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== Notes ==  
== Notes ==  
=== Behind the Scenes ===
According to ''[[So Say We All: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Battlestar Galactica]]'', "The Living Legend" was one of the most significant two-part episodes of the Original Series, introducing the popular character of Commander Cain, played by [[Lloyd Bridges]]. Creator [[Glen A. Larson]] conceived of Cain as a "Patton in space," an aggressive military commander whose "kick ass" philosophy created a dramatic foil for the more cautious Commander Adama.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|182}}</ref> Director [[Vince Edwards]] noted that the dynamic worked well, as both Bridges and [[Lorne Greene]] were forceful actors who created an interesting on-screen conflict.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|183}}</ref>


The episode was so well-regarded that Larson deliberately left Cain's fate ambiguous, with the full intention of bringing the character and the ''Pegasus'' back had the series been renewed for a second season.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|185}}</ref> This two-part episode was later edited together with "[[Fire in Space]]" to create the telemovie ''[[Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack]]''.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|220}}</ref>
=== Re-imagined Series Perspective ===
The Pegasus storyline from the Original Series was a major inspiration for the writers of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. [[Ronald D. Moore]] considered "The Living Legend" a "great story" and one of the few from the original that could be adapted.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|660}}</ref>
However, the re-imagined version made significant changes to create a new dynamic. The character of Cain was gender-swapped to become Admiral [[Helena Cain]] (played by [[Michelle Forbes]]), a superior officer to Commander Adama. This immediately established a different power structure, where Adama had to cede command of the fleet.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|660}}</ref> Furthermore, the re-imagined ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' was a state-of-the-art warship, contrasting with ''Galactica's'' status as an aging "museum piece." This technological superiority added another layer of tension and conflict between the two crews and their commanders.<ref>{{cite book/sswa|660-661}}</ref>
=== Additional Details ===
* This is the last appearance of the [[Imperious Leader]], apart from ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', and his most visible.
* This is the last appearance of the [[Imperious Leader]], apart from ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', and his most visible.
* With ''Pegasus'''s {{TOS|Viper}} pilots  stranded aboard ''Galactica'', two new recurring characters have been added: Lieutenants [[Sheba]] and [[Bojay]].
* With ''Pegasus'''s {{TOS|Viper}} pilots  stranded aboard ''Galactica'', two new recurring characters have been added: Lieutenants [[Sheba]] and [[Bojay]].
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* The Pegasus missile launch sequences actually depict a [[w:NASA|NASA]] [[w:Saturn V|Saturn V]] third stage separating from the main rocket <ref>http://www.ehartwell.com/afj/Image:Apollo6Staging2.jpg</ref> (the producers apparently felt it was easier and cheaper to recycle existing NASA footage rather than create an additional separate SFX miniature for this particular scene)
* The Pegasus missile launch sequences actually depict a [[w:NASA|NASA]] [[w:Saturn V|Saturn V]] third stage separating from the main rocket <ref>http://www.ehartwell.com/afj/Image:Apollo6Staging2.jpg</ref> (the producers apparently felt it was easier and cheaper to recycle existing NASA footage rather than create an additional separate SFX miniature for this particular scene)
*The plot element of attacking a Cylon installation for fuel was later unintentionally used in the [[Re-imagined Series]]{{'}} episode "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]," while the loss of ''Pegasus'' in a sacrificial assault on three basestars was used in "[[Exodus, Part II]]".
*The plot element of attacking a Cylon installation for fuel was later unintentionally used in the [[Re-imagined Series]]{{'}} episode "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]," while the loss of ''Pegasus'' in a sacrificial assault on three basestars was used in "[[Exodus, Part II]]".
* This two-part episode and the episode "[[Fire in Space]]" were edited together for a video release called ''[[Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack]]''.  In this video, {{TOS|Jolly}}'s report comes at the beginning, then followed by Apollo and Starbucks' patrol scene.  The first 45 mins to an hour of this video were more narrative in nature with some scenes taken out completely from the original aired episodes.


== Analysis ==
== Analysis ==
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The Berkely novelization, considered a [[BW:SEPCON|separate continuity]] source, adds a lot of nuances and details on top of the story established in the two-parter. [[The_Living_Legend_(Book)|More here.]]
The Berkely novelization, considered a [[BW:SEPCON|separate continuity]] source, adds a lot of nuances and details on top of the story established in the two-parter. [[The_Living_Legend_(Book)|More here.]]
== External Links ==
*[http://galactica1981.tripod.com/LIVINGLEGEND.htm The Living Legend full summary and review at Sheba's Galaxy]
*[http://galactica1981.tripod.com/MissingLiving.htm The Living Legend deleted scenes]
*[http://galactica1981.tripod.com/Best.htm ''The Pegasus Chronicles''] - four full-length novels available free online that continue the adventures of Commander Cain and the Pegasus.


==References==
==References==

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