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Saul Tigh

2006-12-10T19:38:07Z

Oracle:

{{Character Data
|photo= Season 3 - Promo - Epi 5 - Saul Tigh.jpg
|age= 65-71
|colony= Aerelon
|birthname= Saul Tigh
|callsign=
|seen= Miniseries
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children= None
|marital status=Widower, formerly married to [[Ellen Tigh]]†
|role= Executive Officer, ''[[Battlestar]] [[Galactica]]''
|rank= Colonel
|actor= [[Michael Hogan]]
|cylon=
|name=
}}

== Biography ==

=== Background ===

'''Colonel Saul Tigh''' was born on the colony of [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Aerelon|Aerelon]].<ref name="aerelon">"Cylon Intelligence Report: Personnel File: Saul Tigh." <u>Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine</u>. Feb./Mar. 2006: 62.</ref> A veteran of the Cylon War, Tigh is sometimes estranged from his wife and has been somewhat disillusioned with his career, seeking refuge in alcoholism - a move which has led many in the crew to view him with contempt ([[Miniseries]]; "[[33]]").

He is a third-generation Colonial soldier. [[Saul Tigh (father of)|His father]] was a decorated fighter pilot killed in combat and [[Saul Tigh (grandfather of)|his grandfather]] served under President [[Mueller (president)|Mueller]]. According to [[Billy Keikeya]], Tigh was a published military historian until personal problems became apparent ([[Miniseries]], [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|deleted scene]]).

Tigh began his career as a deckhand<ref name="deckhand">''Ibid''. "Saul Tigh entered the fleet as a deckhand but rose through the ranks and was a CPO (Chief Petty Officer) by the time the First Cylon War broke out."</ref>. By the second year of the first [[Cylon War]], he was serving as a gunner's mate onboard the ''[[Brenik]]''. His ship was boarded by the Cylons where he and others fought in hand to hand combat, during the bloodiest time of that war. It was during this battle that he saw his first dead man, [[Duncan Rafferty]], who was violently vivisected by Centurions ([http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/202/deleted1.html deleted scene], [[Valley of Darkness]]). His ship was subsequently destroyed and he survived. He was transferred to another unnamed ship, which succumbed to a similar fate as his original ship. Having borne witness to many a bloody combat, he became emotionally scarred, which had, among other impetuses, led him to alcoholism.
[[Image:Tighadama.jpg|Tigh and Adama's first meeting.|left|thumb]]

Tigh eventually achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer ([[Galen Tyrol]]'s position on ''Galactica''). When Viper pilot numbers began running low in the war, Tigh was drafted into Colonial Officer Candidate School and was reassigned as a Viper pilot.<ref>{{cite rdm podcast|episode=Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}</ref> As a pilot, he demonstrated considerable skill, earning several medals while posted aboard the battlestar ''[[Athena (Battlestar)|Athena]]''.<ref name="athena">''Ibid''. "Tigh joined the Colonial Officer Candidate School and was reassigned as a Viper pilot, something he excelled in, earning a string of medals in his post aboard the Battlestar Athena."</ref>

After the cessation of hostilities, he was dismissed from service and eked out an existence as a deckhand aboard a commercial freighter. Tigh clearly experienced signs of post-traumatic stress disorder; he commented that every time he smelled grease or machine oil he would nearly vomit, as this smell reminded him of the "stink" of Centurions ([[Valley of Darkness]], [[List of Deleted Scenes|deleted scene]]). While on board, he drowned himself in alcohol and, after a time, encountered [[William Adama]], who had not seen as much combat experience as Tigh himself. They became fast friends, and remained in touch after Adama reenlisted with the service. Two years later, Tigh found himself reinstated into the Colonial Fleetat the rank of captain, thanks to his old friend, and now major, Adama.<ref name="adama">''Ibid''. "Adama reenlisted with the service and Tigh spent two years drinking before Adama pulled strings to get him back into service. Tigh was straightening his life out when he met his wife Ellen, whom he courted and married within two months, about 7 years before the [[Miniseries]]. Unfortunately, Ellen did not take well to military life and her repeated infidelities drove Tigh back into the bottle. The two separated shortly before the Cylon attack.</ref>

Following the Cylon attack, Tigh recovered some of his old verve and attempted to give up alcohol. However, this, combined with the initial stress of flight from the Cylons caused him to over-compensate as a martinet, frequently driving the personnel overly-hard, and berating where encouragement would prove the better option ([[33]]). He excused this by using the truism that the XO is supposed to be the "hard face" of command.
[[image:33-Tigh_Adama.jpg|thumb|right|"If the crew doesn't hate the XO, then he's not doing his job."]]
With his drinking problem relatively under control, Tigh settled back into his role as the ''Galactica's'' Executive Officer and proved himself both honest and level-headed - if still hard on himself and others - in a number of circumstances, and he provided the kind of support [[William Adama|Adama]] needed.

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

Tigh is uneasy around President [[Laura Roslin]] ([[Water]]), and resents what he sees as her interfering with Adama's command ([[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]) - something born out of his deep respect for Adama which even the most heated of disagreements between them ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]) cannot disrupt.

Tigh personally dislikes [[Kara Thrace]], one of ''Galactica's'' pilots and, while grudgingly conceding she is a fine pilot, does not understand what Adama sees in her ([[Miniseries]]). Tigh sees Thrace as an egotistical, insubordinate youngster. While they have tried to bury the hatchet between them ([[Miniseries]], [[Water]]), there is potentially too much water under the bridge now for them to get completely past their differences.

Outside of Adama, Tigh has few others he regards as confidants aboard ship; and since the initial Cylon attack, he has withdrawn from interacting with the crew during off-duty hours, making him perhaps more isolated than even Adama - who is at least held in awe and respect by the crew.

=== Wife's Return ===
[[image:Tigh_Me_Up_Tigh_Me_Down-Saul_Ellen.jpg|thumb|left|'''Tigh''' and his newly returned wife, [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]], making a toast: "To starting over" ([[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]).]]
Some three weeks after the Cylon attack on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], Tigh is stunned to discover his wife, [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]], has not been killed as he had thought, but was rescued from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Picon|Picon]], and carried aboard the ''[[Rising Star (RDM)|Rising Star]]'' as an unconscious "Jane Doe". Whether this reunion will be for his betterment or not remains to be seen.

Despite the emotional implications from the destruction of the Colonies and life aboard the ship, Tigh is reluctantly thrust further into politics as his wife plays her schemes. Much to his disdain, his wife attempts to procure photo opportunities with the likes of [[Tom Zarek]] -- a person Tigh views with the utmost contempt ([[Colonial Day]]). Additionally, Ellen seems to re-establish Tigh's alcoholism with gratuitous drinking.

Despite this, Adama sends Tigh with a squadron of [[Colonial Marine Corps|marines]] to arrest [[Laura Roslin]] after Adama discovers that she convinced [[Kara Thrace]] to [[FTL|Jump]] back to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] to retrieve a historical artifact called the [[Arrow of Apollo]] from the Delphi Museum. This action deprives the Fleet of a crucial military asset -- a captured [[Cylon Raider]], intended to have been used to plant a nuclear warhead aboard a basestar in orbit around the planet believed to be [[Kobol]] -- and convinces Adama that Roslin is abusing her authority.

Onboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', Tigh's men and Roslin's [[Presidential Security Service|personal security agents]] are at a standoff when [[Lee Adama]] aims a weapon at Tigh's head and attempts to thwart the arrest. Attempting to defuse the situation, Roslin agrees to be arrested and Lee Adama is arrested on charges of treason ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).

=== Tigh in Command ===
[[Image:Scattered-Tigh.jpg|thumb|right|Tigh realizing he's in a bit over his head ([[Scattered]]).]]
Tigh is present in [[CIC]] during the attempted assassination of Adama by [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]. As guards restrain Valerii, Tigh attempts to stop the bleeding from the torso gunshot wounds Adama sustained in the attempt ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Needing reliable officers, Tigh grants Lee Adama a parole from his arrest. After his daily duties as [[CAG]] are done, Lee promises to return to the brig when off-shift.

With Adama incapacitated and with Roslin dethroned, Tigh tries to maintain order. However, his irrational and gruff command style displeases many crewmembers. Morale and ship efficiency began to suffer. Ellen Tigh becomes a private advisor to her husband, frequently questioning his power to command while also suggesting ways of usurping more power and quashing his opponents. Ellen Tigh's advice only exacerbates an already-deteriorating situation.

Tigh's interrogation of suspected Cylon collaborators or infiltrators is brutal. After beating, then nearly shooting the ''Galactica'' copy of Valerii, other issues in the Fleet divert him from further interrogation. He orders a special cage made for her for later interrogation. Tigh also savagely interrogates Valerii's former lover, Chief [[Galen Tyrol]] as a possible [[Cylon agent]] himself. Tigh would have left him with Valerii in the newly built Cylon cage if [[Gaius Baltar]] did not intervene to prove medically that Tyrol is not a Cylon himself.

With Roslin in prison, uprisings begin as civilian ships refuse to supply ''Galactica'' until Roslin is released. Worse, the [[Quorum of Twelve]] demand to see Roslin. Knowing of Roslin's hallucinations in the brig, he intentionally invites the Quorum to see Roslin in her poor state in hopes of disillusioning the Quorum. However, Roslin recovers sufficiently from her [[Chamalla]] withdrawal after getting a supply smuggled to her by Corporal [[Venner]], her guard. Tigh, a secular man, believes that the accounts within the [[Sacred Scrolls]] weren't to be believed, and teases Roslin in front of the Quorum on her visions. Roslin not only is able to speak to the Quorum, but decisively reinforces her decisions as well as her role in the search for the location of Earth as told in the Pythian prophesies. This act greatly impresses the dominantly religious-minded Quorum, and infuriates Tigh; fearing a larger civilan government uprising led by the Quorum. Tigh institutes [[Wikipedia:martial law|martial law]] throughout the Fleet in an attempt to maintain order in a rapidly chaotic shuffle of power between the civilian and military governments ([[Fragged]]).

The supply situation leads Tigh to a poor decision of using Viper pilots to command marines in forcibly retrieving supplies. On [[Gideon|one ship]], a riot leads to four deaths and many injuries due to the pilot's inexperience in managing such a situation. Unlike Adama (who likely would have taken direct responsibility for the "Gideon Massacre"), Tigh places blame solely on the pilot, absolving himself from the incident.

=== Fleet Factioning and Adama's Return ===

The shootings, Tigh's decision for martial law, and his unwillingness to discuss anything with anyone except Ellen Tigh (and the unconscious Adama) becomes the dividing point of those wanting to press on to finding Earth, and those wanting to settle on Kobol ([[Season 2 (2005-06)|Season 2]]). Tigh's drinking spirals further out of control, leading to more erratic behavior and causing great concern regarding his ability to effectively command, particularly among the [[CIC]] staff. The situation comes to a head when Roslin, tacitly aided by other officers and crew on ''Galactica'', escapes the brig in an attempt to hide amongst the many ships in the Fleet with the aid of [[Tom Zarek]]. Tigh chases down the escaping Raptor using the [[CAP]], having the Viper fire across the bow of the fleeing Raptor to persuade it to return. The Raptor brazenly continues onward, leading to a crucial decision for the Colonel. Tigh allows the Raptor to escape rather than shooting it down, which would have killed Adama's son and the President and could have destabilized the fleet.
[[image:Flight_of_the_Phoenix-Tigh_Adama.jpg|thumb|left|Tigh and Adama share a knowing smirk at the commissioning of the [[Blackbird]], ''Laura'' ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).]]

Fortunately for the fleet and Colonel Tigh, Commander Adama regains consciousness shortly after the escape and asks what had happened during his absence. Tigh confesses that he has "frakked things up good," but Adama reassures his friend, saying, "I never had much use for people that second-guessed my decisions, especially if they've never held a command. They don't understand the pressure to make a call that affects the lives of thousands, and you have no one to turn to for backup."

Despite all the serious problems that Tigh created, Adama doesn't blame him, telling Tigh that whatever bad calls were made, they would pick up the pieces together ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).

Both Adama (also a rather secular man) and Tigh are astounded at the number of ships that secede from the main fleet to join the [[Laura Roslin faction|faction]] that sought the [[Tomb of Athena]] with President Roslin ([[The Farm]]). Tigh backs up Adama while he maintains a similar official position on Roslin and the separated ships as Tigh has. However, after Adama realizes that survival of the entire Fleet would only come if everyone held together, Adama begins to prepare a journey to Kobol to retrieve the remainder of the Fleet and reach out to Roslin ([[Home, Part I]]). At first Tigh seems to believe that Adama is retrieving the faction by more military means, and scoffs at Roslin's religious views on the quest until he realizes that Adama is beginning to follow Roslin's information, taking her reports and visions seriously. Tigh is left in command while Adama successfully reunites the Fleet and reconciles with Roslin ([[Home, Part II]]).

=== Fallout from [[Gideon|the Gideon Incident]] ===

''Galactica'''s crew never liked Tigh, and Tigh never asked for their love. Still, the ''Gideon'' Incident was possibly the last straw for many in CIC to lose their trust. Aiding President [[Laura Roslin]]'s escape is one example to that ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).

After [[William Adama|Adama]] returned to command and Roslin restored to presidency, for a moment the incident was almost forgotten. Before she was invited to ''Galactica'', reporter [[D'anna Biers]] was preparing a story about the incident, which would destroy public's view towards Tigh, and eventually the ''Galactica''. However she dropped the subject in favor of a ''Galactica'' documentary.

Lt. [[Joe Palladino|Joe "Hammerhead" Palladino]], the pilot in charge of the boarding operation to ''Gideon'', eventually lost his temper, presumebly due to D'anna Biers' provocative interview style. He first vandalized Tigh's quarters, then tried to sabotage his [[Raptor]], and finally attacked his wife at the gun point and threatened to kill Tigh. Still, Tigh managed to convince Palladino to drop his weapon, before the room was raided by commandos. This incident was also video taped by Biers' crew, but as far as shown the documentary doesn't mention the ''Gideon'' Incident at all ([[Final Cut]]).

Even though Tigh did his best to evade responsibility of this incident, it is possible to see that his temper and attitude has somehow changed after the command fiasco, like helping [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] with [[Blackbird]] ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

=== ''Pegasus'' Discovered ===

Things once again turn on their head when ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' has a chance encounter with the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', a modern type of battlestar and the flagship of Admiral [[Helena Cain]]. Cain, being the superior officer, assumes complete command of the Fleet. The naturally suspicious Tigh is wary about this mixed blessing, but takes it in stride like everything else up until now. When he begins to regularly speak with ''Pegasus''’s own XO [[Jack Fisk]], his suspicions slowly prove to be well founded.

Fisk's conscience-clearing sessions with Tigh reveal that Admiral Cain was responsible for a set of atrocities, the most damning being the pillaging and stranding of a small civilian fleet in open space. When Tigh relays this information to Commander Adama, Adama reminisces about their own questionable activities, particularly their actions regarding the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]''. However, Adama keeps Tigh's warnings in mind and they help him in his decision to stand up to Cain later on ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]] through [[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).

=== The Election and New Caprica ===
When the Presidential election arrives, Col. Tigh is charged with overseeing the vote tallies on ''Galactica''. When it appears that [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] would win the vote, [[Tory Foster]], President Roslin's aide, approaches Col. Tigh and Petty Officer [[Dualla]] to conspire to steal the election for Roslin, forseeing certain disaster in a Baltar presidency. Tigh, never a fan of Baltar's to begin with, assists in the deception in order to keep Baltar out of office. The plot is overturned when Lt. [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] later notices the Colonel's suspicious and stand-offish behaviour regarding the ballot boxes. Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] lets Tigh and Dualla off the hook and the official vote tallies are "revised" without the public learning of the Roslin campaign's attempt to steal the election.

One year later, after the fleet settles on [[New Caprica]] on the orders of President Baltar, most of the military staff have all but retired from active service. Col. Tigh is one of the few officers still serving aboard ''Galactica'', but the day eventually comes when Admiral Adama discharges his friend and XO from his duties to let him return to civilian life with his wife. On the surface of New Caprica, now-Mr. and Mrs. Tigh run into [[Kara Thrace]] at [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] and [[Cally]]'s union rally. The former colonel and captain share an unusually warm embrace, having put their differences behind them at some point in the preceding year, or Thrace being happy to see a familiar face of the ''Galactica'' family. Unfortunately, their reunion does not last as a large Cylon fleet appears in orbit over the planet and the Cylons occupy New Caprica without firing a shot. Tigh and his wife are last seen watching in utter shock as [[Cylon Centurion]]s march through the streets of New Caprica City ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

=== Occupation and Resistance ===
Two months into the occupation of New Caprica by the Cylons, Tigh is organizing and recruiting for [[New Caprica Resistance|the resistance on New Caprica]] along with [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Jammer]]. When the Cylons begin to find the weapons hidden by the Resistance, Tigh orders them to be stored in the Temple, believing it to be the safest place as the Cylon respect the sanctity of the Temple and will not search it. When the Cylons discover the weapons, [[Nora]] is shot and [[Cally Tyrol]] and her baby barely escape. This leads several members of the [[New Caprica Resistance]] to question whether Tigh is going too far. After Tigh plans an attack that could endanger patients at a hospital, Jammer reports him to the Cylon authorities ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]). The Cylons imprison Tigh and physically tear his right eye out. He is badly beaten and put into a small holding cell. Ellen's sexual efforts with [[Cavil]] lead to Tigh's eventual release ([[Occupation]]) though this is later revealed to be a Cylon ruse to blackmail Ellen into collaboration with the Cylons as well as find the location of a high level meeting of the Insurgency.

===Escape from New Caprica===
[[Image:Saulellen.jpg|Tigh handing Ellen her poisoned drink.|thumb]]Tigh actively participates in the exodus from New Caprica, leading an attack on the shipyard with Galen Tyrol, during which they are aided by Vipers of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica's]]'' [[Blue Squadron]].

Following the exodus, he resumes his post as the Executive Officer of ''Galactica'', but is unable to conceal his contempt for those who colluded with the Cylons, such as [[Felix Gaeta]]. In a face off with Admiral Adama, in which the senior officer orders Tight to "sleep it off", it is clear that the events on New Caprica - most notably, his wife's death - are still adversely affecting Tigh.

Tigh is also the apparent ringleader of [[The Circle]], a group of six people authorised by then-President [[Tom Zarek]], charged with bringing collaborators to justice. Thirteen people fall victim to The Circle's mandate, including [[Jammer]]. ([[Collaborators]])

Tigh is reunited with an old comrade, [[Daniel Novacek|Daniel "Bulldog" Novacek]] and tells him the truth of his last mission. Tigh later stops Novachek when Bulldog tries to kill Adama in revenge for being the cause of him spending years as a Cylon captive. ([[Hero]])

Tigh also referees the intership fights organized to boost morale. ([[Unfinished Business]]) He returns to duty during operations to resupply the fleet's food stores. ([[The Passage]])

==Notes==
* Tigh's first name has been given as "Paul" on a number of websites. This is based on an early [http://www.twiztv.com/scripts/battlestar/season1/galactica-ms1.pdf version of the script] '''(PDF file)''', which has Adama speaking to "Paul" in their discussion of his fight with Kara Thrace. Since this version of the script has significant differences to the final script, its canonical value is low.
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] has indicated via the [[podcast]] commentary on the episode "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]" that the character's name initially was Paul Tigh. The name, however, had to be changed due to legal issues that Moore was unable to recall in that podcast.
* Tigh is based off the character of Paul Eddington in the movie "[[Wikipedia:In Harm's Way|In Harm's Way]]" portrayed by Kirk Douglas (with John Wayne).
* Tigh's age is one of the only ones which can be accurately deduced. In a [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/202/deleted1.html deleted scene] from [[Valley of Darkness]], we learn that he was serving on the [[Brenik]] when it was boarded during the second year of the Cylon War. Tigh tells us that he was "just a kid. Virgin. Teenager." We know that [[Colonial Day (holiday)|Colonial Day]] is the anniversary of both the unification of the Colonies, and (roughly) the outbreak of the Cylon War (Source: [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/04/index.html#a000025 RDM, April 11, 2005]), and was 52 years ago ([[Colonial Day]]). Thus, Tigh is between 63 and 69 years old at the beginning of season 2. Season Three begins about two years after this conversation.
* In the DVD commentary of "[[Act of Contrition]]", Ron Moore notes that actor [[Michael Hogan]] won the role of Tigh over [[Donnelly Rhodes]], who was one of two other actors vying for the part. Rhodes however went on to play the role of [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], ''Galactica'''s CMO.

{{start box}}
{{succession box|before=''(unknown)''|title=Executive Officer of the [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''|after=[[Karl Agathon]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Karl Agathon]]|title=Executive Officer of the [[battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)| Galactica]]'' |after=Incumbent}}
{{end box}}

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

{{Characters}}

[[Category:A to Z|Tigh, Saul]]
[[Category:Characters|Tigh, Saul]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)|Tigh, Saul]]
[[Category:RDM|Tigh, Saul]]

Galactica (TRS)

2006-12-10T14:50:40Z

Oracle:

:''For the Original Series ''Galactica'', see [[Galactica (TOS)]]. For the Video Game ''Galactica'', see [[Galactica (Video Game)]].''
{{Ship Data
| image= Bsg-bsg-1.jpg
| title= Galactica (BS 75)
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| crew= Approximately 2,650
| co= [[William Adama]]
| xo= [[Saul Tigh]] (resumed position as of [[The Passage]])
| role= Carrier / battleship hybrid
| weapons= Primary and point-defence [[KEW|Kinetic Energy Weapons]], conventional missiles, nuclear warheads, Vipers, Raptors
| status= Active
| img= Y
}}
[[Galactica type battlestar|The veteran battlestar]] '''''Galactica'' (BS 75)''' is the most famous warship in the [[Colonial Fleet]]. Built in time to participate in the [[Cylon War]], she remained the only military vessel without integrated [[Computers|computer networks]]. Without networked computers, ''Galactica'' never upgraded to the new [[Command Navigation Program|integrated defence system software]] developed by Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Number Six|team]]. Because of this and other fortunes, she became one of only [[Pegasus (RDM)|two]] battlestars to survive the renewed [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon attack]] on the [[Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], some 40 years after the end of the first war. At the time of the attack, she was part of the [[75th Battlestar Group]] (BSG-75).

== History ==

''Galactica'' was one of the twelve first battlestars to be laid down by the Colonials. Initially they built a battlestar to represent each colony, where ''Galactica'' represented [[Caprica]]. As such, she is some 50 years old. Following the outbreak of Cylon hostilities several more battlestars were built. ''Galactica's'' first commander was named [[Nash]] ([[Miniseries]]).
[[Image:Mini gal top.jpg|left|thumb|A dorsal view of ''Galactica''. The starboard [[flight pod]] is covered by a window to form the [[Galactica Museum|museum area]].]]
The original battlestars were all designed with non-integrated computer systems to avoid the Cylons' demonstrated ability to override or subvert networked command and control systems early in the war ([[Miniseries]]). Rather than technological sophistication, the battlestar depended on its sheer bulk and defensive / offensive capabilities to ward off any threats to itself or the Colonies.

Following the [[Armistice Station|armistice]] with the Cylons, and their withdrawal from Colonial space, ''Galactica'' and her sister ships served the Twelve Colonies in a variety of roles. While her surviving sister ships were scrapped or upgraded to match the systems capabilities of newer Colonial vessels, ''Galactica'' continued in service without her systems being fully networked or integrated, making her unique among Colonial military vessels ([[Miniseries]]).

With her active career drawing to a close, a decision was taken to retire ''Galactica'' and decommission her from service. [[Colonial Fleet]] chose not to scrap her, but to turn her into a combination of living museum to the original Cylon War and an educational center, with her conversion being overseen by her final commander, [[William Adama]] ([[Miniseries]]).

At the time of her formal decommissioning ceremony, ''Galactica'' is stripped of all but one of her operational [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] Mark VII squadrons, her munitions are destroyed, and her starboard landing pod is a pressurized [[Galactica Museum|museum]] which houses (among other things) a full squadron of [[Viper Mark II|Mk. II Vipers]] as well as a Viper model that appears [[Viper (TOS)|older than the Mark II]] (Miniseries, also in Deleted Scenes).

With the renewed and unexpected Cylon hostilities, ''Galactica'' quickly proves her worthiness as a warship is far from over as she sorties several Mark IIs retrieved from her museum to challenge her first Cylon attack in over 40 years (her last Mark VII squadron was sent to Caprica for reassignment). The old battlestar withstands a direct hit from a tactical nuclear missile while unsuccessfully performing evasive maneuvers, but later [[FTL|Jumps]] successfully to [[Ragnar Anchorage]] to retrieve much-needed ammunition stores at this hidden depot.

''Galactica'' finally bares her teeth in this new Cylon war as she single-handedly engages two [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] with her gun batteries, providing covering fire for [[The Fleet (RDM)|an assortment of 75 civilian ships]] containing the last survivors of the Twelve Colonies. All ships, with ''Galactica'' last to leave the engagement zone, escape to a destination past the [[Red Line]], never to return to Colonial space.

Since the exodus of the Colonials from their overrun homeworlds, ''Galactica'' becomes both protector and provider for the Fleet. She provides covering fire for the Fleet during Cylon attacks no fewer than 240 times ([[33]], [[Act of Contrition]]). The battlestar provides much of the Fleet with recycled water ([[Water]]) and she is the primary source of medical care, where groups of civilians are periodically brought aboard for check-ups and treatment ([[Litmus]]). ''Galactica'' also undertakes internal policing duties within the Fleet ([[Water]], [[Bastille Day]]).

''Galactica'' successfully goes on the offensive against the Cylons, capturing a [[tylium]] fuel mining and processing plant in the process ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

The [[Mercury class battlestar|advanced battlestar]] ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', commanded by Admiral [[Helena Cain]], joins ''Galactica'' approximately 6 months into their exile (See the series [[Timeline (RDM)|timeline]] for special information about this milestone).

''Pegasus'' and ''Galactica'' destroy two [[Basestar (RDM)|basestars]] as well as a critical Cylon support ship known as the [[Resurrection Ship]]. After Admiral Cain's death, President [[Laura Roslin]] promotes William Adama to Admiral, restoring him to overall Fleet command, but now with two battlestars at his disposal ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).

==New Caprica==
Following the founding of [[New Caprica]], ''Galactica'' is assigned to the Orbital Defense Force that protects the planet. During this time the majority of its crew are sent to the surface in an effort to populate the planet and restore the human race — including most of it's senior officers — seemingly convinced that the Cylons would never find New Caprica. The diminished staff inevitably results in basic maintenance becoming overlooked or ignored. Basic military responses, such as the launching of alert fighers become and routine training exercises become difficult to execute. One year following the founding of New Caprica, a fleet of Cylon ships Jump into orbit of the planet. Severely limited in its abilities, Admiral Adama and the Defense Fleet jumps away from New Caprica — vowing that they'd return to liberate the planet ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

==[[Battle of New Caprica]]==
Four months after the escape, ''Galactica'''s staff is still in the process of developing a rescue strategy with 16 training exercises having been completed and a 17th underway when an accident causes its early ending ([[Occupation]]). This forces both a change in strategy and the reformulation of a rescue plan to deal with personnel who have not seen conflict in 16 months. While ''Galactica'' fights to liberate the Colonials on-planet, ''Pegasus'' is assigned to protect the remaining civilian fleet and continue its search for [[Earth]] ("[[Precipice]]", "[[Exodus, Part I]]").

Coordinating with the New Caprica Resistance, ''Galactica'' deploys several waves of Vipers and Raptors to launch an offensive against the Cylons. As the resistance bombs Cylon facilities on the ground, Raptors deploy decoy drones to make it appear as if both ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'' jumped into orbit. The Cylons reposition their forces to engage the decoys, while ''Galactica'' jumps into the atmosphere of the planet. ''Galactica'' deploys several squadrons as she falls to the surface, but takes severe damage from the atmospheric entry. Once back in orbit of the planet, the damage is ascertained as the Cylons close in. Close to death, ''Galactica'' survives thanks to the intervention of ''Pegasus''. Her [[FTL|FTL drives]] once again functioning, ''Galactica'' is able to escape from the system and reunites with the fleet, now the sole military vessel again after the destruction of ''Pegasus'' during the battle ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

== Equipment ==
[[Image:BSG-KEW-Turret.jpg|thumb|One of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> large [[KEW|cannon]] turrets]]
''Galactica'' shares the same overall technical specifications as other original Colonial battlestars of [[Galactica type battlestar|her class]], with the following key differences and qualifications:

===Available Flight Pods===
Only ''Galactica's'' port [[flight pod]] is in service. The starboard flight pod was enclosed and pressurized as the main museum display facility for her pending decommission. It is violently depressurized after a [[Heavy Raider]] crashes into it ([[Scattered]]). By the time of the second exodus from [[New Caprica]]., the starboard hanger deck is being used as a temporary housing facility for refugees ([[Exodus, Part II]]). The starboard flight pod is appearantly brought back to working condition, as Major Lee Adama states his flight team is approaching the starboard pod in [[A Measure of Salvation]].

===Nuclear Warheads===
''Galactica'' had five nuclear warheads as of "[[Bastille Day]]." Commander [[William Adama]] uses one warhead to destroy a Cylon [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] cannibalizes one to use in his [[Cylon Detector]], which he later gives to [[Gina]], who detonates it aboard ''[[Cloud Nine]]''. This leaves ''Galactica'' with three warheads (It is unknown how many nuclear warheads ''Pegasus'' still had when it encountered ''Galactica'', and they may have pooled their nuclear ordnance stockpiles since then).

===Vipers===
Prior to the arrival of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', ''Galactica'' has at maximum thirty-four Vipers, of which at least six are Mark VIIs (c.f. [[Viper tally]]).

''Galactica'' receives additional supplies from ''Pegasus'' since her arrival that helps in repair and refurbishment of her original fighter complement; more recently, she receives new Mark VII Vipers built aboard ''Pegasus'' using raw materials mined from an asteroid and the advanced battlestar's Viper construction facilities ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus,]] [[Scar]]).

===Raptors===
The number of [[Raptor|Raptors]] available to ''Galactica'' is portrayed inconsistently. The current assumption is that the battlestar has at least five Raptors, having left [[Ragnar Anchorage]] with at least eight (c.f. [[Raptor tally]]).

===Other Craft===
*''Galactica'' currently posesses two [[Heavy Raider|Heavy Raiders]]. One is hit by ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> defensive fire and crashes into the starboard flight pod with unknown damage ([[Scattered]]). The other returns in operational status from Caprica ([[Home, Part I]]). One of ''Galactica'''s [[Heavy Raider]]s is relieved of its FTL navigation system for use on the rescue mission to [[Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).
*A second [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] is in ''Galactica's'' possession after [[Daniel Novacek]]'s "escape" from a basestar ([[Hero]]), replacing the one retrieved by [[Kara Thrace]] and lost during the quest for the [[Arrow of Apollo]] ([[Scattered]]).
*An experimental stealth fighter, the [[Blackbird]], is constructed using spare parts ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) and used in a critically successful reconnaissance mission to explore the nature of what comes to be known as the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The Blackbird is later destroyed after completing her last mission during the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]] ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).
*''Galactica'' possesses fuel tankers used to supply fuel to Vipers and Raptors inflight without the need to dock with the ship. These may be dedicated craft or specially fitted shuttles or Raptors ([[Occupation]]).

=== Crew ===
Before the attack, ''Galactica'' has approximately 2,800 crewmen, while awaiting its decommissioning. By the time of the arrival of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', attrition has reduced this number to about 2,660. (c.f. [[Crew tally]])
*Between "[[Act of Contrition]]," and "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]," ''Galactica's'' offensive capability is also greatly hampered by the number of [[List of Pilots|qualified pilots]] available, and their lack of flight simulators with which to train more. Since ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> reunion with ''Pegasus'', this has ceased to be an issue ([[Scar]]).

[[Image:Mini gal side viper.jpg|right|thumb|A stricken and slowly spinning ''Galactica'' after a nuclear missile strike. [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck's]] [[Viper Mark II|Viper]] closes in to survey.]]

====Senior Staff following the Battle of New Caprica====
*Admiral [[William Adama]] - Commanding Officer
*Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] - [[Executive Officer]]
*Major [[Lee Adama]] - [[CAG|Commander, Air Group]]
*Major (Doctor) [[Cottle]] - [[Chief Medical Officer]]
*Lieutenant Felix Gaeta - [[Tactical officer]], Senior Officer of the Watch
*Lieutenant [[Hoshi]] - Communications Officer
*Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]] - Chief of the Deck

====Senior Staff before the founding of New Caprica====
*Admiral [[William Adama]] - Commanding Officer
*Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] - Executive Officer
*Captain [[Aaron Kelly]] - [[Landing Signal Officer]], Second Officer
*Major (Doctor) [[Cottle]] - [[Chief Medical Officer]]
*Captain [[Lee Adama]] - Commander, Air Group (Promoted to Commander and assigned as ''Pegasus'' CO)
*Captain [[Kara Thrace]] - Commander, Air Group
*Lieutenant Felix Gaeta - [[Tactical officer]], Senior Officer of the Watch
*Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]] - Chief of the Deck
*Sergeant [[Hadrian]] - [[Master-at-Arms]]
*Petty Officer 2nd Class [[Anastasia Dualla]] - Communications Officer

==Related Imagery==
<gallery>
Image:Galactica Ortho copy.jpg|''Galactica'' - Rendering by [[Zoic]]    
Image:BSG Ortho Bottom.jpg|''Galactica'' - Rendering by [[Zoic]]    
Image:Pointdefence2 101 1080i.jpg|''Galactica's'' point defence batteries in action    
</gallery>

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