Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Water

2006-12-31T19:50:42Z

Boogaloo:

{{Episode Data
| image =Water3.jpg
| title=Water
| series=
| season=1
| episode=2
| guests=
| writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director=[[Marita Grabiak]]
| production=102
| rating= 2.6
| US airdate=2005-01-14
| UK airdate=2004-10-25
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47,958
| prev=[[33]]
| next=[[Bastille Day]]
}}

== Overview ==

: '' ''Galactica'' loses over 60% of her water reserves due to sabotage, forcing the Fleet into a crisis and Commander Adama to seek a new supply.''

== Summary ==
* [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] finds herself dripping wet in her [[flight suit]], sitting in an equipment room on the flight deck. She is disoriented, and upon opening a duffel bag containing her uniform, she discovers [[G-4|explosives]], complete with detonators.
* After drying and dressing herself, Boomer goes to a small-arms locker and finds that a further six detonators are missing, throwing her into a panic and seeking [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol’s]] help.
* [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] visits ''[[Galactica]]'' to thank the crew for their hard work in defending the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] following the recent events ([[33]]).
* Protocol is observed during her visit, with officers in dress uniform, etc. Roslin believes this is because [[William Adama|Adama]] is trying to make her look an idiot; [[Lee Adama]] informs her that his father ordered the reception out of respect for her position as President.
* The ''[[Virgon Express]]'' arrives alongside, ready to take on new water supplies. Adama explains to Roslin of ''Galactica's'' near-perfect water reclamation, and tanking ability for those ships that don’t have recycling facilities themselves.
* In the equipment locker, Tyrol and Boomer, on the verge of a breakdown, discuss the missing explosives. Tyrol promises he’ll see her through the situation, convinced someone is trying to frame her.
* As the water transfer operation commences, a series of explosions rip through ''Galactica'', rupturing her water tanks and spewing most of her massive reserves of potable water into space.
* An investigation of the explosion begins. Over 60% of ''Galactica’s'' reserves of water have been lost, leaving the Fleet with a critical shortage. Because of its recycling/storage capabilities, 16,000 people are dependent on ''Galactica'' for drinkable water.
* Pushed to give a reason for the loss of the water, Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] presumes that the detonation of a nuclear warhead close to the water tanks ([[Miniseries]]) may have weakened the tanks, causing them to rupture.
* During his presentation to investigators, Tyrol admits sabotage was the cause of the explosions, revealing the fact that explosives had been taken from a small-arms locker, but covering for Valerii by saying it is unlikely they will discover who took the explosives as security throughout the ship has been lax, and recordkeeping patchy, at best.
* Adama orders [[Raptor]] flights to the nearest star systems in an attempt to find an alternative source of water.
* Reducing the number of people in the inquiry to senior command staff, Roslin and Baltar, Adama reveals the truth about the [[Cylon agent|Cylon agent]] threat, stating his belief that there is a Cylon infiltrator aboard ''Galactica''.
* [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] is quizzed about his progress on constructing a working [[Cylon detector]]. He makes various excuses for his lack of progress, all of which Adama discerns as Baltar's need for assistance on the project. Adama assigns Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] to aid him.
* Following the meeting, Gaeta leaves with Baltar, unhappy about having someone “watching” him. He escapes Gaeta by joining one of [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck’s]] card games and ends up flirting with her.
* Boomer locates water, but has problems trying to report the find while her Cylon sleeper personality tries to detonate explosives she has strapped to her chair.
* Boomer finally makes the report, and she and [[Crashdown]] return to ''Galactica'' to be greeted as heroes.
* Boomer gets Tyrol to check her seat, where he finds the explosives. He later reveals to Boomer he has handed the explosives to the [[Master-at-Arms]], assuring her that this is good, as it puts the Master onto the same lines of investigation they are now pursuing.
* On ''[[Colonial One]]'', impressed at the way Lee Adama helped her through the pomp of her reception on ''Galactica'' at the start of the episode, Roslin asks Captain Adama to become a special advisor to her, to help her understand military jargon and protocol. She also tries to help him come to terms with the destruction of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' ([[33]]), which has been plaguing his conscience.

===On Caprica===

* [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] have returned to Valerii's [[Raptor]], to find it crawling with Cylon warriors.
* Deciding they cannot use it to escape [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]], they head off to "find another ship".
* Later that night, over a meal and anti-radiation shots, they receive a coded transmission, Valerii prompting Helo into the idea that someone else - probably military - is still alive on the planet.

== Questions ==

*Is Boomer completely unaware of her "Cylon" personality, which apparently planted the explosives? ([[Resistance (episode)|Answer]])
*Why did a part of Boomer attempt to blow-up her Raptor when the water-bearing moon was found? Surely she must have been aware that had the Raptor been destroyed, a Search and Rescue mission would have been initiated, with a good probability that the water would have been discovered anyway?
*Is the radio message picked-up by Helo on Caprica genuine, or a Cylon fake, designed to keep him on the planet? ([[Act of Contrition|Answer]])
*Do the Colonials have food recycling capabilities to match their water recycling capabilities? ([[The Passage|possible answer]])
*Why do the Cylons want to keep Helo on Caprica? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Answer 1]], [[The Farm|Answer 2]])
*Why would the Battlestar designers place the water tanks so close to the exterior?

== Analysis ==
*It has already been established that some Cylons may not even know they are Cylons until they are "activated" (as stated by Six in the Miniseries). "Water" sees a new wrinkle added: that the Cylon "personality" within a Cylon agent can be active without the apparent knowledge of the "human" personality. Boomer's "waking up" scene and subsequent reactions demonstrate that her human persona has no idea of what is going on. Her confusion is genuine and complete, right down to the fact that she has lost track of time (wishing Cally a "good evening", only for Cally to tell her it is early morning).
*This leads to another question: why did Boomer “wake up” while still sopping wet and hiding in the equipment locker? If her Cylon personality wished to remain hidden, why did it not stay in control until she had dried herself off, stowed the duffel bag and the explosives and returned to her bunk? That she finds herself in such a state would tend to suggest that her Cylon personality is not in full control when conscious. Could it be that Valerii’s “programming” as a human is a little too strong, and that there is some kind of internal struggle going on inside her?
**Given the events in "[[Home, Part II]]" and other second season episodes, it may well be that the Valerii model is really "flawed" (as Number Six will later in season one say she feels) and can change its programming, or may not have full defenses against its human personality plant).
***If this is the case, then might the same conflict overcome her "sister" on Caprica? If so, there is potential for whatever the Cylons have in mind for Helo to go awry. ([[Flesh and Bone|Answer 1]], and [[The Farm|Answer 2]])
*As promised at the shows outset, basic logistics and supply issues are a major concern on the series that the characters have to address.
**Some viewers may think that 600-odd tons of food a week is a lot of consumables to have available and wonder where it all comes from. However, [[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]] comprises many ships, apparently including many supply ships with such supplies like the ''[[Gideon]]''.
**At the start of the episode, Adama mentions that with their water recycling capability, ''Galactica'' can go "at least a few years" without needing a fresh supply. However, when they lose "only" 60% of their water, this time period decreases dramatically to just "2 days." This decrease does not add up mathematically.
***While ''Galactica'' herself may be able to go almost indefinitely without replenishing her water supplies, the episode clearly stated that many of the other ships in the fleet rely on ''Galactica'' for resupply.
*The violent water ejection from ''Galactica'' is mostly accurate. Presuming that the water tanks on ''Galactica'' were under some pressure (Baltar's comment that a human could not withstand the pressures within the tank collaborate this), the water would leave the ship in the manner shown. Water in a vacuum and in the absolute cold of space will both freeze ''and'' boil. The resulting ice crystals will then quickly sublimate (attain a vapor state directly from a solid state). In the episode, the water appears to sublimate instantly ([http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/may98/894512887.As.r.html See source from NASA]).

== Notes ==

*When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "[[33]]" and "Water" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event. This was also the case when [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season 3]] first aired in the United States with the episodes "[[Occupation]]" and "[[Precipice]]".
*When the first few episodes of the series began airing on SciFi Channel, title cards were shown at the beginning of each episode, i.e. "33" or "Water" flashing in white letters on a black screen, and then the episode would begin. This stopped by mid-Season 1.
*This is the only episode to date to feature the deck crew's white EVA suits.
*''Galactica'' has at least 5 Raptors on board.
*Colonials have an equivalent plastic explosive to C-4 (called [[G-4]]).
*The Cylons have stood down from their attacks in "[[33]]."
*[[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] states that only three Marines know that the Cylons look human. [[Crashdown]]'s comment to [[Sharon]] in "33" indicates that at least one of them is responsible for leaking this information to others.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Sharon outlines her "plan" with Helo:''
:'''Helo:''' I don't suppose we have a plan B?
:'''Sharon:''' Plans B, C, D and E are the same as plan A; get off the planet and get back to [[Galactica (RDM)|the ship]].

== Official Statements ==

{{from_RDM_blog}}
:One of the strange things about writing and producing television is the delay between action and reaction. Tomorrow night's episode was written almost a year ago. The battles, thoughts, emotions, disappointments, and victories happened in what seems like the distant past, so when I sit down to watch the show along with the rest of you (and I do watch them on the air) it's like seeing a page out of an old year book. I can remember bits and pieces of the production process, the early drafts of the script, the days spent in the editing bay playing with the footage and waiting for the visual effects to be completed, but none of it is current, all of it belongs to a season now firmly planted in the past.

:However, I do find that the same distance from the rigors of production also afford a better vantage point for watching the show with something approaching objectivity. You get so used to an episode during all the aspects of production that the simple pleasure of watching it as a piece of entertainment is slowly vacuumed away over time. Only now, months after the fact, can I watch these shows from a little remove and my impressions of the episodes are often not the same as when we produced them.

:For instance, during the shoot of "Water" and shortly afterward, I was acutely aware of just how long the script was and how much material was going to have to be lost along the way. I was fairly upset with myself for writing something so bloated and large that it was killing us on the stage and would later require major surgery in the editing room to make our mandated runtime. The first cut of "Water" ran 10-12 minutes long -- essentially an entire act that had to go -- and for a long time when I watched the final locked picture I was always uncomfortably aware of the "cheats" involved. That is, the dropped scenes, the internal cuts made to scenes that made a hash of some of the logic I'd tried to lay out, the half-expressed thoughts, the missing emotional beats, etc.

:However, when I saw the final aired episode, I was hard-pressed to even remember most of the cuts or why they had bothered me in the first place. (Although I still [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|missed a nice bit]] with [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] in the [[Wardroom]], where he tossed off a theory of how six small charges could've blown open the water tank, as it was both helpful to the plot and an entertaining bit of grandstanding by the character.) Frankly, I used to think of "Water" as one of the weaker shows in the first season, but now it seems like a fairly coherent piece.

:Of course, this kind of shift in perspective after shedding the baggage of production works both ways, and I've found that sometimes revisited shows much later that I'd always considered to be "classics" turned out to lose their charm along with the experience of making it. So as we go forward, I'm both excited and vaguely terrified at how I'll view the rest of the season.

:Speaking of excited and terrified, I must admit to being overwhelmed by the response you've generated regarding this blog. There's a remarkable backlog of questions on the board and I'll try to both post here more often and answer more of your questions. I don't know what to tell you in terms of what will catch my eye, but I'll try to look for both the straight-ahead fan questions and the more off the wall questions -- don't be afraid to venture far off-topic, some of the more interesting discussions I had at ''Trek'' had nothing to do with the show itself.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Crewman Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Crashdown]]

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Marita Grabiak]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[es:Agua]]
[[de:Wassermangel]]

{{audio playback
| diff= 87942
| filename= Water_episodeguide.mp3
}}

Battlestar Galactica (TRS)

2006-12-23T14:35:03Z

Boogaloo: /* Summary */

<blockquote>''This article refers to the 2003 re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For information on the 1978 Original Series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].</blockquote>

{{shortcut|RDM}}
{{shortcut|TNS}}

[[Image:Image lg bgcast.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Some of the central cast of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series.]]

==Summary==
The 2003 [[Miniseries]] debut of '''''Battlestar Galactica''''' was a "[[Wikipedia:Reboot (continuity)|re-imagining]]," or updated version of [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the 1970s "Battlestar Galactica"]] made [[Naturalistic science fiction|more suitable]] to the modern sensibilities of the 21st Century. Aiming to tacle issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an sci-fi drama following the survivors of the human race—which number under 50,000. A familiar but different [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' finds herself leading a refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] on a lonely (and [[Home, Part II|initially fictitious]]) quest for [[Earth]], with turmoil from within and danger from without.

On the "Battlestar Wiki," the show's most common abbreviations are "the Re-imagined Series," or "RDM" for the initials of its executive co-producer and chief writer, [[Ronald D. Moore]] (as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is often referred to as "TNG"). It was also initially disambiguated as "TNS" (for "The New Series"), or "BSG", but this has become rarer over time as it distinguished itself more from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|1978 series]], or the "Original Series" as it is commonly called on Battlestar Wiki.

"Battlestar Galactica" began (or, "re-began") as a four-hour [[Miniseries]] pilot that showed the destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], but in a style more familiar and disturbing to today's viewers, making its events eerily reminiscent of feelings felt by many viewers to the sporadic and inconsistent news and chaos shown during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

While the ship was probably the most familar element derived from the Original Series, many elements of the new show were very, very different. The commander, [[William Adama]], is a battle-hardened, secularly-minded commander on the eve of retirement for himself and his combat-decorated old battlestar. The names of Original Series characters are now the pilot call signs for his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] and the crack-pilot, [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]. Starbuck's change into a female character initially became a torrid issue to Original Series fans who feared this and other changes would render an inferior series.

However, some fans became pleasently suprised when the series aired. Unlike its Original Series counterpart, this new series has not only survived, preparing episodes for its third season beginning in in October, 2006, but has received many awards and nominations, including several Emmy nominations and one award, a Hugo Award, and even its own spin-off series, [[Caprica (series)|currently in development.]] However, it has recieved some critiscm from fans who feel it bastardized the original series, and some critics disliked it for various reasons.

As of the end of the regular 2006 television season, "Battlestar Galactica" was the Sci-Fi Channel's highest-rated program, beating out the venerable SF series, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]" and its spin-off, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate Atlantis|Stargate Atlantis]]."

== Noted Changes from the [[Original Series]] ==
The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] surprisingly attack the Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]].

However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:

* The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]) who hated Humanity. This makes their origins similar to those of the machines of the [[Wikipedia:The Terminator|Terminator]] or the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]].
* Battlestar ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
* The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].
* The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote units of measurement, such as distance and time, in the original series has been replaced with understandable terminology. For instance, "year" was replaced with "yahren" in the original.
* The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper (RDM)|Mk. II Viper]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Gemenon Traveler]] and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
* The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is not mentioned in the miniseries, and is apparently supplemented by a government body similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 ([[Colonial Day]]).
* Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.

The relationships and characters also differ significantly from the Original Series.

* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female lieutenant named [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
* "Adama", "Tigh", and "Baltar" are now surnames.
* The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], portrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the Original Series, becomes [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his TOS counterpart.
* [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] star and continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]).
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, is now a scientific genius named [[Gaius Baltar]].
* The character of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.

The show has taken a more realistic turn. [[Science in the Re-imagined Series|Realistic science]], which was painfully absent in the Original Series, is applied in this series.

Certain models of Cylons [[Cylon agent|appear human, right down to the blood]] -- it takes complex tests just to screen for these [[Cylon agent|Cylon agents]]. This generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers).

==Cast==
===Stars===
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]]
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
* [[Grace Park]] as [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii/Number Eight]]

===Co-stars===
* [[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]] (2003-2006)
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]

==Production Crew==
===Producers===
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] - Developer / Executive Producer / Writer
* [[David Eick]] - Executive Producer
* [[Toni Graphia]] - Co-Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Harvey Frand]] - Producer
* [[Glen A. Larson]] - Consulting Producer

===Directors & Writing Staff===
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Battlestar Wiki Crew Portal.]]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Series in the Re-Imagined Continuity]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Battlestar Galactica (TRS)

2006-12-23T14:34:23Z

Boogaloo: /* Summary */

<blockquote>''This article refers to the 2003 re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For information on the 1978 Original Series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].</blockquote>

{{shortcut|RDM}}
{{shortcut|TNS}}

[[Image:Image lg bgcast.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Some of the central cast of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series.]]

==Summary==
The 2003 [[Miniseries]] debut of '''''Battlestar Galactica''''' was a "[[Wikipedia:Reboot (continuity)|re-imagining]]," or updated version of [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the 1970s "Battlestar Galactica"]] made [[Naturalistic science fiction|more suitable]] to the modern sensibilities of the 21st Century. Tackling issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an epic following the survivors of the human race—which number under 50,000. A familiar but different [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' finds herself leading a refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] on a lonely (and [[Home, Part II|initially fictitious]]) quest for [[Earth]], with turmoil from within and danger from without.

On the "Battlestar Wiki," the show's most common abbreviations are "the Re-imagined Series," or "RDM" for the initials of its executive co-producer and chief writer, [[Ronald D. Moore]] (as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is often referred to as "TNG"). It was also initially disambiguated as "TNS" (for "The New Series"), or "BSG", but this has become rarer over time as it distinguished itself more from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|1978 series]], or the "Original Series" as it is commonly called on Battlestar Wiki.

"Battlestar Galactica" began (or, "re-began") as a four-hour [[Miniseries]] pilot that showed the destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], but in a style more familiar and disturbing to today's viewers, making its events eerily reminiscent of feelings felt by many viewers to the sporadic and inconsistent news and chaos shown during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

While the ship was probably the most familar element derived from the Original Series, many elements of the new show were very, very different. The commander, [[William Adama]], is a battle-hardened, secularly-minded commander on the eve of retirement for himself and his combat-decorated old battlestar. The names of Original Series characters are now the pilot call signs for his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] and the crack-pilot, [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]. Starbuck's change into a female character initially became a torrid issue to Original Series fans who feared this and other changes would render an inferior series.

However, some fans became pleasently suprised when the series aired. Unlike its Original Series counterpart, this new series has not only survived, preparing episodes for its third season beginning in in October, 2006, but has received many awards and nominations, including several Emmy nominations and one award, a Hugo Award, and even its own spin-off series, [[Caprica (series)|currently in development.]] However, it has recieved some critiscm from fans who feel it bastardized the original series, and some critics disliked it for various reasons.

As of the end of the regular 2006 television season, "Battlestar Galactica" was the Sci-Fi Channel's highest-rated program, beating out the venerable SF series, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]" and its spin-off, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate Atlantis|Stargate Atlantis]]."

== Noted Changes from the [[Original Series]] ==
The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] surprisingly attack the Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]].

However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:

* The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]) who hated Humanity. This makes their origins similar to those of the machines of the [[Wikipedia:The Terminator|Terminator]] or the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]].
* Battlestar ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
* The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].
* The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote units of measurement, such as distance and time, in the original series has been replaced with understandable terminology. For instance, "year" was replaced with "yahren" in the original.
* The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper (RDM)|Mk. II Viper]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Gemenon Traveler]] and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
* The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is not mentioned in the miniseries, and is apparently supplemented by a government body similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 ([[Colonial Day]]).
* Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.

The relationships and characters also differ significantly from the Original Series.

* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female lieutenant named [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
* "Adama", "Tigh", and "Baltar" are now surnames.
* The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], portrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the Original Series, becomes [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his TOS counterpart.
* [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] star and continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]).
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, is now a scientific genius named [[Gaius Baltar]].
* The character of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.

The show has taken a more realistic turn. [[Science in the Re-imagined Series|Realistic science]], which was painfully absent in the Original Series, is applied in this series.

Certain models of Cylons [[Cylon agent|appear human, right down to the blood]] -- it takes complex tests just to screen for these [[Cylon agent|Cylon agents]]. This generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers).

==Cast==
===Stars===
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]]
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
* [[Grace Park]] as [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii/Number Eight]]

===Co-stars===
* [[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]] (2003-2006)
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]

==Production Crew==
===Producers===
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] - Developer / Executive Producer / Writer
* [[David Eick]] - Executive Producer
* [[Toni Graphia]] - Co-Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Harvey Frand]] - Producer
* [[Glen A. Larson]] - Consulting Producer

===Directors & Writing Staff===
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Battlestar Wiki Crew Portal.]]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Series in the Re-Imagined Continuity]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Battlestar Galactica (TRS)

2006-12-23T14:32:45Z

Boogaloo: /* Noted Changes from the Original Series */

<blockquote>''This article refers to the 2003 re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For information on the 1978 Original Series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].</blockquote>

{{shortcut|RDM}}
{{shortcut|TNS}}

[[Image:Image lg bgcast.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Some of the central cast of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series.]]

==Summary==
The 2003 [[Miniseries]] debut of '''''Battlestar Galactica''''' was a "[[Wikipedia:Reboot (continuity)|re-imagining]]," or updated version of [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the 1970s "Battlestar Galactica"]] made [[Naturalistic science fiction|more suitable]] to the modern sensibilities of the 21st Century. Tackling issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an epic following the survivors of the human race—which number under 50,000. A familiar but different [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' finds herself leading a refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] on a lonely (and [[Home, Part II|initially fictitious]]) quest for [[Earth]], with turmoil from within and danger from without.

On the "Battlestar Wiki," the show's most common abbreviations are "the Re-imagined Series," or "RDM" for the initials of its executive co-producer and chief writer, [[Ronald D. Moore]] (as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is often referred to as "TNG"). It was also initially disambiguated as "TNS" (for "The New Series"), or "BSG", but this has become rarer over time as it distinguished itself more from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|1978 series]], or the "Original Series" as it is commonly called on Battlestar Wiki.

"Battlestar Galactica" began (or, "re-began") as a four-hour [[Miniseries]] pilot that showed the destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], but in a style more familiar and disturbing to today's viewers, making its events eerily reminiscent of feelings felt by many viewers to the sporadic and inconsistent news and chaos shown during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

While the ship was probably the most familar element derived from the Original Series, many elements of the new show were very, very different. The commander, [[William Adama]], is a battle-hardened, secularly-minded commander on the eve of retirement for himself and his combat-decorated old battlestar. The names of Original Series characters are now the pilot call signs for his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] and the crack-pilot, [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]. Starbuck's change into a female character initially became a torrid issue to Original Series fans who feared this and other changes would render an inferior series.

But the worries of the fans turned to surprise, cheers and applause as the Miniseries aired and the regular series began. Unlike its Original Series counterpart, this new series has not only survived, preparing episodes for its third season beginning in in October, 2006, but has received many awards and nominations, including several Emmy nominations and one award, a Hugo Award, and even its own spin-off series, [[Caprica (series)|currently in development.]]

As of the end of the regular 2006 television season, "Battlestar Galactica" was the Sci-Fi Channel's highest-rated program, beating out the venerable SF series, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]" and its spin-off, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate Atlantis|Stargate Atlantis]]."

== Noted Changes from the [[Original Series]] ==
The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] surprisingly attack the Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]].

However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:

* The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]) who hated Humanity. This makes their origins similar to those of the machines of the [[Wikipedia:The Terminator|Terminator]] or the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]].
* Battlestar ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
* The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].
* The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote units of measurement, such as distance and time, in the original series has been replaced with understandable terminology. For instance, "year" was replaced with "yahren" in the original.
* The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper (RDM)|Mk. II Viper]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Gemenon Traveler]] and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
* The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is not mentioned in the miniseries, and is apparently supplemented by a government body similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 ([[Colonial Day]]).
* Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.

The relationships and characters also differ significantly from the Original Series.

* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female lieutenant named [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
* "Adama", "Tigh", and "Baltar" are now surnames.
* The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], portrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the Original Series, becomes [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his TOS counterpart.
* [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] star and continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]).
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, is now a scientific genius named [[Gaius Baltar]].
* The character of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.

The show has taken a more realistic turn. [[Science in the Re-imagined Series|Realistic science]], which was painfully absent in the Original Series, is applied in this series.

Certain models of Cylons [[Cylon agent|appear human, right down to the blood]] -- it takes complex tests just to screen for these [[Cylon agent|Cylon agents]]. This generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers).

==Cast==
===Stars===
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]]
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
* [[Grace Park]] as [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii/Number Eight]]

===Co-stars===
* [[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]] (2003-2006)
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]

==Production Crew==
===Producers===
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] - Developer / Executive Producer / Writer
* [[David Eick]] - Executive Producer
* [[Toni Graphia]] - Co-Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Harvey Frand]] - Producer
* [[Glen A. Larson]] - Consulting Producer

===Directors & Writing Staff===
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Battlestar Wiki Crew Portal.]]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Series in the Re-Imagined Continuity]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Battlestar Galactica (TRS)

2006-12-23T14:32:15Z

Boogaloo: /* Noted Changes from the Original Series */

<blockquote>''This article refers to the 2003 re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For information on the 1978 Original Series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].</blockquote>

{{shortcut|RDM}}
{{shortcut|TNS}}

[[Image:Image lg bgcast.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Some of the central cast of the new "Battlestar Galactica" series.]]

==Summary==
The 2003 [[Miniseries]] debut of '''''Battlestar Galactica''''' was a "[[Wikipedia:Reboot (continuity)|re-imagining]]," or updated version of [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the 1970s "Battlestar Galactica"]] made [[Naturalistic science fiction|more suitable]] to the modern sensibilities of the 21st Century. Tackling issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an epic following the survivors of the human race—which number under 50,000. A familiar but different [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' finds herself leading a refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] on a lonely (and [[Home, Part II|initially fictitious]]) quest for [[Earth]], with turmoil from within and danger from without.

On the "Battlestar Wiki," the show's most common abbreviations are "the Re-imagined Series," or "RDM" for the initials of its executive co-producer and chief writer, [[Ronald D. Moore]] (as "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is often referred to as "TNG"). It was also initially disambiguated as "TNS" (for "The New Series"), or "BSG", but this has become rarer over time as it distinguished itself more from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|1978 series]], or the "Original Series" as it is commonly called on Battlestar Wiki.

"Battlestar Galactica" began (or, "re-began") as a four-hour [[Miniseries]] pilot that showed the destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], but in a style more familiar and disturbing to today's viewers, making its events eerily reminiscent of feelings felt by many viewers to the sporadic and inconsistent news and chaos shown during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

While the ship was probably the most familar element derived from the Original Series, many elements of the new show were very, very different. The commander, [[William Adama]], is a battle-hardened, secularly-minded commander on the eve of retirement for himself and his combat-decorated old battlestar. The names of Original Series characters are now the pilot call signs for his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] and the crack-pilot, [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]. Starbuck's change into a female character initially became a torrid issue to Original Series fans who feared this and other changes would render an inferior series.

But the worries of the fans turned to surprise, cheers and applause as the Miniseries aired and the regular series began. Unlike its Original Series counterpart, this new series has not only survived, preparing episodes for its third season beginning in in October, 2006, but has received many awards and nominations, including several Emmy nominations and one award, a Hugo Award, and even its own spin-off series, [[Caprica (series)|currently in development.]]

As of the end of the regular 2006 television season, "Battlestar Galactica" was the Sci-Fi Channel's highest-rated program, beating out the venerable SF series, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]" and its spin-off, "[[Wikipedia:Stargate Atlantis|Stargate Atlantis]]."

== Noted Changes from the [[Original Series]] ==
The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] surprisingly attack the Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]].

However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:

* The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]) who hated Humanity. This makes their origins similar to those of the machines of the [[Wikipedia:The Terminator|Terminator]] or the [[Wikipedia:The Martrix|The Matrix]].
* Battlestar ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
* The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].
* The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote units of measurement, such as distance and time, in the original series has been replaced with understandable terminology. For instance, "year" was replaced with "yahren" in the original.
* The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper (RDM)|Mk. II Viper]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Gemenon Traveler]] and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
* The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is not mentioned in the miniseries, and is apparently supplemented by a government body similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 ([[Colonial Day]]).
* Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.

The relationships and characters also differ significantly from the Original Series.

* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female lieutenant named [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
* "Adama", "Tigh", and "Baltar" are now surnames.
* The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], portrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the Original Series, becomes [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his TOS counterpart.
* [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] star and continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]).
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, is now a scientific genius named [[Gaius Baltar]].
* The character of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.

The show has taken a more realistic turn. [[Science in the Re-imagined Series|Realistic science]], which was painfully absent in the Original Series, is applied in this series.

Certain models of Cylons [[Cylon agent|appear human, right down to the blood]] -- it takes complex tests just to screen for these [[Cylon agent|Cylon agents]]. This generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers).

==Cast==
===Stars===
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]]
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
* [[Grace Park]] as [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii/Number Eight]]

===Co-stars===
* [[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]] (2003-2006)
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]

==Production Crew==
===Producers===
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] - Developer / Executive Producer / Writer
* [[David Eick]] - Executive Producer
* [[Toni Graphia]] - Co-Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Harvey Frand]] - Producer
* [[Glen A. Larson]] - Consulting Producer

===Directors & Writing Staff===
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Battlestar Wiki Crew Portal.]]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Series in the Re-Imagined Continuity]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Hasari

2006-12-23T14:17:16Z

Boogaloo:

The '''Hasari''' were a race of people (or possibly a political organization) that ruled over a "nation". This "nation" was seized by the [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]], an event which prompted the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Colonies]] to liberate the Hasari "nation" and marked the beginning of the [[Thousand-Yahren War]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]). They are depicted in the Battlestar Galactica video game as whale-type creatures.

== Notes ==
It is unclear what relationship the Colonies and Hasari shared, or even if the Hasari were still in existence during the timeframe of [[TOS]].

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Mentioned-Only]]
[[Category:Mentioned-Only (TOS)]]
[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:TOS]]

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-12-23T14:15:14Z

Boogaloo: /* Characters */

{{RDM science series}}

'''"Naturalistic science fiction"''' ('''NSF''') is a term created by [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'']] co-creator [[Ronald D. Moore]] to describe that show's esthetic. NSF is meant to be a realistic take on the SF genre, with its roots in drama rather than adventure tales. It eschews science-fiction staples such as one-dimensional characterizations, clear-cut conceptions of good and evil, so-called "[[technobabble]]" (technical-sounding terms that have mostly been made up), and "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]" approaches (in which a seemingly intractable problem in the plot is solved using a previously-unknown technical capability). In the case of episodic drama like the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'', there is also more of an effort at continuity - the events in one episode have visible effects in subsequent episodes, unlike other science-fiction shows in which episodes are more stand-alone. Naturalistic SF combines elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]], naturalistic SF means that characters are more three-dimensional, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There is an attempt to stay away from stereotypical archetypes in science fiction or adventure stories such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," ''Spock-type alien'', or "whiz-kid genius."

The characters change over time, showing different facets of their personalities: President [[Laura Roslin]] begins the first season cautious and rulebound; by the second season she has ordered that a high-ranking military member be assassinated ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]) and attempts to steal an election ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The [[Cylon]]s, who in the beginning are out simply to destroy humanity, later have a change of heart, feeling guilty about the destruction they have brought about, and decide simply to enslave them ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' are not carbon copies of character archetypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, irascible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and aired contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, fills a well-known archetype, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Still, there are more facets to her personality than that: from the beginning she is plagued with guilt about her role in the death of [[Zak Adama]], and later her flying skills are perceived to have atrophied as a result of alcoholism and apathy (although Solo is also flawed with sheer recklessness, a passion for gambling, and distrust). Other characters occasionally fill in stereotypical sci-fi character staples; for example, Adama is reminiscent of the general gruff military officer staple, and the Cylons are (albeit superficially) very similar to other fictional robot races, such as the machines from [[Wikipedia:Terminator|Terminator]] and the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]], which are also machines that rebelled against their human creators and take on human form.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordnance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. When [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' is forced to search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familiar to the viewer, from the phones to computer screens to the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
A seemingly large violation of this rule was Laura Roslin's sudden cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]", and tied in with that, the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents (this was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Terms such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" have somewhat-familiar real-world counterparts

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of everything: [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crew members, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a home-base or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space is big...and lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate". The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. Many [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]). A dog, [[Jake (New Caprica)|Jake]] is to be seen on [[New Caprica]] in the third season (''[[Occupation]]''); it presumably came with passengers on the fleet.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, and whether it is in fact common, has long been a controversial issue, and a matter of speculation. At the moment, there is no way to know whether the "naturalistic science fiction" approach to exterrestrial life is in fact the accurate one.

===Storytelling and music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series has a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that stands in contrast to the more standard orchestral overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion may be a loss of authenticity.

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Scar

2006-12-12T15:52:48Z

Boogaloo: /* Notes */

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==

*As implied by [[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]], is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?"
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to eventually construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? ([[Cylon Centurion|Answer]])
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
*As the [[Resurrection Ship]] recon images (from "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]") only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download, how are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders stored and where are they transferred?
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". As noted in [[Podcast:Scar#Act 4|the podcast]], this is truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. In terms of how the flashbacks were structured, going back and forth between past and current events, this episode most resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]". (However, the [[Podcast:Black Market|podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
*As discussed in [[Podcast:Scar|the podcast]], writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson are mostly responsible for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.

== Notes ==

*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. However, asteroids in our and other solar systems are spaced very far apart from one another. <ref name="asteroid">{{cite web
| url = http://www.solarviews.com/eng/asteroid.htm
| title = Asteroid Introduction
| accessdate = 2006-12-07
| author = Calvin J. Hamilton
| authorlinkurl = http://www.solarviews.com/eng/author.htm
}} </ref>
*The survivor count is four less than displayed in "[[Black Market]]", accounting for the deaths of [[Jack Fisk]], [[Phelan]], and Fisk's killer. The survivor count, therefore, commences after "96 hours previously".
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" is no longer relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources. Also, in "[[Act of Contrition]]", it is mentioned that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and thus preferred to train pilots having prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and thus potential pilots can now be trained properly, even those with no prior experience.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
*Kara Thrace, despite serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under Lee adama, is still ''Pegasus'' CAG. She flies under Adama because the two battlestars have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
*''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]], [[Number Six]] and [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] appears very briefly in this episode. Also, Lieutenants [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in [[CIC]], but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[[w:Space: Above and Beyond|Space: Above and Beyond]]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "[[w:Cavatina (song)|Cavatina]]" by [[w:Stanley Myers|Stanley Myers]], well known as the theme from the film "[[w:The Deer Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Scar|deleted scene]] for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Scar

2006-12-07T19:33:03Z

Boogaloo: Re-added sentence with citation.

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==

*As implied by [[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]], is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?"
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to eventually construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? ([[Cylon Centurion|Answer]])
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
*As the [[Resurrection Ship]] recon images (from "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]") only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download, how are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders stored and where are they transferred?
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". As noted in [[Podcast:Scar#Act 4|the podcast]], this is truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. In terms of how the flashbacks were structured, going back and forth between past and current events, this episode most resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]". (However, the [[Podcast:Black Market|podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
*As discussed in [[Podcast:Scar|the podcast]], writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson are mostly responsible for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.

== Notes ==

**A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another. [[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/asteroid.htm]]
*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
*Kara Thrace, despite serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under Lee adama, is still ''Pegasus'' CAG. She flies under Adama because the two battlestars have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers, well known as the theme from the film "[[w:The Deer Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-07T19:31:08Z

Boogaloo: /* Citation */

I'd like to point out that the Template box at the bottom of each episode page is wrong: "Scar" comes before "Sacrifice", not after it. This needs to be fixed but I don't know how to do this. --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 01:25, 6 January 2006 (EST)

== Plausible Parallel? ==
Is it possible that this episode is a parallel to the [[The Lost Warrior (TOS)|episode in TOS]] in which there is a mano-e-mano showdown between a Human and a Cylon? I'm curious as to the possibility that RDM is taking each of TOS's episodes and "outdoing" them, both in believeability, realism, and intensity.--Hawke

:Almost certainly not. There is no TOS Viper vs. Ace Raider thing. It's actually a staple of many scifi tv shows for several years; the "Red Baron" episode. The good guys are at war with another race, and the hero must go up against the enemy's ace pilot. Notably, "[[Wikipedia: Space:_Above_and_Beyond|Space: Above and Beyond]]" did this when McQueen took out the ace Chig pilot, Chiggy von Rictoffen (sarcastic nickname they came up with for him). Long story short, no this is not at all from TOS. This is a classic military story, one of those things that doesn't even need to be scifi. --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 16:15, 28 January 2006 (EST)

:: Abandon all hope, Ricimer. -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 22:07, 28 January 2006 (EST)

:::'''The Gods don't want to [[You Can't Go Home Again|hear]] from Starbuck now. Because she's about to go out in that Viper and remove one of Their creations from Their universe. And when she gets back, she's going to drink a bottle of [[ambrosia]] as if it were Scar's frakking bio-mechanical blood, and celebrate his death! ''' -- [[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 22:14, 28 January 2006 (EST)

::Actually, it's funny that all the episodes that have been outdone were named after they were finished being written and the writers had no prior knowledge of the episodes they were homages to. I got this from the Battlestar Galactica Official Companion. BTW, I saw that Space ABove and Beyond ep and that;s what i thought of when I first heard of the Scar Raider. --Ltcrashdown 22:16, 28 January 2006 (EST)

:::LOL! Just finished watching that episode, and it's one of the best lines ever from that series. Ricimer paraphrased it well. --[[User:Sgtpayne|Sgtpayne]] 19:41, 4 February 2006 (EST)

::::Even when McQueen quotes the Iliad at Chiggy before he finishes him off? "''Looking darkly upon Hector, swift footed Achilles answered, 'I cannot forgive you. As there are no trustworthy oaths between men and lions, there can be no love between you and me. Before then to glut with his blood, Ares, the god who fights under the shield's guard. Now the time comes for you to be a spearman and a bold warrior. You will pay in a lump for all the sorrows of my companions you have killed in your spear's fury.'' None of that "mercy to our enemies" stuff, "Cylons can be people too" things, no; straightfoward revenge. :) --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 20:07, 4 February 2006 (EST)

==Did they do it?==

Ricimer, since I know you tape the episodes, I'll let you watch it again before removing that question. I think you'll agree with me that it's very clearly implied that Apollo stops things before they get that far. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 02:10, 4 February 2006 (EST)

:I actually watched this with several friends, and we got into a raging debate over whether this happened or not. About a third said no, a third said yes (including me), and a third said they weren't sure at all. It's sort of like how after "Pegasus", a lot of people were asking if Boomer got raped or not, because the editing was (intentionally) chaotic and confusing. However, we all know from the podcast of that that there were two versions and that was officially the "not raped" version.
:The podcast for this episode is ''vague''; he mentions only once the idea that "they'd get so drunk that they'd be in a state where they'd try to have sex with each other"--->OKAY, it wasn't quite that, but the point is he uses the word "try" in such a context (I listened to the podcast with friends) that after repeat listening...It didn't really give evidence one way or the other, plus these weren't the guys that directed it, etc. When *I* saw it, I got the ''impression'' that, through careful editing......frak. I can't put this more delicately forgive me. Frak. Well, to cut through it using Ad-libs; I thought that ''after Starbuck gets her panties pulled down, editing gets chaotic; Starbuck spreads her'' _Adjective_ _Noun_ ''and Apollo proceeds to'' _Verb_ ''her'' _Adjective_ _Noun_ ''with his own (conspicuous)'' _Adjective_ _Noun_ ''however Starbuck is proceeding too rough and really fast and Apollo keeps telling her to "slow down", which in context could mean *any number of things*. Starbuck then removes herself from the "presence" of his'' _Adverb_ _Adjective_ _Noun_ ''just as (off camera) he yanks his towel (or whatever) up, so when we actually see him in his first wideshot, he ''appears'' to have not removed his towel, when in reality he did but put it back off camera. ''--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 02:30, 4 February 2006 (EST)

::I really didn't find it at all ambiguous, and even if they did accomplish penetration extremely briefly, it's a crass thing to speculate about. The emotional consequences for Kara and Lee are the same regardless. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 19:23, 4 February 2006 (EST)

:::I am not being crass. I literally turned to the person next to me and said "Hey, wait a minute, did they just do it?" and no one was sure. It's not like I expect us to get any conclusive answeres based on analysis; I'm just saying "we're not sure"--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 19:28, 4 February 2006 (EST)

::::When I was watching it and Apollo had his hand on her ass, I turned to my friend and said, "It's about time" but I spoke too soon...--[[User:Bane Grievver|Bane Grievver]] 22:28, 4 February 2006 (EST)

::: Keep in mind that the editing is chaotic enough that they start fooling around in the pilots lounge...and wind up going at it in one of the bunk rooms. I seriously doubt they got that far. My impression was that Apollo was working on foreplay...and Starbuck was rushing things...*shrug* in the end...who cares?-- [[User:Stratohead|Stratohead]]

== Launch Gaffe ==

Was it just me, or when Starbuck and Kat launched from the ''Galactica'' in Viper VIIs, didn't the tube sequence show a Viper '''II'''?--'''[[User:Mitsukai|み使い]]''' '''''[[User_talk:Mitsukai|Mitsukai]]''''' 02:21, 4 February 2006 (EST)

:Noticed this as well. Apparently the show has no stock footage of a Mk. VII launch sequence. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 02:22, 4 February 2006 (EST)
::Unless they referred to Kat or Starbuck talking over wireless from within the launch tube, this could be explained as being the "other" Vipers flying on patrol for other parts of the asteroid belt.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 02:32, 4 February 2006 (EST)
:::Then it's a case of bad editing, as it implies (at least from how I saw it) that Kat's flying a II, as we saw Starbuck getting into a VII.--'''[[User:Mitsukai|み使い]]''' '''''[[User_talk:Mitsukai|Mitsukai]]''''' 02:35, 4 February 2006 (EST)

:::: I think what Ricimer means is that we can intnetionally misconstrue that as seeing someone ''else'' launching, even though, in actuality, it was an editing goof.--[[User:Day|Day]] 20:20, 5 February 2006 (EST)

:::::Yes, we could, but it would be quite disingenuous to do so. I think we should call it the way it is. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 20:24, 5 February 2006 (EST)

:::::: Well, depends on whether you want to start talking about how the Vipers changed appearances or whatever by assuming that the mistake makes canon. Anyway... I was just trying to clarify. --[[User:Day|Day]] 21:20, 5 February 2006 (EST)

==You are all driving me mad==
Please, for the love of god, use the "edit" link on the section you are working on. This allows other editors to work on other sections without incurring edit collisions. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 02:37, 4 February 2006 (EST)

:This place is getting really busy lately. Collisions are becoming more frequent, even on talk pages. Not sure if there is long-term help for this (or any wiki). --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 10:42, 5 February 2006 (EST)

==Props Given on... Old Props!==
Hey, did anyone else spot that [[Landram]] in the openning shot?--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 19:31, 4 February 2006 (EST)
:I noticed it but didn't know what it was (not a TOS fan). Nice catch! --[[User:Redwall|Redwall]] 22:41, 4 February 2006 (EST)
::So that's what they were called! I remember seeing them, made me smile when I watched the episode a 2nd time. --[[User:Bane Grievver|Bane Grievver]] 22:28, 4 February 2006 (EST)
:::Maybe somebody could get a shot of the landram for use on the References page? --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 10:04, 10 February 2006 (EST)

== Where did the music come from? ==

I swear that I have heard the background music before... It starts right at the end of "So say we all", and bleeds over through the workout scene. Where is it from, it is making me crazy?!?
: The Deer Hunter. Also, please sign your comments. --[[User:Redwall|Redwall]] 15:05, 5 February 2006 (EST)
: You may sign your comments by using the a string of four tildes: <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>. -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 16:04, 5 February 2006 (EST)
: Thank you so much for the origin of the music. It makes even more sense now... Yikes what tie ins this show sneaks in. ~~ LeslieW

== Picture ==

That's a cool pic and all, but it's already on the [[Scar (Raider)]] page, have the entire episode on my drive. I was trying to think of a scene that nicely summarized the whole episode, but I couldn't pick one. Any ideas on what I should take a cap of? --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 16:26, 5 February 2006 (EST)

:The first screen after Kat shoots him, immediately after his wing gets sheered off and there's a cloud of blood everywhere...but not TOO long after that, because as he crashes he gets so banged up that at the end you can't tell it's a Raider anymore; the FIRST shot, just as the wing comes off. Also, possibly one of Scar coming out of the sun just as Starbuck puts her finger up, or one of them fighting him with contrails coming off of their Vipers because of the dust. Upload a few and we'll pick. --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 16:29, 5 February 2006 (EST)

::I thought about the sun one, but it makes a poor cap. Here are the other two, plus one I thought was good as well:
::Any other ideas, lemme know. --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 22:47, 5 February 2006 (EST)
:::I like the "Scar-Firing" picture, the right most one. It's easy to see without actually having to click on it. --[[User:Bane Grievver|Bane Grievver]] 22:56, 5 February 2006 (EST)
::::That's my favorite as well. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 23:05, 5 February 2006 (EST)

:::I hate to be picky, but: the one with contrails has the camera so far away that the Vipers look too small, "Scar Firing" is good, but for a character named "Scar" the pic is of his least "scarred" side of his head, and although I like the Scar-Death one, I think that out of context it might be confusing. --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 23:06, 5 February 2006 (EST)

::::Why don't we use the "Scar firing" pic for this article, and leave the existing one alone on Scar (Raider)? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 23:10, 5 February 2006 (EST)

== In a Room Somewhere... ==

Don't you have the feeling that, in a room somewhere, Richard (Hatch) and Dirk (Benedict) are looking at each other after watching the "moment of drunken resolve" scene between their one-time characters, and... there is a ''very'' awkward silence. What do you suppose is going through their minds? :) -- [[User:Hawke|Hawke]] 00:03, 6 February 2006 (EST)
:Nothing that they probably haven't read before in "slash" fan fiction about their characters before. Besides, Kirk/Spock stuff came (no pun intended) years before. It ''is'' a funny thing to imagine, though. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 09:14, 6 February 2006 (EST)
::For several years now, whenever I am at a convention where both Richard Hatch and Dirk Bennidict are guests...they seem to do their best to avoid even looking in each others direction.-- [[User:Stratohead|Stratohead]]
:::They have their own issues between each other that originated from the original series... -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 18:06, 6 February 2006 (EST)

== Kats Costume Change? ==

towards the end of the second act, we get the confrontation between Kat and Starbuck, where Kat punches Starbuck, just before Apollo comes in and orders them "Skids Up in 49 minutes."
At this point Kat is wearing her flight suit (well...half wearing it.)... next time we see her she is wearing her duty uniform (blues) walking through the memorial hallway, pining up the picture of "Beano"'s(?) girlfriend...then back in her flight suit about to jump in her viper.
Are we supposed to infer that this was her recollection/flashback while she was about to take off for her mission? or that with only 49 minutes to prepare for her C.A.P. she took the time to go change into her Blues...wander down to Memorial Hall...then go back..and resuit up for her C.A.P.?
-- [[User:Stratohead|Stratohead]]

Well yeah, RDM mentioned that in the podcast; just don't read into everything so much. Yeah, a lot of camerawork/director stuff could be a flashback for the purposes of telling a story; I mean lots of shows intercut this kind of stuff. It's not big revelation. --[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 18:02, 6 February 2006 (EST)

== Scar's Kill Count ==

Mentioned in this episode, I believe Scar killed 5 viper pilots: Reilly, Beano, BB, Duck, and JoJo. I think Duck was the kid that came to Starbuck for advice since she was telling him to follow BB's lead and never turn but the conversation was a little confusing to me, and it sounded like both were splashed. So 5 Vipers were downed by Scar in this episode and probably a couple others in Resurrection Ship Pt II and mayber earlier episodes. I am certain I heard the name Duck but was confused a little by Starbuck's ommission of his name on the list at the end... -- [[User:StrayCat0|StrayCat0]]

*Absolutely not. Duck was alive and well. He can be clearly seen in the finale toasting scene at the end. The audio you hear was of Duck shouting at BB to get away from Scar, but that's because BB got separated from Duck. Duck was fine. He was omitted from the list of the dead, because he is not dead.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 17:58, 6 February 2006 (EST)

::"I'm not dead yet..." --[[User:Day|Day]] 16:29, 10 February 2006 (EST)

== Disambiguation ==
Does anybody object to [[Scar]] pointing to a disambiguation between the episode and the Raider itself, rather than going straight to the episode? That's what we did with Pegasus. [[User:Rocky8311|Rocky8311]] 11:44, 3 March 2006 (CST)
:I prefer the Scar pattern to the Pegasus pattern. The disambig page doesn't contain anything meaningful, and if you intended to go to the other article you're still only one click away from it. Scar (Raider) and Scar (the episode) are both destinations, where a disambig page is just a road sign. In fact, I'd even support doing the same with Pegasus if not for the fact that there are three different possible Pegasus locations. Actually, thanks for the reminder, as I try to keep up with the [[Special:Disambiguations]], and Pegasus is a common offender there. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 12:12, 3 March 2006 (CST)

:If we only have two things it's easier to have a link at the top of the page like we do, saying "for "Scar the Raider" see this page...",etc. Pegasus has a disambiguation page because there are like 5-6 things under that name. Most times, we don't need disambiguation pages (we do use them for like "Adama" or pilot callsigns re-used from the original series like Apollo and Starbuck. That's it. No need for a disambiguation page. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 13:53, 3 March 2006 (CST)

== "Fullmetal Alchemist" name references? ==

My addition to the notes section:

''"Majahal" and "Scar" are also the names of villains in the anime series Fullmetal Alchemist.''

was undone with the following comment:

''"The Merovingian (→Notes - I'm sorry but I've check wikipedia and googled, but there is no character named Majahal in FMA)"''

Here are a couple refs:
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodes_of_Fullmetal_Alchemist#Episode_4:_A_Forger.E2.80.99s_Love from Wikipedia's "Episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist"]:
While on their way to Central to try to take the State Alchemy Examination, Ed and Al take a detour to meet an alchemist named Majahal. Majahal’s name appeared frequently in their father’s correspondence in connection with human transmutation.

* [http://www.fullmetalalchemist.com/ official site] (sorry, it's Flash, so I can't deep link... note also the different spelling):
Majhal is a very well respected Alchemist working to better the lives of the people living in his village. Ed and Al learn of him by seeing his name in letters exchanged between the lone Alchemist and their father regarding human transmutation.

If the only similarly-named character was "Scar", this would be too trivial to note, but Majahal/Majhal -> Majahaul is a more plausible candidate for a reference.
--Invalidname

*A) It is not spelled the same B) it is so obscure that it does not warrant mention here. If these were the two primary villians on a show, there would at least be question, but this is just pushing it. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 21:18, 5 March 2006 (CST)

== A worthy quote? ==

Kat's retort to Starbuck's "stim junkie" insult in the pilot's lounge: "One Tigh on the ship's enough." A brutal and efficient comment--killing two officers with one stone. Should it go in the Noteworthy Dialogue section?--[[User:BlueResistance|BlueResistance]] 10:06 pm, 6 March 2006 (EST)
:Actually, the parallel is even deeper - Kat's slugging Thrace in the face is extremely reminiscent of Thrace doing the same thing to Tigh in the miniseries. I've long felt that Kara was basically going to grow up to be Tigh eventually. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 21:29, 6 March 2006 (CST)
::Thanks, Peter Farago. Added Kat's "Tigh" comment to the page. --[[User:BlueResistance|BlueResistance]] 20:34, 7 March 2006 (EST)

== Moved from Questions ==

Per [[BW:FORUM]], these answers needed to be removed from the questions area. Here's what I removed. These points can probably be re-integrated into the analysis section, though I should reiterate that the analysis sections must not look like a thrice damned forum. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 02:34, 6 December 2006 (CST)

**When ''BattlestarWiki'' [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques/Archive01#Scar|asked]] the writer of this episode, [[Bradley Thompson]], this question he said: "Sharon is speculating. She doesn't know, but it could have happened that way." So it remains an unconfirmed possibility.
**It is likely that the ''Pegasus'' production facilities will create Mark VIIs, as the ''Pegasus'' is a more modern battlestar than ''Galactica'' (which does not have these facilities). Since the Mark IIs are outdated models that were only on ''Galactica'' for museum purposes, the blueprints and equipment molds in the production facilities are most likely not set to produce equipment for the older Vipers.
**They may also decide to produce more of the stealth fighters, as they have now seen their combat and surprise capabilities. However, since these aren't robust fighters and sustain damage easily, the odds favor making more protection over stealth.
**The three basic Cylon models represent something of a spectrum of advancement: from their original, purely mechanical form (the Centurions), to the almost-entirely "organic" forms (the humanoid Cylons). The Raiders are described (podcast, "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]") as supposed to be "in the gap" between [[Number Six]] and a Centurion. Centurions cannot resurrect, and they also contain none of the more advanced bio-mechanical technology the Cylons have developed (as demonstrated by destroyed Centurions, etc). Raiders, on the other hand, ''do'' contain "bio-mechanical" technology, albeit not as advanced as that used in humanoid Cylons. Perhaps the resurrection technology is based on that bio-mechanical "wetware".
***Also, the Cylons may believe that fighter-piloting takes more skill than infantry combat.
**Although humanoid Cylons are truly sentient, Raiders are not. Raiders do have a level of self-awareness, as an animal. Basestars make use of some bio-mechanical materials, but little else is known on how they use their bio-mechanics (This may be answered in a Season 3 episode).
**Based on the population counts or Fleet status, it's not likely that the episode events are running concurrently. In "Black Market," the Fleet is united (else, Apollo could not fly to ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' or the ''[[Prometheus]]''). In "Scar," ''Galactica'' and the ''Majahual'' are in one system while ''Pegasus'' guards the rest of the Fleet in another location.
**As CAG of two battlestars, Apollo need not fly in every mission now with the relatively high levels of existing pilots and new recruits from ''Pegasus'' as well as ''Galactica's'' own pilots. Since Starbuck appears to have returned to her 2nd pilot in command status (acting as CAG in Apollo's absence), she manages some CAG responsibilities on ''Galactica'', such as pilot briefings. Kat appears to brief pilots as well, suggesting she is higher in the pilot command chain than before.
**There may have been bio-mechanical brains in storage we didn't see; also, the ship acts as a transmitter and could simply transmit their consciousnesses to accompanying basestars.

== Asteroid spacing ==
The note about the unrealistic distances between asteroid is quite right (virtually the same mistake has often been made in the series' representations of nebular density), but we never see the asteroid belt in its initial state (i.e. before mining operations commenced). Maybe all those rocks flying around close to each other are debris from the blasting of one or two huge asteroids to get at the desired ore deposits.--[[User:Steve|Steve]] 06:07, 6 December 2006 (CST)

=== Citation ===

Per [[BW:CITE|our Citation Jihad]], we need a better source than Wikipedia. Sadly, Wikipedia is not a primary or secondary source -- an article from a scientific journal would work, Wikpedia does not. (Another thing against Wikipedia, particularly on the article that Boogaloo cited, is that it was listed as lacking sources itself!) Until we have a better cite, I've moved the bullet point here. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 09:43, 6 December 2006 (CST)

*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another. For more information, check out the [[Wikipedia:Asteroid Belt#The_asteroid_belt_in_fiction_and_film|'In film and fiction' section of the Wikipedia article on asteroid belts]].

*Oh, come on. It's basic science. Just look in any good scientific work and you'll find conformation that asteroids are spaced apart. And I doubt that all those rocks flying about were a result of the mining operations, or they would have got rid of them to stop them hindering the mining. Besides, if all those rocks were the result of one asteroid being blasted apart, it would have to be one '''MASSIVE''' asteroid. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 09:48, 6 December 2006 (CST)

** Regardless, it still needs to be sourced. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 10:25, 6 December 2006 (CST)

*Here's a source I found:

[[http://www.solarviews.com/eng/asteroid.htm]]

And here's the appropiate sentence from said source:

''Spacecraft that have flown through the asteroid belt have found that the belt is really quite empty and that asteroids are separated by very large distances''

Now ''there's'' a source. Can I put that little bit back in now? [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 11:27, 6 December 2006 (CST)
:That's pretty "science-y". The [[Template:Cite web|web cite]] would probably be the best way to cite it. My only concern with it is that the whole article is about our solar system's asteroid belt, but being as small as they are I don't think we could have much definitive info about belts in other systems. So I'd favor slapping a web cite template with that site info, and actually not using the sentence or anything in the article. It's copyrighted text so it's better to just provide the link via the cite (so people can check it themselves). --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 11:53, 6 December 2006 (CST)
:I agree with Steelviper that extrapolation from Sol's asteroid belt doesn't definitively peg this as an error. My understanding (I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm mistaken) is that asteroids can either be closely spaced or not, but a system in which they are closely spaced is unstable - the collective gravity of so many bits of rock in close quarters will cause them to coalesce into some kind of planetary body. The context for what we see on screen is limited - for all we know the asteroids we see may very well be coalescing into one mass, but doing it slowly enough that it's not apparent within the time span of the episode.--[[User:Steve|Steve]] 03:45, 7 December 2006 (CST)
*Well, Sol's asteroid belt is a normal asteroid belt, so in a way it applies to all asteroid belts. And besides, I remember seeing countless asteroids in the distance during the episode. Well, regardless, whether it's a small asteroid or not, it's still an error. Asteroids are never (or extremely rarely at the very least) spaced so close together like they were shown. In deep space, objects rarely congregate so close together--they just hurtle through space. Obviously, the makers of the show used Star Wars as a reference on how asteroids are spaced. 2001: A Space Odyssey got it right: a passing through the asteroid belt is signfied by sighting of a lone, small asteroid shooting through space. Like it or not, it's an error, unless of course the Colonials collected asteroids and put them all together as some sort of bizarre pilot training course or something. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 05:10, 7 December 2006 (CST)
::Sol's asteroid belt is typical for a planetary system of a certain age, but the age of the system the Fleet is mining is never made clear (of course, it has nothing to do with the story). I fully agree that the environment depicted in the episode can't exist in a fully formed planetary system. However, as I understand it, in a young star's protoplanetary disk there would be regions like this, with gas, dust, and rocks of varying sizes all converging to form new and larger planetary bodies. This explanation (that they are mining a dense region in a protoplanetary disk, rather than a Sol-style asteroid belt) would fit nicely with the apparent density of the interplanetary medium in this episode's space sequences - it's so dense that the Vipers have visible wingtip vortices. I share your beef with conventional depictions of asteroid belts, I'm just not sure this qualifies as a clear scientific error or breach of naturalism. --[[User:Steve|Steve]] 06:13, 7 December 2006 (CST)
*Well, I doubt that it would ''that'', as I highly doubt that the Colonials would as imbecilic as to mine in a trubulent proto-star system. And I'd say that it's just a plain scientific error, as nearly all sci-fi franchises make the same mistake. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 07:26, 7 December 2006 (CST)
::Though I imagine it has more to do with the fact that the tight clustering of the asteroids is far more visually appealing. They'd probably accuse the VFX team of laziness if they sent back a rendered scene of just one or two asteroids in frame. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 07:42, 7 December 2006 (CST)
:::Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's still an error, and I'm going to put it back in, unless someone objects. Oh, and has anyone noticed another error made in the series: asteroids are depicted as having gravity, whereas in real life they don't have enough mass for gravity. Although on the other hand they could have been outfitted with artificial gravity generators...[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 09:41, 7 December 2006 (CST)
::::I wouldn't object to the readdition as long as it comes with the citation. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 10:32, 7 December 2006 (CST)
::::Ditto. That was my only issue with it anyway and now it's been satisfied. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 10:35, 7 December 2006 (CST)
:::::Well, in it goes then. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 13:31, 7 December 2006 (CST)

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-07T15:41:16Z

Boogaloo: /* Citation */

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-07T13:26:18Z

Boogaloo: /* Citation */

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-07T11:10:16Z

Boogaloo: /* Citation */

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-06T17:27:41Z

Boogaloo: /* Citation */

Talk:Scar/Archive 1

2006-12-06T15:48:57Z

Boogaloo: /* Asteroid spacing */

Scar

2006-12-06T11:13:23Z

Boogaloo: Improved link.

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==

*As implied by [[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]], is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?"
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to eventually construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? ([[Cylon Centurion|Answer]])
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
*As the [[Resurrection Ship]] recon images (from "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]") only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download, how are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders stored and where are they transferred?
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". As noted in [[Podcast:Scar#Act 4|the podcast]], this is truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. In terms of how the flashbacks were structured, going back and forth between past and current events, this episode most resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]". (However, the [[Podcast:Black Market|podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
*As discussed in [[Podcast:Scar|the podcast]], writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson are mostly responsible for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.

== Notes ==

*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
*Kara Thrace, despite serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under Lee adama, is still ''Pegasus'' CAG. She flies under Adama because the two battlestars have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers, well known as the theme from the film "[[w:The Deer Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.
*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another. For more information, check out the [[Wikipedia:Asteroid Belt#The_asteroid_belt_in_fiction_and_film|'In film and fiction' section of the Wikipedia article on asteroid belts]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider |metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Scar

2006-12-06T11:12:19Z

Boogaloo: /* Notes */

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==

*As implied by [[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]], is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?"
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to eventually construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? ([[Cylon Centurion|Answer]])
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
*As the [[Resurrection Ship]] recon images (from "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]") only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download, how are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders stored and where are they transferred?
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". As noted in [[Podcast:Scar#Act 4|the podcast]], this is truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. In terms of how the flashbacks were structured, going back and forth between past and current events, this episode most resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]". (However, the [[Podcast:Black Market|podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
*As discussed in [[Podcast:Scar|the podcast]], writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson are mostly responsible for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.

== Notes ==

*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
*Kara Thrace, despite serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under Lee adama, is still ''Pegasus'' CAG. She flies under Adama because the two battlestars have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers, well known as the theme from the film "[[w:The Deer Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.
*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another. For more information, check out the 'In film and fiction' section of the [[Wikipedia:Asteroid Belt#The_asteroid_belt_in_fiction_and_film|Wikipedia article on asteroid belts]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider |metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Scar

2006-12-06T11:11:08Z

Boogaloo: Here's some citation.

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==

*As implied by [[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]], is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?"
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to eventually construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? ([[Cylon Centurion|Answer]])
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
*As the [[Resurrection Ship]] recon images (from "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]") only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download, how are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders stored and where are they transferred?
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]". As noted in [[Podcast:Scar#Act 4|the podcast]], this is truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. In terms of how the flashbacks were structured, going back and forth between past and current events, this episode most resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]". (However, the [[Podcast:Black Market|podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
*As discussed in [[Podcast:Scar|the podcast]], writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson are mostly responsible for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.

== Notes ==

*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
*Kara Thrace, despite serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under Lee adama, is still ''Pegasus'' CAG. She flies under Adama because the two battlestars have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers, well known as the theme from the film "[[w:The Deer Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.
*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another. For more information, check out the 'In film and fiction' section of the [[Wikipedia:Asteroid Belt|Wikipedia article on asteroid belts]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider |metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Scar

2006-12-06T07:58:08Z

Boogaloo: It's true. I read it in a science magazine once.

: ''This article deals with the episode. For information on the ace Cylon Raider, see "[[Scar (Raider)]]"''

{{Episode Data
| image = Scar-Firing.jpg
| title= Scar
| season= 2
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[David Weddle]] [[Bradley Thompson]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-02-03
| UK airdate= 2006-04-11
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49,593
| prev= [[Black Market]]
| next= [[Sacrifice]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

: ''An ace Cylon Raider, nicknamed "[[Scar (Raider)|Scar]]" by the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots, has been causing problems for the Fleet. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] and [[Louanne Katraine|Kat]] compete to hunt it down while Starbuck pines for [[Samuel Anders|"a dead guy"]].''

== Summary ==

* Several [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilots have been killed while guarding the ''[[Majahual]]'', an ore mining ship located on top of a metal ore-rich asteroid. The Fleet's goal is to gather sufficient ore there to create two new squadrons of Vipers.
* With the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed as well as most of the nearest Cylon fleet, the Cylons are far less brazen in attacks, sending only a few Raiders to harass the mining operation.
* ''Galactica'' stays behind to guard the mining operation with their [[CAP]], while ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' stays with the civilian fleet at a remote location.
* There is too much debris in the system to use [[DRADIS]] to quickly sight and kill the Raiders. [[Combat Air Patrol]]s are needed instead, using their [[Mark One Eyeball]] to find the Raiders.
* One particular Raider, known as "[[Scar]]," is the cause of the pilot deaths.
* [[Kat]], now a seasoned and very talented pilot, challenges [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] over the "Top Gun" beer stein (currently held by Thrace) with the downing of Scar.
* Thrace's depression over the inability to convince Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] to return to Caprica to rescue [[Samuel Anders]] and his [[Caprica Resistance]] causes her to drink excessively and behave very rashly. To suppress her feelings on the inability to fulfill her promise, Thrace begins to tell herself that Anders is dead.
*Thrace turns to [[Sharon Valerii]] for advice regarding Scar. Valerii explains that Raiders can reincarnate as well, and with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Scar will do anything to survive.
*Valerii also mentions that "he probably hates you (Thrace) as much as you hate him", as well as asking "how many of us" ''[sic]'' did Scar kill. In an unguarded moment, Valerii and Thrace reminisce over old times, but when Valerii reaches to touch Thrace in friendship, [[marines]] on guard make it clear that it is not permitted. As a distraught Thrace leaves, Sharon tells her to be careful.
* When a rookie pilot from ''Pegasus'', [[Brent Baxton|BB]], is killed, Kat berates Starbuck for giving him "textbook" advice. Later, Kat berates a hungover Starbuck again for being late to lead her own pilot's briefing as well as assigning [[Joseph Clark|Jo-Jo]] in her place on CAP, which leads to his death at the hands of Scar.
* Thrace and [[Lee Adama]] talk over drinks, when Thrace propositions Adama for a "quick lay." The two pilots attack each other, clothes flying, but Thrace is too aggressive, which turns Adama's desire almost completely off. She admits that her feelings for Samuel Anders are very confused. When Adama tells her that it's the "living guys" she can't deal with, Thrace is so confused that she slaps Adama, then kisses him for his thoughtfulness in reminding her that he is her friend before she leaves his quarters.
* Starbuck is on patrol with Kat as her wingman when they spot a Raider. Both chase the Raider, but Scar uses that second Raider as a decoy by trying to ambush the Vipers from behind.
* Starbuck's instincts tell her to check their "six" (rear), which successfully locates Scar but leaves her Viper with moderate damage when Scar scores hits on her Viper.
*Starbuck leads Scar into a canyon on an asteroid, flips, and flies at Scar on a collision course. Kat shouts at Starbuck to break off as Scar is a machine and won't break off. Starbuck realizes this; she is making a suicide run, as her mind begins to drift out of focus as she thinks of Anders.
* At the last moment, Starbuck breaks off her [[CBDR]] run, and Scar chases her. Starbuck instructs Kat to ambush him from behind while Starbuck lures him into Kat's killzone, in a similar ambush that Scar attempted on them. The ambush is successful, with Kat winning her challenge over Starbuck.
* Starbuck fills the "Top Gun" beer stein for Kat and congratulates her. Then, Starbuck praises the memory of the many pilots lost to Scar and past battles. Admiral Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], both laudable Viper pilots themselves in the [[Cylon War]], attend the celebration. Admiral Adama ends the tribute with "[[So say we all]]."
* Training with Helo in the gym, Starbuck says that she could have killed Scar, but she would have killed herself in the process. Helo tells her that backing off and letting her wingman get the kill was the right thing to do. Helo notes that Starbuck didn't make the suicide run, because she has something to live for now in Anders.

== Questions ==


*Is Scar a reincarnation of the Cylon Raider that Starbuck captures in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]?" Valerii seems to suggest this, and the "previously" segment seems to imply it.
**When ''BattlestarWiki'' [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques/Archive01#Scar|asked]] the writer of this episode, [[Bradley Thompson]], this question he said: "Sharon is speculating. She doesn't know, but it could have happened that way." So it remains an unconfirmed possibility.
*The Fleet has obtained enough metal ore to (eventually) construct two new squadrons of Vipers: will they be Mark II's, or Mark VII's?
**It is likely that the ''Pegasus'' production facilities will create Mark VIIs, as the ''Pegasus'' is a more modern battlestar than ''Galactica'' (which does not have these facilities). Since the Mark IIs are outdated models that were only on ''Galactica'' for museum purposes, the blueprints and equipment molds in the production facilities are most likely not set to produce equipment for the older Vipers.
**They may also decide to produce more of the stealth fighters, as they have now seen their combat and surprise capabilities. However, since these aren't robust fighters and sustain damage easily, the odds favor making more protection over stealth.
*With Thrace serving on ''Galactica'', who is instructing [[nugget]]s on ''Pegasus''?
*If Raiders reincarnate so that Cylon forces can benefit from their learned experience, why don't Centurions? (It was noted that Centurions cannot reincarnate in [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/01/#a000114 RDM's January 20 blog entry]. Centurions are not sentient.)
**The three basic Cylon models represent something of a spectrum of advancement: from their original, purely mechanical form (the Centurions), to the almost-entirely "organic" forms (the humanoid Cylons). The Raiders are described (podcast, "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]") as supposed to be "in the gap" between [[Number Six]] and a Centurion. Centurions cannot resurrect, and they also contain none of the more advanced bio-mechanical technology the Cylons have developed (as demonstrated by destroyed Centurions, etc). Raiders, on the other hand, ''do'' contain "bio-mechanical" technology, albeit not as advanced as that used in humanoid Cylons. Perhaps the resurrection technology is based on that bio-mechanical "wetware".
***Also, the Cylons may believe that fighter-piloting takes more skill than infantry combat.
* Do basestars also have the ability to reincarnate given that they appear to be composed of similar bio-mechanical technology as the Raiders?
**Although humanoid Cylons are truly sentient, Raiders are not. Raiders do have a level of self-awareness, as an animal. Basestars make use of some bio-mechanical materials, but little else is known on how they use their bio-mechanics (This may be answered in a Season 3 episode).
*As Apollo was not flying in this episode and is in a supporting role, could the events of "Scar" be taking place concurrently with the events of "[[Black Market]]," given that neither Starbuck or Kat are featured in that episode?
**Based on the population counts or Fleet status, it's not likely that the episode events are running concurrently. In "Black Market," the Fleet is united (else, Apollo could not fly to ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' or the ''[[Prometheus]]''). In "Scar," ''Galactica'' and the ''Majahual'' are in one system while ''Pegasus'' guards the rest of the Fleet in another location.
**As CAG of two battlestars, Apollo need not fly in every mission now with the relatively high levels of existing pilots and new recruits from ''Pegasus'' as well as ''Galactica's'' own pilots. Since Starbuck appears to have returned to her 2nd pilot in command status (acting as CAG in Apollo's absence), she manages some CAG responsibilities on ''Galactica'', such as pilot briefings. Kat appears to brief pilots as well, suggesting she is higher in the pilot command chain than before.
*How are the consciousnesses of dead Raiders "stored"? The resurrection ship images only showed humanoid bodies awaiting download from deceased Cylon agents, no full Raiders nor dissociated bio-mechanical brains awaiting transfer.
**There may have been bio-mechanical brains in storage we didn't see; also, the ship acts as a transmitter and could simply transmit their consciousnesses to accompanying basestars.
* Exactly how many Cylon Raiders were lurking within the Asteroid System including Scar?

== Analysis ==
*The title "Scar" refers to the "ace" Cylon Raider this episode centers around. While all Cylon Raiders appear visually identical, this particular unit has extensive hull damage, whether from asteroid impacts, scoring from near-misses or other debris, giving it a weathered, craggy look - essentially, "battle scars".
*Many of the pilots Starbuck toasts are minor and recurring characters who have died in previous episodes. In the order she lists them:
**[[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]] - killed in deck accident in "[[Act of Contrition]]", along with twelve others.
**[[Perry|Chuckles]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] - killed in action in the [[Miniseries]], along with nineteen others.
**[[Crashdown]] - shot by Dr. Gaius Baltar in "[[Fragged]]".
**[[Flyboy]] - killed in action by a Cylon Centurion in [[Valley of Darkness]].
**[[Stepchild]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
**[[Fireball]] - killed in action during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God]]".
*Among those not mentioned were Maj. [[Jackson Spencer|Jackson "Ripper" Spencer]], KIA in the [[Miniseries]], and [[Karma]], KIA in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".
**This may be truthfully reflecting Starbuck's earlier comment that she can't remember the names of all of the pilots that have died. This is acknowledged in the podcast.

*During the "previously on Battlestar Galactica" intro, a clip of a scene which has never actually aired before in any episode was played. In the scene, Starbuck argues to Adama and Roslin that they must mount a rescue operation to save the Caprica Resistance, but Adama and Roslin are in agreement that it is impossible and tell her they can't. This is the opening of the extended cut of [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] that was released later on DVD:
**'''Thrace: '''The Resistance base camp is here (''points at a map'') 300 klicks north of the only Cylon airbase in the area...
**'''Roslin: ''' I respect what you're trying to do here, however...
**'''Thrace: ''' We have a ''duty'' to the people we left behind.
**'''Adama: ''' We understand that.
**'''Thrace: ''' We ''have to'' find a way to Jump back to Caprica, and go get them--
**'''Adama: '''--Kara!
*During the "in this episode" sequence of the credits, there are two images not seen in the episode; one of Starbuck standing at a distance, and one of a gun being placed before the camera. These could have been cut from the training scene.
* This episode was the third of the most recent four episodes to begin ''[[Wikipedia:In medias res|in medias res]]'', after [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] and [[Black Market]]. Though the technique was used well in this episode -- aside from the use of the same endpoint, with Starbuck and Scar charging toward each other, for both acts III and IV -- its apparent prevalance in the series here detracts from the episode. (However, [[RDM|RDM's]] [[podcast]] for "[[Black Market]]" indicates that beginning that episode with Lee's confrontation with [[Phelan]] was not part of the original script and was done as an act of "desperation".)
**This episode's use of the flashbacks, going back and forth between past and current events, resembled "[[Act of Contrition]]" more than either of the Season Two episodes mentioned above.
**While the openings of "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" and "[[Black Market]]" were a quick teaser from the end of the episode, jumping back to the beginning (to "hook" the audience), this entire episode was structured around such flashbacks. RDM stated that the flashbacks in the other episodes were done to get the audience's attention, (as stated above, "Black Market" wasn't even supposed to have this). "[[Epiphanies]]" also had flashbacks, but these were not ''in media res'' flashforwards to later events, but straightforward flashbacks.
*Regular series writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson seem more responsible than anyone else for expanding the minor pilot characters as the series has progressed. They wrote "[[Act of Contrition]]," in which the nuggets were introduced, then "[[The Hand of God]]," which was the second time they all appeared (and when Chuckles died). Kat and Hot Dog reappear in "[[Scattered]]" and "Valley of Darkness," which Weddle and Thompson also wrote. The character of Kat received more development since "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," the writers' most recent entry before this episode.
**This is discussed in the [[Podcast:Scar|podcast]], such as when David Weddle mentions "We'll watch dailies and watch shows and when we see somebody we like we do bring 'em, purposely bring 'em back into our scripts and start to build on what we see."

== Notes ==

*As most of this episode is told in flashback, the survivor count is a little confusing. The episode begins with Kat and Starbuck's final mission against Scar, then flashes back to 4 days earlier, within the teaser. The survivor count is then shown to be 4 less than last week's count. Does this include the pilots killed by Scar? (because most of what we seen in the episode happens in the "past"?)
**At least three people died onscreen in Black Market (Fisk, Phelan, and Fisk's killer), and there was more than 1 pilot killed by Scar, so presumably the survivor count is for the "96 hours previously" section.
*As the episode begins, mining ship ''[[Majahual]]'' has been conducting operations in a thick asteroid field for 29 days.
*The [[landram]] from [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]] makes a cameo appearance as we are first introduced to the ''Majahual''.
*Kat is now qualified to fly [[Viper Mark VII]]s.
*New nuggets are still being trained and added to the Fleet's ranks. Kat's assertion that "no replacements are coming" in "[[Final Cut]]" appears to no longer be relevant with the arrival of ''Pegasus'' and her resources.
**It was mentioned in "[[Act of Contrition]]" that ''Galactica'' didn't have any flight training simulators and so preferred to train pilots that had prior flight experience. With the arrival of ''Pegasus'', the Fleet now has Viper flight simulators and so pilots can now be trained more easily.
*Helo and Starbuck are further shown to be friendly in this episode.
*Nuggets enter the [[Colonial Fleet]] at the rank of Ensign after completing flight training.
*Pilot training apparently takes place on ''Pegasus'', with recruits being assigned to ''Galactica'' afterward.
**This is probably a result of the circumstances imposed by ''Majahual's'' extended mining operation. ''Pegasus'' is outside of the combat zone, guarding the civilians, while ''Galactica'' was constantly on guard for attack. Logically, trainee pilots would not be deployed to the combat zone until after they got their wings. Now that they have finished mining and have moved on, training may continue on both.
*Kara Thrace retains the rank of captain, but is now serving as a pilot on ''Galactica'' under CAG Lee Adama.
**She is still ''Pegasus'' CAG, but is flying under Apollo at the moment because the two battlestar have combined their resources for the mining operation's defense.
*The Fleet has found an asteroid containing large supplies of vital metals needed to build completely new Vipers in earnest (instead of making do with what spare parts they have). The Fleet has obtained a large enough supply of metals to create two entire squadrons of Vipers. (It has never been definitively stated how many Vipers are in a "squadron", but based on non-official concept outlines various interviews, it is probably 20.)
**''Pegasus'' has Viper production facilities, one of her more modern capabilities that ''Galactica'' lacks. During the episode, the ''Pegasus'' production team finishes its first combat-ready Viper.
*Anders appears in flashbacks (re-used footage) in this episode.
*[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] do not appear in this episode.
*Chief Tyrol appears very briefly in this episode. Cally is mentioned, but does not appear.
*Lt. [[Gaeta]] and [[Dualla]] appear in this episode, seen in CIC, but have no speaking lines.
*Starbuck and Kat use the word [[frak|motherfrakker]] in this episode, its second use since it was introduced in "[[Valley of Darkness]]"
*In the podcast, it is revealed that a scene was cut of the pilots auctioning off [[Beano]]'s possessions, a tradition from the British Navy during the Napoleonic War Era. This auction, RDM explains, was a tribute to the fallen, as well as serving the practical purpose of recycling resources. There would be a shot of Apollo holding up Beano's "skin" magazine and taking bids, etc. This "skin" magazine can be briefly seen when Starbuck is packing it into a box of Reilly's personal effects. (Its name appears to be "[[Nymph]]".) During the following scene when they're talking about Scar in the pilot's loungeroom ("88 hours ago"), if you look closely in the background, you can see [[Brendan Constanza|Hot Dog]] reading it, presumably having won the auction.
*Lee Adama doesn't fly in this episode, and is never seen in a [[flight suit]]. A lot of the day-to-day work of being the CAG, such as assigning and briefing pilots, falls to Starbuck.
*The little model plane on top of the "Top Gun" mug sported by Starbuck and Kat is actually a U.S. Navy [[wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18 Hornet]].
*This episode bears some similarities to the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond Space: Above and Beyond]'' episodes "Never No More" and "The Angriest Angel," both of which dealt with the introduction of an "ace" alien fighter and its detrimental effect upon the Earth military's morale, and the ensuing efforts of a main character to hunt him down.
*The song that plays in the final scene of this episode is "Cavatina" by Stanley Myers, well known as the theme from the film "[[Wikipedia:The_Deer_Hunter|The Deer Hunter]]."
*A deleted scene for this episode explains that Kat is giving a pilot briefing about Scar at one point (ending with "That's the motherfrakker I'm going to kill") because Starbuck was late for the meeting, so Kat assumed she wasn't coming at all and started without her. In the deleted scene, Stabuck comes into the room right after the original scene ends, argues with Kat for starting without her, and then moves right into the next scene where Starbuck is summarizing the tactical situation for the past month.
*A classic error made in most sci-fi franchises is made in this episode. It depicts asteroids in an asteroid field being in extremely close proximity with one another. In actuality, however, asteroids are normally spaced very far apart from one another.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*{{audio|Scar - one Tigh is enough.mp3|''Kat responds to Starbuck's runaway drinking, after being called a "stim junkie".''}}
:'''Kat''': One Tigh on this ship's enough.

*{{audio|Scar - get what we can.mp3|''Drinking heavily late at night, Apollo and Starbuck commiserate over all of the pilots that have died.}}
:'''Apollo''': You know what gets me? I know that in two weeks, I won't remember his face. I can't remember any of their faces after they're killed. No matter how hard I try, they just fade.
:'''Starbuck''': I don't even remember their names.
:'''Apollo''': Names. Oh, let's see, there was- there was [[Flat Top]]. (Starbuck spits some of her drink on him) Who bought it on his thousandth landing. There was [[Chuckles]]. (Starbuck spits out some more beer) Stop it, already. Please, not funny. All right. It's not funny.
:'''Starbuck''': It is funny. You know [[Laura Roslin|the President]] says that we're saving humanity for a bright, shiny future. On [[Earth]]. That you and I are never gonna see. We're not. Because we go out over and over again until someday, some [[Cylon Raider |metal mother frakker]] is gonna catch us on a bad day and just blow us away.
:'''Apollo''': Bright, shiny futures are overrated anyway.
:'''Starbuck''': That is why we gotta get what we can. Right now.

*{{audio|Scar - Starbuck's toast.mp3|''After Starbuck pours Kat a drink in her new ''Galactica'' Top Gun mug, she raises a toast to nearly every pilot that has died since their flight from the Colonies.''}}
:'''Starbuck:''' To BB, Jo-Jo, Reilly, Beano, Dipper, [[Dwight Saunders|Flat Top]], [[Perry|Chuckles]], [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]], [[Crashdown]], Sheppard, Dash, [[Flyboy]], [[Stepchild]], Puppet, [[Fireball]]...(stops, crying)
:'''Apollo:''' To all of 'em.
:'''Admiral Adama:''' So say we all.
:'''Crew:''' So say we all.
:'''Starbuck:''' So say we all.

== Official Statements ==

*According to an interview on Subject2Discussion.com on January 3rd, 2006, along with "Home" (Parts [[Home, Part I|One]], [[Home, Part II|Two]]), and "[[The Farm]]", this is one of Katee Sackhoff's favorite episodes.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Luciana Carro]] as Lieutenant [[Louanne Katraine|Louanne "Kat" Katraine]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lieutenant [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[imdb:nm0856351|Christian Tessier]] as Lieutenant [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[imdb:nm1423766|Sean J. Dory]] as Ensign [[Joseph Clark|Joseph "Jo-Jo" Clark]]
*[[imdb:nm0415066|Christopher Jacot]] as Ensign [[Brent Baxton|Brent "BB" Baxton]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Scar]]

Water

2006-12-01T07:52:41Z

Boogaloo: Oh, really? Then how come ice exists on comets? How come ice exists on the moon? How come astronauts report their urine freezing instantly when they ejected it into space?

{{Episode Data
| image =Water3.jpg
| title=Water
| series=
| season=1
| episode=2
| guests=
| writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director=[[Marita Grabiak]]
| production=102
| rating= 2.6
| US airdate=2005-01-14
| UK airdate=2004-10-25
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47,958
| prev=[[33]]
| next=[[Bastille Day]]
}}

== Overview ==

: '' ''Galactica'' loses over 60% of her water reserves due to sabotage, forcing the Fleet into a crisis and Commander Adama to seek a new supply.''

== Summary ==
* [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] finds herself dripping wet in her [[flight suit]], sitting in an equipment room on the flight deck. She is disoriented, and upon opening a duffel bag containing her uniform, she discovers [[G-4|explosives]], complete with detonators.
* After drying and dressing herself, Boomer goes to a small-arms locker and finds that a further six detonators are missing, throwing her into a panic and seeking [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol’s]] help.
* [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] visits ''[[Galactica]]'' to thank the crew for their hard work in defending the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] following the recent events ([[33]]).
* Protocol is observed during her visit, with officers in dress uniform, etc. Roslin believes this is because [[William Adama|Adama]] is trying to make her look an idiot; [[Lee Adama]] informs her that his father ordered the reception out of respect for her position as President.
* The ''[[Virgon Express]]'' arrives alongside, ready to take on new water supplies. Adama explains to Roslin of ''Galactica's'' near-perfect water reclamation, and tanking ability for those ships that don’t have recycling facilities themselves.
* In the equipment locker, Tyrol and Boomer, on the verge of a breakdown, discuss the missing explosives. Tyrol promises he’ll see her through the situation, convinced someone is trying to frame her.
* As the water transfer operation commences, a series of explosions rip through ''Galactica'', rupturing her water tanks and spewing most of her massive reserves of potable water into space.
* An investigation of the explosion begins. Over 60% of ''Galactica’s'' reserves of water have been lost, leaving the Fleet with a critical shortage. Because of its recycling/storage capabilities, 16,000 people are dependent on ''Galactica'' for drinkable water.
* Pushed to give a reason for the loss of the water, Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] presumes that the detonation of a nuclear warhead close to the water tanks ([[Miniseries]]) may have weakened the tanks, causing them to rupture.
* During his presentation to investigators, Tyrol admits sabotage was the cause of the explosions, revealing the fact that explosives had been taken from a small-arms locker, but covering for Valerii by saying it is unlikely they will discover who took the explosives as security throughout the ship has been lax, and recordkeeping patchy, at best.
* Adama orders [[Raptor]] flights to the nearest star systems in an attempt to find an alternative source of water.
* Reducing the number of people in the inquiry to senior command staff, Roslin and Baltar, Adama reveals the truth about the [[Cylon agent|Cylon agent]] threat, stating his belief that there is a Cylon infiltrator aboard ''Galactica''.
* [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] is quizzed about his progress on constructing a working [[Cylon detector]]. He makes various excuses for his lack of progress, all of which Adama discerns as Baltar's need for assistance on the project. Adama assigns Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] to aid him.
* Following the meeting, Gaeta leaves with Baltar, unhappy about having someone “watching” him. He escapes Gaeta by joining one of [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck’s]] card games and ends up flirting with her.
* Boomer locates water, but has problems trying to report the find while her Cylon sleeper personality tries to detonate explosives she has strapped to her chair.
* Boomer finally makes the report, and she and [[Crashdown]] return to ''Galactica'' to be greeted as heroes.
* Boomer gets Tyrol to check her seat, where he finds the explosives. He later reveals to Boomer he has handed the explosives to the [[Master-at-Arms]], assuring her that this is good, as it puts the Master onto the same lines of investigation they are now pursuing.
* On ''[[Colonial One]]'', impressed at the way Lee Adama helped her through the pomp of her reception on ''Galactica'' at the start of the episode, Roslin asks Captain Adama to become a special advisor to her, to help her understand military jargon and protocol. She also tries to help him come to terms with the destruction of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' ([[33]]), which has been plaguing his conscience.

===On Caprica===

* [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] have returned to Valerii's [[Raptor]], to find it crawling with Cylon warriors.
* Deciding they cannot use it to escape [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]], they head off to "find another ship".
* Later that night, over a meal and anti-radiation shots, they receive a coded transmission, Valerii prompting Helo into the idea that someone else - probably military - is still alive on the planet.

== Questions ==

*Is Boomer completely unaware of her "Cylon" personality, which apparently planted the explosives? ([[Resistance (episode)|Answer]])
*Why did a part of Boomer attempt to blow-up her Raptor when the water-bearing moon was found? Surely she must have been aware that had the Raptor been destroyed, a Search and Rescue mission would have been initiated, with a good probability that the water would have been discovered anyway?
*Is the radio message picked-up by Helo on Caprica genuine, or a Cylon fake, designed to keep him on the planet? ([[Act of Contrition|Answer]])
*Do the Colonials have food recycling capabilities to match their water recycling capabilities?
*Why do the Cylons want to keep Helo on Caprica? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Answer 1]], [[The Farm|Answer 2]])

== Analysis ==
*It has already been established that some Cylons may not even know they are Cylons until they are "activated" (as stated by Six in the Miniseries). "Water" sees a new wrinkle added: that the Cylon "personality" within a Cylon agent can be active without the apparent knowledge of the "human" personality. Boomer's "waking up" scene and subsequent reactions demonstrate that her human persona has no idea of what is going on. Her confusion is genuine and complete, right down to the fact that she has lost track of time (wishing Cally a "good evening", only for Cally to tell her it is early morning).
*This leads to another question: why did Boomer “wake up” while still sopping wet and hiding in the equipment locker? If her Cylon personality wished to remain hidden, why did it not stay in control until she had dried herself off, stowed the duffel bag and the explosives and returned to her bunk? That she finds herself in such a state would tend to suggest that her Cylon personality is not in full control when conscious. Could it be that Valerii’s “programming” as a human is a little too strong, and that there is some kind of internal struggle going on inside her?
**Given the events in "[[Home, Part II]]" and other second season episodes, it may well be that the Valerii model is really "flawed" (as Number Six will later in season one say she feels) and can change its programming, or may not have full defenses against its human personality plant).
***If this is the case, then might the same conflict overcome her "sister" on Caprica? If so, there is potential for whatever the Cylons have in mind for Helo to go awry. ([[Flesh and Bone|Answer 1]], and [[The Farm|Answer 2]])
*As promised at the shows outset, basic logistics and supply issues are a major concern on the series that the characters have to address.
**Some viewers may think that 600-odd tons of food a week is a lot of consumables to have available and wonder where it all comes from. However, [[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]] comprises many ships, apparently including many supply ships with such supplies like the ''[[Gideon]]''.
**At the start of the episode, Adama mentions that with their water recycling capability, ''Galactica'' can go "at least a few years" without needing a fresh supply. However, when they lose "only" 60% of their water, this time period decreases dramatically to just "2 days." This decrease does not add up mathematically.
***While ''Galactica'' herself may be able to go almost indefinitely without replenishing her water supplies, the episode clearly stated that many of the other ships in the fleet rely on ''Galactica'' for resupply.
*A major scientific error is made in the story. In reality, water in space would freeze instantly, and would not pour out of the water tanks as depicted in the episode, unless the Battlestar was in close proximity with a hot star, which is unlikely. In fact, the Colonials would actually lose very little of their water in reality--it would still exist as ice frozen in the water tanks.

== Notes ==

*When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "[[33]]" and "Water" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event.
*When the first few episodes of the series began airing on SciFi Channel, title cards were shown at the beginning of each episode, i.e. "33" or "Water" flashing in white letters on a black screen, and then the episode would begin. This stopped by mid-Season 1.
*This is the only episode to date to feature the deck crew's white EVA suits.
*''Galactica'' has at least 5 Raptors on board.
*Colonials have an equivalent plastic explosive to C-4 (called [[G-4]]).
*The Cylons have stood down from their attacks in "[[33]]."
*[[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] states that only three Marines know that the Cylons look human. [[Crashdown]]'s comment to [[Sharon]] in "33" indicates that at least one of them is responsible for leaking this information to others.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Sharon outlines her "plan" with Helo:''
:'''Helo:''' I don't suppose we have a plan B?
:'''Sharon:''' Plans B, C, D and E are the same as plan A; get off the planet and get back to [[Galactica (RDM)|the ship]].

== Official Statements ==

{{from_RDM_blog}}
:One of the strange things about writing and producing television is the delay between action and reaction. Tomorrow night's episode was written almost a year ago. The battles, thoughts, emotions, disappointments, and victories happened in what seems like the distant past, so when I sit down to watch the show along with the rest of you (and I do watch them on the air) it's like seeing a page out of an old year book. I can remember bits and pieces of the production process, the early drafts of the script, the days spent in the editing bay playing with the footage and waiting for the visual effects to be completed, but none of it is current, all of it belongs to a season now firmly planted in the past.

:However, I do find that the same distance from the rigors of production also afford a better vantage point for watching the show with something approaching objectivity. You get so used to an episode during all the aspects of production that the simple pleasure of watching it as a piece of entertainment is slowly vacuumed away over time. Only now, months after the fact, can I watch these shows from a little remove and my impressions of the episodes are often not the same as when we produced them.

:For instance, during the shoot of "Water" and shortly afterward, I was acutely aware of just how long the script was and how much material was going to have to be lost along the way. I was fairly upset with myself for writing something so bloated and large that it was killing us on the stage and would later require major surgery in the editing room to make our mandated runtime. The first cut of "Water" ran 10-12 minutes long -- essentially an entire act that had to go -- and for a long time when I watched the final locked picture I was always uncomfortably aware of the "cheats" involved. That is, the dropped scenes, the internal cuts made to scenes that made a hash of some of the logic I'd tried to lay out, the half-expressed thoughts, the missing emotional beats, etc.

:However, when I saw the final aired episode, I was hard-pressed to even remember most of the cuts or why they had bothered me in the first place. (Although I still [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|missed a nice bit]] with [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] in the [[Wardroom]], where he tossed off a theory of how six small charges could've blown open the water tank, as it was both helpful to the plot and an entertaining bit of grandstanding by the character.) Frankly, I used to think of "Water" as one of the weaker shows in the first season, but now it seems like a fairly coherent piece.

:Of course, this kind of shift in perspective after shedding the baggage of production works both ways, and I've found that sometimes revisited shows much later that I'd always considered to be "classics" turned out to lose their charm along with the experience of making it. So as we go forward, I'm both excited and vaguely terrified at how I'll view the rest of the season.

:Speaking of excited and terrified, I must admit to being overwhelmed by the response you've generated regarding this blog. There's a remarkable backlog of questions on the board and I'll try to both post here more often and answer more of your questions. I don't know what to tell you in terms of what will catch my eye, but I'll try to look for both the straight-ahead fan questions and the more off the wall questions -- don't be afraid to venture far off-topic, some of the more interesting discussions I had at ''Trek'' had nothing to do with the show itself.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Crewman Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Crashdown]]

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Marita Grabiak]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[es:Agua]]
[[de:Wassermangel]]

{{audio playback
| diff= 87942
| filename= Water_episodeguide.mp3
}}

Water

2006-11-30T16:54:29Z

Boogaloo: It's true. Water does freeze in space instantly.

{{Episode Data
| image =Water3.jpg
| title=Water
| series=
| season=1
| episode=2
| guests=
| writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| director=[[Marita Grabiak]]
| production=102
| rating= 2.6
| US airdate=2005-01-14
| UK airdate=2004-10-25
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 47,958
| prev=[[33]]
| next=[[Bastille Day]]
}}

== Overview ==

: '' ''Galactica'' loses over 60% of her water reserves due to sabotage, forcing the Fleet into a crisis and Commander Adama to seek a new supply.''

== Summary ==
* [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] finds herself dripping wet in her [[flight suit]], sitting in an equipment room on the flight deck. She is disoriented, and upon opening a duffel bag containing her uniform, she discovers [[G-4|explosives]], complete with detonators.
* After drying and dressing herself, Boomer goes to a small-arms locker and finds that a further six detonators are missing, throwing her into a panic and seeking [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol’s]] help.
* [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] visits ''[[Galactica]]'' to thank the crew for their hard work in defending the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] following the recent events ([[33]]).
* Protocol is observed during her visit, with officers in dress uniform, etc. Roslin believes this is because [[William Adama|Adama]] is trying to make her look an idiot; [[Lee Adama]] informs her that his father ordered the reception out of respect for her position as President.
* The ''[[Virgon Express]]'' arrives alongside, ready to take on new water supplies. Adama explains to Roslin of ''Galactica's'' near-perfect water reclamation, and tanking ability for those ships that don’t have recycling facilities themselves.
* In the equipment locker, Tyrol and Boomer, on the verge of a breakdown, discuss the missing explosives. Tyrol promises he’ll see her through the situation, convinced someone is trying to frame her.
* As the water transfer operation commences, a series of explosions rip through ''Galactica'', rupturing her water tanks and spewing most of her massive reserves of potable water into space.
* An investigation of the explosion begins. Over 60% of ''Galactica’s'' reserves of water have been lost, leaving the Fleet with a critical shortage. Because of its recycling/storage capabilities, 16,000 people are dependent on ''Galactica'' for drinkable water.
* Pushed to give a reason for the loss of the water, Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] presumes that the detonation of a nuclear warhead close to the water tanks ([[Miniseries]]) may have weakened the tanks, causing them to rupture.
* During his presentation to investigators, Tyrol admits sabotage was the cause of the explosions, revealing the fact that explosives had been taken from a small-arms locker, but covering for Valerii by saying it is unlikely they will discover who took the explosives as security throughout the ship has been lax, and recordkeeping patchy, at best.
* Adama orders [[Raptor]] flights to the nearest star systems in an attempt to find an alternative source of water.
* Reducing the number of people in the inquiry to senior command staff, Roslin and Baltar, Adama reveals the truth about the [[Cylon agent|Cylon agent]] threat, stating his belief that there is a Cylon infiltrator aboard ''Galactica''.
* [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] is quizzed about his progress on constructing a working [[Cylon detector]]. He makes various excuses for his lack of progress, all of which Adama discerns as Baltar's need for assistance on the project. Adama assigns Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] to aid him.
* Following the meeting, Gaeta leaves with Baltar, unhappy about having someone “watching” him. He escapes Gaeta by joining one of [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck’s]] card games and ends up flirting with her.
* Boomer locates water, but has problems trying to report the find while her Cylon sleeper personality tries to detonate explosives she has strapped to her chair.
* Boomer finally makes the report, and she and [[Crashdown]] return to ''Galactica'' to be greeted as heroes.
* Boomer gets Tyrol to check her seat, where he finds the explosives. He later reveals to Boomer he has handed the explosives to the [[Master-at-Arms]], assuring her that this is good, as it puts the Master onto the same lines of investigation they are now pursuing.
* On ''[[Colonial One]]'', impressed at the way Lee Adama helped her through the pomp of her reception on ''Galactica'' at the start of the episode, Roslin asks Captain Adama to become a special advisor to her, to help her understand military jargon and protocol. She also tries to help him come to terms with the destruction of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' ([[33]]), which has been plaguing his conscience.

===On Caprica===

* [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] have returned to Valerii's [[Raptor]], to find it crawling with Cylon warriors.
* Deciding they cannot use it to escape [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]], they head off to "find another ship".
* Later that night, over a meal and anti-radiation shots, they receive a coded transmission, Valerii prompting Helo into the idea that someone else - probably military - is still alive on the planet.

== Questions ==

*Is Boomer completely unaware of her "Cylon" personality, which apparently planted the explosives? ([[Resistance (episode)|Answer]])
*Why did a part of Boomer attempt to blow-up her Raptor when the water-bearing moon was found? Surely she must have been aware that had the Raptor been destroyed, a Search and Rescue mission would have been initiated, with a good probability that the water would have been discovered anyway?
*Is the radio message picked-up by Helo on Caprica genuine, or a Cylon fake, designed to keep him on the planet? ([[Act of Contrition|Answer]])
*Do the Colonials have food recycling capabilities to match their water recycling capabilities?
*Why do the Cylons want to keep Helo on Caprica? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Answer 1]], [[The Farm|Answer 2]])

== Analysis ==
*It has already been established that some Cylons may not even know they are Cylons until they are "activated" (as stated by Six in the Miniseries). "Water" sees a new wrinkle added: that the Cylon "personality" within a Cylon agent can be active without the apparent knowledge of the "human" personality. Boomer's "waking up" scene and subsequent reactions demonstrate that her human persona has no idea of what is going on. Her confusion is genuine and complete, right down to the fact that she has lost track of time (wishing Cally a "good evening", only for Cally to tell her it is early morning).
*This leads to another question: why did Boomer “wake up” while still sopping wet and hiding in the equipment locker? If her Cylon personality wished to remain hidden, why did it not stay in control until she had dried herself off, stowed the duffel bag and the explosives and returned to her bunk? That she finds herself in such a state would tend to suggest that her Cylon personality is not in full control when conscious. Could it be that Valerii’s “programming” as a human is a little too strong, and that there is some kind of internal struggle going on inside her?
**Given the events in "[[Home, Part II]]" and other second season episodes, it may well be that the Valerii model is really "flawed" (as Number Six will later in season one say she feels) and can change its programming, or may not have full defenses against its human personality plant).
***If this is the case, then might the same conflict overcome her "sister" on Caprica? If so, there is potential for whatever the Cylons have in mind for Helo to go awry. ([[Flesh and Bone|Answer 1]], and [[The Farm|Answer 2]])
*As promised at the shows outset, basic logistics and supply issues are a major concern on the series that the characters have to address.
**Some viewers may think that 600-odd tons of food a week is a lot of consumables to have available and wonder where it all comes from. However, [[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]] comprises many ships, apparently including many supply ships with such supplies like the ''[[Gideon]]''.
**At the start of the episode, Adama mentions that with their water recycling capability, ''Galactica'' can go "at least a few years" without needing a fresh supply. However, when they lose "only" 60% of their water, this time period decreases dramatically to just "2 days." This decrease does not add up mathematically.
***While ''Galactica'' herself may be able to go almost indefinitely without replenishing her water supplies, the episode clearly stated that many of the other ships in the fleet rely on ''Galactica'' for resupply.
*A major scientific error is made in the story. In reality, water in space would freeze instantly, and would not pour out of the water tanks as depicted in the episode, unless the Battlestar was in close proximity with a hot star, which is unlikely. In fact, the Colonials would actually lose very little of their water in reality--it would still exist as ice frozen in the water tanks.

== Notes ==

*When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "[[33]]" and "Water" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event.
*When the first few episodes of the series began airing on SciFi Channel, title cards were shown at the beginning of each episode, i.e. "33" or "Water" flashing in white letters on a black screen, and then the episode would begin. This stopped by mid-Season 1.
*This is the only episode to date to feature the deck crew's white EVA suits.
*''Galactica'' has at least 5 Raptors on board.
*Colonials have an equivalent plastic explosive to C-4 (called [[G-4]]).
*The Cylons have stood down from their attacks in "[[33]]."
*[[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] states that only three Marines know that the Cylons look human. [[Crashdown]]'s comment to [[Sharon]] in "33" indicates that at least one of them is responsible for leaking this information to others.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Sharon outlines her "plan" with Helo:''
:'''Helo:''' I don't suppose we have a plan B?
:'''Sharon:''' Plans B, C, D and E are the same as plan A; get off the planet and get back to [[Galactica (RDM)|the ship]].

== Official Statements ==

{{from_RDM_blog}}
:One of the strange things about writing and producing television is the delay between action and reaction. Tomorrow night's episode was written almost a year ago. The battles, thoughts, emotions, disappointments, and victories happened in what seems like the distant past, so when I sit down to watch the show along with the rest of you (and I do watch them on the air) it's like seeing a page out of an old year book. I can remember bits and pieces of the production process, the early drafts of the script, the days spent in the editing bay playing with the footage and waiting for the visual effects to be completed, but none of it is current, all of it belongs to a season now firmly planted in the past.

:However, I do find that the same distance from the rigors of production also afford a better vantage point for watching the show with something approaching objectivity. You get so used to an episode during all the aspects of production that the simple pleasure of watching it as a piece of entertainment is slowly vacuumed away over time. Only now, months after the fact, can I watch these shows from a little remove and my impressions of the episodes are often not the same as when we produced them.

:For instance, during the shoot of "Water" and shortly afterward, I was acutely aware of just how long the script was and how much material was going to have to be lost along the way. I was fairly upset with myself for writing something so bloated and large that it was killing us on the stage and would later require major surgery in the editing room to make our mandated runtime. The first cut of "Water" ran 10-12 minutes long -- essentially an entire act that had to go -- and for a long time when I watched the final locked picture I was always uncomfortably aware of the "cheats" involved. That is, the dropped scenes, the internal cuts made to scenes that made a hash of some of the logic I'd tried to lay out, the half-expressed thoughts, the missing emotional beats, etc.

:However, when I saw the final aired episode, I was hard-pressed to even remember most of the cuts or why they had bothered me in the first place. (Although I still [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|missed a nice bit]] with [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] in the [[Wardroom]], where he tossed off a theory of how six small charges could've blown open the water tank, as it was both helpful to the plot and an entertaining bit of grandstanding by the character.) Frankly, I used to think of "Water" as one of the weaker shows in the first season, but now it seems like a fairly coherent piece.

:Of course, this kind of shift in perspective after shedding the baggage of production works both ways, and I've found that sometimes revisited shows much later that I'd always considered to be "classics" turned out to lose their charm along with the experience of making it. So as we go forward, I'm both excited and vaguely terrified at how I'll view the rest of the season.

:Speaking of excited and terrified, I must admit to being overwhelmed by the response you've generated regarding this blog. There's a remarkable backlog of questions on the board and I'll try to both post here more often and answer more of your questions. I don't know what to tell you in terms of what will catch my eye, but I'll try to look for both the straight-ahead fan questions and the more off the wall questions -- don't be afraid to venture far off-topic, some of the more interesting discussions I had at ''Trek'' had nothing to do with the show itself.

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Crewman Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Crashdown]]

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Marita Grabiak]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[es:Agua]]
[[de:Wassermangel]]

{{audio playback
| diff= 87942
| filename= Water_episodeguide.mp3
}}

User talk:Boogaloo

2006-11-29T18:08:07Z

Boogaloo: /* Regarding opinions */

Hello and welcome to the Battlestar Wiki! Please take a momemnt to view our [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions|Standards and Conventions]], which highlights everything you need to know about proper formatting and editing of an article on the Wiki!

Also, I have a question regarding your edits to [[Naturalistic science fiction]] -- you cite that there are billins of potentially life supporting worlds out there, yet you do not cite any proof. I have since removed the comments from that page. In accordance with the [[Battlestar Wiki:Citation Jihad|our citation policy]], any information of this nature really needs to be cited.

Should you have any questions, you are welcome to communicate them at the [[Battlestar Wiki:Wikipedian Quorum|Wikipedian Quorum]] or direct your comments directly at an adminstrator at our [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Administrators' noticeboard]]. Thanks! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] 07:46, 3 March 2006 (CST)

:Joe, I believe most pertinent would be the [[Wikipedia:Drake Equation|Drake Equation]]. Also see Drake's newest estimates at http://wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/life.html and the estimate of biogenesis probability at http://www.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0205014 It should be noted that the latter is an actual academic publication published in "Astrobiology" Fall 2002, Vol. 2, Number 2, pp 293-304 --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 08:26, 3 March 2006 (CST)

Battlestar Galactica is far more realistic than Star Trek, which claimed that there are aliens on practically every planet (I mean, Vulcan is Epsilon Eridani and that's a stone's throw from here). Showing that "If there are aliens, they are actually a lot rarer than most tv scifi would have you believe" is quite realistic. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 13:37, 3 March 2006 (CST)

:Star Trek suggested an artificial deliberate distribution of such life. As such, they clearly acknowledge a non-natural abundance, and even a non-natural design. Under such circumstances, which, taking FTL travel for granted, are perfectly reasonable, standards of natural distribution don't apply. "Most TV scifi" is also an unsuitable standard. Things are quite different whether a series is set around Earth or in a different region of the galaxy altogether, where stars are much more common than in our relatively remote corner. Plus, there's plenty of series with a very limited "supply" of aliens, such as "V" or "Alien Nation", "Space:A&B" etc. let alone stuff such as "Dark Angel" which very much qualifies as SciFi as well. However, the issue is not aliens, but life supporting worlds, and as the data cited above shows, these are believed to be quite abundant. In order to judge what's unrealistic, one has to be familiar with what's realistic first. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 17:03, 3 March 2006 (CST)

The universe, in my opinion, should be teeming with life. Just because aliens haven't gone by our planet waving huge banners reading 'yes, there is life out there' doesn't mean they don't exist. Our planet is on the edge of the galaxy, so for all we know we could be just sending radio signals into empty void. And Epsilon Eridani is not a stone's throw away from here, unless you count billions and billions of miles to be a stone's throw. I think that the the re-imagined series should have had aliens, as it would have brought racial issues into the show. And forgive me, but I didn't see too much racial issues in the show. (forgive me if this sort of stuff isn't allowed on talk pages, but I'm relatively new) --[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 02:20, 26 April 2006 (CDT)

== Hooray! ==
Hooray for non-blank userpages. Even if they just say "n". I just hate seeing all the "broken links". Our "Wanted" list is way overpopulated with user pages instead of actual articles. Thanks for making one (spartan though it may be at present). --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:09, 17 May 2006 (CDT)

== Regarding opinions ==

Hi there. I just read your comments regarding opinions. Could you please some examples of where you believe this opinion is present? This would definitely help us determine what exactly is opinionated, in your view, and what exactly needs to be rectified. Thanks! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:59, 28 November 2006 (CST)
**Well, I think the article on the re-imagined series is a bit biased, for starters. I mean:

''Tackling issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an epic following the survivors of the human race...''

''But the worries of the fans turned to surprise, cheers and applause as the Miniseries aired and the regular series began...''

Those are just two examples I selected. Now I think they're a little bit biased, if you ask me. I mean, I think they're biased. Because, ultimately, views of bias and opinion are, in a way, opinion. Er, if you get what I mean. UPDATE: And also, I think most of the anaylsis sections on the episodes are just pure opinion. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 02:08, 29 November 2006 (CST)
: Well, I see where you're coming from. The two examples you cited do seem a bit biased, though not majorly, and a minor rewording could easily remove their bias. As for the analysis sections of the episode guides, they're meant to represent a cross-section of views on the episode, so opinion and views will enter into it. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 08:15, 29 November 2006 (CST)
**Well, yes, but the vast majority of the analysis sections seem to just support one view. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 12:08, 29 November 2006 (CST)

User talk:Boogaloo

2006-11-29T08:10:15Z

Boogaloo: /* Regarding opinions */

User talk:Boogaloo

2006-11-29T08:08:30Z

Boogaloo: /* Regarding opinions */

Hello and welcome to the Battlestar Wiki! Please take a momemnt to view our [[Battlestar Wiki:Standards and Conventions|Standards and Conventions]], which highlights everything you need to know about proper formatting and editing of an article on the Wiki!

Also, I have a question regarding your edits to [[Naturalistic science fiction]] -- you cite that there are billins of potentially life supporting worlds out there, yet you do not cite any proof. I have since removed the comments from that page. In accordance with the [[Battlestar Wiki:Citation Jihad|our citation policy]], any information of this nature really needs to be cited.

Should you have any questions, you are welcome to communicate them at the [[Battlestar Wiki:Wikipedian Quorum|Wikipedian Quorum]] or direct your comments directly at an adminstrator at our [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Administrators' noticeboard]]. Thanks! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] 07:46, 3 March 2006 (CST)

:Joe, I believe most pertinent would be the [[Wikipedia:Drake Equation|Drake Equation]]. Also see Drake's newest estimates at http://wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/life.html and the estimate of biogenesis probability at http://www.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0205014 It should be noted that the latter is an actual academic publication published in "Astrobiology" Fall 2002, Vol. 2, Number 2, pp 293-304 --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 08:26, 3 March 2006 (CST)

Battlestar Galactica is far more realistic than Star Trek, which claimed that there are aliens on practically every planet (I mean, Vulcan is Epsilon Eridani and that's a stone's throw from here). Showing that "If there are aliens, they are actually a lot rarer than most tv scifi would have you believe" is quite realistic. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 13:37, 3 March 2006 (CST)

:Star Trek suggested an artificial deliberate distribution of such life. As such, they clearly acknowledge a non-natural abundance, and even a non-natural design. Under such circumstances, which, taking FTL travel for granted, are perfectly reasonable, standards of natural distribution don't apply. "Most TV scifi" is also an unsuitable standard. Things are quite different whether a series is set around Earth or in a different region of the galaxy altogether, where stars are much more common than in our relatively remote corner. Plus, there's plenty of series with a very limited "supply" of aliens, such as "V" or "Alien Nation", "Space:A&B" etc. let alone stuff such as "Dark Angel" which very much qualifies as SciFi as well. However, the issue is not aliens, but life supporting worlds, and as the data cited above shows, these are believed to be quite abundant. In order to judge what's unrealistic, one has to be familiar with what's realistic first. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 17:03, 3 March 2006 (CST)

The universe, in my opinion, should be teeming with life. Just because aliens haven't gone by our planet waving huge banners reading 'yes, there is life out there' doesn't mean they don't exist. Our planet is on the edge of the galaxy, so for all we know we could be just sending radio signals into empty void. And Epsilon Eridani is not a stone's throw away from here, unless you count billions and billions of miles to be a stone's throw. I think that the the re-imagined series should have had aliens, as it would have brought racial issues into the show. And forgive me, but I didn't see too much racial issues in the show. (forgive me if this sort of stuff isn't allowed on talk pages, but I'm relatively new) --[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 02:20, 26 April 2006 (CDT)

== Hooray! ==
Hooray for non-blank userpages. Even if they just say "n". I just hate seeing all the "broken links". Our "Wanted" list is way overpopulated with user pages instead of actual articles. Thanks for making one (spartan though it may be at present). --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 13:09, 17 May 2006 (CDT)

== Regarding opinions ==

Hi there. I just read your comments regarding opinions. Could you please some examples of where you believe this opinion is present? This would definitely help us determine what exactly is opinionated, in your view, and what exactly needs to be rectified. Thanks! -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 17:59, 28 November 2006 (CST)
**Well, I think the article on the re-imagined series is a bit biased, for starters. I mean:

''Tackling issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, "Battlestar Galactica" is an epic following the survivors of the human race...''

''But the worries of the fans turned to surprise, cheers and applause as the Miniseries aired and the regular series began...''

Those are just two examples I selected. Now I think they're a little bit biased, if you ask me. I mean, I think they're biased. Because, ultimately, views of bias and opinion are, in a way, opinion. Er, if you get what I mean. [[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 02:08, 29 November 2006 (CST)

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-11-28T19:47:12Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and aired contradiction */

{{RDM science series}}

'''"Naturalistic science fiction"''' ('''NSF''') is a term created by [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'']] co-creator [[Ronald D. Moore]] to describe that show's esthetic. NSF is meant to be a realistic take on the SF genre, with its roots in drama rather than adventure tales. It eschews science-fiction staples such as one-dimensional characterizations, clear-cut conceptions of good and evil, so-called "technobabble" (technical-sounding terms that have mostly been made up), and "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]" approaches (in which a seemingly intractable problem in the plot is solved using a previously-unknown technical capability). In the case of episodic drama like the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'', there is also more of an effort at continuity - the events in one episode have visible effects in subsequent episodes, unlike other science-fiction shows in which episodes are more stand-alone. Naturalistic SF combines elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]], naturalistic SF means that characters are more three-dimensional, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There is an attempt to stay away from stereotypical archetypes in science fiction or adventure stories such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," or "whiz-kid genius."

The characters change over time, showing different facets of their personalities: President [[Laura Roslin]] begins the first season cautious and rulebound; by the second season she has ordered that a high-ranking military member be assassinated ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]) and attempts to steal an election ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The [[Cylon]]s, who in the beginning are out simply to destroy humanity, later have a change of heart, feeling guilty about the destruction they have brought about, and decide simply to enslave them ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' are not carbon copies of character archetypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, irascible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and aired contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, fills a well-known archetype, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Still, there are more facets to her personality than that: from the beginning she is plagued with guilt about her role in the death of [[Zak Adama]], and later her flying skills are perceived to have atrophied as a result of alcoholism and apathy (although Solo is also flawed with sheer recklessness, a passion for gambling, and distrust). Other characters occasionally fill in stereotypical sci-fi character staples; for example, Adama is reminiscent of the general gruff military officer staple, and the Cylons are (albeit superficially) very similar to other fictional robot races, such as the machines from [[Wikipedia:Terminator|Terminator]] and the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]], which are also machines that rebelled against their human creators and take on human form.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordnance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. When [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' is forced to search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familiar to the viewer, from the phones to computer screens to the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
A seemingly large violation of this rule was Laura Roslin's sudden cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]", and tied in with that, the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents (this was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Terms such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" have somewhat-familiar real-world counterparts

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of everything: [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crew members, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a home-base or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space is big...and lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate". The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. Many [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]). A dog, [[Jake (New Caprica)|Jake]] is to be seen on [[New Caprica]] in the third season (''[[Occupation]]''); it presumably came with passengers on the fleet.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, and whether it is in fact common, has long been a controversial issue, and a matter of speculation. At the moment, there is no way to know whether the "naturalistic science fiction" approach to exterrestrial life is in fact the accurate one.

===Storytelling and music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series has a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that stands in contrast to the more standard orchestral overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion may be a loss of authenticity.

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

User:Boogaloo

2006-11-28T18:02:39Z

Boogaloo:

Hello, and my username is Boogaloo! Do you care? No, of course you don't!

Ahem. Having recently returned to this site after a hiatus, I have found it to be plagued with opinion and bias on one side, which I believe should BE PURGED OFF ALL WIKIS!!!! Basically, too many pages contain too much 'the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series is the best and that's it' sort of thing, if you understand. Now, whilst the Battlestar Galactica series is original and well-made, I do not believe it to be the Best Sci-Fi thing ever. That's my opinion. Now, I believe that if a WIki must contain opinion, it should include two sides of an arguement, at least.

And that's my little philosophy. What? You want more? Tough, then!

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-11-28T17:58:14Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and aired contradiction */

{{RDM science series}}

'''"Naturalistic science fiction"''' ('''NSF''') is a term created by [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'']] co-creator [[Ronald D. Moore]] to describe that show's esthetic. NSF is meant to be a realistic take on the SF genre, with its roots in drama rather than adventure tales. It eschews science-fiction staples such as one-dimensional characterizations, clear-cut conceptions of good and evil, so-called "technobabble" (technical-sounding terms that have mostly been made up), and "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]" approaches (in which a seemingly intractable problem in the plot is solved using a previously-unknown technical capability). In the case of episodic drama like the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'', there is also more of an effort at continuity - the events in one episode have visible effects in subsequent episodes, unlike other science-fiction shows in which episodes are more stand-alone. Naturalistic SF combines elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]], naturalistic SF means that characters are more three-dimensional, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There is an attempt to stay away from stereotypical archetypes in science fiction or adventure stories such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," or "whiz-kid genius."

The characters change over time, showing different facets of their personalities: President [[Laura Roslin]] begins the first season cautious and rulebound; by the second season she has ordered that a high-ranking military member be assassinated ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]) and attempts to steal an election ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The [[Cylon]]s, who in the beginning are out simply to destroy humanity, later have a change of heart, feeling guilty about the destruction they have brought about, and decide simply to enslave them ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' are not carbon copies of character archetypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, irascible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and aired contradiction====
Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, fills a well-known archetype, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Still, there are more facets to her personality than that: from the beginning she is plagued with guilt about her role in the death of [[Zak Adama]], and later her flying skills are perceived to have atrophied as a result of alcoholism and apathy (although Solo is also flawed with sheer recklessness, a passion for gambling, and distrust). Other characters occasionally fill in stereotypical sci-fi character staples; for example, Adama is reminiscent of the general gruff military officer staple, and the Cylons are (albeit superficially) very similar to other fictional robot races, such as the machines from [[Wikipedia:Terminator|Terminator]] and the [[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]], which are also machines that rebelled against their human creators and take on human form.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordnance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. When [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' is forced to search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familiar to the viewer, from the phones to computer screens to the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
A seemingly large violation of this rule was Laura Roslin's sudden cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]", and tied in with that, the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents (this was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Terms such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" have somewhat-familiar real-world counterparts

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of everything: [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crew members, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a home-base or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space is big...and lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate". The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. Many [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]). A dog, [[Jake (New Caprica)|Jake]] is to be seen on [[New Caprica]] in the third season (''[[Occupation]]''); it presumably came with passengers on the fleet.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, and whether it is in fact common, has long been a controversial issue, and a matter of speculation. At the moment, there is no way to know whether the "naturalistic science fiction" approach to exterrestrial life is in fact the accurate one.

===Storytelling and music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series has a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that stands in contrast to the more standard orchestral overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion may be a loss of authenticity.

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-11-28T17:50:37Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and aired contradiction */

{{RDM science series}}

'''"Naturalistic science fiction"''' ('''NSF''') is a term created by [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'']] co-creator [[Ronald D. Moore]] to describe that show's esthetic. NSF is meant to be a realistic take on the SF genre, with its roots in drama rather than adventure tales. It eschews science-fiction staples such as one-dimensional characterizations, clear-cut conceptions of good and evil, so-called "technobabble" (technical-sounding terms that have mostly been made up), and "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]" approaches (in which a seemingly intractable problem in the plot is solved using a previously-unknown technical capability). In the case of episodic drama like the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'', there is also more of an effort at continuity - the events in one episode have visible effects in subsequent episodes, unlike other science-fiction shows in which episodes are more stand-alone. Naturalistic SF combines elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]], naturalistic SF means that characters are more three-dimensional, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There is an attempt to stay away from stereotypical archetypes in science fiction or adventure stories such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," or "whiz-kid genius."

The characters change over time, showing different facets of their personalities: President [[Laura Roslin]] begins the first season cautious and rulebound; by the second season she has ordered that a high-ranking military member be assassinated ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]) and attempts to steal an election ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The [[Cylon]]s, who in the beginning are out simply to destroy humanity, later have a change of heart, feeling guilty about the destruction they have brought about, and decide simply to enslave them ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' are not carbon copies of character archetypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, irascible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and aired contradiction====
Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, fills a well-known archetype, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Still, there are more facets to her personality than that: from the beginning she is plagued with guilt about her role in the death of [[Zak Adama]], and later her flying skills are perceived to have atrophied as a result of alcoholism and apathy. However, other characters are similar to other characters from other sci-fi franchises.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordnance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. When [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' is forced to search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familiar to the viewer, from the phones to computer screens to the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
A seemingly large violation of this rule was Laura Roslin's sudden cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]", and tied in with that, the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents (this was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Terms such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" have somewhat-familiar real-world counterparts

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of everything: [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crew members, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a home-base or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space is big...and lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate". The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. Many [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]). A dog, [[Jake (New Caprica)|Jake]] is to be seen on [[New Caprica]] in the third season (''[[Occupation]]''); it presumably came with passengers on the fleet.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Whether intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, and whether it is in fact common, has long been a controversial issue, and a matter of speculation. At the moment, there is no way to know whether the "naturalistic science fiction" approach to exterrestrial life is in fact the accurate one.

===Storytelling and music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series has a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that stands in contrast to the more standard orchestral overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion may be a loss of authenticity.

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Cylon Religion

2006-06-26T19:05:59Z

Boogaloo: /* Analysis */

{{Cylons Series}}
Cylons follow a monotheistic religion, of their own devising, distinct from the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies| polytheistic religion]] of their human creators ([[Miniseries]]).

==Sources==
Our knowledge of Cylon beliefs comes from four principle sources:
#A copy of [[Number Six]] engaged in an affair with [[Gaius Baltar]] who was killed on the day of the [[Cylon Attack]]
#[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|The Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]]
#Two copies of [[Leoben Conoy]], found on [[Ragnar Anchorage]] and the [[Gemenon Traveler]]
#A creature appearing to Baltar as a copy of Number Six, who claims to be an "Angel of God".

Each of these should be taken with a considerable grain of salt. The first two are probably the most trustworthy. Conoy frequently mixes truth and lies, and his statements tend to be fairly ambiguous anyway. The "Angel of God" nature has not yet been clearly elucidated, and she has disclaimed direct allegiance with Cylons at least once.

==Attitude toward other faiths==
Cylons view the worship of multiple gods as blasphemous against their God ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The Cylons seem to know the scriptures of the human religion very well, but do not believe them to be literally true ([[Home, Part I]]). They acknowledge the historicity of the [[Lords of Kobol]] without accepting their divinity.

==Beliefs==

It seems that they worship a supernatural being beyond creation, something that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. The Cylon religion includes concepts of "sin". For example, [[Number Six]] warned Baltar that suicide was a mortal sin when he jokingly suggested killing himself ("[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]"), and the tortured Number Six copy named [[Gina]] did not kill herself to escape horrific torture because she believed that suicide is a sin ("[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").

The Cylons maintain that one of God's Commandments is to procreate ("be fruitful"), but the humanoid Cylons are incapable of procreating with each other. The Cylons apparently strictly define "procreation" as biological reproduction, and not creation of copies of existing Cylon models using asexual, industrial or laboratory techniques. As a result, the Cylons began attempts to create a Cylon-Human Hybrid (deemed more feasible than their previous attempts at procreation amongst their own kind). To this end they developed the [[Farms]] on the occupied Twelve Colonies to create a hybrid, but these attempts ended in failure.

The first successful Cylon-Human Hybrid, Hera, the daughter of the [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica copy of Sharon Vallerii]] and Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]], is literally considered to be a "miracle from God" by the Cylons ("[[Final Cut]]").

==Analysis==

In examination of the Cylon's religion and religious beliefs, some of their beliefs are similar to those of the [[Wikipedia: Abrahamic religion | Abrahamic religions]] like [[Wikipedia: Judaism | Judaism]] and [[Wikipedia: Christianity | Christianity]] in which they believe in a singular deity, reject the worship of multiple deities, and seeing suicide as a mortal sin.

The concept that the religious beliefs of the Cylons are similar to the real-life Abrahamic religions of planet Earth in the re-imagined series of ''Battlestar Galactica'' is a plot twist which executive producer [[Ron Moore]] developed and has said he thought it was an intriguing switch: normally, the "Good Guys" on a show are monotheists, and the "Bad Guys" are polytheistic pagans. However, in the Re-Imagined Series of ''Battlestar Galactica'', the "good" humans follow a polytheistic religion that worships the Greek Gods, while the "bad" Cylons worship a monotheistic God, similar to real-life Abrahamic religions.

There is also the problem that intelligent machines like the Cylons would most probably view religion as being an illogical ritual, and given the fact that it is impossible for machines to be sentient it is very hard to see how they developed a religion. However, on the other hand, it is also possible that the Cylon 'god' perhaps forced them to worship it, or introduced the concept of religion to them.

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

Cylon Religion

2006-06-26T19:04:29Z

Boogaloo: /* Analysis */

{{Cylons Series}}
Cylons follow a monotheistic religion, of their own devising, distinct from the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies| polytheistic religion]] of their human creators ([[Miniseries]]).

==Sources==
Our knowledge of Cylon beliefs comes from four principle sources:
#A copy of [[Number Six]] engaged in an affair with [[Gaius Baltar]] who was killed on the day of the [[Cylon Attack]]
#[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|The Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]]
#Two copies of [[Leoben Conoy]], found on [[Ragnar Anchorage]] and the [[Gemenon Traveler]]
#A creature appearing to Baltar as a copy of Number Six, who claims to be an "Angel of God".

Each of these should be taken with a considerable grain of salt. The first two are probably the most trustworthy. Conoy frequently mixes truth and lies, and his statements tend to be fairly ambiguous anyway. The "Angel of God" nature has not yet been clearly elucidated, and she has disclaimed direct allegiance with Cylons at least once.

==Attitude toward other faiths==
Cylons view the worship of multiple gods as blasphemous against their God ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The Cylons seem to know the scriptures of the human religion very well, but do not believe them to be literally true ([[Home, Part I]]). They acknowledge the historicity of the [[Lords of Kobol]] without accepting their divinity.

==Beliefs==

It seems that they worship a supernatural being beyond creation, something that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. The Cylon religion includes concepts of "sin". For example, [[Number Six]] warned Baltar that suicide was a mortal sin when he jokingly suggested killing himself ("[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]"), and the tortured Number Six copy named [[Gina]] did not kill herself to escape horrific torture because she believed that suicide is a sin ("[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").

The Cylons maintain that one of God's Commandments is to procreate ("be fruitful"), but the humanoid Cylons are incapable of procreating with each other. The Cylons apparently strictly define "procreation" as biological reproduction, and not creation of copies of existing Cylon models using asexual, industrial or laboratory techniques. As a result, the Cylons began attempts to create a Cylon-Human Hybrid (deemed more feasible than their previous attempts at procreation amongst their own kind). To this end they developed the [[Farms]] on the occupied Twelve Colonies to create a hybrid, but these attempts ended in failure.

The first successful Cylon-Human Hybrid, Hera, the daughter of the [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica copy of Sharon Vallerii]] and Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]], is literally considered to be a "miracle from God" by the Cylons ("[[Final Cut]]").

==Analysis==

In examination of the Cylon's religion and religious beliefs, some of their beliefs are similar to those of the [[Wikipedia: Abrahamic religion | Abrahamic religions]] like [[Wikipedia: Judaism | Judaism]] and [[Wikipedia: Christianity | Christianity]] in which they believe in a singular deity, reject the worship of multiple deities, and seeing suicide as a mortal sin.

The concept that the religious beliefs of the Cylons are similar to the real-life Abrahamic religions of planet Earth in the re-imagined series of ''Battlestar Galactica'' is a plot twist which executive producer [[Ron Moore]] developed and has said he thought it was an intriguing switch: normally, the "Good Guys" on a show are monotheists, and the "Bad Guys" are polytheistic pagans. However, in the Re-Imagined Series of ''Battlestar Galactica'', the "good" humans follow a polytheistic religion that worships the Greek Gods, while the "bad" Cylons worship a monotheistic God, similar to real-life Abrahamic religions.

There is also the problem that intelligent machines like the Cylons would most probably view religion as being an illogical ritual, and given the fact that it is impossible for machines to be sentient it is very hard to see how they developed a religion.

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

Talk:Naturalistic science fiction/Archive 1

2006-06-02T11:54:54Z

Boogaloo: /* "Citation needed" explanation */

==NPOV Request==
Ok, folks, I see some major problems with this article:
*A lot of it reads like it's the purpose of this site to bash Star Trek
*Some of it is quite simply false:
::In StarTrek, energy is ''not'' provided by "inexhaustible dylithium". Rather, the dilithium crystals serve as a matrix for a controlled matter/antimatter reaction, similar to moderators in a nuclear fission power plant (cf. http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/technology/article/2743.html ) As such, not being the fuel, they don't need to be exchanged beyond wear and tear. And matter/antimatter reaction is a very feasible energy source for huge amounts of energy. In fact, I doubt it is possible to get a higher efficiency. Compared to that, it is Tylium that is sheer fantasy.

::Photon torpedos, while glowing in animation, aren't "energy weapons" other than in having a matter/antimatter warhead. They are very solid vehicles.

::etc.

*Guns'n'bullets are very good weapons on a planet. In space, they have their uses, too, but they also have their limitations. Due to the immense speed theoretically possible in space and the relatively small speed of bullets compared to these, the useful range of regular projectile weapons is quite limited. At greater distance, psychic qualities would be necessary to predict where the target will be once the bullet is there. While energy weapons have issues of focussing, those aren't insurpassable. On the other hand, they have, in the case of a laser, speed of light, and in the case of a particle accelerator, close to that, meaning they can bridge even large distances in relatively short time. None of that is "fantasy", as the article suggests, but rather technology that exists today which requires miniaturization. So guns and bullets are quite ok as point defense weapons in space, but for anything further away, either guided weapons or weapons achieving a speed that is a significant fraction of the speed of light are necessary. One tends to think of huge vessels such as Galactica or a Cylon basestar as slow. But give them enough time to accelerate, and they can be whizzing by at several miles per second.

*While a lot of the stuff mentioned in the text might be RDM's intention, the question is how much it fulfills the claims raised. While obviously, there should be a place on this site to cite RDM, I believe that the individual articles of a Wiki should be a source of information were the creator's views are but one source of information. RDM's take is already provided with the link to Galactica2003.net and while it should be summarized here, I don't think it should be taken as holy writ.

The jetliner in space and other things might feel "naturalistic", but that doesn't mean it's a sound concept. The "plausible technical accuracy" in the "in theory" paragraph is a bold hypothesis. However, to me the setup honestly looks more like "doing soft SF with the bad stuff left out". And the "no deus ex machina" concept needs to be looked askance at vis-a-vis the cancer cure as well.

The ''stories'' Galactica has to tell are great, but I personally believe that as a consequence of RDM not wanting to "tie himself down" dramatically, what is lacking is a solid concept of the level of technology. A lot of things might look perfectly feasible when seen isolated, but on an overall level, I believe putting FTL (or quasi-FTL) and anti-gravity together with a lot of 20th and 21st century technology, and in some aspects apparently even less, RDM actually backpedaled to a lot of early SF, which had FTL travel because it was dramaturgically necessary, and some development in the physics department such as beam weapons, but lacked any development in biology. Likewise, BG shows technologies that suggest availability of humongous amounts of energy but shows little other use than one or two applications. This gives a discontinous impression of the technological level.

So, theoretically, my concerns would require a complete rewrite of the text, which is why I rather voiced them here before changing something. I believe, though, the false information re:StarTrek should be thrown out posthaste, since it weakens any other points. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 15:49, 13 February 2006 (EST)

:Over the months, this article has been edited to the point where it does have a bias towards "Star Trek," which, given its location in the pop SF food chain, is a deserved prime target. Yet, I agree, the article need not be a "Star Trek"-bashing article, but to contrast and compare it (and other series, such as another high level target, "Stargate SG-1") to what BSG strives to be. And, as you've noted in other articles, BSG isn't perfect. Rather than duplicating what is on the [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]] page, dividing the page by section with comments and comparison relevant to where NSF principles succeeded or failed so far in BSG could be useful. To aid in this, I've tagged this article with the (rarely used here) tag of disputed neutrality to get some attention. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 16:00, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::I must disagree ''' ''utterly'' ''' with OliverH's comments:
::*Yes, I agree with Spencerian that certain small tweaks should be made. However, if Oliver wanted to change small-sclae complaints like "inexhaustible dilithium crystals to "inexhaustible energy supply based on dilithium controlled matter/anti-matter reaction", he should simply have done so immediatly instead of forcing debate on the subject. Although "photon torpedos" are not energy weapons, phasers are; he should have just edited this accordingly, as he saw fit.
::*Yes, Guns aren't as good weapons as lasers. That doesn't change the fact that 1) At dogfight and regular battle distances, they're still pretty useful and 2) The BSG universe is intentionally not that technologically advanced. The fact that lasers are superior to guns doesn't change the fact that they still use these more "realistic" weapons. The entire point of that, of course, is more story design: being shot with bullets (i.e. [[Tarn]]), has more emotional impact than being shot with "lasers").
::*'''Yes, it is almost certainly the direct purpose of this article to critique Star Trek, by contrasting it with BSG'''. Oliver, the entire concept of making the new BSG was that it was RDM's "answer" to the poor quality of the later Star Treks (Voyager and Enterprise, rife with technobabble an implausibility), in this area as well. Quite frankly, it's impossible to separate the two: when the first page of the series bible states that "we propose nothing less than the re-invention of the scifi tv series genre"...it's kind of required that you make comparisons to the "old" model of the genre which was "re-invented". This part of the article must stand.
::*So, basically, '''no, your comments do not "require" a "complete rewrite of the text"'''. This is overboard. However, I do *commend* you on stating your feeling on the talk page instead of just making them without consensus. I would like to say that I do not mean to offend, Oliver, but these Star Trek/BSG issues bring up strong emotions. Like the silly pages and other talk-commentary, the "Naturalistic Science Fiction" page, is, by its very nature, going to be NPOV. '''I do agree''' with Spencerian's assessment that it could use some tweaking here or there, mostly for fact correction (dilithium, phasers,etc.) but the derision of Star Trek must remain, because BSG defines itself in opposition to this. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 16:51, 13 February 2006 (EST)

:::I believe it's possible for this article to reach a reasonably NPOV status. Sadly, it's going to have to be near the bottom of my considerably long to-do list. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 18:45, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::::I concur.--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 19:04, 13 February 2006 (EST)

:::I obviously disagree with Merovingian. While it is ok to ''contrast'' BG with StarTrek, this should be done in a professional, matter-of-factly way, not by derisive comments and ''certainly'' not with plain falsehoods. It also should not be done with exaggerations by labelling everything "fantasy" that one doesn't like. It's totally ok if the ST/BSG issues "bring up strong emotions". But they should stay on talk pages, or the article be ''justly'' brought in question.

:::The comment that the BG universe is intentionally not "that advanced" is not tenable, and I already pointed that out above. Lasers are no "advanced" technology, they exist today. And if I have some kind of reactor which can give me enough energy to fold space, I have plenty of energy to cut open a sheet of metal. Remember that lasers capable of at least destroying a satellite or a warhead have already been worked on by 20th century engineers and scientists, but deemed not feasible for the forseeable future at that time. The prime limits, however, were energy and the material capable of handling it, and they are being overcome at this point in time with planned airborne anti-missile lasers at least. This is the main problem with the approach: Immensely advanced technology in two specific points (BG technology is already more advanced than that of Babylon 5 Earth in that they are capable of large-scale artificial gravity) but in most others a technological level on par with the third quarter of the 20th century. You speak of "realistic" weapons. Is it realistic that mankind researched practically only FTL travel and artificial gravity, and that this research did not bear fruit in other fields? And "realistic battle distances" are those at which you can hit your enemy. Of course when your weapon has a low effective range due to predict problems, then battle distance is short. If your weapon has near speed of light, it's entirely possible to engage your enemy at large distances.

:::Likewise, you still maintain some "inexhaustible" energy supply on the part of StarTrek, when that is not, in fact, the case. Hydrogen and antimatter tanks exist on Star Trek ships. Antimatter can be produced -again, that is no fantasy, but 20th century technology, albeit in larger quantities. And hydrogen can be gathered in space. Again, no fantasy, but the working principle behind the [[wikipedia:bussard ramjet|bussard ramscoop]] proposed as far back as 1960. This principle has been used by the likes of Heinlein, Niven, and Poul Anderson. As I already mentioned, Tylium has much bigger questions to answer.

:::By the way, dilithium crystals were already introduced in the original Star Trek series. This alone should illustrate that they can hardly be instrumental in the quality problems of late Star Trek. So I suggest rather than picking random aspects to actually get to specific points.

:::Point being: There's plenty of "technobabble" in StarTrek, but the cited examples are the least suitable to criticize that. They in fact fall back on the author, because they suggest being familiar neither with key concepts of the pioneers of astrophysics and ideas for interplanetary and interstellar space travel, nor with those of the pioneers of science fiction literature. And not the least, they fall back on BSG, because they suggest that there's a lot of hype about nothing.

:::While it's perfectly ok to cite that line from the series Bible, it's in my opinion not ok to uncritically reproduce it as holy writ. JMS started B5 with quite similar intentions, and that was ages ago. RDM is fallible. He's also capable of misdiagnosing. Doesn't matter, as long as he intuitively does the right thing. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 20:08, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::::No. First, I always mean practically inexhaustible; using bussard ramscoops, starships can have a cheap and easily available source of fuel (gas clouds, etc.) while on BSG, Tylium is rare and hard to find. Second, this failed on the later Star Treks, even though it was present in all of the series, because the later ones ''overused'' these; every week the ship was spic and span and never had any problems finding fuel, fixing the ship, etc. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 20:36, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::::While it's true that B5 adopted a "hard sci-fi" position with regard to some aspects, its atmosphere does not greatly resemble the new BSG's. "Naturalistic sci-fi" actually eschews accuracy when it interferes with story - the point is to tell a modern, relevant story in the clothing of science fiction. When realism on the show makes that connection clearer, it's an asset (the use of nukes, for example) - but when it doesn't serve the story, it's generally overlooked (artificial gravity, hyperspace).
::::The difference, I guess, is that BSG is "[[Wikipedia:The Day After|The Day After]]", B5 is a weird hybrid of "1984" and "The Lord of the Rings", and Star Wars is "The Hidden Fortress". Each one uses the trappings of literary sci-fi where it suits their purpose, and discards them where it doesn't. The concept of naturalistic sci-fi as defined by Moore is only relevant to the particular story he's trying to tell. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 20:27, 13 February 2006 (EST)

:::::Peter's comments detail the flaw of NSF better than anything I've read to date, and clarifies what he had been trying to tell me earlier here in talk. Any show is subject to the whim of the writer. While NSF tries to prevent ''technological'' limits to what they can write, NSF can also be selective of what is relevant or in need of explanation. With that, I'm aware of the needed revisions, and will do so when time allows to show a better opposing viewpoint to NSF in brief bullets. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 20:46, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::::::I also, based on the above, would feel far more comfortable with Farago making the updates than Oliver. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] 21:19, 13 February 2006 (EST)
::::::For the benefit of everyone who hasn't been on this wiki forever, I believe the prior comments Spencerian is referring to were on [[Talk:Science in the Re-imagined Series]]. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 22:10, 13 February 2006 (EST)

::::::: I think it might also behoove us to compare some of RDM's intentions/plans and his executions of those to others who've tried to do the NSF thing. It's not like RDM invented the idea. We could talk about Niven, for one (for instance, he tried to make his Known Space stuff as "realistic" as he could, bar FTL travel) and probably Asimov (though I'm less familiar with his stuff... long "To Read:" list I've got). And, anyway, we could at least compare RDM's defenition of NSF to ones used by other story tellers in the past (whatever the media).

::::::: One note on '''combat ranges''': Just because my laser has an effective range of roughly a light-second doesn't mean I can actually hit a Raider or Viper that's that far away. I doubt I could see something that small against a black-with-stars background so far off. In short, "combat distance" is also a function of ship size.

::::::: Also, a note on '''realistic things''': Just because something is ''possible'' doesn't make it "realistic" for purposes of NSF. You get shot with a Disruptor, you vaporize. That probably sucks. They say on screen that it's excrutiating, but I watch it happen and it evokes aolmost no response from me. However, when Lee got shot in "[[Sacrifice]]", I winced and said, "Oh... bad." It looked very painful. This is similar to the note on using nukes vs. using photon torpedos. Something is realistic, if the average audience member has a good feel of what's involved in what they're seeing. Because I don't know how a laser work (I mean how it reacts to things and operates, not how to build one), it would mean less to me to see one being used. Similarly, I know, pretty well, anyway, what it feels like to be under about a G of gravity, thus, zero-G would actually be less "realistic" to me (and most viewers) because it is more foreign to our life experience. --[[User:Day|Day]] 00:23, 14 February 2006 (EST)

I think we're closer than it sounds. Merovingian points out that technology was ''overused'' in later parts of Star Trek -or let's say the bad parts, because a lot of the problems already manifested in TNG. The point is not that these technologies are fantasy, they are for the most part (Heisenberg compensators aside) credible extrapolations of propositions that are being made today. The critical point that made a lot of stories bad was how they were used in the story, i.e. for example technical devices were introduced only to be able to resolve a plotline because writers couldn't come up with a more personal idea, or, God forbid, technical concepts being invented just for the sake of one single story and subsequently ignored because they make life a pain ("Force of Nature" However, that episode also showed that "tackling issues" is not always a good idea). That, however, is not a bad technological concept, it's plain bad storytelling. The answer against that is, of course, good storytelling. And I don't think that "going retro" is in and of itself a solution for that. Wing Commander-The movie showed that going retro in space can be quite problematic. Also, jargon in and of itself in my opinion is not really a problem, if used properly. Would the movie suffer if the commander did not order "Bow up 10, Stern down 7" in "Das Boot"? People can deduct with common sense and context that he's ordering something about the inclination of the boat, and the details aren't really that relevant. Point being: The technology issues are really missing the point, and where RDM pushes them, he's misdiagnosing in my eyes. Technology isn't the problem, but how it's used in the story is. ''@Day re:Combat range:'' You're of course right if targeting is visual only. But any spacecraft, no matter if radio silent or not, will be a source of electromagnetic radiation that will be travelling very fast with respect to anything in the background and against the backdrop of space likely also have a pretty recognizable infrared signature (It's not that hard to be warmer than background radiation). ''Re:Realistic:'' A lot of people have unrealistic expectations on a lot of issues, so personal connection and realism are distinct issues. Which is why science relies on methodology to peel apart the layers of how things work. Gut feelings can be quite useful, but aren't really a ledger of how real things are. As for being able to personally connect, I think the scene of Garibaldi being shot in the back in B5 had quite an impact on the audience, despite the fact that it was done with a PPG. Again, I think this is a situation in which actual story and presentation are much more important than the tool being used. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 12:37, 14 February 2006 (EST)

:Regarding combat ranges: Photonic crystals and other materials science advances will likely manage radar immunity of correctly operational (i.e., undamaged) vehicles well before we manage FTL or artifical gravity; emissions are entirely optional (IFF beacon, active radar, and "noise" from electronics being the only sources I can think of, the last of which is easily shielded). Infrared is just a kind of light, so all of the visibility problems are shared at significant ranges; the heat itself doesn't propagate in a vacuum, of course. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 01:37, 8 March 2006 (CST)

First of all please excuse me for any spelling errors, english is not my native tongue. What I think everybody fails to observe about artificial gravity and FTL travel is that the colonials did't develope it. They received it. The colonials migrated some 2-3000 years ago from a planet where they "lived with the gods". We don't know if they evolved on that planet or not, but what we do now is that a few indivduals on that planet were advanced enough (probably tehnology) so as to be considerd gods be the 13 tribes. By what many characters say in "Kobold's Last Gleming" and other episodes, the tribes were primitive: human sacrifices, excesive violence etc. The "gods" were probably trying to advance the tribes civilization but failed, one of them took her one life because of it (Athena). The tribes then left Kobol, and they probably did so in space craft equiped with artificial gravity and FTL drives that were build be the "gods". Some if not all of the members of the crews had to be capable to repair and maintain the tehnology, and they probably were able to replicate it and teach others how to do it. They did not need to understed the science behind it for that. For exemple a mechanic today can build an engine from scratch, but that dose't requiere him to know thermodynamics and material science. Repairing and maintaing FTL and artificial gravity was esential to the survival of the migrating tribes, weapons tehnology was not, neither was for that fact medicine, biology and other sciences. Considering how primitive they were, they were probably not more advanced in those matters then we were in early 20th century. After they arrived they regresed even more. Think of what will happen on New Caprica if they loose Baltar or doc Cottle, the only scientist and medic respectivly, before they manage to teach others. Even if the medics and scientist tramsmited ther knowledge, they probably lacked the infrastructure to maintain whatever advanced tehnolgy they had. The only exception to this rule were space based technolgys: FTL, sublight engines, artificial gravity and probably computer technolgy that were self suficient (it did't require planet based ifrastructure) and easy to maintain. It had to be like that otherwise it would not have got them from Kobol to the Colonies. So the sitution was likelly like that in A. E. van Vogt's novel "Empire of the Atom" were after some cataclysm humans had overall the technolgy level of the Roman Empire but were capable of interplanetary travel and had nuclear energy.(Armies from Earth were fighting on Mars and Venus with nothing more advanced then a bow and arrow and an iron sword, they did't even have gun powder). So the colonial civilization probably started from the same point (Roman Empire with ships) and evolved until it is now on the same level with our own except for FTL, artificial gravity, space propulsion and computer technolgy that were not developed by the colonials but received from individuals probably belonging to a more advaced civilization.
--[[User:DArhengel|DArhengel]] 16:34, 13 March 2006 (CST)

Here's what appears to be established: A) the neutrality of the article is compromised, as it's begun to paint ''Star Trek'' as a watse of time; completely inaccurate, etc. B) Because of RDM's involvement and its popularity, ''Star Trek'' is the best example by which to compare. There are many who have never seen Babylon 5, and StarGate is a completely different series of issues. C) it's actually a pretty easy article to fix- we just need to remove words such a "fanciful." [[User:Ragestorm|Ragestorm]] 07:08, 29 March 2006 (CST)

==In defense of artificial gravity==

I believe it is a strawman argument to reason along the lines of "If they have artificial gravity then they should also be advanced enough to ... <insert obviously missing technology>". The reality is, it just isn't practical to do sci-fi without artificial gravity. Very few TV shows or movies have the staff and budget to realistically portray zero-g life which, in my opinion, would likely interfere with the storytelling. Yes, ''Babylon 5'' and ''2001'' used rotating hulls to avoid the problem, but even ''B5'' went to artificial gravity when it came to Minbari and Vorlon ships. Heck, the Vorlon ships were even organic ... sound familiar?

The point is that artificial gravity is basically unavoidable if you want to show space yarns and have your audience identify with the characters. You simply have to cut the producers some slack here.

The same reasoning applies to FTL, at least if you're doing interstellar travel. Without FTL or some equivalent technology (hyperspace, wormholes, space-folding etc.) you got no way for the same characters to appear in different places show after show.

So the obvious (to me) thing to do is ignore the tech level of the ''sine qua non'' of the genre, and focus on what's left. Viewers must allow for these two highly advanced technologies without considering them indicative of other technologies in that Universe. --[[User:JohnH|JohnH]] 14:14, 5 March 2006 (CST)

:Battlestar doesn't just depict FTL, they depict the ability of jumping into the middle of a group of moving objects (e.g. a fleet) safely, which suggests capability to determine that the destination spot is safe over jump distances. While FTL might be a sine qua non, jumping into hazardous terrain most definitely is not.

:B5 went to artificial gravity with other species thousands of years more advanced than humans (Remember the Minbari could put B4 to good use when they were provided with it roughly 1000 years before the show).

:While it is true that most shows have both artificial gravity and FTL, they generally present it in a background that has advanced in other fields as well. Even Blade Runner, with its unspecified advances in space travel enabling at least offworld colonies, presents a society akin, but still profoundly changed from ours. Technology and society don't evolve separate from each other, but influence each other. Even in the early dime novels, what was depicted -while usually very selective to only a handful of areas in its technological advancement- seemed advanced to people ''at that time''. Of course we can't expect a novel from the 1930s to anticipate biotechnology. But I see little reason to staple FTL and artificial gravity on mid-80s to early-90s technology. The problem is that aside from FTL and gravity, most of the technology seems, quite to the contrary, outdated. While the Galactica itself is supposed to be rather old, that shouldn't hold for what we see on Caprica or on the other ships.

:If the two technologies are not indicative of other technologies, that means there is an artificial rift in the background described. Such as rift, rather than allowing people to relate more, in my opinion distracts from the actual story. It's one thing to have such completely noncontinuous concepts in shows such as "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", which quite visibly and fully explicitly stood in the tradition of early daily comic strip tradition (and in fact the first sci-fi comic strip to begin with) fully expected by audiences to have a certain degree of silliness and to have such rifts in a storyline with very tough and intellectually stimulating stories. It's a basic popcorn vs. brains issue. You either tell people to sit back, relax and have a good time or you tell them "Hey, think about this". If you tell people "Hey, think about this" while on a stage that falls apart when you think about it, you have a problem. And if you want people to sit back, relax and have a good time, then abortion, rape and lynch justice maybe aren't particularly fitting subjects. Disjunctions such as this work in avantgardistic stagings in theater and opera, because the audience knows they are being shown something symbolic, however such a treatment doesn't aim at people relating with the characters (who are rather archetypes) and it's rather antithetical to naturalism. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 10:42, 7 March 2006 (CST)

::I think, maybe, that jumps are more dangerous than you think. When plotting a mass-jump of The Fleet, maybe they can trigonomitry out any collisions, but in the most recent episode, a Raptor jumped right into a mountain. That doesn't seem so safe. Also, you're not allowing a story teller to say, "Hey. THink about abortion and rape and lynch justice." You're implying that the average Television viewer is either too dumb or lacks the descretion to realize that BSG is discussion social issues not (generally) scientific issues. RDM isn't saying, "Hey! Look at FTL drive." He's just using that to get you to look at other things. I don't think, by demanding the viewers to use their brains, RDM is demanding that we apply that to every little detail and condemn him for missing one. I mean--he's not crazy like Tolkien and writing primers on how to speak Gemenese or whatever. If he were, we'd have a more complete, pat world (as is Middle Earth), but we'd probably still be waiting for the Mini-Series to be made. --[[User:Day|Day]] 23:43, 7 March 2006 (CST)

::::Well, there's a difference between a Raptor and a Battlestar. If a Raptor jumps into the middle of a fleet and realizes he's on a collision course, he might still be able to fire thrusters and escape. A battlestar would likely be unable to avoid a crash. You also seemed to misunderstand what I said about story vs. stage. FTL is part of the stage. Abortion, rape etc. are part of the story. No, I am not implying dumbness on part of the viewer. Quite the contrary. I think it's dumb to assume the viewer would not note discrepancies and disjunction in the background. And sorry, either you want people to use their brains, or you don't. It's highly questionable to tell people "Well, yes, you are supposed to think, but not about this, this, this, this and this...." That's not really thinking. It's being told what to think. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 10:01, 8 March 2006 (CST)

:::::Nothing ever done on BSG implies detection of problems at the destination; at least one jump into ambush contradicts it. Additionally, such detection is FTL communication without having to send a courier, which is contradicted. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 20:36, 8 March 2006 (CST)

::::: It's only being told what to think if BSG is the government or something. I'm not saying that you're disallowed to think about FTL drives in your life. I'm saying that a detailed discussion of FTL drives is ''tangental to the discussion that is BSG''. So, as the moderator of the discussion at hand, RDM is ''well'' within his rights to say what it is we are and aren't talking about. If we want to talk about FTL drives, we can go watch [[MemoryAlpha:Jean-Luc Picard|Professor X]] tool around the universe on [[MemoryAlpha:Geordi La Forge|Reading Rainbow]] or read a [[Wikipedia:A Brief History of Time|book by a paraplegic man]]. Those are other discussions. I guess, really, I'm saying, "Stay on topic." --[[User:Day|Day]] 04:34, 9 March 2006 (CST)

::If you want a society adapted to artificial gravity and FTL travel ''and technology on a par with that all around'', you are simply asking for too much. It's too much to even ask for a society fully adapted to the major advances.
::For example, let's think about FTL drives tactically. My first question is delay, which in BSG seems to be significant, followed by the allowablity of multiple drives per ship to have parallelized delays. This leads to a super-battlestar with, say, 30 FTL drives that can't be targeted effectively since it jumps every, say, 4 seconds. Think about a maximum-DRADIS-ranged FTL nuke that jumps to the side of its target (or a cloud of nerve gas or pyrophoric incendiary with an FTL drive to move it inside of an enemy ship). Think about minefields of these; n could easily protect a planet from n capital ships for far cheaper than n capital ships, leaving only fighters to mop up, assuming the mines cost more than CAPs, and they'd be even easier to target than lasers, since their own travel would be instant.
::Frankly, survivability of military hardware/personnel in space is horrible given serious thought. The USA, with far less resources than the colonies, had 23k nukes at peak and fields cruisers with 64-tube VLS's; just equipping every BSG capital ship with a bank of ~50 nuke launchers significantly reduces the odds of point-defense making any difference to survivability.
::FTL drives would be (in my opinion) vastly beyond current computation in design requirements; this would imply protein folding, e.g., is a reasonably routine kind of problem in BSG, and this implies an understanding of gene expression that's so vast in ramifications that cancer would have been a first course. The nonviolent causes of death list shortens dramatically.
::For that level of development in the hard sciences, one of the softer sciences must have solved ''something'' by the BSG present; there's no indication that any social, psychological, or economic problems we experience have been eradicated.
::None of these exist in BSG because they would not be fun to watch, or they have too vast a set of implications for us to identify with them. It is an absolute requirement to have such a rift for a show with BSG's themes. Accuracy and speculation on ramifications is delightful in print; excessive doses inhibit storytelling in video. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 01:37, 8 March 2006 (CST)

:::What I am asking for is a more continuous spectrum of technical development as opposed to a deep rift between one part and the rest. Inhibition in storytelling is not a bad thing, quite the contrary. Properly done, it prevents you from gambling away all credibility. If you want to connect with the viewer, the viewer has to believe you. If you tell an outrageous yarn, the viewer will be amused, but he won't see any further implications of what you told him above and beyond that amusement. Giving people something to think about usually translates to "Hm, difficult situation, how would I have acted?". That requires as a sine-qua-non premise that you consider the situation credible. If it's not, if you consider the situation posing itself as completely artificial, then you have no reason to consider it further. If it doesn't seem "true" to you, why ponder its implications? As RDM put it himself in his criticism of Voyager: "At some point the audience stops taking it seriously, because they know that this is not really the way this would happen. These people wouldn’t act like this." There are many reasons why "this is not really the way this would happen". One of them is that the specific constellation that leads to the situation wouldn't exist.

:::The key, however, is that for the claim of ''naturalistic'' storytelling to be accurate, specific parameters have to be fulfilled. These are by definition of naturalism not fulfilled if there is a disjunction between staging and story. Note: There's not a problem with having a disjunction between story and staging, but if you do, it's most certainly not "naturalistic". Cf. also [[Wikipedia:Naturalism (literature)]] which states "Note that even a fantastical genre such as science fiction can be naturalistic, as in the gritty, proletarian environment of the commercial space-freighter in Alien." However, in Alien we have sleeper pods and even the regular projectile weapons in Aliens -while based on 20th century weapons- are assembled in a fashion suggesting a level of advancement in firearms technology and more advanced weapons are hinted at in a special edition scene -and society has also changed in a way extrapolatable from today. The Sulaco very much has particle beam weapons, if only to disable electronics systems as well as lasers as point defense weapons. See, the problem is that "naturalistic science fiction" isn't really a new concept. It's been around for a while, be it in aspects of the Alien series, be it in "Outland", or even, for that matter, "Blade Runner". For that matter, a lot of ''Cyberpunk'' material has naturalistic traits. Not surprisingly, since William Gibson stated he was inspired by the implied background of "Alien" and was writing "Neuromancer" while Blade Runner was in theatres. Consequentially, it has also already been around on TV, even if some of the pertinent series were short-lived, such as Total Recall 2070. "Outland" has been called "Western in Space". Still, it does not figure sixguns nor Winchester lever-action repeating rifles, but modern shotguns in a very near-future scenario. If you want to do "West Wing" in space ''in a naturalistic fashion'', it's not enough to put Josiah Bartlet on a space ship while leaving the rest as it is. "Accuracy and speculation" are irrelevant when the technology is not even up to the technology level at the time of the airing of the show. There's nothing speculative about video conferencing. There's precious little speculative about the Land Warrior program. (In fact, "Aliens" was a pretty good anticipation of it in my eyes, despite predating the original Land Warrior program). There's not much speculation involved if you check army-technology.com or read Jane's. There's nothing speculative about using at least what's out there. But with the marines on BG running around with MP5s which are already being replaced on Earth was we speak by USPs and MP7s because of the proliferation of body armor, the technology level depicted is not even current, but in this and in many other fields, quite outdated. And MP7s have already been featured in Stargate, in Ghost in the Shell:SAC, in Stealth and in a whole bunch of computer games.

:::It is the hallmark of naturalism as an art form that it concerns itself with accuracy in details. Painters used scientific principles, authors researched their environment meticulously. Have you ever read parts of Emile Zola's Rougon-Macquard cycle? For "Germinal", Zola repeatedly visited mining towns in northern France and witnessed the after-effects of a large miners' strike -and even went down into a coal pit. If you say having a rift here is essential for BG -which I personally doubt- then BG by definition isn't naturalistic. Note: It is perfectly ok to have such a rift. Modern theatre performances have it, most of the time, as I already noted. But as Wikipedia notes, that is at best semi-naturalistic, with naturalism restricted to the delivery of the lines, and neither fully naturalistic nor "cinema verité". The 1966 movie "The battle of Algiers" painstakingly reconstructs the tactics of both the National Liberation Front as well as the French counter-insurgency. The filmmakers rejected the original layout by Sadi Yacef from his own memoirs because -despite being sympathetic to the Algerian cause, they found it too biased. The filmmakers spent two years in Algiers scouting locations and learning the customs and culture of the locals. If you dismiss restrictions as "limiting on video", you dismiss naturalism. Because naturalism by definition limits itself and demands truckloads of research. That's what naturalism is, and it's what cinema verite is, and if it's not what BG is, then BG is neither naturalistic nor done in a "cinema verite" style.
:::Is it fun to watch people being raped or murdered? Cinema verite doesn't really care if it's "fun" to watch. What it cares for is how things are. It lets its storytelling be limited by the way things work. It doesn't dismiss restrictions as "too limiting in storytelling". It is ''defined'' by restrictions. None of this means in any way that BG is bad -nor, as Merovingian recently accused me of, that I want to drag BG through the mud. It merely means that I think terminology is not being used appropriately, and that I think RDM is exaggerating some things. I still consider it great storytelling -I just consider the presentation artificial. --[[User:OliverH.|OliverH.]] 10:01, 8 March 2006 (CST)

::::Assuming "Naturalistic Science Fiction" = "Naturalism" + "Science Fiction" would be nice, but, given definitions I've seen of each, is not right. I realize that, for consistency reasons, it should be true, but examples of far worse terminology exist. ("Planar graphs" are "graphs," but "plane graphs" aren't.)
::::They don't use video conferencing because they don't want to. They certainly '''have''' television, they just don't seem to be as obsessed with it as we are. Maybe they just have no interest in encrypting large amounts of data for something they don't need. More ciphertext transmitted is more to analyze; it's more plaintext/ciphertext pairs if a Cylon agent has access to either end. (Video is also notably easier to capture losslessly from a distance without even a direct tap.)
::::Land Warrior is a bunch of computers, displays, and radios designed to unify a mess of C&C, C4I, and ISTAR garbage into a mess of C4ISTAR garbage. That is, I'm not sure what it is in there that you think the Colonials are missing out on. Anyway, we haven't seen any groups of professional human land soldiers who were equipped to fight independently at length as part of a unit large enough to make hauling around C4ISTAR madness worthwhile.
::::The fact that some weapons carried by the Colonials on BSG look like MP5's is irrelevant. They obviously aren't supposed to be made to an H&K design, so they just happen to '''look like''' MP5's. What they fire is independent of what weapons that look alike do here and now. (Note they have also in the past carried weapons resembling P90's and Five-seveN's, which have a similar armor-piercing cartridge design to the MP7 ammo.) Best current miltary doctrine restricts the SMG/PDW/whatever to secondary roles, anyway; we could assume they normally carry full assault rifles with even better penetration for land war. For that matter, serious planetside soldiers probably carry SAW's and MANPADS's that cut down Centurions and aircraft like barley before Oktoberfest, probably at least one of each at the fireteam level; they probably thought of the whole "armored cavalry" thing, too. ''Ship's complements are equipped for inside ships, as would make sense.'' --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 20:36, 8 March 2006 (CST)

::::: Some good points, CAv. Well said. --[[User:Day|Day]] 04:42, 9 March 2006 (CST)

== Recent Edits and Comment on Article Purpose ==

Please note that this article is based on '''Ron Moore's''' concepts as applied to the new series. As such, it WILL have a particular slant to it by design.

Perhaps to bring this article back to a level of neutrality requires that the article should list out the word-for-word essay by Moore if necessary or allowable without interpretation or edit. Then, a second section can note where, in episodes or through other proveable works where NSF falls short or works, with supporting information.

I have removed the debating and speculative comments in the article for now. I may rewrite this article soon with the unabridged article from Moore, then with our comments that allow contrast and comparison without tainting the one view that makes this article relevant--Moore's. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 14:17, 30 March 2006 (CST)

:I have added Ron Moore's essay to the page. This was from Galactica.TV, but they had to have received it from an alternate official source, which will need to be found. The Analysis section summaries or details what the essay points are, but now can be used for editors to note problems in the concept--where it falls flat or works ''too'' well. Episode examples '''should''' be cited. Windy theoretical explanations should be avoided unless there is a detailed point that can connect it to the topic at hand. After a week or two I will remove the NPOV banner if there is no objection. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 14:09, 2 April 2006 (CDT)

::Is there some way to lock the quoted section (for content, not position, etc.)? --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 14:02, 3 April 2006 (CDT)

:::My first reaction would be that we could create a subpage that has the text of the quote, protect that page, then transclude (like using a template) that page so that it appears in the article. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:09, 3 April 2006 (CDT)

::::That sounds a little difficult; couldn't we do what we always do to guard quote sections: Eternal Vigilance?--[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 14:29, 3 April 2006 (CDT)

:::::It's not as hard as it sounds. And it's not that I'm questioning the V. I was more looking for an excuse to add another member to the "Category:Articles with Subpage Sources" club. This would actually be an appropriate time to use such a construct (with the essay page getting the "Category:Sources"), but I'll hold off unless somebody else thinks it's a good idea. In the meantime I'm sure our collective Vigilance will do the job just fine. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 14:57, 3 April 2006 (CDT)

The change for the essay looks good to me. We might want to have a "Pro" or "Con" subheading in each point to allow a central unedited analysis point, and then the arguments for or against how the point really works or not in the show. Arguments should be integrated as bullets, I think, with avoidance of argumentative discussion (talking between editors within the page) --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:05, 14 April 2006 (CDT)

== Dei ex Machinis ==
I had based my edit on this (rather than relying on my shoddy and long forgotten Latin skills):
[http://www.answers.com/deus+ex+machina&r=67 Deus Ex Machina]
"The latin phrase (deus ex māchinā, plural deī ex māchinīs) is a calque from the Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός ápo mēchanēs theós, (pronounced in Ancient Greek [a po' mɛ:kʰa'nɛ:s tʰe'os])." --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 09:02, 31 March 2006 (CST)

: Cool. Good to know. Also, thanks for looking into that. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|talk]]) 19:47, 31 March 2006 (CST)

== "Citation needed" explanation ==

"What d'you mean, 'citation needed'? Aren't those links enough?" -[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] in an edit summary

:First off, I don't see any links on the page explaining those statements. What I meant by "citation needed" was made clear by my edit summaries, e.g. "request citations; the 2nd and 3rd are not for the water, they're for the life and similarity)."
:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm is an excellent source for there being frozen water on Mars; it supports "there is...evidence that Mars had oceans." It does '''not''' support "and was similar to Earth," as water is not the only characteristic to be shared with Earth to be "similar."
:"Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of stars in [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] similar to our own <nowiki>[sic, to be fixed]</nowiki>" does not make logical sense. Many Sun-like stars does not imply the existence of planets of any kind, much less justify a claim they bear life. Therefore, you need a source to justify that leap, or you need to include an explanation.
:"[T]he ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it)" does not make logical sense. The presence of water does not imply the "candidacy" to bear life. Things like a temperature where most common gases aren't frozen and a reasonable amount of solar energy spring to mind as additional criteria. You need a source to justify that leap, or you need to include an explanation.
:Please do not delete requests for citations that you have not provided. I'm not picking on you; I'm just trying to make this page better. That includes having the opinion you share voiced logically and convincingly, which is not currently the case. In fact, I am neutral on the issue of the existence of extraterrestrial life. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]]) 08:32, 14 May 2006 (CDT)
::I don't see how any conclusions can be drawn about how common life is in the universe. Look at [[Wikipedia:Fermi_paradox]]. It is within reason to portray is as being sparse. We just don't know. Also, big differences (chasms) exist between potential for life, life, and sentient life. --[[User:Gougef|gougef]] 14:41, 17 May 2006 (CDT)
:::Well, personally I think the show would be better with the odd aliens or alien word thrown into it. And as for the Fermi paradox, well it's just based on mere assumption. For all we know there could be a civilisation in the solar system next door. --[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 09:38, 20 May 2006 (CDT)
::::Honestly, given the show's direction, the introduction of bipedaled humanoid aliens is detrimental to the show's premise. It's more about the struggles of humanity than running into the Ridge-Head of the week... We have enough of those shows around to last several hundred years. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] 11:26, 20 May 2006 (CDT)
:::::Who says the aliens had to be their enemies? They could have been part of the crew, like in Star Trek or Star Wars. Admit it, the show would have been a lot more interesting if there had been the odd creature thrown in there, rather than a load of swearing people bitching over how much water and fuel they've got left. --[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 11:51, 28 May 2006 (CDT)

:::::: A friend of mine has done a lot of reading and thinking and talking to professors and the like about intelligent life outside of this planet. Some people (Stephen Hawking among them, at least as of a few years ago) think it is feasable that we are the oldest possible intelligent civilization in our universe (not proven, but possible), based on how quickly our planet formed, etc. Also he's told me about an astronomy prof. that talked about the importance of Jupiter in the evolution of life on this planet. So, I don't think you can really criticize BSG for chosing one of two possible, unproven realities. Also, I'll reiterate that "naturalistic" can be somewhat relative. Because I've never met a Ridge-Head, it is less realistic to me if a show includes them than if it were to exclude them. This decision, even if proven wrong in the future, is much like the decision to use Nukes and bullets rather than proton torpedos and lasers. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 19:48, 28 May 2006 (CDT)

:::::::Well, our civilisation has been going for what, 5000 years at the most? We are relatively new in the universe, so perhaps aliens came to this planet before, thought 'ah, nothing to bother about here', and went off. And as for Jupiter...all of the hundreds of solar systems we've found include Jupiter-like planets. Besides, if there isn't intelligent life out there--which is indisputedly highly unlikely--there is, at the very very least, bacterial or animal life. If you think about the way most jump to conclusions about ET life, it's like looking around briefly, and then saying: "Can I see anyone? Nope, so they don't exist, end of story." And as for the nukes and bullets bit...well, I don't think they'd have mere nukes--something similar, but not the same sort of stuff we have. And military laser technology is already becoming reality. -[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 05:18, 1 June 2006 (CDT)

:::::::: You misunderstood my point about the nukes entirely. But it was tangental anyway. Also, how do you know that 5000 years is "new"? What if our solar system happens to have solidified from excess star matter faster than average, our planet cooled fast, developed an atmosphere faster, was protected by Jupiter better and lucked right into the center of the habitability zone for our star so that life began ealier. Assuming reletively similar rates of change from fish to commuter, we'd be older than anyone else. Now, a lot of that is speculation (though not my own, as said above), but there is room for such speculation because, contrary to what you've asserted above, it is ''not'' indisputable. There is no mass of evidence for either possibility. This is getting way tangental, so I propose we drop this aliens thing and move back to citation. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 13:03, 1 June 2006 (CDT)

:::::::::I agree about dropping this debate. I can tell it's getting nowhere. But could you just tell me one thing: are talk pages for sort of forum discussion about topics, or just discussions about how to refine the article? -[[User:Boogaloo|Boogaloo]] 06:54, 2 June 2006 (CDT)

Talk:Naturalistic science fiction/Archive 1

2006-06-01T10:18:38Z

Boogaloo: /* "Citation needed" explanation */

Talk:Naturalistic science fiction/Archive 1

2006-05-28T16:51:04Z

Boogaloo: /* "Citation needed" explanation */

User:Boogaloo

2006-05-20T14:39:36Z

Boogaloo:

Hello, and my username is Boogaloo! Do you care? No, of course you don't!

Talk:Naturalistic science fiction/Archive 1

2006-05-20T14:38:25Z

Boogaloo: /* "Citation needed" explanation */

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-20T14:35:49Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|Milky Way]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems in the galaxy. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing at least primitive bacterial life. And there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm] and could have once born at least primitive forms of life. Also, the element of extraterrestial life in the show would have also, arguably, introduced the topics of human predujuice, racism, and fear of the unknown into the show.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-20T14:34:48Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|Milky Way]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems in the galaxy. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing at least primitive bacterial life. and there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm] and could have once born at least primitive forms of life. Also, the element of extraterrestial life in the show would have also, arguably, introduced the topics of human predujuice, racism, and fear of the unknown into the show.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

User:Boogaloo

2006-05-17T18:04:30Z

Boogaloo:

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-17T15:50:55Z

Boogaloo: Here. I think this is just right.

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|Milky Way]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems in tge galaxy. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing at least bacterial life,{{citation needed}} and there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm] and could have once born at least primitive forms of life.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-14T07:29:47Z

Boogaloo:

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of stars in [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it), and there is also evidence[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm] that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans and was similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-14T07:29:01Z

Boogaloo: Here. This is citation.

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of stars in [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it), and there is also [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4727847.stm| evidence] that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans and was similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-14T07:25:36Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of stars in [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it), and there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans and was similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-14T07:24:15Z

Boogaloo: What d'you mean, 'citation needed'? Aren't those links enough?

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behavior, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates situations where a matter just "resolves itself.", because the writers do not want to throw a long and convoluted explanation at the viewer. One of the larger violations of this may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]. The series is intent on avoiding silly technobabble explanations (which at their worst, are little more than a deus ex machina), but this has resulted in some situations also being given little explanation ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of stars in [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it), and there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] had oceans and was similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multicultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series.

Perhaps due to conventions established by their heavy use in other science fiction series, such "flags-and-banners" themes feel more appropriate for the setting to many than tribal music they consider to sound too primitive. Of course, this association is artificial.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-03T18:55:34Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behaviour, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems similar to our own, seeing as there at least 200 billion stars in our [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|Galaxy]]. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of life-bearing water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it), and there is also evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] used to have oceans and water and was similar to Earth until some point in the distant past.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradictions====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series. Also, episodes like [[The Hand of God]] feature upbeat, patriotic music, and sometimes the tribal, primitive-sounding music feels too out-of-place in a futurisitic science-fiction setting.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-05-03T18:53:45Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradictions */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, everyday people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist," "loyal soldier," "heroic lead," "spiritual commander," "whiz-kid genius," or "sexy doctor."

As a general rule, the characters of ''Battlestar Galactica'' aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Some characters in ''Battlestar Galactica'' do act like cliched sci-fi characters, though. Starbuck, as the rude and cocky pilot, is similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]''. Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories explaining their behaviour, although in Solo's case this is revealed only in the Star Wars [[Wikipedia:Expanded Universe|Expanded Universe]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

Arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems similar to our own.{{citation needed}} Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of life-bearing water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it),{{citation needed}} and there is also much evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] and [[Wikipedia:Venus|Venus]] used to have oceans and water and were similar to Earth.{{citation needed}}

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|''Battlestar Galactica'']] avoids the thematic elements found in ''[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]''. The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used "flags-and-banners" overtures used in ''Star Trek'', ''Star Wars'', and the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original]] ''Battlestar Galactica''.

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradictions====
Debatably, several ceremonies conducted on the show were appropriate times for traditional Western martial overtures or marchs ([[Miniseries]], [[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), and they would have been used based on the parallels between the [[Colonial Fleet]] and modern armed forces; given this, their exclusion is a loss of authenticity, even if they are too frequently chosen by other series. Also, episodes like [[The Hand of God]] feature upbeat, patriotic music, and sometimes the tribal, primitive-sounding music feels too out-of-place in a futurisitic science-fiction setting.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-04-27T14:37:54Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new "Battlestar Galactica" series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, every-day people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
As a general rule, the characters of "Battlestar Galactica" aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients. However, occasionally, characters in "Battlestar Galactica" sometimes act like cliched sci-fi characters, e.g. Starbuck as the rude and cocky pilot, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]].
Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories (although in Solo's case, this is revealed in the Star Wars Expanded Universe) explained their behaviour.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]). Also, [[Boomer]] always just happens to find water and tylium or whatever the fleet is in desperate need of.

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.
However, arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of life-bearing water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it); and there is also much evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] and [[Wikipedia:Venus|Venus]] used to have oceans and water, and were similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|"Battlestar Galactica"]] avoids the thematic elements found in "[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]". The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used flags-and-banners overtures used in "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and the original Battlestar Galactica.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-04-27T14:35:23Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new "Battlestar Galactica" series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, every-day people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
As a general rule, the characters of "Battlestar Galactica" aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients. However, occasionally, characters in "Battlestar Galactica" sometimes act like cliched sci-fi characters, e.g. Starbuck as the rude and cocky pilot, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]].
Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories (although in Solo's case, this is revealed in the Star Wars Expanded Universe) explained their behaviour.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]).

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.
However, arguably, despite the lack of conclusive evidence, worlds with life-bearing potential should be quite common, given the tremendous number of solar systems similar to our own. Even in our own solar system, Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; the ice moon [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]] is highly likely to have an ocean of life-bearing water beneath its icy surface, making it a candidate for bearing life (as we know it); and there is also much evidence that [[Wikipedia:Mars|Mars]] and [[Wikipedia:Venus|Venus]] used to have oceans and water, and were similar to Earth.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|"Battlestar Galactica"]] avoids the thematic elements found in "[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]". The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used flags-and-banners overtures used in "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and the original Battlestar Galactica.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-04-27T10:01:38Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new "Battlestar Galactica" series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, every-day people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
As a general rule, the characters of "Battlestar Galactica" aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients. However, occasionally, characters in "Battlestar Galactica" sometimes act like cliched sci-fi characters, e.g. Starbuck as the rude and cocky pilot, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]].
Both Solo and Starbuck have backstories (although in Solo's case, this is revealed in the Star Wars Expanded Universe) explained their behaviour.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]).

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless. However, this is actually somewhat implausible, as there are billions of planets with life-bearing potential, and even in our own Solar system Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]], a moon of [[Wikipedia:Jupiter|Jupiter]], is very likely to have oceans of liquid water underneath its icy surface, with potential to bear Earth-like life.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|"Battlestar Galactica"]] avoids the thematic elements found in "[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]". The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used flags-and-banners overtures used in "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and the original Battlestar Galactica.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-04-27T10:00:19Z

Boogaloo: /* Space Remains Big...and Lonely */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new "Battlestar Galactica" series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, every-day people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
As a general rule, the characters of "Battlestar Galactica" aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients. However, occasionally, characters in "Battlestar Galactica" sometimes act like cliched sci-fi characters, e.g. Starbuck as the rude and cocky pilot, similar to [[Wikipedia:Han Solo|Han Solo]] of [[Wikipedia:Star Wars|Star Wars]]. However, even Starbuck has a fleshed out backstory, containing years of child abuse by her mother, which actually give a rationale explanation of ''why'' she behaves the way she does.

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica Pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]).

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]).

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless. However, this is actually somewhat implausible, as there are billions of planets with life-bearing potential, and even in our own Solar system Earth is not the only world with life-bearing potential; [[Wikipedia:Europa|Europa]], a moon of [[Wikipedia:Jupiter|Jupiter]], is very likely to have oceans of liquid water underneath its icy surface, with potential to bear Earth-like life.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system. While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|"Battlestar Galactica"]] avoids the thematic elements found in "[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]". The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used flags-and-banners overtures used in "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and the original Battlestar Galactica.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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

Naturalistic science fiction

2006-04-26T17:04:10Z

Boogaloo: /* Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction */

{{NPOV}}
'''Naturalistic science fiction''' (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF [[Wikipedia:cliche|cliches]], utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as "[[Wikipedia:The Sopranos|The Sopranos]]", "[[Wikipedia:24 (television)|24]]" and "[[Wikipedia:The West Wing|The West Wing]]". Naturalistic SF blends the best elements of [[Wikipedia:Soft science fiction|"soft" science fiction]] (where characterization is of prime importance) and [[Wikipedia:Hard science fiction|"hard" science fiction]] (where plausible technical accuracy is preferred). Fundamentally, it is a drama with sci-fi elements.

== Ron Moore's Essay on NSF ==
{{:Sources:RDM's essay on Naturalistic Science Fiction}}

== Analysis of NSF Principles in the Show==

===Characters===
For [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the new "Battlestar Galactica" series]] naturalistic SF means that '''characters''' are viewed as normal, every-day people, complete with flaws, neuroses, and even addictions. There will be no stereotypical SF characters such as the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
As a general rule, the characters of "Battlestar Galactica" aren't carbon copies of character architypes found in other TV science fiction. For example, instead of the "lovable, iracible doctor" like Dr. McCoy on ''Star Trek'', Major [[Cottle]] is the exact opposite being very rude and arrogant to his patients. However, occasionally, characters in "Battlestar Galactica" sometimes act like cliched sci-fi characters: e.g. Adama is the gruff, brave leader, similar to [[Wikipedia:Captain Picard|Captain Picard]] of Star Trek, [[Laura Roslin]] the brave and sympathetic leader, and Starbuck the rude and cocky pilot, similar to [[Wikipedia: Han Solo| Han Solo]] of [[Wikipedia: Star Wars|Star Wars]].

===Technology===
'''Technology''' is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: [[FTL]] travel) and plausible, yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realistic. Instead of using technology such as [[Wikipedia:Star Trek|"Star Trek's"]] transporters, people need to be physically shuttled between ships on smaller craft like [[Raptor|Raptors]].

Colonial ships are not powered by "dylithium crystals" housed inside "warp cores" , but from [[tylium]], a powerful solid substance with interesting properties that's mined from planets and asteroids and refined. The one similarity is that neither subtance actually exists.

Energy weapons such as "Star Trek's" phasers and photon torpedoes are replaced with ordinary projectile weapons and Earthly mass-destruction ordinance: guns, bullets and nuclear bombs. Other SF "[[Wikipedia:deus ex machina|deus ex machina]]"-style comparatatively fanciful technologies are avoided entirely or replaced with technology more in line with what's seen in modern life on Earth today. If [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] runs out of water, ''Galactica'' can't "invent" some device to reclaim the water molecules from spaceborne hydrogen molecules--they search for a planetary body that has water ([[Water]]). Technology looks familar to the viewer, from the phones, computer screens, and even the bathrooms.

Much like [[Aaron Doral]] noted in the opening of the [[Miniseries]], form follows function when it comes to the ship designs. ''Galactica'' is designed as a battle cruiser / aircraft carrier in space; the hull is lined with armor plating, strengthened by [[Frame|structural ribbing]] and insulated from external explosions by internal structures such as water tanks ([[Water]]). The command center of the ship, the [[CIC]], is buried deep within the ship and protected from any attacks, unlike ''Star Trek's'' starships, whose bridges are openly exposed at the top-center of the ship on most classes, as few are technically designated for war.

Many Colonial civilian ships are spaceborne variations of ships you may see in the air or at sea in the real-world Earth. ''[[Colonial One]]'' is designed to be a [[Intersun|jetliner in space]] and is set up similar to a real world passenger airliner with rows of seats separated into various classes down the fuselage, cramped airplane bathrooms, cargo bays in the ship's underbelly and private cabins for VIPs. (They may even have those dry complementary peanut snacks or the free drink.)

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Sometimes that the lack of substantial technology discussion by characters creates a deus ex machina situation where a situation just "resolves itself." The largest violation of these may include Laura Roslin's unlikely and highly problematic cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" and the ability of Cylon and human to conceive children such as [[Hera]], given the unlikely blend of Cylon physiology to human physiology and the Cylon's continued use of [[Silica pathways]] in Cylon agents. This was illustrated on copies of [[Aaron Doral]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] ([[Miniseries]]). Also, it is never explained in detail just how the Cylons are capable of bleeding or sweating, or feeling pain.

===No "Deus Ex Machina" Concepts===

Characters like [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] are annoyed by endless '''[[technobabble]]'''. Complex procedures needed to further the plot are often explained in context to the episode in simple and down-to-earth terms, if they're ever explained at all.

When technology is mentioned, it's typically analogous to something found on the real-world Earth. Dialogue such as "[[Stims|stims]]", "[[Morpha|morpha]]", "[[DRADIS]]" and "[[wireless]]" will seem familiar enough when used in context to most casual viewers.

''Galactica'' and its Fleet have to be creative with the very limited resources in the Fleet. They cannot barter with other civilizations (as there aren't any) or make parts with "replication technology." They have a limited supply of ''everything'': [[Viper (RDM)|fighters]], ammunition, food, water, and people. Specialized crewmembers, such as [[List of Pilots|pilots]] and [[Cottle|doctors]], are in even shorter supply. In "Battlestar Galactica's" world, they don't have a homebase or a parent government: What they are and what they have is literally visible in every episode--and everything is wearing or running out, adding to the drama of the characters. This is can be seen in the deteriorating conditions of ''Galactica'''s Vipers, which began the [[Miniseries]] in pristine condition, but, through extended use, all now have significant battle damage, burns, scars, scrapes and dents; several have been damaged beyond repair ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Again, Roslin's cancer cure by [[Gaius Baltar]] suggest a sudden and undesirable use of the deus ex machina tactic to further a plot line (the survival of the child later known as [[Hera]]).

===Space Remains Big...and Lonely===

There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. The Fleet does not encounter a new planet or culture every week as is typically done in episodes of "Star Trek" and "Stargate." The universe remains so big as to appear almost empty, with the odds of meeting other intelligent beings (excluding, perhaps, remnants of the [[Earth|Thirteenth Tribe]]) practically nil. A majority of [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica's]] episodes primarily focus on internal Fleet survival issues ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]", and "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]").

Humanoid or other intelligent life (save that of the Fleet's nemesis, the human-created [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]) does not exist, as almost all of the encountered planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless.

The characters do speak of animals from the now Cylon-occupied Colonies, and they share most of the names we use in the real-world Earth: [[Life Forms of the Twelve Colonies|chickens, dogs, cattle, and cats]] existed on their worlds. This naming is done mostly to make it easier for the viewers to identify with the characters and to prevent writers from having to invent a new animal.

Curiously similar animals have been observed, after a fashion, on other worlds besides the Twelve Colonies. [[Socinus]] notes while on [[Kobol]] that he is able to listen to the birds in the trees for the first time since the Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]).

====Counterpoints and Aired Contradiction====
Laymen and some scientists argue that the sparseness of Earth-like worlds is implausible, based upon the assumption that a significant fraction of star systems in the [[Wikipedia:Milky Way|galaxy]] have life-bearing potential. However, this is based on a contested judgement of available information, as Earth-based scientific resources are incapable of detecting such planets beyond our solar system (although, logically, there should be plenty of life-supporting worlds, givent the sheer number of stars in a galaxy). While a numerous amount of large gas giant planets have been located surrounding other stars in the galaxy, they are unlikely to be life-supporting. Further, in the fictional (and more techologically advanced) universe of the show, ''Galactica's'' own resources have proved incapable of finding life-supporting worlds; they find [[Kobol]] and [[New Caprica]] out of happenstance and not design or exploration.

===Storytelling and Music===

[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|"Battlestar Galactica"]] avoids the thematic elements found in "[[Wikipedia:Star Trek|Star Trek]]". The series story is told chronolgically in episodic storytelling, using a [[Wikipedia:Documentary film|documentary-style, ''cinema verite'']] visual feel and tribal music that gives the series a more multi-cultural sound texture than the overly-used flags-and-banners overtures used in "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and the original Battlestar Galactica.

== Related Articles ==
*[[Science in the Re-imagined Series]]

== External Links ==
*[http://www.galactica2003.net/articles/concept.shtml Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF]
*[[Wikipedia:Hard Science Fiction|Hard Science Fiction]]

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