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William Adama

2010-04-25T16:55:59Z

Lukefrywalker:

:''For information on William Adama's [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Original Series]] counterpart, see [[Adama (TOS)]].''
:''For other people named the shortened version of William, see: [[Bill (disambiguation)]].''
{{Character Data
|photo=William Adama.jpg
|caption=William Adama as the commander of the last battlestar, ''Galactica''.
|photo 2=Willie_Adama.jpg
|caption 2=William Adama at age 11 in ''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]''
|age=73 (at the time when he reached New Earth)
|colony= [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]], of [[Tauron (RDM)|Tauron]] decent
|birthname= William Adama
|callsign= Husker
|nickname= Willie (as a child) Billy (during the First Cylon War) Bill / The Old Man (later in life)
|seen= Miniseries
|death= Presumably on Earth, c. 148,000 BCE
|parents= [[Joseph Adama]] † (father) [[Shannon Adama]] † (mother)
|siblings= [[Tamara Adama]] (sister) †
|children= [[Lee Adama|Leland J. Adama]] [[Zak Adama]] †
|marital status= Divorced ([[Carolanne Adama]] †); Temporarily co-habitated with [[Laura Roslin]] aboard ''Galactica''
|familytree=Y
|role=Commanding Officer, [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' Military leader of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|civilian Fleet]]
|rank=Admiral
|serial=204971<ref>This information is from his [[:Image:Bill Adama's dogtag serial.jpg|dogtags]].</ref>
|cylon=
|actor=[[Edward James Olmos]] [[Nico Cortez]] ([[Razor]]) [[Sina Najafi]] (''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]'')
|sepcon=Y
}}
Admiral '''William Adama''', a veteran of the [[First Cylon War]], is the commanding officer of the [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'', and the highest ranking officer left in the Colonial Fleet after the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

== Background ==
*William Adama (named after his [[William Adama (grandfather)|deceased grandfather]]) was born in 69 BCH on Caprica, the son of [[Joseph Adama]] and [[Shannon Adama]] and raised in [[Qualai]], a small coastal community ([[CAP]]: [[Caprica pilot|Pilot]]; [[TRS]]: "[[Hero]]"). His father was a [[Tauron (RDM)|Tauron]] immigrant and an attorney specializing in criminal defense and civil liberties with ties to the [[Ha'la'tha|criminal underworld]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Litmus]]", "Hero"; [[CAP]]: [[Caprica pilot|Pilot]]). His mother was an accountant ([[TRS]]: "[[Hero]]"). Both his mother and his sister, [[Tamara Adama|Tamara]], died in a suicide bombing on the [[Maglev 23]] when he was 11. He was still in school when the First [[Cylon War]] started ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]," Episode 1). During his childhood, he was considered small for his age and would often be beaten by his peers ([[TRS]]: [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)/Season 3#99|deleted scene]], "[[Exodus, Part II]]"). Because of anti-Tauron prejudice, Adama's father assumed the more Caprican-sounding surname Adams, but eventually the family reverted to the original Tauron name after 58 BCH ([[CAP]]: [[Pilot]]).
*After the death of both his mother and sister, Adama becomes estranged from his father, who is indirectly involved with the creation of the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] after his uncle, [[Sam Adama]], violently secures the [[meta-cognitive processor]] ([[CAP]]: [[Caprica pilot|Pilot]], "[[Know Thy Enemy]]"). As a result of this estrangement, Sam assumes a parental role in Adama's life, much to his father's chagrin, and as a result becomes rebellious ([[CAP]]: "[[Rebirth]]", "[[The Reins of a Waterfall]]", "[[There is Another Sky]]"). His grandmother, [[Ruth]], encourages Adama's pursuit of his Tauron culture, even offering him uncharacteristically chilling advice in the process ([[CAP]]: [[Pilot]], "[[Gravedancing]]", "[[There is Another Sky]]").
*Adama served late in the [[Cylon War]] as both a [[Raptor]] and [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] pilot, his first assignment being on ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. His first mission behind enemy lines was in a Raptor undergoing an unknown mission ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]," Episode 1; "[[Sine Qua Non]]"). He allegedly gained the call sign of "Husker"<ref>Adama's callsign is misspelled as "Husher" in the [[Battlestar Galactica (2005 Novel)|Miniseries novelization]], which is considered a [[BW:SEPCON|separate continuity]] source.</ref> on account of his baritone "graveled" voice. During his time on ''Galactica'', he had a romantic relationship with [[Jaycie McGavin]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]", Episode 1). He proved a gifted pilot, shooting down his first [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] on his very first combat mission, for which he received a commendation ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor Flashbacks]]", Episode 3; "[[Hero]]").
*In the last week in the war, Adama served on ''[[Galactica]]'' when the battlestar was boarded by Cylon forces. He recalled to his friend and fellow war veteran [[Saul Tigh]] a dangerous Cylon tactic that tried to turn the battlestar's power against itself ([[TRS]]: "[[Valley of Darkness]]", [[List_of_Deleted_Scenes_-_Season_2_(RDM)#Valley of Darkness|deleted scene]]).
*Furloughed by [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] after the war's end, Adama found work as a deck hand on a [[Sedulana|merchant fleet civilian freighter]], where he met [[Saul Tigh]], who became a long-time friend ([[TRS]]: "[[Scattered]]", "[[Valley of Darkness]]").
*Adama married [[Carolanne Adama]], whose family had political influence with the defense subcommittee and pulled to get Adama reinstated to the Colonial Fleet. Adama (now a major) himself arranged for Tigh's reinstatement two years later.
*William and Carolanne Adama had two sons, [[Lee Adama|Lee]] and [[Zak Adama|Zak]], before the pressures of Adama's career and the time he spent away from home in active service began to place a strain on their marriage, and the two eventually divorced ([[TRS]]: [[Miniseries]], "[[A Day in the Life]]").
*While elder son Lee showed promise as a Viper pilot, younger Zak Adama did not. [[Kara Thrace]], Zak's flight instructor and lover, certified him for basic flight despite his poor flight skills. Later, Zak Adama was killed in an operational flight. Zak's death would cause a rift between Commander Adama and his older son for nearly [[Act of Contrition|three years]] until Thrace admits her error to both of them.
*Adama rose through the ranks of the peacetime fleet, becoming the executive officer of the battlestar ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]'', before becoming the commander of the battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]''. About six years <ref name="hero">While dialogue from "[[Hero]]" places these events at 1 BCH, this contradicts previously established dates about the time Adama and others served on ''Galactica''. See [[Hero#Analysis]] for a detailed explanation why ''Battlestar Wiki'' chooses to treat this as a continuity error.</ref> prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], he was ordered by Admiral [[Peter Corman]] to escort a [[Stealthstar|stealth scout ship]] over the [[Armistice Line]]. The mission was a failure, and in an attempt to cover up, he ordered the ship and its pilot shot down. Ever since, he had felt guilt, both over shooting down his own pilot and over the possibility that his actions resulted in the holocaust. According to Tigh, this mission brought his star into descent, and he was given command of ''Galactica'' as a graceful way of easing into retirement.
*Adama has the rare combination of qualities that make up a good leader: insight, the ability to naturally command respect, a common touch that enables him to relate to the enlisted personnel under his command as well as his officers, intuition, intelligence, a strong belief in his own abilities, and the ability to take the advice of others. These qualities are reflected in the fact that personnel of all ranks aboard ''Galactica'' hold him in high regard, and know that he is approachable ([[TRS]]: [[Miniseries]]).
*Adama mistrusts politicians, and sometimes places too strongly a value of loyalty to those he regards as family and friends. From his uneasiness to [[Laura Roslin]]'s unexpected assumption of the Presidency, to the tolerance and patience of his friend, Saul Tigh, and [[You Can't Go Home Again|his stubbornness to save Kara Thrace]], Adama shows a dogged determination that few others care to confront.
*Adama does not share the majority of Colonial beliefs in the gods ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]"), although he has come to accept that his people's scripture may have relevance to the search for Earth ([[TRS]]: "[[Home, Part II]]").
*Several notable assignments and reassignments during his 45-year career in the Colonial Fleet ([[TRS]]: "[[Hero]]"):
**D6/21311 - First commission: battlestar ''Galactica'' fighter squadron
**E4/21312 - Commendation for shooting down Cylon fighter in first combat mission
**D5/21314 - Mustered out of service post-armistice
**R6/21317 - Served as deckhand in merchant fleet and as common [...] aboard inter-colony tramp freighters
**D1/21331 - Recommissioned to Fleet
**D6/21337 - Major: battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM)|Atlantia]]''
**R8/21341 - Executive Officer: battlestar ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]''
**C2/21345 - Commander: battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]''
**C2/21348 - Commander: battlestar ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''

 

<gallery>
Image:Young Adama.jpg|William Adama during the first Cylon War ([[TRS]]: "[[Razor]]").
Image:Youngadamafamily.jpg|A somewhat older William Adama and his two sons.
Image:Adama freighter.jpg|Adama aboard an inter-colony tramp freighter ([[TRS]]: "[[Scattered]]").
</gallery>

== Character History==

=== Childhood ===

* At age 11 (58 [[BCH]]), William "Willie" Adama held the family name of "Adams," as it was changed to hide the Adamas's [[Tauron]] ethnicity. It is after the death of his [[Shannon Adama|mother]] and [[Tamara Adama|sister]] at the bombing of [[Maglev 23]] that his [[Joseph Adama|father]] made aware of his Tauron heritage ([[CAP]]: [[Caprica pilot|Pilot]]. Following their deaths, he becomes estranged from his father, and his uncle, [[Sam Adama]], takes Adama under his wing and introduces him to life as a Tauron—and soldiers of the [[Ha'la'tha]]—ignoring his scholastic responsibilities. His grandmother, [[Ruth]], aids in his exposure to his Tauron heritage ([[CAP]]: "[[Rebirth]]", "[[The Reins of a Waterfall]]", "[[Gravedancing]]").
* He and his father later undergo a Tauron ritual that is meant to deal with the loss of loved ones, and this seems to aid in the reconciliation between them ([[CAP]]: "[[There is Another Sky]]"). At the time, he is unaware that his father had [[Daniel Graystone]] create an [[Tamara-A|avatar]] of his dead sister; he knew they were friends, but is oblivious to the circumstances that putrified this friendship ([[CAP]]: "[[Gravedancing]]").

=== The Fall of the Twelve Colonies ===

[[image:Mini_Adama_Tigh_DRADIS.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Commander Adama and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] plot a course to [[Ragnar Anchorage]] in the [[Miniseries]].]]

*At the time just prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Fall]], William Adama serves out his final weeks as commander of the battlestar ''[[Galactica]]''. After some 50 years of service, the historic warship is in the process of being decommissioned, and it is one of Adama's final duties to formally hand her over to the [[Colonial Ministry of Education]], which would operate the ship as a living museum and educational center commemorating the [[First Cylon War|original Cylon War]].
*As a retirement gift, several members of [[Galen Tyrol]]'s deck crew find and restore Adama's old [[Viper Mark II]].
*On news of a renewed Cylon attack, Adama's first thoughts are, "Dead. We're all dead" ([[TRS]]: "[[Home, Part II]]"). Despite this, as well as the presumed loss of his [[Carolanne Adama|ex-wife]] in Caprica City, he unhesitatingly takes control of the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] after [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Picon|Picon]] Fleet Headquarters is destroyed and Admiral [[Nagala]] is killed.
*At Ragnar Anchorage, Adama deduces that [[Number Two|Leoben Conoy]]'s "allergies" are really the effect of Ragnar's cloud's electro-magnetic radiation upon the [[silica pathways]] composing a Cylon brain, despite the fact that the existence of [[Humanoid Cylon|biological Cylons]] is unknown to humans at that time.<ref>See [[Miniseries, Analysis#Commander William Adama|Miniseries, Analysis]] for hypotheses concerning Adama's curious ability to quickly deduce Conoy's real nature.</ref>
*Once President Roslin convinces Adama the futility of fighting against overwhelming odds, and with what may be the last 50,000 humans that remain anywhere, he makes the switch to the more tactical thinking that keeps the Colonial Fleet at least one step ahead of their Cylon pursuers.
*From the outset, he is savvy enough to give every single survivor of the devastating attack on the Colonies a reason for hope for the future: the legend of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. This falsehood [[Tomb of Athena|comes back to haunt him]] as the weeks continue, as Roslin is aware of this lie to the crew and states this privately to Adama.

=== From the Colonies to Kobol ===

*Adama continues to face the problem of infiltration within the Fleet by [[humanoid Cylon]]s as well as [[Demand Peace|dissenting humans]] who protest or terrorize others in the Fleet. Adama continually redefines the boundaries of military and civil leadership. After some [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|serious missteps between he and President Roslin]], the two later become friends as well as influential leaders.
*[[Sharon Valerii]], a trusted [[Raptor]] pilot that served with Adama for two years, reveals herself unwittingly as a Cylon sleeper agent and shoots Adama at point blank range after a [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|critical mission near Kobol]]. Cottle [[Fragged|eventually repairs]] the damage to Adama's body, but Adama's psyche takes the larger hit while he repairs the [[Resistance|damage to the Fleet]] he and Col. Tigh have caused in arresting President Roslin, as well as the existence of a [[Sharon Agathon|second copy of Valerii]].
*While at first Adama takes a similar stance to Tigh in assuming a hard military posture, a conversation with [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] helps him realize that, despite the problems, the Fleet is his family, and the family must stay together. After finding the [[Tomb of Athena]] with Roslin and reuniting a [[Laura Roslin faction|factioning of the Fleet]], Adama firmly buries the hatchet between he and Roslin publicly.
*In a desperate plan, Adama trusts the second Valerii to help [[Flight of the Phoenix|ward off]] a [[Great Cylon Turkey Shoot|massive Cylon fleet]]. Despite his "gut" feelings about the Cylon, he finds common ground often with her, even apologizing to her after a [[Resurrection Ship, Part I|distasteful incident]].

<gallery>
Image:Attack adama.jpg|Adama seconds after having been shot by [[Sharon Valerii]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").
image:Home_pt1-Adama.jpg|Adama paints a model naval ship while talking to [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Home, Part I]]").
</gallery>

=== ''Pegasus'' ===

*Adama stoically accepts Admiral [[Helena Cain]]'s overall command. Wary of her behavior and her crew, Adama follows his own truism: stick to what you know, until you find something better.
*Matters with Cain's unusually totalitarian command style come to a head when Cain makes [[Pegasus (episode)|several highly questionable orders]] that lead him to face off with her battlestar and her command in a [[Standoff Between Galactica and Pegasus|military challenge]]. While the issue is [[Resurrection Ship, Part I|temporarily defused]], Adama is told by, of all people, President Roslin that Cain is a threat to the safety of the Fleet's citizens and must be eliminated.
*Adama avoids killing Cain after realizing that he would become the monster that the Cylons believed they were, unaware that she has plotted his demise as well.
*With Cain's fate sealed not by Adama but [[Gina Inviere]], a frail President Roslin promotes Adama to Admiral. He gives her a simple, affectionate kiss, which she returns, signifying another change in their turbulent association ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).

=== New Caprica ===

[[Image:Adama being carried Exodus-Pt-II.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Adama being carried by crew and civilians after the [[Battle of New Caprica]] (mid left).]]

*Adama's sense of justice with Roslin holds when he confronts her about [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|a conspiracy]] involving her re-election. Roslin admits the conspiracy but she is certain disaster will strike if [[Gaius Baltar]] becomes president. He agrees, but convinces Roslin that the correct course of action is to acknowledge a miscount and cover the conspiracy.
*When ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' and two other ships blow up as a result of [[Gina Inviere]]'s last effort of sabotage, Adama is privately infuriated at new President Baltar's refusal to investigate, and begins to wonder if he hadn't made a mistake.
*A year later, Adama commands ''Galactica'' manned by a skeleton crew as the flagship of a defense fleet, consisting of all ships unable or unwilling to make planetfall on [[New Caprica]]. He now sports a thick mustache, and has apparently taken up smoking. Adama feel lonely in command after he allowed many people close to him to settle on the planet despite his initial refusal. Eventually he grants [[Saul Tigh]] leave to take his wife [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] and go as well. His friendship to [[Laura Roslin]] appears to have deepened and the two share a carefree day during celebrations on the planet ([[TRS]]: "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Unfinished Business]]").
*During the year in orbit, he mends fences with [[Sharon Agathon]]. Although he valued her advise earlier, he called her a "thing" and treated her such. While becoming estranged from the people around him, Adama grows much closer to Agathon, having personal conversations with her and he allowing her to decorate her cell with chairs, tables and other amenities and she has apparently become an advisor of sorts to him ([[TRS]]: "[[Precipice]]").
*Not long after Tigh leaves, a massive Cylon fleet bears down on New Caprica. After a brief discussion with [[Lee Adama|his son]] aboard ''Pegasus'' they order the understaffed Fleet to escape to pre-arranged Jump coordinates. The admiral issues the jump order with a reminder: "We're leaving... but we'll be back."
* Frustrations over the lack of a plan and problems during exercises lead to a conflict with his son whom he attacks over his weight gain and perceived softness. While Lee is pragmatic and doesn't believe that they can rescue the people on New Caprica in their state, his father drives everyone to their limit, thinking it is his misjudgments that brought them into the situation.
*He only forgives himself for leaving almost everyone behind after a conversation with Agathon, where she explains that, after being through so much herself, she discovered that she first had to forgive herself in order to get through it. In her opinion, the human race can't survive if Adama can't forgive himself.
*He commissions Agathon as a Colonial officer shortly after making contact with the [[New Caprica Resistance]], showing complete trust in her. She asks how he knows that she won't betray him and he replies he doesn't, stating "that's what trust is." Eventually a rescue plan takes shape, but Adama decides to go to New Caprica alone, ordering his son to take over as guardian of the Fleet should he not return. Despite their differences of opinion, the two have a heartfelt goodbye.
*Although sustaining losses, and with the last-minute assistance of Lee and ''Pegasus'', Adama is able to [[Battle of New Caprica|successfully pull off the rescue attempt]]. He is lauded by his crew and the civilians for this. He also shaves off his mustache, signifying a new beginning ([[TRS]]: "[[Occupation]]" through "[[Exodus, Part II]]").

=== Flight from New Caprica to "Maelstrom" ===
*Adama is awarded the [[Medal of Distinction]] for his 45 years of distinctive service in the Colonial Fleet. To him this is a penance for the harm that he caused in the past, and his belief that he might have been the cause of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Hero]]").
*In an effort to alleviate tensions on ''Galactica'', Adama [[Unfinished Business|holds a boxing tournament]], disregarding rank, allowing people to work out built up frustrations. He himself joins the festivities by challenging Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]. Beaten, he declares that he let everyone too close to him, which ultimately led to the fracturing of their family on New Caprica, and vows to not make that mistake again.
*After the discovery of the [[Temple of Five]] on the [[algae planet]], four Cylon [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] jump into orbit. A meeting with the Cylons occurs on ''Galactica'', but Adama threatens to nuke the planet should the Cylons make a claim to it. A standoff occurs, and when the Cylons try to launch six Heavy Raiders, Adama orders the arming the ship's [[missile tubes]]. This frightens the Cylons, who recall five of the six and Adama orders a stand down ([[TRS]]: "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", "[[Rapture]]").
*With the capture of [[Gaius Baltar]], Adama and President Roslin are faced with a dilemma of what to do with Baltar. They try various methods of interrogation, including food and sleep deprivation, threats, and even an [[interrogation drug]], to find out what the Cylons know about the location of Earth. Adama apparently has previous experience with the drug and, after suggesting its use, acts as the interrogator, showing his darker side ([[TRS]]: "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]").
*On his wedding anniversary, Adama is plagued by memories of his [[Carolanne Adama|ex-wife]]. He wonders about the nature of his relationship to Roslin, not admitting that it could turn into a romantic one. He is also unsure how to treat his son, having a hard time telling him his personal feelings: "proud, stubborn and angry", but "coming into his own". While loving his son, he prefers to interact with him as an admiral to a subordinate officer, believing Lee knows how he feels. Upon Roslin's recommendations, he offers his son to organize Baltar's upcoming trial. Although not sure if Lee will have the time, he gives him [[Joseph Adama]]'s old [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Law books|law books]]. It is also revealed that Adama does memory exercises to enable him to know everyone on his crew by name ([[TRS]]: "[[A Day in the Life]]").

=== [[Kara Thrace]]'s death, resurrection and the final leg of the journey to Earth ===
* By chance, Adama is selected to be a judge at the trial. Two weeks after [[Kara Thrace]]'s [[Maelstrom|death]] he is still distraught, having considered her as a daughter—after her resurection/return/rebirth, he tells her, "You are my daughter" ([[TRS]]: "[[Daybreak, Part I]]"). In anger, he breaks his model ship. Adama places [[Lee Adama|Lee]] in charge of security for [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s new lawyer, [[Romo Lampkin]], but Lee develops a desire to actively help defend Baltar much to Adama's outrage. The two also come to blows over their dealing with Thrace's loss ([[TRS]]: "[[The Son Also Rises]]"). This results in a break between the father and son, with Lee resigning his commission and Adama questioning his son's integrity after Lee contributed to humiliating his friend [[Saul Tigh]] in court, not able to understand how he could do such things in order to defend a traitor, whom he believes is undeserving of a trial ([[TRS]]: "[[Crossroads, Part I]]").
*Adama reconsiders his relationship with his son after Lee's [[Crossroads, Part II#Noteworthy Dialogue|impassioned speech]] about justice, itself swaying his vote in favor of an acquittal of Baltar. He is further pleased that his son participated in the [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula]], offering him his wings back, which Lee refuses as he believes that he can do better in his new role as the new [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] delegate from [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]] ([[TRS]]: "[[Crossroads, Part II]]", "[[He That Believeth In Me]]").
* Adama comforts Laura Roslin throughout her [[Doloxan]] treatments on ''Galactica''. The two bond further and share some of their most intimate thoughts. During this, Roslin manages to convince Adama that they will truly find Earth despite his earlier skepticism. Roslin's remarks that Adama is afraid to lose people close to him hit a mark, and he gives Thrace command of the ''[[Demetrius]]'' on a mission to search for Earth. He wants to believe in her despite serious questions regarding her sudden resurrection, even after her attack on Roslin ([[TRS]]: "[[He That Believeth In Me]]", "[[Six of One]]").
*Adama and Roslin later discuss Lee's choices, including his decision to support the right of Baltar's [[Cult of Baltar|cult]] to assemble without stricture. Adama seems to appreciate his son's idealism to a certain extent, despite having been on its opposing side several times. He also attempts to comfort Galen Tyrol after Cally's [[The Ties That Bind|sudden death]], but Tyrol rejects the efforts and Adama demotes him to specialist before Tyrol can endanger any other pilots ([[TRS]]: "[[Escape Velocity]]").
* While Roslin continues her Doloxan treatments aboard ship, he continues to comfort her by reading various books, including ''[[Searider Falcon]]'', to her and generally being present to discuss matters of faith. He later admits to her that she is the reason why he has faith in their mission to find Earth ([[TRS]]: "[[Escape Velocity]]", "[[Faith]]").
[[Image:410 Adama sees the Fleet off.jpg|thumb|William Adama sees the Fleet off.]]
* After [[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?|Roslin's abrupt abduction]] by the rebel Cylon baseship, as well as [[Sharon Agathon]]'s murder of [[Natalie Faust]], he initiates a search for Roslin while ignoring the Fleet's safety and interests. His dismissal of both the Quorum and [[Tom Zarek]] raise tensions in the Fleet that force his son to search for—and become—the interim president in Roslin's place. Further, tensions between Adama and Tigh to boil, notably after Dr. [[Sherman Cottle]] reports that [[Caprica Six]] is impregnated by Tigh. The two come to blows over their decisions regarding the women currently in their lives. Adama admits that he can't live without Roslin and decides to stay behind in a Raptor to wait for Roslin's return. As a result, he hands command of the Fleet over to newly-promoted Admiral Tigh, acknowledging that Tigh has become more knowledgeable about himself and is not the same man who [[Scattered|commanded the Fleet disastrously]] over two years ago ([[TRS]]: "[[Sine Qua Non]]"). After reconnecting with the missing basestar and reuniting with President Roslin on the hangar deck of the basestar, she finally admits having feelings for him, to which he replies, "About time" ([[TRS]]: "[[The Hub]]").
*When [[Saul Tigh]] confesses that he is a Cylon, [[Revelations|Adama doesn't take it well]]. He can't believe that his decades-long friend is a Cylon and thinks that he was brainwashed on New Caprica. After ordering Marines to arrest Tigh, Adama breaks down in his quarters, hitting a mirror with his fist and sobbing on the floor. His son finds him in this state and tries to get him to pull himself together.

=== Discovery of Earth ===
*After Lee Adama defuses the following crisis with the [[Cylon Civil War|Cylon rebels]], Adama has sufficiently recovered to lead the Fleet on its final jump to Earth, holding a rousing speech [[Revelations|after the arrival]].
* Unfortunately, when the Colonials land on Earth, they discover that the whole planet is a burnt out wasteland ([[TRS]]: "[[Revelations]]"). Baltar confirms that the planet suffered a nuclear holocaust 2000 years ago. There is still enough radiation left to make the planet uninhabitable. Adama leaves the planet's surface in disgust.
* Back on ''Galactica'', Adama receives even more disturbing news. The Rebel Cylons have found evidence on Earth that the Thirteenth Tribe were not human. They were Cylons.
* Adama tries to get Roslin to address the Fleet, but Roslin has completely lost faith in the Scriptures and no longer has the will to lead the people.
* After Dualla commits suicide, Adama breaks down in tears over her body and believes he's failed everyone. He starts drinking excessively and eventually makes his way to Saul Tigh's quarters.
* Tigh tries to apologize for not telling him the truth, but Adama ignores him and instead starts drinking more and insulting Tigh. He questions whether Tigh was "programmed" to be his friend all these years. Adama then comments that Ellen must have realized the truth about her husband long before he did, which is why she slept around with half the Colonial Fleet. Tigh tells him to shut up, but Adama keeps goading him. Tigh finally can't take it anymore and points his pistol at Adama. Adama draws his own weapon which he points to his own head. He tells Tigh to kill him or he'll do it himself.
* Tigh suddenly realizes that Adama wants to die, but he doesn't have the guts to pull the trigger himself. Tigh calms down and sternly tells Adama that he still has a duty to this ship and that his death won't make things any better. Adama slowly comes to terms with everything that has happened.
* Later, Adama walks onto CIC and addresses a thoroughly demoralized crew. He acknowledges that they can't stay on Earth, but he promises they will find a new home. Adama then orders the CIC personnel to begin jump preparation and to plot a course for an area of space likely to contain a habitable planet.

=== Mutiny ===
* Adama approves an alliance between rebel Cylon faction without the consent of the Quorum of Twelve. These Cylons are given them full colonial citizenship an Quorum seat in exchange for Cylon technology and accepting the colonial command structure.
* Adama orders the fleet to allow Cylons to install their more efficient technology aboard the various ships of the Fleet ([[TRS]]: "[[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]").
* This unpopular decision ferments a [[Gaeta's Mutiny|mutiny attempt]] led militarily by [[Felix Gaeta]] and politically by [[Tom Zarek]].
* Adama is ''de facto'' removed from command, but before he is taken out of the CIC, Adama speaks of a reckoning of traitors.
* The admiral is able to escape the rebels temporary, and helps Laura Roslin and Baltar escape to the Cylon Basestar, but is recaptured in doing so ([[TRS]]: "[[The Oath]]", "[[Blood on the Scales]]").
* Against the advise of Tom Zarek, Gaeta attempts to have an informal trial of Adama charging him with treason.
* Adama is sentenced to death by Gaeta, but again evades death after a group of loyalists save him. His own executioners join him in his quest to retake the ship and he storms CIC with the group that rescued him, the marines who were supposed to execute him and many crew members who join up with him on the way.
* Gaeta attempts to jump away with the fleet, but is stopped by a large group of loyalists storming the CIC and reinstating Adama in command. Gaeta surrenders without a fight and Adama has him and Zarek executed by a firing squad that he personally commands ([[TRS]]: "[[Blood on the Scales]]").

=== Post-Mutiny and the second Earth ===
* With crew sizes stretched very thin, Adama is relying even more on the rebel Cylons, and further integrating the Fleet.
* ''Galactica'' begins to show small fractures through the ship. Tyrol recommends to Adama to use Cylon technology to fix these fractures. Adama initially disagrees, but eventually orders this to be done ([[TRS]]: "[[No Exit]]", "[[Deadlock]]").
* Further damage to the ship caused by Boomer's FTL jump leads Adama to order ''Galactica'''s abandonment ([[TRS]]: "[[Someone to Watch Over Me]]", "[[Islanded in a Stream of Stars]]").
* Adama changes his mind, after discovering [[The Colony|the location]] of [[Hera Agathon]]. He plans to send the ship off in a blaze of glory in a volunteers-only apparent [[Battle of the Colony|suicide mission]] to rescue the child ([[TRS]]: "[[Daybreak, Part II]]").
* Adama gives command of the rest of the Fleet to [[Louis Hoshi]], and launches his attack.
* Adama and the volunteers successfully save Hera and destroy the Colony. Adama orders [[Kara Thrace]] to [[blind jump]] the ship away. The ship ends up at a habitable planet, eventually named Earth. The stresses of the battle and the jump makes the ship unable to jump again.
* The Fleet reunites with ''Galactica''. Following the advice of his son, Adama orders the settlement of the new planet, and he orders that the ships of the Fleet be flown into the sun by [[Samuel Anders]].
* He flies off in a Raptor with Roslin to find a good place to build a cabin, never planning to return and finds the perfect spot... moments after Laura Roslin dies peacefully of her cancer, after which he places his wedding ring on her finger. He builds a cabin in a mountain range for himself, and buries Roslin nearby. Afterwards, he lives in solitude in the cabin, often visiting Laura's grave and speaking to her ([[TRS]]: "[[Daybreak, Part II]]").

== Family tree ==
{{Adama Family Tree (RDM)}}

==Notes==
*[[Wikipedia:Adama|Adama]] (also known as Nazareth) is the name of a large city in Ethiopia. The name is also a variation on "[[Wikipedia:Adam and Eve|Adam]]," the first man to be created according to the Bible in the [[Wikipedia:Genesis|Book of Genesis]]. In Hebrew the word pronounced "Adama" means earth.
*The Tauron language is portrayed on the show using Ancient Greek. Thus, the most likely etymology for the family name "Adama" is from ''adamas'' (ἀδάμας), which means invincible and is the etymological root of the word ''diamond''. It seems a suitable choice as the surname of the various related characters in this series as it relates to their personality traits.
*Edward James Olmos has brown eyes, but he wears contacts when playing William Adama that make Adama's eyes blue. This is done so that Olmos and [[Jamie Bamber]], who is playing his son Apollo, will resemble each other more.
*Astute viewers may recall Edward James Olmos sharing the screen with realistic humanoid robots as [[w:List of minor characters in Blade Runner#Gaff|Gaff]] in the classic science fiction film ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''. Olmos also shares with ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' star [[MemoryAlpha:William Shatner|William Shatner]] the distinction of being one of only two actors to both command a television starship and portray a police officer in a popular 1980's cop show (''[[w:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]]'' for Olmos, ''[[w:T.J. Hooker|T.J. Hooker]]'' for Shatner).
*Edward James Olmos is the father of actor [[Bodie Olmos]], who plays [[Brendan Costanza]].
*Roslin has [[Billy Keikeya]] seek out a jeweler to fashion new admiral pins for Adama after Cain's death at the end of "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]".

==References==
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{{succession box|before=''Unknown''|title=Executive Officer of the battlestar ''[[Columbia (RDM)|Columbia]]''|after=''Unknown''}}
{{succession box|before=''Unknown''|title=Commanding Officer of the battlestar ''[[Battlestar Valkyrie|Valkyrie]]''|after=''Unknown''}}
{{succession box|before=''Unknown'' originally [[Nash]]|title=Commanding Officer of the battlestar ''[[Galactica|Galactica]]''|after=''None Ship destroyed''}}
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{{Characters}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Adama, William}}

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Talk:William Adama/Archive 1

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== Revision issue ==

Just curious, but what's going on with the page? I thought it had more information than this... -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 19:59, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

: As it turns out, [http://battlestarwiki.joebeaudoin.net/index.php?title=Adama%2C_William&oldid=3457 it did]? Is this currently being revised? If so, that's great. -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 20:01, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

== Divorced? ==

Is there a source for his being divorced from Anne and a reason she is not mentioned in his "Marital Status" entry? --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 21:17, 28 December 2005 (EST)

:I don't believe Adama was divorced from Anne at all, but in any case no episode data confirms that status. Note he wears a wedding ring in the miniseries. Also note his sadness on announcing Caprica City's nuking, suggesting other loved ones (maybe Anne) was a victim, too. The only information we can confirm thus far is that Adama married twice. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:29, 17 January 2006 (EST)

== OK, NOT the Adama I Expected to Get Kissed ==

Wow. [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] took me a bit by surprise at the end there. Not Cain getting shot, but Adama's little kiss with Roslin. That was an interesting turn. Not sure what to make of it, other than I was getting all girly-swishy watching it all like a soap opera. That should make the next episode more harder to watch with Roslin...well, don't want to spoil it. And damn, I'm glad the wiki's back up. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 23:32, 13 January 2006 (EST)

: I was ''incredibly'' impressed with Olmos' acting just after the kiss. After she turned away and his face fell... I could very easily sense the utter ''depth'' of sorrow the <s>Commander</s> Admiral was feeling. I've seen that face a few times in real life regarding real life sickness and loss and, well, as I said, I was impressed. --[[User:Day|Day]] 02:35, 14 January 2006 (EST)

::Another good bit of Olmos' acting was in the last episode. I didn't notice it until after I listened to the podcast, but Olmos wipes away a tear as he turns around to hear Roslin say one more thing as he leaves Colonial One in the scene before the battle plan scene. He's a damn fine actor--they all are. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 08:36, 14 January 2006 (EST)

::I thought that RDM said something in the podcast about Olmos spontaneously adding the kiss, which is why Roslin's reaction is so good. --[[User:Deadlygopher|Deadlygopher]] 14:55, 16 January 2006 (EST)

:::That's correct. I learned this later myself when someone else noted this from the podcast as well as well as from the podcast when I listened in, too. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:26, 17 January 2006 (EST)

== "Roll the hard six" ==

Does anyone know what "rolling the hard six" actually refers to? I know it has to do with the game of craps, but I don't know specifically what it means. It would help if i did, because I've started using it completley inadvertently in everyday speech, along with [[frak]]. My friends look at me like I'm insane, its pretty bad. --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 00:52, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:Dude...Six is the highest number on dice. "Rolling the hard six" means getting a high number, when your really need it in a difficult situation...as this is a statistically rare occurance, it is "hard" to do. This doesn't refer to anything specific at all; this is intuitive.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 01:01, 29 January 2006 (EST)

::First, I don't think you're right. I believe the reference is more specific than that.
::Secondly, It would have been a simple matter to phrase your response without a condescending tone. Instead of what you actually said, you could've said "I think 'rolling the hard six' simply refers to actually rolling a six on a die. Since six is the highest number on dice, it means getting a high number when you really need it, and since rolling a 6 is statistically rare, it is "hard" to do."
::Why is it necessary to be rude to other members of the wiki? It only encourages them to be rude back to you, and I know you've had problems with users flaming you in the past - well, this is why they did it. A less civilized person might decide to insult you every chance they get, after the several comments you've made at me.
::When you insult me or other frequent posters, it is merely an annoyance. However, when you insult those who are relatively new to the wiki, you are actually scaring them. I know if I got a comment like that on my first post, I might decide never to post again. This damages the wiki, as there may be quality posters waiting in the wings who you could be scaring off. Please, choose your words carefully and refrain from being rude - to everyone, from newbs to admins and everyone in between. --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 11:13, 29 January 2006 (EST)
:::This is not rude, it is blunt honesty, and should be taken as such.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 11:27, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:::: There're plenty of ways to be honest and even blunt, but not rude. In fact, I don't think you were very blunt at all. Blunt would have been more like: "Six is the highest number on dice. That is "hard" to roll." And BMS's sample would have been ''just'' as honest (read: truthful) as your post. Additionally, just because you intended something to be blunt and honest, but not rude, doesn't mean others must take it that way; the onus is on ''you'' to make sure your intent is clear in the words and phrases you choose. --[[User:Day|Day]] 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:In [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craps standard craps]], "hard six" specifically refers to the combination 3-3 on two dice. You can roll a six 5 different ways (1-5,2-4,3-3,4-2,5-1) only 1 of which is "hard". When a player needs a six, any of the combinations will do. The odds against making a ''hard'' six are 10-1, since only 1 outcome is favorable and 10 are unfavorable (namely, the other 4 ways to make a six, and all 6 ways to make a seven). So the symmetry and low frequency of 3-3 lead to its special designation. The same is true of hard 4, 8 and 10. There is no "hard 2" or "hard 12" for a variety of reasons including the obvious one (there's only one way to roll them anyhow). --[[User:JohnH|JohnH]] 12:40, 29 January 2006 (EST)
::Actually, the odds of rolling a hard six are ''36 to 1'' rather than 10 to 1. There are 36 (6x6) possible combinations with two dice, only one of which (3-3) is the one you need. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 15:48, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:: Thanks, John. This has been bugging me for a long time, too. Now we all know. --[[User:Day|Day]] 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:::Yes, yes, thank you. I am quite sorry. Please, let's put this unpleasantness behind us.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 13:14, 29 January 2006 (EST)
::::That's what I thought it was. I've noticed that I've also been saying this in normal conversation. --[[User:Talos|Talos]] 13:32, 29 January 2006 (EST)
:::::Thanks a ton John. That helps a lot, now I can actually explain it when someone asks. Talos: its pretty bad, isn't it? Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop doing it, though! --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 13:42, 29 January 2006 (EST)

::::::Hey, don't feel bad, I insert it into conversation ''on purpose''--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 14:16, 29 January 2006 (EST)

==Husker==
Say, is there a way to get the Character template to stop saying William "Husker" Adama? He has not been addressed as Husker, so it might be more of a confusion than anything to have it say that. As a Commander and now an Admiral, he has not been known as a Viper pilot for quite a while. Long before we became "acquainted" with him. [[User:Rocky8311|Rocky8311]] 23:47, 24 February 2006 (EST)
:Yeah, I'm not a fan of it either (or anything on that template, for that matter) - but if we get rid of his callsign, should we also get rid of Lee's? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 23:59, 24 February 2006 (EST)

== Sources? ==

There are lots of things in this article that weren't stated in any of the shows. Shouldn't these things have notes as to their sources?

"At the outbreak of the first Cylon War, Adama was serving in the Colonial Fleet as a Viper pilot. He allegedly gained the call sign of "Husker" on account of his baritone "gravelled" voice. He proved to be a gifted pilot, shooting down his first Cylon on his very first mission. He racked-up his 1,000th deck landing while serving aboard the Battlestar Atlantia (Act of Contrition), when he held the rank of Lieutenant. "

Where is all that from? I can only imagine the Video Game, which is not a legitimate source (according to the Citation Jihad Project)

"before the pressures of Adama's career and the time he spent away from home of active service began to place a strain on their marriage."

Has it ever been stated why they divorced?

"but within a few years he had been discharged as the result of a reduction-in-force."

We don't know why he was discharged.

Just a few examples.

:<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> makes a magic signature thing, though you have to make your own dashes.
:We certainly know he was a gifted viper pilot, though the "in the First Cylon War" part might be based on deleted scenes. (The flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., certainly say it.) We know he had the callsign "Husker" as well, though, again, maybe just from deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., probably); I don't recall knowing why he got it. I don't recall the kill on first mission, either. The 1,000th deck landing thing is apparently referenced in [[Act of Contrition]], which fits with the celebration that was interrupted by the errant probe, but I admit not recalling the line; checking the transcripts would verify.
:I don't recall knowing the reason Adama is estranged from his wife, but I do recall that we do not know if they are divorced at all (see above section).
:I believe the reduction in force reason was at least heavily implied in deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc.).
:So, the stuff I'd be worried about is the reason for the callsign, the kill on the first mission, and the reason for his estrangement from his wife. All seem reasonable (and the last almost certain), but that's not good enough; someone else can probably source them, though. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 15:02, 9 March 2006 (CST)

We know his callsign because it was printed by the cockpit of his Mark 2 viper in the miniseries.

We don't know wny adama is estranged from his wife, but we know he was divorced because in the miniseries, apollo says that she is getting remarried.

We don't know why Tigh and Adama ended up on a freighter. Maybe they quit after the war? Maybe they were tossed out as reduction in force. It's never said.

: Both Adama and Tigh were honorably discharged after the war. The only reason why Adama got in was because his "new wife" had pull in the Colonial Military. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] 17:26, 12 March 2006 (CST)

:You're right about the callsign, though I'd note I did say that we knew it.
:Popping in that DVD, indeed such a marriage is mentioned. (Though it did bring to mind my inability to recall mention that they were ever married.)
:While I was popping in DVD's, I confirmed the [[Atlantia]] location for Adama's 1000th landing. (Kara tells a story about it in [[Act of Contrition]].) --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 18:55, 12 March 2006 (CST)

Regarding the discharge of Adama and Tigh, I think that they were most likely honorably discharged, since the fleet eventually re-hired them. The issue here though is WHY were they honorably discharged? Did they themselves resign, or did the Fleet downsize them out of the service?

After World War II, the government didn't really have much problems with military size, as a great number of people merely did not reenlist.. and who could blame them? Did Adama and Tigh do the same thing? were they so sick of war that they got themselves out of the service, only to find civilian life unsatisfying?

We just don't know, and stating otherwise as fact probably isn't the best thing to do.

== Cleanup Required ==

This article is one of our longest. I wouldn't necessarily want to lose the central bio, but we should move the first season info into a subarticle, or severely condense it. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 10:51, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

This article now possesses the first truncated character bio for a major character. Discussions of the article appear in [[User talk:Spencerian/Shortbio]] and the original mock page is at [[User:Spencerian/Shortbio]]. In short, the goal of this adjustment to highlight the important notes of the character with a minimum of narrative or rehashing of episode data already present in other articles. In short, the bio page reflects more on who the character is, and less on what he's done that's not something of remarkable note and which hasn't been noted ''ad nauseum'' to another article. Truncated character bios also reduce the article size to prevent issues with older browsers and readers, and make it easier for all to edit and update since historical information can simply be added in a few bullets. We haven't set this format officially, so now is the time to comment and critique this live version. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 09:54, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

: I like. I went in and fixed some typos. I wonder if "background" might not be made to be even shorter. As it stands, it's nearly as long as the in-series stuff we've seen. Maybe that's just an artifact of his having a lot of background provided to us in the show (as opposed to the reletively equal amount of BG exposition each character received in the Mini). Anyway, I think this is a lot more wieldy. I would not be opposed to other lengthy character pages moving to a similar format. Maybe we should make some S&C regarding it, though, first. Not sure. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 14:05, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::Right. The bullets allow better condensing, so if there's more there that's really an episode comment rather than a distinguishing character comment, then it should be removed. The essense of ''what he is'' is different than how we need to talk about ''what he does''. I have [[Gaius Baltar]] next on my target for such a truncation once we approve the format, then Roslin. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 13:17, 14 July 2006 (CDT)

I am opposed to this use of bulleted list on a character page. I understand that it is to long, but it's not good this way. I'll work on it later. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 12:20, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

: I am, personally, fine with bullets, but don't feel married to them. A narrative format giving this same level of information is, to me, equally desirable. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]] - [http://hiver.swordofthestars.com/ SotS]) 15:04, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

== Mum and Pop Adjustment ==

Since the authenticity of the character's parents was correctly called into question by Merv per Citation Jihad guidelines, Sky One information on the character's parents, specifically Evilyn Adama, has been removed as its official source cannot be verified. The brief character page for Ms. Adama has also been removed. We may likely know more once [[Caprica (series)|Caprica]] airs. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:44, 28 July 2006 (CDT)

== His service file in "Hero" ==

Here is the service file from "Hero":

- Born H5/21290 and raised in the colony of Caprica, in [Qualia], a small coastal community. 
- Mother Evelyn Adama, an accountant. 
- Father Joseph Adama, a prominent attorney who specialized in criminal defense and civil liberties. 

MILITARY SERVICE 
D6/21311 First commission: Battlestar Galactica fighter squadron 
E4/21312 Commendation for shooting down Cylon fighter in first combat mission 
D3/21314 Mustered out of service post armistice 
H5/21317 Served as Deck Hand in merchant fleet and as crewman aboard inter-colony tramp freighters 
D1/21331 Recommissioned to Fleet 
D2/21337 Major: Battlestar Atlantia 
R3/21341 Executive Officer: Battlestar Columbia 
C2/21345 Commander: Battlestar Valkyrie 
C2/21348 Commander: Battlestar Galactica 

What doesn't make sense is that he was XO on ''Valkyrie'' only 3 years ago. I got the distinct impression that he was on ''Galactica'' for a longer time. For example Gaeta, Starbuck and possibly Tyrol make statements that they served with him for 2-3 years on seperate occassions.
Given his stated service time of 45 years, it would put the current year at 21356. That would also put the Valkyrie mission 8 years back. So assuming that it was 8 instead of 3 years, everything would fit again --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 07:09, 18 November 2006 (CST)

== Is Adama a Cylon? ==

This might sound far-reaching, but I don't think it is. [[Leoben]] hinted at the possibility, and we see him in another episode (sorry, don't remember which one) crushing pecan shells (or walnuts?) with his bare hands. Who do we know has superhuman strength? The human-Cylons as evidenced by when Leoben rips apart a pipe at the Ragnar station, and when Kara is fist-fighting 6 on Caprica, along with some other shows of strengths by human cylons that I'm neglecting to mention.

He might be one of the Final Five. Perhaps the Final Five were a rebellious group trying to help the humans, and that's why the other seven don't talk about them.
-- [[User:Rhorn|supercheetah]] 05:41, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
:Adama has a son and served in the original Cylon War. He cannot be a Cylon. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 06:32, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
::Perhaps he was one of the first human-Cylons. Serving in the first Cylon War may have been a rebellion on his part. --[[User:Rhorn|supercheetah]] 20:44, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
:::Not possible. The [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original Cylons]] were purely mechanical (identical in appearance to their [[Centurion (TOS)|Original Series versions]]), not humanoid as many are now. The humanoids weren't built until sometime between the end of the Cylon War and probably a short time before the second. William Adama has a child but also was the son of another [[Joseph Adama|mentioned-only character]], of which a new character, [[Romo Lampkin]], has studied under, which verifies Adama's humanity. Cylons are effectively infertile (with [[Sharon Agathon|one]] exception). Check out the articles "[[Humanoid Cylon speculation]]" for notable characters that are eligible for suspicion, and [[Characters eliminated from suspicion|a list of characters with virtually no possibility]] of being a Cylon for some additional insight. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 23:08, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

== Who here thinks Adama is a bad Commander==

In the origional series he was really a good commander, but here, all he did was get assigned to a bad ship and not get promoted to Admiral. I've looked at the episode in a whole and see how bad Adama is in the CIC. When they get attacked in the miniseries all he does is exchange pleasentries with his XO whole a nuke is imbound that is going to kill 85 of his men. I don't want to sound rude, but shouldn't the great hero be a little smarter than he is. His own son was a better commander than he was as he at least cripled a Baseship by maneuvering the Pegasus instead of just sitting there letting his Vipers do all the work while he is outmaneuvered, outgunned, and outmatched every time. --[[User:Sith Penguin Lord|Sith Penguin Lord]] 15:34, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:Remember that Adama planned the Battle of New Caprica. Granted, Pegasus had to intervene, but the plan was a daring one. Also remember that, like Apollo said, "command is about people". Adama's crew trusts him, and he knows how to communicate with his crew and defuse issues. For an example of the latter, I refer to the scene in "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]" in which Tigh and Gaeta are arguing, and Adama approaches Gaeta in a friendly way and gets him to work. Also, when a nuke is gonna hit you in 10 seconds, it's too late to do anything but pray the Vipers will take it down. Weapon batteries are powered off (they're no use against just two Raiders), and maneuvering a mile-long ship in such a short time is also not doable. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 15:43, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

::The RDM Adama is more straightlaced but experienced military man, with his flaws that come with that. Bill Adama is also a ''cool cucumber'' in the heat of battle, with no dramatics like Captain Kirk would have. Character history shows that he does that purposely to show other crew an example of calm and discipline. [[Felix Gaeta]] emulates Adama often in season 1 with that same demeanor. The TOS Adama was more of a blend between the military Adama and [[Laura Roslin]]'s spiritual and civilian outlook. Adama and Saul Tigh have a rapport with each other that has kept them calm through experience: They both served in the Cylon War, which was horrific in the worst way. Perhaps they don't overreact because (1) they knew that a battlestar could take a nuke hit (it is designed to) and (2) they've seen worse.

::Don't discount Adama's strategy at the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. It ''worked'' and very well. But every strategy has its weaknesses, and Adama knew that if more than two baseships engaged ''Galactica'', they were in trouble. His son (who's learned to be a good battlestar commmander himself) showed equal thoughtfulness in (1) coming to the battle (2) leaving his Vipers behind as protection for the last of humanity just in case, and (3) realizing that sacrificing one battlestar against 4 baseships was worth it to keeping one battlestar alive. -- [[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 15:54, 20 April 2007 (CDT) ([[User_Talk:Spencerian|Talk]] - [[Special:Contributions/Spencerian|Contrib Skillz]] - [[Special:Editcount/Spencerian|Edit Skillz]])

:I kinda like that he isn't really a man of action. Outwards, he is calm, reserved and contemplative. However he was very strong feelings and everyone now and then they shine through. Sometimes that's in private like him crushing the nuts in "Home" or slamming his desk in "Exodus, Part I". Sometimes, it's public ally, and that's when really bad things happen, like his decision to overthrow Roslin in "Kobol's Last Gleaming".
:He isn't prone to theatrics and doesn't forcefully show off his authority with barking dramatic orders all the time. That's somewhat unusual for SciFi leads. Jeffrey Sinclair from B5 comes to mind as well, but that character isn't offset with something else. But all in all, I wouldn't say that he's a bad commander. He makes some bad calls now and then when his feelings get the better of him, but also some good decisions.
:Lee is really more of an action figure, and maybe the writers want to contrast that. But good results now and then don't necessarily make a better leader. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:03, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:Not that it matters very much, but I realized it just now: ''Pegasus'' is a much bigger, much more powerful and possibly more maneuverable ship than ''Galactica'', therefore taking out a basestar with ''Pegasus'' is not as much of an accomplishment as taking out a basestar with ''Galactica''. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 17:11, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:[[BW:NOT|Battlestar Wiki is not a forum]]. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 17:13, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

== Disliking guesses ==

Anyone think that Adama's dislike of his officers guessing (Water) is an homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?

''"I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."''

Just a thought :) --[[User:Madbrood|Madbrood]] 12:25, 5 November 2007 (CST)

== Adama asleep in jump ==

:In ''[[Scattered]]'', Adama was asleep the whole time of the jump from here to there escaping the Cylons by the fact he was unconcscius where in [[33]], everyone was awake the whole 5 days. This could support that u can sleep through a jump. by why keep the fleet up for five days? [[User:CoreyDanian]]
*They weren't all up. Crew had to be awake to operate the vessels. But passengers were asleep. And it can be hard to sleep when you're scared, even if you're tired as frak. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 20:18, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

== Admiral and commander oblivious to one another's assassination plans? ==

Source for this? I got the vibe that each knew on some level what the other was plotting. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 20:22, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

== Update needed ==

*This page needs an update more than the ''Galactica'' needs an overhaul. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 03:54, 23 February 2009 (UTC)

==BCE==

Please, take note of [[Talk:Timeline_(RDM)#BCE_occurences|this issue]]. [[User:Str1977|Str1977]] 09:52, 31 March 2009 (UTC)

== William Adama in Caprica ==

I feel like there should probably be a picture of Sina Najafi as young Willie somewhere in this article, given that Sina plays him in like every episode of Caprica, so it's weird that things like the Caprica episode pages or character template point here and it's just a bunch of pictures of EJO and Nico Cortez. Thoughts? -- [[User:Rjinswand|Rjinswand]] 09:24, 12 March 2010 (UTC)
:I concur completely. If there isn't a picture on Battlestar Wiki Media right now, there should be a decent promotional picture somewhere on the Web. -- [[User:BlueResistance|BlueResistance]] 04:07, 19 March 2010 (UTC)
:Indeed. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]] 03:19, 19 March 2010 (UTC)

== Rear Admiral? ==

Just looking for a source referring to him as ''Rear'' Admiral. I know that Rear Admiral's are referred to as Admiral in conversation, but off the top of my head I can't remember his full rank being listed. It seems to be consistantly "Admiral Adama". I also have a vague recollection of another person being promoted and skipping a rank or two during the series but can't remember that myself. I'm just thinking if it isn't specifically mentioned, should it be listed on this page? -- [[User:Lukefrywalker|Lukefrywalker]] 3:30, 21 April 2010 (AEST)
:I'm not sure about the deal with William Adama, but his [[Leland Adama|son]] went from Major to Commander during his tenure as CO of [[Pegasus (RDM)|''Pegasus'']], I think. I could be wrong, maybe he was a colonel during his XO days, but I don't think he was. [[Anastasia Dualla]] also went from the non-com/enlisted ranks (However that's organized) to a Junior Lieutenant. Skipping ranks is not unheard of, is what I mean but whether or not Adama had done so, I don't know. Seems to me like he probably was, because of the fiasco with [[Helena Cain]] and the need for the fleet to have one, centric CO. --[[User:Typhoeus|Typhoeus]] 18:41, 21 April 2010 (UTC)
: Adama was technically promoted to that rank after Cain's death, now that he commanded "two ships." (Those were Laura Roslin's words.) He was basically given Rear Admiral pins (although, I admit, this is pretty flimsy evidence given that the pins in question were used for all admiral ranks!) As you mentioned, full ranks are not typically used during conversation. So, yes, Cain was a Rear Admiral, although she is consistently referred to as "Admiral Cain" in the dialogue, like Lieutenant J.G.s are referred to as "Lieutenant So-and-so;" the same could be said for those holding the Lieutenant Colonel rank (Fisk held that rank prior to Belzen's execution). As for Lee Adama, he skipped ranks. Or hop-skipped-jumped-and-hop-scotched, beginning with his demotion in "Pegasus" to a mere lieutenant. He's had more rank changes than any other character in the course of the show!
: And if you find the rank scheme maddening... then you're quite sane, because the rank scheme is pretty close to FUBAR to begin with anyway. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]] 18:51, 21 April 2010 (UTC)
: Well as long as it's not just me, should the article specifically say "Rear Admiral" if we aren't 100% sure? -- [[User:Lukefrywalker|Lukefrywalker]] 00:48, 23 April 2010 (AEST)

Talk:William Adama/Archive 1

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== Revision issue ==

Just curious, but what's going on with the page? I thought it had more information than this... -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 19:59, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

: As it turns out, [http://battlestarwiki.joebeaudoin.net/index.php?title=Adama%2C_William&oldid=3457 it did]? Is this currently being revised? If so, that's great. -- [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]] 20:01, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

== Divorced? ==

Is there a source for his being divorced from Anne and a reason she is not mentioned in his "Marital Status" entry? --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 21:17, 28 December 2005 (EST)

:I don't believe Adama was divorced from Anne at all, but in any case no episode data confirms that status. Note he wears a wedding ring in the miniseries. Also note his sadness on announcing Caprica City's nuking, suggesting other loved ones (maybe Anne) was a victim, too. The only information we can confirm thus far is that Adama married twice. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:29, 17 January 2006 (EST)

== OK, NOT the Adama I Expected to Get Kissed ==

Wow. [[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] took me a bit by surprise at the end there. Not Cain getting shot, but Adama's little kiss with Roslin. That was an interesting turn. Not sure what to make of it, other than I was getting all girly-swishy watching it all like a soap opera. That should make the next episode more harder to watch with Roslin...well, don't want to spoil it. And damn, I'm glad the wiki's back up. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 23:32, 13 January 2006 (EST)

: I was ''incredibly'' impressed with Olmos' acting just after the kiss. After she turned away and his face fell... I could very easily sense the utter ''depth'' of sorrow the <s>Commander</s> Admiral was feeling. I've seen that face a few times in real life regarding real life sickness and loss and, well, as I said, I was impressed. --[[User:Day|Day]] 02:35, 14 January 2006 (EST)

::Another good bit of Olmos' acting was in the last episode. I didn't notice it until after I listened to the podcast, but Olmos wipes away a tear as he turns around to hear Roslin say one more thing as he leaves Colonial One in the scene before the battle plan scene. He's a damn fine actor--they all are. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 08:36, 14 January 2006 (EST)

::I thought that RDM said something in the podcast about Olmos spontaneously adding the kiss, which is why Roslin's reaction is so good. --[[User:Deadlygopher|Deadlygopher]] 14:55, 16 January 2006 (EST)

:::That's correct. I learned this later myself when someone else noted this from the podcast as well as well as from the podcast when I listened in, too. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:26, 17 January 2006 (EST)

== "Roll the hard six" ==

Does anyone know what "rolling the hard six" actually refers to? I know it has to do with the game of craps, but I don't know specifically what it means. It would help if i did, because I've started using it completley inadvertently in everyday speech, along with [[frak]]. My friends look at me like I'm insane, its pretty bad. --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 00:52, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:Dude...Six is the highest number on dice. "Rolling the hard six" means getting a high number, when your really need it in a difficult situation...as this is a statistically rare occurance, it is "hard" to do. This doesn't refer to anything specific at all; this is intuitive.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 01:01, 29 January 2006 (EST)

::First, I don't think you're right. I believe the reference is more specific than that.
::Secondly, It would have been a simple matter to phrase your response without a condescending tone. Instead of what you actually said, you could've said "I think 'rolling the hard six' simply refers to actually rolling a six on a die. Since six is the highest number on dice, it means getting a high number when you really need it, and since rolling a 6 is statistically rare, it is "hard" to do."
::Why is it necessary to be rude to other members of the wiki? It only encourages them to be rude back to you, and I know you've had problems with users flaming you in the past - well, this is why they did it. A less civilized person might decide to insult you every chance they get, after the several comments you've made at me.
::When you insult me or other frequent posters, it is merely an annoyance. However, when you insult those who are relatively new to the wiki, you are actually scaring them. I know if I got a comment like that on my first post, I might decide never to post again. This damages the wiki, as there may be quality posters waiting in the wings who you could be scaring off. Please, choose your words carefully and refrain from being rude - to everyone, from newbs to admins and everyone in between. --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 11:13, 29 January 2006 (EST)
:::This is not rude, it is blunt honesty, and should be taken as such.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 11:27, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:::: There're plenty of ways to be honest and even blunt, but not rude. In fact, I don't think you were very blunt at all. Blunt would have been more like: "Six is the highest number on dice. That is "hard" to roll." And BMS's sample would have been ''just'' as honest (read: truthful) as your post. Additionally, just because you intended something to be blunt and honest, but not rude, doesn't mean others must take it that way; the onus is on ''you'' to make sure your intent is clear in the words and phrases you choose. --[[User:Day|Day]] 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:In [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craps standard craps]], "hard six" specifically refers to the combination 3-3 on two dice. You can roll a six 5 different ways (1-5,2-4,3-3,4-2,5-1) only 1 of which is "hard". When a player needs a six, any of the combinations will do. The odds against making a ''hard'' six are 10-1, since only 1 outcome is favorable and 10 are unfavorable (namely, the other 4 ways to make a six, and all 6 ways to make a seven). So the symmetry and low frequency of 3-3 lead to its special designation. The same is true of hard 4, 8 and 10. There is no "hard 2" or "hard 12" for a variety of reasons including the obvious one (there's only one way to roll them anyhow). --[[User:JohnH|JohnH]] 12:40, 29 January 2006 (EST)
::Actually, the odds of rolling a hard six are ''36 to 1'' rather than 10 to 1. There are 36 (6x6) possible combinations with two dice, only one of which (3-3) is the one you need. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 15:48, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:: Thanks, John. This has been bugging me for a long time, too. Now we all know. --[[User:Day|Day]] 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

:::Yes, yes, thank you. I am quite sorry. Please, let's put this unpleasantness behind us.--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 13:14, 29 January 2006 (EST)
::::That's what I thought it was. I've noticed that I've also been saying this in normal conversation. --[[User:Talos|Talos]] 13:32, 29 January 2006 (EST)
:::::Thanks a ton John. That helps a lot, now I can actually explain it when someone asks. Talos: its pretty bad, isn't it? Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop doing it, though! --[[User:BMS|BMS]] 13:42, 29 January 2006 (EST)

::::::Hey, don't feel bad, I insert it into conversation ''on purpose''--[[User:Ricimer|Ricimer]] 14:16, 29 January 2006 (EST)

==Husker==
Say, is there a way to get the Character template to stop saying William "Husker" Adama? He has not been addressed as Husker, so it might be more of a confusion than anything to have it say that. As a Commander and now an Admiral, he has not been known as a Viper pilot for quite a while. Long before we became "acquainted" with him. [[User:Rocky8311|Rocky8311]] 23:47, 24 February 2006 (EST)
:Yeah, I'm not a fan of it either (or anything on that template, for that matter) - but if we get rid of his callsign, should we also get rid of Lee's? --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 23:59, 24 February 2006 (EST)

== Sources? ==

There are lots of things in this article that weren't stated in any of the shows. Shouldn't these things have notes as to their sources?

"At the outbreak of the first Cylon War, Adama was serving in the Colonial Fleet as a Viper pilot. He allegedly gained the call sign of "Husker" on account of his baritone "gravelled" voice. He proved to be a gifted pilot, shooting down his first Cylon on his very first mission. He racked-up his 1,000th deck landing while serving aboard the Battlestar Atlantia (Act of Contrition), when he held the rank of Lieutenant. "

Where is all that from? I can only imagine the Video Game, which is not a legitimate source (according to the Citation Jihad Project)

"before the pressures of Adama's career and the time he spent away from home of active service began to place a strain on their marriage."

Has it ever been stated why they divorced?

"but within a few years he had been discharged as the result of a reduction-in-force."

We don't know why he was discharged.

Just a few examples.

:<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki> makes a magic signature thing, though you have to make your own dashes.
:We certainly know he was a gifted viper pilot, though the "in the First Cylon War" part might be based on deleted scenes. (The flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., certainly say it.) We know he had the callsign "Husker" as well, though, again, maybe just from deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., probably); I don't recall knowing why he got it. I don't recall the kill on first mission, either. The 1,000th deck landing thing is apparently referenced in [[Act of Contrition]], which fits with the celebration that was interrupted by the errant probe, but I admit not recalling the line; checking the transcripts would verify.
:I don't recall knowing the reason Adama is estranged from his wife, but I do recall that we do not know if they are divorced at all (see above section).
:I believe the reduction in force reason was at least heavily implied in deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc.).
:So, the stuff I'd be worried about is the reason for the callsign, the kill on the first mission, and the reason for his estrangement from his wife. All seem reasonable (and the last almost certain), but that's not good enough; someone else can probably source them, though. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 15:02, 9 March 2006 (CST)

We know his callsign because it was printed by the cockpit of his Mark 2 viper in the miniseries.

We don't know wny adama is estranged from his wife, but we know he was divorced because in the miniseries, apollo says that she is getting remarried.

We don't know why Tigh and Adama ended up on a freighter. Maybe they quit after the war? Maybe they were tossed out as reduction in force. It's never said.

: Both Adama and Tigh were honorably discharged after the war. The only reason why Adama got in was because his "new wife" had pull in the Colonial Military. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] 17:26, 12 March 2006 (CST)

:You're right about the callsign, though I'd note I did say that we knew it.
:Popping in that DVD, indeed such a marriage is mentioned. (Though it did bring to mind my inability to recall mention that they were ever married.)
:While I was popping in DVD's, I confirmed the [[Atlantia]] location for Adama's 1000th landing. (Kara tells a story about it in [[Act of Contrition]].) --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]] 18:55, 12 March 2006 (CST)

Regarding the discharge of Adama and Tigh, I think that they were most likely honorably discharged, since the fleet eventually re-hired them. The issue here though is WHY were they honorably discharged? Did they themselves resign, or did the Fleet downsize them out of the service?

After World War II, the government didn't really have much problems with military size, as a great number of people merely did not reenlist.. and who could blame them? Did Adama and Tigh do the same thing? were they so sick of war that they got themselves out of the service, only to find civilian life unsatisfying?

We just don't know, and stating otherwise as fact probably isn't the best thing to do.

== Cleanup Required ==

This article is one of our longest. I wouldn't necessarily want to lose the central bio, but we should move the first season info into a subarticle, or severely condense it. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 10:51, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

This article now possesses the first truncated character bio for a major character. Discussions of the article appear in [[User talk:Spencerian/Shortbio]] and the original mock page is at [[User:Spencerian/Shortbio]]. In short, the goal of this adjustment to highlight the important notes of the character with a minimum of narrative or rehashing of episode data already present in other articles. In short, the bio page reflects more on who the character is, and less on what he's done that's not something of remarkable note and which hasn't been noted ''ad nauseum'' to another article. Truncated character bios also reduce the article size to prevent issues with older browsers and readers, and make it easier for all to edit and update since historical information can simply be added in a few bullets. We haven't set this format officially, so now is the time to comment and critique this live version. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 09:54, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

: I like. I went in and fixed some typos. I wonder if "background" might not be made to be even shorter. As it stands, it's nearly as long as the in-series stuff we've seen. Maybe that's just an artifact of his having a lot of background provided to us in the show (as opposed to the reletively equal amount of BG exposition each character received in the Mini). Anyway, I think this is a lot more wieldy. I would not be opposed to other lengthy character pages moving to a similar format. Maybe we should make some S&C regarding it, though, first. Not sure. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]]) 14:05, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

::Right. The bullets allow better condensing, so if there's more there that's really an episode comment rather than a distinguishing character comment, then it should be removed. The essense of ''what he is'' is different than how we need to talk about ''what he does''. I have [[Gaius Baltar]] next on my target for such a truncation once we approve the format, then Roslin. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 13:17, 14 July 2006 (CDT)

I am opposed to this use of bulleted list on a character page. I understand that it is to long, but it's not good this way. I'll work on it later. --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] ([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]]) 12:20, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

: I am, personally, fine with bullets, but don't feel married to them. A narrative format giving this same level of information is, to me, equally desirable. --[[User:Day|Day]] ([[User talk:Day|Talk]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|Admin]] - [http://hiver.swordofthestars.com/ SotS]) 15:04, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

== Mum and Pop Adjustment ==

Since the authenticity of the character's parents was correctly called into question by Merv per Citation Jihad guidelines, Sky One information on the character's parents, specifically Evilyn Adama, has been removed as its official source cannot be verified. The brief character page for Ms. Adama has also been removed. We may likely know more once [[Caprica (series)|Caprica]] airs. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 11:44, 28 July 2006 (CDT)

== His service file in "Hero" ==

Here is the service file from "Hero":

- Born H5/21290 and raised in the colony of Caprica, in [Qualia], a small coastal community. 
- Mother Evelyn Adama, an accountant. 
- Father Joseph Adama, a prominent attorney who specialized in criminal defense and civil liberties. 

MILITARY SERVICE 
D6/21311 First commission: Battlestar Galactica fighter squadron 
E4/21312 Commendation for shooting down Cylon fighter in first combat mission 
D3/21314 Mustered out of service post armistice 
H5/21317 Served as Deck Hand in merchant fleet and as crewman aboard inter-colony tramp freighters 
D1/21331 Recommissioned to Fleet 
D2/21337 Major: Battlestar Atlantia 
R3/21341 Executive Officer: Battlestar Columbia 
C2/21345 Commander: Battlestar Valkyrie 
C2/21348 Commander: Battlestar Galactica 

What doesn't make sense is that he was XO on ''Valkyrie'' only 3 years ago. I got the distinct impression that he was on ''Galactica'' for a longer time. For example Gaeta, Starbuck and possibly Tyrol make statements that they served with him for 2-3 years on seperate occassions.
Given his stated service time of 45 years, it would put the current year at 21356. That would also put the Valkyrie mission 8 years back. So assuming that it was 8 instead of 3 years, everything would fit again --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 07:09, 18 November 2006 (CST)

== Is Adama a Cylon? ==

This might sound far-reaching, but I don't think it is. [[Leoben]] hinted at the possibility, and we see him in another episode (sorry, don't remember which one) crushing pecan shells (or walnuts?) with his bare hands. Who do we know has superhuman strength? The human-Cylons as evidenced by when Leoben rips apart a pipe at the Ragnar station, and when Kara is fist-fighting 6 on Caprica, along with some other shows of strengths by human cylons that I'm neglecting to mention.

He might be one of the Final Five. Perhaps the Final Five were a rebellious group trying to help the humans, and that's why the other seven don't talk about them.
-- [[User:Rhorn|supercheetah]] 05:41, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
:Adama has a son and served in the original Cylon War. He cannot be a Cylon. --[[User:Mercifull|Mercifull]] ([[User talk:Mercifull|Talk]]/[[Special:Contributions/Mercifull|Contribs]]) 06:32, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
::Perhaps he was one of the first human-Cylons. Serving in the first Cylon War may have been a rebellion on his part. --[[User:Rhorn|supercheetah]] 20:44, 15 March 2007 (CDT)
:::Not possible. The [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original Cylons]] were purely mechanical (identical in appearance to their [[Centurion (TOS)|Original Series versions]]), not humanoid as many are now. The humanoids weren't built until sometime between the end of the Cylon War and probably a short time before the second. William Adama has a child but also was the son of another [[Joseph Adama|mentioned-only character]], of which a new character, [[Romo Lampkin]], has studied under, which verifies Adama's humanity. Cylons are effectively infertile (with [[Sharon Agathon|one]] exception). Check out the articles "[[Humanoid Cylon speculation]]" for notable characters that are eligible for suspicion, and [[Characters eliminated from suspicion|a list of characters with virtually no possibility]] of being a Cylon for some additional insight. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 23:08, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

== Who here thinks Adama is a bad Commander==

In the origional series he was really a good commander, but here, all he did was get assigned to a bad ship and not get promoted to Admiral. I've looked at the episode in a whole and see how bad Adama is in the CIC. When they get attacked in the miniseries all he does is exchange pleasentries with his XO whole a nuke is imbound that is going to kill 85 of his men. I don't want to sound rude, but shouldn't the great hero be a little smarter than he is. His own son was a better commander than he was as he at least cripled a Baseship by maneuvering the Pegasus instead of just sitting there letting his Vipers do all the work while he is outmaneuvered, outgunned, and outmatched every time. --[[User:Sith Penguin Lord|Sith Penguin Lord]] 15:34, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:Remember that Adama planned the Battle of New Caprica. Granted, Pegasus had to intervene, but the plan was a daring one. Also remember that, like Apollo said, "command is about people". Adama's crew trusts him, and he knows how to communicate with his crew and defuse issues. For an example of the latter, I refer to the scene in "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]" in which Tigh and Gaeta are arguing, and Adama approaches Gaeta in a friendly way and gets him to work. Also, when a nuke is gonna hit you in 10 seconds, it's too late to do anything but pray the Vipers will take it down. Weapon batteries are powered off (they're no use against just two Raiders), and maneuvering a mile-long ship in such a short time is also not doable. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 15:43, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

::The RDM Adama is more straightlaced but experienced military man, with his flaws that come with that. Bill Adama is also a ''cool cucumber'' in the heat of battle, with no dramatics like Captain Kirk would have. Character history shows that he does that purposely to show other crew an example of calm and discipline. [[Felix Gaeta]] emulates Adama often in season 1 with that same demeanor. The TOS Adama was more of a blend between the military Adama and [[Laura Roslin]]'s spiritual and civilian outlook. Adama and Saul Tigh have a rapport with each other that has kept them calm through experience: They both served in the Cylon War, which was horrific in the worst way. Perhaps they don't overreact because (1) they knew that a battlestar could take a nuke hit (it is designed to) and (2) they've seen worse.

::Don't discount Adama's strategy at the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. It ''worked'' and very well. But every strategy has its weaknesses, and Adama knew that if more than two baseships engaged ''Galactica'', they were in trouble. His son (who's learned to be a good battlestar commmander himself) showed equal thoughtfulness in (1) coming to the battle (2) leaving his Vipers behind as protection for the last of humanity just in case, and (3) realizing that sacrificing one battlestar against 4 baseships was worth it to keeping one battlestar alive. -- [[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 15:54, 20 April 2007 (CDT) ([[User_Talk:Spencerian|Talk]] - [[Special:Contributions/Spencerian|Contrib Skillz]] - [[Special:Editcount/Spencerian|Edit Skillz]])

:I kinda like that he isn't really a man of action. Outwards, he is calm, reserved and contemplative. However he was very strong feelings and everyone now and then they shine through. Sometimes that's in private like him crushing the nuts in "Home" or slamming his desk in "Exodus, Part I". Sometimes, it's public ally, and that's when really bad things happen, like his decision to overthrow Roslin in "Kobol's Last Gleaming".
:He isn't prone to theatrics and doesn't forcefully show off his authority with barking dramatic orders all the time. That's somewhat unusual for SciFi leads. Jeffrey Sinclair from B5 comes to mind as well, but that character isn't offset with something else. But all in all, I wouldn't say that he's a bad commander. He makes some bad calls now and then when his feelings get the better of him, but also some good decisions.
:Lee is really more of an action figure, and maybe the writers want to contrast that. But good results now and then don't necessarily make a better leader. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:03, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:Not that it matters very much, but I realized it just now: ''Pegasus'' is a much bigger, much more powerful and possibly more maneuverable ship than ''Galactica'', therefore taking out a basestar with ''Pegasus'' is not as much of an accomplishment as taking out a basestar with ''Galactica''. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]]) 17:11, 20 April 2007 (CDT)
:[[BW:NOT|Battlestar Wiki is not a forum]]. --[[User:Peter Farago|Peter Farago]] 17:13, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

== Disliking guesses ==

Anyone think that Adama's dislike of his officers guessing (Water) is an homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?

''"I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."''

Just a thought :) --[[User:Madbrood|Madbrood]] 12:25, 5 November 2007 (CST)

== Adama asleep in jump ==

:In ''[[Scattered]]'', Adama was asleep the whole time of the jump from here to there escaping the Cylons by the fact he was unconcscius where in [[33]], everyone was awake the whole 5 days. This could support that u can sleep through a jump. by why keep the fleet up for five days? [[User:CoreyDanian]]
*They weren't all up. Crew had to be awake to operate the vessels. But passengers were asleep. And it can be hard to sleep when you're scared, even if you're tired as frak. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 20:18, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

== Admiral and commander oblivious to one another's assassination plans? ==

Source for this? I got the vibe that each knew on some level what the other was plotting. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 20:22, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

== Update needed ==

*This page needs an update more than the ''Galactica'' needs an overhaul. [[User:ZeldaTheSwordsman|ZeldaTheSwordsman]] 03:54, 23 February 2009 (UTC)

==BCE==

Please, take note of [[Talk:Timeline_(RDM)#BCE_occurences|this issue]]. [[User:Str1977|Str1977]] 09:52, 31 March 2009 (UTC)

== William Adama in Caprica ==

I feel like there should probably be a picture of Sina Najafi as young Willie somewhere in this article, given that Sina plays him in like every episode of Caprica, so it's weird that things like the Caprica episode pages or character template point here and it's just a bunch of pictures of EJO and Nico Cortez. Thoughts? -- [[User:Rjinswand|Rjinswand]] 09:24, 12 March 2010 (UTC)
:I concur completely. If there isn't a picture on Battlestar Wiki Media right now, there should be a decent promotional picture somewhere on the Web. -- [[User:BlueResistance|BlueResistance]] 04:07, 19 March 2010 (UTC)
:Indeed. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] [[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]] 03:19, 19 March 2010 (UTC)

== Rear Admiral? ==

Just looking for a source referring to him as ''Rear'' Admiral. I know that Rear Admiral's are referred to as Admiral in conversation, but off the top of my head I can't remember his full rank being listed. It seems to be consistantly "Admiral Adama". I also have a vague recollection of another person being promoted and skipping a rank or two during the series but can't remember that myself. -- [[User:Lukefrywalker|Lukefrywalker]] 3:30, 21 April 2010 (AEST)