Editing Socialator

[[File:CassieSocilatorSaga.jpg|thumb|right|Cassiopeia is harassed for being a socialator by members of the [[Otori Sect]] {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.]]

A '''socialator''' is a [[w:courtesan|courtesan]] within the upper crust of society of [[The Twelve Colonies of Man|The Twelve Colonies]].

The socialator is a 4,000 [[yahren]]s old profession sanctified by the elders, wherein a person obliges the desires of others. It is not without its detractors, as those who practice this profession are scorned by members of the [[Otori Sect]] of the [[Gemonese]].

[[Cassiopeia]] was a socialator prior to the [[Battle of Cimtar]] ([[TOS]]: "[[Saga of a Star World]]").

== In the separate continuity ==
{{separate continuity|universe=TOS|cont=Richard Hatch continuation|lcont=:Category:Books|type=line}}

Socialators are men or women trained and educated to be the perfect companion, both sexually and socially<ref name="glossary">{{cite book/RH|1|glossary}}</ref>.

Passenger ship ''[[Adena]]'' within {{TOS-RH|the Fleet}} is known for its complement of socialators<ref name="p132">{{cite book/RH|1|132}}</ref> {{RH|Armageddon}}.

=== Profession and tradition ===

Commander {{TOS-RH|Cain}} describes socialators as "an ancient occupation with a tradition of great respect," asserting that socialators are "women of exemplary manners, diplomacy and education" who serve as "the perfect companions"<ref name="WH75">{{cite book/RH|2|75}}</ref>. This characterization reflects a cultural view of the profession as legitimate and respectable within {{TOS-RH|the Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Colonial}} society {{RH|Warhawk}}.

However, the sexual component of the profession remains central, as evidenced by {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}}'s bitter observation: "Particularly when the lights are out"<ref name="WH75" />. Despite Cain's defense of the profession's respectability, {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}} expresses regret about her past as a socialator, though she never attempts to hide it<ref name="WH75" /> {{RH|Warhawk}}.

=== Cassiopeia's experience ===

Before becoming a med-tech, {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}} was trained as a socialator. While there was "a certain glamour to that life, it was a lonely one"<ref name="WH51">{{cite book/RH|2|51}}</ref>. Her training in the profession made her skilled at listening and understanding what her clients wanted, an ability that later proved valuable in her medical career<ref name="STG117">{{cite book/RH|1|117}}</ref> {{RH|Armageddon|Warhawk}}.

{{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}} successfully transitioned from socialator to med-tech, eventually becoming "the primary bio-research tech" aboard ''{{TOS-RH|Galactica}}''<ref name="WH75" />. Commander {{TOS-RH|Cain}} acknowledges this accomplishment, noting that while being a companion "would never have been good enough for" her, she "was meant for finer things"<ref name="WH75" /> {{RH|Warhawk}}.

=== Social stigma ===

Despite the profession's purported respectability, socialators face social stigma within {{TOS-RH|the Fleet}}. {{TOS-RH|Athena}} initially thought {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}} was "cheap" because of her socialator background<ref name="RS46">{{cite book/RH|3|46}}</ref>, reflecting broader prejudices against the profession {{RH|Resurrection}}.

{{TOS-RH|Cain}} had a romantic relationship with {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}} approximately twenty {{TOS-RH|yahren}} before the events of {{RH|Warhawk|prose=Y}}, during her time as a socialator. He treated her "with a respect I've rarely known, even though I was a socialator back then," according to {{TOS-RH|Cassiopeia}}<ref name="Paradis66">{{cite book/RH|5|66}}</ref> {{RH|Paradis}}.

== Tie-in Material Information ==

* ''According to ''[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]'' (a non-canonical piece of merchandise published in 1979):''
: A socialator is a woman who is dedicated to the entertainment and pleasure of others. They are skilled in music and the dance and can speak easily and with intelligence on nearly any subject. On the planet [[Scorpio]], members of this caste are looked upon with special respect and admiration. <ref>{{cite book|last=Kraus|first=Bruce|year=1979|title=[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]|pages=52}}</ref>
: [[Cassiopeia]]'s home world is given as [[Scorpio]], not [[Gemoni]]. <ref name="p26">{{cite book|last=Kraus|first=Bruce|year=1979|title=[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]|pages=26}}</ref> On her homeworld, Cassiopeia was a Socialator, one of a caste whose function was to entertain and give pleasure to others. Socialators were skilled in music and the dance, and could speak with intelligence on nearly any subject. <ref name="p26"/> As for her change in profession, it is mentioned that since her arrival aboard ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'', she "trained as a medical corpsman and now pursues that profession exclusively". <ref name="p26"/>

== Notes ==

* A common mis-understanding with "socialator" was that it was likened to a [[w:Prostitute|prostitute]] or "space hooker," the latter term being used by actress [[Laurette Spang]] herself in ''[[Sciography]]''.
* [[Glen A. Larson]] noted that the presence of socialators in Colonial society were "an attempt to try and be a little more sophisticated," and that socialators were "like a [[w:geisha|geisha]], in that tradition. It wasn't purely sexual."<ref>{{cite book/sswa|75}}</ref>
* The legality of prostitution under Colonial law was maintained in the [[Re-imagined Series]], as noted in the episode "[[Black Market]]."

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (TOS)]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
{{indicator|TOS}}[[Category:TOS]]
[[de:Sozialator]]