank you for an answer. --[[User:Deus|Deus]] 12:18, 17 November 2007 (CST)
:Additionally, can you confirm that these 10 episodes have been produced, that the 10th ("Revelations") is the mid-season cliffhanger and that the one after that is the episode Ronald Moore was supposed to direct? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 12:45, 17 November 2007 (CST)

::If there's a title called "Into the West," it's news to me.  The series has put thirteen episodes into the can -- that counts "Razor" as episodes #1 & 2 of the fourth order.  Can't really call it all a fourth season, because SciFi could air it as two seasons or just one.  The numbering we use in-house starts with 4.01 & 4.02 as "Razor."  Season 4 Starts with Episode 3, "He That Believeth In Me."  The titles you have are otherwise correct, though the Confidentiality Agreement in our contracts keeps me from filling in the gaps.  This season's episodes contain so many spoilers that script distribution has been severely curtailed and diabolical measures have been enacted to catch and chastise leakers.  Crucifixion, line on the left, one cross each.  (Thank you Monty Python) [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 02:00, 30 November 2007 (CST)
:::So you can't fill in the gaps, but you can tell us which titles are correct? That's a weird contract... --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 06:08, 30 November 2007 (CST)
::::Well, we appreciate whatever help you can provide. Thanks for the info on the episode title and the episode numbering! --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 07:20, 30 November 2007 (CST)
:::::Stay safe on the picket lines! Any picks of you holding a picket? :P [[User:Shane|Shane]] <sup>([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]])</sup> 09:40, 30 November 2007 (CST)
:So we can delete the "yet unconfirmed" comments on the episode pages I guess. Question is, do we cite and how? Maybe a link to this post instead of the GoBetween pictures? But those need to be updated when this page is archived. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:28, 30 November 2007 (CST)
::Linking here is fine I guess. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 06:31, 30 November 2007 (CST)


:::::4.05 (your number system) is entitled "Guess What's Coming to Dinner"
:::::4.09 (your number system) is "The Hub"
:::::You have the rest correct.

::Michael Nankin directed the episode that follows Revelations.  Ron will write and direct the one after that -- the first one to be shot after the strike. 

Hey, Steelviper - the "Warrior Poets" photo was pretty cool.  There may be a photo of us on the lines, but I'll have to check my other computer.  - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 20:14, 21 February 2008 (CST)
:Thanks, Brad. Would you happen to know the title for 4.07 (the episode between [[Faith]] and [[Sine Qua Non]]) as well? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:44, 22 February 2008 (CST)

::Our Season 4 Production List is:
:::401-402 Razor
:::403 He That Believeth in Me
:::404 Six of One
:::405 Ties That Bind
:::406 Escape Velocity
:::407 The Road Less Travelled
:::408 Faith
:::409 Guess What's Coming to Dinner
:::410 Sine Qua Non
:::411 The Hub
:::412 Revelations

- [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:43, 25 February 2008 (CST)

== Minor questions about [[Jaycie McGavin]] ==

Hi Bradley, just two minor questions on [[Jaycie McGavin]] that maybe you can answer. One, is her callsign "Goldbrick", and two, did she live or die after [[Operation Raptor Talon]] in the "[[Razor Flashbacks]]"? -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki &mdash; ''New'']</sup> 12:19, 15 December 2007 (CST)

::The script never defines Lt. McGavin's call sign.  As to living or dying... depends upon your time reference:  By the end of the miniseries, nearly everybody in the Twelve Colonies is dead.  But as yet, we've not referred to her since they carried her, still living, to sickbay, so you can make up your own story. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 20:09, 25 February 2008 (CST)

== [[Adrien Bauer]]'s actor ==

Hello there, just a question about a character mentioned in "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]": is there any particular reason why a photograph of [[Graeme Duffy]] was chosen to portray [[Adrien Bauer]] or no? [[User:DrWho42|DrWho42]] 20:52, 25 February 2008 (CST)

== New Episode Titles ==

koenigrules as reported the following episode titles:<br/>
:11 - Sometimes a Great Nation
:12 - The Disquiet That Follows My Soul
:13 - The Oath
:14 - Blood on the Scales
:15 - No Exit
Are they correct? -- [[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 14:42, 9 March 2008 (CDT)

:That's also mentioned on [http://www.bsg.cz www.bsg.cz], but since I can't read czech I don't know their source. 11, 12 and 14 are pretty awesome titles, btw. BSG's titles are sometimes a bit generic, but these are pretty poetic. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 15:01, 9 March 2008 (CDT)
::For clarity, these would be 411-415 in our numbering scheme, with production numbers 413-417. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 15:36, 9 March 2008 (CDT)
::Serenity: Our source is same as yours, koenigrules. We say they are unconfirmed and to be considered just as rumor. BTW we'll start with english news (at least we'll try) in few weeks with new design.--[[User:Deus|Deus]] 01:36, 10 March 2008 (CDT)
:::That's good. :) It's one of the best BSG news sites IMO (I usually check the links to get the the original source), but not having it in English is a real waste and limits the audience unnecessarily. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:00, 10 March 2008 (CDT)

== Tigh and the Cylon detector... and Baltar's Cult ==

Hi Brad. Having watched "[[He That Believeth In Me]]", I had a nagging question regarding Baltar's Cylon detector. Was Saul Tigh ever tested? The reason I ask is because there's a scene near the end of act 1 where Tigh comments that the detector failed to ID Boomer, then he stares off into the camera for no less than 10 seconds... as if he has something to add, but thinks the better of it... or wants someone to pick up on an unasked question. My inference from watching the episode was that Tigh was tested as well, but it's not concrete, so I'm looking for some confirmation either way on that fact.


Further, Baltar's cult really strikes mas being inspired by the Manson Family and other religious/counter-cultural cults. What were the inspirations for Baltar's cult? Further, I have the feeling that [[My Triumphs, My Mistakes|his book]] has much to do with how the cult started. Is that the cult's "holy text"? Thanks Brad! :D -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 18:18, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

::Patience, oh my brother... {{unsigned|Ngarenn}}

== [[Samuel Anders]] Callsign + Highschool ==

Now we know there was no call name given to Mr. Anders in our newest episode, however, if you can disclose on what it is, that would be great. :) Also, is "[[Noyce Elementary School]]" the correct spelling of the high school name. Cheers on such a great premiere episode! [[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|talk]]) 17:23, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

::We have it as Noyse in the teleplay.  [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 02:26, 15 April 2008 (UTC)


Ngarenn, it appears that Sam actually was given the callsign "Longshot". Could you please confirm or deny this? Thanks. -- [[User:Noneofyourbusiness|Noneofyourbusiness]] 14:36, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

::Confirmed.  He got his call sign in "He That Believeth In Me"  So did Diana "Hardball" Seelix. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 15:23, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
:::Thank you very much. -- [[User:Noneofyourbusiness|Noneofyourbusiness]] 20:37, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
:::There was just some confusion with the dialogue a bit ambiguous. It can also be interpreted that he is addressing a pilot called Longshot :) -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 20:50, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

In that fight, he was confused.  Wireless protocol is very specific for a reason.  You call out your addressee first, then say who you are and what you want - eg. "Galactica, Hardball - request vectors to Majahual"  Which tells our guys aboard Galactica that Hardball needs directions to the mining ship. -- [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 03:00, 19 March 2009 (UTC)

==Brothers and sisters==
The current [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)]] article assumes that brothers and sisters are distinct from priests and priestesses, and are the equivalent of monks or lay clergy. However, according to the casting info on [[Clarice Willow]] from ''Caprica'', she is both a Sister and High Priestess. Does it mean that "Brother" and "Sister" are just honorifics for priests and priestesses? [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 19:10, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

==Quorum of Twelve==
Which colonies do [[Reza Chronides]] and the unnamed delegate played by [[Iris Paluly]] represent? (or the [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Other delegates|other, uncredited delegates]] for that matter) [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 10:49, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

==Centurions - retcon or later version?==
Should we assume that the redesigned Centurions from "Razor" are what the First War Centurions always looked, or are the TOS Cylon replicas (more human-looking, with mechanical joints hidden in black tubes, flexible armor "skirts" and swords) from the museum and Armistice Officer's specification perhaps an earlier model, while the "Razor" ones are a later model used during the late stages of the war and by the Guardians (perhaps 0006)? The Razor ones look like something in the middle between the TOS Centurions and the modern ones. [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 11:47, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

:: As with any military design, Centurions are constantly modified as improvements are released for field use and/or mission profiles dictate.  Often these changes are not visible -- software patches, greater ammunitions storiage, longer lasting servos an power supplies, better sensors, faster target recognition packages... -[[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 15:21, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

== Fleet Population ==

In "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" we get a glimpse of the chalkboard where Roslin and Baltar's votes are being counted ship by ship. It's from this that we've deduced the names of most of the ships in the Fleet, and the idea that you have a list of ships with which to work with.

We were wondering to what extent we could consider the populations of the ships indicated (deduced roughly from adding up Baltar's and Roslin's figures) to be accurate, are these figures part of a writer's handbook/[[Series Bible]]-like document?

Many thanks, 
[[User:OTW|OTW]] 10:23, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

: I wouldn't go by the chalkboard on ''Galactica'' in LDYB II, simply because the numbers of voters (broken down by ship) do not add up with the overall totals at the top two boxes. (Yeah, I tried to do what you did, but decided that it wasn't worth it.) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 19:03, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

== "Guess What's Coming To Dinner" a two-parter? ==

Hi Bradley, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and for clarifying the "Longshot" issue! :D My question is this... Has "Guess What's Coming to Dinner" been split into a two-parter. According to both IMDb and [http://www.hulu.com/battlestar-galactica Hulu], the episode is a two parter. However, on the official SciFi.com website, they say the next episode is "[[Sine Qua Non]]". Obviously, a bit of a contradiction here... Any insights from your end would be much appreciated! Thank you again! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 01:51, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

== Middle names ==

A quick question about the middle names of some of the characters, notably Samuel T. Anders and Karl C. Agathon: Has the production team determined the full middle names of these characters, or is this another small mystery in the saga of ''Battlestar Galactica''? -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 19:29, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

== Total number of ships in the fleet from start to finish ==

Just wondering if u would know the total number of vessels in the fleet cause I keep getting anything from 68 to 70 (that's if I add ''Caprica Clipper'', the Pan Galactic liner and ''Gemini'', the Gemini Freights heavy freighter).

so tell me what number of ships there are from '''33''' to current ('''revelations''').

Also what became of ''Daru Mozu'', is it destroyed or is it still in the fleet. And how about Coronis, Tauranian Traveller, Rising Star, Majahual, Scorpia Traveller, Virgon Express, McConnell, Baah Pakal and Freighter 212. --[[User:CoreyDanian|Lt. Corey "Shadow" Danian]] October 23 2008 2.24 CST

: It is really difficult to pin down just how many ships were in the fleet at any given point in time, despite the fact that the production staff has a master list of names, but that some of these names were not apparently used. There are also serious discrepancy issues which are bound to skew results. For instance, the [[:Image:tally chalkboard.jpg|voting tally chalkboard]] on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' during "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" lists ships that the whiteboard on ''[[Colonial One]]'' during that same episode does not list, and vice versa. 

: It also doesn't help that the numbers of ships that survived were retconned from the Miniseries to "33" and onward. 

: So, is there an exact number? No. Will there ever be one? 

: Nope. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 18:59, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

== Quorum Delegate==
Is the "[[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)|Quorum Delegate]]" (played by [[Veena Sood]]) representing three different colonies in three different episodes (first temporarily replacing [[Reza Chronides]], then the Tauron Delegate, then the Gemenon Delegate) a continuity error? Or is there a canon explanation for this? (Perhaps her being an official stand-in that votes in the name of any colony whose delegate can't be present at a session)? [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 02:34, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

: There is no order for less-important delegates in the show. It's a continuity error. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 02:40, 1 February 2009 (UTC)
::It might have been an error originally, but it doesn't mean it can't be retconned. :) In the Battlestar Forum someone said that it's actually common for an absentee member to be replaced by a sit-in that they select to vote on their behalf. Maybe Veena Sood's delegate is someone trusted enough by delegates from three different colonies to be selected by them as a sit-in? After all, politics is a family tradition for her (the same actress plays an important politician in ''Caprica''). :) |
::And the composition of the quorum has actually been pretty consistent across all the episodes the current quorum appears in, aside from her. [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 02:45, 1 February 2009 (UTC)
@@ Line 133: / Line 133: @@
 ==Brothers and sisters==
 The current [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)]] article assumes that brothers and sisters are distinct from priests and priestesses, and are the equivalent of monks or lay clergy. However, according to the casting info on [[Clarice Willow]] from ''Caprica'', she is both a Sister and High Priestess. Does it mean that "Brother" and "Sister" are just honorifics for priests and priestesses? [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 19:10, 7 April 2008 (UTC)
-While they are distinct, the honorific can be Sister and Brother, just as the clergy is free to address their flock by those terms.  -- [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 03:02, 19 March 2009 (UTC)
 ==Quorum of Twelve==
@@ Line 154: / Line 152: @@
 : I wouldn't go by the chalkboard on ''Galactica'' in LDYB II, simply because the numbers of voters (broken down by ship) do not add up with the overall totals at the top two boxes. (Yeah, I tried to do what you did, but decided that it wasn't worth it.) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 19:03, 3 November 2008 (UTC)
-Fleet population was always in flux, and the only people who really knew what was going on were the editors, who had to come up with the xx,xxx survivors super on every show.  Trust them.  We did.  -- [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 03:05, 19 March 2009 (UTC)
 == "Guess What's Coming To Dinner" a two-parter? ==
@@ Line 187: / Line 183: @@
 ::It might have been an error originally, but it doesn't mean it can't be retconned. :) In the Battlestar Forum someone said that it's actually common for an absentee member to be replaced by a sit-in that they select to vote on their behalf. Maybe Veena Sood's delegate is someone trusted enough by delegates from three different colonies to be selected by them as a sit-in? After all, politics is a family tradition for her (the same actress plays an important politician in ''Caprica''). :) |
 ::And the composition of the quorum has actually been pretty consistent across all the episodes the current quorum appears in, aside from her. [[User:Ausir|Ausir]] 02:45, 1 February 2009 (UTC)
-== Cylon Civil War ==
-During the Cylon Civil War, the faction that allies with the Humans are called the Rebels and consisted of the Twos, Sixs and Eights. Were these models the only remaining number of their lines, or were there others still fighting Cavil's faction?  [[User:Volostheguardian|Volostheguardian]] 16:31, 22 March 2009 (UTC)
-==Thirteenth Tribe "Cylons"==
-This wasn't made too clear in the series, and although we know the term "Cylon" is given to the beings created in "Caprica", I was wondering if the Cylons who came before that, the entire thirteenth tribe and the Kobolian Centurions, also had that name? Thank you.--[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 14:50, 24 March 2009 (UTC)
-==Biotechnology==
-Another thing that is implied but not really understood too well is the source of organic/biotechnology the Cylons posses. It's rather significant, and we especially see it in the design of the Colony, which RDM said was grown/built around the Final Five's original ship, so does that mean that this technology (and all it's derivatives) came from the Thirteenth Tribe in Earth? Or did it come from even farther back, from Kobol maybe? Thank you. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 14:50, 24 March 2009 (UTC)
-== Greenleaf ==
-Is there an actual proper screen shot showing the ''Greenleaf'' in the fleet. We only get a shot of the hull in "[[Sacrifice]]". If so, what does it actually look like? [[User:CoreyDanian|Corey &quot;Shadow&quot; Danian]] 04:49, 18 January 2010 (UTC)