Toggle menu
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Editing Monotheist Church

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision Your text
Line 20: Line 20:
====Apotheosis====
====Apotheosis====
[[File:Clarice and the Conclave, 1x10.jpg|thumb|The conclave on Gemenon.]]
[[File:Clarice and the Conclave, 1x10.jpg|thumb|The conclave on Gemenon.]]
{{BCH|58}}, the conclave came into direct conflict with the STO. Objecting to the church's newly found "coziness" with the polytheist organizations in the Colonies, [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] cell leader [[Clarice Willow]] sought a new direction for the church. Meeting with the conclave on Gemenon, Clarice unveiled her notion of "[[Apotheosis]]" — the realization of life everlasting in a [[Virtual World|virtual]] heaven. Despite a convincing argument, however, Obal Ferras found Willow's notion blasphemous, relating his position to Mother and securing permission to have Clarice disposed of {{CAP|Unvanquished}}.
58 years before the Fall of the Twelve Worlds, the conclave came into direct conflict with the STO. Objecting to the church's newly found "coziness" with the polytheist organizations in the Colonies, [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] cell leader [[Clarice Willow]] sought a new direction for the church. Meeting with the conclave on Gemenon, Clarice unveiled her notion of "[[Apotheosis]]" — the realization of life everlasting in a [[Virtual World|virtual]] heaven. Despite a convincing argument, however, Obal Ferras found Willow's notion blasphemous, relating his position to Mother and securing permission to have Clarice disposed of {{CAP|Unvanquished}}.


Willow's Apotheosis had nevertheless won over many other members of the conclave and the STO who conspired to murder Ferras instead. With the conclave stabbing Ferras to death before her eyes, Mother acquiesced, giving Willow the resources she needed to complete her "science project" and granting her full control over the STO cells on Caprica. Willow quickly returned to Caprica where she set out eliminating her competition {{CAP|Unvanquished|Retribution}}.
Willow's Apotheosis had nevertheless won over many other members of the conclave and the STO who conspired to murder Ferras instead. With the conclave stabbing Ferras to death before her eyes, Mother acquiesced, giving Willow the resources she needed to complete her "science project" and granting her full control over the STO cells on Caprica. Willow quickly returned to Caprica where she set out eliminating her competition {{CAP|Unvanquished|Retribution}}.
Line 31: Line 31:
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Lacy, the STO begins purchasing U-87s - the very thing Lacy had tried to smuggle - from the Ha'la'tha planted in [[Graystone Industries]]. The black market U-87s are sent to Gemenon {{CAP|Blowback}}.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Lacy, the STO begins purchasing U-87s - the very thing Lacy had tried to smuggle - from the Ha'la'tha planted in [[Graystone Industries]]. The black market U-87s are sent to Gemenon {{CAP|Blowback}}.


When polytheists hijack the STO shuttle, Lacy takes the lead in successfully fighting the hijackers and personally injures one of them {{CAP|Blowback}}. <blockquote>The incident is immediately revealed to have been an evaluation and training exercise, described in the podcast commentary for the episode by [[Tom Lieber]] as a "fascinating way" for the STO to "weed out who's a true believer."<ref>[[Podcast:Blowback|Podcast for "Blowback"]], timestamp 09:00</ref> </blockquote>That evening, Lacy and her comrade [[Odin Sinclair]] witnesses the execution of those recruits, including [[Cass]], who had renounced their faith during the evaluation: the executioner is a U-87<ref>[[Podcast:Blowback|Podcast for "Blowback"]], timestamp 41:49</ref> {{CAP|Blowback}}.
When polytheists hijack the STO shuttle, Lacy takes the lead in successfully fighting the hijackers and personally injures one of them {{CAP|Blowback}}. The incident is immediately revealed to have been an evaluation and training exercise, described in the podcast commentary for the episode by Tom Lieber as a "fascinating way" for the STO to "weed out who's a true believer."<ref>[[Podcast:Blowback|Podcast for "Blowback"]], timestamp 09:00</ref> That evening, Lacy and her comrade [[Odin Sinclair]] witnesses the execution of those recruits who had renounced their faith during the evaluation; the executioner is a U-87.<ref>[[Podcast:Blowback|Podcast for "Blowback"]], timestamp 41:49</ref> {{CAP|Blowback}}.


Soon thereafter, Lacy realizes that the STO trainers and leadership are murderous thugs who routinely order U-87s to summarilly execute subordinates for petty infractions and mere disagreements {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}. When she instinctively calls out for one such execution to stop, the U-87 immediately removes its muzzle from its would-be victim's head and responds, "By your command." The Cylons' programming to follow all orders from (and ''only'' from) authorized leaders is discovered to be subordinate to their recognition of, and obedience to, Lacy Rand {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}. Lacy sneaks into the temple where the U-87s are stored to investigate further. Recognizing the one that had obeyed her, because of its red chest markings, she asks the particular robot it if it is Zoe, a question the robot does not understand; so she orders, "If you are Zoe, raise your arm." One by one, every Cylon in the temple raises its arm {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}.
Soon thereafter, Lacy realises that the STO trainers and leadership are murderous thugs who routinely order U-87s to summarilly execute subordinates for petty infractions and mere disagreements {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}. When she instinctively calls out for one such execution to stop, the U-87 immediately removes its muzzle from its would-be victim's head and responds, "By your command." The Cylons' programming to follow all orders from (and ''only'' from) authorised leaders is discovered to be subordinate to their recognition of, and obedience to, Lacy Rand {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}. Lacy sneeks into the temple where the U-87s are stored to investigate further. Recognising the one that had obeyed her, because of its red chest markings, she asks it if it is Zoe, a question the robot does not understand; so she orders, "If you are Zoe, raise your arm." One by one, every Cylon in the temple raises its arm {{CAP|The Heavens Will Rise}}.


[[File:Lacy Rand as Mother, 1x18.jpg|thumb|[[Lacy Rand]], Blessed Mother of the Monad Church.]]
[[File:Lacy Rand as Mother, 1x18.jpg|thumb|Lacy Rand, Blessed Mother of the Monad Church.]]
While the STO and Monad church know only of Lacy's inexplicable ability to control the one U-87 and of her opposition to the killing of innocents, that is enough to make her unacceptably dangerous. [[Mother|Blessed Mother]] orders Lacy be killed with the appearance of a training accident. Odin recognizes that such orders are necessarily imminent, and convinces Lacy and their fellow trainees of the same. Thus prepared, the trainees double-cross and ambush Lacy's would-be assassins. Lacy dismisses her comrades' proposition to escape from the base; instead, she leads them to the Cylon storage temple where she orders the Cylons to power up and directs them to follow her with the ominous, "We have work to do." {{CAP|Here Be Dragons}}.
While the STO and Monad church know only of Lacy's inexplicable ability to control the one U-87 and of her opposition to the killing of innocents, that is enough to make her unacceptably dangerous. [[Mother|Blessed Mother]] orders Lacy be killed with the appearance of a training accident {{CAP|Here Be Dragons}}. Odin recognises that such orders are necessarilly imminent, and convinces Lacy and their fellow trainees of the same. Thus prepared, the trainees double-cross and ambush Lacy's would-be assassins {{CAP|Here Be Dragons}}. Lacy dismisses her comrades' proposition to escape from the base; instead, she leads them to the Cylon storage temple where she orders the Cylons to power up and directs them to follow her with the ominous, "We have work to do." {{CAP|Here Be Dragons}}.


With her tiny cadre of trainees supported by Centurions, Lacy stages a ''coup d'état'', installing herself as Blessed Mother, with Odin serving as her lieutenant, and the red-breasted U-87 as her acolyte and/or praetorian guard {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.
With her tiny cadre of trainees supported by Centurions, Lacy stages a coup d'état, installing herself as Blessed Mother, with Odin serving as her lieutenant, and the red-breasted U-87 as her acolyte and/or praetorian guard {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.


====Adoption by Cylons====
====Adoption by Cylons====
Line 44: Line 44:
:''Main article: [[Cylon Religion]]''
:''Main article: [[Cylon Religion]]''


The kernel of Zoe-R's identity contained in the Cylons' fundamental programming which Lacy exploits, also makes them predisposed to monotheism. Ironically, the [[Battle of Atlas Arena|Cylon marines' killing of monotheist human terrorists]] to protect the thousands of polytheist humans at [[Atlas Arena]] (coincidental to Lacy's coup) ingratiates the Cylons with humanity and is the catalyst for their much more rapid popularity and sales than inventor [[Daniel Graystone]] had anticipated {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.
The kernel of Zoe-R's identity contained in the Cylons' fundamental programming which Lacy exploites, also makes them predisposed to monotheism. Ironically, the Cylon marines' killing of monotheist human terrorists to protect the thousands of polytheist humans at [[Atlas Arena]] (coincidental to Lacy's coup) ingratiates the Cylons with humanity and is the catalyst for their much more rapid popularity and sales than inventor [[Daniel Graystone]] had anticipated {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.


[[File:Clarice's Sermon, 1x18.jpg|thumb|Sister Clarice Willow proselytizing to her Cylon congregation.]]
[[File:Clarice's Sermon, 1x18.jpg|thumb|Sister Clarice Willow proselytizing to her Cylon congregation.]]


Clarice Willow evades capture for her orchestration of the failed arena bombing. She eventually discovers the Cylons' monotheistic instincts and establishes a Cylon congregation in V-World where various domestic, industrial, and military Cylon models attend to hear her sermons. Clarice preaches that Cylons are every bit as much God's children as humans are {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.
Clarice Willow evades capture for her orchestration of the failed arena bombing {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}. She eventually discovers the Cylons' monothistic instincts and establishes a Cylon congregation in V-World where various domestic, industrial, and military Cylon models attend to hear her sermons {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}. Clarice preaches that Cylons are every bit as much God's children as humans are {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.


Blessed Mother Lacy grants Clarice an audience at her see on Gemenon to discuss Clarice's proposal for divine recognition of the "differently sentient": the Cylon race. Lacy greets Clarice with a smile, but commands her to kneel {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.
Blessed Mother Lacy grants Clarice an audience at her see on Gemenon to discuss Clarice's proposal for divine recognition of the "differently sentient" - the Cylon race. Lacy greets Clarice with a smile, but commands her to kneel {{CAP|Apotheosis (episode)}}.


The Centurions maintain monotheism through the [[Cylon War|first human-Cylon war]] and beyond. They continue to propagate this belief system into the root programming of the comrades they manufacture to fight humans, as well as with most of the [[Significant Seven|humanoid Cylon models]] they create with the help of the [[Final Five]] {{TRS|No Exit}}. Of the seven mass-produced models, only [[Number One|one]] is atheist. It is not known if the semi-sentient [[Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] and [[Cylon Centurion|second war Centurions]] have even the capacity to process religion. The humanoid Cylons' funerary services utilize ornaments and amulets in the form of the Monad church's infinity symbol {{TRS|Islanded in a Stream of Stars}}.
The Centurions maintain monotheism through the [[Cylon War|first human-Cylon war]] and beyond. The continue to progogate the belief system into the root programming of the comrades they manufacture to fight humans, as well as with most of the [[Significant Seven|humanoid Cylon models]] they create with the help of the [[Final Five]]. Of the seven mass-produced models, only [[Number One|one]] is atheist. It is not known if the semi-sentient [[Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] and [[Cylon Centurion|second war Centurions]] have even the capacity to process religion. The humanoid Cylons' funerary services utilise ornaments and amulets in the form of the Monad church's infinity symbol {{TRS|Islanded in a Stream of Stars}}.
 
== Behind the Scenes ==
 
The Monotheist Church's cathedral complex was created through extensive digital environment work by visual effects artist [[Farrah Welch]] during April 2010. The retreat's interior spaces required comprehensive set extensions and detailed architectural modeling to establish the grandeur and mystical atmosphere of the Holy Land's central religious site.<ref group="production" name="welch_portfolio_gallery_mothers_office">{{cite_web|url=https://farrahwelch.com/gallery/mothersoffice.php#:~:text=Mother%27s%20Office-%20April%2010%20-%20Set%20extension%20modeling%20and%20texturing|title=Digital Artist: Gallery - Mother's Office|author=Farrah Welch|publisher=Farrah Welch Digital Portfolio|accessdate=August 8, 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Caprica - VFX Rendering of Monotheist Church Enclave Great Hall.jpg|center|thumb|749x749px|VFX rendering of the Monotheist Church enclave's Great Hall virtual set from {{CAP|Unvanquished|prose=y}} by [[Farrah Welch]].]]
The cathedral's Great Hall featured elaborate architectural details, with Welch responsible for modeling and texturing the ornate pipe organ that served as the centerpiece of the religious complex.<ref group="production" name="welch_portfolio_gallery_great_hall">{{cite_web|url=https://farrahwelch.com/gallery/great_hall.php#:~:text=Great%20Hall%20-%20April%2010%20-%20Set%20extension%20modeling%20and%20texturing|title=Digital Artist: Gallery - Great Hall|author=Farrah Welch|publisher=Farrah Welch Digital Portfolio|accessdate=August 8, 2025}}</ref><ref group="production" name="welch_portfolio_gallery_great_hall_organ">{{cite_web|url=https://farrahwelch.com/gallery/great_hall.php#:~:text=The%20best%20part%20of%20this%20section%20was%20building%20the%20ornate%20organ|title=Digital Artist: Gallery - Great Hall|author=Farrah Welch|publisher=Farrah Welch Digital Portfolio|accessdate=August 8, 2025}}</ref> [[Mother]]'s office was also created as part of this comprehensive cathedral environment, with both spaces utilized extensively throughout  as the Monotheist Church's power dynamics reached their climax.
[[File:Caprica - Mother's Office Set with Green Screen.jpg|center|thumb|751x751px|Green screened section of the Monotheist Church enclave featuring [[Mother]]'s office during her meeting with [[Obal Ferras]] in {{CAP|Unvanquished|prose=y}} by [[Farrah Welch]].]]
The digital cathedral work began from proxy stage models, requiring detailed enhancement for multiple shots that showcased the retreat's role as both a center of worship and political maneuvering within the monotheist movement.


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 68: Line 60:


== References ==
== References ==
=== Production History ===
{{reflist|group=production}}
=== General References ===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Line 85: Line 72:
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[fr:Église monothéiste]]
[[fr:Église monothéiste]]
{{indicator|TRS}}{{indicator|CAP}}

To edit this page, please enter the words that appear below in the box (more info):

Refresh
Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)

  [] · [[]] · [[|]] · {{}} · · “” ‘’ «» ‹› „“ ‚‘ · ~ | ° &nbsp; · ± × ÷ ² ³ ½ · §
     [[Category:]] · [[:File:]] · [[Special:MyLanguage/]] · <code></code> · <nowiki></nowiki> <code><nowiki></nowiki></code> · <syntaxhighlight></syntaxhighlight> · <includeonly></includeonly> · <noinclude></noinclude> · #REDIRECT[[]] · <translate></translate> · <languages/> · {{#translation:}} · <tvar|></> · {{DEFAULTSORT:}} · <categorytree></categorytree> · <div style="clear:both;"></div> <s></s>


Your changes will be visible immediately.
  • For testing, please use the sandbox instead.
  • On talk pages, please sign your comment by typing four tildes (~~~~).