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Humanoid Cylon

2009-02-14T19:07:19Z

JacekJurewicz: /* Galen Tyrol */

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:''For information on the robotic Cylons of the [[Original Series]], see [[Cylons (TOS)]]. For information on a human-appearing Cylon from ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[Andromus]].''

:''This article is capitalized for technical reasons. The correct term is "humanoid Cylon" and is not a proper noun.''

[[Image:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|Cylon copies of (from left) [[Number Six]] (two copies), [[Number Two]], and [[Number Five]] (two copies), at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
'''Humanoid Cylons'''<ref>Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons during Season 1. Here on the ''Battlestar Wiki'', the [[BW:TERM|descriptive term]] "Humano-Cylon" was used for a time. Dialogue in several episodes throughout Season 2 has canonically established "Cylon agent" to refer specifically to Cylon infiltrators, but since [[Sharon Agathon]] works for the Colonials, ''Battlestar Wiki'''s preference is to use "humanoid Cylon" (which [[Tricia Helfer]] often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name). Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the humanoid Cylons as "skin jobs," an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''. William Adama refers to them as "humanoid models" in "[[Precipice]]".</ref> are the quintessential [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon form]] in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. These Cylons biologically mimic human form so completely that they are nearly undetectable to current Colonial technologies.

Humanoid Cylons have the capacity to emulate many human physical acts, including sex. They also display convincingly human personalities (affection, jealousy, sadness, anger, sense of humor, religious faith, etc.) This behavior continues even when interacting with other Cylons outside of Colonial scrutiny, clearly establishing that their personalities are genuine.

The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] through their use of sabotage and infiltration.

==Origins==

Following the end of the [[Cylon War]] ([[Miniseries]]), nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years.

[[Image:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|Numbers [[Number Six|Six]], [[Number Three|Three]], and [[Number Eight|Eight]]]]
During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed or evolved into a ''humanoid form''<ref>The idea of Cylons in humanoid form in ''Battlestar Galactica'' is not new. This concept appeared over 25 years earlier in the episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" in the short-lived spinoff of the Original Series, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Unlike the humanoid Cylons, however, [[Andromus]] was an [[Wikipedia:Android|android]], akin to the character of [[MemoryAlpha:Data|Data]] from ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.</ref>.

The creation of the humanoid Cylon is left to speculation based on series events. While the opening credits claim that the Cylons "evolved", the concept of biological evolution (in the [[Wikipedia:Darwinism|Darwinian fashion]]) is impossible with mechanical beings. The "evolution" is obviously a planned architectural change from the mechanical to the biomechanical for the inherent Cylon design.

The first step in their evolution from pure machines to organic beings was known as the "[[First Hybrid|Hybrid]]." Other [[hybrid]]s were later created to control [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] ([[Razor]]). Exactly how the original Cylon, the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]], a sentient robot "evolved" to the humanoid form is uncertain.<ref>Information noted from the start of [[Miniseries]] (the existence of the [[Armistice Station]]) indicates that the original Cylons were not only sentient, but capable of intense emotion. [[William Adama]] confirms that the new robotic successor to the Model 0005 were built by the humanoid Cylons without sentience to avoid the possibility of the new [[Cylon Centurion]] from creating an overthrow attempt at their humanoid masters.</ref> Saul Tigh, a humanoid Cylon, has an apparent age that would place his birth (if he was born) well before the first Cylon War, and possibly even before the creation of the original mechanical Cylon. His military record documents his existence during the war. [[Number Three]]'s conversation with [[Number One]] immediately before she was [[boxing|boxed]] indicates that the humanoid Cylons do not know who programmed them or why.<ref>The final scene of "[[Rapture]]".</ref>

Series information shows that the humanoid Cylons existed in secret for at least two years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Colonies' destruction]]. This information does not provide concrete evidence as to when the first models were created or how long they have been among the human population. [[Final Five|Some of them]] were among the human population for at least several decades prior to the war.

Unbeknownst to anyone until the rediscovery of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], humanoid Cylons existed thousands of years before the creation of Cylons in the Twelve Colonies, and were the thirteenth tribe that left [[Kobol]] and settled Earth. Unlike the later Cylon Significant Seven, they were unique individuals rather than copies. The Cylon Final Five were five of them. The colony was wiped out in a nuclear attack of some kind, but Final Five were later reborn by a pre-arranged mechanism.

==Physiology and Psychology==
Humanoid Cylons are visually indistinguishable from humans, down to the cellular level, but not completely at a molecular level. Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] is able to create a [[Cylon detector|detector]] that can distinguish Cylon from human, but rarely used the device to a positive end ("[[Litmus]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]").

Each humanoid Cylon has the same face, stature, hair, eye and skin color, gender, apparent age, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. This point technically makes each copy a twin of itself, but there are some models that choose to make cosmetic differences. Examples include [[D'Anna Biers]], [[Gina Inviere]], and a Number Six model with black hair ([[Torn]]). In addition, each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences.

The Cylon brain appears to have the same basic anatomical structure as the human brain and is claimed by [[Caprica-Six]] to operate on the same principle ([[Escape Velocity]], yet is based on the [[silica pathways|silica pathway]] technology developed by the Colonies for the original mechanical Centurion models ([[Miniseries]]). It is this inherited technology that apparently allows humanoid Cylons to do things that a human brain and nervous system may not or cannot do, such as stellar navigate with the naked eye ([[The Face of the Enemy]], Episode 2), program and compile computer code ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]), and interface directly with other technologies ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

Humanoid Cylons can be programmed as "sleeper agents", who appear to have a low-level Cylon personality that can conduct operations while placing the human sleeper personality "on-hold." [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]] was one such agent ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Most agent copies, particularly [[Number Five|Numbers Five]] [[Number Six|and Six]], assume a human persona but are fully aware of their true nature and behave more or less as a human "spy."

[[Image:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".]]
They are susceptible to the same emotional traumas and joys that their human counterparts are, as they cannot "turn off" their ability to feel pain or other emotions ([[Escape Velocity]]), further proving that personalities are a realistic part of their psyche. A case in point is a copy of Number Six, known as [[Gina Inviere]], who is physically and sexually assaulted repeatedly by the crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''. These repeated assaults lead to Inviere's near-catatonic state at the time ''Pegasus'' discovers the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).

Humanoid Cylons can dream, a process that appears to be natural to them<ref>A Number Three speaks casually to Doctor [[Cottle]] about her [[Dodona Selloi|prophetic dreams]] of the child [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]".</ref>, however they do not biologically require sleep, and the Ones have reprogrammed themselves to prevent it.

Some or all Cylon female models may have the capacity to bear children seeded by human males ("[[33]]", "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"). The Cylons tested numerous methods of sexual reproduction, yet these failed due to a known flaw in their design. The seven widely known models of Humanoid Cylons cannot reproduce with each other biologically, so in an attempt to subvert this deficiency, they try to interbreed with humans, creating hybrid offspring. "[[Farms]]" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, specifically, young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination<ref>Ron Moore said there are presumably also farms for male humans, plus ''in vitro'' experiment labs, etc.</ref>. However, these methods have been unsuccessful thus far. Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love. To most of the characters it seems that [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]]'s love-child, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is the lone success story of the relatively short history of Cylon sexual reproduction ([[The Farm]]), with the hybrid nature of [[Galen Tyrol]]'s child [[Nicholas Tyrol]] unknown to anyone but the four recently revealed members of the Final Five. More recently, the humanoid Cylons [[Saul Tigh]] (another of the Final Five) and [[Caprica-Six]] have conceived an unborn child.

The bodies of humanoid Cylons sometimes appear to have tremendous stamina and strength, and appear to be designed to destroy or resist commonly dangerous human diseases<ref>The blood from [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]'s fetus destroys the cancer within [[Laura Roslin]]'s body in "[[Epiphanies]]".</ref>, although they are not immune from all contagions<ref>An infection ravages the Cylons in the episode, "[[Torn]]".</ref>. In keeping with their desire to be a better human, however, the Cylons did not or could not further improve on other characteristic design flaws of the human body.<ref>Dr. Cottle complains of birth complications with Caprica-Valerii in the episode, "[[Downloaded]]".</ref> Humanoid Cylons are heavily fortified to resist damage from intense radiation fields that would kill a human after short exposure ([[The Passage]]), but they are still susceptible to damage from [[Ragnar|certain types of radiation]] or trauma ([[Miniseries]]). Despite their resistance to certain forms of energy, humanoid Cylons, unlike the [[Cylon Centurion]], cannot be made "bulletproof" ("[[The Farm]]", "[[Precipice]]", "[[Hero]]").

==Cylon Religion==
{{mainarticle|Cylon Religion}}
The Cylons follow a [[Cylon Religion|monotheistic religion]] to varying extents. Fanatical devotion to God is the central part of [[Number Two]]'s character, whilst the [[Number Six|Sixes]], [[Number Three|Threes]] and to a lesser extent the [[Number Eight|Eights]] also seem to have strong faith. The [[Number One]]s appear to be atheistic. [[Number Four|Fours']] and [[Number Five|Fives']] views are not so well known, but they too take the "non-religious side" in the [[Cylon Civil War]].

==Cybernetic Behavior==
[[Image:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|120px|thumb|[[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]] interfaces with ''Galactica's'' [[Computers|computer systems]].]]
Upon the death of its body, a humanoid Cylon's consciousness is automatically transferred into another copy of itself. This "[[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]" is limited by signal integrity and proximity to the Cylon homeworld or a [[Resurrection Ship]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").

It appears that all humanoid Cylons share a ''collective knowledge base'' of data from other active or deactivated humanoid Cylons, regardless of their model.<ref>A collective knowledge base works more like an internet chat forum, or even a wiki, which differs from the concept of the collective consciousness as seen in SciFi species such as the Borg in ''Star Trek.'' Writers of the show have indicated this type of "hive mind" is ''not'' employed. Many Cylons are seen describing or detailing events that one of the models experienced but did not participate, such as [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii's]] description of meeting Kara Thrace for the first time--a memory physically experienced not by that Number Eight copy, but [[Sharon Valerii|"Boomer" Valerii]], in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". When under duress, "Boomer" Valerii is able to tell [[Gaius Baltar]] the number of remaining humanoid Cylons in the Fleet. This information would be impossible to know without a collective knowledge base to all humanoid Cylons ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])</ref>

As a humanoid Cylon downloads after being killed, it is apparent that the Cylon's memories are automatically stored for future use, such as uploading them into another copy of that specific model. Once these memories are implanted they become as real to the receiving Cylon as their own original memories. This downloading of memories seems to be involuntary as [[Sharon Agathon]] had no reason to do such a thing ([[The Hub]]).

The humanoid Cylons' psychology is based on what they simply refer to as "[[projection]]". Essentially an enhanced form of a self-induced and controlled hallucination, projection is how they choose to see the world around them, in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could choose to see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. This mode of visualization is pleasing to humanoid Cylons ([[Torn]])<ref>[[Gaius Baltar]]'s dreamlike interactions with his [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] is strikingly similar to Cylon projection. See the article, [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] for more on this issue.</ref>.

Although they cannot do so remotely or wirelessly, humanoid Cylons can interface with a [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer system]] or computer network by photo-electrical means. They can perform this through subdermal physical contact if required ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) or, preferably, through a [[data-font|Cylon data-font]]<ref>[[Sharon Agathon]] steals back the Fleet's [[launch key]]s by infiltrating a Cylon base by using a Cylon data-font. Humanoid Cylons are seen operating a basestar in the episode "[[Torn]]" by touching an optical pad that illuminates these arm interfaces.</ref>. This might be possible through the use of bio-luminescent and photosensitive cells in their hands.

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|left|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]
The presence of a water-like fluid as an integral part of the basestar, the ability to interface photo-electronically through subdermal and dermal contact, and the fact that humanoid Cylon are anatomically indistinguishable from human beings, implies that the techniques used in their creation are advanced enough to incorporate cybernetic functions into their design without the use of specific internal structures other than human-like organs.

After being "stared at" by a [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], [[Samuel Anders]]'s right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent [[IFF]] procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

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== The Thirteen Cylon Models ==
[[Image:Cylonagentdossier.jpg|right|200px]]
There are twelve models of humanoid Cylons ([[Miniseries]]), representing twelve personality archetypes that the Cylons have witnessed in humanity. These can be divided into two separate groups, the "Significant Seven"<ref name="sign7">{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Frak Party Q and A|act=|id=Sig7|timestamp=19:14|totalrunning=78:27}}</ref> and the "Final Five".
According to show producers, the two groups are "fundamentally different." The religion, origin, physiology and cybernetic properties of the Final Five remain largely unrevealed. The introduction of [[Number Seven]] during [[No Exit]] increments the total number of Cylon models to thirteen, though there only twelve of them are active.

The Significant Eight have numerical designations, however the Final Five do not<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20080611|title=Rants & Reviews - Live at the "Battlestar Galactica" Midseason Finale Premiere|date=11 June 2008|accessdate=13 June 2008|last=Sullivan|first=Brian Ford|format=|language=}}</ref>, leaving the number seven apparently unassigned. All the Significant Eight models except the Sixes have come to be associated with a particular "human name", and even other Cylons will refer to "Leobens", "Sharons", "Daniels", "D'Annas" and so on. There appears to be no significance to any of the specific numbers assigned to the different Cylons.<ref>On [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/ Ronald D. Moore's blog on Scifi.com], he stated that "Number Six was specifically a homage to 'The Prisoner,' but the rest [of the humanoid Cylons] were assigned their numbers randomly."</ref>

===Significant Eight===

Seven of the Eight models revealed to the viewers as Cylons have also been revealed to the central Colonial characters within the first two seasons. With the exception of Number Seven, who is deactivated ([[No Exit]]), there are many copies of each model, although the specific number of copies per model has not been denoted. However, a [[Number One]] known as Cavil has stated it is in the millions. The identities of these mechanized copies are determined by their model and each model is unique ([[Six of One]]).

==== [[Number One]] ====

[[Image:Pensieve One.jpg|thumb|left|Number One/Cavil]]
One of the Number One models poses as a Colonial [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Brothers|brother]] named Cavil, a lay clergyman in the Fleet.

Ones do not appear to subscribe to overall theology of the Cylons, but adhere to group consensus, and often are persuasive leaders. Ones have displayed a condescending attitude toward the beliefs of the other six known Cylons at times.

In several instances, the Ones advocate dark, draconian solutions to the insurgency on [[New Caprica]] that reveal a militant zeal equaling that of Numbers Three and Five.

This Number One model in particular seems to be in something approaching a leadership role on one of the basestars, as seen in the episode "[[Six of One]]". This model assumes some authority and wields influence over the others, yet decisions are still reached through majority vote. However, this is soon overturned by the rebellion of the Cylons led by [[Natalie]], a [[Number Six]], and the body of this One is killed by Centurions. The resurrected Cavil assumes leadership of one faction in the [[Cylon Civil War]].

After the resurrection of [[Ellen Tigh]], it is revealed that the [[Number One]] model assisted the [[Final Five]] in creating the other models of the [[Significant Eight]]. Unfortunately, the [[Number One]]'s eventually rebelled against the Five and exiled them to the [[Twelve Colonies]] with their memories erased. During the process, the entire [[Number Seven]] model line was deactivated.

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==== [[Number Two]] ====

[[Image:Leoben2.jpg|thumb|right|Number Two/Leoben Conoy]]
Number Two, better known as Leoben Conoy, is the fourth model seen by viewers (although viewers would not know until the end of the [[Miniseries]] that they had already seen the third introduced humanoid Cylon, Sharon Valerii). The Two model has shown to be mystically oriented--making references to the oneness of the universe, the illusion of time, etc.--and claims to be prescient on some level, albeit with a known propensity for intermixing truth with falsehoods. He is first discovered on [[Ragnar Station]], claiming to be a scavenger and arms dealer ([[Miniseries]]).

The Two models also appear obsessed with matters of mating, bonding, and reproduction, as demonstrated by a particular model's fascination and obsession with [[Kara Thrace]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Occupation]]", "[[Precipice]]" and "[[Exodus, Part II]]").

Two can be likened to the serpent of the [[w:Genesis|Genesis]] tale in the Earth [[w:Bible|Christian Bible]], taunting people with knowledge, then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Copies have likely been encountered by the [[Caprica Resistance]], as [[Samuel Anders]] recites in jest some comments made by another Number Two copy captured in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Farm]]").

The Number Twos are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Three]] ====

[[Image:Number Three.jpg|thumb|left|Number Three/D'Anna Biers]]
First seen posing as a reporter from the [[Fleet News Service]], this model is revealed to be a Cylon at the end of "[[Final Cut]]" when a second copy is shown living on Caprica. Threes seem to be the most calculating and duplicitous models shown to-date, even manipulating and deceiving other models if they feel warranted. The copy that tried to [[Boxed|box]] Sharon Valerii exhibited these characteristics strongly in the episode "[[Downloaded]]".

This model's status as a Cylon is unknown to the Colonials until either shortly after the rescue of the surviving members of the [[Caprica Resistance]] or after the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

After the Threes defy other Cylon models in their attempt to discern the identity of the [[Final Five|five missing Cylon humanoids]], the other Cylons conclude that the Three model has an inherent flaw that threatens their overall reliability. After the failure on the [[algae planet]] to gather information on the path to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], the Cylons have all Number Three models [[boxing|boxed]] indefinitely, until she is unboxed to ostensibly stop the rebels from fighting ([[Rapture]]). With the [[Resurrection Hub]] destroyed, she is the only Number Three copy in existence. She joins the rebels to make contact with the Final Five and eventually reaches Earth with them ("[[The Hub]]", "[[Revelations]]").

The first encountered copy of this model appeared under the alias "[[D'Anna Biers]]", and the D'Anna name is sometimes used to describe the model as a whole.
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==== [[Number Four]] ====

[[Image:Simon Farm2.JPG|thumb|right|Number Four/Simon]]
The Number Four model is first encountered by [[Kara Thrace]] on Cylon-occupied [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]]. Posing as a doctor under the name Simon, this Number Four is actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice ([[The Farm]]) Unlike other models, Number Four does not seem to have many military aspects to his physical or mental configuration, and is easily overcome by a wounded Thrace. Simon may be a model based primarily on human intellectualism and logic<ref>A Four expresses the moral dilemmas of rescuing a crippled basestar as having no scientific answer in "[[Torn]]".</ref>. It is unknown if a Four model infiltrated the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] prior to the occupation of [[New Caprica]]. In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Number Four model during the occupation.

The Number Fours are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Five]] ====

[[Image:Doral.jpg|thumb|left|Number Five/Aaron Doral]]
This model attempts to sow the seeds of discontent or confusion, particularly during crucial life-threatening situations, and endeavors to undermine authority that threatens his objectives ([[Miniseries]]). Number Five models are more covert, assuming an ordinary "everyman" appearance that's blended in what may seem to be insignificant behind-the-scenes issues (such as converting ''Galactica'' into a museum). Of all the models thus far, the Number Five models are the most militant, fanatic and consistent in message and objectives to the Cylon objectives, whether he is dispassionately discussing the fate of humanity with his comrades or attempting to kill or maim Colonials in a suicide bomb attack ([[Litmus]]).

Viewers first meet a Number Five during a tour of ''Galactica'' with other Colonial citizens (possibly the press) at the start of the Miniseries, but are not sure of the Cylon's true identity until the Miniseries' conclusion.

Copies of this model have appeared under the alias "[[Aaron Doral]]".

The Number Fives are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Six]] ====

[[Image:Number Six.jpg|thumb|right|Number Six]]
This is the first humanoid Cylon model shown to viewers at the start of the [[Miniseries]].

Stunningly beautiful, promiscuous and sensual, this model utilizes the human need and desire for sexual relations to her advantage. She tends to be very religious and monotheistic. Number Six desires to know what it is to be alive. There is something inherently enigmatic about her, more so than with the other models. Sixes have been described as "usually so hardcore", referring to their tendencies towards violence.

Sixes are the only model who appear not to have one particular "human name", copies have appeared under the aliases "[[Shelly Godfrey]]", "[[Gina Inviere]]", "[[Natalie]]", "Lida", and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies). [[Virtual Six]], whom only [[Gaius Baltar]] can see is a mainstay of the cast, and is clearly the dominant party in their "relationship".

The Number Sixes are part of the rebel faction, of which Natalie was originally the leader, in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Seven]] ====

Number Seven, also known as "Daniel", is a previously-undisclosed model whose existence is revealed in ([[No Exit]]). This model is believed to be deactivated due to a sabotage by Number One prior to the Second Cylon War.

==== [[Number Eight]] ====

[[Image:Eight.jpg|thumb|left|Number Eight/Sharon]]
Number Eight is generally a saboteur designed to infiltrate Colonial military units and is likely programmed to use any Colonial munitions to cause havoc ([[Water]]). The Number Eight model is the closest witnessed humanoid Cylon model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters. She is apparently not as religious as other Cylon models, but has demonstrated that she can love, and is capable of being impregnated by a human ("[[Six Degrees of Separation]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").

She may be "defective", as the Cylon programming within the sleeper agent known as "Boomer" on ''Galactica'' conflicts multiple times with its human personality ([[Water]]). Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] on Caprica switches alliances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|for a time]] (several episodes, most notably "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]"). Number Eight is the third humanoid Cylon introduced during the [[Miniseries]]. However, viewers do not discover her true identity until the very end of the Miniseries when a second copy of Sharon Valerii appears at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] while retrieving an abandoned copy of Number Five.

A copy of this model has appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]." One copy, [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], has defected from the Cylon and has joined the Colonial Fleet, generally replacing her "Boomer" counterpart as a [[Raptor]] pilot.

The Number Eights are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War, with the exception of Boomer (who is Cavil's consort) and Athena (who is aligned with the human fleet).
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=== Final Five ===

{{Mainarticle|Final Five}}

The identities of the remaining five Cylon models remained a mystery long after the revelation of the identities of the "Significant Seven".

In "[[Torn]]", [[Caprica-Six]] mentions to [[Gaius Baltar]] that the Cylons do not talk about or know the identities of the missing five humanoid Cylons. In "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" four major characters discover they are Cylons: [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Saul Tigh]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]]. They were previously unaware of their nature, and this information was limited only to themselves. It is not until "[[Sometimes a Great Notion]]" that Saul Tigh comes to the realisation that his wife [[Ellen Tigh]] is the final Cylon.

==== [[Samuel Anders]] ====

[[Image:Samuel Anders.jpg|thumb|right|Samuel Anders]]
'''Samuel T. "Longshot" Anders''' is a [[rook]] Viper pilot aboard ''Galactica'', former resistance fighter, and husband to Captain [[Kara Thrace]].

Prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon assault on the Colonies]] he was a [[Pyramid]] player for the [[Caprica Buccaneers]] and was leading his team in high-altitude training in the mountains outside of [[Delphi]] when Caprica was attacked. Anders and the resistance movement conduct acts of terrorism against the Cylons for months with variable success until their eventual rescue by [[Kara Thrace]].

He settles on [[New Caprica]] and becomes a leader of the [[New Caprica Resistance]], along with [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] when the Cylons arrive. After the Fleet's abandonment of New Caprica and the apparant death of his wife, Anders decides to follow in her footsteps by obtaining a commission and joining the Fleet as a [[nugget|pilot trainee]]

After becoming aware of his Cylon nature Anders joins the ''[[Demetrius]]'''s crew on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], an action which eventually leads to an unintended conflict with [[Felix Gaeta]]. The events on board Demetrius lead to the unboxing of [[Number Three|D'Anna]], who is aware of his nature as a member of the "[[Final Five]]".
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==== [[Tory Foster]] ====

[[Image:Tory Foster.jpg|thumb|left|Tory Foster]]
'''Tory Foster''' becomes President [[Laura Roslin]]'s new aide and campaign manager following the death of [[Billy Keikeya]].

When President Roslin makes the decision to keep the new-born [[Hera Agathon|Cylon/human]] baby as far away from [[Sharon Agathon]] and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] as possible, it is Tory who chooses [[Maya]] ro raise the child. During the occupation of [[New Caprica]] Tory is responsible for ensuring the safe transport of Maya and Hera off the planet, but she fails at this task.

Before and during the trial of ex-president [[Gaius Baltar]], she is tasked with helping Roslin assemble a tribunal to bring charges against Baltar, as well as establish security arrangements ("[[The Woman King]]", "[[The Son Also Rises]]", "[[Crossroads, Part I]]").

Since the events of the [[Ionian nebula]] Tory appears to have embraced both being a Cylon and her own version of Baltar's teachings, allowing her to by-pass feelings such as guilt and adopt an almost [[w:hedonism|hedonistic]] approach to life. She declares herself to be "perfect", something that uneases fellow Cylons Tigh and Tyrol, and is in marked contrast to Tigh's and [[Caprica Six]]'s guilty consciences ([[Escape Velocity]]).

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==== [[Ellen Tigh]] ====

[[Image:Ellen_Tigh_drink.jpg|thumb|right|Ellen Tigh]]
'''Ellen Tigh''' was the wife of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] and a survivor of the [[Cylon Holocaust]]. Ellen claims to have been on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Picon|Picon]] at the time of the Cylon attack, on her way back home for a reunion with her husband. When the airport was hit in the attack, she claims an anonymous hero found her unconscious body and got her on to one of the last transports out, where she had been unconscious aboard the ''[[Rising Star (RDM)|Rising Star]]'' for some three weeks prior to Adama finding her.

Ellen is well known for her sexual promiscuity and her desire for power. After Adama's attempted assassination, she encourages her husband to take extreme measures to assert his authority, sometimes in contrast to the more reasoned approaches he is proposing. Her pressures lead her husband to drink and take irrational steps, including a standoff on the ''[[Gideon]]'' that leaves four people dead.

One year after [[New Caprica]] is colonized, Ellen Tigh settles on the planet. Her husband joins her later, after Admiral Adama's insistence. After the Cylons arrive Ellen begins a relationship with [[Cavil]] to protect her husband. When her collaboration is discovered the resistance leaders compel Saul Tigh to execute his wife. Saul carries out the execution by poisoning Ellen's drink prior to the [[Battle of New Caprica]] ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

In a vision on Earth, Saul Tigh realizes that Ellen is the last of the [[Final Five]].
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==== [[Saul Tigh]] ====

[[Image:Saul Tigh.jpg|thumb|left|Saul Tigh]]
'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', and serves as acting commander in the absence of [[William Adama]].

Since the Cylon attack Tigh has proved himself to be an excellent battle manager and tactician. His quick actions sometimes saved the ship and the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] from damage or destruction ("[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", "[[Scattered]]", "[[Valley of Darkness]]").

Tigh has a somewhat unheathy marrage with his wife Ellen. Soon after her reunion with Tigh he returns to drinking and often finds himself acting as an unknowing pawn as his wife plays her political schemes. After the attempted assassination of Adama by [[Sharon Valerii]] Tigh temporarily acts as Commander of the Fleet, a position which almost leads to [[Gideon|catastrophe]].

During the occupation of New Caprica Tigh commands [[New Caprica Resistance|the resistance]]. In the months spent on the planet Tigh suffers many harsh losses, including losing an eye to the Cylons and the death of his wife.

After learning of his Cylon nature Tigh finds himself repeatedly visiting [[Caprica-Six]] in the [[brig]] in an attempt to understand and come to grips with his unwanted identity, a course of action that is not without [[Sine Qua Non|consequences]].
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==== [[Galen Tyrol]] ====

[[Image:Galen Tyrol.jpg|thumb|right|Galen Tyrol]]
'''Galen Tyrol''', often referred to as "Chief", is the highest ranking NCO remaining aboard ''[[Galactica]]''. Tyrol was demoted for a while until [[Peter Laird]] was KIA before being reinstated as Galactica's "Chief" again ([[No Exit]]). He is a respected an well liked officer on Galactica, and has great respect for Commander Adama. Tyrol attempts to model his own style of command after Adama, unknowingly modeling even the [[You Can't Go Home Again|extremes of his style]], such as the reckless actions he [[Scattered|sometimes makes]] in support of his subordinates.

For several months prior to the Cylon attack, and in its aftermath, Tyrol was engaged in an affair with Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii]], one of ''Galactica'''s [[Raptor]] pilots, a relationship which was forced to end. Tyrol is part of the team assembled on the ill-fated recon to [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] on the [[Raptor 1]], which then crashlands near the ruins of the [[Tomb of Athena]].

By the time he has settled on [[New Caprica]] Tyrol is married to [[Cally Henderson]] and is the father of a young son, [[Nicholas Tyrol|Nicholas]]. Together with [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Samuel Anders]] he runs the [[New Caprica Resistance]].

Tyrol has difficulty coping with the revelation that he is a Cylon, beginning to cut himself. Although trying to act normally, Tyrol's changed behavior eventually has an effect on his marriage. He blames himself for Cally's apparent suicide, but finds himself unable to pull the trigger when he tries to kill himself.
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==Early Generation Cylons ==

The [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|thirteenth tribe]] consisted of an earlier generation of Cylons with unknown properties. They colonized [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. They were a diverse population, without a limited number of models. Their bones, when tested using Cylon procedures, match as Cylon, but little else is known about their Cylon nature. The Final Five lived among them and may be similar models. ([[Sometimes a Great Notion]]).

== Human/Cylon Hybrids ==

Conceived by [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon|Karl Agathon]], the infant [[Hera Agathon]] is the first known human/Cylon hybrid<ref>These beings should not be confused with the living computer of a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], also called a [[Hybrid]].</ref>.

[[Gaius Baltar]]'s internal [[Number Six]] regularly insists that Hera is actually the child of herself and Baltar, though there is no physical reason yet presented to justify that claim.

For some time Hera was hidden away from both humans and Cylons, and believed to be dead by her parents. President [[Laura Roslin]] had the baby hidden with [[Maya]] as her adoptive parent. Despite Roslin's attempts to protect the child on [[New Caprica]], Hera is later found by the Cylons ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

After Hera's mother discovers that her daughter is alive, she uses her ability to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] to transport to the Cylon ships, and manages to convince [[Caprica-Six]] to return the child to ''Galactica'' for medical treatment for a possible intestinal blockage, which the Cylon doctors, lacking pediatric knowledge, were unable to comprehend ([[Rapture]]).

A child, [[Kacey Brynn]], is presented by a Number Two model to [[Kara Thrace]] as a hybrid offspring purportedly created with their genetic material in the episode "[[Precipice]]". The Cylons' ruse is revealed when Kacey's real mother later claims the child, who is a normal human girl ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

[[Nicholas Tyrol]] was thought to be a human-Cylon hybrid until it was revealed that [[Galen Tyrol]] is not his biological father. He is a fully human baby.

== Speculated Infiltrators ==

:''See the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article for analysis on characters and their likelihood of being a humanoid Cylon, based on episode information.''

== Notes ==

*[[Ronald D. Moore|Ron D. Moore]] stated in an interview with ''[http://www.thefandom.com/Article50.phtml TheFandom.com]'', "There is no original human Sharon. The idea is not that there was likely an original human model that they were copied from. The idea was that these models of Cylon were sort of developed out of their own study of us. The Cylons on some level looked at humanity and said 'You know what? There's really only 12 of you.' If these are the 12, and sort of if you look at them they each represent different archetypes of what humanity is." This established as canon that:
** There are precisely twelve ''human'' Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
** '''None''' of the humanoid Cylons were ''ever'' an actual human.
** The twelve models are based on archetypes determined by the Cylons that form what they perceive were the specific kinds of human behavior and/or personality, distilled into twelve varieties.
* A [[Cylon Centurion]] cannot distinguish the differing versions of one model from another ([[Precipice]]). For example, if faced with two differing Number Eight models, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], it would not be able to discriminate between them without external aid.
* While Centurions may not be able to tell the difference between different versions of the same model, other humanoid Cylons do not have this problem ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Exodus, Part I]]", "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", "[[Six of One]]").
* According to [[Cavil]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]", the pain associated with each successive [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] is worse than the one before. The first download feels like little more than a headache, but the third feels like someone has rushed a white hot poker through the head. However, this might be a subjective feeling that varies with model and circumstances. [[Sharon Agathon]]'s report in "[[Scar]]" supports Cavil, but a [[Number Three]] considers her last download to be rejuvenating ([[Downloaded]]).
*Some characters refer to humanoid Cylons as "skinjobs". This is a reference to the film ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' in which [[Edward James Olmos]] has a supporting role. In the movie "skinjob" is used as an insult to [[w:Replicant|replicants]], which are bio-mechanical robots made to look human.
*According to Ron Moore, the Final Five Cylons, unlike the Significant Seven, "do not" have model numbers <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20080611|title=Rants & Reviews - Live at the "Battlestar Galactica" Midseason Finale Premiere|date=11 June 2008|accessdate=13 June 2008|last=Sullivan|first=Brian Ford|format=|language=}}</ref>.

== See also ==

* [[Cylon Culture]]
* [[Cylon Religion]]

== References ==

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

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

{{featured article candidate previous}}

[[de:Humanoider Zylon]]
[[ms:Cylon manusia]]

List of terms (TOS)

2007-08-29T15:10:22Z

JacekJurewicz:

This is a listing of terms in the [[Original Series]]. For terms seen in the Original Series' spin-off, ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[List of terms (1980)]]. For terms used in the [[Re-imagined Series]], see [[List of terms (RDM)]].

== Acronyms ==

* [[CORA]]: Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a [[Viper (TOS)|Viper]] ([[The Long Patrol]])

== Military jargon ==

* "flash inspection": an inspection of military assets that is performed without prior notice by a superior officer ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* "four-point peel off": a maneuver performed with a group of four Vipers ([[War of the Gods, Part I]])
* "free flight jump": an infantry parachute landing, having jumped out of a shuttle ([[The Living Legend, Part II]])
* "maximum G-climb": a maneuver done near a celestial body, which may cause the pilot to blackout; Starbuck orders [[CORA|C.O.R.A.]] to perform this maeuver, which causes the pursuing [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]] to crash into the loading docks on [[Proteus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* "stand alert": Colonial term for "attention" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* "stripped and moduled": a consequence of severe infractues in military law, likely similar to being stripped of one's rank and thrown in hack; [[Greenbean]] expresses a fear of this happening as [[Giles]] asks where he got the alcohol from ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* [[Warrior]]: an all purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot

== Sayings ==

* "[[daggit]] drivel": a term used to describe someone's lies, similar to "garbage" or "bullshit"; [[Lucifer]] uses this term when asking if [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] believes [[Specter]]'s false reports ([[The Young Lords]]).

* "For the glory of [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)#Caprica|Caprica]]": saying used by the Colonials, particularly those from Caprica ([[Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]]).

* "Go rust yourself": Colonial equivalent to "go fuck yourself", typically used towards Cylons; Cadet [[Cree]] says this to [[Vulpa]] while the Cylons interrogate him ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I]]).

* "[[w:laser|laser]] in their side": analogue to "thorn in their side", [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] uses this term to describe how the actions of [[Megan]]'s surviving children have kept their father alive at Cylon hands ([[The Young Lords]]).

* "like a [[daggit]] on a sunspot": fidgety; [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] points out that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] acts this way during his pre-flight meeting on destroying the [[Cylon Mine|mines]] in the [[Straits of Madagon]] ([[Saga of a Star World]]).

== Other colloquialisms ==

* astrum: buttocks ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
* [[Barge Lice]]: a "term of endearment" for prisoners on the ''[[Prison Barge]]''
* [[felgercarb]]: expletive, similar to "crap"
* [[frack]]: expletive, similar to "shit"
* [[galmonging]]: an expletive, possibly similiar to "asshole" or "God damned"
* mong-raking: an expletive; after thwarting their attack on ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'', [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] comments that "those mong-raking [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] are in a state of shock right now" due to the apperances of ''[[Pegasus (TOS)|Pegasus]]'' ([[The Living Legend, Part II]])
* plant vapors: a [[w:psychoactive drug|psychoactive drug]] familiar to the Colonials; [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] comments that one of the women on [[Carillon]] was probably "smoking plant vapors" ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[pogees]]: expletive, similar to "shit" ([[The Living Legend, Part II]])
* [[socialator]]: a sex worker, escort, prostitute ([[Saga of a Star World]])

== ''Battlestar Galactica'' specific terms ==

* [[ambrosa]]: an expensive alcoholic intoxicant
* bio-pulse line: an unspecified body function, possibly an emotional state; [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] attempts to use this as an excuse to not join [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]]'s mission to clear the [[Cylon Mine|Cylon minefield]] ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* boraton: a liquid that extinguishes fires ([[Fire in Space]])
* [[breather]]: term for a breathing mask, or a life support system supplying air ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* bureautician: bureaucrat, politician ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[carbide]]: a likely term for [[w:carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]] or [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* centura: possibly an expression related to percentages. "If we just let him lie in that life pod he doesn't have a chance in a centura" ([[Fire in Space]]).
* chronometers: a time keeping device ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* crawlon: a spider ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* [[cubit]]: a form of coined currency
* [[daggit]]: a dog
* death stone: [[w:tombstone|tombstone]] ([[The Long Patrol]])
* drone: a term for a robot, such as [[Muffit II]] ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* ducket: a type of prepaid voucher used on the shuttle ''[[Canaris]]'', typically collected at the end of the shuttle trip ([[The Man with Nine Lives]])
* [[fumarello]]: a small cigar that [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] typically smokes
* [[furlon]]: a [[w:furlough|furlough]], or short leave of absence for [[Warriors]] in the Colonial Military service ([[The Man with Nine Lives]])
* geogram: a diagram; [[Ravashol]] shows [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] a geogram of the [[Ravashol pulsar|pulsar]] with instructions on how to destroy it ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]])
* [[glaiders]]: coined currency on [[Equellus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* [[grog]]: an intoxicating beverage, likely similar to beer
* [[Homemade Buzzer]]: a version of "[[w:moonshine|moonshine]]" on [[Equellus]] ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* hovermobile: apparently a form of ground transportation, that can be hotwired [[Fire in Space]]
* ion vapors: likely term referring to the trail of a turbo engine ([[The Long Patrol]])
* [[isoldin]]: a type of intravenous fluid given to patients ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* leisuron: a vacation or leave of absence, similar to a [[furlon]] ([[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Saga of a Star World|deleted scene]], "[[Saga of a Star World]]")
* life pod: a life support bed used in the life center aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]])
* [[lupus]]: a wolf-like animal
* mega star: a [[w:star|star]]; in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|deleted scene]], Omega reports of the "mega star" they detect as they leave the [[magnetic void]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]])
* mega sun: a [[w:star|star]]; the Nomen come from the "land of the mega sun" ([[The Man with Nine Lives]])
* med tech: a medical technician, such as a nurse or orderly
* modocker: an unknown term, likely of endearment; [[Cain (TOS)|Cain]] asks [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] how Adama is by asking, "Well, how is he? How is that old modocker?" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
* [[mushies]]: a food
* [[nightflyer]]: an [[w:owl|owl]]-like creature on [[Equellus]] that hoots ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* officiator: someone who oversees a [[triad (TOS)|triad]] game
* [[oviner]]: a rancher ([[The Lost Warrior]])
* plant vapors: some sort of drug, likely a reference to [[w:marijuana|marijuana]] ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[pluton poisoning|pluton]]: a radioactive material whose radiation breaks down food ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[pods]]: a [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylon]] outpost ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* primaries: basic food groups ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* protein: another type of food
* [[pyramid (TOS)|pyramid]]: a card game, similar to [[w:poker|poker]]
* [[quadrant]]: a term for solar system
* [[scanner]]: term for a computer monitor and telelvison set
* scorpius: likely term for a scorpion; [[Maga]] comments that [[Borellian Nomen]] have the patience of such a creature, he also comments that the name "Borellian Nomen" strike fear at the hearts of those who hear it like the scorpius ([[The Man with Nine Lives]])
* sleep period: Colonial term for bedtime
* [[seal]]: marriage
* sickbed: term for bed rest when one is recovering from an illness ([[The Young Lords]])
* skybus: a type of starship ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[solium]]: a type of fuel
* [[solonite]]: an explosive used in demolitions ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]])
* [[spacedrome]]: a space port ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* tape coder: a voice recording device; [[Thane]] successfully passes off a [[hand mine]] as a device ([[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part II]])
* telecom: an internal communications phone aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Fire in Space]])
* tinhead: epithet used to describe Cylons ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])
* turboflush: a toilet ([[Greetings from Earth]])
* turboram thruster: a type of engine or thruster; in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|deleted scene]] where Serina completes her first landing, Serina turns off this part of the [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|Colonial shuttle]] as a part of her landing sequence ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]])
* turboshower: a shower ([[Murder on the Rising Star]])
* travelator: a travel agent ([[Saga of a Star World]])
* [[triad (TOS)|triad]]: a contact sport, similar to football or basketball
* [[tylium]]: a fuel source, highly combustible ([[Fire in Space]])
* [[daggit|wardaggit]]: "war dog" ([[The Living Legend, Part I]])

=== Units of Measure ===

{| class="messagebox"
|-
! BSG Unit
! Earth Unit
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Time measurements
|-
| width="99" | [[Yahren|yahren]]
| width="99" | [[Wikipedia:Year|year]]   [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
|-
| [[quatron]]
| [[Wikipedia:month|month]]
|-
| [[secton]]
| [[Wikipedia:week|week]]
|-
| [[time cycle]]
| [[Wikipedia:day|day]]
|-
| [[centar]]
| hour
|-
| [[millicenton]]
| 10 minutes
|-
| [[centon]]
| minute   [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
|-
| [[micron]]
| second
|-
| [[microcenton]]
| second [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Distance measurements
|-
| [[parsec]]
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|90 Million Miles]]
|-
| [[hectar]]
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles]]
|-
| [[sectar (unit)|sectar]]
| [[Wikipedia:Miles|9 Million Miles (?)]] [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
|-
| [[metric]]
| [[Wikipedia:Kilometre|kilometer]]
|-
| [[maxim]]
| [[Wikipedia:Metre|10 meters]]

|-
| [[metron]]
| [[Wikipedia:Metre|meter]] [[#Table notes|&dagger;]]
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" class="infoboxheader" | Scientific measurements
|-
| [[ergon]]
| ''unknown''
|-
| [[megon]]
| [[Wikipedia:megaton|megaton]]
|-
| [[radion]]
| [[Wikipedia:Rad (unit)|rad]]
|-
| [[volton]]
| [[Wikipedia:voltage|voltage]]
|-
| [[wavelon]]
| [[Wikipedia:wavelength|wavelength]]
|}

====Table notes====
# Yahren ''may'' be only about 2/3 of a year; see [[Yahren#Note|note]].
# In episodes such as "[[Saga of a Star World]]" and "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]", centon is used as the Colonial equivalent of a week before being retconned in later episodes.
# [[micron|Microcenton]] is likely another term for "micron"; [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] uses this term when he says "switching off [[Intercept 2|of you]] for a microcenton to scan ahead" ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]])
# A [[Sectar (TOS)|sectar]] is an unknown unit of measure, measuring either distance or time.
# "Metron" is used in a [[List of Deleted Scenes (TOS)#Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I|deleted scene]] as [[Serina]] approaches the starboard landing bay ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II]]); likely similar to a meter, which is known as a "metric" in other episodes

== See also ==

* [http://chrispappas.com/archives/wguide.html Battletar Galactica - Writers Guide], transcribed by Chris Pappas

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (TOS)]]
[[Category:Figures of Speech]]
[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:TOS]]
{{TOS}}

Baltar's Escape

2007-08-14T16:57:50Z

JacekJurewicz: corrected an episode reference

{{Episode Data
| image = Baltar's Escape.jpg
| title= Baltar's Escape
| series= tos
| season=
| episode= 18
| guests=
| writer= [[Donald Bellisario]]
| story=
| director= [[IMDB:nm0463926|Winrich Kolbe]]
| production= 50927
| rating=
| US airdate= 1979-03-11
| UK airdate=
| dvd= 2004-12-28
| population=
| prev= [[Greetings from Earth]]
| next= [[Experiment in Terra]]
}}

== Overview ==
: ''Joining forces with the imprisoned Borellians and the Eastern Alliance detainees, [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] escapes from the prison barge, hijacks a shuttle, and kidnaps members of the ruling council.''

== Summary ==

* Commander [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] is dictating a log. He states that [[Sire]] [[Domra]] and the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]] are firmly against him. He notes that the Quorum wants to release the [[Eastern Alliance]] prisoners and have an unarmed peace envoy accompany the Alliance enforcers back to their base on [[Lunar 7]]. Adama is determined not to let the same mistakes that lead to the downfall of the [[Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies]] occur again under this Quorum's leadership.
* Adama goes to the [[Prison Barge (TOS)|Prison Barge]] on a [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]] piloted by [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]. On the Barge, he engages Commandant [[Leiter]] in a discussion. There, Leiter goes to discuss how the [[Nationalist]]s wish to disrupt the "Natural Order" of things and how the Eastern Alliance has a [[Wikipedia:manifest destiny|manifest destiny]] to rule all life in the universe, for this is what the Alliance was created for.
* Leiter then gloats on how ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' is but a single warship, and how the Eastern Alliance will dispatch it like the "wolf pack does the bear".
* [[Reese]] interrupts the interrogation of Leiter, informing Adama that the Council wants the interrogation terminated and that Adama is to report directly to the Council immediately.
* Starbuck and Apollo object to this, believing that Adama should not have to answer to the Council as [[The Fleet (TOS)|The Fleet]] is under martial law. Adama holds steadfast in his oath as a [[Warrior]] to answer to the Council. He sternly states to the duo that he does not want to discuss the issue any further in front of the prisoner.
* Adama is summoned before the [[Quorum of Twelve (TOS)|Quorum of Twelve]] under the leadership of [[Sire]] [[Domra]]. Domra begins the meeting of the Quorum with the declaration that Adama is to receive the highest honor of the Quorum -- the [[Star of Kobol]] -- and also declares that the state of emergency has ended.
* Adama humbly refuses, claiming that there are still unforeseen dangers facing the Fleet. Adama then bluntly states that the meeting was called not to offer him an award, but to retire him.
* [[Siress]] [[Tinia]] chimes in: martial law will be dissolved and the Fleet will be returned to civilian control. Adama is to retain his vote on the Quorum and the command of ''[[Galactica]]''. In addition, ''Galactica'' will have an advisor from the Quorum. That advisor is none other than Tinia herself.
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] and [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] vehemently disagree with the decision. Adama retorts that perhaps the council is correct in ending martial law, noting that both [[Warrior]]s have forgotten their vows to serve and protect.
* Tinia quickly becomes a fixture in [[Core Command]], meddling in every decision of Adama's. This particularly chafes on [[Tigh (TOS)|Colonel Tigh]], who is barely able to maintain his composure.
* When Tinia orders [[Council Security]] forces to escort the Eastern Alliance prisoners to ''Galactica'' for a meeting with the Quorum, Tigh makes a crack about their effectiveness (or lack thereof). Tinia wants the Eastern Alliance prisoners to see the effect of the new civilian government, but the warriors fear the consequences of not being vigilant in this case.
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] is pulling [[Wikipedia:KP|KP duty]], reluctantly serving his inmates their food. When the [[Borellian Nomen]] come through the line, he tries to win them over, telling them he has saved them some Borellian dessert. They ignore him, and find a place to sit.
* Baltar refuses to take the hint, and takes a seat next to them for his meal. He introduces himself, and mentions the rumor that the Eastern Alliance prisoners are going to be transported to ''Galactica''. From what he has been able to determine, the Eastern Alliance appears to be a major player in this part of the galaxy, and Baltar suggests they might make worthy allies, possibly in some sort of escape.
* [[Maga]] points out that Baltar doesn't have a very good track record, but Baltar shrugs it off, blaming incompetent followers.
* Baltar suggests taking the shuttle when it comes to pick up the Eastern Alliance prisoners, and using it to escape. They would make their way to [[Lunar Seven]], where the Eastern Alliance would be grateful for the return of their prisoners and would offer them protection. Baltar fancies that he'll be treated like a prince, as will any who helps in the plan.
* The Nomen decide it is worth a try. Maga informs Baltar that when the time comes for them to escape, the Nomen will temporarily die. Apparently this is a survival technique known to the Borellian Nomen.
* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] and [[Sheba]] draw the assignment to pilot the shuttle to transport the prisoners. The Council Security ridicule the two warriors until Boomer uses some radical maneuvering to get them to strap in and shut up.
* In Core Command, Tinia and Tigh are in conflict. Tinia is insisting, much to Tigh's frustration, that there be no warriors present in the landing bay with the shuttle arrives. Tigh relents, and asks permission to leave as his shift has expired. Tinia makes sure to remind him not to go to the landing bay, and Tigh angrily asks if it is ok for him to go to the [[Officer's Club]] before heading out to that location. When Adama reminds Tinia that Colonel Tigh is an excellent warrior, but Tinia replies that what they need right now are excellent diplomats.
* Reese and the [[Blackshirt]]s escort the prisoners back to their cells. Reese instructs Leiter and his men to remain outside.
* Maga clutches his chest, and collapses. The bewildered guards draw their weapons, and watch helplessly as [[Bora]] and [[Taba]] collapse as well. They check the pulse of the Nomen, and find none. They immediately attempt to summon a medtech to help the prisoners.
* When the guards turn their backs to summon help, the Nomen spring into action, knocking the guards out. The Nomen use keys to free Baltar and explain that captivity has slowed their (still impressive) reflexes, and that their newfound freedom will help restore their normal form.
* The Eastern Alliance enforcers arm themselves with laser rifles from the armory, as well as their signature black helmets. The Nomen regain their traditional garb, and arm themselves with [[laser bola]]s. Baltar simply equips himself with Reese's [[laser pistol]].
* Baltar insists that the group take the shuttle to ''Galactica'' in order to recover the [[Eastern Alliance destroyer]] as well as Baltar's [[Raider (TOS)|Cylon Raider]].
* Eastern Alliance enforcers capture the communications station of the Prison Barge, forcing them to clear the shuttle for landing before destroying the communications equipment.
* Corporal [[Lomas]] and his companion disembark, only to discover that they have become the prisoners. They are used as hostages while the enforcers capture Boomer and Sheba, without a shot being fired.
* Baltar reveals his plan as the shuttle makes for ''Galactica''. Leiter's men will take out the guards and capture as many prisoners as possible. Baltar and the Borellian Nomen will take the lift straight to Core Command, hoping to seize control of ''Galactica''.
* Apollo and Starbuck are suprised to see Tigh at the Officer's Club putting a few away. Tigh relates his objection to Siress Tinia's plan of not having warriors in the landing bay, and relays the fact that the shuttle has been out of contact since it left the Prison Barge. Apollo and Starbuck leave to investigate, under the pretense of not being comfortable drinking with Tigh. Tigh is pleased that they took his hint.
* The shuttle is greeted by Sire Domra and the rest of the Quorum (save Adama and Tinia). Domra instructs the council to give the prisoners a warm welcome.
* The Eastern Alliance enforcers emerge with weapons blazing, quickly herding up the council into the shuttle.
* Baltar and the Nomen make straight for the lift, and emerge in Core Command. Apollo and Starbuck block their path, and a firefight ensues. The warriors drive the invaders back to the lift, where they use it to return to the landing bay.
* Adama and Tinia are stunned when they hear of the situation. Colonel Tigh reports back to duty, proven correct in his suspicion of the Eastern Alliance prisoners.
* Baltar contacts Adama through the communication system, revealing Boomer and Sheba as his captives. Baltar demands that his Raider and its [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|pilots]] be released, as well as the Eastern Alliance destroyer. Those ships, and the shuttle, will then fly to Lunar Seven. If the escapees suspect anything is wrong, they will detonate [[solonite]] charges that they have planted on the hull of ''Galactica''. Sire Domra is held in front of the display, and confirms that they have planted the charges.
* Once they reach Lunar Seven, if their demands have been met, the shuttle will be free to return to ''Galactica''. Baltar demands that everything happen within a [[Centar (TOS)|centar]], or he'll begin killing hostages one by one, beginning with Boomer. Boomer remains defiant, urging Adama to storm the landing bay, and is dragged off. Adama tries to bargain for more time, but Baltar remains firm.
* Apollo and Starbuck go to receive the Centurions, only to find them disassembled. [[Wilker|Dr. Wilker]] had hoped to reprogram them, but his in that area is far from completed.
* Tinia suggests storming the landing bay before Baltar can detonate the charges. Adama and Tigh are shocked at this militant turn from the Siress, but agree with her assessment. They prep some warriors outside the landing bay in case they order a raid.
* Adama contacts Baltar, letting him know that the Centurions are still in pieces and that Dr. Wilker needs time to assemble them. Baltar suspects Adama is plotting to attack him. Adama surprises Baltar, though, by offering himself as a hostage in exchange for an extra centar. Unable to pass up this opportunity, Baltar accepts.
* Siress Tinia chooses to accompany Adama, feeling responsible for the current situation.
* Once the Centurions arrive the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Colonials]] suspect there will be a lull in their defenses as the groups separate to their respective vehicles. Adama will then contact Tigh in Core Command to signal the assault.
* Dr. Wilker has assembled one of the Centurions. He orders it to turn on a scanner, and the Centurion awkwardly moves over to the scanner before putting its fist through it. Dr. Wilker is disappointed, but this development gives Apollo an idea.
* Baltar plays the role of the gracious host to his newest prisoners, escorting Adama and Tinia aboard the shuttle.
* Tigh is pessimistic of their odds of success, backed up by a computer simulation.
* The captors disagree about what to do with the prisoners. Baltar is the only one who seems to actually intend to release the prisoners, while the Nomen and the enforcers expect to kill them regardless of the outcome.
* The Centurions are assembled in time for the deadline, and are delivered to the captors.
* The Eastern Alliance enforcers board their destroyer, along with the Borellian Nomen.
* Adama is left unguarded and contacts the bridge, ordering Tigh to begin the attack. Tigh responds by ordering Adama to take off in the shuttle, which Adama does.
* The Eastern Alliance destroyer takes off after the shuttle launches. Baltar enters his Raider and orders the pilots to take off.
* The Centurion proves just as dextrous as it was in the lab, demolishing the controls.
* Apollo and Starbuck jump aboard the Raider and confiscate the detonator from Baltar before he can use it.
* The shuttle returns to ''Galactica'' safely. Vipers have begun pursuing the Eastern Alliance destroyer, hopefully leading ''Galactica'' straight to Lunar Seven.
* In light of recent events, the council votes to restore Adama's full authority over the Fleet. Tigh is relieved to hear that he will be seeing less of Siress Tinia, until Apollo points out Tinia entering with Adama. The two of them look quite cozy, driving Tigh to flag down the bartender.

== Notes ==
* Despite the fact that [[Maren Jensen]], [[Tony Swartz]], [[Noah Hathaway]] and [[Laurette Spang]] appear in the "also starring" credits, their characters are nowhere to be seen in the episode.
* Domra and the Quorum use the same trick that Sire [[Uri]] used in "[[Saga of a Star World]]": offer awards to people who are deserving of them and then declare a radical edict. In this case, the edict of the council is to dissolve martial law, assign Adama an aide and offer peace to war-mongering, dangerous fascists.
* The stunt that [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] pulled in the shuttle could not have occurred in space. There is no such thing as "leveling out" in space and therefore such an occurrence smacks in the face of science, given that the shuttle is not affected by gravity. (If the shuttle was in an atmosphere of a planet, then the trick to get the [[Council Security]] officers to shut up would have worked.)
* A missing scene showing the Eastern Alliance soldiers taking Colonial weaponry from a storage locker was cut for time. This explains why the Eastern Alliance and the Colonial Military Security force (seen preparing to storm the bay) are carrying the same rifles.

== Analysis ==

* Late in the run of the first Galactica television series, there was increasing pressure on the production to reduce costs, as TV ratings decreased. As a result, there was a tendency for episodes to re-utilize existing sets, and as a result, more episodes took place aboard the Galactica or other ships in the fleet. "Baltar's Escape", in this way, is one of the ultimate recycling episodes. It makes use not only of the sets of the Galactica hangar, bridge, and prison barge as it's primary settings, but also recycles a group of characters from prior episodes - including all the baddies that were all on the prison barge.
*Despite the need for frugality, however, "Baltar's Escape" is an entertaining episode. Putting Baltar together with the Eastern Alliance and the [[Borellian Nomen]] creates interesting juxtaposition, and a chance for the bad guys to interact with each other. Some might find it reminiscent of a Galactica version of the [[wikipedia:Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society of Super Villains]].
* At the end of the show, Baltar is again captured, and the Eastern Alliance prisoners flee aboard they vessel, with the Borellian Nomen along for the ride. The ulimate fate of the escapees is never dealt with, however. The episode ends with the capture of Baltar and although Blue Squadron, and [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]] in particular, pursue the Eastern Alliance cruiser back to Lunar 7 during the course of the next episode, ''[[Experiment in Terra]]'', this plot detail is lost amidst the drama of the intervention at Terra, and we never learn what happens to the Alliance villains or the Nomen.

== Questions ==
* Where is [[Sire]] [[Geller]]? (Sire Geller was the council leader in "[[Greetings from Earth]]".)
* Why were the weapons taken from the [[Borellian Nomen]] and the [[Eastern Alliance]] stored aboard the [[Prison Barge (TOS)|Prison Barge]]?

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==


''Starbuck comments on the rogues gallery:''<br />

:'''Starbuck:''' Baltar, Nomen and the Enforcers. At least we have all our enemies in the same place!<br />
:'''Apollo:''' Including the Council !

''Baltar sizes up his opposition:''<br />

:'''Baltar:''' Well, now, Lt. Boomer! How nice to see you. Too bad Starbuck and Apollo aren't here. I could settle all my debts at once.

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Ina Balin]] as [[Siress]] [[Tinia]]
*[[Lloyd Bochner]] as [[Leiter]]
*[[John Hoyt]] as [[Sire]] [[Domra]]
*[[imdb:nm0270366|Robert Feero]] as [[Bora]]
*[[Anthony De Longis]] as [[Taba]]
*[[Lance LeGault]] as [[Maga]]
*[[Bruce Wright]] as 4th Guard
*[[John Dullaghan]] as Dr. [[Wilker]]
*[[imdb:nm0446835|Ron Kelly]] as [[Reese|1st Guard]]
*[[imdb:nm2530887|Mitchell Reta]] as Control Operator
*[[imdb:nm0863892|Paul Tinder]] as 5th Guard
*[[imdb:nm0496158|Paul LeClair]] as 2nd Guard

{{Episode List (TOS)}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (TOS)]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Donald Bellisario]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Winrich Kolbe]]
[[Category:TOS]]
{{TOS}}

Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II

2006-03-13T14:23:26Z

JacekJurewicz: question about Crashdown

{{Episode Data|
Image = [[Image:Baltarlaydownburdensii.jpg|300px]]
| Title= Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II
| Series= [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|The Re-imagined Series]]
| Season= [[Season 2 (2005-06)|2]]
| Episode= 20
| Guests= [[Richard Hatch]] ([[Tom Zarek]])<br>[[Kate Vernon]] ([[Ellen Tigh]])<br>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001777/ Dean Stockwell] ([[Cavil|Brother Cavil]])
| Writer=[[IMDB:nm1093194|Anne Cofell Saunders]], [[IMDB:nm0894156|Mark Verheiden]]
| Story=
| Director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| Production=
| Rating=
| US Airdate= March 10, 2006
| UK Airdate=
| DVD=
| Population= 49,550
| Prev= [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]
| Next= TBA
}}

== Overview ==

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

== Summary ==

===On Caprica===

*[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]], the marines, and the [[resistance (movement)|resistance]] continue to take fire from Cylon centurions and artillery. They make their way up a hill, and hold their position.
*The Cylons hold fire, and Sharon 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 was spared.

===In the Fleet===

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

*[[Gaius Baltar|Dr. Baltar]] continues to gain in the polls. On ''[[Colonial One]]'', Tory mentions there's always a victory plan. [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] later calls a private meeting with Dr. Baltar, asking to deliver a joint statement of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_%28verb%29 tabling] the issue of colonization until after the election, which Baltar rejects.

*[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] returns to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', with the resistance fighters, much to the delight of Admiral Adama. She mentions the fact that the Cylons have left Caprica, and a man appearing to be Brother Cavill confirms it. He also says he has a message, but is attacked by Chief Tyrol, claiming he's a Cylon. Both Cavill and Caprica-Sharon are escorted to the brig under marine guard.

*The other Cavill (from last episode) is also taken to the brig, claiming he's not a Cylon, but changes his tune upon seeing his "brother", as he calls him. Both Cavills then talk about the fact that the “war heroes” (Caprica Six & ''Galactica''-Sharon) have talked about how the attack of the colonies and the pursuit of the fleet were mistakes. They were told 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-Sharon is completely disillusioned and nihilistic, declaring that since her child's death, nothing - not Adama's trust, not even Helo - matters to her. A frustrated Helo insists that he's not giving up on her, but she seems disinclined to listen.

*Election Day has arrived and Baltar has an apparent five thousand-vote lead over Roslin with only a few ships left. On ''Colonial One'', Tory makes a call to ''Galactica'', putting a plan into action.

*Amazingly, Roslin initially appears to have retained the presidency. While most are celebrating, Lt. Gaeta makes a startling discovery regarding the votes, and informs the Admiral that Col. Tigh may be involved in a conspiracy to throw the election.

*Admiral Adama confronts Roslin regarding the conspiracy, saying he has a confession to rig the vote. Roslin admits her involvement and Adama is disappointed.

*Baltar is informed of his election as President. He's less than pleased, vowing to have full investigation in time. President-elect Baltar then orders a course for “New Caprica”.

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

*''[[Cloud 9]]'' is destroyed by a nuclear blast, Gina being present before the explosion; in addition to the ''Cloud 9'', at least two other ships are destroyed in the blast. Admiral Adama reports to the president that this may be a Cylon attack, but Baltar ignores him and presses forward with colonization.

===One Year Later===
[[image:burdens2.jpg|Kara and Cottle on New Caprica.|thumb]]
*[[Felix Gaeta|Mr. Gaeta]] is reporting to the President regarding a Union issue aboard Colonial One, now down on the planet. Baltar is upset, saying there have been no Cylon attacks but the people still complain. He has regressed, turning to alcohol, medication, and womanizing.

*Admiral Adama, now sporting a mustache, is walking around the near-empty Galactica, which is quickly falling into disarray. Over half of the crew have moved down onto the planet, and they are running on such a skeleton crew that they barely have enough pilots to fly training missions, much less a good CAP. Adama has a discussion with Tigh about going down to the planet, which Tigh reluctantly agrees to do.

*[[Samuel Anders|Anders]], now Kara’s husband, is sick with pneumonia. Dr. Cottle is saying he can’t do much for him, saying there are no antibiotics available, but he is young and healthy, and with a little luck he "should" pull through.

*Kara runs into the Tighs as [[Tyrol]], now a union boss, is making a speech to begin a strike, the very pregnant Cally by his side. Saul mentions that ''Pegasus'' keeps the backup medical supplies and that Apollo would spring some for Starbuck. Starbuck disagrees, which prompts Tigh to state that Apollo should be "over that by now".

*Roslin is doing what she does best, 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]], whom Maya has named "Isis".

*Kara calls Lee,who has gained a lot of weight in the past year aboard ''Pegasus'', requesting the antibiotics. Dualla is now an officer, serving by Lee Adama's side in the ''Pegasus''' CIC. Before Lee can reply to Kara, Dualla catches something on [[DRADIS]].

*A fleet of [[Cylon]] [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s arrive in orbit around New Caprica. The Adamas are having a discussion about what to do, when [[Helo]] asks if alert fighters should be launched. Admiral Adama keeps them in as the defense fleet jumps away.

*Mr. Gaeta informs the President of the Cylon approach. Later, before his assembled staff, copies of Number [[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 declares surrender on behalf of the colonists, and as Cylon armies occupy the planet, Kara vows to resist.

== Questions ==

*Who is Baltar's vice president?
*What "number" is Cavil?
*Was Roslin's threat to put the two Cavils into space actually carried out?
**Most likely not, she had the election on her mind, much to do, and didn't actually make it an order. Baltar would have been unlikely to vent them into space.
*Where did the defense fleet jump to?
**Likely a prearranged rendezvous point, similar to that of the miniseries.
**If the Colonies have actually been abandoned, the defense fleet might have jumped back there. While the worlds may well be uninhabitable, there may still be weapons and fuel to salvage. If the Ragnar Anchorage is still intact, that might serve as a good place to re-munition.
***If that is the case, would the Fleet have enough fuel and crew to effectively re-arm the Battlestars?
***Although Roslin calls the colonies a "nuked out wasteland," it seems apparant from scenes of Caprica that not only is there extensive vegetation left, but the radiation is not bad. The cylons have actually rebuilt many of the buildings, and they live on the planet without suffering from radiation. Since it has been nearly two years since the original cylon attack, radiation on the planets would have gone down significantly.
*Where is Caprica-Sharon?
**Most likely, still in ''Galactica'''s brig. This is probably why Helo is still aboard ship, having taken a CIC officer's position.
***This seems to be confirmed by his ready acceptance of Adama's order to jump away from New Caprica; if Sharon was not still aboard he would have protested.
**In the podcast, Ron Moore vaguely hinted that they hadn't forgotten about Sharon, but that we'd have to "wait and see". Apparently, several of the early season 3 episodes will have flashbacks dealing with events that took place in the year that passed.
*What happened to Zarek?
*Why is Leoben looking for Starbuck, specifically?
** Could it be the same [[Leoben Conoy]] that Starbuck interrogated in "[[Flesh and Bone]]"?
*** As seen with ''Galactica''-Sharon, it is distinctly possible that that particular Leoben was lying when he said he'd actually die and not download.
** It is likely that, as the only escapee from [[The Farm]], they are interested in continuing with her. After all, there was an incision, and something had changed with her.
*Why has the population (until Tyrol's recent union speech) accepted Baltar's imperious rule? People were hardly so passive under Roslin. Indeed, Adama executed a military coup over a rather less important issue than giving a nuclear weapon to a Cylon agent.
**Perhaps they were less contemptible towards Baltar because he was the first legitimately elected ruler they've had since Adar's death.
**Admiral Adama wasn't conclusive as to how the weapon got on board Cloud Nine.
**Baltar pointed out there have been no attacks since he took office. Under Roslin the attacks were common. Perhaps for a year the people decided they preferred the safety Baltar gave them to their liberties.
**They did vote him in, and perhaps the struggle of trying to survive on this planet is distracting their attention, i.e. at first they weren't sure how much to blame on Baltar, or on the simple struggle of trying to rebuild. Howevever, it hasn't been a particularly smooth or easy presidency, as shown by the recent Union strike.
*Are the Six and Eight that Baltar surrendered to [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica''-Sharon]]?
**Judging from Six's reaction to Baltar, almost definitely.
*Where did the Cylon fleets go, after they left the Twelve Colonies? Cavil was deliberately vague when asked if they simply returned to the [[Cylon homeworld]].
*Did the nuclear bomb ever get picked up by the fleet's radiological alarms?
*How many people died in the Cloud Nine explosion?
**The Cloud Nine explosion also destroyed ships near it. Given the stated size of the New Caprica population along with subtracting the minimal crew sizes needed to maintain the ships in orbit, you can estimate that approximately 3000 to 5000 people died.
***The full complement of Cloud Nine may have been lower than its share in proportion to fleet size, as it was a luxury liner. It seemed to be continuing to serve as a public meeting and recreational vessel after the [[Colonial Day]] election. It seems plausible that the minimal crew required to operate Cloud Nine would have been small, as with the STL botanical garden ship destroyed in the pilot episode. Equally, since Baltar was being sworn in, it is possible that Cloud Nine was not at full population.
*When Gina-Six 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?
**They have already established that with the [[Resurrection Ship]] destroyed, Cylons in the fleet that are killed will ''actually'' die. Gina expressed suicidal impulses as early as "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]".
**Additionally, since the Cylons found the planet due to the radiation, it is unlikely that Gina was resurrected, as she then would have told the Cylons the location of the planet.
*** It is possible, perhaps even likely that the bulk of the civilian population was deliberately left in the dark about the fleets exact location, just in case there were Cylon agents in the fleet.
*Given Roslin's memories of Baltar with Six, why didn't Admiral Adama suspect Baltar of handing over the nuke to the cylons? If he did suspect him, why not act on it?
**He had no real proof.
*Did the events of "One Year Later" actually happen, or were they a dream or vision sequence given to Baltar?
**Although Baltar has had elaborate visions in the past, this vision left Baltar's point of view several times, addressing issues such as the marriage of Kara to Sam Anders and Adama's friendship with Tigh that are of little knowledge or importance to Baltar.
***Ron D. Moore has stated in interviews that the first 4-5 episodes of season 3 will deal with the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, and unless a vast swath of episodes is going to be a dream sequence, all of these "one year later" events ''really'' happen.
***Moore actually discusses this in the podcast, saying that many people might just assume this is a dream, or a ''[[wikipedia:Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]''-like season-erasing shower-dream episode, but he thought it was a bold decision to jump ahead a full year, and have all of it be definitely real.
*Why was it so easy for Adama to hide the collusion of the rigged election from the press, and why were there no consequences?
**So far as we know, Adama, Tigh, Gaeta, Dualla, Dualla's two associates, Tory, and Roslin are the only people that knew; 6 are military personnel, 4 of whom would be implicated, and the other 2 were directly involved civilians. All are strongly motivated to conceal the information.
* Why would it take the Cylons over one year to find New Caprica, alerted by the nuclear detonation prior to the inhabitation of the planet?
**It was stated in the previous episode that the interference from the gas cloud surrounding it would hide the planet fairly well. The Cylons were slightly over a light year away, according to the Number Five. Searching something as large as the gas cloud likely is for a planet or fleet is, given the sensor range limitations, quite impressive to accomplish in months, even with general directional information from a light-year out.
***Actually with the Cylon base 1 light year away, it would take 1 year for the nuke to show up on the Cylon sensors. Short of some FTL communication system, that's the only way the Cylons would have been able to detect the planet. Since the fleet is all in within non-FTL distances, all the FTL devices, if any exist would likely have been destroyed or disabled.
*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]]?
**Has it really been established that all that remains of the colonies are nuked-out wastelands? Yes, it's clear that they were nuked from the mini-series, yet in more recent episodes, it's also clear that the Cylons have been rebuilding them, in particular Caprica. The comment is bizarre in that Admiral Adama would know this as well, given the return of Anders who no doubt gave a full account of his experiences.
***Adama and Roslin appeared to be questioning the Cavils immediately after the Caprica copy was detained, leaving no time for Anders' debriefing.
*Why have the Cylons returned? According to [[Cavil]], the two races were to go their "separate ways". The Cylons may have been worried about the humans retaliating at some point in the future, but the location of the Cylon world(s) is still unknown to the humans, so ensuring the safety of their society presumably isn't the motive behind the occupation of [[New Caprica]].
**In "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", it was actually implied that the Colonials do know the location of the [[Cylon homeworld]], and at no time has anyone ever said "we don't know the location of the Cylon homeworld".
**This assumes that the Cylons were being honest in their announcement of withdrawl from all Human contact and association. It is possible that this was a tactical feint and the Cylons went looking for possible alternate locations where the Humans could have resettled.
**[[Cavil]] stated that the cylon "war hero's" had changed cylon opinion about the war on the humans, perhaps others within the cylon population had swung public opinion back towards starting up the war again.
***If Cylon opinion had been swung back in favor of war, then Caprica-Six and Galactica-Sharon would not be leading a delegation to demand surrender. The cylons must have some ulterior motive, probably involving Starbuck. Otherwise, they could have simply bombed the human settlement from space.
****Perhaps, due to Caprica-Six and Galactica-Sharon's influences, the Cylons are actually trying to 'help' the humans in their own way this time around. This would also not contradict the Cavils' statement of the Cylons stopping their attacks on humanity.
*Did the Cavils lie about the pursuit of humanity being a mistake? Or were they telling the truth?
** If they were telling the truth, perhaps not all Cylons are readily able to admit and rectify their mistakes as the Cavils believed.
** It seems that the intent was truthful, given that Caprica-Six and Sharon are taking an active leadership role in this new occupation. What seems unclear is how their positions has changed from Downloaded, where they clearly felt that the Cylon destruction of humanity was wrong. This is especially so for Sharon, who still considered herself human. Why would she go along willingly with this new course of action of occupation and presumably other forms of experimentation.
*Will the Cylons resume their pursuit of the Fleet?
*How many people are left in the Fleet?
**The population of New Caprica City is given as 39,192. There were just under 50,000 people in the Fleet before establishing the settlement, so that gives a figure of roughly 10,000 missing. It is uncertain how many were killed in the destruction of ''Cloud 9'' and surrounding Fleet ships but this loss along with any births and deaths that have taken place during the year since the election, leaves very few military personnel in the Orbital Defense. This almost certainly means that both ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' will be extremely short on crew, as many military personnel will have been left on the planet. There was clearly no time to retrieve even selected members of the crews before the Fleet jumped.
**Watching the Fleet jump in slow-motion, you can count approximately 19 ships, which also gives a rough impression of the reduced size of the fleet. Other ships, including Colonial One and some Raptors, are landed on New Caprica and have presumably fallen into the hands of the Cylons.
**It is not explicitly said that all members of the New Caprica colony reside in New Caprica City. There may be outlying settlements, though none are named. One reason for this would simply be as a safeguard to keep a single nuclear strike from wiping out all of the fleet survivors.
***Will the Adamas resort to Cain's tactic of conscripting civilians to fill the gaps?
****Although William Adama has not conscripted civillians like Admiral Cain did, he did draft some to be viper pilots in the episode "[[Act of Contrition]]." This would have set a precedent to draft or conscript more civillians especially in this obvious time of crisis.
*What happened between Apollo and Starbuck?
**Colonel Tigh mentioned that the incident that happened "a long time ago" and that it wouldn't prevent Apollo from giving antibiotics to Starbuck. When she contacted him aboard ''Pegasus'', he seemed very much not to want to talk to her.
***Problems may have arisen due to possible jealousy of Anders.
***This may refer to Starbuck's drunken comments about Apollo and Dualla.
*What led to Starbuck's reconciliation with Col. Tigh? The two had been in conflict since the [[Miniseries]], what led them to bury the hatchet and become the close friends they now appear to be?
*Has it become public knowledge that Baltar killed [[Crashdown]] on [[Kobol]]? Now that Chief and Cally are Baltar's open adversaries they could attempt to use this information against him.

== Analysis ==
*Baltar's arrogance seems to have led to corrupt rule during his year on New Caprica—he replaces Roslin's modest desk with a larger, elaborate one, replaces the population count whiteboard with a portrait of himself, and keeps a harem aboard the landed Colonial One.
*After a whole year, everyone is still living in tents. There is a vital shortage of medicine, the military is of no use, and labor conditions are apparently intolerable. Baltar's administration is apparently as incompetent as Roslin feared.
**It is not clear whether these conditions are the result of admimistrative incompetence or the inherent difficulties of colonizing a marginally habitable planet.
***Of course, it was Baltar's idea to settle on a marginally habitable planet in the first place.
*It's ironic that the obligations of duty keep Lee Adama aboard Pegasus while everyone else goes planetside—he is a reserve officer, and promised to build his pilots a bar as soon as they found a habitable planet.
*Ron Moore has once again decided to play with viewer's expectations; 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. Here, many viewers assumed that the nuke that Baltar gave to Gina in "[[Epiphanies]]" would be used to destroy ''Pegasus'' this time, but it wasn't.
*29 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.
**Is it possible they took out all of the people who left in the raptors because they were not apart of the fleet at the end of the previous episode?
***They didn't remove Starbuck from the count when she left for Caprica at the beginning of Season 2.
****She left at the end of season one, before they started the count. But, they did not add her to the count when she returned with Helo, because the count rose by one.
**Maybe more people died during the attack on Caprica than was shown.
***Yet another possibility is the inclusion of the Caprica survivors in the count to offset many of the losses that had incurred in the rescue mission.
***Although they didn't actually talk about the losses, there was a shot of a wounded person being taken away on a stretcher after the Raptors returned from the [[Caprica]] [[SAR]] mission.
**There may have been a series of election-related riots or murders.

== Notes ==
* '''According to Ron Moore's podcast, although Scifi Channel was willing to air this episode as a 90-minute special, it had to be heavily edited down for international distribution; outside of the United States, viewers will only see a 1 hour version of the episode, which Moore regards as "almost incomprehensible".''' Many plot threads, such as the entire Cally/Tyrol subplot, were completely removed from the one hour version.
* Ron Moore's podcast for episode 13, [[Epiphanies]], states that the Nuke given to Gina will come back in this episode, to the benefit of the Cylons.
*Admiral Adama watches Pyramid games and is a fan of the Picon Panthers.
*In RDM's podcast for the previous episode, he said that in early drafts of this special 90 minute long episode, the writers actually tried to make it a 2 hour special, but this was soon dropped (these times are including commercials).
*The election board appears to have a definitive list of the names of all of the ships in [[The Fleet (RDM)]]. Not all of them are clearly visible, but this would seem to indicate that the writers do have an actual list that they get new ship names from. Ship names visible on the chart are: Demetrius, Diomedes, Embla Brokk, Enkidu, Epheme, Galactica, Gideon, Gemenon Traveller, Greenleaf, Monarch, Odysseus, Pegasus, Persephone, Prometheus, Swordfish
*The framed photo of President Roslin and [[Billy Keikeya]] was still on her desk during the election.
*When Roslin "won" the rigged election results, Roslin received 24,265 votes, while Baltar recieved 22,266. This means that the elligible voters in the Fleet number 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 in 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 "[[Scattered]]", etc. According to RDM's podcast it's actually the exact same cradle.
*Tyrol's union speech is an almost word for word quote of Mario Savio's address during the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in 1964. According to Ron Moore and David Eick in the podcast, they even got permission from Savio's widow to use it (even though, due to the way copyright laws work from back then, they could have just used it without permission, they felt they should get it). As a result, it's even listed in the credits: "Mario Savio speech excerpted courtesy of: Lynne Hollander Savio". Actor Aaron Douglas (Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]) actually studied film of Savio, so all of the hand gestures Tyrol makes when he gives the speech are gestures that Savio actually used.
*Baltar's portrait of himself does not have the 'cut corners' as seen in most (all?) other papers and photos in the show.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*''Dr. Cottle decides Cally is ready to return to duty:''
:'''Cottle:''' You're done here. I'm kickin' you out of here and sending you back to work.
:'''Cally:''' (muffled, because her jaw is immobilized) Work??? Like this?
:'''Cottle:''' You gotta love a woman who can complain even with her jaw wired shut.

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

*"Gods help us."
*:-'''Admiral Adama''' over the objection of [[Edward James Olmos]] (podcast)

*''Trying to bring order to a Union meeting:''
:'''Tyrol:''' Everyone, please be quiet. (''crowd ignores him'')
:'''Cally:''' Hey! Shut the frak up! (''crowd quiets down'')

*'''Admiral Adama:''' We're leaving. But we'll be back.

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

== Official Statements ==

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

== Guest Stars ==
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001777/ Dean Stockwell] as [[Cavil|Brother Cavil]]
*[[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]]
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0722413/ Donnelly Rhodes] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Leoben Conoy]]
*[[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Aaron Doral]]
*Rekha Sharma as [[Tory Foster]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0443286/ David Kaye] as [[James McManus]]
*Alisen Down as Jean Barclay
*Winston Rekert as Priest

{{Episode List}}

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

The Captain's Hand

2006-02-19T21:19:31Z

JacekJurewicz: A question about the colonial-wide pro-abortion law.

{{Episode Data|
Image = [[Image:Adamas.jpg|300px]]
| Title= The Captain's Hand
| Series= [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|The Re-imagined Series]]
| Season= [[Season 2 (2005-06)|2]]
| Episode= 17
| Guests=[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
| Writer=[[IMDB:nm0900599|Jeff Vlaming]]
| Story=
| Director=[[IMDB:nm0590790|Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]
| Production=
| Rating=
| US Airdate= February 17 2006
| UK Airdate=
| DVD=
| Population= 49,584
| Prev= [[Sacrifice]]
| Next= [[Downloaded]]
}}

== Overview ==

''When two Raptors go missing after a training mission, new ''Pegasus'' commander [[Barry Garner]] challenges Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]]'s orders by sending his battlestar directly into the rescue zone--and a trap.''

== Summary ==
*The episode begins as two [[Raptor|Raptors]] begin a training mission outside [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']], which is near a [[Wikipedia:Binary star system|binary star]], causing [[Dradis|DRADIS]] and communications interference. The Raptors pass through a nebulus cloud, upon which they pick up a transmission. In the ''Pegasus'' C.I.C., the Raptors disappear from DRADIS, the Comm officer believing that they may be in distress.

*On ''[[Galactica]]'', [[Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] and the deck crew are in the process of unloading containers, when [[Cally]] mentions she heard movement from inside a fallen container. Against waiting for the [[Colonial Marine Corps|Marines]], Tyrol decides to investigate by entering the container. Inside, Tyrol finds a pregnant teenager who asks for [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]].

*Approximately an hour after the disappearance, [[Lee Adama]] arrives on the [[Mercury class battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', where he runs into [[Kara Thrace]]. Lee has been promoted to '''Major''', and both report to Commander Garner in the C.I.C. Garner is quick to chew out now-Captain Thrace over the disapperance of the Raptors.

*[[Barry Garner|Commander Garner]] and [[Lee Adama|Major Adama]] talk in private about the discipline on [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']]. Garner thinks that [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] is a huge part of the problem, but Adama defends her, citing her excellent piloting skills. Garner thinks that the virtues learned in his experience as an engineer would do the ship some good.

*On [[Colonial_One]], [[Laura_Roslin|President Roslin]] is being hounded by her new aide, [[Tory Foster]] about preparing for the coming election. Elsewhere, [[Tom Zarek]] discusses the idea of leading the fleet, however concedes he's not able to garner support, but is willing to support someone more scientific; [[Gaius Baltar|Dr. Baltar]].

*Back on ''Galactica'', Dr. Cottle & Admiral Adama discuss the fate of the young woman found in the container. Admiral Adama speaks to the young girl, [[Rya Kibby]], as to why she is a stowaway. Rya mentions the fact that she doesn't want to keep the baby, but Admiral Adama (upon request from the Gemenese delegate) is intent on sending her back to her family. Dr. Cottle suggests that she request asylum aboard ''Galactica'', raising a stare from the Admiral. Rya affirms that's what she wants.

*News of [[Rya Kibby|Rya's]] asylum request has raised a stir amongst the Fleet. On ''Colonial One'', [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] discusses the issue with Admiral Adama, [[Tory Foster]], and Delegate [[Sarah_Porter|Sarah Porter]] from Gemenon. Delegate Porter mentions that the abortion is a obscenity and demands that the girl be returned to her parents. Officially, President Roslin responds by saying the asylum request is under review. Afterwards, President Roslin mentions she's not willing to even consider the idea of abortion, but Adama reminds her of what she said back on Ragnar [[Mini-series|(Mini-Series)]].

*While reviewing the last transmissions from the Raptors, [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] makes a startling discovery, in that the reason for the disappearance may be the result of answering a supposed distress call. She attempts to bring this up with Commander Garner, who flatly rejects the theory.

*At the last known position, the additional search parties learn of the distress call that lured the first Raptors away. Commander Garner decides to start preparing the Pegasus for jump. Major Adama disagrees, trying to mention Kara's theory, only to be rebuffed.

*Over wireless, [[Barry Garner|Commander Garner]], [[Lee Adama|Major Adama]], and [[William Adama|Admiral Adama]] discuss the missing raptor situation. Commander Garner feels that the Pegasus should jump to bring home the missing crews and ships. When the Admiral asks Lee if he concurs, Lee discusses Starbuck's theory that the raptor were drawn into a Cylon trap. Admiral Adama is inclined to agree with the Major and Starbuck, and orders a recon mission to ascertain the fate of the two raptors. Garner is furious over the decision, and orders Major Adama off the C.I.C.

*Aboard Colonial One, President Roslin announces to the fleet an Executive Order making abortion by mother or doctor subject to criminal arrest.

*Garner decides to make the jump regardless of Adama's orders, causing a heated discussion in C.I.C. between him and Lee. By the end of the discussion, Garner asks the Sergeant-at-arms to have Major Adama removed from the C.I.C., while the Major asks the same for Garner, relieving him of command. Drawing his weapon, the Sergeant asks for the '''Major''' to leave.

*Raptors are launched from ''Pegasus'' towards the now located raptors. One of the pilots is able to look inside their cockpits, only to find both Raptor crews dead. At that moment, a [[Basestar (RDM)|Basestar]] jumps into view of the pilots. ''Pegasus's'' own DRADIS indicates the arrival of two additional Basestars, which begin attacking ''Pegasus'' with conventional and nuclear missile barrages seconds after their arrival.

*During the course of the assault, [[Pegasus|''Pegasus's'']] [[FTL]] drive is disabled. Garner attempts to determine the cause from C.I.C., but is unable to do so due to the confusion of the Engineering crew. Major Adama, still being held by the Sergeant-at-arms, suggests that the Sergeant has better things to do than guard a prisoner and returns to [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']] C.I.C. Commander Garner decides to head down to the engine room to ascertain the damage, and transfers command of [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']] to Major Adama. Adama, after a moment of hesitation, swings into action, ordering ''Pegasus'' into the fray, closing with one of the Basestars and engaging it with the forward batteries, severely damaging the Cylon ship.

*Through Garner's successful repair of their FTL system, ''Pegasus'' manages to jump away. Commander Garner, however, is killed in the process.

*In [[William Adama|Admiral Adama's]] quarters, the Admiral and [[Lee Adama|Major Adama]] review the reports from the incident on ''Pegasus''. After pointing out that Lee was more forgiving of the late Commander than Starbuck was, Admiral Adama asks what Garner's fatal flaw was. Lee responds that Garner was accustomed to working with machines, but that command is about people. The Admiral asks Lee to keep that in mind, as he offers Lee the job of commanding ''Pegasus'', along with a promotion to Commander. Lee is stunned for a moment, then he shakes his father's hand, accepting the promotion.

*[[Gaius Baltar|Gaius Baltar]] proclaims his candidacy for President of the Colonies in the forthcoming Presidential election in the midst of a press conference called by [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] regarding the criminalization of abortion in the Fleet.

== Questions ==
*Would Adama allow Dr. Cottle to be arrested? From the episode, he is of the opinion that he would do what is necessary.
**Given that Cottle is the only real doctor left in the fleet, Adama may be hesitant to take such an action.
***This idea is supported by Cottle's behavior toward officers: Adama is the only one to whom he shows even marginal respect.
*Was Baltar's report real, or was it just invented to produce the opportunity to drive his wedge?
**With the constant Cylon attacks to the Fleet (barring the unexpected return of ''Pegasus'') the population is almost always declining, as noted by Admiral Adama.
*Who will replace Baltar as Roslin's Vice President?
**Can Roslin actually pick another Vice President, under Colonial law, if Baltar refuses to resign? One of the reporters at the end actually directly asked if Baltar would remain as Vice President. Perhaps Roslin cannot forcibly remove Baltar from his office just because he's running aginst her.
***If Colonial law works similarly to American political protocol, Baltar was elected in his own right. For example, George Bush cannot force Dick Cheney to resign, only Mr. Cheney himself can elect to resign. Interestingly, 204 years ago, US President John Adams faced a similar situation: His own Vice-President, Thomas Jefferson, plotted Adam's political downfall.
*How will Zarek position himself in the Baltar campaign?
**It is likely that Zarek hopes to become Vice President himself.
***Does Zarek plan to have Baltar killed, as per his plan in "[[Colonial Day]]"?
****Zarek actually seems willing to make a beneficial alliance with Baltar, which Roslin would never agree to.
****Baltar may be a political novice but he's no fool; he would spot that a mile away. In fact, Baltar specifically asks Zarek what he (Zarek) would want in return. Zarek gave a diplomatic answer rather than openly ask for the VP slot.
*Will Tigh accept the fact that Lee Adama now outranks him and has command of a ship? Or does Saul have no interest in command and already told Admiral Adama that before the posting was offered to Lee?
**As mentioned in "[[Scattered]]," Col. Tigh was never really interested in commanding a battlestar.
***Fleet protocols, as in the real-world US Navy and other naval services around the globe, would require Tigh, as the senior officer to take command, as he did when Adama was incapacitated.
****This is true for an intra-ship command structure, but if other qualified officers were available, Col. Tigh probably had the privilege to pass up the command of ''Pegasus,'' citing XO's prerogative (or something similar).
*What will happen to Rya, now that she had been granted asylum on ''Galactica''?
*Why was Lee promoted straight from Major to Commander? Can a Colonel not be placed in command of a battlestar for long-term purposes?
**No. Colonel [[Jack Fisk]] was promoted to Commander of ''Pegasus'' before his death. It appears to be something of a rank nomenclature formality, as Garner was promoted up from being head of engineering. Compare to the [http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Captain established terminology convention] on ''Star Trek'' for always referring to the commanding officer of a ship as "Captain", even if that officer does not hold that specific rank.
***The use of "captain" is done in real life as well. In the US Navy, a person in the command of a vessel is referred to as "Captain" even if his actual rank is Lieutenant Commander, Ensign or even if he/she is a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).
*Had Garner been serving as XO to ''Pegasus's''' previous commander, the late [[Jack Fisk]]?
*Does the fact that the Cylons had such a large force waiting to ambush ''Pegasus'' indicate that they have a new [[Resurrection Ship]] in place?
**Given that there were three basestars in wait, it is more likely that the Cylons opted on surprise and sheer numbers to succeed. Still, ''Pegasus'' caused one basestar to retreat, despite being outnumbered. It is likely that the ''lack'' of a Resurrection Ship resulted in the basestar's retreat.
*How does the double layer flight pod system on ''Pegasus'' operate? Just before the battlestar jumps away from the ambush, there is a short sequence of Vipers returning to the ship that shows them landing on two distinct levels of the flight pod, with Vipers landing on the lower level being upside down with respect to ''Pegasus''. Both the Colonials and Cylons obviously have some form of artifical gravity on their spacecraft, so this explains why such an arrangement is possible.
**For more on the use of artificial gravity, see the article, [[Science in the Re-imagined Series]].
*How could the pro-abortion law be established throughout the colonies against the religious views of at least one planet? Was it introduced only recently?

== Analysis ==
*When Baltar announces his candidacy for the Presidency, Number Six applauds with a slow clap. This action runs in parallel to how then-Commander William Adama led the entire crew in a long, drawn-out slow clap in respect of President Roslin when she was re-instated to her office in "[[Home, Part II]]".
*Survivor count is decremented by six from "[[Sacrifice]]", but seven people died in that episode - terrorists [[Sesha Abinell]], [[Vinson]], [[Page]] and [[Chu]], two unnamed marines, and civilian [[Billy Keikeya]]. At least one birth must have taken place to offset the population count between the two episodes.
*Based on the ''[[Colonial One]]'' whiteboard seen toward the end of the episode, only five people died as a result of the ambush on ''Pegasus'': [[Richard Bayer|Richard "Buster" Bayer]], [[Lyla Ellway|Lyla "Shark" Ellway]], the unnamed crew of [[Raptor 314]], and Commander [[Barry Garner]].
**This casualty figure is conspicuously low, considering that ''Galactica'' lost 85 crewmen as the result of a hit by a single nuclear missile in the [[miniseries]], while ''Pegasus'' is hit with no less than three in this episode.
**On the other hand, it is at least consistent with the surprisingly low number of casualties incurred in the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], and may indicate that the hull armor on ''Pegasus'' is significantly stronger than on ''Galactica'', which has many conspicuously bare structural ribs.
*In the course of this episode's timeline, [[Lee Adama]] rises from the rank of Captain (CAG of ''[[Galactica]]'') to Major (No details are given on that posting except Adama was assigned to [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']]), to Commander and CO of [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']] in the wake of Commander [[Barry Garner|Barry Garner's]] death saving his ship.
**Major Adama's duty was intended as a temporary stint as ''Pegasus'' acting XO, to familiarize himself with the duties of a senior officer. In the opening scene, he tells [[Anastasia Dualla]] that he expects to return to ''Galactica'' "in a couple of weeks".
*Garner's decision to mount a rescue operation in contravention of his commanding officer's orders is an explicit parallel to "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", down to the choice of words:
:'''Adama:''' "I'm getting my men."
:'''Garner:''' "I'm going to get our men."
*Two Raptors are lost in the beginning of the episode, but the officers refer to ''four'' missing pilots. This indicates that the ECOs aboard the Raptors are also qualified pilots—although, given that this is a training mission, they may in fact be instructors assigned to coach the pilots in training.

== Notes ==
*Timeline-wise, Baltar says that he made an initial projection of the fleet's population "over seven months ago". This would have been before the arrival of ''Pegasus'', since he said he factored in the arrival of her crew subsequently.
*It has been "almost a month" since Apollo was shot in "[[Sacrifice]]".
*The recap at the beginning of this episode includes two scenes that did not actually appear in any previous episode, but were constructed by redubbing existing footage.
**There scene where Colonel Tigh and Admiral Adama discuss Garner's promotion is constructed from the scene in "Black Market" when Adama and Tigh are telling Apollo to go to ''Pegasus'' on the hangar deck. The scene has been cleverly redubbed, so that Adama is saying entirely new lines when the camera is pointed at ''Tigh'' (not at Adama's face), and then Tigh says new lines when the camera is pointed at ''Adama''.
**The same technique is used when Baltar is talking to Gina: when the camera is pointed at Baltar, we hear [[Gina]] saying "You must betray Roslin and run for President in the upcoming election", but this was never heard in the aired version of "[[Epiphanies]]".
*Col. Tigh does actually appear in this episode, seen very briefly in the ''Galactica'' CIC with no dialog. He also contributes the "Previously on ''Battlestar Galactica''" voiceover, and a few lines of dialogue in the above-mentioned redubbed scene from the recap.
*[[Billy Keikeya]] does not appear in the credits for this episode, but he is seen in a framed picture that Roslin looks at.
*Capt. [[Cole Taylor|Cole "Stinger" Taylor]] is still onboard ''Pegasus'', mentioned by Capt. Thrace as being in the brig for insubordination.
*The adjectival form of "Gemenon" is "Gemenese".
*Under Gemenese law, minors are the "property" of their parents.
*[[Mercury class battlestar]]s do not need to retract their flight pods prior to a jump, unlike the [[Galactica type battlestar|Galactica type]].
*The coolant pressure gauges on ''Pegasus'' measure in PSI, presumably [[Wikipedia:Pound-force per square inch|Pound-force per square inch]]. This is consistant with the use of customary units on the Viper Mk. II's [[Altimeter]], seen in "[[Act of Contrition]]".
*Writer Jeff Vlaming references [[Wikipedia:William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s "[[Wikipedia:The Merchant of Venice|The Merchant of Venice]]" when he has [[Laura Roslin]] tell [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate [[Sarah Porter]], "you have your pound of flesh".

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

== Official Statements ==

== Statistics ==

=== Guest Stars ===

*[[IMDB:nm0001334|John Heard]] as Commander [[Barry Garner]]
*[[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Aaron+Douglas Aaron Douglas] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0722413/ Donnelly Rhodes] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*Rekha Sharma as [[Tory Foster]]
*Brad Dryborough as Lieutenant [[Hoshi]]
*Christian Tessier as [[Tucker Clellan|Tucker "Duck" Clellan]]
*Amber Rothwell as [[Rya Kibby]]
*Kavan Smith as Lt. [[Richard Bayer|Richard "Buster" Bayer]]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2015903/ Stephanie von Pfetten] as Cpt. [[Marcia Case|Marcia "Showboat" Case]]
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Patricia+Idlette Particia Idlette] as [[Sarah Porter]]
*Aaron Pearl as Ensign [[Abel Thornton]]
*Christina Schild as [[Playa Palacios]]
*Tammy Hui as ECO [[Lyla Ellway|Lyla "Shark" Ellway]]
*James Bell as Lt. [[Steve Fleer|Steve "Red Devil" Fleer]]
*Kurt Max Runte as Ensign Charles Bellamy
*Kimani Ray Smith as Pegasus Sergeant

{{Episode List}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Jeff Vlaming]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan]]

Sacrifice

2006-02-14T01:17:42Z

JacekJurewicz: How did Abinell know about a Cylon infiltrator?

{{Episode Data|
Image = [[Image:Sacrifice3.jpg|300px]]
| Title= Sacrifice
| Series= [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|The Re-imagined Series]]
| Season= [[Season 2 (2005-06)|2]]
| Episode= 16
| Guests= [[IMDB:nm0001127|Dana Delany]] as [[Sesha Abinell]]
| Writer=[[IMDB: nm1093194|Anne Cofell Saunders]]
| Story=
| Director=Rey Villalobos
| Production=
| Rating=
| US Airdate=February 10 2006
| UK Airdate=
| DVD=
| Population=49,590
| Prev= [[Scar]]
| Next= [[The Captain's Hand]]
}}

== Overview ==

: ''The'' [[Cloud 9]]'s ''lounge is under attack by terrorists who are convinced that [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] is playing the military. The leader of this quartet, [[Sesha Abinell]], demands that the invaluable Valerii be brought to her -- otherwise [[Ellen Tigh]], [[Anastasia Dualla]], [[Lee Adama]], [[Billy Keikeya]] and others will be executed.''

== Summary ==

*[[Billy Keikeya]] proposes to [[Anastasia Dualla]], who flatly refuses. Later on, Dualla and [[Lee Adama]] discuss the incident while on leave aboard ''[[Cloud 9]]'', at one of the ship's drinking and dining establishments.

*Keikeya, also aboard ''Cloud 9'', finds Dualla there. In an awkward moment, arises when he discovers that she is with Lee Adama. Adama leaves the two to talk, going to sit at the bar, where he encounters [[Ellen Tigh]], who begins to flirt with him.

*Three men and a woman named [[Sesha Abinell]] lay siege to the establishment, taking the guests hostage, and sealing the area off from the rest of the ship. Abinell's husband was killed aboard the ''[[Greenleaf]]'' when the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] attacked it ten weeks ago, and she decides to exact vengeance.

*Before the terrorists lay siege, Lee Adama asks Ellen Tigh to come with him into the restroom. Tigh follows, thinking that Adama has invited her for a sexual tryst. But Lee Adama had predicted the situation. As a gambit to confuse the terrorists, Adama takes the dry ice from Tigh's drink and uses it to sabotage one of the oxygen sensors. In the meantime, Tigh leaves the restroom and loudly announces herself to the terrorists.
[[Image:Sesha.jpg|thumb|Sesha Abinell.]]
*Abinell demands that Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] turn over Cylon [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] to her, seeking Valerii's life in compensation for her husband's. She is infuriated that Admiral Adama and Roslin continue to allow one of their greatest enemies to live in their midst, even caged. She believes that Valerii is compromising the security of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], and that the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon holocaust]] was due to similar Cylon infiltration of the military.

*Abinell sends one of her men into the restroom to find anyone else they haven't rounded up. Captain Adama gets the drop on him and takes his gun, taking him out, threatening to kill him if the hostages are not released. Abinell threatens to kill Dualla if Adama refuses to surrender. Adama drops the empty threat and surrenders.

*Captain Adama's small-scale sabotage works, and the terrorists demand repairs to be made to the ship's oxygen systems.

*[[Kara Thrace]], along with a detachment of [[Colonial Marine Corps|marines]], are also on leave aboard ''Cloud 9''. They quickly plan a recon mission — Thrace disguises herself as the technician sent to repair the air system. Her job is to reconnoiter the situation and return with details.

*Thrace's cover is blown when Ellen Tigh recognizes her as one of ''Galactica's'' pilots. Thrace draws two pistols and begins shooting at the terrorists, soon aided by the marines. Two marines are killed, along with one of the hostage-takers. In addition, Thrace accidentally shoots Lee Adama. Thrace and the surviving marines retreat, and the situation is only exacerbated.

*The situation prompts Admiral Adama to once again consider the value of Sharon Valerii to him. Speaking with Valerii, she reminds the admiral that she saved the Fleet five or six times. Adama asks if she would reveal the identities of other Cylon agents in the Fleet. She refuses.

*Admiral Adama agrees to give the terrorists the dead body of Sharon Valerii in return for the hostages. However, he secretly delivers the dead copy of Valerii known as [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]]. When the terrorists realize the ploy, Sesha orders the terrorist [[Vinson]] to kill [[Anastasia Dualla]]. [[Billy Keikeya]] seizes one of the terrorists' guns and kills Vinson, but is mortally wounded by Vinson's return fire as marines storm the lounge. Abinell is killed by marines, her body falling atop Boomer's body.

*In the aftermath, Dualla stays with Lee Adama in the infirmary, promising to stay with him until he recovers. Laura Roslin grieves the death of Keikeya, who had become "the closest thing [she] had to family."

== Questions ==

* Who leaked out the information that Valerii was on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''?
**Given that Caprica-Valerii has been taken to the middle of CIC, to Adama's quarters, to [[sickbay]], and transfered through open hallways, it could have been just any random crewmen by this point.
** Now that this information has been confirmed, thanks to the actions of Abinell and her conspirators, what kind of backlash should Roslin and Adama expect to face?
** Was it [[D'anna Biers]], who filmed Caprica-Valerii in the infirmary during her story on ''Galactica''?
** Was [[Gina]] ever made aware that ''Galactica'' had its own Cylon prisoner?
** Have Gina and Biers been collaborating?
* Is it also public knowledge that Valerii is pregnant ?
**Sesha seemed to have some conspiracy theory leaflets suspecting Cylon reproduction programs, etc. but whether these were substantiated or based on pure rumor is unclear. Rumor could possibly have spread from guards, personnel, etc. who can see that she is now pregnant.
* Why would Adama repeatedly have Valerii brought to his quarters for interrogation/discussion, and risk her imprisonment becoming known throughout the Fleet, instead of keeping her presence secret by going to her cell himself?
**As noted in previous [[Final Cut|episodes]], it it likely that Admiral Adama had a blanket order to all crewmembers not to discuss the existence of the second Valerii to civilians. However, with the introduction of ''Pegasus'', the fog of rumor that may have kept Valerii's existence vague likely dissipated.
* How did Abinell know that a Cylon agent infiltrated the Ministry of Defenses on Caprica?
* Who will become Roslin's new assistant? Was there a replacement groomed for the position at all previous to the events in this episode?
**During early episodes of season 1, nameless aides with no dialog can be seen trailing Roslin and Billy. In the DVD commentary for these episodes, RDM and Eick explain how they gradually just stopped using an entourage of aides with Roslin, and mulled over the idea of eventually working them back into the show. Perhaps this could be used to compensate for Billy's removal.
* What will happen to Billy's body? Will he be buried in space or stored in the morgue?
* Where did Abinell and her people get the weapons? Were they purchased from the [[Black market (organization)|Black Market]]?
* Will Lee Adama's depression worsen because of his shooting?
* What were Ellen Tigh intentions? (She practically gives away Thrace's cover and announces that she is the wife of ''Galactica'''s XO.) What was the purpose? Was there one at all, or was Ellen Tigh just being an idiot again?
** Based on her demeanor, it would be safe to say that she was looking out for her interests, knowing that her position (being the colonel's wife) would keep her relatively safe.
* Is the relationship between Apollo and Dee against military protocol in the same way that Tyrol and Valerii's relationship was, or have the rules on Colonial officers and NCO fraternization been relaxed?
**Just how far does the non-association protocol even extend anymore? What is the exact nature of the non-association protocol? Is it against officers having relationships with enlisted crewmen, or even enlisted crewmen having relationships with other enlisted crewmen (i.e. preventing Tyrol and Cally from having a relationship)? In "[[Litmus]]," Tyrol was willing to lie under oath (and all of his deckhands were willing to lie under oath) rather than let Tyrol face the punishment associated with continuing his relationship. Apollo and Dualla are in the same position as Boomer and Tyrol; one is an officer having a relationship with an enlisted crewman. Apollo and Dualla have an even greater gap between them, as Apollo is among the highest-ranking officers on ''Galactica'', and Dualla is a lower-ranking enlisted creman than Tyrol was.
***In "[[Litmus]]", Sergeant [[Hadrian]] questions Commander Adama: "Sir, isn't it true that you knew that Lt. Valerii and Chief Tyrol were having an illicit relationship, in violation of regulations?" The expressions on Tyrol's deck crew and others aboard ''Galactica'' ([[Miniseries]]) as Tyrol and Valerii (poorly) attempt to cover their intentions indicate many members of the ship were quite aware of their affair. The rules on fraternization are likely very similar to those found in [http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/fraternization/ the US Army regulations that prohibit business or personal relationships] only between an officer and an enlisted crewmember. (Chief Tyrol, while among the highest ranking members of ''Galactica's'' crew, is still a ''non-commissioned'' officer.) However, with the near-annihilation of humanity and the need for population growth, the rules are likely relaxed, with command staff monitoring the situation on a case-by-case basis (note Admiral Adama's last statement to his son at the end of the episode, "[[Black Market]]," indicating that the admiral, too, has his sources of information about the personal affairs of his officers).

== Analysis ==
*[[Sesha Abinell]]'s husband [[Ray Abinell|Ray]] was killed during a Cylon attack ten weeks prior to this episode. The only change in the [[survivor count]] which remains unaccounted for was between "Home, Part I" and "Home, Part II", however, those episodes must have taken place well before Ray Abinell's death ten weeks prior to this episode. Other possibilities include Ray's death during the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], although ''[[Greenleaf]]'' would have been far from the sight of combat; or his death being offset by a birth in between episodes.
* The final scene recalls that of Resurrection Ship Part II, except that Starbuck and Dee's roles are reversed.

== Notes ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

== Official Statements ==

== Statistics ==

=== Guest Stars ===
*[[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
*Unknown as [[Chu]]
*Unknown as [[Vinson]]
*Unknown as [[Page]]
*Michael Ryan as [[Ray Abinell]]
*Adrien Hughes as Lt. [[Terry Burrell]]
*Erica Carroll as Civilian
*James Upton as Environmental Specialist
*Georgia Hacche as Petty Officer [[Sion]]

{{Episode List}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Anne Cofell Saunders]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Rey Villalobos]]