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| heading = CONTRIBUTORS: Remember that an episode summary is just that, a ''summary''. '''Don't use the article to ask questions that you haven't bothered to search for in related articles.''' Limit speculation; the Re-imagined Series is essentially over: ''no further significant revelations should be expected.'' Follow [[BW:SAC|standards]]: Don't ask questions in questions. If an answer is found, move that data to the relevant article, phrasing it as a statement in the article body. This article will be naturally long; be [[BW:CON|concise]] and avoid unnecessary detail. Thanks!
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{{Episode Data
{{Episode Data
| image=Battleofthecolony.jpg
| image=Battleofthecolony.jpg
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| season= 4
| season= 4
| episode= 20
| episode= 20
| series=TRS
| guests=  
| guests=  
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
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| forumthread=3050
| forumthread=3050
| hulu=Y
| hulu=Y
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:''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' ''and a crew of volunteers undertake one last mission against the Cylons led by [[John Cavil]], while destinies are fulfilled.''
== Summary ==
 
* ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' ''and a crew of volunteers undertake one last mission against the Cylons led by [[John Cavil]], while destinies are fulfilled.''
 
== Overview  ==


===Act 1===
===Act 1===
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*The episode begins with a series of events that occurred before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Fall]].
*The episode begins with a series of events that occurred before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Fall]].
**In a strip bar in [[Caprica City]], [[William Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Saul]] and [[Ellen Tigh]] enjoy themselves.  Adama questions whether to take a civilian job or take command of an aged battlestar,<ref>This is a side reference to the events of the episode, "[[Hero]]"</ref> finally deciding on the civilian job.
**In a strip bar in [[Caprica City]], [[William Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Saul]] and [[Ellen Tigh]] enjoy themselves.  Adama questions whether to take a civilian job or take command of an aged battlestar,<ref>This is a side reference to the events of the episode, "[[Hero]]"</ref> finally deciding on the civilian job.
**{{callsign|Starbuck}} and her fiancé [[Zak Adama]] have his brother {{callsign|Lee Adama}} over for dinner in her apartment. Conversation turns to the contradiction in Lee's decision to join the [[Colonial Forces]], in light of his idealism and his disagreements with his father. He frames it as a pragmatic transaction: military service in exchange for a college education.
**[[Kara Thrace]] and her fiancé [[Zak Adama]] have his brother [[Lee Adama]] over for dinner in her apartment. Conversation turns to the contradiction in Lee's decision to join the [[Colonial Forces]], in light of his idealism and his disagreements with his father. He frames it as a pragmatic transaction: military service in exchange for a college education.
**Elsewhere, [[Laura Roslin]] greets her date, Sean Allison, at her home. She eventually recognizes him as a former student from years ago.  Despite the age difference, Roslin decides to let him stay the night.
**Elsewhere, [[Laura Roslin]] greets her date, Sean Allison, at her home. She eventually recognizes him as a former student from years ago.  Despite the age difference, Roslin decides to let him stay the night.
**At the strip bar, Bill Adama asks Saul whether he'd have taken the civilian desk job. Saul doesn't answer.
**At the strip bar, Bill Adama asks Saul whether he'd have taken the civilian desk job. Saul doesn't answer.
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**Bill Adama is drunkenly sick, vomiting outside on the street. With a weak smile, he looks up to the stars in the night sky.
**Bill Adama is drunkenly sick, vomiting outside on the street. With a weak smile, he looks up to the stars in the night sky.


*Aboard ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'', [[Gaius Baltar]] sits in the former home of his [[Cult of Baltar|followers]], now empty.  [[Virtual beings|Virtual Six]] tells him to trust in [[God (RDM)|God's]] plan for him, a plan she says he is already following.
*Aboard ''''{{RDM|Galactica}}'''', [[Gaius Baltar]] sits in the former home of his [[Cult of Baltar|followers]], now empty.  [[Virtual beings|Virtual Six]] tells him to trust in [[God (RDM)|God's]] plan for him, a plan she says he is already following.


===Act 2===  
===Act 2===  
Aboard ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'', final preparations are made for the mission...
Aboard ''''{{RDM|Galactica}}'''', final preparations are made for the mission...
* In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] leaves assistant [[Layne Ishay]] enough medication to allow Laura Roslin enough lucidity and mobility for 48 hours. She thanks him sincerely, leaving Cottle uncharacteristically speechless.
* In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] leaves assistant [[Layne Ishay]] enough medication to allow Laura Roslin enough lucidity and mobility for 48 hours. She thanks him sincerely, leaving Cottle uncharacteristically speechless.
* In the [[pilot ready room]], {{callsign|Karl Agathon}} briefs the [[Raptor]] teams on the special nature of their rescue mission. Despite the odds, all volunteer.
* In the [[pilot ready room]], [[Karl Agathon]] briefs the [[Raptor]] teams on the special nature of their rescue mission. Despite the odds, all volunteer.
* Lee Adama briefs the [[marines]] on Hera's likely location: deep inside the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] [[The Colony|colony]].
* Lee Adama briefs the [[marines]] on Hera's likely location: deep inside the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] [[The Colony|colony]].
*In [[CIC]], Admiral Adama works out the tactics of the battle against the colony; Close-range combat - no nuclear weapons and missiles.
*In [[CIC]], Admiral Adama works out the tactics of the battle against the colony; Close-range combat - no nuclear weapons and missiles.
* The [[Final Five]] plan to use [[Samuel Anders]], now effectively a [[Hybrid]] on ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'', to disrupt the Colony's Hybrids, a plan which requires Anders to be brought to CIC and connected to ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'''s computer systems.
* The [[Final Five]] plan to use [[Samuel Anders]], now effectively a [[Hybrid]] on ''''{{RDM|Galactica}}'''', to disrupt the Colony's Hybrids, a plan which requires Anders to be brought to CIC and connected to ''''{{RDM|Galactica}}'''''s computer systems.
* Saul Tigh is disturbed at the sight of gooey wires and conduit used to interface Anders with the battlestar.
* Saul Tigh is disturbed at the sight of gooey wires and conduit used to interface Anders with the battlestar.
* Admiral Adama hands over command of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] to [[Hoshi]], noting that if they aren't back from the mission in 12 hours, they will never come back. Similarly, Lee Adama appoints [[Romo Lampkin]] as President of the Twelve Colonies. He joins Admiral Hoshi on the last Raptor to leave ''Galactica'' for the baseship, the Fleet's new flagship.
* Admiral Adama hands over command of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] to [[Hoshi]], noting that if they aren't back from the mission in 12 hours, they will never come back. Similarly, Lee Adama appoints [[Romo Lampkin]] as President of the Twelve Colonies. He joins Admiral Hoshi on the last Raptor to leave ''Galactica'' for the baseship, the Fleet's new flagship.
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===Act 3===
===Act 3===


*A shot of the Fleet shows that the rebel [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] fully regenerated since the [[Cylon Civil War]], and ready to lead the civilians to safety.  ''Galactica'' separates from the fleet, retracting its [[flight pod]]s to prep for [[FTL]].<br />
*A shot of the Fleet shows that the rebel [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] fully regenerated since the [[Cylon Civil War]], and ready to lead the civilians to safety.  ''Galactica'' separates from the fleet, retracting its [[flight pod]]s to prep for [[FTL]].
 


*Adama asks to go "around the horn," with the [[Saul Tigh|XO]] calling out combat stations over the loudspeaker.
*Adama asks to go "around the horn", with the [[Saul Tigh|XO]] calling out combat stations over the loudspeaker.
** In sickbay, Layne Ishay prepares sickbay for wounded, with Laura Roslin assisting as best she can.
** In sickbay, Layne Ishay prepares sickbay for wounded, with Laura Roslin assisting as best she can.
** {{RDM|Viper}}s are in [[launch tube]]s, and the entire Raptor squadron, armed with troops and missiles, have been placed inside the starboard flight pod deck, amidst the ruins of the old [[Galactica Museum]].
** [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] are in [[launch tube]]s, and the entire Raptor squadron, armed with troops and missiles, have been placed inside the starboard flight pod deck, amidst the ruins of the old [[Galactica Museum]].
** Lee Adama and his force of marines (including Sergeant [[Allan Nowart]]) and red-striped centurions take their positions.
** Lee Adama and his force of marines (including Sergeant [[Allan Nowart]]) and red-striped centurions take their positions.
** Gaius Baltar is a soldier protecting the hallways against boarders. He is surprised to find [[Caprica-Six]] by his side.
** Gaius Baltar is a soldier protecting the hallways against boarders. He is surprised to find [[Caprica-Six]] by his side.
** In CIC, Ellen Tigh signals that Anders is ready to work.
** In CIC, Ellen Tigh signals that Anders is ready to work.
** Adama gives a final speech, a final understanding and call to arms.  
** Adama gives a final speech, a final understanding and call to arms.


*The battlestar jumps away from the fleet, and [[Battle of the Colony]] begins...
*The battlestar jumps away from the fleet, and [[Battle of the Colony]] begins...
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** Ellen starts up Sam Anders, who makes contact with the Colony Hybrids and takes them and the guns offline.  Ellen warns that [[Cylon Raider]]s will appear any minute.
** Ellen starts up Sam Anders, who makes contact with the Colony Hybrids and takes them and the guns offline.  Ellen warns that [[Cylon Raider]]s will appear any minute.
** ''Galactica'' responds by launching its fighter wings. The Vipers launch, and the Raptors jump directly from within the starboard pod to the opposite side of the Colony in a flanking position.  The Raptor jumps, however, cause massive damage to the pod, with gas venting outside from a gaping hole.
** ''Galactica'' responds by launching its fighter wings. The Vipers launch, and the Raptors jump directly from within the starboard pod to the opposite side of the Colony in a flanking position.  The Raptor jumps, however, cause massive damage to the pod, with gas venting outside from a gaping hole.
** Adama orders the battlestar's engines ahead at [[w:Flank speed|flank speed]], ramming the alligator head into the Colony. ''Galactica''{{'|s}} inhabitants take a beating, but breach the Colony through the forced entry.  Lee Adama leads his marines and several Cylon Centurions inside from a front airlock.  
** Adama orders the battlestar's engines ahead at [[w:Flank speed|flank speed]], ramming the alligator head into the Colony. ''Galactica's'' inhabitants take a beating, but breach the Colony through the forced entry.  Lee Adama leads his marines and several Cylon Centurions inside from a front airlock.  
** {{callsign|Racetrack}} and [[Skulls]] arm their nuclear missiles, presumably to strike the Colony after the rescue. But suddenly a piece of debris strikes their Raptor, killing all aboard and leaving the Raptor adrift.
** [[Racetrack]] and [[Skulls]] arm their nuclear missiles, presumably to strike the Colony after the rescue. But suddenly a piece of debris strikes their Raptor, killing all aboard and leaving the Raptor adrift.
** Several Raptors, including the one with {{callsign|Athena}}, Helo, and Starbuck, dock and make their way into the Colony.
** Several Raptors, including the one with [[Sharon Agathon]], Helo, and Starbuck, dock and make their way into the Colony.
** Deep inside the Colony, a [[Simon]] works on young Hera as [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] looks on in disgust. When she questions why he continues to work on Hera when they are under attack, the Simon explains that they they have superior firepower and numbers. Boomer assaults the Simon, snapping his neck, and takes Hera out of the room.
** Deep inside the Colony, a [[Simon]] works on young Hera as [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] looks on in disgust. When she questions why he continues to work on Hera when they are under attack, the Simon explains that they they have superior firepower and numbers. Boomer assaults the Simon, snapping his neck, and takes Hera out of the room.


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* As Anders and the Colony Hybrid scream due to the sudden disconnection, the enemy Cylons in CIC believe they are deceived and open fire. The Colonials kill all but Cavil, who shouts an exasperated "[[Frak]]!" before putting his pistol in his mouth and pulling the trigger.
* As Anders and the Colony Hybrid scream due to the sudden disconnection, the enemy Cylons in CIC believe they are deceived and open fire. The Colonials kill all but Cavil, who shouts an exasperated "[[Frak]]!" before putting his pistol in his mouth and pulling the trigger.


* High above, as the Raiders begin attacking ''Galactica'' again, {{callsign|Racetrack}}'s damaged Raptor drifts, its crew lifeless. A rock strikes the ship, causing Racetrack's dead hand to strike the firing button to the Raptor's tactical nuclear missiles, launching them all straight at the Colony.
* High above, as the Raiders begin attacking ''Galactica'' again, [[Racetrack]]'s damaged Raptor drifts, its crew lifeless. A rock strikes the ship, causing Racetrack's dead hand to strike the firing button to the Raptor's tactical nuclear missiles, launching them all straight at the Colony.
* The force of the explosions severely damage the Colony, pushing it towards the black hole, threatening to take ''Galactica'' with it.
* The force of the explosions severely damage the Colony, pushing it towards the black hole, threatening to take ''Galactica'' with it.
[[File:Cripple.jpg|thumb|right|200px|right|''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' suffers massive hull damage as she completes the jump from the Colony.]]
[[File:Cripple.jpg|thumb|right|200px|right|''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' suffers massive hull damage as she completes the jump from the Colony.]]
* Adama orders Kara Thrace to make a [[blind jump]], but Thrace thinks about [[The Music|the music her father played]], the music that Hera wrote to her. Recalling the mathematical associations she tried to discern from the music, Thrace realizes the music works as a series of FTL coordinates.
* Adama orders Kara Thrace to make a [[blind jump]], but Thrace thinks about [[The Music|the music her father played]], the music that Hera wrote to her. Recalling the mathematical associations she tried to discern from the music, Thrace realizes the music works as a series of FTL coordinates.
* She punches in the coordinates into the [[Computers|navigation computer]] and jumps the ship. As she enters the coordinates, brief flashbacks are shown, including her finding her own corpse on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], and Leoben calling her an angel.
* She punches in the coordinates into the [[Computers|navigation computer]] and jumps the ship. As she enters the coordinates, brief flashbacks are shown, including her finding her own corpse on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], and Leoben calling her an angel.
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* ''Galactica'' completes the jump--but the strain of the last battle causes the battlestar's structure to violently ripple and twist. The ship suffers myriad hull breaches, electrical blowouts and explosive decompressions, but the engines restart.
* ''Galactica'' completes the jump--but the strain of the last battle causes the battlestar's structure to violently ripple and twist. The ship suffers myriad hull breaches, electrical blowouts and explosive decompressions, but the engines restart.
* Adama orders a damage report from Saul, who walks by Galen Tyrol and the dead body of Tory Foster. Tyrol sits on the floor blankly.
* Adama orders a damage report from Saul, who walks by Galen Tyrol and the dead body of Tory Foster. Tyrol sits on the floor blankly.
* A flashback shows [[Callandra Tyrol|Cally Henderson]] catching Tyrol and [[Sharon Valerii]] parting after an escapade in his workshop. Cally warns Tyrol that he needs to learn to recognize who he can really count on.<ref name="extended">This scene is in the extended cut of "Daybreak," available on the Season 4.5 Blu-ray disc set.</ref>
* A flashback shows [[Callandra Tyrol|Cally Henderson]] catching Tyrol and [[Sharon Valerii]] parting after an escapade in his workshop. Cally warns Tyrol that he needs to learn to recognize who he can really count on.<ref name="extended">This scene is in the extended cut of "Daybreak", available on the Season 4.5 Blu-ray disc set.</ref>
* Saul notes that while vital systems are still online, ''Galactica'''s structural members--its back--are broken. The ship will never jump again. Wherever they are, they're stuck.
* Saul notes that while vital systems are still online, ''Galactica'''s structural members--its back--are broken. The ship will never jump again. Wherever they are, they're stuck.
* "Where have you taken us, Kara?" Roslin asks, as the scene changes to an exterior shot to show the battlestar flying over a gray, rocky moon.
* "Where have you taken us, Kara?" Roslin asks, as the scene changes to an exterior shot to show the battlestar flying over a gray, rocky moon.
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* Messenger Baltar counters, "I think it's safe to say that, from now on, your lives will be less...eventful." Their virtual selves disappear, and Baltar takes Six's hand.
* Messenger Baltar counters, "I think it's safe to say that, from now on, your lives will be less...eventful." Their virtual selves disappear, and Baltar takes Six's hand.


* Another flashback to Caprica City. Baltar offers Caprica-Six an opportunity to "peek" into the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]]. He makes clear that he's not doing it for her "employers," but for her, and requests her discretion. He obviously has fallen in love with her.
* Another flashback to Caprica City. Baltar offers Caprica-Six an opportunity to "peek" into the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]]. He makes clear that he's not doing it for her "employers", but for her, and requests her discretion. He obviously has fallen in love with her.


* When Baltar points to some land, he recalls his heritage, and [[Julius Baltar|his father]], and that he knows a bit about farming, to a bit of tears.
* When Baltar points to some land, he recalls his heritage, and [[Julius Baltar|his father]], and that he knows a bit about farming, to a bit of tears.
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* As a fly-over of the city appears, a voice-over of Virtual-Six reads from a magazine article of the Tanzanian discovery of the bones of what scientists believe are the remains of the [[w:mitochondrial Eve|mitochondrial Eve]], the matrilineal common ancestor of mankind.  
* As a fly-over of the city appears, a voice-over of Virtual-Six reads from a magazine article of the Tanzanian discovery of the bones of what scientists believe are the remains of the [[w:mitochondrial Eve|mitochondrial Eve]], the matrilineal common ancestor of mankind.  


[[File:Angels_rdm.jpg|thumb|Angels Baltar and Six...and a man reading National Geographic. The man is played by Ronald D. Moore, creator of the series.]]
[[Image:Angels_rdm.jpg|thumb|Angels Baltar and Six...and a man reading National Geographic. The man is played by Ronald D. Moore, creator of the series.]]


* As [[Ron D. Moore|a man]] reads about the scientific discovery, the Messenger counterparts of Six and Baltar look over his shoulder at a magazine article of the news, and reveal what they know...the bones are those of Hera Agathon, born of a Cylon mother and a human father. No other people on the street appear to notice them.
* As [[Ron D. Moore|a man]] reads about the scientific discovery, the Messenger counterparts of Six and Baltar look over his shoulder at a magazine article of the news, and reveal what they know...the bones are those of Hera Agathon, born of a Cylon mother and a human father. No other people on the street appear to notice them.
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:The linked graphic omits the first and last note of the theme, but both can be heard in the soundtrack during the jump montage. The second "five" (in the third chunk of four digits) corresponds to the tuplet G#/A/G#, effectively omitting the trill up to high A. Every note has the same duration except for the last two, which are twice the length of the others.
:The linked graphic omits the first and last note of the theme, but both can be heard in the soundtrack during the jump montage. The second "five" (in the third chunk of four digits) corresponds to the tuplet G#/A/G#, effectively omitting the trill up to high A. Every note has the same duration except for the last two, which are twice the length of the others.
*The first four numbers of Kara Thrace's jump coordinates&mdash;1, 1, 2, 3&mdash;are the first four numbers of the most common Fibonacci Sequence (starting with 1, 1), where each number is the the sum of the previous two. The last four numbers in reverse&mdash;1, 2, 3, 5&mdash;are the start of another Fibonacci Sequence (starting with 1, 2).
*The first four numbers of Kara Thrace's jump coordinates -- 1, 1, 2, 3 -- are the first four numbers of the most common Fibonacci Sequence (starting with 1, 1), where each number is the the sum of the previous two. The last four numbers in reverse -- 1, 2, 3, 5 -- are the start of another Fibonacci Sequence (starting with 1, 2).
*According to series composer [[Bear McCreary]], Kara derives the coordinates by assigning each note in the Final Four Theme a number based on the diatonic scale system, where each note corresponds to its scale degree (1 through 7). This approach was chosen as the most intuitive solution that someone with Kara's musical background would arrive at, as basic ear training exercises teach students to think of the tonic as '1', the second scale degree as '2', and so forth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*Science advisor Kevin Grazier and composer Bear McCreary actually worked out the science behind the jump coordinates/musical score with input from Bradley Thompson. Their conclusion was that the coordinates were based on ''Galactica''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s heading and distance, so the coordinates translate as 112 degrees by 365 degrees (although the maximum value should be 360) with a range of 365,321 [[SU]], or approximately 5.75 Colonial light-years. This indicates that ''Galactica'' only jumped 5.75 light-years from the Colony to Earth, and not some unimaginably vast distance as indicated by Adama's later one million light-year comment.<ref>[http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=1760#more-1760 Bear McCreary's Battlestar Blog]</ref> In the episode, however, there are three groups of four digits each (1123, 6536, 5321), making it unlikely that the original intent was preserved.
*The process of deriving coordinates from the music became so complex that McCreary began to empathize with Kara as she struggled to crack the code. McCreary worked closely with the series' science advisor Kevin Grazier to ensure the coordinates would be mathematically valid for stellar navigation, requiring two angular measurements and a distance value.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*At least two of the [[Messengers]], Messenger Six and Messenger Baltar, are proven to be entities with their own independent existences, and are not projections from the minds of those who see them. The exact nature of their existence - whether they are literal angels or something else - has not been determined. They have, however, been sent by another being sometimes called "God" to guide Baltar and Caprica Six in their destiny of protecting Hera.  
*Writing the coordinates as latitude/longitude in decimal degrees (11.2365, 35.5321) gives a position within the borders of Ethiopia, which is where the human species originated. This is probably a coincidence, as this position depends on the longitude of the Greenwich Observatory in London as a zero point, but it is an interesting touch.
*Science advisor Kevin Grazier and composer Bear McCreary actually worked out the science behind the jump coordinates/musical score with input from Bradley Thompson. Their conclusion was that the coordinates were based on ''Galactica''{{'|s}} heading and distance, so the coordinates translate as 112 degrees by 365 degrees (although the maximum value should be 360) with a range of 365,321 [[SU]], or approximately 5.75 Colonial light-years. This indicates that ''Galactica'' only jumped 5.75 light-years from the Colony to Earth, and not some unimaginably vast distance as indicated by Adama's later one million light-year comment.<ref>[http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=1760#more-1760 Bear McCreary's Battlestar Blog]</ref> In the episode, however, there are three groups of four digits each (1123, 6536, 5321), making it unlikely that the original intent was preserved.
*At least two of the [[Messengers]], Messenger Six and Messenger Baltar, are proven to be entities with their own independent existences, and are not projections from the minds of those who see them. The exact nature of their existence - whether they are literal angels or something else - has not been determined. They have, however, been sent by another being sometimes called "God" to guide Baltar and Caprica-Six in their destiny of protecting Hera.  
** They have known each other a long time and borne witness to Kobol and the original Earth, as well as the Twelve Colonies and the new Earth. They can walk around and observe events even when no one else present can see them, though they may have the ability to appear to anyone they wish.
** They have known each other a long time and borne witness to Kobol and the original Earth, as well as the Twelve Colonies and the new Earth. They can walk around and observe events even when no one else present can see them, though they may have the ability to appear to anyone they wish.
*Kara Thrace was sent back from the dead by "God" to guide humanity to a new home the coordinates of which were hidden in the Music.
*Kara Thrace was sent back from the dead by "God" to guide humanity to a new home the coordinates of which were hidden in the Music.
===Musical Composition and Production===
*The nearly 100-minute score to "Daybreak" was described by composer [[Bear McCreary]] as potentially being re-titled "The ''Battlestar Galactica'' Symphony." With all thematic material firmly established in previous episodes, McCreary took the opportunity to develop themes further than ever before, combining, fracturing, distorting, elongating, inverting and augmenting them in rewarding ways.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*McCreary's compositional process was different for this episode. Rather than scoring the most difficult scenes first as he typically would, he began with the very first cue and proceeded chronologically through the entire episode, completing it in a "blistering and virtually sleepless sixteen days."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*In an unprecedented move, the producers and McCreary each pitched in personally to fund the full orchestral score when budget constraints threatened to limit the music. Contributors included [[Ron Moore]], [[David Eick]], [[Jane Espenson]], [[Michael Taylor]], [[Bradley Thompson]], [[David Weddle]], [[w:Todd_Sharp|Todd Sharp]], [[Paul M. Leonard]], and McCreary himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*The sequence where Kara enters the [[The Music|jump coordinates]] required unprecedented collaboration between composer and editors. McCreary called editor [[Andy Seklir]] and co-producer [[Paul Leonard]] to request that they re-cut the scene to match his music - something that "basically never happens" in television scoring. The sequence was re-edited to align perfectly with McCreary's musical vision.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
*The use of [[w:Jimi_Hendrix|Jimi Hendrix]]'s version of "[[All Along the Watchtower]]" in the final scene was intended to underscore the concept that the song itself is an ethereal presence that becomes known to selected individuals across the universe and over the eons, bigger than any single person or group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bearmccreary.com/bg4-daybreak-pt-2/ |title=BG4: "Daybreak, Parts I & II" |author=Bear McCreary |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref>
===Miscellaneous===
*The final scenes of this episode, in fast-forwarding through time and attempting to set the entire work as a backstory, make the ending similar to that of the film [[Wikipedia:How the West Was Won (film)|How the West Was Won]].
*The final scenes of this episode, in fast-forwarding through time and attempting to set the entire work as a backstory, make the ending similar to that of the film [[Wikipedia:How the West Was Won (film)|How the West Was Won]].
* The constellation [[w:Ursa Major|Ursa Major]] (including the "[[w:Big Dipper|Big Dipper]]" [[w:Asterism (astronomy)|asterism]]) appears briefly in this episode by mistake<ref>Revealed by [[Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz]] in his [http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/my-god-it-full-of-the-wrong-stars/ blog post].</ref>. It makes only the second appearance of a recognizable star pattern in the series, the first being Orion in "[[The Ties That Bind]]." Orion is also visible twice in this episode.
* The constellation [[w:Ursa Major|Ursa Major]] (including the "[[w:Big Dipper|Big Dipper]]" [[w:Asterism (astronomy)|asterism]]) appears briefly in this episode by mistake<ref>Revealed by [[Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz]] in his [http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/my-god-it-full-of-the-wrong-stars/ blog post].</ref>. It makes only the second appearance of a recognizable star pattern in the series, the first being Orion in "[[The Ties That Bind]]" (Orion is also visible twice in this episode).
* Adama's statement that New Earth is "one million light years" from Kobol must be taken as exaggeration or an error. The Milky Way is 100,000 light years across, and earlier statements in the show indicate that it takes considerable time to travel much shorter distances.
* Adama's statement that New Earth is "one million light years" from Kobol must be taken as exaggeration or an error. The Milky Way is 100,000 light years across, and earlier statements in the show indicate that it takes considerable time to travel much shorter distances.
** [[Kevin Grazier]] confirmed that Adama's "million light years" comment is meant metaphorically instead of literally, in essence saying the Colonials have come an unthinkable distance to reach their new home.
** [[Kevin Grazier]] confirmed that Adama's "million light years" comment is meant metaphorically instead of literally, in essence saying the Colonials have come an unthinkable distance to reach their new home.
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===Miscellaneous===
===Miscellaneous===
*Attacking the colony to rescue Hera is presented as a risky scheme to save one person but there are legitimate tactical reasons for the attack. Should Cavil re-discover the secrets of resurrection through Hera, he would re-acquire a distinct advantage over the rebel Cylons and the Colonials. Thus, the attack could be seen as an attempt to deny Cavil his goal, and with resurrection he would undoubtedly proceed to wipe out humanity. Tigh's offer to restore resurrection in an exchange for peace gives Cavil what he wants but elevates the Colonial's bargaining position.
*Attacking the colony to rescue Hera is presented as a risky scheme to save one person but there are legitimate tactical reasons for the attack. Should Cavil re-discover the secrets of resurrection through Hera, he would re-acquire a distinct advantage over the rebel Cylons and the Colonials. Thus, the attack could be seen as an attempt to deny Cavil his goal, and with resurrection he would undoubtedly proceed to wipe out humanity. Tigh's offer to restore resurrection in an exchange for peace gives Cavil what he wants but elevates the Colonial's bargaining position.
* In another piece of irony in a program that is full of such, the two beings most directly responsible for the attack and destruction of the Twelve Colonies, Gaius Baltar and Caprica-Six, get to live on a lush green New Earth in love with each other.
* In another piece of irony in a program that is full of such, the two beings most directly responsible for the attack and destruction of the Twelve Colonies, Gaius Baltar and Caprica Six, get to live on a lush green New Earth in love with each other.
* Even if humanity does repeat the Cycle, Lee Adama's plan would seem to have had some success, because it will have taken much, much longer to do so this time around, 150,000 years (and counting) instead of around 2000 years as was the case with the first Earth and the Twelve Colonies.
* Even if humanity does repeat the Cycle, Lee Adama's plan would seem to have had some success, because it will have taken much, much longer to do so this time around, 150,000 years (and counting) instead of around 2000 years as was the case with the first Earth and the Twelve Colonies.
* Ellen says that hopefully the [[Hybrid]]s will ''still'' respond to Anders' commands. In other words, they would recognize him from the time the Final Five ran the Colony.
* Ellen says that hopefully the [[Hybrid]]s will ''still'' respond to Anders' commands. In other words, they would recognize him from the time the Final Five ran the Colony.
* Cavil's suicide, in the way it is framed and executed, closely mirrors the televised 1987 suicide of American politician [[w:Budd Dwyer|Budd Dwyer]].
* Cavil's suicide, in the way it is framed and executed, closely mirrors the televised 1987 suicide of American politician [[w:Budd Dwyer|Budd Dwyer]].
* Adama's drunken moment, where he sits against a wall, vomits, and then looks up at the night sky, echoes [[w:Oscar Wilde|Oscar Wilde]]'s famous aphorism: ''We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.''
* Adama's drunken moment, where he sits against a wall, vomits, and then looks up at the night sky, echoes [[w:Oscar Wilde|Oscar Wilde]]'s famous aphorism: ''We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.''
* Though it was never explicitly stated in the Miniseries or after, it seems that Tigh was indeed planning to retire whenever Adama decided to leave the Colonial Military. The flashbacks in this episode to Saul and Ellen Tigh in the bar make it clear that Tigh is planning on following Adama out of the service. However Adama, as viewers come to see, decides ultimately to finish out his last years as the CO of ''Galactica'' despite reservations. Tigh obviously followed. This also sheds more light on Tigh's eventual estrangement from Ellen - which was where their relationship was at in the miniseries. The bitterness she doubtless felt at Tigh once again choosing Bill Adama over her was probably a factor in not only her noted loose behavior, but their growing estrangement before the war.
* Though it was never explicitly stated in the Miniseries or after, it seems that Tigh was indeed planning to retire whenever Adama decided to leave the Colonial Military. The flashbacks in this episode to Saul and Ellen Tigh in the bar make it clear that Tigh is planning on following Adama out of the service. However Adama, as viewers come to see, decides ultimately to finish out his last years as the CO of ''Galactica'' despite reservations. Tigh obviously followed. This also sheds more light on Tigh's eventual estrangement from Ellen - which was where their relationship was at in the miniseries. The bitterness she doubtless felt at Tigh once again choosing Bill Adama over her was probably a factor in not only her noted loose behaviour, but their growing estrangement before the war.
*It is not entirely clear when in Adama's career he decided to pursue the idea of a civilian job as seen in both parts of "Daybreak". Dialogue during the lie detector test scene suggests Adama has been given his orders to command ''Galactica'', but is considering resigning before taking up the post. However, Adama notes in his initial interview with his prospective employer in the previous episode that he has already commanded two battlestars. One of these is obviously ''[[Valkyrie]]'', but it is not clear if Adama is already referring to ''Galactica'' as the second command (which could also suggest he is already commanding ''Galactica'' at the time this flashback is set and is considering his resignation when on leave from that ship), or to another battlestar that Adama once commanded but has never been mentioned before.
*It is not entirely clear when in Adama's career he decided to pursue the idea of a civilian job as seen in both parts of "Daybreak". Dialogue during the lie detector test scene suggests Adama has been given his orders to command ''Galactica'', but is considering resigning before taking up the post. However, Adama notes in his initial interview with his prospective employer in the previous episode that he has already commanded two battlestars. One of these is obviously ''[[Valkyrie]]'', but it is not clear if Adama is already referring to ''Galactica'' as the second command (which could also suggest he is already commanding ''Galactica'' at the time this flashback is set and is considering his resignation when on leave from that ship), or to another battlestar that Adama once commanded but has never been mentioned before.
*When the Colony's Hybrids shut down, Cavil states that one of the Final Five did it, to which a Doral says it must be Anders, indicating he knows about the Final Five, which means Cavil must have lifted his ban on knowledge of the five among the other Cylon models, presumably after their identities became known during the Cylon Civil War. Doral's comment also indicates some knowledge of the technical specialties of the five or awareness that Anders' mental state could force the others to put him in a Hybrid bath. His knowledge could be based on intel from Boomer, though she escaped before Anders was connected to the stream, and the last she would have known he was in a coma.
*When the Colony's Hybrids shut down, Cavil states that one of the Final Five did it, to which a Doral says it must be Anders, indicating he knows about the Final Five, which means Cavil must have lifted his ban on knowledge of the five among the other Cylon models, presumably after their identities became known during the Cylon Civil War. Doral's comment also indicates some knowledge of the technical specialties of the five or awareness that Anders' mental state could force the others to put him in a Hybrid bath. His knowledge could be based on intel from Boomer, though she escaped before Anders was connected to the stream, and the last she would have known he was in a coma.
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== Questions  ==
== Questions  ==
 
<!-- NOTE: Please read up on BW:SAC for how to ask questions on episode guides. Questions that can be answered because of on-screen or off-screen should be placed in the guide itself, Notes, Analyst, or Official Statements. Questions that do not have any merit that might not have anything pertaining to [[The Plan]] should not be added here.
'''Note:''' Since this episode is the series finale, these and other questions may go unanswered save for official statements from the show runners and/or actors.
-->
* What happened to the newly liberated Centurions?
* What happened to the newly liberated Centurions?
* What happened to the Raiders?
* What happened to the Raiders?
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*''Adama makes a finally rallying speech to his crew before'' Galactica ''jumps to the Colony and into harm's way:''
*''Adama makes a finally rallying speech to his crew before'' Galactica ''jumps to the Colony and into harm's way:''
:'''William Adama''': "Just so there'll be no misunderstandings later . . . ''Galactica'' has seen a lot of history, gone through a lot of battles. This will be her last. She will not fail us if we do not fail her. If we succeed in our mission, ''Galactica'' will bring us home. If we don't . . . it doesn't matter anyway.  Action stations!"
:'''William Adama''': "Just so there'll be no misunderstandings later . . . ''Galactica'' has seen a lot of history, gone through a lot of battles. This will be her last. She will not fail us if we do not fail her. If we succeed in our mission, ''Galactica'' will bring us home. If we don't . . . it doesn’t matter anyway.  Action stations!"


*''The Final Five are about to to stick their hand into Anders's hybrid tank and through that the [[datastream]] They are about to download the technical data of Resurrection to the Cavil Faction's Colony as agreed. As they do so their minds will essentially become one and they will all know each other's secrets whether they want to share or not. Tory Foster is unusually agitated and nervous:''
*''The Final Five are about to to stick their hand into Anders's hybrid tank and through that the [[datastream]] They are about to download the technical data of Resurrection to the Cavil Faction's Colony as agreed. As they do so their minds will essentially become one and they will all know each other's secrets whether they want to share or not. Tory Foster is unusually agitated and nervous:''
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:'''William Adama''': Earth is a dream...one we've been chasing for a long time. We've earned it. This is Earth.  
:'''William Adama''': Earth is a dream...one we've been chasing for a long time. We've earned it. This is Earth.  


*''Baltar to Caprica-Six on New Earth in unspoken reference about his father''
*''Baltar to Caprica Six on New Earth in unspoken reference about his father''
:'''Baltar''': "You know, I know about farming." (sobs)
:'''Baltar''': "You know, I know about farming." (sobs)


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* [[Simone Bailly]] as [[Shona]]
* [[Simone Bailly]] as [[Shona]]
* [[Kevin McNulty]] as [[Frank Porthos]]
* [[Kevin McNulty]] as [[Frank Porthos]]
* [[Richard Jollymore]] as [[Marine Escort 1|Marine #1]]
* [[Richard Jollymore]] as Marine #1
* [[Anthony St. John]] as Marine #2
* [[Anthony St. John]] as Marine #2
* [[Dan Payne]] as [[Sean Ellison]]
* [[Dan Payne]] as [[Sean Allison]]
* [[Holly Eglinton]] as Stripper
* [[Holly Eglinton]] as Stripper
* [[Garrett Reisman]] as Marine #3 (uncredited)
* [[Tiffany Lyndall-Knight]] as [[Hybrid]] (uncredited)
* [[Tiffany Lyndall-Knight]] as [[Hybrid]] (uncredited)
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] as Man at news stand (uncredited)
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] as Man at news stand (uncredited)

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