Cassiopeia (TOS-BN)

Cassiopeia is described as a brunette while Athena is described as a blonde in contrast to the actresses who portrayed them.

During the mass exodus from the surface of Caprica, Starbuck and Cassiopeia pilot a shuttle filled with highly volatile tylium. They barely evade the attacking Cylons and return to Galactica (Saga of a Star World novelization).

In Surrender the Galactica!, Cassiopeia has established herself as a capable medtech while maintaining complex relationships and personal connections throughout the fleet.

Medical Duties and Professional Life

Cassiopeia serves as a medtech, conducting examinations and medical procedures aboard Galactica. She performs routine medical checkups on pilots, including examining Starbuck after his dangerous test flight in the SuperViper, using a diagnostic scanner to check his vital signs and overall health.

Her medical work extends beyond routine examinations to include guest lectures for children. She delivers presentations on basic hygiene to groups of attentive students, teaching them health rules such as eating primaries, getting proper sleep, exercising according to cadet workout protocols, and seeking medical attention when needed. Her lectures conclude with the group motto "Help everybody to help others!"

Past as a Socialator

Cassiopeia reflects on her previous life as a socialator on Gemon, where she was trained to serve others and follow strict regimens, traditional rules, and time-honored customs. While this life had been comfortable and fulfilling, it lacked freedom. Her parents had sold her into the socialator cult, restricting her personal choices.

Her socialator training included writing skills and an appreciation for drama and theatrical performances, experiences she had loved during her time on Gemon. This background proves useful when she later collaborates on theatrical projects aboard Galactica.

On Galactica, she enjoys unprecedented freedom to choose her career, make friends with anyone she wants, and even have children—privileges denied to socialators on Gemon.

Relationship with Starbuck

Cassiopeia maintains a complicated relationship with Starbuck. The two were previously romantically involved and were once considered "one of Galactica's hottest items," but are no longer together.

During their interactions, Cassiopeia displays a mixture of professionalism and personal tension. When Starbuck attempts to rekindle their romance, she firmly rebuffs him, stating they are "not going together anymore" and that she is "not available." Despite Starbuck's attempts at charm and promises to change, she maintains her distance, showing visible anger and tension in her posture when walking away from him.

Cassiopeia acknowledges her past feelings, stating she has had the desire to "starbuck him" many times, indicating both her history with him and her current frustration. She describes herself as being "in his little black book," placing herself among Starbuck's many romantic conquests.

Reunion with Dwybolt

Cassiopeia encounters Dwybolt, an old flame from her days on Gemon, when his theatrical company arrives aboard Galactica. Dwybolt had been a handsome, somewhat arrogant young actor whom she had "quite a crush" on. He was elegant, talented, and very romantic during their time together.

Their reunion is emotional, with Cassiopeia expressing joy at seeing him alive and well. However, the encounter becomes complicated when Dwybolt shows surprise at finding a former socialator aboard a fleet command ship, revealing lingering Gemonese prejudices. Cassiopeia corrects him, explaining that she now works as a med-tech, "treating physical wounds instead of emotional ones."

The reunion with Dwybolt stirs up old memories and feelings, making her long for experiences that can never be repeated due to the Cylon destruction of the colonies. She uses her past relationship with him to convince him to include a theatrical piece she and Hera have written as part of his performance.

Collaborative Projects and Friendships

Cassiopeia works closely with Athena and Hera, supporting educational efforts such as Athena's children's classes. She shows concern for missing persons, particularly Boxey, offering comfort and reassurance to worried friends.

She collaborates with Hera on a theatrical project designed to address issues of gender relations aboard the ship, using her writing skills and connections in the theater world to bring their vision to fruition.

Physical Description

Cassiopeia is described as having light blue eyes and blonde hair, with her hair sometimes being tossed backward in an arrogant manner. She is noted for her beauty, with characters frequently commenting on her attractiveness.