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Taking a Break From All Your Worries

2007-02-11T02:12:41Z

Keyser Sose:

{{Episode Data
| title= Taking a Break From All Your Worries
| image=3x13-Taking a Break From All Your Worries-Apollo.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 13
| guests=
| writer= [[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director= [[Edward James Olmos]]
| production= 313
| rating=1.5
| US airdate= 2007-01-28
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| podcast = Y
| population= 41,403
| prev= [[Rapture]]
| next= [[The Woman King]]
| itunes= http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=VWbyALbmqZY&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewTVSeason%253Fi%253D213996261%2526id%253D200852806%2526s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30
}}

== Overview ==
: ''Baltar is rigorously questioned about his past and what the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] know about [[Earth]]. Meanwhile, both [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Lee Adama]] struggle with their feelings for one another and are forced to make a decision about their respective marriages.''

== Summary ==
===Teaser===

*The episode begins as the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] moves past a small planetoid. Viewers hear a lullaby being sung as the shot moves past [[duty locker]]s as people sleep, to show [[Gaius Baltar]], in a [[brig]] on ''[[Galactica]]'', tearing strips of fabric.
*To pressure him into revealing any secrets or tactical knowledge of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], Baltar has been forced to stay awake. In turn, the prisoner has gone on a hunger strike, and believes that the Fleet's leadership will eventually kill him outright, rather than give him a fair trial.
*Baltar's virtual [[Number Six]] appears to question his actions, but only briefly. She soon begins to "aid" him in his task; he ties the fabric strips to form a hangman's noose.
*Elsewhere, Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]] cannot sleep. He dresses and heads for the brig. A [[marine]] on guard stops his advance.
*The virtual Six "pushes" Baltar's cot, and the man begins to choke on his noose. Six tells him to take slow, deep breaths.
*Baltar appears to awake in a [[Cylon rebirthing tank]], surrounded by three Six copies. He shouts in celebration, believing that, at least, he knows his true nature as a Cylon.
*The Sixes' gentle touches suddenly become harsh scratches and lacerations. A Six tells Baltar that he is not, in fact, a Cylon, but a human about to die. All three push Baltar into the tank's gelatinous mixture. One Six enters the pool, lying above him and kisses him as he is held to drown.
*Baltar's mind was likely suffering from oxygen deprivation, as his marine guard cuts him down and successfully resuscitates him. Gaeta leaves to find Dr. [[Cottle]].

===Act 1===
*[[William Adama|Admiral Adama]], [[Saul Tigh]], Dr. Cottle, and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] sit in Adama's quarters, discussing what to do to get information from Baltar. Acknowledging that his hunger strike and suicide attempt have soured his mood, Roslin suggests an alternative plan.
*When Lieutenant Gaeta is asked why he was at Baltar's cell so early in the morning, he tells the president that he couldn't sleep and wanted to speak with the former president.
*Elsewhere, [[Lee Adama]] treats his friend [[Galen Tyrol]] to a little surprise: A number of crew have created a bar, probably on the starboard [[hangar deck]], complete with a [[Pyramid (RDM)|Pyramid arcade game]], an old [[Viper Mark II]] hanging above for atmosphere. "[[Joe's bar]]" is filled with many people who have managed to put aside the troubles of the day. Tyrol and Adama have a drink as they discuss their marital problems; Tyrol and his wife [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] have had an argument that has apparently left him "in the doghouse". Adama is reluctant to interact with his wife, [[Anastasia Dualla]], as his angst over his love of [[Kara Thrace]] continues to fight with him.
*Major Adama returns to his quarters, quite drunk, to find Dualla still awake and doing some work, apparently drinking some liquor or type of wine. She tries to confirm if they are still going to have dinner later that day as Adama dozes off, leaving Dualla disappointed.
*A similar conversation is occurring at Kara Thrace's bunk, as [[Samuel Anders]] resists an attempt by Thrace to get more intimate. Thrace darkly pokes fun at herself, calling herself a "two-timing bitch" of a spouse. Anders does not return Thrace's darkness, but asks if she is in love with Lee Adama.
*When Thrace hesitates to answer, Anders tells her to explore what she feels, believing that Thrace's [[Flesh and Bone|alleged destiny]] and her feelings about Anders may still be significant. The former resistance fighter leaves Thrace to herself in her bunk.
*President Roslin appears in Baltar's cell. Mirroring a similar event on [[New Caprica]] months before where Roslin is [[New Caprica Detention Center|incarcerated by the Cylons]] and Baltar arrives to speak with her, Roslin hands him his glasses. Baltar, realizing the reference, takes his glasses and puts them on.
*After lighting a cigar for him, she sits. Baltar complains of having been force-fed by Cottle's staff, to which Roslin is non-plussed. She asks him questions about his involvement with the Cylons. She questions him using [[Epiphanies|her personal knowledge]] of his interaction with a [[Caprica Six|known Cylon model]] before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon attack]], asking if he allowed a Cylon access to the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]].
*Baltar equivocates at first, then stands his ground about his involvement, calling Roslin's accusations a "rehash" of the same lies as she did prior to the [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|presidential election]].
*Roslin shakes her head, and escalates her questioning. She shows Baltar a series of pictures of the dead on New Caprica who were killed by Cylons for supposed insurrection. Uncharacteristically, Roslin's voice rises to a shrill, yelling at Baltar as she flings each of the pictures. She yells for Saul Tigh to have Baltar taken from his cell and carried to the airlock.
*Baltar shouts his innocence as the marines move him through the [[memorial hallway]] as Roslin tries to haunt the former president with faces of the Colonies' dead. Baltar stops his "executioners" to show one photo of a man he knew. After telling them that he would not do anything to harm his friend, his wife and Baltar's godchildren, the marines cart the scientist away.

===Act 2===
*The Fleet's leadership convene once more. Roslin's plan failed; Baltar called the bluff about being thrown in an airlock, and the marines have returned him back to his cell.
*When Roslin suggests a different, less aggressive approach, Admiral Adama suggests the use of a special [[Interrogation drug|hallucinogenic drug]] used experimentally by the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial military]]. Roslin's expression is a mixture of awe and surprise, but asks if ''Galactica'' has this drug onboard.
*Lee Adama and Dualla have an argument about Kara Thrace and the future of their marriage. Dualla says that she married Adama because she loved him, choosing to have him for as long as he or Kara Thrace would let him. She resigns herself to her marriage's failure and tells Adama that she will not stand in his way if he were to choose Thrace over her.
*Kara Thrace and Lee Adama meet privately. When Thrace asks Adama if he loves her and would be with her if she were to leave Anders, Adama equivocates, remembering Thrace's fickleness [[Unfinished Business|after he declared his love a year before]]. Thrace leaves him to think about the situation.
*Major Adama returns to the bar and drinks more, toying with his wedding band. He asks Chief Tyrol if he ever thought about what his future with [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] would have been like, or had any regrets. With a quick drink, Tyrol replies in the negative.
*Major Adama stumbles back to his quarters, losing his wedding band somewhere in ''Galactica's'' corridors.
*Baltar is strapped down in [[sickbay]] as Roslin authorizes the administering of the interrogation drug to Baltar. Adama warns not to make any loud noises and orders additional restraints on the prisoner's head.

===Act 3===
*Baltar finds himself floating in a nondescript dark body of water, with only a dim light shining from above.
*Adama and Roslin talk to Baltar in his hallucinogenic haze, asking him questions about the Cylon's knowledge of the whereabouts of [[Earth]], and his mission at the [[Temple of Five]].
*Baltar, genuinely believing that his life is in peril, tells how he believed that he was one of the [[final five]] Cylons and was seeking an answer.
*Medic [[Layne Ishay]] accidentally knocks over some equipment, creating a loud clang, which interrupts Baltar's interrogation momentarily.
*Adama warns Baltar to cooperate so that he would be able to "get out", then turns off the flashlight he was using to create the lighting effect in Baltar's illusory world.
*Baltar begins to talk about [[Caprica Six]] and her involvement, as a vision of Six appears and disappears next to him in the water.
*Baltar vision shifts to him in a Cylon rebirthing tank again, this time, however, he is surrounded by dark figures that are later revealed as the Colonial dead from the Colonies. As he tries to explain himself, the figures push him into the water, and a young girl hovers over him as he continues the dark descent.
*As Baltar sinks in his vision, in the real world, Baltar's vital signs begin to drop as well. Dr. Cottle calls off further interrogation and proceeds to revive Baltar.

===Act 4===
*A final attempt to gain information from Baltar uses Lieutenant Gaeta to lure Baltar into a sense of comfort by aiding the Colonial officer in his calculations to Earth, hoping that he will leak any information on Cylon tactics or technology.
*Initially, Baltar acquiesces and begins to correct Gaeta's work until he senses Gaeta's awareness of something else in the cell.
*Baltar realizes that his cell has a surveillance camera, and becomes belligerent, which begins to anger Gaeta.
*Realizing that Gaeta's anger could make things much worse, the Fleet leadership leaves their observation room to interdict Gaeta.
*Meanwhile, Baltar whispers something to Gaeta (See [[Taking a Break From All Your Worries#Notes|podcast information]]) who then uses the pen he brought into the room to stab Baltar in the neck.
*Adama manages to subdue Gaeta, and Cottle looks over Baltar, whose injuries are not serious.
*Meanwhile, Lee Adama and his wife meet in Joe's Bar.
*Adama, having since found his lost wedding ring, confesses that he has loved Dualla and how dedicated she has been to him, never realizing how much he needed her affection.
*As the two embrace, Adama tries to avoid looking across the bar at Kara Thrace and Anders. Thrace returns the glance before Adama breaks it off.
*Laura Roslin and Admiral Adama rest in the admiral's quarters, with Roslin reclining on a bunk and Adama sitting at the foot of the bunk. They debate, with the failure of both measures of interrogation on Baltar, what to do with him.
*When Adama suggests that there is still an opportunity to make Baltar "disappear," Roslin touches Adama's arm tenderly but briefly, reminding him of his humanity as she responds that they couldn't do that to him.
*Roslin suggests that one option is still on the table: Give Baltar a trial.

===Bonus Scene===
Part of a bonus scene was shown after the original airing of this episode on SciFi Channel and the full scene was made available on SciFi's website.

*Roslin talks with Caprica-Six after overseeing her transfer to a cell on ''Galactica'', saying that all the Colonials have surmised so far is that Baltar was not involved in the initial Cylon attack.
*Roslin tries to gain information by promising Six that she won't be executed, but Six counters that Roslin made the same promise to [[Leoben]] and broke it ([[Flesh and Bone]]).
*Roslin asks for Six's name and is given it ("Caprica"), and says that she recognizes the authenticity of Caprica-Six's feelings for Baltar.
*Caprica-Six wonders if the Colonials' justice system has withered away along with their conscience and adamantly states that she will not reveal any information unless she is assured that Baltar will receive a fair trial. If he does, she will be willing to be the primary witness and share all the information that Roslin wants to know.

== Questions ==
*Was something else at work behind Gaeta's interestingly-timed bout of insomnia?
* What is the nature of the Tyrols' marital problems?
* What is going to happen to Caprica-Six aboard ''Galactica''?
* What will the civilian reaction be once it is known that Baltar was captured?
* Will Apollo and Starbuck keep their vows to their respective spouses from this point on, or will there be another intimate encounter between the two?
* Why did ''Galatica'' have the experimental [[interrogation drug]] that Adama spoke about?
* Given shortages throughout the Fleet, where does the Fleet get its alcohol supplies?
* Will Gaeta face any legal consequences for his attack on Baltar?

== Analysis ==
* Baltar, despite extreme stress, various forms of torture, and attempted suicide, maintains a high degree of self-preservation. Even at moments when it appears he is about to confess all of his wrongs, knowing that his life might be in danger, he finds a way to circumvent the questions and redirect them to someone or something else that makes him look to be the victim - this is classic behavior of a sociopathic personality.
* Adama, during the interrogation session, seems to know more about the capabilities of the [[interrogation drug|hallucinogen]] than it initially appears when he mentions the drug to Roslin. He appears to have done this type of interrogation before.
* The episode draws connections between Baltar and Roslin and their respective roles, especially in how both have now switched places. Roslin almost word for word quotes Baltar when it comes down to the best interrogation method: using a stick versus a carrot. The same type of analogy Baltar used with Admiral Cain in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]". Moreover there is a clear callback to Baltar visiting Roslin in her cell and handing her her glasses during the occupation of New Caprica.
* This episode displays the darker side of Adama as throughout the episode he is consistently the one to display a bitter streak towards Baltar. He cites many different options and choices that one would consider to be contradictory to his own stances of how humans were to treat each other before. For example, he directly opposed President Zarek when it became known that people were "disappearing" without given a trial ([[Collaborators]]). Yet, with Baltar, Adama suggests to Roslin that it is not too late to make him disappear.
* The hallucinogen appears to affect how an individual's brain interprets sound. Adama ordered that complete silence be kept as he and Roslin are the only ones allowed to speak to Baltar. However, once Layne Ishay is startled by Baltar's screams, she accidentally knocks over some equipment. The clanging and noise caused the hallucinated water to become turmoil and reach the brink of drowning Baltar.
* A substantial amount of time seems to have passed between "[[Rapture]]" and this episode as Kara Thrace's hands have recovered from the burns she received on the algae planet. Baltar's appearance has also more facial hair than he had when he was captured inside the Temple of Five.
*Roslin probably connects Caprica-Six's name to Baltar saying it during his interrogation, thus deepening her belief that he is guilty.
* Judging by the reaction of the patrons, the liquor being served is most likely recently manufactured moonshine of dubious quality. Whatever passes for "the good stuff" in the bar is likely whatever hasn't been appropriated by high ranking personnel and may have been made on [[New Caprica]].
*In "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]", Lee Adama promises the pilots to build them a bar should a habitable planet be found. However, given the time that has passed, this is probably unrelated to Joe's bar.

== Notes ==
*This is the second episode of the series to be directed by [[Edward James Olmos]]. The first was Season 1's "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]".
*With 30 characters, this episode has the longest title of any Re-imagined Series episode to date.
*The title is a partial quote from "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," the theme song to the television program ''[[Wikipedia:Cheers|Cheers]]'' written by [[Wikipedia:Gary Portnoy|Gary Portnoy]] & Judy Hart Angelo. — "Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got./''Taking a break from all your worries'', sure would help a lot."
*Information from the podcast:
**The episode was originally meant to be far lighter in tone and revolve mainly around Joe's bar, showing how people build it and fight to keep it. This explains the somewhat paradoxical episode title, given the dark tone it ultimately took.
**The bar was originally called the "Why not?" in early drafts of the script.<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Taking a Break From All Your Worries|act=1|id=whynot|timestamp=06:51|totalrunning=45:28}}</ref>
**The extra in the first bar scene in a wheelchair was a visitor (and a huge fan) on the set who the cast and crew took a liking to and adopted into the show for the couple of days that he was there.<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Taking a Break From All Your Worries|act=1|id=wheelchairextra|timestamp=07:07|totalrunning=45:28}}</ref>
**There was a larger subplot for [[Layne Ishay]] in which she can't stand Baltar being tortured anymore and leaks his presence and treatment to the Fleet. <ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Taking a Break From All Your Worries|act=1|id=layneishay|timestamp=22:10|totalrunning=45:28}}</ref>A remnant of this is present in her knocking over the instrument tray.
**There were discussions about a subplot that involved Baltar being guilty of an incident before the Cylon occupation in which many, already discriminated, Saggitarons were killed. Ron Moore relates that Baltar threatened to implicate Gaeta, who had nothing to do with the incident, in that (the scene where Baltar whispers something inaudible in Gaeta's ear) and that this is what made Gaeta snap and stab Baltar. <ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Taking a Break From All Your Worries|act=4|id=Baltarstoryline|timestamp=38:23|totalrunning=45:28}}</ref>
**RDM also mentioned that Gaeta still had "issues" that related to his time working with Baltar and how the fleet at first viewed him as a collaborator because of that relation. Now that Baltar came back, Gaeta have had a difficult time accepting that, which later turned into rage during the interrogation.
**[[Joe's bar]] will be featured again in future episodes.<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Taking a Break From All Your Worries|act=4|id=ReturntoJoesbar|timestamp=37:33|totalrunning=45:28}}</ref>
*The songs heard as background music in the bar are original compositions. One is titled "Lord Knows I Would", composed and performed by [http://www.rayayarbrough.com/ Raya Yarbrough] - who is the voice of most vocals on the BSG soundtrack - and available on one her albums. "All That Remains" is also performed by her, but composed by [[Bear McCreary]] and is part of his [http://bearmccreary.com/html/blog/blog018.htm ''Rest Stop'' soundtrack].
*The secret experiments with hallucinogenic drugs for purposes of interrogation parallels the [[w:Project MKULTRA|CIA's MK ULTRA]] program from the 1960's and 1970's. In that program, [[w:LSD|LSD]] was investigated as a possible "truth serum".

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] and [[Lee Adama|Lee]] talking in Joe's Bar:''
: '''Lee''': You and [[Cally Henderson|Cally]] had a fight?
: '''Tyrol''': Didn't you hear us? We figured we could've sold tickets.
: (pause)
: '''Tyrol''': To marriage. Why we build bars.

* ''Roslin interrogating Baltar:''
: '''Roslin''': Just wondered if you recognized even one of these faces? Did any image get through to you on the rare occasion when you ventured out from behind your sandbags and your razor wires to see what was happening to your people?! YOUR PEOPLE! I need to know. NOW!

* ''Starbuck responding to Anders:''
: '''Starbuck''': Kara Thrace and her special destiny? Sounds more like a bad cover band, Sam.

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==

*[[Kerry Norton]] as [[Layne Ishay]]

== References ==

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Taylor]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Edward James Olmos]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Gaius Baltar

2006-11-19T02:04:25Z

Keyser Sose:

:''This page discusses the unwitting betrayer of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. For information on the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] character that intentionally betrays the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies of Man]], see [[Baltar (TOS)]].''

{{Character Data
|photo= Season 3 Baltar.jpg
|colony= [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]]
|birthname= Gaius Baltar
|seen= Miniseries
|marital status= Single, in a relationship with a [[Cylon-Related_Hallucinations#Baltar.27s_Internal_Six|hallucination of Number Six]]. Previously involved with [[Caprica-Six|the "real" Number Six]] and [[Gina]].
|role= Former President of [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|the Twelve Colonies]]
|actor= [[James Callis]]
}}

Dr. '''Gaius Baltar''' is a brilliant scientist. Elegantly dressed and aesthetically handsome, with the affected humility of the truly arrogant, Baltar is a deeply flawed person and almost pathologically narcissistic. Beneath his outstanding abilities lurks a dramatic weakness of character that leads humanity to disaster.

Baltar is no longer president of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]. He had succeeded President [[Laura Roslin]] in an election 380 days prior to the Cylons' discovery of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). Now viewed as a traitor by the Colonials, he is left behind on [[New Caprica]] in the aftermath of the [[Battle of New Caprica]] ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

__TOC__

== Background ==

* Dr. Baltar was formerly a lead defense systems developer working for the [[Colonial Ministry of Defense]] and came to prominence as a computer technology designer, having won three [[Magnate Prize]]s.
* He networks with others well, and became personal friends with President [[Richard Adar]]. However, Baltar is extremely arrogant at times.
* Baltar becomes responsible for the design of the critical [[Command Navigation Program]] (CNP) used throughout the [[Colonial Fleet]].
* Baltar's scientific prowess seems strongest in the medical and biological fields ([[Epiphanies]]). As a result of his lesser (although still advanced) computer programming skills, he seeks the help (and as a byproduct, the affections of) a [[Caprica Six|young woman]] to aid him with the CNP.
* Baltar's two-year affair with the mysterious woman-- even to the extent of using code she herself wrote to overcome shortfalls in his CNP -- allowed her unrestricted access to some of the most sensitive systems of the Colonial defenses.
*Baltar's involvement with his blonde assistant does not stop him from dalliances with other women during this time, right up to when his assistant confronts Baltar and a lover in bed.

==Character History==
* Baltar learns that his "corporate spy" lover is in fact a new type of Cylon -- a [[Cylon agent|Cylon in human form]], able to mimic human beings down to the smallest detail, who altered his CNP with [[backdoor]]s to subvert any CNP-equipped ship.
[[image:Mini-Baltar_Six.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Caprica-Six|Number Six]] kissing in the [[Miniseries]]. (C. SciFi Channel)]]
*Appalled by the fact that his sexual folly has led to the virtual holocaust of humanity, Baltar is nevertheless determined not only to survive but also avoid having his unintended treachery revealed.
* Baltar is rescued from Caprica following the forced-landing of a Colonial [[Raptor]] -- at the cost of [[Karl Agathon|one of the crew staying behind]] ([[Miniseries]])
* Baltar is plagued by visions of Number Six that only he can see and hear. He cannot be sure whether this is a result of his own guilt at his actions or whether -- as she initially claims -- she is part of a chip that has been implanted in his brain<ref name="chip">The idea that Six is an actual chip in Baltar's head was dismissed by Dr. [[Cottle]]'s image scan of Baltar's head. See [[Gaius Baltar#Speculation: The Real Baltar?|the section on alternate reasons for Six's existence]] for more.</ref>.
*Baltar is put to work trying to devise a means of detecting these humanoid Cylons. He luckily exposes [[Aaron Doral]] as a Cylon agent ([[Miniseries]]), using little more than invented [[technobabble]] to convince [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]].
*Baltar eventually develops a genuine detector. This, together with his survival of a foiled attempt to expose him as a traitor ([[Six Degrees of Separation]]), firmly establishes his credentials within the Fleet's hierarchy.
*With this new-found trust, and despite his willingness to deliberately conceal vital information, such as [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii's]] true status as a [[Cylon agent]] ([[Flesh and Bone]]), Baltar enters the realm of political leadership, first as the Representative for [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] on the [[Quorum of Twelve]], and then as the newly-elected Vice President of the Colonies ([[Colonial Day]]).
* The virtual Six continues to help and hinder Baltar, gradually drawing him to a point of near-open acceptance and participation in Cylon plans and activities ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Whether by coincidence or design, Six manipulates Baltar through repeated threats of exposing his involvement with the destruction of the Colonies ("[[33]],", "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]"), while also appearing to aid him by giving information that [[The Hand of God (RDM)|appears insightful or inspired]] to help the Colonials.
[[image:Scattered-Baltar_Six.jpg|thumb|[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] seeing "the shape of things to come" in "[[Scattered]]". (C. Universal Studios)]]
*Baltar is subjected to a final revelation of his role with the Cylons (as virtual Six sees it) when "the future" is revealed to him on [[Kobol]], in the form of the first of "God's new generation of children" ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).

[[Image:Baltarixvalleydarkness.jpg|Number Six showing Baltar the clearing filled with human bones, telling him they were from human sacrifices.|thumb]]
* While stranded on Kobol after a crash landing, Baltar's virtual Six warns him that the Colonial religion is a falsehood to cover up atrocities of their nature.
*On Kobol, Baltar shoots [[Crashdown]] in the back, killing him instantly, to save [[Cally]] from a practically suicidal and unnecessary attack on a Cylon missile battery.<ref>The act of killing Crashdown appears to have led to a dramatic change in Baltar's attitude toward hurting anyone directly. When Cally tries to blackmail him after they return from Kobol, Baltar is somewhat rough with her. When he visits Tyrol and Boomer in the brig, he does not hesitate to inject Tyrol with fatal drugs to blackmail Boomer into giving Cylon secrets. Baltar's humanitarian acts to the Six copy known as Gina also suggests Baltar's attitude in the care of Cylons is further changing. More and more, Baltar appears to prefer direct intervention and is less cowardly in his attitude.</ref>. The group are eventually rescued by the Raptors. Baltar tells the [[SAR]] team that Crashdown died a hero in the fight, and Chief Tyrol reluctantly corroborates his story ([[Fragged]]).
*Back on ''Galactica'', Cally blackmails Baltar into making it a priority to prove that Chief Tyrol is not a Cylon, as Col. Tigh suspects, or Cally would reveal the truth of Crashdown's death.
* Incensed at this ingratitude, Baltar gambles that the [[brig|jailed]] Boomer knows of the number of Cylons in the Fleet, and blackmails her into doing so, using Tyrol's life.
[[image:brainscan.jpg|Baltar recieves his brain scan from Dr. Cottle, as Six watches on in amusement.|thumb]]
*Questioning his own sanity after his virtual Six claims that he was generally crazy, Baltar has a brain scan performed in [[sickbay]] by Dr. [[Cottle]] which confirms no "foreign objects" are present in his head.
*Baltar is ready to believe that he is truly insane until he hears [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Sharon]] discuss Valerii's pregnancy with a Cylon/Human hybrid child from his observation room. Six tells Baltar earlier that "their child" would be born in that cell, and this leads Baltar to realize that Six ''must'' be real because his subconscious couldn't have known that ([[Home, Part II]]).
*When [[D'anna Biers]] films a documentary about life aboard ''Galactica'', Six urges Baltar to give an interview to try to win people over to thinking that he should be running the Fleet. Baltar performs badly as he begins his interview but, fortunately, his interview is interrupted by a Cylon attack that Biers chooses to film instead ([[Final Cut]]).
*Baltar aids in trying to overcome the Cylon [[logic bomb]] which devastates ''Galactica's'' [[computers]]. Tigh's dislike of Baltar's involvement in this problem makes the scientist edgy enough to retort, "I'm sorry. Do you want to survive this one or not, Colonel?" ([[Flight of the Phoenix]])
[[image:baltargina.jpg|Baltar with Gina, the Cylon prisoner from ''Pegasus''.|thumb]]

*[[Helena Cain|Admiral Helena Cain]] requests that Baltar examine ''Pegasus' '' own Cylon prisoner to see what information he could glean from it. Baltar is horrified to discover the Cylon was a terribly abused and tortured copy of Number Six named "[[Gina]]". Baltar vows to help her and begins by having her restraints removed and bringing food to her ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).
*Over the course of his examination of Gina, he uncovers both her wish to die and the secret of the Cylon [[Resurrection Ship]]. He passes this information to Adama and Admiral Cain, who develop an [[Attack on the Resurrection Ship|operation to destroy it]] ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).
*Baltar continues to spend time with Gina, eventually helping her escape from the brig. He tells Gina that he can hide her, and also that he loves her. Gina goes on to kill Cain and escapes from ''Pegasus'' through unexplained means([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).

*To many, Dr. Baltar appears to exhibit more odd behavior than what may be considered the expected eccentricity of a genius. Crewmembers on ''Galactica'' find him mumbling with himself or discovering him in places they do not expect, such as aboard battlestar ''Pegasus'' to see its new commander, [[Jack Fisk]].
*Torn between the "flesh and blood" copy of the [[Number Six]] copy, Gina, the demands of his internal Number Six, and his continuing attempt to cover his own multiple duplicities, Baltar becomes more aggressive and confrontational. With President Roslin's advice to abort the Cylon-hybrid fetus of the incarcerated [[Sharon Valerii]], Baltar reacts to defend it as if it were his own child. Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] admonishes Baltar, telling him that, on Roslin's death, he will become President and that he needs to behave like one.
*Desperate to save Valerii's fetus, Baltar reviews Dr. [[Cottle]]'s medical tests and performs experiments of his own, learning a striking revelation: the blood of the fetus can destroy cancer and repair its damage to human tissue.<ref name="stemcells">According to the writer's original planning, this was due to the presence of Cylon [[Wikipedia:stem cells|stem cells]] in the fetus's blood. This explanation was absent in the final shooting script.</ref> With Admiral Adama's permission, he injects the dying President Roslin with some of the fetal blood, which works miraculously, saving both Roslin and Valerii's child by circumstance.
*After saving Roslin's life, Baltar reads the letter given to him in the event of her death, in which she says he lacks compassion and asks him to open his heart if he becomes president. Furious, and goaded on by Six who tells him that Roslin doesn't trust him, Baltar delivers the nuclear warhead used for the Cylon detector to Gina and her militant [[Demand Peace]] movement. ([[Epiphanies]]).
*Baltar keeps his [[fumarello]] supply fresh by trading in the [[black market (organization)|black market]] through new ''Pegasus'' Commander [[Jack Fisk]]. Not realizing that Fisk had been murdered, the scientist visits Fisk's quarters, only to meet Captain [[Lee Adama]], who has starten an investigation on the black market and Fisk's murder. Baltar truthfully tells Adama that he knows nothing of Fisk's murder, but Adama correctly deduces Baltar's association with Fisk and the black market since the "Caprica Imperials" fumarellos are a known favorite of Baltar's.
*Baltar is also unaware that his involvement in the destruction of the Colonies is partially revealed. In ''Galactica's'' sickbay, Laura Roslin recalled those final days on Caprica, and remembered Baltar in the company of a woman on Caprica who she knows now is a [[Number Six|Cylon agent]].
*Baltar is summoned to ''[[Colonial One]]'', where Roslin offers him, without explanation, the chance to resign from the Vice Presidency to return to his studies. Baltar becomes immediately suspicious (and frightened) in Roslin's succinct and direct vote of no-confidence in her vice president. Realizing that the Vice Presidency now has greater importance (if nothing other than to save his own hide), Baltar turns down what Roslin calls a "one-time offer" to save himself as he saved Roslin on her deathbed ([[Black Market]]).

[[Image:Baltarlaydownburdensii.jpg|Gaius Baltar as President, from ''Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II''.|thumb]]
*Dr. Baltar decides (with no small influence from Six and [[Tom Zarek]]) to run for President in the coming Colonial Elections ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

*Roslin is declared the winner of the elections, but is caught by Adama for manipulating the tally. Baltar is declared president. While Baltar demands an investigation initially, he backs down under Adama's glare.
*President Baltar orders the Fleet to return to the marginally habitable planet [[New Caprica]] seconds after his inauguration. Baltar shows incompetency as president a few days later, when he orders the colonization of the planet. In an attempt to cover up his role in giving Gina the nuclear warhead used to detonate ''[[Cloud Nine]]'', Baltar orders Adama to stop any further investigation into the destruction of ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' and two other ships (he correctly guesses that the conflagration was started by [[Gina]]).
*During his first year in office, Baltar indulges in women, wallows in the incompentence of his administration, and is callously unsympathetic to the supply and resource problems plaguing the new colony, whose inhabitants continue to live in tents. The public, including the labor union lead by [[Galen Tyrol]], is notably displeased with his administration.
*380 days after Baltar's ascention to the presidency, a Cylon armada finds the planet after discovering the radiation cloud left by the destruction of ''[[Cloud 9]]''. This event heralds the return of the dormant virtual Number Six noting to him that "judgement day" has come at last. Copies of a [[Number Five|Five]], [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] meet with Baltar and his cabinet, recommending surrender; it is here that he is reunited with the Six he fell in love with on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).
*After four months of Cylon occupation, the citizens of New Caprica despise their president. Baltar fears for his life and turns down public appearances, such as the [[New Caprica Police]] Academy graduation, to avoid assassination attempts ([[Occupation]]). It is even commented by the Cylon occupiers while discussing the notion of public executions to discourage uprising that publicly executing Baltar would be counterproductive, since the populace would cheer his death.
*Baltar is finally deposed after Admiral Adama [[Battle of New Caprica|organizes and executes a daring rescue mission]] of New Caprica's occupied inhabitants. During the exodus of those willing to leave New Caprica, Baltar happens across the dead body of [[Maya]] and the Cylon hybrid [[Hera]], and apparently stays behind with the Cylons ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

==Notes==
*There is speculation that Gaius Baltar could be a Cylon agent himself. See the [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] article for the pros and cons of this theory.
*[[Ron Moore]] has stated in several episode commentaries that when the role of "Gaius Baltar" was originally written in the script, the writing team never intended Baltar to have a "funny" aspect, but James Callis himself decided to play up that aspect of the frantic predicaments Baltar finds himself in during the [[Miniseries]] (which although the writers never anticipated, they enjoyed, and started writing him with that in mind).
*According to "[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]", [[Edward James Olmos]] and [[Mary McDonnell]] were hand-picked for their roles, while the rest of the characters were cast by audition: among the actors in the running for the role of "Gaius Baltar" was ''Two and a Half Men''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Wikipedia:Jon Cryer|Jon Cryer]], though the role ultimately went to [[James Callis]]. Callis was suggested by Angela Mancuso, who ran the studio at the time, who knew him from the ''Helen of Troy'' miniseries, in which he played Menelaus.

==References==
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{{succession box|before=''(unknown)''|title=Caprican delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve]]|after=''(unknown)''}}
{{succession box|before=''(unknown)''|title=[[Government|Vice-President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol]]|after=[[Tom Zarek]]|}}
{{succession box|before=[[Laura Roslin]]|title=[[Government|President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol]]|after=[[Tom Zarek]]|}}
{{succession box|before=''unknown''|title=Chief Scientific Advisor aboard battlestar [[Galactica]]|after=''unknown, possibly [[Felix Gaeta]]}}
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[[Category:A to Z|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:Characters|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:People from Caprica|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:RDM|Baltar, Gaius]]

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