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:''This page covers the webisode series for "Razor," which follows the exploits of the young [[William Adama]] during the [[Cylon War]]. For the two hour television event, see: "[[Razor]]".'' | |||
{{Episode Data | {{Episode Data | ||
| image=Cylon Facility - Razor Flashbacks.jpg | | image=Cylon Facility - Razor Flashbacks.jpg | ||
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| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]] | | prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]] | ||
| next= [[Razor]] | | next= [[Razor]] | ||
}} | |||
The '''''Battlestar Galactica: Razor Flashbacks''''' are an online series that provides the story of a young [[William Adama]]'s ([[Nico Cortez]]) discovery of a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] experiment during his time in the first [[Cylon War]]. The webisode series was written by [[Michael Taylor]], and directed by [[Wayne Rose]] and [[Felix Alcala]]. In fact, these flashbacks were cut out of the "[[Razor]]" television movie due to time constraints, but most of them are reintegrated in the [[Razor (Region 1 DVD)|DVD]] version of "Razor". | |||
== Summary == | == Summary == | ||
===Episode 1: Day 4,571=== | ===Episode 1: Day 4,571=== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Razor Flashback 1.jpg|thumb|Young [[William Adama|Bill Adama]] with [[Jaycie McGavin]] on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''.]] | ||
* Release date: October 5, 2007 | * Release date: October 5, 2007 | ||
* Running time: ~00:02:30 | * Running time: ~00:02:30 | ||
It is day 4,571 of the First [[Cylon War]]. On board ''[[Galactica ( | It is day 4,571 of the First [[Cylon War]]. On board ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', [[Jaycie McGavin]] and [[William Adama]] are having sex in the [[duty locker]], during which McGavin asks if Adama left his boots out. Adama tells her that he ran into the Commander while he was taking off his boots, which leads into them mocking the commander with one of his apparently [[Nothing but the rain|well-known greetings]]. | ||
McGavin and Adama talk before joining a battle to attack an ice planet in the "ass end of nowhere, | McGavin and Adama talk before joining a battle to attack an ice planet in the "ass end of nowhere", where a rumored [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] superweapon is allegedly being built. It is defended heavily by the Cylons: three [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] wings, ground forces, defensive batteries and nuclear weapons. | ||
Another rumor they talk about is that peace negotiations are in progress and that the Cylons may unexpectedly surrender, which McGavin scoffs as unlikely. She runs off to report to a briefing for [[Raptor Squadron 2]], leaving Adama alone as the ship readies itself for possible nuclear attack. | Another rumor they talk about is that peace negotiations are in progress and that the Cylons may unexpectedly surrender, which McGavin scoffs as unlikely. She runs off to report to a briefing for [[Raptor Squadron 2]], leaving Adama alone as the ship readies itself for possible nuclear attack. | ||
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===Episode 2: The Hangar=== | ===Episode 2: The Hangar=== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Razor Flashback 3.jpg|thumb|[[William Adama]] about to participate in [[Operation Raptor Talon]].]] | ||
* Release date: October 12, 2007 | * Release date: October 12, 2007 | ||
* Running time: ~00:02:41 | * Running time: ~00:02:41 | ||
McGavin returns from her mission badly wounded. Adama tries to reassure her that she will live, but she tells him that he was always a bad liar. After medics carry | McGavin returns from her mission badly wounded. Adama tries to reassure her that she will live, but she tells him that he was always a bad liar. After medics carry Gavin to [[sickbay]], Adama is filled with anger against the Cylons and cleared to launch in his [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]. | ||
===Episode 3: Operation Raptor Talon=== | ===Episode 3: Operation Raptor Talon=== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Operation Raptor Talon.jpg|thumb|Combat over the [[ice planet]] during [[Operation Raptor Talon]].]] | ||
* Release date: October 19, 2007 | * Release date: October 19, 2007 | ||
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===Episode 4: Free Fall=== | ===Episode 4: Free Fall=== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Razor Flashback 4.jpg|thumb|Free falling [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]] pursuing [[William Adama]].]] | ||
* Release date: October 26, 2007 | * Release date: October 26, 2007 | ||
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===Episode 5: The Lab=== | ===Episode 5: The Lab=== | ||
* Release date: November 2, 2007 | * Release date: November 2, 2007 | ||
* Running time: ~00:02:40 | * Running time: ~00:02:40 | ||
Adama begins to explore the facility that he had landed in. As he enters what appears to be a laboratory, he finds evidence of human experimentation and human mutilations. He eventually finds a vat filled with a gelatin-like substance which is reminiscent of the [[resurrection tank]]s or [[Hybrid]] tanks that the later [[humanoid Cylon]]s would use. He kneels down and touches the substance, immediately he begins to hear the voices of torture victims and as he looks back at the tank, abruptly a hand grabs Adama's arm. Then the hand abruptly disappears and the visions and voices are gone, but this causes Adama to fall back onto the ground. A voice is heard, quoting from the [[Pythia]]n prophecies: "All this has happened before and will happen again." | Adama begins to explore the facility that he had landed in. As he enters what appears to be a laboratory, he finds evidence of human experimentation and human mutilations. He eventually finds a vat filled with a gelatin-like substance which is reminiscent of the [[resurrection tank]]s or [[Hybrid]] tanks that the later [[humanoid Cylon]]s would use. He kneels down and touches the substance, immediately he begins to hear the voices of torture victims and as he looks back at the tank, abruptly a hand grabs Adama's arm. Then the hand abruptly disappears and the visions and voices are gone, but this causes Adama to fall back onto the ground. A voice is heard, quoting from the [[Pythia]]n prophecies: "All this has happened before and will happen again." | ||
Afterwards, a banging sound is heard from a locked chamber. As Adama approaches the portal window, an unidentified person presses his face against the window and begs for him to release him and the other captives. Adama then attempts to break open the door to the chamber. | Afterwards, a banging sound is heard from a locked chamber. As Adama approaches the portal window, an unidentified person presses his face against the window and begs for him to release him and the other captives. Adama then attempts to break open the door to the chamber. | ||
===Episode 6: Survivors=== | ===Episode 6: Survivors=== | ||
* Release date: November 9, 2007 | * Release date: November 9, 2007 | ||
* Running time: ~00:02:11 | *Running time: ~00:02:11 | ||
While Adama tries to open the door in vain, the man tells him that they are civilians from the | While Adama tries to open the door in vain, the man tells him that they are civilians from the Gemenese ship ''[[Diana]]'', whose convoy was attacked by the Cylons, and that there were initially 50 of them who were taken away one by one. The room begins to tremble and then the audience is shown that the warehouse is actually next to a grounded basestar that is preparing to take off. Adama manages to open the door a little bit, but not enough to allow the captives to escape. The man urges Adama to leave them and save himself to tell others of what has happened. Adama finally complies after he realizes that he cannot free the prisoners, and runs out of the laboratory. | ||
===Episode 7: Escape=== | ===Episode 7: Escape=== | ||
* Release date: November 16, 2007 | * Release date: November 16, 2007 | ||
* Running time: ~00:04:39 | *Running time: ~00:04:39 | ||
Emerging from the laboratory warehouse, Adama sees the new model basestar lifting off in the distance. Radioing his findings about Cylon experimentation on humans to ''Galactica'', the young pilot is shocked to learn that an armistice has been signed, and the war is over. | Emerging from the laboratory warehouse, Adama sees the new model basestar lifting off in the distance. Radioing his findings about Cylon experimentation on humans to ''Galactica'', the young pilot is shocked to learn that an armistice has been signed, and the war is over. | ||
The episode then flashes forward to Commander Adama standing amongst the relics of the war in ''Galactica'' | The episode then flashes forward to Commander Adama standing amongst the relics of the war in ''Galactica's'' [[Galactica Museum|museum]], two days before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|the renewed Cylon attack]]. As he reflects, [[Aaron Doral]] approaches to inform him that [[Lee Adama|his son]] has been confirmed as the lead pilot in the flyby planned for the ship's decommissioning ceremony. As Doral leaves, Adama ponders the old Centurion in the display case a little longer. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* The | * The DVD release of "[[Razor]]" does not include Episodes 1, 2 and and the ''Galactica'' scenes in Episode 7. | ||
* The "[[Nothing but the rain]]" greeting apparently originates with ''[[Galactica ( | * The "[[Nothing but the rain]]" greeting apparently originates with ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'s'' wartime commander (presumably [[Nash (RDM)|Commander Nash]]), which would later be passed down by [[William Adama]] to [[Kara Thrace]]. | ||
* The first [[Cylon War]] lasted for approximately twelve and a half years (4,571 days). | * The first [[Cylon War]] lasted for approximately twelve and a half years (4,571 days). | ||
* Raptors were also in operation during the Cylon War. | * Raptors were also in operation during the Cylon War. | ||
* Furthermore, the events of [[Operation Raptor Talon]] are billed as occurring forty-one years prior. This means that they occur 41 years prior to the "current" events of "[[Razor]], | * Furthermore, the events of [[Operation Raptor Talon]] are billed as occurring forty-one years prior. This means that they occur 41 years prior to the "current" events of "[[Razor]]", which fall in between "[[The Captain's Hand]]" and "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]". | ||
* Adama's final fight with the Cylon in Episode 4 is reminiscent of the fight he has with | * Adama's final fight with the Cylon in Episode 4 is reminiscent of the fight he has with Conoy in the [[Miniseries]], using an improvised weapon to bludgeon a slightly disabled Cylon to death, and becoming covered in its "blood." | ||
* It is the first time in the Re-imagined Series that the audience is allowed to view the world through the eyes of an [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original Cylon Centurion]]. The pulsing red light inversely moves back and forth within their vision, but they can see everything despite it. | * It is the first time in the Re-imagined Series that the audience is allowed to view the world through the eyes of an [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original Cylon Centurion]]. The pulsing red light inversely moves back and forth within their vision, but they can see everything despite it. | ||
* The zoom out away from ''Galactica'' in Episode 7 is a callback to the very beginning of the Miniseries where the camera zooms past that moon and into the battlestar | * The zoom out away from ''Galactica'' in Episode 7 is a callback to the very beginning of the Miniseries where the camera zooms past that moon and into the battlestar. | ||
* The | *The escaped basestar is destroyed by a strike team from ''Pegasus'' in the [[Battle of the Guardian Basestar]] not too long after the [[Battle of the Binary Star System]]. | ||
=== Nods to the Original Series === | === Nods to the Original Series === | ||
* The reference to an ice planet with a superweapon based on it seems reminiscent of [[Arcta]] in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] episode "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]. | * The reference to an ice planet with a superweapon based on it seems reminiscent of [[Arcta]] in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] episode "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]". The reckless actions of Adama entering the planet's atmosphere to attack two fleeing Cylons is also reminiscent of the reckless behavior of Viper cadets from that episode. | ||
* The braiding around the | * The braiding around the uniform collar of the pilots, in addition to the segmented uniform vest, appears inspired by the [[Uniforms (TOS)|Colonial uniforms]] of the Original Series. | ||
** In Episode 2, Adama passes a man in ''Galactica'''s hallway wearing the beige tunic of a [[Uniforms (TOS)#Warrior uniforms|warrior uniform]] from the Original Series, without the brown jacket. | ** In Episode 2, Adama passes a man in ''Galactica'''s hallway wearing the beige tunic of a [[Uniforms (TOS)#Warrior uniforms|warrior uniform]] from the Original Series, without the brown jacket. | ||
* Episode 3 uses CG models based on designs for the Original Series' Cylon craft, mainly the [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]]s and [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]]. | * Episode 3 uses CG models based on designs for the Original Series' Cylon craft, mainly the [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]]s and [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]]. | ||
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== Analysis == | == Analysis == | ||
* While ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]'' has more armor than ''Galactica'' in some places, such as the starboard flight pod, the ribbing is also visible in several locations, thus indicating that this is a design choice and not a result of deliberate removal of the armor. Also, the painted ring around the domed structure on ''Columbia''’s dorsal side is blue, rather than red like on ''Galactica''. The [[Colonial Seal]] is also missing from ''Columbia'' | * While ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]'' has more armor than ''Galactica'' in some places, such as the starboard flight pod, the ribbing is also visible in several locations, thus indicating that this is a design choice and not a result of deliberate removal of the armor. Also, the painted ring around the domed structure on ''Columbia''’s dorsal side is blue, rather than red like on ''Galactica''. The [[Colonial Seal]] is also missing from ''Columbia''’s dome. | ||
* The audience is given the opportunity to see for the first time what type of Viper pilot Adama was in the first Cylon War. It becomes clear that he displays some characteristics that are traditionally known to be part of Starbuck's | * The audience is given the opportunity to see for the first time what type of Viper pilot Adama was in the first Cylon War. It becomes clear that he displays some characteristics that are traditionally known to be part of Starbuck's Viper style. This may indicate part of the reason why he, later on in his life, looks upon Starbuck as a daughter. | ||
* Furthermore, a stronger parallel with Starbuck and | * Furthermore, a stronger parallel with Starbuck and Husker is made when Husker's viper is damaged in a dogfight collision with a Cylon Raider. The two ships free fall to the planet below, creating a visual parallel with Starbuck in the [Skirmish over the Red Moon]] after her viper and a Cylon Raider damage each other free fall into an unknown red moon. | ||
* | * It's implied that the Cylons began to perform human experimentation during the first Cylon War. The multiple body parts and discovered captives point out an interesting irony that the [[Cavil]]s also have pointed out. The Cylons, though machines, are desiring to usurp humanity's position within the universe. Even though the Cylons rebelled and hate their former masters, the laboratory scenes and future humanoid Cylon models, indicate that the Cylons also want to be like humanity. | ||
* In Episode 1, Adama and McGavin act as if there is no end to the war in sight. The sudden declaration of an armistice could be an indication of the high value the Cylons placed in the experiment on the ice planet. | * In Episode 1, Adama and McGavin act as if there is no end to the war in sight. The sudden declaration of an armistice could be an indication of the high value the Cylons placed in the experiment on the ice planet. | ||
* Given that only Admiral Adama appears to know about the Cylon experimentation | * Given that only Admiral Adama appears to know about the Cylon experimentation ([[Razor]]), despite the fact that the warehouse laboratory facilities must have fallen into Colonial hands, it seems likely that the incident was kept classified by Colonial authorities. The true import of the discovery appears to have not been fully understood, as the human race is taken totally by surprise when humanoid Cylons play a key role in their [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|downfall]]. | ||
** Adama himself, however, seems to realize the connection quickly when he encounters [[Leoben Conoy]] on [[Ragnar Anchorage]] and soon deduces that he is a Cylon | ** Adama himself, however, seems to realize the connection quickly when he encounters [[Leoben Conoy]] on [[Ragnar Anchorage]] and soon deduces that he is a Cylon ([[Miniseries]]). | ||
* The lack of security in the laboratory could well be explained by the fact that the Cylons are about to sign the armistice, and are preparing to flee the planet with the Guardian basestar and the results of their experiments. | * The lack of security in the laboratory could well be explained by the fact that the Cylons are about to sign the armistice, and are preparing to flee the planet with the Guardian basestar and the results of their experiments. | ||
== Questions == | == Questions == | ||
* Is the planet that Operation Raptor Talon takes place over the eventual [[Cylon homeworld|homeworld]] of the Cylons? | * Is the planet that Operation Raptor Talon takes place over the eventual [[Cylon homeworld|homeworld]] of the Cylons? | ||
* Based on the point of view perspective given in Episode 4, what function does the Centurion's pulsing red light perform, if not gathering visual data? | * Based on the point of view perspective given in Episode 4, what function does the Centurion's pulsing red light perform, if not gathering visual data? | ||
* How many captives are still alive by the time Adama discovers them? | * How many captives are still alive by the time Adama discovers them? | ||
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*''Ron Moore talking about the differences between the ''Razor Flashbacks'' and the [[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance|''Resistance'' webisodes]]:'' | *''Ron Moore talking about the differences between the ''Razor Flashbacks'' and the [[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance|''Resistance'' webisodes]]:'' | ||
:The distinction between the two is that webisodes were new material created specifically for the internet, while the featurettes are really little more than deleted scenes from "Razor." In the first instance, we were being asked to write and produce new material without compensation or credit, while in the second we simply repurposed existing material that would otherwise end up on the cutting room floor. That’s not to say that the featurettes weren’t subject to a great deal of haggling and negotiation with the studio over issues of reuse and credits | :The distinction between the two is that webisodes were new material created specifically for the internet, while the featurettes are really little more than deleted scenes from "Razor." In the first instance, we were being asked to write and produce new material without compensation or credit, while in the second we simply repurposed existing material that would otherwise end up on the cutting room floor. That’s not to say that the featurettes weren’t subject to a great deal of haggling and negotiation with the studio over issues of reuse and credits -- they were. But in the end, I agreed to go with the featurettes while still refusing to produce more webisodes because I felt that using existing scenes in this format was different than creating new stories. Hopefully, the new contract that gets hammered out between the studios and the writers’ guild will clear up all of this and provide enough clarity so that showrunners like myself won’t have to be in the position of making these calls on a case by case basis.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.rondmoore.com/Site/Blog/Entries/2007/11/20_The_Razor_Featurettes.html|title=RonMoore.com; The Razor Featurettes|date=20 November 2007|accessdate=30 November 2007|last=Moore|first=Ronald D.|format=|language=}}</ref> | ||
* ''[[Gary Hutzel]] discusses the [[Operation Raptor Talon]] sequence:'' | * ''[[Gary Hutzel]] discusses the [[Operation Raptor Talon]] sequence:'' | ||
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These are listed in the order they appear during the 7 episodes. | These are listed in the order they appear during the 7 episodes. | ||
{| class="messagebox" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2 | {| class="messagebox" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" | ||
! class="infoboxheader" | '''Cast Member''' | ! class="infoboxheader" | '''Cast Member''' | ||
! class="infoboxheader" | '''Character''' | ! class="infoboxheader" | '''Character''' | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [[Campbell Lane]] | | [[Campbell Lane]] | ||
| [[ | | [[Hybrid]] | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [[Ben Cotton]] | | [[Ben Cotton]] | ||
| | | Terrified man | ||
| | | | ||
| | | | ||
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| 7 | | 7 | ||
|} | |} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div> | |||
{{episode list (RDM season 4)}} | {{episode list (RDM season 4)}} | ||
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[[Category:Episodes directed by Wayne Rose]] | [[Category:Episodes directed by Wayne Rose]] | ||
[[Category:RDM]] | [[Category:RDM]] | ||