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Resurrection Ship, Part II

2006-09-18T01:20:25Z

Bochawa: /* Notes */ Factual error: Gage and Vireem used towels, not socks.

{{Episode Data
| image = Gina-Cain.jpg
| title= Resurrection Ship, Part II
| series=
| season= 2
| episode= 12
| guests=[[Michelle Forbes]] as Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]]
| writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]] [[Michael Rymer]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=212
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate=2006-01-13
| UK airdate=2006-03-21
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=49,604
| prev= [[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]
| next= [[Epiphanies]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''The battlestars ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' engage in [[Attack on the Resurrection Ship|an all-out battle]] to destroy the Cylon “Resurrection” ship.''

== Summary ==

*The episode begins in a forward-flashback (as did "[[Act of Contrition]]"), as viewers see [[Lee Adama]] floating in a planetary body of water. He sees something approaching him—it is a Cylon [[Raider]] with a [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] in hot pursuit, and we return to reality to see Apollo floating in space in his ejection seat.
*A title card, "48 Hours Earlier," appears, setting the stage before Apollo's dream. [[Kara Thrace]] asks [[Lee Adama]] for backup on her mission to assassinate Admiral Cain. Adama accepts, and reassures Thrace of the importance of trust as he embraces her.
*[[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] are bound and beaten in the brig by upset ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' officers, aided again by their [[Colonial Marine Corps|marines]], until Executive officer [[Jack Fisk]] arrives to break it up.
*[[Helena Cain]] and [[Kara Thrace]] have a drink together, and Cain asks Thrace to promise not to flinch when she has to commit a "terrible sin."
*Lieutenant Lee Adama makes a courier run to ''Galactica'', taking the opportunity to ask his father about Thrace's special mission. [[William Adama|Commander Adama]] is uninterested in discussing the issue, but young Adama is surprised to know that President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] is involved in the assassination plot.
*Thrace and ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' XO Jack Fisk both prepare for their assassination missions, as well as the attack on the Resurrection Ship.
* Before Commander Adama proceeds with his assassination plan on Cain, he solicits advice from the cooperative copy of [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]], asking her why the Cylons hate humanity as they do. She reminds him of a portion of his decommissioning speech ([[Miniseries]]), asking whether humanity has asked ''itself'' if it is deserving to survive despite its failings.
*The [[Resurrection Ship]] and at least one [[Basestar_(RDM)|basestar]] are destroyed by the Colonials. [[Image:Ep212battle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Cylon basestar under assault]]
*During the battle, the [[Blackbird]] is successful in disabling the Resurrection Ship. While escaping, the Blackbird is heavily damaged when it crashes into a disabled Raptor. Lieutenant Adama is able to eject in time as the Blackbird is destroyed.
*Floating in space, Apollo's [[flight suit]] springs a leak. Communications officer [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] tries frantically to contact him, but Apollo does not respond by choice. Later he releases the last of the air in his [[flight suit]] and says, "I'm sorry, Kara," losing consciousness just as a [[SAR]] Raptor appears in the nick of time to save him.
*[[Gaius Baltar]]'s feelings for [[Number Six]] transfer to the copy named [[Gina]], who is tangible and more ''human'' than his internal Number Six. He repeats to Gina a story told to him by Six about going to watch [[Pyramid (RDM)|pyramid]] games, finally taking her hands in his as Baltar's internal Six disappears in sadness. As Gina senses the destruction of the Resurrection Ship, she takes a sidearm from a marine she kills, with Baltar's help, and asks Baltar to kill her, noting that suicide is a sin. Baltar refuses, gives her the sidearm, and tells her she needs justice, ostensibly referring to Admiral Cain and her tyranny.
*[[William Adama]] and [[Helena Cain]] both speak over [[wireless]] to conspirators [[Jack Fisk]] and [[Kara Thrace]], respectively, but neither commander gives the order to assassinate the other.
*After the battle, Gina shoots and kills [[Helena Cain|Admiral Cain]] in the admiral's quarters. Cain is challenging to the last, unregretful of the treatment that Gina has been given. Gina soon [[Demand Peace|disappears]] from ''Pegasus.''
*At Cain's funeral, Kara Thrace speaks admiringly of her, saying the Fleet would have been safer with her than it is without her. This statement raises a stare from Commander Adama.
*As Lee Adama confides to Thrace that he didn't want to survive the mission, [[Anastasia Dualla]] stands outside Adama's quarters eavesdropping, visibly worried about young Adama.
*Battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and her crew remain in the Fleet, with [[William Adama]] becoming an admiral to command both battlestars. After receiving new admiral's insignia from [[Laura Roslin]], he gives her a brief but affectionate kiss, to the smiles of both.
*Laura Roslin is now visibly weakened by her fight with cancer, and her composure and strength are failing. Her end appears near.

== Questions ==
* Adama had the first opportunity to implement his "plan" on Admiral Cain. Why didn't he? Did [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]'s earlier comments about humanity not deserving to survive have something to do with that?
::Adama's remarks to Starbuck, that it is not enough to survive, but be worthy of survival, seem to point to this.
:::Did [[Helena_Cain|Admiral Cain's]] actions (such as the cannibalism of [[Pegasus_(RDM)|Pegasus']] civilian fleet) necessarily justify her worthiness? Did [[William_Adama|Adama]] realize that he didn't have the right to make that judgement?
::::Adama may have come to the conclusion that by murdering Cain he would become just like Cain and therefor not worthy of survival himself. If survival requires to become like Cain that may be a price to high to pay for him.
* Why did Cain not issue the order for Adama's execution? Was it a change of heart? Or did she suspect that her life was in jeopardy by Thrace?
* Subsequent to [[Gina]] killing of Cain, Gina disappears from ''Pegasus'' and Colonial military imprisonment (as promised by Baltar). Where is she being hidden? ([[Epiphanies|Answer]])
* [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] hands Gina a weapon in the ante-room of the ''Pegasus'' brig. Would a high-security area be equipped with surveillance cameras? Has Baltar disappeared as well?
*We only saw one basestar destroyed—was the other destroyed, or was it able to jump away with the surviving Raiders and support ships?
* Is Lee Adama becoming depressed and unable to command his pilots?
* How will ''Pegasus'' resources be used throughout the Fleet?
* How many new Viper squadrons and pilots have been added to the Fleet?
* How will Adama deal with the mob-level brutality that appears throughout ''Pegasus''?
* How closely have the Cylons studied the memories of "Boomer" Valerii aboard ''Galactica'', and the other [[Cylon agent|spies]] in the Fleet?
* How will Kara Thrace's comments at Cain's funeral affect her relationship with now-Admiral Adama?
* In "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", Baltar forces "Boomer" Valerii into revealing that eight Cylons are still in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. However, this obviously does not take into account the introduction of ''Pegasus''. Thus, are there any more Cylon agents are aboard ''Pegasus''? If so, what do they number?
:Will these agents be far more careful in what they do, knowing that resurrection is no longer possible?
* Will another [[Blackbird]] be constructed?
* Will Adama stay aboard ''[[Galactica_(RDM)|Galactica]]'' now that he's been promoted? ([[The Captain's Hand|Answer]])
* Are there going to be any other promotions?
* Who will be [[CAG]] of ''Galactica''? [[Kara_Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Lee_Adama|Apollo]] were assigned to [[Pegasus_(RDM)|Pegasus]] at the time Admiral Cain was assassinated.
:If [[Lee_Adama|Apollo]] recovers from his depression, he will probably resume his position as the CAG of ''Galactica'', while [[Kara_Thrace|Starbuck]] will continue as the CAG of ''Pegasus'' since she has obviously proven her worth and was chosen for the position by [[Helena_Cain|Admiral Cain]].
* What changes in the Cylon strategy will we see, now that the [[Resurrection Ship]] has been destroyed?
* What punishment, if any, will [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] receive now that they have escaped the death sentence imposed by [[Helena_Cain|Admiral Cain]]? After all, they did murder a superior officer, even though it was an accident.
:Colonel Tigh's actions from the ''[[Gideon]]'' incident are more dire and politically damaging, yet Adama does not punish his second-in-command. It is likely that, especially given the inhumane treatment of Lieutenant [[Alistair Thorne|Thorne]] towards the cooperative and unaggressive pregnant [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] (which Adama apologizes for to Valerii), that Adama will dismiss the matter.

== Analysis ==
*The beating of Helo and the Chief was edited so that in the teaser, all we see is the "Sunshine Boys" entering the cell with their marines, about to tie the two up while making threatening comments. Given that they were involved in the gang rape of Gina, many viewers left the teaser fearing that far worse was going to happen to Agathon and Tyrol than simply being beaten with soap wrapped in towels.
* The basestar/battlestar battle was epic, although viewers did not see a great deal of it from a play-by-play standpoint. The pairing of an advanced battlestar such as ''Pegasus'' with the oldest battlestar, ''Galactica'', likely illustrates why the Cylons used [[CNP|sabotage]] instead of all-out war to [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|defeat the Twelve Colonies]]. With proper planning, battlestars working in tandem will shred a basestar in a close-range attack, which uses missiles and fighters, but appears to have no gun batteries itself.
*Lee Adama's collision with the downed [[Raptor]] occurred partly because Adama was looking behind him, examining the damage he dealt to the Resurrection Ship. This may be symbolic of one of young Adama's character flaws: he is always looking backward, always examining what he's done instead of keeping his attention on the here and now. See "[[Water]]", where Lee agonizes over firing on the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' while his father warns him specifically about not second-guessing himself. This theme also parallels Cain's words—-which Starbuck echoes at her funeral—-about not flinching or second-guessing when terrible things have to be done.
* Obviously, the writers felt that the battle was less important than the events planned immediately after--the mutual attempts by Cain and Adama to kill each other. Viewers enter the battle scene at the stage where the battlestars tackle the destruction of the basestars, although there was a ruse earlier involving the entire [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. This quick segue was also likely done in light of the cost for the visual effects, since the shots of the battlestar attacks would be greatly desired by the fans, but also be new VFX and therefore expensive.
* The pregnant Sharon Valerii again shows that she has the memories of the 'original' Boomer, which was previously shown in the season opener when she started to tell Starbuck of the time they met.
* A new love triangle is formed as Gaius Baltar seems more fixated on the ''notion'' of Gina and her pain rather than the feelings of his virtual Number Six, who unsuccessfully pleads him not to aid Gina in killing herself. As he takes Gina's hand, the virtual Six disappears from view in the scene. Perhaps Baltar needed to touch a "real" Six copy, and is also swayed by her "humanity"--her vulnerability and weakness, as well as her differing interpretation on how she thinks [[God]] will forgive the Colonials for the destruction of the Cylon fleet.
* In another example of Gaius' ability to multi-task, he relates to Gina as his own the anecdote that Six told him (about purchasing two tickets when she went to see Pyramid games, as the extra ticket permitted her to imagine Gaius watched the game with her). The anecdote serves two conversations at once. The anecdote reinforces his bond with Gina and indicates to Six that flesh-and-blood Gina is of far greater importance to him than (presumably non-corporeal) Six, or the tens of thousands of Cylons who are about to die, permanently, with the destruction of the resurrection ship. Baltar's relationship with Six in the future will likely be a strained one.
*Admiral Adama's affectionate kiss with [[Laura Roslin]] opens up all kinds of new story possibilities and complications for the characters and the Fleet. It might have been considered by some viewers to be the most surprising part of the whole episode since no information on this scene was noted in advance of the show's airing. As noted by RDM in the podcast commentary, the kiss was improvised by Olmos. His and McDonnell's acting continues to be exemplary.

== Notes ==

*Vireem and Gage's beating of Tyrol and Helo with bars of soap stuffed inside towels used as slings is an obvious homage to the Stanley Kubrick film "[[Wikipedia:Full_Metal_Jacket|Full Metal Jacket]]", in which a similar thing happens to "Pvt. Pyle" in the Marine barracks at night (RDM points this out himself, in the podcast).
*Apollo was demoted to Lieutenant by Cain when she revoked his flight status. At the beginning of Part I, he is referred to as "Captain", but after Cain mentions that she revoked his flight status, Adama addresses his son as "Lieutenant". The official Scifi.com website was updated the week after this episode aired showing the new ranks of characters--Captain Kara Thrace, Admiral William Adama--but it also was changed to list Lee Adama as a Lieutenant.
*Apollo's experience of ejecting in the middle of the battle and watching it unfold around him is according to the podcast based on the real life experience of Ensign [[Wikipedia:George Gay|George Gay]] during the [[Wikipedia:Battle of Midway|Battle of Midway]]. George Gay's plane was shot down and he witnessed the entire battle while floating in the ocean.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*'''Jack Fisk''': I don't want your thanks. I owe Lieutenant Thorne my life, as do many people on this ship.
:'''Helo''': He was trying to rape a prisoner!
:'''Fisk''': You can't "rape" a machine, Lieutenant.

*'''Sharon Valerii''': It's what you said at the ceremony before the attack, when ''Galactica'' was being decommissioned. You gave a speech, it sounded like it wasn't the one you prepared. You said that humanity was a flawed creation, and that people still kill one another for petty jealousy and greed. You said that humanity never asked itself why it deserved to survive. Maybe you don't.

*'''Adama''' ''(to Starbuck over wireless)'': I've been thinking about what we talked about before. It's not enough to survive. One has to be worthy of surviving. That's all.

*'''Gina''': Suicide is a sin. But I need to die!
:'''Baltar''': What you need is justice. I know a place where you can stay, where you can be safe, where I can look after you.
:'''Gina''': Why would you do that?
:'''Baltar''': Because I love you.

*'''Gina''' ''(confronting Cain in her quarters with her gun)'': Tell me, Admiral. Can you roll over? Beg?
:'''Helena Cain''': Frak you.
:'''Gina''' ''(right before shooting)'': You're not my type.

*'''Kara Thrace''' ''(giving an eulogy at Cain's funeral)'': I, um, only knew Admiral Cain for a short time, so what I have to say about her will be short. She faced things. She looked them right in the eye and she didn't flinch. That's something that we do a lot around here. We second-guess. We worry. When I think about what she went through after the attack -- all alone, one ship, no help, no hope -- she didn't give up. She didn't worry. She didn't second-guess. She acted. She did what she thought needed to be done, and the Pegasus survived. Might be hard to admit, or hard to hear, but I think that we were safer with her...than we are without.

*'''Kara Thrace''': Lee. Lee, you okay? Are you okay?
:'''Lee Adama''': No, not really. Um...I broke my word to you.
:'''Thrace''': What are you talking about?
:'''Adama''': I let you down. I wasn't there when you needed me.
:'''Thrace''': Look, a close call like that? That'd mess with anybody's head. Alright? You know, it turns out I didn't need you anyway, so…. Let's just be glad that we both came back alive, alright?
:'''Adama''': That's just it, Kara. I didn't want to make it back alive.

*'''Laura Roslin''': Rumor has it that I know very little about military protocol, but I do know that someone who commands more than one ship is called an admiral. Congratulations, Admiral Adama.
:'''William Adama''': Thank you, Madame President. Thank you, Billy. I um, never gave up hope, I just stopped trying to get these a long time ago.
:'''Roslin''': Just goes to show you, Bill. Never give up hope.
:'''Adama''': Same goes for you, Laura.

== Official Statements ==

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michelle Forbes]] as Admiral [[Helena Cain]]
*[[imdb:nm0065320|Graham Beckel]] as Colonel [[Jack Fisk]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0217757|Derek Delost]] as Specialist [[Vireem]]
*[[imdb:nm0233304|Mike Dopud]] Specialist [[Gage]]

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/212/ "Resurrection Ship, Part II"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

Talk:Taking a Break From All Your Worries/Archive 1

2006-08-12T13:47:07Z

Bochawa:

Perhaps this episode will deal with Lee Adama's promise to build a bar for the pilots? [[User:Bochawa|bochawa]] 08:47, 12 August 2006 (CDT)Bochawa

Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II

2006-08-12T03:16:06Z

Bochawa: /* Notes */ Added further examples of photos/papers without cut corners

{{Episode Data
| image = Baltarlaydownburdensii.jpg
| title= Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II
| season= 2
| episode= 20
| guests= [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]] [[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]] [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
| writer= [[Anne Cofell Saunders]] [[Mark Verheiden]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-04-10
| UK airdate= 2006-05-16
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,550
| prev= [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]
| next= [[Occupation]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''Everything turns on its head as the survivors vote for a new president -- and vote for their fate.''

== Summary ==

===On Caprica===

*[[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]], the [[marines]], and the [[Caprica Resistance]] continue to take fire from [[Cylon Centurion]]s and their artillery. They make their way up a hill, and hold their position.
*The Cylons hold fire, and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] remarks that the Cylons will attempt to capture them with non-lethal weapons, such as gas.
*Eighteen hours later, they emerge to find that the Cylons have disappeared. [[Cavil]] -- who suddenly appears behind them -- announces that the Cylons have left the Twelve Colonies and that humanity is spared.

===In the Fleet===

*[[Cally]] is cleared for duty by [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], despite having her jaw wired shut. [[Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] visits her, apologizing for the attack. Cally forgives him, saying that she's always cared for him.

*[[Gaius Baltar|Dr. Baltar]] continues to gain in the polls. On ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Tory_Foster|Tory]] mentions an alternative victory plan. [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] later calls a private meeting with Dr. Baltar, asking to deliver a joint statement of [[Wikipedia:Table (verb)|tabling]] the issue of colonization until after the election. Baltar rejects the idea.

*Roslin, fearing that she has indeed lost the presidential race, confronts [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] on whether he was with a copy of [[Number Six]] on Caprica before the Cylon attack. Baltar avoids answering the question and states that he may have [[Epiphanies|saved her life]], but he will not save her political life.

*[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] returns to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' with the resistance fighters, much to the delight of Admiral [[William Adama]]. She mentions the Cylon retreat from Caprica as Brother Cavil, leaving the Raptor, confirms it. He also says he has a message, but is attacked by Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], who declares a "[[Code blue]]," claiming Cavil is a Cylon. Incensed that Caprica-Valerii did not reveal Cavil's true nature earlier, Admiral Adama orders both Caprica-Valerii and the second Cavil to the brig.

*The ''Galactica''-based Cavil (from last episode) is brought to the brig, claiming he's not a Cylon, but changes his tune upon seeing his "brother", as he calls him. Caprica-Cavil then talks about the fact that the “war heroes” ([[Caprica Six]] & [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]) have convinced their kind that the attack of the colonies and the pursuit of the fleet were mistakes. Caprica-Cavil's mission was to relay the message that man and Cylon will go their separate ways. Both Roslin and Admiral Adama are less than trusting regarding the message.

*In the brig, Caprica-Valerii is completely disillusioned and nihilistic, declaring that since her [[Hera|child's]] death, nothing -- not Adama's trust or [[Helo]]'s -- matters to her. A frustrated Helo insists that he's not giving up on her, but she seems disinclined to listen.

*Thrace and [[Anders]] are getting extremely drunk when Apollo comes in to welcome them back. Starbuck makes a snide remark about Apollo and Dualla and goes back to drunkenly making out with Anders. Apollo, clearly upset with Starbuck, leaves without saying much.

*Election Day has arrived and Baltar has an apparent five thousand-vote lead over Roslin with only a few ships left to tally. On ''Colonial One'', Foster activates her alternative victory plan with a call to ''Galactica.''

*Amazingly, Roslin initially appears to have retained the presidency. While most are celebrating, Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]] discovers fraudulent actions in the vote, and informs the Admiral that Col. Tigh (who acts suspiciously when questioned by Gaeta) may be involved in a conspiracy to throw the election.

*Admiral Adama confronts Roslin regarding the conspiracy, saying that Tigh has confessed to rigging the vote. Roslin admits her involvement and Adama is disappointed. The Admiral indicates that, for good or bad, the people's vote must take precedence. Adama secretly buries the conspiracy itself while announcing the startling change in events to Dr. Baltar.

*Initially Baltar vows to have a full investigation on the vote count, but after Adama suggests that Baltar take his victory and leave matters be, Baltar relents and informs Adama that he can be quite generous in victory. President-elect Baltar then orders a course for “[[New Caprica]].”

*Baltar and Gina consummate their relationship after Gina informs Baltar that she would not be part of the colonization.

*[[Gaius Baltar]] is sworn in as the new President of the Twelve Colonies, and orders the immediate colonization of New Caprica.

*Gina activates the nuclear warhead [[Sacrifice|given to her by Baltar]] aboard ''[[Cloud 9]]''. The nuclear blast destroys ''Cloud 9'' and at least three other ships. Admiral Adama warns that this may be a prelude to a Cylon attack, but President Baltar ignores him and presses forward with colonization.

===One Year Later===
[[image:burdens2.jpg|Thrace and Cottle on New Caprica.|thumb]]
*President Baltar's administration appears to be corrupt, lax, and unresponsive. [[Felix Gaeta|Mr. Gaeta]], now the President's aide, reports issues with a worker's union. Baltar is upset, saying there have been no Cylon attacks but the people still complain. He has regressed, turning to alcohol, medication, and womanizing.

*Admiral Adama, now sporting a mustache, walks the corridors of a near-empty ''Galactica'', which is quickly falling into disrepair. Over half of the crew have moved down onto the planet, leaving the ship so short on crew that they barely have enough pilots to fly training missions, much less form up [[Combat Air Patrol]]s. Adama asks Tigh to retire from duty to join his [[Ellen Tigh|wife]] on the planet. Tigh reluctantly agrees.

*[[Samuel Anders|Anders]], now Thrace's husband, has pneumonia. Dr. Cottle is unable to treat Anders because there are no antibiotics available. He can only advise Thrace to make sure Anders gets enough rest in order to recover.

*Thrace runs into the Tighs as [[Tyrol]], now a union boss, is making a speech to begin a strike, with a very pregnant Cally by his side. Col. Tigh mentions to Thrace that ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' keeps a store of backup medical supplies and that Commander [[Lee Adama]] might spring some for her. Thrace disagrees, which prompts Tigh to state that Lee Adama should be over her harsh neglect of Adama's friendship after Ander's arrival a year before.

*Roslin returns to her teaching roots, teaching the settlement's children, and manages to find enjoyment in her new position. [[Maya]] is with her, as is the now one year-old "[[Hera|Isis]]".

*Thrace calls Commander Lee Adama aboard ''Pegasus'' to request the antibiotics. [[Dualla]], ostensibly the ''Pegasus'' [[XO]], notices something on [[DRADIS]], to her horror.

*A massive fleet of [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s arrive in orbit around New Caprica. The Adamas discuss what to do in response, with Lee initially advocating that the remains of the orbiting Fleet to [[FTL|escape]]. Admiral Adama initially resists, but orders the Jump, vowing that they will return.

*A [[Leoben Conoy]]-model [[Cylon agent]] shows up at Thrace and Anders' tent, where he asks an ailing Anders about where to find Thrace.

*Mr. Gaeta informs the President of the Cylon approach. Later, before his assembled staff, copies of Numbers [[Number Five|5]], [[Number Eight|8]], and [[Number Six|6]] approach the President. The Cylons declare that as long as there’s no resistance, no harm will come. President Baltar, after learning that the Cylons discovered New Caprica because of the nuclear explosion set off by Gina, declares surrender on behalf of the colonists. As Cylon armies occupy the planet, Thrace vows to resist.

== Questions ==

*Who is Baltar's vice president?

*Is Gaeta Baltar's assistant or his Vice President?
:Based on Ron Moore's comment (see the spoiler text), it is probable that Gaeta is merely an assistant.

*What of [[Tom Zarek]]?

{{spoiltext|According to RDM's blog, Tom Zarek was initially the Vice President but he had a falling out with Baltar over the regime.}}

*Has Gaeta's view of Baltar changed since Baltar's ascension to the presidency? If so, is Gaeta planning to do anything about it?

*Was Roslin's threat to put the two Cavils into space actually carried out?

*Where did the remains of the Fleet escape to?

*Where is Caprica-Valerii?
:It is probable that Valerii remains in the brig, as she is well-known as a Cylon agent. Her anger at the "death" of her child and her true nature would make her a liability in public. Helo's continued presence on ''Galactica'' supports this, provided his feelings for Valerii have not changed in the lapsed year.

*Why is Leoben looking for Starbuck, specifically?
{{spoiltext|According to some Q&A that RDM gave at a recent convention to people from the website 'The Pegasus Galaxy', Starbuck's missing ovary has been "under Leoben's pillow". Could the Cylons have made a hybrid child from her eggs and Leoben's sperm?
Also, there is the possibility that this particular Conoy is the resurrection of the model that Thrace tortured in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," and he is seeking payback.

Plus, in the Season Three preview aired during Sci Fi's premiere of Eureka, Leoben is shown holding a baby and saying "This is Kara, your mother."}}

*Why has the population (until Tyrol's recent union speech) accepted Baltar's imperious rule? People were hardly so passive under Roslin. Indeed, Adama executed a [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|military coup]] over a rather less important issue than giving a nuclear weapon to a Cylon agent.

*What were the workers being asked to do which was so "odious", "so sick[ening] at heart" that Tyrol was willing to call a general strike, and so important to Baltar that he was willing to use illegal imprisonment to break it?

*Baltar surrenders to copies of Cylon agents Six and Eight. Are these agents the reincarnated [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Where did the Cylon fleets go, after they left the Twelve Colonies? Cavil was deliberately vague when asked if they simply returned to the [[Cylon homeworld]].

*Why didn't the nuclear device trigger the radiological alarms on either battlestar?

*How many people died in ''Cloud 9'' destruction? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Were the Quorum of Twelve killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*Was anyone from [[Demand Peace]] killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*Were [[Shevon]] and [[Paya]] killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*When Gina was instantly vaporized due to being only two feet from a nuclear detonation, did she still transmit her consciousness? Was she even capable of transmitting considering that any internal hardware responsible for this task would have been instantly destroyed? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Given Roslin's memories of Baltar with Six, why didn't Admiral Adama suspect Baltar of handing over the nuclear warhead to the cylons? If he did suspect him, why not act on it? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Did Baltar's internal Six disappear at any point during the New Caprica year? If so, when and why? If so, did the events of her disappearance contribute to Baltar's regression?

*Why was it so easy for Adama to hide the collusion of the rigged election from the press, and why were there no consequences?

*If the Cylons really left the Twelve Colonies, leaving behind a nuked-out wasteland, what happened to all of the human captives in the [[Farms]]?

*Why have the Cylons returned after suggesting that they were willing to go their "separate ways"?

*Did the Cavils lie about the pursuit of humanity being a mistake? Or were they telling the truth?

*Will the Cylons resume their pursuit of the Fleet?

*How many people are left in the Fleet? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Have the remaining ships in the defense fleet been armed during the past year?

*Will the Adamas resort to Cain's tactic of conscripting civilians to fill the gaps?

*What happened between Apollo and Starbuck? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*What led to Starbuck's reconciliation with Col. Tigh? The two had been in conflict since the [[Miniseries]], what led them to bury the hatchet and become the close friends they now appear to be?

*Has it become public knowledge that Baltar killed [[Crashdown]] on [[Kobol]]? Now that Chief and Cally are Baltar's open adversaries they could attempt to use this information against him.

*When Adama informs Baltar that the nuke used to blow up ''[[Cloud 9]]'' was probably stolen from Baltar's lab, why is he not suspicious about the fact that Baltar never reported that it was missing? Had it really been stolen from his lab, he would surely notice.
**One could argue that a man doesn't have much time to spot missing objects when he's running for President.

*Are the Cylons that appear at the end representative of the whole Cylon race, or are they a faction that broke off after the two "Cylon Heroes" began to speak out against the war on the humans?

*If it is true that the Cylons now believe the attack on humanity was a mistake, is the occupation on New Caprica viewed by the Cylons as an act of mercy and kindness vs. oppression from the human perspective? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Could it be the intent of the Cylons to actually help the colonization of New Caprica, helping with the construction of infrastructure, new homes, etc, in order to make up for the holocaust? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
**If the Cylons intend to help, that would be consistent with Cavil's comment that the Cylon path to enlightenment is to be "the best machines the universe has ever seen." The purpose of a machine is arguably to assist human beings. On the other hand, the Cylons, if they are here to help, are presumably intending to do so in a highly authoritarian fashion.
***Could the Cylons be wanting to maintain control over the Colonials so that in some future the colonials would not be able to return and exact revenge on the Cylons?
**Could the Cylons be fortifying New Caprica to protect the humans from hostile Cylons? There should still be some, that Number Three in "Downloaded" was pretty fanatical, and if the political winds have changed as they so often do...
***Is there a Cylon civil "cold" war?
****Could the occupation of New Caprica be a compromise between pro-human and anti-human factions, with war breaking out between them after it fails?

== Analysis ==
*According to Ron Moore's podcast, the events of "One Year Later" are real and were meant to solidify to the audience that the show is taking a path that cannot be reversed. In order to make the colonization of New Caprica real, Moore felt that the show would need to jump ahead in a span of year to show that indeed Baltar has followed through with his political promise.

*The events of the Cylon invasion of New Caprica parallel the Nazi invasion of France, with the fleet's escape a parallel to the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk and Baltar's surrender a parallel to Petain's surrender. If the parallel continues, Baltar will establish a puppet regime under Cylon rule akin to [[Wikipedia:Vichy France|Vichy France]] while Colonials still loyal to humanity will establish a resistance movement. Ron Moore has actually said in the podcast for this episode that it is inspired by Vichy France.

*Baltar's arrogance seems to have led to corrupt rule during his year on New Caprica; he replaces Roslin's modest desk with a more elaborate one, replaces the population count whiteboard with a portrait of himself, and keeps a harem aboard the grounded ''Colonial One''.

*After a year, everyone still lives in tents. Shortages of medicine abound, the military is of no use, and labor conditions are apparently intolerable. Baltar's administration is apparently as incompetent as Roslin feared, when she said he was ridiculously unqualified and had no idea how to be president.
**It is not clear whether these conditions are the result of administrative incompetence or the inherent difficulties of colonizing a marginally habitable planet.
***Of course, it was Baltar's idea to settle on a marginally habitable planet in the first place.
****Tory Foster points out that Baltar was winning the election because he was "holding out hope for breathing real air, growing real food, sleeping in a bed instead of a bunk. Living in a house instead of a ship"; hopefully the irony of this wasn't lost on Baltar voters who even a full year later are sleeping in hammocks and living in tents.

*It's ironic that the obligations of duty keep Lee Adama aboard ''Pegasus'' while everyone else goes planet-side. He is a reserve officer, and promised to build his pilots a bar as soon as they found a habitable planet.
**It's possible the bar ''was'' built.

*In the podcast for "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" Moore commented on how everyone assumed that ''Pegasus'' would be destroyed by the end of the episode, and thus he thought it would be a good twist to keep ''Pegasus'' alive as another ship in the Fleet. Speculators mistakenly assumed that the nuke that Baltar gave to Gina in "[[Epiphanies]]" would be used to destroy ''Pegasus'' (keeping in tune with the assumed destruction of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series']] ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus'']]).

*Twenty-nine people died between this episode and the preceding one? One or two Raptors were lost, and some Marines died on Caprica, but that doesn't seem high enough.
**It's possible they took out all of the people who left in the raptors because they were not apart of the fleet at the end of the previous episode?
***Starbuck remained in the count during her time on Caprica at the beginning of Season 2. When she and Helo returned to the fleet in "[[Home, Part I]]," the count only rose by one.
**Perhaps more people died during the attack on Caprica than was shown.
***Yet another possibility is the inclusion of the Caprica survivors in the count to offset many of the losses that had incurred in the rescue mission.
***Although they didn't actually talk about the losses, there was a shot of a wounded person being taken away on a stretcher after the Raptors returned from the [[Caprica]] [[SAR]] mission.
***There may have been a series of election-related riots or murders.

*The year gap for the Cylons to find the fleet at first seems odd. However, it was stated in the previous episode that the interference from the gas cloud surrounding it would hide the planet fairly well. The Cylons were slightly over a light year away, according to the Number Five at the surrenderring. Searching something as large as the gas cloud likely is for a planet or fleet is, given the sensor range limitations, quite impressive to accomplish in months, even with general directional information from a light-year out. In addition, the radiation from the nuclear explosion aboard ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' would, of course, only be traveling at the speed of light. Even a less catastrophic attempt to communicate the Colonial's new location would be limited to the speed of light. Of course, once the location was pinpointed, an FTL Jump by the Cylons to pounce would be instantaneous.
**Even though the Cylons were able to find New Caprica from the detected nuclear blast that occurred a year prior, the initial detection would have only pointed them in the right general direction. The planet would have moved from the location the initial blast occurred as it orbits around its sun. So the Cylons would only have been able to pinpoint the planet's last location a year prior. They could have used astronomical surveying to detect the planet or send their fleets to other positions using FTL ahead of the blast radiation to triangulate the nuclear blast. Then send recon elements to scout for the planet, which could have been the initial blips picked up by DRADIS by Lt. Dualla of recon Raiders. As soon as the planet was found the main Cylon Fleet would jump in from their staging areas.
***It is also clear that Gina truly did die in the nuclear explosion on ''Cloud 9'' as she would have been able to inform the Cylons of the whereabouts of the Fleet. This indicates that no new Resurrection Ship had been constructed and that Gina's suicidal thoughts finally prevailed. This may explain why she was willing to consummate her relationship with Baltar as it would be the last time she could be with him.
****If a transmission of Gina's consciousness is also bound by the speed of light, then the signal would radiate at the same speed as the radiation from the explosion. So the Cylons could have captured the signal at the same time they discover the radiation. A new resurrection ship could be in place by this time. So the [[#questions|above question]] of whether she was able to transmit when the hardware responsible for this was destroyed is still valid.
*****To contrast, as evidenced by "Downloaded", Cylon transmissions occur at a higher speed as Boomer's consciousness was able to be transmitted to the Resurrection Ship, and then transmitted to Caprica almost immediately after her death on ''Galactica.'' It also must be pointed out that ''Galactica'''s Fleet is well into deep space, light-years away from the Colonies. The time for Boomer's transmission to reach Caprica in "Downloaded" would have taken years if not hundreds of years if the speed was limited to the speed of light.

*The population of New Caprica City is given as 39,192. There were just under 50,000 people in the Fleet before establishing the settlement, so that gives a figure of roughly 10,000 missing. It is uncertain how many were killed in the destruction of ''Cloud 9'' and surrounding Fleet ships, but this loss along with any births and deaths that have taken place during the year since the election, leaves very few military personnel in the Orbital Defense. This almost certainly means that both ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' will be extremely short on crew, as many military personnel will have been left on the planet. There was clearly no time to retrieve even selected members of the crews before the Fleet jumped.
**The figure may not necessarily be 10,000 missing, but those who are not part of New Caprica City's population. The figure of 10,000 is spread amongst those remaining up in orbit with the fleet's remaining ships, out in independent, peripheral, or small settlements not part of New Caprica City proper, and casaulties.
**Watching the Fleet jump in slow-motion, you can count approximately 19 ships, which also gives a rough impression of the reduced size of the Fleet. Other ships, including ''Colonial One'' and some Raptors, are landed on New Caprica and have presumably fallen into the hands of the Cylons.
**It is not explicitly said that all members of the New Caprica colony reside in New Caprica City. There may be outlying settlements, though none are named. One reason for this would simply be as a safeguard to keep a single nuclear strike from wiping out all of the fleet survivors.
***Baltar's surrender may demonstrate prudence uncharacteristic of him, or simply be a matter of self-preservation.

**Any "industrial" vessels — such as the mining ships, tanker ships, repair ships, agricultural ships — would have landed on the planet and been debarked, dismantled, or converted to form the foundation for industrial / production efforts. Some of the vessels in the fleet that left [[Ragnar Anchorage]] weren't designed for prolonged interstellar journeys, and were basically running on a hope and a prayer, and would have been rendered promptly upon finding a more permanent home. The nineteen-or-so ships seen are, more than likely, the last space-worthy vessels in the fleet that are not needed (or capable of landing) planet-side.
***After a year, people are still living in tents and using landed ships as buildings, so it doesn't look like much has been dismantled or converted into raw production. Other than the miners, who are apparently extremely unhappy at how things have been run, we see little evidence of industry or production over the year.

*Apparently, Thrace's comments about Lee Adama and Dualla have taken their toll on their relationship. Whether the comments escalated is unknown, but, from Dualla's expression of annoyance when she hands the receiver to Adama when Thrace calls, it is clear that the three never reconciled with each other.

*The Six and Eight that are part of the Cylon delegation that greets Baltar's cabinet are almost certainly [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]. This is implied from Six's reaction upon seeing Baltar and her intimation that she knew who Baltar was. The two are also wearing the exact same clothes as in "[[Downloaded]]."

*In the Season 3 trailer that followed the end of the episode, Six narrates, saying that humanity has finally surrendered and the war is over. According to Six, the Cylons can finally fulfill their "''true destiny''" and take care of humanity. They desire to show humanity the "''glory of peace''," mercy; like God, their mercy can only be matched by their power and complete control. So apparently, the war heroes have indeed changed the Cylons' prejudices toward humans, but unfortunately this also means that the Cylons believe that the only way to care for humanity is to control it.
**This narrative sounds more like Baltar's internal Six (superior, controlling, zealous) than Caprica-Six (more of a people person).

== Notes ==
* According to Ron Moore's podcast, although the Sci-Fi Channel was willing to air this episode as a 90-minute special, it had to be heavily edited down for international distribution; outside of the United States, viewers will only see a 1 hour version of the episode, which Moore regards as "almost incomprehensible". Many plot threads, such as the entire Cally/Tyrol subplot, were completely removed from the one hour version. This may not be the case in the UK however as Skyone (the channel that broadcasts the show in that country) previously showed the full 90 minute version of Stargate SG1 episode 'Threads' and may well do the same for this episode.
**In the UK, Sky One did indeed show the episode as a 90 minute special.

*Admiral Adama watches [[Pyramid]] games and was a fan of the [[Picon Panthers]].

*In RDM's podcast for the previous episode, he said that in early drafts of this special 90 minute long episode, the writers actually tried to make it a 2 hour special, but this was soon dropped (these times are including commercials).
*The election board appears to have a definitive list of the names of all of the ships in [[The Fleet (RDM)]]. Not all of them are clearly visible, but this would seem to indicate that the writers do have an actual list that they get new ship names from.

*The framed photo of President Roslin and [[Billy Keikeya]] was still on Roslin's desk during the election.

*When Roslin "won" the rigged election results, Roslin received 24,265 votes, while Baltar recieved 22,266. This means that the elligible voters in the Fleet number at least 46,531. In the podcast, RDM explains that he quickly came up with these numbers, to try to reflect roughly how many survivors are below the voting age.

*Toward the end of the episode, President Baltar refers to a government body called the "People's Council". This may be the proportionally elected lower house mentioned by RDM in his [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/index.html#a000016 blog post] on January 30, 2005.

*[[Hera]] is seen on New Caprica in the same white cradle that Baltar had a vision of her being in "[[Scattered]]", etc. According to RDM's podcast it's actually the exact same cradle.

*Tyrol's union speech is an almost word for word quote of Mario Savio's address during the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in 1964. According to Ron Moore and David Eick in the podcast, they even got permission from Savio's widow to use it (even though, due to the way copyright laws work from back then, they could have just used it without permission, they felt they should get it). As a result, it's even listed in the credits: "Mario Savio speech excerpted courtesy of: Lynne Hollander Savio". Actor Aaron Douglas (Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]) actually studied film of Savio, so all of the hand gestures Tyrol makes when he gives the speech are gestures that Savio actually used.

*Baltar's portrait of himself does not have the 'cut corners' as seen in almost all other papers and photos in the show. Neither do the other framed pictures in the presidential office aboard Colonial One, nor the papers seen in the classroom on New Caprica.

*[[:Image:Wtfk1tn.jpg|Visible]] on the blackboard of Roslin's school are the French verbs ''aller'', ''avoir'', and ''etre''. The Colonials appear to just speak English, so this might be a goof by the set designers trying to make it look more like a generic school.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*"Well, this is an awkward moment…. Yes, he's right, I'm a Cylon. And I have a message. So…take me to your leader."
*:—The Caprica copy of '''Brother Cavil''' on being uncovered as a Cylon

*"Would you mind telling me what's going on? I'm not a frakking Cylon, I'm not…(''sees the other Cavil in the cell'')…oh. Well, okay then."
*:—The Galactica copy of '''Brother Cavil'''

*''On Caprica:''
::'''Anders:''' You got any great ideas in that military brain of yours?
::'''Starbuck:''' Do the same thing we always do; fight 'em 'till we can't.
:''The Cylons occupy New Caprica:''
::'''Tyrol:''' "What do you want to do now, Captain?"
::'''Starbuck:''' "The same thing we always do. Fight them until we can't."

== Official Statements ==

From the official site (http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/):
When Baltar wins the vote, Roslin considers stealing the election because she believes he is a Cylon collaborator.

RDM's blog ([http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/03/#a000409 March 28, 2006]) gives details. (''Due to article size requirements, the blog entry is not reproduced here.'')

=== Interviews ===

* '''[[Paul Campbell]] discussess his thoughts on the story post-"[[Sacrifice]]":'''

:'''MB/TSFW:''' So what do you think about the story after you left, and the trouble [[Mary McDonnell|Mary]]’s [[Laura Roslin|character]] got herself into? After your [[Tory Foster|replacement]] came in she kind of had a fall there. Do you think that would have happened if you were still there to watch her back?

: '''Paul:''' You know, I don’t know if they could have. [[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] had so much integrity, that under his watch, I don’t think that would have happened. And maybe he would have had to step down, and Mary would have gone about that route with someone else. But I don’t think if he would have been in the picture, that would have gone down. Because that’s some shady crap, and I don’t think it would have cut it. We obviously butted heads on a few things like that in the past. In particular when I ended up leaving her at the ship. As it turned out, I had another pilot to go shoot. As it turned out, it was more my schedule that didn’t work out, but it worked in the writing. But no, I don’t think that would have flown had I been in the picture. So I don’t know what they would have done. I’m sure that was the story line from the beginning, but how they would have worked me into it, I don’t really know. [http://mediablvd.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_article&id=84 MediaBlvd]

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Aaron Doral]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[imdb:nm0443286|David Kaye]] as [[James McManus]]
*[[Alisen Down]] as [[Jean Barolay]]
*[[imdb:nm0718759|Winston Rekert]] as Priest

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/220/ "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Anne Cofell Saunders]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Mark Verheiden]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

[[de:Legt eure Bürden nieder, Teil II]]

List of pilots

2006-07-06T00:21:15Z

Bochawa: /* Assignment Unknown */ Added Tough Guy and Carousel

[[Image:Final_Cut-Thin_Line_of_Blue.jpg|thumb|300px|Pilots and other enlisted in a recreation room on ''Galactica.'']]
From the episodes "[[Act of Contrition]]" through "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", ''Galactica's'' combat ability was severely limited by her manpower - more so than her shortage of mechanical resources. This list was created to keep track of ''Galactica's'' current and former Viper pilots, Raptor pilots, and ECOs, and now includes members of the crew of ''Pegasus'' as well.

==Active==

===''Galactica''===

====Vipers====
* Capt. [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] - [[CAG]].
* [[George Birch|George "Catman" Birch]] - briefly promoted from Lieutenant to Captain and CAG after [[Lee Adama]]'s defection. Current rank unknown ([[Home, Part I]]).
* Lt. [[Simes]] - senior pilot after Capt. [[Lee Adama]] and Lt. [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Fragged]]).
* [[Mueller (pilot)|Mueller]] - Described as a "malcontent" by [[William Adama]] ([[Home, Part I]]).
** ''The following callsigns have not been matched to names, so Simes and Mueller might be among their number.''
** "[[Joker]]" - Seen on whiteboard in "[[Act of Contrition]]" after the accident.
** "[[Stinger (Galactica)|Stinger]]" - Seen on whiteboard in "[[Act of Contrition]]" after the accident.
** "[[Hyper]]" - Seen on whiteboard in "[[Act of Contrition]]" after the accident.
** "[[Greenback]]" - Seen on whiteboard in "[[Act of Contrition]]" after the accident.
** "[[Spinner]]" - Flew in Strike Force One in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]].
** "[[Deadbolt]]" - Flew in Strike Force One in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]].
** "[[Buzzer]]" - Flew in Strike Force One in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]].
** "[[Kingston]]" - Sorties against two Cylon Raiders in "[[Final Cut]]."
** "[[Grayshirt]]" - Sorties against two Cylon Raiders in "[[Final Cut]]."
** "[[Snake]]" - flew as [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo's]] wingman in "[[Scar]]."
* Lt. [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
* Lt. J.G. [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]].
* Lt. J.G. [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]].

=====Pilot Count=====
As of the [[Miniseries]], Starbuck informs Cmdr. [[William Adama]] that "there are 20 of us climbing the walls down in the Ready Room". This is excluding the 20 members of Ripper's wing already sortied, and Apollo, on escort detail, and probably doesn't include ECOs. Also in the miniseries, three Mark VII Vipers are seen in formation inside ''[[Colonial One]]'s'' ragtag caravan before they rendezvous with ''Galactica''. These could have been left behind with the non-FTL capable ships, or could have been carried to [[Ragnar]] in other ships as was Apollo's Viper.

After the accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]," Capt. Adama states to Lt. Thrace that there are 21 pilots remaining, by which he probably refers only to the Viper pilots. It is difficult to imagine that Sergeant [[Hadrian]] made the same distinction when she referred to the 13 killed and 7 injured in the incident, since the most notable victim was actually a Raptor, not a Viper pilot. Of the 11 present for funeral services, at least one ([[Crashdown]]) and possibly two (unidentified #4?) are known to be ECOs. [[Racetrack]] and the fourth ECO are clearly not present. Another one ("Boomer" Valerii) and possibly two (unidentified #5 or #7?) are known to be Raptor pilots. This leaves 7 to 9 Viper pilots depicted in this scene. Adding the 7 injured pilots, we have a total of 14 to 16 Viper pilots accounted for, implying that 5 to 7 surviving and uninjured pilots are not present for some reason (perhaps on [[Combat Air Patrol]] or other duty).

Eight nuggets were then recruited to fill out the ranks, including [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]], [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] and [[Perry|Chuckles]], bringing the total to 29.
{| align="center"
| [[Image:Nuggetextra1.jpg|75px]] || [[Image:Nuggetextra2.jpg|75px]] || [[Image:Nuggetextra3.jpg|75px]] ||[[Image:Nuggetextra4.jpg|75px]] || [[Image:Nuggetextra5.jpg|35px]]
|-
| align="center" colspan="5" | Unidentified nuggets from "[[Act of Contrition]]." Pilot #3 ([[Stepchild]]) and one other were killed in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]."
|}
In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]," Starbuck is seen giving combat flight training to an expanded class of 14 [[nugget]]s. Although not specifically discussed in this episode, it can only assumed that they have enlisted 6 more candidates from the civilian Fleet, probably from the "next group" that, according to Apollo, had "never even been in a cockpit" at the time of "[[Act of Contrition]]." Later in this episode, a total of 19 Vipers and 2 Raptors are deployed. (Starbuck is inactive at this time due to her [[You Can't Go Home Again|knee injury]].) [[Fireball]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [[Stepchild]] and one unidentified pilot are killed in action, leaving ''Galactica'' with 31 Viper pilots. (According to scifi.com, three nuggets are killed and four Vipers destroyed in this episode, so we must assume that [[Stepchild]] and the unidentified death were among their number.)

In "[[Scattered]]," ''Galactica'' fields 18 Vipers. If no other pilots than [[Flyboy]] were killed in "[[Valley of Darkness]]," then with [[Joe Palladino]] in the brig, and with [[Louanne Katraine]] on medical leave, ''Galactica'' had at most 28 pilots available for duty by the end of the episode "[[Final Cut]]."

However, in the next episode, "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," 42 Vipers are sortied -- not only more pilots, but also more planes than ''Galactica'' should have actually available. The most reasonable conclusion is that this is simply an effects gaffe. But if this is taken literally as an increase in their ranks, then ''Galactica'' may have inducted more than 6 extra nuggets into the squadron since "[[Act of Contrition]]," and may be continuing to recruit despite Kat's assertion in "[[Final Cut]]" that "there are no replacements coming up."

After encountering fellow battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', ''Galactica'' finally received a number of transfers to fill her depleted ranks. It's unlikely that any ''Pegasus'' crewmen were actually deployed against their compatriots at the climax of the episode. So, with Kat reinstated to flight status, but minus Apollo and Starbuck (transferred to ''Pegasus''), ''Galactica'' can muster 27 Vipers against ''Pegasus''. However, only 15 of ''Galactica's'' Mk. II Vipers can be clearly seen as the episode ends.

As of the episode "[[Scar]]," the Fleet has begun training many new nugget pilots in earnest (with flight simulators aboard the more-advanced ''Pegasus''), and will obtain enough metal ore from asteroid mining to construct 2 entire squadrons of Vipers on ''Pegasus'' (this battlestar has Viper production facilities that ''Galactica'' does not). Following "Scar", it will be more difficult to determine the exact number of Viper pilots (by subtracting the dead from pre-existing numbers) because their numbers are decisively growing.

====Raptors====
* Lt. [[Emmitt Jones|Emmitt "Sweetness" Jones]]
* [[Jarrell Kier|Jarrell "Fuzzy" Kier]] [[Image:Final_Cut-Fuzzy.jpg|thumb|100px|"Fuzzy" Kier and his Raptor.]]

Others: ''Galactica'' is able to field six raptors simultaneously in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]." The crews of [[Raptor 1]] and [[Raptor 3]] are accounted for. [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] then pilots a raptor to the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] in orbit of [[Kobol]], while three raptors are sent to board ''[[Colonial One]].'' These three probably did not need ECOs, given the target's lack of defensive options, but they certainly required pilots.

Note: [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] is qualified to pilot a Raptor ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and may have piloted one of the boarding party in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]." This would (awkwardly) mean that he flew himself back to ''Galactica'' while under arrest.

====ECOs====
*Lt. JG. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*Lt. [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*Unidentified ECO of Raptor 1 in "[[Fragged]]." [[Image:Fraggedextra2.jpg|75px]]

Note: The survival of two specialist ECOs by the time of [[Fragged]] means Apollo's headcount of surviving pilots in "[[Act of Contrition]]" could not have included them.

====Others====

Present at funeral services in "[[Act of Contrition]]" are 11 pilots and ECOs, including Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Crashdown. The next ready room scene is in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]," and features 20 people in addition to Apollo. Still present from the previous episode are:
*[[Image:Contritionextra2.jpg|30px]]
*[[Image:Contritionextra6.jpg|30px]]
*[[Image:Contritionextra3.jpg|30px]] - Several possible matches?

Note: Cmdr. [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] flew a Viper Mk. II during the [[Cylon War]], and can also pilot a Raptor (as seen in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]"). Col. [[Saul Tigh]] was also a Viper pilot of the same vintage, but there is less to suggest he has retained any sort of flight status.

===Pegasus===
====Vipers====
* Capt. [[Marcia Case|Marcia "Showboat" Case]] - leads [[Red Squadron (RDM)]] during the [[Battle of the Binary Star System]] in [[The Captain's Hand]]
*"[[Whiplash]]" - Shows off his Viper's scorecard in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]" (Also mentioned in the ready room in that episode).
* "[[Thumper]]" - Mentioned in ''Pegasus'' ready room in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]."
* "[[Narcho]]" - in the dog fight tangling with [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] in "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]."
* "[[Catbird]]" - leads [[Green Squadron]] during the [[Battle of the Binary Star System]] in [[The Captain's Hand]].

====Raptors====
* Lt. [[Steve Fleer|Steve "Red Devil" Fleer]] - leader of Raptor SAR group in [[The Captain's Hand]]. (Note: This pilot wears a jacket with a Viper patch in the scene where Starbuck confronts the Pegasus pilots in TCH.)

===Assignment Unknown===
* Lt. [[Fei Firelli|Fei "Freaker" Firelli]] - credited in "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]," but not identified in dialogue.

==Inactive==

===''Galactica''===

====Vipers====
* Lt. [[Joe Palladino|Joe "Hammerhead" Palladino]] - In the [[brig]] for assaulting [[Saul Tigh]] as of "[[Final Cut]]".

===''Pegasus''===

====Vipers====
* Capt. [[Cole Taylor|Cole "Stinger" Taylor]] - in the [[brig]] for mouthing off at Commander [[Barry Garner]] as of [[The Captain's Hand]].

===Other===

====Raptors====
*[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)]] - currently incarcerated on ''[[Galactica]]'' (technically this Valerii was never a member of the Colonial Fleet, but she retains her knowledge of how to fly a Raptor).

==Deceased==

===Galactica===
Twelve (12) others - dead ([[Act of Contrition]])

====Vipers====
* Capt. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]] - KIA ([[Miniseries]], First sortie)
* Lt. [["Jolly" Anders]] - KIA [[Miniseries]] (First sortie)
* Eighteen (18) other Viper Mk. VII pilots - KIA ([[Miniseries]], First sortie)
* One Mk. II pilot - KIA ([[Miniseries]], Second sortie)
* Seven Mk. II pilots - KIA ([[Miniseries]], Third sortie)
* One Mk. VII pilot - KIA ([[Miniseries]], Third sortie)
* "[[Fireball]]" - KIA ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])
* Unidentified Viper pilot (a nugget) - KIA ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])
* Cadet "[[Stepchild]]" - KIA ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])
* Cadet [[Perry|"Chuckles" Perry]] - KIA ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])
* "[[Flyboy]]" - KIA ([[Valley of Darkness]])
* [[Reilly]] - KIA ([[Scar]])
* "[[Beano]]" - KIA ([[Scar]])
* Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]] - KIA ([[Scar]])
* Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]] - KIA ([[Scar]])

====Raptors====
* Lt. JG [[Dwight Saunders|Dwight "Flat Top" Saunders]] - Dead ([[Act of Contrition]])
* Unidentified pilot of [[Raptor 3]]. - KIA ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) [[Image:HoGextra2.jpg|75px]]
* "[[Karma]]" - KIA ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])
* Lt. JG [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii (Galactica Copy)]] - Dead ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])

====ECOs====
* Unidentified ECO of [[Raptor 3]]. May be the same person as Unidentified Uninjured Pilot #4 above. KIA ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) [[Image:HoGextra1.jpg|75px]]
* Lt. "[[Crashdown]]" - KIA ([[Fragged]])

===Pegasus===
====Raptors====
* Lt. [[Richard Bayer|Richard "Buster" Bayer]] - KIA [[The Captain's Hand]]
* Unidentified pilot of [[Raptor 314]] - KIA [[The Captain's Hand]]

====ECOs====
* [[Lyla Ellway|Lyla "Shark" Ellway]] - KIA [[The Captain's Hand]]
* Unidentified ECO of [[Raptor 314]] - KIA [[The Captain's Hand]]

===Assignment Unknown===
* [[Dipper (RDM)]] - KIA before "[[Scar]]"
* [[Sheppard]] - KIA before "[[Scar]]"
* [[Dash]] - KIA before "[[Scar]]"
* [[Puppet]] - KIA before "[[Scar]]"
* [[Tough Guy]], [[Raptor 612]] - KIA "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]"
* [[Carousel]], [[Raptor 612]] - KIA "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]"

==Status Unknown==

n.b. the majority of these are [[:Category:Mentioned-Only|mentioned-only]] characters or extras.

===Galactica===

====Vipers====
* [[Ice Cap]] - Seen on whiteboard in "[[33]]," but not after the accident in "Act of Contrition" (his slot is replaced by Crashdown)
* [[T-Bone]] - Part of Apollo's squadron in "[[33]]," [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#33|deleted scene]]. 13 unidentified pilots killed since.
* [[Wedge]] - Part of Apollo's squadron in "[[33]]," [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#33|deleted scene]]. 13 unidentified pilots killed since.
* [[Winger]] - Part of Apollo's squadron in "[[33]]," [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#33|deleted scene]]. 13 unidentified pilots killed since.
* [[Beehive]] - Apollo's wingman in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]." One unidentified Viper pilot killed since (a nugget).

====Raptors====
* [[Stubbs]] - A Raptor pilot in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]." One unidentified Raptor pilot killed since.

====Others====
Present at funeral services in "[[Act of Contrition]]" are 11 pilots and ECOs, including Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Crashdown. The next ready room scene is in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]," and features 20 people in addition to Apollo. Not present from the previous episode are:

*[[Image:Contritionextra1.jpg|30px]] - Not present at Apollo's briefing
*[[Image:Contritionextra4.jpg|30px]] - Not present at Apollo's briefing. May have been the unidentified ECO of [[Raptor 3]] ([[Image:HoGextra1.jpg|30px]]), KIA in [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]
*[[Image:Contritionextra5.jpg|30px]] - Not present at Apollo's briefing. May have been [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]"
*[[Image:Contritionextra7.jpg|30px]] - Not present at Apollo's briefing. May have been [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]"

In the intervening time, one unidentified Viper pilot, one unidentified Raptor pilot, and one unidentified ECO were killed.

[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Characters|*]] [[Category: RDM]]

Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques

2006-07-04T00:36:14Z

Bochawa: /* Timeline */ corrected spelling error

{{project|Official Communique's|image=BSG WIKI Official CrewCast.png|shortcut=BW:OC}}

Members of '''''Battlestar Wiki''''': This page is to coordinate all questions to any official members of the cast or crew of "[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]." Please sign your question after you are done. the "summary" of the question should be be first, if any, and then the questions, in short form, should be placed at the bottom. This is to not confuse people and to keep the quetions distictive.

Cast/Crew: These are questions we are seeking from you. If you have the time, please answer them as best you can. We will move these questions/answers to the correct page once they have been done. You can also check out ''[[:Category:Seeking Official Information]]'' for larger items - particularly pictures.

All questions which have been previouslly answerd can be found on the archive pages. Questions get moved here once items and questions seeming from the issue have stopped.
{{archive-header
| archivenumber = 01
| number = 1
| items = {{archive-item|01|Other concerns about interview text in "Final Cut"}} {{archive-item|01|3 Raptor pilot names}} {{archive-item|01|Tie-in Material}} {{archive-item|01|Helo Rank}} {{archive-item|01|Colonial One and One}} {{archive-item|01|Hadrian in "Valley of Darkness"}} {{archive-item|01|Scar}} {{archive-item|01|Rebirth Room}} {{archive-item|01|Restraints on Galactica-Sharon in "Downloaded"}} {{archive-item|01|"Radar" gaffe in "The Hand of God"?}} {{archive-item|01|Resurrection Ship|end=Y}}
|}}

<div style="margin: 0 2em; border: 1px dashed #461919; padding: 3px; text-align: center">
'''[{{SERVER}}{{localurl:Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques|action=edit&section=new}} Ask a new question by clicking here.]'''
</div>

__TOC__

----

==Squadron numbers==
How many Vipers are in a "squadron" in the terminology used by the Colonial Fleet? I ask because in "[[Scar]]" Roslin said they were getting enough metal ore to build "two squadrons" of Vipers. Is a squadron 10? 12? 20? If a squadron is 20, this would be a dramatic increase.

While I'm on the subject, we've ''speculated'' that based on this dialogue, [[Mercury class battlestar]]s have some sort of limited Viper production facilities but the exact nature of such facilities eludes us.--->Another problem has come up regarding information from ''Battlestar Galactica Magazine'': it's information isn't always quite accurate and when I asked Ron (via Mrs.Ron) on the messageboards, he said they aren't directly affiliated with the magazine in any way, so I don't know how this fits--> in issue #3, they say:

:"A Battlestar's air wing generally consists of six to eight squadrons (20 ships each)...20 Vipers also form a reserve unit to replace lost or damaged ships on an ad hoc basis. Each squadron is also supported by a single Raptor" (P.59)

Is this magazine information accurate? Are there 20 Vipers to a squadron? How many Vipers is Galactica capable of carrying (that is, during its prime when it was a new ship in the Cylon War, how many Vipers is it meant to support?): How many can a Mercury-class Battlestar like ''Pegasus'' hold? --->Based on these magazine numbers, there should only have been 6-8 at most Raptors on Galactica (during it's prime, so by the time of the Cylon attack probably less): In "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]" we see 20 Raptors jump to Caprica; Pegasus probably had an equal number of Raptors on board, but where did so many Raptors come from? Can Pegasus construct Raptors just like Vipers? Or (my explanation), are there just many refugee Raptors which escaped to Ragnar, because they've got their own FTL drives? I mean Boomer escaped all the way from Caprica to Ragnar, and Crashdown was stated as being a refugee from another ship, so presumably a few other Raptors made it out (well, that's our assumption. I still think its entirely plausible and not a stretch that there were 20 though). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 20:53, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

=="Skin Jobs"==
To ask the most fannish of fan questions (not so much a "question" shouting "wow!"), how was the decision made for Cylons to be referred to as "Skin Jobs" a la ''Blade Runner'' in "[[Downloaded]]"? What did everyone in the writer's room think? :) :) :) (My personal wish list includes that one day someone will refer to killing a Cylon as "retiring" them...hey, that might not work on the current series, but on the ''Caprica'' prequel when the Cylons worked for humans that kind of makes sense. Plus I hope "Number One" turns out to be Rutger Hauer...or Avery Brooks. Both good actors...)--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:08, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

:There was no real "decision" as such. We were writing [[Downloaded]]. [[Jean Barolay|Barolay]] and [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] were on the roof and we needed a quick way to categorize. We remembered the term from blade runner and put it in. The drafts went through the usual pathways of approval and nobody shot it down. So now there are skin jobs along with metal jobs, clankers, and bulletheads (that last is credited to [[Gary Hutzel]]). [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 21:24, 17 June 2006 (CDT)

==Cylon Homeworld==
I've listened to the Writer's room podcasts on Scifi.com so I understand that exact details about the [[Cylon homeworld]] are very much a work in progress (For all we know it's just a bunch of Tylium-rich asteroids lashed together), but I've got a question about its location which was brought up in season one: In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", the following exchange takes place between Apollo and Gaeta:

:Gaeta: "They'd build a refinery this far from their homeworld?"
:Apollo: "Why not? They need fuel out here just as much as we do"

Judging from this dialogue, do the Colonials actually know where the Cylon Homeworld is? Roughly speaking at least? I mean they may have never set foot on it or seen it, but do they have a general idea of where it is? If ''Galactica'' has fled into deep space, far from the Twelve Colonies, and while in this same deep space location Gaeta said that they were ''also'' very far away from the Cylon Homeworld, does this mean the Cylon Homeworld is relatively close to the Twelve Colonies? I would assume so; that when they left the Twelve Colonies at the end of the Cylon War they didn't travel half way across the galaxy, but went somewhere relatively near.

: We assume Armistice Station was built near a border that we promised not to cross as part of the cease-fire terms. Space is BIG. The Cylons vanished beyond these borders. Gaeta and Apollo are probably using Armistice Station as a house number for where that home world might be -- and that's a long way from where they are at the time of Hand of God. So either the Cylons have to truck their fuel all the way out, or they live off local resources they've found in this section of space they've guessed the resource-poor Colonials may try to exploit. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:32, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

While I'm on the subject, they said that in the region of deep space ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' had fled to by "[[Pegasus (episode)]]", they were out of "downloading" range from the Cylon Homeworld. In "[[Downloaded]]" they say that Cylons killed in the cafe will be reborn, and we also see that during the events of the Miniseries 9 months before, Caprica-Six was also reborn.--->Is the Cylon Homeworld close to the Twelve Colonies, and thus the Twelve Colonies are within downloading-range from it? That is, downloading worked fine on them and they didn't need the support of the [[Resurrection Ship]] to download while on Caprica?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:41, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

: The Cylons either built a downloading facility on Caprica or detailed one of their few Resurrection Ships to Colonial occupation duties. By "Pegasus," Galactica's a long way from both. Downloading is very touchy (and highly classified technology). [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:32, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

==Galactica Chain of Command==
in "[[Scattered]]", Commander Adama is shot so his XO Colonel Tigh takes command, while Captain [[Aaron Kelly]] then becomes his acting XO. Is Captain Kelly ''normally'' third-in-command of ''Galactica'' (well, before the many promotions and shifting assignments in Season 2.5 post-"Pegasus")? Or is Apollo normally third in command, but because he was arrested for mutiny, he was removed from the normal succession?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 22:11, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

=="Caprica-Six"==
In "[[Downloaded]]", the Number Six that seduced Baltar is in-story referred to as "[[Caprica-Six]]" (as the Cylons didn't really have "celebrity" individuals before and simply no ''need'' to destinguish individuals before her, they say it's sort of an ad hoc name).---->There's an online fan convention which sort of developed over time for differentiating Cylon copies: ''Galactica''-Sharon, Caprica-Sharon, Caprica-Six, ''Pegasus''-Six, etc. (I've searched around and this is a true gestalt: no one person or website created this, but it simultaneously aggregated on many sites at the same time, to the point that by Season 2 it had simply become the common way to tell them apart: i.e. on the official messageboards we routinely call them "''Galactica''-Sharon" and "Caprica-Sharon"). --->Was naming the Caprica-based copy of Number Six "Caprica-Six" a referrence to this fan naming convention which developed? I thought it might be because that joke is included where Number Three points this out and says "They call you "Caprica-Six"...as if your the only Six on the planet!"....which I thought might be a little jest at the fans, because to be honest we'd seen in "[[Colonial Day]]" etc. that there were many other copies of Number Eight/Sharon Valerri on Caprica, but still called the one with Helo "Caprica-Sharon"...when she was only one of many on the planet. (As you can see on [http://www.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Talk:Number_Eight#Disambig.3F this section] we were already discussing the "Location-Name" identification nomenclature when I (using my old screename, Ricimer) made up this hi-larious send up of the whole thing, in which I already refer to her as "Caprica-Six" in November of last year). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 23:41, 14 June 2006 (CDT)
: Caprica Six was named by the writers, either in the room, on the page, or in rewrites. I'm not sure when that appeared , but my best guess is that it was Ron. I doubt that it was because of the boards. We certainly weren't conversant with them when we wrote the show. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 21:31, 17 June 2006 (CDT)

== Tom Zarek / Ellen Tigh involvement ==
"[[Colonial Day]]" made it very clear that Ellen Tigh furnished Zarek with the information he needed to have [[Valance]] killed, and later intended her husband to meet with his agents afterward. Why was this plot thread dropped, after making such a big deal of it in the episode? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:09, 18 June 2006 (CDT)

:Zarek also stated that he had no connection with the death of Valance. And though we're not privvy to all of Tigh's bedroom conversations, we might assume that Ellen's machinations failed to gain her husband's co-operation. After all, she couldn't even get him to shake hands with the ex-terrorist. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:40, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

::There are many plausible in-continuity explanations for why this wasn't followed up - I was more interested in what was going on in the writer's room, and if you all had plans to pursue this thread before the course of season 2 was settled upon. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 15:14, 20 June 2006 (CDT)

:::Peter - There were many arguments pro and con as to where this would go. But events passed us by and we haven't returned to it. Sometimes we plant seeds without knowing whether they'll sprout. Like Boxey - who was written into several early episodes, then left on the cutting room floor because of time constraints. Giving Baltar a nuke was one of those seeds, and throughout the first two seasons we constantly wondered what he'd do with the thing. There were some pretty whacky ideas. But having it in our back pocket was really useful when "Lay Your Burdens Down" came up. It's part of the fun of writing the show - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 21:01, 20 June 2006 (CDT)

::::Thanks. Your clarification will be helpful for closing out that line of speculation on Ellen's article. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 03:57, 21 June 2006 (CDT)

::::::That isn't to say that WE have closed it out. :) - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 16:50, 21 June 2006 (CDT)

== Resources ==
To what extent does the writing staff keep track of the fleet's limited resources? Ronald Moore has identified the disregard that ''Star Trek: Voyager'' showed to resource issues to be one of his pet peeves with the series, and I'm curious to what extent the BSG staff try to address this. Notably,

*Although survivor count figures throughout both seasons are broadly consistant, the off-screen casualties sustained in several second-season combat situations seems suspiciously small. The opening credit survivor count reveals that 11 people are killed offscreen during the boarding action in "[[Valley of Darkness]]", 4 in the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], and none during "[[The Captain's Hand]]".

::Two ways to look at this: 1) The casualties aren't updated on Laura's board in as timely a fashion as she'd like (so they were factored in later). OR 2) We screwed up. The staff (post, writing, and art) took a hard look at that question at the end of season 2 and then again at the beginning of season 3 to come up with a reasonable number... [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:59, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

*The size of the Fleet changes from 40 FTL capable ships in the miniseries to (apparently) around 75 during the second season.

::My best information is that there were 57 ships listed on the board for the election that Laura tried to steal. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:59, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

*''Galactica'' is able to deploy six Raptors simultaneously in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", during which only two are destroyed. Oddly, in "[[Fragged]]", which seems to take place late in the same day, Lee Adama orders a raptor scrapped for parts to make up a two-ship rescue party, then a few days later in "[[Resistance]]", Tigh is able to have five raptors standing by to board ships protesting his policies.

::As is usual in Fleet Air operations, the availability of operational aircraft is affected by scheduled maintenance, exceeded TBO's (Time Between Overhauls), pilot squawks, parts on hand (or due to be fabricated), glitches, etc. These headaches are why Tyrol looks frazzled a lot of the time. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:59, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

Do you keep informal track of statistics such as crew totals and raptors/vipers on hand? Is there a list of pilot and ship names to avoid verbally identifying more people or craft than are supposed to exist? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:39, 18 June 2006 (CDT)

::The list does exist, but it reflects only one moment in the history of Galactica. With so few people and so much to do in a fleet under seige, accountants and future historians get the short end of the priority stick. It's been one of the President's complaints for over a year. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 19:59, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

==Timeline==
The [[season two timeline discontinuity]] left us all a bit baffled. Can you help clarify matters? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 00:40, 18 June 2006 (CDT)
::This one gives me a headache. We were advised by post-production that we may have goofed in the timeline. There were large pow-wows between writers and post trying to sort this out. If memory serves (and it is highly suspect), the issue was a chyron that was subsequently changed -- or not changed -- for the DVD release of Season 2.5. But don't hold me to that. These discussions went on for days and I'm not anxious to revisit them. I do know that what we came up with made sense at the time. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 20:05, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

:::Those are actually two separate things: yes, there was a mistake in post for "Downloaded": the card at the beginning says "10 weeks ago", which would have been impossible. The messageboards were in an uproar, and apparently, Joe (owner of BattlestarWiki) e-mailed the post production office and showed them our [[Timeline (RDM)|Timeline]] article, showing how it was a clear mix up in post: They sent us an e-mail ''back'' saying that it would be fixed in the Season 2.5 DVD and all subsequent international airings: Fans in the UK have confirmed to us that when "Downloaded" premiered in the UK, the sign was changed to "10 weeks ''later''".----->However, what we've dubbed the "season 2.5 timeline discontinuity" is different from that, but I think it's more something we're waiting for Ron to explain in his Scifi.com blog. --->Basically, there was a jump in time of about 2-3 months between "Pegasus" and "Res Ship I", which we've been trying to explain but can't: All dates ''within'' season 2.5 are consistent with each other, but not with the earlier half of season 2. That is, we worked out that "Pegasus" must take place around three months post-attack, but then in "Res Ship I" Admiral Cain said "Six month" had passed since the attack: at first we thought it was a random dialogue error, at first, but then the rest of Season 2.5 consistently used this, i.e. in "Downloaded" [[Hera]] is born 9 months after the Cylon attack (one month premature, as she was conceived on Day 24). The reason we encountered the "season 2 timeline discontinuity" is that there are a few things that are not really reconcilable, which are:
::::A) Caprica-Sharon is not visibly pregnant in "Pegasus" while wearing a tight tank top, but by "Epiphanies" (at most, two weeks later) she is visibly into her second trimester. Her "Pegasus" appearance fits our initial "three months" dating, while her "Epiphanies" appearance appears to have fast fowarded three months.
::::B) The Presidential elections are stated to take place Nine months after the Cylon attack, however in "[[Bastille Day]]" Apollo said they'd take place in Seven months, and one month later in "[[Colonial Day]]" they said they would take place in Six month (so season 1 consistently says they're 7 months post-attack). ***Ron himself actually says in the LDYB I podcast, "we said in "Bastille Day" that elections were due in Nine months", so we think not even Ron noticed this.
::::C) The last point is a bit complicated, but follows our detailed Timeline: the last firm date we got from the Helo-on-Caprica ticker was that season 2 begins Two months after the attack. Scattered through Fragged span a day or two, then Resistance (ground team wasn't on Kobol very long). In "Resistance", Cally killed ''Galactica''-Sharon and was sent to the brig for 30 days as a result. Cally gets out in "Flight of the Phoenix". --->Colonel Tigh was in command of ''Galatica'' for less than two weeks, more probably one, a command which ended in "Resistance" when Adama returned. Anyway, in FotP Roslin is told she has one month at the ''most'' to live. That means at most one month passes between this scene and "Epiphanies", when she's dying. --->It is stated that "weeks" pass during FotP while Tyrol builds the Blackbird, and this is actually the episode which includes the longest amount of time from beginning to end; we assumed it took maybe 2, but it could have taken many weeks. In any event, we figured out that Flight of the Phoenix ''starts'' about two and a half months after the attack, a lot of time passes during the episode, and by the ''end'', Roslin has one month to live. "Epiphanies" states it took place Six months post-attack, subtracting one month for Roslin life expectancy, the end of Flight of the Phoenix would have to be at Five months poast attack....which would mean that during the episode, 2 months pass while Tyrol builds the Blackbird (which would be a lot given that all of season 1 lasted just two months).
:::Actually, Tyrol could conceivably have spent that long building the Blackbird, Caprica-Sharon's gestation could have just been really fast because she's a Cylon, and some Canadian viewers have pointed out to us that when an election "is called" in a Parliamentary system isn't the same as when the actual voting is held, and that in like Canada and the UK 2 months can pass after an eleciton "starts" and the voting, which could explain all of this (although Ron states in the podcast that as he remembers it, Bastille Day actually just said "Nine").------->We actually don't want to split hairs and be the Comic Book Guy pointing out how in a Xena episode, in one frame she's riding a winged Andalusian horse, while in the next shot she's riding a winged Arabian, and surely we must demand explanation: (this is from a Simpsons episode guest starring Lucy Lawless in which she appears as herself at a convention, and her answer is: "Every time something like that happens, a wizard did it. Wizard!" We've had a hard time keeping track of things ourselves and we appreciate everything the production team is doing on BSG....we take hours upon hours away from friends and family to update this dang encyclopedia (nay, we are compelled)! --->We just want to know what to do in our [[Timeline (RDM)|Timeline]]. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:17, 19 June 2006 (CDT)

::::Unfortunately, you're going to be forced to the conclusion that wizards did it. At least for now. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 21:05, 20 June 2006 (CDT)

==Centurion armor==

In "[[Valley of Darkness]]", the boarding-party Centurions can only be destroyed with exploding rounds, but in every episode before or after that (like Home, Part I) we've seen them destroyed with regular bullets--->Do different Centurions have heavier armor than others? I mean it would be logical that a boarding-party Centurion would be expected to see heavy combat, and would thus have more armor. (If you check the "Home, Part I" podcast, Ron and Dave seem to mention that there was a lot of discussion about this point in the writers room). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:21, 19 June 2006 (CDT)
:The Centurion in "Downloaded" was also immune to normal ammunition, Anders shot it for a long time, but only the bomb seems to have worked on it. It's probable that the Centurions we've otherwise seen (the ones harassing Helo) were given weaker armor for the purpose of the experiment, while the typical armor is the strong variety. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 22:09, 17 June 2006 (CDT)
:::Centurions are constantly being upgraded - new ones come out with better armor, quieter servos, better battle software. Some are designed for different uses (the ones designed for submarine use have REALLY heavy armor but are exceptionally slow, and have reduced ammunition carrying capacity.) Not to mention that the Colonials have remarkably bright backyard engineers -- they've been hot-loading our small-arms rounds, coming up with better armor-piercing projectiles -- it's the constant ebb-and-flow of wartime technology. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 21:13, 20 June 2006 (CDT)

==Guns nomenclature==
(BTW, thank you for taking the time to read all of these.): A matter which has come up is what to refer to the guns in BSG as. That is, on Star Trek we'd have an article title "Phasers", and have subsectios talking about ship-mounted phasers and various models of hand phasers. On BSG, are the ship-mounted guns railguns, officially? Do Cylon Basestars have gun batteries like Battlestars? In our own analysis, we thought they didn't (except for missiles) and that while both Battlestars and Basestars are Carrier/Battleship hybrids, a Battlestar is more battleship than a basestar and a basestar leans more towards carrier: that they rely on sheer weight of numbers and hundreds upon hundreds of Raiders, at the expense of having no room left over for railgun batteries (so if you lure the hundreds of Raiders away, they're at a disadvantage to Battlestars, as in the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]]). ---->Meanwhile, like I said in Trek we'd have an article for "hand phasers", but on BSG we've just got "guns". And for Vipers, what do Vipers have? ---->My point is, we've been using the term "[[Kinetic Energy Weapon]]s" for the name of an article on all of this, but we're not sure if this is in anyway what the show itself uses. This many seem like a minor point, I know, but after we started using "KEW", simply as a term of convenience on the Viper articles and such...other fansites and messageboards I've seen read ''BattlestarWiki'' and I think they assume it's an official term. So if this is not what people in the BSGverse refer to their guns as, I think I should add a disclaimer or something (just like "Note: KEW is not an official term"). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:35, 21 June 2006 (CDT)
:In short, is "[[KEW]]" a correct termology of the "guns" of Battlestar(s)? --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 21:39, 21 June 2006 (CDT)
::[Spock]I believe that is what I said, Mr. Shane [/Spock]--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:52, 21 June 2006 (CDT)
::Just a simple explain. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 22:17, 21 June 2006 (CDT)
::::During rewrites of Epiphanes, we ran into this same question, at least in terms of Viper ordnance. The writing staff originally proposed chemically propelled projectiles (easier to sabotage) but Gary Hutzel protested. He preferred rail guns, and that's what we adopted, but nobody's said it on screen. Which means there is no canon on our cannons yet ;) [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 18:23, 22 June 2006 (CDT)
:::::The plot thinkens. --[[User:Shane|Shane]] ([[User_Talk:Shane|T]] - [[Special:Contributions/Shane|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/Shane|E]]) 18:25, 22 June 2006 (CDT)
::::::The visual evidence on Epiphanies seems to suggest chemically propelled projectiles. However, since railguns are still a form of KEW, do the production staff ever refer to them as KEW? We are trying to verify if the term [[Kinetic Energy Weapon]] is an "official" term. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 18:50, 22 June 2006 (CDT)
:::::::I'm pretty sure it's just something one of us came up with. It's been proposed that we go to a more generic "Weapons" over on the talk page of that article. It's not like we have an article for each different "kind" of weapon at this point.--[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 07:46, 23 June 2006 (CDT)
:::::::The broken cartridge (with what appeared to be gunpowder spilling out) did seem to point to chemical propulsion. And not even caseless (as had been proposed during the [[miniseries]]). Oh well. As long as something comes out whenever they pull the trigger, I suppose. The (rail gun/Gary Hutzel discussion) is an awesome piece of trivia! --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 07:50, 23 June 2006 (CDT)

"Kinetic Energy Weapon" and "KEW" are terms I first saw used by the US Air Force in a book called MILITARY SPACE FORCES commissioned by the US Congress and published in 1989. As to its "official" nature on Galactica, I'm sure they'd use the term where appropriate, just as they use the terms "nuclear weapon" or "noodle."
The Rail guns aboard the Vipers fire a mix of tracer/incendiary, armor piercing and explosive rounds, in various ratios depending upon mission requirements, so not all their projectiles are strictly kinetic. - And the powder in the degraded projectile might have been chemical explosive used in the HE rounds. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 16:14, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

==Human sacrifice==
I've been wondering about this for some time: in "[[Valley of Darkness]]", Number Six shows Baltar a pile of old human skulls on the surface of [[Kobol]], and tells him that human sacrifices used to be performed on Kobol, and the [[Sacred Scrolls]] are really just a bunch of lies to cover up the brutality of humanity's past. --->Should this scene be taken at face value? That is, did this entire scene "actually" happen, were there actually skulls there, or did all of this occurr as a Number Six induced manipulation inside of Baltar's head, to manipulate him and turn him more and more against humanity? --->Or (of course), is this one of those "we intentionally wanted the audience to be confused as to whether that scene was "real" or not, and it's still an open question with no answer" things? ---->Or, another possibility, were the skulls themselves there, but Number Six was just lying about them? I mean just by looking at them (assuming they were actually real) Baltar couldn't confirm Number Six's statements that they were the result of human sacrifice rituals: they could have been just bones lying around from some old war or cataclysm. (We don't need a definative answer given away, we just need to know if this was intentionally open to interpretation)...was what Number Six saying meant to be actually true, or is there the *possibilty* that she was lying about the skeletons Baltar found and it's open to audience interpretation?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 21:50, 21 June 2006 (CDT)
:::The question at the bottom of this is: "Who is Six?" In such cases, I'm not going to embellish what Ron & David have put on the screen. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 18:39, 22 June 2006 (CDT)

== No HUD's in Vipers? ==

I've noticed that the Colonial Vipers don't seem to be equipped with any type of Heads-Up Display (HUD) or any such device. I was wondering if this was a design feature of the Vipers or if it was born simply as a way to reduce the number of VFX elements in a cockpit shot. Also, without a HUD, is there some other form of gunsight in the pilot's line of sight? --[[User:Thetruthseeker|Thetruthseeker]] 15:55, 24 June 2006 (CDT)
:Actually, if you look really hard at screenshots from "The Hand of God", etc., they do seem to have HUD's, although they haven't been prominently displayed on the show.--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 20:02, 24 June 2006 (CDT)
::What appears to be a HUD in screencaps of "The Hand of God" seems to actually be reflection of the Viper's central display on the cockpit window. It's most evident in the first pov cockpit shot on this page, where there are several upside down DRADIS screens.[http://galactica.emedian.net/es1.10.7.html] --[[User:Thetruthseeker|Thetruthseeker]] 13:34, 25 June 2006 (CDT)

:::No HUDS in the Vipers. We haven't put gunsights in them, either. I'm not sure what the design reasons were for these decisions, but I'm guessing that it came down to VFX money that was better spent elsewhere. Our pilots simply have to be that much better. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 16:01, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

== FTL and the cylons ==

What is the range of Galactica's FTL engines? I have read some were that it is 30 light years. If this si true then it means that the fleet would have jumped around 7500 light years due to all the jumps they made in '33'. So were in the galaxy are they?

Also in the show the Cylons are divided into two types. Skin jobs and Centurions. The thing is that the Cylons say that they are better than humans but they are making the same mistake the colonies made made. I say this because Ron Moore has said that the Centurions are not sentient and so are treated as expanderble, like the first cylons were treated by the Colonies. So will we ever see the Centurions rise up against there flesh and blood counter parts. {{unsigned|Viper1982}}

*I have always speculated (pure speculation) that there is NO "range" on FTL engines ''in theory''...but there is an "effective" range of ''practicality'': That is, based on Admiral Cain's order for a [[blind jump]] and the way they talk more about "plotting coordinates at such a distance" (as Ragnar) than engine range, I always ''assumed'' that an FTL Jump can take you ''anywhere'' in the universe, but "it ain't like dusting crops", and if you just go without safe coordinates, you could easily wind up in a star or planet, so it's too unsafe to use. The Cylons have better computers than the Colonials, and thus are able to plot safe jumps along longer distances in their Nav computers, that's why they can jump back to Caprica relatively easily compared to the Colonials. Theoretically (This is my longstanding *assumption*, is it correct?) Galactica could Jump across the entire galaxy...it's just so unsafe without good coordinates and the odds of winding up in a star or something so big that it's deemed not worth it. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 20:07, 24 June 2006 (CDT)

:*I agree, there's also the question of how much fuel is invested in each FTL jump, which would also prove as a limiting factor. And if Tylium is as rare as they said it was, then they must have some form of calculating how to spend it best. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 22:05 24 June 2006 (CDT)

== Sleeper Agents ==

I have been updating an article on the Miniseries [[Battlestar Galactica (2005 Novel) | novelization]]. The novelization gives a lot of extra info about Aaron Doral, making a big point that he is a sleeper agent. Was this from official sources or artistic license by the author? The main point is that his realization (unlike Boomer's) that he was a Cylon was easy. Also, if true, might imply that Brother Cavil from Galactica might be a sleeper agent? Thanks. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 11:56, 26 June 2006 (CDT)

::Writing a novelization involves fleshing out much of what the original presentation only hints at. To my knowledge, the extra information was not gleaned from any of the documentation/bibles used on the series. How "official" that makes it is an open question. If we don't address it in the show, then everyone's entitled to their own theory. - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 15:55, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

:::Was Galactica's Brother Cavil a sleeper agent, or was it never considered or discussed? Thanks, --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 17:05, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

::::We discuss a lot of stuff, but if it doesn't show up on screen, it's as if it never happened. That philosophy leaves us open to more possibilities. Was Cavil a sleeper? Until we find a story where that matters, we won't define it -- and leave you wondering. [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 15:27, 29 June 2006 (CDT)

==Red Line==

What is the definition of the "[[Red Line]]"? As you can see on the [[Talk:Red Line|discussion page]] for Red Line, there has been some confusion over if it means "the maximum safe distance a Colonial ship can Jump" or "the imaginary line separating explored for unexplored space". --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 19:31, 27 June 2006 (CDT)

::As originally defined, the Red Line is the distance beyond which Jump calculations have an unacceptable uncertaintly factor. I'm sure Kevin Grazier (our Tech guy at JPL) could put it more accurately, but the calculations involved at that distance involve so many variables that we're not always sure where we'll end up -- such as in the center of a star, for example. We've been using five light years as a rule of thumb, but the actual capabilities of Colonial jump calculation computers are classified. The Cylons, however, are considerably better at making those calculations - [[User:Ngarenn|Ngarenn]] 15:47, 28 June 2006 (CDT)

== Galactica's Armor Skin ==

Just to clarify more than anything - and mainly so that people can stop arguing about it. Did the Galactica always have such a patchy armour skin, or before the days of decommissioning, was it more like Pegasus in terms of looks? Here's an image as an example, just in case ;) [http://kai.robinson.free.fr/dropbox/galactica_freshrender.jpg] --[[User:Fordsierra4x4|Fordsierra4x4]] 18:56, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
:I asked [[Eric Chu]] about this on the MediaBlvd messageboards, and he said the ribs were supposed to be there, so only a missle coming from a perfect 90 degree angle would connect. Of course, I think that might have just been ''his'' opinion. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 19:06, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
::It makes sense for there to be SOME ribs, but the ventral plating (there i go, using trek terms again...) looks....oddly laid out. As though half of it has been stripped off. Look at an image of Pegasus for comparison. I know they're different classes and all, but it just seems....wrong...somethow, for the galactica to be so oddly patchy. --[[User:Fordsierra4x4|Fordsierra4x4]] 19:09, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
:::To be annoyingly particular, "ventral plating" is just a phrase composed of two normal words in their normal meanings, so it is not peculiar to Star Trek. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]]) 19:37, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
::::Troo dat, but it sounds like it's lifted straight out of an episode of DS9 :D --[[User:Fordsierra4x4|Fordsierra4x4]] 19:45, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
:::::(You mean dorsal plating (top); ventral plating means on the bottom). --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 20:11, 29 June 2006 (CDT)
::::::It's 2:38am - not work brain! --[[User:Fordsierra4x4|Fordsierra4x4]] 20:33, 29 June 2006 (CDT)

==SkyOne Biography Canonicity==

We've been debating the status of some information from SkyOne for some time now: Around the Miniseries, biographies for several main characters were posted on SkyOne's website. You can wee one at the bottom of the [[William Adama]] article, as well as for [[Kara Thrace]], [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Galactica-Sharon]], etc. ----->This information was taken down from SkyOne's website over a year ago. To our knowledge, BattlestarWiki is actually the only site keeping this info posted. We didn't know if it reflected [[Series bible]] things, or even if it did, if these still "counted" any more. You see I've made little notes on the bottom of each pointing out that they're not consistent with how the show turned out. For example, Galactica-Sharon's bio says she was on Galactica a different period of time, that Troy blew up recently not years ago, etc. Bits and pieces of other things are also kind of weird, and the only source for some things, i.e. Starbuck's mother's name, which honestly I don't think is official anymore. The SkyOne bios even say that Starbuck a Picon and Baltar a Sagitarron, while we had assumed both were from Caprica. --->Long story short we're debating whether to delete these from BattlestarWiki entirely, and base nothing we have on information from them, because A) The information was ''taken down'', probably because it wasn't "right" anymore, B) It actually contradicts things from aired episodes, throwing dubious light onto their status. So we wanted to know if this information from SkyOne's website, no longer extant, is invalidated. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 16:48, 3 July 2006 (CDT)

Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II

2006-06-24T16:17:28Z

Bochawa: /* Notes */

{{Episode Data|
Image = [[Image:Baltarlaydownburdensii.jpg|300px]]
| Title= Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II
| Series= [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|The Re-imagined Series]]
| Season= [[Season 2 (2005-06)|2]]
| Episode= 20
| Guests= [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]] [[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]] [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
| Writer=[[Anne Cofell Saunders]] [[Mark Verheiden]]
| Story=
| Director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| Production=
| Rating=1.9
| US Airdate= March 10, 2006
| UK Airdate= May 16, 2006
| DVD=
| Population= 49,550
| Prev= [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]
| Next= [[Episode 3.1]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''Everything turns on its head as the survivors vote for a new president -- and vote for their fate.''

== Summary ==

===On Caprica===

*[[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]], the [[marines]], and the [[Caprica Resistance]] continue to take fire from [[Cylon Centurion]]s and their artillery. They make their way up a hill, and hold their position.
*The Cylons hold fire, and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] remarks that the Cylons will attempt to capture them with non-lethal weapons, such as gas.
*Eighteen hours later, they emerge to find that the Cylons have disappeared. [[Cavil]] -- who suddenly appears behind them -- announces that the Cylons have left the Twelve Colonies and that humanity is spared.

===In the Fleet===

*[[Cally]] is cleared for duty by [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], despite having her jaw wired shut. [[Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] visits her, apologizing for the attack. Cally forgives him, saying that she's always cared for him.

*[[Gaius Baltar|Dr. Baltar]] continues to gain in the polls. On ''[[Colonial One]]'', [[Tory_Foster|Tory]] mentions an alternative victory plan. [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] later calls a private meeting with Dr. Baltar, asking to deliver a joint statement of [[Wikipedia:Table (verb)|tabling]] the issue of colonization until after the election. Baltar rejects the idea.

*Roslin, fearing that she has indeed lost the presidential race, confronts [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] on whether he was with a copy of [[Number Six]] on Caprica before the Cylon attack. Baltar avoids answering the question and states that he may have [[Epiphanies|saved her life]], but he will not save her political life.

*[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] returns to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' with the resistance fighters, much to the delight of Admiral [[William Adama]]. She mentions the Cylon retreat from Caprica as Brother Cavil, leaving the Raptor, confirms it. He also says he has a message, but is attacked by Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], who declares a "[[Code blue]]," claiming Cavil is a Cylon. Incensed that Caprica-Valerii did not reveal Cavil's true nature earlier, Admiral Adama orders both Caprica-Valerii and the second Cavil to the brig.

*The ''Galactica''-based Cavil (from last episode) is brought to the brig, claiming he's not a Cylon, but changes his tune upon seeing his "brother", as he calls him. Caprica-Cavil then talks about the fact that the “war heroes” ([[Caprica Six]] & [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]) have convinced their kind that the attack of the colonies and the pursuit of the fleet were mistakes. Caprica-Cavil's mission was to relay the message that man and Cylon will go their separate ways. Both Roslin and Admiral Adama are less than trusting regarding the message.

*In the brig, Caprica-Valerii is completely disillusioned and nihilistic, declaring that since her [[Hera|child's]] death, nothing -- not Adama's trust or [[Helo]]'s -- matters to her. A frustrated Helo insists that he's not giving up on her, but she seems disinclined to listen.

*Thrace and [[Anders]] are getting extremely drunk when Apollo comes in to welcome them back. Starbuck makes a snide remark about Apollo and Dualla and goes back to drunkenly making out with Anders. Apollo, clearly upset with Starbuck, leaves without saying much.

*Election Day has arrived and Baltar has an apparent five thousand-vote lead over Roslin with only a few ships left to tally. On ''Colonial One'', Foster activates her alternative victory plan with a call to ''Galactica.''

*Amazingly, Roslin initially appears to have retained the presidency. While most are celebrating, Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]] discovers fraudulent actions in the vote, and informs the Admiral that Col. Tigh (who acts suspiciously when questioned by Gaeta) may be involved in a conspiracy to throw the election.

*Admiral Adama confronts Roslin regarding the conspiracy, saying that Tigh has confessed to rigging the vote. Roslin admits her involvement and Adama is disappointed. The Admiral indicates that, for good or bad, the people's vote must take precedence. Adama secretly buries the conspiracy itself while announcing the startling change in events to Dr. Baltar.

*Initially Baltar vows to have a full investigation on the vote count, but after Adama suggests that Baltar take his victory and leave matters be, Baltar relents and informs Adama that he can be quite generous in victory. President-elect Baltar then orders a course for “[[New Caprica]].”

*Baltar and Gina consummate their relationship after Gina informs Baltar that she would not be part of the colonization.

*[[Gaius Baltar]] is sworn in as the new President of the Twelve Colonies, and orders the immediate colonization of New Caprica.

*Gina activates the nuclear warhead [[Sacrifice|given to her by Baltar]] aboard ''[[Cloud 9]]''. The nuclear blast destroys ''Cloud 9'' and at least three other ships. Admiral Adama warns that this may be a Cylon attack, but President Baltar ignores him and presses forward with colonization.

===One Year Later===
[[image:burdens2.jpg|Thrace and Cottle on New Caprica.|thumb]]
*President Baltar's administration appears to be corrupt, lax, and unresponsive. [[Felix Gaeta|Mr. Gaeta]], now the President's aide, reports issues with a worker's union. Baltar is upset, saying there have been no Cylon attacks but the people still complain. He has regressed, turning to alcohol, medication, and womanizing.

*Admiral Adama, now sporting a mustache, is walking around the near-empty ''Galactica'', which is quickly falling into disrepair. Over half of the crew have moved down onto the planet, leaving the ship so short on crew that they barely have enough pilots to fly training missions, much less form up [[Combat Air Patrol]]s. Adama asks Tigh to retire from duty to join his [[Ellen Tigh|wife]] on the planet. Tigh reluctantly agrees.

*[[Samuel Anders|Anders]], now Thrace's husband, has pneumonia. Dr. Cottle is unable to treat Anders because there are no antibiotics available. He can only advise Thrace to make sure Anders gets enough rest in order to recover.

*Thrace runs into the Tighs as [[Tyrol]], now a union boss, is making a speech to begin a strike, with a very pregnant Cally by his side. Col. Tigh mentions to Thrace that ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' keeps a store of backup medical supplies and that Commander [[Lee Adama]] might spring some for her. Thrace disagrees, which prompts Tigh to state that Lee Adama should be over her harsh neglect of Adama's friendship after Ander's arrival a year before.

*Roslin returns to her teaching roots, teaching the settlement's children, and manages to find enjoyment in her new position. [[Maya]] is with her, as is the now one year-old "[[Hera|Isis]]".

*Thrace calls Commander Lee Adama aboard ''Pegasus'' to request the antibiotics. [[Dualla]], ostensibly the ''Pegasus'' [[XO]], notices something on [[DRADIS]], to her horror.

*A massive fleet of [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s arrive in orbit around New Caprica. The Adamas discuss what to do in response, with Lee initially advocating that the remains of the orbiting Fleet to [[FTL|escape]]. Admiral Adama initially resists, but orders the Jump, vowing that they will return.

*A [[Leoben Conoy]]-model [[Cylon agent]] shows up at Thrace and Anders' tent, where he asks an ailing Anders about where to find Thrace.

*Mr. Gaeta informs the President of the Cylon approach. Later, before his assembled staff, copies of Numbers [[Number Five|5]], [[Number Eight|8]], and [[Number Six|6]] approach the President. The Cylons declare that as long as there’s no resistance, no harm will come. President Baltar, after learning that the Cylons discovered New Caprica because of the nuclear explosion set off by Gina, declares surrender on behalf of the colonists. As Cylon armies occupy the planet, Thrace vows to resist.

== Questions ==

*Who is Baltar's vice president?

*Is Gaeta Baltar's assistant or his Vice President?
:Based on Ron Moore's comment (see the spoiler text), it is probable that Gaeta is merely an assistant.

*What of [[Tom Zarek]]?

{{spoiltext|According to RDM's blog, Tom Zarek was initially the Vice President but he had a falling out with Baltar over the regime.}}

*Has Gaeta's view of Baltar changed since Baltar's ascension to the presidency? If so, is Gaeta planning to do anything about it?

*Was Roslin's threat to put the two Cavils into space actually carried out?

*Where did the remains of the Fleet escape to?

*Where is Caprica-Valerii?

*Why is Leoben looking for Starbuck, specifically?
{{spoiltext|According to some Q&A that RDM gave at a recent convention to people from the website 'The Pegasus Galaxy', Starbuck's missing ovary has been "under Leoben's pillow". Could the Cylons have made a hybrid child from her eggs and Leoben's sperm?
Also, there is the possibility that this particular Conoy is the ressurection of the model that Thrace tortured in "[[Flesh and Bone]]," and he is seeking payback.}}

*Why has the population (until Tyrol's recent union speech) accepted Baltar's imperious rule? People were hardly so passive under Roslin. Indeed, Adama executed a military coup over a rather less important issue than giving a nuclear weapon to a Cylon agent.

*What were the workers being asked to do which was so "odious", "so sick[ening] at heart" that Tyrol was willing to call a general strike, and so important to Baltar that he was willing to use illegal imprisonment to break it?

*Are the Six and Eight that Baltar surrendered to [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica''-Sharon]]? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Where did the Cylon fleets go, after they left the Twelve Colonies? Cavil was deliberately vague when asked if they simply returned to the [[Cylon homeworld]].

*Why didn't the nuclear device trigger the radiological alarms on either Battlestar?

*How many people died in ''Cloud 9'' destruction? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Were the Quorum of Twelve killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*Was anyone from [[Demand Peace]] killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*Were [[Shevon]] and [[Paya]] killed on ''Cloud 9''?

*When Gina was instantly vaporized due to being only two feet from a nuclear detonation, did she still transmit her consciousness? Was she even capable of transmitting considering that any internal hardware responsible for this task would have been instantly destroyed? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Given Roslin's memories of Baltar with Six, why didn't Admiral Adama suspect Baltar of handing over the nuclear warhead to the cylons? If he did suspect him, why not act on it? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Did Baltar's internal Six disappear at any point during the New Caprica year? If so, when and why? If so, did the events of her disappearance contribute to Baltar's regression?

*Why was it so easy for Adama to hide the collusion of the rigged election from the press, and why were there no consequences?

*If the Cylons really left the Twelve Colonies, leaving behind a nuked-out wasteland, what happened to all of the human captives in the [[Farms]]?

*Why have the Cylons returned after suggesting that they were willing to go their "separate ways"?

*Did the Cavils lie about the pursuit of humanity being a mistake? Or were they telling the truth?

*Will the Cylons resume their pursuit of the Fleet?

*How many people are left in the Fleet? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Have the remaining ships in the defense fleet been armed during the past year?

*Will the Adamas resort to Cain's tactic of conscripting civilians to fill the gaps?

*What happened between Apollo and Starbuck? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*What led to Starbuck's reconciliation with Col. Tigh? The two had been in conflict since the [[Miniseries]], what led them to bury the hatchet and become the close friends they now appear to be?

*Has it become public knowledge that Baltar killed [[Crashdown]] on [[Kobol]]? Now that Chief and Cally are Baltar's open adversaries they could attempt to use this information against him.

*When Adama informs Baltar that the nuke used to blow up ''[[Cloud 9]]'' was probably stolen form Gaius' lab, why is he not suspicious about the fact that Baltar never reported that it was missing? Had it really been stolen from his lab, he would surely notice.
**One could argue that a man doesn't have much time to spot missing objects when he's running for President.

*Are the Cylons that appear at the end representative of the whole Cylon race, or are they a faction that broke off after the two "Cylon Heroes" began to speak out against the war on the humans?

*If it is true that the Cylons now believe the attack on humanity was a mistake, is the occupation on New Caprica viewed by the Cylons as an act of mercy and kindness vs. oppression from the human perspective? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])

*Could it be the intent of the Cylons to actually help the colonization of New Caprica, helping with the construction of infrastructure, new homes, etc, in order to make up for the holocaust? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
**If the Cylons intend to help, that would be consistent with Cavil's comment that the Cylon path to enlightenment is to be "the best machines the universe has ever seen." The purpose of a machine is arguably to assist human beings. On the other hand, the Cylons, if they are here to help, are presumably intending to do so in a highly authoritarian fashion.
***Could the Cylons be wanting to maintain control over the colonials so that in some future the colonials would not be able to return and exact revenge on the Cylons?
**Could the Cylons be fortifying New Caprica to protect the humans from hostile Cylons? There should still be some, that Number Three in "Downloaded" was pretty fanatical, and if the political winds have changed as they so often do...
***Is there a Cylon civil "cold" war?
****Could the occupation of New Caprica be a compromise between pro-human and anti-human factions, with war breaking out between them after it fails?

== Analysis ==
*According to Ron Moore's podcast, the events of "One Year Later" are real and were meant to solidify to the audience that the show is taking a path that cannot be reversed. In order to make the colonization of New Caprica real, Moore felt that the show would need to jump ahead in a span of year to show that indeed Baltar has followed through with his political promise.

*The events of the Cylon invasion of New Caprica parallel the Nazi invasion of France, with the fleet's escape a parallel to the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk and Baltar's surrender a parallel to Petain's surrender. If the parallel continues, Baltar will establish a puppet regime under Cylon rule akin to Vichy France while Colonials still loyal to humanity will establish a resistance movement. Ron Moore has actually said in the podcast for this episode that it is inspired by Vichy France.

*Baltar's arrogance seems to have led to corrupt rule during his year on New Caprica; he replaces Roslin's modest desk with a more elaborate one, replaces the population count whiteboard with a portrait of himself, and keeps a harem aboard the grounded ''Colonial One''.

*After a year, everyone still lives in tents. Shortages of medicine abound, the military is of no use, and labor conditions are apparently intolerable. Baltar's administration is apparently as incompetent as Roslin feared.
**It is not clear whether these conditions are the result of admimistrative incompetence or the inherent difficulties of colonizing a marginally habitable planet.
***Of course, it was Baltar's idea to settle on a marginally habitable planet in the first place.

*It's ironic that the obligations of duty keep Lee Adama aboard ''Pegasus'' while everyone else goes planetside. He is a reserve officer, and promised to build his pilots a bar as soon as they found a habitable planet.
**It's possible the bar ''was'' built.

*In the podcast for "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" Moore commented on how everyone assumed that ''Pegasus'' would be destroyed by the end of the episode, and thus he thought it would be a good twist to keep ''Pegasus'' alive as another ship in the Fleet. Speculators mistakely assumed that the nuke that Baltar gave to Gina in "[[Epiphanies]]" would be used to destroy ''Pegasus'' (keeping in tune with the destruction of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series']] ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus'']].

*Twenty-nine people died between this episode and the preceding one? One or two Raptors were lost, and some Marines died on Caprica, but that doesn't seem high enough.
**It's possible they took out all of the people who left in the raptors because they were not apart of the fleet at the end of the previous episode?
***Starbuck remained in the count during her time on Caprica at the beginning of Season 2. When she and Helo returned to the fleet in "[[Home, Part I]]," the count only rose by one.
**Perhaps more people died during the attack on Caprica than was shown.
***Yet another possibility is the inclusion of the Caprica survivors in the count to offset many of the losses that had incurred in the rescue mission.
***Although they didn't actually talk about the losses, there was a shot of a wounded person being taken away on a stretcher after the Raptors returned from the [[Caprica]] [[SAR]] mission.
***There may have been a series of election-related riots or murders.

*The year gap for the Cylons to find the fleet at first seems odd. However, it was stated in the previous episode that the interference from the gas cloud surrounding it would hide the planet fairly well. The Cylons were slightly over a light year away, according to the Number Five at the surrenderring. Searching something as large as the gas cloud likely is for a planet or fleet is, given the sensor range limitations, quite impressive to accomplish in months, even with general directional information from a light-year out. In addition, the radiation from the nuclear explosion aboard ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' would, of course, only be traveling at the speed of light. Even a less catastrophic attempt to communicate the Colonial's new location would be limited to the speed of light. Of course, once the location was pinpointed, an FTL Jump by the Cylons to pounce would be instantaneous.
**Even though the Cylons were able to find New Caprica from the detected nuclear blast that occurred a year prior, the initial detection would have only pointed them in the right general direction. The planet would have moved from the location the inital blast occurred as it orbits around its sun. So the Cylons would only have been able to pinpoint the planet's last location a year prior. They could have used astronomical surveying to detect the planet or send their fleets to other positions using FTL ahead of the blast radiation to triangulate the nuclear blast. Then send recon elements to scout for the planet, which could have been the initial blips picked up by DRADIS by Lt. Dualla of recon Raiders. As soon as the planet was found the main Cylon Fleet would jump in from their staging areas.
***It is also clear that Gina truly did die in the nuclear explosion on ''Cloud 9'' as she would have been able to inform the Cylons of the whereabouts of the Fleet. This indicates that no new Resurrection Ship had been constructed and that Gina's suicidal thoughts finally prevailed. This may explain why she was willing to consummate her relationship with Baltar as it would be the last time she could be with him.
****If a transmission of Gina's consciousness is also bound by the speed of light, then the signal would radiate at the same speed as the radiation from the explosion. So the Cylons could have captured the signal at the same time they discover the radiation. A new resurrection ship could be in place by this time. So the [[#questions|above question]] of whether she was able to transmit when the hardware responsible for this was destroyed is still valid.
*****To contrast, as evidenced by "Downloaded", Cylon transmissions occur at a higher speed as Boomer's consciousness was able to be transmitted to the Resurrection Ship, and then transmitted to Caprica almost immediately after her death on ''Galactica.'' It also must be pointed out that ''Galactica'''s Fleet is well into deep space, light-years away from the Colonies. The time for Boomer's transmission to reach Caprica in "Downloaded" would have taken years if not hundreds of years if the speed was limited to the speed of light.

*The population of New Caprica City is given as 39,192. There were just under 50,000 people in the Fleet before establishing the settlement, so that gives a figure of roughly 10,000 missing. It is uncertain how many were killed in the destruction of ''Cloud 9'' and surrounding Fleet ships, but this loss along with any births and deaths that have taken place during the year since the election, leaves very few military personnel in the Orbital Defense. This almost certainly means that both ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' will be extremely short on crew, as many military personnel will have been left on the planet. There was clearly no time to retrieve even selected members of the crews before the Fleet jumped.
**The figure may not necessarily be 10,000 missing, but those who are not part of New Caprica City's population. The figure of 10,000 is spread amongst those remaining up in orbit with the fleet's remaining ships, out in independent, peripheral, or small settlements not part of New Caprica City proper, and casaulties.
**Watching the Fleet jump in slow-motion, you can count approximately 19 ships, which also gives a rough impression of the reduced size of the Fleet. Other ships, including ''Colonial One'' and some Raptors, are landed on New Caprica and have presumably fallen into the hands of the Cylons.
**It is not explicitly said that all members of the New Caprica colony reside in New Caprica City. There may be outlying settlements, though none are named. One reason for this would simply be as a safeguard to keep a single nuclear strike from wiping out all of the fleet survivors.
***Baltar's surrender may demonstrate prudence uncharacteristic of him, or simply be a matter of self-preservation.

**Any "industrial" vessels — such as the mining ships, tanker ships, repair ships, agro-world ship — would have landed on the planet and been debarked, dismantled, or converted to form the foundation for industrial / production efforts. Some of the vessels in the fleet that left [[Ragnar Anchorage]] weren't designed for prolonged interstellar journeys, and were basically running on a hope and a prayer, and would have been rendered promptly upon finding a more permanent home. The nineteen-or-so ships seen are, more than likely, the last spaceworthy vessels in the fleet that are not needed (or capable of landing) planetside.
***After a year, people are still living in tents and using landed ships as buildings, so it doesn't look like much has been dismantled or converted into raw production. Other than the miners, who are apparently extremely unhappy at how things have been run, we see little evidence of industry or production over the year.

*Apparently, Thrace's comments about Lee Adama and Dualla have taken their toll on their relationship. Whether the comments escalulated is unknown, but, from Dualla's expression of annoyance when she hands the receiver to Adama when Thrace calls, it is clear that the three never reconciled with each other.

*The Six and Eight that are part of the Cylon delegation that greets Baltar's cabinet are almost certainly [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]. This is implied from Six's reaction upon seeing Baltar and her intimation that she knew who Baltar was. The two are also wearing the exact same clothes as in "[[Downloaded]]."

*In the Season 3 trailer that followed the end of the episode, Six narrates, saying that humanity has finally surrendered and the war is over. According to Six, the Cylons can finally fulfill their "''true destiny''" and take care of humanity. They desire to show humanity the "''glory of peace''," mercy; like God, their mercy can only be matched by their power and complete control. So apparently, the war heroes have indeed changed the Cylons' prejudices toward humans, but unfortunately this also means that the Cylons believe that the only way to care for humanity is to control it.

**This narrative sounds more like Baltar's internal Six (superior, controlling, zealous) than Caprica-Six (more of a people person).

== Notes ==
* According to Ron Moore's podcast, although the Sci-Fi Channel was willing to air this episode as a 90-minute special, it had to be heavily edited down for international distribution; outside of the United States, viewers will only see a 1 hour version of the episode, which Moore regards as "almost incomprehensible". Many plot threads, such as the entire Cally/Tyrol subplot, were completely removed from the one hour version. This may not be the case in the UK however as Skyone (the channel that broadcasts the show in that country) previously showed the full 90 minute version of Stargate SG1 episode 'Threads' and may well do the same for this episode.
**In the UK, Sky One did indeed show the episdoe as a 90 minute special.

*Admiral Adama watches [[Pyramid]] games and was a fan of the [[Picon Panthers]].

*In RDM's podcast for the previous episode, he said that in early drafts of this special 90 minute long episode, the writers actually tried to make it a 2 hour special, but this was soon dropped (these times are including commercials).
*The election board appears to have a definitive list of the names of all of the ships in [[The Fleet (RDM)]]. Not all of them are clearly visible, but this would seem to indicate that the writers do have an actual list that they get new ship names from.

*The framed photo of President Roslin and [[Billy Keikeya]] was still on Roslin's desk during the election.

*When Roslin "won" the rigged election results, Roslin received 24,265 votes, while Baltar recieved 22,266. This means that the elligible voters in the Fleet number at least 46,531, as it is unlikely that there was 100% voter turnout. In the podcast, RDM explains that he quickly came up with these numbers, to try to reflect roughly how many survivors are below the voting age.

*Toward the end of the episode, President Baltar refers to a government body called the "People's Council". This may be the proportionally elected lower house mentioned by RDM in his [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/index.html#a000016 blog post] on January 30, 2005.

*[[Hera]] is seen on New Caprica in the same white cradle that Baltar had a vision of her being in "[[Scattered]]", etc. According to RDM's podcast it's actually the exact same cradle.

*Tyrol's union speech is an almost word for word quote of Mario Savio's address during the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in 1964. According to Ron Moore and David Eick in the podcast, they even got permission from Savio's widow to use it (even though, due to the way copyright laws work from back then, they could have just used it without permission, they felt they should get it). As a result, it's even listed in the credits: "Mario Savio speech excerpted courtesy of: Lynne Hollander Savio". Actor Aaron Douglas (Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]) actually studied film of Savio, so all of the hand gestures Tyrol makes when he gives the speech are gestures that Savio actually used.

*Baltar's portrait of himself does not have the 'cut corners' as seen in most (all?) other papers and photos in the show.

*[http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5766/wtfk1tn.jpg Visible] on the blackboard of Roslin's school are the French verbs ''aller'', ''avoir'', and ''etre''. The Colonials appear to just speak English, so this might be a goof by the set designers trying to make it look more like a generic school.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*"Well, this is an awkward moment…. Yes, he's right, I'm a Cylon. And I have a message. So…take me to your leader."
*:—The Caprica copy of '''Brother Cavil''' on being uncovered as a Cylon

*"Would you mind telling me what's going on? I'm not a frakking Cylon, I'm not…(''sees the other Cavil in the cell'')…oh. Well, okay then."
*:—The Galactica copy of '''Brother Cavil'''

*''On Caprica:''
::'''Anders:''' You got any great ideas in that military brain of yours?
::'''Starbuck:''' Do the same thing we always do; fight 'em 'till we can't.
:''The Cylons occupy New Caprica:''
::'''Tyrol:''' "What do you want to do now, Captain?"
::'''Starbuck:''' "The same thing we always do. Fight them until we can't."

== Official Statements ==

From the official site (http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/):
When Baltar wins the vote, Roslin considers stealing the election because she believes he is a Cylon collaborator.

RDM's blog ([http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/03/#a000409 March 28, 2006]) gives details. (''Due to article size requirements, the blog entry is not reproduced here.'')

=== Interviews ===

* '''[[Paul Campbell]] discussess his thoughts on the story post-"[[Sacrifice]]":'''

:'''MB/TSFW:''' So what do you think about the story after you left, and the trouble [[Mary McDonnell|Mary]]’s [[Laura Roslin|character]] got herself into? After your [[Tory Foster|replacement]] came in she kind of had a fall there. Do you think that would have happened if you were still there to watch her back?

: '''Paul:''' You know, I don’t know if they could have. [[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] had so much integrity, that under his watch, I don’t think that would have happened. And maybe he would have had to step down, and Mary would have gone about that route with someone else. But I don’t think if he would have been in the picture, that would have gone down. Because that’s some shady crap, and I don’t think it would have cut it. We obviously butted heads on a few things like that in the past. In particular when I ended up leaving her at the ship. As it turned out, I had another pilot to go shoot. As it turned out, it was more my schedule that didn’t work out, but it worked in the writing. But no, I don’t think that would have flown had I been in the picture. So I don’t know what they would have done. I’m sure that was the story line from the beginning, but how they would have worked me into it, I don’t really know. [http://mediablvd.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_article&id=84 MediaBlvd]

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Aaron Doral]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[imdb:nm0443286|David Kaye]] as [[James McManus]]
*[[Alisen Down]] as [[Jean Barolay]]
*[[imdb:nm0718759|Winston Rekert]] as Priest

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Anne Cofell Saunders]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Mark Verheiden]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

[[de:Legt eure Bürden nieder, Teil II]]

Colonial Day

2005-09-05T18:42:50Z

Bochawa: /* Notes */

[[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 [[Laura Roslin]] is using the occasion 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)

== Summary from scifi.com ==
When President Roslin calls an Interim Quorum of the Twelve Colonies, she discovers that democracy brings its ugly stepsisters — politics and deadly intrigue — to the party. Tom Zarek, the charismatic convicted terrorist, is elected as the delegate from Sagittaron and immediately proposes elections for the vice-presidency.

Roslin encourages her trusted adviser, Wallace Gray, to run against Zarek, but when he proves less than popular, she turns to the suddenly popular Baltar as her candidate.

Meanwhile, two shady and heavily armed characters, Grimes and Vallance, have infiltrated the Quorum site. Lee and Kara foil the assassins' plot, but then Vallance mysteriously dies in custody.

Light-years away, on Cylon-occupied Caprica, Sharon must make an impossible choice — if she is to save Helo's life, she must finally reveal to him that she is a Cylon.
--This section ©2005, [http://www.scifi.com SCI FI]. All rights reserved.

== Questions ==

*Just how much freedom of movement within the fleet have Zarek’s people gained since the events of [[Bastille Day]]?
*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?
*Who killed Valance?
**The cut immediately away from Zarek asking [[Ellen Tigh]] for his whereabouts to Valence's slit wrists might be read to implicate her. See her article for further speculation.
*When exactly is Colonial Day, the day? [[Bagot, Marshall|Marshall Bagott]] states that it will coincide with the first meeting of the interim [[Quorum of Twelve]], but [[William Adama]] also gives the day as "Colonial Day" at Baltar's victory gala, two days later.

== 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.
*This episode contains the first glimpse of the Cylon [[Heavy Raider]], which is seen landing on Cylon-Occupied [[Caprica]].
*After Valance's assasination, the whiteboard on [[Colonial One]] shows 47,898 survivors in the fleet, a net loss of 7 since "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down".
*Blooper - continuity: During the bar fight scene, Valance's gun is shown with a silencer attached as it falls out of his briefcase, but the silencer is not present for the rest of the scene.

== 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 who would sell [out] to the Cylons.
:Sharon Valeri: (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.
:Sharon Valeri: 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?
:Sharon Valeri: (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.
:Sharon Valeri: (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...

* ''Gaius Baltar is interviewed by [[The Colonial Gang]]''
:[[James Macmanus]]: We're here with Dr. Gaius Baltar, representative of Caprica. Dr. Baltar, I have one question: is President Roslin's political career terminal, or is there hope of resuscitating it?
:Gaius Baltar: Laura Roslin's political career is very much alive, and to underestimate her would be a very serious mistake.
:Number Six: You miss the loud mic, don't you Gaius?
:Gaius Baltar: Yes, I have.
:James Macmanus: You have what, Dr. Baltar?
:Gaius Baltar: Nothing. You were saying?
:James Macmanus: Yes. So you seriously believe that this schoolteacher is able to handle the job of presidency?
:Gaius Baltar: Well I'm glad to hear it, because I think all of us have had teachers who have made a profound impact on our lives. History is full of examples of leaders who have come from the most humble beginnings, and have risen to meet the challenge posed by cataclysmic events. It's very easy to be sitting there in your armchairs ... criticize Laura Roslin for the tough decisions that she has to make every day - especially if you're someone like Tom Zarek, who's never shouldered any real responsibility in your life. To be fair to Tom, how could he? He's been in prison for the last twenty years. Now that he's had a drastic personality makeover, he's posing like he's the savior to all your ills! I think you all have a short memory, really. ... What I have to say is, we must survive, and we will survive. And we will do so through the values that have made our colonies great: courage, truth, justice, liberty, with a firm and deep resolve to make tomorrow better, not just for ourselves, but for our children.

== 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: 08 March 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
*DVD Release: 28 March, 2005 (UK)

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season01/111/ "Colonial Day"] at scifi.com
{{Episode List}}

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