Cassiopeia

2005-07-16T22:15:16Z

70.116.5.45: /* Before the Cylon Attack */

== Overview ==

Name: Cassiopeia

Nickname: Cassie

Age: 20s

Status: Single

Siblings: None

Children: None

Race: Gemon

Position: [[Medtech]], [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' (formerly a [[socialator]]).

Portrayed by [[Spang-McCook, Laurette|Laurette Spang]] [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Laurette+Spang+McCook (IMDB entry)]

Cassiopeia (Cassie) can be described as an extremely attractive, level-headed survivor with her own strengths. A tall, lanky blonde with blue eyes, she became the main love interest of [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]. Despite her past as a socialator, she grew into her role as a medtech assistant to [[Salik|Dr. Salik]].

== Biography ==

=== Before the Cylon Attack ===

Not much is known about Cassiopeia's history, except that when she was a child she sent out messages in an old [[Aeries Merchant code]] for her father. Her father, presumably, was either a trader hailing from [[Gemoni]] or was an [[Aerian]] himself. (''[[The Long Patrol (TOS)|The Long Patrol]]'') Nothing is known about her mother. By some means she managed to become a [[socialator]], a profession she found herself defending to other Colonials — including [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]. (''[[Saga of a Star World (TOS)|Saga of a Star World]]'')

In her adult-hood, Cassiopeia met [[Cain (TOS)|Commander Cain]] and two clicked romantically after Cain apparently paid for her services. He went to her and maybe other [[socialator|socialators]], for compassionate reasons — to mourn the death of his wife — which is something that Cain's young daughter, [[Sheba]], objected to. After the [[Battle of Molecay]], which saw the entire [[Fifth Fleet]] eradicated by [[Cylon]] forces, Cassiopeia believed (along with everyone else) that Cain (and Sheba) were dead. (''[[The Living Legend, Part I (TOS)|The Living Legend]]'')

=== After the Cylon Attack ===

Cassiopeia managed to escape from the Colonies, earning a broken arm in the process in the "[[borays of humanity]]" aboard the freighter ''[[Gemini]]''. Apparently, several irate [[Gemon]]s of the [[Otori Sect]] were ready to throw her (and what she represented) off the ship. Starbuck intervened on her behalf, though, while he was surveying the ship for [[solium]] leaks with [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] and [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]].

She was interviewed by Starbuck, who found out who and what she was. She found herself automatically defending socilators to him too, though he was not concerned about it. Ever since she became attracted to him, although he probably had his reasons for going after her.

After [[Paye|Doctor Paye]] fixed her arm, Starbuck and Cassiopeia were getting better acquainted in a [[launch tube]] aboard the ''Galactica''. However, they were observed by a jealous [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]], who [[steam purged]] the launch tube, causing some discomfort for both Cassiopeia and Starbuck.

Cassiopeia later purchased the Royal Suite on [[Carillon]] after Starbuck and Boomer discovered the [[Ovions]]' [[Ovion facade|mining/luxury operation]]. She had hoped to foster intimate relations with the Warrior, but instead was taken down to the lower levels of the facility to become an Ovion entrée. Starbuck and Apollo later rescued her from being a buffet. (''[[Saga of a Star World (TOS)|Saga of a Star World]]'')

Sometime after she became trained and employed under the guidance of Doctor Salik, she matured and became more motherly after escorting [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]] out of the [[pilot's bunks]]. (''[[The Lost Warrior (TOS)|The Lost Warrior]]'')

Her maternal nature, however, did not underscore Cassiopeia. She had fun with Starbuck on the ''[[Rising Star (TOS)|Rising Star]]'' in celebration of exiting their home galaxy of [[Cyranus]]. She later found out, however, that Starbuck was playing musical women between her and Athena, when they bumped into each other while examining the [[ranking pin]] he gave each of them "to remember him by". She was also instrumental in discovering that the transmissions beamed from Starbuck's stolen [[Recon Viper]] were of [[Aerian Merchant Code]], thus allowing Apollo and Boomer to repossess the appropriated Viper (which Starbuck piloted) as well as figure out what exactly was transpiring. (''[[The Long Patrol (TOS)|The Long Patrol]]'')

When Cassiopeia learned that Cain had been found alive, she found herself stuck between a rock and a hard place, undecided about her relationship with either man. She accompanied Cain to the [[Officer's Club]] on the ''Galactica'', much to the indignation of Sheba. (''[[The Living Legend, Part I (TOS)|The Living Legend]]'') Later, she noticed that the [[drop team]] to [[Gamoray]] had no medtech, as per guidelines, forcing them to accept her as part of the ground force — where she attempted to make amends with Sheba. Despite her motives, she did assert herself professionally and had [[Bojay]] treated on the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus]]''. She was also given the care of Sheba, who had been injured during the [[daggitfight]] with the Cylons. When she was sent back to the ''Galactica'', Cassiopeia knew Cain well enough to know that he wasn't planning on coming back. (''[[The Living Legend, Part II (TOS)|The Living Legend]]'')

Cassiopeia assisted Dr. Salik in saving [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]]'s life during emergency surgery to remove a shard embedded in the wall of his heart. A massive fire on the ''Galactica'', causing [[generator]] disruptions, made the operation extremely risky, but was nevertheless a success. (''[[Fire in Space (TOS)|Fire in Space]]'')

Cassiopeia also succumbed to the charms of [[Iblis|Count Iblis]], as she enjoyed the party atmosphere throughout the fleet caused by the [[Prince of Darkness]]. (''[[War of the Gods, Part II (TOS)|War of the Gods]]'')

Her strong, steady relationship with Starbuck prompted the Warrior to once comment that Cassiopeia was the only person he ever considered becoming [[Sealed]] to. Cassiopeia also performed the genetic testing on [[Chameleon]], to determine if he was Starbuck's father. She informed Chameleon about the positive results of the test, but he convinced her not to reveal the results to Starbuck in order to prevent the Warrior from foregoing his duties to spend time with his newly-found father. Chameleon convinced her to go along with the lie by promising to eventually reveal his identity to Starbuck after he became Sealed. (''[[The Man with Nine Lives (TOS)|The Man with Nine Lives]]'')

Cassiopeia was also a frequent spectator to the [[Triad]] games. More than anyone else, she recognized the angry look on Starbuck's face when he was ejected from the game because of [[Ortega]]. She later broke up a fight between the two competitors and informed Starbuck brusquely that she would be returning to the ''Galactica'' — with or without him. When Ortega was found shot to death by Starbuck's laser, she attempted to persuade Starbuck to accept a self-defense plea proposed by [[Solon|Chief Opposer Solon]]. When he refused, she was maneuvered into testifying against him about his rage toward Ortega, although the real killer [[Karibdis]] was eventually discovered. (''[[Murder on the Rising Star (TOS)|Murder on the Rising Star]]'')

She was also involved in the mission to return [[Michael]] and his fellow travelers to [[Paradeen]]. Able to breathe the thin air on Michael's ship, she monitored the medical equipment keeping them in suspended animation. Cassiopeia also assisted in the search for Starbuck after he got lost in the convoluted passages under Paradeen's main city. (''[[Greetings from Earth (TOS)|Greetings from Earth]]'')

Cassiopeia's relationship with Starbuck grew strained when he was reunited with previous love interest [[Aurora]] on the ''[[Celestra]]''. Attempting to make some semblance of peace between the two, Cassiopeia took back the duckets to the [[Spehroid Concert]] since she "wasn't going alone". However, when Starbuck returned after the ''[[Celestra]]'' mutiny had been put down, she revealed that she "knew he would come back". (''[[Take the Celestra (TOS)|Take the Celestra]]'')

While Cassiopeia and Starbuck, accompanied by Apollo and Sheba, were in the [[Celestial Temple]] "enjoying the view", they picked up a [[Apollo Moon Landing|mysterious signal]], which Apollo believed originated from [[Earth]]. However, nothing came of that signal, since its recording was destroyed in a subsequent battle. Despite getting off to a shaky start because of Cain, Cassiopeia and Sheba were able to reconcile their differences and become friends; while discussing her feelings for Starbuck, Cassiopeia was shocked to hear Sheba proclaim her feelings for Apollo. (''[[The Hand of God (TOS)|The Hand of God]])

== Notes ==

Although the character of Cassiopeia was supposed to be "eaten" by the carnivorous Ovions of Carillon in the premiere, producers decided to retained Laurette Spang for the series, partially to help [[Jensen, Maren|Maren Jensen]] (Athena), who was struggling with her acting talent, providing Spang with a steady job (at least for a [[yahren]]) as a ''Galactica'' medtech.

Cassiopeia became a medtech by express order of [[ABC]] (American Broadcasting Company), which didn't appreciate her initial role of "socialator". However, there was no mention of her transition to medtech (i.e., her recruitment, training, residency, etc.); her career change was as seamless as a costume change.

[[Wikipedia:Cassiopeia (constellation)|Cassiopeia]] is also the name of a W-shaped constellation seen from Earth's northern hemisphere, located in the night sky near [[Wikipedia:Polaris|Polaris]] — the brightest star in [[Wikipedia:Ursa Minor|Ursa Minor]] at the end of the handle of the "[[Wikipedia:little dipper|little dipper]]".

Interestingly enough, "Cassie" — the character's nickname — is the name of a [[Wikipedia:Cassie|tropical American thorny shrub/small tree]] with fragrant yellow flowers used in the production of perfumery.

[[Category:A to Z]] [[Category:Characters (TOS)]] [[Category:TOS]]

Cylons (RDM)

2005-07-16T21:07:58Z

70.116.5.45: /* Religion */

{{expansion}}

== Origins ==
In the reimagined series, Cylons are a creation of man, used primarily for dangerous work. The Cylons [[Cylon War|revolted]] against their masters, eventually [[Cylon Attack|killing off]] all but approximately 50,000 humans.

== Evolution ==
Cylons eventually evolved or created new models of Cylons known as [[Humano-Cylon|Humano-Cylons]]. With the exception of a glowing red spine, it is quite difficult to determine the difference between a Humano-Cylon and a "pure" human. ([[TPTB]] have expressed that the glowing red spine was, in retrospect, a continuity error that was visually appealing at the time.) [[Baltar, Gaius|Dr. Gaius Baltar]] was able to successfully build a [[Cylon Detector]], however, being under the influence of [[Number Six]], he has determined it is simpler for everyone "if all the results are green."

== Religion ==

Cylons are monotheistic while their human creators are polytheistic. Cylons view the worship of multiple gods as blasphemies against their God. Like the Cylons themselves their religion seems to have evolved from its human origins. The Cylons seem to derive their faith from that of the humans, using human writings and prophesies as the biases of their own religion.

Sometimes it seems that the Cylons worship an actual entity, a physical being, possibly another Cylon (the leader of the rebellion against humanity?) but other times it seems that they are worshipping a supernatural being, something beyond creation, something that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. It maybe both.

The Cylons seem to use their religion, their beliefs, their interpretation of the prophesies to rationalize their hatred for humanity. They seem to use it as a justification for their actions. An example of a Cylon argument may go something like this:

''God is perfect and God can only make perfection.''

''He created humanity and humanity is imperfect. How can this be? ''

''God created the imperfect humans to create the perfect Cylons.''

''Humans are only a step in God's plan. Humans are not the completed creation.''

''Once the Cylons were created there was no need for humanity.''

''The imperfection must be wiped out.''

== Twelve Models of Cylon ==
The series has established there are 12 models of Cylons. There are currently six known models.

* [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]] - The "basic" model still extant from the [[Cylon War]]. This model also bridges the reimagined series to the Original Series.

* [[Cylon Warrior]] - Presumably an upgraded Model 0005, with greater physical capabilities and projectile weapons built into the forearms.

* [[Conoy, Leoben|Leoben Conoy]]

* [[Doral, Aaron|Aaron Doral]]

* [[Number Six]]

* [[Valerii, Sharon|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]

== Cylon Technology ==

* [[Cylon Basestar|Basestar]]

* [[Cylon Raider|Raider]]

* [[Cylon Reconnaissance Drone|Reconnaissance Drone]]

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

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Cassiopeia

Cylons (RDM)