Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Valley of Darkness/Archive 1

2005-07-24T08:51:40Z

64.81.61.9: Is that the same Centurion model?

==Technician in Valley of Darkness==

As I was working on this page, I realized that I forgot the name of the deckhand that Lee's group found in the small arms locker on deck 12... He's the one in the yellow uniform and he also had a small role in "[[Litmus]]"... -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 00:22, 23 Jul 2005 (EDT)
::It started with a "J" and at one point, when Lee said it, I thought he was calling him "Tarn" so it must be similar to that. Other than that, I'm stumped - although I taped the episode for a friend, I'll remember to keep my ears open when I re-watch it. [[User:Kuralyov|Kuralyov]] 01:09, 23 Jul 2005 (EDT)

::He was called Jammer. At least...that sounds right. Yes. It's Jammer...just watched it again.-- [[user:yenguyen|YeNguyen]] 23 July 2005 (EST)

==Kobol Questions==

Regarding the relativly recent skulls found on Kobol, perhaps there are humans or humano-cylons living there, after the exodous. While Tyrol ''said'' that they were attacked by Cylons has there been any visual proof of that? There is also the possiblity it was an automated defense system since Tyrol and Cali were not pursued and it appears that the bullets were all hitting the same general area w/o much movenment. -- [[user:shemnon|Danno Ferrin]] 10:19 MST, 23 July 2003

== Is that the same Centurion model? ==

I'm not sure the Centurions that boarded the Galactica were the same model we've seen before. It was dark, but I think their color may have been gold instead of silver, and they were much harder to kill -- Helo took down at least one with his pilot's sidearm, but Apollo's had no effect. Could they have been special shock troops?

Gemenon Traveler

2005-03-21T03:01:11Z

64.81.61.9: spelling, Gemenon

[[Image:Bsg-gem-1.jpg|thumb|Gemenon Traveller (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

The ''Gemenon Traveller'' is a heavy cargo transport in the Colonial fleet. She comes to prominence when the [[humano-Cylon]] [[Leoben Conoy]] is discovered stowed away on board her, and is subsequently interrogated by Lt. Kara [[Starbuck]] Thrace ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 21:38, 8 Jan 2005 (EST)

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial Craft]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Miniseries, Night 1

2005-03-21T02:56:03Z

64.81.61.9: /* Armistice Station */

== Overview ==

: ''After 40 years of peace with the Humanity's bastard children, the [[Cylons]], Humanity finds itself victim of a genocidal attack and the survivors are forced to flee from their [[Twelve Colonies | twelve colonies]] in the Cyrannus system.''

== Backplot ==



* The [[Cylons]] were created by the [[Colonials]] as a labor and military force. 40 years prior, the Cylons turned on their Human creators and the [[Cylon War]] ensued. The Cylons were exiled from the [[12 Colonies]] and were never seen again in any known form.
* The [[Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] is the last relic from the Cylon War and is being decomissioned. It was slated to be turned into a museum piece.
* The Colonies, who were once technophobic due to the Cylons, are recovering from their phobia and are integrating technology back into their normal lives and, as a result, military crafts.
* The Cylons are capable of infiltrating any networked computer system and disrupting electrical equipment.
* The Colonials descended from a mother world, known as [[Kobol]].
* There is a myth about a [[Earth|13th Colony of Kobol]], known as [[Earth]].

== Questions ==



* What happened to the Cylons over the course of their 40 year exile?
* What events transpired that made the [[Cylons]] hate their human masters? When did this occur?
* Where is the Cylon homeworld?
* Are there other life forms or powers that exist in the universe?
* Does Earth truly exist, despite Cmdr. [[Adama, William|Adama's]] disbelief?
* What happened to [[Helo]] on [[Caprica]]? ([[33|Answer]])
* We know of 7 of 12 Cylon models: [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer]], [[Number 6]], [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]], [[Cylon Centurion (old)]], [[Cylon Raider]], [[Cylon Centurion (new)]], and [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]. What are the other 5?
* If the Cylons hate Humanity with the passion that they do, why did they mimic human form? Was it for strategic purposes or was there something greater?

== Analysis ==



=== Noted Improvements from the Original ===

* The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons]] surprisingly attack the 12 Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[battlestar]], [[Galactica]], to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons]]. However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:
** The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called Cylons) who hated Humanity.
** The ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
** The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Characters have the standard First, Middle and Last Names.
** The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote distances, measuring, and time in the original series have been replaced with understandable terminology. "Year" was known as a "yahren" in the original.
** The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper|Mark II Viper]] and the [[Galactica]] and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Freighter Gemenon]] and the [[Botanical Ship]], have been redone.
** The [[Quorum of Twelve]], is not mentioned in the mini-series, and has apparently been replaced by a setup similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries (the [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 [[Colonial Day]], in which it appears somewhat similar to the
** Instead of the out worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.
* The relationships and characters from the original have been changed slighly as well.
** [[TOS Boomer|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
** [[TOS Starbuck|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
** "Adama" is now a surname.
** The character of [[TOS Adama]], potrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the original, now is known as [[Adama, William|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). He is a man about to retire, is estranged from his son [[Adama, Lee|Lee]], and is not as religious as the original portrayal of Adama.
** [[TOS Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]). He is a flawed character who hates his father, believing him to be ultimately responsible for the death of [[Adama, Zak|Zack Adama]], and is questioning his life's choices.
** [[TOS Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the [[12 Colonies]] due to his thirst for power, is now a computer genius whose fullname is [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]]. Instead of being the imposing, methodical and mischevious Baltar (portrayed by the late [[James Colicos]]), Gaius ([[James Callis]]) is a cowardly, egotistical man whose ultimate failing for bombshell women is his fait accompli. His betrayal of the human race was, mostly, due to his lust for [[Number 6]], whom he allowed unfettered access to the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]].
** The character of Colonel [[ TOS Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Tigh, Saul|Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.
* The show has taken a more realistic turn. Realistic science, which was painfully absent in the original series, is applied in this series. From the movement of the space vessels to the tactics used in space, to even the noticeabley diminished sounds in space (yes, it is muted, which is unrealistic -- but a necessary evil foisted upon the show by the higher-ups), the feeling of realism is in place. Realism is also affirmed by the documentary, hand-held camera style with the use of "snap zooms" and other guerilla documentarian niceities.
* Certain models of Cylons appear human, right down to the blood -- it would take complex tests just to screen for these Humanoid Cylons. Not only is this a budget-saver, but it also generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers). It also brings up interesting questions regarding cross-species mating: Can Humanoid Cylons mate with their Human creators?

=== Plot and Character Analyses ===

Since plot and character are so intertwined, both will be covered here.

==== Armistice Station ====

The Armistice Station gave us a chance to understand the conflict between the Cylons and Humanity. It also introduced us to the new Cylons and broke away from conventions set in Science Fiction. Instead of storming the station, the Cylons used [[Number 6]] and sexually assaulted the Armistice Officer. Question is, why was the Armistice Officer assaulted sexually instead of physically? The answer is three fold:

# This defied those who would make the claim that [[Battlestar Galactica]] is a "rip-off" of Star Wars; the same claim that was made against the original.
# This showed that the Cylons understood the devestating effect of sexual molestation. Since when did a Human expect for a Cylon to attack Humanity in this way?
# There is a drive within the Cylons to understand - and possibly experience the sensations of being truly alive.

The armistice station was destroyed by a Cylon [[Basestar|base star]]. Though this was a dramatic blow, this does seem rather unnecessary from a logical point of view. The Cylons present were more than enough to subdue the Armistice Officer and be able to keep the station for future purposes.

==== Commander William Adama & Nostalgia ====

With the [[Galactica]]'s future being a museum piece with gift shops, Commander William Adama is ready to retire, albeit reluctantly. Adama heads to retirement with tredipation, unsure of what he would do with the remainder of his life. His crew will ultimately be disbanded and good-byes are abound. There is a sense of a ship seeing its last days, despite some of the joy that some of the crew members have in continuing their military careers.

Adama is presented with his reconditioned Viper, which was rusting in a junkyard on [[Sagittaron]], as well as a picture of himself and his two sons when he was younger.

This is a touching moment, demonstrating the crew's affection for him as a person. It also establishes Adama's legitimacy as a war-hardened commander in the series quite nicely.

==== Starbuck & Tigh Card Fight ====

The "card fight" between a Lieutenant and Colonel sparked a bit of controversy in the fan community before it aired. In the original draft, [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] got off free without being thrown in the brig. However, given the fan's astute observation of a disturbing lack of disciplinary action against Starbuck for striking a superior, the aftermath was changed.

The scene demonstrates Starbuck's mistrust of authority and the antagonistic relationship between [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] and herself. The touch of classic Starbuck elements, i.e. the gambling and [[fumarello]] smoking, is a nice homage to the original that fits in nicely. [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s portrayal tells viewers that this isn't the same Starbuck from the original, as she is clearly unbalanced.

Tigh himself comes off as a grouchy, inebriated old man who has seen his glory days, which hammers home the fact that the good ship Galactica is seeing its last days. When he puts Starbuck in the brig, she knows she's stepped over the line -- but so has he, given that he flipped over the table first.

It also nicely puts Starbuck in a confined place from a story standpoint, allowing other characters to be introduced.

==== Laura Roslin's Cancer Storyline ====

The cancer story line for the Secretary of Education [[Laura Roslin]] seems a bit over-the-top from a superficial standpoint, which distracts from the main story. Yet having the cancer story-line helps show that smaller tragedies don't cease simply because another one looms ahead. It also reveals Roslin's vulnerability and puts her character in a realistic ethical conundrum, where she is more concerned about her own well-being when billions of people have been victims of the Cylon genocide.

The scene where she checks her breast does seem extraneous and could have been handled better from a story point of view.

==== The Infanticide Debate ====

One of the more emotional and argued points in the whole mini-series is not the sex changes of two main characters, and certainly not the major change in the Cylons, but the incident where [[Number 6]] kills an infant in the market place.

The question during the debate focused on the immorality of the act and was purported by those against the re-imagining as being an indicator that the source material wasn't being taken seriously.

The intent of the act was never questioned. It is simply assumed that Number 6 killed the baby out of cold blood.

The doubt of Number 6's intent, or possible lack thereof, still surrounds this scene. It was obvious that Number 6 was puzzled by the fraility of the baby and questioned as to how the neck could support the weight of the baby's head. Many items can be deduced from that scene, a few follow:

# It was a deliberate act. Cold and ruthless. Nothing more.
# Number 6 has feelings and is rational. Due to her knowledge of the impending attack and the expectation that the entire human race could be eradicated, could the act be merciful?
# Could it be an act of spite? In "[[33]]", her mental image asked [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] if he wanted children. With begs the question: Can Humanoid Cylons propogate their race through Human childbirth?
# Could it be a simple lack of knowledge? If so, the infanticide was accidental, and Number 6 had no way of knowing.
# She did demonstrate curiousity as to how much the neck could support. Could the death have been an unethical experiment on her part?

The most disturbing aspect of the whole debate lies in the assumed assumption that a single act of infanticide is unacceptable, whereas the genocide of the entire human race (including born and unborn infants) by Cylon hands seems to be more palatable.

==== The "Glowing Spine" Scene ====

One of the major inconsitencies in the mini-series was gleaned from this scene. The fact is established that Humano-Cylons were, for all intents and purposes, organic. Also established was, even with the most thorough of tests, it is almost impossible to screen Human from Cylon. Thus begs the question: What caused the spine to glow? It certainly wasn't a human reaction to sex. Since the Cylons went to the very painstaking process of creating an undetectable Humanoid Cylon model, it is conceivable that glowing spinal columns -- and more to the point the chemicals that would cause the aformentioned reaction -- would arouse undue suspicion and thwart Cylon plans.

One possible explanation for the glowing spine would be that the glowing spine is the act of "6" transfering some part of herself into Baltar, as evidenced later. However, this explanation is highly speculative.

Note: Comments from members of the production crew have since suggested that the only reason the glowing spine was included was that it "looked cool" at the time, and in retrospect, may have been a mistake.

==== "Humanity's children are returning home... today." ====

It is interesting to note Baltar's ability to deceive himself even when the human race is being eradicated.

; Additional information can be added later on. Feel free to do so.

== Notes ==



* The miniseries was initially broadcast in two two-hour segments. During re-broadcast (such as with the UK's Sky Movies channel), the two halves were combined into a single 3-hour 56-minute "film"
Initially, there were 12 [[battlestar|battlestars]], one representing each Colony. Battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' represented [[Caprica]]. These were built with antiquated technolgies, as were their fighter craft, to avoid the [[Cylons]]'s tactical advantage of disrupting complex electrical and computer equipment.
* Networked computers were susceptible to Cylon infiltration, forcing the Colonials to react by reducing their dependance on technology.
* The fleet has been greatly expanded since then, with at least 36 and possibly as many as 120 battlestars, although it is by no means certain all the vessels in the fleet follow the ''Galactica'' design.
* As the Colonials became more confident of their security, integrated systems were re-introduced to their civilian and military craft.
* The Cylons believe in [[God]], whereas the Colonials believe in a pantheon of [[Gods]] mirroring the [[Greek Gods|12 Olympian gods]] of Greek mythology.
* Cylons are also called "chrome toasters", mainly for their original appearance (a nod to the original series).
* All pilots have call signs.
* Commander [[Dash]] was the ''Galactica's'' first Commanding Officer.
* In the mini, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] is referred to as a "rook" by [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]], meaning a rookie. In [[Act of Contrition]] [[nugget]] is the chosen name for rookie pilots.

===Blooper Moments===
* At the start of the episode, dialogue is retained from a draft scipt which placed the [[Twelve Colonies]] actually on [[Kobol]], rather than spread among twelve worlds. The giveaway lines are spoken by [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]] (played by [[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]]):

: "Now, as I was saying, form follows function, and nowhere is this axiom of design more readily apparent than on the world famous Battlestar Galactica...now originally there were twelve battlestars, each representing one of Kobol's twelve colonies...."

: Given the show is set among 12 different worlds, and Kobol is now regarded as the birthplace of humanity, abandoned at some point in the distant past, Doral's should have used the words "worlds' famous", and simply referred to the original battlestars representing each of the Twelve Colonies.
* At the time of her first FTL jump, ''Galactica'' retracts her flight pods. However, when the jump is made, the ship is shown with the pods still extended.

=== Nods ===

* The Firefly-class ship, Serenity, from the sci-fi series Firefly makes a brief appearance. It can be seen flying above [[Roslin, Laura|Laura Roslin]] when she is about to hear her prognosis of breast cancer on [[Caprica]].
* The fanfare just prior to [[Adama, William|Commander Adama's]] speech is taken from [[Stu Phillips]]'s theme for the [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|original Battlestar Galactica]].
* The pilot [[Jolly]] makes a brief (verbal) appearance, just prior to the Cylon's massacre of the squad led by [[Spencer, James|James Spencer]], Galactica's previous [[CAG]]. It is not the same actor that played [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] in the original.
* The original [[Cylon Basestar (TOS)|Cylon Basestar]] can be briefly seen in the Galactica museum.
* President [[Roslin]] makes a point of calling [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] "Captain [[Apollo]]", saying that it has a nice ring to it.
* During the attack, ''[[Colonial One|Colonial 798 Heavy]]'' assists Gemenon Liner Seventeen-oh-one (1701). This is a nod to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM's]] work on Star Trek.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==




==== Adama's Speech at the Galactica's Decommissioning Ceremony ====

"The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but --

"Sometimes it's too high.

"You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question, why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed, spite, jealousy. And we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we've done.

"Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn't our fault, not really. You cannot play God then wash your hands of the things that you've created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore."

== Official Statements ==




=== Edward James Olmos' (EJO) Statements Regarding the Mini-Series ===

After the announcement of Edward James Olmos' involvement in the mini-series, portraying a role that was previously done by Candian actor Lorne Greene, many fans contacted him. As is evidenced by the quotes before, Olmos demonstrates his honesty and reaction to the mail, most of which could be classified as fairly negative.

From his [http://hometown.aol.com/ejowebmistress/ official website]:

*"I must say one thing and will say this very clearly. If you are a person who really has a strict belief in the original, I would not advise that you watch this program...We really don't stand true to the kind of characters that were built around the original. It definitely does break the mold. Some of the characters' names are the same, but the intent and the way that we are building the reality is completely not the reality that was built in the original." -- 7/03

*"I'm going to be the first one to say it really clearly. Please tell your readers, do not watch this program...[P]eople get really, really angry. You've got to remember that this is a show that was only on . . . in the late '70s, and to this day has a very strong fan base. Tens of thousands of people who write to each other for 25 years over a program that is not on the air and is not even being rerun. "They didn't want this at all, and I didn't know any of this. . . . All of a sudden, my e-mails went through the roof. Suddenly I was accused of teaming up with Ron Moore and creating just a slap in the face of all these people, and I didn't want to slap anybody."

*"Trust me, don't watch it. If you are a real, real staunch 'Battlestar Galactica' person, don't watch it. . . . Just don't write to me, all right? I warned you. I was honest."

*"I've gotten some really strong, strong mail. . . . They're really bitter. They're very angry. And I know the Sci Fi Channel wants to say that everybody's going to enjoy it. They're not."

=== Comments from [[Eick, David|David Eick]] ===

"The goals of the mini series were nothing short of reinventing the science fiction genre. We wanted to present people in a catastrophic situation, in the wake of a tragedy, responding as human beings actually would through the prism of the science ficton genre."

=== Regarding Mini Series Ratings ===

"I think going into it, we all wondered. you know, what the audience numbers were going to be, especially given all the internet, sort of, controversey and the general, sort of, [something] about what we were doing and people objecting. And was it going to be a failure or was it not.

"The first night's numbers were good, but not great. We were waiting to see what the drop-off would be, because there was always a drop off on the second night. And the ratings actually went up." -- Ron D. Moore [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

=== Regarding Roslin's Refusal to Leave Her Nascent Fleet ===

{{from_RDM_blog}}

:Someone recently asked:
:"In the mini series, when the [[Cylon Raider|Cylon fighters]] are approaching ''[[Colonial One]]'' (just before [[Adama, Lee|Lee]] saves the day with the EM pulse), [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] refuses to run and leave the other civilian ships to their doom... Yet she articulated no alternative plan.What was she hoping to do? It just seemed as though she planned to sit there and hope for the best, refusing to budge from the principle of not leaving defenseless people behind, even if that meant her own virtual suicide. It was an odd moment, she had been so decisive and clear headed up to then, and after that. (sic)

:What were her motivations, did she even have a plan? I still find this moment a little jarring and hard to explain away.I guess it does serve as a contrast to her later decision to leave [[Cami|Cammy]] (sic) etc behind. Thanks for your insights into this issue."

:[[Moore, Ronald D.|RDM]]: Can we talk? Let's be honest here. The show is not perfect. There are compromises made all the time; some for budgetary reasons, some are for political reasons, some are for no reason at all except that the writer could not, or would not, make the changes necessary to resolve a story point.

:Such is The Case of Laura Roslin and the Incoming Cylon.

:The above writer's observation is absolutely correct. Laura, by all rights and all sensible reasoning, should not obstinately stay when it's known for a fact that a Cylon missile is incoming, probably has a nuclear warhead and oh, by the way, she has no armament aboard her ship that would allow her even the remote chance of a possible last-minute, brilliant tactical move which might theoretically prevent the destruction of her ship and her presidency. Her refusal to leave, to Jump away from the impending, obvious threat can be interpreted as an irrational flaw in her character, a case of emotion trumping intellect, or it can be more correctly interpreted simply as a flaw in the script, an accepted error that the writer chooses to ignore in favor of other competing interests of character and plot which take priority in a given moment.

:In this case, I felt that the dramatic moment required that Laura make a committment to staying with her people, and to her nascent fleet, heedless of the consequence and resolute in her decision, even though it meant her certain doom. It was her instinctive response to the situation, her id's judgement, so to speak, that I was interested in, as well as the simpler plot device of having Lee swoop in and save them at the last moment just at the point you'd forgotten he was even there. Neither impulse is wrong, per se, but the error is in my choosing not to expand the moment and its aftermath in order to play out her realization of just how stupid a choice that was.

:If, at some point following the resolution of the crisis, Laura realized that she let her emotional reaction to the situation lead her into making a bad decision which was only saved by the providential intervention of Lee, then the scene would've accomplished everything I had hoped for in the moment as well as providing Laura with a character-building scene where the new president's first major decision nearly got them all killed. It would've been a way to both emphasize her fallibility and the fact that she can't afford to lead with her heart any longer. Her subsequent decision to leave the sublight ships behind, abandoning them to their destruction by the Cylons, would've also been informed by this experience and had a richer, even more textured component to it.

:In the end, it's not a fatal error in the script, and the moment passes by without comment for the most part, but it is something that nags at me whenever I see the sequence and which, frankly, bothered me at the time. So why didn't I fix it? A variety of answers present themselves, from time pressure to budgets, but the truth is, I knew that the emotional, dramatic moment would carry the audience through the scene and that people would be more invested in watching Lee take out the Cylon missile than in examining Laura's decision-making, so I opted to leave it alone rather than make the necessary page cuts and possible budget cuts needed to accommodate additional beats on this one point. It was probably the correct decision in the end, because the moment works and you move on as you're watching the show. However, being a television writer means not only having to make compromises and less than perfect decisions all the time, but as an additional penalty you get to always be reminded of the errors you've accepted when you watch the final product.

:Good catch by an attentive member of the audience.

:Damn you.

=== Additional Comments ===

* ''"Don't know if this has been addressed elsewhere already: Do [[Adama, Lee|Apollo]] and [[Helo]] already know each other at the start of the show? I recently reviewed the mini and noticed that in the [[Ready Room]] scene where Apollo is introduced and told he will fly [[Adama, William|Husker]]'s [[Viper]], when first introduced, Helo waves and Lee gives him one of those "oh, hey!" looks of familiarity, then when Lee isn't thrilled about flying his dad's Viper, Helo is the only one who *doesn't* look confused, he just smiles and turns back around."''

:I don't think they knew each other prior to the pilot. Lee probably had never set foot on the ''[[Galactica]]'' before then. I think the look was something improvised on the set.

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===




*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Barclay+Hope Barclay Hope] as Transport Pilot
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0301874/ Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha|Priestess Elosha]]
*[[McClure, Kandyse|Kandyse McClure]] as [[Dualla]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Connor+Widdows Connor Widdows] as [[Boxey]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+John+Mann John Mann] as [[Spencer, Jackson|CAG]]
*[[Juliani, Alessandro|Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Gaeta]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as Deckhand [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Eklund Michael Eklund] as Deckhand [[Prosna]]
*[[Penikett, Tahmoh|Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Agathon, Karl C.|Karl C. Agathon/Helo]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Haili+Page Haili Page] as [[Cami]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as Deckhand [[Socinus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ty+Olsson Ty Olsson] as Captain [[Kelly]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ron+Blecker Ron Blecker] as Launch Officer
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Robbins Ryan Robbins] as [[Armistice Officer]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tim+Henry Tim Henry] as Doctor (on Caprica)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Dwesi+Ameyaw Dwesi Ameyaw] as Liner Captain of [[Botonical Ship]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Brenda+McDonald Brenda McDonald] as Old Woman (who though she forgot her glasses)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Suleka+Mathew Suleka Mathew] as [[Brody, Kellan|Kellan Brody]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Erin+Karpluk Erin Karpluk] as Woman #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jenn+Griffin Jenn Griffin] as Woman #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+BJ+Harrison BJ Harrison] as Woman #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Moneca+Delain Moneca Delain] as Blonde Woman
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Zahf+Pardo Zahf Pardo] as Man #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Lewis Robert Lewis] as Man #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Denzal+Sinclaire Denzal Sinclaire] as Man #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nadine+Wright Nadine Wright] as [[Chantara]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Soltis Michael Soltis] as Chantara's Husband
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Fred+Keating Fred Keating] as Junior Reporter
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lymari+Nadal Lymari Nadal] as [[Giana]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as Pilot #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nahanni+Arntzen Nahanni Arntzen] as Pilot #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nogel+Vonas Nogel Vonas] as Pilot #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Nelson Ryan Nelson] as Pilot #4




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [[Moore, Ronald D.|Ronald D. Moore]] and [[Glen A. Larson|Christopher Eric James]]
*Based off a story by [[Larson, Glen A.|Glen A. Larson]]
*Directed by [[Rymer, Michael|Michael Rymer]]




=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 17 February 2004
*US Airdate: 8 December 2003, 9 December 2003 (2-night engagement, Sci-Fi Channel)
*Canadian Airdate: 17 January 2004
*DVD Release: 28 December 2004

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Miniseries, Night 1

2005-03-21T02:55:08Z

64.81.61.9: /* Armistice Station */ spelling: "ahe" is not a word

== Overview ==

: ''After 40 years of peace with the Humanity's bastard children, the [[Cylons]], Humanity finds itself victim of a genocidal attack and the survivors are forced to flee from their [[Twelve Colonies | twelve colonies]] in the Cyrannus system.''

== Backplot ==



* The [[Cylons]] were created by the [[Colonials]] as a labor and military force. 40 years prior, the Cylons turned on their Human creators and the [[Cylon War]] ensued. The Cylons were exiled from the [[12 Colonies]] and were never seen again in any known form.
* The [[Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] is the last relic from the Cylon War and is being decomissioned. It was slated to be turned into a museum piece.
* The Colonies, who were once technophobic due to the Cylons, are recovering from their phobia and are integrating technology back into their normal lives and, as a result, military crafts.
* The Cylons are capable of infiltrating any networked computer system and disrupting electrical equipment.
* The Colonials descended from a mother world, known as [[Kobol]].
* There is a myth about a [[Earth|13th Colony of Kobol]], known as [[Earth]].

== Questions ==



* What happened to the Cylons over the course of their 40 year exile?
* What events transpired that made the [[Cylons]] hate their human masters? When did this occur?
* Where is the Cylon homeworld?
* Are there other life forms or powers that exist in the universe?
* Does Earth truly exist, despite Cmdr. [[Adama, William|Adama's]] disbelief?
* What happened to [[Helo]] on [[Caprica]]? ([[33|Answer]])
* We know of 7 of 12 Cylon models: [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer]], [[Number 6]], [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]], [[Cylon Centurion (old)]], [[Cylon Raider]], [[Cylon Centurion (new)]], and [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]. What are the other 5?
* If the Cylons hate Humanity with the passion that they do, why did they mimic human form? Was it for strategic purposes or was there something greater?

== Analysis ==



=== Noted Improvements from the Original ===

* The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons]] surprisingly attack the 12 Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[battlestar]], [[Galactica]], to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons]]. However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:
** The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called Cylons) who hated Humanity.
** The ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
** The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Characters have the standard First, Middle and Last Names.
** The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote distances, measuring, and time in the original series have been replaced with understandable terminology. "Year" was known as a "yahren" in the original.
** The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper|Mark II Viper]] and the [[Galactica]] and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Freighter Gemenon]] and the [[Botanical Ship]], have been redone.
** The [[Quorum of Twelve]], is not mentioned in the mini-series, and has apparently been replaced by a setup similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries (the [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 [[Colonial Day]], in which it appears somewhat similar to the
** Instead of the out worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.
* The relationships and characters from the original have been changed slighly as well.
** [[TOS Boomer|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
** [[TOS Starbuck|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
** "Adama" is now a surname.
** The character of [[TOS Adama]], potrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the original, now is known as [[Adama, William|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). He is a man about to retire, is estranged from his son [[Adama, Lee|Lee]], and is not as religious as the original portrayal of Adama.
** [[TOS Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]). He is a flawed character who hates his father, believing him to be ultimately responsible for the death of [[Adama, Zak|Zack Adama]], and is questioning his life's choices.
** [[TOS Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the [[12 Colonies]] due to his thirst for power, is now a computer genius whose fullname is [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]]. Instead of being the imposing, methodical and mischevious Baltar (portrayed by the late [[James Colicos]]), Gaius ([[James Callis]]) is a cowardly, egotistical man whose ultimate failing for bombshell women is his fait accompli. His betrayal of the human race was, mostly, due to his lust for [[Number 6]], whom he allowed unfettered access to the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]].
** The character of Colonel [[ TOS Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Tigh, Saul|Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.
* The show has taken a more realistic turn. Realistic science, which was painfully absent in the original series, is applied in this series. From the movement of the space vessels to the tactics used in space, to even the noticeabley diminished sounds in space (yes, it is muted, which is unrealistic -- but a necessary evil foisted upon the show by the higher-ups), the feeling of realism is in place. Realism is also affirmed by the documentary, hand-held camera style with the use of "snap zooms" and other guerilla documentarian niceities.
* Certain models of Cylons appear human, right down to the blood -- it would take complex tests just to screen for these Humanoid Cylons. Not only is this a budget-saver, but it also generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers). It also brings up interesting questions regarding cross-species mating: Can Humanoid Cylons mate with their Human creators?

=== Plot and Character Analyses ===

Since plot and character are so intertwined, both will be covered here.

==== Armistice Station ====

The Armistice Station gave us a chance to understand the conflict between the Cylons and Humanity. It also introduced us to the new Cylons and broke away from conventions set in Science Fiction. Instead of storming the station, the Cylons used [[Number 6]] and sexually assaulted the Armistice Officer. Question is, why was the Armistice Officer assaulted sexually instead of physically? The answer is three fold:

# This defied those who would make the claim that [[Battlestar Galactica]] is a "rip-off" of Star Wars; the same claim that was made against the original.
# This showed that the Cylons understood the devestating affect of sexual molestation. Since when did a Human expect for a Cylon to attack Humanity in this way?
# There is a drive within the Cylons to understand - and possibly experience the sensations of being truly alive.

The armistice station was destroyed by a Cylon [[Basestar|base star]]. Though this was a dramatic blow, this does seem rather unnecessary from a logical point of view. The Cylons present were more than enough to subdue the Armistice Officer and be able to keep the station for future purposes.

==== Commander William Adama & Nostalgia ====

With the [[Galactica]]'s future being a museum piece with gift shops, Commander William Adama is ready to retire, albeit reluctantly. Adama heads to retirement with tredipation, unsure of what he would do with the remainder of his life. His crew will ultimately be disbanded and good-byes are abound. There is a sense of a ship seeing its last days, despite some of the joy that some of the crew members have in continuing their military careers.

Adama is presented with his reconditioned Viper, which was rusting in a junkyard on [[Sagittaron]], as well as a picture of himself and his two sons when he was younger.

This is a touching moment, demonstrating the crew's affection for him as a person. It also establishes Adama's legitimacy as a war-hardened commander in the series quite nicely.

==== Starbuck & Tigh Card Fight ====

The "card fight" between a Lieutenant and Colonel sparked a bit of controversy in the fan community before it aired. In the original draft, [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] got off free without being thrown in the brig. However, given the fan's astute observation of a disturbing lack of disciplinary action against Starbuck for striking a superior, the aftermath was changed.

The scene demonstrates Starbuck's mistrust of authority and the antagonistic relationship between [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] and herself. The touch of classic Starbuck elements, i.e. the gambling and [[fumarello]] smoking, is a nice homage to the original that fits in nicely. [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s portrayal tells viewers that this isn't the same Starbuck from the original, as she is clearly unbalanced.

Tigh himself comes off as a grouchy, inebriated old man who has seen his glory days, which hammers home the fact that the good ship Galactica is seeing its last days. When he puts Starbuck in the brig, she knows she's stepped over the line -- but so has he, given that he flipped over the table first.

It also nicely puts Starbuck in a confined place from a story standpoint, allowing other characters to be introduced.

==== Laura Roslin's Cancer Storyline ====

The cancer story line for the Secretary of Education [[Laura Roslin]] seems a bit over-the-top from a superficial standpoint, which distracts from the main story. Yet having the cancer story-line helps show that smaller tragedies don't cease simply because another one looms ahead. It also reveals Roslin's vulnerability and puts her character in a realistic ethical conundrum, where she is more concerned about her own well-being when billions of people have been victims of the Cylon genocide.

The scene where she checks her breast does seem extraneous and could have been handled better from a story point of view.

==== The Infanticide Debate ====

One of the more emotional and argued points in the whole mini-series is not the sex changes of two main characters, and certainly not the major change in the Cylons, but the incident where [[Number 6]] kills an infant in the market place.

The question during the debate focused on the immorality of the act and was purported by those against the re-imagining as being an indicator that the source material wasn't being taken seriously.

The intent of the act was never questioned. It is simply assumed that Number 6 killed the baby out of cold blood.

The doubt of Number 6's intent, or possible lack thereof, still surrounds this scene. It was obvious that Number 6 was puzzled by the fraility of the baby and questioned as to how the neck could support the weight of the baby's head. Many items can be deduced from that scene, a few follow:

# It was a deliberate act. Cold and ruthless. Nothing more.
# Number 6 has feelings and is rational. Due to her knowledge of the impending attack and the expectation that the entire human race could be eradicated, could the act be merciful?
# Could it be an act of spite? In "[[33]]", her mental image asked [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] if he wanted children. With begs the question: Can Humanoid Cylons propogate their race through Human childbirth?
# Could it be a simple lack of knowledge? If so, the infanticide was accidental, and Number 6 had no way of knowing.
# She did demonstrate curiousity as to how much the neck could support. Could the death have been an unethical experiment on her part?

The most disturbing aspect of the whole debate lies in the assumed assumption that a single act of infanticide is unacceptable, whereas the genocide of the entire human race (including born and unborn infants) by Cylon hands seems to be more palatable.

==== The "Glowing Spine" Scene ====

One of the major inconsitencies in the mini-series was gleaned from this scene. The fact is established that Humano-Cylons were, for all intents and purposes, organic. Also established was, even with the most thorough of tests, it is almost impossible to screen Human from Cylon. Thus begs the question: What caused the spine to glow? It certainly wasn't a human reaction to sex. Since the Cylons went to the very painstaking process of creating an undetectable Humanoid Cylon model, it is conceivable that glowing spinal columns -- and more to the point the chemicals that would cause the aformentioned reaction -- would arouse undue suspicion and thwart Cylon plans.

One possible explanation for the glowing spine would be that the glowing spine is the act of "6" transfering some part of herself into Baltar, as evidenced later. However, this explanation is highly speculative.

Note: Comments from members of the production crew have since suggested that the only reason the glowing spine was included was that it "looked cool" at the time, and in retrospect, may have been a mistake.

==== "Humanity's children are returning home... today." ====

It is interesting to note Baltar's ability to deceive himself even when the human race is being eradicated.

; Additional information can be added later on. Feel free to do so.

== Notes ==



* The miniseries was initially broadcast in two two-hour segments. During re-broadcast (such as with the UK's Sky Movies channel), the two halves were combined into a single 3-hour 56-minute "film"
Initially, there were 12 [[battlestar|battlestars]], one representing each Colony. Battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' represented [[Caprica]]. These were built with antiquated technolgies, as were their fighter craft, to avoid the [[Cylons]]'s tactical advantage of disrupting complex electrical and computer equipment.
* Networked computers were susceptible to Cylon infiltration, forcing the Colonials to react by reducing their dependance on technology.
* The fleet has been greatly expanded since then, with at least 36 and possibly as many as 120 battlestars, although it is by no means certain all the vessels in the fleet follow the ''Galactica'' design.
* As the Colonials became more confident of their security, integrated systems were re-introduced to their civilian and military craft.
* The Cylons believe in [[God]], whereas the Colonials believe in a pantheon of [[Gods]] mirroring the [[Greek Gods|12 Olympian gods]] of Greek mythology.
* Cylons are also called "chrome toasters", mainly for their original appearance (a nod to the original series).
* All pilots have call signs.
* Commander [[Dash]] was the ''Galactica's'' first Commanding Officer.
* In the mini, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] is referred to as a "rook" by [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]], meaning a rookie. In [[Act of Contrition]] [[nugget]] is the chosen name for rookie pilots.

===Blooper Moments===
* At the start of the episode, dialogue is retained from a draft scipt which placed the [[Twelve Colonies]] actually on [[Kobol]], rather than spread among twelve worlds. The giveaway lines are spoken by [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]] (played by [[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]]):

: "Now, as I was saying, form follows function, and nowhere is this axiom of design more readily apparent than on the world famous Battlestar Galactica...now originally there were twelve battlestars, each representing one of Kobol's twelve colonies...."

: Given the show is set among 12 different worlds, and Kobol is now regarded as the birthplace of humanity, abandoned at some point in the distant past, Doral's should have used the words "worlds' famous", and simply referred to the original battlestars representing each of the Twelve Colonies.
* At the time of her first FTL jump, ''Galactica'' retracts her flight pods. However, when the jump is made, the ship is shown with the pods still extended.

=== Nods ===

* The Firefly-class ship, Serenity, from the sci-fi series Firefly makes a brief appearance. It can be seen flying above [[Roslin, Laura|Laura Roslin]] when she is about to hear her prognosis of breast cancer on [[Caprica]].
* The fanfare just prior to [[Adama, William|Commander Adama's]] speech is taken from [[Stu Phillips]]'s theme for the [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|original Battlestar Galactica]].
* The pilot [[Jolly]] makes a brief (verbal) appearance, just prior to the Cylon's massacre of the squad led by [[Spencer, James|James Spencer]], Galactica's previous [[CAG]]. It is not the same actor that played [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] in the original.
* The original [[Cylon Basestar (TOS)|Cylon Basestar]] can be briefly seen in the Galactica museum.
* President [[Roslin]] makes a point of calling [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] "Captain [[Apollo]]", saying that it has a nice ring to it.
* During the attack, ''[[Colonial One|Colonial 798 Heavy]]'' assists Gemenon Liner Seventeen-oh-one (1701). This is a nod to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM's]] work on Star Trek.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==




==== Adama's Speech at the Galactica's Decommissioning Ceremony ====

"The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but --

"Sometimes it's too high.

"You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question, why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed, spite, jealousy. And we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we've done.

"Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn't our fault, not really. You cannot play God then wash your hands of the things that you've created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore."

== Official Statements ==




=== Edward James Olmos' (EJO) Statements Regarding the Mini-Series ===

After the announcement of Edward James Olmos' involvement in the mini-series, portraying a role that was previously done by Candian actor Lorne Greene, many fans contacted him. As is evidenced by the quotes before, Olmos demonstrates his honesty and reaction to the mail, most of which could be classified as fairly negative.

From his [http://hometown.aol.com/ejowebmistress/ official website]:

*"I must say one thing and will say this very clearly. If you are a person who really has a strict belief in the original, I would not advise that you watch this program...We really don't stand true to the kind of characters that were built around the original. It definitely does break the mold. Some of the characters' names are the same, but the intent and the way that we are building the reality is completely not the reality that was built in the original." -- 7/03

*"I'm going to be the first one to say it really clearly. Please tell your readers, do not watch this program...[P]eople get really, really angry. You've got to remember that this is a show that was only on . . . in the late '70s, and to this day has a very strong fan base. Tens of thousands of people who write to each other for 25 years over a program that is not on the air and is not even being rerun. "They didn't want this at all, and I didn't know any of this. . . . All of a sudden, my e-mails went through the roof. Suddenly I was accused of teaming up with Ron Moore and creating just a slap in the face of all these people, and I didn't want to slap anybody."

*"Trust me, don't watch it. If you are a real, real staunch 'Battlestar Galactica' person, don't watch it. . . . Just don't write to me, all right? I warned you. I was honest."

*"I've gotten some really strong, strong mail. . . . They're really bitter. They're very angry. And I know the Sci Fi Channel wants to say that everybody's going to enjoy it. They're not."

=== Comments from [[Eick, David|David Eick]] ===

"The goals of the mini series were nothing short of reinventing the science fiction genre. We wanted to present people in a catastrophic situation, in the wake of a tragedy, responding as human beings actually would through the prism of the science ficton genre."

=== Regarding Mini Series Ratings ===

"I think going into it, we all wondered. you know, what the audience numbers were going to be, especially given all the internet, sort of, controversey and the general, sort of, [something] about what we were doing and people objecting. And was it going to be a failure or was it not.

"The first night's numbers were good, but not great. We were waiting to see what the drop-off would be, because there was always a drop off on the second night. And the ratings actually went up." -- Ron D. Moore [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

=== Regarding Roslin's Refusal to Leave Her Nascent Fleet ===

{{from_RDM_blog}}

:Someone recently asked:
:"In the mini series, when the [[Cylon Raider|Cylon fighters]] are approaching ''[[Colonial One]]'' (just before [[Adama, Lee|Lee]] saves the day with the EM pulse), [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] refuses to run and leave the other civilian ships to their doom... Yet she articulated no alternative plan.What was she hoping to do? It just seemed as though she planned to sit there and hope for the best, refusing to budge from the principle of not leaving defenseless people behind, even if that meant her own virtual suicide. It was an odd moment, she had been so decisive and clear headed up to then, and after that. (sic)

:What were her motivations, did she even have a plan? I still find this moment a little jarring and hard to explain away.I guess it does serve as a contrast to her later decision to leave [[Cami|Cammy]] (sic) etc behind. Thanks for your insights into this issue."

:[[Moore, Ronald D.|RDM]]: Can we talk? Let's be honest here. The show is not perfect. There are compromises made all the time; some for budgetary reasons, some are for political reasons, some are for no reason at all except that the writer could not, or would not, make the changes necessary to resolve a story point.

:Such is The Case of Laura Roslin and the Incoming Cylon.

:The above writer's observation is absolutely correct. Laura, by all rights and all sensible reasoning, should not obstinately stay when it's known for a fact that a Cylon missile is incoming, probably has a nuclear warhead and oh, by the way, she has no armament aboard her ship that would allow her even the remote chance of a possible last-minute, brilliant tactical move which might theoretically prevent the destruction of her ship and her presidency. Her refusal to leave, to Jump away from the impending, obvious threat can be interpreted as an irrational flaw in her character, a case of emotion trumping intellect, or it can be more correctly interpreted simply as a flaw in the script, an accepted error that the writer chooses to ignore in favor of other competing interests of character and plot which take priority in a given moment.

:In this case, I felt that the dramatic moment required that Laura make a committment to staying with her people, and to her nascent fleet, heedless of the consequence and resolute in her decision, even though it meant her certain doom. It was her instinctive response to the situation, her id's judgement, so to speak, that I was interested in, as well as the simpler plot device of having Lee swoop in and save them at the last moment just at the point you'd forgotten he was even there. Neither impulse is wrong, per se, but the error is in my choosing not to expand the moment and its aftermath in order to play out her realization of just how stupid a choice that was.

:If, at some point following the resolution of the crisis, Laura realized that she let her emotional reaction to the situation lead her into making a bad decision which was only saved by the providential intervention of Lee, then the scene would've accomplished everything I had hoped for in the moment as well as providing Laura with a character-building scene where the new president's first major decision nearly got them all killed. It would've been a way to both emphasize her fallibility and the fact that she can't afford to lead with her heart any longer. Her subsequent decision to leave the sublight ships behind, abandoning them to their destruction by the Cylons, would've also been informed by this experience and had a richer, even more textured component to it.

:In the end, it's not a fatal error in the script, and the moment passes by without comment for the most part, but it is something that nags at me whenever I see the sequence and which, frankly, bothered me at the time. So why didn't I fix it? A variety of answers present themselves, from time pressure to budgets, but the truth is, I knew that the emotional, dramatic moment would carry the audience through the scene and that people would be more invested in watching Lee take out the Cylon missile than in examining Laura's decision-making, so I opted to leave it alone rather than make the necessary page cuts and possible budget cuts needed to accommodate additional beats on this one point. It was probably the correct decision in the end, because the moment works and you move on as you're watching the show. However, being a television writer means not only having to make compromises and less than perfect decisions all the time, but as an additional penalty you get to always be reminded of the errors you've accepted when you watch the final product.

:Good catch by an attentive member of the audience.

:Damn you.

=== Additional Comments ===

* ''"Don't know if this has been addressed elsewhere already: Do [[Adama, Lee|Apollo]] and [[Helo]] already know each other at the start of the show? I recently reviewed the mini and noticed that in the [[Ready Room]] scene where Apollo is introduced and told he will fly [[Adama, William|Husker]]'s [[Viper]], when first introduced, Helo waves and Lee gives him one of those "oh, hey!" looks of familiarity, then when Lee isn't thrilled about flying his dad's Viper, Helo is the only one who *doesn't* look confused, he just smiles and turns back around."''

:I don't think they knew each other prior to the pilot. Lee probably had never set foot on the ''[[Galactica]]'' before then. I think the look was something improvised on the set.

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===




*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Barclay+Hope Barclay Hope] as Transport Pilot
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0301874/ Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha|Priestess Elosha]]
*[[McClure, Kandyse|Kandyse McClure]] as [[Dualla]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Connor+Widdows Connor Widdows] as [[Boxey]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+John+Mann John Mann] as [[Spencer, Jackson|CAG]]
*[[Juliani, Alessandro|Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Gaeta]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as Deckhand [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Eklund Michael Eklund] as Deckhand [[Prosna]]
*[[Penikett, Tahmoh|Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Agathon, Karl C.|Karl C. Agathon/Helo]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Haili+Page Haili Page] as [[Cami]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as Deckhand [[Socinus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ty+Olsson Ty Olsson] as Captain [[Kelly]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ron+Blecker Ron Blecker] as Launch Officer
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Robbins Ryan Robbins] as [[Armistice Officer]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tim+Henry Tim Henry] as Doctor (on Caprica)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Dwesi+Ameyaw Dwesi Ameyaw] as Liner Captain of [[Botonical Ship]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Brenda+McDonald Brenda McDonald] as Old Woman (who though she forgot her glasses)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Suleka+Mathew Suleka Mathew] as [[Brody, Kellan|Kellan Brody]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Erin+Karpluk Erin Karpluk] as Woman #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jenn+Griffin Jenn Griffin] as Woman #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+BJ+Harrison BJ Harrison] as Woman #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Moneca+Delain Moneca Delain] as Blonde Woman
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Zahf+Pardo Zahf Pardo] as Man #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Lewis Robert Lewis] as Man #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Denzal+Sinclaire Denzal Sinclaire] as Man #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nadine+Wright Nadine Wright] as [[Chantara]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Soltis Michael Soltis] as Chantara's Husband
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Fred+Keating Fred Keating] as Junior Reporter
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lymari+Nadal Lymari Nadal] as [[Giana]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as Pilot #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nahanni+Arntzen Nahanni Arntzen] as Pilot #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nogel+Vonas Nogel Vonas] as Pilot #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Nelson Ryan Nelson] as Pilot #4




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [[Moore, Ronald D.|Ronald D. Moore]] and [[Glen A. Larson|Christopher Eric James]]
*Based off a story by [[Larson, Glen A.|Glen A. Larson]]
*Directed by [[Rymer, Michael|Michael Rymer]]




=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 17 February 2004
*US Airdate: 8 December 2003, 9 December 2003 (2-night engagement, Sci-Fi Channel)
*Canadian Airdate: 17 January 2004
*DVD Release: 28 December 2004

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

List of Season 1 Guest Actors (RDM)

2005-03-21T02:53:10Z

64.81.61.9: /* B */ spelling, Gemenon

==A==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Ashcroft James Ashcroft] as Spectator #1

==B==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Mario+Battista Mario Battista] as Gardner
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Bell James Bell] as ECO
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Matthew+Bennett Matthew Bennett] as [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Eric+Breker Eric Breker] as Gemenon Traveller Captain

==C==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Leah+Cairns Leah Cairns] as [[Racetrack]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lucianna+Carro Lucianna Carro] as [[Katraine|Katraine / Kat]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Morris+Chapdelaine Morris Chapdelaine] as reporter #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Warren+Christie Warren Christie] as Gound Crew #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Terry+Chen Terry Chen] as [[Perry|Perry / Chuckles]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Paul+Cummings Paul Cummings] as [[Fireball]]

==D==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Pat+Adren+Dornal Pat Adren Dornal] as [[Wikens]]

==G==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lorena+Gale Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Slex+Green Alex Green] as Deckhand
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Biski+Gugushe Biski Gugushe] as [[Eick]] / [[Hamilton, Sekou|Sekou Hamilton]] / "Pilot #1" [[Mini-Series]]

==H==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jen+Halley Jen Halley] as Ground Crew #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ricard+Hatch Richard Hatch] as [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]]

==I==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Patricia+Idlette Particia Idlette] as [[Parker, Sarah|Sarah Parker]]

==J==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Colby+Johannson Colby Johannson] as [[Saunders,Dwight|Flat Top]]

==K==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nimet+Kanji Nimet Kanji] as [[Candace Myson]]

==M==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Shaw+Madson Shaw Madson] as Marine Corporal
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Kaye David Kaye] as [[Macmanus,James|James Macmanus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tobias+Mehler Tobias Mehler] as [[Adama, Zak|Zak Adama]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Bill+Melien Bill Meilen] as Caprica Cleric

==O==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Bodie+Olmos Bodie Olmos] as [[Constanza|Constanza / Hot Dog]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as [[Socinus]]

==R==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Callum+Keith+Rennie Callum Keith Rennie] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Donnelly+Rhodes Donnelly Rhodes] as [[Doctor Cottle]]

==S==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Playa Kohn]] / [[Palacios, Playa|Playa Palacios]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ron+Selmour Ron Selmour] as [[Seaborne]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jim+Shield Jim Shield] as [[Karna]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Raahul+Singh Raahul Singh] as Kimmit
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Stephen+Spender Stephen Spender] as Pilot
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Malcolm+Stewart Malcolm Stewart] as [[Bagott, Marshall|Marshall Bagott]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Cailin+Stadnyk Cailin Stadnyk] as [[Ensign Davis]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Camille+Sullivan Camille Sullivan] as [[Stepchild]]

==T==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jill+Teed Jill Teed] as [[Hadrian|Sergeant Hadrian]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Kate+Vernon Kate Vernon] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]

==W==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Wisden Robert Wisden] as [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]]

==Z==
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alex+Zahara Alex Zahara] as [[Valance]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Dominic+Zamprogna Dominic Zamprogna] as ?

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Cast|*]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Lists]]

Flesh and Bone

2005-03-21T02:50:39Z

64.81.61.9: /* Guest Stars */ spelling, Gemenon

[[Image:bsg-1-08.jpg|thumb|"Flesh and Bone" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

: When a copy of [[Leoben Conoy]] is captured aboard a civilian ship, [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]] orders he is to be interrogated, and [[Thrace, Kara|Lieutenant Thrace]] is assigned the job. She finds herself facing the possibility that Conoy may have planted a bomb somewhere in the fleet.

== Summary ==
* [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] has a [[Kamala]]-induced dream in which she sees [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]. She is awakened by [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]], who informs her a [[humano-Cylon|Cylon]] has been captured aboard the ''[[Gemenon Traveller]]''
* The Cylon turns out to be Leoben Conoy, and while [[Adama, William|Adama]] wants him destroyed, Roslin insists he is interrogated
* [[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] is assigned the interrogation task. Meeting with her, Adama warns her that Conoy cannot be trusted. Not that he lies, but rather he twists everything into half-truths and mask fiction with the veneer of truth
* They briefly discuss the [[Cylon Raider]] Starbuck is still working on ([[You Can’t Go Home Again]], [[Six Degrees of Separation]]), and Starbuck informs him good progress is being made: the avionics are now understood, and they are focusing on the [[FTL]] systems
* Later, [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] visits the Raider for a second time (the first being in [[Six Degrees of Separation]]), and appears to comfort it by humming
* [[Tyrol, Galen|Tyrol]] arrives, and she asks if her previous comments help. He confirms they did, and asks how she came up with the idea. She claims it’s because she’s a Cylon – something Tyrol doesn’t find remotely funny
* Elsewhere, Thrace travels by Raptor to the ''Gememon Traveller''. Once there, she observes Conoy, noting that he is sweating, before she enters the room in which he is being held, wanting to know what he is doing with his head on the table
* Conoy claims to have been praying. There religious differences are immediately outlined as she referes to “gods”, he to “God”
* When he starts playing games with her over names, she tries to walk out – and Conoy reveals he knows who she is, which stops her. He then claims to have hidden a nuclear warhead somewhere in the fleet, which will go off in just under nine hours
* Shaken by the fact he knows her name, Starbuck reports the news on the bomb to Adama and Roslin. Adama orders radiological searches to be made aboard all ships and tries to reassure Starbuck that Conoy could have learned her name from anywhere
* When she returns to the holding area, Conoy continues to question her about her beliefs, outlining the key difference between humans and their religion and Cylons. A meal arrives for Starbuck and she eats, allowing Conoy to finish what is left.
* As he finishes the food, a systematic beating commences, Starbuck convinced that because he is programmed to act completely like a human, Conoy will be forced to react like a human, take the beating until the pain forces him to start talking
* As this starts, Boomer visits [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] in his lab and demands he runs a test on her to determine whether or not she is human. Baltar is reluctant to do so, but [[Number Six|Six]] prompts him into doing it
* Conoy’s beating fails to get him to talk about the bomb, only to talk more about God. As the subject of water has formed a lot of his analogies, Starbuck opts to up the torture by using it, and sends the guards from the room
* When they are gone, Conoy demonstrates his ability, breaking the chains that bind his wrists and pinning her to the wall. He could kill her, but he doesn’t – he has something to tell her, soon. A surprise
* On the ''Galactica'', Adama visits the cadaver of the Conoy he encountered at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Mini-Series]]), his rage almost causing him to beat the body with a telephone handset
* On the ''Traveller'', Starbuck commences sessions that involve holding Conoy’s head underwater for increasingly lengthy periods to try and get him to talk – convinced that he is too far from Cylon influence to transfer his consciousness to another body, should this one die
* Conoy talks – about Starbucks’s childhood and upbringing, demonstrating he somehow knows an lot about her. The duckings continue
* Baltar finishes a scan on a blood sample from Boomer – it confirms she is a Cylon. Terrified of what will happen if he tells her, he fakes the result to look human
* In her private quarters on ''[[Colonial One]]'', Roslin has another vision of Conoy, prompting her to order s shuttle to take her to the ''Gememon Traveller''
* On the ''Traveller'', Starbuck halts the water torture and Conoy reveals his surprise to her: the humans will find [[Kobol]], and Kobol will lead them to [[Earth]]. What’s more, Starbuck’s specific role is to deliver his soul to God
* At that moment, Roslin arrives and puts a stop to the torture, as it has failed to reveal the location of the bomb
* When Conoy has been cleaned up and dried off, she tries to reason with him, and he confesses there is no bomb; grabbing her, he whispers that Adama is a Cylon
* Shocked by this, but her mind made up, Roslin has him ejected into space – fulfilling the sequence of events in her dream
* Later, on the ''Galactica'', Starbuck prays for Conoy’s soul, while Roslin meets with Adama, Conoy's words clearly having cast doubts deep in her mind

===On Caprica===
* After sleeping with [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]], [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] meets with [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]] and [[Number Six|Six]] and informs them of developments
* Doral informs her that a little love nest is being set-up nearby. Six adds that she must lead Helo to it and keep him there – or kill him.
* Reacting to the instructions, Valerii returns to Helo – and goes on the run with him, leading him away from her Cylon colleagues.

== Questions ==
*Is Conoy's comment to [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] concerning [[Kobol]] meant personally - that ''she'' will find Kobol - or at least recognise it for what it really is?
*How will Roslin react to Conoy's claim about Adama? She has already demonstrated a willingness to readily accept the worst about a person without proof (her reaction to [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar's]] situation in [[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Why is love so vital to the [[Cylons]]?
*Was [[Troy]] destroyed in an genuine accident, making it a convenient "cover" for the Cylone to create [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer's]] "history", or were they responsible for the destruction of the colony?

== Analysis ==
“Flesh and Bone” is another tremendously powerful story to come out of the season one arc. It is the first time that everything meshes with a synchronicity that is simply awesome: season arc development, episode arc, character growth, character revelations, religious insights, Cylon and human motivations – all combine into 42 minutes of magnetic television.

As usual, the featured actors turn in outstanding performances, with [[McDonnell|Mary McDonnell]] again adding depth and vulnerability to Laura Roslin. Is the President’s hardened attitude a result of her on-going adjustment to the plight of the Colonials, a direct reflection of her growing determination to beat her cancer, or a result of her acceptance that life for her may not be as rich and as full as she may once have hoped? Or is it a combination of all three? Whatever the underpinning reasons, the last few episodes have seen Roslin develop the kind of hard shell one would expect of a leader in her position; and McDonnell’s portrayal of Roslin as she goes through this transition has been outstanding.

[[Sackhoff, Katee|Katee Sackhoff]] also shines in this episode – alongside of [[Rennie, Callum Keith|Callum Keith Rennie]], she has the most time on screen – and she again shows that for a relatively young actress, she has a broad range and depth. At every turn, Thrace’s over-confidence, her flippancy, her inborn doubts, her fear of failure, of being found out – all are so perfectly portrayed through word, look and attitude.
But the accolades this week go not to a regular member of the cast, but to Callum Keith Rennie for his portrayal of Leoben Conoy.

Rennie is perhaps best remembered for the (also Canadian-filmed) series “Due South”. At the time, he did not impress – although to be fair, he was trying to fill David Marciano’s considerable shoes. Even so, his appearance in the Battlestar Galactica mini-series, he also fails to engage.

But in “Flesh and Blood” Callum Keith Rennie proves the faith the producers clearly had in him. His personification of Conoy is a marvel to watch. Not only does he evoke sympathy and concern as he is systematically beaten and tortured; he also maintains a degree of detachment towards the events around him that sufficiently reminds us that, while human-looking, his character is not truly human. By turns he is philosopher, victim, man, child, inquisitor, and agent provocateur – and in all, he is utterly convincing and absorbing. He is a mirror, held up to reflect the angst, the perceptions, bias and insecurity of the human race, as personified by Kara Thrace. Through him we also gain what appears to be a further hint of Cylon capabilities.

Conoy first turns up in Roslin’s dream – causing her to demand he is interrogated, not destroyed on being discovered. During his interrogation, he demonstrates personal information concerning Thrace’s upbringing, and shortly before his death, he again appears to Roslin, prompting her to go to the Gemenon Traveller where he can meet with her and plant a bomb potentially every bit as devastating any the nuclear warhead he claimed to have hidden somewhere in the fleet.

All of this tends to raise the question: are Cylons – or at least the Conoy model – psychic? Does the ability to transfer their conscious minds at the point of physical death enable them to do other things mentally as well?

It could be argued that Conoy’s knowledge of Thrace has been gleaned from records – perhaps her military file; maybe she revealed things to Boomer on the Galactica, and she was able to communicate them elsewhere. BUT the way in which the half-drowned Conoy talks about Thrace’s mother and upbringing, it seems altogether too personal, as if he is, through describing the events, reliving them – and we see this reflected in the intensity of Thrace’s look. There is more here than has been gleaned from official records and half-revealed anecdotes relayed through a third party.

“I ''see'' the universe. I ''see'' the patterns,” Conoy states with the conviction of a man speaking the truth. “I see the foreshadowing that precedes every moment of every day. It’s all there. I see it, and you don’t.” These are the words of a man convinced of the fact that he knows what is to come; how things will end, even before time has run its course, and as such, it is hard not to accept he does not, somehow, have the ability to foretell the future.

Or is it merely that through words, through the persuasion of his “half-baked philosophy”, Conoy can influence, twist, turn and manipulate to bring about the events and situations he requires in order to give himself the appearance of precognition? Is there any way we, as the audience can tell if Conoy can “see” the future and thus determine how much of the truth he is telling? Well, apparently there is.

As his time runs out, he reveals his surprise to Thrace: “And I told you I had a surprise for you. Are you ready? “You are going to find Kobol, birthplace of us all. Kobol will lead you to Earth. This is my gift to you, Kara.”

You are going to find Kobol. The essence of truth – we know that this is indeed what will happen; the Colonials will indeed find Kobol; this much is apparently certain from the title of the two-parter that concludes season 1: “Kobol’s Last Gleaming”. So Conoy is telling a degree of truth.

But is he telling the whole truth? On the surface, this comment seems pretty direct. But one thing we have learnt in this series is that nothing is every quite what it seems. Messages are always delivered in layers. And if we strip away the surface gloss to this comment, we come across a deeper meaning: "You are going to find Kobol….This is my gift to ''you'', Kara". There is no mistaking the meaning here: Kobol will be found – but it will be Thrace who realises the fact of the matter. He is almost saying that while the Colonials may find Kobol, it will take Thrace to realise that it is Kobol.

Turning to Conoy’s appearance in Roslin’s dreams: is this again an indication that he is in some way “psychic” - or are Roslin’s visions of him simply a side effect of the Kamala extract she is taking? His appearances almost seem to manipulate events and bring about the results he desires / has foreseen: his appearance in her initial dream forestalls his simple destruction on capture; his later appearance brings Roslin to the Gemenon Traveller, where he can impart his lie concerning Adama to her. So to dismiss both visions simply as the results of her taking Kamala, may be an over-simplification of the situation.

But assuming for a moment the dreams are a side-effect of Roslin's treatment, what does this mean for her? Precognition would seem to fit with the parallels the series has shown with Greek mythology. Could it be that the Kamala is "helping" Roslin to become a Sybil, a seer of future events?

However, there is a third explanation: that, as Conoy states, everything that happens in this episode – indeed, everything within the series as a whole – is preordained. That there is indeed a deity manipulating things, drawing both the Colonials and Cylons towards an ultimate goal.

Away from the central action, we begin to see the pieces fall into place around Helo on Caprica, with the motivating force behind the Cylon’s activities once more focusing on love.

“Love” is a theme that resonate throughout the episode – and indeed, has resonated through the series since Six’s first on-screen appearance with Baltar. As he is interviewed for a news broadcast, she enters his house, a look of adoration on her face. Then, after the interview, as they start to make out, she asks him in a child-like voice, in need of reassurance, “Did you miss me Gaius?” Still kissing and undressing her, he replies, “Can’t you tell?” and her tone grows more petulant, “Your body misses me. What about your heart…your soul?”

Intent on sating his lust, Baltar remains flippant, “Yeah, those to,” Six’s voice returns to one of need. “Do you love me Gaius?” When he does answer, she stops him from kissing her, making him look her in the eye. “Do you love me?” It is something he cannot answer except to ask her if she is serious. For a moment there is hurt in Six’s expression – which she covers and still proceeds to have sex with him.

Do you love me? The need is real. Could it be that, in carrying her primary mission of sabotage through Baltar, Six did actually come to love him – she actually, if accidentally came to experience that one emotion, that one driving force of life that the Cylons have equated to Godhood, (“God is love”)?
If so, it would further reinforce the fact that whatever is in Baltar’s head is not a product of his own mind.

Certainly, it is the question of love that appears foremost in this episode – both with Conoy, who returns to it time and again in his references to Cylon religion, and more particularly with Valerii on Caprica, where the first question she is asked after her revelation to Doral and Six that she had sex is “Does he love you?” A comment which is immediately followed by a dismissive “then you’re just guessing,” when she admits he had not actually said as much.

Following the interview with Doral and Six, two things are clear: Valerii has fallen for Helo. That much is evident from the flashbacks of her time with him. She also very much shares the memories of Boomer back on Galactica – at least up until the point where Boomer left Helo on Caprica, indicating the various incarnations of a specific humanoid Cylon share experiences throughout their existence – although this may be limited by the distance between one another.

Did the Cylons anticipate that any love expressed by a human might be reciprocated by one of their own? If they wish to experience love, then it is hard to see how they could avoid coming to this conclusion. Indeed, it might well explain Doral’s question to Valerii in “Litmus” when Helo sets out to “find” her: “Are you prepared for the next step?” A comment that at the time appeared to have implications well beyond the beating she then received at the hands of Six.

Again, putting these items together – the fact that different incarnations of a Cylon humanoid share experiences and the attempts to have Helo fall in love with Valerii on Caprica – go a long way to explaining Six’s very apparent sarcasm and vindictiveness towards Valerii, as witnessed in “Litmus” (“He doesn’t love you,” and the unnecessarily-harsh beating she then gives Valerii), and her jealousy towards Valerii shown in this episode (“She acts like one of them, thinks like one of them. She is one of them”). Why? Because if Baltar’s Six did indeed fall in love with Baltar, then Six on Caprica may well have experienced some of it for herself – a vicarious thrill, the very thing the Cylons seek – but it is down to another to achieve the goal of having a human fall in love with her, not Six.

Layers in layers, clues and counter-clues, wheels within wheel all are revealed and all light the path of the story while simultaneously obscuring the truth behind what is happening. Glimpses and shadows of what might be happening, and what might yet come to pass are shown; but like the insidious nature of Conoy’s half-truths and riddles, they serve to weave a story that even here, more than half-way through season one, inspires discussion, evokes enthusiasm and engages the imagination. Long may it continue!

All told, “Flesh and Bone” is the strongest story yet to come out of Battlestar Galactica – more than that, it is one of the most thought-provoking and evocative 42 minutes of television drama ever broadcast.

== Notes ==
*This episode takes place within 24 hours of those portrayed in [[Six Degrees of Separation]]
*Galactica’s medico has apparently been successful in his quest for Kamala – Roslin is now using it in her fight against cancer
*There are 47,954 survivors in the fleet, presumably including Galactica’s crew, as the figure has fluctuated between 45,000 and 50,000 over the past few weeks in rounded figures
*Laura Roslin may have precognition, and / or Cylons may be psychic
*Boomer believes her family were all killed – together with almost her entire past in a “tragedy” that destroyed the colony of Troy
*Baltar’s Cylon detector works
*Baltar now knows Boomer is a Cylon

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
Conoy to Starbuck, towwards the end of his interrogation, just before Roslin's arrival

Conoy: Each of us plays a role; each time a different role. Maybe the last time I was the interrogator and you were the prisoner. The players change, the story remains the same. And this time – this time – your role is to deliver my soul unto God. Do it for me. It’s your destiny. And mine. (PAUSE) And I told you I had a surprise for you. Are you ready? You are going to find [[Kobol]], birthplace of us all. Kobol will lead you to Earth. This is my gift to you, Kara.

== Official Statements ==




== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[[Rennie, Callum Keith|Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy]]
*[[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Kohn, Playa|Playa Kohn]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Eric+Breker Eric Breker] as Gemenon Traveller Captain



=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Toni+Graphia Toni Graphia]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Brad+Turner Brad Turner]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.08
*Airdate Order: 8 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 22 November 2004 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 25 February 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Flesh and Bone

2005-03-21T02:49:59Z

64.81.61.9: /* Analysis */ spelling, Gemenon

[[Image:bsg-1-08.jpg|thumb|"Flesh and Bone" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

: When a copy of [[Leoben Conoy]] is captured aboard a civilian ship, [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]] orders he is to be interrogated, and [[Thrace, Kara|Lieutenant Thrace]] is assigned the job. She finds herself facing the possibility that Conoy may have planted a bomb somewhere in the fleet.

== Summary ==
* [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] has a [[Kamala]]-induced dream in which she sees [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]. She is awakened by [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]], who informs her a [[humano-Cylon|Cylon]] has been captured aboard the ''[[Gemenon Traveller]]''
* The Cylon turns out to be Leoben Conoy, and while [[Adama, William|Adama]] wants him destroyed, Roslin insists he is interrogated
* [[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] is assigned the interrogation task. Meeting with her, Adama warns her that Conoy cannot be trusted. Not that he lies, but rather he twists everything into half-truths and mask fiction with the veneer of truth
* They briefly discuss the [[Cylon Raider]] Starbuck is still working on ([[You Can’t Go Home Again]], [[Six Degrees of Separation]]), and Starbuck informs him good progress is being made: the avionics are now understood, and they are focusing on the [[FTL]] systems
* Later, [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] visits the Raider for a second time (the first being in [[Six Degrees of Separation]]), and appears to comfort it by humming
* [[Tyrol, Galen|Tyrol]] arrives, and she asks if her previous comments help. He confirms they did, and asks how she came up with the idea. She claims it’s because she’s a Cylon – something Tyrol doesn’t find remotely funny
* Elsewhere, Thrace travels by Raptor to the ''Gememon Traveller''. Once there, she observes Conoy, noting that he is sweating, before she enters the room in which he is being held, wanting to know what he is doing with his head on the table
* Conoy claims to have been praying. There religious differences are immediately outlined as she referes to “gods”, he to “God”
* When he starts playing games with her over names, she tries to walk out – and Conoy reveals he knows who she is, which stops her. He then claims to have hidden a nuclear warhead somewhere in the fleet, which will go off in just under nine hours
* Shaken by the fact he knows her name, Starbuck reports the news on the bomb to Adama and Roslin. Adama orders radiological searches to be made aboard all ships and tries to reassure Starbuck that Conoy could have learned her name from anywhere
* When she returns to the holding area, Conoy continues to question her about her beliefs, outlining the key difference between humans and their religion and Cylons. A meal arrives for Starbuck and she eats, allowing Conoy to finish what is left.
* As he finishes the food, a systematic beating commences, Starbuck convinced that because he is programmed to act completely like a human, Conoy will be forced to react like a human, take the beating until the pain forces him to start talking
* As this starts, Boomer visits [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar]] in his lab and demands he runs a test on her to determine whether or not she is human. Baltar is reluctant to do so, but [[Number Six|Six]] prompts him into doing it
* Conoy’s beating fails to get him to talk about the bomb, only to talk more about God. As the subject of water has formed a lot of his analogies, Starbuck opts to up the torture by using it, and sends the guards from the room
* When they are gone, Conoy demonstrates his ability, breaking the chains that bind his wrists and pinning her to the wall. He could kill her, but he doesn’t – he has something to tell her, soon. A surprise
* On the ''Galactica'', Adama visits the cadaver of the Conoy he encountered at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Mini-Series]]), his rage almost causing him to beat the body with a telephone handset
* On the ''Traveller'', Starbuck commences sessions that involve holding Conoy’s head underwater for increasingly lengthy periods to try and get him to talk – convinced that he is too far from Cylon influence to transfer his consciousness to another body, should this one die
* Conoy talks – about Starbucks’s childhood and upbringing, demonstrating he somehow knows an lot about her. The duckings continue
* Baltar finishes a scan on a blood sample from Boomer – it confirms she is a Cylon. Terrified of what will happen if he tells her, he fakes the result to look human
* In her private quarters on ''[[Colonial One]]'', Roslin has another vision of Conoy, prompting her to order s shuttle to take her to the ''Gememon Traveller''
* On the ''Traveller'', Starbuck halts the water torture and Conoy reveals his surprise to her: the humans will find [[Kobol]], and Kobol will lead them to [[Earth]]. What’s more, Starbuck’s specific role is to deliver his soul to God
* At that moment, Roslin arrives and puts a stop to the torture, as it has failed to reveal the location of the bomb
* When Conoy has been cleaned up and dried off, she tries to reason with him, and he confesses there is no bomb; grabbing her, he whispers that Adama is a Cylon
* Shocked by this, but her mind made up, Roslin has him ejected into space – fulfilling the sequence of events in her dream
* Later, on the ''Galactica'', Starbuck prays for Conoy’s soul, while Roslin meets with Adama, Conoy's words clearly having cast doubts deep in her mind

===On Caprica===
* After sleeping with [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]], [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] meets with [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]] and [[Number Six|Six]] and informs them of developments
* Doral informs her that a little love nest is being set-up nearby. Six adds that she must lead Helo to it and keep him there – or kill him.
* Reacting to the instructions, Valerii returns to Helo – and goes on the run with him, leading him away from her Cylon colleagues.

== Questions ==
*Is Conoy's comment to [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] concerning [[Kobol]] meant personally - that ''she'' will find Kobol - or at least recognise it for what it really is?
*How will Roslin react to Conoy's claim about Adama? She has already demonstrated a willingness to readily accept the worst about a person without proof (her reaction to [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar's]] situation in [[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Why is love so vital to the [[Cylons]]?
*Was [[Troy]] destroyed in an genuine accident, making it a convenient "cover" for the Cylone to create [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer's]] "history", or were they responsible for the destruction of the colony?

== Analysis ==
“Flesh and Bone” is another tremendously powerful story to come out of the season one arc. It is the first time that everything meshes with a synchronicity that is simply awesome: season arc development, episode arc, character growth, character revelations, religious insights, Cylon and human motivations – all combine into 42 minutes of magnetic television.

As usual, the featured actors turn in outstanding performances, with [[McDonnell|Mary McDonnell]] again adding depth and vulnerability to Laura Roslin. Is the President’s hardened attitude a result of her on-going adjustment to the plight of the Colonials, a direct reflection of her growing determination to beat her cancer, or a result of her acceptance that life for her may not be as rich and as full as she may once have hoped? Or is it a combination of all three? Whatever the underpinning reasons, the last few episodes have seen Roslin develop the kind of hard shell one would expect of a leader in her position; and McDonnell’s portrayal of Roslin as she goes through this transition has been outstanding.

[[Sackhoff, Katee|Katee Sackhoff]] also shines in this episode – alongside of [[Rennie, Callum Keith|Callum Keith Rennie]], she has the most time on screen – and she again shows that for a relatively young actress, she has a broad range and depth. At every turn, Thrace’s over-confidence, her flippancy, her inborn doubts, her fear of failure, of being found out – all are so perfectly portrayed through word, look and attitude.
But the accolades this week go not to a regular member of the cast, but to Callum Keith Rennie for his portrayal of Leoben Conoy.

Rennie is perhaps best remembered for the (also Canadian-filmed) series “Due South”. At the time, he did not impress – although to be fair, he was trying to fill David Marciano’s considerable shoes. Even so, his appearance in the Battlestar Galactica mini-series, he also fails to engage.

But in “Flesh and Blood” Callum Keith Rennie proves the faith the producers clearly had in him. His personification of Conoy is a marvel to watch. Not only does he evoke sympathy and concern as he is systematically beaten and tortured; he also maintains a degree of detachment towards the events around him that sufficiently reminds us that, while human-looking, his character is not truly human. By turns he is philosopher, victim, man, child, inquisitor, and agent provocateur – and in all, he is utterly convincing and absorbing. He is a mirror, held up to reflect the angst, the perceptions, bias and insecurity of the human race, as personified by Kara Thrace. Through him we also gain what appears to be a further hint of Cylon capabilities.

Conoy first turns up in Roslin’s dream – causing her to demand he is interrogated, not destroyed on being discovered. During his interrogation, he demonstrates personal information concerning Thrace’s upbringing, and shortly before his death, he again appears to Roslin, prompting her to go to the Gemenon Traveller where he can meet with her and plant a bomb potentially every bit as devastating any the nuclear warhead he claimed to have hidden somewhere in the fleet.

All of this tends to raise the question: are Cylons – or at least the Conoy model – psychic? Does the ability to transfer their conscious minds at the point of physical death enable them to do other things mentally as well?

It could be argued that Conoy’s knowledge of Thrace has been gleaned from records – perhaps her military file; maybe she revealed things to Boomer on the Galactica, and she was able to communicate them elsewhere. BUT the way in which the half-drowned Conoy talks about Thrace’s mother and upbringing, it seems altogether too personal, as if he is, through describing the events, reliving them – and we see this reflected in the intensity of Thrace’s look. There is more here than has been gleaned from official records and half-revealed anecdotes relayed through a third party.

“I ''see'' the universe. I ''see'' the patterns,” Conoy states with the conviction of a man speaking the truth. “I see the foreshadowing that precedes every moment of every day. It’s all there. I see it, and you don’t.” These are the words of a man convinced of the fact that he knows what is to come; how things will end, even before time has run its course, and as such, it is hard not to accept he does not, somehow, have the ability to foretell the future.

Or is it merely that through words, through the persuasion of his “half-baked philosophy”, Conoy can influence, twist, turn and manipulate to bring about the events and situations he requires in order to give himself the appearance of precognition? Is there any way we, as the audience can tell if Conoy can “see” the future and thus determine how much of the truth he is telling? Well, apparently there is.

As his time runs out, he reveals his surprise to Thrace: “And I told you I had a surprise for you. Are you ready? “You are going to find Kobol, birthplace of us all. Kobol will lead you to Earth. This is my gift to you, Kara.”

You are going to find Kobol. The essence of truth – we know that this is indeed what will happen; the Colonials will indeed find Kobol; this much is apparently certain from the title of the two-parter that concludes season 1: “Kobol’s Last Gleaming”. So Conoy is telling a degree of truth.

But is he telling the whole truth? On the surface, this comment seems pretty direct. But one thing we have learnt in this series is that nothing is every quite what it seems. Messages are always delivered in layers. And if we strip away the surface gloss to this comment, we come across a deeper meaning: "You are going to find Kobol….This is my gift to ''you'', Kara". There is no mistaking the meaning here: Kobol will be found – but it will be Thrace who realises the fact of the matter. He is almost saying that while the Colonials may find Kobol, it will take Thrace to realise that it is Kobol.

Turning to Conoy’s appearance in Roslin’s dreams: is this again an indication that he is in some way “psychic” - or are Roslin’s visions of him simply a side effect of the Kamala extract she is taking? His appearances almost seem to manipulate events and bring about the results he desires / has foreseen: his appearance in her initial dream forestalls his simple destruction on capture; his later appearance brings Roslin to the Gemenon Traveller, where he can impart his lie concerning Adama to her. So to dismiss both visions simply as the results of her taking Kamala, may be an over-simplification of the situation.

But assuming for a moment the dreams are a side-effect of Roslin's treatment, what does this mean for her? Precognition would seem to fit with the parallels the series has shown with Greek mythology. Could it be that the Kamala is "helping" Roslin to become a Sybil, a seer of future events?

However, there is a third explanation: that, as Conoy states, everything that happens in this episode – indeed, everything within the series as a whole – is preordained. That there is indeed a deity manipulating things, drawing both the Colonials and Cylons towards an ultimate goal.

Away from the central action, we begin to see the pieces fall into place around Helo on Caprica, with the motivating force behind the Cylon’s activities once more focusing on love.

“Love” is a theme that resonate throughout the episode – and indeed, has resonated through the series since Six’s first on-screen appearance with Baltar. As he is interviewed for a news broadcast, she enters his house, a look of adoration on her face. Then, after the interview, as they start to make out, she asks him in a child-like voice, in need of reassurance, “Did you miss me Gaius?” Still kissing and undressing her, he replies, “Can’t you tell?” and her tone grows more petulant, “Your body misses me. What about your heart…your soul?”

Intent on sating his lust, Baltar remains flippant, “Yeah, those to,” Six’s voice returns to one of need. “Do you love me Gaius?” When he does answer, she stops him from kissing her, making him look her in the eye. “Do you love me?” It is something he cannot answer except to ask her if she is serious. For a moment there is hurt in Six’s expression – which she covers and still proceeds to have sex with him.

Do you love me? The need is real. Could it be that, in carrying her primary mission of sabotage through Baltar, Six did actually come to love him – she actually, if accidentally came to experience that one emotion, that one driving force of life that the Cylons have equated to Godhood, (“God is love”)?
If so, it would further reinforce the fact that whatever is in Baltar’s head is not a product of his own mind.

Certainly, it is the question of love that appears foremost in this episode – both with Conoy, who returns to it time and again in his references to Cylon religion, and more particularly with Valerii on Caprica, where the first question she is asked after her revelation to Doral and Six that she had sex is “Does he love you?” A comment which is immediately followed by a dismissive “then you’re just guessing,” when she admits he had not actually said as much.

Following the interview with Doral and Six, two things are clear: Valerii has fallen for Helo. That much is evident from the flashbacks of her time with him. She also very much shares the memories of Boomer back on Galactica – at least up until the point where Boomer left Helo on Caprica, indicating the various incarnations of a specific humanoid Cylon share experiences throughout their existence – although this may be limited by the distance between one another.

Did the Cylons anticipate that any love expressed by a human might be reciprocated by one of their own? If they wish to experience love, then it is hard to see how they could avoid coming to this conclusion. Indeed, it might well explain Doral’s question to Valerii in “Litmus” when Helo sets out to “find” her: “Are you prepared for the next step?” A comment that at the time appeared to have implications well beyond the beating she then received at the hands of Six.

Again, putting these items together – the fact that different incarnations of a Cylon humanoid share experiences and the attempts to have Helo fall in love with Valerii on Caprica – go a long way to explaining Six’s very apparent sarcasm and vindictiveness towards Valerii, as witnessed in “Litmus” (“He doesn’t love you,” and the unnecessarily-harsh beating she then gives Valerii), and her jealousy towards Valerii shown in this episode (“She acts like one of them, thinks like one of them. She is one of them”). Why? Because if Baltar’s Six did indeed fall in love with Baltar, then Six on Caprica may well have experienced some of it for herself – a vicarious thrill, the very thing the Cylons seek – but it is down to another to achieve the goal of having a human fall in love with her, not Six.

Layers in layers, clues and counter-clues, wheels within wheel all are revealed and all light the path of the story while simultaneously obscuring the truth behind what is happening. Glimpses and shadows of what might be happening, and what might yet come to pass are shown; but like the insidious nature of Conoy’s half-truths and riddles, they serve to weave a story that even here, more than half-way through season one, inspires discussion, evokes enthusiasm and engages the imagination. Long may it continue!

All told, “Flesh and Bone” is the strongest story yet to come out of Battlestar Galactica – more than that, it is one of the most thought-provoking and evocative 42 minutes of television drama ever broadcast.

== Notes ==
*This episode takes place within 24 hours of those portrayed in [[Six Degrees of Separation]]
*Galactica’s medico has apparently been successful in his quest for Kamala – Roslin is now using it in her fight against cancer
*There are 47,954 survivors in the fleet, presumably including Galactica’s crew, as the figure has fluctuated between 45,000 and 50,000 over the past few weeks in rounded figures
*Laura Roslin may have precognition, and / or Cylons may be psychic
*Boomer believes her family were all killed – together with almost her entire past in a “tragedy” that destroyed the colony of Troy
*Baltar’s Cylon detector works
*Baltar now knows Boomer is a Cylon

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
Conoy to Starbuck, towwards the end of his interrogation, just before Roslin's arrival

Conoy: Each of us plays a role; each time a different role. Maybe the last time I was the interrogator and you were the prisoner. The players change, the story remains the same. And this time – this time – your role is to deliver my soul unto God. Do it for me. It’s your destiny. And mine. (PAUSE) And I told you I had a surprise for you. Are you ready? You are going to find [[Kobol]], birthplace of us all. Kobol will lead you to Earth. This is my gift to you, Kara.

== Official Statements ==




== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[[Rennie, Callum Keith|Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy]]
*[[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Kohn, Playa|Playa Kohn]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Eric+Breker Eric Breker] as Geminon Traveller Captain



=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Toni+Graphia Toni Graphia]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Brad+Turner Brad Turner]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.08
*Airdate Order: 8 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 22 November 2004 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 25 February 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Miniseries, Night 1

2005-03-21T02:47:45Z

64.81.61.9: /* Noted Improvements from the Original */ spelling, Gemenon

== Overview ==

: ''After 40 years of peace with the Humanity's bastard children, the [[Cylons]], Humanity finds itself victim of a genocidal attack and the survivors are forced to flee from their [[Twelve Colonies | twelve colonies]] in the Cyrannus system.''

== Backplot ==



* The [[Cylons]] were created by the [[Colonials]] as a labor and military force. 40 years prior, the Cylons turned on their Human creators and the [[Cylon War]] ensued. The Cylons were exiled from the [[12 Colonies]] and were never seen again in any known form.
* The [[Galactica|Battlestar Galactica]] is the last relic from the Cylon War and is being decomissioned. It was slated to be turned into a museum piece.
* The Colonies, who were once technophobic due to the Cylons, are recovering from their phobia and are integrating technology back into their normal lives and, as a result, military crafts.
* The Cylons are capable of infiltrating any networked computer system and disrupting electrical equipment.
* The Colonials descended from a mother world, known as [[Kobol]].
* There is a myth about a [[Earth|13th Colony of Kobol]], known as [[Earth]].

== Questions ==



* What happened to the Cylons over the course of their 40 year exile?
* What events transpired that made the [[Cylons]] hate their human masters? When did this occur?
* Where is the Cylon homeworld?
* Are there other life forms or powers that exist in the universe?
* Does Earth truly exist, despite Cmdr. [[Adama, William|Adama's]] disbelief?
* What happened to [[Helo]] on [[Caprica]]? ([[33|Answer]])
* We know of 7 of 12 Cylon models: [[Valerii, Sharon|Boomer]], [[Number 6]], [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]], [[Cylon Centurion (old)]], [[Cylon Raider]], [[Cylon Centurion (new)]], and [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]. What are the other 5?
* If the Cylons hate Humanity with the passion that they do, why did they mimic human form? Was it for strategic purposes or was there something greater?

== Analysis ==



=== Noted Improvements from the Original ===

* The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons]] surprisingly attack the 12 Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[battlestar]], [[Galactica]], to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons]]. However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:
** The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called Cylons) who hated Humanity.
** The ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
** The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Characters have the standard First, Middle and Last Names.
** The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote distances, measuring, and time in the original series have been replaced with understandable terminology. "Year" was known as a "yahren" in the original.
** The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper|Mark II Viper]] and the [[Galactica]] and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Freighter Gemenon]] and the [[Botanical Ship]], have been redone.
** The [[Quorum of Twelve]], is not mentioned in the mini-series, and has apparently been replaced by a setup similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries (the [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 [[Colonial Day]], in which it appears somewhat similar to the
** Instead of the out worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.
* The relationships and characters from the original have been changed slighly as well.
** [[TOS Boomer|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
** [[TOS Starbuck|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
** "Adama" is now a surname.
** The character of [[TOS Adama]], potrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the original, now is known as [[Adama, William|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). He is a man about to retire, is estranged from his son [[Adama, Lee|Lee]], and is not as religious as the original portrayal of Adama.
** [[TOS Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]). He is a flawed character who hates his father, believing him to be ultimately responsible for the death of [[Adama, Zak|Zack Adama]], and is questioning his life's choices.
** [[TOS Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the [[12 Colonies]] due to his thirst for power, is now a computer genius whose fullname is [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]]. Instead of being the imposing, methodical and mischevious Baltar (portrayed by the late [[James Colicos]]), Gaius ([[James Callis]]) is a cowardly, egotistical man whose ultimate failing for bombshell women is his fait accompli. His betrayal of the human race was, mostly, due to his lust for [[Number 6]], whom he allowed unfettered access to the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]].
** The character of Colonel [[ TOS Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Tigh, Saul|Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.
* The show has taken a more realistic turn. Realistic science, which was painfully absent in the original series, is applied in this series. From the movement of the space vessels to the tactics used in space, to even the noticeabley diminished sounds in space (yes, it is muted, which is unrealistic -- but a necessary evil foisted upon the show by the higher-ups), the feeling of realism is in place. Realism is also affirmed by the documentary, hand-held camera style with the use of "snap zooms" and other guerilla documentarian niceities.
* Certain models of Cylons appear human, right down to the blood -- it would take complex tests just to screen for these Humanoid Cylons. Not only is this a budget-saver, but it also generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers). It also brings up interesting questions regarding cross-species mating: Can Humanoid Cylons mate with their Human creators?

=== Plot and Character Analyses ===

Since plot and character are so intertwined, both will be covered here.

==== Armistice Station ====

The Armistice Station gave us a chance to understand the conflict between the Cylons and Humanity. It also introduced us to the new Cylons and broke away from conventions set in Science Fiction. Instead of storming the station, the Cylons used [[Number 6]] and sexually assaulted the Armistice Officer. Question is, why was the Armistice Officer assaulted sexually instead of physically? The answer is three fold:

# This defied those who would make the claim that [[Battlestar Galactica]] is a "rip-off" of Star Wars; the same claim that was made against the original.
# This showed that the Cylons understood the devestating affect of sexual molestation. Since when did a Human expect for a Cylon to attack Humanity in this way?
# There is a drive within the Cylons to understand - and possibly experience the sensations of being truly alive.

The armistice station was destroyed by ahe Cylon [[Basestar|base star]]. Though this was a dramatic blow, this does seem rather unnecessary from a logical point of view. The Cylons present were more than enough to subdue the Armistice Officer and be able to keep the station for future purposes.

==== Commander William Adama & Nostalgia ====

With the [[Galactica]]'s future being a museum piece with gift shops, Commander William Adama is ready to retire, albeit reluctantly. Adama heads to retirement with tredipation, unsure of what he would do with the remainder of his life. His crew will ultimately be disbanded and good-byes are abound. There is a sense of a ship seeing its last days, despite some of the joy that some of the crew members have in continuing their military careers.

Adama is presented with his reconditioned Viper, which was rusting in a junkyard on [[Sagittaron]], as well as a picture of himself and his two sons when he was younger.

This is a touching moment, demonstrating the crew's affection for him as a person. It also establishes Adama's legitimacy as a war-hardened commander in the series quite nicely.

==== Starbuck & Tigh Card Fight ====

The "card fight" between a Lieutenant and Colonel sparked a bit of controversy in the fan community before it aired. In the original draft, [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] got off free without being thrown in the brig. However, given the fan's astute observation of a disturbing lack of disciplinary action against Starbuck for striking a superior, the aftermath was changed.

The scene demonstrates Starbuck's mistrust of authority and the antagonistic relationship between [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] and herself. The touch of classic Starbuck elements, i.e. the gambling and [[fumarello]] smoking, is a nice homage to the original that fits in nicely. [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s portrayal tells viewers that this isn't the same Starbuck from the original, as she is clearly unbalanced.

Tigh himself comes off as a grouchy, inebriated old man who has seen his glory days, which hammers home the fact that the good ship Galactica is seeing its last days. When he puts Starbuck in the brig, she knows she's stepped over the line -- but so has he, given that he flipped over the table first.

It also nicely puts Starbuck in a confined place from a story standpoint, allowing other characters to be introduced.

==== Laura Roslin's Cancer Storyline ====

The cancer story line for the Secretary of Education [[Laura Roslin]] seems a bit over-the-top from a superficial standpoint, which distracts from the main story. Yet having the cancer story-line helps show that smaller tragedies don't cease simply because another one looms ahead. It also reveals Roslin's vulnerability and puts her character in a realistic ethical conundrum, where she is more concerned about her own well-being when billions of people have been victims of the Cylon genocide.

The scene where she checks her breast does seem extraneous and could have been handled better from a story point of view.

==== The Infanticide Debate ====

One of the more emotional and argued points in the whole mini-series is not the sex changes of two main characters, and certainly not the major change in the Cylons, but the incident where [[Number 6]] kills an infant in the market place.

The question during the debate focused on the immorality of the act and was purported by those against the re-imagining as being an indicator that the source material wasn't being taken seriously.

The intent of the act was never questioned. It is simply assumed that Number 6 killed the baby out of cold blood.

The doubt of Number 6's intent, or possible lack thereof, still surrounds this scene. It was obvious that Number 6 was puzzled by the fraility of the baby and questioned as to how the neck could support the weight of the baby's head. Many items can be deduced from that scene, a few follow:

# It was a deliberate act. Cold and ruthless. Nothing more.
# Number 6 has feelings and is rational. Due to her knowledge of the impending attack and the expectation that the entire human race could be eradicated, could the act be merciful?
# Could it be an act of spite? In "[[33]]", her mental image asked [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] if he wanted children. With begs the question: Can Humanoid Cylons propogate their race through Human childbirth?
# Could it be a simple lack of knowledge? If so, the infanticide was accidental, and Number 6 had no way of knowing.
# She did demonstrate curiousity as to how much the neck could support. Could the death have been an unethical experiment on her part?

The most disturbing aspect of the whole debate lies in the assumed assumption that a single act of infanticide is unacceptable, whereas the genocide of the entire human race (including born and unborn infants) by Cylon hands seems to be more palatable.

==== The "Glowing Spine" Scene ====

One of the major inconsitencies in the mini-series was gleaned from this scene. The fact is established that Humano-Cylons were, for all intents and purposes, organic. Also established was, even with the most thorough of tests, it is almost impossible to screen Human from Cylon. Thus begs the question: What caused the spine to glow? It certainly wasn't a human reaction to sex. Since the Cylons went to the very painstaking process of creating an undetectable Humanoid Cylon model, it is conceivable that glowing spinal columns -- and more to the point the chemicals that would cause the aformentioned reaction -- would arouse undue suspicion and thwart Cylon plans.

One possible explanation for the glowing spine would be that the glowing spine is the act of "6" transfering some part of herself into Baltar, as evidenced later. However, this explanation is highly speculative.

Note: Comments from members of the production crew have since suggested that the only reason the glowing spine was included was that it "looked cool" at the time, and in retrospect, may have been a mistake.

==== "Humanity's children are returning home... today." ====

It is interesting to note Baltar's ability to deceive himself even when the human race is being eradicated.

; Additional information can be added later on. Feel free to do so.

== Notes ==



* The miniseries was initially broadcast in two two-hour segments. During re-broadcast (such as with the UK's Sky Movies channel), the two halves were combined into a single 3-hour 56-minute "film"
Initially, there were 12 [[battlestar|battlestars]], one representing each Colony. Battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' represented [[Caprica]]. These were built with antiquated technolgies, as were their fighter craft, to avoid the [[Cylons]]'s tactical advantage of disrupting complex electrical and computer equipment.
* Networked computers were susceptible to Cylon infiltration, forcing the Colonials to react by reducing their dependance on technology.
* The fleet has been greatly expanded since then, with at least 36 and possibly as many as 120 battlestars, although it is by no means certain all the vessels in the fleet follow the ''Galactica'' design.
* As the Colonials became more confident of their security, integrated systems were re-introduced to their civilian and military craft.
* The Cylons believe in [[God]], whereas the Colonials believe in a pantheon of [[Gods]] mirroring the [[Greek Gods|12 Olympian gods]] of Greek mythology.
* Cylons are also called "chrome toasters", mainly for their original appearance (a nod to the original series).
* All pilots have call signs.
* Commander [[Dash]] was the ''Galactica's'' first Commanding Officer.
* In the mini, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer]] is referred to as a "rook" by [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]], meaning a rookie. In [[Act of Contrition]] [[nugget]] is the chosen name for rookie pilots.

===Blooper Moments===
* At the start of the episode, dialogue is retained from a draft scipt which placed the [[Twelve Colonies]] actually on [[Kobol]], rather than spread among twelve worlds. The giveaway lines are spoken by [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]] (played by [[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]]):

: "Now, as I was saying, form follows function, and nowhere is this axiom of design more readily apparent than on the world famous Battlestar Galactica...now originally there were twelve battlestars, each representing one of Kobol's twelve colonies...."

: Given the show is set among 12 different worlds, and Kobol is now regarded as the birthplace of humanity, abandoned at some point in the distant past, Doral's should have used the words "worlds' famous", and simply referred to the original battlestars representing each of the Twelve Colonies.
* At the time of her first FTL jump, ''Galactica'' retracts her flight pods. However, when the jump is made, the ship is shown with the pods still extended.

=== Nods ===

* The Firefly-class ship, Serenity, from the sci-fi series Firefly makes a brief appearance. It can be seen flying above [[Roslin, Laura|Laura Roslin]] when she is about to hear her prognosis of breast cancer on [[Caprica]].
* The fanfare just prior to [[Adama, William|Commander Adama's]] speech is taken from [[Stu Phillips]]'s theme for the [[TOS Battlestar Galactica|original Battlestar Galactica]].
* The pilot [[Jolly]] makes a brief (verbal) appearance, just prior to the Cylon's massacre of the squad led by [[Spencer, James|James Spencer]], Galactica's previous [[CAG]]. It is not the same actor that played [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] in the original.
* The original [[Cylon Basestar (TOS)|Cylon Basestar]] can be briefly seen in the Galactica museum.
* President [[Roslin]] makes a point of calling [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] "Captain [[Apollo]]", saying that it has a nice ring to it.
* During the attack, ''[[Colonial One|Colonial 798 Heavy]]'' assists Gemenon Liner Seventeen-oh-one (1701). This is a nod to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM's]] work on Star Trek.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==




==== Adama's Speech at the Galactica's Decommissioning Ceremony ====

"The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but --

"Sometimes it's too high.

"You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question, why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed, spite, jealousy. And we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we've done.

"Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn't our fault, not really. You cannot play God then wash your hands of the things that you've created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore."

== Official Statements ==




=== Edward James Olmos' (EJO) Statements Regarding the Mini-Series ===

After the announcement of Edward James Olmos' involvement in the mini-series, portraying a role that was previously done by Candian actor Lorne Greene, many fans contacted him. As is evidenced by the quotes before, Olmos demonstrates his honesty and reaction to the mail, most of which could be classified as fairly negative.

From his [http://hometown.aol.com/ejowebmistress/ official website]:

*"I must say one thing and will say this very clearly. If you are a person who really has a strict belief in the original, I would not advise that you watch this program...We really don't stand true to the kind of characters that were built around the original. It definitely does break the mold. Some of the characters' names are the same, but the intent and the way that we are building the reality is completely not the reality that was built in the original." -- 7/03

*"I'm going to be the first one to say it really clearly. Please tell your readers, do not watch this program...[P]eople get really, really angry. You've got to remember that this is a show that was only on . . . in the late '70s, and to this day has a very strong fan base. Tens of thousands of people who write to each other for 25 years over a program that is not on the air and is not even being rerun. "They didn't want this at all, and I didn't know any of this. . . . All of a sudden, my e-mails went through the roof. Suddenly I was accused of teaming up with Ron Moore and creating just a slap in the face of all these people, and I didn't want to slap anybody."

*"Trust me, don't watch it. If you are a real, real staunch 'Battlestar Galactica' person, don't watch it. . . . Just don't write to me, all right? I warned you. I was honest."

*"I've gotten some really strong, strong mail. . . . They're really bitter. They're very angry. And I know the Sci Fi Channel wants to say that everybody's going to enjoy it. They're not."

=== Comments from [[Eick, David|David Eick]] ===

"The goals of the mini series were nothing short of reinventing the science fiction genre. We wanted to present people in a catastrophic situation, in the wake of a tragedy, responding as human beings actually would through the prism of the science ficton genre."

=== Regarding Mini Series Ratings ===

"I think going into it, we all wondered. you know, what the audience numbers were going to be, especially given all the internet, sort of, controversey and the general, sort of, [something] about what we were doing and people objecting. And was it going to be a failure or was it not.

"The first night's numbers were good, but not great. We were waiting to see what the drop-off would be, because there was always a drop off on the second night. And the ratings actually went up." -- Ron D. Moore [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

=== Regarding Roslin's Refusal to Leave Her Nascent Fleet ===

{{from_RDM_blog}}

:Someone recently asked:
:"In the mini series, when the [[Cylon Raider|Cylon fighters]] are approaching ''[[Colonial One]]'' (just before [[Adama, Lee|Lee]] saves the day with the EM pulse), [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] refuses to run and leave the other civilian ships to their doom... Yet she articulated no alternative plan.What was she hoping to do? It just seemed as though she planned to sit there and hope for the best, refusing to budge from the principle of not leaving defenseless people behind, even if that meant her own virtual suicide. It was an odd moment, she had been so decisive and clear headed up to then, and after that. (sic)

:What were her motivations, did she even have a plan? I still find this moment a little jarring and hard to explain away.I guess it does serve as a contrast to her later decision to leave [[Cami|Cammy]] (sic) etc behind. Thanks for your insights into this issue."

:[[Moore, Ronald D.|RDM]]: Can we talk? Let's be honest here. The show is not perfect. There are compromises made all the time; some for budgetary reasons, some are for political reasons, some are for no reason at all except that the writer could not, or would not, make the changes necessary to resolve a story point.

:Such is The Case of Laura Roslin and the Incoming Cylon.

:The above writer's observation is absolutely correct. Laura, by all rights and all sensible reasoning, should not obstinately stay when it's known for a fact that a Cylon missile is incoming, probably has a nuclear warhead and oh, by the way, she has no armament aboard her ship that would allow her even the remote chance of a possible last-minute, brilliant tactical move which might theoretically prevent the destruction of her ship and her presidency. Her refusal to leave, to Jump away from the impending, obvious threat can be interpreted as an irrational flaw in her character, a case of emotion trumping intellect, or it can be more correctly interpreted simply as a flaw in the script, an accepted error that the writer chooses to ignore in favor of other competing interests of character and plot which take priority in a given moment.

:In this case, I felt that the dramatic moment required that Laura make a committment to staying with her people, and to her nascent fleet, heedless of the consequence and resolute in her decision, even though it meant her certain doom. It was her instinctive response to the situation, her id's judgement, so to speak, that I was interested in, as well as the simpler plot device of having Lee swoop in and save them at the last moment just at the point you'd forgotten he was even there. Neither impulse is wrong, per se, but the error is in my choosing not to expand the moment and its aftermath in order to play out her realization of just how stupid a choice that was.

:If, at some point following the resolution of the crisis, Laura realized that she let her emotional reaction to the situation lead her into making a bad decision which was only saved by the providential intervention of Lee, then the scene would've accomplished everything I had hoped for in the moment as well as providing Laura with a character-building scene where the new president's first major decision nearly got them all killed. It would've been a way to both emphasize her fallibility and the fact that she can't afford to lead with her heart any longer. Her subsequent decision to leave the sublight ships behind, abandoning them to their destruction by the Cylons, would've also been informed by this experience and had a richer, even more textured component to it.

:In the end, it's not a fatal error in the script, and the moment passes by without comment for the most part, but it is something that nags at me whenever I see the sequence and which, frankly, bothered me at the time. So why didn't I fix it? A variety of answers present themselves, from time pressure to budgets, but the truth is, I knew that the emotional, dramatic moment would carry the audience through the scene and that people would be more invested in watching Lee take out the Cylon missile than in examining Laura's decision-making, so I opted to leave it alone rather than make the necessary page cuts and possible budget cuts needed to accommodate additional beats on this one point. It was probably the correct decision in the end, because the moment works and you move on as you're watching the show. However, being a television writer means not only having to make compromises and less than perfect decisions all the time, but as an additional penalty you get to always be reminded of the errors you've accepted when you watch the final product.

:Good catch by an attentive member of the audience.

:Damn you.

=== Additional Comments ===

* ''"Don't know if this has been addressed elsewhere already: Do [[Adama, Lee|Apollo]] and [[Helo]] already know each other at the start of the show? I recently reviewed the mini and noticed that in the [[Ready Room]] scene where Apollo is introduced and told he will fly [[Adama, William|Husker]]'s [[Viper]], when first introduced, Helo waves and Lee gives him one of those "oh, hey!" looks of familiarity, then when Lee isn't thrilled about flying his dad's Viper, Helo is the only one who *doesn't* look confused, he just smiles and turns back around."''

:I don't think they knew each other prior to the pilot. Lee probably had never set foot on the ''[[Galactica]]'' before then. I think the look was something improvised on the set.

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===




*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Barclay+Hope Barclay Hope] as Transport Pilot
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0301874/ Lorena Gale] as [[Elosha|Priestess Elosha]]
*[[McClure, Kandyse|Kandyse McClure]] as [[Dualla]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Connor+Widdows Connor Widdows] as [[Boxey]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+John+Mann John Mann] as [[Spencer, Jackson|CAG]]
*[[Juliani, Alessandro|Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Gaeta]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as Deckhand [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Eklund Michael Eklund] as Deckhand [[Prosna]]
*[[Penikett, Tahmoh|Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Agathon, Karl C.|Karl C. Agathon/Helo]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Haili+Page Haili Page] as [[Cami]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as Deckhand [[Socinus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ty+Olsson Ty Olsson] as Captain [[Kelly]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ron+Blecker Ron Blecker] as Launch Officer
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Robbins Ryan Robbins] as [[Armistice Officer]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Tim+Henry Tim Henry] as Doctor (on Caprica)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Dwesi+Ameyaw Dwesi Ameyaw] as Liner Captain of [[Botonical Ship]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Brenda+McDonald Brenda McDonald] as Old Woman (who though she forgot her glasses)
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Suleka+Mathew Suleka Mathew] as [[Brody, Kellan|Kellan Brody]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Erin+Karpluk Erin Karpluk] as Woman #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jenn+Griffin Jenn Griffin] as Woman #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+BJ+Harrison BJ Harrison] as Woman #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Moneca+Delain Moneca Delain] as Blonde Woman
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Zahf+Pardo Zahf Pardo] as Man #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Lewis Robert Lewis] as Man #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Denzal+Sinclaire Denzal Sinclaire] as Man #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nadine+Wright Nadine Wright] as [[Chantara]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Soltis Michael Soltis] as Chantara's Husband
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Fred+Keating Fred Keating] as Junior Reporter
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Lymari+Nadal Lymari Nadal] as [[Giana]]
*[[Gugushe, Biski|Biski Gugushe]] as Pilot #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nahanni+Arntzen Nahanni Arntzen] as Pilot #2
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nogel+Vonas Nogel Vonas] as Pilot #3
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Ryan+Nelson Ryan Nelson] as Pilot #4




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [[Moore, Ronald D.|Ronald D. Moore]] and [[Glen A. Larson|Christopher Eric James]]
*Based off a story by [[Larson, Glen A.|Glen A. Larson]]
*Directed by [[Rymer, Michael|Michael Rymer]]




=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 17 February 2004
*US Airdate: 8 December 2003, 9 December 2003 (2-night engagement, Sci-Fi Channel)
*Canadian Airdate: 17 January 2004
*DVD Release: 28 December 2004

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Number Two

2005-03-21T02:44:16Z

64.81.61.9:

[[Image:Leoben_conoy_001.jpg|thumb|A copy of Leoben Conoy about to be executed. ([[Flesh and Bone]]) (Credit: Sky One)]]

[[Humano-Cylon]] Agent

Sex: Male

Portrayed by [[Callum Keith Rennie]].

== Biography ==

Leoben Conoy has the appearance of a man in his mid-forties. He is first encountered at the [[Ragnar Anchorage]], where he poses as an arms dealer. Already sick from the radiation around Ragnar, he becomes trapped aboard the station with [[Adama, William|Commander Adama]] after a warhead is accidentally detonated ([[Mini-Series]]).

As they try to find another way out the station, Leoben reveals his true nature to Adama through conversation, initially by claiming to be something of a philosopher. Identifying Conoy as a Cylon on the point of death, Adam challenges him, and learns of the Cylon's ability to transfer their consciousness to another body when dying. Only Leoben can't - the radiation is interfering with his ability. A fight ensues, during which Adama manages to bludgeon Conoy to death, bringing the body back to the ''[[Galactica]]'' for examination. The body is then stored in the ship's morgue ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

Conoy is again encountered when a copy is found apparently stowing away aboard the ''[[Gemenon Traveller]]''. Knowing the model's ability to weave fact, fiction and outright lies into a confusing fabic of truth, half-truths and deceit, Adama wants the copy destroyed. However, he is overruled by [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]], who demands the model is interrogated.

[[Thrace, Kara|Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] is assigned to interrogate Conoy aboard the ''Gemenon Traveller''. Over the course of eight hours, Conoy demonstrates his ability to confuse and mix truth with lies: he claims to have planted a nuclear device somewhere in the fleet, but will not reveal where. He also mixes what appears to be religious mumbo-jumbo with penetrating insights into Colonial philosophy and Starbuck's own past ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

While she resorts to ever-more drastic measures to obtain details on the alleged bomb's location, Starbuck finds herself being drawn into Leoben's vision of life. So much so that when Roslin orders his execution, Starbuck very much empathises with him.

Prior to his death, Conoy reveals there is no bomb, and uses a reason suggested by Starbuck in the initial stages of his interrogation: that his is so far from other Cylon centres of influence, he cannot transmit his "soul" back to home should his body die. However, the real purpose of his mission is revealed when President Roslin arrives aboard the ''Traveller'' and he manages to whisper to her that Adama is in fact a Cylon - thus planting a potentially dangerous seed of doubt between her and Adama.

Convinced now of the danger in keeping Conoy alive, Roslin orders him ejected from the ''Traveller''.

Interestingly, Roslin had a premonition of Conoy's surfacing in the fleet when she had a dream about him at the time he was captured. Later, in her cabin on ''[[Colonial One]]'', she had a vision of him talking to her which prompted her decision to visit him in person - thus allowing him to complete his mission.

At the time of the dream and the vision, Roslin assumed both were the result of her using [[Kamala]] to treat her cancer. However, both may have been the result of some form of psychic ability on the part of Conoy.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Number Two

2005-03-21T02:43:26Z

64.81.61.9: /* Biography */ let's all stop spelling Gemenon wrong

[[Image:Leoben_conoy_001.jpg|thumb|A copy of Leoben Conoy about to be executed. ([[Flesh and Bone]]) (Credit: Sky One)]]

[[Humano-Cylon]] Agent

Sex: Male

Portrayed by [[Callum Keith Rennie]].

== Biography ==

Leoben Conoy has the appearance of a man in his mid-forties. He is first encountered at the [[Ragnar Anchorage]], where he poses as an arms dealer. Already sick from the radiation around Ragnar, he becomes trapped aboard the station with [[Adama, William|Commander Adama]] after a warhead is accidentally detonated ([[Mini-Series]]).

As they try to find another way out the station, Leoben reveals his true nature to Adama through conversation, initially by claiming to be something of a philosopher. Identifying Conoy as a Cylon on the point of death, Adam challenges him, and learns of the Cylon's ability to transfer their consciousness to another body when dying. Only Leoben can't - the radiation is interfering with his ability. A fight ensues, during which Adama manages to bludgeon Conoy to death, bringing the body back to the ''[[Galactica]]'' for examination. The body is then stored in the ship's morgue ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

Conoy is again encountered when a copy is found apparently stowing away aboard the ''[[Gemenon Traveller]]''. Knowing the model's ability to weave fact, fiction and outright lies into a confusing fabic of truth, half-truths and deceit, Adama wants the copy destroyed. However, he is overruled by [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]], who demands the model is interrogated.

[[Thrace, Kara|Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] is assigned to interrogate Conoy aboard the ''Gememon Traveller''. Over the course of eight hours, Conoy demonstrates his ability to confuse and mix truth with lies: he claims to have planted a nuclear device somewhere in the fleet, but will not reveal where. He also mixes what appears to be religious mumbo-jumbo with penetrating insights into Colonial philosophy and Starbuck's own past ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

While she resorts to ever-more drastic measures to obtain details on the alleged bomb's location, Starbuck finds herself being drawn into Leoben's vision of life. So much so that when Roslin orders his execution, Starbuck very much empathises with him.

Prior to his death, Conoy reveals there is no bomb, and uses a reason suggested by Starbuck in the initial stages of his interrogation: that his is so far from other Cylon centres of influence, he cannot transmit his "soul" back to home should his body die. However, the real purpose of his mission is revealed when President Roslin arrives aboard the ''Traveller'' and he manages to whisper to her that Adama is in fact a Cylon - thus planting a potentially dangerous seed of doubt between her and Adama.

Convinced now of the danger in keeping conoy alive, Roslin orders him ejected from the ''Traveller''.

Interestingly, Roslin had a premonition of Conoy's surfacing in the fleet when she had a dream about him at the time he was captured. Later, in her cabin on ''[[Colonial One]]'', she had a vision of him talking to her which prompted her decision to visit him in person - thus allowing him to complete his mission.

At the time of the dream and the vision, Roslin assumed both were the result of her using [[Kamala]] to treat her cancer. However, both may have been the result of some form of psychic ability on the part of Conoy.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Gemenon Traveler

2005-03-21T02:42:11Z

64.81.61.9: Gemenon, two e's

[[Image:Bsg-gem-1.jpg|thumb|Geminon Traveller (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

The ''Gemenon Traveller'' is a heavy cargo transport in the Colonial fleet. She comes to prominence when the [[humano-Cylon]] [[Leoben Conoy]] is discovered stowed away on board her, and is subsequently interrogated by Lt. Kara [[Starbuck]] Thrace ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 21:38, 8 Jan 2005 (EST)

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial Craft]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Gemenon (disambiguation)/Archive 1

2005-03-21T02:41:42Z

64.81.61.9:

The name Gemenon is spelled at least three different ways on this Wiki -- this page is entitled Gemenon, but it includes the word Geminon, and the [[Gemenon Traveller]] page spells it Geminon in the page itself. Some pages refer to that ship as Gememon Traveller, which is clearly wrong. And for a third data point, http://galactica.tv/colonials/mini.shtml calls the planet "Gemon," which is again clearly wrong. Anyway, if the spelling could be standardized based on some official source that would be great.

---

The Quorom rep's placard in [[Colonial Day]] spells it Gemenon, so that must be right. Will correct other spellings as I see them.

Gemenon (disambiguation)

2005-03-21T02:40:48Z

64.81.61.9: Gemenon, two e's

One of the 12 colonies of man. Located in the [[Cyrannus|Cyrannus System]] ([[Video Game]])

===Notable Natives===
*[[Parker, Sarah|Sarah Parker]], Gemenon Representative [[Quorum of Twelve]] ([[Colonial Day]])
*[[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Saul Tigh]], [[XO|Executive Officer]] of the [[Battlestar]] [[Galactica]] (speculated?)
*[[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]], wife of Colonel Tigh (speculated?)

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Planets]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Twelve Colonies]]

Number Five

2005-03-21T02:38:14Z

64.81.61.9: Gemenon, two e's

[[Image:Bsg-doral.jpg|thumb|"Aaron Doral" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

[[Humano-Cylon]] Agent

Sex: Male

Played by: [[Matthew Bennett]]

Aaron Doral appear to be a man in his mid-thirties. He is initially encountered aboard the [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'', where he is operating as a Public Relations executive. Later he is active both within the fleeing Colonial fleet and on Caprica.

== Roles ==

=== PR Executive (Doral #1) ===

On first being encountered, Doral appears to be exactly what he claims: a PR executive ([[Mini-Series]]). He is charged with coordinating the ceremony surrounding the ''Galactica's'' final decommissioning and hand-over to the civilian authorities represented by Education Minister [[Laura Roslin]].

In the role of PR executive, he is efficient, polite and is able to carry out his work without ruffling the feathers of those around him, while at the same time being able to marshall and manage the media.

Following Gaius Baltars' arrival on the ''Galactica'', Doral becomes the fall-guy Baltar needs to divert any suspicions he feels may otherwise be directed at him following the Cylon incursion into the [[Twelve Colonies | twelve colonies]]. In this, he is partially steered by Six - although the selection of Doral as his fall-guy appears to be Baltar's own choice ([[Mini-Series]]).

Arrested and thrown into the brig, Doral loudly proclaims his innocence of all charges, citing his backgound and upbringing: that he was born in [[Oasis]], a hamlet near [[Caprica City]], grew up on the south side of Caprica city itself before going to [[Gemenon]], where he studied public relations at the Kobol Colleges ([[Mini-Series]]).

Later, after being left at the [[Ragnar Anchorage]] space station, Doral exhibits all of the symptoms initially shown by Humano-Cylon [[Leoben Conoy]], confirming the fact that he is a Cylon and that, however "coincidentally", Baltar selected the "right" man.

Given his protestations of innocence, and the palpable level of fear he demonstrated within the brig, it is possible that the Doral on ''Galactica'' was one of the Cylons that - like Sharon "[[Boomer]]" Valerii, was programmed to think he genuinely was human, until the radiation around Ragnar began to affects his silica pathways, causing his underlying Cylon identity to come to the fore.

In selecting Doral as his victim, Baltar accidently - assuming it wasn't some form of subconscious prompting from Six - acheived two goals: firstly, he increased his value to the Colonials by "developing" his first "[[Cylon detector]]". Secondly, he enabled a Cylon agent to pass on intel to its peers from a place where direct communications - because of the radiation - was impossible. Unfortunately, at the time of his arrest, Doral hadn't gained the information he may have needed to be of more value: Adama's intentions for the ''Galactica'' and the fleet.

However, any supposition that Doral was running in "human" mode while aboard ''Galactica'' must be offset against he actions while aboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', when he was firstly obstructive when Roslin started organising things and later tried to delay the departure of the [[FTL]]-capable vessels when a Cylon attack was known to be imminent.

Where these acts - particularly the second one - provoked by Doral's "human" side being concerned for "his" fellow citizens - or were they deliberate acts of a fully-aware Cylon, designed to confuse and delay?

=== Caprican Overseer (Doral #2) ===

On Caprica, Doral performs the role of a Cylon overseer, working with [[Number Six]] to ensure their experiment involving the stranded [[Karl C. Agathon]] and [[Valerii]] either reaches its desired conclusion, or is suitably terminated ([[Litmus]], [[Secrets and Lies]]).

In this, he shows both a harder attitude towards humans than Six. When she expresses regret that the destruction of humanity was necessary in order for the Cylons to achieve their ends, he is not so forgiving:

*Six This all makes me so sad.
*Doral: (matter-of-fact) They would have destroyed themselves anyway. They deserve what they got.
*Six: We're the children of humanity. That makes them our parents in a sense.
*Doral True - but parents have to die. It's the only way children come into their own.

([[Bastille Day]])

Later, however, when Six is distainful of Valerii's apparent feelings for Agathon when the Caprican experiment goes away, Doral is more sympathetic, wondering what it must be like to be driven by passion that marks Agathon's action: "Even in his anguish he seemed....so alive." ([[Secrets and Lies]]).

=== Suicide Bomber (Doral #3) ===

Doral also turns up on ''Galactica'' as a suicide bomber ([[Litmus]]), using explosives he steals from a small-arms locker to create a primitive bomb he detonates in a carridor of the ship after being challenged by [[William Adama]].

At the time of the explosion, it is suggested by [[Starbuck]] that Doral's intended target was [[Gaius Baltar]]. This is possibly the case, and if so, would tend to indicate that each type of Cylon hidden within the fleet may be operating independently of other models (hence [[Leoben Conoy]] may well have made an innocent statement to [[Starbuck]] when he said he had no idea as to how many Cylons are in the fleet ([[Flesh and Bone]]). After all, any attempt to kill Baltar would be counter to Six's attempts to draw him further into the Cylon sphere of influence through her use of religion. Certainly, beyond a malicious desire to upset Baltar (which it did), there is little direct evidence to back-up Starbuck's claim - from Sergeant [[Hadrian]]'s invesitgation into the matter, it is established the small arms locker used by Doral is located realtively close to the flight pod (where Doral would have come aboard) - therefore, the fact that it is on C Deck, the same deck as Baltar's lab, may have been coincidental.

Certainly, given the fact the locker was on the same deck as Baltar's lab, Doral appeared to spend a lot of time wandering around the ship before setting off his bomb. Was he perhaps looking for a target of opportunity? Trying to get elsewhere, such as [[CIC]]?

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:28, 10 Jan 2005 (EST)

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down

2005-03-21T02:36:09Z

64.81.61.9: /* Notes */ spelling

[[Image:bsg-1-09.jpg|thumb|"Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

: ''This episode is also known under its draft title, "Secrets and Lies". It's official title is "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down".''

== Overview ==

: [[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Tigh's]] world is turned upside down when [[Tigh, Ellen|his wife]] arrives on the ''[[Galactica]]'' - but is she all she professes?

== Summary ==
* [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] comes aboard the ''[[Galactica]]'' as [[Adama, William|Adama]] receives a report that [[Baltar, Gaius|Baltar’s]] [[Cylon detector]] is operational
* Unable to shake [[Conoy, Leoben|Conoy’s]] words to her ([[Flesh and Bone]]), she wants Adama to take the test first; he reluctantly agrees
* When a lone [[Cylon Raider]] shows up, [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] is ordered to intercept, and [[Tigh, Saul|Tigh]] is stunned to learn Adama is off-ship
* The Raider is crippled, and a [[Raptor]] is dispatched to gather intel on it
* Adama returns to the ''Galactica'' with a further shock for Tigh: his wife
* Roslin calls Baltar to check on the progress of Adama’s Cylon test – only to find Adama has cancelled so that a woman called “Ellen” can be tested. Roslin orders Baltar to restart Adama’s test immediately
* Roslin summons Tigh to Colonial One and reveals her suspicions regarding Adama, and challenging a defensive Tigh over Adama’s behaviour in leaving the Galactica unannounced
* Tigh takes the wind out of Roslin’s sails when he states Adama was off-ship so he could collect Tigh’s missing wife – [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen]]
* After Tigh has left her office, Roslin calls Baltar and orders him to stop Adama’s test and resume Ellen’s
* Later, at a dinner in Adama’s quarters, Ellen behaves with a mixture of her old self – trying to play footsie with Lee Adama under the table, and trying to flirt with him over the table – and strange curiosity concerning [[Earth]]
* Adama deflects her probing by asking how it could be that she got aboard a ship, the Rising Star without anyone having any knowledge or her or of treating her during her alleged 3 weeks of being unconscious
* Ellen simply shrugs off the questions in her apparently drunken state and breaks up the party with her “drunken” playing
* As she and her husband return to their quarters, they encounter Baltar, with whome she openly flirts, both annoying Tigh and raising Six’s curiosity
* After Baltar has departed, Ellen deflects her husband’s anger at her behaviour by claiming Adama wants her, then dragging Tigh after Baltar
* In Baltar’s lab, a row is brewing over the various tests that should have been carried out; things being even more complicated when Tigh and his wife arrive, and the disagreements and suspicions become a three-way argument, which is broken up when Adama, Lee and Tigh are summoned to [[CIC]]
* The Cylon Raider has stopped behaving oddly, and is on an intercept course for ''Galactica''. [[Alert fighters]] are dispatched at Tigh’s order, and the Raider is destroyed
* Later, back in Baltar’s lab, Ellen’s test results come through and are apparently green. Baltar, however simply states to Six that having everything turn up green makes life a lot easier.

=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] are trying to avoid the Cylons by running through the storm drains under a city
*Valerii has a plan - she claims to have overheard the Cylons discussing a huge base at [[Delphi]], she believes they can steal a ship from there and get off the planet
*[[Doral, Aarob|Doral]] and [[Number Six|Six]] are definitely affected by the fact that even though Valerii has run off, she is experiencing emotions they have never had - as is Helo.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:25, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Analysis ==

An episode that cleverly mixes intrigue and humour to conjure a rich tapestry that is somewhat different from earlier episodes – but no less entertaining in the questions it raises.

The intrigue is initially driven out of Roslin’s paranoia towards Adama, but quickly re-centres on Ellen Tigh.

Roslin’s paranoia is fed by Leoben Conoy’s last words to her in “Flesh and Bone” – she is genuinely concerned that Adama is a Cylon, and his pre-occupation with Ellen Tigh doesn’t help calm her fears. But even when the mystery surrounding Adama’s actions is resolved, the intrigue doesn’t let up: just who or what is Ellen Tigh? Human or Cylon?

The weight of evidence for her being human is almost overwhelming. She is vindictive, manipulative, calculating (witness her ability to play footsie under the table with Lee Adama after hearing about his brother's death), but human nonetheless. She has clearly been a destructive force in Tigh's life - and most likely the reason for his drinking problem, and despite her claims to want a reconcilliation, it is clear that little has really changed within her: she is man-hungry, and delights in sowing the seeds of mischief.

BUT - and there is always a "but" in BSG, the writers throw in just enough to create doubt:
*Why is it that - as Adama points out - no-one can remember her either being aboard the Rising Star or being treated for her injuries until the last few days?

*Why can’t the Captain of the Rising Star remember how she came to be aboard his ship. Her "rescue" from Picon sounds so dramatic, surely someone would remember her coming aboard the ship, whether she was conscious or not?
*And why is her interest at the dinner table focused singularly on the subject of Earth? Is it really the "talk of the fleet", or is there something behind her persistence?
*She operates in a manner strikingly similar to a cross between Six and Conoy. Like Six, she is not afraid to use her sexual mores against men; like Conoy, her words seem laced with half-truths and are frequently manipulative and border on the insidious
*Finally, there is her comment on meeting Baltar, “Oh, I know exactly who you are.” On the one hand, it could simply be a result of her recognising Baltar as a leading scientist and (no doubt) playboy, and her predatory nature kicking-in. On the other hand, knowing exactly who someone “is” usually means a person is not fooled: they know intimate secrets about the individual they are meeting, and so the comment is usually taken as a thinly-veiled threat. Does Ellen Tigh know more than she is letting on?

Even the denouement concerning Ellen Thigh’s heritage is open to interpretation: Baltar proclaims her to be human, but then admits to Six he’s decided all results are going to be “green”; as he puts it: “no muss, no fuss”. He won’t even reveal the true result of the test to Six.

Six’s reaction to Ellen Tigh is equally interesting: “Something here, isn’t there?” she states after Ellen’s unconventional introduction to Baltar – and it is doubtful she is referring to the flirting that takes place; rather, her words are a warning, as is her follow-up comment: “You should be watching her.” Six has sensed something in Ellen Tigh, and it is something she doesn’t trust.

So, could it be that Ellen Tigh is a Cylon? Certainly, it has been established that there are 12 models of Cylon, so again, this leaves room for her to be one. But – again – if she were, that would raise an interesting precedent: it would mean that that Cylons can replicate living (or once-living) humans. Were this to be the case, it would significantly alter the balance of things. For this reason, more than any other, it is unlikely Ellen Tigh is anything more than a human woman with an agenda of her own.

Meanwhile, on Caprica things also continue to take an interesting turn. Now fugitives together, Helo and Valerii are finally making an attempt to get off the planet, and Valerii is reaching the point where if she doesn’t admit her status to Helo, he’s going to guess. Above them – literally - we are given further insight into Cylon motivations for what was occurring around Helo, and once again it all seems to boil down to the emotions generated by love: loyalty, need, protectiveness, desire, generosity, anguish, the motivations it creates – all of which appear to be beyond Cylon understanding, even though they are capable of other, baser emotional responses, as witnessed by Six’s tears and Doral’s hurt envy. And there is still that small matter of procreation hanging in the air...

Perhaps the one weak link in the episode is the arrival of the Cylon Raider. Despite all the material the production crew have to play with in this episode, this one thread sticks out from the rest and almost screams “Padding!” at the top of its voice.

As an attempt to heighten concern about Adama’s real motivations (the Raider turning up while he is out and about in a Raptor), it is nothing short of clumsy. As a means of confirming the fact that the Colonials don’t have FTL systems of a comparable size to those contained in the captured Raider, and are thus keen to find out all they can about a “working” version, it is short on drama. Was the Raider really crippled? Was it playing a game with the Colonials - if so, to what purpose? What caused Starbuck to come to this conclusion? None of the answers to these questions are even hinted at - much less explained, leaving the entire Raider situation something that has a big “So what?” hanging over it.

But this aside, “Secrets and Lies” serves up another interesting blend of character-driven drama that demonstrates that Battlestar Galactica is also capable of some fine humour.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:50, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Notes ==
*The script was originally called "Secrets and Lies". However, "'''Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down'''" is the official title for the episode, according to [[Ronald D. Moore]].
*It is 3 days since the events of "[[Flesh and Bone]]".
*There are now 47,905 survivors in the fleet. That’s a loss of some 52 people since the last count
*Billy’s relationship with Dualla is picking up, despite his attempts to pump her for information
*Tigh’s alcoholism was more than likely kicked-off by his wife – either directly or through her infidelity – or possibly both
*Baltar apparently has no intention of being honest about the results of his Cylon tests
*The test themselves apparently take 11 hours to generate results (although Boomer’s result in “Flesh and Bone” was obtained in far less time than this – less than 8 hours, in fact)
*The Galactica has a forward observation lounge that has become a much sought-after trysting-place, with individuals and couples rotated through it at regular intervals
*The Cylons have established a major base at Delphi, another major city on Caprica

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

As Starbuck walks in on Baltar, as he "entertains" himself in his lab:

*Baltar (pulling up his pants and turning to face Starbuck): So, um, what can I do for you?
*Starbuck (eyeing him with abject disgust): You can zip up your fly!

== Official Statements ==




*"'Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down' was originally called 'Secrets and Lies', or 'Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down' by [[Jeff Vlaming|Jeff [Vlaming]]]. And when I saw those titles on the script, I knew we had to go with 'Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down'. It was too good. Too good a title to let lie on the cutting room floor." -- Ronald D. Moore [[podcast]]
*"'Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down' began life as a very different episode than it ultimately came out to be. It was originally going to be a riff on 'Crimson Tide'." -- Ronald D. Moore [[podcast]]
*"It did feel right that, perhaps, there was one place; that perhaps there was one area of the ship, which accepted a window or a port to look out and that it would be a fairly confined space for the crew on these very long, deep space missions that probably lasted months, if not years. And that there might be a place where they can go to and just stargaze. And in this situation, it seemed like there would be a lot of people lining up to try and look out at the stars, you know, a break from the monotony of staring at metal walls." -- Ronald D. Moore [[podcast]], talking about the observation area of the ''[[Galactica]]''
*"The long and the short of it was that we had just come out of a very heavy, very dark, very [[Flesh and Bone|disturbing episode]]. And the very next episode was supposed to be 'Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down' which was all about a very disturbing, very dark, very (sort of) unhappy episode where our two -- two of our lead characters started pointing guns at one another. So there came a point when I just decided, well, lets just punt. Lets not do the dark and brooding episode. Lets try a different tone. Lets see if the show can withstand something lighter. Lets try something that's closer to a comedy, or as close to a comedy as ''Galactica'' can withstand." -- Ronald D. Moore [[podcast]]

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[[Vernon, Kate|Kate Vernon]] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Bennett, Matthew|Matthew Bennett]] as [[Doral, Aaron|Doral]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Slex+Green Alex Green] as Deckhand




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jeff+Vlaming Jeff Vlaming]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olmos Edward James Olmos]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.09
*Airdate Order: 9 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 13 December 2004 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: 4 march 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Colonial Day

2005-03-21T02:10:33Z

64.81.61.9: /* Notes */ spelling

[[Image:bsg-1-11.jpg|thumb|"Colonial Day" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

: This article refers to the [[Episode Guide|episode]] "Colonial Day". For the holiday itself, see [[Colonial Day (holiday)]].

== Overview ==

: Colonial Day is due, and [[Roslin]] is using it to institute an interim [[Quorum of Twelve]]; then [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]], duly selected as the representative of [[Sagittaron]], stands for the post of Vice President, a position Roslin is determined he will not hold. 

== Summary ==
*[[Colonial Day]] - the anniversary of the signing of the [[Articles of Colonisation]] is due
*[[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] has chosen it to unveil a new [[Quorum of Twelve]]
*However, a crisis erupts when terrorist/criminal [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]] is selected to represent [[Sagittaron]] – and he accepts
*As the Quorum is convened, Zarek increases the crisis by insisting that the vacant post of Vice President is filled, in case anything should happen to Roslin – a move that is surprisingly seconded by [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] – Tom Zarek is thereupon nominated as a vice presidential candidate
*Roslin responds by pushing [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]], her policy-maker into standing as an alternative candidate
*Manipulating the media, Zarek makes headway in his desire to secure the position as Vice President, with Roslin hampered by what may be the makings of an attempt on her life – possibly orchestrated by Zarek
*Surprisingly, it is Gaius Baltar who comes to her aid, giving an eloquent speech through the media that reminds the people of Roslin’s qualities – and Zarek’s background. As a result, Roslin has Gray relinquish his position as her nominee in favour of Baltar
*Baltar wins the nomination – through Roslin’s final intervention in an official capacity – but Zarek makes it clear matters are far from over: there is still the presidential elections due in 6 months.

=== On Caprica: ===
*[[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] have reached [[Delphi]]
*Helo considers the humano-Cylons to be human "replicants", created by the Cylons using human DNA.
*Valerii uses this idea as a means of testing his possible feelings towards her, should she reveal her true identity
*Later, as they try to enter the Cylon base at Delphi, Helo sees another Valerii, and realises the truth – which sets him on the run from the base – and Valerii herself

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 10:40, 26 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Questions ==

*Just how much freedom of movement within the fleet have Zarek’s people gained since the events of [[Water]]?
*Will Zarek be able to use this apparent freedom to rally support for the forthcoming elections?
*Was Zarek really behind the suspected attempt on Roslin’s life?
**If she had been assassinated before he secured the position of Vice President, he would have a prime suspect. Similarly, had she been assassinated after secured the vice presidency, he would still have been a prime suspect
**As the Vice President, he would have every opportunity to build a track record as an effective politician, and thus stand as a highly competent alternative to Roslin in the elections
*How does the Quorum of Twelve relate to the Office of the President? Does it function in a similar manner to the US Congress?

== Analysis ==

This is the most poorly-conceived and executed episode in BSG's first season. While it does make valid points about the nature and structure of Colonial society within the fleet (or at least [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]] makes them very briefly), outside of the [[Helo]]/[[Valerii]] situation on [[Caprica]], the storyline here is ultimately transparent and weak.

Specifically:

*There has been no real sight nor sound of the Cloud Nine (admittedly a wonderfully-ironic name) in the fleet until now - and this is being passed off as being because she has been "under repair".
*"[[Wallace Gray]]" is allegedly the power behind Roslin's throne, setting her agenda and policies, overseeing the distribution of food and medical supplies - essentially performing the role of her Chief of Staff / right-hand-man yet never once has he been previously mentioned or seen! Wallace Gray is so clearly a plot tool - and a badly-handled one at that: first he doesn't want the VP nomination, but accepts because Roslin needs him; then when asked to step down, he comes off in an embittered huff (presumably never to be seen again)
*Zarek's challenge for the position of Veep is an obvious construction to lay the path for Gaius Baltar to become the Vice President
**It is surprising that, after her somewhat vicious words to him in [[Six Degrees of Separation]], [[Roslin]] can face off with [[Baltar]] without so much as an apology for past actions - it has already been established ([[Secrets and Lies]]) that since that event she has barely spoken to him - and it hardly seems likely she'd use their time together in the ''Galactica's'' [[Situation Room]] to make her apologies / overtures of friendship ([[The Hand of God]])
**It is equally surprising that Baltar's ego doesn't offer greater resistance to her request. True, she is to a degree pandering to his desire to be back in the limelight - but given his nature, such an open "forgive and forget" doesn't entirely sit with his nature
*Baltar's ascendancy to the position of Vice President is badly telegraphed - given the synopsis, it is apparent as soon as [[Starbuck]] informs Baltar he has been selected as Caprica's representative in the Quorum
*The intrigue around Valance and his gun, etc., is heavy-handed and comes across either as illogical or as padding for a storyline otherwise short on action
*Security is meant to be heavy aboard the ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' - yet there is ''no'' intervention from any security personnel in what amounts to a brawl in the bar
*Why, when [[Lee Adama]] has expressed concern over just about every aspect of security on the ''Cloud Nine'', is Valance held on the ship in an obviously insecure area (air vent access) - rather than being shipped back to the ''Galactica'', with her brig, for proper interrogation?

Indeed, it is the Valance sub-plot which is most poorly explained / illogical. Assuming Valance [[was]] working for Zarek, and was on the ''Cloud Nine'' to kill Roslin - then his presence undermines Zarek as a clever manipulator. Positioning himself for the roll of Vice President, getting the vote and then having Roslin killed - all at the same event - would inevitably point the finger at Zarek and place him at the centre of a major investigation, under the control of [[William Adama]], which is unlikely to relent until his complicity has been proven. In short, he would be paralysing his ability to act as the President.

As Lee Adama himself states to Starbuck - once Zarek has secured the position of Vice President, he can have Roslin taken care of at any time. Indeed, given the resources now clearly at his disposal (witness the Virgon representative's comment about Zarek's people coming to his aid ahead of Roslin's), there is no reason not to suppose Zarek could arrange for Roslin to meet with an "accident" - perhaps a failure with her shuttle as she moves around the fleet - which would make his complicity very much hard to prove.

That said, there is still some excellent acting in the episode - especially where Baltar is concerned. His interview with the press and particularly his "exclusive" to Playa Palacios in the toilets and both particularly noteworthy examples of [[James Callis|James Callis’]] marvellous handling of the character but this still doesn't compensate for the rest of the time spent on ''Cloud Nine''.

But other than this, the major story arc is a missed opportunity. Presented with a chance to explore the state of Colonial society within the fleet, and address key issues, the producers frittered the opportunity away with shallow intrigue and hollow political manoeuvring. The West Wing this was most certainly not.

The only time the episode truly comes alive is during the all-too-brief scenes on Caprica. These scenes beautifully-encapsulates all we need to know and feel:

*Valerii's attempt to probe Helo about his feelings, using his "replicant" theory
*Valerii is showing more symptoms of being pregnant
*They reach Delphi and the chance of a ship off the planet
*Helo is suddenly - and quite unexpectedly - confronted with Valerii's true nature.

This is excellent stuff, but amounts to less than 10 minutes of screen time, and it unfortunately, isn't enough to lift this episode.

Still, every show tends to misfire once or twice through the course of a season - some managing to do so a lot more frequently. We're fortunate that this is the first - and hopefully only - hiccup in what has otherwise been a highly-successful first season.

== Notes ==
*10 days have passed since the events of [[The Hand of God]]
*The office of the President operates in conjunction with the Quorum of Twelve, a council of representatives of the 12 colonies
*The Articles of Colonisation were signed 52 years ago
**Given the 12 colonies have been inhabited for millenia, the Articles therefore don't directly relate to the settlement of these worlds
**However, given the timeframe (52 years) and its proximity to the first Cylon War, perhaps the original articles were the document that united the 12 colonies to fight the treat of the Cylons, and became the bases for their peaceful co-operation after the war
*Issues surrounding the distribution of food and medical supplies are beginning to cause concern within the fleet
*Despite being "isolated" aboard the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' ([[Bastille Day]]), Zarek has managed to use his time to build up contacts within the fleet and offer assistance to other vessels - so much so that the representative from Virgon is only too willing to throw his support behind Zarek.
*Apparently convicted felons lose their citizenship under Sagittarian penal law but have it automatically reinstated after they finish serving their sentences. This included the right to vote and to stand for election.

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:54, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

Helo and Valerii have arrived in the vicinty of the Cylon base at Delphi, and the talk turns to the two women "helping" the Cylons

Helo: (Standing as Valerii crouches with her back to him, getting some food) I'm trying to make sense out of two women would sell [out] to the Cylons. 
Valerii: (keeping her back to him) And? 
Helo: I can't fathom why anybody would want to help the toasters...and they just happen to be twins? It's too weird. 
Valerii: You got a better explanation? 
Helo: Do you think the Cylons could be messing with human DNA? (Valerii reacts, mouth opening as she looks away). Cloning people or something? 
Valerii: (gathering herself and looking over her shoulder at Helo) Could be. 
Helo: (nodding and crouching) That would explain how they took us by surprise. They had these...replicated humans infiltrating the colonies, laying the groundwork for the surprise attack. 
Valerii: (pausing, as if considering this) You know, if they were human clones, that means they're capable of...complex emotions - maybe even love. Maybe they were misguided in the way they were indoctrinated... 
Helo: (interrupting) Wait a minute! They're not human! No human could do the things they've done - killed billions of innocent people (Valerii looks away, hurt) 
Helo. They've got to be frakking Cylons, just like the rest of them...

== Official Statements ==




* ''"I'm part of the nitpick brigade, but since the Colonies are obviously modelled after the US system of government, right down to the line of succession, are legislative and judicial branches? If so what are they called and will we see any manifestation of either branch take shape as series progresses?"''

:In Episode 11, "Colonial Day" we'll see the reinstatement of the [[Quorum of Twelve]], a political body established in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]], which seems to be a cross between a US style Senate and the UN Security Council, where each Colony has a single vote. Presumably there was also a larger representative legislative body and some kind of separate judiciary. There is also a religious body, (unnamed thus far) that acts in some advisory capacity to the government, along the lines of the British House of Lords. Although we haven't dealt with it yet, [[Elosha]] was probably a member of this body. -- {{from_RDM_blog}}

== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Richard+Hatch Richard Hatch] as [[Zarek, Tom|Tom Zarek]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Kate+Vernon Kate Vernon] as [[Tigh, Ellen|Ellen Tigh]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Wisden Robert Wisden] as [[Gray, Wallace|Wallace Gray]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alex+Zahara Alex Zahara] as [[Valance]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Malcolm+Stewart Malcolm Stewart] as [[Bagott, Marshall|Marshall Bagott]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+David+Kaye David Kaye] as [[Macmanus,James|James Macmanus]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Cylne Nicki Cylne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Cailin+Stadnyk Cailin Stadnyk] as [[Ensign Davis]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Palacios, Playa|Playa Palacios]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Biski+Gugushe Biski Gugushe] as [[Hamilton, Sekou|Sekou Hamilton]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+James+Ashcroft James Ashcroft] as Spectator #1
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Patricia+Idlette Particia Idlette] as [[Parker, Sarah|Sarah Parker]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Mario+Battista Mario Battista] as Gardner




=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Carla+Robinson Carla Robinson]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Jonas+Pate Jonas Pate]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.11
*Airdate Order: 11 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 10 January 2005 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March, 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Naturalistic science fiction

2005-03-13T23:46:06Z

64.81.61.9: /* In Practice... */

== In Theory... ==

Naturalistic Science Fiction (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as [[Wikipedia:The Sorpranos|''The Sorpranos'']] and [[Wikipedia:The West Wing|''The West Wing'']].

== In Practice... ==

For ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|BSG]]'' this means that characters are viewed as normal, every-day people. There will be no characters that are simply the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

Technology is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible; no [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|''Star Trek'']] matter-energy conversion tech, phaser weapons or other unrealistic SF [[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]] exist.

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. A majority of [[BSG (RDM)|BSG's]] episodes primarily focus on internal fleet survival issues (see: [[BSG (RDM) 102: Water|Water]] or [[BSG (RDM) 103: Bastille Day|Bastille Day]]). There will be an absence of aliens, a la [[Wikipedia:Joss Whedon|Joss Whedon's]] [[Wikipedia:Firefly (Series)|Firefly]], for planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless (with sound, scientific reasoning).

[[BSG (RDM)|BSG]] avoids the thematic eloments found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]'' and episodic storytelling, using a [[documentary]] feel for the series and [[tribal music]].

== Related Articles ==

[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Galactica2003.net's Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category: Hollywood Buzzwords]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Spin-off

2005-03-13T23:44:33Z

64.81.61.9: typos untypoed

Buzzword term

Meaning: an officially-recognised continuaton series utilising either some or all of the original cast of a series and/or using the same premise and/or set in the same town / country / universe as television series already (or recently) on-air. Spin-offs are usually produced by the same production company / team responsible for the originating series.

Examples:
*"Stargate Atlantis" is a spin-off of "Stargate SG-1"
*"Star Trek Deep Space Nine" was a spin-off of "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
*"Star Trek Voyager" was a spin-off of "Star Trek Deep Space Nine"
*"Crusade" was a spin-off of "Babylon 5"

The new [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] is ''not'' a spin-off, but a [[Re-imagined|re-imagining]] of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]].

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Hollywood Buzzwords]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Gemenon (disambiguation)/Archive 1

2005-03-13T23:42:44Z

64.81.61.9: complaining about spelling inconsistencies

Chamalla

2005-02-26T22:10:53Z

64.81.61.9:

Probably a Colonial plant, root or vegetable, origins unknown.

Extracts from Kamala are used at alternative / herbalistic / heuristic medicines, possibly for a range of treatments, up to and including cancer.

The benefits of the extract are viewed as questionable by those in the medical profession, as evidenced by Doctor [[Cottle|Cottle's]] reaction to [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin's]], request to use it when he confirms her cancer is inoperable.

A side effect from using Kamala appears to be that the user suffers from hallucinations or visions. However, in Roslin's case, these seem to be remarkably prescient ([[Flesh and Bone]], [[The Hand of God]], [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

==Notes==
Kamala is a small tree native to southeast Asia (Mallotus philippinensis). Its fruit yields Kamala powder, which has two uses:

# As a dye which produces brilliant yellows and oranges on wool, mohair, and silk.
# As a vermifugal (causing the expulsion of parasitic intestinal worms), generally given mixed with honey, gruel, or treacle, or made into a draught with mucilage of gum acacia and water.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Resources]]

Number Two

2005-02-26T22:09:27Z

64.81.61.9: /* Biography */ - fixed typo

[[Image:Leoben_conoy_001.jpg|thumb|A copy of Leoben Conoy about to be executed. ([[Flesh and Bone]]) (Credit: Sky One)]]

[[Humano-Cylon]] Agent

Sex: Male

Portrayed by [[Callum Keith Rennie]].

== Biography ==

Leoben Conoy has the appearance of a man in his mid-forties. He is first encountered at the [[Ragnar Anchorage]], where he poses as an arms dealer. Already sick from the radiation around Ragnar, he becomes trapped aboard the station with [[Adama, William|Commander Adama]] after a warhead is accidentally detonated ([[Mini-Series]]).

As they try to find another way out the station, Leoben reveals his true nature to Adama through conversation, initially by claiming to be something of a philosopher. Identifying Conoy as a Cylon on the point of death, Adam challenges him, and learns of the Cylon's ability to transfer their consciousness to another body when dying. Only Leoben can't - the radiation is interfering with his ability. A fight ensues, during which Adama manages to bludgeon Conoy to death, bringing the body back to the ''[[Galactica]]'' for examination. The body is then stored in the ship's morgue ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

Conoy is again encountered when a copy is found apparently stowing away aboard the ''[[Gememon Traveller]]''. Knowing the model's ability to weave fact, fiction and outright lies into a confusing fabic of truth, half-truths and deceit, Adama wants the copy destroyed. However, he is overruled by [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]], who demends the model is interrogated.

[[Thrace, Kara|Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] is assigned to interrogate Conoy aboard the ''Gememon Traveller''. Over the course of eight hours, Conoy demonstrates his ability to confuse and mix truth with lies: he claims to have planted a nuclear device somewhere in the fleet, but will not reveal where. He also mixes what appears to be religious mumbo-jumbo with penetrating insights into Colonial philosophy and Starbuck's own past ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

While she resorts to ever-more drastic measures to obtain details on the alleged bomb's location, Starbuck finds herself being drawn into Leoben's vision of life. So much so that when Roslin orders his execution, Starbuck very much empathises with him.

Prior to his death, Conoy reveals there is no bomb, and uses a reason suggested by Starbuck in the initial stages of his interrogation: that his is so far from other Cylon centres of influence, he cannot transmit his "soul" back to home should his body die. However, the real purpose of his mission is revealed when President Roslin arrives aboard the ''Traveller'' and he manages to whisper to her that Adama is in fact a Cylon - thus planting a potentially dangerous seed of doubt between her and Adama.

Convinced now of the danger in keeping conoy alive, Roslin orders him ejected from the ''Traveller''.

Interestingly, Roslin had a premonition of Conoy's surfacing in the fleet when she had a dream about him at the time he was captured. Later, in her cabin on ''[[Colonial One]]'', she had a vision of him talking to her which prompted her decision to visit him in person - thus allowing him to complete his mission.

At the time of the dream and the vision, Roslin assumed both were the result of her using [[Kamala]] to treat her cancer. However, both may have been the result of some form of psychic ability on the part of Conoy.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Six Degrees of Separation

2005-02-12T22:39:58Z

64.81.61.9: /* Summary */

[[Image:bsg-1-07.jpg|thumb|"Six Degrees of Separation" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]

== Overview ==

: [[Six]] physically arrives on the ''[[Galactica]]'' and accuses [[Baltar]] of treachery

== Summary ==

* [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]] is taking the mickey out of [[Number Six|Six's]] belief in God, which quickly escalates into an explosion of anger on his part - and Six vanishes from his head
* Called to [[CIC]], Baltar "finds" her there, and is confronted by [[Adama, William|Adama]], who claims that "[[Number Six#"Shelly Godfrey"|Miss Godfrey]]" has made some disturbing claims against Baltar
* With a shock, Baltar comes to realise that "Miss Godfrey" is in fact Six, and everyone can see her
* "Miss Godfrey" then produces photographic evidence she claims will show Baltar planting a bomb in the main defence computers on Caprica - a claim he strenuously denies
* The image itself requires several hours of processing to reveal whether it does in fact show Baltar as "Godfrey" claims. Until that time, Adama suspends all work on Baltar's Cylon detector & places an embargo on Baltar leaving the ship - something even [[Roslin, Laura|Roslin]] is unwilling to override
* But Roslin herself is far from well - during her call with Baltar, she collapses, causing a fleet-wide scare when [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]] orders the flight deck to make a fleet-wide broadcast requesting medical assistance. It transpires that Roslin has been overdoing her cancer medication - but the truth is hidden by a a story that she has the 'flu
* As [[Gaeta]] works on enhancing the image, so Baltar becomes more and more desperate for news - even following Gaeta into the Head (lavatory) for news on his progress
* Elsewhere, "Miss Godfrey" meets with Adama in private, and behaves in typical Six fashion - coming on to him
* "Godfrey's" behaviour prompts Adama to order a watch be kept on her movements on the ship
*Elsewhere on the ''[[Galactica]]'', [[Tyrol, Galen|Tyrol]] and [[Cally]] are investigating the captured Cylon Raider, using [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]]'s notes, but not making much progress, despite comments to the contrary to [[Tigh, Saul|Colonel Tigh]], who isn't fooled
* Tigh visits Starbuck in sickbay, and despite her efforts not to fall for his reverse psychology, he goads her into getting out of her cot and going to help Tyrol and his crew
* Boomer arrives at the Raider, and after an awkward moment with Tyrol, suggests that they might make better progress if they treated the Raider more like and animal – a hunter – than a machine. Her behaviour with the Raider, stroking it as she speaks, spooks Tyrol
* During a meeting with Adama, at which he protests his innocence and tries to get Adama to make "Shelly Godrey" to submit to a test with his Cylon detector, Baltar learns that Adama plans to have the detector dismantled if the photographic evidence points to Baltar's guilt
* During his conversation with Adama, he continues to search the house in his mind, trying to find "his" Six
* Driven to extreme measures as the time required to enhance the image draws to a close, Baltar sets off a fire alarm as a distraction, breaks into the lab where Gaeta has been working and tries to destroy the evidence as it does indeed reveal his face - only to be stopped by Adama and arrested
* Down on the hanger deck, Starbuck joins [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]], Tyrol and Cally in their investigations of the Raider - even to the extent of climbing inside the craft despite her leg injury ([[You Can't Go Home Again]])
* In the [[Brig|brig]], Baltar is visited by Roslin, whom he believes has come to oversee his release. Instead, she is uncharacteristically vindictive, stating she ''knew'' he was a traitor
* As a result of Roslin's visit, Baltar finally sees his only way out is to do what Six has been urging him to do: give himself over to God's will. He gets down on his knees and starts praying
* He repeats his prayer several times, and suddenly "Six" is beside him once more, telling him everything well be all right
* Gaeta enters the brig and throws Baltar into a widl panic: his is convinced he is about to be summarily executed
* Claiming Baltar, Gaeta tells Baltar he is a free man - the photographs delivered by "Sheely Godfrey" have proven to be fakes
* As Baltar is released, Adama learns that "Shelly Godfrey" has literally vanished, her watchers reporting she turned a corner in a corridor, and when they got to it, she had -gone-
* On ''[[Colonial One]]'', Roslin holds a press conference publicly exhonorating Baltar
*While acknowledging the act, Baltar meets with Six in his fantasy world, and she points out that he is now next to invincible: he's been through a trial by fire, and no-one would dare accuse him of acting against the fleet again. She then starts stripping as she climbs the stairs to the bedroom
* Following her, Baltar can't help asking her one question: was "Shelly Godfrey" ever really "here"? Her response is a coy smile

--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 18:34, 27 Jan 2005 (EST)

=== On Caprica: ===
* [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] and [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]] are on the run from [[Cylon]] [[warrior]]s
* As they camp out for the night, Helo confesses he couldn't bear to see anything happen to her
* Hiding a smile of victory, Valerii silences Helo's words with a kiss, and as a thunderstorm threatens, they make love

== Questions ==
*Is Baltar's Six in communication with her "sisters" in the fleet?
*Where did "Shelly Godfrey" go after her "disappearance"?
*If she is still on the ''Galactica'', is Boomer unwittingly helping her?
*Will Baltar forgive Roslin for her condemnation of him?
*Even if he completes his Cylon detector, will any results it gives be trustworthy?

== Analysis ==

This is potentially the most powerful story yet to come out of the BSG fold, and [[James Callis]] – with due respect to [[Edward James Olmos]] – establishes himself as one of the prime reasons to watch the show. This is his episode, and he proves that he is not only every inch Olmos’ equal – albeit through vastly different means – but that his long shadow very much leaves the rest of the cast in darkness.

From start to finish, even knowing that ultimately, Baltar’s ego and sexual moirés did lead to the downfall of Colonial civilisation - that he is essentially a traitor, however unwittingly, one cannot help but root for his safe passage through the episode. Confidence, arrogance, pathos, fear, desperation, relief, confusion, hope, anger, disbelief – such is the range of emotions demonstrated by Baltar in this segment; some of them occurring so rapidly one after the other, that Callis seems to express them simultaneously.

As Six states during the epilogue, this is Baltar’s trial by fire – and the repercussions could be felt for some time to come. Who would dare accuse him of treason now? Even if her doubt – her gut instinct – is genuine, Roslin is going to have a hard time assailing Baltar’s new-found confidence and belief in himself. Adama is also caught between a rock and a hard place; any denial of resources for Baltar’s research could easily lead to he who was once branded traitor to make that claim of others in the name of protecting them all. In making his situation a matter of public debate, Roslin has potentially saddled herself with a new hero – as the standing ovation Baltar received from the press corps tends to demonstrate – and a potentially new political power. With elections only a few months off, and Tom Zarek’s return to the public stage mere weeks away (real time, in “Colonial Day”), Roslin may yet rue the day she made her uncharacteristic – and unwarranted, in some respects – personal attack on Baltar while he was in the brig.

"Shelly Godfrey" herself is the clearest indication yet that Baltar's Six is not only an implant in Baltar's head - but that "she" is in direct contact with other Cylons scattered within the fleet, and they are working in concert with one another in order to fully subvert Baltar to their will. Why?

The idea that "Shelly Godfrey" is a humano-Cylon working to genuinely trying prevent Baltar finalising his Cylon detector would make her arrival on the Galactica at the precise moment Six vanishes from Baltar’s head pushes coincidence to the limits of credibility.

Plus – if “Shelly Godfrey” was an attempt to stop the Cylon detector being completed, why was her evidence so clearly falsified? As Gaeta himself states: “Once the photos were fully resolved, it was almost too easy, like she wanted to be found out.” If “photographic evidence” can be manufactured by the Cylons, why not go for something that would genuinely condemn Baltar and which would be next to impossible for him to honestly deny: evidence that he allowed his [[Command Navigation Program]] to be tampered with?

No, the entire aim of "Shelly Godfrey's" arrival on the ''[[Galactica]]'' is to bring Baltar to that point in his life where his only salvation is to seek God's forgiveness and allow "Him" into his life. This is why her arrival is preceded by Six "vanishing" from Baltar's mind - thus leaving him without any form of inner support; and why "Shelly Godfrey" apparently "disappears" from the ''Galactica'' almost as soon as Baltar begs for God's forgiveness.

Taken together, these events all point to the fact that Six and her corporeal "sister" ("Godfrey") are in contact with one another. The Cylons within the fleet know that they cannot prevent Baltar from developing his detector indefinitely. Doing so would cause him to lose far too much credibility with Adama and Roslin - and possibly result in them assigning the work to someone else to complete. Better to have the device in the hands of a man they can influence.

This is why Six reacted with such anger when Baltar attempted to withdraw from the work when pressed by Adama ([[Bastille Day]]) - and gave him just enough clues for him to realise how his detector might work. Now, with the detector nearing completion, the Cylons must control its use - and the best way to control its use is to control the man responsible for it.

Thus, the entire episode is engineered to achieve the two goals they desire: Baltar is moved closer to their influence through his acceptance of "God", and they ensure he can be manipulated and managed where the detector itself is concerned.

So, if this is the case - and Baltar's Six is indeed in contact with her corporeal "sister" (and possibly other humano-Cylons in the fleet) what does it mean for the the series? The most obvious answer to this question is that the Cylons are clearly in control of events, whether or not they are precisely aware of the fleet's location. They are in a position to manipulate individuals and events within the fleet, and thus move things towards the ultimate goal of their plan.

Thus, Six Degrees of Separation - as in the "game" upon which it is based - begins to map the lines that interconnect the various elements of the story. And the idea of interconnectedness is exemplified elsewhere in the segment – most noticeably around Valerii / Boomer. And on Caprica, the interconnectedness is entirely physical as she and Helo pretty much get it on – thus passing another milestone in the Cylon’s plan - pointing the finger ever more clearly towards the subjects of procreation and love.

On ''Galactica'', Boomer’s interconnectedness with other Cylons is palpably demonstrated in her reactions to the captured Raider. Watching the sensual response she exhibits as she touches and describes the Raider, one cannot help but wonder how much longer she can be treated without considerable suspicion. The events of [[Water]], her involvement in events surrounding [[Litmus]] - Tyrol at the very least must be more than a little concerned at what she might actually be; indeed, going on the spooked look he gives her as she comes close to foreplay with the Raider, he must be questioning her sanity, if nothing else.

What is interesting in these two story elements is they way they mesh together while effectively moving in opposite directions: as Valerii on Caprica moves towards fulfilment of her mission with Helo, possibly achieving more than her original creation / formation could have aspired to – a human / Cylon relationship born of love and respect, rather than of lust and ego, as was the case with Baltar / Six; Boomer on Galactica is beginning to spiral out of control: she has had at least one “black out” that she knows of, in which Galactica’s water supply was crippled; she’s almost blown herself up; she’s been accused of collusion with the Cylons; she’s broken up with her lover, come close to a near-orgasmic experience with a Cylon device – and now someone is accusing her directly of being a Cylon. Contrast the way in which Valerii’s coupling with Helo on Caprica played out against Boomer’s desperation in her bunk room – a very powerful counterpoint.

One other character is worthy of mention in this episode – [[Alessandro Juliani]] (Lieutenant Gaeta). So far he’s had little chance to shine, but in this episode, shine he does, providing exactly the right amount of emotional support for Baltar – while also providing us with one of the most subtle moments of humour witnessed in television. The scene in the lavatory must be watched to be appreciated – especially Gaeta’s feet, which speak more clearly than any of the whispered conversation shared with Baltar, and the results are a joy to watch – as is the continued conversation with the camera peeking into each of the cubicles.

Overall, a cleverly-constructed episode that is as entertaining as it is intriguing, thanks to the aforementioned lavatory scene between Baltar and Gaeta, which loses none of its power with repeated watching.

== Notes ==
*A week has passed since “Litmus”
*Boomer is accidentally revealing more and more of her Cylon nature
*Helo has passed another test on Caprica; he’s now sexually active with Valerii
*Gaeta admires Baltar and may be his one true friend on the Galactica
*Baltar appears very close to completing his Cylon detector
*Cylon Raiders may well be purpose-bred, semi-intelligent bio-machines
*The Colonials use QWERTY keyboards

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

=== Baltar to Adama, confronting the accusation that he may be a traitor ===

Baltar: And I don’t like being accused of participating in the genocide of the human race based solely on the word of a woman whom I have already indicated to you may well be a Cylon agent...I did not conspire with the Cylons. I’m an innocent man who is being convicted in the court of public opinion without trial.

=== Kara's Recovery in the Sick Bay ===

[[Thrace, Kara|Kara Thrace]] is about to start walking after recovering from her knee injury, sustained in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]". [[Doctor Cottle]] and [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] are present.

Lee: C'mon Starbuck, you can do it. 
(Kara gets out of bed, using it as a support.) 
Lee (mockingly): Ah, that smarts. (walks over to Kara on crutches) That smarts. But I. Don't. Care. 
Kara: You don't care? 
Lee: I don't care. Because your pain is my entertainment. (hands crutches over to Kara) Your Crutches of Death, sir. Use them wisely. 
Kara: Shut up. 
[[Doctor Cottle]]: It's going to hurt like hell, but it's supposed to. 
Kara: (wryly) Thanks doc. 
(Kara starts out, slowly) 
Lee: No pain, no gain. No cliche left unturned as, as Kara Thrace returns to the world of the walking. Can she do it or will she fall on her ass? 
Kara: I swear to the Gods that I'm going to beat the crap out of both of you as soon as I get better... (pauses, retreats) No, I can't. 
Lee: Yes you can. You did it. 
Kara: No I can't. I can't. I can't. 
Cottle: You're not going to get better lying on your back. 
Kara: (getting on the bed) Oh, frak off. 
Lee: We'll just take a break for five minutes. 
Kara: I don't want to do it again. I want a pill. Now. Please. 
Cottle: Sorry, but we're weaning you off the magic pills starting today. Besides, I need them for myself. (ambles off)

== Official Statements ==




== Statistics ==



=== Guest Stars ===


*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Donnelly+Rhodes Donnelly Rhodes] as [[Doctor Cottle]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Christina+Schild Christina Schild] as [[Kohn, Playa|Playa Kohn]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Biski+Guggushe Biski Gugushe] as [[Eick]]



=== Writing & Direction ===

*Written by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Michael+Angeli Michael Angeli]
*Directed by [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Robert+Young Robert Young]




=== Production Notes ===
*Series 1 (2004 / 2005)
*Production Number: 1.07
*Airdate Order: 7 (of 13)

=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===

*UK Airdate: 29 November 2004 (Sky One)
*US Airdate: (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Battlestar/Archive 1

2005-01-19T06:43:05Z

64.81.61.9:

I think the "fan estimate" of 6-8 Viper squads is off. According to http://galactica.tv/colonials/galacticatv.shtml, the Galactica had only 2 Viper squadrons. Since it was a museum ship, it's possible this is less than the usual complement.

-- John Reese