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Exodus, Part I

2006-10-15T00:47:47Z

Maff: /* Questions */

{{Episode Data
| title= Exodus, Part I
| image=Roslinanders-Exodus.jpg
| season= 3
| episode= 3
| guests=
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director= [[Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
| production= 303
| rating=
| US airdate= 2006-10-13
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=
| prev= [[Precipice]]
| next= [[Exodus, Part II]]
| goof=Y
}}

== Overview ==

:''The [[Cylons]] have begun the brutal crackdown on [[New Caprica]]'s [[Resistance]] movement. Tyrol receives disturbing news from a secret source within Baltar's administration while Colonial detainees face a Cylon firing squad on New Caprica. With time running out for the colonists, Admiral Adama will launch his rescue attempt with only the battlestar [[Galactica]], while his son, Lee, and the battlestar [[Pegasus]] remain to protect what is left of the human fleet and continue the search for Earth if the rescue fails.''

== Summary ==

*The episode begins with the final moments of "[[Precipice]]", with the captured detainees being taken off the trucks. [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] is freed, as the Centurions march up the hill. Cally continues to run as gunfire is heard. Screen goes black, and we see the words "One Hour Earlier".
*[[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] is frantically talking with [[Saul Tigh]] about a list of detainees he received from his [[Felix Gaeta|source]], Cally being among the listed. Tigh snaps him back into sense, saying they have time, and that they can locate the people because they cracked the Cylons' coordinate system.
*Tyrol immediately gets to work, succesfully calculating the location of the execution, and gathers a team to rescue Cally and the others.
*Tyrol's team, including [[Seelix]], is able to catch up with the Cylons, and get in position as Cally starts running. Tyrol rushes out and saves Cally, as his team takes out the Centurions meant to execute the detainees. Others injured include some members of the [[NCP]] and the one [[Cavil]].
*Seelix leaves a wounded Cavil for death. After he downloads into a new body he reports that he ended his own life, but is somewhat traumatized from the transfer process.
*At [[Breeder's Canyon]], similar to the scene at the [[Pergamus Flats]], a flashback shows how Marines move into position to defend the meeting there against a possible attack.
[[Image:Colonial RPG.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Colonial Marine with an RPG]]
*[[Sharon Agathon]] moves ahead to meet with [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] and the resistance. Sharon links up with Anders, with Centurions ready to ambush them. The Centurions attack, taking out some of the resistance fighters, only to be taken down by a Marine RPG.
*After the attack, a map is recovered from one of the [[Cylon agent|'skinjobs']], showing the hand-drawn map Anders gave to Tigh. Anders immediately suspects Ellen, as she was supposed to burn the map.
*While sleeping, [[Number Three]] has a dream where she is standing outside of a tent near some odd rock edifices. The next image is of her holding [[Hera]], but then wakes up suddenly.
*On Colonial One Baltar and Caprica-Six lie together bed, but Baltar is fighting with impotence. Six is understanding, but Baltar shrugs off her sympathy.
*Kara is showing further affection for [[Kacey]] and apologizes for her getting hurt. Leoben watches from the background.
*Distraught from her dream, [[Three]] visits [[Selloi]], a human [[oracle]] whose tent she saw in her dream, who tells her that [[Hera]] is still alive.
*On ''Galactica'' a combined crew from both battlestars is getting ready for the rescue mission. [[Margaret Edmondson]] conducts a [[Salt Line Ceremony|ceremony]] to bind the people together in light of some probably not returning from the mission.
*William and Lee Adama have a farewell of their own when Lee leaves ''Galactica'' with orders to wait 18 hours for ''Galactica'''s return and otherwise continue the search for Earth with ''Pegasus'' and the rest of the fleet.
*Three inquires with Doctor Cottle - who is treating a Cylon wounded by a human attack - about Hera's alledged death.
*Roslin orders Anders to guard [[Maya]] and [[Hera]] at all costs. He tasks two of his best men to protect her and see to her safe escape.
*Gunnery Sergeant Matthias - the leader of Sharon's Marine team - meets with Roslin, Zarek and the resistance to discuss the rescue plan. She brought weapons for the upcoming fight and learns that the colonists conducted evacuation exercises under the guise of fire drills.
*Saul Tigh learns of his wife's betrayal and is visibly shocked by it.
*[[Sharon Agathon|Sharon]] heads into the Cylon [[Detention Center]] in order to get the [[launch key]]s for all the ships that are still planetside. As she's leaving with the launch keys, she is confronted by [[Number Three]] - who immediately recognizes her - saying that [[Hera|her daughter]] is alive and that the humans lied to her. For her trouble, Sharon shoots the [[Number Three|Three]] in the legs saying, "Adama wouldn't lie to me."
*''Galactica'' is given word that the launch keys have been retrieved, and after a rousing speech by Admiral Adama, begins preparations for the jump to New Caprica.

== Questions ==

*Roslin and Zarek seem to have reconciled their differences and become friends. Given Saul Tigh's feeling that Roslin will resume the Presidency once humanity has left [[New Caprica]], and that Zarek used to be Baltar's Vice, will he assume the mantle of Vice-President under Laura Roslin?
*A Cavil mentions that he has different sensations after each download. A slight headache after the first and after the third a white hot poker in his skull. Is there damage to the consciousness during each downloading and is there a point where after so many downloads the consciousness is destroyed?
**Most likely there is some sort of mental trauma from dying and rebirth
***In the podcast, [[Ronald D. Moore]] revealed that the intent was to show that there is a "cost" associated with downloading.
*Are the Gods real? Why are they sending accurate dreams to the Cylons? Why is the oracle helping the Cylons interpret the dreams?
**The Gods are "real" as historical entities that did live on Kobol - their status as actual "gods" has not been determined. The Colonials are capable of prescient dreams and visions (usually with the aid of Chamalla), and the humanoid Cylons are based on human DNA.
*Why does Doctor Cottle work to heal critically injured cylons instead of just letting them die and be ressurected?
**The Cylons might want to minimize the trauma of downloading into a new body.
**Cottle is also a physician, and has taken an oath to do no harm. Allowing a Cylon to die, regardless of the download capability, is breaching this oath through omission of action.
*Where is "[[Download City]]"?
**It is possible that [[Seelix|Seelix's]] use of the phrase "Download City" is merely a euphemism for the download process the humanoid Cylon models go through.
**It may also be a reference to a possible downloading facility present on New Caprica.
*Is there any possibility at all that Adama wasn't aware of Roslin's plans for Hera?
**There are no direct indications that Adama is aware of Roslin's conspiracy regarding the baby. Given the positive changes in his relationship with Sharon, that seems to now be based on complete mutual trust, it is unlikely that he would keep such a profound secret from her, if he was aware of it.
**Dr. Cottle is a military officer and his actions would have to have been cleared through Adama. There may well be other reasons that Sharon wasn't told, including keeping the information from the Cylons in the event she was captured or downloaded.
**The expression on Adamas face during his conversation with Boomer in [[Occupation]] suggests that he is aware of the conspiracy regarding Hera.

== Analysis ==
* The [[Number Three]] that has been having dreams about Hera, saw [[Sharon Agathon]] and was able to tell that she was the copy that had been left with Helo on Caprica.
* Roslin's line about [[Hera]] "She may well be the shape of things to come" echoes similar lines by Six in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]" and by Adama in "[[Valley of Darkness]]". "The Shape of Things to Come" is also the title of the orchestral music piece at the end of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
*Anders seems to know, or at least suspect, what is so special about Maya's child.

== Notes ==

* There is also a comic called ''[[Exodus!]]'', which covers the events of [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the Original Series]]' episode, "[[Saga of a Star World]]" (Part 2).
* This is the first episode where viewers have seen an [[oracle]]. Oracles such as [[Pythia]] and [[Galen Tyrol]]'s mother have been mentioned but not seen.
* Tyrol inexplicably lost his beard before this episode. This was necessary because Aaron Douglas's scenes were shot weeks after the main part of the episode, when he had already shaved and it was felt that a fake beard would not be convincing.
*Chamalla is a bitter herb, and oracles sometimes use candy to sweeten it up.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''Before Lee Adama departs Galactica:''
:'''Admiral William Adama''': I'll see you at the rendezvous point 
:'''Commander Lee Adama''': Eighteen hours. Try not to be late. 
:'''William Adama''': I'm getting old; I'm a little slow, but I'll be there. 
:'''Lee Adama''': Gods, I wish I could talk you out of this... 
:'''William Adama''': You can't. You tried. 
:'''Lee Adama''': You know, dad, um... 
:'''William Adama''': Don't. Don't make me cry on my own hangar deck. 

*''During the [[Salt Line Ceremony]] on the hangar deck:''
:'''Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson''': Their enemies will divide them, their colonies broken in the firey chasm of space. The shining days renounced by a multitude of dark sacrifices. Yet still they will remain. Always together.

*''As Galactica prepares to return to New Caprica:''
:'''Admiral Adama''': This is the Admiral. You've heard the news. You know the mission. You should also know that there is only one way that this mission ends, and that's with the successful rescue of our people back on New Caprica. Look around you. Take a good look at the men and women that stand next to you. Remember their faces, for one day you will tell your children and your grandchildren, that you served with such men and women as the universe has never seen. And together you accomplished a feat that will be told and retold down through the ages, and find immortality as only the Gods once knew. I'm proud to serve with you. Good hunting.

== Official Statements ==

== Guest Stars ==

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

{{episode list (RDM season 3)}}

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]

Six Degrees of Separation

2006-09-12T23:56:40Z

Maff: Added section for bloopers

{{Episode Data
| image =bsg-1-07.jpg
| title=Six Degrees of Separation
| series=
| season=1
| episode=7
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Angeli]]
| story=
| director=[[Robert Young]]
| production=107
| rating=
| US airdate=2005-02-18
| UK airdate=2004-11-29
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US''' {{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population=
| prev=[[Litmus]]
| next=[[Flesh and Bone]]
}}

== Overview ==

: ''A copy of the Cylon agent [[Number Six]], in the form of a woman who calls herself "[[Shelly Godfrey]]," physically arrives on ''[[Galactica]]'' and accuses [[Gaius Baltar]] of treachery.''

== Summary ==

* [[Gaius Baltar]] is mocking [[Number Six|Six's]] belief in God, which quickly escalates into an explosion of anger on his part -- and Six vanishes from his head.
* Called to [[CIC]], Baltar "finds" her there, and is confronted by [[William Adama|Adama]], who claims that "[[Shelly Godfrey|Miss Godfrey]]" has made some disturbing claims against Baltar.
* With a shock, Baltar comes to realise that "Miss Godfrey" is in fact a copy of Six, and that everyone can see her.
* "Miss Godfrey" then produces photographic evidence she claims will show Baltar planting a bomb in the [[Computers|Colonial Defense Mainframe]] on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] - a claim he strenuously denies.
* The image itself requires a full day of processing to reveal whether it does in fact show Baltar as "Godfrey" claims. Until that time, Adama suspends all work on Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] and places an embargo on Baltar leaving the ship -- something even [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] is unwilling to override.
* But Roslin herself is far from well -- during her call with Baltar, she collapses, causing a fleet-wide scare when [[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] orders the flight deck to make a fleet-wide broadcast requesting medical assistance. It transpires that Roslin has been overdoing her [[Chamalla|cancer medication]] - but the truth is hidden by a story that she has the 'flu.
* As [[Felix Gaeta]] works on enhancing the image, Baltar becomes more and more desperate for news - even following Gaeta into the head (lavatory) for news on his progress.
* Elsewhere, "Miss Godfrey" meets with Adama in private, and behaves in typical Six fashion - coming on to him.
* "Godfrey's" behavior prompts Adama to order a watch be kept on her movements on the ship.
*Elsewhere on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] and [[Cally]] are analysing the captured Cylon Raider, using [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]'s notes, but not making much progress, despite comments to the contrary to [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]], who isn't fooled.
* Tigh visits Starbuck in sickbay, and despite her efforts not to fall for his reverse psychology, he goads her into getting out of her cot and going to help Tyrol and his crew.
* [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] arrives at the Raider, and after an awkward moment with Tyrol, suggests that they might make better progress if they treated the Raider more like an animal – a hunter – than a machine. Her behavior with the Raider, stroking it as she speaks, spooks Tyrol.
* During a meeting with Adama, at which he protests his innocence and tries to get Adama to make "Shelly Godfrey" to submit to a test with his Cylon detector, Baltar learns that Adama plans to have the detector dismantled if the photographic evidence points to Baltar's guilt.
* During his conversation with Adama, he continues to search the house in his mind, trying to find "his" Six.
* Driven to extreme measures as the time required to enhance the image draws to a close, Baltar sets off a fire alarm as a distraction, breaks into the lab where Gaeta has been working and tries to destroy the evidence as it does indeed reveal his face - only to be stopped by Adama and arrested.
* Down on the [[hangar deck]], Kara Thrace joins [[Lee Adama]], Tyrol and Cally in their investigations of the Raider - even to the extent of climbing inside the craft despite her leg injury ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]).
* In the [[brig]], Baltar is visited by Roslin, whom he believes has come to oversee his release. Instead, she is uncharacteristically vindictive, stating she ''knew'' he was a traitor.
* As a result of Roslin's visit, Baltar finally sees his only way out is to do what Six has been urging him to do: give himself over to God's will. He gets down on his knees and starts praying.
* He repeats his prayer several times, and suddenly "Six" is beside him once more, telling him everything will be all right.
* Gaeta enters the brig and throws Baltar into a wild panic: he is convinced he is about to be summarily executed.
* Calming Baltar, Gaeta tells Baltar he is a free man - the photographs delivered by "Shelly Godfrey" have proven to be fakes.
* As Baltar is released, Adama learns that "Shelly Godfrey" has literally vanished, her watchers reporting she turned a corner in a corridor, and when they got to it, she had simply disappeared.
* On ''[[Colonial One]]'', Roslin holds a press conference publicly exonerating Baltar.
* While acknowledging the act, Baltar meets with Six in his fantasy world, and she points out that he is now next to invincible: he's been through a trial by fire, and no-one would dare accuse him of acting against [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] again. She then starts stripping as she climbs the stairs to the bedroom.
* Following her, Baltar can't help asking her one question: was "Shelly Godfrey" ever really "here"? Her response is a coy smile.

=== On Caprica: ===
* [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]] are on the run from [[Cylon]] [[Centurion|Centurions]].
* As they camp out for the night, Helo confesses he couldn't bear to see anything happen to her.
* Hiding a smile of victory, Valerii silences Helo's words with a kiss, and as a thunderstorm threatens, they make love.

== Questions ==
*Is Baltar's Six in communication with her "sisters" in the Fleet? ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I|Probable Answer]])
*Where did "Shelly Godfrey" go after her "disappearance"?
*If she is still on ''Galactica'', is Boomer unwittingly helping her?
*Will Baltar forgive Roslin for her condemnation of him?
*Even if he completes his Cylon detector, will any results it gives be trustworthy? ([[Flesh and Bone|Answer]])
*What is the range of actions in Baltar's fantasy world that are translated over into the real world?
*Who wrote "CYLON" on Boomer's locker mirror? Could it have been Ms. Godfrey, a suspicious human crewmember, or Boomer herself?

== Analysis ==
*"Shelly Godfrey" herself is the clearest indication yet that Baltar's Six is not only an implant in Baltar's head - but that "she" is in direct contact with other Cylons scattered within the fleet, and they are working in concert with one another in order to fully subvert Baltar to their will. The idea that "Shelly Godfrey" is a Cylon agent working to prevent Baltar from finalising his Cylon detector would make her arrival on the Galactica at the precise moment Six vanishes from Baltar’s head push coincidence to the limits of credibility.

== Notes ==
*A week has passed since “Litmus”.
*Boomer is accidentally revealing more and more of her Cylon nature.
*Helo has passed another test on Caprica; he’s now sexually active with Valerii.
*Gaeta admires Baltar and may be his one true friend on ''Galactica''.
*Baltar appears very close to completing his Cylon detector.
*Cylon Raiders may well be purpose-bred, semi-intelligent bio-machines.
*The Colonials use QWERTY keyboards.

== Bloopers ==

* The logo for NEC computer manufacturers can be seen on the monitors while [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] is working on the photograph.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

=== Baltar to Adama, confronting the accusation that he may be a traitor ===

'''Baltar''': And I don’t like being accused of participating in the genocide of the human race based solely on the word of a woman whom I have already indicated to you may well be a Cylon agent...I did not conspire with the Cylons. I’m an innocent man who is being convicted in the court of public opinion without trial.

=== Kara's Recovery in the Sick Bay ===

[[Kara Thrace]] is about to start walking after recovering from her knee injury, sustained in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]". Doctor [[Cottle]] and [[Lee Adama]] are present.

'''Lee''': C'mon Starbuck, you can do it. 
(Kara gets out of bed, using it as a support.) 
'''Lee''' (mockingly): Ah, that smarts. (walks over to Kara on crutches) That smarts. But I. Don't. Care. 
'''Kara''': You don't care? 
'''Lee''': I don't care. Because your pain is my entertainment. (hands crutches over to Kara) Your Crutches of Death, sir. Use them wisely. 
'''Kara''': Shut up. 
'''Doctor [[Cottle]]''': It's going to hurt like hell, but it's supposed to. 
'''Kara''': (wryly) Thanks doc. 
(Kara starts out, slowly) 
'''Lee''': No pain, no gain. No cliche left unturned as, as Kara Thrace returns to the world of the walking. Can she do it or will she fall on her ass? 
'''Kara''': I swear to the Gods that I'm going to beat the crap out of both of you as soon as I get better... (pauses, retreats) No, I can't. 
'''Lee''': Yes you can. You did it. 
'''Kara''': No I can't. I can't. I can't. 
'''Cottle''': You're not going to get better lying on your back. 
'''Kara''': (getting on the bed) Oh, frak off. 
'''Lee''': We'll just take a break for five minutes. 
'''Kara''': I don't want to do it again. I want a pill. Now. Please. 
'''Cottle''': Sorry, but we're weaning you off the magic pills starting today. Besides, I need them for myself. (ambles off)

== Official Statements ==



== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[imdb:nm1775193|Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
*[[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season01/107/ "Six Degrees of Separation"] at scifi.com

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Angeli]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Robert Young]]

[[es:Seis Grados de Separación]]

Miniseries, Analysis

2006-07-27T11:08:58Z

Maff: /* Blooper Moments */

:''For articles on the Miniseries story see [[Miniseries|Miniseries (Page 1)]]''

{| class="toccolors" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 20em; font-size: 90%; clear:right; border: 1px solid #a60003;" align="center"
|- style="text-align: center;" class="hiddenStructure[[Image:Nukes in Miniseries.jpg|320px]]"
| colspan=3 | [[Image:Nukes in Miniseries.jpg|320px]]
|- style="text-align: center;"
! style="background: #461919; color: #FFFFFF;" colspan=3|'''"Miniseries"''' The Pilot for ''''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]]''''
|- class="hiddenStructure[[Ronald D. Moore]] [[Glen A. Larson|Christopher Eric James]]" valign="top"
| '''Writer(s)'''
| colspan=2 | [[Ronald D. Moore]] [[Glen A. Larson|Christopher Eric James]]
|- class="hiddenStructure[[Glen A. Larson]]"
| '''Story by'''
| colspan=2 | [[Glen A. Larson]]
|-class="hiddenStructure[[Michael Rymer]]"
| '''Director'''
| colspan=2 | [[Michael Rymer]]
|-class="hiddenStructure''[[Miniseries#Guest Stars|See list on Page 1..]]''" valign="top"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''Special guest(s)'''
| colspan=2 style="white-space:nowrap;"| ''[[Miniseries#Guest Stars|See list on Page 1..]]''
|-class="hiddenStructurePilot"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''Production No.'''
| colspan=2 | Pilot
|-class="hiddenStructure3.2 (night one); 3.8 (night two)"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''Nielsen Rating'''
| colspan=2 | 3.2 (night one); 3.8 (night two)
|-class="hiddenStructureDecember 8, 9 2003"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''US airdate'''
|colspan=2 | December 8, 9 2003
|-class="hiddenStructureFebruary 17 2004"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''UK airdate'''
|colspan=2 | February 17 2004
|-class="hiddenStructureDecember 28 2004" valign="top"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''DVD release'''
|colspan=2 | December 28 2004
|-class="hiddenStructure"
| style="white-space:nowrap;" | '''Population'''
|colspan=2 | Survivors
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background: #461919; color: #FFFFFF;" colspan="3" | Episode Chronology
|- style="text-align:center; font-size:smaller;"
|style="width: 33%;" | Previous
|style="width: 33%;" |
|style="width: 33%;" | Next
|- style="text-align:center; font-size:smaller;"
|style="width: 33%;" | None
|style="width: 33%;" | Miniseries
|style="width: 33%;" | [[33]]
|}

== Analysis ==
=== Noted Changes from the Original ===
* The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] surprisingly attack the Colonies resulting in a holocaust, thus forcing a "rag-tag, fugitive fleet" to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[13th Colony]] where refugees hope to find shelter from the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. However, many of the fine details are changed, such as:
** The Cylons were created by Humanity, not by a reptilian race (also called [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]]) who hated Humanity.
** Battlestar ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
** The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs. Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].
** The futuristic (and often confusing) terminology used to denote distances, measuring, and time in the original series has been replaced with understandable terminology. For instance, "year" was replaced with "yahren" in the original.
** The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper (RDM)|Mk. II Viper]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the [[Gemenon Traveler]] and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
** The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is not mentioned in the miniseries, and is apparently supplemented by a government body similar to the United States [[WikiPedia:executive branch|executive branch]]. There is a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve|Quorum]] does not make an appearance until episode 1.11 ([[Colonial Day]]).
** Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the original, the clothing and cities are more contemporary in design and function.
* The relationships and characters from the original have been changed as well.
** [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], who was played as a male character by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
** [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], who was played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]] in the original, is now the call-sign of a female Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]])
** "Adama" is now a surname.
** The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], potrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the original, now is known as [[William Adama|William "Husker" Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). He is a man about to retire, is estranged from his son [[Lee Adama|Lee]]. Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his TOS counterpart.
** [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Original Series]] star and continuation activist [[Richard Hatch]], is the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]). He is a flawed character who is estranged from his father, believing him to be ultimately responsible for the death of [[Zak Adama]], and is questioning his life's choices.
** [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, is now a scientific genius named [[Gaius Baltar]]. Unlike the imposing, methodical and mischievous Baltar (portrayed by the late [[John Colicos]]), Gaius ([[James Callis]]) is a cowardly, narcissistic, egotistical man whose womanizing is his Achilles' heel. His betrayal of the human race was due mostly to his lust, or perhaps love, for a woman who turns out to be a [[Number Six|Cylon agent]], whom he allowed unfettered access to the [[Colonial Defense Mainframe]] prior to the attacks.
** The character of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]], is now separated from his wife and seeing out the rest of his career from inside a bottle in the form of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]) who hasn't seen military action in a long while.
* The show has taken a more realistic turn. [[Naturalistic science fiction|Realistic science]], which was painfully absent in the original series, is applied in this series.
* Certain models of Cylons appear human, right down to the blood -- it takes complex tests just to screen for these [[Cylon agent|Cylon agents]]. This generates some very disturbing questions. For one, the Cylons have now managed to merge in with human society, making it easier to manipulate from within. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (a la suicide bombers). It also brings up interesting questions regarding cross-species mating: Can Cylons agents mate with their Human creators? ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II|Answer 1]] and [[The Farm|Answer 2]])

=== Plot and Character Analyses ===

Since plot and character are so intertwined, both will be covered here.

==== Armistice Station ====

The [[Armistice Station]] gave us a chance to understand the conflict between the Cylons and Humanity. It also introduced us to the new Cylons and broke away from conventions set in science fiction. Instead of storming the station, the Cylons used a copy of [[Number Six]] and sexually assaulted the [[Armistice Officer]]. Question is, why was the Armistice Officer assaulted sexually instead of physically? The answer is three fold:

# This defied those who would make the claim that ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' is a "rip-off" of ''Star Wars''; the same claim that was made against the original.
# This showed that the Cylons understood the devastating effect of sexual molestation. Since when did a Human expect for a Cylon to attack Humanity in this way?
# There is a drive within the Cylons to understand - and possibly ''experience'' the sensations of being ''truly'' alive.

The station was soon destroyed by a [[Basestar (RDM)|Cylon Basestar]]. Though this was a dramatic blow, this does seem rather unnecessary from a logical point of view. The Cylons present were more than enough to subdue the Armistice Officer and be able to keep the station for future purposes.

==== Commander William Adama & Nostalgia ====

With ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica's]]'' future being a museum piece with gift shops, Commander William Adama is ready to retire, albeit reluctantly. Adama heads to retirement with trepidation, unsure of what he would do with the remainder of his life. His crew will ultimately be disbanded and good-byes abound. There is a sense of a ship seeing its last days, despite some of the joy that some of the crew members have in continuing their military careers.

Adama is presented with his reconditioned Viper, found rusting in a junkyard on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Sagittaron|Sagittaron]], as well as a picture of himself and his two sons when he was younger.

This is a touching moment, demonstrating the crew's affection for him as a person. It also establishes Adama's legitimacy as a war-hardened commander in the series quite nicely.

==== Starbuck & Tigh's Card Fight ====

The "card fight" between Lieutenant [[Kara Thrace]] and Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] sparked a bit of controversy in the fan community before it aired. In the original draft, [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] got off free without being thrown in the brig. However, given the fan's astute observation of a disturbing lack of disciplinary action against Starbuck for striking a superior, the aftermath was changed.

The scene demonstrates Starbuck's mistrust of authority and the antagonistic relationship between [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] and herself. The touch of classic Starbuck elements, i.e. the gambling and [[fumarello]] smoking, is a nice homage to the original that fits in nicely. [[Katee Sackhoff]]'s portrayal tells viewers that this isn't the same mischievous Starbuck from the original, as she is clearly unbalanced. (Information on Thrace's past and family comes later in "[[Flesh and Bone]]" and "[[The Farm]].")

Tigh himself comes off as a grouchy, inebriated old man who has seen his glory days, which hammers home the fact that the good ship ''Galactica'' is seeing its last days. When he puts Starbuck in the brig, she knows she's stepped over the line -- but so has he, given that he flipped over the table first, starting the fight.

It also nicely puts Starbuck in a confined place from a story standpoint, allowing other characters to be introduced.

==== Laura Roslin's Cancer Storyline ====

The cancer story line for the Secretary of Education [[Laura Roslin]] at first seemed a bit over-the-top, detracting from the main story. (Later season 1 and early season 2 episodes regarding the [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|search for Earth's location]] and Roslin's role better define why her illness is significant.) Having the cancer story-line helps show that smaller tragedies don't cease simply because another one looms ahead. It also reveals Roslin's vulnerability and puts her character in a realistic ethical conundrum, where she is more concerned about her own well-being when billions of people have been victims of the Cylon genocide.

==== The Infanticide Debate ====

One of the more emotional and argued points in the whole miniseries is not the sex changes of two main characters, and certainly not the major change in the Cylons, but the incident where [[Number Six]] kills an infant in the market place. The question during the debate focused on the immorality of the act and was purported by those against the re-imagining as being an indicator that the source material wasn't being taken seriously.

The intent of the act was never questioned. It is simply assumed that Number Six killed the baby out of cold blood. The doubt of Number Six's intent, or possible lack thereof, still surrounds this scene. It was obvious that Number Six was puzzled by the frailty of the baby and questioned as to how the neck could support the weight of the baby's head. Many items can be deduced from that scene, a few follow:

# It was a deliberate act. Cold and ruthless. Nothing more.
# Number Six has feelings and is rational. Due to her knowledge of the impending attack and the expectation that the entire human race could be eradicated, could the act be merciful?
# Could it be an act of spite? In "[[33]]", her mental image asked [[Gaius Baltar]] if he wanted children. Which begs the question: Can Cylon agents propagate their race through human childbirth? (Answers: [[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]], [[The Farm]])
# Could it be a simple lack of knowledge? If so, the infanticide was accidental, and Number 6 had no way of knowing.
# She did demonstrate curiosity as to how much the neck could support. Could the death have been an unethical experiment on her part?
# Knowing that the Cylon nuclear attack was near, she did not see any difference between killing an infant at that moment to satisfy her own curiosity as compared to waiting a short while for it to die by nuclear holocaust.

The most disturbing aspect of the whole debate lies in the assumption that a single act of infanticide is unacceptable, whereas the genocide of the entire human race (including born and unborn infants) by Cylon hands seems to be more palatable.

==== The "Glowing Spine" Scene ====

One of the major inconsistencies in the miniseries was gleaned from this scene. The fact is established that Cylons agents were, for all intents and purposes, organic. Also established was, even with the most thorough of tests, it was initially almost impossible to screen Human from Cylon (this changed with Baltar's working [[Cylon detector]] later in the regular series). What caused the spine to glow? It certainly wasn't a human reaction to sex. Since the Cylons went to the very painstaking process of creating an undetectable Cylon agent model, it is conceivable that glowing spinal columns -- and more to the point the chemicals that would cause the aforementioned reaction -- would arouse undue suspicion and thwart Cylon plans.

One possible explanation for the glowing spine would be that it is the act of Number Six transferring some part of herself into Baltar, as evidenced later. However, this explanation is highly speculative. Furthermore, the Caprica copy of Boomer has a glowing spine when having sex with Helo in a later regular season episode.

Considering Baltar seems to be the only person qualified to work on distinguishing Cylon from human, it may be that he is not smart enough to look in the right places (after all he has not found other Cylon hallmarks, such as a transponder -- if it exists) or, being influenced by Six, unwilling to look in the right places, knowledgeable of it (but unwilling to come forward with the information), or some combination of all three.

'''''Note:''' Comments from members of the production crew have since suggested that the only reason the glowing spine was included was that it "looked cool" at the time, and in retrospect, may have been a mistake. According to the novelization, the spines glow in the infrared spectrum.''

== Notes ==
* The miniseries was initially broadcast in 2 two-hour segments. During re-broadcast (such as with the UK's Sky One channel), the two halves were combined into a single 3-hour 56-minute "film".
* Initially, there were 12 [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]], one representing each colony. ''Galactica'' represented [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]]. These were built with antiquated technologies, as were their fighter craft, to avoid the Cylon's tactical advantage of disrupting complex electrical and computer equipment.
* Networked computers were susceptible to Cylon infiltration, forcing the Colonials to react by reducing their dependence on technology.
* The [[Colonial Fleet]] has been greatly expanded since then, with as many as 120 battlestars. Practically all [[Mercury class battlestar|other]] battlestars were more advanced than ''Galactica.''
* As the Colonials became more confident of their security, integrated systems were re-introduced to their civilian and military craft.
* The Cylons believe monothestically, in [[God]], whereas the Colonials believe in a pantheon of gods mirroring the [[Greek Gods|twelve Olympian gods]] of Greek mythology.
* Cylons are also called "[[toaster]]s", mainly for their original appearance (a nod to the Original Series).
* All pilots have call signs.
* Commander [[Nash]] was ''Galactica's'' first Commanding Officer.
* In the mini, [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] is referred to as a "rook" by [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]], meaning a rookie. In [[Act of Contrition]], "[[nugget]]" is the chosen name for rookie pilots.
* The scene in which [[Cami]] awaits her death on the [[Botanical Cruiser]] visually echoes the infamous "[[Wikipedia:Daisy (television commercial)|Daisy]]" television advertisement from [[Wikipedia:Lyndon B. Johnson| Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s 1964 campaign against [[Wikipedia:Barry Goldwater|Barry Goldwater]].
* At the time Roslin's convoy is discovered by [[Cylon Raider]]s, it consists of about 60 ships in total, but only about 40 are able to make the jump to [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

===Blooper Moments===
* At the start of the episode, dialogue is retained from a draft script which placed the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] actually on [[Kobol]], rather than spread among twelve worlds. The giveaway lines are spoken by [[Aaron Doral]] (played by [[Matthew Bennett]]):

: "Now, as I was saying, form follows function, and nowhere is this axiom of design more readily apparent than on the ''world'' famous Battlestar Galactica... now originally there were twelve battlestars, each representing one of ''Kobol's twelve colonies''..."

: Given the show is set among 12 different worlds, and Kobol is now regarded as the birthplace of humanity, abandoned at some point in the distant past, Doral should have used the words "worlds' famous", and simply referred to the original battlestars representing each of the Twelve Colonies.
* At the time of her first [[FTL|Jump]], ''Galactica'' retracts her flight pods. However, when the Jump is made, the ship is shown with the pods still extended.

* When Kara's Viper is hit during the second sortie ("I'm all right"), her helmet is unsealed and open.
* Similarly, Lee's collar is opened when he scolds her for being "beyond insane" as Kara is pushing Lee's Viper into ''Galactica's'' flight-pod at the end of the last battle.

* Tigh inexplicably exclaims "Jesus!" when shown the photo of Adama, Zak and Lee.

=== Nods ===

* The ''Firefly''-class ship, ''Serenity'', from the sci-fi series ''Firefly'' makes a brief appearance. It can be seen flying above [[Laura Roslin]] when she is about to hear her prognosis of breast cancer on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]].
* The fanfare just prior to [[William Adama|Commander Adama's]] speech is taken from [[Stu Phillips]]'s theme for the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original ''Battlestar Galactica'']].
* The pilot [["Jolly" Anders|Jolly]] makes a brief (verbal) appearance, just prior to the Cylon's massacre of the squad led by [[Jackson Spencer]], ''Galactica's'' previous [[CAG]]. It is not the same actor that played [[Jolly (TOS)|Jolly]] in the original.
* The original [[Cylon Basestar]] and the original [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]] can be briefly seen in ''Galactica's'' museum.
* A sword carried by the Centurions in the original series is one of the weapons in Commander Adamas collection.
:The sword could be a war trophy picked up by Adama, possibly when the Galactica is boarded by the Cylons at the end of the war ([[Valley of Darkness]] deleted scene).
* President [[Laura Roslin]] makes a point of calling [[Lee Adama]] "Captain Apollo", saying that it has a nice ring to it.
* During the attack, ''[[Colonial One|Colonial Heavy 798]]'' assists Gemenon Liner Seventeen-oh-one (1701). This is a nod to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM's]] work on ''Star Trek''.
* The last lottery number chosen by Sharon Valerii and Helo to rescue a Caprican refugee was "47", another in-joke to the ''Star Trek'' series.
* The original [[Wikipedia:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701)]] is seen in the final shot of the fleet at the end of the Miniseries. This is yet another ''Star Trek'' allusion.
* Prior to [[Number Six]]'s meeting with an unknown person in the park, the kids playing in the background wore masks of Cylon Centurions from the original series and were waving mock versions of the swords those same Centurions had.
*The very last line of the miniseries is the phrase, "[[By your command]]", the affirmation from the [[Cylons (TOS)|Original Series Cylons]].

=== Notes ===

* The role of the doctor who offered Roslin the diagnosis of breast cancer was offered to [[Richard Hatch]] as a cameo; Hatch declined the role, later to take the role of [[Tom Zarek]].
* Original drafts of the miniseries referenced [[Kobol]] as the current homeworld of the humans. This was revised to the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] in keeping with the original concept.
* The woman portraying [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] in the picture Tigh burns with a cigar is executive producer [[David Eick]]'s wife, Jennifer. (Ellen Tigh would later appear in the episode, "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", played by actress Kate Vernon.)
* The last said line of the miniseries, "By your command," was not added until the final draft, after a friend of Ronald D. Moore commented that it wouldn't be ''Battlestar Galactica'' without it being said somewhere.

== Official Statements ==
=== Edward James Olmos' (EJO) Statements Regarding the Miniseries ===
After the announcement of Edward James Olmos' involvement in the miniseries, portraying a role that was previously done by Canadian actor Lorne Greene, many fans contacted him. As is evidenced by the quotes before, Olmos demonstrates his honesty and reaction to the mail, most of which could be classified as fairly negative.

From his [http://hometown.aol.com/ejowebmistress/ official website]:

*"I must say one thing and will say this very clearly. If you are a person who really has a strict belief in the original, I would not advise that you watch this program...We really don't stand true to the kind of characters that were built around the original. It definitely does break the mold. Some of the characters' names are the same, but the intent and the way that we are building the reality is completely not the reality that was built in the original." -- 7/03

*"I'm going to be the first one to say it really clearly. Please tell your readers, do not watch this program...[P]eople get really, really angry. You've got to remember that this is a show that was only on . . . in the late '70s, and to this day has a very strong fan base. Tens of thousands of people who write to each other for 25 years over a program that is not on the air and is not even being rerun. 
* "They didn't want this at all, and I didn't know any of this. . . . All of a sudden, my e-mails went through the roof. Suddenly I was accused of teaming up with Ron Moore and creating just a slap in the face of all these people, and I didn't want to slap anybody."

*"Trust me, don't watch it. If you are a real, real staunch 'Battlestar Galactica' person, don't watch it. . . . Just don't write to me, all right? I warned you. I was honest."

*"I've gotten some really strong, strong mail. . . . They're really bitter. They're very angry. And I know the Sci Fi Channel wants to say that everybody's going to enjoy it. They're not."

=== Comments from [[David Eick]] ===

"The goals of the mini series were nothing short of reinventing the science fiction genre. We wanted to present people in a catastrophic situation, in the wake of a tragedy, responding as human beings actually would through the prism of the science fiction genre."

=== Regarding Miniseries Ratings ===

"I think going into it, we all wondered. you know, what the audience numbers were going to be, especially given all the internet, sort of, controversy and the general, sort of, [something] about what we were doing and people objecting. And was it going to be a failure or was it not.

"The first night's numbers were good, but not great. We were waiting to see what the drop-off would be, because there was always a drop off on the second night. And the ratings actually went up." -- Ron D. Moore [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

=== Regarding Roslin's Refusal to Leave Her Nascent Fleet ===

{{from_RDM_blog}}

:Someone recently asked:
:"In the mini series, when the [[Cylon Raider|Cylon fighters]] are approaching ''[[Colonial One]]'' (just before [[Lee Adama|Lee]] saves the day with the EM pulse), [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] refuses to run and leave the other civilian ships to their doom... Yet she articulated no alternative plan. What was she hoping to do? It just seemed as though she planned to sit there and hope for the best, refusing to budge from the principle of not leaving defenseless people behind, even if that meant her own virtual suicide. It was an odd moment, she had been so decisive and clear headed up to then, and after that. (sic)

:What were her motivations, did she even have a plan? I still find this moment a little jarring and hard to explain away. I guess it does serve as a contrast to her later decision to leave [[Cami|Cammy]] (sic) etc behind. Thanks for your insights into this issue."

:[[Ronald D. Moore|RDM]]: Can we talk? Let's be honest here. The show is not perfect. There are compromises made all the time; some for budgetary reasons, some are for political reasons, some are for no reason at all except that the writer could not, or would not, make the changes necessary to resolve a story point.

:Such is The Case of Laura Roslin and the Incoming Cylon.

:The above writer's observation is absolutely correct. Laura, by all rights and all sensible reasoning, should not obstinately stay when it's known for a fact that a Cylon missile is incoming, probably has a nuclear warhead and oh, by the way, she has no armament aboard her ship that would allow her even the remote chance of a possible last-minute, brilliant tactical move which might theoretically prevent the destruction of her ship and her presidency. Her refusal to leave, to Jump away from the impending, obvious threat can be interpreted as an irrational flaw in her character, a case of emotion trumping intellect, or it can be more correctly interpreted simply as a flaw in the script, an accepted error that the writer chooses to ignore in favor of other competing interests of character and plot which take priority in a given moment.

:In this case, I felt that the dramatic moment required that Laura make a commitment to staying with her people, and to her nascent fleet, heedless of the consequence and resolute in her decision, even though it meant her certain doom. It was her instinctive response to the situation, her id's judgment, so to speak, that I was interested in, as well as the simpler plot device of having Lee swoop in and save them at the last moment just at the point you'd forgotten he was even there. Neither impulse is wrong, per se, but the error is in my choosing not to expand the moment and its aftermath in order to play out her realization of just how stupid a choice that was.

:If, at some point following the resolution of the crisis, Laura realized that she let her emotional reaction to the situation lead her into making a bad decision which was only saved by the providential intervention of Lee, then the scene would've accomplished everything I had hoped for in the moment as well as providing Laura with a character-building scene where the new president's first major decision nearly got them all killed. It would've been a way to both emphasize her fallibility and the fact that she can't afford to lead with her heart any longer. Her subsequent decision to leave the sublight ships behind, abandoning them to their destruction by the Cylons, would've also been informed by this experience and had a richer, even more textured component to it.

:In the end, it's not a fatal error in the script, and the moment passes by without comment for the most part, but it is something that nags at me whenever I see the sequence and which, frankly, bothered me at the time. So why didn't I fix it? A variety of answers present themselves, from time pressure to budgets, but the truth is, I knew that the emotional, dramatic moment would carry the audience through the scene and that people would be more invested in watching Lee take out the Cylon missile than in examining Laura's decision-making, so I opted to leave it alone rather than make the necessary page cuts and possible budget cuts needed to accommodate additional beats on this one point. It was probably the correct decision in the end, because the moment works and you move on as you're watching the show. However, being a television writer means not only having to make compromises and less than perfect decisions all the time, but as an additional penalty you get to always be reminded of the errors you've accepted when you watch the final product.

:Good catch by an attentive member of the audience.

:Damn you.

=== Additional Comments ===

* ''"Don't know if this has been addressed elsewhere already: Do [[Lee Adama|Apollo]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] already know each other at the start of the show? I recently reviewed the mini and noticed that in the [[Ready Room]] scene where Apollo is introduced and told he will fly [[William Adama|Husker's]] [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], when first introduced, Helo waves and Lee gives him one of those "oh, hey!" looks of familiarity, then when Lee isn't thrilled about flying his dad's Viper, Helo is the only one who *doesn't* look confused, he just smiles and turns back around."''

:I don't think they knew each other prior to the pilot. Lee probably had never set foot on the ''[[Galactica]]'' before then. I think the look was something improvised on the set. -- {{from_RDM_blog}}

:: '''Wikipedian's Note:''' It is likely Helo knew Apollo through [[Kara Thrace]].

* ''Regarding ''[[Galactica]]'' being hit by a [[Cylon]] nuke:''

:''Galactica'' was designed to withstand a nuclear hit. Don’t forget that nuclear weapons in space have a different impact than they do in the atmosphere. There’s not really a shock wave in space, it’s more the immediate blast, heat and radiation effects. ''Galactica'' is shielded against radiation. However, I’ll tell you that we’re going to get into that as the series goes on. '''That nuclear hit will come back to haunt them later; there will be consequences to what happened to the ship structurally when it took that hit.''' We’re taking the approach conceptually on this show that we must live with things that have happened to us, and that there are consequences. [http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/pages/galactica/fashioningverisimilitude5.htm] (boldface emphasis is by [[User:Joe.Beaudoin|Joe Beaudoin]])

===Interviews===

* '''[[Grace Park]] reflects on viewing the miniseries:'''

: I was completely was (sic) into the story. Only once in a while did I pop out and think, "Oh, look at those effects, They're so good."

: [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|The destruction of Caprica]] felt so [[Wikipedia:September 11th attacks|911]] -- the hopelessness of it. I remember back then watching [[Wikipedia:The Twin Towers|the towers]] fall over and over, and I remember how odd it was that a non-organic object exploding and how painful it was. And then there I was watching this and I'm crying, and I had to remind myself this time there weren't really people dying. But it really took me back there. [http://scifi.about.com/od/bgsonscifi/a/parkinter1.htm]

* '''[[Paul Campbell]] discusses how he got the part of [[Billy Keikeya]]:'''

: Yeah [I only tried out for Billy]. Yeah, I know there were a few actors that tried out for multiple parts but that was the only one I would have worked for. I’m certainly not a fighter pilot, and even though I could kick [[Tahmoh Penikett|Tahmoh]]’s ass in a heart beat, I didn’t want to embarrass him, since he’s a friend of mine. And he wouldn’t have done very well playing Billy, because he is just too tall for Dualla. So, I actually didn’t even meet any producers or anybody, I just read for the casting director, and that was it. I really had no idea when they were casting it how far it would go. I thought it was just going to be a few days on this miniseries. I hadn’t been a fan of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|original series]]. I was born in 1979, so I missed the boat. And I didn’t really understand what a cult following the original had had, and how much transfer there would probably be to the new show. So imagine my surprise when I found I was on this TV show that had been picked up.[http://mediablvd.com/magazine/index.php?option=com_magazine&func=show_article&id=84]

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[es:Miniserie]]

Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I

2006-06-28T14:28:09Z

Maff: /* Notes */

{{Episode Data|
Image =[[Image:Home_pt1-Kobol.jpg|300px]]
| Title=Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I
| Series=[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]]
| Season=[[Season 1 (2004-05)|1]]
| Episode=12
| Guests=
| Writer=[[Ronald D. Moore]]
| Story=[[David Eick]]
| Director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| Production=1.12
| Rating=
| US Airdate=March 25 2005
| UK Airdate=January 17 2005
| DVD=March 28 2005 (UK) September 20 2005 (US)
| Population=
| Prev=[[Colonial Day]]
| Next=[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''Battlestar ''Galactica'' discovers Kobol, and a chain of events are set in motion that threatens to change everything.''

== Summary ==
* Following the [[Colonial Day]] celebrations, [[Gaius Baltar]] finally beds [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]], but as they make love, she cries out for [[Lee Adama]], shattering Baltar's mood.
* Stricken by her apparent rejection of him in their coupling, Baltar in turn comes close to rejecting [[Number Six|Six]] and find it impossible to concentrate on anything – including his duties as Vice President.
* Elsewhere on ship, [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Boomer]] attempts to take her own life, but breaks down in tears before she can shoot herself. She is called to the Ready Room for a pre-flight briefing.
* [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] discovers that her cancer treatment is not going well. Her cancer has spread to her lymphatic system, giving her perhaps 6 months to live
* Baltar verbally fences with Lee Adama and is somewhat insulting to Thrace, tipping Lee off that the doctor has slept with Thrace. Later, still thinking about Thrace, Baltar cracks in front of Roslin.
* Following a recon mission, Boomer and [[Crashdown]] return to ''[[Galactica]]'' with evidence they have stumbled upon [[Kobol]].
* Determined to have things out with Thrace, Lee confronts her in the [[Hangar Deck]], and the two come to blows. Thrace realizes that her actions with Baltar have hurt Lee Adama.
* Reviewing the evidence returned by Boomer and Crashdown, Roslin has a vision which [[Elosha]] confirms to be the [[City of the Gods]] on Kobol.
* Roslin has two further visions – the [[Arrow of Apollo]] and the [[Tomb of Athena]], and accepts the scriptures as fact.
* Boomer, still confused, attempts to take her own life – “encouraged” by Baltar in defiance of Six.
* When [[William Adama|Adama]] reviews the evidence, he orders an extensive surface survey of the planet, seeing it as an opportunity for them to settle. Warned he should get off ''Galactica'' by Six, Baltar assigns himself to the survey.
* Roslin tries to convince Adama that Kobol will point the way to [[Earth]], but they must use the captured [[Cylon Raider]] to return to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] and retrieve the Arrow of Apollo.
* Three Raptors depart ''Galactica'' for Kobol, but on arrival they find themselves in the midst of a Cylon force of Raiders – and a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]].
* One Raptor is destroyed, and one - carrying Baltar – crash-lands on Kobol.
* Before a rescue mission can be launched, the basestar must be taken out – and Starbuck hatches a plan to do just this using the captured Raider.
* Hearing this, Roslin meets with Starbuck and convinces her into going to Caprica instead to retrieve the Arrow, by telling her that Adama does not actually know where Earth is.
[[Image:bsg-klg1-1.jpg|thumb|right|Adama studies ancient documents on Kobol. (c) Universal]]
===On Caprica===
* [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], alone and on the run, encounters “his” [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Valerii]]. He shoots and wounds her. Unable to kill her outright, he takes her with him.
* When Valerii tries to explain things to him, Helo informs her that all she is to him is a way off the planet.

== Summary from SciFi.com ==
While flying a supply patrol, Crashdown and Sharon Valerii discover a bountiful planet that can support human life. Indeed, it might be Kobol, the legendary "home of the gods." The discovery prompts Commander Adama to send a ground team to investigate; it also gives new life to President Roslin's belief that she is a tool of destiny and that this discovery, like her rapidly spreading cancer, is part of an ancient prophecy.

However, things are not well on the Galactica. Gaius Baltar, the new vice-president, has a one-night stand with Kara Thrace and finds himself at odds with both Lee Adama and a deeply jealous Number Six.

Meanwhile, both Cylon Sharons struggle with their dual natures. On Galactica, she contemplates suicide when she realizes her programming will lead her to betray her comrades; on Caprica, she tries to convince Helo that her love for him is stronger than her loyalty to the Cylons.

After a Raptor carrying Vice-President Baltar is shot down over Kobol, Commander Adama must find a way to destroy the Cylon basestar that guards the planet before he can send a rescue team. He orders Kara to fly a dangerous mission against the basestar, using the captured Cylon Raider — but Kara makes an unauthorized Jump home to Caprica instead, abandoning Adama and the stranded Raptor crew.
--This section ©2005, [http://www.scifi.com SCI FI]. All rights reserved.

== Questions ==
* Why did the Thirteen Tribes leave [[Kobol]]?
**In a deleted scene, Col. Tigh asks [[Elosha]] this same question, and she says that one God decided that he should be raised up above all others, and rebelled, and this triggered the cataclysm that drove humans off of Kobol.
***Could this be a reference to the beginning of the Cylon's religion and their "one true God"?
**In another deleted scene from season 2's "[[Fragged]]", Roslin says that the Sacred Scrolls don't say that humanity was exiled from Kobol, but rather "there was some sort of battle amongst the Gods, and when it was over we ''chose'' to leave".
* What happened to the gods who lived on Kobol “with man”?
* Did the gods remain on Kobol after humanity left?
* Given the similarities with the [[Greek Gods|Greek Pantheon]], did the gods decide to follow the 13th tribe to Earth, thus establishing the myths of the Olympian gods?
* Do the Cylons consider Kobol as their spiritual home as well (“The birthplace of us all” – [[Leoben Conoy]], "[[Flesh and Bone]]")?
* Did Boomer's Cylon personality interfere in her attempt at suicide, resulting in her wounding herself, or did her human personality lack the conviction of the act, resulting in the wound?
* Given that [[Cylon transponder]]s were aboard ''Galactica'', why did the Cylons make such an attempt to destroy ''Galactica'' during their first attack - up to and including deploying nuclear weapons against her? Was the device inactive - if so, why was it in [[CIC]] in the first place ([[Miniseries]])?
**The transponder was probably there so the Cylon Raiders carrying nuclear missiles could target its location in the Mini-Series. Even if ''Galactica'' survived, the transponders would still allow the battlestar to be tracked.

== Analysis ==

The finest episode of "Battlestar Galactica" to air so far; so finely tuned that it barely misses a beat. This is also the first episode where music is used to its most evocative effect, further lifting the story into the realm of outstanding drama.

From the outset the audience knows it is in for something special; the re-cap of previous episodes so tightly defined, it for once deals with a single strand of the story to date: the Cylons, only opening at the end to reveal the motivating thrust to this episode: the finding of Kobol.

This leads into one of the most beautifully-constructed teasers witnessed in television drama. Evocative, moving – and entirely minimalist in terms of dialogue -, it really is proof that frequently, less really is more. Why waste time with words, when actions and expressions speak so much louder, and music can imbue the underlying emotions.

"Battlestar Galactica" has not always fared well where music is concerned. The opening theme is one that is either liked or disliked, with little middle ground; incidental music in previous episodes has been sporadic in its ability to act – as music should – as the aural scenery that helps bring the drama to life. Sometimes it has worked, in others – notably the otherwise brilliant The Hand of God – it has been so out of keeping with the atmosphere of the show, it has detracted from the overall enjoyment of the episode.

Here, however, the music is perfect – and it is interesting to see that in immersing the audience into the subtleties of the teaser, the episode uses a “classical” approach through the use of an orchestral sound, rather than the more tribal beats common to Battlestar Galactica.

And the result is remarkable. Utilising the string section in the foreground – violins and cellos slowly building a theme to which is added further instruments as new revelations are made concerning the moods and responses of the various characters; providing an aural tapestry through which everything is linked; the bringing together and the falling apart of relationships; the expression of needs, and emotions.

The music perfectly underpins one of the main thrusts of the teaser: a demonstration of how alive the humans are; how driven by passion and instinct. It was in “Flesh and Bone” that Doral stated his envy of a human’s ability to experience such extremes. Now we’re cleverly shown everything the Cylon’s aspire to experience themselves: passions unbounded by the need for constraint, given form in both the boxing and in Starbuck’s fantasy view of her coupling with Baltar (“Lee”).

Turning to the boxing, it is evident more is going on here than a simple father-and-son sparring match. Aggression and frustration are being dealt with here – as witnessed by the clear satisfaction Lee gets from striking and hurting his father. When he lands his first big punch, he asks, “Are you OK?” not out of concern, but out of satisfaction; it could have so easily been followed by, “Because there’s plenty more where that came from.” Even so, his frustrations are released guardedly, whereas his father’s response is not. He allows himself to enjoy striking his son, giving his instincts the freedom of expression they need.

Another fascinating element of the teaser is the manner in which Boomer’s situation is offset with Valerii on Caprica. As Boomer takes her handgun and prepares to shoot herself, Valerii finds Helo, and tells him to shoot her. Both of them have reached the same point in their existence, both of them because of their entirely human responses – in Boomer’s case fear and in Valerii’s the anguish of lost love. Fear and love – perhaps the strongest of emotions we can experience; and both have driven these instances of Valerii to despair. In doing so, these emotions reveal both the “flaw” within the Valerii model that makes it “weak” in Six’s eyes while also demonstrating the Cylon experiment has succeeded – perhaps in a way the Cylons could not have conceived.

The rest of the episode is no less rich. Roslin’s acceptance of her role and the reality of the scriptures, though sudden, is entirely in keeping with all that has been shown in recent episodes. The issues arising from this are both immediate and long-term. She has already subverted the strike against the Cylon basestar – putting the entire fleet at risk, as well as the lives of some 8-10 members of the Galactica’s crew stranded on Kobol. Whether Adama be willing to let this go if/when Starbuck returns with the Arrow of Apollo remains to be seen. However, as Billy points out, if she continues to act upon what he sees (and no doubt others will believe) as “drug-induced hallucinations”, then the stability of the entire government within the fleet will be put at risk – possibly well before the scheduled elections.

In a similar way, the flare-up of jealousy and anger between Lee and Kara is entirely in keeping with recent events: their potential attraction has been seen in brief flashes throughout, while their frustrations with one another have been witnessed through the likes of “Act of Contrition” and most recently, “The Hand of God”. Beyond that, they have a history together that bonds them from their time at flight school, where Zak Adama initially brought them together as friends through to Lee’s arrival aboard the Galactica. Thus, Lee’s very evident attraction to her during the Colonial Day party, is fully in keeping with what we have seen: but she ends up bedding Baltar.

While this latter point is somewhat surprising given the degree of open contempt she has shown him of late (“Bastille Day”, “Litmus”, “Secrets and Lies”), given the availability of drinks aboard the “Cloud Nine” their coupling could be put down to the effects of alcohol. Certainly, Baltar has never hidden his lust for Starbuck, and it is hard to see him missing the opportunity to take advantage of his new-found position as Vice President and the fact that Six has given her permission to sleep with whoever he likes.

Why did she do it? Probably because, despite his attraction to her, and her to him (hence her orgasm-induced cry) Kara sees Lee as unobtainable – possibly because of that same history they share. So in her inebriation, she opts for the closest available target – Baltar. Whatever the reason, her actions are more than enough to both become the perfect catalyst for Baltar’s conflicts with Six and his apparent desire to confound her (as evidenced through his conversation with Boomer), and to act as a catalyst to bring Lee’s jealousy to the surface.

Baltar’s time with Boomer is interesting. Taking heed of Six’s warning concerning the danger the Galactica while face and acting in defiance of her mocking comments in the bunkroom itself, he acts in defiance of her, gently bringing Boomer to the point where she can carry out the attempt on her own life. Through it all, Six is obviously confused by his actions. That Boomer’s Cylon persona more than likely stopped her killing herself, the fact that Baltar was willing to act as he does has a major impact on Six – hence her more gentle reminder to him when the survey of Kobol is being planned.

The episode also can’t be faulted for the standard of performance turned in. Across the board all of the ensemble cast put in sterling performances that serve to ratchet-up “Kobol’s Last Gleaming Part 1” so it stands head and shoulders above what has already been a remarkable first season run. Thus, to single any individual member of the cast out at the expense of the others would be somewhat unfair; everyone appearing on-screen – be it for 40 minutes or 4 – makes their character utterly engrossing to watch.

The final elements that round-out this episode are the writing and direction. With this story, Eick and Moore demonstrate they have a clear vision for where the series will hopefully go (allowing for future renewals), the territories it may cover and the ways in which the various threads can be intertwined and then neatly separated again to build a complex picture of humanity and circumstance. Furthermore, in ramping-up the Roslin arc, they are simultaneously bringing some of the threads that have formed the fabric of this first season to an end, while opening new potential avenues for exploration in future seasons.

Having veteran BSG director Rymer (Mini-Series, “33”) helm this episode is also a smart move. In both the mini and “33”, Rymer firmly established the look and feel of the finished Galactica product, and here he demonstrates his finesse with the docu-drama style the production has striven for; using the technique to draw the audience into the drama almost as if they are themselves participants.

== Notes ==
*It is 3 days since the events of [[Colonial Day]].
**Kara leaves Baltars quarters at the start of the episode with her blue dress from Colonial Day. It seems more likely that this episode continues directly on from the previous episode.
*There are now 47,897 survivors in the fleet, a net loss of 1 since "Colonial Day".
*[[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]] is beginning to run short of supplies.
*Humans departed Kobol some 2,000 years prior to the setting of the series .
*Kobol is a place where the “gods and man lived together in paradise”.
*Some of the "gods" appear to be buried on Kobol (The [[Tomb of Athena]]).
*[[Socinus]] has been released from the brig and returned to duty.
*The "[[R and D TV|R&D TV Animation]]" skit during the credits consists of David Eick transforming Ron Moore into Martha Stewart by shooting lightning from his fingers.
*[[Ellen Tigh]] does not appear in this episode, but she is present in deleted scenes.

===Blooper Moments===
When Sharon shoots herself, she is holding an automatic pistol, but the sound was that of the larger sidearms carried by pilots when flying off-ship missions (only slightly suppressed), rather than the report of a "normal" pistol being fired.

===Nods===
The [[Cylon transponder]] is an indirect nod to [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|the original series]], in which [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] and [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] use an IFF-type device to identify their [[Cylon Raider#Original Series Raider|Raider]] to Colonial forces when they launch an attack on a Cylon Basestar ([[The Hand of God (TOS)]]).

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
* ''In the bunk room, when Gaius Baltar interrupts Sharon Valeri’s second attempt at suicide:''
:Sharon Valeri: ''(as she pretends to be cleaning her hand gun)'' What’s going on?
:Gaius Baltar: ''(cautiously)'' Well, I was going to ask you the same question. Actually, I was looking for Lieutenant Thrace but...sometimes it’s good to...talk these things over.
:Number Six: ''(feigning pity)'' Deep down she knows she’s a Cylon, but her conscious mind just won’t accept it.
:Sharon Valeri: Sometimes I have these...dark thoughts.
:Gaius Baltar: What kind of dark thoughts?
:Number Six: Her model is weak, always has been. But in the end she’ll carry out her mission.
:Sharon Valeri: I don’t know, but I’m afraid I’m going to hurt someone. I feel like I ought to be stopped.
:Number Six: ''(moving to the other side of Boomer)'' She can’t be stopped. She’s a Cylon. You can’t help her, Gaius...but you could probably sleep with her. (Baltar reacts with a look of disgust at Six.) That’s what you want, right?
:Gaius Baltar: ''(to Boomer)'' I’m not sure why...sometimes...we must embrace that which opens up for us.
:Sharon Valeri: Embrace?
:Gaius Baltar: Life can be a curse as well as a blessing. (his voice becomes more intense) You will believe me when I tell you: there are far worse things than death in this world...
:Sharon Valeri: So you’re saying…?
:Gaius Baltar: No. No, no, no. What I say...is meaningless. Listen to your heart. Embrace that which you know to be the right decision.
:''(They look at each other as Six regards Baltar with a look of complete incomprehension, then Baltar stands and kisses Boomer on the forehead before walking out of the bunkroom. Seconds later there is the sound of a single gunshot from inside.)''

* ''In ''Galactica's'' landing bay:''
:Lee Adama: Going hunting?
:Kara Thrace: ''(loading ammunition into the Cylon Raider)'' I'm manning the gunnery for the Jump test tomorrow. See if our boy here can shoot anything with our ammo.
:Lee Adama: So it's a boy now.
:Kara Thrace: I changed my mind.
:Lee Adama: You ever wonder why everyone else calls it a "she", but to you, it's a "he"?
:Kara Thrace: That's fascinating, Lee. You should write a paper.
:Lee Adama: Well, that's not really my style. I'm not as smart as...say, Doctor Baltar. How is the Vice President, by the way?
:Kara Thrace: I don't know. Haven't seen him.
:Lee Adama: ''(thinks for a second)'' So...he's a love-them and leave-them kind of guy, I guess.
:Kara Thrace: I guess.
:Lee Adama: Ships just pass in the night...
:Kara Thrace: Yep.
:Lee Adama: Didn't mean a thing.
:Kara Thrace: No.
:Lee Adama: You were just bored, looking for something to do. So frakking the Vice President of the Colonies seemed like a great waste of time!
:Kara Thrace: Do you want something from me?
:Lee Adama: Not a thing-
:Kara Thrace: -because I don't owe you anything.
:Lee Adama: No, you don't owe me anything. because I'm just a CAG, and you're just a pilot. A pilot who can't keep her pants on! Oh, it's just like old times, Kara. Like when you got drunk and you couldn't keep your hands off the Major-
:''(Kara turns around and swings a punch at Lee, but Lee returns the favor by punching Kara in the eye)''
:Lee Adama: Why'd you do it, Kara? Just tell me why.
:Kara Thrace: Because I'm a screwup, Lee. Try to keep that in mind.

* ''As Kara Thrace pilots the Cylon Raider in a weapons test, she contacts Commander Adama:''
:Commander Adama: ''(to Kara)'' Go ahead.
:Kara Thrace: I believed you. Believed in Earth.
:Commander Adama: What are you doing, Starbuck?
:Kara Thrace: Bringing home the cat, sir.
:Commander Adama: We can talk about this.
:Kara Thrace: No, I don't think so.
:Commander Adama: I want you to remember one thing. I do not regret anything that I did. Be sure that whatever you're going to do, you don't regret it later. Do you understand me?
:Kara Thrace: I guess we'll find out. ''(Starbuck uses the FTL computer to Jump to Caprica)''
:Lee Adama: ''Galactica'', Apollo. Starbuck has jumped away. Repeat, Starbuck has jumped away.
:Colonel Tigh: She wasn't scheduled for a Jump test! Where the hell did she go?
:Commander Adama: Home.

== Official Statements ==

=== Regarding Lack of Definitive Information Regarding [[Kobol]] ===
{{from_RDM_blog}}

:"In the last two episodes it is noted by the priestess that the thirteen tribes left [[Kobol]] about "2000 years ago" and the initial estimate of the age of the ruins is the same, but nothing is concrete of course. This is where I have a problem: They were obviously a star faring civilization to leave Kobol to being with. To do so requires information technology. Why is their history of that time so sketchy and lacking of concrete records? Yes it was 2000 years in the past but come on, it's not like they only had [[Wikipedia:papyrus|papyrus]] to write on. "

:I've been presupposing some kind of cataclysm or crisis that occurred soon after mankind settled on the 12 worlds which either wiped out the knowledge base or had it deliberately destroyed for some reason. This doesn't seem that implausible when one considers that a tremendous amount of knowledge from the Greco-Roman tradition was lost after the fall of the [[Wikipedia:Roman Empire|Roman Empire]] and plunged the western world into the so called [[Wikipedia:Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]. Clearly, the Colonials did not fall all the way back to papyrus, and they do in fact, know that they are descendants of refugees from Kobol, hence the term "[[Colonies]]." They must have possessed star-faring technology at the time of the exodus, but I don't know how far we'll go into this specific backstory in the series, however.

=== Other Statements ===

* ''[[Jamie Bamber]] talks about his response to the argument held between [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Lee Adama]] in this episode:''

: It's sort of an explosion of jealousy that is a complete surprise to him because I don't think he's ... he's not fully aware of what he feels. There's something quite like a gut reaction that really was exciting to play. It was a surprise to me. [http://gateworld.net/galactica/articles/bamber01.shtml]

== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lt. [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally]]
*[[Lorena Gale]] as [[Elosha]]
*[[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[Cottle]]
*[[Alonso Oyarzun]] as Specialist [[Socinus]]
*[[Bodie Olmos]] as Lt. [[Brendan Constanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Constanza]]
*[[imdb:nm0818182|Stephen Spender]] as Pilot
*[[imdb:nm1056475|James Bell]] as [[ECO]]

{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes with story by David Eick]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

33

2006-06-28T08:56:49Z

Maff: /* Blooper Moments */

{{translation|[[:de:33 Minuten|German]], [[:es:33 Minutos|Spanish]], [[33/fr:33 minutes|French]] and [[33/pt:33|Portuguese]]}}

{{Episode Data|
Image = [[Image:33mincount_101_1080i.jpg|300px]]
| Title= 33
| Series= [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|The Re-imagined Series]]
| Season= [[Season 1 (2004-05)|1]]
| Episode= 1
| Guests=
| Writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| Story=
| Director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| Production= 1.01 '''(Series Premiere)'''
| Rating= 2.6
| US Airdate= January 14 2005
| UK Airdate= October 18 2004
| DVD= March 28 2005 (UK) September 20 2005 (US)
| Population=
| Prev= [[Miniseries]]
| Next= [[Water]]
}}

== Overview ==

: ''Continuing from the events of the [[Miniseries]], [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' and [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] must avoid their [[Cylon]] pursuers, which ambush them every 33 minutes after each successful [[FTL|Jump]].''

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica]]'' ===
* The crew of battlestar ''[[Galactica]]'' have been on continuous alert for some 130.35 hours, during which time the Fleet has had to make an [[FTL|FTL Jump]] every 33 minutes to escape their [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] pursuers shortly after their initial escape from [[Ragnar Anchorage]].
* Everyone in the Fleet is beginning to feel the strain – particularly [[Gaius Baltar]], who is also distracted by [[Number Six|Six’s]] repeated conversations about [[God]] having a plan for him, and also her wanting to have his children.
* Vessels in the Fleet are also beginning to feel the strain: Jump engines and their controlling computers are starting to breakdown or malfunction, requiring ''Galactica'' to linger longer and longer in the Cylon line of fire while the rest of the fleet complete their Jumps.
* Following jump number 237, [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] receives word from a Dr. [[Amorak]] aboard the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' concerning information on how the Cylons overcame Colonial defenses.
* Overhearing the conversation, Baltar is worried: he knew Amorak at the [[Defence Ministry]]. As Six points out, Amorak might have information on Baltar's complicity with the Cylon attack.
* There is insufficient time before the next Jump to bring Amorak aboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', but Roslin wants to see him directly after the Jump has been completed.
* Elsewhere, [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] is having problems accepting her new [[ECO]], [[Crashdown]], and is feeling guilty about leaving [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]] on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] to his fate.
* When the next Jump is made, the ''Olympic Carrier'', complete with Dr. Amorak and 1344 other souls, fails to appear with the rest of the Fleet. Six tries to convince Baltar that it is because God is watching over him.
* Thirty-three minutes later, the Fleet is ready to jump, but the Cylons don’t appear. Adama orders a stand-down from the immediate alert, but the Fleet is to maintain a readiness to Jump, in case the Cylons do return.
* When Baltar continues to refuse the concept of God, the ''Olympic Carrier'' reappears; Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] orders the Fleet to [[Action Stations|Condition One alert]], fearing the worst. He orders the Jump clocks reset in anticipation of the Cylons arriving.
*The [[Combat Air Patrol]] lead by [[Lee Adama]] intercepts the [[Intersun|starliner]]. Adama orders all communications with the ''Carrier'' jammed and the ''Carrier'' is ordered (through signal lamps) to remain at its current position. When the ''Carrier'' fails to heed orders not to approach the fleet, tensions rise, and a [[Radiological Alarm|radiological alarm]] reveals there is now a nuclear weapon on the liner.
*As the crisis deepens, the Cylons appear precisely 33 minutes after the return of the ''Carrier'', confirming that the ''Carrier'' was used somehow by the Cylons to track the Fleet. Adama wants to destroy the liner, but Roslin hesitates to give the order, as no one can be sure if the 1,345 people aboard the ''Carrier'' are still alive. Baltar is terrified she won't give the order for fear of Amorak's information.
*Six uses the hesitation to push Baltar into “repenting” before God. As soon as he does, Roslin gives the order to destroy the liner. Apollo and [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] (reluctantly) open fire, destroying the liner. After the Fleet makes a Jump once more, the Cylon's relentless pursuit is halted.
*A day later, everyone is living with the consequences of their actions. Only [[Billy Keikeya]] has a small nugget of good news: at some point in the proceedings, a baby was born in the Fleet.

===On Caprica===
* [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] is on the run in the rainy woodland, and has [[Wikipedia:Claymore mine|Claymore-like ordinance]] he uses to blow up pursuing [[Cylon Centurion]]s.
* Helo's six days on the run comes to an end when he is captured by the Cylons, after being distracted by the appearance of a copy of [[Number Six]], wearing a white raincoat.
*Helo is “rescued” by [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|a copy of Valerii]], who shoots Six and then leads Helo away into the woods. Helo mistakenly believes that this Valerii copy is actually the "Boomer" copy that left Caprica and returned to rescue him.

== Summary from Sci-Fi.com ==

In the wake of the Cylon sneak attack, the ragtag fleet of human survivors is forced to play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with their pursuers. Every 33 minutes, they make a jump to a new location. And every 33 minutes, the Cylons manage to find them. The pilots are on the brink of exhaustion, relying on artificial stimulants to keep fighting, and the civilians are beginning to doubt the leadership of Commander Adama and President Roslin.

When the Olympic Carrier, a commercial passenger ship, fails to make a jump and then later mysteriously turns up unharmed, Adama fears it has been infiltrated by the Cylons. His choice: destroy it and the 1,300 souls it might still be carrying, or risk the annihilation of the entire fleet. Adama is not alone in fearing the mystery ship. Baltar, who remains mentally connected with his beautiful and deadly Cylon companion Number Six, panics when he learns one of the ship's passengers has information about a traitor in the president's inner circle.

Meanwhile, down on the ruined, Cylon-occupied colony of Caprica, Helo is on the run from another group of Cylons. He's going to need help to make it back to the Galactica — but there's no help in sight….
--©2005, [http://www.scifi.com SCI FI]. All rights reserved.

== Questions ==

* Billy reports that the number of survivors is down by 300 - some lost through death from injuries, etc., some "lost" through initial inaccurate counts, and the rest have "disappeared." How can people simply "disappear" in the fleet?
* Does Doctor Amorak truly have something on Baltar's involvement in the holocaust?
* Is Six actually in contact with other Cylons, and thus involved in the disappearance / reappearance of the ''Olympic Carrier''?
* What happened to the group of survivors [[Helo]] was left with in the [[Miniseries]]?

==Blooper Moments==
* During the opening titles, ''Galactica'' is shown to be making a Jump with her flight pods extended - not only that, the shot was recycled footage from the [[Miniseries]].
* Billy may be a good PA, but he’s not good at math. The inaugural episode starts with 50,298 survivors. He informs Roslin this is in error by 300 = 49,998 survivors. When the Olympic Carrier is destroyed (1,345 people), he reduces the total to 47,972 – that’s a reduction of 2026, or 681 people MORE than listed on the ''Carrier''!
** Whatever Roslin taught at school, it wasn’t mathematics – she fails to pick up on Billy’s error.
** This is after five sleepless nights and doubtlessly uncertain population figures coming from across the Fleet, making the uncertain numbers of survivors partly reasonable. The business of performing an accurate census, after all, is of a comparatively low priority than the business of self-preservation.
* When [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] admits that she lost the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'', her headset changes sides during the conversation.
* As Helo fires upon the Cylon Centurion that survived the detonation of an anti-personnel mine (similar to a [[Wikipedia:Claymore mine|Claymore mine]]), the first time Helo fires the pistol, it is heard to fire, but there is no accompanying visual spark from the barrel. In contrast, the second shot is accompanied by both a spark and the appropriate sound.
* As the Cylon Centurion approaches Helo from behind, you can see the rain hitting it, but it does not drip off the Warrior's body. In contrast, water is dripping from Helo's face in a fairly consistent and noticeable manner.
* After the disappearance of the Olympic Carrier in Jump 238, and the timer is running towards the 33 minute mark, the viewer can see that the clock is at 10 seconds. When focusing on Adama and Tigh, the viewer hears ten seconds counting off, but when the camera quick-pans to the overhead console, it reads that 3 seconds have passed.
* Before the clock reaches zero in the pre-title sequence, a wide shot of CIC is shown with Adama and Tigh standing at the central console. The timer on the screen above their heads is flashing 00:00:00.

== Analysis ==

Overall, a good opening episode that cleverly adds to a number of arcs from the Miniseries: is Boomer a Cylon? What is the Six who is interacting with Baltar? Can the Colonials truly escape the shadow of the Cylons?

The opening sequence of shots ending with the second Valerii on Caprica is interesting: is this a hint to the real identity of Boomer on ''Galactica''? Also, is the good-natured teasing between Starbuck and Boomer during the CAP an indication that others have noticed Boomer seems to be handling the lack of sleep a lot better than others. Could this lead to some kind of rumor-mill starting-up about her? ([[Litmus|Answers start in "Litmus"]])

As to [[Number Six#Baltar's Internal Six|Baltar's Six]]: three possibilities seem to suggest themselves:

*She is a working of his own psyche; a reaction to his betrayal of his people to the Cylons. Certainly, his increasing psychosis in the episode would seem to point to this; but then, he has - like the rest - been five plus days without sleep, and some degree of paranoia is bound to result.
*She is, as she suggested in the Miniseries, an implant in his head and possibly in communication with the Cylons. However, if this is the case, surely the Cylon hunt for the Fleet would continue despite the destruction of the ''Olympic Carrier'' - as the Cylons would be tracing the fleet through Baltar. Given the humans are to all intents and purposes "on the ropes", it seems odd that they would break off the attack when they have such a clear advantage. (The brain scan on Baltar in "[[Home, Part II]]" dismisses the notion that a mechanical implant is in his head, although it may not be medically recognizable or even in his head, but elsewhere.)
*Could Six be a complete download of "Six's" personality, captured at the point of destruction of Baltar's home, and now contained in his head, possibly occupying his subconscious, out of contact with her own kind, but able to fully interact with his thoughts and feelings – even manipulate his thoughts and feelings? This may suggest Baltar [[Gaius Baltar#Speculation: The Real Baltar?|could be a Cylon agent himself]].

Meanwhile, the episode builds on some of the relationships established in the Miniseries: Apollo and Starbuck clearly have a past, at least through Thrace's relationship with Lee's deceased brother, [[Zak Adama|Zak]], one that reaches beyond command hierarchies, exhaustion and tempers. The [[hangar deck]] confrontation is a valuable byplay not so much for what it says, but for the way in which it is communicated - a large element of non-verbal communication passing between Thrace and Lee Adama prior to her taking the [[stims]].

Similarly, Roslin's mistrust of Adama, as expressed at the end of the Miniseries following his admission that "Earth" was a deception on his part, has begun to grow into an edgy respect: she knows full-well that without his leadership, the Fleet would not have survived 5 days of repeated Jumps - and she is prepared to admit it. (Roslin deals with Adama's deception about Earth starting in a multi-episode story arc [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|starting later in the season and concluding in season 2]].)

Then there is Adama's relationship with his son. From the scene where they discuss responsibility, it is evident that there is a gulf between them still - one that may well be held open in part by their relative positions aboard ''Galactica''. Adama is Lee's father and the commanding officer of ''Galactica''. While both again appear to want to bridge the gap – the difference in rank still prevents them openly discussing things: hence Lee's act of rebuffing his father's attempt to console him following the shooting of the ''Olympic Carrier''. (The tension between the Adamas comes to a head with significant reconciliation in "[[Act of Contrition]]", "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", and in the concluding first season and opening second season episodes, starting with "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]" through "[[Home, Part II]]".)

Overall the three storylines evident in the episode – escaping the Cylons, Baltar and Six and Helo on Caprica - are cleverly interwoven, with the main storyline; the Baltar / Six relationship in particular intersecting smoothly through the crisis involving the ''Olympic Carrier'', while the Helo subplot is given enough exposure to engage us and deflect attention from the "A" story sufficiently to heighten the drama, without actually interrupting the overall story flow.

Indeed, such is the subtlety of the Helo sub-plot that the questions it raises don't really reveal themselves until a second viewing, and you realize they are related to the central Cylon theme: why does Six ask him if he is alive? He clearly is, and the question is not a reference to either his leg wound or his radiation-induced sickness. Nor is it simply a throwback to her "sister's" first words to the Colonial officer at [[Armistice Station]]. It is something that appears to go to the very center of Cylon reasoning. (Answers to the strange manipulations with Helo are explained in the second season episode, "[[The Farm]]".)

Similarly, while it could be over-sensitivity given the amount of time the Valerii on Caprica was on-screen, but one couldn't help but feel she was perhaps a little too human; too familiar with Helo? It seems odd that she is introduced to Helo through the "killing" of the Six construct. Why resort to the "murder" of one of her own? Was this simply to establish her credibility in the eyes of Helo? Could she not have found another way to make contact with Helo? Contrasted with the comments regarding Boomer's heritage back on ''Galactica'', are the writers attempting to imply something? Could it bee that BOTH the Valerii characters are Cylons that believe themselves to be human? (The Valerii model indeed shows a history of being ''too'' human as season 1 and 2 progress: See the [[Cylon agent]] article for more.)

===Nit-picks===

*Why is Boomer's Raptor launched alongside Apollo's Vipers for what everyone is expecting to be an interdiction exercise against Cylon Raiders?
:* Based on events from the [[Miniseries]] and in later episodes, Raptors are occasionally used to support or augment Viper operations with strengthened [[DRADIS]] and perhaps [[Radiological Alarm|radiological]] detection. Normally, Raptors are not on [[CAP]] with Vipers and are frequently deployed alone or as a group, but the events of "[[33]]" suggest that Commander Adama wanted to ensure extra coverage with the Raptor's stronger [[Computers|avionics]] to ensure extra coverage of Cylon activity.
:* In a [[Resurrection Ship, Part II| later Epsisode]] a Raptor is used for rescuing ejected pilots during combat.
*For the Cylons to track the fleet across many light years two possibilities exist for how that may be performed: 1) The Cylons have developed some sort of FTL communication (this would also explain how they are able to transmit their memories when they die over interstellar distances) or 2) The Olympic Carrier managed to transmit their jump coordinates without being detected before performing their own FTL jump. Logically, Adama should have ordered a jump before the 33 minute window was up to eliminate the second possibility.
**They established that the Fleet was physically straining itself to calculated and make Jumps as fast as every 33 minutes. Anything shorter would probably have been impossible.

*The Corridor Memorial scene, while somewhat heavy-handed to some viewers, succeeded in continuing the writer's allusion to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States to the events of the Miniseries through the use of the many memorials, the confusion in finding lost loved ones, and Dualla's amazement at the size of the memorial. (A [[Lest We Forget|picture of a Colonial soldier]] on one of the Colonies during its destruction also plays on the intense feelings of loss and hopelessness felt by many Americans when they saw similar pictures of New York City firefighters at the ruins of the World Trade Center.)

*Similarly, the failure to openly resolve the issue of whether or not 1,345 people remained aboard the ''Olympic Carrier'' after its return weakens the story for some. Indeed, Apollo's flyby of the ship is suggestive that the ship indeed was empty - thus removing our feelings of horror one step further from the drama being played out on screen. Would the scene have been better portrayed with humans looking outward to give a heightened potential of loss? By ''not'' showing the passengers, the writers increase the magnitude of consequence to the Colonials. The ambiguity of the passenger's status also fit with the new Cylon agent ''modus operandi''. Given that it is likely that a Cylon agent had infiltrated the ''Carrier'', leading to its probable capture and transformation into a weapon, the operatives also tend to play psychological games on the Colonials for greater long-term effect than the mere loss of a ship. It is very likely that the Cylons ''knew'' that the missing passengers would make things harder for the Colonials and cause greater strife.

*Another nit-pick comes with the reminder of Tigh's alcoholism. The by-play here didn't entirely fit, and came across as a clumsy reminder that the writers hadn't forgotten about Tigh's condition and would possibly be returning to it in the future (which does happen in season 2, particularly in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]").

*Some viewers had become curious of the significance to the use of the number "33" in this episode, as well as the use of the number "3" with events in later episodes. As with other science-fiction television such as "Star Trek", writers tend to play inside jokes, sometimes perpetuating this from series to series. Nothing to date has shown that these plays on numbers are anything more than jokes that do not infer additional relevant episode data. See the amusing [[Numerology]] page for more on these number jokes and the "mystery of 33."

== Notes ==

* Continuous jumping badly affects the FTL drives and management systems aboard commercial Colonial vessels, which are not as rugged as the ''Galactica's'' military-issue drives
* The Cylons Jump ability is just as highly-accurate as the Jumps of the Colonials. In 238 times they manage to pounce on the Colonial fleet, arriving with precise momentum and trajectory to be able to close the distance and launch an attack
* According to Socinus, there are 5,251 people in the Fleet from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Sagittaron|Sagittaron]]
* As of "[[33]]", there are 60 civilian ships in the Fleet, but [[Continuity errors (RDM)|errors in continuity of episode events]], especially from "[[Home, Part I]]", may place this initial information in question
* The head count of Colonial citizens at the end of the episode is 47,273
* This episode won the [[Awards and Honors|2005 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form]]
* [[Zoic]] visual effects artists hid small signs of movement within the ''Olympic Carrier'' in close-up effect shots as something of a morbid joke. Lights in the windows appear to flicker on and off rather rapidly and when slowed down there is some kind of movement visible on the inside of the ship
* In the DVD commentary for this episode, Ron D. Moore states that during the scene when Dualla hands Commander Adama a set of reports that he reads aloud (including fuel shortages, dozens of crewmen breaking down from nervous exhaustion, etc), Edward James Olmos ad-libbed "and ten suicides" in one take. The production team really liked the ad-lib, and thought the way Olmos acted the scene was fantastic. However, there were concerns that the network would think this would make an already ''extremely'' "dark" episode far '''too''' dark and alienate the audience during the premiere, and the line was reluctantly cut.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''Baltar is having a vision of climbing into bed with Number Six''
:'''Six:''' You know you're not safe.
:'''Baltar:''' No, course not. The Cylons will follow us again, as they have the last two hundred and thirty seven times.
:'''Six:''' You're right, you know. There are limits. Eventually you'll make a mistake.
:'''Baltar:''' And then you'll kill us all. Yes. Yes, I know, but...not for another thirty-three minutes.

*Colonel Tigh: Yes, we're tired. Yes, there is no relief. Yes, the Cylons keep coming after us time after time after time. And yes, we are still expected to do our jobs!

* ''When Lee Adama and Kara Thrace are on ''Galactica's'' flight deck:''
:Lee Adama: Hey, did you see the note from the XO?
:Kara Thrace: I saw it. No way.
:Lee Adama: Kara, everyone else--
:Kara Thrace: I don't fly with stims. They fudge with your reflexes, your reaction time.
:Lee Adama: Come on, Kara, give me a break. Just--
:Kara Thrace: Why are we arguing about this?
:Lee Adama: I have no idea.
:Kara Thrace: Neither do I. You're the [[CAG]], act like one.
:Lee Adama: What does that mean?
:Kara Thrace: It means that you're still acting like everyone's best friend. We're not friends. You're the CAG. "Be careful out there?" Our job isn't to be careful, it's to shoot frakking [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] out of the sky. "Good Hunting" is what you say. And one of your idiot pilots is acting like a child and refusing to take her pills. So she either says "Yes, sir" and obeys a direct order, or you smack her in the mouth and drag her sorry ass to [[sickbay]] and you make her take those pills.
:''(Lee and Kara both start laughing)''
:Lee Adama: Well, I'm glad I'm not working for you.
:Kara Thrace: ''(laughing)'' Damn right you're glad.
:Lee Adama: So do I have to smack you in the mouth, Lieutenant?
:Kara Thrace: No sir, I'll take my pills. ''(takes pills from Lee)'' Perfect.
:Lee Adama: Carry on.
:Kara Thrace: ''(half-heartedly saluting)'' Yes, sir.

* ''When Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh are talking outside the [[CIC]]:''
:Colonel Tigh: ''(grunting)'' Oh...a couple hours rack time does sound awfully sweet right about now...
:Commander Adama: You deserve it.
:Colonel Tigh: You know, the truth is, all this has me feeling...well, more alive than I have in years.
:Commander Adama: You look that way too. It's good to see you without the cup in your hand.
:Colonel Tigh: Ah, don't start.
:Commander Adama: I know there's a whole lot of people on this ship, that wish you weren't feeling as good.
:Colonel Tigh: ''(laughing)'' If the crew doesn't hate the XO, then he's not doing his job. Besides, I've gotta make the old man look good.
:Commander Adama: I always look good.
:Colonel Tigh: Look in the mirror.
:Commander Adama: Seriously...
:Colonel Tigh: Sir?
:Commander Adama: It's one thing to push the crew. It's another thing to break them.

* ''As the [[Olympic Carrier]] heads on a suicide run towards ''Galactica'', Lee Adama, Kara Thrace and Sharon Valerii are flying beside the liner:''
:Boomer: ''(in a Raptor flying beside the ''Olympic Carrier'')'' We have...new orders. We are directed to...destroy the ''Olympic Carrier'', and return back to ''Galactica''.
:Kara Thrace: ''(in a Viper flying beside the carrier)'' It's a civilian ship!
:Crashdown: ''(inside the Raptor)'' Yeah...a civilian ship with nukes.
:(Lee Adama looks out the cockpit window of his Viper at the ship, which seems to be barren)
:Crashdown: I don't see anybody in there. Do you?
:Lee Adama: The Cylons will be here any second. If we're gonna do this, let's just do it. Starbuck, form up with me and we'll make one pass from astern.
:''(Lee and Kara fall back a fair distance from the ship)''
:Kara Thrace: Lee, what if you're wrong? ''(silence)'' Lee, come on. Lee!
:Lee Adama: Okay, fire on my mark.
:Kara Thrace: No [[Frak|frakking]] way, Lee. Lee! Come on!
:Lee Adama: ... ... mark.
:''(Lee and Kara both open fire on the Olympic Carrier, and it explodes in a ball of flames)''

== Official Statements ==

=== {{from_RDM_blog}}: Note on [["Lest We Forget"]] ===

:"It's probably been asked before, but I'm curious as to whom[sic] is in the picture in the Viper Pilot's briefing room, facing away from the camera . . . the one the pilots, including [[William Adama|Commander Adama]], touch when they enter and leave? This is touching, and is a wonderful human element to the story. So who is it?"

:There was a scene cut from [[33|"33"]] where we saw [[Laura Roslin]] being given her copy of the photo along with a card that said it was taken on the roof of the capitol building on Aerilon during the attack. The photo was inspired by the famous shot of the fire-fighters raising the flag at Ground Zero that became iconic. I thought the Colonies would have their own version of this -- a snapshot taken in the moment that becomes a symbol of the day they can never forget and of all they had lost. The photo itself is of a soldier falling to his knees (possibly shot or simply overcome by emotion) as he stands on the rooftop over looking the devastation of his city, while the Colonial flag waves at the edge of frame. The inscription below the photo on Laura's plaque reads, [["Lest We Forget"]] in itself a reference to the inscription on the watch presented to John Wayne's character in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

=== Comments from the Cast ===

*"Insomnia. Nobody has slept. Everyone's just coming to terms with the fact that they have lost everybody that they've loved or relate to." -- [[Jamie Bamber]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

*"It was a hard episode, because, you just had to basically fall apart." -- [[Katee Sackhoff]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

*"Episode 1 is extremely docu-style because the characters haven't actually slept for five days (sic) and they have been running from the Cylons for the 250th time. And it's very stressful and they're about to lose the plot completely because of sleep deprivation." -- [[Michael Rymer]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]

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

== External Links ==
[http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season01/101/ "33"] at scifi.com

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[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]

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