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Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-04-07T16:24:36Z

Darthdoy11: /* Notes */

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating=
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41398
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| hulu=Y
| unbox=B00178W020
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's.
* [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick.
* Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick".
* Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet.
* Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched.
[[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]
* Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama through his right eye. However, he is wakened by his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever flown a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be.
* During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either.
* Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship.
* Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]].
* Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself.
* Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her.
* Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages.
* The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights. Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep.
* Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage.
* Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter.
* In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none.
* Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her.
* From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative.
* Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable.
* Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination.
* Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs.
* Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him.
* As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future...
* Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds it beautiful, but a hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt.
* As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence.
[[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]
* "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon.
* Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth.
* Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]].
* Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet.
* Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor".
* Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it.
* Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, since Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref>
* Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course.
* Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]].
* Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was.
* Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake".
* They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work.
[[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]
* Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way.
* Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova.
* Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition.
* Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind.
* Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being.
* Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments.
* Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on.
[[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]
* After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God.
* As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at.
* Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard.
* After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin.
* Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]

* Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death.
* Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this.
* Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
* In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her.
* She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]].
* Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
* After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way.
* Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates the female marine, while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it.
* Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out.
* Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a smoke grenade as a distraction. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)
* The population of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,100 likely died on other ships during the attack.
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* In promotional photos for this episode, the tail number for Thrace's pristine Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". However, this number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode uses a shorter version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, that has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].
* The stills from Starbuck's gun-camera footage indicate, incorrectly, that Galactica is part of Battlestar Group 62.

=== Religion ===

*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow" matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a charcoal gray. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photograph appears to be very desaturated and may not represent the true colors. Moreover, the moon shown in the photo has a shadow pattern more indicative of a partial lunar eclipse than the ordinary terminator. Alternatively, she may have intended to say "yellow star and moon" (referring only to the star as yellow) instead of "yellow moon and star."
* Assuming that Thrace has been in the system [[w:Sol|Sol]], the "giant gas planet with rings" could be any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets. [[w:Saturn|Saturn]] is noted for its large ring system, whereas [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] (noted as being the largest gas giant in Sol), [[w:Uranus|Uranus]] and [[w:Neptune|Neptune]] each have rings that are not as notable as those of the aforementioned Saturn. There is, however, no "flashing triple star" presently obvious from Earth. (Alpha Centauri does not flash and would only be seen as triple when close to Proxima Centauri.)
* Interestingly, Jupiter is home of a massive storm known as the "[[w:Great Red Spot|Great Red Spot]]", which is another allusion to the "[[Eye of Jupiter]]". Further, this Great Red Spot, which is a massive hurricane-like storm of immense width, is a storm similar to the one in "Maelstrom" and may possibly be related to how she returns to the Fleet.

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by some humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon [[Hybrid]]'s designation of Baltar as "the chosen one". Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. The ship's main guns are fully active on screen here for the first time since that engagement, and ''Galactica's'' point defense batteries are also shown operating.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Her apparently strange trip through time and space may suggest a possible wormhole or spacial anomaly. If so, the inability of Adama, Roslin, and others to seriously consider this possibility again highlights the [[naturalistic science fiction]] aspect of the series (though the absence of Dr. Baltar's scientific expertise may also be a factor). Wormholes would a phenomenon known to the Colonials, as Adama mentions them in "[[Sacrifice]]".
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated", to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four", and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama through the right eye, ironically the same eye that Tigh lost by the Significant Seven Cylons on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]

* During the battle, it is Samuel Anders's right eye that "responds" to the Cylon Raider's roving eye. The electronic reddening effect appears to be an acknowledgment of the [[IFF]] signal the Raider sent out.
* The "red eye" of the Cylon Raiders has been used to transmit signals to ships using Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]]. This may have "activated" some programming or instinct within the Cylon Raider -- or even Anders' -- in much the same way it accessed the backdoors to Baltar's program.
* It is implied that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider that "made him" is ''not'' related to any technical error on the Viper. His safeties are still active at the time, which are attributed to two things within the episode: a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" (according to [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and later reiterated by Tigh) or some subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good", the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe".
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon?
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true?
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative?
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Marine #2

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]

Crossroads, Part II

2007-08-06T11:57:50Z

Darthdoy11: /* Questions */ deleted question - about Baltar covering up Tigh's true identity in TMUTMD as he only tested Ellen

{{Episode Data
| title= Crossroads, Part II
| image= 3x20-CrossroadsPartII-BaltarSixHera.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 20
| guests=
| writer= [[Mark Verheiden]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production= 320
| rating=1.2
| US airdate= {{Crossroads, Part II NTSC broadcast date}}
| UK airdate= {{Crossroads, Part II PAL broadcast date}}
| dvd=
| podcast=y
| extra= '''Season Finale - 50 Minute Episode'''
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part I]]
| next= [[Razor|Razor (DVD movie)]]
| itunes= http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=VWbyALbmqZY&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewTVSeason%253Fi%253D219291495%2526id%253D200852806%2526s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30
}}

== Overview ==
:''As Gaeta testifies against Baltar about the execution list that the accused signed on New Caprica, Roslin finds a disturbing link between her dreams and the [[Opera House]] on Kobol. Lee Adama turns around the trial with an unusual move, and several people make a disturbing discovery about themselves.''

== Summary ==

===Teaser===
*[[Admiral Adama]] shaves, cutting himself when the lights flicker.
*[[Laura Roslin]] calls, seeking a bit of humorous motivation to get out of bed and face the [[Crossroads, Part I|trial]] again, which she does not relish.
*After one feeble attempt, Adama manages "get your fat, lazy ass out of that rack, Roslin!" which makes Roslin laugh and give a heartfelt thank you. Adama tells her, "Don't let 'em see you sweat, Laura."
*[[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] are sexually engaged when she hears a [[The Music|strange music]]. When she notes it to Anders, he's surprised at the revelation, having heard it before himself.
*[[Diana Seelix]] knocks on the [[duty locker]] door and Anders opens it. An uncomfortable silence between Seelix, Anders and Foster begins.
*[[Galen Tyrol]] is half-asleep, humming the music. He leaves his bed and quarters and goes to a section of ventilation to hear the music elsewhere on ''[[Galactica]]''.
*[[Lee Adama]] recommends pursuing a mistrial for [[Gaius Baltar]], using his grandfather's written advice, believing that their successes are actually worsening the issue. Baltar is incensed at the suggestion, believing that Adama wants to leave the case.
*[[Romo Lampkin]], Baltar's attorney, is inclined to agree with Adama, but young Adama's comment about his father's words about the "treacherous" Baltar leaves him to ponder.
*Baltar doesn't want to repeat the terror he's experienced in the time before the trial.
*[[Racetrack]] is training Seelix, Anders, and other [[Raptor]] [[nugget]]s, when Anders overhears Chief Tyrol humming. Together, they realize that the melody feels like something out of childhood, and they hear only a part of the melody.
*Before they can analyze further, Racetrack yells for Anders to return to the group.

===Act 1===
*Roslin takes [[diloxin]] treatment in [[sickbay]]. As she lies down and dreams, she experiences the same dream as [[Sharon Agathon]], also in sickbay with [[Hera Agathon|her daughter]], and both scream simultaneously. The two ask to talk privately.
*Later, Roslin and Sharon Agathon meet with [[Caprica-Six]], who has also experienced the dreams. When asked why Six is trying to reach Hera, she says that she felt she had to protect her "with (my) life."
*[[Saul Tigh]] tells Admiral Adama about the music. The admiral tells Tigh that he will look into it later as he leaves for court.
*The trial resumes. Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]] is on the stand. The [[Precipice|execution order]] from [[New Caprica]] is admitted as evidence by [[Cassidy]], the prosecutor.
*Gaeta lies, as viewers are shown the actual events where Baltar is forced to sign at gunpoint, where Gaeta says that Baltar did not resist.
*Lampkin chooses not to cross-examine, to Baltar's great horror. The prosecution rests.

===Act 2===
*After a recess, the defense begins its case.
*Lampkin motions for a mistrial, as Baltar objects, due to prejudicial comments by Admiral Adama four days before. He asks for Mr. Lee Adama to take the stand.
*The prosecuting attorney strongly objects, but after Lampkin warns of much case law (he can think of seven examples off the top of his head) that permits such a procedure, the tribunal allows Mr. Adama to testify.
*Mr. Adama refuses to confirm his father's comments. As Lampkin tries to intimidate Mr. Adama, he restates, asking if Baltar deserves a fair trial.
*Asked why, Mr. Adama believes Baltar is not guilty, but Admiral Adama asks for the questioning to continue.
*Pressed for more clarification, Mr. Adama states that Baltar did not commit treason. He asks the tribunal what anyone else would do in that situation. He notes that all other conspirators and resistance fighters were pardoned, as were many, many other mistakes of the past, from [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|Roslin]], to [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Admiral Adama]], and himself in the destruction of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' and running from [[New Caprica]], recommending never to return with [[Pegasus (RDM)|his battlestar]].
*Mr. Adama believes that new laws are needed because they are less of a civilization now and more of a gang. He states that, unlike everyone else, Baltar is being prosecuted because of his arrogance and other considerable character flaws and is not being accorded the same forgiveness as others.
*Adama believes that the trial is built on emotions and shame from the events of New Caprica, and the shame of those that ran away. Mr. Adama looks to his father as he speaks.
*He believes that Baltar is a scapegoat for all the guilt of the people.
*The prosecuting attorney does not cross-examine, and the defense rests.
*The tribunal steps out to deliberate as Roslin steps down to congratulate Cassidy for her work.

===Act 3===
*Baltar is acquitted, 3 votes to 2 against. Yelling turns into a riot in the gallery as [[Colonial Marine Corps|Marines]] try to get Baltar to safety while the [[Fleet News Service|press]] tries to interview many players.
*Baltar is happily discussing the victory but makes a mistake in insulting Admiral Adama. Lee Adama warns him, "Don't push it, doctor."
*When Baltar asks Lampkin to aid him in a book tour and other profitable matters, Lampkin tells him that his association with Baltar is over.
*Baltar suddenly realizes that, despite his apparent freedom, he is a man without a country, without work, friends, or even quarters.
*Lampkin and Mr. Adama say their goodbyes. Lee Adama, on seeing Lampkin walking away without his cane, realizes that he had used the cane as yet another psychological tactic.
*Gaius Baltar tries to be inconspicuous as he moves files elsewhere, but all eyes are on him.
*Roslin and Admiral Adama speak in [[CIC]]. She is incensed at the verdict. Adama reminds Roslin that "not guilty" does not mean "innocent."
*Roslin assumes that Adama cast a guilty vote, when, to Roslin's shock and anger, the admiral states he voted not guilty, feeling that the prosecution failed to make their case.
*Adama tells Roslin that no one is asking anyone to forgive or forget, but they must look to the future.
*Adama orders the last jump to the [[Ionian nebula]]. The jump is successful, and Adama orders a [[DRADIS]] scan when Roslin becomes immediately dazed and stunned.
*As Admiral Adama looks to Roslin to check on her health, main power on every ship of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] fails, leaving each one, including ''Galactica'', drifting dangerously close to each other.

===Act 4===
*Pilots scramble with [[flashlight]]s to their stations while CIC tries to get to auxiliary power, but battery power is the best they can muster.
*The scene shifts to a dream in the [[Opera House]] again, with Gaius Baltar holding Hera and Caprica-Six next to him. Above them, the glowing images of the [[Final Five]] appear. Caprica-Six awakens from the dream.
*Baltar tries to take advantage of the darkness and chaos when [[Baltar's Angels|three women]] confront him. Frightened, Baltar is told by the women that they will take him to safety.
*The mysterious music gets louder, and Tigh, Galen Tyrol, Tory Foster and Anders begin quoting lyrics from an [[The Music|increasingly coherent melody]].
*As viewers watch, the music becomes louder and more dynamic. Each of the four are drawn to the gym on ''Galactica'', where they discover each other. Each are stunned and shocked.
*Tyrol believes the impossible; that all of them are [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. Each of them begin to hum the music, together, coherently, in full. Tigh angrily stops them and closes the hatches while they talk.
*Tigh states his time in service, and his history, trying to believe that none of it was in vain. Anders objects as well.
*As power is restored, DRADIS picks up a large Cylon fleet coming their way. [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] manage to scramble. [[Helo]], as acting XO, notes the mass power outage will mean that it will take at least 20 minutes for the [[FTL]] jump drives on the civilian ships to be ready. The admiral doesn't believe they have the time.
*In the closed room, Tigh states that, despite what they believe about themselves, that he is going to do his job as a Colonial officer, and heads to CIC. The others follow suit.
*The [[hangar deck]] is abuzz with activity as Chief Tyrol tries to resume his usual work.
*Lee Adama, after watching other pilots run from duty lockers to flight preparation, heads there himself to prep.
*Admiral Adama orders the preparation of the battlestar's nuclear weapons. Tigh reports on station, keeping his face stony, as does Tory Foster, offering any help to President Roslin.
*The Vipers launch. [[Helo]] is confused about the pilot of Viper 3.
*Apollo, identifying himself in Viper 3, picks up a target on his [[Viper Mark VII|Viper's]] DRADIS, and tracks it down. As he looks around, an image of a [[Viper Mark II]] keeps appearing and disappearing in the clouds and on DRADIS. The image buzzes overhead and alarms the pilot momentarily.
*Pulling alongside in her undamaged Viper, [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] greets Apollo. She tells him not to "freak out," that it really is her.
*The [[Maelstrom|believed-dead]] pilot tells Apollo that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], and that she can guide the Fleet there.
*The music's mood and intensity changes from a [[w:sitar|sitar]] blend into an extremely loud rock-fusion version.
*As the music continues to play, the episode concludes as the shot pulls swiftly and violently away from Apollo and Starbuck's Viper, past the Colonial fleet, the Cylon fleet and several planets to show an arm of the galaxy.
*The shot suddenly zooms forward and into roughly the same spot in the galaxy to the familiar blue-green planet of Earth, showing what is known to viewers as the North American continent (in its current shape, long after the tectonic drift that split the [[w:Pangaea|Pangaea]] super-continent millions of years earlier in the planet's history). Also, due to the orbital altitude of the vantage point and that all visible landmasses are in sunlight, no trace of a highly advanced technological civilization can be detected by visual means even if it existed.

== Notes ==
* Four of the "[[Final Five]]" are revealed to be [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Saul Tigh]], and [[Tory Foster]].
* Lee Adama points out a string of incidents throughout the series that would have resulted in serious consequences under normal circumstances, but where the persons involved weren't punished: his destruction of the ''Olympic Carrier'' ([[33]]), William Adama's coup against Roslin, Lee putting a weapon to Colonel Tigh's head and supporting a munity ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]), Helo and Chief Tyrol killing Lt. [[Thorne]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]), Tigh's use of suicide bombers on New Caprica ([[Occupation]]), and people supporting the Cylons on New Caprica ([[Collaborators]]).
* Bob Dylan stated his song "[[w:All Along The Watchtower|All Along the Watchtower]]" is better understood when viewed in reverse order. This song has been covered by numerous artists with Jimi Hendrix recording the definitive version. The song's [http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/watchtower.html lyrics] can be interpreted as holding many parallels to the situation that Tigh, Anders, Tyrol, and Foster find themselves in.
* The [[Viper Mark II|Viper Mk. II]] piloted by [[Kara Thrace]] does not have a nameplate and appears to be brand new, unlike ''Galactica''’s battle-worn Mk. II's.
* The final scene of the episode depicts Earth, notably the North America content, definitively indicating Earth's existence.

== Analysis ==

* With the revelation that [[Galen Tyrol]] is a [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylon]], the second known Human-Cylon hybrid known to exist is in the form of [[Nicholas Tyrol]]. His birth reinforces the Cylon belief that love is a necessary component to successful procreation. This would make one male and one female hybrid born to date. There may be significant biological differences between the two hybrids; one was carried to term by a human while the other was carried to term by a Cylon.
* The reason for Tyrol's discovery of the [[Temple of Five]] on the [[algae planet]] is better explained here, however it is clearly apparent that his conscious mind is unable to rationalize the reason he discovers it.
* It is also reaffirmed that none of the original seven are aware of the Final Five. As demonstrated by [[Sharon Valerii]]'s lack of knowledge about Galen Tyrol's true nature during her relationship with him in [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]] and the torture of Saul Tigh on New Caprica by the Cylons.
* Intrepid viewers are quick to note that Tigh and Tyrol demonstrate no ill affects to the radiation from [[Ragnar]] in the [[Miniseries]]. However, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] was also exposed to Ragnar's radiation, and suffered no ill effects. It should also be noted that ''Galactica'' herself has radiation shielding, which is designed to protect her crew from hard nuclear-class radiation, as demonstrated in the Miniseries after the nuclear warhead's impact. As [[Ragnar Anchorage]] likely did not have this type of shielding, due to its nature as an ammunition reserve for the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]], it is extremely likely that ''Galactica'' was able to diminish the effects of the radiation, thus either delaying symptoms or the radiation received is too minuscule to invoke sickness.
* Saul Tigh has been known to physically exist for roughly 23 years as of this episode. While Tigh claims to have fought in the first Cylon War, aside from likely military documentation about his service in the war, there are no supporting non-Cylon witnesses to support his claim. This predates the two-year marker previously indicated by two known infiltrators, [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii]].
* A bit of potential, if not ironic, foreshadowing is seen regarding Tyrol being a Cylon in [[Season 2 (2005-06)|Season 2]]'s "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]". In that episode, upon returning to ''Galactica'' from [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], Galen Tyrol is suspected to be a Cylon agent by none other than Colonel Tigh.
* As described by Tyrol when the four meet, the music and the Fleet's arrival to the nebula set off a switch within the minds of the four Cylons. However, unlike Boomer, their Cylon natures did not come with a different set of memories or personality.
* The four new Cylons all hold very important or potentially important roles within the Fleet. Tigh is the right hand man for Adama. Foster is the right hand woman for Roslin. Tyrol is the chief in charge of all military maintenance and repairs on the Vipers and Raptors, and is also head of the Colonial labor union. Anders is a new pilot amongst the soldiers of the Fleet and previously a key figure in the resistance movements on both Caprica and New Caprica.
* According to Lampkin, [[Joseph Adama]] was a brilliant defense attorney, but not an honest man. This may allude to one of the reasons why Lampkin despised Joseph Adama, but explains Lampkin's tactics as he also respected Joseph as a mentor.
* Lee Adama finally realizes the full extent of how he was manipulated once he sees Lampkin walk off on his own with no cane. Lampkin's ruse was successful in putting a wedge between the Adamas to allow Baltar to be pronounced not guilty.
* Another tendency for the younger Adama is that when faced with the option of completely severing and opposing his father, he will relent and attempt to return to his father's good graces. This has been seen when Lee Adama was given the chance to denounce his father to the Fleet during the military coup, but eventually told Zarek that he couldn't.
* Ironically, it was Roslin who originally wanted Lee Adama to lead a panel to determine who is fit to be on the tribunal. Her reasons being that she believed Lee Adama has a sense of right and wrong that others don't have at that time. Her belief about Lee comes back to haunt her as he rightly pointed out that her broad forgiveness policy for all within the Fleet after the second Exodus should be applied to Baltar as well. Her fear and knowledge of Baltar's involvement with the genocide of the Colonies has clouded her judgment to extend her original act of grace to Baltar.
* Lampkin, apparently was telling the truth that all he had wanted was to have the glory of being the attorney for the most hated man of the Fleet. Once his job is accomplished, he cleans his hands of Baltar, and makes it clear that besides the trial, he does not want to be associated with Baltar.
* Starbuck's last words in the episode allude back to "[[Maelstrom]]" as she is taking on the role of the [[Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn|Aurora]] idol that she gave to Adama before her "death". She claims that, like the idol placed on the model ship, she will be leading the way to Earth.
* Baltar's determined investigation into whether he was one of the Final Five was rooted in a desperation of figuring out who he was. For Baltar, if he were a Cylon, then he never was a traitor to his people and his self-identity would be cemented forever. However, for the four newly discovered Cylons, the revelation of their underlying natures leave them confused and their self-identity fundamentally shaken. While Baltar would have embraced this revelation with joy, the four new Cylons tremble with horror.
* The loss of Tigh's eye on [[New Caprica]] now has a kind of dark humor to it, as the [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] on both the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original]] and [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined]] Series are characterized by having only a single eye.
* Tigh states that if he dies today, he will be remembered as a human officer of the Fleet and a patriot. But if death for the Final Five is similar to that of the other humanoid Cylon models, if he dies he will be downloaded into a new body, surrounded by Cylons intending to manipulate him to their side or box his consciousness, and should he ever come in contact with those who knew him as a human they would instantly regard him as a Cylon and therefore an enemy.
* If the Final Five are capable of resurrecting and assuming that Kara Thrace is the last of them, this could provide an explanation for how she comes to the Ionian nebula. Her Viper could have been provided in the same way as the Raptor Baltar uses to get to the disabled basestar in "[[Torn]]".
* [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raiders]] launched from the incoming basestars appear on Apollo's [[DRADIS]]. They can also be seen during the final zoom-out. This could mean that the incoming Cylon fleet is in fact hostile.

== Questions ==
* What is the source of the music?
* Are we supposed to interpret the music as the actual Dylan song, and therefore a connection to Earth? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* Is [[Saul Tigh]] the oldest [[humanoid Cylon]] model?
* Who is the twelfth Cylon?
* Did the Cylons develop humanoid models before the first [[Cylon War]]? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* Why does [[Caprica Six]] feel the need to protect [[Hera]] with her life?
* How are [[Laura Roslin]], [[Hera]], [[Sharon Agathon]], and [[Caprica Six]] spiritually connected, and what is the nature of said connection?
* Assuming they choose to reveal their true natures, how will those close to the four revealed Cylons react when they learn the truth about their friends and loved ones? Can they reveal their natures?
* With the revelation that they are Cylons, will their allegiances to the Colonials change or will they continue to identify themselves as humans?
* Will Colonel Tigh's hatred of the Cylons persist in light of his discovery of his Cylon nature?
* Will Cally's hatred of the Cylons persist if she discovers that her husband is a Cylon and that [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son]] is a human-Cylon hybrid?
* What is the importance of the [[Opera House]]?
* Who are the women who spirit [[Gaius Baltar]] to safety and what are their plans?
* What is the current state of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]?
* How far is the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] away from the Solar System?
* What phenomenon causes the simultaneous power loss and equally simultaneous power restoration throughout the Fleet after jumping to the [[Ionian nebula]]? Are the pursuing Cylons also affected?
* Why does the Fleet jump into the nebula when it is obvious that the Cylons were following them, had probably inferred their trajectory, and could well set up a trap?
* As [[William Adama]] is the deciding vote for Baltar's 'not guilty' verdict, how will this act (and [[Lee Adama]]'s testimony) affect their relationship with each other?
* How will [[Kara Thrace]]'s "resurrection" from the dead be viewed by the Colonials?
* What convinces [[Laura Roslin]] to take the [[diloxin]] treatments she scoffed earlier?
* Will Roslin's physical appearance change drastically because of her cancer treatments?
* How were Kara Thrace and her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], unharmed and without any explicable means, able to survive the events of "[[Maelstrom]]" and transport from the "interior" of a gas planet to Earth and then to the Ionian nebula within a relatively short span of time?
* Does Apollo truly see Starbuck in a Viper or has she become an apparition, similar in nature to Baltar's internal Six? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* Did the Six (in "[[Torn]]") say that the [[Final Five]] are "complicated" because they aren't just "deeper" cover agents but rebels or otherwise outcasts from Cylon society? Or are she and the known 7 the outcasts?
* If any of the Final Five were to die, would they be resurrected in a Cylon Resurrection Ship?
* Are any of their histories, such as Tigh's 40 years of service and Tyrol's memories of his parents, true? ([[#Official Statements|Answer]])
* Do the [[final five]] have the same physiology as the other seven, such as their innate immunology, the ability to interface with computer equipment via [[Cylon data port|optical link]], and general inability to conceive children?
* Will the six other active Cylon models discover the identities of the final five?
* Given the small number of survivors from the Colonies, were the members of the final five preprogrammed in order to facilitate their escape with the Fleet?
* Is there any significance to Roslin's disorientation after the jump?
* Did other copies of the newly-revealed Cylons exist in the Colonies? Do other copies exist anywhere else in the universe, or are the ones aboard ''Galactica'' the only versions?
* Why does Tigh ask "What about Ellen?" in the midst of stating his memories of two Cylon Wars and two decades of service?
* Why did Tyrol and Tigh show no ill affects during their time in the Ragnar Anchorage? ([[#Analysis|Possible Reason]])
* What does Starbuck know that makes her assure Apollo "It's gonna be OK" when a Cylon fleet is closing fast?
* Was Baltar also experiencing the visions of the [[Opera House]], or was that Caprica Six's internal Baltar?
* Which of the [[final five]] Cylons did [[Number Three]] ask for forgiveness from in the [[Temple of Five]]?

== Official Statements ==

===Notes from the podcast===

*Anders was originally supposed to have taken over Thrace's bunkbed, locker, and possessions. This was to highlight the strong pull that Anders feels towards Starbuck, even after her death. This was also meant to indirectly cause the audience to wonder what is the connection between Starbuck and Anders now once it was revealed that he is a Cylon.
*After Jamie Bamber (Apollo) delivered his character's courtroom speech for the first take, the entire cast (who were sitting amongst the stands) and crew gave him a standing ovation.
*Gaeta's perjury originally was discovered in the initial drafts of the show, though it was never filmed. Lampkin was able to find evidence that at the time Baltar signed the death warrant, Gaeta was away doing a dead drop for the Resistance.
*When the power in the Fleet went down, Baltar was originally filmed to being chased down by some from the courtroom who intended to murder him with knives. Due to time constraints, the chase part was cut out and only the encounter of his women followers who save him remain in the final version.
*There was another version of how Apollo was to encounter Starbuck in the final scene. When Apollo enters his quarters to grab his flight suit, as he turns around he was suppose to see Starbuck standing in front of him as she says "Hi Lee." RDM changed his mind because he felt that it would imply that it was a supernatural event.
*During the final weeks of production for this episode, fake pages and false information was purposely leaked out to maintain the secrecy of the final scenes of the Final Four and Starbuck's reappearance. This practice will probably continue as the series draws closer to its conclusion.
*The Final Five Cylons, as stated by RDM, are essentially different from the Significant Seven Cylons. Thus, all the rules and observations made about the Significant Seven Cylons cannot necessarily be applied to the Final Five.
*When the cast and crew discovered that Starbuck was to be killed in 'Maelstrom', the atmosphere on the set reached a state of near mutiny. Eventually Moore and Eick had to reveal the secret of Starbuck's return to the cast and key crew members to calm people down.
*The TV network was willing to pay the royalties of the Hendrix version of "All Along the Watchtower", but RDM wanted the song to be a cover to prove that there was a connection between the BSG universe and Earth's.
*Lines from "All Along the Watchtower" were purposely sprinkled throughout the dialog before the final revelation of the Final Four.

=== Other information ===

* ''[[Jamie Bamber]] discusses the finale:''
: It is a different finale in the sense that the previous ones have been about fragmenting the characters and spreading them all over different parts of space, and this one, everyone is really on board ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Every major character is on ''Galactica'', and the stuff going on down on ''Galactica'' is where the drama is.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7BAC4FC1D4-115F-457C-8E4A-01A539D77D39%7D|title=''Galactica'''s Jamie Bamber Visits a Heavenly ''Ghost''|date=2007-02-23|accessdate=2007-02-23|last=Cohn|first=Angel|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''[[Edward James Olmos]] discusses the finale:''
: Yeah, it's pretty intense. You start to realize that you really don't know very much about everybody. I'm very happy, though, about the way that Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] handles his realization [that he's [[Final Five|a Cylon]]]. I think he would rather kill himself than do anything against a human. He doesn't realize that he has no choice. Once you're a Cylon, you're a Cylon, period. [Laughs] Except that [[Sharon Agathon|Boomer's character]] has been able to cross over.<ref name="ew ejo">{{cite_web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20015932_2,00.html|title=Four-ward, Cylons: EDWARD JAMES OLMOS|date=|accessdate=31 May 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Olmos discusses [[Kara Thrace]]'s reappearance:''
: Well, for me, for [[William Adama|[Bill] Adama]], [[Kara Thrace|she]]'s [[Maelstrom|gone]]. For Adama, it's over. For us looking at the [show] and how it's unfolding, there's still a possibility [Starbuck is alive], but for Adama there's no possibility. I haven't seen her; they don't even explain what [[Lee Adama|[Apollo]]] is seeing. Just like [[Virtual Six|Number Six]] materializes to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]], we don't know what that is. What is she? Is she [Apollo's] Number Six? Is she only going to be seen by him?<ref name="ew ejo"/>
* ''[[Rekha Sharma]] discusses how she found out about her character, [[Tory Foster]], being a [[Final Five|Cylon]]:''
:Actually, I first found out because of [[Edward James Olmos|Eddie [James Olmos]]]. He kept asking me if I had read the new scripts and he kept smiling and laughing and telling me to "get ready" - It drove me nuts, so I went ahead and read some early outlines - they didn't spell it out, but it sure seemed like I was going to be a Cylon. I got so excited, and then I had to calm myself down, because you know they can change anything at any moment. It wasn't until we were actually shooting the season finale that I got the official word from [[Michael Rymer]].<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/rekha_sharma_01.htm|title=Rekha Sharma interview by The Scifi World|date=May 16, 2007|accessdate=26 May 2007|last=Nuytens|first=Gilles|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''[[Michael Rymer]] discusses the [[Final Five]]:''
: There are always a number of things that I rail against, usually to little effect. One was making [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] a [[humanoid Cylon|[C]ylon]] - as brilliant as it is, we now have a Cylon who is either a clone, or we have a Cylon who has aged like a normal person. I have no idea how [[Ronald Moore|Ron [Moore]]] deals with that - I'm sure I'll be blown away as usual. The others make sense to me because they don't have history on Caprica. [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]'s already [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|had fantasies]] of being a Cylon. He's also imagined killing himself which echoes [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon]]'s [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|attempted suicide]] in [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]]. <ref name="rymer">{{cite_web|url=http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/michael_rymer_01.htm|title=Michael Rymer interview at The Scifi World|date=5 May 2007|accessdate=29 May 2007|last=Nuytens|first=Gilles|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Rymer discusses the scene where the four of the Final Five come together:''
: Shooting the Cylon material was great fun. The audience guesses pretty quickly what's going on, but we played it very simply - what would you do if you kept hearing [[The Music|this song]] no one else could hear? For me its not the reveal to the audience, its when the characters reveal it to themselves in the gym - I love that scene. [[David Weddle|David [Weddle]]] and [[Bradley Thompson|Bradley [Thompson]]]<ref>This may be an error on Rymer's part, as [[Mark Verheiden]] is credited for writing the episode, although they may have had some input on this scene.</ref> didn't short-change anything, particularly in that scene - so often, the time constraints make it hard to pull off "big ideas". I think this time we got it right.<ref name="rymer"/>
* ''Rymer discusses his like for the two parter:''
: I think my favorite show(s) were the last two: Crossroads, Part 1 and 2. I really enjoyed the writing: the courtroom scenes, the four cylons, the shared visions: I thought it was everything we do well, none of the fat. For me, its about performance, so I have more fun working with actors letting them try stuff and play - I've had a good day when something exciting happened - something beyond my expectations. That's when I get to be an audience member, and be surprised by something brilliant and talented one of the actors has found. The least fun is the action stuff because it takes a lot of time and you have to be careful - and its hard for us because we don't really have the resources to make these things everything they could be.<ref name="rymer"/>
* ''[[Ronald D. Moore]] discusses cast member's initial reactions to the Final Five revelations:''
: [[Michael Hogan|Michael [Hogan]]] went [nonchalantly] ''Wow. Okay. Very shocking. Shocking stuff.'' [Chuckles] He talked about it a little bit, wanted to understand it, but he liked it from the get-go and was very, very supportive of it. They all were pretty intrigued by it. I think [[Aaron Douglas|Aaron [Douglas]], who plays Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]] was the most hesitant. ''Are you sure? I want to make sure we're not losing something.'' I had to talk with Aaron a little bit longer than the others.
: [...]
: His chief objection — no pun intended — was that he's the common man in a lot of ways, the blue-collar guy, the salt-of-the-Earth character. And he was concerned that we would turn him into a master villain or something. I said, ''No, no, no, you are still going to be Tyrol.'' He doesn't even know why he's a Cylon, or what it means. It's a process of discovery for him, and trying to figure out what it means for him as a character. As it is for all four of them.<ref name="ew rdm">{{cite_web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20015932_2,00.html|title=Four-ward, Cylons: RONALD D MOORE|date=|accessdate=31 May 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>
* ''Moore discusses using "All Along the Watchtower" in the episode:''
: I had always had this idea of using [[The Music|that particular song]] in the show as a marker that there were other things going on here. There was this idea developed early in the series, that one of the [[Sacred Scrolls|Colonial scriptures]] says, ''All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again,'' that certain elements and situations and even people repeat in a cycle of destruction and rebirth and exodus and chase, etc. One of the ideas I wanted to play was, okay, if you found a song that we, the audience, recognize, you realize that you have a connection to this world too, and suddenly other pieces start to fit. Well, why ''do'' they wear suits and ties? Why do they look so much like us? What is the connection between them and us? It would put in stark relief the idea that there is a connection between the people on ''Gala[c]tica'' and our experience on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].<ref name="ew rdm"/>
* ''Moore discusses his thoughts on the fan reaction to the revelation of the Final Five:''
: I think it was probably what we anticipated. I sort of took as a guidepost the way people reacted to [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|the season two finale]]. When we made the jump ahead, the year ahead jump and then put them all down on [[New Caprica|the planet]], people were ecstatic and people were outraged. There wasn't a lot of middle ground. I kind of felt like, "Well, that's what they're going to do when we reveal the Cylons." And that's pretty much what happened.<ref name="crave">{{cite_web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648062/battlestar_galactica_ronald_moore_talks_about_earth.html|title=Battlestar Galactica: Ronald Moore talks about Earth|date=13 June 2007|accessdate=15 June 2007|last=Topel|first=Fred|format=|language=}}</ref>
* Bear McCreary discusses the use of the [[w:Bob Dylan|Bob Dylan]] song:
: ''I learned that the idea was not that Bob Dylan necessarily exists in the characters' universe, but that an artist on one of the colonies may have recorded a song with the exact same melody and lyrics. Perhaps this unknown performer and Dylan pulled inspiration from a common, ethereal source.''<ref>Bear McCreary's blog, {{cite_web|url=http://www.bearmccreary.com/html/blog/blogmain.htm|title="Crossroads, Pt. II"|date=2007-03-25|accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref>
*Ron Moore has confirmed in [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07085/770732-352.stm this] interview that Tyrol, Tigh, Tory, and Anders are indeed Cylons and members of the Final Five. When asked whether Starbuck was real or a hallucination, he did not provide a conclusive answer. Also in that interview he states that Tigh "fought in two wars."
*In [http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?showtopic=2270103&st=0 20 Answers] Ron Moore states that the issues regarding Tigh's service in the first Cylon War has a complex rationale already built out from "a lot of time and effort," strongly implying that it is not simply a false memory.
*In an interview with [http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1556508/20070405/story.jhtml VH1], Ron Moore confirmed Starbuck isn't a hallucination like Head Six or Head Baltar.
* In an interview with [http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=4d1c0568-6fee-467a-8d81-1d360d808ac3 E! online] on March 26th, Ron Moore confirmed that Katee Sackhoff will be back for Season Four.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
* {{audio|320 lazy ass out of that rack.mp3|''Laura Roslin and William Adama talk on the phone, while Adama is shaving:''}}
: '''Laura Roslin:''' Yell at me. I don't want to get out of bed.
: '''William Adama:''' Well, you called the wrong number, I was just thinking of going back to bed.
: '''Roslin:''' You feelin' OK?
: '''Adama:''' ... says the cancer patient. (Roslin chuckles) Yeah, I'm fine. I just cut myself. How're you doing?
: '''Roslin:''' I don't want to face them. I don't want to face any of them. I just want to stay in bed all day and sleep.
: '''Adama:''' (about the cut) I think I stopped the bleeding. If you still need to be yelled at, I think I can give you some volume.
: '''Roslin:''' Good. All right, give it your best shot.
: '''Adama:''' Get out of that bed!
: '''Roslin:''' That's not your best shot.
: '''Adama:''' '''''Get your fat, lazy ass out of that rack, Roslin.'''''
: '''Roslin:''' (giggly) Yes sir. OK sir. Anything you say sir. (beat) Thank you.
: '''Adama:''' Don't let them see you sweat, Laura.

* {{audio|320 butterfingers.mp3|''Lt. Felix Gaeta has just committed perjury on whether Baltar was forced to sign the order of execution or not. Prosecutor Cassidy puts the document Baltar signed in evidence and on the defense table in front of Baltar:''}}
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Get that out of my face before I....! (He grabs the document on the table and crumples it slightly and flings it away.)
: '''Lee Adama:''' Gaius, Gaius, we'll get him in the cross.
: '''Judge Franks''': Counselor, will you control your client!
: '''Baltar (to the judge):''' Look, it's no secret....
: '''Romo Lampkin:''' Quiet!
: '''Baltar:''' ...the whole Fleet knows that this man tried to stab me through the neck... (to Gaeta) ...And you missed! Butterfingers!

*''Prior to the clarification of what [[The Music|the song]] is, two of the four Cylons ([[Saul Tigh]] and [[Samuel Anders]]) each speak a line of the lyrics in conversational context:''
:*''While Anders is supposed to be learning about Raptor flight systems during a pilot training session, he catches Chief Tyrol humming the tune and asks him about it.''
::'''Anders''': That song you're hummin'. What is that?
::'''Tyrol''': Oh, uh. Ah you know I don't even know, it's just something I can't get outta my head. '''Some way outta here'''.
:* {{audio|320 no reason to get excited.mp3|''When Racetrack, who is the training officer, sees Anders off talking to the Chief:''}}
:: '''Racetrack''': Yo, Anders! Do you need a frakking invitation? Move it!
:: '''Anders''': Alright. '''No reason to get excited.'''
:* {{audio|320 too much confusion.mp3|''Tigh and William Adama discuss the music Tigh hears:''}}
:: '''Saul Tigh''': You'll look into it? You'll look into it? I am here telling you there is Cylon sabotage aboard our ship.
:: '''William Adama''': Sabotage? With music?
:: '''Saul Tigh''': I know, I know. I can't quite understand it myself. '''There's too much confusion'''.

*{{audio|320 lee on justice.mp3|''Lee Adama taking the witness stand:''}}
:'''[[Lee Adama]]''': Did the defendant make mistakes? Sure. He did. Serious mistakes. But did he actually commit any crimes? Did he commit treason? No. I mean, it was an impossible situation. When the Cylons arrived, what could he possibly do? What could anyone have done? (looking at the audience) Ask yourself, what would you have done? (looking at the judges) What would you have done? If he had refused to surrender, the Cylons would have probably nuked the planet right then and there. So did he appear to cooperate with the Cylons? Sure. So did hundreds of others. What's the difference between him and them? The President issued a blanket pardon. They were all forgiven, no questions asked. Colonel Tigh. Colonel Tigh [[Occupation|used suicide bombers]], killed dozens of people. Forgiven. Lieutenant Agathon and Chief Tyrol. They [[Pegasus (episode)|murdered]] an officer on the ''Pegasus''. Forgiven. The Admiral. The Admiral [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|instigated a military coup d'état]] against the President. Forgiven. And me? Well, where do I begin? I [[33|shot down]] a civilian passenger ship, the ''Olympic Carrier''. Over a thousand people on board. Forgiven. I [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|raised my weapon]] to a superior officer, [[Resistance (episode)|committed an act of mutiny]]. Forgiven. And then on the very day when Baltar surrendered to those Cylons, I as commander of ''Pegasus'' [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|jumped away]]. I left everybody on that planet, alone, undefended, for months. I even tried to persuade the Admiral never to return, to abandon you all there for good. If I'd had my way nobody would have made it off that planet. I'm the coward. I'm the traitor. I'm forgiven. I'd say we are very forgiving of mistakes. We make our own laws now; our own justice. And we've been pretty creative in finding ways to let people off the hook for everything from theft to murder. And we've had to be, because...because we're not a civilization anymore. We are a gang, and we are on the run, and we have to fight to survive. We have to break rules. We have to bend laws. We have to improvise. But not this time, no. Not this time. Not for Gaius Baltar. (looking at Baltar) No, you...you have to die, because, well, because we don't like you very much. Because you're arrogant. Because you're weak. Because you're a coward, and we, the mob, want to throw you out of the airlock, because you didn't stand up to the Cylons and get yourself killed in the process. That's justice now. You should have been killed back on New Caprica, but since you had the temerity to live, we're going to execute you now. That's justice. [...] This case...this case is built on emotion, on anger, bitterness, vengeance. But most of all, it is built on shame. (looking at his father) It's about the shame of what we did to ourselves back on that planet. It's about the guilt of those of us who ran away. Who ran away. And we're trying to dump all that guilt and all that shame on one man and then flush him out the airlock, and hope that just gets rid of it all. So that we could live with ourselves. But that won't work. That won't work. That's not justice; not to me. Not to me.

* {{audio|320 that's the man I'll be.mp3|''Saul Tigh, Tory Foster, Samuel Anders and Galen Tyrol decide what to do now they know they're Cylons:''}}
: '''Felix Gaeta''': (over the intercom) Inbound Cylon fleet. I repeat. Action stations, action stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. This is not a drill.
: '''Tory Foster''': My Gods, what are we going do?
: '''Saul Tigh''': The ship is under attack, we do our jobs. Report to your stations.
: '''Galen Tyrol''': Report to stations?
: '''Saul Tigh''': My name is Saul Tigh, I am an officer in the Colonial Fleet. Whatever else I am, whatever else it means, that's the man I want to be. And if I die today, that's the man I'll be.

* {{audio|320 kara's been to earth.mp3|''Starbuck pulls alongside Apollo in her undamaged Viper:''}}
: '''Kara Thrace''': Hi, Lee.
: '''Lee Adama''': (his eyes widen in disbelief) Kara?
: '''Thrace''': Don't freak out, it really is me (laughs). It's going to be okay. I've been to Earth. I know where it is. And I'm going to take us there.

== Guest Stars ==

*[[Michael Hogan]] as [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as [[Dr. Cottle]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Chelah Horsdal]] as [[Cassidy]]
*[[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]
*[[Leah Cairns]] as [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
*[[Jen Halley]] as [[Diana Seelix]]
*[[Brad Dryborough]] as [[Hoshi]]
*[[Alison Matthews]] as [[Karen Fallbrook|Fallbrook]]
*[[Susan Hogan]] as [[Doyle Franks]]
*[[Stephen Holmes]] as Reporter #2
*[[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Young Woman]]
*[[William Samples]] as Judge #2
*[[Lily Duong-Walton]] as [[Hera Agathon]] (uncredited)

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:A to Z|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episode Guide|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)|Crossroads, Part II]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Mark Verheiden]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Baltar as Cylon speculation

2007-07-26T21:31:18Z

Darthdoy11: /* Baltar as Cylon Christ */

:''This extended speculation thread discusses the probability of [[Gaius Baltar]] as a [[Humanoid Cylon]]. This article is a special extension from the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation#Gaius Baltar?|Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article.''

For '''[[Gaius Baltar]]''' to survive the destruction of Caprica was no small matter, especially considering he was in the wake a nuclear shock wave and that the body of Six that he knew was apparently destroyed in trying to protect him in the events of the [[Miniseries, Night 1]].

A nuclear blast's shock wave is substantial (not unlike that from a [[Wikipedia:Pyroclastic flow|pyroclastic cloud]]). The shock wave would contain rocks, glass, metal, and other large debris that would bludgeon, pierce and lacerate human tissue with ease and at terrific speeds (at maximum, 1200 KPH, or 745 MPH). Such a debris-filled shock wave would obliterate Baltar's home and easily annihilate Six's body, which at those speeds would provide essentially no protection to Baltar's. (For comparison, note that, despite his superior strength, the head of the first [[Leoben Conoy]] copy encountered was bludgeoned by Commander Adama with a flashlight, and many other Humanoid Cylon copies have been shot or killed as easily as a human.) However, it has to be kept in mind that the blast wave had dissipated greatly by the time it had reached Baltar's house some 26 seconds after the detonation that almost blinded him, probably no more than hurricane force, a wind speed of 74 mph. There are testimonies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, two Japanese cities that were struck with nuclear bombs at the end of World War II, being in buildings and even in trams quite close to the epicentre and coming out of the ordeal surprisingly unharmed save for a few scratches.

Even if Baltar survived momentarily from Six's protection, either the remains of his home would have collapsed over him, likely trapping him if not killing him, or he and Six's body would also be carried away by the shock wave for some distance. Could the Baltar on ''Galactica'' be now, in fact, a Humanoid Cylon?

==The "Many Copies" Theory==
Humanoid Cylons are designed to be archetypes of human psyche. Biologically, Humanoid Cylons are not and have never been actual humans.

One notable question would be ''why'' Six has spent so much time talking to Baltar and then thrown herself in front of the blast if she'd intended for him to die? If Baltar was already a Humanoid Cylon, his consciousness from that moment would be thrown into a waking duplicate, already disheveled and scraped, where Baltar would merely think he was blown clear to safety where he could run to escape attacks with other survivors. Also, since Baltar appeared to be key in many Cylon plans, they would want to ensure that Baltar would reach any remaining humans to spy for them, and having only one copy might risk the success of such plans. Further, it is the ''psyche'' of Baltar that the Cylons may treasure most; few others in the Colonies may have the level of intelligence, arrogance, and neurosis that Baltar has that could prove as easily exploitable. The guise of the great Baltar gives the Cylons a huge natural tactical advantage in that he is well known and allowed access to almost any critical battlestar location. Baltar's slick-as-oil personality aids him with better finesse and stronger charisma than any Humanoid Cylon personality yet seen.

Later events in the series appear to discount this notion of an elaborate plan to save Baltar. In "[[Downloaded]]", the Cylons are unaware that Baltar had survived, having received this information from the resurrected [[Sharon Valerii]].

==The Baltar-as-Father Argument==

Six has stated her desire to have a child with Baltar. Humanoid Cylon couplings have failed to result in offspring prior to that point ([[The Farm]]). If Baltar and Six were both Humanoid Cylons, it is likely that offspring would either be impossible or at least exceptionally unlikely. This point gives evidence against the Baltar-as-Cylon theory, but Six has repeatedly made it clear that she considers the hybrid human-Cylon baby that Sharon is carrying to be "our" (as she puts it) baby. "Our" may in fact be inclusive of all Cylons, which may just include Baltar.

In "[[Home, Part II]]", the virtual Six indicates that Baltar's and Six's child will be born in the isolation cage built for the [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica'' copy of Sharon Valerii]]. The reality turned out different: The Caprica version of Valerii, pregnant by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], now occupies the cage by the end of that episode, and virtual Six indicates that it is in fact '''Valerii's''' child that will become Baltar's. This gives some weight to the Baltar-as-Cylon theory since Baltar becoming a father by surrogate circumvents the need for him to do so naturally, although Chief Tyrol's outing as a Final Five Cylon shows that male Humanoid Cylons can sire a child with human females. However, earlier in the first season, in "[[33]]", Six asked Baltar if he wanted to procreate with her, and at this point she may have meant an actual child of Baltar's. "Home, Part II" occurred much later in the timeline, and it is possible that the Cylons and Number Six had to alter their plans during this time. Number Six did mention in "Home, Part II" that she didn't consider Sharon "worthy" of bearing one of "God's new children" (the Humanoid Cylons). Perhaps Sharon was not originally planned to be the first mother of a hybrid baby at all, and Number Six was going to have a child with the (necessarily human) Baltar, but had to shift plans when Sharon became pregnant first.

With the actual consciousness of the Cylon known as [[Caprica-Six]] returned (now with a [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|virtual ''Gaius Baltar'']] that haunts her), the credibilty of the virtual Six, and her connection to some elaborate Cylon plan for procreation with Baltar, is specious at best.

==Inside Baltar's Head==

Baltar's brain scan in "[[Home, Part II]]" confirms that the virtual Six that only Baltar can see is '''not''' an actual ''artificial'' device in his brain. This leaves a number of possibilities, of which the strongest are:

# Baltar has a device elsewhere in his body. We're not given information on whether ''all'' of Baltar's body was scanned, or just his head.
# A portion of Baltar's body ''is'' the "chip" but fashioned in a way by the Cylons that is medically indistinguishable from a regular body part and may also function normally (say, a pituitary gland)
# Baltar's body is artificial, with his personality (complete with neuroses) placed in a Humanoid Cylon construct. While Baltar's psyche itself may not be that of a Cylon, the addition of the virtual Six component compliments the arrangement for the Cylon's purposes.

Possibility #3 is interesting in that, based on Baltar's own research on the Six copy known as [[Gina]], Baltar's personality and guilt would continue to plague him either in Humanoid Cylon or human form. But, if Baltar were reconstructed as a Cylon, the virtual Six aids Baltar by being, in effect, the conscience and "guardian angel" she claims to be, keeping his neuroses and guilt over the genocide from driving him completely insane--for now.

The episode "[[Torn]]" introduces the Cylon ability known as [[projection]]. This ability allows a Cylon to visualize a pleasing environment that also makes it easier to make their way through a basestar's corridors. At this point, Baltar, recalling the many times where he and his virtual Six have enjoyed time at his home in a manner similar to projection, begins to question his own nature.

==But Cylons aren't human clones==

As Cylons aren't copies of humans, this would suggest either of two possibilities for Baltar: first, that he survived the blast and escaped, or second, that Baltar was a Cylon all along, even on Caprica.

The idea of Baltar being originally a Cylon has problems, however. If Baltar were a Cylon, it would be redundant and unnecessary for Number Six to "choose him" for her mission (unless the Cylons preferred Baltar to remain a "sleeper" throughout his mission to give "plausible deniability" in his mind as well as allow him to do what his personality is likely to do). Furthermore, from a story perspective, the idea of Baltar being a Cylon very much goes against the idea of Baltar as a traitor betraying humanity to the Cylons—as well as the idea of Baltar's relationship with Six being a true human/Cylon pairing. It should be noted, however, that Ron D. Moore's "Gaius Baltar" differs significantly from the [[Baltar (TOS)|"Baltar" of the Original Series]]. The Baltar of the Original Series was a true turncoat with megalomaniacal tendencies; Gaius, on the other hand, is not power-hungry but is driven by a strong sense of self, albeit to the exclusion and ignorance of the needs of everyone else.

Gaius is often treated by Six as a human--ultimately the only human who will be allowed to survive by the Cylons. But the human models of Cylon also behave with classically human qualities (not all of them perfect or utopian) and seem to see each other in varying emotions (admiration and contempt are prevalent when Six speaks of the pregnant Caprica Valerii). So, at the least, Gaius is treated with no less respect than any other Humanoid Cylon by his virtual Six. If we assume Gaius is indeed human, Six's interaction with Baltar (given the hostilities of the Cylons) borders on admiration. Although we can't necessarily use Six's emotions as a ''de facto'' gauge of Baltar's genuine humanity, it does lend to the mystery.

The storyline possibilities do change somewhat if Baltar has ''always'' been a Cylon. Note that Baltar has never spoken of his family or other friends (other than President [[Richard Adar|Adar]]), strongly suggesting Baltar has been a "loner." If Baltar's parentage (or offspring--he is rather promiscuous) cannot be confirmed (as has been done with Commander Adama, also on the list of suspects), then the laws of physics (nuclear shock wave damage to human tissue) as well as the laws of procreation (Cylons can't quite procreate as humans do) continue to leave open the possibility that Baltar is model of Cylon, however reduced the odds are now, based on Moore's new information.

==Events from the episode "Downloaded"==

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" contains revelations that reduced the possibility that Baltar is a Cylon. In dialogue with each other, numerous Cylon characters distinctly refer to Baltar as human. Although it is possible that they might keep the information from Baltar, the nature of the Cylon thought collective would seem to make no sense to keep it a secret to each other. In addition, this episode introduced the unique idea of a Number Six copy with a virtual ''Baltar'' in her head. Through Six, Baltar pushes for the Cylons to be more human; for example, letting [[Samuel Anders]] go free despite his destruction of a building and many other Humanoid Cylons. If Baltar were a Cylon, the events in the episode would make little sense.

The events in "[[Torn]]" all but toss the revelations of "Downloaded" on its ear, as the series writers directly tackle the Baltar-is-Cylon question in a story arc in season three.

=="Torn" renews speculation==

The episode "[[Torn]]" meanwhile contains certain revelations about the nature of the Cylons and some possible hints about Baltar's nature. While guiding Baltar through the interior of the basestar, Caprica-Six reveals the Cylon process of "[[projection]]"; the Cylon's ability to alter their perceptions and create a simulated reality of their choosing. Baltar immediately notices how similar that seems to his own visions of Six and begins to question if he is a Cylon because he can project as well. The question still remains, if he possibly is a Cylon, why do the other Cylons think he is a human?

When Baltar questions why he has seen only seven humanoid agents, despite the point that twelve humanoid Cylons exist, Caprica-Six is unwilling to answer. Apparently the Cylons have blocked or have lost all knowledge of the these five remaining agents. A [[Number Three]] copy, obsessed with regaining the knowledge, commits suicide to see visions of the so called "[[final five]]," but cannot remember what they look like when she regains consciousness after downloading, despite attempts to sketch her interpretations of them in order to retain her memory of them ([[The Passage]]). This is one explanation why Baltar could be a Cylon and yet not be recognized by the known seven models.

When the Cylons learn of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], they attempt to negotiate for it with the Colonials at the [[algae planet]] the home of the mysterious [[Temple of Five]]. While the Colonials believe the Temple of Five was dedicated to five human priests, Three and Gaius Baltar wonder if the temple (and the Eye) are connected to the five unknown Cylons ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).

Of additional mystery is the fact that after activating some unknown device in the Temple of Five and getting a glimpse of the final five, number Three seems to recognize one of the final five and repent her actions. Possibly her earlier behavior towards Baltar, such as torturing him ([[Rapture]]).

==Baltar as an "Agent of God"==
Baltar's actions when forced by his virtual Six to repent and worship the Cylon version of [[God (RDM)|God]] leaves several significant questions as to the nature of both the virtual Six and Baltar's nature.

In the episode, "[[The Hand of God]]", Baltar makes an educated guess at the specific target to be destroyed on the [[tylium]] refinery without knowing any significant data on the site. Baltar only receives encouragement from his virtual Six to trust in her belief. In "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]," viewers see a stricken and nearly-criminally exposed Baltar repent to the virtual Six just as Lt. Gaeta arrives to confirm his innocence. In the same episode, the virtual Six disappears in anger just as the [[Shelly Godfrey]] copy arrives (with a suggestion that the virtual Six ''knew'' (or summoned) the Godfrey model to arrive. The Godfrey model disappears just as the virtual Six returns as Baltar is repenting.

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" strongly suggests that the virtual copies of [[Caprica Six]] and Baltar that [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|haunt their opposite interests]] seem to be psychological remnants of the pair's intensive emotional connection. But what if there is more to this than psychology? Episode events surrounding the [[Sacred Scrolls]] and Laura Roslin's quest for the [[Tomb of Athena]] confirm that the Colonials have a spiritual or prophetic element that has guided them to the data that now places them in a true general path to Earth. What forces are driving Baltar beyond his own egotism? What is the nature of the virtual Six and Baltar? Neither Baltar nor Caprica Six know why they appear, and both virtual beings appear to have knowledge beyond that of what the living being they haunt should know. If Baltar is being influenced by the Cylon God (or some cybernetic influence known by neither Cylon or Colonial), there suggests a new thread to the Baltar-as-Cylon speculation that goes beyond the mere creation of a Baltar model. However, in the [[Podcast:Downloaded|episode's podcast]], Ron Moore speaks of the virtual Baltar as simply a hallucination, while in other interviews and podcasts, Moore consistently states that the origin of the virtual Six is supposed to be deliberately vague.

===Baltar as Cylon Christ===
The Cylon God is suggested to also have been a Lord of Kobol, "the one whose name cannot be spoken" or "the jealous god" who prompted the battle on Kobol. If so, he is/was a real being on Kobol of similar state to the other lords, and could have a physical incarnation, containing whatever portion of his mind could fit in a humanoid brain, among the fleet. Baltar could be more than an agent of God, or a Cylon, he could be an (unaware) actual incarnation of the Cylon God in the "Christ" motif which is extremely common in literature.

On a more obvious, visual level, Baltar, on several occasion is seen to be in the pose of Christ on the cross, for example in the water, in his drug-induced vision in Taking A Break From All Your Worries or when he collapses in the grass on Kobol. Additionally, in more recent episodes Baltar's hair has come to resemble what most people would typically imagine Jesus' to have been like.

Baltar is smarter than not just other colonials, but also apparently than the Cylons in some areas, discovering clues to Earth they can't figure out in spite of their computer memories and claimed superior knowledge of the scrolls. Baltar's inner Six claims to be an angel sent from God to protect him. At the same time, Caprica Six's equivalent appears in the form of a Baltar. Baltar's inner Six's first mission is to arrange a religious conversion for Baltar.

[[D'Anna Biers]] last words to Baltar afters he sees her vision of the [[Final Five]] are "So beautiful. You were right." Later, she explains to a [[Brother Cavil]] that she was seeking "the one who programmed us."

Baltar is identified as a superior intelligence by the [[Hybrid]] which also names him as "the Chosen One."

As noted, the theme of divine incarnation for redemption is a very common one in fiction. RDM has a known penchant for redemption drama, and Baltar as a christ-figure, redeeming himself and then both humanity and the Cylons potentially fits with this.
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Baltar as Cylon speculation

2007-07-26T21:30:36Z

Darthdoy11: /* Baltar as Cylon Christ */

:''This extended speculation thread discusses the probability of [[Gaius Baltar]] as a [[Humanoid Cylon]]. This article is a special extension from the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation#Gaius Baltar?|Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article.''

For '''[[Gaius Baltar]]''' to survive the destruction of Caprica was no small matter, especially considering he was in the wake a nuclear shock wave and that the body of Six that he knew was apparently destroyed in trying to protect him in the events of the [[Miniseries, Night 1]].

A nuclear blast's shock wave is substantial (not unlike that from a [[Wikipedia:Pyroclastic flow|pyroclastic cloud]]). The shock wave would contain rocks, glass, metal, and other large debris that would bludgeon, pierce and lacerate human tissue with ease and at terrific speeds (at maximum, 1200 KPH, or 745 MPH). Such a debris-filled shock wave would obliterate Baltar's home and easily annihilate Six's body, which at those speeds would provide essentially no protection to Baltar's. (For comparison, note that, despite his superior strength, the head of the first [[Leoben Conoy]] copy encountered was bludgeoned by Commander Adama with a flashlight, and many other Humanoid Cylon copies have been shot or killed as easily as a human.) However, it has to be kept in mind that the blast wave had dissipated greatly by the time it had reached Baltar's house some 26 seconds after the detonation that almost blinded him, probably no more than hurricane force, a wind speed of 74 mph. There are testimonies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, two Japanese cities that were struck with nuclear bombs at the end of World War II, being in buildings and even in trams quite close to the epicentre and coming out of the ordeal surprisingly unharmed save for a few scratches.

Even if Baltar survived momentarily from Six's protection, either the remains of his home would have collapsed over him, likely trapping him if not killing him, or he and Six's body would also be carried away by the shock wave for some distance. Could the Baltar on ''Galactica'' be now, in fact, a Humanoid Cylon?

==The "Many Copies" Theory==
Humanoid Cylons are designed to be archetypes of human psyche. Biologically, Humanoid Cylons are not and have never been actual humans.

One notable question would be ''why'' Six has spent so much time talking to Baltar and then thrown herself in front of the blast if she'd intended for him to die? If Baltar was already a Humanoid Cylon, his consciousness from that moment would be thrown into a waking duplicate, already disheveled and scraped, where Baltar would merely think he was blown clear to safety where he could run to escape attacks with other survivors. Also, since Baltar appeared to be key in many Cylon plans, they would want to ensure that Baltar would reach any remaining humans to spy for them, and having only one copy might risk the success of such plans. Further, it is the ''psyche'' of Baltar that the Cylons may treasure most; few others in the Colonies may have the level of intelligence, arrogance, and neurosis that Baltar has that could prove as easily exploitable. The guise of the great Baltar gives the Cylons a huge natural tactical advantage in that he is well known and allowed access to almost any critical battlestar location. Baltar's slick-as-oil personality aids him with better finesse and stronger charisma than any Humanoid Cylon personality yet seen.

Later events in the series appear to discount this notion of an elaborate plan to save Baltar. In "[[Downloaded]]", the Cylons are unaware that Baltar had survived, having received this information from the resurrected [[Sharon Valerii]].

==The Baltar-as-Father Argument==

Six has stated her desire to have a child with Baltar. Humanoid Cylon couplings have failed to result in offspring prior to that point ([[The Farm]]). If Baltar and Six were both Humanoid Cylons, it is likely that offspring would either be impossible or at least exceptionally unlikely. This point gives evidence against the Baltar-as-Cylon theory, but Six has repeatedly made it clear that she considers the hybrid human-Cylon baby that Sharon is carrying to be "our" (as she puts it) baby. "Our" may in fact be inclusive of all Cylons, which may just include Baltar.

In "[[Home, Part II]]", the virtual Six indicates that Baltar's and Six's child will be born in the isolation cage built for the [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica'' copy of Sharon Valerii]]. The reality turned out different: The Caprica version of Valerii, pregnant by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], now occupies the cage by the end of that episode, and virtual Six indicates that it is in fact '''Valerii's''' child that will become Baltar's. This gives some weight to the Baltar-as-Cylon theory since Baltar becoming a father by surrogate circumvents the need for him to do so naturally, although Chief Tyrol's outing as a Final Five Cylon shows that male Humanoid Cylons can sire a child with human females. However, earlier in the first season, in "[[33]]", Six asked Baltar if he wanted to procreate with her, and at this point she may have meant an actual child of Baltar's. "Home, Part II" occurred much later in the timeline, and it is possible that the Cylons and Number Six had to alter their plans during this time. Number Six did mention in "Home, Part II" that she didn't consider Sharon "worthy" of bearing one of "God's new children" (the Humanoid Cylons). Perhaps Sharon was not originally planned to be the first mother of a hybrid baby at all, and Number Six was going to have a child with the (necessarily human) Baltar, but had to shift plans when Sharon became pregnant first.

With the actual consciousness of the Cylon known as [[Caprica-Six]] returned (now with a [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|virtual ''Gaius Baltar'']] that haunts her), the credibilty of the virtual Six, and her connection to some elaborate Cylon plan for procreation with Baltar, is specious at best.

==Inside Baltar's Head==

Baltar's brain scan in "[[Home, Part II]]" confirms that the virtual Six that only Baltar can see is '''not''' an actual ''artificial'' device in his brain. This leaves a number of possibilities, of which the strongest are:

# Baltar has a device elsewhere in his body. We're not given information on whether ''all'' of Baltar's body was scanned, or just his head.
# A portion of Baltar's body ''is'' the "chip" but fashioned in a way by the Cylons that is medically indistinguishable from a regular body part and may also function normally (say, a pituitary gland)
# Baltar's body is artificial, with his personality (complete with neuroses) placed in a Humanoid Cylon construct. While Baltar's psyche itself may not be that of a Cylon, the addition of the virtual Six component compliments the arrangement for the Cylon's purposes.

Possibility #3 is interesting in that, based on Baltar's own research on the Six copy known as [[Gina]], Baltar's personality and guilt would continue to plague him either in Humanoid Cylon or human form. But, if Baltar were reconstructed as a Cylon, the virtual Six aids Baltar by being, in effect, the conscience and "guardian angel" she claims to be, keeping his neuroses and guilt over the genocide from driving him completely insane--for now.

The episode "[[Torn]]" introduces the Cylon ability known as [[projection]]. This ability allows a Cylon to visualize a pleasing environment that also makes it easier to make their way through a basestar's corridors. At this point, Baltar, recalling the many times where he and his virtual Six have enjoyed time at his home in a manner similar to projection, begins to question his own nature.

==But Cylons aren't human clones==

As Cylons aren't copies of humans, this would suggest either of two possibilities for Baltar: first, that he survived the blast and escaped, or second, that Baltar was a Cylon all along, even on Caprica.

The idea of Baltar being originally a Cylon has problems, however. If Baltar were a Cylon, it would be redundant and unnecessary for Number Six to "choose him" for her mission (unless the Cylons preferred Baltar to remain a "sleeper" throughout his mission to give "plausible deniability" in his mind as well as allow him to do what his personality is likely to do). Furthermore, from a story perspective, the idea of Baltar being a Cylon very much goes against the idea of Baltar as a traitor betraying humanity to the Cylons—as well as the idea of Baltar's relationship with Six being a true human/Cylon pairing. It should be noted, however, that Ron D. Moore's "Gaius Baltar" differs significantly from the [[Baltar (TOS)|"Baltar" of the Original Series]]. The Baltar of the Original Series was a true turncoat with megalomaniacal tendencies; Gaius, on the other hand, is not power-hungry but is driven by a strong sense of self, albeit to the exclusion and ignorance of the needs of everyone else.

Gaius is often treated by Six as a human--ultimately the only human who will be allowed to survive by the Cylons. But the human models of Cylon also behave with classically human qualities (not all of them perfect or utopian) and seem to see each other in varying emotions (admiration and contempt are prevalent when Six speaks of the pregnant Caprica Valerii). So, at the least, Gaius is treated with no less respect than any other Humanoid Cylon by his virtual Six. If we assume Gaius is indeed human, Six's interaction with Baltar (given the hostilities of the Cylons) borders on admiration. Although we can't necessarily use Six's emotions as a ''de facto'' gauge of Baltar's genuine humanity, it does lend to the mystery.

The storyline possibilities do change somewhat if Baltar has ''always'' been a Cylon. Note that Baltar has never spoken of his family or other friends (other than President [[Richard Adar|Adar]]), strongly suggesting Baltar has been a "loner." If Baltar's parentage (or offspring--he is rather promiscuous) cannot be confirmed (as has been done with Commander Adama, also on the list of suspects), then the laws of physics (nuclear shock wave damage to human tissue) as well as the laws of procreation (Cylons can't quite procreate as humans do) continue to leave open the possibility that Baltar is model of Cylon, however reduced the odds are now, based on Moore's new information.

==Events from the episode "Downloaded"==

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" contains revelations that reduced the possibility that Baltar is a Cylon. In dialogue with each other, numerous Cylon characters distinctly refer to Baltar as human. Although it is possible that they might keep the information from Baltar, the nature of the Cylon thought collective would seem to make no sense to keep it a secret to each other. In addition, this episode introduced the unique idea of a Number Six copy with a virtual ''Baltar'' in her head. Through Six, Baltar pushes for the Cylons to be more human; for example, letting [[Samuel Anders]] go free despite his destruction of a building and many other Humanoid Cylons. If Baltar were a Cylon, the events in the episode would make little sense.

The events in "[[Torn]]" all but toss the revelations of "Downloaded" on its ear, as the series writers directly tackle the Baltar-is-Cylon question in a story arc in season three.

=="Torn" renews speculation==

The episode "[[Torn]]" meanwhile contains certain revelations about the nature of the Cylons and some possible hints about Baltar's nature. While guiding Baltar through the interior of the basestar, Caprica-Six reveals the Cylon process of "[[projection]]"; the Cylon's ability to alter their perceptions and create a simulated reality of their choosing. Baltar immediately notices how similar that seems to his own visions of Six and begins to question if he is a Cylon because he can project as well. The question still remains, if he possibly is a Cylon, why do the other Cylons think he is a human?

When Baltar questions why he has seen only seven humanoid agents, despite the point that twelve humanoid Cylons exist, Caprica-Six is unwilling to answer. Apparently the Cylons have blocked or have lost all knowledge of the these five remaining agents. A [[Number Three]] copy, obsessed with regaining the knowledge, commits suicide to see visions of the so called "[[final five]]," but cannot remember what they look like when she regains consciousness after downloading, despite attempts to sketch her interpretations of them in order to retain her memory of them ([[The Passage]]). This is one explanation why Baltar could be a Cylon and yet not be recognized by the known seven models.

When the Cylons learn of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], they attempt to negotiate for it with the Colonials at the [[algae planet]] the home of the mysterious [[Temple of Five]]. While the Colonials believe the Temple of Five was dedicated to five human priests, Three and Gaius Baltar wonder if the temple (and the Eye) are connected to the five unknown Cylons ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).

Of additional mystery is the fact that after activating some unknown device in the Temple of Five and getting a glimpse of the final five, number Three seems to recognize one of the final five and repent her actions. Possibly her earlier behavior towards Baltar, such as torturing him ([[Rapture]]).

==Baltar as an "Agent of God"==
Baltar's actions when forced by his virtual Six to repent and worship the Cylon version of [[God (RDM)|God]] leaves several significant questions as to the nature of both the virtual Six and Baltar's nature.

In the episode, "[[The Hand of God]]", Baltar makes an educated guess at the specific target to be destroyed on the [[tylium]] refinery without knowing any significant data on the site. Baltar only receives encouragement from his virtual Six to trust in her belief. In "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]," viewers see a stricken and nearly-criminally exposed Baltar repent to the virtual Six just as Lt. Gaeta arrives to confirm his innocence. In the same episode, the virtual Six disappears in anger just as the [[Shelly Godfrey]] copy arrives (with a suggestion that the virtual Six ''knew'' (or summoned) the Godfrey model to arrive. The Godfrey model disappears just as the virtual Six returns as Baltar is repenting.

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" strongly suggests that the virtual copies of [[Caprica Six]] and Baltar that [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|haunt their opposite interests]] seem to be psychological remnants of the pair's intensive emotional connection. But what if there is more to this than psychology? Episode events surrounding the [[Sacred Scrolls]] and Laura Roslin's quest for the [[Tomb of Athena]] confirm that the Colonials have a spiritual or prophetic element that has guided them to the data that now places them in a true general path to Earth. What forces are driving Baltar beyond his own egotism? What is the nature of the virtual Six and Baltar? Neither Baltar nor Caprica Six know why they appear, and both virtual beings appear to have knowledge beyond that of what the living being they haunt should know. If Baltar is being influenced by the Cylon God (or some cybernetic influence known by neither Cylon or Colonial), there suggests a new thread to the Baltar-as-Cylon speculation that goes beyond the mere creation of a Baltar model. However, in the [[Podcast:Downloaded|episode's podcast]], Ron Moore speaks of the virtual Baltar as simply a hallucination, while in other interviews and podcasts, Moore consistently states that the origin of the virtual Six is supposed to be deliberately vague.

===Baltar as Cylon Christ===
The Cylon God is suggested to also have been a Lord of Kobol, "the one whose name cannot be spoken" or "the jealous god" who prompted the battle on Kobol. If so, he is/was a real being on Kobol of similar state to the other lords, and could have a physical incarnation, containing whatever portion of his mind could fit in a humanoid brain, among the fleet. Baltar could be more than an agent of God, or a Cylon, he could be an (unaware) actual incarnation of the Cylon God in the "Christ" motif which is extremely common in literature.

On a more obvious, visual level, Baltar, on several occasion is seen to be in the pose of Christ on the cross, for example in the water, in his drug-induced vision in Taking A Break From All Your Worries or when he collapses in the grass on Kobol. Additionally, in more recent episodes Baltar's hair has come to resemble what most people typically imagine Jesus' to have been like.

Baltar is smarter than not just other colonials, but also apparently than the Cylons in some areas, discovering clues to Earth they can't figure out in spite of their computer memories and claimed superior knowledge of the scrolls. Baltar's inner Six claims to be an angel sent from God to protect him. At the same time, Caprica Six's equivalent appears in the form of a Baltar. Baltar's inner Six's first mission is to arrange a religious conversion for Baltar.

[[D'Anna Biers]] last words to Baltar afters he sees her vision of the [[Final Five]] are "So beautiful. You were right." Later, she explains to a [[Brother Cavil]] that she was seeking "the one who programmed us."

Baltar is identified as a superior intelligence by the [[Hybrid]] which also names him as "the Chosen One."

As noted, the theme of divine incarnation for redemption is a very common one in fiction. RDM has a known penchant for redemption drama, and Baltar as a christ-figure, redeeming himself and then both humanity and the Cylons potentially fits with this.
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Baltar as Cylon speculation

2007-07-26T21:30:10Z

Darthdoy11: /* Baltar as Cylon Christ */

:''This extended speculation thread discusses the probability of [[Gaius Baltar]] as a [[Humanoid Cylon]]. This article is a special extension from the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation#Gaius Baltar?|Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article.''

For '''[[Gaius Baltar]]''' to survive the destruction of Caprica was no small matter, especially considering he was in the wake a nuclear shock wave and that the body of Six that he knew was apparently destroyed in trying to protect him in the events of the [[Miniseries, Night 1]].

A nuclear blast's shock wave is substantial (not unlike that from a [[Wikipedia:Pyroclastic flow|pyroclastic cloud]]). The shock wave would contain rocks, glass, metal, and other large debris that would bludgeon, pierce and lacerate human tissue with ease and at terrific speeds (at maximum, 1200 KPH, or 745 MPH). Such a debris-filled shock wave would obliterate Baltar's home and easily annihilate Six's body, which at those speeds would provide essentially no protection to Baltar's. (For comparison, note that, despite his superior strength, the head of the first [[Leoben Conoy]] copy encountered was bludgeoned by Commander Adama with a flashlight, and many other Humanoid Cylon copies have been shot or killed as easily as a human.) However, it has to be kept in mind that the blast wave had dissipated greatly by the time it had reached Baltar's house some 26 seconds after the detonation that almost blinded him, probably no more than hurricane force, a wind speed of 74 mph. There are testimonies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, two Japanese cities that were struck with nuclear bombs at the end of World War II, being in buildings and even in trams quite close to the epicentre and coming out of the ordeal surprisingly unharmed save for a few scratches.

Even if Baltar survived momentarily from Six's protection, either the remains of his home would have collapsed over him, likely trapping him if not killing him, or he and Six's body would also be carried away by the shock wave for some distance. Could the Baltar on ''Galactica'' be now, in fact, a Humanoid Cylon?

==The "Many Copies" Theory==
Humanoid Cylons are designed to be archetypes of human psyche. Biologically, Humanoid Cylons are not and have never been actual humans.

One notable question would be ''why'' Six has spent so much time talking to Baltar and then thrown herself in front of the blast if she'd intended for him to die? If Baltar was already a Humanoid Cylon, his consciousness from that moment would be thrown into a waking duplicate, already disheveled and scraped, where Baltar would merely think he was blown clear to safety where he could run to escape attacks with other survivors. Also, since Baltar appeared to be key in many Cylon plans, they would want to ensure that Baltar would reach any remaining humans to spy for them, and having only one copy might risk the success of such plans. Further, it is the ''psyche'' of Baltar that the Cylons may treasure most; few others in the Colonies may have the level of intelligence, arrogance, and neurosis that Baltar has that could prove as easily exploitable. The guise of the great Baltar gives the Cylons a huge natural tactical advantage in that he is well known and allowed access to almost any critical battlestar location. Baltar's slick-as-oil personality aids him with better finesse and stronger charisma than any Humanoid Cylon personality yet seen.

Later events in the series appear to discount this notion of an elaborate plan to save Baltar. In "[[Downloaded]]", the Cylons are unaware that Baltar had survived, having received this information from the resurrected [[Sharon Valerii]].

==The Baltar-as-Father Argument==

Six has stated her desire to have a child with Baltar. Humanoid Cylon couplings have failed to result in offspring prior to that point ([[The Farm]]). If Baltar and Six were both Humanoid Cylons, it is likely that offspring would either be impossible or at least exceptionally unlikely. This point gives evidence against the Baltar-as-Cylon theory, but Six has repeatedly made it clear that she considers the hybrid human-Cylon baby that Sharon is carrying to be "our" (as she puts it) baby. "Our" may in fact be inclusive of all Cylons, which may just include Baltar.

In "[[Home, Part II]]", the virtual Six indicates that Baltar's and Six's child will be born in the isolation cage built for the [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica'' copy of Sharon Valerii]]. The reality turned out different: The Caprica version of Valerii, pregnant by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], now occupies the cage by the end of that episode, and virtual Six indicates that it is in fact '''Valerii's''' child that will become Baltar's. This gives some weight to the Baltar-as-Cylon theory since Baltar becoming a father by surrogate circumvents the need for him to do so naturally, although Chief Tyrol's outing as a Final Five Cylon shows that male Humanoid Cylons can sire a child with human females. However, earlier in the first season, in "[[33]]", Six asked Baltar if he wanted to procreate with her, and at this point she may have meant an actual child of Baltar's. "Home, Part II" occurred much later in the timeline, and it is possible that the Cylons and Number Six had to alter their plans during this time. Number Six did mention in "Home, Part II" that she didn't consider Sharon "worthy" of bearing one of "God's new children" (the Humanoid Cylons). Perhaps Sharon was not originally planned to be the first mother of a hybrid baby at all, and Number Six was going to have a child with the (necessarily human) Baltar, but had to shift plans when Sharon became pregnant first.

With the actual consciousness of the Cylon known as [[Caprica-Six]] returned (now with a [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|virtual ''Gaius Baltar'']] that haunts her), the credibilty of the virtual Six, and her connection to some elaborate Cylon plan for procreation with Baltar, is specious at best.

==Inside Baltar's Head==

Baltar's brain scan in "[[Home, Part II]]" confirms that the virtual Six that only Baltar can see is '''not''' an actual ''artificial'' device in his brain. This leaves a number of possibilities, of which the strongest are:

# Baltar has a device elsewhere in his body. We're not given information on whether ''all'' of Baltar's body was scanned, or just his head.
# A portion of Baltar's body ''is'' the "chip" but fashioned in a way by the Cylons that is medically indistinguishable from a regular body part and may also function normally (say, a pituitary gland)
# Baltar's body is artificial, with his personality (complete with neuroses) placed in a Humanoid Cylon construct. While Baltar's psyche itself may not be that of a Cylon, the addition of the virtual Six component compliments the arrangement for the Cylon's purposes.

Possibility #3 is interesting in that, based on Baltar's own research on the Six copy known as [[Gina]], Baltar's personality and guilt would continue to plague him either in Humanoid Cylon or human form. But, if Baltar were reconstructed as a Cylon, the virtual Six aids Baltar by being, in effect, the conscience and "guardian angel" she claims to be, keeping his neuroses and guilt over the genocide from driving him completely insane--for now.

The episode "[[Torn]]" introduces the Cylon ability known as [[projection]]. This ability allows a Cylon to visualize a pleasing environment that also makes it easier to make their way through a basestar's corridors. At this point, Baltar, recalling the many times where he and his virtual Six have enjoyed time at his home in a manner similar to projection, begins to question his own nature.

==But Cylons aren't human clones==

As Cylons aren't copies of humans, this would suggest either of two possibilities for Baltar: first, that he survived the blast and escaped, or second, that Baltar was a Cylon all along, even on Caprica.

The idea of Baltar being originally a Cylon has problems, however. If Baltar were a Cylon, it would be redundant and unnecessary for Number Six to "choose him" for her mission (unless the Cylons preferred Baltar to remain a "sleeper" throughout his mission to give "plausible deniability" in his mind as well as allow him to do what his personality is likely to do). Furthermore, from a story perspective, the idea of Baltar being a Cylon very much goes against the idea of Baltar as a traitor betraying humanity to the Cylons—as well as the idea of Baltar's relationship with Six being a true human/Cylon pairing. It should be noted, however, that Ron D. Moore's "Gaius Baltar" differs significantly from the [[Baltar (TOS)|"Baltar" of the Original Series]]. The Baltar of the Original Series was a true turncoat with megalomaniacal tendencies; Gaius, on the other hand, is not power-hungry but is driven by a strong sense of self, albeit to the exclusion and ignorance of the needs of everyone else.

Gaius is often treated by Six as a human--ultimately the only human who will be allowed to survive by the Cylons. But the human models of Cylon also behave with classically human qualities (not all of them perfect or utopian) and seem to see each other in varying emotions (admiration and contempt are prevalent when Six speaks of the pregnant Caprica Valerii). So, at the least, Gaius is treated with no less respect than any other Humanoid Cylon by his virtual Six. If we assume Gaius is indeed human, Six's interaction with Baltar (given the hostilities of the Cylons) borders on admiration. Although we can't necessarily use Six's emotions as a ''de facto'' gauge of Baltar's genuine humanity, it does lend to the mystery.

The storyline possibilities do change somewhat if Baltar has ''always'' been a Cylon. Note that Baltar has never spoken of his family or other friends (other than President [[Richard Adar|Adar]]), strongly suggesting Baltar has been a "loner." If Baltar's parentage (or offspring--he is rather promiscuous) cannot be confirmed (as has been done with Commander Adama, also on the list of suspects), then the laws of physics (nuclear shock wave damage to human tissue) as well as the laws of procreation (Cylons can't quite procreate as humans do) continue to leave open the possibility that Baltar is model of Cylon, however reduced the odds are now, based on Moore's new information.

==Events from the episode "Downloaded"==

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" contains revelations that reduced the possibility that Baltar is a Cylon. In dialogue with each other, numerous Cylon characters distinctly refer to Baltar as human. Although it is possible that they might keep the information from Baltar, the nature of the Cylon thought collective would seem to make no sense to keep it a secret to each other. In addition, this episode introduced the unique idea of a Number Six copy with a virtual ''Baltar'' in her head. Through Six, Baltar pushes for the Cylons to be more human; for example, letting [[Samuel Anders]] go free despite his destruction of a building and many other Humanoid Cylons. If Baltar were a Cylon, the events in the episode would make little sense.

The events in "[[Torn]]" all but toss the revelations of "Downloaded" on its ear, as the series writers directly tackle the Baltar-is-Cylon question in a story arc in season three.

=="Torn" renews speculation==

The episode "[[Torn]]" meanwhile contains certain revelations about the nature of the Cylons and some possible hints about Baltar's nature. While guiding Baltar through the interior of the basestar, Caprica-Six reveals the Cylon process of "[[projection]]"; the Cylon's ability to alter their perceptions and create a simulated reality of their choosing. Baltar immediately notices how similar that seems to his own visions of Six and begins to question if he is a Cylon because he can project as well. The question still remains, if he possibly is a Cylon, why do the other Cylons think he is a human?

When Baltar questions why he has seen only seven humanoid agents, despite the point that twelve humanoid Cylons exist, Caprica-Six is unwilling to answer. Apparently the Cylons have blocked or have lost all knowledge of the these five remaining agents. A [[Number Three]] copy, obsessed with regaining the knowledge, commits suicide to see visions of the so called "[[final five]]," but cannot remember what they look like when she regains consciousness after downloading, despite attempts to sketch her interpretations of them in order to retain her memory of them ([[The Passage]]). This is one explanation why Baltar could be a Cylon and yet not be recognized by the known seven models.

When the Cylons learn of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], they attempt to negotiate for it with the Colonials at the [[algae planet]] the home of the mysterious [[Temple of Five]]. While the Colonials believe the Temple of Five was dedicated to five human priests, Three and Gaius Baltar wonder if the temple (and the Eye) are connected to the five unknown Cylons ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).

Of additional mystery is the fact that after activating some unknown device in the Temple of Five and getting a glimpse of the final five, number Three seems to recognize one of the final five and repent her actions. Possibly her earlier behavior towards Baltar, such as torturing him ([[Rapture]]).

==Baltar as an "Agent of God"==
Baltar's actions when forced by his virtual Six to repent and worship the Cylon version of [[God (RDM)|God]] leaves several significant questions as to the nature of both the virtual Six and Baltar's nature.

In the episode, "[[The Hand of God]]", Baltar makes an educated guess at the specific target to be destroyed on the [[tylium]] refinery without knowing any significant data on the site. Baltar only receives encouragement from his virtual Six to trust in her belief. In "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]," viewers see a stricken and nearly-criminally exposed Baltar repent to the virtual Six just as Lt. Gaeta arrives to confirm his innocence. In the same episode, the virtual Six disappears in anger just as the [[Shelly Godfrey]] copy arrives (with a suggestion that the virtual Six ''knew'' (or summoned) the Godfrey model to arrive. The Godfrey model disappears just as the virtual Six returns as Baltar is repenting.

The episode "[[Downloaded]]" strongly suggests that the virtual copies of [[Caprica Six]] and Baltar that [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|haunt their opposite interests]] seem to be psychological remnants of the pair's intensive emotional connection. But what if there is more to this than psychology? Episode events surrounding the [[Sacred Scrolls]] and Laura Roslin's quest for the [[Tomb of Athena]] confirm that the Colonials have a spiritual or prophetic element that has guided them to the data that now places them in a true general path to Earth. What forces are driving Baltar beyond his own egotism? What is the nature of the virtual Six and Baltar? Neither Baltar nor Caprica Six know why they appear, and both virtual beings appear to have knowledge beyond that of what the living being they haunt should know. If Baltar is being influenced by the Cylon God (or some cybernetic influence known by neither Cylon or Colonial), there suggests a new thread to the Baltar-as-Cylon speculation that goes beyond the mere creation of a Baltar model. However, in the [[Podcast:Downloaded|episode's podcast]], Ron Moore speaks of the virtual Baltar as simply a hallucination, while in other interviews and podcasts, Moore consistently states that the origin of the virtual Six is supposed to be deliberately vague.

===Baltar as Cylon Christ===
The Cylon God is suggested to also have been a Lord of Kobol, "the one whose name cannot be spoken" or "the jealous god" who prompted the battle on Kobol. If so, he is/was a real being on Kobol of similar state to the other lords, and could have a physical incarnation, containing whatever portion of his mind could fit in a humanoid brain, among the fleet. Baltar could be more than an agent of God, or a Cylon, he could be an (unaware) actual incarnation of the Cylon God in the "Christ" motif which is extremely common in literature.

On a more obvious, level, Baltar, on several occasion is seen to be in the pose of Christ on the cross, for example in the water, in his drug-induced vision in Taking A Break From All Your Worries or when he collapses in the grass on Kobol. Additionally, in more recent episodes Baltar's hair has come to resemble what most people typically imagine Jesus' to have been like.

Baltar is smarter than not just other colonials, but also apparently than the Cylons in some areas, discovering clues to Earth they can't figure out in spite of their computer memories and claimed superior knowledge of the scrolls. Baltar's inner Six claims to be an angel sent from God to protect him. At the same time, Caprica Six's equivalent appears in the form of a Baltar. Baltar's inner Six's first mission is to arrange a religious conversion for Baltar.

[[D'Anna Biers]] last words to Baltar afters he sees her vision of the [[Final Five]] are "So beautiful. You were right." Later, she explains to a [[Brother Cavil]] that she was seeking "the one who programmed us."

Baltar is identified as a superior intelligence by the [[Hybrid]] which also names him as "the Chosen One."

As noted, the theme of divine incarnation for redemption is a very common one in fiction. RDM has a known penchant for redemption drama, and Baltar as a christ-figure, redeeming himself and then both humanity and the Cylons potentially fits with this.
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Felix Gaeta

2007-07-08T08:31:58Z

Darthdoy11: /* Return to Duty */

{{Character Data
|photo= Kobols Last Gleaming pt2-Gaeta.jpg
|age=
|colony=
|birthname= Felix Gaeta
|callsign=
|seen= Miniseries
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children=
|marital status=
|role=[[Tactical Officer]], Senior Officer of the Watch, [[CIC]], [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'', former aide to President [[Gaius Baltar]]
|rank= Lieutenant
|actor=[[Alessandro Juliani]]
|cylon=
}}

Lieutenant '''Felix Gaeta''' ({{IPA|ˈgeɪ.ɾə}} or "gay-tah") is a young, capable officer in the Colonial military. For the three years prior to the [[Cylon attack]] on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], he has served as [[William Adama]]'s Senior Officer of the Watch aboard the battlestars ''[[Valkyrie]]'' and ''[[Galactica]]''.

Prior to the attack, he was studying biogenetics and planned to get a degree through the military extension program ([[Water]]).

He exhibits a strong attention to detail and is highly efficient. These tendencies and his overall ability have led William Adama to rely heavily on him as a member of ''Galactica's'' command crew, despite his relative youth and junior rank.

As well as performing the role of Tactical Officer, Gaeta also manages the ship's [[FTL]] systems, including the calculation and initiation of jumps. Gaeta also manages the needs of the various primary [[Computers|computer systems]] used on the battlestar.

==Remarkable Brillance==

As a result of his studies in biogenetics, Lt. Gaeta is selected by Adama to assist Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] in the development of the much-needed [[Cylon detector]] following the Cylon attack ([[Water]]). During his time working with Baltar, Gaeta develops a certain respect and liking for the doctor - despite the latter's apparent eccentricities. When a woman called "[[Shelly Godfrey]]" arrives on-board ''Galactica'', Gaeta works hard to prove Baltar's innocence of the charges levelled against him ([[Six Degrees of Separation]]). Although he is ultimately successful, Gaeta fails to follow-up on the fact that the photographic evidence supplied by "Shelly Godfrey" looked as if the evidence itself had been faked in a way that ensured it was exposed as a forgery.

Gaeta shows his remarkable brilliance after ''Galactica'' mistakenly jumps to a different set of coordinates than the rest of [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] to escape a Cylon attack ([[Scattered]]). The [[FTL]] computers compensate for spatial changes, but due to the chaos after [[William Adama|Commander Adama]] is shot by [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]], Gaeta does not have time to synchronize the spatial positioning with the rest of the Fleet, whose FTL computers had collectively different information. Complicating the issue, if ''Galactica'' returns to their original position, the Cylons would destroy the ship before it could recalculate the correct Fleet coordinates using standard procedure.

Gaeta blames himself (although [[Saul Tigh]] did not), but later realizes that by networking four computers of the ship (something Commander Adama may never have approved), he could reduce the coordinate calculation time from hours to minutes. Knowing the Cylons would try to crack his ''ad hoc'' network, Gaeta sets up five [[Wikipedia:Firewall (networking)|firewalls]] in the network to slow their progress while the ship's guns and Vipers buy the needed time to calculate. Unfortunately for Gaeta, the firewalls are not completely effective. Several power and CIC systems are disabled by a Cylon infection while [[Cylon Centurion]]s board the ship ([[Valley of Darkness]]). At the end, he manages to purge the systems of any remaining traces of the [[Cylon computer virus|virus]].

==Under Pressure==

Gaeta's calm exterior shows signs of wear when his interview with [[D'anna Biers]] shows him somewhat drunk, smoking, and brandishing a rather garish [[tattoo]] of a tiger. Viewers learn from the footage that Gaeta's first name is Felix ([[Final Cut]]).

The Cylon virus rears its ugly head once more a few weeks later when shipboard malfunctions increase to a point where consoles begin to sputter and short out. Gaeta confirms that the same virus they thought they had removed from the formerly-networked computers had metamorphized into a heuristic program--a [[Logic bomb|logic bomb]]--that studied and probed flaws in the battlestar's computers and the hardware that each system manages. The logic bomb threatened to disable the ship's human control on a Cylon fighter's command--and a Cylon attack force was imminent.

[[Image:Gaeta tiger tatoo.jpg|thumb|right|Gaeta's tiger tattoo]]

After Colonel Tigh's command to perform the daunting task of inspecting many lines of computer code for a Cylon virus, the young lieutenant completely loses his cool:

:'''Gaeta''': A power surge energized the board. System's been twitchy ever since the Cylons infiltrated our network.<br/>
:'''Tigh''': Commander's right. I don't care if you have to go through this program line by line; fix it.<br/>
:'''Gaeta''': Excuse me?<br/>
:'''Tigh''': You heard me.<br/>
:'''Gaeta''': Sir, I'm running every diagnostic we've got. Checking each line of code could take days.<br/>
:'''Tigh''': I am not interested in excuses. Fix it!<br/>
:'''Gaeta''': It's not an excuse, sir. It's a [[frak|frakking]] fact!<br/>

Everyone on the bridge, especially Commander Adama, is shocked by Gaeta's highly uncharacteristic outburst, but Adama is not particularly surprised, knowing that everyone on ''Galactica'' has low morale after working for months with no relief or change to their routine.

Gaeta has a solution for the logic bomb: Wipe all computer hard drives and restore them from backups made before the Cylon attack. The problem in doing this is that ''Galactica'' will be completely vulnerable to attack, save for her Viper fighters, for several minutes as her computers are rebuilt.

Against his instincts and on [[Laura Roslin]]'s advice, Adama opts to use the unique abilities of the cooperative [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]] to aid them. Gaeta gives the humanoid Cylon a fiber-optic data link with access to the battlestar mainframe computer and the ship's communications. After a few tense moments, Valerii asks Gaeta to perform the computer hard drive wipe after taking into her computer/brain a copy of the Cylon virus. She manipulates it and transmits to the massive incoming Cylon fleet, disabling the entire Cylon fleet in the same way that the Colonials suffered in the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. The Colonial forces [[Great Cylon Turkey Shoot|destroy the entire Cylon force]] without a single Colonial casualty ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

Gaeta is among the tense officers and crew in CIC that witness a standoff between their battlestar and the heavily-advanced battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', whose commander, Admiral [[Helena Cain]], has opted to execute two ''Galactica'' crew members after she tried them herself and against Adama's requests for the rights of his crew to have a fair, open trial ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).

== The Presidential Election and New Caprica ==

During the presidential election, Gaeta is assigned to aid and oversee the ballot counting process on ''Galactica''. He also aids in thwarting Roslin's plans to steal the election (though he apparently never knew -- or indicates any knowledge of -- who exactly is behind it, other than Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]) by discovering the illegitimate ballots from the ''[[Zephyr]]''. The only reason he realizes that the ''Zephyr'''s ballots were tampered with is due to the fact that the ''Zephyr''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s original, valid ballots had misspelled Gaius Baltar's name -- the fixed ballots did not share this error. (Gaeta had authorized the go-ahead to use the misspelled ballots due to the lack of time to print new ones prior to the opening of the polls.)
Due to this happenstance discovery, Baltar, who had been rightfully voted as President-Elect, was sworn in as president and ordered the Fleet to colonize [[New Caprica]].

A year later on [[New Caprica]], Gaeta seems to be an adviser to President [[Gaius Baltar]]. His previous post on ''Galactica'' is assumed by [[Karl Agathon]]. While Gaeta is pleased that there had been no Cylon attacks during Baltar's presidency, he disapproves of Baltar's womanizing and is secretly infuriated at Baltar's devil-may-care attitude towards the New Caprica City Worker's Union and the Quorum of Twelve. Gaeta later brings news of the Cylon invasion to the president and is present when Baltar surrenders New Caprica to [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Number Five]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Gaeta is also the [[New Caprica Resistance]] inside source into the inner workings of the Cylons. He seems to favor an assassination of President Baltar as he provides the group with information that he is going to attend the [[New Caprica Police]] force graduation, which is disrupted by [[Duck]]'s suicide bombing. However, upon learning that Baltar would not attend, he rushes to contact the group to warn them Baltar that is not going to be there ([[Occupation]]).

== Inside Man ==
Being the "inside man" allows him to help the [[New Caprica Resistance]] understand the inner Cylon related activities and security procedures on [[New Caprica]]. For him to contact the group, he flips [[Jake (New Caprica)|Jake]]'s yellow bowl upside down and leaves a note or information packet in a nearby tool bin for the [[New Caprica Resistance|resistance]] to find. [[Galen Tyrol]] does not know that he is the "inside man" and when they talk, Tyrol accuses him of being a collaborator ([[Precipice]]).

== End of the Baltar Administration ==
As the Cylons are preparing to evacuate during the [[Battle of New Caprica]], Gaeta pulls a gun on a distraught President Baltar, clearly intending to kill him. [[Caprica-Six]] attempts to dissuade Gaeta from this course of action. In contrast to his companion's feelings, Baltar seems fully willing to die; but he tells Gaeta that he is the only one who could stop a [[Number Three]]-model Cylon from detonating a nuclear weapon hidden somewhere in the city of New Caprica. This convinces the reluctant Gaeta to let Baltar go, giving the disgraced leader a chance to redeem himself ([[Exodus, Part II]]). Gaeta emerges from the same ship behind Colonel Tigh when Tigh asks Admiral Adama for permission to come aboard ''Galactica'' during the post-battle celebration.

== Return to Duty ==
Gaeta is initially isolated from ''Galactica'''s crew and those who were on New Caprica. Because of his high position in the collaborationist government, they believe he carried out the will of the Cylons. When he arrives in CIC to help with repairs on the communication systems damaged during the recent battle, former resistance leader Colonel Tigh is openly hostile towards him. Gaeta attempts to defend his actions in a tense conversation with [[Kara Thrace]] by revealing himself as Tyrol's mysterious informant. Starbuck doesn't know about the informant, since she was a captive of [[Leoben Conoy]] during the four-month Cylon occupation. She mocks her crewmate and dismisses his revelation as a poorly fabricated lie.

When Gaeta's name comes up for review in the the [[Circle]], he is convicted of collaborating with the enemy and sentenced to death, despite the lack of evidence against him. The six-person tribunal takes him to a Viper [[launch tubes (RDM)|launch tube]] to face his sentence. When asked to defend himself, Gaeta says that he already had and refuses to beg for his life. This infuriates [[Kara Thrace]], who lashes out at him in a physical attack and resumes the mocking she started in the mess hall. Upon hearing Thrace repeat information about the [[Jake (New Caprica)|dog bowl]], Galen Tyrol realizes that Gaeta was indeed the informant from inside the Baltar administration. Gaeta is released and allowed to go. He resumes his duties as a lieutenant, still shunned by most of his crewmates except Tyrol ([[Collaborators]]). After his recommissioning, he takes over Baltar's scientific duties, concentrating on deciphering his notes and determining the course to Earth ([[Torn]]).

Gaeta appears to have a grudge against Tigh for his part in the Circle that nearly ended in Gaeta's death, as he wears a scowl while everyone else celebrates Tigh's return from his self-exile.

==Notes==
*Gaeta does not wear any junior pilot wings on his duty uniform during the [[Miniseries]], but has flight wings in nearly every appearance since the Miniseries.
*While Gaeta is described as the "Tactical Officer", his role is closer to that of the US Navy's CIC Watch Officer (CICWO), combining it with elements of the Tactical Watch Officer (TAO), a role also partially fulfilled by [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]], both under the command of [[William Adama]]. According to the official SciFi.com character data file, Gaeta's title is "Senior Officer of the Watch", although the title of Tactical Officer may have a better "ring" to the ears of most viewers.
*The name "Felix" means "Happy" in Latin; the connotations of the Latin word imply being fortunate, lucky, prosperous, or "favored by the gods". It first appeared in the episode ''[[Final Cut]]''.
*[[Wikipedia:Gaeta|Gaeta]] is the name of a small seaport and resort in southern Italy. This goes well with his Latin first name.
*His counterpart in the original "Battlestar Galactica" is Sgt. [[Omega]], a native of [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Sagitaria]].
*In the [[Miniseries]], Gaeta's name is usually pronounced "Guy-tah" {{IPA|ˈgaɪ.ɾə}}. However, in all subsequent installments of the regular series, everyone pronounces it as "Gay-tah" {{IPA|ˈgeɪ.ɾə}}; however, Col. [[Saul Tigh]] seems to vacillate between {{IPA|ˈgeɪ.ɾə}} and {{IPA|ˈgaɪ.ɾə}}.
*There is speculation among fans that Gaeta is another [[Humanoid Cylon speculation|Cylon infiltrator]].
*According to a recent interview done by [[Jamie Bamber]], he said Gaeta is "Almost definitely!" gay, referring to the fact that Gaeta has been single. When Bamber is also asked about a possible gay storyline, he said "I've heard a specific rumor about a storyline, and it is on some level definitely gay. That would be exciting and probably overdue."<ref>[http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=22449 http://www.out.com/detail.asp?id=22449]</ref>

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

{{start box}}
{{succession box|before=(''Unknown, eventually'' ''[[Tory Foster]]'')|title=Presidential Aide|after= [[Tory Foster]]}}
{{succession box|before=(''Unknown, position possibly temporarily abolished'')|title=Presidential Chief of Staff|after=(''Unknown, position possibly abolished'')}}
{{end box}}

{{Characters}}

[[Category:A to Z|Gaeta, Felix]]
[[Category:Characters|Gaeta, Felix]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)|Gaeta, Felix]]
[[Category:Recurring Guest Characters (RDM)|Gaeta, Felix]]
[[Category:RDM|Gaeta, Felix]]

[[de:Felix Gaeta]]
[[fr:Felix Gaeta]]

Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II

2007-07-07T10:27:50Z

Darthdoy11: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| image = Baltarlaydownburdensii.jpg
| title= Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II
| season= 2
| episode= 20
| guests= [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]<br/>[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]<br/>[[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
| writer= [[Anne Cofell Saunders]]<br/>[[Mark Verheiden]]
| story=
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production=
| rating= 1.9
| US airdate= 2006-04-10
| UK airdate= 2006-05-16
| dvd= {{Season 2.5 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 2 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 49550
| oldpopulation= 49579
| extra= '''Season Finale - 90 Minute Episode'''
| prev= [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]
| next= [[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]
| podcast= Y
}}

== Overview ==

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

== Summary ==

===On Caprica===

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

===In the Fleet===

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Admiral Adama, now sporting a [[Adamastache|mustache]], walks the corridors of a near-empty ''Galactica'', which is quickly falling into disrepair. Over half of the crew have moved down onto the planet, leaving the ship so short on crew that they barely have enough pilots to fly training missions, much less form up [[Combat Air Patrol]]s. The long absence of the Cylons has left both the remaining crews aboard the [[Pegasus]] and the Galactica rusty, causing them to take a long time to go to [[Action Stations]]. Adama asks Tigh to retire from duty to join his [[Ellen Tigh|wife]] on the planet. Tigh reluctantly agrees.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[[Image:Baltarsurrender.JPG|thumb|"On behalf of the People of the Twelve Colonies, I surrender."|125px]]

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

== Notes ==
* According to Ron Moore's podcast, although the SciFi Channel was willing to air this episode as a 90-minute special, there also exists an 60-minute version for international distribution. In some markets outside of the United States, viewers might only see the 1 hour version of the episode, which Moore regards as "almost incomprehensible". Many plot threads, such as the entire Cally/Tyrol subplot, were completely removed for the one hour version.
**In the United Kingdom, Sky One showed the episode as a 90 minute special.
**In Latin America, as aired by TNT LA, the 90 minute special was shown as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*[[:Image:LDYBSchool.jpg|Visible]] on the blackboard of Roslin's school are the French verbs ''aller'', ''avoir'', and ''être''. Either English isn't the only language spoken on the Twelve Colonies, or this might be a goof by the set designers trying to make it look more like a generic school.
**French has appeared in the show before. In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", Six uses the French word for momentum or surge, ''élan''. In "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", Captain [[Cole Taylor|Cole "Stinger" Taylor]] uses the phrase ''esprit de corps''.
**There are also [[:Image:Chinese_characters.png|Chinese ideograms]] in an episode of the ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance|The Resistance]]'' webisodes.
* The story of the Fleet settling on New Caprica and being overrun by the Cylons is eerily similar to the story of the first episode of [[Battlestar Galactica (SDS)|Singer and DeSanta's revival attempt]]. The shot of Roslin teaching kids the history of the Colonies is also a, possibly unintentional, reference to that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Twenty-nine people died between this episode and the preceding one. One or two Raptors were lost, and some Marines died on Caprica, but that doesn't seem high enough.
**Perhaps more people died during the attack on Caprica than shown.
**The people rescued from Caprica could offset any losses incurred during the mission.

* The Cylons were slightly over a light year away, according to the Number Five at the surrender. The radiation from the nuclear explosion on ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' would, of course, only be traveling at the speed of light. There is inconclusive evidence whether the Cylon download process is limited to the speed of light or not. While it is likely that it is, an FTL capability in this area would indicate that [[Gina]] didn't manage to download. It should be noted that comments by the writers and subsequent episodes point out that she is truly dead.

*The population of New Caprica City is given as 39,192. There were just under 50,000 people in the Fleet before establishing the settlement, so that gives a figure of roughly 10,000 accounting for the deaths on ''Cloud Nine'' and the people remaining on the ships in orbit. At this point it can't be determined how many people died as the result of the nuclear explosion.
**Later it is established, that roughly 2,000 people escaped on the civilian ships and that both battlestars were at half-strength. This makes it possible to put the casualties of the explosion at about 5,700 to 6,200. See the "Precipice" section of [[Survivor Count]] for details.

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

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

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

*Initially it remains open whether Roslin's threat to 'airlock' two Cavils was actually carried out. This is answered in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|deleted scene]]. During their drinking scene, Tyrol tells Cally that the execution happened the previous night.

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

== Questions ==

*Who is Baltar's Vice President? ([[Exodus, Part I|Answer]])
*Has Gaeta's view of Baltar changed since Baltar's ascension to the presidency? If so, is Gaeta planning to do anything about it? ([[Exodus, Part II|Answer]])
*Where do the remains of the Fleet escape to?
*Where is Caprica-Valerii? ([[Occupation|Answer]])
*Why is Leoben looking for Starbuck, specifically? ([[Occupation|Answer]])
*Why has the population (until Tyrol's recent union speech) accepted Baltar's imperious rule? People were hardly so passive under Roslin. Indeed, Adama executed a [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|military coup]] over a rather less important issue than giving a nuclear weapon to a Cylon.
*What were the workers being asked to do which was so "odious", "so sick[ening] at heart" that Tyrol was willing to call a general strike, and so important to Baltar that he was willing to use illegal imprisonment to break it?
*Baltar surrenders to copies of Six and Eight. Are these Cylons the reincarnated [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]]? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
*If "Galactica-Sharon" is present on New Caprica, will she attempt to rekindle ties with Tyrol? If she does, what kind of effect will that have on his relationship with Cally? (see "[[Occupation]]" and "[[Precipice]]")
*Where did the Cylon fleets go, after they left the Twelve Colonies? Cavil is deliberately vague when asked if they simply returned to the [[Cylon homeworld]].
*Why didn't the nuclear device trigger the radiological alarms on either battlestar?
*How many people died in ''Cloud 9'''s destruction? (See the "Precipice" section of [[Survivor Count]])
*Were the Quorum of Twelve killed on ''Cloud Nine''?
*Were [[Shevon]] and [[Paya]] killed on ''Cloud Nine''?
*When Gina was instantly vaporized due to being only two feet from a nuclear detonation, did she still transmit her consciousness? Was she even capable of transmitting considering that any internal hardware responsible for this task would have been instantly destroyed? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
*Given Roslin's memories of Baltar with Six, why didn't Admiral Adama suspect Baltar of handing over the nuclear warhead to the cylons? If he did suspect him, why not act on it? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
*Did Baltar's internal Six disappear at any point during the New Caprica year? If so, when and why? If so, did the events of her disappearance contribute to Baltar's regression?
*Why is it so easy for Adama to hide the collusion of the rigged election from the press, and why are there no consequences?
*If the Cylons really left the Twelve Colonies, leaving behind a nuked-out wasteland, what happened to all of the human captives in the [[farms]]?
*Why have the Cylons returned after suggesting that they were willing to go their "separate ways"?
*Will the Adamas resort to Cain's tactic of conscripting civilians to fill the gaps?
*What happened between Apollo and Starbuck? ([[Unfinished Business|Answer]])
*What led to Starbuck's reconciliation with Col. Tigh after the two have been in conflict since the [[Miniseries]].
*When Adama informs Baltar that the nuke used to blow up ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' was probably stolen from Baltar's lab, why is he not suspicious about the fact that Baltar never reported that it was missing?
*Are the Cylons that appear at the end representative of the whole Cylon race, or are they a faction that broke off after the two "Cylon Heroes" began to speak out against the war on the humans?
*If it is true that the Cylons now believe the attack on humanity was a mistake, is the occupation on New Caprica viewed by the Cylons as an act of mercy and kindness vs. oppression from the human perspective? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
*Could it be the intent of the Cylons to actually help the colonization of New Caprica, helping with the construction of infrastructure, new homes, etc., in order to make up for the holocaust? (see [[#Analysis|Analysis]])
**Could the Cylons be fortifying New Caprica to protect the humans from hostile Cylons? There should still be some, that Number Three in "Downloaded" was pretty fanatical, and if the political winds have changed as they so often do...
**Is there a Cylon civil "cold" war?
**Could the occupation of New Caprica be a compromise between pro-human and anti-human factions, with war breaking out between them after it fails?
*Why are there French verbs written on the board in Roslin's classroom on New Caprica? The Colonials speak and write in English and there has never been any suggestion of the use of different languages among the Twelve Colonies.

== Official Statements ==

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

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

=== Interviews ===

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

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

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

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''After being uncovered as a Cylon upon on arrival from Caprica:''
:'''Brother Cavil''': Well, this is an awkward moment…. Yes, he's right, I'm a Cylon. And I have a message. So…take me to your leader.
:'''Admiral Adama''': Take him to the brig.

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

*''On Caprica during the fight with the Cylons:''
:'''Anders:''' You got any great ideas in that military brain of yours?
:'''Starbuck:''' Do the same thing we always do; fight 'em 'till we can't.

*''After the Cylons occupy New Caprica:''
:'''Tyrol:''' What do you want to do now, Captain?
:'''Starbuck:''' The same thing we always do. Fight them until we can't.

*''Number Six heralds the Cylons' arrival to Baltar:''
:'''Head Six:''' Judgment day.

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lt. [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Aaron Doral]]
*[[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
*[[Alisen Down]] as [[Jean Barolay]]
*[[Erica Cerra]] as [[Maya]]
*[[Winston Rekert]] as Priest
*[[David Kaye]] as [[James McManus]]

{{episode list (RDM season 2)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Anne Cofell Saunders]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Mark Verheiden]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Das neue Caprica, Teil II]]

Sacred Scrolls

2007-06-13T12:40:45Z

Darthdoy11: /* General Questions */

{{cleanup}}

[[Image:Pythia.jpg|right|thumb|A portion of the Sacred Scrolls, specifically, a portion of the Book of [[Pythia]].]]
The '''Sacred Scrolls''' are a set of writings that form the basis of [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|Colonial religion]], a polytheistic faith resembling the legends of ancient Greece. The scrolls record much of the alleged history of humanity, including life on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] before the great exodus, and the legend of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. Portions of the scrolls are used in religious ceremonies, such as the Service of the Dead ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]]).

Most notable among the Sacred Scrolls is the Book of Pythia, also referred to as the Pythian Prophecy. Written 3,600 years ago by the oracle [[Pythia]], they are believed by some to foretell the current exodus from the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]].

==Contents==
The contents of the Sacred Scrolls have only been revealed to us in glimpses, through brief quotes, paraphrases and explanations throughout the series. This section serves to catalog those snippets, and is followed by more detailed analysis.

===The Book of [[Pythia]]===
:'''Roslin:''' Who is Pythia?<br>'''Elosha:''' One of the [[oracle]]s in the Sacred Scrolls. 3,600 years ago. Pythia wrote about the exile and rebirth of the human race. ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Cycle of Time====
:'''Leoben:''' ''"All this has happened before, and all of it will happen again."'' ([[Flesh and Bone]])

:'''Six:''' ''"All this has happened before, and all this will happen again."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Roslin:''' If you believe in the gods, then you believe in the cycle of time that we are all playing our parts in a story that is told again, and again, and again throughout eternity. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Dying Leader====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And the lords anointed a leader to guide the Caravan of the Heavens to their new homeland."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Elosha:''' She also wrote that the new leader suffered a wasting disease and would not live to enter the new land. ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Roslin:''' The scriptures tell us a dying leader lead humanity to the promised land. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====A Vision of Serpents====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And unto the leader they gave a vision of serpents numbering two and ten, as a sign of things to come."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Serpents Lead the People Into Battle?====
:'''Six:''' ''"Led by serpents numbering two and ten..."'' (fragment) ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====A Confrontation at the Home of the Gods====
:'''Six:''' ''"Though the outcome favored the few, it led to a confrontation at the home of the gods."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Lower Demon====
:'''Elosha:''' The scrolls of Pythia do speak of a [[Sharon Agathon|lower demon]], who helped the people in a time of crisis. ([[Home, Part I]])

====The Blaze and the High Road====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And the blaze pursued them, and the people of Kobol had a choice. To board the great ship, or take the high road through the rocky ridge."''<br>
:'''Valerii (continuing):''' ''"And the body of each tribe's leader was offered to the gods in the [[tomb of Athena]]."'' And the great ship was the [[galleon]] that departed from here, where we're standing. And it took the founders of the thirteen colonies to their destiny. And those that didn't board the galleon took the high road, a rocky ridge that lead to the tomb. ([[Home, Part I]])

:'''Elosha:''' The path is supposed to be marked by gravestones. ([[Home, Part I]])

====The Gates of Hera====
:'''Valerii:''' That's the spot where your god supposedly stood and watched Athena throw herself down onto the rocks below, out of despair over the Exodus of the thirteen tribes. Athena's tomb, whoever or whatever she really was, is probably up there. ([[Home, Part II]])

====The Arrow of Apollo====
:'''Roslin:''' ''"And the Arrow of Apollo will open the Tomb of Athena."'' ([[Home, Part II]])

:'''Elosha:''' The scriptures tell us that Kobol points the way to Earth. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

:'''Roslin:''' According to the scriptures, if we had the arrow of Apollo we could take it down to Kobol and we could use it to open the tomb of Athena and find our way to Earth. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====Kobol and the Blood Price====
:'''Adama:''' ''"And [[Zeus, Lord of Kobol|Zeus]] warned the leaders of the twelve tribes that any return to Kobol would exact a price in blood."'' ([[Home, Part II]])

===History===

====Pre-Exodus====
:'''Elosha:''' This place is Kobol... birthplace of mankind, where the gods and men lived in paradise until the exodus of the thirteen tribes. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Exodus====
:'''Elosha:''' How old are the ruins?<br>'''[[Billy Keikeya]]:''' Well, we won't know for sure until we send a ground team, but the initial estimates have it on the order of approximately 2,000 years.<br>'''Elosha:''' That's around the time the thirteen tribes first left Kobol. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Thirteenth Tribe on Earth====
:'''Starbuck:''' The scriptures say that when the thirteenth tribe landed on Earth, they looked up into the heavens and they saw their twelve brothers. ([[Home, Part II]])

===Other verses from the Sacred Scrolls===
*'''Adama:''' "Life here began out there." These are the first words of the Sacred Scrolls… ([[Miniseries]])
*During a [[Salt Line Ceremony]] on ''Galactica'': "Their enemies will divide them. Their colonies broken in the fiery chasm of space. Their shining days renounced by a multitude of dark sacrifices. Yet still they will remain always together." ([[Exodus, Part I]])

===Sayings===
:'''Commander Adama:''' ''"The gods shall lift those who lift each other."'' ([[Home, Part II]])
:'''[[Cavil]]:''' ''"The gods lift up those who lift each other."'' ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]])
:'''[[Duck]]:''' ''"The gods help those who help themselves."'' ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance|The Resistance]])

These sayings are similar to the [[Wikipedia:Algernon Sydney|Algernon Sydney]] quote "God helps those who help themselves".

==Notes==

* The Cycle of Time is apparently a key component of Colonial theology. The notion of a circular progression of time (also known as [[Wikipedia:Eternal return|eternal return]] or eternal recurrence) is foreign to the ancient Greek religion of which Colonial religion are largely based, but it is a common theme in other religions. Some Hindus believe in an endless cycle of ages called [[Wikipedia:Yuga|Yugas]]. The ancient [[Wikipedia:Maya|Maya]] people, as well as the [[Wikipedia:Inca|Incas]] and [[Wikipedia:Aztec|Aztecs]] also believed in the circular nature of time. In philosophy, the [[Wikipedia:Stoics|Stoics]], a movement originating in ancient Greece, held the doctrine. In the nineteenth century, the doctrine appears in the writings of [[Wikipedia:Friedrich Nietzsche|Friedrich Nietzsche]] as a method of life-affirmation.

* The book of Pythia, which contains or is identical to the Pythian Prophecy, was written 1,600 years before the exodus of the thirteen tribes from Kobol, and yet it apparently contains a detailed narrative of the events of the Exodus, and continues to be interpreted as a source of prophecy 2,000 years after its prophecies have (apparently) already been fulfilled. We may thus interpret the entire text as a prophecy, since the events it describes can be firmly dated to a point well after its text was written.

==Analysis==

===Correspondences===
Assuming the events following the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] are a repetition of the events predicted by Pythia, and which came to pass centuries later, we can make use of the prophecy by first constructing a coherent historical narrative from them and then looking for correspondences with the events of the series.

*The Lower Demon is [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|the Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]]
*The Dying Leader is President [[Laura Roslin]]
*The "serpents numbering two and ten" are the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]s of Strike Force Two in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]].
*The fleet defended by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is the "Caravan of the Heavens".
*The "price in blood" has been paid by various people including [[Crashdown]] and [[Elosha]].

===The "One Exodus" Interpretation===
This interpretation assumes that the timeline is recurring on a scale of 1,600 to 2,000 years, and the exodus from Kobol is a direct parallel to the exodus from the Twelve Colonies. It also makes some correspondences in addition to those above:

*The "Blaze" identified by Sharon Valerii is an earlier parallel to the Cylon attack. The hostile force is the "jealous God", the Lord of Kobol that tried to elevate himself over the others.
*The Home of the Gods is [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], and the people of Kobol are the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], in a somewhat metaphorical sense.

The timeline would proceed thus:

#The people of Kobol lived in divine utopia with their gods.
#A hostile force - of which "the blaze" and the "lower demon" were parts - moves against the people of Kobol.
#The gods appoint a leader afflicted with a wasting disease to lead a "caravan of the heavens".
#The leader, with the aid of twelve "serpents", wins a perilous battle.
#The people make their way to the "home of the gods".
#Athena despairs and commits suicide.
#The leaders of the people are taken to the Tomb of Athena to be sacrificed to the remaining gods.
#The body of the people depart in a "[[galleon]]" for the colonies.
#Instructions are left to open the Tomb of Athena.
#Zeus warns against a return to Kobol.
#The twelve tribes settle on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]. The thirteenth tribe settles on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

However, at least three exodus events are documented. Pythia writes of "the exile and rebirth of the human race" ([[The Hand of God (RDM)]]) 1,600 years before the exodus of the tribes from Kobol. The third exodus (from the colonies) is underway.

=== The Origin of Mankind ===

:There are two main theories as to the origin of mankind:

==== Kobol as the birthplace of mankind ====

This theory interprets the Sacred Scrolls as literal truth. Humans evolved on Kobol and left the planet in two groups. One group (perhaps the larger) settled on the planets and developed the civilization of the Twelve Colonies; the other left for Earth.

According to some, the Thirteenth Tribe would then arrive on Earth some time in our relative past and influence cultures such as the ancient Greeks and Romans. This would completely contradict modern genetics and [[Wikipedia:cladistics|cladistics]] and thus not mesh well with [[naturalistic science fiction]]. Another possibility is that the show might take place in a completely alternate reality, in which humans did not evolve on Earth.
==== Earth as the true origin of the human species ====

This theory states, that the Sacred Scrolls can't be be taken literally, and are in fact wrong or deliberately misleading in places. Mankind originated on Earth, and at some point in our future leaves it to settle on Kobol. The Thirteenth tribe might have known or suspected that they were originally from Earth and returned there, or there may never have been any trip from Kobol back to Earth or distinct Thirteenth (or more correctly, First) tribe, in spite of what the scrolls report. The other tribes leave for what will later be the Twelve Colonies. Either at that time or even sooner, mankind's true origins are forgotten and people believe that they developed on Kobol; Earth becoming a myth.

With this interpretation, there would be three exoduses, each of which might have been caused by a global catastrophe, with the final one bringing humanity full circle, back to its roots. It could also begin to explain the many parallels in culture and technology between the Colonials and today's Earth.

==== See Also ====

[[History of the Twelve Colonies#Pre-History|History of the Twelve Colonies]]

===The Form of the Scrolls===

The Sacred Scrolls have been seen as an actual, ornate scroll (similar to a [[Wikipedia:Torah|torah]], as shown in the [[Miniseries]]), as well as a book (Both Adama and Roslin read what appear to be identically-created books in "[[Home, Part II]]").

The total volume of the Scrolls has not been revealed, so it is possible (albeit improbable) that the scroll that [[Elosha]] holds in the [[Miniseries]] as she swears in President Roslin and holds during the service for the dead may make up only a portion of the total texts, or key readings from the works. A shortened volume may not be different from the Roman Catholic Church's use of [[Wikipedia:Missal|missals]]: A specialized volume containing prayers and readings specific to a celebrant's use during [[temple]] ceremonies, Services for the Dead, weddings, [[dedication ceremony|dedication ceremonies]] and the like.

Much of the Scrolls appear to be handwritten. While the technology of the Twelve Colonies obviously support electronic printing and reproduction, it may be that the most authentic copies of the sacred texts are either authentic reproductions from a handwritten copy, or genuine handwritten copies. This practice may be for reasons of authenticity, custom, or aesthetics. The practice is similar to the work and purposes of the [[Wikipedia:Scribes|scribes]] before the invention of the printing press in real-Earth history. For comparison, an extreme example of the tradition of handwritten sacred texts in real-Earth history are the [[Wikipedia:Sefer Torah|sefer Torahs]].

Because Sagittarons are traditionally pacifists and do not believe in modern medicine for religious reasons, while the Gemenese traditionally interpret the Sacred Scrolls literally but do not share these practices, it is likely that the Gemenese and Sagittarons have different versions of the Sacred Scrolls, or that the Sagittarons have some supplemental religious document or oral tradition in addition to the Scrolls.

===Last rites at the [[Service for the dead|Services for the Dead]]===

[[Elosha]] gives a form of last rites or respects to the fallen crew after [[Battle of Ragnar Anchorage|the Fleet escapes Ragnar Anchorage]] in an unusual language.<ref>The actress is singing Sanskrit verses from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad. Roughly translated, the verse says, "Lead us from Falsehood to Truth, from Darkness to Light, from Death to Immortality."</ref>

==General Questions==

*Who were the Lords of Kobol? Caprica-Valerii does not deny their existence, and the Tomb of Athena strongly attests to her life and death, but she does not believe they were gods. Could they be human leaders that were raised to a divine status later?
*Which god was the "jealous god" that sought to be raised above the others? Is he the same person as the Cylons' one true [[god]]?
*What was the nature of the "[[Galleon]]?" Was it a large [[Sublight Propulsion|sublight]] colony ship? Did it have an [[FTL]] drive?
*If Roslin is now cured of cancer, can she still be the leader of the Pythian prophecy?
**Official sources suggested that Roslin's cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" may not necessarily be a permanent matter, as is demonstrated in [[Crossroads, Part II]], so the prophecy may still hold true.
*Is it possible that the dying leader may be referring to someone besides Roslin? It could be Admiral Adama as at the beginning of the Miniseries, he was a man who was "wasting away" before the Cylons attacked. He could be possibly another route for the writers to go through as having Adama not being able to enter the land that he and Roslin are leading the fleet to.
*In "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Hybrid]] is looking directly at [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] while repeating the words "sins revealed... only to the chosen one", referring to. Plus, he did much of the work mapping out the location of the Lion's Head Nebula. Could this indicate that Baltar may be actually responsible for showing the path to Earth, thus fulfilling the role of "the leader"? Given his situation of being distrusted and hated by both Cylon and human, it would appear unlikely that he would survive to reach earth.
*Since the entire [[Number Three]] line has been [[Boxing|boxed]], could one or all of the Threes be considered "dying leaders"? Is it possible that they, and not Roslin, will be instrumental in leading the humans as well as the Cylons to Earth?

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

Sacred Scrolls

2007-06-13T12:40:23Z

Darthdoy11: /* General Questions */

{{cleanup}}

[[Image:Pythia.jpg|right|thumb|A portion of the Sacred Scrolls, specifically, a portion of the Book of [[Pythia]].]]
The '''Sacred Scrolls''' are a set of writings that form the basis of [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|Colonial religion]], a polytheistic faith resembling the legends of ancient Greece. The scrolls record much of the alleged history of humanity, including life on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] before the great exodus, and the legend of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. Portions of the scrolls are used in religious ceremonies, such as the Service of the Dead ([[Miniseries]], [[Act of Contrition]]).

Most notable among the Sacred Scrolls is the Book of Pythia, also referred to as the Pythian Prophecy. Written 3,600 years ago by the oracle [[Pythia]], they are believed by some to foretell the current exodus from the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]].

==Contents==
The contents of the Sacred Scrolls have only been revealed to us in glimpses, through brief quotes, paraphrases and explanations throughout the series. This section serves to catalog those snippets, and is followed by more detailed analysis.

===The Book of [[Pythia]]===
:'''Roslin:''' Who is Pythia?<br>'''Elosha:''' One of the [[oracle]]s in the Sacred Scrolls. 3,600 years ago. Pythia wrote about the exile and rebirth of the human race. ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Cycle of Time====
:'''Leoben:''' ''"All this has happened before, and all of it will happen again."'' ([[Flesh and Bone]])

:'''Six:''' ''"All this has happened before, and all this will happen again."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Roslin:''' If you believe in the gods, then you believe in the cycle of time that we are all playing our parts in a story that is told again, and again, and again throughout eternity. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Dying Leader====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And the lords anointed a leader to guide the Caravan of the Heavens to their new homeland."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Elosha:''' She also wrote that the new leader suffered a wasting disease and would not live to enter the new land. ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

:'''Roslin:''' The scriptures tell us a dying leader lead humanity to the promised land. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====A Vision of Serpents====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And unto the leader they gave a vision of serpents numbering two and ten, as a sign of things to come."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Serpents Lead the People Into Battle?====
:'''Six:''' ''"Led by serpents numbering two and ten..."'' (fragment) ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====A Confrontation at the Home of the Gods====
:'''Six:''' ''"Though the outcome favored the few, it led to a confrontation at the home of the gods."'' ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]])

====The Lower Demon====
:'''Elosha:''' The scrolls of Pythia do speak of a [[Sharon Agathon|lower demon]], who helped the people in a time of crisis. ([[Home, Part I]])

====The Blaze and the High Road====
:'''Elosha:''' ''"And the blaze pursued them, and the people of Kobol had a choice. To board the great ship, or take the high road through the rocky ridge."''<br>
:'''Valerii (continuing):''' ''"And the body of each tribe's leader was offered to the gods in the [[tomb of Athena]]."'' And the great ship was the [[galleon]] that departed from here, where we're standing. And it took the founders of the thirteen colonies to their destiny. And those that didn't board the galleon took the high road, a rocky ridge that lead to the tomb. ([[Home, Part I]])

:'''Elosha:''' The path is supposed to be marked by gravestones. ([[Home, Part I]])

====The Gates of Hera====
:'''Valerii:''' That's the spot where your god supposedly stood and watched Athena throw herself down onto the rocks below, out of despair over the Exodus of the thirteen tribes. Athena's tomb, whoever or whatever she really was, is probably up there. ([[Home, Part II]])

====The Arrow of Apollo====
:'''Roslin:''' ''"And the Arrow of Apollo will open the Tomb of Athena."'' ([[Home, Part II]])

:'''Elosha:''' The scriptures tell us that Kobol points the way to Earth. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

:'''Roslin:''' According to the scriptures, if we had the arrow of Apollo we could take it down to Kobol and we could use it to open the tomb of Athena and find our way to Earth. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====Kobol and the Blood Price====
:'''Adama:''' ''"And [[Zeus, Lord of Kobol|Zeus]] warned the leaders of the twelve tribes that any return to Kobol would exact a price in blood."'' ([[Home, Part II]])

===History===

====Pre-Exodus====
:'''Elosha:''' This place is Kobol... birthplace of mankind, where the gods and men lived in paradise until the exodus of the thirteen tribes. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Exodus====
:'''Elosha:''' How old are the ruins?<br>'''[[Billy Keikeya]]:''' Well, we won't know for sure until we send a ground team, but the initial estimates have it on the order of approximately 2,000 years.<br>'''Elosha:''' That's around the time the thirteen tribes first left Kobol. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])

====The Thirteenth Tribe on Earth====
:'''Starbuck:''' The scriptures say that when the thirteenth tribe landed on Earth, they looked up into the heavens and they saw their twelve brothers. ([[Home, Part II]])

===Other verses from the Sacred Scrolls===
*'''Adama:''' "Life here began out there." These are the first words of the Sacred Scrolls… ([[Miniseries]])
*During a [[Salt Line Ceremony]] on ''Galactica'': "Their enemies will divide them. Their colonies broken in the fiery chasm of space. Their shining days renounced by a multitude of dark sacrifices. Yet still they will remain always together." ([[Exodus, Part I]])

===Sayings===
:'''Commander Adama:''' ''"The gods shall lift those who lift each other."'' ([[Home, Part II]])
:'''[[Cavil]]:''' ''"The gods lift up those who lift each other."'' ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]])
:'''[[Duck]]:''' ''"The gods help those who help themselves."'' ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance|The Resistance]])

These sayings are similar to the [[Wikipedia:Algernon Sydney|Algernon Sydney]] quote "God helps those who help themselves".

==Notes==

* The Cycle of Time is apparently a key component of Colonial theology. The notion of a circular progression of time (also known as [[Wikipedia:Eternal return|eternal return]] or eternal recurrence) is foreign to the ancient Greek religion of which Colonial religion are largely based, but it is a common theme in other religions. Some Hindus believe in an endless cycle of ages called [[Wikipedia:Yuga|Yugas]]. The ancient [[Wikipedia:Maya|Maya]] people, as well as the [[Wikipedia:Inca|Incas]] and [[Wikipedia:Aztec|Aztecs]] also believed in the circular nature of time. In philosophy, the [[Wikipedia:Stoics|Stoics]], a movement originating in ancient Greece, held the doctrine. In the nineteenth century, the doctrine appears in the writings of [[Wikipedia:Friedrich Nietzsche|Friedrich Nietzsche]] as a method of life-affirmation.

* The book of Pythia, which contains or is identical to the Pythian Prophecy, was written 1,600 years before the exodus of the thirteen tribes from Kobol, and yet it apparently contains a detailed narrative of the events of the Exodus, and continues to be interpreted as a source of prophecy 2,000 years after its prophecies have (apparently) already been fulfilled. We may thus interpret the entire text as a prophecy, since the events it describes can be firmly dated to a point well after its text was written.

==Analysis==

===Correspondences===
Assuming the events following the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] are a repetition of the events predicted by Pythia, and which came to pass centuries later, we can make use of the prophecy by first constructing a coherent historical narrative from them and then looking for correspondences with the events of the series.

*The Lower Demon is [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|the Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]]
*The Dying Leader is President [[Laura Roslin]]
*The "serpents numbering two and ten" are the [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]s of Strike Force Two in the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]].
*The fleet defended by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' is the "Caravan of the Heavens".
*The "price in blood" has been paid by various people including [[Crashdown]] and [[Elosha]].

===The "One Exodus" Interpretation===
This interpretation assumes that the timeline is recurring on a scale of 1,600 to 2,000 years, and the exodus from Kobol is a direct parallel to the exodus from the Twelve Colonies. It also makes some correspondences in addition to those above:

*The "Blaze" identified by Sharon Valerii is an earlier parallel to the Cylon attack. The hostile force is the "jealous God", the Lord of Kobol that tried to elevate himself over the others.
*The Home of the Gods is [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], and the people of Kobol are the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], in a somewhat metaphorical sense.

The timeline would proceed thus:

#The people of Kobol lived in divine utopia with their gods.
#A hostile force - of which "the blaze" and the "lower demon" were parts - moves against the people of Kobol.
#The gods appoint a leader afflicted with a wasting disease to lead a "caravan of the heavens".
#The leader, with the aid of twelve "serpents", wins a perilous battle.
#The people make their way to the "home of the gods".
#Athena despairs and commits suicide.
#The leaders of the people are taken to the Tomb of Athena to be sacrificed to the remaining gods.
#The body of the people depart in a "[[galleon]]" for the colonies.
#Instructions are left to open the Tomb of Athena.
#Zeus warns against a return to Kobol.
#The twelve tribes settle on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]. The thirteenth tribe settles on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

However, at least three exodus events are documented. Pythia writes of "the exile and rebirth of the human race" ([[The Hand of God (RDM)]]) 1,600 years before the exodus of the tribes from Kobol. The third exodus (from the colonies) is underway.

=== The Origin of Mankind ===

:There are two main theories as to the origin of mankind:

==== Kobol as the birthplace of mankind ====

This theory interprets the Sacred Scrolls as literal truth. Humans evolved on Kobol and left the planet in two groups. One group (perhaps the larger) settled on the planets and developed the civilization of the Twelve Colonies; the other left for Earth.

According to some, the Thirteenth Tribe would then arrive on Earth some time in our relative past and influence cultures such as the ancient Greeks and Romans. This would completely contradict modern genetics and [[Wikipedia:cladistics|cladistics]] and thus not mesh well with [[naturalistic science fiction]]. Another possibility is that the show might take place in a completely alternate reality, in which humans did not evolve on Earth.
==== Earth as the true origin of the human species ====

This theory states, that the Sacred Scrolls can't be be taken literally, and are in fact wrong or deliberately misleading in places. Mankind originated on Earth, and at some point in our future leaves it to settle on Kobol. The Thirteenth tribe might have known or suspected that they were originally from Earth and returned there, or there may never have been any trip from Kobol back to Earth or distinct Thirteenth (or more correctly, First) tribe, in spite of what the scrolls report. The other tribes leave for what will later be the Twelve Colonies. Either at that time or even sooner, mankind's true origins are forgotten and people believe that they developed on Kobol; Earth becoming a myth.

With this interpretation, there would be three exoduses, each of which might have been caused by a global catastrophe, with the final one bringing humanity full circle, back to its roots. It could also begin to explain the many parallels in culture and technology between the Colonials and today's Earth.

==== See Also ====

[[History of the Twelve Colonies#Pre-History|History of the Twelve Colonies]]

===The Form of the Scrolls===

The Sacred Scrolls have been seen as an actual, ornate scroll (similar to a [[Wikipedia:Torah|torah]], as shown in the [[Miniseries]]), as well as a book (Both Adama and Roslin read what appear to be identically-created books in "[[Home, Part II]]").

The total volume of the Scrolls has not been revealed, so it is possible (albeit improbable) that the scroll that [[Elosha]] holds in the [[Miniseries]] as she swears in President Roslin and holds during the service for the dead may make up only a portion of the total texts, or key readings from the works. A shortened volume may not be different from the Roman Catholic Church's use of [[Wikipedia:Missal|missals]]: A specialized volume containing prayers and readings specific to a celebrant's use during [[temple]] ceremonies, Services for the Dead, weddings, [[dedication ceremony|dedication ceremonies]] and the like.

Much of the Scrolls appear to be handwritten. While the technology of the Twelve Colonies obviously support electronic printing and reproduction, it may be that the most authentic copies of the sacred texts are either authentic reproductions from a handwritten copy, or genuine handwritten copies. This practice may be for reasons of authenticity, custom, or aesthetics. The practice is similar to the work and purposes of the [[Wikipedia:Scribes|scribes]] before the invention of the printing press in real-Earth history. For comparison, an extreme example of the tradition of handwritten sacred texts in real-Earth history are the [[Wikipedia:Sefer Torah|sefer Torahs]].

Because Sagittarons are traditionally pacifists and do not believe in modern medicine for religious reasons, while the Gemenese traditionally interpret the Sacred Scrolls literally but do not share these practices, it is likely that the Gemenese and Sagittarons have different versions of the Sacred Scrolls, or that the Sagittarons have some supplemental religious document or oral tradition in addition to the Scrolls.

===Last rites at the [[Service for the dead|Services for the Dead]]===

[[Elosha]] gives a form of last rites or respects to the fallen crew after [[Battle of Ragnar Anchorage|the Fleet escapes Ragnar Anchorage]] in an unusual language.<ref>The actress is singing Sanskrit verses from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad. Roughly translated, the verse says, "Lead us from Falsehood to Truth, from Darkness to Light, from Death to Immortality."</ref>

==General Questions==

*Who were the Lords of Kobol? Caprica-Valerii does not deny their existence, and the Tomb of Athena strongly attests to her life and death, but she does not believe they were gods. Could they be human leaders that were raised to a divine status later?
*Which god was the "jealous god" that sought to be raised above the others? Is he the same person as the Cylons' one true [[god]]?
*What was the nature of the "[[Galleon]]?" Was it a large [[Sublight Propulsion|sublight]] colony ship? Did it have an [[FTL]] drive?
*If Roslin is now cured of cancer, can she still be the leader of the Pythian prophecy?
**Official sources suggested that Roslin's cancer cure in "[[Epiphanies]]" may not necessarily be a permanent matter, as is demonstrated in [Crossroads, Part II], so the prophecy may still hold true.
*Is it possible that the dying leader may be referring to someone besides Roslin? It could be Admiral Adama as at the beginning of the Miniseries, he was a man who was "wasting away" before the Cylons attacked. He could be possibly another route for the writers to go through as having Adama not being able to enter the land that he and Roslin are leading the fleet to.
*In "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Hybrid]] is looking directly at [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] while repeating the words "sins revealed... only to the chosen one", referring to. Plus, he did much of the work mapping out the location of the Lion's Head Nebula. Could this indicate that Baltar may be actually responsible for showing the path to Earth, thus fulfilling the role of "the leader"? Given his situation of being distrusted and hated by both Cylon and human, it would appear unlikely that he would survive to reach earth.
*Since the entire [[Number Three]] line has been [[Boxing|boxed]], could one or all of the Threes be considered "dying leaders"? Is it possible that they, and not Roslin, will be instrumental in leading the humans as well as the Cylons to Earth?

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

The Man with Nine Lives

2007-04-14T12:38:50Z

Darthdoy11: /* Summary */

{{Episode Data
| image = gaming.jpg
| title= The Man with Nine Lives
| series= tos
| season=
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[Donald Bellisario]]
| story=
| director= [[Rod Holcomb]]
| production= 50916
| rating=
| US airdate= 1979-01-28
| UK airdate=
| dvd= 2004-12-28
| population=
| prev= [[War of the Gods, Part II]]
| next= [[Murder on the Rising Star]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''An old con man, [[Chameleon]], works his way into [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]'s life to avoid being tracked down by [[Blood Trail|blood-thirsty]] [[Borellian Nomen|Borellians]].''

== Summary ==
* It has been twelve [[Secton (TOS)|sectons]] since the [[Beings of Light]] gave ''Galactica'' the coordinates that presumably lead to [[Earth]]. The directions lack a reference to how long the trip is.

* The [[Warrior]]s have been given [[furlon]]s in order to relax and rejuvenate.

* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] can't wait to try out a new gambling system that he claims "can't lose."

* [[Chameleon]] is on a shuttle heading towards the [[Rising Star (TOS)|''Rising Star'']]. He watches a recruiting ad starring [[Omega]]. The show comes back on and the "Warrior of the Centar" being interviewed is Starbuck.

* [[Zara]] asks how old Starbuck is. Starbuck reveals that he doesn't know how old he is because he in an orphan, found wandering in the thorn forests on [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]].

* [[Chameleon]] pretends to be upset with the show, in order to avoid paying a transportation ducket to the attendant. He claims that he runs the news and interview shows for [[Inter-Fleet Broadcasting]]. The woman next to him seems rather impressed.

* He says that there are thousands of civilians in [[The Fleet (TOS)|the fleet]] doing jobs just as important as the warriors, and those are the stories that they should tell. He claims that they should interview the attendant, telling him to go to the Comp-Tel Ship after he gets off duty so that Zara can interview him next. The ploy works, and Chameleon is able to bluff the flustered attendant into thinking he had already given him a transportation ducket.

* Chameleon turns the broadcast back on, and Starbuck is explaining that his parents probably perished in the [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] raid on [[Umbra]]. It was destroyed in a sneak attack in 7322, after which thousands of children were found wandering around in the forest, including Starbuck.
* Aboard the ''Rising Star'' Chameleon pauses outside the Astral Lounge, pretending to have lost his wallet. The woman he had flown next to, Siress [[Blassie]], insists on spotting him the necessary funds. Chameleon agrees to take the money as long as she promises to return to his billet that night so he can "repay her."

* [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] and [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] enter the Astral Lounge, and Jolly is immediately drawn to the dancers performing in the middle of the room. Boomer wants to go get some food, but Jolly is content to watch the dancers.

* Starbuck believes that this activity will occupy those two for the rest of the furlon, and drags Apollo off to try his new gambling system.

* Chameleon and Siress Blassie enter as the dancers finish their act. Everybody gets on the dance floor and begins dancing "futuristically."

* Three hooded figures enter the lounge, and create quite a stir by their appearance. Boomer identifies them as being [[Borellian Nomen]]. Chameleon appears distressed at their coming. Boomer is surprised to see them, as they rarely mix with the Colonials. Jolly says that they don't, unless they are on a [[Blood Trail]].

* Boomer diffuses the tension in the room, the Nomen take a seat, and everybody resumes their activities.

* Chameleon asks to be excused, as he has some business to attend to. Siress Blassie is worried he is interview a young, beautiful warrior, but he assures her that he prefers experience to youth.

* The [[Taba|younger Nomen]] spots Chameleon and grabs for a [[laser bola]] off of his bandolier. They begin glowing and emitting a sound. Chameleon makes a break for it in the confusion.

* Jolly orders him to disarm it, but Boomer explains that once armed they have to be used, or else they explode. He has 50 [[micron]]s to use it before it detonates.

* Boomer has him throw it at a vertical supporter. A red line appears between the balls when thrown, and the bola wraps around the column and explodes (relatively harmlessly).

* Boomer claims that Borellian Nomen do not draw laser bolas by accident. The [[Maga|leader]] claims that he is young, and that the drink and the music excited him, and promises that it will not happen again.

* Boomer agrees, because if they are to remain they will disarm themselves. The younger Nomen claims that it is against their [[The Code|Code]] to be unarmed. Boomer says he should have thought of that before he drew his weapon. The leader believes they should have known better than to mix with other colonists. He informs Boomer that they will await transportation back to their ship in the docking lounge.

* Several ships are listed as destinations of the Canaris shuttle in the docking lounge.

* Maga holds [[Bora]] responsible for Taba's actions, because Bora is related to the young Nomen. Bora accepts the blame, and vows that they will bring their prey down. Maga wonders what would have caused Taba to break the Code by drawing his weapon without thinking. Taba claims that he saw Captain [[Dmitri]], but Maga is disgusted by Taba's lack of discipline. Maga says that Taba can apologize after he is punished, if he survives the punishment.

* Apollo is anxious, but Starbuck is winning at the [[Pyramid]] table with their money. Chameleon sits down at their table. As Starbuck is dealt his cards, he uses a calculator at the table to work his system. Based on his system, he decides to "hover" (stay), and raises his bet. Chameleon appears to believe Starbuck is acting foolishly. He points out that although the odds are 3:1 against the dealer having a capstone, but if she does he can't win, and his system doesn't consider that. Starbuck reduces his bet, and the dealer reveals a capstone. Everybody loses, so Chameleon has saved Starbuck some cubits.

* The Nomen are patiently waiting for their prey in the docking lounge.

* Chameleon claims to have been working Starbuck's system back on Caprica while Starbuck was still in swaddling clothes. He used to be a professional gambler, but now he is a genetic tracer. He can reunite orphans with their relatives using genetic tests.

* Chameleon had been badly injured in one of the earliest Cylon raids on Caprica. For five years after he was a traumatic amnesiac. After he recovered he learned that his wife had been killed in the raid, and his son had been lost. He's never been able to find his son.

* Starbuck asks where and when the attack took place, and Chameleon tells him that it was at Umbra on Caprica. Starbuck "reveals" that he was orphaned at Umbra. Chameleon points out that over 3000 children were orphaned in that raid, so the odds of him being Starbuck's father are astronomically low. Starbuck is hooked, though, and wants to pursue the possibility.

* Starbuck wants to run a genetic trace. Chameleon says that the waiting list is a yahren long, and he can't ethically move to the front of the list. He does have some alternate, less precise tests that could be run using equipment aboard [[Galactica (TOS)|''Galactica'']]. They order up a [[shuttle]] to ferry them to her.

* Apollo runs into Boomer, who tells him about the incident with the Nomen. Boomer thinks the situation is resolved, until Jolly approaches to inform them that the Nomen haven't left as they had promised. The warriors go to investigate.

* They begin to question the Nomen, and Maga invokes his rights as a human member of the fleet. Apollo accuses Maga of lying to Boomer by not leaving on the next shuttle, prompting Taba to again reach for his laser bola. Maga tries to stop him, and the warriors draw their laser pistols.

* Taba claims that Apollo insulted Maga. Maga informs Taba that if that had been the case, Apollo would be dead. It is Taba that has insulted Maga, twice now, and he must now answer to the code. His laser bola bandoliers are stripped from him, and he is informed that his name will be stricken from the Roster of the Nomen. Maga hands Taba over to the warriors, claiming that Taba no longer exists to him.

* A pair of [[Council Security|security officers]] escort Taba away.

* Boomer still wants to know why they haven't left. Maga claims that the shuttle ''Canaris'' was full, and they are waiting for the next shuttle. Maga denies being on a Blood Trail, saying that they wouldn't be returning to their ship if they were still hunting.

* Starbuck and Chameleon walk by on the way to the shuttle, and Chameleon eyes the Nomen warily as he walks past them. His plan to evade the Nomen appears to have worked.

* Bora respectfully asks Maga why he handed Taba over, rather than fighting to the death. Maga acknowledges that while the Colonials are weak, they have superior numbers. The Nomen must have the patience of the Scorpius. They realize that they need to figure out a way to get aboard ''Galactica''.

* [[Omega]] comes on the view screen with a message urging anybody interested in serving in the military to contact ''Galactica''.

* [[Sheba]], Boomer, Starbuck, and an unnamed female warrior discuss the situation on the shuttle ride to ''Galactica''. Sheba feels that it is a miracle that Starbuck may have found his father.

* Boomer realizes that the Borellian Nomen was looking right at Chameleon when he activated his laser bola, and that Chameleon might be the subject of a blood trail. If this were the case Chameleon might be looking for a way to get escorted off of the ''Rising Star'' safely.

* In the back of the shuttle, Chameleon is explaining how disappointed Siress Blassie is that he had to leave, but she understood given the circumstances. Starbuck, upon finding out that Chameleon had just met the Siress, believes that their similar prowess with the ladies proves their relation.

* [[Cassiopeia]] runs the alternate (less precise) test on Chameleon and Starbuck. The immediate results indicate that they are from the same planet, are from the same tribe, and are related within at least ten generations. Starbuck is elated, but Cassie points out that there several people within the fleet that could match that closely. Both patients agree to run the more precise genetic trace immediately.

* [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] holds an informal council with Sheba, Boomer, and Apollo over the possibility that Chameleon is conning them. Boomer reports that the Nomen left on the next shuttle as they promised, and the captured Nomen continues to claim that it was drink and excitement that caused him to activate the bola.

* Sheba points out that if he is running a con, he would want to delay the genetic tests. Apollo is beginning to feel like an "equinus's atrum". Adama points out that they could have [[Tigh (TOS)|Col. Tigh]] run a discreet security check, or even confront Chameleon. Apollo doesn't want to call him a liar to his face, and opts to have Sheba contact Tigh about running the security check.

* Col. Tigh welcomes a batch of prospective recruits to ''Galactica'', then hands them over to Flight Sergeant Omega to escort them to their quarters. Among the new recruits are the Borellian Nomen.

* Cassiopeia extracts a neuro cell from Starbuck and Chameleon in order to run the genetic trace. Starbuck is nervous about the procedure, but it is obvious that he is being a bit of a wimp about the whole thing.

* Apollo comes in during the extraction and asks that Cassie hold up Starbuck so that they can have a word alone with Chameleon.

* Chameleon remarks that Cassiopeia greatly resembles his wife (potentially Starbuck's mother). Starbuck confides that Cassie is the only woman he has considered getting [[seal]]ed to (someday, maybe, when they find Earth).

* Omega drops off the recruits in their quarters and instructs them to find a bunk. The Nomen intimidate another recruit into leaving them a bunk to themselves.

* [[Lomas|Corporal Lomas]] is in charge of the watch, and lets the recruits know that he is there to assist them.

* The Nomen ask the Corporal the location of Lieutenant Starbuck, as they wish to thank him for saving their lives during the escape. Lomas informs them that he is located on Beta deck with the rest of Blue Squadron, but that they are not allowed to leave the area until their security checks are completed.

* Boomer and Apollo take Chameleon for a drink in the [[Officer's Club]]. They explain their suspicions that he was using Starbuck in order to get a warrior escort. Chameleon admits that the Nomen might have been throwing the bola at him, because he ran a genetic test that proved that a child was not one of their nephews. However, he did not feel he needed warrior protection. Apollo apologizes for doubting him.

* The Nomen approach Lomas asking for a private room to pray in. They claim that failing to pray in private is an unpardonable sin according to their code. Lomas explains that they are restricted to quarters until their security checks come through, but for the sake of religious freedom Lomas offers to let them use the supply closet. The Nomen knock out Lomas when he turns his back.

* Starbuck encounters Apollo and Boomer in the hallway. Tigh runs into them, and begins to tell Apollo about the results of the security check on Chameleon. Starbuck takes great offense to Apollo and Boomer's doubt, declaring their friendship to be over.

* After Starbuck storms off Tigh reveals that according to fleet records, Chameleon doesn't exist.

* They take this news to Adama in [[Core command]]. They try to figure out what he wants. Boomer speculates that it is protection from the Borellian Nomen. Upon hearing this, Tigh asks for the location of the Borellian Nomen recruits. Omega tries to call the duty desk, but there is no response. A security team is dispatched to apprehend them. Starbuck and Chameleon are to be taken into protective custody.

* The nomen, dressed as deck crew, ask a pair of warriors where they might find Starbuck. The male replies that he is on furlon, but the female says that he is back as she saw him walking towards launch bay alpha with a civilian.

* Starbuck is showing Chameleon around the inside of a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] cockpit. He demonstrates where the laser generators are, remarking that when they are activated the button on the control stick unleashes millions of voltons of firepower.

* Starbuck says he's going to miss flying Vipers, but he's going to resign his commission in order to spend time with Chameleon to make up for lost time, helping Chameleon at his job as a genetic tracer.

* Just as Chameleon begins to tell Starbuck what the "truth of the matter is", the Nomen approach. Chameleon ducks into the cockpit, and Starbuck jumps down to investigate.

* The Nomen demand to know the location of "that jackal, Captain Dmitri." Starbuck says that he's alone, and asks what is going on. "A blood hunt," the Nomen replies, as both sides take cover. The sound of charging laser bolas can be heard.

* They exchange bola and laser fire, missing their first volleys. Starbuck is knocked over by a near miss, losing his [[laser pistol]].

* Starbuck runs down the [[Launch tubes (TOS)|launch tube]], and the Nomen pursue. Chameleon fiddles with the controls, arming the laser generators. Chameleon warns Starbuck, yelling "Son, hit the deck!" He fires the Viper's lasers into the launch bay, as Starbuck drops flat, then jumps and is blown clear of the tube.

* Chameleon rushes to Starbuck's side, but Starbuck appears to be ok aside from the soot. The cavalry arrives. Apollo checks with Starbuck as Boomer and a pair of [[Blackshirt]]s run down the tube to check on the Nomen. Boomer requests medtech assistance, as the Nomen have somehow managed to survive.

* Starbuck explains that the Nomen are on a blood hunt for Captain Dmritri, but he doesn't know of a Captain Dmitri. Chameleon explains that he is Captain Dmitri, sort of.

* Starbuck relates the story to Adama, how during one of his many occupations Chameleon discovered that the Nomen were hoarding supplies (enough parts to build a Viper). Chameleon posed as Captain Dmitri of the [[livestock ship]], and the Nomen paid him to slip them enough livestock to live on for yahrens. When the Nomen discovered they had been conned they went on a blood hunt. Chameleon used Starbuck to get off of the ''Rising Star''.

* Starbuck apologizes to Apollo and Boomer.

* Cassiopeia happily informs Chameleon that the genetic trace is positive, and Chameleon is Starbuck's father. Chameleon asks her to tell Starbuck that it is negative, or else Starbuck will give up everything he loves in order to spend time with an old crook.

* Cassie makes Chameleon promise to tell Starbuck the truth someday. Chameleon agrees, saying that it might be the day Starbuck gets sealed. Cassiopeia scoffs at the prospect of Starbuck ever getting sealed, but Chameleon lets her know that it might not be as unlikely as she thinks.

* Adama asks if Chameleon is his real name. Chameleon says that it is. Adama is pleased, as they have been getting messages from the senior ship from a Siress Blassie. She has agreed to take full responsibility for Chameleon's rehabilitation. Chameleon is hesitant, but Adama orders it to be so.

* Starbuck lets Chameleon know there aren't any hard feelings, and asks if he can stop by now and then to visit as friends. Chameleon is pleased, and is glad that Cassie has kept their secret. Starbuck offers to shuttle Chameleon to the senior ship.

* They leave, having a good time talking about Pyramid systems.

== Questions ==
* Why is Fred Astaire's character, Chameleon, pronounced ''Sha-ME-lee-on'' as opposed to ''Ka-ME-lee-on''?
* How many [[Nomen]] survived the [[Cylon]] attack on the Colonies?
* Did any [[Nomen]] women and/or children survive?
* Considering the size of the average [[Borellian Nomen|Noman]], how could one [[Viper]] assembled from stolen spare parts ferry all of them away from the [[Fleet]] to a habitable world?

== Analysis ==
* ''The Man with Nine Lives'' is another episode set on the Fleet, which introduces the Borellian Nomen, who return in [[Baltar's Escape]] as well as Chameleon, [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]'s father.

* Clearly, this episode is a kind of extrapolation of Starbuck's own life. One can imagine Starbuck, further along in years, still playing pyramid and dreaming up schemes, running from people he'd tricked, and mourning the beautiful wife of his youth. Chameleon clearly draws the connection when he compares [[Cassiopeia]] to his former spouse, and the story is set up for Starbuck and Cassiopeia to eventually get sealed. Although clearly a Starbuck-focused episode, we do see [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] and even Jolly in this one, and [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] has a bit of a role to play as well. Fred Astaire pulls off the part with aplomb, and it is nice to see him acting in this, one of his later roles.

* The [[Borellian Nomen]] remain some of the best Galactica villains, and are in a way precursors to the honor bound [[w:Klingons|Klingons]] of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', complete with bumpy makeup, but this episode was filmed over a year before the release of ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' where the bumpy headed Klingons first appeared. A broader back story is hinted at, with the mention of the honor 'code', the hierarchy within the group and the unique laser bola weapons.

* All in all, a warm episode with some entertaining action. The door is left open at the end of the show for Chameleon to return, and if there had been a second season, perhaps he would have.

== Notes ==
In this episode is a bit of Hollywood history. Fred Astaire, who was famous for his dance numbers in the golden era of movie musicals, had been reluctant to dance in any productions for years, but made rare exceptions. [[The Man with Nine Lives]] is one such exception - in this episode, very briefly, he can be seen to dance!

One oft suggested episode idea for the reimagined series would be to do a remake of The Man with Nine Lives, with [[Dirk Benedict]] cast as the father of [[Kara Thrace]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''After the Nomen ask for a place to pray in private:''
: '''Corporal Lomas''': I don't know how you guys are ever gonna make [[warriors]].
: ''(after Lomas turns his back, and is knocked unconscious by Maga)''
: '''Maga''': We ''are'' warriors.

== Guest Stars ==
*[[imdb:nm0000001|Fred Astaire]] as [[Chameleon]]
*[[imdb:nm0420331|Anne Jeffreys]] as [[Siress]] [[Blassie]]
*[[Lance LeGault]] as [[Maga]]
*[[imdb:nm0270366|Robert Feero]] as [[Bora]]
*[[imdb:nm0209815|Anthony De Longis]] as [[Taba]]
*[[Bruce Wright]] as [[Lomas|Corporal Lomas]]
*[[imdb:nm0059114|Dan Barton]] as Crewman
*[[imdb:nm0829986|Patricia Stich]] as [[Zara]]
*[[imdb:nm0662243|Frank Parker]] as [[Zed]]
*[[Leann Hunley]] as Warrior
*[[imdb:nm0405033|Alex Hyde-White]] as Warrior
*[[imdb:nm0390730|John Holland]] as [[Maitre d’]]
*[[Lynn Halpern]] as Pyramid Dealer

{{Episode List (TOS)}}

[[Category:A to Z|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:TOS|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (TOS)|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Donald Bellisario|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Holcomb|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]

The Man with Nine Lives

2007-04-14T12:16:09Z

Darthdoy11: /* Summary */

{{Episode Data
| image = gaming.jpg
| title= The Man with Nine Lives
| series= tos
| season=
| episode= 15
| guests=
| writer= [[Donald Bellisario]]
| story=
| director= [[Rod Holcomb]]
| production= 50916
| rating=
| US airdate= 1979-01-28
| UK airdate=
| dvd= 2004-12-28
| population=
| prev= [[War of the Gods, Part II]]
| next= [[Murder on the Rising Star]]
}}

== Overview ==

:''An old con man, [[Chameleon]], works his way into [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]'s life to avoid being tracked down by [[Blood Trail|blood-thirsty]] [[Borellian Nomen|Borellians]].''

== Summary ==
* It has been twelve [[Secton (TOS)|sectons]] since the [[Beings of Light]] gave ''Galactica'' the coordinates that presumably lead to [[Earth]]. The directions lack a reference to how long the trip is.

* The [[Warrior]]s have been given [[furlon]]s in order to relax and rejuvenate.

* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] can't wait to try out a new gambling system that he claims "can't lose."

* [[Chameleon]] is on a shuttle heading towards the [[Rising Star (TOS)|''Rising Star'']]. He watches a recruiting ad starring [[Omega]]. The show comes back on and the "Warrior of the Centar" being interviewed is Starbuck.

* [[Zara]] asks how old Starbuck is. Starbuck reveals that he doesn't know how old he is because he in an orphan, found wandering in the thorn forests on [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]].

* [[Chameleon]] pretends to be upset with the show, in order to avoid paying a transportation ducket to the attendant. He claims that he runs the news and interview shows for [[Inter-Fleet Broadcasting]]. The woman next to him seems rather impressed.

* He says that there are thousands of civilians in [[The Fleet (TOS)|the fleet]] doing jobs just as important as the warriors, and those are the stories that they should tell. He claims that they should interview the attendant, telling him to go to the Comp-Tel Ship after he gets off duty so that Zara can interview him next. The ploy works, and Chameleon is able to bluff the flustered attendant into thinking he had already given him a transportation ducket.

* Chameleon turns the broadcast back on, and Starbuck is explaining that his parents probably perished in the [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] raid on [[Umbra]]. It was destroyed in a sneak attack in 7322, after which thousands of children were found wandering around in the forest, including Starbuck.
* Aboard the ''Rising Star'' Chameleon pauses outside the Astral Lounge, pretending to have lost his wallet. The woman he had flown next to, Siress [[Blassie]], insists on spotting him the necessary funds. Chameleon agrees to take the money as long as she promises to return to his billet that night so he can "repay her."

* [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] and [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] enter the Astral Lounge, and Jolly is immediately drawn to the dancers performing in the middle of the room. Boomer wants to go get some food, but Jolly is content to watch the dancers.

* Starbuck believes that this activity will occupy those two for the rest of the furlon, and drags Apollo off to try his new gambling system.

* Chameleon and Siress Blassie enter as the dancers finish their act. Everybody gets on the dance floor and begins dancing "futuristically."

* Three hooded figures enter the lounge, and create quite a stir by their appearance. Boomer identifies them as being [[Borellian Nomen]]. Chameleon appears distressed at their coming. Boomer is surprised to see them, as they rarely mix with the Colonials. Jolly says that they don't, unless they are on a [[Blood Trail]].

* Boomer diffuses the tension in the room, the Nomen take a seat, and everybody resumes their activities.

* Chameleon asks to be excused, as he has some business to attend to. Siress Blassie is worried he is interview a young, beautiful warrior, but he assures her that he prefers experience to youth.

* The [[Taba|younger Nomen]] spots Chameleon and grabs for a [[laser bola]] off of his bandolier. They begin glowing and emitting a sound. Chameleon makes a break for it in the confusion.

* Jolly orders him to disarm it, but Boomer explains that once armed they have to be used, or else they explode. He has 50 [[micron]]s to use it before it detonates.

* Boomer has him throw it at a vertical supporter. A red line appears between the balls when thrown, and the bola wraps around the column and explodes (relatively harmlessly).

* Boomer claims that Borellian Nomen do not draw laser bolas by accident. The [[Maga|leader]] claims that he is young, and that the drink and the music excited him, and promises that it will not happen again.

* Boomer agrees, because if they are to remain they will disarm themselves. The younger Nomen claims that it is against their [[The Code|Code]] to be unarmed. Boomer says he should have thought of that before he drew his weapon. The leader believes they should have known better than to mix with other colonists. He informs Boomer that they will await transportation back to their ship in the docking lounge.

* Several ships are listed as destinations of the Canaris shuttle in the docking lounge.

* Maga holds [[Bora]] responsible for Taba's actions, because Bora is related to the young Nomen. Bora accepts the blame, and vows that they will bring their prey down. Maga wonders what would have caused Taba to break the Code by drawing his weapon without thinking. Taba claims that he saw Captain [[Dmitri]], but Maga is disgusted by Taba's lack of discipline. Maga says that Taba can apologize after he is punished, if he survives the punishment.

* Apollo is anxious, but Starbuck is winning at the [[Pyramid]] table with their money. Chameleon sits down at their table. As Starbuck is dealt his cards, he uses a calculator at the table to work his system. Based on his system, he decides to "hover" (stay), and raises his bet. Chameleon appears to believe Starbuck is acting foolishly. He points out that although the odds are 3:1 against the dealer having a capstone, but if she does he can't win, and his system doesn't consider that. Starbuck reduces his bet, and the dealer reveals a capstone. Everybody loses, so Chameleon has saved Starbuck some cubits.

* The Nomen are patiently waiting for their prey in the docking lounge.

* Chameleon claims to have been working Starbuck's system back on Caprica while Starbuck was still in swaddling clothes. He used to be a professional gambler, but now he is a genetic tracer. He can reunite orphans with their relatives using genetic tests.

* Chameleon had been badly injured in one of the earliest Cylon raids on Caprica. For five years after he was a traumatic amnesiac. After he recovered he learned that his wife had been killed in the raid, and his son had been lost. He's never been able to find his son.

* Starbuck asks where and when the attack took place, and Chameleon tells him that it was at Umbra on Caprica. Starbuck "reveals" that he was orphaned at Umbra. Chameleon points out that over 3000 children were orphaned in that raid, so the odds of him being Starbuck's father are astronomically low. Starbuck is hooked, though, and wants to pursue the possibility.

* Starbuck wants to run a genetic trace. Chameleon says that the waiting list is a yahren long, and he can't ethically move to the front of the list. He does have some alternate, less precise tests that could be run using equipment aboard [[Galactica (TOS)|''Galactica'']]. They order up a [[shuttle]] to ferry them to her.

* Apollo runs into Boomer, who tells him about the incident with the Nomen. Boomer thinks the situation is resolved, until Jolly approaches to inform them that the Nomen haven't left as they had promised. The warriors go to investigate.

* They begin to question the Nomen, and Maga invokes his rights as a human member of the fleet. Apollo accuses Maga of lying to Boomer by not leaving on the next shuttle, prompting Taba to again reach for his laser bola. Maga tries to stop him, and the warriors draw their laser pistols.

* Taba claims that Apollo insulted Maga. Maga informs Taba that if that had been the case, Apollo would be dead. It is Taba that has insulted Maga, twice now, and he must now answer to the code. His laser bola bandoliers are stripped from him, and he is informed that his name will be stricken from the Roster of the Nomen. Maga hands Taba over to the warriors, claiming that Taba no longer exists to him.

* A pair of [[Council Security|security officers]] escort Taba away.

* Boomer still wants to know why they haven't left. Maga claims that the shuttle ''Canaris'' was full, and they are waiting for the next shuttle. Maga denies being on a Blood Trail, saying that they wouldn't be returning to their ship if they were still hunting.

* Starbuck and Chameleon walk by on the way to the shuttle, and Chameleon eyes the Nomen warily as he walks past them. His plan to evade the Nomen appears to have worked.

* Bora respectfully asks Maga why he handed Taba over, rather than fighting to the death. Maga acknowledges that while the Colonials are weak, they have superior numbers. The Nomen must have the patience of the Scorpius. They realize that they need to figure out a way to get aboard ''Galactica''.

* [[Omega]] comes on the view screen with a message urging anybody interested in serving in the military to contact ''Galactica''.

* [[Sheba]], Boomer, Starbuck, and an unnamed female warrior discuss the situation on the shuttle ride to ''Galactica''. Sheba feels that it is a miracle that Starbuck may have found his father.

* Boomer realizes that the Borellian Nomen was looking right at Chameleon when he activated his laser bola, and that Chameleon might be the subject of a blood trail. If this were the case Chameleon might be looking for a way to get escorted off of the ''Rising Star'' safely.

* In the back of the shuttle, Chameleon is explaining how disappointed Siress Blassie is that he had to leave, but she understood given the circumstances. Starbuck, upon finding out that Chameleon had just met the Siress, believes that their similar prowess with the ladies proves their relation.

* [[Cassiopeia]] runs the alternate (less precise) test on Chameleon and Starbuck. The immediate results indicate that they are from the same planet, are from the same tribe, and are related within at least ten generations. Starbuck is elated, but Cassie points out that there several people within the fleet that could match that closely. Both patients agree to run the more precise genetic trace immediately.

* [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] holds an informal council with Sheba, Boomer, and Apollo over the possibility that Chameleon is conning them. Boomer reports that the Nomen left on the next shuttle as they promised, and the captured Nomen continues to claim that it was drink and excitement that caused him to activate the bola.

* Sheba points out that if he is running a con, he would want to delay the genetic tests. Apollo is beginning to feel like an "equinus's atrum". Adama points out that they could have [[Tigh (TOS)|Col. Tigh]] run a discreet security check, or even confront Chameleon. Apollo doesn't want to call him a liar to his face, and opts to have Sheba contact Tigh about running the security check.

* Col. Tigh welcomes a batch of prospective recruits to ''Galactica'', then hands them over to Flight Sergeant Omega to escort them to their quarters. Among the new recruits are the Borellian Nomen.

* Cassiopeia extracts a neuro cell from Starbuck and Chameleon in order to run the genetic trace. Starbuck is nervous about the procedure, but it is obvious that he is being a bit of a wimp about the whole thing.

* Apollo comes in during the extraction and asks that Cassie hold up Starbuck so that they can have a word alone with Chameleon.

* Chameleon remarks that Cassiopeia greatly resembles his wife (potentially Starbuck's mother). Starbuck confides that Cassie is the only woman he has considered getting [[seal]]ed to (someday, maybe, when they find Earth).

* Omega drops off the recruits in their quarters and instructs them to find a bunk. The Nomen intimidate another recruit into leaving them a bunk to themselves.

* [[Lomas|Corporal Lomas]] is in charge of the watch, and lets the recruits know that he is there to assist them.

* The Nomen as the Corporal the location of Lieutenant Starbuck, as they wish to thank him for saving their lives during the escape. Lomas informs them that he is located on Beta deck with the rest of Blue Squadron, but that they are not allowed to leave the area until their security checks are completed.

* Boomer and Apollo take Chameleon for a drink in the [[Officer's Club]]. They explain their suspicions that he was using Starbuck in order to get a warrior escort. Chameleon admits that the Nomen might have been throwing the bola at him, because he ran a genetic test that proved that a child was not one of their nephews. However, he did not feel he needed warrior protection. Apollo apologizes for doubting him.

* The Nomen approach Lomas asking for a private room to pray in. They claim that failing to pray in private is an unpardonable sin according to their code. Lomas explains that they are restricted to quarters until their security checks come through, but for the sake of religious freedom Lomas offers to let them use the supply closet. The Nomen knock out Lomas when he turns his back.

* Starbuck encounters Apollo and Boomer in the hallway. Tigh runs into them, and begins to tell Apollo about the results of the security check on Chameleon. Starbuck takes great offense to Apollo and Boomer's doubt, declaring their friendship to be over.

* After Starbuck storms off Tigh reveals that according to fleet records, Chameleon doesn't exist.

* They take this news to Adama in [[Core command]]. They try to figure out what he wants. Boomer speculates that it is protection from the Borellian Nomen. Upon hearing this, Tigh asks for the location of the Borellian Nomen recruits. Omega tries to call the duty desk, but there is no response. A security team is dispatched to apprehend them. Starbuck and Chameleon are to be taken into protective custody.

* The nomen, dressed as deck crew, ask a pair of warriors where they might find Starbuck. The male replies that he is on furlon, but the female says that he is back as she saw him walking towards launch bay alpha with a civilian.

* Starbuck is showing Chameleon around the inside of a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] cockpit. He demonstrates where the laser generators are, remarking that when they are activated the button on the control stick unleashes millions of voltons of firepower.

* Starbuck says he's going to miss flying Vipers, but he's going to resign his commission in order to spend time with Chameleon to make up for lost time, helping Chameleon at his job as a genetic tracer.

* Just as Chameleon begins to tell Starbuck what the "truth of the matter is", the Nomen approach. Chameleon ducks into the cockpit, and Starbuck jumps down to investigate.

* The Nomen demand to know the location of "that jackal, Captain Dmitri." Starbuck says that he's alone, and asks what is going on. "A blood hunt," the Nomen replies, as both sides take cover. The sound of charging laser bolas can be heard.

* They exchange bola and laser fire, missing their first volleys. Starbuck is knocked over by a near miss, losing his [[laser pistol]].

* Starbuck runs down the [[Launch tubes (TOS)|launch tube]], and the Nomen pursue. Chameleon fiddles with the controls, arming the laser generators. Chameleon warns Starbuck, yelling "Son, hit the deck!" He fires the Viper's lasers into the launch bay, as Starbuck drops flat, then jumps and is blown clear of the tube.

* Chameleon rushes to Starbuck's side, but Starbuck appears to be ok aside from the soot. The cavalry arrives. Apollo checks with Starbuck as Boomer and a pair of [[Blackshirt]]s run down the tube to check on the Nomen. Boomer requests medtech assistance, as the Nomen have somehow managed to survive.

* Starbuck explains that the Nomen are on a blood hunt for Captain Dmritri, but he doesn't know of a Captain Dmitri. Chameleon explains that he is Captain Dmitri, sort of.

* Starbuck relates the story to Adama, how during one of his many occupations Chameleon discovered that the Nomen were hoarding supplies (enough parts to build a Viper). Chameleon posed as Captain Dmitri of the [[livestock ship]], and the Nomen paid him to slip them enough livestock to live on for yahrens. When the Nomen discovered they had been conned they went on a blood hunt. Chameleon used Starbuck to get off of the ''Rising Star''.

* Starbuck apologizes to Apollo and Boomer.

* Cassiopeia happily informs Chameleon that the genetic trace is positive, and Chameleon is Starbuck's father. Chameleon asks her to tell Starbuck that it is negative, or else Starbuck will give up everything he loves in order to spend time with an old crook.

* Cassie makes Chameleon promise to tell Starbuck the truth someday. Chameleon agrees, saying that it might be the day Starbuck gets sealed. Cassiopeia scoffs at the prospect of Starbuck ever getting sealed, but Chameleon lets her know that it might not be as unlikely as she thinks.

* Adama asks if Chameleon is his real name. Chameleon says that it is. Adama is pleased, as they have been getting messages from the senior ship from a Siress Blassie. She has agreed to take full responsibility for Chameleon's rehabilitation. Chameleon is hesitant, but Adama orders it to be so.

* Starbuck lets Chameleon know there aren't any hard feelings, and asks if he can stop by now and then to visit as friends. Chameleon is pleased, and is glad that Cassie has kept their secret. Starbuck offers to shuttle Chameleon to the senior ship.

* They leave, having a good time talking about Pyramid systems.

== Questions ==
* Why is Fred Astaire's character, Chameleon, pronounced ''Sha-ME-lee-on'' as opposed to ''Ka-ME-lee-on''?
* How many [[Nomen]] survived the [[Cylon]] attack on the Colonies?
* Did any [[Nomen]] women and/or children survive?
* Considering the size of the average [[Borellian Nomen|Noman]], how could one [[Viper]] assembled from stolen spare parts ferry all of them away from the [[Fleet]] to a habitable world?

== Analysis ==
* ''The Man with Nine Lives'' is another episode set on the Fleet, which introduces the Borellian Nomen, who return in [[Baltar's Escape]] as well as Chameleon, [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]'s father.

* Clearly, this episode is a kind of extrapolation of Starbuck's own life. One can imagine Starbuck, further along in years, still playing pyramid and dreaming up schemes, running from people he'd tricked, and mourning the beautiful wife of his youth. Chameleon clearly draws the connection when he compares [[Cassiopeia]] to his former spouse, and the story is set up for Starbuck and Cassiopeia to eventually get sealed. Although clearly a Starbuck-focused episode, we do see [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] and even Jolly in this one, and [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] has a bit of a role to play as well. Fred Astaire pulls off the part with aplomb, and it is nice to see him acting in this, one of his later roles.

* The [[Borellian Nomen]] remain some of the best Galactica villains, and are in a way precursors to the honor bound [[w:Klingons|Klingons]] of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'', complete with bumpy makeup, but this episode was filmed over a year before the release of ''Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' where the bumpy headed Klingons first appeared. A broader back story is hinted at, with the mention of the honor 'code', the hierarchy within the group and the unique laser bola weapons.

* All in all, a warm episode with some entertaining action. The door is left open at the end of the show for Chameleon to return, and if there had been a second season, perhaps he would have.

== Notes ==
In this episode is a bit of Hollywood history. Fred Astaire, who was famous for his dance numbers in the golden era of movie musicals, had been reluctant to dance in any productions for years, but made rare exceptions. [[The Man with Nine Lives]] is one such exception - in this episode, very briefly, he can be seen to dance!

One oft suggested episode idea for the reimagined series would be to do a remake of The Man with Nine Lives, with [[Dirk Benedict]] cast as the father of [[Kara Thrace]].

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''After the Nomen ask for a place to pray in private:''
: '''Corporal Lomas''': I don't know how you guys are ever gonna make [[warriors]].
: ''(after Lomas turns his back, and is knocked unconscious by Maga)''
: '''Maga''': We ''are'' warriors.

== Guest Stars ==
*[[imdb:nm0000001|Fred Astaire]] as [[Chameleon]]
*[[imdb:nm0420331|Anne Jeffreys]] as [[Siress]] [[Blassie]]
*[[Lance LeGault]] as [[Maga]]
*[[imdb:nm0270366|Robert Feero]] as [[Bora]]
*[[imdb:nm0209815|Anthony De Longis]] as [[Taba]]
*[[Bruce Wright]] as [[Lomas|Corporal Lomas]]
*[[imdb:nm0059114|Dan Barton]] as Crewman
*[[imdb:nm0829986|Patricia Stich]] as [[Zara]]
*[[imdb:nm0662243|Frank Parker]] as [[Zed]]
*[[Leann Hunley]] as Warrior
*[[imdb:nm0405033|Alex Hyde-White]] as Warrior
*[[imdb:nm0390730|John Holland]] as [[Maitre d’]]
*[[Lynn Halpern]] as Pyramid Dealer

{{Episode List (TOS)}}

[[Category:A to Z|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:TOS|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (TOS)|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Donald Bellisario|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Holcomb|Man with Nine Lives, The (TOS)]]

Final Five

2007-04-09T08:34:39Z

Darthdoy11: /* Awareness of the Five by other seven Cylons */

{{s3cleanup}}

[[Image:TheFinalFive.JPG|right|thumb|300px|The Final Five in the Kobol Opera House]]
The term "'''final five'''" collectively describes five of the twelve [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylon models]] whose identity, knowledge, or existence has been deliberately or accidentally lost to seven of the Humanoid Cylon models.

[[Caprica-Six]], when asked by Gaius Baltar about the five missing models he has not seen on the [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] he lives on or on [[New Caprica]], curtly replies that the others do not talk about the subject ([[Torn]]).

==The unauthorized quest for the Five==

A [[Number Three]] copy, whom [[Gaius Baltar]] calls by her human alias, [[D'Anna Biers]], repeatedly commits suicide to get glimpses of five white-cloaked beings that she believes are images of the final five. She attempts to draw what she has seen, but has difficulty in doing so ([[Hero]]).

One detailed sketch which she briefly shows to Baltar depicts her personal artistic rendering of the faces of the five ([[The Passage]]). The sketch is meant to depict [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Tory Foster]] and the twelfth and final Cylon. ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

[[Image:FFSketches.jpg|thumb|left|Sketches of the Five.]]
Baltar's ability to see a virtual doppelganger of Caprica-Six (as well as enjoying her company in various pleasant environments) lead him to suggest that he might be using a Cylon technique known as [[projection]]. This suspicion, in turn, makes Baltar begin a personal inquiry into his own nature after allying himself with D'Anna-Three.

The two eventually make their way to the [[algae planet]], where a Colonial structure, the fabled [[Temple of Five]], awaits with possible answers ("[[The Passage]]", "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]"). When the system's dying star goes nova, a ray of light is generated by the mechanisms of the temple. D'Anna steps into the light and suddenly finds herself back in the [[Opera House]] and before the same image of the Five, not persistent. Upon seeing their faces she recognizes one of them in particular, saying in surprise "You... forgive me... I had no idea." She is then pulled back to reality and collapses in Baltar's arms, apparently suffering the effects of a brain hemorrhage. She tells Baltar, "You were right," but dies before answering about what, or telling him what she saw. She tells the [[Cavil]] who greets her in the tank that there are five other Cylons, and he will see them some day.

In a rather striking irony, as the Three sacrifices all to see the Final Five, [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are just outside the Temple, being shot at by her centurions. Only because Tyrol delays firing off explosives left in the temple does she get a chance to stand within it at activation.

Although four of the final five have been revealed ([[Crossroads, Part II]]), the identity of the person she recognized remains a mystery ([[Rapture]]).

==Awareness of the Five by other seven Cylons==
Caprica Six indicates that the Cylons do not speak of the Five, but she knows how many there are. [[D'Anna Biers]] also indicates to Baltar that they do not discuss the Five. A [[Cavil]] realizes in the [[Temple of Five]] that D'Anna is attempting to see the Final Five, and not simply seeking [[Earth]]. He tells her "That can't happen" and points a gun at her to stop her, but is shot by Baltar. Later, a Cavil explains that because of her obsession her entire line will be [[boxing|boxed]] ([[Rapture]]).

A [[Leoben Conoy]] claims that "Adama is a Cylon" though neither Adama is one of the other six Cylons he should know. If an Adama were a member of the final five, Leoben should not, in theory, know this. It is commonly believed that he is lying ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

The [[Boomer]] copy of Number Eight, interrogated by Baltar, declares there are eight Cylons in the Fleet. (One of the final five is being poisoned in front of her to extract this information, though she should not be aware he is one.) As [[Samuel Anders]] is not on the Fleet at this time, along with [[Leoben Conoy]], [[Simon]] and [[Aaron Doral]], the number is correct, given the likely presumption that the unrevealed member of the final five is with the Fleet. (If she is not including herself, the number is incorrect.) The number may be a guess, or a lie, or she may actually have some reason to know one of the final five is not with the Fleet ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).

A [[Three]] and the resurrected Boomer on Caprica, don't recognize Anders as a Cylon and refer to him as human ([[Downloaded]]).

While [[Centurion]]s are programmed to recognize and obey the [[humanoid Cylon]]s, on a number of occasions they shoot at members of the final five, including Anders both on Caprica and outside the Temple of Five, and most members during the exodus from [[New Caprica]]. However, they do not hit them.

Both [[Caprica Six]] and [[Sharon Agathon]] share a dream vision in which the glowing, white-robed figures of the final five are shown in the [[Opera House]] ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

==Four Revealed==
As the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] draws closer to the [[Ionian nebula]], four people begin hearing an [[The Music|unusual melody]] on wireless radio: these four are Colonel [[Saul Tigh]], Chief [[Galen Tyrol]], Ensign [[Samuel Anders]] and presidential aide [[Tory Foster]] ([[Crossroads, Part I]]). Tyrol and Anders say that the song seems like something from their childhoods, while Tigh becomes progressively more disturbed as he begins to hear the music everywhere on ''Galactica''. Foster becomes noticeably distracted, irritable, and unkempt, claiming to have not been sleeping well. When the fleet finally arrives at the Ionian Nebula the song becomes clear to the four who can hear it and they begin to stalk the halls of ''Galactica'' muttering its mysterious lyrics. Eventually, the four arrive at ''Galactica''’s gym and upon seeing each other the truth becomes clear to them; they are Cylons, four of the final five. The nature of these Cylons is clearly different from the other seven. In particular, Colonel Tigh's friendship with William Adama stretches back to shortly after the end of the first Cylon War and in an interview<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07085/770732-352.stm|title=Post-Gazette Moore interview}}</ref> RDM states Tigh "fought in two wars." ([[Crossroads, Part II]])

===Connections between the Colonial gods and Cylon god===

*The Temple of Five was built over 4,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], long before the Cylons existed. The [[Thirteenth Tribe]] would, logically, have no knowledge of these automatons in the strictest sense. However, the Thirteenth Tribe has significant prophetic insight, as shown in the works of [[Pythia]]. According to Colonial scriptures, "Five pillars of the temple were fashioned after the five priests devoted to the one whose name cannot be spoken". This may have been another Lord of Kobol, given that on a deleted scene [[Elosha]] noted that the fall of [[Kobol]] and its civilization was due in part to a "jealous god".

*On [[New Caprica]], D'Anna/Three meets [[Dodona Selloi]], a human [[oracle]], who relays a message from Three's God, despite the oracle's association with the Lords of Kobol.

*With this information, there is a strong, but unexplained correlation or connection with the the Cylon God and the Lords of Kobol.

===The Eye of Jupiter and Kara Thrace===

*The Eye of Jupiter storyline introduced an association between Kara Thrace, a human that "doodled" a circular image as a child with no prior derivation (her old apartment on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] has a painting of the image from the episode, "[[Valley of Darkness]]"), and the mandalas or icons of the eye that decorated a temple built 4,000 years before her birth. No further information is revealed other than the prophecy from [[Leoben Conoy]], who told Thrace of an unexplained "destiny" ([[Flesh and Bone]]).

===Illusion or Truth===

*The threes hunt for and see visions of the Five, which leads to the other Cylons themselves [[boxing]] the entire line of Threes after her discovery, but whether this is done to suppress the notion or actual information of the final five or to relieve the other Cylons of an aberrant model is unclear.

*Later, in dream visions of the [[Opera House]] shared by [[Laura Roslin]], [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Caprica Six]], the same 5 glowing figures seen by Three appear, along with the same chamber with six drapes, this time empty. Six sees them for a more prolonged period in a second vision.

*As the Temple of Five was apparently built for human usage, the Temple may have only allowed the transitional visions that the Threes see to be more persistent and clear. It may never be revealed what Baltar (or another human) would have seen. While Baltar believed Three and actively participated in her quest, both his virtual Six and a [[Hybrid]] noted that he, not D'Anna/Three, was intended to use the Temple's imaging mechanism as the "chosen one". The human association and significance of the five priests, the god they worshiped, and their connections with the Cylons, Kara Thrace and Baltar are not yet explained.

==Notes==

* The podcast for "[[Rapture]]" confirms that the final five Cylons have not been [[boxing|boxed]]<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Rapture|act=4|id=firstboxing|timestamp=41:47|totalrunning=}}</ref>.
* During a Q&A session on the official Sci Fi channel Battlestar Galactica forum Ronald D. Moore notes that he already knows who the last Cylon is, and that he's already left clues as to who it is<ref>[http://forums.scifi.com/index.php?showtopic=2270103&st=0&p=3041263&#entry3041263 20 Answers - SCI FI FORUMS] Retrieved 03-27-2007</ref>.

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

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