Editing Coker Fasjovik

{{Character Data
|photo=Coker Fasjovik.png
|series=BAC
|seen=Blood and Chrome
|pseen=''Blood and Chrome''
|marital status= Married to [[Katie]]
|role=[[ECO]]
|colony=[[Aerilon]]
|rank=Junior Lieutenant
|actor=[[Ben Cotton]]
|sortkey=Fasjovik, Coker
}}
Junior Lieutenant '''Coker Fasjovik''' is a [[Raptor]] [[ECO]] (electronic countermeasures officer) serving the [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] during the tenth year of the [[First Cylon War]], circa {{BCH|42}}. 

==Service==
Drafted into the [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] immediately after graduating from the [[University of Aerilon]], and having served two tours of duty, Fasjovik has become emotionally worn by the war, and is openly contemptuous of inexperience and optimism in the face of the long and violent conflict. He is saddled with [[William Adama|Ensign William Adama]] as the pilot of his [[Raptor]], ''[[Wild Weasel]]'', upon the young ensign's assignment to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Fasjovik actively despises [[William Adama|Adama]]'s gung-ho nature and rebukes Adama's attempts to befriend him, even declaring his [[Oliver Bear|previous pilot]], who was killed in combat, an "asshole" who was nevertheless worth "ten huskers like" [[William Adama|Adama]].

Fasjovik is relieved when Commander [[Silas Nash]] gives him and his new pilot a "milk run" to deliver cargo, as he only has forty-seven days remaining in his (mandatory) second tour of duty. However, much to Fasjovik's chagrin, the "milk run" is a pretense for a classified mission deep in [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] space involving [[Becca Kelly]], a computer programmer who refined the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]' [[MCP|artificial intelligence]] before the start of the war.

During an assignment on [[Djerba]], Fasjovik eventually realizes that [[Becca Kelly|Kelly]] is hiding something, and forces her at gunpoint to reveal her plan. She dupes him into believing that she intends to infect the [[Cylon]] computer network with a [[w:computer virus|virus]]. However, as [[Becca Kelly|Kelly]] works, Fasjovik sees information about [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial]] warships being uploaded. Realizing that she is betraying the hidden "[[Ghost Fleet|ghost fleet]]" of Colonial ships being prepared for a surprise attack, he shoots her, but before he and [[William Adama|Adama]] can leave the [[Cylon]] facility, he is in turn shot by [[Becca Kelly|Kelly]]. [[William Adama|Adama]] destroys the communications array and stops the upload after [[Becca Kelly|Kelly]] runs out of ammo. Fasjovik and [[William Adama|Adama]] help one another to escape, and are soon found by a [[SAR]] [[Raptor]]. His wounds heal, and with a new sense of respect and friendship for [[William Adama|Adama]], plans to finish off his remaining six weeks in the service.

==Private Life==
Fasjovik's father was a [[w:mining engineer|mining engineer]] who later became a professor at [[Promethea A&M|Promethea A & M]]. Despite this family connection, Fasjovik elected to attend the [[University of Aerilon]], first intending to be a [[w:playwright|playwright]], then later deciding to study [[w:music|music]] and becoming a skilled [[w:pianist|pianist]]. While taking shelter at an abandoned [[w:ski lodge|ski lodge]] on [[Djerba]], he plays on a [[w:grand piano|grand piano]], and laments to [[William Adama|Ensign Adama]] about the rarity of such opportunities in his life. He also has a wife, Katie, but is reluctant to discuss her. Before passing out from his wounds, he gives [[William Adama|Adama]] a photo of her for safe keeping {{Ep|trs1=Blood and Chrome|trs_del1=y}}.

== Notes ==

=== Musical Theme ===
[[Bear McCreary]] composed a specific theme for Coker Fasjovik in ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'', marking one of the few times a supporting character received their own musical motif in the ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' universe. The '''[[Coker Theme]]''' is a simple six-note melody played by [[w:bansuri|bansuri]] and supported by [[w:duduk|duduks]], reserved exclusively for the character's emotional moments.<ref name="McCrearyBlog">{{cite_web|url=https://bearmccreary.com/battlestar-galactica-blood-chrome/|title=Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome|date=10 February 2013|accessdate=27 July 2025|last=McCreary|first=Bear}}</ref>

According to [[Bear McCreary]], the theme highlights the tender side of Fasjovik's wise-cracking personality rather than providing comedic support, as "that part of his personality shines through easily." The theme appears in touching scenes throughout ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'', including when Fasjovik encounters his old friend [[Jim Kirby]] and informs him that he is now a father, and during his piano performance at the abandoned lodge on [[Djerba]].<ref name="McCrearyBlog"/>

=== Behind the Scenes ===
[[Ben Cotton]], who portrays Coker Fasjovik, was announced as cast in the role on 26 January 2011 alongside [[Luke Pasqualino]] as [[William Adama]].<ref name="CastingNews">{{cite_web|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/26/battlestar-galactica-blood-chorme-cast/|title=Young William Adama Cast for Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=27 July 2025}}</ref> The character was specifically created for ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' as a foil to the young, idealistic [[William Adama|Adama]], representing the war-weariness and cynicism that would later influence Adama's own military philosophy.

The character's background as a musician and [[w:playwright|playwright]] was incorporated to show the human cost of the [[First Cylon War]] - talented individuals forced into military service and away from their creative pursuits. This theme resonates throughout ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'', emphasizing how the war affected all aspects of [[Colonial]] society and culture.

== References ==
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[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Characters]]
[[Category: Characters (BAC)]]
[[Category: Characters (RDM)]]
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 ==Private Life==
 Fasjovik's father was a [[w:mining engineer|mining engineer]] who later became a professor at [[Promethea A&M|Promethea A & M]]. Despite this family connection, Fasjovik elected to attend the [[University of Aerilon]], first intending to be a [[w:playwright|playwright]], then later deciding to study [[w:music|music]] and becoming a skilled [[w:pianist|pianist]]. While taking shelter at an abandoned [[w:ski lodge|ski lodge]] on [[Djerba]], he plays on a [[w:grand piano|grand piano]], and laments to [[William Adama|Ensign Adama]] about the rarity of such opportunities in his life. He also has a wife, Katie, but is reluctant to discuss her. Before passing out from his wounds, he gives [[William Adama|Adama]] a photo of her for safe keeping {{Ep|trs1=Blood and Chrome|trs_del1=y}}.
-== Script Version Differences ==
-The pre-production script for ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' contains significantly more character development and backstory for Coker Fasjovik than appears in the final production.
-=== Extended Personal Background ===
-The script provides much more detail about Coker's family and educational background. His father worked for major [[Tylium]] companies before becoming a professor at [[Promethea A&M]], and Coker "broke his heart" by choosing to attend the [[University of Aerilon]] instead, an arts school where he initially wanted to be a playwright before switching to music.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=30}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 30</ref>
-=== Marriage and Emotional Distance ===
-The script reveals that Coker's wife [[Katie]] lives on [[Aerilon]] and had been writing letters to him, but he stopped responding during his second tour. When [[William Adama|Adama]] asks about this, Coker explains his psychological defense mechanism: soldiers sometimes stop thinking about what they have waiting for them at home because "it's easier not to sweat the future if you think you don't have one."<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=97}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 97</ref>
-=== Piano Bar Scene ===
-The script includes an extensive piano bar sequence where Coker plays a mournful melody while drinking expensive alcohol at the abandoned resort on [[Djerba]]. During this scene, he reflects on his failed artistic aspirations and engages in deeper philosophical discussions with [[William Adama|Adama]] about war and survival. He admits that back home he couldn't afford such luxury items but "figured it'd be a crime to let it go to waste."<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=76}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 76</ref>
-=== Friendship with Jim Kirby ===
-The script features an expanded subplot involving Coker's friendship with [[Jim Kirby]], a [[Viper]] pilot presumed dead but actually serving in the ghost fleet. Coker informs Kirby that he has become a father―his wife [[Janey]] gave birth to a son named [[Anslem]] (after her father). This revelation causes Kirby to change his call sign from "Goldbrick" to "Anslem" and ultimately influences his decision to abandon the mission when the stakes become too high.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=54}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pgs. 54-55</ref>
-=== Enhanced Character Arc ===
-The script version shows Coker's evolution more gradually, with extended dialogue exploring themes of survival, cynicism, and the psychological toll of extended combat. His relationship with [[William Adama|Adama]] develops through more detailed conversations about their respective backgrounds and motivations, providing greater context for his eventual respect for the young pilot.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=96}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pgs. 96-97</ref>
 == Notes ==