Editing Jim Kirby

{{Character Data
| photo=Kirby.png
| callsign = Sunshine
| rank= Lieutenant
| seen= Blood and Chrome
| role=[[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot, battlestar ''[[Osiris]]''
| children=[[Anslem]]
| marital status= Married to [[Janey]]
| actor=[[Sebastian Spence]]
|series=BAC|sortkey=Kirby, Jim|lastseen=Blood and Chrome|plastseen=''Blood and Chrome''|pseen=''Blood and Chrome''|archives=Y}}
'''Jim "Sunshine" Kirby ''' is a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot on detachment from the [[Valkyrie type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Valkyrie]]''. He is officially listed as [[KIA]] by the [[Colonial Fleet]] circa {{BCH|42}}, killed after the apparent destruction of the battlestar while attempting to make a surprise strike against [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] forces near [[Canceron|Canceron Prime]]. In truth, Kirby and ''Valkyrie'' are hidden away as part of a secret "ghost fleet" being amassed for an [[Ghost Fleet Offensive|eventual offensive]].    

During his time in the ghost fleet, he is reassigned to ''[[Osiris]]''. Kirby is reunited with an old friend, [[Coker Fasjovik]], who informs him that his wife, [[Janey]], had given birth to a baby boy, named [[Anslem]] after his father.

He participates in the [[Battle of Djerba]], escorting ''[[Wild Weasel]]'' to the surface of [[Djerba]] to rendezvous with a marine special operations team. On the way, three Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|raiders]] follow them, and Kirby engages, destroying one. After his wingman, Lieutenant [[Zachary Elias]], is killed and his Viper takes damage, Kirby suddenly disengages from battle and claims that he is going home. His final fate is unknown {{TRS|Blood and Chrome}}.

== Script Version Differences ==

The pre-production script for ''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' provides significantly more detail about Jim Kirby's character development and emotional journey than appears in the final production.

=== Initial Call Sign ===

In the script version, Kirby's original call sign is "Goldbrick" rather than "Sunshine."<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=55}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 55</ref> After learning about his son from [[Coker Fasjovik]], he takes black paint and changes his call sign to "Anslem" in honor of the child he has never met, covering over the original "Goldbrick" with crude white letters.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=62}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 62</ref>

=== Expanded Relationship with Coker ===

The script includes a much more detailed reunion scene between Kirby and [[Coker Fasjovik]]. When they first encounter each other in the ghost fleet, Kirby initially ignores Coker due to strict security protocols that prevent interaction until personnel are properly cleared. Once they can speak freely, their friendship is shown to be deep and long-standing.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=53}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 53</ref>

=== Learning About Fatherhood ===

The script provides extensive dialogue showing Kirby's emotional reaction to learning he has become a father. When Coker tells him about his son, Kirby is initially confused and then overwhelmed with joy, grabbing Coker in a bear hug and dancing him around while exclaiming "I've got a frakking son!" The scene reveals that the pregnancy must have occurred during his last leave, and that [[Janey]] didn't even know she was pregnant when they last spoke.<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>

=== Ghost Fleet Context ===

The script explains that Kirby and the crew of ''[[Valkyrie]]'' were forced to witness their own death certificates as part of the psychological conditioning for ghost fleet operations. This official "death" means that Kirby's wife [[Janey]] believes he is dead while she raises their son alone on [[Picon]].<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], pg. 54</ref>

=== Battle Abandonment ===

In the script, Kirby's decision to abandon the battle is given much clearer motivation. After learning about his son and changing his call sign, he becomes conflicted about the dangerous mission. When the battle intensifies and [[Zachary Elias]] is shot down, Kirby makes the conscious decision to prioritize his survival over duty, telling himself "I'm going home" as he flies away from the fight. The script emphasizes his internal struggle between military obligation and paternal responsibility.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=62}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 62</ref>

=== Character Arc ===

The script version presents Kirby's story as a complete emotional arc - from dedicated military pilot to conflicted father figure. His transformation is symbolized by the call sign change and culminates in his choice to abandon his wingmen in favor of returning to his family. This provides a more complex portrayal of military duty versus personal responsibility during wartime.<ref>''[[Blood and Chrome]]'' [{{fullurl:File:B&C Pre-Production Draft - 11-30-10 - Version 01.FDX.pdf|page=55}} pre-production script dated 30 November 2010], pg. 55</ref>

== Notes ==
* [[Sebastian Spence]] previously portrayed {{Callsign|Narcho}}, also a [[Viper (TRS)|Viper]] pilot, in the [[Re-imagined Series]].
* In a more-than-likely apparent prop error, his rank collar pins are those of Major (worn wearer's right) and Captain (worn wearer's left). His computer-generated nameplate lists his rank as Lieutenant.

== References ==
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[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Characters]]
[[Category: Characters (BAC)]]
[[Category: Characters (RDM)]]
[[Category: BAC]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[de:Jim Kirby]]