Favorite Son

On the Agro Ship Rhea, Colonial scientist Captain Jor finds his young son, Kel, hiding in the ship's main arboretum. Frightened by the ongoing attack with the Cylons, Kel expresses his despair, believing that the Fleet will be destroyed before they can find Earth.

Jor comforts his son and gives him an inspirational speech, telling Kel that he is destined to become a great hero. Jor prophesies that through Kel's courage, strength, and wisdom, the human race will defeat its enemies and be guided to its promised land. During this, Kel day dreams of interactions with Commander Adama in charting a course to Earth; standing atop the corpse of the Imperious Leader with a smoking laser pistol; and later celebrating with Adama, Jolly, Apollo, Boomer and Starbuck.

Jor calls Kel the "rag-tag fleet's favorite son" and a "miracle" who will prove to everyone that miracles do come true. As a Cylon Raider veers to attack Rhea, a Colonial Viper comes from behind and lines up the shot.

Credits

• Script: Scott Braden
• Art & Colors: Mike Malbrough
• Lettering: Mark Haynes
• Editor: J.C. Vaughn
• Editorial Director: Jim Kuhoric

Analysis

• The attack happening during the story may be the Battle for the Agricultural Ships. If so, then Rhea may be one of the destroyed ships during that incident, as Agro Ship 9 is the surviving agro ship from that battle. This may be the intended impression, given the last page of the comic features a Cylon Raider making a direct run toward the arboretum, with a Viper pursuing directly behind but not having opened fire to take out the craft.
• The names of the father and son, Jor and Kel, may be nods to Superman: Jor-El was Kal-El's father, and both came from a doomed civilization. The hair curls of both characters may also be a direct visual nod to this fact.