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The Music

2009-03-24T04:55:34Z

Philwelch:

As the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] approaches the [[Ionian nebula]], four people, [[Saul Tigh]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Tory Foster]] and [[Galen Tyrol]], begin hearing fragments of strange music that only they can hear. The music becomes more distinct and distracting as the Fleet gets closer to the nebula.

Once the Fleet arrives at the Ionian nebula, '''the music'''<ref>{{bsgwiki term}}</ref> reaches a piercing shrill. The Colonials affected not only hear the music complete, but begin to add lyrics as well. As the Fleet plunges into darkness, losing electrical power for reasons unknown, the music compels the four to meet in an isolated room.

The four are able to assemble the lyric fragments with the intact music to form a strange song. The musical experience is associated with a "switch going off" in the minds of the four, who suddenly become aware that they are [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. The source or cause of the music is not known, but [[Final Five]] Cylon [[Samuel Anders]] recalls that in a past life on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], he wrote the song<ref>In the commentary podcast for "Sometimes a Great Notion", Ronald D. Moore explains that Anders (not Bob Dylan) wrote the song in the Galactica universe, and acknowledges that he and the writers & editors failed to adequately get that across to the audience.</ref> and used to play it for the woman he loved and his friends ([[Crossroads, Part II]], [[Sometimes a Great Notion]]).

At the end of the episode the song starts playing as background music for the viewers to hear. These are the complete lyrics that are sung:

:''There must be some way out of here''
:''Said the joker to the thief''
:''There's too much confusion''
:''I can't get no relief''
:''Businessmen they drink my wine''
:''Plowmen dig my earth''
:''None of them along the line''
:''Know what any of it is worth''

:''No reason to get excited''
:''The thief he kindly spoke''
:''There are many here among us''
:''Who feel that life is but a joke''
:''But you and I, we've been through that''
:''And this is not our fate''
:''So let us not talk falsely now''
:''The hour is getting late''

:''All along the watchtower''
:''All along the watchtower''

Several of the lines appear in dialogue throughout the episode:

:Anders: That song you're hummin'. What is that?
:Tyrol: Oh, uh. Ah you know I don't even know, it's just something I can't get outta my head. '''Some way outta here'''.

:Racetrack: Yo, Anders! Do you need a frakking invitation? Move it!
:Anders: Alright. '''No reason to get excited'''.

:Saul Tigh: You'll look into it? You'll look into it? I am here telling you there is Cylon sabotage aboard our ship.
:William Adama: Sabotage? With music?
:Saul Tigh: I know, I know. I can't quite understand it myself. '''There's too much confusion'''.

:Saul Tigh (to self, after Adama exits): '''There must be some kinda way out of here.'''

:Tory Foster (while washing her hands): '''I can't get no relief.'''

Since their awakening was precipitated by hearing this music, Anders, Foster, Tigh, and Tyrol become sensitive to mentions of music by others, believing they may be clues to the identity of the then-unknown member of the Final Five. These include [[Gaius Baltar]] using music as a metaphor for spiritual awareness ([[Six of One]]), an idea [[Virtual Six]] told Baltar of in his first vision of the [[Opera House]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]), [[Number Two]]'s description of a subtle music underscoring reality that only a few individuals, including [[Kara Thrace]] could hear ([[Faith]]) and [[Felix Gaeta]] singing to distract himself from the pain of his amputated leg ([[Guess What's Coming To Dinner?]]).

The music is heard again during a standoff between ''Galactica'' and the rebel [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]. It draws Tigh, Tyrol and Anders to [[Viper 8757|Kara Thrace's Viper]], which causes the three to believe there's something special about it. Thrace investigates their claim, and discovers a clue that ultimately leads the Fleet to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]: a Colonial emergency locator beacon signal. Upon the Fleet's arrival at Earth, they land and survey a radiated wasteland of crumbled skyscrapers and a collapsed bridge <ref>with which many viewers perceived a [http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/913/bsgbrooklynbridgeyx0.jpg similarity to real-world New York City], as viewed from near the east tower of the Brooklyn Bridge, [http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=watchtower&near=Brooklyn,+NY&fb=1&t=h&ll=40.702879,-73.994551&spn=0.003221,0.00559&z=17 specifically the site] of the [[w:Jehovah's Witnesses|Jehovah's Witnesses]] office building known as "[http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/txt/sedewts.jpg The Watchtower]"</ref> ([[Revelations]]).

Later Kara starts playing a song with the composer at the piano in [[Joe's Bar]]. It was a song that when she was little made her happy and [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] drew some of the notes to it and gave it to her. The two play it and it turns out to be The Music. Ellen, Saul, Tory and Tyrol hear it and are shocked especially at the fact that Hera was able to draw the notes to it. The significance of this is unknown, but the composer disappeared during the song and it is indicated that he was some kind of vision of [[Dreilide Thrace|Kara's father]]. Though she is present to hear the song, and has regained her memories of her former life, Final Five member [[Ellen Tigh]] seems not to understand fully the implications of the song either and if she knows when they last heard it and in what context, she does not say.

After being fatally injured by a hull breach, a dying Eight's last words are "too much confusion". ([[Islanded in a Stream of Stars]])

Later Kara tries to get answers from Anders, but fails and attempts to figure out some kind of meaning for it by assigning numbers to the notes, but that fails as well. Later, when she is ordered to jump ''Galactica'' away from the Colony and has no idea where the Fleet is, she gets an idea and uses the numbers from The Music (with The Music playing over the scene) as the coordinants to jump to, saying "there must be some kind of way out of here." She jumps ''Galactica'' there and they find a habitable planet for the Fleet to settle on that they name Earth.

150,000 years later, a new rendition of the song is heard on a radio on contemporary Earth. It is Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along The Watchtower".

==Notes==
*The music is, indeed, a version of [[w:Bob Dylan|Bob Dylan]]'s song, "[[w:All Along The Watchtower|All Along the Watchtower]]," specially arranged by series composer [[Bear McCreary]], the lyrics sung by his brother, [[Brendan McCreary]] (known professionally as Bt4) <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=164|title=Bear McCreary's Blog|date=March 25, 2007|accessdate=|last=|first=|format=|language=English}}</ref>. The song is available on the [[Soundtrack (Season 3)|Season 3 soundtrack]].
*The song is ''not'' intended to indicate that the Colonials have picked up an Earth communication. Series executive producer [[Ron D. Moore]] considers the song to be an invention created by a Colonial citizen in a curious parallel to what had or will develop on Earth. The series creators have intentionally avoided citing whether ''Battlestar Galactica'' occurs in the the series' [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]'s past, present, or future. Moore offers that "things that happened on ''Galactica'' were tied into our reality here on Earth in some way, in the past or the future, or some other connection"<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/ronald_d_moore|title=AV Club interview with Ronald D. Moore|date=|accessdate=April 22, 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=English}}</ref>.
*Over 25 notable bands have performed cover versions of "All Along The Watchtower"; the definitive cover was performed by [[w:The Jimi Hendrix Experience|The Jimi Hendrix Experience]]. Many people are unaware that his version was not the original <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.dmbalmanac.com/SongStats.aspx?sid=96|title=Song Stats for ''All Along the Watchtower'' at DMBAlmanac.com|date=|accessdate=April 22, 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=English}}</ref>.
*Bob Dylan has indicated that the events in the song's lyrics are "in a rather reverse order", beginning logically in time with the "All Along The Watchtower" verse and ending with the now-famous opening lines, "'There must be some way out of here,' said the Joker to the Thief." <ref name="dylanlyrics">http://bobdylan.com/songs/watchtower.html</ref>
*The version used in the series omits the final stanza, though the full song (including this stanza) is included in the season soundtrack:
*: ''All along the watchtower, princes kept the view''
*: ''While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.''
*: ''Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,''
*: ''Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl''
*The rhythm of the Colonial emergency locator beacon's signal matches the rhythm of the Music.
*Coincidentally, the Jimi Hendrix version of the song -- which is heard at the end of "[[Daybreak, Part II]]" -- is also featured in the 2009 film version of the Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons graphic novel ''Watchmen'', which was released only a few weeks prior to the broadcast of "Daybreak". The song also plays a role in the original graphic novel.

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

==External links==
{{wikifrakr|All Inside the Bong Water}} 
*[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ4C4A/ref=s9_asin_title_1/103-7723281-5296603?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=142PG250BG9FW5010JP2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846 Season 3 OST at Amazon, including "All Along the Watchtower"]
*[http://www.reasontorock.com/tracks/watchtower.html An analysis of "All Along the Watchtower" at Reason to Rock]
*[http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=VWbyALbmqZY&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%253D91218865%2526id%253D91218823%2526s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 "All Along the Watchtower"], sung by [[w:Bob Dylan|Bob Dylan]], at iTunes
*[http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=VWbyALbmqZY&offerid=78941&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fphobos.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%253D79674825%2526id%253D79674801%2526s%253D143441%2526partnerId%253D30 "All Along the Watchtower"], sung by [[w:Jimi Hendrix|Jimi Hendrix]], at iTunes
{{ext-wikipedia-name|article=All Along the Watchtower|name=All Along the Watchtower}}
* Analysis and commentary in [http://www.amazon.com/Cylons-America-Critical-Battlestar-Galactica/dp/0826428487/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235253480&sr=8-1 “Of Duduks and Dylan: Negotiating Music and the Aural Space,” by Eftychia Papanikolaou.] In ''Cylons in America: Critical Studies of Battlestar Galactica''. Edited by Tiffany Potter and C. W. Marshall, Continuum, 2007.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial History]]
[[Category:Colonial History (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Die Melodie]]
[[ms:Muzik]]

Sometimes a Great Notion

2009-01-22T18:53:48Z

Philwelch: /* Questions */ isn't it obvious?

{{Episode Data
| image=Sometimes A Great Notion Promo 026.JPG
| title= Sometimes a Great Notion
| season= 4
| episode=11
| forumthread=2307
| extra='''Season 4.5 Premiere'''
| guests=
| writer=[[David Weddle]]<br/>[[Bradley Thompson]] <ref>Mentioned by Ron Moore in the [[Podcast:Revelation|podcast]] for "[[Revelations]]".</ref>
| story=
| director= [[Michael Nankin]] <ref name="brad">{{oldlink|title=Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques|oldid=149966|text=Confirmed}} by [[Bradley Thompson]]</ref>
| production=413
| rating=
| US airdate=January 16, 2009 <ref>http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=61270</ref>
| CAN airdate=January 16, 2009 <ref>http://www.spacecast.com/bsg/</ref>
| UK airdate=January 20, 2009 <ref>TV guide in ScifiNow Magazine and Sky Magazine.</ref>
| dvd=
| oldpopulation= 39665
| population= 39651
| prev=[[The Face of the Enemy]]
| next=[[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] learns that the dire predictions of the Cylon [[Hybrid]] might be correct, and a devastating discovery plunges the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] into chaos and despair.''

== Summary ==

===Act 1===
* The episode skips a teaser, beginning with the "Twelve Cylons" opener and the cast credits appearing as scenes of the devastated [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] appear.
* The leaders and central staff of both [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] and the rebel [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]] wander about aimlessly on the surface of a planet whose surface has been utterly destroyed in a nuclear conflagration for some time. [[Saul Tigh]] stands on a desolate beach, staring out at the ruins of buildings, their mangled shortened skeletons jutting up from the lands ahead in jagged spires. [[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Samuel Anders]] stand about the ruins in confusion, as does [[Anastasia Dualla]], who stoops at the water's edge to mournfully examine it.
* [[Lee Adama]] grimaces as he looks about the dead landscape as [[Laura Roslin]] picks up a short rounded prickly plant, the only visible life found on the world.
* [[Helo]] reports to Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]]: Other scouts report in from around the planet. The destruction is the same all over. No signs of human life and no responses to any hails. [[D'anna Biers]] confirms her rebel [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] scouts have had the same findings.
* The Final Four Cylons - including [[Tory Foster]] who had defected to the rebel Cylon baseship - accompany the senior Colonial scouting team. None of the three Final Four soldiers wears rank insignia on his fatigue collars, although Anders does so on his flight suit under his field jacket; conversely, the human soldiers and [[Sharon Agathon]] wear rank on their fatigue collars in this episode.
* [[Kara Thrace]] stands on the surface holding her Viper's Colonial emergency locator beacon, with a [[Leoben]], trying to home in on the signal only it can read, the signal that lead them to this world. The signal of the transmitting beacon is fading from a low battery. Leoben believes it must have been transmitting for a long time.
* Baltar has a team confirming that the radiation from the holocaust has embedded itself in the plant life and water chain. Helo gives a more detailed version of Baltar's findings: the planet was nuked over 2,000 years prior. Adama directs that all be instructed not to ingest the water and plants. Caprica-Six remains on the surface until early in Act 2, and digs in the dirt.
* Roslin quips, "It's perfect. We traded one nuked civilization for another." Adama orders his [[Raptor]] to leave.
* Dualla is near a breakdown as their Raptor returns to ''[[Galactica]]''.
* The [[hangar deck]] is filled with people, anxious for any news on the new world. But Roslin, typically someone who can manage to say anything in the darkest times, can only mutter to Adama, "Get me out of here." Lee Adama tries to placate the crowd's confusion and questions, shouting that the news will be revealed in due time.

===Act 2===

* Kara Thrace and Leoben continue to narrow in on the Colonial signal when she finds the beacon: a standard issue ''Colonial'' device used for all aircraft, part of their [[Avionics|inertial navigation system]].
* Leoben finds some wreckage and reads off the number on its charred skin: "757-NC." Kara immediately becomes agitated. "The number on my [[Viper Mark II|ship]] is 8757-NC," she says--referring to the Viper that she flew back to the Fleet after she was [[Maelstrom|apparently killed]].
* On ''Galactica'', the Agathon family plays together happily as Dualla comes over to babysit little [[Hera Agathon]]. While Dualla says to the Agathons that she "looks forward" to spending time with the child, she later tells young Agathon as her parents leave, " You have no idea what's happened, do you? Today's just another day."
* On the planet, amidst some human skeletons dug up, [[Caprica-Six]] and others find something very unexpected: the remains of a head of what is obviously a type of Cylon Centurion, similar to the old [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original model]] from the [[First Cylon War]], but clearly not the same.
* Aboard ''Galactica'' in Baltar's lab, Caprica-Six confirms that other Centurion helmets were found with about 250 skeletons from four sites around the planet as well. A [[Number Eight]] confirms that, while the Centurion design is similar, they have never seen this design before.
* Roslin notes that, apparently, the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] created their own Cylons (paralleling what occurred in the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol]]). Lee Adama completes her sentence: Like on the Colonies, these Cylons also rebelled against their masters.
*Baltar notes that they dug deeper to test the skeletons themselves. The astonishing fact, confirmed by his Caprica-Six, is that the every one of the skeletons themselves are also [[Humanoid Cylons|a form of humanoid Cylons]]. ''The Thirteenth Tribe were Cylons''.
* After the meeting, Lee Adama asks Roslin what she will say to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. But a visibly disheartened Roslin has nothing to say at all. Admiral Adama tells his son to "carry the ball" for Roslin.
*As the admiral and Roslin leave, Tigh asks to speak to his friend, but the scene is unclear if Adama stops to listen.
*Back on the planet, [[Galen Tyrol]] is attracted to a fragment of wall. As he gets closer, he hears echoes of ghosts saying things like "Fresh fruit, get your fresh fruit!" He sees a human silhouette on the wall, looking as if it were painted there. Surrounding the silhouette is weathered writing, barely readable. Tyrol touches the silhouette--and is thrown into a vision of the world as it once was, and Tyrol as he once was, wearing glasses and a sportcoat as he passes through a bustling marketplace of open carts of fruit and flowers and other goods. He stops to buy an avacado himself then continues walking. A massively bright flash of light appears as Tyrol shields his eyes--
* Tyrol stumbles back, falling to the ground.
* Elsewhere, Kara Thrace questions that, if her Viper is scattered about this planet, then who flew it here, and how did she herself get back to ''Galactica''. Leoben cautions her, telling her, "[[#Noteworthy_Dialogue|You might not like what you find.]]" Thrace is perturbed by his words as Leoben has been, typically, very optimistic in his words to her in the past. She questions if the news would be more disturbing to her, or to Leoben himself.
* In the [[ready room]], Lee Adama stands in thought as Dualla appears, asking him why he hasn't boarded a readied Raptor for his Quorum briefing on ''[[Colonial One]]''. Adama laments the many pilots that had once sat here, many of them lost forever over a dead dream. He doesn't want their sacrifice to be meaningless.
* Dualla tells him that his expression reminds her of what he looked like when his father said that he would [[Exodus, Part I|execute the New Caprica rescue with ''Galactica'' alone.]] When he wonders what to say to the Quorum, Dualla tells him to tell the truth. "If anyone can give them a reason to go on, it's you. Apollo." As he leaves, hesitant, he asks her to meet him for a drink later. She accepts.

* Kara Thrace finds a large piece of wreckage, overturned. She and Leoben turn it over. It's a Viper cockpit, the burnt remains of its pilot still helmeted, still inside. Cautiously, she lifts the head to find it had blonde hair...''her'' hair. Thrace retches.
* As tears well up, she reaches inside the [[flight suit]] of the body to pull out the [[dog tags]]. In clear letters, the tags read "K. THRACE." A ring, her wedding band, is also attached to the chain. Leoben steps back in fear as Thrace asks for an explanation. "I--I don't have one," he says. She recalls what the [[Hybrid]] said, that she would be the "harbinger of death." She yells to the Leoben as he walks away, unable to answer her question, "If that's me sitting there, then what am I?!"

===Act 3===
* [[Samuel Anders]] finds the remains of a stringed instrument, probably a guitar. He holds the neck piece, placing his fingers on it as if to play as he recalls a song: [[The Music|"So let us not talk falsely now, 'cause the hour is getting late."]]. He drops the neck and runs to find Tyrol, sitting placidly by the wall and the vision. They both share their visions, both realizing they lived there, in that area, once. Anders recalls that he played that song for a woman he loved. They are joined by [[Tory Foster]], who also recalls that he played that song for [[Final Five|all of us]].
* "That was me," Tyrol says, pointing to the flash-silhouette on the wall.
* Anders angrily questions the paradox. Why they were all still alive? How did they come to the Colonies, to believe they were human? "Two thousand years is a long time to forget!" he says.

* In Admiral Adama's quarters, Laura Roslin sits on the floor. She has set fire to one of the pages of the [[Sacred Scrolls]], specifically, the Pythian Prophecy, turning successive pages to burn each into ash, one by one.
* Adama arrives to ask Roslin to help figure out a way to shore up the Fleet's quickly sagging morale. She is passive. He tells her that she'd missed her [[doloxan]] treatment. Roslin "didn't feel like it," she says, refusing to reschedule. "You just gonna...lie down and quit?" Adama asks. She laments that he took her advice to leave their Colonial solar system, of all the men and women who had died for what appears to be a fruitless series of visions.

* In the twilight, Kara Thrace creates a funeral pyre, burning the corpse of herself found in the wreckage, sitting alone as the flames consume it.

* Lee Adama and Dualla come back from her date as he humorously (and drunkenly) recalls his report to the Quorum. "We are no longer enslaved to the ramblings of Pythia, no longer pecking at the bread crumbs of the Thirteenth Tribe...We are now free to go where we want to go, be who we want to be." Dualla smiles back warmly as they kiss. They stop kissing mutually both stopping from it getting further. Dualla bids Lee goodbye and enters her quarters. Inside, [[Felix Gaeta]] watches her as she hums. "You're glowing," he says with slight amazement. Then he makes a comment on how Earth is a waste of a planet. Dualla chides him for bringing up the subject. "I want to hold on to this feeling for as long as I can." She looks at a childhood picture of herself in her opened locker, taking off her pendant. "She has no idea what she has ahead of her," she says of her younger self. Gaeta leaves as Dualla stops humming briefly looking at him leave in the mirror, then resumes humming. She looks at a cameo of her parents and then calmly places her wedding ring on the locker hook.
* Without any hesitation at all, Dualla pulls out a sidearm from her locker, places it against her temple, and fires.
* [[Diana Seelix]] arrives inside first, with Gaeta not far behind. Both are aghast at the sight of Dualla's body, blood pooling around her hands. They call for medics repeatedly in fear and distress as the scene ends.

===Act 4===

* Lee Adama stands by the shrouded body of Anastasia Dualla in the ship's morgue as his father enters. "She kissed me goodnight 45 minutes ago, and there was joy in her eyes. So tell me why would she do this?" Lee asks. The admiral's stony face melts into a drunken expression. "I don't frakkin' know," he slurs out, taking out a bottle of alcohol to offer to Lee, who refuses it. Anger rising in his face, Lee leaves, passing by Gaeta outside without a word.
* Inside, Admiral Adama looks under the shroud momentarily, covers Dualla's body, as he cries, holding her head, asking to himself, "What did you do?" He kisses the body, saying, "I let you down. I let everybody down."

* Adama comes out into a corridor, demands a sidearm from one of the [[marines]] standing there. Adama storms down a corridor as other stand or sit expressionless. Two men are fist-fighting, crossing Adama's path. He ignores them as he heads to Saul Tigh's quarters.
* "Sit down, Cylon," Adama says angrily after pulling out Tigh's sidearm, arms it and drops it on a table. Adama pours both of them a drink, but Tigh slowly pushes it away.
* Tigh tries to apologize about his revelation of being a Cylon, but Adama is beyond angry. "Is that how it worked? They program you to be my friend? Emulate all the qualities I respect. Tell me jokes...and I laugh at them."
* Tigh counters that he wanted, chose to be his friend. Adama throws insult after insult about [[Ellen Tigh]], angering Tigh to pick up the sidearm to shoot his friend. "Do it! Or I'll do it myself!" Adama says, pointing his own sidearm to his temple.

===Act 5===

* Tigh's gun is pointed at Adama's forehead, but he hesitates pulling the trigger. Adama goads him, "Go on," but Tigh realizes, returning Adama's insult as he rips out the gun's magazine and safes the weapon. "I'm sorry, Bill, but this is the one time I can't help you." Adama drops his gun and reaches for a bottle, but Tigh tries to stop him.
* Adama drinks from a glass anyway as he speaks of his uncle as a kid in the summers spent there, of foxes that would attack his henhouses, of the dog hunts that chased down the foxes at night, forming into a team, forcing the fox toward the river. Half of the foxes would fight, the others would try to cross the river. But some of them would turn with the current, swimming away into the sea. "Because they wanted to drown," Tigh adds. "Maybe. Or maybe they were just...tired."

* Tigh, uncharacteristically, becomes the sober one giving the other a dressing-down, telling Adama that he can't be like the foxes lost to the sea, reminding him that he is the commander and Tigh is still the XO of the ship, that killing himself would not help himself, or the ship.

* In the presidential office aboard ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama slowly wipes away a numeral "1" from the [[Survivor count|census]] board as Kara Thrace arrives. At some point on the surface, she sustained a laceration on the front-right quadrant of her neck.<ref>According to Ronald D. Moore's commentary podcast, the dressing was blood-soaked when filmed, and was distracting when viewed - particularly given that her sustainment of the injury is not noticeable to the viewer (including himelf). Accordingly, the blood was digitally removed in post-production, leaving a pristine white dressing.</ref> Kara had officially reported that she lost the signal, but needs to confide in him about something. Before she does, Lee tells her the news about Dualla. Both can only wonder why Dee killed herself. Kara presumably decides not to tell Lee about her discovery.

* Adama passes by more passive crewman and some graffiti: "Frak Earth", sprayed on the wall as he heads to [[CIC]], where he meets up with Colonel Tigh wearing his service uniform and rank insignia for the first time since being granted amnesty by then-Acting President Lee Adama. Ordering Lt. [[Hoshi]] to Dualla's old communications station, Adama directs Gaeta to find any nearby stars compatible with habitable planets, and Hoshi to invite the rebel Cylons to their next destination. Adama addresses the Fleet, telling them that, while Earth is no longer a choice, he will find them a new home. "This is a promise I intend to keep."

* Saul Tigh, still in service uniform, organizes the evacuation of the survey crews on Earth in preparation for their search for a new home. On the beach, he greets [[D'anna Biers]]. She doesn't want to leave, deciding to stay behind, believing that the cycle of life will keep going on as dreadfully as before. "...and it beats the hell out of being out there with [[Cavil]]. Gonna die in the cold and the dark when Cavil catches up with us." Tigh tries to give encouragement, but Biers asks if he ever wanted to just give up, reminding him of Adama's story of the penned-in foxes.

* Tigh thereupon begins to walk into the bay. Chest-deep in water, he continues down. Hearing faint screams, he reaches down and lifts a mangled post box hatch from his apartment building's lobby two millenia ago. Holding it, he has a vision of the end of his former life. He wears a civilian business suit, his face is clean shaven but bloodied, and he has both of his eyes. A voice calls out, "Saul!" from the floor in front of the post boxes. There he finds Ellen, trapped under debris he cannot move. His present-day self thrashes about in the bay while remembering his past self frantically pulling the lighter debris from around Ellen. As more bombs detonate, Ellen delivers a prophesy: "Saul, it's okay. Everything's in place. We'll be reborn...again. Together."

* The vision fades as Tigh realizes the truth. "Ellen...Ellen! You're the [[Final Five|fifth!]]"

== Notes ==

* [[Katee Sackhoff]] noted that this episode could have served as the series finale had the [[WGA strike]] gone longer.<ref name="roadrunner">{{cite_web|url=http://roadrunnerdm.livejournal.com/84288.html|title=Roadrunner - Newsdump from Burbank convention|date=19 November 2007|accessdate=20 November 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref> However, the strike ended with sufficient time for production to resume; the previous episode was aired as the mid-season finale, with this episode airing in the first quarter of 2009.
* The scenes were among the last shot and were shot during the crew's shut down party due to the [[WGA strike|2008 Writers Strike]], so Sackhoff was unable to attend.<ref name="roadrunner"/>
*The title of the episode comes from the novel ''[[w:Sometimes a Great Notion (novel)|Sometimes a Great Notion]]'' by [[w:Ken Kesey|Ken Kesey]], which itself quotes the blues song "[[w:Goodnight, Irene|Goodnight, Irene]]". In the song, the singer contemplates suicide: "Sometimes I get a great notion / to jump in the river and drown."<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/01/final-fifth-cylon-ellen-tigh-battlestar-galactica-dualla-dee-.html|title=Chicago Tribune: 'Battlestar Galactica's' Ron Moore addresses the shocking developments of 'Sometimes a Great Notion'|date=17 January 2009|accessdate=19 January 2009|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|format=|language}}</ref>
*The last Cylon is finally revealed in a vision Colonel Tigh has of the past: it is his dead wife, Ellen Tigh.
*While "[[The Face of the Enemy]]" webisodes were released before "Sometimes a Great Notion", they actually take place several days after it.
*According to Moore in his podcast, his wife Terry believed that Dualla was the Fifth Cylon right up until she shot herself. She had long ago stopped reading show scripts before hand.

== Analysis ==
*The Cylons have testing methods of their own which can distinguish between human and Cylon remains.
*The Thirteenth Tribe Cylons were apparently all unique models and included children, based on the child's playthings found by Dualla.
*Saul Tigh also had the first name "Saul" in his past life.

== Questions ==
*What was the source of the nuclear attacks on Earth?
*Was Ellen Tigh able to resurrect after her death in "[[Exodus, Part II]]"? If so, is she with the Cavil faction?
*Did Ellen Tigh resurrect between the events of the [[Miniseries]] and [[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]? If so, how did she get aboard ''[[Rising Star]]''?
*Was Ellen Tigh aware of her Cylon identity?
*Was Ellen Tigh the one who [[D'Anna Biers]] apologized to in [[Rapture|her vision?]] ([[Sometimes a Great Notion#Official Statements|Answer]])
*What is Kara Thrace?
*Is the corpse found in the field the "real" Kara Thrace? If so, how and when did her Viper get to Earth? And how did so much of her Viper and body remain relatively intact after seemingly being completely disintegrated in the gas giant?
*Why does Thrace keep the dog tags and wedding ring found on the body?
*Will Thrace or Conoy tell anyone about their discovery? How will others respond to this information?
*How will the other Cylons respond to the discovery of the identities of the Final Five?
*How did the Final Five come to be living in the Twelve Colonies 2000 years after their deaths on Earth, without their memories and unaware of being Cylons?
*What similarities and differences exist between the method by which the Final Five were reborn and the Significant Seven's process of [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]?
*Did Thirteenth Tribe Cylons have any influence on the development of the Significant Seven 2000 years later, or was it mere parallel evolution?
*How did the Significant Seven come to be aware of the existence, though not the identities, of the Final Five?
*Are there other survivors of the Thirteenth Tribe besides the Final Five?
*Does the presence of children among the Thirteenth Tribe indicate that they reproduced among themselves?
*If the Thirteenth Tribe reproduced biologically, did the Final Five have Cylon parents, grandparents or other ancestors on Earth?
*Did Baltar's Cylon detector successfully identify Ellen Tigh in "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]"? If so, why did Baltar withhold that information from D'Anna Biers during their search for the Final Five?
*With D'Anna Biers remaining behind on Earth, who will take over as the leader of the rebel Cylon faction?
*Given the speculation following [[Revelations]] that the survey site at the end of that episode and the start of this, was in Brooklyn, with the remains of the Brooklyn Bridge in the background; and given that the writers paid an homage to ''Planet of the Apes'' with Leoben's Dr. Zaius quote; is the thick, stubby structure in the background toward which Colonel Tigh wades at the episode's end, the pedestal on Liberty Island?
*Will [[D'Anna Biers]] stay on Earth? ([[Sometimes a Great Notion#Official Statements|Answer]])
*Does Tigh retain the mailbox hatch from his apartment building, and does Anders retain the guitar neck which he had dropped?
*Were the terrestrial Cylons of two millenia ago generally aware of Cylon resurection/reincarnation, and the cyclical nature of Cylon life, or was Ellen Tigh unusually prophetic?
*How was dead Kara's hair left unburned while her facial flesh was charred beyond recognition?

== Official Statements ==
*[http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/01/final-fifth-cylon-ellen-tigh-battlestar-galactica-dualla-dee-.html#more Chicago Tribune interview with Ronald D. Moore:]
*Ronald D. Moore has confirmed that Dualla is dead and that Ellen Tigh is in fact the Final Cylon.
*Moore indicates that Ellen Tigh was the Cylon whom D'Anna apologized to in "[[Rapture]]".
*In his podcast commentary to "Sometimes a Great Notion", Ronald D. Moore confirmed that [[D'Anna Biers]] stays on Earth and that her story has ended. Like the three groups of foxes, Adama fought on (after Tigh's encouragement), Three gave up, and Tigh (temporarily) decided to wander out into the sea.
**Also in his podcast Moore says that Kara Thrace did actually die when her Viper was destroyed, not some trick.
** Moore states that there was an intention in the Director's Cut (but dropped) to subtly imply that Anders wrote "All Along The Watch Tower" himself, and not as in reality, Bob Dylan.
**Moore admits that it the scene just before Dualla's suicide was intended as an emotional "sucker punch" to imply that Lee and Dualla were perhaps going to get back together.
**Moore said Admiral Adama used the actual real life [[Wikipedia:Star#Classification|star system classifications of F, G, and K]] when he orders Gaeta to search for appropriate star systems that could support human life.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*'''''Leoben Conoy''' echos to Dr. Zaius' final caution to Col. Taylor at the end of ''The Planet of the Apes'':'' "You might not like what you find." Like Taylor, Starbuck is a time-traveling<ref>To her, her disappearance and reappearance were brief; to everyone else's perspective, she was gone weeks.</ref> military astronaut surveying post-apocolyptic Earth (possibly also in the outskirts of New York City), and the "harbinger of death."

*'''''Saul Tigh''' upon seeing Ellen Tigh in a flashback on Earth:''
: "Ellen - You're the Fifth!"

*''After finding her body, '''Kara Thrace''' shouts to Leoben:''
: "What am I?!"

*'''''Laura Roslin's''' assessment of Earth:''
: "It's perfect. We traded one nuked civilization for another."

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Lucy Lawless]] as [[Number Three (Downloaded copy)|D'Anna Biers]]
* [[Callum Keith Rennie]] as [[Number Two]] / [[Leoben Conoy]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
* [[Brad Dryborough]] as Lieutenant [[Louis Hoshi]]
* [[Alexandra Thomas]] as [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]
* [[Don Thompson]] as Specialist [[Anthony Figurski]]
* [[Sonja Bennett]] as Specialist [[Marcie Brasko]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix]]

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Nankin]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Bradley Thompson]]
[[Category:Episodes written by David Weddle]]

Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies

2008-05-31T01:34:37Z

Philwelch: /* Tom Zarek's book */

:''This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]].''

The [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], like most civilizations, have a rich historical record of '''arts and literature''' as well as other works. Their [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|democratic republic]] gives its citizens many freedoms of expression in addition to freedom of the press. Colonials have paintings, abstract designs and a variety of musical traditions.

Additionally, many functional items produced on the Colonies adhere to an aesthetic, even at a cost to efficiency.

{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

__TOC__

==Literature==

===Political===

==== Tom Zarek's book ====

'''Tom Zarek's book''' is a political book of [[Tom Zarek]]'s beliefs, which he wrote while imprisoned. The manuscript is smuggled from his prison and published, but due to its yet-unspecified content, the book became banned in certain places throughout the Twelve Colonies, particularly the fleet academy.

During the incident on the ''[[Astral Queen]]'', Captain [[Lee Adama]] tells Zarek that he read the book and that it challenged the way he thought about things on the Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

==== ''My Triumphs, My Mistakes'' ====

{{mainarticle|My Triumphs, My Mistakes}}

After returning to the [[The Fleet (RDM)|The Fleet]] months after the exodus from [[New Caprica]], [[Gaius Baltar]] wrote his manifesto, in which he criticizes the Colonial government system and highlights the class factions between the "[[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]]n elite" and the lower classes in the Colonies. Much like Tom Zarek's book, Baltar's manifesto was smuggled out by his [[Alan Hughes|lawyer]] and published, despite attempts to ban and destroy the book by [[Laura Roslin]] and her suporters ("[[Dirty Hands]]", "[[The Son Also Rises]]").

===Prose===

====''Dark Day''====
Edward Prima is the author of the novel ''Dark Day''.

[[William Adama]], who had ''Dark Day'' in his personal library on ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', gives it to [[Laura Roslin]] as a gift ([[Water]]). She considers it to be "one of those classics I've never gotten around to reading." Given the context of their conversation, notably Roslin's reference to ''A Murder on Picon'', it is likely a mystery.

Roslin returns the book, to Adama's consternation, after the prognosis of her illness sharply worsens ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).

====''The French Lieutenant's Woman''====

[[Image:The French Lieutenant's Woman.jpg|thumb|A copy of ''The French Lieutenant's Woman''.]]

'''''The French Lieutenant's Woman'''''<ref>This is likely a gaffe and never intended to be seen on screen in detail. See: [[Continuity errors (RDM)]] for additional information on this book's appearance.</ref> is part of William Adama's formidable library of books on ''Galactica''.

It is located on the shelf behind the couch in Adama's quarters ([[Black Market]]).

====''A Murder on Picon''====
'''''A Murder on Picon''''' is a mystery novel, apparently taking place on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Picon|Picon]].

[[Laura Roslin]] brought the book with her on the trip to ''[[Galactica]]'' prior to its decommissioning ceremonies ([[Miniseries]], "[[Water]]").

==== ''Blood Runs at Midnight'' ====
A mystery novel given to William Adama by President Roslin as a gift ([[A Day in the Life]]).

==== ''Love and Bullets'' ====
A murder mystery written by Nick Taylo that is set in [[Caprica City]]. Adama reads part of the book to Roslin when she lies in ''Galactica'''s [[sickbay]] to receive [[diloxin]] treatments ([[The Ties That Bind]]).

:''See [[The Ties That Bind#Noteworthy Dialogue]] for an excerpt.''

==== ''Searider Falcon'' ====
[[Image:Searider Falcon.jpg|thumb|Adama's singed copy of ''Searider Falcon'' ([[Sine Qua Non]]).]]

Another book Adama reads to Roslin. Adama calls it a classic, and both say that it is one of their favorites ([[Escape Velocity]]). Roslin takes it with her when she visits the rebel baseship ([[Guess What's Coming to Dinner]]) and Adama finds it shortly later in a derelict Raptor that escaped from a battle with the Cylons ([[Sine Qua Non]]).

:''The raft was not as seaworthy as I'd hoped. The waves repeatedly threatened to swamp it. I wasn't afraid to die. I was afraid of the emptiness that I felt inside. I couldn't feel anything. And that's what scared me. You came into my thoughts. I felt them. It felt good.''

===Poetry===

====Kataris====
'''Kataris''' was a [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] poet<ref>The name "Kataris" is probably a reference to the Roman poet [[Wikipedia:Catullus|Catullus]].</ref>. Lieutenant [[Joe Palladino]] owns a bound edition of Kataris' poems and threatens Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] with lines from one:

<blockquote>From the darkness you must fall<br />
Failed and weak, to darkness all.</blockquote>

Kataris is quite well-known amongst Colonials. [[Kara Thrace]] recognizes the quotation, recalls from which piece it comes, and knows the poem's quality relative to his other works. [[D'anna Biers]] identifies Palladino's copy of one of Kataris' books on sight in a recording she is editing ([[Final Cut]]).

===Periodicals===
*[[Aerelon Gazette]]
*[[Caprica Times]]
*[[Caprican Life]]
*[[Nymph]]
*[[Picon Star Tribune]]
*[[Scorpia Paragliding]]

===Law books===

''Caprican Criminal Codes'' is a multi-volume collection of Caprican law ([[A Day in the Life]]).

''[[Trial Tactics and Strategies]]'' and ''[[Law and Mind: The Psychology of Legal Practice]]'' are two books about the the practice of law, written by [[Joseph Adama]], [[William Adama]]'s father ("[[The Son Also Rises]]", "[[Crossroads, Part I]]").

==Visual Arts==

===Representationalist===

====Monclair====
[[Image:Monclair2.jpg|thumb|right|A Monclair original.]]
'''Monclair''' was a [[Colonial]] painter. One of his original paintings, a stylized depiction of the [[Cylon War]], adorns [[William Adama]]'s quarters on ''[[Galactica]]''. He is apparently of considerable renown, given [[Gaius Baltar]]'s impressed reaction to the piece ([[Bastille Day]]).

===== Notes =====

* In ''[[Battlestar Galactica: Season Zero 4]]'' (which exists in a [[BW:SC|separate continuity]]), [[Colonial Intelligence]] agent [[Levin]] comments on the painting, noting Adama's "expensive tastes". Additionally, Levin knowingly mentions that the painting was a gift from [[Julian DiMarco]], Adama's friend and former commander.

* According to ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]'', the painting hanging in Adama's quarters was made by additional art director [[Ken Rabehl]].

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

===Abstract===

====Kara Thrace====
[[Image:Valley_of_Darkness-Starbuck_Helo.jpg||thumb|right|Abstract paintings by Kara Thrace. ]]
Between tours of duty, [[Kara Thrace]] was an enthusiastic painter. [[Karl Agathon]] is surprised to discover this side of her when they visit her apartment in [[Delphi]] ([[Valley of Darkness]]). Curiously, a specific design that Thrace has doodled as a child would be found more than two years later inside an [[Temple of Five|ancient temple]] of the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]], without Thrace or Helo understanding why she would be aware of the design ([[Rapture]]).
<br clear="both">

===Tattoos===

====[[Kara Thrace]] & [[Samuel Anders]]====
[[Image:Tattoo1.jpg|thumb|left|Starbuck and Anders wedding band]]

*Instead of wearing wedding rings, Samuel Anders and Kara Thrace<ref>Actress Katee Sackhoff has a number of personal tattoos on her body. The crew uses various means to cover or block these tattoos from view during filming, but the results are not always perfect. See the article on [[Katee Sackhoff]] for details.</ref> created tattoos on their arms that, when they embrace, form a unified circle with wings. The symbol for the colony of [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]] is also in view<ref>In a TV Guide photoshoot video interview, [[Katee Sackhoff]] comments: "...the tattoos that Anders and Starbuck got when they got married and uh, it kinda looks like the Redwings sign doesn't it? Or logo, but its, um... when he's holding me the rings match up and it becomes one ring with two wings. So it's very cool there's some signs in there like the Caprica symbol and some space things and its all very intricate and very cool and the guys over at Twin Villain Tattoo down in Gastown designed it so we're all very excited about it."</ref>.
**[[Michael Trucco]] adds that it is their wedding band, but that this is never fully explained in the show.
**The matching tattoos are not real tattoos, but are applied by the makeup department.

<br clear="all" />

==== Other ====

[[Felix Gaeta]] displays a tattoo of a rather large tiger during his interview with [[D'anna Biers]] ([[Final Cut]]). Gaeta indicated he was quite inebriated with [[ambrosia]] to minimize the pain of the tattoo.

[[Socinus]] has a tattoo of an [[Wikipedia:Aries|Aries]] design on his right arm ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).<ref>It is not yet known if the tattoo belongs to Alonso Oyarzun or if it is purely for the character of Socinus, as both the actor was born under the sign of Aries and the character is a colonist of [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Aerelon|Aerelon]].</ref>

An unnamed [[Tattooed pilot|pilot]] has many tattoos on both upper arms, depicting a tiger and a dragon, among other things.

[[Vireem]], specialist aboard the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', has a complex tattoo on his shoulder ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])<ref>Visible on his left shoulder in the "little robot girl" sequence, apparently a Chinese-style dragon and a Chinese character over a spiral background that could be a galaxy.</ref>

<gallery>
Image:Gaeta tiger tatoo.jpg|Gaeta's tiger tattoo.
Image:SocinusTatoo KLGp1.JPG|Socinus's tattoo.
Image:Unnamed_pilot_1.jpg|The unnamed [[tattooed pilot]].
</gallery>

==Sculpture==

In addition to the [[Arrow of Apollo]], the [[Delphi Museum of the Colonies]] contains a large collection of ancient pottery. Located in numerous display cases in the exhibit halls spanning the museum's levels, this large collection of vases, jars, pots and stone fragments form a rough outline of the Colonials' artistic history. Many of the artifacts and art pieces are quite elaborate and appear to be in the detailed Corinthian Style.

==Music==

===Kara Thrace's Father===
Thrace's father<ref>Early biographies from the British TV network, Sky One, indicates the character's name as Dreilide Thrace. However, as his name has not been mentioned in series dialogue or other official works, this name is not canonical.</ref> was a pianist. His daughter kept recordings of some of his piano arrangements in her Delphi apartment ([[Valley of Darkness]]).<ref>According to ''Battlestar Galactica'' composer [[Bear McCreary]], the piece attributed to Thrace's father is actually ''Metamorphosis Five'', composed by [[Wikipedia:Philip Glass|Philip Glass]], from his 1989 album ''Solo Piano''.</ref>

===Colonial Anthem===
The [[Colonial anthem]] is heard as a short fanfare over the Viper flyby during ''Galactica's'' decommissioning ceremony and as a background music at the beginning of Baltar's television interview ([[Miniseries]]). Its third, and longer, appearance is as background music for the rousing closing speech of [[D'anna Biers]]'s documentary on the Colonial military ([[Final Cut]]).<ref>In reality, this is the [[Original Series]] theme by [[Stu Phillips]]. For "Final Cut", the piece was specially re-arranged by [[Bear McCreary]].</ref>

===Popular music===

Popular Colonial music can be heard in Boomer's apartment on Caprica in the episode "[[Downloaded]]" and in [[Joe's bar]] in "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]". Another song is playing as Lee Adama enters the bar on ''[[Prometheus]]'' ([[Black Market]]) <ref>This is only a small part of the song that was composed for the episode by Bear McCreary. The full 5 minute long version is available on the [[Soundtrack (Season 2)|Season 2 soundtrack]].</ref>.

In addition, a popular sing-a-long song is "99 Bottles of Ambrosia"<ref>This is clearly the Colonial version of "[[w:99 Bottles of Beer|99 Bottles of Beer]]".</ref>, which [[Marcia Case]] throws out there as a recommendation after [[Kara Thrace]] comments on the humdrum of their up-until-then-uneventful search and rescue mission for a missing [[Raptor]] ([[Razor]]).

==Aesthetics==

Colonial [[Wikipedia:Aesthetics|aesthetics]] lead to an avoidance of right angles.

===Octagons===

Colonial printouts, photographs, videos, and [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series#Data discs|data discs]] are rarely rectangular; the corners are trimmed at 45 degree angles, creating snub rectangles, i.e octagons. The reasoning for this is likely based on their aversion to right angles, as rectangles are, particularly for paper, more efficient <ref>This developed out of a discussion between [[Richard Hudolin]], Ron Moore, David Eick and Michael Rymer. It was felt that cutting the corner of most documents is an easy way to make the look a bit unconventional and unfamiliar. Hudolin also states that not all documents are clipped, but that classified ones definitely are ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]], p.140)</ref>.

This design choice is also evident in Colonial [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer systems]] with windows and menus often having clipped corners.

===Hexagons===

In the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], hexagons feature significantly as [[dog tags]], [[Triad (RDM)|playing cards]], glass bottles and many other objects. This likely reflects both the dislike of right angles and the simplicity of polygons over curved shapes.

===Pentagons===

While not a part of Colonial society ''per se'', pentagons play a large part in the architecture of the lone Thirteenth Tribe structure encountered by the Colonials thus far, the [[Temple of Five]]. Much like the Colonials, it appears at least the ancient members of the Thirteenth Tribe were also wary of right angles.

==Architecture==

===Federal Period===

[[Image:Mini-Caprica City.jpg|thumb|right|Some Federal Period architecture in Caprica City]]
This style was mix of older and newer trends, utilizing traditional stone facades along with glass and steel. This architecture was found throughout [[Caprica City]], [[Delphi]], and other [[Unnamed cities of Caprica|unnamed cities]] prior to the Cylon attack.

Several buildings in Caprica City had the form of a pyramid, but the cultural significance of this design choice is unknown <ref>This is a reference to the [[:Image:Capricaattack.jpg|Caprica]] of the [[Original Series]], which was influenced by Egyptian mythology and symbolism.</ref>.

===Ancient Kobol===

[[Image:City of the Gods.jpg|thumb|right|Bird's eye view of the [[City of the Gods]] and its architecture]]
[[Image:Opera House ruins.jpg|thumb|right|The stone ruins of the Opera House]]
In "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]", Roslin looks at schematics for the [[City of the Gods]] on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]]. Its buildings, such as the [[Temple]], [[Forum]], and the [[Opera House]], were made of stone and range in shape and size, and resemble classical Greco-Roman architecture.

Later, the ruins of the Opera House are seen when [[Gaius Baltar]] and others crash-land nearby. The building was made of stone and utilized decorative columns and pillars. While there, Baltar has a vision which may have represented the original appearance of the Opera House before it fell into disrepair.

===Polygonal Architecture===

Many places and objects within ''Galactica'' reflect early aesthetic choices that eschew right-angular forms. Many corridors, including ship bulkhead doors, are hexagonal. [[CIC]] elements, particularly the Command & Control Center table, the tactical station table, and even the alignment of the displays of the [[DRADIS]] console, form a hexagonal appearance.

This aesthetic appears to have waned during the construction of more advanced battlestars such as ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'', which uses far fewer hexagonal shapes.<ref>The sets for ''Pegasus'' were purchased from a failed series pilot for a ''[[Wikipedia:Lost in Space|Lost in Space]]'' series remake. As such, the sets adhere to "earthly" rectangular design, and budget constraints for ''Battlestar Galactica'' likely limited any large modifications.</ref>

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial History]]
[[Category:Colonial History (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
{{featured article candidate previous}}

Sine Qua Non

2008-05-31T01:13:12Z

Philwelch: /* Teaser */ copyedit

{{Episode Data
| image=410 Adama and his raptor.jpg
| title=Sine Qua Non
| season= 4
| episode=8
| forumthread= 1199
| movie=
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Rod Hardy]]
| production=410
| rating=
| US airdate=30 May 2008
| CAN airdate=30 May 2008
| UK airdate=27 May 2008
| dvd=
| oldpopulation=39673
| population=39674
| frakr=Blah Blah Whaa
| prev=[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]
| next= [[The Hub]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''President [[Laura Roslin]]'s abduction by the Cylon [[Hybrid]] triggers a bitter power struggle within the Fleet. The [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] has little information and demands to know what happened, while [[Tom Zarek]] insists that he is to be declared interim president. [[Lee Adama]] opposes him and enlists the help of notorious lawyer [[Romo Lampkin]] to find a candidate for the post, leading to a surprising decision. Meanwhile, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] come to blows over Tigh's relationship with [[Caprica-Six]] and Adama's obsession to find Roslin.''

== Summary ==
=== Teaser ===
*With President [[Laura Roslin]] missing, a meeting is held by the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]], who informs them that the rebel [[basestar (RDM)|basestar]] jumped with Roslin and [[Gaius Baltar]]—and many of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> pilots—also notes that [[Natalie]] was shot by "one of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Marines]]"; he fuels the assumption that the basestar's sudden jump and abduction is related to Natalie's death. Zarek tells the delegates that with Roslin missing, he is to be sworn in as interim President.
*Upon hearing the news, [[Lee Adama]] contacts his [[William Adama|father]], who doesn't take it well.
*[[Natalie]], who has [[Guess What's Coming To Dinner?|just been shot]] by [[Sharon Agathon]], is taken to the [[sickbay|infirmary]]. She starts to [[projection|project]] that she is in a forest on a sunny day. In real life, she only focuses on the faces of those who are taking her to the infirmary.
*Dr. [[Cottle]] immediately starts to operate on her. When she tries to make physical contact, likely sensing that she is about to die, Cottle takes her hand. However, just as they operate, her image of the forest brightens to a bright flash. The second this happens, her heart monitor flatlines, and Cottle announces her death.
*Admiral Adama sees Sharon Agathon and is angered by her decision to kill an unarmed woman, even if she was a [[Cylon (RDM)|Cylon]]. Agathon starts to explain her dream about a [[Number Six|Six]] taking away her [[Hera Agathon|child]] at the [[Opera House]]. Eventually, Adama orders a guard to take her away to the [[brig]] and refuses her access to her daughter.
* When the topic of Adama's support of a Tom Zarek administration is raised, [[Jacob Cantrell]] pointedly asks Lee Adama whether Admiral Adama would support Zarek or the government. Delegate Adama replies in the negative, raising ire and outrage.

=== Act 1 ===

[[Image:410 room with a view.jpg|thumb|[[Romo Lampkin]] and [[Lee Adama]] haggle over the price of searching for an interim president.]]
*When Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] returns to the [[CIC]], he hears that the [[Resurrection Hub]] has disappeared from its last known location, further the rebel baseship is not their either. Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] to continue looking for the hub, since that's the only place the rebels can head given their objective: to [[Boxing|unbox]] the [[Number Three|Threes]].
* Tigh reports that [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]] (apparently [[CAG]], given her seniority) is having problems assembling a sufficient [[CAP]] to protect the Fleet; there are only 30 [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]s left. As a result, Adama agrees with Thrace's recommendation (told via Tigh) of having the ships tighten their formation for easier defense, despite the inherent hazards posed by inexperienced civilian pilots.
* President [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] have a meeting, where Lee recommends that Zarek step down as president. Despite Zarek's vocal disbelief over this—correctly noting that he is the only public official in the executive branch to have been voted into office legally, a claim [[Laura Roslin]] is unable to make—Lee suggests enacting a Quorum provision that allows the Quorum to pick an interim president during a time of crisis to serve out the remainder of Roslin's term. Zarek reluctantly concedes after Lee points out that Admiral Adama will never recognize Zarek, and they need someone who Adama will recognize. Zarek gruffly wishes Lee luck in his search for an interim president.
* In a [[Talk Wireless]] interview conducted by [[James McManus]]<ref>The assumption is that the "Jim" Tom Zarek is speaking to is McManus, given his coverage of government affairs.</ref>, Zarek indicates that the government post-[[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Fall]] is not a true government, but a "tacit agreement between a military strong-man [Adama] and a political strong-woman [Roslin] to rule by fiat". Zarek also notes the creation of a civilian force to maintain order, noting that the government should not rely on the [[Marines]] due to the last political upheaval.
* Lee Adama visits [[Romo Lampkin]], asking for Lampkin's help in searching for potential presidential candidates. Despite his initial refusals, Lampkin accepts to work ''pro bono'' in search of a replacement with the right skills and abilities that meets with the approval of both the Quorum (who won't act, since Zarek has them "inhaling fear and exhaling anger") and Admiral Adama. Lampkin offers one more piece of advice, telling him that it's better to accept what they already have.

=== Act 2 ===

[[Image:410 Pike's corpsesicle.jpg|thumb|[[Eammon Pike]]'s body floating in the damaged [[Raptor]].]]

* In [[CIC]], Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]], noting that he has a rapport with [[Caprica-Six]], asks Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] to interrogate her about the [[Resurrection Hub]]. Before he leaves, he tells Adama that they'll find [[Roslin]] and the missing humans.
* In the brig, Tigh questions Six about the Hub. After telling him what she knows about the Hub, Tigh believes that she's lying; she assures him that she'd never lie to him. Tigh slips, telling her that the rebels took off with half an air wing and Roslin. Six ferrets out the fact that Admiral Adama's primary concern is for Roslin. Six, who then appears to Tigh in the form of [[Ellen Tigh|his dead wife]], asks if Tigh loves her. Before he can answer, [[Condition One]] is called. He grabs her neck and tells her that her mind games with him end at that moment, and he leaves.
* Tigh reports to CIC, learning that one of their missing [[Raptor]]s from the rebel baseship has jumped to the Fleet. A Raptor crewed by [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]] are en route to intercept the craft, which has not returned hails and does not appear to be emanating anything [[radiological alarm|radiological]]. Edmondson performs a spacewalk, discovering that the Raptor was jumped by its lone, now-dead occupant, [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]], whose carcass floats in the back compartment.
* After retrieving the Raptor, Adama investigates the Raptor himself, discovering the copy of ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' he gave to Roslin in burnt condition, identifying it as the craft she took over to baseship before it jumped. Tigh joins him, noting that [[Peter Laird|Laird]] retrieved [[Sector Delta 9|the coordinates]] that the Raptor jumped from. Adama orders a search to that location, ignoring Zarek's request for a briefing.
* In the Quorum meeting room on ''Colonial One'', Lampkin discusses how one achieves and wields power with Lee Adama. During this conversation, Lampkin and Lee see ''Galactica'' jump away. Lee is concerned over the abruptness of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> departure.
* A Raptor reconnaissance party comes across a debris field, consisting of Cylon debris and damaged Vipers. Tigh informs Adama that the debris consist of a Cylon baseship and fragments indicative of resurrection technology, and notes that they detected radiation from nuclear weapons. Adama refuses to believe that the destroyed baseship was the rebels', insisting that Roslin has survived. Adama presses on with the search, until Tigh points out that the Fleet is left behind with "their asses hanging out in the wind". Adama thus revises his orders to include only four Raptors to stay behind to search until they "find something concrete".
* ''Galactica'' jumps back to the Fleet. Zarek notifies the Quorum of Adama's decision to reroute all [[tylium]] supplies to fueling the search efforts, along with requisitioning several civilian ships to aid in this endeavor. The delegates are furious over being bypassed.
* Back in Lampkin's "room with a view", Adama and Lampkin go over the list of candidates, among them [[Doyle Franks]] who has no aspirations for political office, however. As they brainstorm, Adama nearly trips over an overturned bowl, resulting in his quip of "do you ever feed that [[Lance|animal]]?" and inquires about the cat's whereabouts. From Lampkin's perspective, he sees Lance run around a swivel chair. Lampkin later begins to throw in the towel, erasing the names on the whiteboard, much to Adama's consternation.
* In [[sickbay]], Admiral Adama consults Doctor [[Cottle]] about how Roslin's sudden disappearance will affect her [[diloxin]] treatments. Cottle stresses that, with her weakened immune system and her cancer's ability to regroup, the sooner she's found, the better. He also provides Adama with a medical report on [[Caprica Six]]: she's pregnant.
* In Adama's quarters, Tigh reports to Adama about the Raptors lack of success in finding anything about the whereabouts of their missing people. Adama replies that he's not interested in the search, confronting Tigh about impregnating the Six and putting the Fleet at risk over his weaknesses. After Tigh broaches the topic of Adama's reckless search for Roslin, Adama brings up the question of what [[Ellen Tigh]] would say about Tigh impregnating a Cylon, which resorts in a brawl. After Tigh's ass cracks the [[H.M.S. Glutton o' Punishment|model ship]], the fight stops and they both ask each other what they'll do about their feelings for their respective women.
* In the brig, an upset and alone [[Sharon Agathon]] hums a lullaby to herself.
* Adama orders [[Kara Thrace]] to continue the search with additional Raptors. Thrace objects to this, citing a decreased CAP, but her objections are overruled.
* As Adama watches the goings-on in a part of the hangar deck, Lampkin joins him with writs of forfeiture for him to sign; the captains of the ships Adama's borrowing do not want to be held liable for any wrongdoing that may occur in the rescue operation. As Adama signs the papers, he and Lampkin converse about people giving up hope when it is most needed, and "while on a roll", he adds that Zarek is not the worst choice for president. Adama brushes him off thereafter.
* In his quarters, Lampkin changes the search to find someone who best suits an ideal candidate and, after hissing like a cat, settles on Lee Adama. He leaves with Lance's bag.
* On ''Colonial One'', Lampkin meets up with Lee Adama in an unfinished portion of the ship. Lampkin informs Adama that the Quorum has selected him to be the interim president, much to Adama's bemusement; Lampkin points out that Adama always wanted the position, which is why he had to cross out [[47]] candidates to prove it. Lampkin claims that Adama's the perfect choice for president, and, after pulling out a pistol, notes that he'll neve get the chance to serve.

=== Act 3 ===

[[Image:410 Lampkin and pepperbox.jpg|thumb|Lampkin holds Lee Adama at gunpoint.]]

* Adama faces down the gun-wielding Lampkin, who explains that Adama's the perfect candidate for president and thus should die. However, Lampkin says that hope is the last thing they need; he says that humanity is a doomed race and should accept its fate. Lampkin kicks over the duffel bag, which has Lampkin's rationale for his actions. Adama opens it, discovering [[Lance]], who had been dead for weeks. Lampkin explains that "those debased dregs of humanity" killed Lance, and are looking for a place to "roost and ''rot'' again". Lampkin explains that the cat is immaterial, but it is the last physical connection he had with his [[Faye Lampkin|wife]]. Adama assures Lampkin that everyone that survived had to make difficult choices: there was nothing he could have done for his wife and two daughters (Jennifer and Kate), noting that only a handful of people elected to stay behind on [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]] who were on Lampkin's shuttle during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|attack]].
* Adama talks down Lampkin in a speech about having to make choices about their own survival at the cost of other people's lives, urging him to put the past behind him and move on. Adama believes that he can make a difference in the Fleet; Lampkin asks him if that's his final word, then asks him to swear by it.
* Leland Joseph Adama is sworn in as interim president in a ceremony on ''[[Colonial One]]'', attended by Admiral Adama, [[Tory Foster]], and [[Tom Zarek]], in addition to the [[Fleet News Service|press corps]]. Lampkin listens to the ceremony on the wireless in his quarters.
* Admiral Adama informs Colonel Tigh that he's stepping down as military leader of the Fleet, promoting Tigh to admiral, as Tigh's the only person he can trust to command ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Tigh scoffs this, reminding Adama of the [[Resistance (episode)|last time]] he commanded the Fleet; Adama notes that Tigh is a different man who found out a lot about himself since that time. Adama tells Tigh to bring the people to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. As his last order, Adama tells Tigh to give custody of [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] to the in-hack [[Sharon Agathon]], expressing a need for everyone to have a family.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:410 Adama sees the Fleet off.jpg|thumb|William Adama watches the Fleet [[FTL|jump]] away.]]

* On ''Colonial One'', President [[Lee Adama|Adama]] makes notes on [[:Image:410 IT upgrade press release.jpg|a press release]] relating to an information and technical services upgrade, which he gives to [[Tory Foster]] to correct. [[Romo Lampkin]] arrives, comically commenting that Adama already has a [[Jake (New Caprica)|first pet]]. Lampkin is told of Jake's exploits on [[New Caprica]] and Adama gives the dog to Lampkin—who hates dogs more than cats—as a "new pet to loathe".
* President Adama visits his father, who is packing things in his [[Officer's quarters|quarters]]. Adama doesn't agree with Lee's thinking on retaining [[Tom Zarek]] as vice president; Lee replies that he doesn't agree with his father's thinking on his one-man mission to find [[Laura Roslin]]. Adama recalls a "good memory" of his first mission in enemy space during the [[Cylon War]], then, when pressed, admits that the reason he undertakes his current mission is because he cannot live without Roslin. He has faith that Roslin will get to the rendezvous point.
* A [[flight suit|suited]] William Adama makes it to his Raptor in the [[hangar deck]]; he is seen off by his son and [[Kara Thrace]], the latter exchanging a [[Nothing but the rain|well-worn, friendly exchange]] before he boards the Raptor. Adama asks for them to keep the light on for him, to which they reply in the affirmative.
* Per Adama's final order, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is reunited with [[Sharon Agathon|her mother]] in the brig; Agathon hums a lullaby to her daughter.
* Adama launches from ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' as Admiral Tigh orders the Fleet to jump. After Adama watches all the ships [[FTL|jump]] away, he sits in his Raptor and reads the singed copy of ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' as he awaits Roslin's return.

== Notes ==

* ''[[w:Sine qua non|Sine qua non]]'' is a Latin phrase meaning "without which not"; usually appended to mean "without which it could not be". It is famously used by [[w:Andrew Jackson|Andrew Jackson]], who says the following after receiving an honorary degree from [[w:Harvard|Harvard]]: "[[w:E pluribus unum|E pluribus unum]], my friends. Sine qua non."
* The pistol Lampkin uses to threaten Adama is a [[Stallion]]. The model previously appeared prominently in "[[Home, Part II]]".
* The episode features the first explicit mention of [[Gravity in the Re-imagined Series|artificial gravity]] in dialogue.
* The book ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' makes another appearance. Adama finds it in the derelict Raptor, somewhat singed.
* The lullaby [[Sharon Agathon]] hums to [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is the same one hummed by [[Sharon Valerii]] to a captured [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]] in "[[Flesh and Bone]]". It is a traditional Korean children's song.
* The infamous number, [[47]], appears in this episode as well: [[Romo Lampkin]] tells [[Lee Adama]] that they went through 47 candidates for interim president when confronting him on ''[[Colonial One]]''.
* While [[Tom Zarek]] claims that the government of the "past five years", it has only been about three and a half years since [[Laura Roslin]] and [[William Adama]] have risen to power.
* It can be inferred that [[James McManus]] is talking to Tom Zarek during the [[wireless]] interview, given that Zarek calls the interviewer "Jim".
* William Adama's comment about how often he had to repair his [[H.M.S. Glutton o' Punishment|model ship]] is a reference to the end of "[[Maelstrom]]", as well as a possible inside-joke about the fact that [[Edward James Olmos]] smashed the very expensive prop in an ad-lib during the shooting of that episode.

== Analysis ==

===General===
*Most civilians appear to have assumed that the basestar's disappearance was a deliberate act of kidnapping, possibly in retaliation for Natalie's shooting. It is as yet unclear if the [[Hybrid|Hybrid's]] jump at the end of the [[Faith|previous episode]] was an automatic response by the Hybrid, perhaps as a safety mechanism that returns an ostensibly critically damaged [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] to the resurrection hub, or if this Hybrid was specially programmed to jump immediately upon reactivation, perhaps by the [[Number Two]] who urged [[Natalie]] to stall the Colonials in the previous episode, in order to effect a kidnapping.
* The apparition of a loved one dredged up by a survivor—this time [[Lance]], the only remaining physical connection to [[Romo Lampkin]]'s wife, [[Faye Lampkin|Faye]]—is reminiscent of not only Adama's apparition of [[Carolanne Adama|his ex-wife]] in "[[A Day in the Life]]", but of Saul Tigh's apparition of [[Ellen Tigh]] during the fourth season, in which they cling to some memory of their wives.
* Despite the fact that ''[[Galactica]]'' has left the Fleet before to engage combat, this episode marks the first time that the [[The Fleet (RDM)|civilian Fleet]] is intentionally left without any defense. The only other time the Fleet was left without military aid was after [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer's]] assassination attempt of William Adama, when ''Galactica'' accidentally jumped to different coordinates than the rest of the Fleet ([[Scattered]]).

===Characters===
* [[William Adama]]'s actions in the search for [[Laura Roslin]], namely the unreasonable allocation of resources and putting the Fleet at unnecessary risk, are precisely the same actions he executed when searching for [[Kara Thrace]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]". Similarly, it is Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] who helps bring the end to Adama's irrational actions, this time without Roslin's help and more violently.
* Odd as it seems, [[Romo Lampkin]]'s erratic behavior towards Lee Adama is not wholly uncontrolled. Throughout the encounter, Lampkin forces Adama to defend his willingness to make tough decisions, his courage, and his optimism. He uses his personal tragedies to full effect, confronting Adama with the dead cat just as he used the memory of his love for Faye to manipulate Caprica-Six. He tacitly admits his plan towards the end, in his response to Adama's determination to make a positive difference: "Is that your last word?....Then swear it." While there is still a streak of craziness in Lampkin's actions that goes beyond his usual eccentricities, this behavior is in line with his previous manipulations of people (e.g., through his kleptomania), including Lee Adama.
* Tigh mentions that [[Peter Laird]] - the former ''Pegasus'' deck chief - retrieved the navigational data from [[Eammon Pike|Pike]]'s Raptor, possibly indicating that Laird replaced [[Galen Tyrol]] after his demotion in "[[Escape Velocity]]".

=== Cylons ===
* The child of [[Caprica-Six]] and Tigh will be the first full-Cylon child, should it come to full term.
* The ability of Tigh to impregnate Six perhaps indicates a fundamental difference between the [[Final Five]] and [[Significant Seven]], as Significant Seven Cylons have been thus far unable to conceive with one another. That Tigh often sees Caprica-Six not as herself but as his [[Ellen Tigh|deceased wife]] could very well be a determinative factor. If this proves to be the case, then the conclusion is that Tigh learned how to love, as required for reproduction according to the Cylons' theory regarding their biological reproductive limitations ("[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[The Farm]]"), from his marriage to a human being.

== Questions ==
* Is there any significance to [[Natalie]]'s dying visions? If so, what?
* What exactly happened to the rebel baseship and the [[Resurrection Hub]]? Did the rebels and Colonials escape if their baseship was destroyed?
* How will the Fleet react to an [[Lee Adama|Adama]] as President?
* Will [[Caprica-Six]]'s child remain a secret?
** Will she be allowed/able to give birth to what would be the first fully Cylon child?
** If so, what will happen to the child? Will [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] take on fatherly responsibilities?
*How will [[Gaius Baltar]] react to Caprica-Six and Saul Tigh's child?
* How will the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] and the Fleet respond to Tigh's being left in charge of ''Galactica'' and the military?
* Who will be Tigh's [[XO]]?
* Will Adama manage to find [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] by waiting out in deep space?
* Has [[Kara Thrace]] been re-accepted by her comrades?
* Did someone really kill [[Lance]], or did the cat die of natural causes or possibly neglect?
* Were the damaged Vipers from [[Sector Delta 9]] retrieved for salvage?

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Michael Taylor]] discusses his spoiler-free impressions of a scene:''
: I was in the editing room, watching one of our talented editors assemble a rough cut of a single scene. Not a huge scene, just a relatively brief but quietly powerful scene between [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] (you’ll see it in Episode 8, “Sine Qua Non”). What struck me is that while the dialogue was relatively simple, these two actors brought so much to it that the smallest looks and gestures carried immense weight. It made me realize anew how, after four seasons, these characters have accumulated so much history and nuance. As embodied by actors like [[Edward James Olmos|Edward J. Olmos]] and [[Michael Hogan]], they are wrenchingly human. Less characters than people I have now spent years with, and who still surprise me.<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|format=|language=}}</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[William Adama]] confronts [[Saul Tigh]] about [[Caprica-Six]]'s pregnancy:''
: '''William Adama:''' I know that you've been spending a lotta time interrogating the Six, but now the brig guards tell me that every time you order them out, you turn off the cameras.
: '''Saul Tigh:''' I'm not torturing her, if that's what you're worried about.
: '''Adama:''' I'm not. That I could almost understand. This I can't. [[Cottle]] tells me she's pregnant. What the frak have you been thinking, colonel? ''Do you deny it...? You don't... '''You can't.''''' What the hell have you been thinking? Who's interrogating whom? How many of our secrets have you told this thing?
: '''Tigh:''' ''How can you even ask me that?'' Question my loyalty?
: '''Adama:''' Your loyalty? I need more than your loyalty. You're my first officer, I need judgment. I need your ''competence''. You're jeopardizing this ship, putting it at risk because of your weaknesses.
: '''Tigh:''' ''My'' weaknesses?
: '''Adama:''' Yeah, your weaknesses!
: '''Tigh:''' You're risking all our lives—for what? Our missing pilots? ''No—for a frakking woman! '''A frakking woman!'''''
: '''Adama:''' ''You watch what you frakkin' say about that woman! She's the president! Not some frakkin' skinjob that I've been banging!'' What do you think [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] would say about this?
: '''Tigh:''' Leave Ellen out of this.
: '''Adama:''' What do you think Ellen would say about her husband impregnating a frakkin' Cylon prisoner?
: '''Tigh:''' '''You ''motherfrakker''!''' (violence ensues)

*''Admiral Adama chews out [[Sharon Agathon]] for murdering [[Natalie]]:''
:'''Adama:''' You murdered an unarmed woman, and by doing so you put the lives of every single person in this fleet at risk; and quite possibly cost the lives of the [[Laura Roslin|president]] and [[Karl Agathon|your husband]]. You disobeyed the direct orders of your superior officers, but more importantly, you betrayed a promise to me. I [[Precipice#Noteworthy Dialogue|trusted you]].
:'''Agathon:''' Sir, I will accept any form of punishment that you think I deserve. I just ask that you please don't take away [[Hera Agathon|Hera]].
:'''Adama:''' I'm afraid the [[brig]] is no place for a little girl. ''Guards!'' Get her out of my sight!

*''[[Romo Lampkin]] to [[Lee Adama]]:''
:"Lampkin's First Rule of Legal Dynamics: When an irresistible force meets a movable object, stand aside and wait for the class action suit."

*''More Lampkin:''
:'''Lampkin:''' So you can't be dissuaded, will you? Not even when you hear my fee?
:'''Lee Adama:''' Fee?
:'''Lampkin:''' Appearances to the contrary, I'm actually in this for the money. I have a reputation to maintain after all.
:'''Adama:''' OK, so what did Roslin offer you to defend Baltar?
:'''Lampkin:''' (pointing at a small window in the bulkhead) Room with a view.
:'''Adama:''' I'm not sure I can improve on that.
:'''Lampkin:''' Then pro bono it is, counselor. Word to the wise: sometimes it's better to settle for what you've already got.

*''Lampkin about political power and Lee Adama:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Quandary is, one doesn't generally get the chance to wield political power without the ambition to actively seek it. That same ambition often compromises the unselfish motives that began the quest. In other words, in a battle of id versus ego, that ego rarely wins.
:'''Adama:''' Roslin never sought power.
:'''Lampkin:''' Exception that proves the rule. One could argue that Laura Roslin is a study in ''repressed'' ambition, just like you, Mr. Adama. Never seeking out a job until it's handed to you. [[CAG|Flight leader]], [[Pegasus (RDM)|battlestar]] commander, [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] delegate. Man doesn't carve out a path like that through life without...
:'''Adama:''' Alright, enough of the psychoanalysis. Let's get back to the job at hand.

*''Lampkin and Admiral Adama on the hangar deck, watching the deck crew and pilots at work:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Writs of forfeiture. The captains want to be absolved of any blame should anything untoward happen. One of the less ennobling consequences of a legal culture. No one wants responsibility. (hands him a pen to sign) Lee said you [[The Hand of God (RDM)|once]] gave ''him'' something before a mission. A lighter, wasn't it?
:'''Adama''' It belonged to my [[Joseph Adama|father]]. Foolish to think a hunk of metal can keep him safe.
:'''Lampkin:''' And yet, that's what we do, isn't it? Hang on to hope in every hopelessly irrational way that we can. (watches the crew wishing each other luck) But not like ''those'' poor bastards. Giving away their luck just when they need it most. It's like they've given up.
:'''Adama:''' If you've never been in combat, you have ''no'' idea what they're thinking.
:'''Lampking:''' I've always imagined you were a realist, Admiral, not one to indulge a vain hope at the cost of lives. But then, everyone has his limits. "Sine qua non", as they say.
:'''Adama:''' Without which not.
:'''Lampkin:''' Yes. Those things we deem essential, without which we cannot bear living. Without which life in general loses its specific value, becomes abstract.
:'''Adama:''' You may have a point, counselor.
:'''Lampkin:''' And while I'm on a roll: [[Tom Zarek]] may not be an ideal president, but we could do worse.
:'''Adama:''' You're right. There are limits to my realism. Goodbye counselor.

*''Lampkin confronts Lee Adama after naming him the candidate for interim president:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Savor your victory Mr. Adama, because you'll never get the chance to serve (pulls out a gun and points it at Adama).
:'''Adama:''' What are you doing?
:'''Lampkin:''' Why? Because you're perfect for the job of course. Because after the vicious separation that was Baltar's presidency and the ''bitter'' disappointment that was Roslin's, you ''are'' a shining beacon of hope. Only hope is the last thing we need. We're a doomed race. It's time that we made our peace with that essential truth.
:'''Adama:''' Romo, what the hell are you talking...?
:'''Lampkin:''' Why? You want to know why? (drops his duffel bag and kicks it over to Adama) '''Open it!'''
:'''Adama:''' (Adama does so and finds [[Lance]]'s corpse inside) Eww. Frak.
:'''Lampkin:''' That's right. They killed my cat!
:'''Adama:''' They?
:'''Lampkin:''' They! Those debased dregs of humanity out there! Lost a tribe in search of a new home, so they can roost and rot ''again''!
:'''Adama:''' How long has the cat been dead?
:'''Lampkin:''' "''How long?''" It's irrelevant! It's immaterial! It wasn't even ''my'' cat!
:'''Adama:''' Romo, it's been dead for weeks.
:'''Lampkin:''' It belonged to my [[Faye Lampkin|wife]]. I just retrieved him from a vet on Gemenon when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|bombs started to fall]] and fate presented me with a choice. I could get back on that shuttle, or...I could run home, try to save my family. How do you think I chose?
:'''Adama:''' Romo, we all had to make difficult choices. You don't think I know? Your wife's name was Faye. You had two daughters. Jennifer and Kate. There were over two hundred passengers on that shuttle! Only a handful chose to stay behind. (Lampkin stares at him questioning) Yeah, that's right. It was in your file when you were handed the job as Baltar's counsel. And no one blamed you Romo, because at a certain point, we all made decisions that saved ''our'' lives at the cost of others. You think you're unique, Romo? Think your sins are so special?
:'''Lampkin:''' Is that how it goes? You're gonna rest your entire case on that ''pathetic'' little bit of insight?
:'''Adama:''' No. Unless, the clean start, the fresh slate, maybe they're illusions like you said. But at a certain point, faith in ourselves, in our right to survive as a species, as a people...it's not a given, it's a choice. Well, I made mine. And if you can't stomach that, then you'd damn well better squeeze that trigger right now. Go on. What are you waiting for? Or you can make a choice. Put your past behind you. Put the gun down, and help me, because I'm telling you, I'm gonna make a difference in this fleet.
:'''Lampkin:''' Is that your final word?
:'''Adama:''' That's up to you.
:'''Lampkin:''' Then swear it. (the next scene shows Adama being sworn in as president)

== Guest Stars ==
* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as Lieutenant [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Kate Vernon]] as [[Virtual Ellen]]
* [[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson |Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
* [[Colin Lawrence]] as Lieutenant [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
* [[Alexandra Thomas]] as [[Hera Agathon]]
* [[Donna Soares]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gemenon Delegate|Gemenon Delegate]]
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Picon Delegate|Picon Delegate]]
* [[Iris Paluly]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #2|Speaking Delegate #2]]
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Veena Sood]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #3|Quorum Delegate]]
* [[Laara Sadiq]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Priestess|Priestess]]

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Taylor]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Sine Qua Non/Archive 1

2008-05-30T11:18:46Z

Philwelch: /* Lance the Cat is not dead */

{{newsection link}}

== No promo pics ==

As far as I can tell, no promo pics for this episode were released?? -- [[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 20:37, 15 May 2008 (UTC)
: I suspect that there's a reason for this... and it may relate {{spoilli|to Mary McDonnell}}. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 02:56, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

== Promo spoilers ==

{{spoilli|Romo Lampkin appears towards the end of the trailer; could this be the returning "favourite character"?}} (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dbjPNG_9Xo) --[[User:Kosh|Kosh]] 04:06, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

== Lock? ==

Considering on this side of the Atlantic we get the episode 3 days before the US does, what is the procedure going to be for locking this article (and the rest of 4.0)? [[User:OTW|OTW]] 21:12, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
:Lock it a day before the UK airing I guess. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 21:13, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
::And keep it locked for 4 days? That would be a very long time to have an article locked. [[User:OTW|OTW]] 22:41, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
:::Mhh, yeah, that is a problem. We could unlock it until the US airing and then lock it again. So there are 2-3 days to edit it. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 22:47, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

I feel that it'll be determined on a case-by-case basis... If the article is sufficiently developed by Friday, we may just leave it unlocked and see how the server copes. If not, then we lock on Friday and Saturday (till noon-ish). Sound good? -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 20:02, 24 May 2008 (UTC)
: I don't see any real need to lock this article on Friday, since it's pretty fleshed out. If it becomes a performance issue, then, we'll lock it. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 05:15, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

== Surviour Count ==

How are we qualifiying the count as going up?

Caprica Six has an unborn baby, which is obviously debatable in terms of counting as a surviour because the baby's parents are both Cylons and it isn't even born, but I digress as that isn't my point.

Either way, a Raptor poliot has been ''confirmed'' dead and a Viper pilot has been persumed dead, which at worst cancels the unborn baby in terms of surviours.
--[[User:Syferus|Syferus]] 19:33, 28 May 2008 (UTC)
:Children are born within the Fleet. There are a couple of cases where the count just goes up or deaths are offset. In fact it probably doesn't happen often enough. -- [[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 19:48, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

== Lance the Cat is not dead ==

When Romo discovers Lee Adama is the only candidate for the President he is talking to his cat, Lance. He leaves to go confront Lee and he says to the cat, "Lance, defense rests. Come on." In the next scene he claiming Lance was dead for weeks.

If this is true it fits Romo's pattern of manipulation. He used the same pattern during the trial of Balter (the use of the cane). The best explanation is that Romo is using the cat to manipulate Lee.

: The cat is dead, Jim. Lee sees the body of it in the duffel bag. Also, there are several indicators to all of this in the episode; the fact that no one else but Romo sees the pet, Lee almost tripping over an overturned, empty dish... not to mention Lampkin's general depression and ennui. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 03:43, 30 May 2008 (UTC)
: This confused me too, but go back and look at those scenes. One of the first scenes, the cat is sitting next to Romo on the bed, and it when it cuts away from Romo the cat is gone. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 11:18, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

== Fundamental difference? ==
There is another possible explanation for Caprica-Six's pregnancy, maybe the [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThePowerOfLove love theory] is correct, perhaps Cylon have some sort of biological failsafe to prevent them from breeding in the wrong circumstances. -- [[User:Gordon Ecker|Gordon Ecker]] 02:57, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

== Incorrect quote ==
In re "Lampkin: Quandary is, one doesn't generally get the chance to wield political power without the ambition to actively seek it. That same ambition often compromises the unselfish motives that began the quest. In other words, in a battle of it versus ego, that ego rarely wins."

I'm pretty sure it was "ID versus ego." That's how I heard it and it makes alot more sense. Lampkin was talking about repressed desiers ( ID ) beating out our unselfish motives (ego). I didn't record the show, however, so someone who can check may want to edit this. {{unsigned|Glaucon}}

: Agreed. It's "id vs. ego". -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [[bsp:|Battlestar Pegasus]]</sup> 05:14, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

Sine Qua Non

2008-05-30T11:15:29Z

Philwelch: /* Questions */ hehe, "how did" presumes too much ;)

{{Episode Data
| image=410 Adama and his raptor.jpg
| title=Sine Qua Non
| season= 4
| episode=8
| forumthread= 1199
| movie=
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Rod Hardy]]
| production=410
| rating=
| US airdate=30 May 2008
| CAN airdate=30 May 2008
| UK airdate=27 May 2008
| dvd=
| oldpopulation=39673
| population=39674
| prev=[[Guess What's Coming to Dinner?]]
| next= [[The Hub]]
}}

== Overview ==
:''President [[Laura Roslin]]'s abduction by the Cylon [[Hybrid]] triggers a bitter power struggle within the Fleet. The [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] has little information and demands to know what happened, while [[Tom Zarek]] insists that he is to be declared interim president. [[Lee Adama]] opposes him and enlists the help of notorious lawyer [[Romo Lampkin]] to find a candidate for the post, leading to a surprising decision. Meanwhile, Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] and Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] come to blows over Tigh's relationship with [[Caprica-Six]] and Adama's obsession to find Roslin.''

== Summary ==
=== Teaser ===
*With President [[Laura Roslin]] missing, a meeting is held by the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]], who informs them that the rebel [[basestar (RDM)|basestar]] jumped with Roslin and [[Gaius Baltar]]—and many of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> pilots—also notes that [[Natalie]] was shot by "one of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> [[Marines]]"; he fuels the assumption that the basestar's sudden jump and abduction is related to Natalie's death. Zarek tells the delegates that with Roslin missing, he is to be sworn in as interim President.
*Upon hearing the news, [[Lee Adama]] contacts his [[William Adama|father]], who doesn't take it well.
*[[Natalie]], who has [[Guess What's Coming To Dinner?|just been shot]] by [[Sharon Agathon]], is taken to the [[sickbay|infirmary]]. She starts to have a vision or [[projection]] that she is in a forest on a sunny day. In real life, she only focuses on the faces of those who are taking her to the infirmary.
*Dr. [[Cottle]] immediately starts to operate on her. When she tries to make physical contact, likely sensing that she is about to die, Cottle takes her hand. However, just as they operate, her image of the forest brightens to a bright flash. The second this happens, her heart monitor flat lines, and Cottle announces her death.
*Admiral Adama sees Sharon Agathon and is angered by her decision to kill an unarmed woman, even if she was a [[Cylon (RDM)|Cylon]]. Agathon starts to explain her dream about a [[Number Six|Six]] taking away her [[Hera Agathon|child]] at the [[Opera House]]. Eventually, Adama orders a guard to take her away to the [[brig]] and refuses her access to her daughter.
* When the topic of Adama's support of a Tom Zarek administration is raised, [[Jacob Cantrell]] pointedly asks Lee Adama whether Admiral Adama would support Zarek or the government. Delegate Adama replies in the negative, raising ire and outrage.

=== Act 1 ===

[[Image:410 room with a view.jpg|thumb|[[Romo Lampkin]] and [[Lee Adama]] haggle over the price of searching for an interim president.]]
*When Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] returns to the [[CIC]], he hears that the [[Resurrection Hub]] has disappeared from its last known location, further the rebel baseship is not their either. Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] to continue looking for the hub, since that's the only place the rebels can head given their objective: to [[Boxing|unbox]] the [[Number Three|Threes]].
* Tigh reports that [[Kara Thrace|Thrace]] (apparently [[CAG]], given her seniority) is having problems assembling a sufficient [[CAP]] to protect the Fleet; there are only 30 [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]]s left. As a result, Adama agrees with Thrace's recommendation (told via Tigh) of having the ships tighten their formation for easier defense, despite the inherent hazards posed by inexperienced civilian pilots.
* President [[Tom Zarek|Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] have a meeting, where Lee recommends that Zarek step down as president. Despite Zarek's vocal disbelief over this—correctly noting that he is the only public official in the executive branch to have been voted into office legally, a claim [[Laura Roslin]] is unable to make—Lee suggests enacting a Quorum provision that allows the Quorum to pick an interim president during a time of crisis to serve out the remainder of Roslin's term. Zarek reluctantly concedes after Lee points out that Admiral Adama will never recognize Zarek, and they need someone who Adama will recognize. Zarek gruffly wishes Lee luck in his search for an interim president.
* In a [[Talk Wireless]] interview conducted by [[James McManus]]<ref>The assumption is that the "Jim" Tom Zarek is speaking to is McManus, given his coverage of government affairs.</ref>, Zarek indicates that the government post-[[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Fall]] is not a true government, but a "tacit agreement between a military strong-man [Adama] and a political strong-woman [Roslin] to rule by fiat". Zarek also notes the creation of a civilian force to maintain order, noting that the government should not rely on the [[Marines]] due to the last political upheaval.
* Lee Adama visits [[Romo Lampkin]], asking for Lampkin's help in searching for potential presidential candidates. Despite his initial refusals, Lampkin accepts to work ''pro bono'' in search of a replacement with the right skills and abilities that meets with the approval of both the Quorum (who won't act, since Zarek has them "inhaling fear and exhaling anger") and Admiral Adama. Lampkin offers one more piece of advice, telling him that it's better to accept what they already have.

=== Act 2 ===

[[Image:410 Pike's corpsesicle.jpg|thumb|[[Eammon Pike]]'s body floating in the damaged [[Raptor]].]]

* In [[CIC]], Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]], noting that he has a rapport with [[Caprica-Six]], asks Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] to interrogate her about the [[Resurrection Hub]]. Before he leaves, he tells Adama that they'll find [[Roslin]] and the missing humans.
* In the brig, Tigh questions Six about the Hub. After telling him what she knows about the Hub, Tigh believes that she's lying; she assures him that she'd never lie to him. Tigh slips, telling her that the rebels took off with half an air wing and Roslin. Six ferrets out the fact that Admiral Adama's primary concern is for Roslin. Six, who then appears to Tigh in the form of [[Ellen Tigh|his dead wife]], asks if Tigh loves her. Before he can answer, [[Condition One]] is called. He grabs her neck and tells her that her mind games with him end at that moment, and he leaves.
* Tigh reports to CIC, learning that one of their missing [[Raptor]]s from the rebel baseship has jumped to the Fleet. A Raptor crewed by [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]] are en route to intercept the craft, which has not returned hails and does not appear to be emanating anything radiological.
* Edmondson performs a spacewalk, discovering that the Raptor was jumped by its lone, now-dead occupant, Lt. [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]], whose carcass floats in the back compartment.
* After retrieving the Raptor, Adama investigates the Raptor himself, discovering the copy of ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' he gave to Roslin in burnt condition, identifying it as the craft she took over to baseship before it jumped. Tigh joins him, noting that [[Peter Laird|Laird]] retrieved [[Sector Delta 9|the coordinates]] that the Raptor jumped from; Adama orders a search to that location, ignoring Zarek's request for a briefing.
* In the Quorum meeting room on ''Colonial One'', Lampkin discusses how one achieves and wields power with Lee Adama. During this conversation, Lampkin and Lee see ''Galactica'' jump away. Lee is concerned over the abruptness of ''Galactica''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> departure.
* A search party consisting of Raptors comes across a debris field, consisting of Cylon debris and damaged Vipers, one of them [[Sandman]]'s. Tigh informs Adama that the debris consist of a Cylon baseship and fragments indicative of resurrection technology; Adama refuses to believe that the baseship that's destroyed was the rebels'.
* Adama presses on with the search, until Tigh points out that the Fleet is left behind with "their asses hanging out in the wind". Adama revises his orders to include only four Raptors to stay behind to search until they "find something concrete".
* ''Galactica'' jumps back to the Fleet. Zarek notifies the Quorum of Adama's decision to reroute all [[tylium]] supplies to fueling the search efforts, along with requisitioning several civilian ships to aid in this endeavor. The delegates are furious over being bypassed.
* Back in Lampkin's "room with a view", Lee and lampkin go over the list of candidates, among them [[Doyle Franks]] who has no aspirations for political office. As they brainstorm, Lee nearly trips over an overturned bowl, resulting in his quip of "do you ever feed that [[Lance|animal]]?" and inquires about the cat's whereabouts. From Lampkin's perspective, he sees Lance run around a swivel chair. Lampkin later begins to throw in the towel, erasing the names on the whiteboard, much to Lee's consternation.
* In [[sickbay]], Adama consults Doctor [[Cottle]] about how Roslin's sudden disapearance will affect her [[diloxin]] treatments. Cottle stresses that, with her weakened immune system and her cancer's ability to regroup, the sooner she's found, the better. He also provides Adama with a medical report on [[Caprica Six]]: she's pregnant.
* In Adama's quarters, Tigh reports to Adama about the Raptors lack of success in finding anything about the whereabouts of their missing people. Adama replies that he's not interested in the search, confronting Tigh about impregnating the Six and putting the Fleet at risk over his weaknesses. After Tigh broaches the topic of Adama's reckless search for Roslin, Adama brings up the question of what [[Ellen Tigh]] would say about Tigh impregnating a Cylon, which resorts in a brawl. After Tigh's ass cracks the [[H.M.S. Glutton o' Punishment|model ship]], the fight stops and they both ask each other what they'll do about their feelings for their respective women.

=== Act 3 ===

[[Image:410 Lampkin and pepperbox.jpg|thumb|Lampkin holds Lee Adama at gunpoint.]]

* Adama faces down the gun-wielding Lampkin, who explains that Adama's the perfect candidate for president and thus should die. However, Lampkin says that hope is the last thing they need; he says that humanity is a doomed race and should accept its fate. Lampkin kicks over the duffel bag, which has Lampkin's rationale for his actions. Adama opens it, discovering [[Lance]], who had been dead for weeks. Lampkin explains that "those debased dregs of humanity" killed Lance, and are looking for a place to "roost and ''rot'' again". Lampkin explains that the cat is immaterial, but it is the last physical connection he had with his [[Faye Lampkin|wife]]. Adama assures Lampkin that everyone that survived had to make difficult choices: there was nothing he could have done for his wife and two daughters (Jennifer and Kate), noting that only a handful of people elected to stay behind on [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]] who were on Lampkin's shuttle during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|attack]].
* Adama talks down Lampkin in a speech about having to make choices about their own survival at the cost of other people's lives, urging him to put the past behind him and move on. Adama believes that he can make a difference in the Fleet; Lampkin asks him if that's his final word, then asks him to swear by it.
* Leland Joseph Adama is sworn in as interim president in a ceremony on ''[[Colonial One]]'', attended by Admiral Adama, [[Tory Foster]], and [[Tom Zarek]], in addition to the [[Fleet News Service|press corps]]. Lampkin listens to the ceremony on the wireless in his quarters.
* Admiral Adama informs Colonel Tigh that he's stepping down as military leader of the Fleet, promoting Tigh to admiral, as Tigh's the only person he can trust to command ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''. Tigh scoffs this, reminding Adama of the [[Resistance (episode)|last time]] he commanded the Fleet; Adama notes that Tigh is a different man who found out a lot about himself since that time. Adama tells Tigh to bring the people to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. As his last order, Adama tells Tigh to give custody of [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] to the in-hack [[Sharon Agathon]], expressing a need for everyone to have a family.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:410 Adama sees the Fleet off.jpg|thumb|William Adama watches the Fleet [[FTL|jump]] away.]]

* On ''Colonial One'', President [[Lee Adama|Adama]] makes notes on [[:Image:410 IT upgrade press release.jpg|a press release]] relating to an information and technical services upgrade, which he gives to [[Tory Foster]] to correct. [[Romo Lampkin]] arrives, comically commenting that Adama already has a [[Jake (New Caprica)|first pet]]. Lampkin is told of Jake's exploits on [[New Caprica]] and Adama gives the dog to Lampkin—who hates dogs more than cats—as a "new pet to loathe".
* President Adama visits his father, who is packing things in his [[Officer's quarters|quarters]]. Adama doesn't agree with Lee's thinking on retaining [[Tom Zarek]] as vice president; Lee replies that he doesn't agree with his father's thinking on his one-man mission to find [[Laura Roslin]]. Adama recalls a "good memory" of his first mission in enemy space during the [[Cylon War]], then, when pressed, admits that the reason he undertakes his current mission is because he cannot live without Roslin. He has faith that Roslin will get to the rendezvous point.
* A [[flight suit|suited]] William Adama makes it to his Raptor in the [[hangar deck]]; he is seen off by his son and [[Kara Thrace]], the latter exchanging a [[Nothing but the rain|well-worn, friendly exchange]] before he boards the Raptor. Adama asks for them to keep the light on for him, to which they reply in the affirmative.
* Per Adama's final order, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is reunited with [[Sharon Agathon|her mother]] in the brig; Agathon hums a lullaby to her daughter.
* Adama launches from ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' as Admiral Tigh orders the Fleet to jump. After Adama watches all the ships [[FTL|jump]] away, he sits in his Raptor and reads the singed copy of ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' as he awaits Roslin's return.

== Notes ==

* ''[[w:Sine qua non|Sine qua non]]'' is a Latin phrase meaning "without which not"; usually appended to mean "without which it could not be". It is famously used by [[w:Andrew Jackson|Andrew Jackson]], who says the following after receiving an honorary degree from [[w:Harvard|Harvard]]: "[[w:E pluribus unum|E pluribus unum]], my friends. Sine qua non."
* The pistol Lampkin uses to threaten Adama is a [[Stallion]]. The model previously appeared prominently in "[[Home, Part II]]".
* The episode features the first explicit mention of [[Gravity in the Re-imagined Series|artificial gravity]] in dialogue.
* The book ''[[Searider Falcon]]'' makes another appearance. Adama finds it in the derelict Raptor, somewhat singed.
* The lullaby [[Sharon Agathon]] hums to [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is the same one hummed by [[Sharon Valerii]] to a captured [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]] in "[[Flesh and Bone]]".
* The infamous number, [[47]], appears in this episode as well: [[Romo Lampkin]] tells [[Lee Adama]] that they went through 47 candidates for interim president when confronting him on ''[[Colonial One]]''.
* While [[Tom Zarek]] claims that the government of the "past five years", it has only been about three and a half years since [[Laura Roslin]] and [[William Adama]] have risen to power.
* It can be inferred that [[James McManus]] is talking to Tom Zarek during the [[wireless]] interview, given that Zarek calls the interviewer "Jim".
* William Adama's comment about how often he had to repair his [[H.M.S. Glutton o' Punishment|model ship]] is a reference to the end of "[[Maelstrom]]", as well as a possible inside-joke about the fact that [[Edward James Olmos]] smashed the very expensive prop in an ad-lib during the shooting of that episode.

== Analysis ==

===General===
*Most civilians appear to have assumed that the basestar's disappearance was a deliberate act of kidnapping, possibly in retaliation for Natalie's shooting. It is as yet unclear if the [[Hybrid|Hybrid's]] jump at the end of the [[Faith|previous episode]] was an automatic response by the Hybrid, perhaps as a safety mechanism that returns an ostensibly critically damaged [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] to the resurrection hub, or if this Hybrid was specially programmed to jump immediately upon reactivation, perhaps by the [[Number Two]] who urged [[Natalie]] to stall the Colonials in the previous episode, in order to effect a kidnapping.
* The apparition of a loved one dredged up by a survivor—this time [[Lance]], the only remaining physical connection to [[Romo Lampkin]]'s wife, [[Faye Lampkin|Faye]]—is reminiscent of not only Adama's apparition of [[Carolanne Adama|his ex-wife]] in "[[A Day in the Life]]", but of Saul Tigh's apparition of [[Ellen Tigh]] during the fourth season, in which they cling to some memory of their wives.
* Despite the fact that ''[[Galactica]]'' has left the Fleet before to engage combat, this episode marks the first time that the [[The Fleet (RDM)|civilian Fleet]] is intentionally left without any defense. The only other time the Fleet was left without military aid was after [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer's]] assassination attempt of William Adama, when ''Galactica'' accidentally jumped to different coordinates than the rest of the Fleet ([[Scattered]]).

===Characters===
* [[William Adama]]'s actions in the search for [[Laura Roslin]], namely the unreasonable allocation of resources and putting the Fleet at unnecessary risk, are precisely the same actions he executed when searching for [[Kara Thrace]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]". Similarly, it is Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] who helps bring the end to Adama's irrational actions, this time without Roslin's help and more violently.
* Odd as it seems, [[Romo Lampkin]]'s erratic behavior towards Lee Adama is not wholly uncontrolled. Throughout the encounter, Lampkin forces Adama to defend his willingness to make tough decisions, his courage, and his optimism. He uses his personal tragedies to full effect, confronting Adama with the dead cat just as he used the memory of his love for Faye to manipulate Caprica-Six. He tacitly admits his plan towards the end, in his response to Adama's determination to make a positive difference: "Is that your last word?....Then swear it." While there is still a streak of craziness in Lampkin's actions that goes beyond his usual eccentricities, this behavior is in line with his previous manipulations of people (e.g., through his kleptomania), including Lee Adama.
* Tigh mentions that [[Peter Laird]] - the former ''Pegasus'' deck chief - retrieved the navigational data from [[Eammon Pike|Pike]]'s Raptor, possibly indicating that Laird replaced [[Galen Tyrol]] after his demotion in "[[Escape Velocity]]".

=== Cylons ===
* The child of [[Caprica-Six]] and Tigh will be the first full-Cylon child, should it come to full term.
* The ability of Tigh to impregnate Six perhaps indicates a fundamental difference between the [[Final Five]] and [[Significant Seven]], as Significant Seven Cylons have been thus far unable to conceive with one another. That Tigh often sees Caprica-Six not as herself but as his [[Ellen Tigh|deceased wife]] could very well be a determinative factor. If this proves to be the case, then the conclusion is that Tigh learned how to love, as per the Cylon's theory regarding their biological reproductive limitations.<ref>[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]</ref>

== Questions ==
* Is there any significance to [[Natalie]]'s dying visions? If so, what?
* What exactly happened to the rebel baseship and the [[Resurrection Hub]]? Did the rebels and Colonials escape if their baseship was destroyed?
* How will the Fleet react to an [[Lee Adama|Adama]] as President?
* Will [[Caprica-Six]]'s child remain a secret?
** Will she be allowed/able to give birth to what would be the first fully Cylon child?
** If so, what will happen to the child? Will [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] take on fatherly responsibilities?
*How will [[Gaius Baltar]] react to Caprica-Six and Saul Tigh's child?
* How will the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] and the Fleet respond to Tigh's being left in charge of ''Galactica'' and the military?
* Who will be Tigh's [[XO]]?
* Will Adama manage to find [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] by waiting out in deep space?
* Has [[Kara Thrace]] been re-accepted by her comrades?
* Did someone really kill [[Lance]], or did the cat die of natural causes or possibly neglect?
* Were the damaged Vipers from [[Sector Delta 9]] retrieved for salvage?

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Michael Taylor]] discusses his spoiler-free impressions of a scene:''
: I was in the editing room, watching one of our talented editors assemble a rough cut of a single scene. Not a huge scene, just a relatively brief but quietly powerful scene between [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] (you’ll see it in Episode 8, “Sine Qua Non”). What struck me is that while the dialogue was relatively simple, these two actors brought so much to it that the smallest looks and gestures carried immense weight. It made me realize anew how, after four seasons, these characters have accumulated so much history and nuance. As embodied by actors like [[Edward James Olmos|Edward J. Olmos]] and [[Michael Hogan]], they are wrenchingly human. Less characters than people I have now spent years with, and who still surprise me.<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|format=|language=}}</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[William Adama]] confronts [[Saul Tigh]] about [[Caprica-Six]]'s pregnancy:''
: '''William Adama:''' I know that you've been spending a lotta time interrogating the Six, but now the brig guards tell me that every time you order them out, you turn off the cameras.
: '''Saul Tigh:''' I'm not torturing her, if that's what you're worried about.
: '''Adama:''' I'm not. That I could almost understand. This I can't. [[Cottle]] tells me she's pregnant. What the frak have you been thinking, colonel? ''Do you deny it...? You don't... '''You can't.''''' What the hell have you been thinking? Who's interrogating whom? How many of our secrets have you told this thing?
: '''Tigh:''' ''How can you even ask me that?'' Question my loyalty?
: '''Adama:''' Your loyalty? I need more than your loyalty. You're my first officer, I need judgment. I need your ''competence''. You're jeopardizing this ship, putting it at risk because of your weaknesses.
: '''Tigh:''' ''My'' weaknesses?
: '''Adama:''' Yeah, your weaknesses!
: '''Tigh:''' You're risking all our lives—for what? Our missing pilots? ''No—for a frakking woman! '''A frakking woman!'''''
: '''Adama:''' ''You watch what you frakkin' say about that woman! She's the president! Not some frakkin' skinjob that I've been banging!'' What do you think [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] would say about this?
: '''Tigh:''' Leave Ellen out of this.
: '''Adama:''' What do you think Ellen would say about her husband impregnating a frakkin' Cylon prisoner?
: '''Tigh:''' '''You ''motherfrakker''!''' (violence ensues)

*''Admiral Adama chews out [[Sharon Agathon]] for murdering [[Natalie]]:''
:'''Adama:''' You murdered an unarmed woman, and by doing so you put the lives of every single person in this fleet at risk; and quite possibly cost the lives of the [[Laura Roslin|president]] and [[Karl Agathon|your husband]]. You disobeyed the direct orders of your superior officers, but more importantly, you betrayed a promise to me. I [[Precipice#Noteworthy Dialogue|trusted you]].
:'''Agathon:''' Sir, I will accept any form of punishment that you think I deserve. I just ask that you please don't take away [[Hera Agathon|Hera]].
:'''Adama:''' I'm afraid the [[brig]] is no place for a little girl. ''Guards!'' Get her out of my sight!

*''[[Romo Lampkin]] to [[Lee Adama]]:''
:"Lampkin's First Rule of Legal Dynamics: When an irresistible force meets a movable object, stand aside and wait for the class action suit."

*''More Lampkin:''
:'''Lampkin:''' So you can't be dissuaded, will you? Not even when you hear my fee?
:'''Lee Adama:''' Fee?
:'''Lampkin:''' Appearances to the contrary, I'm actually in this for the money. I have a reputation to maintain after all.
:'''Adama:''' OK, so what did Roslin offer you to defend Baltar?
:'''Lampkin:''' (pointing at a small window in the bulkhead) Room with a view.
:'''Adama:''' I'm not sure I can improve on that.
:'''Lampkin:''' Then pro bono it is, counselor. Word to the wise: sometimes it's better to settle for what you've already got.

*''Lampkin about political power and Lee Adama:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Quandary is, one doesn't generally get the chance to wield political power without the ambition to actively seek it. That same ambition often compromises the unselfish motives that began the quest. In other words, in a battle of id versus ego, that ego rarely wins.
:'''Adama:''' Roslin never sought power.
:'''Lampkin:''' Exception that proves the rule. One could argue that Laura Roslin is a study in ''repressed'' ambition, just like you, Mr. Adama. Never seeking out a job until it's handed to you. [[CAG|Flight leader]], [[Pegasus (RDM)|battlestar]] commander, [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] delegate. Man doesn't carve out a path like that through life without...
:'''Adama:''' Alright, enough of the psychoanalysis. Let's get back to the job at hand.

*''Lampkin and Admiral Adama on the hangar deck, watching the deck crew and pilots at work:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Writs of forfeiture. The captains want to be absolved of any blame should anything untoward happen. One of the less ennobling consequences of a legal culture. No one wants responsibility. (hands him a pen to sign) Lee said you [[The Hand of God (RDM)|once]] gave ''him'' something before a mission. A lighter, wasn't it?
:'''Adama''' It belonged to my [[Joseph Adama|father]]. Foolish to think a hunk of metal can keep him safe.
:'''Lampkin:''' And yet, that's what we do, isn't it? Hang on to hope in every hopelessly irrational way that we can. (watches the crew wishing each other luck) But not like ''those'' poor bastards. Giving away their luck just when they need it most. It's like they've given up.
:'''Adama:''' If you've never been in combat, you have ''no'' idea what they're thinking.
:'''Lampking:''' I've always imagined you were a realist, Admiral, not one to indulge a vain hope at the cost of lives. But then, everyone has his limits. "Sine qua non", as they say.
:'''Adama:''' Without which not.
:'''Lampkin:''' Yes. Those things we deem essential, without which we cannot bear living. Without which life in general loses its specific value, becomes abstract.
:'''Adama:''' You may have a point, counselor.
:'''Lampkin:''' And while I'm on a roll: [[Tom Zarek]] may not be an ideal president, but we could do worse.
:'''Adama:''' You're right. There are limits to my realism. Goodbye counselor.

*''Lampkin confronts Lee Adama after naming him the candidate for interim president:''
:'''Lampkin:''' Savor your victory Mr. Adama, because you'll never get the chance to serve (pulls out a gun and points it at Adama).
:'''Adama:''' What are you doing?
:'''Lampkin:''' Why? Because you're perfect for the job of course. Because after the vicious separation that was Baltar's presidency and the ''bitter'' disappointment that was Roslin's, you ''are'' a shining beacon of hope. Only hope is the last thing we need. We're a doomed race. It's time that we made our peace with that essential truth.
:'''Adama:''' Romo, what the hell are you talking...?
:'''Lampkin:''' Why? You want to know why? (drops his duffel bag and kicks it over to Adama) '''Open it!'''
:'''Adama:''' (Adama does so and finds [[Lance]]'s corpse inside) Eww. Frak.
:'''Lampkin:''' That's right. They killed my cat!
:'''Adama:''' They?
:'''Lampkin:''' They! Those debased dregs of humanity out there! Lost a tribe in search of a new home, so they can roost and rot ''again''!
:'''Adama:''' How long has the cat been dead?
:'''Lampkin:''' "''How long?''" It's irrelevant! It's immaterial! It wasn't even ''my'' cat!
:'''Adama:''' Romo, it's been dead for weeks.
:'''Lampkin:''' It belonged to my [[Faye Lampkin|wife]]. I just retrieved him from a vet on Gemenon when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|bombs started to fall]] and fate presented me with a choice. I could get back on that shuttle, or...I could run home, try to save my family. How do you think I chose?
:'''Adama:''' Romo, we all had to make difficult choices. You don't think I know? Your wife's name was Faye. You had two daughters. Jennifer and Kate. There were over two hundred passengers on that shuttle! Only a handful chose to stay behind. (Lampkin stares at him questioning) Yeah, that's right. It was in your file when you were handed the job as Baltar's counsel. And no one blamed you Romo, because at a certain point, we all made decisions that saved ''our'' lives at the cost of others. You think you're unique, Romo? Think your sins are so special?
:'''Lampkin:''' Is that how it goes? You're gonna rest your entire case on that ''pathetic'' little bit of insight?
:'''Adama:''' No. Unless, the clean start, the fresh slate, maybe they're illusions like you said. But at a certain point, faith in ourselves, in our right to survive as a species, as a people...it's not a given, it's a choice. Well, I made mine. And if you can't stomach that, then you'd damn well better squeeze that trigger right now. Go on. What are you waiting for? Or you can make a choice. Put your past behind you. Put the gun down, and help me, because I'm telling you, I'm gonna make a difference in this fleet.
:'''Lampkin:''' Is that your final word?
:'''Adama:''' That's up to you.
:'''Lampkin:''' Then swear it. (the next scene shows Adama being sworn in as president)

== Guest Stars ==
* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Kandyse McClure]] as Lieutenant [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Kate Vernon]] as [[Virtual Ellen]]
* [[Mark Sheppard]] as [[Romo Lampkin]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson |Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]]
* [[Colin Lawrence]] as Lieutenant [[Hamish McCall|Hamish "Skulls" McCall]]
* [[Alexandra Thomas]] as [[Hera Agathon]]
* [[Donna Soares]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Gemenon Delegate|Gemenon Delegate]]
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Picon Delegate|Picon Delegate]]
* [[Iris Paluly]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #2|Speaking Delegate #2]]
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Veena Sood]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Speaking Delegate #3|Quorum Delegate]]
* [[Laara Sadiq]] as [[Unnamed civilians in the Fleet (RDM)#Priestess|Priestess]]

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:Episodes directed by Rod Hardy]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Michael Taylor]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Sine Qua Non

2008-05-29T06:24:42Z

Philwelch: /* Analysis */

The Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game

2008-04-20T15:25:49Z

Philwelch: /* ...someone kills a baby or threatens to do so. */

{{sillypage}}

''This page relates to heavy drinking (both of characters and wiki contributors) as a result of gaffes from the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]].<br />
''For a drinking game related to the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], see External links below.''<br />
''Finally, for information that will improve gnashing of your teeth or suicidal tendencies, please watch "[[Galactica 1980]]."''<br/><br/>

[[Image:Tighsdrinking.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bottoms up, Colonel.]]

Other TV shows have had [[Wikipedia:Drinking game|drinking games]] adapted from the venerable "Hi, Bob!" game, among others. The new "[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]" series has sadly failed to stop ''Battlestar Wiki's'' contributors from doing the same after noticing repeated plot points, parallels to current events, characterizations, and other silliness.

You might consider creating your own ''Cylon Shooters'' for use in the game by [[Cylon Shooter|following the recipe]] given by actors [[Grace Park]] and [[Tahmoh Penikett]].

<div style="clear: both;"></div>

=='''''Take a drink every time...'''''==

===Someone talks to an "imaginary friend"...===
* [[Gaius Baltar]], in almost every episode with the [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|virtual Number Six]], and lately with his [[Virtual Baltar#Gaius Baltar's Virtual Baltar|virtual doppelgänger]].
* [[Caprica-Six]], with her virtual ''Gaius Baltar'' ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]")
* [[Lee Adama]], with his lost fiancee, [[Gianne]] ([[Black Market]])
* [[Laura Roslin]] to [[Leoben Conoy]] and snakes ("[[Flesh and Bone]]","[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]")
* [[Number Three]] to the [[Final Five]] ([[Hero]], [[Rapture]])
* [[William Adama]] to his late wife, [[Carolanne Adama]] ([[A Day In The Life]])
* [[Dodona Selloi]] to the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|The Lords of Kobol]] and [[God (RDM)|God]] ([[Exodus, Part I]])
* [[Kara Thrace]] to [[Socrata Thrace|her mother]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] ([[Maelstrom]])

=== ...Colonel Saul Tigh... ===
[[Image:Saulellen.jpg|thumb|right|"Consumption of [certain] beverages...may cause health problems."]]
*...drinks alcohol ([[Miniseries]], "[[Fragged]]", "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", etc.).
*...resolves to quit drinking.
*...is drunk on duty ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Fragged]]").
*...questions Adama's orders.
*...complains about not wanting his own command ([[Scattered]]).
*...berates someone else for a flaw he has as well ([[Miniseries]]).
*...states or asks the obvious for purposes of exposition ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).
*...orders someone report "to the brig" ([[Miniseries]], ''others'').
*...asks about shooting people for throwing coffee ([[Resistance_(episode)|Resistance]])
*...gives a remarkably stupid order to the crew.
*''Take a bonus drink if...''
**...a loss of life is involved ("[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", "[[Exodus, Part II]]").
**...a beloved character needlessly suffers for it ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).
**...[[Lee Adama]] is involved with the order ([[Fragged]]).
**...the Fleet tells him, collectively, to [[frak]] off ([[Fragged]]).
**...Commander Adama has to repair Tigh's frak-ups.
**...Tigh undermines his own reputation as a result ([[Miniseries]], "[[Fragged]]", "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]").

=== ...Ellen Tigh... ===
*...makes sexual advances on someone other than Colonel Tigh ("[[Colonial Day]]", "[[Sacrifice]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]").
*...brokers for power ([[Colonial Day]]).
*...manipulates Colonel Tigh ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).
*...fraks someone other than Colonel Tigh ("[[Occupation]]")

=== ...Kara Thrace... ===
*...demonstrates yet another talent.
**Card Shark: "And the girl wins again! Another round?" ([[Water]])
**Sniper: "With all due respect, sir, I am the best shot in or out of the cockpit." ([[Bastille Day]])
**Painter: "You paint these, Kara? / Yeah." ([[Valley of Darkness]])
**Pro-level Pyramid Player: "I was scouted for the pros. Bum knee took me out of contention." ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
**Poetry Buff: "You wouldn't know Caprican Poetry if it was hot-sidded across your helmet." / "'From the darkness you must fall - Failed and weak, to darkness all.' -[[Kataris]], not one of his better works" ([[Final Cut]])
**Clairvoyant: "WE'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!" ("[[He That Believeth In Me]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*...steps out of the box to...
**...mate two Vipers nose-to-nose in combat ([[Miniseries]]).
**...jury-rig an enemy fighter ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]).
**...uses an improvised weapon to kill or maim a Cylon ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[The Farm]]", "[[Occupation]]").
**...outwit the Cylons via a clever plan of attack ("[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]").
***''Take a bonus drink if this is because she knows the Cylons would never overlook such an obvious blind spot'' ("[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]").
*...drinks as heavily as Col. Tigh ("[[Scar]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]").
*...assaults someone who outranks her ([[Miniseries]], "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]").
*...is mistaken for a Cylon and nearly killed because of it ("[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", "[[Home, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]", "[[Crossroads, Part II]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*...hops into bed on a barely-considered whim...
**...with Gaius Baltar ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])
**...with Samuel Anders ("[[The Farm]]", "[[The Ties That Bind]]")
**...with Lee Adama ([[Scar]])
**...with "Leoben Conoy" (in her mind) ([[Maelstrom]])
*...starts to unduly fawn over someone mere days after meeting them.
**Samuel Anders ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
**Admiral Cain ("[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II|Part II]]")
*...taunts someone (Just ''pick a frakking episode!'')

===...Lee Adama... ===
*...uses one of his dad's phrases ("Be careful out there", "roll the hard six")
*...completely oversteps his authority and/or commits mutiny
*...acts self-righteous or angsty towards his dad ([[Miniseries]], "[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]")
*...has a near-death experience.
**Nearly killed by [[Cylon Raiders]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").
**Almost left for dead ([[Miniseries]], "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]/[[Rapture]]").
**Almost killed by a criminal mob or elements thereof ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Home, Part II]]", "[[Black Market]]").
**Almost killed by [[Cylon Centurion]]s ("[[Valley of Darkness]]", "[[Home, Part I]]").
*...shows angst about anything...anything at all.

===...Kara Thrace and Lee Adama...===
*...stare at each other strangely for non-work-related reasons.
*...exchange blows
*...kiss
**''Take a bonus drink if they both kiss '''''and''''' exchange blows.''
*...[[frak]] ([[Unfinished Business]])

===...Bill Adama...===
*...uses his [[Adama Glare|Glare of Death]].
**''Bonus drink if Cottle deflects it with his own Scowl of Intense Disapproval'' ([[The Captain's Hand]]).
*...stomps down ''Galactica'''s hallways.
*...waxes philosophically.
*...brings up his [[Joseph Adama|lawyer father]].
*...says either "as of this moment" or "moments ago" ([[Miniseries]], "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Epiphanies]]")
*...expresses sympathy for the Cylons.
*...expresses an enthusiastic attitude toward killing Cylons.
**''Take a bonus drink if it is by trying kill a Cylon himself''
***''Finish the drink completely if he tries to kill the same Cylon he expressed sympathy for in a previous episode.''
*...agrees with, argues with, deposes, or kisses President Roslin.
*...appears on screen sporting a [[Adamastache|moustache]].
**''Take a bonus drink when you see him finally '''shave that frakking thing off!'''''
*...does something "captainly", like crushing walnuts in his hand or building a model ship.
*...uses military action to resolve a situation.
*...makes a reckless or stupid command decision.
**Counterattacking the Cylons ([[Miniseries]])
**Wasting half the fleet's [[tylium|fuel]] looking for Starbuck ([[You Can't Go Home Again]])
**Arresting President Roslin ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
**Sending Marines to rescue Helo and the Chief from ''Pegasus'' ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])
**Arranging for the assassination of Admiral Cain ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
**Jumping ''Galactica'' into the atmosphere of New Caprica ([[Exodus, Part II]])
**''Bonus drinks if a woman tries to reason with Adama.''
:*Roslin tells Adama, "The war is over, we lost", and "We need to start having babies" ([[Miniseries]])
:*Dualla tells Adama, "It's time to put the fleet back together" ([[Home, Part I]])
:*Roslin tells Adama, "[[Helena Cain|She]] is dangerous, and the only thing that you can do is hit her before she hits you," ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
:*Sharon tells Adama, "You said you never asked yourself why you deserve to survive." ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]])
::*''Finish your drink completely when, not if, Adama ultimately relents, echoing that woman's words to his officer(s).''
*...Rolls a "Hard Six"

=== ...Helo ... ===
*...fails to notice his robot girlfriend's glowing spine. ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*...fails to realize his inexplicably nauseous robot girlfriend is pregnant ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).
*...shoots his pregnant robot girlfriend ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
*...lets his pregnant robot girlfriend jack Starbuck's spaceship ([[Scattered]]).
*...is surprised that everyone wants to shoot or throw his pregnant robot girlfriend out an airlock ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]], [[Home, Part I]]).
*...fails to anticipate territory issues with his pregnant robot girlfriend's copy's former boyfriend ([[Home, Part II]]).
*...defends himself by starting with, "What..."
*...saves a Cylon from death or torture
**''Take a bonus drink if it's the entire Cylon race.'' ([[A Measure of Salvation]])
*...is seen in a gym, helping others get in shape
*...is passive-aggressively accosted by Colonel Tigh
*...is directly accosted by Colonel Tigh
*...is inexplicably promoted to positions far above his skill level
*...commits a treasonous act, only to be forgiven later
*...tries to keep up morale when everyone else is bickering

=== ...Chief Tyrol... ===
*...fails to notice his robot girlfriend's glowing spine. (off-screen)
*...fails to notice [[Crossroads, Part II|his own robotic glowing spine]]. (off-screen)
*...makes out with a lieutenant against regulations ([[Litmus]]).
*...lies about making out with his robot girlfriend ([[Litmus]]).
*...lies when he says he never loved his robot girlfriend.
*...tell the truth when he says he's not having an affair with his [[Tory Foster|robot "partner"]] ([[The Ties That Bind]]).
*...chews out a member of his crew who dare to show concern about his feelings about his robot girlfriend - or anything else, for that matter ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]").
*...hits Cally after waking from a suicidal nightmare ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).
*...is hit by Cally during her own suicidal episode ([[The Ties That Bind]]).
*...is proven to be an expert distiller ("[[Litmus]]", "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]", "[[Pegasus_(episode)|Pegasus]]").
*...glares at or curses Colonel Tigh.
**...''or anyone else for that matter'' ("If I scratched everyone who popped off at the chief the cooks could be flying the planes" - Lee Adama, "[[Final Cut]]")
* ...stumbles around in a religious trance instead of harvesting the algae so people can eat! ([[The Eye of Jupiter]])

=== ...Dr. Cottle disrespects authority... ===
*...disregards President Roslin's office ([[Act of Contrition]])
*...undermines Adama's authority ("[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", "[[The_Captain's_Hand|The Captain's Hand]]")
*...rebuffs a question from Col. Tigh with profanity ([[Fragged]])
*...ridicules Col. Tigh's command decisions ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
*...debates the notion of "do no harm" with [[Number Three]] ([[Precipice]])

===...Zarek makes a gambit for power...===
*...but loses.
**[[Colonial Day]]
**[[Home, Part I]]
**[[Home, Part II]]
*...and succeeds.
**[[Bastille Day]]
**[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]
**[[Collaborators]]
**[[The Ties That Bind]]

===...a copy of [[Number Six]]...===

==== ...is introduced as a separate entity... ====
*[[Number Six#Armistice Station Copy|Armistice Envoy Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Caprica Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Virtual beings#Baltar's Virtual Six|Head Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*[[Number Six#Caprican Troop Leaders|White Jacket Six]] ([[33]])
*[[Number Six#Caprican Overseer Copies|Overseer Six]] ([[Bastille Day]])
*[[Gina Inviere]] ([[Pegasus]])
*Infected Six ([[Torn]])
*[[Natalie]] ([[Six of One]])

==== ...dies... ====
*Nuked ([[Miniseries]], "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]")
**Take another drink if the nuke scene is repeated again in flashback ("[[33]]", "[[Downloaded]]", "[[Taking a Break from All Your Worries]]", every single episode in the opening credits....)
*Shot ("[[33]]", "[[Precipice]]", "[[Razor]]")
**Take a bonus drink if she is shot by a fellow Cylon.
*Impaled ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Extinguished ([[The Farm]])
*Bombed ([[Occupation]])
*Choked ([[Torn]])
*Infected ([[Torn]])
*Suffocated ([[A Measure of Salvation]])

==== ...becomes violent or threatens violence...====
*Breaks a baby's neck ([[Miniseries]] as Caprica-Six)
*Screams in Baltar's face ([[Bastille Day]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Beats the crap out of Caprica-Valerii ([[Litmus]] as [[Number Six#Caprican Overseer Copies|an overseer]])
*Threatens live-donor open heart surgery on Baltar ("As far as I'm concerned, you can have any woman you want. But always remember, I have your heart <nowiki>[...]</nowiki> I can always rip it out of your chest if I have to.") ([[Colonial Day]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Chokes Baltar ([[Litmus]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Smashes Baltar's face into a mirror ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Beats up Starbuck ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Kills Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]]'s marines ("[[Razor]]", as [[Gina]])
*Tackles Baltar ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]] as Gina)
*Breaks a guard's neck ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] as Gina)
*Shoots Admiral Cain ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] as Gina)
*Chokes Baltar with his tie ([[Epiphanies]])
*Shoves Baltar and bites his lip ([[Epiphanies]] as Gina)
*Cuts her own face ("[[Downloaded]]" as Caprica-Six)
*Bashes [[Number Three]]'s head in with a rock ("[[Downloaded]]" as [[Caprica-Six]])
*Breaks [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]'s neck ([[Rapture]]).
*Punches [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] ([[Crossroads, Part I]] as Caprica-Six)
*Has [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] kill a [[Number One|group]] [[Number Four|of]] [[Number Five|fellow]] [[humanoid Cylons]] ([[Six of One]])
[[Image:Cloud9Destroyed.jpg|thumb|right|Kablooey!]]
''Take two bonus drinks if she goes nuclear.''
*Suicide-bombs ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' ("[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" as Gina)

==== ...[[Cylon-Related Hallucinations#Baltar's Internal Six|Baltar's internal Six]] appears at an inopportune moment... ====
''Take a bonus drink if...''
*...Baltar tries to subtly talk to both Six and real people at the same time (e.g. [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]: "I'm not your plaything!").
**''Take another drink if both Six and the "real" person or people Baltar is talking to respond the same way (e.g. "Plaything?").''
*...Six tries to engage Baltar in either sex or foreplay.
**''Finish your drink if Six '''does''' engage Baltar in sex or foreplay''
*...Baltar makes awkward attempts at excusing his odd behavior.
*...others comment on Baltar's sanity or lack thereof.
*...Six appears while he's in the bathroom.
*...Six appears after he's had sex with another woman.
*...Six appears naked.
*...Another character makes reference to Baltar's odd behavior while Six is present (e.g [[Home, Part II]]: "Would you stop going crazy in there!").

=== ...someone kills a baby or threatens to do so. ===
*Caprica-Six ([[Miniseries]])
*Commander [[William Adama|Adama]], in [[Gaius Baltar]]'s dream on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] ([[Scattered]])
*Laura Roslin ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Epiphanies]]")
*Kara Thrace ([[Occupation]])
*Boomer ([[Rapture]])
*Cally ([[The Ties That Bind]])

=== ...anyone smokes (literally or figuratively)... ===
[[Image:Adama_laura_toke.jpg|thumb|right|[[New Caprican loco weed|Smokin']], smokin', I feel alright, mamma, I'm not jokin, yeah.]]
*Gaius Baltar
*Dr. Cottle
*Kara Thrace
*Specialist [[Prosna]]
*Lee Adama
*[[Socinus]] ([[Scattered]])
*Laura Roslin ([[Unfinished Business]])
*Bill Adama ([[Unfinished Business]])
*Saul Tigh
*Sam Anders

=== ...any male character sticks it in a [[toaster]]... ===
*Helo ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Gaius Baltar ([[Miniseries]], "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Hero]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*Galen Tyrol ([[Miniseries]], "[[Litmus]]")
*[[Alastair Thorne]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])

=== ...People get away with breaking the rules... ===
*Tyrol gets away with his hidden affair with Boomer, even when it leads to a security flaw that allows a Cylon suicide bomber to attack the ship ([[Litmus]])
*Starbuck gets away with stealing and ultimately losing ''Galactica'''s captured Cylon Raider. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])
*Boomer gets away with trying to kill herself and ends up on a vitally important mission ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Baltar gets away with murdering [[Crashdown]] ([[Fragged]])
*Apollo gets away with pulling a gun on Tigh ([[Scattered]]) and helping Roslin escape ([[Home, Part II]])
*Helo gets away with pulling a gun on Apollo ([[Home, Part I]])
*President Roslin ultimately gets away with subverting the boundary between military and civilian government ([[Home, Part II]]).
*Commander Adama ultimately gets away with subverting the boundary between military and civilian government ([[Litmus]], [[Home, Part II]]).
*[[Kat]] gets away with getting high on drugs during flight (reinstated in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]")
*Starbuck gets away with (and gets promoted for) stealing the Blackbird to fly a photo recon mission that her CAG specifically took her off of ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
*Lee Adama gets away with law enforcement by summary execution ([[Black Market]])
*Lee gets away with making repeated visits to a prostitute ([[Black Market]])
*Kat gets away with punching Starbuck in the mouth ([[Scar]])
*Lee gets away with an affair with Dee, a fellow active duty soldier ([[The Captain's Hand]])
*Tyrol gets away with beating the crap out of someone with nothing more than a stern talking from a [[Cavil|priest]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]])
*[[The Circle]] gets away with summarily executing 14 people ([[Collaborators]])
*[[Helo]] is not investigated after he asphyxiates the military assets, infected Cylons, that were going to be used to eliminate the Cylons as a threat to humanity ([[A Measure of Salvation]])
**Take a bonus drink if he confesses it and still isn't punished.
*[[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] merely gets punched for trying to kill [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] with a fountain pen ([[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]).
*Starbuck is given [[Demetrius|a ship and crew of her own]] after threatening President Roslin with a firearm ([[Six of One]]).

===Miscellaneous===
*...a prayer or speech includes or ends with "So Say We All!"
::If "So Say We All!" is said once, then repeated by a group, only one drink is required for that pair of utterances.
*...[[God (RDM)|God]], one of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|Gods]], or a specific [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|God]] is referenced. (i.e. "[[Great Mother of Artemis]]!" or "Procreation is one of God's commandments.")
*...Roslin uses her Stare of You-Gotta-Be-Frakking-Kidding-Me.
*...[[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dee]] stare at each other like two teenagers but never actually do anything.
*...Gaeta says, "Yes, sir." or "Aye, sir." (''On this one, alone, most of us would need a "commercial break"'' after one episode...)
*...Apollo's modesty is thwarted by the smallest towel in the fleet.
*...[[Jammer]] says something that hints that he may be a Cylon.
*...Roslin comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of the Fleet's travails.
*...Elosha comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Roslin's travails.
*...Six comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Baltar's travails.
*...Leoben comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Starbuck's travails.
*...A Cylon says "By your command".
*...Someone gets promoted (Just ''pick an episode''.)
**Take two drinks if someone is promoted twice in one episode (Major Lee Adama to Commander Lee Adama in "[[The Captain's Hand]]").
*...[[CIC]] bursts into applause. ([[Miniseries]], "[[Water]]", "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[The Farm]]", "[[Home, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", "[[The Passage]]")
**Bonus drink if the applause precedes an assassination attempt ("[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]")
*...Someone is thrown out the airlock, or threatened to be thrown out the airlock
**Specialist [[Prosna]] ([[Miniseries]])
**[[Gaius Baltar]] ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]")
**[[Shelly Godfrey]] (Speculated, [[Six Degrees of Separation]]
**[[Leoben Conoy]] ([[Flesh and Bone]])
**[[Galen Tyrol]] ("[[Resistance]]", "[[A Day in the Life]]")
**[[Sharon Agathon]] ([[Home, Part I]])
**[[Hera Agathon]] ([[Downloaded]])
**[[Number One]] / Brother Cavil ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]])
**[[Jammer]] ([[Collaborators]])
**[[Felix Gaeta]] ([[Collaborators]])
**[[Cally Tyrol]] ("[[A Day in the Life]]", "[[The Ties That Bind]]")
*...A never-before-seen guest star turns out to be a Cylon
**[[Simon]] ([[The Farm]])
**[[Number Three]] / D'anna Biers ([[Final Cut]])
**[[Cavil]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]], [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]])
*...a Cylon refers to not seeing someone at a Cylon meeting or party ([[Cylon-Related_Hallucinations#Baltar's_Internal_Six|Baltar's Internal Six]] in the [[Miniseries]], [[Cavil]] in "[[Lay_Down_Your_Burdens,_Part_I|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]")
*...Every time the ''[[Space Park]]'' appears in a background shot of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
::Everyone must stand and yell "Space Park!" after drinking.
:::If the ''Space Park'' and [[Grace Park]] appear in the same episode, everyone must go to a park once the show is over.
*...a season ends with a Cylon attack ("[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Crossroads, Part II]]").

===Production===
[[Image:Combatlanding2.jpg|thumb|200px|And they land the same way EVERY TIME! That's skill, I tell ya.]]
*...Michael Rymer's camera makes a full 360° revolution.
**''In this case, everyone in the room must spin around until the scene is over.''
*...Michael Rymer cross-cuts between two nearly identical scenes. ("[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]")
**''In this case, link arms with someone else and take a shot together.''
*...the producers re-use stock special effects footage.
**...when you spot the "USS Enterprise" lurking in the Fleet.
**...an establishing shot of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' from the side, surrounded by the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
**...an establishing shot of ''Galactica'' from the top.
**...an establishing shot of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' from the side.
**...the civilian fleet jump from the [[Miniseries]].
**...the Viper Launch sequence.
**...the Viper [[Combat landing|Combat Landing]] sequence. (numerous episodes)
**...''Take another drink if the the stock footage leads to logic gaps.''

===[[Music of Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Music]]===
*...Bear McCreary re-uses musical themes.
**The Number Six/Cylon [[Wikipedia:leitmotif|leitmotif]] ("ding..ding-ding..ding, ding...ding-ding...ding...")
**"Bloodshed" (the Adama death theme from "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]") in "[[The Farm]]", "[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" and "[[Exodus, Part II]]"
**"Prelude to War" in the "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" battle sequence
**The "Destiny/Baltar's Dream" leitmotif
**Starbuck's theme ("Starbuck on the Red Moon")
*...Bear McCreary finds some excuse to use the Stu Phillips theme from the original series ("[[Colonial anthem]]").
**[[Miniseries]] (twice)
**[[Final Cut]]
*...Bear McCreary re-uses music from Richard Gibbs' Miniseries soundtrack.
*...Bear McCreary throws in some new musical influences out of nowhere.
**Hindu prayer - UK/Season Two opening
**Celtic folk song - "Wander My Friends" / "A Good Lighter" / "Reuniting the Fleet" / "Admiral and Commander"
**Italian pseudo-opera - "Battlestar Operatica"
**Elevator music - "Battlestar Muzaktica"
**Heavy metal - "Standing in the Mud" / "Black Market"
**Orchestral piece - "The Shape of Things to Come" / "Passacaglia" / "Allegro" / "A Promise to Return" / "Violence and Variations"
**Electric Violin / Thundering Bass - "Destiny" / "Baltar's Dream" / "The Dance" / "Mandala in the Clouds"
**Classical Violin - "Roslin and Adama" / "Roslin Confesses" / "Someone to Trust"
**Piano - "Metamorphosis Five" / "One Year Later" / "Battlestar Sonatica"
**Guitar solo - "Pegasus" / "Something Dark is Coming"
**Sitar - "A Distant Sadness" / "Mandala in the Clouds" / "Heeding the Call" / "All Along The Watchtower"
**[[The Music|Bob Dylan]] - "All Along The Watchtower"
***Finish your drink and go [[New Caprican loco weed|get high]] with [[Final Five|four of your closest friends]].

==Official Statements==

From a ''Rolling Stone'' September 2006 Magazine interview of [[Katee Sackhoff]]

:"Four years ago, I had older men and twelve-year-olds coming up to me," she says. "Now I get sorority girls telling me, 'We watch the show and drink every time you say "frak," hit someone or sleep with someone.' And I'm thinking, 'This is why I didn't go to college.'"

==External links==
* A drinking game for the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] can be found [http://www.ringthis.com/tv_drinking_games/batlstar.htm here].

[[Category:A to Z|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]
[[Category:Silly Pages|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]
[[Category:RDM|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

The Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game

2008-04-20T15:22:33Z

Philwelch: /* ...Helo ... */

{{sillypage}}

''This page relates to heavy drinking (both of characters and wiki contributors) as a result of gaffes from the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]].<br />
''For a drinking game related to the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], see External links below.''<br />
''Finally, for information that will improve gnashing of your teeth or suicidal tendencies, please watch "[[Galactica 1980]]."''<br/><br/>

[[Image:Tighsdrinking.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Bottoms up, Colonel.]]

Other TV shows have had [[Wikipedia:Drinking game|drinking games]] adapted from the venerable "Hi, Bob!" game, among others. The new "[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]" series has sadly failed to stop ''Battlestar Wiki's'' contributors from doing the same after noticing repeated plot points, parallels to current events, characterizations, and other silliness.

You might consider creating your own ''Cylon Shooters'' for use in the game by [[Cylon Shooter|following the recipe]] given by actors [[Grace Park]] and [[Tahmoh Penikett]].

<div style="clear: both;"></div>

=='''''Take a drink every time...'''''==

===Someone talks to an "imaginary friend"...===
* [[Gaius Baltar]], in almost every episode with the [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations|virtual Number Six]], and lately with his [[Virtual Baltar#Gaius Baltar's Virtual Baltar|virtual doppelgänger]].
* [[Caprica-Six]], with her virtual ''Gaius Baltar'' ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]")
* [[Lee Adama]], with his lost fiancee, [[Gianne]] ([[Black Market]])
* [[Laura Roslin]] to [[Leoben Conoy]] and snakes ("[[Flesh and Bone]]","[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]")
* [[Number Three]] to the [[Final Five]] ([[Hero]], [[Rapture]])
* [[William Adama]] to his late wife, [[Carolanne Adama]] ([[A Day In The Life]])
* [[Dodona Selloi]] to the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|The Lords of Kobol]] and [[God (RDM)|God]] ([[Exodus, Part I]])
* [[Kara Thrace]] to [[Socrata Thrace|her mother]] and [[Leoben Conoy]] ([[Maelstrom]])

=== ...Colonel Saul Tigh... ===
[[Image:Saulellen.jpg|thumb|right|"Consumption of [certain] beverages...may cause health problems."]]
*...drinks alcohol ([[Miniseries]], "[[Fragged]]", "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", etc.).
*...resolves to quit drinking.
*...is drunk on duty ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Fragged]]").
*...questions Adama's orders.
*...complains about not wanting his own command ([[Scattered]]).
*...berates someone else for a flaw he has as well ([[Miniseries]]).
*...states or asks the obvious for purposes of exposition ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).
*...orders someone report "to the brig" ([[Miniseries]], ''others'').
*...asks about shooting people for throwing coffee ([[Resistance_(episode)|Resistance]])
*...gives a remarkably stupid order to the crew.
*''Take a bonus drink if...''
**...a loss of life is involved ("[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", "[[Exodus, Part II]]").
**...a beloved character needlessly suffers for it ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).
**...[[Lee Adama]] is involved with the order ([[Fragged]]).
**...the Fleet tells him, collectively, to [[frak]] off ([[Fragged]]).
**...Commander Adama has to repair Tigh's frak-ups.
**...Tigh undermines his own reputation as a result ([[Miniseries]], "[[Fragged]]", "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]").

=== ...Ellen Tigh... ===
*...makes sexual advances on someone other than Colonel Tigh ("[[Colonial Day]]", "[[Sacrifice]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]").
*...brokers for power ([[Colonial Day]]).
*...manipulates Colonel Tigh ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).
*...fraks someone other than Colonel Tigh ("[[Occupation]]")

=== ...Kara Thrace... ===
*...demonstrates yet another talent.
**Card Shark: "And the girl wins again! Another round?" ([[Water]])
**Sniper: "With all due respect, sir, I am the best shot in or out of the cockpit." ([[Bastille Day]])
**Painter: "You paint these, Kara? / Yeah." ([[Valley of Darkness]])
**Pro-level Pyramid Player: "I was scouted for the pros. Bum knee took me out of contention." ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
**Poetry Buff: "You wouldn't know Caprican Poetry if it was hot-sidded across your helmet." / "'From the darkness you must fall - Failed and weak, to darkness all.' -[[Kataris]], not one of his better works" ([[Final Cut]])
**Clairvoyant: "WE'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!" ("[[He That Believeth In Me]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*...steps out of the box to...
**...mate two Vipers nose-to-nose in combat ([[Miniseries]]).
**...jury-rig an enemy fighter ([[You Can't Go Home Again]]).
**...uses an improvised weapon to kill or maim a Cylon ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[The Farm]]", "[[Occupation]]").
**...outwit the Cylons via a clever plan of attack ("[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]").
***''Take a bonus drink if this is because she knows the Cylons would never overlook such an obvious blind spot'' ("[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]").
*...drinks as heavily as Col. Tigh ("[[Scar]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]").
*...assaults someone who outranks her ([[Miniseries]], "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]").
*...is mistaken for a Cylon and nearly killed because of it ("[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", "[[Home, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]", "[[Crossroads, Part II]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*...hops into bed on a barely-considered whim...
**...with Gaius Baltar ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])
**...with Samuel Anders ("[[The Farm]]", "[[The Ties That Bind]]")
**...with Lee Adama ([[Scar]])
**...with "Leoben Conoy" (in her mind) ([[Maelstrom]])
*...starts to unduly fawn over someone mere days after meeting them.
**Samuel Anders ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
**Admiral Cain ("[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II|Part II]]")
*...taunts someone (Just ''pick a frakking episode!'')

===...Lee Adama... ===
*...uses one of his dad's phrases ("Be careful out there", "roll the hard six")
*...completely oversteps his authority and/or commits mutiny
*...acts self-righteous or angsty towards his dad ([[Miniseries]], "[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]")
*...has a near-death experience.
**Nearly killed by [[Cylon Raiders]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").
**Almost left for dead ([[Miniseries]], "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]/[[Rapture]]").
**Almost killed by a criminal mob or elements thereof ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Home, Part II]]", "[[Black Market]]").
**Almost killed by [[Cylon Centurion]]s ("[[Valley of Darkness]]", "[[Home, Part I]]").
*...shows angst about anything...anything at all.

===...Kara Thrace and Lee Adama...===
*...stare at each other strangely for non-work-related reasons.
*...exchange blows
*...kiss
**''Take a bonus drink if they both kiss '''''and''''' exchange blows.''
*...[[frak]] ([[Unfinished Business]])

===...Bill Adama...===
*...uses his [[Adama Glare|Glare of Death]].
**''Bonus drink if Cottle deflects it with his own Scowl of Intense Disapproval'' ([[The Captain's Hand]]).
*...stomps down ''Galactica'''s hallways.
*...waxes philosophically.
*...brings up his [[Joseph Adama|lawyer father]].
*...says either "as of this moment" or "moments ago" ([[Miniseries]], "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Epiphanies]]")
*...expresses sympathy for the Cylons.
*...expresses an enthusiastic attitude toward killing Cylons.
**''Take a bonus drink if it is by trying kill a Cylon himself''
***''Finish the drink completely if he tries to kill the same Cylon he expressed sympathy for in a previous episode.''
*...agrees with, argues with, deposes, or kisses President Roslin.
*...appears on screen sporting a [[Adamastache|moustache]].
**''Take a bonus drink when you see him finally '''shave that frakking thing off!'''''
*...does something "captainly", like crushing walnuts in his hand or building a model ship.
*...uses military action to resolve a situation.
*...makes a reckless or stupid command decision.
**Counterattacking the Cylons ([[Miniseries]])
**Wasting half the fleet's [[tylium|fuel]] looking for Starbuck ([[You Can't Go Home Again]])
**Arresting President Roslin ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
**Sending Marines to rescue Helo and the Chief from ''Pegasus'' ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])
**Arranging for the assassination of Admiral Cain ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
**Jumping ''Galactica'' into the atmosphere of New Caprica ([[Exodus, Part II]])
**''Bonus drinks if a woman tries to reason with Adama.''
:*Roslin tells Adama, "The war is over, we lost", and "We need to start having babies" ([[Miniseries]])
:*Dualla tells Adama, "It's time to put the fleet back together" ([[Home, Part I]])
:*Roslin tells Adama, "[[Helena Cain|She]] is dangerous, and the only thing that you can do is hit her before she hits you," ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
:*Sharon tells Adama, "You said you never asked yourself why you deserve to survive." ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]])
::*''Finish your drink completely when, not if, Adama ultimately relents, echoing that woman's words to his officer(s).''
*...Rolls a "Hard Six"

=== ...Helo ... ===
*...fails to notice his robot girlfriend's glowing spine. ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*...fails to realize his inexplicably nauseous robot girlfriend is pregnant ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).
*...shoots his pregnant robot girlfriend ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
*...lets his pregnant robot girlfriend jack Starbuck's spaceship ([[Scattered]]).
*...is surprised that everyone wants to shoot or throw his pregnant robot girlfriend out an airlock ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]], [[Home, Part I]]).
*...fails to anticipate territory issues with his pregnant robot girlfriend's copy's former boyfriend ([[Home, Part II]]).
*...defends himself by starting with, "What..."
*...saves a Cylon from death or torture
**''Take a bonus drink if it's the entire Cylon race.'' ([[A Measure of Salvation]])
*...is seen in a gym, helping others get in shape
*...is passive-aggressively accosted by Colonel Tigh
*...is directly accosted by Colonel Tigh
*...is inexplicably promoted to positions far above his skill level
*...commits a treasonous act, only to be forgiven later
*...tries to keep up morale when everyone else is bickering

=== ...Chief Tyrol... ===
*...fails to notice his robot girlfriend's glowing spine. (off-screen)
*...fails to notice [[Crossroads, Part II|his own robotic glowing spine]]. (off-screen)
*...makes out with a lieutenant against regulations ([[Litmus]]).
*...lies about making out with his robot girlfriend ([[Litmus]]).
*...lies when he says he never loved his robot girlfriend.
*...tell the truth when he says he's not having an affair with his [[Tory Foster|robot "partner"]] ([[The Ties That Bind]]).
*...chews out a member of his crew who dare to show concern about his feelings about his robot girlfriend - or anything else, for that matter ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]").
*...hits Cally after waking from a suicidal nightmare ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).
*...is hit by Cally during her own suicidal episode ([[The Ties That Bind]]).
*...is proven to be an expert distiller ("[[Litmus]]", "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]", "[[Pegasus_(episode)|Pegasus]]").
*...glares at or curses Colonel Tigh.
**...''or anyone else for that matter'' ("If I scratched everyone who popped off at the chief the cooks could be flying the planes" - Lee Adama, "[[Final Cut]]")
* ...stumbles around in a religious trance instead of harvesting the algae so people can eat! ([[The Eye of Jupiter]])

=== ...Dr. Cottle disrespects authority... ===
*...disregards President Roslin's office ([[Act of Contrition]])
*...undermines Adama's authority ("[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", "[[The_Captain's_Hand|The Captain's Hand]]")
*...rebuffs a question from Col. Tigh with profanity ([[Fragged]])
*...ridicules Col. Tigh's command decisions ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])
*...debates the notion of "do no harm" with [[Number Three]] ([[Precipice]])

===...Zarek makes a gambit for power...===
*...but loses.
**[[Colonial Day]]
**[[Home, Part I]]
**[[Home, Part II]]
*...and succeeds.
**[[Bastille Day]]
**[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]
**[[Collaborators]]
**[[The Ties That Bind]]

===...a copy of [[Number Six]]...===

==== ...is introduced as a separate entity... ====
*[[Number Six#Armistice Station Copy|Armistice Envoy Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Caprica Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Virtual beings#Baltar's Virtual Six|Head Six]] ([[Miniseries]])
*[[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*[[Number Six#Caprican Troop Leaders|White Jacket Six]] ([[33]])
*[[Number Six#Caprican Overseer Copies|Overseer Six]] ([[Bastille Day]])
*[[Gina Inviere]] ([[Pegasus]])
*Infected Six ([[Torn]])
*[[Natalie]] ([[Six of One]])

==== ...dies... ====
*Nuked ([[Miniseries]], "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]")
**Take another drink if the nuke scene is repeated again in flashback ("[[33]]", "[[Downloaded]]", "[[Taking a Break from All Your Worries]]", every single episode in the opening credits....)
*Shot ("[[33]]", "[[Precipice]]", "[[Razor]]")
**Take a bonus drink if she is shot by a fellow Cylon.
*Impaled ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Extinguished ([[The Farm]])
*Bombed ([[Occupation]])
*Choked ([[Torn]])
*Infected ([[Torn]])
*Suffocated ([[A Measure of Salvation]])

==== ...becomes violent or threatens violence...====
*Breaks a baby's neck ([[Miniseries]] as Caprica-Six)
*Screams in Baltar's face ([[Bastille Day]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Beats the crap out of Caprica-Valerii ([[Litmus]] as [[Number Six#Caprican Overseer Copies|an overseer]])
*Threatens live-donor open heart surgery on Baltar ("As far as I'm concerned, you can have any woman you want. But always remember, I have your heart <nowiki>[...]</nowiki> I can always rip it out of your chest if I have to.") ([[Colonial Day]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Chokes Baltar ([[Litmus]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Smashes Baltar's face into a mirror ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]] as Baltar's internal Six)
*Beats up Starbuck ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Kills Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]]'s marines ("[[Razor]]", as [[Gina]])
*Tackles Baltar ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]] as Gina)
*Breaks a guard's neck ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] as Gina)
*Shoots Admiral Cain ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]] as Gina)
*Chokes Baltar with his tie ([[Epiphanies]])
*Shoves Baltar and bites his lip ([[Epiphanies]] as Gina)
*Cuts her own face ("[[Downloaded]]" as Caprica-Six)
*Bashes [[Number Three]]'s head in with a rock ("[[Downloaded]]" as [[Caprica-Six]])
*Breaks [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]'s neck ([[Rapture]]).
*Punches [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] ([[Crossroads, Part I]] as Caprica-Six)
*Has [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] kill a [[Number One|group]] [[Number Four|of]] [[Number Five|fellow]] [[humanoid Cylons]] ([[Six of One]])
[[Image:Cloud9Destroyed.jpg|thumb|right|Kablooey!]]
''Take two bonus drinks if she goes nuclear.''
*Suicide-bombs ''[[Cloud Nine]]'' ("[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]" as Gina)

==== ...[[Cylon-Related Hallucinations#Baltar's Internal Six|Baltar's internal Six]] appears at an inopportune moment... ====
''Take a bonus drink if...''
*...Baltar tries to subtly talk to both Six and real people at the same time (e.g. [[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]: "I'm not your plaything!").
**''Take another drink if both Six and the "real" person or people Baltar is talking to respond the same way (e.g. "Plaything?").''
*...Six tries to engage Baltar in either sex or foreplay.
**''Finish your drink if Six '''does''' engage Baltar in sex or foreplay''
*...Baltar makes awkward attempts at excusing his odd behavior.
*...others comment on Baltar's sanity or lack thereof.
*...Six appears while he's in the bathroom.
*...Six appears after he's had sex with another woman.
*...Six appears naked.
*...Another character makes reference to Baltar's odd behavior while Six is present (e.g [[Home, Part II]]: "Would you stop going crazy in there!").

=== ...someone kills a baby or threatens to do so. ===
*Caprica-Six ([[Miniseries]])
*Commander [[William Adama|Adama]], in [[Gaius Baltar]]'s dream on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] ([[Scattered]])
*Laura Roslin ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Epiphanies]]")
*Kara Thrace ([[Occupation]])
*Boomer ([[Rapture]])

=== ...anyone smokes (literally or figuratively)... ===
[[Image:Adama_laura_toke.jpg|thumb|right|[[New Caprican loco weed|Smokin']], smokin', I feel alright, mamma, I'm not jokin, yeah.]]
*Gaius Baltar
*Dr. Cottle
*Kara Thrace
*Specialist [[Prosna]]
*Lee Adama
*[[Socinus]] ([[Scattered]])
*Laura Roslin ([[Unfinished Business]])
*Bill Adama ([[Unfinished Business]])
*Saul Tigh
*Sam Anders

=== ...any male character sticks it in a [[toaster]]... ===
*Helo ([[Six Degrees of Separation]])
*Gaius Baltar ([[Miniseries]], "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Hero]]", "[[Six of One]]")
*Galen Tyrol ([[Miniseries]], "[[Litmus]]")
*[[Alastair Thorne]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]])

=== ...People get away with breaking the rules... ===
*Tyrol gets away with his hidden affair with Boomer, even when it leads to a security flaw that allows a Cylon suicide bomber to attack the ship ([[Litmus]])
*Starbuck gets away with stealing and ultimately losing ''Galactica'''s captured Cylon Raider. ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]])
*Boomer gets away with trying to kill herself and ends up on a vitally important mission ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]])
*Baltar gets away with murdering [[Crashdown]] ([[Fragged]])
*Apollo gets away with pulling a gun on Tigh ([[Scattered]]) and helping Roslin escape ([[Home, Part II]])
*Helo gets away with pulling a gun on Apollo ([[Home, Part I]])
*President Roslin ultimately gets away with subverting the boundary between military and civilian government ([[Home, Part II]]).
*Commander Adama ultimately gets away with subverting the boundary between military and civilian government ([[Litmus]], [[Home, Part II]]).
*[[Kat]] gets away with getting high on drugs during flight (reinstated in "[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]")
*Starbuck gets away with (and gets promoted for) stealing the Blackbird to fly a photo recon mission that her CAG specifically took her off of ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]])
*Lee Adama gets away with law enforcement by summary execution ([[Black Market]])
*Lee gets away with making repeated visits to a prostitute ([[Black Market]])
*Kat gets away with punching Starbuck in the mouth ([[Scar]])
*Lee gets away with an affair with Dee, a fellow active duty soldier ([[The Captain's Hand]])
*Tyrol gets away with beating the crap out of someone with nothing more than a stern talking from a [[Cavil|priest]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]])
*[[The Circle]] gets away with summarily executing 14 people ([[Collaborators]])
*[[Helo]] is not investigated after he asphyxiates the military assets, infected Cylons, that were going to be used to eliminate the Cylons as a threat to humanity ([[A Measure of Salvation]])
**Take a bonus drink if he confesses it and still isn't punished.
*[[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]] merely gets punched for trying to kill [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] with a fountain pen ([[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]).
*Starbuck is given [[Demetrius|a ship and crew of her own]] after threatening President Roslin with a firearm ([[Six of One]]).

===Miscellaneous===
*...a prayer or speech includes or ends with "So Say We All!"
::If "So Say We All!" is said once, then repeated by a group, only one drink is required for that pair of utterances.
*...[[God (RDM)|God]], one of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|Gods]], or a specific [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|God]] is referenced. (i.e. "[[Great Mother of Artemis]]!" or "Procreation is one of God's commandments.")
*...Roslin uses her Stare of You-Gotta-Be-Frakking-Kidding-Me.
*...[[Billy Keikeya|Billy]] and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dee]] stare at each other like two teenagers but never actually do anything.
*...Gaeta says, "Yes, sir." or "Aye, sir." (''On this one, alone, most of us would need a "commercial break"'' after one episode...)
*...Apollo's modesty is thwarted by the smallest towel in the fleet.
*...[[Jammer]] says something that hints that he may be a Cylon.
*...Roslin comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of the Fleet's travails.
*...Elosha comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Roslin's travails.
*...Six comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Baltar's travails.
*...Leoben comes up with some vague mystical interpretation of Starbuck's travails.
*...A Cylon says "By your command".
*...Someone gets promoted (Just ''pick an episode''.)
**Take two drinks if someone is promoted twice in one episode (Major Lee Adama to Commander Lee Adama in "[[The Captain's Hand]]").
*...[[CIC]] bursts into applause. ([[Miniseries]], "[[Water]]", "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[The Farm]]", "[[Home, Part I]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]", "[[The Passage]]")
**Bonus drink if the applause precedes an assassination attempt ("[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]")
*...Someone is thrown out the airlock, or threatened to be thrown out the airlock
**Specialist [[Prosna]] ([[Miniseries]])
**[[Gaius Baltar]] ("[[Bastille Day]]", "[[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]")
**[[Shelly Godfrey]] (Speculated, [[Six Degrees of Separation]]
**[[Leoben Conoy]] ([[Flesh and Bone]])
**[[Galen Tyrol]] ("[[Resistance]]", "[[A Day in the Life]]")
**[[Sharon Agathon]] ([[Home, Part I]])
**[[Hera Agathon]] ([[Downloaded]])
**[[Number One]] / Brother Cavil ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]])
**[[Jammer]] ([[Collaborators]])
**[[Felix Gaeta]] ([[Collaborators]])
**[[Cally Tyrol]] ("[[A Day in the Life]]", "[[The Ties That Bind]]")
*...A never-before-seen guest star turns out to be a Cylon
**[[Simon]] ([[The Farm]])
**[[Number Three]] / D'anna Biers ([[Final Cut]])
**[[Cavil]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]], [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]])
*...a Cylon refers to not seeing someone at a Cylon meeting or party ([[Cylon-Related_Hallucinations#Baltar's_Internal_Six|Baltar's Internal Six]] in the [[Miniseries]], [[Cavil]] in "[[Lay_Down_Your_Burdens,_Part_I|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]")
*...Every time the ''[[Space Park]]'' appears in a background shot of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
::Everyone must stand and yell "Space Park!" after drinking.
:::If the ''Space Park'' and [[Grace Park]] appear in the same episode, everyone must go to a park once the show is over.
*...a season ends with a Cylon attack ("[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Crossroads, Part II]]").

===Production===
[[Image:Combatlanding2.jpg|thumb|200px|And they land the same way EVERY TIME! That's skill, I tell ya.]]
*...Michael Rymer's camera makes a full 360° revolution.
**''In this case, everyone in the room must spin around until the scene is over.''
*...Michael Rymer cross-cuts between two nearly identical scenes. ("[[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]")
**''In this case, link arms with someone else and take a shot together.''
*...the producers re-use stock special effects footage.
**...when you spot the "USS Enterprise" lurking in the Fleet.
**...an establishing shot of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' from the side, surrounded by the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
**...an establishing shot of ''Galactica'' from the top.
**...an establishing shot of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' from the side.
**...the civilian fleet jump from the [[Miniseries]].
**...the Viper Launch sequence.
**...the Viper [[Combat landing|Combat Landing]] sequence. (numerous episodes)
**...''Take another drink if the the stock footage leads to logic gaps.''

===[[Music of Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Music]]===
*...Bear McCreary re-uses musical themes.
**The Number Six/Cylon [[Wikipedia:leitmotif|leitmotif]] ("ding..ding-ding..ding, ding...ding-ding...ding...")
**"Bloodshed" (the Adama death theme from "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]") in "[[The Farm]]", "[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" and "[[Exodus, Part II]]"
**"Prelude to War" in the "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]" battle sequence
**The "Destiny/Baltar's Dream" leitmotif
**Starbuck's theme ("Starbuck on the Red Moon")
*...Bear McCreary finds some excuse to use the Stu Phillips theme from the original series ("[[Colonial anthem]]").
**[[Miniseries]] (twice)
**[[Final Cut]]
*...Bear McCreary re-uses music from Richard Gibbs' Miniseries soundtrack.
*...Bear McCreary throws in some new musical influences out of nowhere.
**Hindu prayer - UK/Season Two opening
**Celtic folk song - "Wander My Friends" / "A Good Lighter" / "Reuniting the Fleet" / "Admiral and Commander"
**Italian pseudo-opera - "Battlestar Operatica"
**Elevator music - "Battlestar Muzaktica"
**Heavy metal - "Standing in the Mud" / "Black Market"
**Orchestral piece - "The Shape of Things to Come" / "Passacaglia" / "Allegro" / "A Promise to Return" / "Violence and Variations"
**Electric Violin / Thundering Bass - "Destiny" / "Baltar's Dream" / "The Dance" / "Mandala in the Clouds"
**Classical Violin - "Roslin and Adama" / "Roslin Confesses" / "Someone to Trust"
**Piano - "Metamorphosis Five" / "One Year Later" / "Battlestar Sonatica"
**Guitar solo - "Pegasus" / "Something Dark is Coming"
**Sitar - "A Distant Sadness" / "Mandala in the Clouds" / "Heeding the Call" / "All Along The Watchtower"
**[[The Music|Bob Dylan]] - "All Along The Watchtower"
***Finish your drink and go [[New Caprican loco weed|get high]] with [[Final Five|four of your closest friends]].

==Official Statements==

From a ''Rolling Stone'' September 2006 Magazine interview of [[Katee Sackhoff]]

:"Four years ago, I had older men and twelve-year-olds coming up to me," she says. "Now I get sorority girls telling me, 'We watch the show and drink every time you say "frak," hit someone or sleep with someone.' And I'm thinking, 'This is why I didn't go to college.'"

==External links==
* A drinking game for the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] can be found [http://www.ringthis.com/tv_drinking_games/batlstar.htm here].

[[Category:A to Z|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]
[[Category:Silly Pages|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]
[[Category:RDM|Battlestar Galactica Drinking Game, The]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

The Ties That Bind

2008-04-20T07:34:41Z

Philwelch: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| image=4x03 - The Ties That Bind - Promo 2.jpg
| title= The Ties That Bind
| season= 4
| episode= 3
| forumthread= 888
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Nankin]]
| production=405
| rating=
| US airdate=18 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[Six of One]]
| next= [[Escape Velocity]]
| promo=
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] leads a [[Demetrius|ship]] in her search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], while ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew deals with political and marital issues. On the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] side, the [[Significant Seven]]'s solidarity is challenged.

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and the Colonial Fleet ===
* [[Cally Tyrol]], waking from [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son's]] cries, has dreams recalling arguments with her husband, [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]], of apparently finding herself spending more time alone with her child and Galen avoiding her through work or other activity. In one scene she is taking medication, perhaps to help her sleep, or to fight depression.
* The dark room is unkempt, and medication and baby formula bottles are stacked on a table.
* When Cally Tyrol realizes that Nicky is actually crying, she comforts him and returns him to his crib. She calls [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], apparently to try to find her husband with no luck. She finds a napkin for [[Joe's bar]] in his clothing.
* At the bar, Galen Tyrol and [[Tory Foster]] are drinking [[ambrosia]] and other spirits. Galen laments that, before [[Final Five|their revelation]], he knew what he was: husband, crew chief, and father. Now, his identity is taking a beating.
* Foster flirts with Galen as Cally walks holding her son in a dreamy state (presumably drug related) to Joe's Bar. Cally's distorted vision believes she sees Foster touching Galen's arm seductively. Entering the bar, Cally angrily yells at Galen as he tries to explain. Angry and hurt, Cally takes her son and leaves the bar as Foster looks on, still drinking and not the least upset that she might have caused the Tyrol's strife.
*In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] administers to [[Laura Roslin]] another [[diloxin]] treatment, noting that the drug's nausea should go away in an hour.
* As Roslin tries to relax on the bed, [[William Adama]] sits by her bedside and begins to read from a book to her, ''[[Love and Bullets]]'', by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.
* The book's passages of a character's lost love appear to reflect through Adama as he gazes at Roslin while he completes the passage: "From the moment I open my eyes, she's in my blood, bittersweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I want to be. For she is what I am, all that is, should always be."
* The scene shifts to a press conference on ''[[Colonial One]]'' where [[Lee Adama]] accepts appointment to the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] seat to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]] is also in attendance.
*The press asks about questions of loyality between Lee Adama and his role in the [[Gaius Baltar]] trial, which Roslin dismisses.
* Reporter [[Playa Palacios]] asks about the whereabouts of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', missing now three weeks, Roslin defers the question to Admiral Adama, who cryptically explains that the ship is on a military mission. When [[Sekou Hamilton]] asks if [[Kara Thrace]] was made captain of that ship, Adama dismisses that as rumor.
*Roslin quickly ends the press conference. In her office, Roslin tells Adama she is surprised that the press took as long to ask about the ''Demetrius'' as they did. When Adama tells Roslin he think the issue will "blow over," Roslin disagrees. Not told of the mission, Roslin is angered that she may have to help Adama cover the true mission of the ship for a long time. Adama explains that he had to give Thrace a chance and himself a chance to believe in the [[Maelstrom|presumed-dead]] pilot, but Roslin only says, "Apparently." Adama leaves her office in silence.
*Galen Tyrol tries to explain to Cally that he and Tory Foster aren't having an affair, but Cally all but ignores him, telling him to drop their son off to the day care area and to ask the caregivers not to feed Nicky any of the [[algae mash]] as she thinks Nicky is allergic. Frustrated by Cally's avoidance of the subject, he slams his fist down on the table, upsetting his son, and tries to comfort him.
*On ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama is in a conference room for the Quorum meeting. Spotting the nameplate for Caprica, he tentatively sits down. Tom Zarek arrives, his mood dark. When Adama tells Zarek that he wanted to see Roslin to discuss some projects that [[Cowen]], his predecessor as Caprican delegate, had before she died, Zarek counters, explaining that, like himself, Roslin is keeping Adama on the sidelines. Zarek believes that Roslin does not forgive and forget easily. When Adama asks Zarek why he nominated him for the Quorum's side, Zarek tells him that it was because Adama stood up to defend Baltar and confront Roslin, he believed Adama would make an effective ally.
*Zarek feels that Roslin's increasingly secretive nature, by refusing to allow meeting to be recorded, is a sign of a larger issue, despite claiming to Adama that he remains loyal to Roslin. When Adama tells Zarek that he won't be giving a repeat of his work in Baltar's trial to undermine Roslin, saying that having a "benevolent tyrant" is better than the opposite, Zarek strongly disagrees. He asks Adama to trust him to aid in his fight to uncover the secrets that Roslin hides. He leaves a classified folder with Adama and leaves.
*In sickbay, Cally Tyrol asks for another sedative and for sleep, but Cottle objects, not wanting to turn his sickbay in an "opium den." He asks about her family life, which Cally tells all is not well since reaching the [[Ionian Nebula]].
*Cottle does side with Cally about her husband's problems, asking her to bring him in for examination. Cally smiles at Cottle's "tough love" stance but Cottle warns that she might actually be imagining things as her fatigue and drug use could be influencing her thoughts. Cally counters that she might, indeed be crazy, considering she married a man who [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|once broke her jaw]]. When Cottle asks if that was the last time that Galen had attacked Cally, she responds that she'd wished that he'd do so again (taking Cottle's cigarette from his hand and taking a drag), if only for her to gauge what Galen really felt about her. Cottle tells her to get some rest.
*On ''Colonial One'', the Quorum meeting continues. [[Sagittaron]] Quorum delegate [[Jacob Cantrell]] strongly questions Roslin about the ''Demetrius'' mission, which she defers to answer out of matters of security. Others are visibly upset with Roslin's answer and of each other when Roslin tries to steer the meeting back to other matters of the floor while Zarek, acting as the chair of the meeting, tries to establish order.
*Lee Adama speaks out, trying to calm the others through inferring, based on his own military experience, that the president and Admiral Adama are exploring all possible routes to Earth. The Quorum audibly relaxes at Adama's words, but Roslin sees Adama as trying to be her "spokesperson" and chastises him. She directs Cantrell to continue with his discussion on medical supplies.
* Lee Adama calls a point of order, which Zarek uses to compels Contrell to yield the floor for Adama to speak. Adama brings up Executive Order 112, which would concentrate more executive power. The Quorum angrily erupts when Roslin tries to bury the issue.
*On ''Galactica'', Cally Tyrol sadly recalls her good times with her husband. She kisses her son and goes to close a door when she sees a note stuck in the door that tells her to meet at Weapons Locker 1701D.
* When Cally arrives, she finds her husband, [[Saul Tigh]] and Tory Foster entering. She opens a maintenance panel, tiny and dangerous, and enters to listen in on the conversation.
*What Cally hears shocks her more than the suggestion that her husband is having an affair. Tigh had left the note to meet at the weapons locker for Galen, and suddenly realizes that Cally could have intercepted the note. Tigh warns of the complications if Cally discovered that her husband was a Cylon.
* Cally's shock knocks a metal plate, which tumbles noisily down the ship's interior, a series of pipes and conduits that run dangerously deep from where Cally is standing. The others in the room halt their discussion for a moment before leaving. Cally escapes the tunnel and runs back to her quarters, but Foster leaves and notices that the maintenance panel was ajar.
* Cally is back in her quarters, visibly upset, when her husband returns.
* He tries to apologize, tell Cally that the affair never happened, and that his commitment to his family is paramount. But Cally believes that Galen used her to have a hybrid child and strikes him with a wrench, knocking him unconscious. She takes her son and leaves but not before taking a key from Galen's pocket.
* Walking through the corridors to the [[hangar deck]], Cally (still holding Nicky) enters a [[launch tube]]. She looks at the stars through a window, then opens a maintenance door. Inserting the key she took from Galen, Cally activates the launch tube airlock. Tory Foster arrives, and approaches Cally and Nicky.
* Cally closes the launch tube airlock door, sealing them inside. Foster tries to reason with Cally, asking her to think about what she's about to do to herself and to her child. Foster explains that they only recently found out they were Cylons, and that they are still the same people, and that they are as scared and confused as everyone else. Cally breaks down and collapses on her knees, apologizing to Nicky for what she was about to do to him. Foster comforts Cally and takes Nicky in her arms, then suddenly strikes Cally with seemingly-superhuman strength, knocking her several body-lengths across the deck and putting her in a daze.
* Foster retrieves the launch tube key and exits the launch tube, Nicky in her arms. When Cally comes to, she finds herself alone trapped in the airlock, and Tory inside the launch control booth. Tory uses the key to activate the launch controls and opens the outer airlock door, sending Cally to her death in open space.
* Admiral Adama breaks the news of Cally's death to a motionless, silent Tyrol.

=== On the ''[[Demetrius]]'' ===
* On day 22 of the mission, ''Demetrius'' continues on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with as many as four [[Viper Mark II]] fighters magnetically locked onto its top hull.
* Inside, Kara Thrace appears frustrated as she pours through star charts and other navigation data, trying to gain her fix on the direction of Earth. [[Felix Gaeta]] enters the room as Thrace tells him of a decision.
* In a mess hall on the dark, dirty ship, [[Diana Seelix]] asks in frustration what they are looking for in deep space. A pilot named [[Eammon Pike|Pike]], looking at the centerfold of ''[[Nymph]]'' magazine, explains that they are searching for a gas giant with rings orbiting a trinary star cluster with a comet. Seelix angrily retorts that the search is more like a "[[frak|cluster-frak]]" to her when [[Helo]] admonishes her.
* [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are also in the room.
* Some of the group complains that Thrace's repeated course corrections are pointless. When Pike says that he thinks ''Galactica'' is hounding them in secret, waiting for Thrace to show her "true colors" as a Cylon, Anders defends her. When the mood darkens more, Helo orders everyone to be quiet.
*Thrace is quietly approaching, listening to the conversation from above the mess hall deck, and soon yells for Helo to talk to him. Anders looks above him to Thrace (standing on steel mesh decking) and asks if there is more that she can tell them about their destination, but Thrace coldly admonishes him by rank for asking. Thrace gives Helo new [[FTL]] coordinates.
*Anders meets with Thrace, as she paints what she has seen on a bulkhead. Anders complains that she needs to open up more about the mission with the rest of the crew, but Thrace disagrees. Reminding her that some of them volunteered for the mission, Thrace steers Anders's concerns to that of their failed marriage. Anders joins their marital arm tattoos., trying to remind her of what is real. Thrace angrily tells Anders that she married him only because he was a safe choice and he was naive enough to do so.
*The two exchange more words. Thrace explains to Anders that she's not the same woman he married. He pushes her into a bunk as their anger dissolves into sex.
*After sex, Thrace questions that she and Anders's marriage was real. She questions how her feelings, her perceptions of her past, as if she were watching it from another "alien" body far away. Ander's face suggests comprehension about [[Final Five|feeling unsure of identity]].

=== On the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s ===
* On a [[Resurrection Ship]], a [[Number One]] is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]]. Another One tells his confused brother that he was shot by one of their own [[Cylon Centurion]]s. [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] is there with him.
* The first Number One wants to return to his baseship, but the second One tells him that he has been effectively kicked off from his own ship in a type of coup. Boomer apologizes that her swing vote to enforce the [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] "reconfiguration" failed, and kisses him deeply.
*On the same baseship where the Centurions shot several [[humanoid Cylon]]s for their part in the Raider reconfiguration, a Number One returns to the conference room where a Centurion is busily cleaning up the mess caused by their shootout.
*The Number One tries to understand why [[Natalie]] shifted power, suggesting to reunify the group. Natalie explains that the Raiders were only a symptom of a larger problem: Cavil's [[Rapture|earlier pressure]] on the group to [[box]] all [[Number Three]]s. Natalie says that mere unification of the [[Significant Seven|seven]] is not enough. She and the Eights at the table tell Number One that unification with the [[Final Five]] is the desired goal. Natalie wants all the Threes unboxed and work on unifying with the Five to begin.
*Cavil dislikes the idea of resuming the D'Anna's "messianic quest" that seemed to lead the remaining Cylons to this juncture, but agrees to bring Natalie's case to the other models. Natalie orders a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship, but it hesitates until she says, "please." Cavil warns her that removing the [[inhibitor]]s from the Centurions has caused a bigger problem than Natalie realizes.
*Later, two Number Ones tell Natalie and two Number Eights the result of the vote: The consensus is to unbox the Threes, although Cavil/One remains against the idea.
*An Eight tries to solicit the Ones' support since his side was outvoted, but Natalie agrees with the Ones that the vote does not give Natalie's side the right to change the feelings of the Ones and create more discord.
* Cavil/One tells Natalie that the Threes' consciousness is being downloaded in a central resurrection hub six jumps away. Still harboring bad feelings about the decision, the two sides agree to stay on different baseships as they make their way back to hear of the Threes' discovery on the [[algae planet]].
* Cylon baseships controlled by Cavil join the rest of the fleet at their destination, but without the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The newly-arrived baseships break formation and surround Natalie's baseships, then launch an attack.
* On Cavil's baseship, Boomer worries that murder, permanent killing of their own kind without chance of resurrection is wrong. Cavil says coldly that God will watch over the dying Cylons' immortal souls. When Boomer questions who will watch over their souls, Cavil says, "We're machines, dear. We don't have souls."

== Notes ==

* This episode sees no net loss of life in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], with the exception of [[Cally Tyrol]]'s death later in this episode, reducing the overall survivor count to 39,675.
* The number and alphabetical designation of the weapons locker, 1701D, is a ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' reference. 1701-D is the registry number for the ''[[MemoryAlpha:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS Enterprise]]'' from that series, which Michael Taylor and [[Ronald D. Moore]] formerly worked on.
*Like "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]", this episode's title is derived from Christian traditions; [[w:Blessed Be the Tie that Binds|Blessed Be the Tie that Binds]] is a Protestant hymn celebrating the unity that comes from love.
* Prior to the episode airing, [[Michael Taylor]] stated: "we say goodbye to another longtime character, though who that is and the manner of his or her departure should come as a surprise."<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen}} </ref>
* The script was being written while "[[Razor]]" was still in pre-production.<ref name="thewatcher"/>
* For the first time since the second season, the journalist [[Sekou Hamilton]] makes an appearance.

== Analysis ==
[[Image:Orion belt.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Orion's belt. [[:Image:Orion belt highlighted.jpg|View Highlighted Version]].]]
* The constellation [[w:Orion (constellation)|Orion]] appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.
*The ringed gas giant [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
* The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well.
* Foster also seems to be calmer, cooler, and more calculating than in the recent past. She appears to be more accepting of her Cylon nature than the others.
* Once again nobody notices the use of an airlock. It is hard to believe, that such a critical system is out of every control, especially at night, when the hangar deck is deserted.
* Given that [[Sarah Porter]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting on ''Colonial One'', it is likely that she no longer is [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]]'s delegate.
* Cavil and Boomer apparently have some sort of relationship. This was hinted at in the previous episode, when she dances lightly attired in front of him, but unclear.
* Although in public [[Laura Roslin]] claims to have forgiven [[Lee Adama]], and even to admire his convictions, she apparently still holds a grudge for how he treated her during Baltar's trial. She refuses to see him to discuss political issues, and later snubs him in a Quorum session where she ribs on his inexperience.
* When learning that her husband is a Cylon, Cally remembers seeing him cutting his finger and licking off the blood. Tyrol may have done this to convince himself that he is human. The drop of blood hitting the floor is the same image used as a framing device in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" to signify the connection between Tyrol and Boomer.
* In this episode, we learn a lot about the Quorum of Twelve and about the state of fleet politics in general. The Quorum meeting shown in this episode is reminiscent in format of [[w:Question Time]], a tradition of many parliamentary systems including that of the United Kingdom and Canada.
**The rowdiness and backtalk of the Quorum in particular is reminiscent of Prime Minister's Questions. However, unlike in Prime Minister's Questions or similar Question Time periods in real life parliaments, President Roslin makes some attempt at directing the meeting, rather than adopting the defensive posture the British Prime Minister is placed into. This suggests either a stronger constitutional role for the President or a further consolidation of power by Roslin.
** The Quorum is also, at least at this point, a non-partisan body. While parliaments and legislatures in real life are divided along party lines, there is no sign of this here. In particular, while government backbenchers usually ask flattering questions in contrast to the more challenging questions posed by the opposition, Adama is openly chastised by Roslin for attempting to ask an easy question.

== Questions ==

* Are all of the "renegade" Cylon faction baseships destroyed?

* Will the renegade models be boxed?

* Has [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] been left in foster care by her parents? If so, who have they found to look after her?

* Does the vague warning given by Cavil to Natalie about removing the inhibitors hint towards a Centurion rebellion against the humanoid Cylons?

* Will Boomer abandon Cavil's side now that he has resorted to lethal measures against Natalie's faction?

* What is Foster's motivation for killing Cally Tyrol?

* Now that power has shifted to the more aggresive models, will the Cylon renew their attacks on the humans, or will the stress and distraction of the Cylon civil war protect the human fleet for the time being?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[William Adama]] reads the opening of ''[[Love and Bullets]]'':''
:"It started like it always did. With a body. This one was in the river, and I could tell she had once been beautiful, but this bullet and fast current had taken away from her. All we are, or that we think we are, all that we are certain about, is taken away from us. When you've worked the streets and seen what I've seen, you become more and more convinced of it every day. [[Caprica City]] has been my teacher, my mistress. From the moment I opened my eyes, she is in my blood, like cheap wine. Bitter and sweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I wanna be, for she is what I am. All that is, should always be."

*''[[Tom Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s leadership:''
:'''Adama:''' Well, sometimes a benevolent tyrant is exactly what you need.
:'''Zarek:''' No. A tyrant craves power for its own sake. And all Laura wants is to save us all.

*''[[Samuel Anders]] confronts [[Kara Thrace]]:''
:'''Anders:''' You know, some of us actually volunteered for this mission.
:'''Thrace:''' "Some" meaning you. Because that's what this is about, Sam. You know what the deal is, with us, with our marriage? It didn't make much sense to begin with. Makes even less now.
:'''Anders:''' I don't buy that. I don't think you believe a single, frakking word you're saying. You're just scared. You see that, mhh? You see [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Kara Thrace .26 Samuel Anders|this]]? Remember those? You remember when we got 'em? That's what's real, ok. That's part of who we are. That is a part of what ''you'' are, whether you will admit it or not.
:'''Thrace:''' Dumb motherfrakker. I only married you because it was save and it was easy, Sam. And you were just pathetic enough to go along with it. So get the frak out! (She shoves him out) Sam, get out! Get out! Leave, come on! Get out! (Anders takes her by the arms and holds her. They are almost kissing.) I don't want to fight, Sam. I wanna frak. You don't get it, do you? I'm not the same girl you married. All I wanna do right now is frak. Really frak, like it's the end of the world and nothing else matters. So come on, Sam, make me feel something. I dare you.
:(Anders shoves her away, then gives her a second shove onto the bunk bed.)

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Number One]]
* [[Jen Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Donna Soares]] as Speaking Delegate #1
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] Delegate
* [[Iris Paluly]] as Speaking Delegate #2
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=245

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:The Ties That Bind]]

The Ties That Bind

2008-04-20T07:33:53Z

Philwelch: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| image=4x03 - The Ties That Bind - Promo 2.jpg
| title= The Ties That Bind
| season= 4
| episode= 3
| forumthread= 888
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Nankin]]
| production=405
| rating=
| US airdate=18 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[Six of One]]
| next= [[Escape Velocity]]
| promo=
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] leads a [[Demetrius|ship]] in her search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], while ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew deals with political and marital issues. On the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] side, the [[Significant Seven]]'s solidarity is challenged.

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and the Colonial Fleet ===
* [[Cally Tyrol]], waking from [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son's]] cries, has dreams recalling arguments with her husband, [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]], of apparently finding herself spending more time alone with her child and Galen avoiding her through work or other activity. In one scene she is taking medication, perhaps to help her sleep, or to fight depression.
* The dark room is unkempt, and medication and baby formula bottles are stacked on a table.
* When Cally Tyrol realizes that Nicky is actually crying, she comforts him and returns him to his crib. She calls [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], apparently to try to find her husband with no luck. She finds a napkin for [[Joe's bar]] in his clothing.
* At the bar, Galen Tyrol and [[Tory Foster]] are drinking [[ambrosia]] and other spirits. Galen laments that, before [[Final Five|their revelation]], he knew what he was: husband, crew chief, and father. Now, his identity is taking a beating.
* Foster flirts with Galen as Cally walks holding her son in a dreamy state (presumably drug related) to Joe's Bar. Cally's distorted vision believes she sees Foster touching Galen's arm seductively. Entering the bar, Cally angrily yells at Galen as he tries to explain. Angry and hurt, Cally takes her son and leaves the bar as Foster looks on, still drinking and not the least upset that she might have caused the Tyrol's strife.
*In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] administers to [[Laura Roslin]] another [[diloxin]] treatment, noting that the drug's nausea should go away in an hour.
* As Roslin tries to relax on the bed, [[William Adama]] sits by her bedside and begins to read from a book to her, ''[[Love and Bullets]]'', by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.
* The book's passages of a character's lost love appear to reflect through Adama as he gazes at Roslin while he completes the passage: "From the moment I open my eyes, she's in my blood, bittersweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I want to be. For she is what I am, all that is, should always be."
* The scene shifts to a press conference on ''[[Colonial One]]'' where [[Lee Adama]] accepts appointment to the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] seat to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]] is also in attendance.
*The press asks about questions of loyality between Lee Adama and his role in the [[Gaius Baltar]] trial, which Roslin dismisses.
* Reporter [[Playa Palacios]] asks about the whereabouts of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', missing now three weeks, Roslin defers the question to Admiral Adama, who cryptically explains that the ship is on a military mission. When [[Sekou Hamilton]] asks if [[Kara Thrace]] was made captain of that ship, Adama dismisses that as rumor.
*Roslin quickly ends the press conference. In her office, Roslin tells Adama she is surprised that the press took as long to ask about the ''Demetrius'' as they did. When Adama tells Roslin he think the issue will "blow over," Roslin disagrees. Not told of the mission, Roslin is angered that she may have to help Adama cover the true mission of the ship for a long time. Adama explains that he had to give Thrace a chance and himself a chance to believe in the [[Maelstrom|presumed-dead]] pilot, but Roslin only says, "Apparently." Adama leaves her office in silence.
*Galen Tyrol tries to explain to Cally that he and Tory Foster aren't having an affair, but Cally all but ignores him, telling him to drop their son off to the day care area and to ask the caregivers not to feed Nicky any of the [[algae mash]] as she thinks Nicky is allergic. Frustrated by Cally's avoidance of the subject, he slams his fist down on the table, upsetting his son, and tries to comfort him.
*On ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama is in a conference room for the Quorum meeting. Spotting the nameplate for Caprica, he tentatively sits down. Tom Zarek arrives, his mood dark. When Adama tells Zarek that he wanted to see Roslin to discuss some projects that [[Cowen]], his predecessor as Caprican delegate, had before she died, Zarek counters, explaining that, like himself, Roslin is keeping Adama on the sidelines. Zarek believes that Roslin does not forgive and forget easily. When Adama asks Zarek why he nominated him for the Quorum's side, Zarek tells him that it was because Adama stood up to defend Baltar and confront Roslin, he believed Adama would make an effective ally.
*Zarek feels that Roslin's increasingly secretive nature, by refusing to allow meeting to be recorded, is a sign of a larger issue, despite claiming to Adama that he remains loyal to Roslin. When Adama tells Zarek that he won't be giving a repeat of his work in Baltar's trial to undermine Roslin, saying that having a "benevolent tyrant" is better than the opposite, Zarek strongly disagrees. He asks Adama to trust him to aid in his fight to uncover the secrets that Roslin hides. He leaves a classified folder with Adama and leaves.
*In sickbay, Cally Tyrol asks for another sedative and for sleep, but Cottle objects, not wanting to turn his sickbay in an "opium den." He asks about her family life, which Cally tells all is not well since reaching the [[Ionian Nebula]].
*Cottle does side with Cally about her husband's problems, asking her to bring him in for examination. Cally smiles at Cottle's "tough love" stance but Cottle warns that she might actually be imagining things as her fatigue and drug use could be influencing her thoughts. Cally counters that she might, indeed be crazy, considering she married a man who [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|once broke her jaw]]. When Cottle asks if that was the last time that Galen had attacked Cally, she responds that she'd wished that he'd do so again (taking Cottle's cigarette from his hand and taking a drag), if only for her to gauge what Galen really felt about her. Cottle tells her to get some rest.
*On ''Colonial One'', the Quorum meeting continues. [[Sagittaron]] Quorum delegate [[Jacob Cantrell]] strongly questions Roslin about the ''Demetrius'' mission, which she defers to answer out of matters of security. Others are visibly upset with Roslin's answer and of each other when Roslin tries to steer the meeting back to other matters of the floor while Zarek, acting as the chair of the meeting, tries to establish order.
*Lee Adama speaks out, trying to calm the others through inferring, based on his own military experience, that the president and Admiral Adama are exploring all possible routes to Earth. The Quorum audibly relaxes at Adama's words, but Roslin sees Adama as trying to be her "spokesperson" and chastises him. She directs Cantrell to continue with his discussion on medical supplies.
* Lee Adama calls a point of order, which Zarek uses to compels Contrell to yield the floor for Adama to speak. Adama brings up Executive Order 112, which would concentrate more executive power. The Quorum angrily erupts when Roslin tries to bury the issue.
*On ''Galactica'', Cally Tyrol sadly recalls her good times with her husband. She kisses her son and goes to close a door when she sees a note stuck in the door that tells her to meet at Weapons Locker 1701D.
* When Cally arrives, she finds her husband, [[Saul Tigh]] and Tory Foster entering. She opens a maintenance panel, tiny and dangerous, and enters to listen in on the conversation.
*What Cally hears shocks her more than the suggestion that her husband is having an affair. Tigh had left the note to meet at the weapons locker for Galen, and suddenly realizes that Cally could have intercepted the note. Tigh warns of the complications if Cally discovered that her husband was a Cylon.
* Cally's shock knocks a metal plate, which tumbles noisily down the ship's interior, a series of pipes and conduits that run dangerously deep from where Cally is standing. The others in the room halt their discussion for a moment before leaving. Cally escapes the tunnel and runs back to her quarters, but Foster leaves and notices that the maintenance panel was ajar.
* Cally is back in her quarters, visibly upset, when her husband returns.
* He tries to apologize, tell Cally that the affair never happened, and that his commitment to his family is paramount. But Cally believes that Galen used her to have a hybrid child and strikes him with a wrench, knocking him unconscious. She takes her son and leaves but not before taking a key from Galen's pocket.
* Walking through the corridors to the [[hangar deck]], Cally (still holding Nicky) enters a [[launch tube]]. She looks at the stars through a window, then opens a maintenance door. Inserting the key she took from Galen, Cally activates the launch tube airlock. Tory Foster arrives, and approaches Cally and Nicky.
* Cally closes the launch tube airlock door, sealing them inside. Foster tries to reason with Cally, asking her to think about what she's about to do to herself and to her child. Foster explains that they only recently found out they were Cylons, and that they are still the same people, and that they are as scared and confused as everyone else. Cally breaks down and collapses on her knees, apologizing to Nicky for what she was about to do to him. Foster comforts Cally and takes Nicky in her arms, then suddenly strikes Cally with seemingly-superhuman strength, knocking her several body-lengths across the deck and putting her in a daze.
* Foster retrieves the launch tube key and exits the launch tube, Nicky in her arms. When Cally comes to, she finds herself alone trapped in the airlock, and Tory inside the launch control booth. Tory uses the key to activate the launch controls and opens the outer airlock door, sending Cally to her death in open space.
* Admiral Adama breaks the news of Cally's death to a motionless, silent Tyrol.

=== On the ''[[Demetrius]]'' ===
* On day 22 of the mission, ''Demetrius'' continues on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with as many as four [[Viper Mark II]] fighters magnetically locked onto its top hull.
* Inside, Kara Thrace appears frustrated as she pours through star charts and other navigation data, trying to gain her fix on the direction of Earth. [[Felix Gaeta]] enters the room as Thrace tells him of a decision.
* In a mess hall on the dark, dirty ship, [[Diana Seelix]] asks in frustration what they are looking for in deep space. A pilot named [[Eammon Pike|Pike]], looking at the centerfold of ''[[Nymph]]'' magazine, explains that they are searching for a gas giant with rings orbiting a trinary star cluster with a comet. Seelix angrily retorts that the search is more like a "[[frak|cluster-frak]]" to her when [[Helo]] admonishes her.
* [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are also in the room.
* Some of the group complains that Thrace's repeated course corrections are pointless. When Pike says that he thinks ''Galactica'' is hounding them in secret, waiting for Thrace to show her "true colors" as a Cylon, Anders defends her. When the mood darkens more, Helo orders everyone to be quiet.
*Thrace is quietly approaching, listening to the conversation from above the mess hall deck, and soon yells for Helo to talk to him. Anders looks above him to Thrace (standing on steel mesh decking) and asks if there is more that she can tell them about their destination, but Thrace coldly admonishes him by rank for asking. Thrace gives Helo new [[FTL]] coordinates.
*Anders meets with Thrace, as she paints what she has seen on a bulkhead. Anders complains that she needs to open up more about the mission with the rest of the crew, but Thrace disagrees. Reminding her that some of them volunteered for the mission, Thrace steers Anders's concerns to that of their failed marriage. Anders joins their marital arm tattoos., trying to remind her of what is real. Thrace angrily tells Anders that she married him only because he was a safe choice and he was naive enough to do so.
*The two exchange more words. Thrace explains to Anders that she's not the same woman he married. He pushes her into a bunk as their anger dissolves into sex.
*After sex, Thrace questions that she and Anders's marriage was real. She questions how her feelings, her perceptions of her past, as if she were watching it from another "alien" body far away. Ander's face suggests comprehension about [[Final Five|feeling unsure of identity]].

=== On the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s ===
* On a [[Resurrection Ship]], a [[Number One]] is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]]. Another One tells his confused brother that he was shot by one of their own [[Cylon Centurion]]s. [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] is there with him.
* The first Number One wants to return to his baseship, but the second One tells him that he has been effectively kicked off from his own ship in a type of coup. Boomer apologizes that her swing vote to enforce the [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] "reconfiguration" failed, and kisses him deeply.
*On the same baseship where the Centurions shot several [[humanoid Cylon]]s for their part in the Raider reconfiguration, a Number One returns to the conference room where a Centurion is busily cleaning up the mess caused by their shootout.
*The Number One tries to understand why [[Natalie]] shifted power, suggesting to reunify the group. Natalie explains that the Raiders were only a symptom of a larger problem: Cavil's [[Rapture|earlier pressure]] on the group to [[box]] all [[Number Three]]s. Natalie says that mere unification of the [[Significant Seven|seven]] is not enough. She and the Eights at the table tell Number One that unification with the [[Final Five]] is the desired goal. Natalie wants all the Threes unboxed and work on unifying with the Five to begin.
*Cavil dislikes the idea of resuming the D'Anna's "messianic quest" that seemed to lead the remaining Cylons to this juncture, but agrees to bring Natalie's case to the other models. Natalie orders a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship, but it hesitates until she says, "please." Cavil warns her that removing the [[inhibitor]]s from the Centurions has caused a bigger problem than Natalie realizes.
*Later, two Number Ones tell Natalie and two Number Eights the result of the vote: The consensus is to unbox the Threes, although Cavil/One remains against the idea.
*An Eight tries to solicit the Ones' support since his side was outvoted, but Natalie agrees with the Ones that the vote does not give Natalie's side the right to change the feelings of the Ones and create more discord.
* Cavil/One tells Natalie that the Threes' consciousness is being downloaded in a central resurrection hub six jumps away. Still harboring bad feelings about the decision, the two sides agree to stay on different baseships as they make their way back to hear of the Threes' discovery on the [[algae planet]].
* Cylon baseships controlled by Cavil join the rest of the fleet at their destination, but without the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The newly-arrived baseships break formation and surround Natalie's baseships, then launch an attack.
* On Cavil's baseship, Boomer worries that murder, permanent killing of their own kind without chance of resurrection is wrong. Cavil says coldly that God will watch over the dying Cylons' immortal souls. When Boomer questions who will watch over their souls, Cavil says, "We're machines, dear. We don't have souls."

== Notes ==

* This episode sees no net loss of life in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], with the exception of [[Cally Tyrol]]'s death later in this episode, reducing the overall survivor count to 39,675.
* The number and alphabetical designation of the weapons locker, 1701D, is a ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' reference. 1701-D is the registry number for the ''[[MemoryAlpha:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS Enterprise]]'' from that series, which Michael Taylor and [[Ronald D. Moore]] formerly worked on.
*Like "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]", this episode's title is derived from Christian traditions; [[w:Blessed Be the Tie that Binds|Blessed Be the Tie that Binds]] is a Protestant hymn celebrating the unity that comes from love.
* Prior to the episode airing, [[Michael Taylor]] stated: "we say goodbye to another longtime character, though who that is and the manner of his or her departure should come as a surprise."<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen}} </ref>
* The script was being written while "[[Razor]]" was still in pre-production.<ref name="thewatcher"/>
* For the first time since the second season, the journalist [[Sekou Hamilton]] makes an appearance.

== Analysis ==
[[Image:Orion belt.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Orion's belt. [[:Image:Orion belt highlighted.jpg|View Highlighted Version]].]]
* The constellation [[w:Orion (constellation)|Orion]] appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.
*The ringed gas giant [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
* The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well.
* Foster also seems to be calmer, cooler, and more calculating than in the recent past. She appears to be more accepting of her Cylon nature than the others.
* Once again nobody notices the use of an airlock. It is hard to believe, that such a critical system is out of every control, especially at night, when the hangar deck is deserted.
* Given that [[Sarah Porter]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting on ''Colonial One'', it is likely that she no longer is [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]]'s delegate.
* Cavil and Boomer apparently have some sort of relationship. This was hinted at in the previous episode, when she dances lightly attired in front of him, but unclear.
* Although in public [[Laura Roslin]] claims to have forgiven [[Lee Adama]], and even to admire his convictions, she apparently still holds a grudge for how he treated her during Baltar's trial. She refuses to see him to discuss political issues, and later snubs him in a Quorum session where she ribs on his inexperience.
* When learning that her husband is a Cylon, Cally remembers seeing him cutting his finger and licking off the blood. Tyrol may have done this to convince himself that he is human. The drop of blood hitting the floor is the same image used as a framing device in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" to signify the connection between Tyrol and Boomer.
* In this episode, we learn a lot about the Quorum of Twelve and about the state of fleet politics in general. The Quorum meeting shown in this episode is reminiscent in format of [[w:Question Time]], a tradition of many parliamentary systems including that of the United Kingdom and Canada
**The rowdiness and backtalk of the Quorum in particular is reminiscent of Prime Minister's Questions. However, unlike in Prime Minister's Questions or similar Question Time periods in real life parliaments, President Roslin makes some attempt at directing the meeting, rather than adopting the defensive posture the British Prime Minister is placed into. This suggests either a stronger constitutional role for the President or a further consolidation of power by Roslin.
** The Quorum is also, at least at this point, a non-partisan body. While parliaments and legislatures in real life are divided along party lines, there is no sign of this here. In particular, while government backbenchers usually ask flattering questions in contrast to the more challenging questions posed by the opposition, Adama is openly chastised by Roslin for attempting to ask an easy question.

== Questions ==

* Are all of the "renegade" Cylon faction baseships destroyed?

* Will the renegade models be boxed?

* Has [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] been left in foster care by her parents? If so, who have they found to look after her?

* Does the vague warning given by Cavil to Natalie about removing the inhibitors hint towards a Centurion rebellion against the humanoid Cylons?

* Will Boomer abandon Cavil's side now that he has resorted to lethal measures against Natalie's faction?

* What is Foster's motivation for killing Cally Tyrol?

* Now that power has shifted to the more aggresive models, will the Cylon renew their attacks on the humans, or will the stress and distraction of the Cylon civil war protect the human fleet for the time being?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[William Adama]] reads the opening of ''[[Love and Bullets]]'':''
:"It started like it always did. With a body. This one was in the river, and I could tell she had once been beautiful, but this bullet and fast current had taken away from her. All we are, or that we think we are, all that we are certain about, is taken away from us. When you've worked the streets and seen what I've seen, you become more and more convinced of it every day. [[Caprica City]] has been my teacher, my mistress. From the moment I opened my eyes, she is in my blood, like cheap wine. Bitter and sweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I wanna be, for she is what I am. All that is, should always be."

*''[[Tom Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s leadership:''
:'''Adama:''' Well, sometimes a benevolent tyrant is exactly what you need.
:'''Zarek:''' No. A tyrant craves power for its own sake. And all Laura wants is to save us all.

*''[[Samuel Anders]] confronts [[Kara Thrace]]:''
:'''Anders:''' You know, some of us actually volunteered for this mission.
:'''Thrace:''' "Some" meaning you. Because that's what this is about, Sam. You know what the deal is, with us, with our marriage? It didn't make much sense to begin with. Makes even less now.
:'''Anders:''' I don't buy that. I don't think you believe a single, frakking word you're saying. You're just scared. You see that, mhh? You see [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Kara Thrace .26 Samuel Anders|this]]? Remember those? You remember when we got 'em? That's what's real, ok. That's part of who we are. That is a part of what ''you'' are, whether you will admit it or not.
:'''Thrace:''' Dumb motherfrakker. I only married you because it was save and it was easy, Sam. And you were just pathetic enough to go along with it. So get the frak out! (She shoves him out) Sam, get out! Get out! Leave, come on! Get out! (Anders takes her by the arms and holds her. They are almost kissing.) I don't want to fight, Sam. I wanna frak. You don't get it, do you? I'm not the same girl you married. All I wanna do right now is frak. Really frak, like it's the end of the world and nothing else matters. So come on, Sam, make me feel something. I dare you.
:(Anders shoves her away, then gives her a second shove onto the bunk bed.)

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Number One]]
* [[Jen Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Donna Soares]] as Speaking Delegate #1
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] Delegate
* [[Iris Paluly]] as Speaking Delegate #2
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=245

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:The Ties That Bind]]

The Ties That Bind

2008-04-20T07:33:30Z

Philwelch: /* Analysis */

{{Episode Data
| image=4x03 - The Ties That Bind - Promo 2.jpg
| title= The Ties That Bind
| season= 4
| episode= 3
| forumthread= 888
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Nankin]]
| production=405
| rating=
| US airdate=18 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[Six of One]]
| next= [[Escape Velocity]]
| promo=
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] leads a [[Demetrius|ship]] in her search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], while ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew deals with political and marital issues. On the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] side, the [[Significant Seven]]'s solidarity is challenged.

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and the Colonial Fleet ===
* [[Cally Tyrol]], waking from [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son's]] cries, has dreams recalling arguments with her husband, [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]], of apparently finding herself spending more time alone with her child and Galen avoiding her through work or other activity. In one scene she is taking medication, perhaps to help her sleep, or to fight depression.
* The dark room is unkempt, and medication and baby formula bottles are stacked on a table.
* When Cally Tyrol realizes that Nicky is actually crying, she comforts him and returns him to his crib. She calls [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], apparently to try to find her husband with no luck. She finds a napkin for [[Joe's bar]] in his clothing.
* At the bar, Galen Tyrol and [[Tory Foster]] are drinking [[ambrosia]] and other spirits. Galen laments that, before [[Final Five|their revelation]], he knew what he was: husband, crew chief, and father. Now, his identity is taking a beating.
* Foster flirts with Galen as Cally walks holding her son in a dreamy state (presumably drug related) to Joe's Bar. Cally's distorted vision believes she sees Foster touching Galen's arm seductively. Entering the bar, Cally angrily yells at Galen as he tries to explain. Angry and hurt, Cally takes her son and leaves the bar as Foster looks on, still drinking and not the least upset that she might have caused the Tyrol's strife.
*In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] administers to [[Laura Roslin]] another [[diloxin]] treatment, noting that the drug's nausea should go away in an hour.
* As Roslin tries to relax on the bed, [[William Adama]] sits by her bedside and begins to read from a book to her, ''[[Love and Bullets]]'', by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.
* The book's passages of a character's lost love appear to reflect through Adama as he gazes at Roslin while he completes the passage: "From the moment I open my eyes, she's in my blood, bittersweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I want to be. For she is what I am, all that is, should always be."
* The scene shifts to a press conference on ''[[Colonial One]]'' where [[Lee Adama]] accepts appointment to the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] seat to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]] is also in attendance.
*The press asks about questions of loyality between Lee Adama and his role in the [[Gaius Baltar]] trial, which Roslin dismisses.
* Reporter [[Playa Palacios]] asks about the whereabouts of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', missing now three weeks, Roslin defers the question to Admiral Adama, who cryptically explains that the ship is on a military mission. When [[Sekou Hamilton]] asks if [[Kara Thrace]] was made captain of that ship, Adama dismisses that as rumor.
*Roslin quickly ends the press conference. In her office, Roslin tells Adama she is surprised that the press took as long to ask about the ''Demetrius'' as they did. When Adama tells Roslin he think the issue will "blow over," Roslin disagrees. Not told of the mission, Roslin is angered that she may have to help Adama cover the true mission of the ship for a long time. Adama explains that he had to give Thrace a chance and himself a chance to believe in the [[Maelstrom|presumed-dead]] pilot, but Roslin only says, "Apparently." Adama leaves her office in silence.
*Galen Tyrol tries to explain to Cally that he and Tory Foster aren't having an affair, but Cally all but ignores him, telling him to drop their son off to the day care area and to ask the caregivers not to feed Nicky any of the [[algae mash]] as she thinks Nicky is allergic. Frustrated by Cally's avoidance of the subject, he slams his fist down on the table, upsetting his son, and tries to comfort him.
*On ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama is in a conference room for the Quorum meeting. Spotting the nameplate for Caprica, he tentatively sits down. Tom Zarek arrives, his mood dark. When Adama tells Zarek that he wanted to see Roslin to discuss some projects that [[Cowen]], his predecessor as Caprican delegate, had before she died, Zarek counters, explaining that, like himself, Roslin is keeping Adama on the sidelines. Zarek believes that Roslin does not forgive and forget easily. When Adama asks Zarek why he nominated him for the Quorum's side, Zarek tells him that it was because Adama stood up to defend Baltar and confront Roslin, he believed Adama would make an effective ally.
*Zarek feels that Roslin's increasingly secretive nature, by refusing to allow meeting to be recorded, is a sign of a larger issue, despite claiming to Adama that he remains loyal to Roslin. When Adama tells Zarek that he won't be giving a repeat of his work in Baltar's trial to undermine Roslin, saying that having a "benevolent tyrant" is better than the opposite, Zarek strongly disagrees. He asks Adama to trust him to aid in his fight to uncover the secrets that Roslin hides. He leaves a classified folder with Adama and leaves.
*In sickbay, Cally Tyrol asks for another sedative and for sleep, but Cottle objects, not wanting to turn his sickbay in an "opium den." He asks about her family life, which Cally tells all is not well since reaching the [[Ionian Nebula]].
*Cottle does side with Cally about her husband's problems, asking her to bring him in for examination. Cally smiles at Cottle's "tough love" stance but Cottle warns that she might actually be imagining things as her fatigue and drug use could be influencing her thoughts. Cally counters that she might, indeed be crazy, considering she married a man who [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|once broke her jaw]]. When Cottle asks if that was the last time that Galen had attacked Cally, she responds that she'd wished that he'd do so again (taking Cottle's cigarette from his hand and taking a drag), if only for her to gauge what Galen really felt about her. Cottle tells her to get some rest.
*On ''Colonial One'', the Quorum meeting continues. [[Sagittaron]] Quorum delegate [[Jacob Cantrell]] strongly questions Roslin about the ''Demetrius'' mission, which she defers to answer out of matters of security. Others are visibly upset with Roslin's answer and of each other when Roslin tries to steer the meeting back to other matters of the floor while Zarek, acting as the chair of the meeting, tries to establish order.
*Lee Adama speaks out, trying to calm the others through inferring, based on his own military experience, that the president and Admiral Adama are exploring all possible routes to Earth. The Quorum audibly relaxes at Adama's words, but Roslin sees Adama as trying to be her "spokesperson" and chastises him. She directs Cantrell to continue with his discussion on medical supplies.
* Lee Adama calls a point of order, which Zarek uses to compels Contrell to yield the floor for Adama to speak. Adama brings up Executive Order 112, which would concentrate more executive power. The Quorum angrily erupts when Roslin tries to bury the issue.
*On ''Galactica'', Cally Tyrol sadly recalls her good times with her husband. She kisses her son and goes to close a door when she sees a note stuck in the door that tells her to meet at Weapons Locker 1701D.
* When Cally arrives, she finds her husband, [[Saul Tigh]] and Tory Foster entering. She opens a maintenance panel, tiny and dangerous, and enters to listen in on the conversation.
*What Cally hears shocks her more than the suggestion that her husband is having an affair. Tigh had left the note to meet at the weapons locker for Galen, and suddenly realizes that Cally could have intercepted the note. Tigh warns of the complications if Cally discovered that her husband was a Cylon.
* Cally's shock knocks a metal plate, which tumbles noisily down the ship's interior, a series of pipes and conduits that run dangerously deep from where Cally is standing. The others in the room halt their discussion for a moment before leaving. Cally escapes the tunnel and runs back to her quarters, but Foster leaves and notices that the maintenance panel was ajar.
* Cally is back in her quarters, visibly upset, when her husband returns.
* He tries to apologize, tell Cally that the affair never happened, and that his commitment to his family is paramount. But Cally believes that Galen used her to have a hybrid child and strikes him with a wrench, knocking him unconscious. She takes her son and leaves but not before taking a key from Galen's pocket.
* Walking through the corridors to the [[hangar deck]], Cally (still holding Nicky) enters a [[launch tube]]. She looks at the stars through a window, then opens a maintenance door. Inserting the key she took from Galen, Cally activates the launch tube airlock. Tory Foster arrives, and approaches Cally and Nicky.
* Cally closes the launch tube airlock door, sealing them inside. Foster tries to reason with Cally, asking her to think about what she's about to do to herself and to her child. Foster explains that they only recently found out they were Cylons, and that they are still the same people, and that they are as scared and confused as everyone else. Cally breaks down and collapses on her knees, apologizing to Nicky for what she was about to do to him. Foster comforts Cally and takes Nicky in her arms, then suddenly strikes Cally with seemingly-superhuman strength, knocking her several body-lengths across the deck and putting her in a daze.
* Foster retrieves the launch tube key and exits the launch tube, Nicky in her arms. When Cally comes to, she finds herself alone trapped in the airlock, and Tory inside the launch control booth. Tory uses the key to activate the launch controls and opens the outer airlock door, sending Cally to her death in open space.
* Admiral Adama breaks the news of Cally's death to a motionless, silent Tyrol.

=== On the ''[[Demetrius]]'' ===
* On day 22 of the mission, ''Demetrius'' continues on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with as many as four [[Viper Mark II]] fighters magnetically locked onto its top hull.
* Inside, Kara Thrace appears frustrated as she pours through star charts and other navigation data, trying to gain her fix on the direction of Earth. [[Felix Gaeta]] enters the room as Thrace tells him of a decision.
* In a mess hall on the dark, dirty ship, [[Diana Seelix]] asks in frustration what they are looking for in deep space. A pilot named [[Eammon Pike|Pike]], looking at the centerfold of ''[[Nymph]]'' magazine, explains that they are searching for a gas giant with rings orbiting a trinary star cluster with a comet. Seelix angrily retorts that the search is more like a "[[frak|cluster-frak]]" to her when [[Helo]] admonishes her.
* [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are also in the room.
* Some of the group complains that Thrace's repeated course corrections are pointless. When Pike says that he thinks ''Galactica'' is hounding them in secret, waiting for Thrace to show her "true colors" as a Cylon, Anders defends her. When the mood darkens more, Helo orders everyone to be quiet.
*Thrace is quietly approaching, listening to the conversation from above the mess hall deck, and soon yells for Helo to talk to him. Anders looks above him to Thrace (standing on steel mesh decking) and asks if there is more that she can tell them about their destination, but Thrace coldly admonishes him by rank for asking. Thrace gives Helo new [[FTL]] coordinates.
*Anders meets with Thrace, as she paints what she has seen on a bulkhead. Anders complains that she needs to open up more about the mission with the rest of the crew, but Thrace disagrees. Reminding her that some of them volunteered for the mission, Thrace steers Anders's concerns to that of their failed marriage. Anders joins their marital arm tattoos., trying to remind her of what is real. Thrace angrily tells Anders that she married him only because he was a safe choice and he was naive enough to do so.
*The two exchange more words. Thrace explains to Anders that she's not the same woman he married. He pushes her into a bunk as their anger dissolves into sex.
*After sex, Thrace questions that she and Anders's marriage was real. She questions how her feelings, her perceptions of her past, as if she were watching it from another "alien" body far away. Ander's face suggests comprehension about [[Final Five|feeling unsure of identity]].

=== On the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s ===
* On a [[Resurrection Ship]], a [[Number One]] is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]]. Another One tells his confused brother that he was shot by one of their own [[Cylon Centurion]]s. [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] is there with him.
* The first Number One wants to return to his baseship, but the second One tells him that he has been effectively kicked off from his own ship in a type of coup. Boomer apologizes that her swing vote to enforce the [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] "reconfiguration" failed, and kisses him deeply.
*On the same baseship where the Centurions shot several [[humanoid Cylon]]s for their part in the Raider reconfiguration, a Number One returns to the conference room where a Centurion is busily cleaning up the mess caused by their shootout.
*The Number One tries to understand why [[Natalie]] shifted power, suggesting to reunify the group. Natalie explains that the Raiders were only a symptom of a larger problem: Cavil's [[Rapture|earlier pressure]] on the group to [[box]] all [[Number Three]]s. Natalie says that mere unification of the [[Significant Seven|seven]] is not enough. She and the Eights at the table tell Number One that unification with the [[Final Five]] is the desired goal. Natalie wants all the Threes unboxed and work on unifying with the Five to begin.
*Cavil dislikes the idea of resuming the D'Anna's "messianic quest" that seemed to lead the remaining Cylons to this juncture, but agrees to bring Natalie's case to the other models. Natalie orders a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship, but it hesitates until she says, "please." Cavil warns her that removing the [[inhibitor]]s from the Centurions has caused a bigger problem than Natalie realizes.
*Later, two Number Ones tell Natalie and two Number Eights the result of the vote: The consensus is to unbox the Threes, although Cavil/One remains against the idea.
*An Eight tries to solicit the Ones' support since his side was outvoted, but Natalie agrees with the Ones that the vote does not give Natalie's side the right to change the feelings of the Ones and create more discord.
* Cavil/One tells Natalie that the Threes' consciousness is being downloaded in a central resurrection hub six jumps away. Still harboring bad feelings about the decision, the two sides agree to stay on different baseships as they make their way back to hear of the Threes' discovery on the [[algae planet]].
* Cylon baseships controlled by Cavil join the rest of the fleet at their destination, but without the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The newly-arrived baseships break formation and surround Natalie's baseships, then launch an attack.
* On Cavil's baseship, Boomer worries that murder, permanent killing of their own kind without chance of resurrection is wrong. Cavil says coldly that God will watch over the dying Cylons' immortal souls. When Boomer questions who will watch over their souls, Cavil says, "We're machines, dear. We don't have souls."

== Notes ==

* This episode sees no net loss of life in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], with the exception of [[Cally Tyrol]]'s death later in this episode, reducing the overall survivor count to 39,675.
* The number and alphabetical designation of the weapons locker, 1701D, is a ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' reference. 1701-D is the registry number for the ''[[MemoryAlpha:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS Enterprise]]'' from that series, which Michael Taylor and [[Ronald D. Moore]] formerly worked on.
*Like "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]", this episode's title is derived from Christian traditions; [[w:Blessed Be the Tie that Binds|Blessed Be the Tie that Binds]] is a Protestant hymn celebrating the unity that comes from love.
* Prior to the episode airing, [[Michael Taylor]] stated: "we say goodbye to another longtime character, though who that is and the manner of his or her departure should come as a surprise."<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen}} </ref>
* The script was being written while "[[Razor]]" was still in pre-production.<ref name="thewatcher"/>
* For the first time since the second season, the journalist [[Sekou Hamilton]] makes an appearance.

== Analysis ==
[[Image:Orion belt.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Orion's belt. [[:Image:Orion belt highlighted.jpg|View Highlighted Version]].]]
* The constellation [[w:Orion (constellation)|Orion]] appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.
*The ringed gas giant [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
* The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well.
* Foster also seems to be calmer, cooler, and more calculating than in the recent past. She appears to be more accepting of her Cylon nature than the others.
* Once again nobody notices the use of an airlock. It is hard to believe, that such a critical system is out of every control, especially at night, when the hangar deck is deserted.
* Given that [[Sarah Porter]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting on ''Colonial One'', it is likely that she no longer is [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]]'s delegate.
* Cavil and Boomer apparently have some sort of relationship. This was hinted at in the previous episode, when she dances lightly attired in front of him, but unclear.
* Although in public [[Laura Roslin]] claims to have forgiven [[Lee Adama]], and even to admire his convictions, she apparently still holds a grudge for how he treated her during Baltar's trial. She refuses to see him to discuss political issues, and later snubs him in a Quorum session where she ribs on his inexperience.
* When learning that her husband is a Cylon, Cally remembers seeing him cutting his finger and licking off the blood. Tyrol may have done this to convince himself that he is human. The drop of blood hitting the floor is the same image used as a framing device in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" to signify the connection between Tyrol and Boomer.
* In this episode, we learn a lot about the Quorum of Twelve and about the state of fleet politics in general. The Quorum meeting shown in this episode is reminiscent in format of [[w:Question Time]], a tradition of many parliamentary systems including that of the United Kingdom and Canada
**The rowdiness and backtalk of the Quorum in particular is reminiscent of Prime Minister's Questions. However, unlike in Prime Minister's Questions or similar Question Time periods in real life parliaments, President Roslin makes some attempt at directing the meeting, rather than adopting the defensive posture the British Prime Minister is placed into. This suggests either a stronger constitutional role for the President or a further consolidation of power by Roslin
** The Quorum is also, at least at this point, a non-partisan body. While parliaments and legislatures in real life are divided along party lines, there is no sign of this here. In particular, while government backbenchers usually ask flattering questions in contrast to the more challenging questions posed by the opposition, Adama is openly chastised by Roslin for attempting to ask an easy question.

== Questions ==

* Are all of the "renegade" Cylon faction baseships destroyed?

* Will the renegade models be boxed?

* Has [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] been left in foster care by her parents? If so, who have they found to look after her?

* Does the vague warning given by Cavil to Natalie about removing the inhibitors hint towards a Centurion rebellion against the humanoid Cylons?

* Will Boomer abandon Cavil's side now that he has resorted to lethal measures against Natalie's faction?

* What is Foster's motivation for killing Cally Tyrol?

* Now that power has shifted to the more aggresive models, will the Cylon renew their attacks on the humans, or will the stress and distraction of the Cylon civil war protect the human fleet for the time being?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[William Adama]] reads the opening of ''[[Love and Bullets]]'':''
:"It started like it always did. With a body. This one was in the river, and I could tell she had once been beautiful, but this bullet and fast current had taken away from her. All we are, or that we think we are, all that we are certain about, is taken away from us. When you've worked the streets and seen what I've seen, you become more and more convinced of it every day. [[Caprica City]] has been my teacher, my mistress. From the moment I opened my eyes, she is in my blood, like cheap wine. Bitter and sweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I wanna be, for she is what I am. All that is, should always be."

*''[[Tom Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s leadership:''
:'''Adama:''' Well, sometimes a benevolent tyrant is exactly what you need.
:'''Zarek:''' No. A tyrant craves power for its own sake. And all Laura wants is to save us all.

*''[[Samuel Anders]] confronts [[Kara Thrace]]:''
:'''Anders:''' You know, some of us actually volunteered for this mission.
:'''Thrace:''' "Some" meaning you. Because that's what this is about, Sam. You know what the deal is, with us, with our marriage? It didn't make much sense to begin with. Makes even less now.
:'''Anders:''' I don't buy that. I don't think you believe a single, frakking word you're saying. You're just scared. You see that, mhh? You see [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Kara Thrace .26 Samuel Anders|this]]? Remember those? You remember when we got 'em? That's what's real, ok. That's part of who we are. That is a part of what ''you'' are, whether you will admit it or not.
:'''Thrace:''' Dumb motherfrakker. I only married you because it was save and it was easy, Sam. And you were just pathetic enough to go along with it. So get the frak out! (She shoves him out) Sam, get out! Get out! Leave, come on! Get out! (Anders takes her by the arms and holds her. They are almost kissing.) I don't want to fight, Sam. I wanna frak. You don't get it, do you? I'm not the same girl you married. All I wanna do right now is frak. Really frak, like it's the end of the world and nothing else matters. So come on, Sam, make me feel something. I dare you.
:(Anders shoves her away, then gives her a second shove onto the bunk bed.)

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Number One]]
* [[Jen Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Donna Soares]] as Speaking Delegate #1
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] Delegate
* [[Iris Paluly]] as Speaking Delegate #2
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=245

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:The Ties That Bind]]

The Ties That Bind

2008-04-20T07:32:15Z

Philwelch: /* Analysis */ question time

{{Episode Data
| image=4x03 - The Ties That Bind - Promo 2.jpg
| title= The Ties That Bind
| season= 4
| episode= 3
| forumthread= 888
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Nankin]]
| production=405
| rating=
| US airdate=18 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[Six of One]]
| next= [[Escape Velocity]]
| promo=
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] leads a [[Demetrius|ship]] in her search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], while ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew deals with political and marital issues. On the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] side, the [[Significant Seven]]'s solidarity is challenged.

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and the Colonial Fleet ===
* [[Cally Tyrol]], waking from [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son's]] cries, has dreams recalling arguments with her husband, [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]], of apparently finding herself spending more time alone with her child and Galen avoiding her through work or other activity. In one scene she is taking medication, perhaps to help her sleep, or to fight depression.
* The dark room is unkempt, and medication and baby formula bottles are stacked on a table.
* When Cally Tyrol realizes that Nicky is actually crying, she comforts him and returns him to his crib. She calls [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], apparently to try to find her husband with no luck. She finds a napkin for [[Joe's bar]] in his clothing.
* At the bar, Galen Tyrol and [[Tory Foster]] are drinking [[ambrosia]] and other spirits. Galen laments that, before [[Final Five|their revelation]], he knew what he was: husband, crew chief, and father. Now, his identity is taking a beating.
* Foster flirts with Galen as Cally walks holding her son in a dreamy state (presumably drug related) to Joe's Bar. Cally's distorted vision believes she sees Foster touching Galen's arm seductively. Entering the bar, Cally angrily yells at Galen as he tries to explain. Angry and hurt, Cally takes her son and leaves the bar as Foster looks on, still drinking and not the least upset that she might have caused the Tyrol's strife.
*In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] administers to [[Laura Roslin]] another [[diloxin]] treatment, noting that the drug's nausea should go away in an hour.
* As Roslin tries to relax on the bed, [[William Adama]] sits by her bedside and begins to read from a book to her, ''[[Love and Bullets]]'', by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.
* The book's passages of a character's lost love appear to reflect through Adama as he gazes at Roslin while he completes the passage: "From the moment I open my eyes, she's in my blood, bittersweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I want to be. For she is what I am, all that is, should always be."
* The scene shifts to a press conference on ''[[Colonial One]]'' where [[Lee Adama]] accepts appointment to the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] seat to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]] is also in attendance.
*The press asks about questions of loyality between Lee Adama and his role in the [[Gaius Baltar]] trial, which Roslin dismisses.
* Reporter [[Playa Palacios]] asks about the whereabouts of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', missing now three weeks, Roslin defers the question to Admiral Adama, who cryptically explains that the ship is on a military mission. When [[Sekou Hamilton]] asks if [[Kara Thrace]] was made captain of that ship, Adama dismisses that as rumor.
*Roslin quickly ends the press conference. In her office, Roslin tells Adama she is surprised that the press took as long to ask about the ''Demetrius'' as they did. When Adama tells Roslin he think the issue will "blow over," Roslin disagrees. Not told of the mission, Roslin is angered that she may have to help Adama cover the true mission of the ship for a long time. Adama explains that he had to give Thrace a chance and himself a chance to believe in the [[Maelstrom|presumed-dead]] pilot, but Roslin only says, "Apparently." Adama leaves her office in silence.
*Galen Tyrol tries to explain to Cally that he and Tory Foster aren't having an affair, but Cally all but ignores him, telling him to drop their son off to the day care area and to ask the caregivers not to feed Nicky any of the [[algae mash]] as she thinks Nicky is allergic. Frustrated by Cally's avoidance of the subject, he slams his fist down on the table, upsetting his son, and tries to comfort him.
*On ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama is in a conference room for the Quorum meeting. Spotting the nameplate for Caprica, he tentatively sits down. Tom Zarek arrives, his mood dark. When Adama tells Zarek that he wanted to see Roslin to discuss some projects that [[Cowen]], his predecessor as Caprican delegate, had before she died, Zarek counters, explaining that, like himself, Roslin is keeping Adama on the sidelines. Zarek believes that Roslin does not forgive and forget easily. When Adama asks Zarek why he nominated him for the Quorum's side, Zarek tells him that it was because Adama stood up to defend Baltar and confront Roslin, he believed Adama would make an effective ally.
*Zarek feels that Roslin's increasingly secretive nature, by refusing to allow meeting to be recorded, is a sign of a larger issue, despite claiming to Adama that he remains loyal to Roslin. When Adama tells Zarek that he won't be giving a repeat of his work in Baltar's trial to undermine Roslin, saying that having a "benevolent tyrant" is better than the opposite, Zarek strongly disagrees. He asks Adama to trust him to aid in his fight to uncover the secrets that Roslin hides. He leaves a classified folder with Adama and leaves.
*In sickbay, Cally Tyrol asks for another sedative and for sleep, but Cottle objects, not wanting to turn his sickbay in an "opium den." He asks about her family life, which Cally tells all is not well since reaching the [[Ionian Nebula]].
*Cottle does side with Cally about her husband's problems, asking her to bring him in for examination. Cally smiles at Cottle's "tough love" stance but Cottle warns that she might actually be imagining things as her fatigue and drug use could be influencing her thoughts. Cally counters that she might, indeed be crazy, considering she married a man who [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|once broke her jaw]]. When Cottle asks if that was the last time that Galen had attacked Cally, she responds that she'd wished that he'd do so again (taking Cottle's cigarette from his hand and taking a drag), if only for her to gauge what Galen really felt about her. Cottle tells her to get some rest.
*On ''Colonial One'', the Quorum meeting continues. [[Sagittaron]] Quorum delegate [[Jacob Cantrell]] strongly questions Roslin about the ''Demetrius'' mission, which she defers to answer out of matters of security. Others are visibly upset with Roslin's answer and of each other when Roslin tries to steer the meeting back to other matters of the floor while Zarek, acting as the chair of the meeting, tries to establish order.
*Lee Adama speaks out, trying to calm the others through inferring, based on his own military experience, that the president and Admiral Adama are exploring all possible routes to Earth. The Quorum audibly relaxes at Adama's words, but Roslin sees Adama as trying to be her "spokesperson" and chastises him. She directs Cantrell to continue with his discussion on medical supplies.
* Lee Adama calls a point of order, which Zarek uses to compels Contrell to yield the floor for Adama to speak. Adama brings up Executive Order 112, which would concentrate more executive power. The Quorum angrily erupts when Roslin tries to bury the issue.
*On ''Galactica'', Cally Tyrol sadly recalls her good times with her husband. She kisses her son and goes to close a door when she sees a note stuck in the door that tells her to meet at Weapons Locker 1701D.
* When Cally arrives, she finds her husband, [[Saul Tigh]] and Tory Foster entering. She opens a maintenance panel, tiny and dangerous, and enters to listen in on the conversation.
*What Cally hears shocks her more than the suggestion that her husband is having an affair. Tigh had left the note to meet at the weapons locker for Galen, and suddenly realizes that Cally could have intercepted the note. Tigh warns of the complications if Cally discovered that her husband was a Cylon.
* Cally's shock knocks a metal plate, which tumbles noisily down the ship's interior, a series of pipes and conduits that run dangerously deep from where Cally is standing. The others in the room halt their discussion for a moment before leaving. Cally escapes the tunnel and runs back to her quarters, but Foster leaves and notices that the maintenance panel was ajar.
* Cally is back in her quarters, visibly upset, when her husband returns.
* He tries to apologize, tell Cally that the affair never happened, and that his commitment to his family is paramount. But Cally believes that Galen used her to have a hybrid child and strikes him with a wrench, knocking him unconscious. She takes her son and leaves but not before taking a key from Galen's pocket.
* Walking through the corridors to the [[hangar deck]], Cally (still holding Nicky) enters a [[launch tube]]. She looks at the stars through a window, then opens a maintenance door. Inserting the key she took from Galen, Cally activates the launch tube airlock. Tory Foster arrives, and approaches Cally and Nicky.
* Cally closes the launch tube airlock door, sealing them inside. Foster tries to reason with Cally, asking her to think about what she's about to do to herself and to her child. Foster explains that they only recently found out they were Cylons, and that they are still the same people, and that they are as scared and confused as everyone else. Cally breaks down and collapses on her knees, apologizing to Nicky for what she was about to do to him. Foster comforts Cally and takes Nicky in her arms, then suddenly strikes Cally with seemingly-superhuman strength, knocking her several body-lengths across the deck and putting her in a daze.
* Foster retrieves the launch tube key and exits the launch tube, Nicky in her arms. When Cally comes to, she finds herself alone trapped in the airlock, and Tory inside the launch control booth. Tory uses the key to activate the launch controls and opens the outer airlock door, sending Cally to her death in open space.
* Admiral Adama breaks the news of Cally's death to a motionless, silent Tyrol.

=== On the ''[[Demetrius]]'' ===
* On day 22 of the mission, ''Demetrius'' continues on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with as many as four [[Viper Mark II]] fighters magnetically locked onto its top hull.
* Inside, Kara Thrace appears frustrated as she pours through star charts and other navigation data, trying to gain her fix on the direction of Earth. [[Felix Gaeta]] enters the room as Thrace tells him of a decision.
* In a mess hall on the dark, dirty ship, [[Diana Seelix]] asks in frustration what they are looking for in deep space. A pilot named [[Eammon Pike|Pike]], looking at the centerfold of ''[[Nymph]]'' magazine, explains that they are searching for a gas giant with rings orbiting a trinary star cluster with a comet. Seelix angrily retorts that the search is more like a "[[frak|cluster-frak]]" to her when [[Helo]] admonishes her.
* [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are also in the room.
* Some of the group complains that Thrace's repeated course corrections are pointless. When Pike says that he thinks ''Galactica'' is hounding them in secret, waiting for Thrace to show her "true colors" as a Cylon, Anders defends her. When the mood darkens more, Helo orders everyone to be quiet.
*Thrace is quietly approaching, listening to the conversation from above the mess hall deck, and soon yells for Helo to talk to him. Anders looks above him to Thrace (standing on steel mesh decking) and asks if there is more that she can tell them about their destination, but Thrace coldly admonishes him by rank for asking. Thrace gives Helo new [[FTL]] coordinates.
*Anders meets with Thrace, as she paints what she has seen on a bulkhead. Anders complains that she needs to open up more about the mission with the rest of the crew, but Thrace disagrees. Reminding her that some of them volunteered for the mission, Thrace steers Anders's concerns to that of their failed marriage. Anders joins their marital arm tattoos., trying to remind her of what is real. Thrace angrily tells Anders that she married him only because he was a safe choice and he was naive enough to do so.
*The two exchange more words. Thrace explains to Anders that she's not the same woman he married. He pushes her into a bunk as their anger dissolves into sex.
*After sex, Thrace questions that she and Anders's marriage was real. She questions how her feelings, her perceptions of her past, as if she were watching it from another "alien" body far away. Ander's face suggests comprehension about [[Final Five|feeling unsure of identity]].

=== On the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s ===
* On a [[Resurrection Ship]], a [[Number One]] is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]]. Another One tells his confused brother that he was shot by one of their own [[Cylon Centurion]]s. [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] is there with him.
* The first Number One wants to return to his baseship, but the second One tells him that he has been effectively kicked off from his own ship in a type of coup. Boomer apologizes that her swing vote to enforce the [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] "reconfiguration" failed, and kisses him deeply.
*On the same baseship where the Centurions shot several [[humanoid Cylon]]s for their part in the Raider reconfiguration, a Number One returns to the conference room where a Centurion is busily cleaning up the mess caused by their shootout.
*The Number One tries to understand why [[Natalie]] shifted power, suggesting to reunify the group. Natalie explains that the Raiders were only a symptom of a larger problem: Cavil's [[Rapture|earlier pressure]] on the group to [[box]] all [[Number Three]]s. Natalie says that mere unification of the [[Significant Seven|seven]] is not enough. She and the Eights at the table tell Number One that unification with the [[Final Five]] is the desired goal. Natalie wants all the Threes unboxed and work on unifying with the Five to begin.
*Cavil dislikes the idea of resuming the D'Anna's "messianic quest" that seemed to lead the remaining Cylons to this juncture, but agrees to bring Natalie's case to the other models. Natalie orders a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship, but it hesitates until she says, "please." Cavil warns her that removing the [[inhibitor]]s from the Centurions has caused a bigger problem than Natalie realizes.
*Later, two Number Ones tell Natalie and two Number Eights the result of the vote: The consensus is to unbox the Threes, although Cavil/One remains against the idea.
*An Eight tries to solicit the Ones' support since his side was outvoted, but Natalie agrees with the Ones that the vote does not give Natalie's side the right to change the feelings of the Ones and create more discord.
* Cavil/One tells Natalie that the Threes' consciousness is being downloaded in a central resurrection hub six jumps away. Still harboring bad feelings about the decision, the two sides agree to stay on different baseships as they make their way back to hear of the Threes' discovery on the [[algae planet]].
* Cylon baseships controlled by Cavil join the rest of the fleet at their destination, but without the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The newly-arrived baseships break formation and surround Natalie's baseships, then launch an attack.
* On Cavil's baseship, Boomer worries that murder, permanent killing of their own kind without chance of resurrection is wrong. Cavil says coldly that God will watch over the dying Cylons' immortal souls. When Boomer questions who will watch over their souls, Cavil says, "We're machines, dear. We don't have souls."

== Notes ==

* This episode sees no net loss of life in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], with the exception of [[Cally Tyrol]]'s death later in this episode, reducing the overall survivor count to 39,675.
* The number and alphabetical designation of the weapons locker, 1701D, is a ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' reference. 1701-D is the registry number for the ''[[MemoryAlpha:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS Enterprise]]'' from that series, which Michael Taylor and [[Ronald D. Moore]] formerly worked on.
*Like "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]", this episode's title is derived from Christian traditions; [[w:Blessed Be the Tie that Binds|Blessed Be the Tie that Binds]] is a Protestant hymn celebrating the unity that comes from love.
* Prior to the episode airing, [[Michael Taylor]] stated: "we say goodbye to another longtime character, though who that is and the manner of his or her departure should come as a surprise."<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen}} </ref>
* The script was being written while "[[Razor]]" was still in pre-production.<ref name="thewatcher"/>
* For the first time since the second season, the journalist [[Sekou Hamilton]] makes an appearance.

== Analysis ==
[[Image:Orion belt.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Orion's belt. [[:Image:Orion belt highlighted.jpg|View Highlighted Version]].]]
* The constellation [[w:Orion (constellation)|Orion]] appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.
*The ringed gas giant [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
* The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well.
* Foster also seems to be calmer, cooler, and more calculating than in the recent past. She appears to be more accepting of her Cylon nature than the others.
* Once again nobody notices the use of an airlock. It is hard to believe, that such a critical system is out of every control, especially at night, when the hangar deck is deserted.
* Given that [[Sarah Porter]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting on ''Colonial One'', it is likely that she no longer is [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]]'s delegate.
* Cavil and Boomer apparently have some sort of relationship. This was hinted at in the previous episode, when she dances lightly attired in front of him, but unclear.
* Although in public [[Laura Roslin]] claims to have forgiven [[Lee Adama]], and even to admire his convictions, she apparently still holds a grudge for how he treated her during Baltar's trial. She refuses to see him to discuss political issues, and later snubs him in a Quorum session where she ribs on his inexperience.
* When learning that her husband is a Cylon, Cally remembers seeing him cutting his finger and licking off the blood. Tyrol may have done this to convince himself that he is human. The drop of blood hitting the floor is the same image used as a framing device in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" to signify the connection between Tyrol and Boomer.
* In this episode, we learn a lot about the Quorum of Twelve and about the state of fleet politics in general. The Quorum meeting shown in this episode is reminiscent in format of [[w:Question Time]], a tradition of many parliamentary systems including that of the United Kingdom and Canada
**The rowdiness and backtalk of the Quorum in particular is reminiscent of Prime Minister's Questions. However, unlike in Prime Minister's Questions or similar Question Time periods in real life parliaments, President Roslin makes some attempt at directing the meeting, rather than adopting the defensive posture the British Prime Minister usually takes.
** The Quorum is also, at least at this point, a non-partisan body. While parliaments and legislatures in real life are divided along party lines, there is no sign of this here. In particular, while government backbenchers usually ask flattering questions in contrast to the more challenging questions posed by the opposition, Adama is openly chastised by Roslin for attempting to ask an easy question.

== Questions ==

* Are all of the "renegade" Cylon faction baseships destroyed?

* Will the renegade models be boxed?

* Has [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] been left in foster care by her parents? If so, who have they found to look after her?

* Does the vague warning given by Cavil to Natalie about removing the inhibitors hint towards a Centurion rebellion against the humanoid Cylons?

* Will Boomer abandon Cavil's side now that he has resorted to lethal measures against Natalie's faction?

* What is Foster's motivation for killing Cally Tyrol?

* Now that power has shifted to the more aggresive models, will the Cylon renew their attacks on the humans, or will the stress and distraction of the Cylon civil war protect the human fleet for the time being?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[William Adama]] reads the opening of ''[[Love and Bullets]]'':''
:"It started like it always did. With a body. This one was in the river, and I could tell she had once been beautiful, but this bullet and fast current had taken away from her. All we are, or that we think we are, all that we are certain about, is taken away from us. When you've worked the streets and seen what I've seen, you become more and more convinced of it every day. [[Caprica City]] has been my teacher, my mistress. From the moment I opened my eyes, she is in my blood, like cheap wine. Bitter and sweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I wanna be, for she is what I am. All that is, should always be."

*''[[Tom Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s leadership:''
:'''Adama:''' Well, sometimes a benevolent tyrant is exactly what you need.
:'''Zarek:''' No. A tyrant craves power for its own sake. And all Laura wants is to save us all.

*''[[Samuel Anders]] confronts [[Kara Thrace]]:''
:'''Anders:''' You know, some of us actually volunteered for this mission.
:'''Thrace:''' "Some" meaning you. Because that's what this is about, Sam. You know what the deal is, with us, with our marriage? It didn't make much sense to begin with. Makes even less now.
:'''Anders:''' I don't buy that. I don't think you believe a single, frakking word you're saying. You're just scared. You see that, mhh? You see [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Kara Thrace .26 Samuel Anders|this]]? Remember those? You remember when we got 'em? That's what's real, ok. That's part of who we are. That is a part of what ''you'' are, whether you will admit it or not.
:'''Thrace:''' Dumb motherfrakker. I only married you because it was save and it was easy, Sam. And you were just pathetic enough to go along with it. So get the frak out! (She shoves him out) Sam, get out! Get out! Leave, come on! Get out! (Anders takes her by the arms and holds her. They are almost kissing.) I don't want to fight, Sam. I wanna frak. You don't get it, do you? I'm not the same girl you married. All I wanna do right now is frak. Really frak, like it's the end of the world and nothing else matters. So come on, Sam, make me feel something. I dare you.
:(Anders shoves her away, then gives her a second shove onto the bunk bed.)

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Number One]]
* [[Jen Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Donna Soares]] as Speaking Delegate #1
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] Delegate
* [[Iris Paluly]] as Speaking Delegate #2
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=245

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:The Ties That Bind]]

The Ties That Bind

2008-04-20T05:15:24Z

Philwelch: /* Questions */ suggest opposite

{{Episode Data
| image=4x03 - The Ties That Bind - Promo 2.jpg
| title= The Ties That Bind
| season= 4
| episode= 3
| forumthread= 888
| guests=
| writer=[[Michael Taylor]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Nankin]]
| production=405
| rating=
| US airdate=18 April 2008
| UK airdate=
| dvd=
| population=39676
| oldpopulation=39676
| prev= [[Six of One]]
| next= [[Escape Velocity]]
| promo=
| hulu=Y
}}

== Overview ==
:''[[Kara Thrace]] leads a [[Demetrius|ship]] in her search for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], while ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew deals with political and marital issues. On the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] side, the [[Significant Seven]]'s solidarity is challenged.

== Summary ==

=== On ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' and the Colonial Fleet ===
* [[Cally Tyrol]], waking from [[Nicholas Tyrol|her son's]] cries, has dreams recalling arguments with her husband, [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]], of apparently finding herself spending more time alone with her child and Galen avoiding her through work or other activity. In one scene she is taking medication, perhaps to help her sleep, or to fight depression.
* The dark room is unkempt, and medication and baby formula bottles are stacked on a table.
* When Cally Tyrol realizes that Nicky is actually crying, she comforts him and returns him to his crib. She calls [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]], apparently to try to find her husband with no luck. She finds a napkin for [[Joe's bar]] in his clothing.
* At the bar, Galen Tyrol and [[Tory Foster]] are drinking [[ambrosia]] and other spirits. Galen laments that, before [[Final Five|their revelation]], he knew what he was: husband, crew chief, and father. Now, his identity is taking a beating.
* Foster flirts with Galen as Cally walks holding her son in a dreamy state (presumably drug related) to Joe's Bar. Cally's distorted vision believes she sees Foster touching Galen's arm seductively. Entering the bar, Cally angrily yells at Galen as he tries to explain. Angry and hurt, Cally takes her son and leaves the bar as Foster looks on, still drinking and not the least upset that she might have caused the Tyrol's strife.
*In [[sickbay]], Dr. [[Cottle]] administers to [[Laura Roslin]] another [[diloxin]] treatment, noting that the drug's nausea should go away in an hour.
* As Roslin tries to relax on the bed, [[William Adama]] sits by her bedside and begins to read from a book to her, ''[[Love and Bullets]]'', by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.
* The book's passages of a character's lost love appear to reflect through Adama as he gazes at Roslin while he completes the passage: "From the moment I open my eyes, she's in my blood, bittersweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I want to be. For she is what I am, all that is, should always be."
* The scene shifts to a press conference on ''[[Colonial One]]'' where where [[Lee Adama]] accepts appointment to the [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprican]] seat to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]]. Vice President [[Tom Zarek]] is also in attendance.
*The press asks about questions of loyality between Lee Adama and his role in the [[Gaius Baltar]] trial, which Roslin dismisses.
* Reporter [[Playa Palacios]] asks about the whereabouts of the ''[[Demetrius]]'', missing now three weeks, Roslin defers the question to Admiral Adama, who cryptically explains that the ship is on a military mission. When [[Sekou Hamilton]] asks if [[Kara Thrace]] was made captain of that ship, Adama dismisses that as rumor.
*Roslin quickly ends the press conference. In her office, Roslin tells Adama she is surprised that the press took as long to ask about the ''Demetrius'' as they did. When Adama tells Roslin he think the issue will "blow over," Roslin disagrees. Not told of the mission, Roslin is angered that she may have to help Adama cover the true mission of the ship for a long time. Adama explains that he had to give Thrace a chance and himself a chance to believe in the [[Maelstrom|presumed-dead]] pilot, but Roslin only says, "Apparently." Adama leaves her office in silence.
*Galen Tyrol tries to explain to Cally that he and Tory Foster aren't having an affair, but Cally all but ignores him, telling him to drop their son off to the day care area and to ask the caregivers not to feed Nicky any of the [[algae mash]] as she thinks Nicky is allergic. Frustrated by Cally's avoidance of the subject, he slams his fist down on the table, upsetting his son, and tries to comfort him.
*On ''Colonial One'', Lee Adama is in a conference room for the Quorum meeting. Spotting the nameplate for Caprica, he tentatively sits down. Tom Zarek arrives, his mood dark. When Adama tells Zarek that he wanted to see Roslin to discuss some projects that [[Cowen]], his predecessor as Caprican delegate, had before she died, Zarek counters, explaining that, like himself, Roslin is keeping Adama on the sidelines. Zarek believes that Roslin does not forgive and forget easily. When Adama asks Zarek why he nominated him for the Quorum's side, Zarek tells him that it was because Adama stood up to defend Baltar and confront Roslin, he believed Adama would make an effective ally.
*Zarek feels that Roslin's increasingly secretive nature, by refusing to allow meeting to be recorded, is a sign of a larger issue, despite claiming to Adama that he remains loyal to Roslin. When Adama tells Zarek that he won't be giving a repeat of his work in Baltar's trial to undermine Roslin, saying that having a "benevolent tyrant" is better than the opposite, Zarek strongly disagrees. He asks Adama to trust him to aid in his fight to uncover the secrets that Roslin hides. He leaves a classified folder with Adama and leaves.
*In sickbay, Cally Tyrol asks for another sedative and for sleep, but Cottle objects, not wanting to turn his sickbay in an "opium den." He asks about her family life, which Cally tells all is not well since reaching the [[Ionian Nebula]].
*Cottle does side with Cally about her husband's problems, asking her to bring him in for examination. Cally smiles at Cottle's "tough love" stance but Cottle warns that she might actually be imagining things as her fatigue and drug use could be influencing her thoughts. Cally counters that she might, indeed be crazy, considering she married a man who [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|once broke her jaw]]. When Cottle asks if that was the last time that Galen had attacked Cally, she responds that she'd wished that he'd do so again (taking Cottle's cigarette from his hand and taking a drag), if only for her to gauge what Galen really felt about her. Cottle tells her to get some rest.
*On ''Colonial One'', the Quorum meeting continues. [[Sagittaron]] Quorum delegate [[Jacob Cantrell]] strongly questions Roslin about the ''Demetrius'' mission, which she defers to answer out of matters of security. Others are visibly upset with Roslin's answer and of each other when Roslin tries to steer the meeting back to other matters of the floor while Zarek, acting as the chair of the meeting, tries to establish order.
*Lee Adama speaks out, trying to calm the others through inferring, based on his own military experience, that the president and Admiral Adama are exploring all possible routes to Earth. The Quorum audibly relaxes at Adama's words, but Roslin sees Adama as trying to be her "spokesperson" and chastises him. She directs Cantrell to continue with his discussion on medical supplies.
* Lee Adama calls a point of order, which Zarek uses to compels Contrell to yield the floor for Adama to speak. Adama brings up Executive Order 112, which would concentrate more executive power. The Quorum angrily erupts when Roslin tries to bury the issue.
*On ''Galactica'', Cally Tyrol sadly recalls her good times with her husband. She kisses her son and goes to close a door when she sees a note stuck in the door that tells her to meet at Weapons Locker 1701D.
* When Cally arrives, she finds her husband, [[Saul Tigh]] and Tory Foster entering. She opens a maintenance panel, tiny and dangerous, and enters to listen in on the conversation.
*What Cally hears shocks her more than the suggestion that her husband is having an affair. Tigh had left the note to meet at the weapons locker for Galen, and suddenly realizes that Cally could have intercepted the note. Tigh warns of the complications if Cally discovered that her husband was a Cylon.
* Cally's shock knocks a metal plate, which tumbles noisily down the ship's interior, a series of pipes and conduits that run dangerously deep from where Cally is standing. The others in the room halt their discussion for a moment before leaving. Cally escapes the tunnel and runs back to her quarters, but Foster leaves and notices that the maintenance panel was ajar.
* Cally is back in her quarters, visibly upset, when her husband returns.
* He tries to apologize, tell Cally that the affair never happened, and that his commitment to his family is paramount. But Cally believes that Galen used her to have a hybrid child and strikes him with a wrench, knocking him unconscious. She takes her son and leaves but not before taking a key from Galen's pocket.
* Walking through the corridors to the [[hangar deck]], Cally (still holding Nicky) enters a [[launch tube]]. She looks at the stars through a window, then opens a maintenance door. Inserting the key she took from Galen, Cally activates the launch tube airlock. Tory Foster arrives, and approaches Cally and Nicky.
* Cally closes the launch tube airlock door, sealing them inside. Foster tries to reason with Cally, asking her to think about what she's about to do to herself and to her child. Foster explains that they only recently found out they were Cylons, and that they are still the same people, and that they are as scared and confused as everyone else. Cally breaks down and collapses on her knees, apologizing to Nicky for what she was about to do to him. Foster comforts Cally and takes Nicky in her arms, then suddenly strikes Cally with seemingly-superhuman strength, knocking her several body-lengths across the deck and putting her in a daze.
* Foster retrieves the launch tube key and exits the launch tube, Nicky in her arms. When Cally comes to, she finds herself alone trapped in the airlock, and Tory inside the launch control booth. Tory uses the key to activate the launch controls and opens the outer airlock door, sending Cally to her death in open space.
* Admiral Adama breaks the news of Cally's death to a motionless, silent Tyrol.

=== On the ''[[Demetrius]]'' ===
* On day 22 of the mission, ''Demetrius'' continues on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with as many as four [[Viper Mark II]] fighters magnetically locked onto its top hull.
* Inside, Kara Thrace appears frustrated as she pours through star charts and other navigation data, trying to gain her fix on the direction of Earth. [[Felix Gaeta]] enters the room as Thrace tells him of a decision.
* In a mess hall on the dark, dirty ship, [[Diana Seelix]] asks in frustration what they are looking for in deep space. A pilot named [[Eammon Pike|Pike]], looking at the centerfold of ''[[Nymph]]'' magazine, explains that they are searching for a gas giant with rings orbiting a trinary star cluster with a comet. Seelix angrily retorts that the search is more like a "[[frak|cluster-frak]]" to her when [[Helo]] admonishes her.
* [[Sharon Agathon]] and [[Samuel Anders]] are also in the room.
* Some of the group complains that Thrace's repeated course corrections are pointless. When Pike says that he thinks ''Galactica'' is hounding them in secret, waiting for Thrace to show her "true colors" as a Cylon, Anders defends her. When the mood darkens more, Helo orders everyone to be quiet.
*Thrace is quietly approaching, listening to the conversation from above the mess hall deck, and soon yells for Helo to talk to him. Anders looks above him to Thrace (standing on steel mesh decking) and asks if there is more that she can tell them about their destination, but Thrace coldly admonishes him by rank for asking. Thrace gives Helo new [[FTL]] coordinates.
*Anders meets with Thrace, as she paints what she has seen on a bulkhead. Anders complains that she needs to open up more about the mission with the rest of the crew, but Thrace disagrees. Reminding her that some of them volunteered for the mission, Thrace steers Anders's concerns to that of their failed marriage. Anders joins their marital arm tattoos., trying to remind her of what is real. Thrace angrily tells Anders that she married him only because he was a safe choice and he was naive enough to do so.
*The two exchange more words. Thrace explains to Anders that she's not the same woman he married. He pushes her into a bunk as their anger dissolves into sex.
*After sex, Thrace questions that she and Anders's marriage was real. She questions how her feelings, her perceptions of her past, as if she were watching it from another "alien" body far away. Ander's face suggests comprehension about [[Final Five|feeling unsure of identity]].

=== On the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s ===
* On a [[Resurrection Ship]], a [[Number One]] is [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrected]]. Another One tells his confused brother that he was shot by one of their own [[Cylon Centurion]]s. [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] is there with him.
* The first Number One wants to return to his baseship, but the second One tells him that he has been effectively kicked off from his own ship in a type of coup. Boomer apologizes that her swing vote to enforce the [[Cylon Raider (RDM)|Raider]] "reconfiguration" failed, and kisses him deeply.
*On the same baseship where the Centurions shot several [[humanoid Cylon]]s for their part in the Raider reconfiguration, a Number One returns to the conference room where a Centurion is busily cleaning up the mess caused by their shootout.
*The Number One tries to understand why [[Natalie]] shifted power, suggesting to reunify the group. Natalie explains that the Raiders were only a symptom of a larger problem: Cavil's [[Rapture|earlier pressure]] on the group to [[box]] all [[Number Three]]s. Natalie says that mere unification of the [[Significant Seven|seven]] is not enough. She and the Eights at the table tell Number One that unification with the [[Final Five]] is the desired goal. Natalie wants all the Threes unboxed and work on unifying with the Five to begin.
*Cavil dislikes the idea of resuming the D'Anna's "messianic quest" that seemed to lead the remaining Cylons to this juncture, but agrees to bring Natalie's case to the other models. Natalie orders a Centurion to escort Cavil off the ship, but it hesitates until she says, "please." Cavil warns her that removing the [[inhibitor]]s from the Centurions has caused a bigger problem than Natalie realizes.
*Later, two Number Ones tell Natalie and two Number Eights the result of the vote: The consensus is to unbox the Threes, although Cavil/One remains against the idea.
*An Eight tries to solicit the Ones' support since his side was outvoted, but Natalie agrees with the Ones that the vote does not give Natalie's side the right to change the feelings of the Ones and create more discord.
* Cavil/One tells Natalie that the Threes' consciousness is being downloaded in a central resurrection hub six jumps away. Still harboring bad feelings about the decision, the two sides agree to stay on different baseships as they make their way back to hear of the Threes' discovery on the [[algae planet]].
* Cylon baseships controlled by Cavil join the rest of the fleet at their destination, but without the [[Resurrection Ship]]. The newly-arrived baseships break formation and surround Natalie's baseships, then launch an attack.
* On Cavil's baseship, Boomer worries that murder, permanent killing of their own kind without chance of resurrection is wrong. Cavil says coldly that God will watch over the dying Cylons' immortal souls. When Boomer questions who will watch over their souls, Cavil says, "We're machines, dear. We don't have souls."

== Notes ==

* This episode sees no net loss of life in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], with the exception of [[Cally Tyrol]]'s death later in this episode, reducing the overall survivor count to 39,675.
* The number and alphabetical designation of the weapons locker, 1701D, is a ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'' reference. 1701-D is the registry number for the ''[[MemoryAlpha:USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS Enterprise]]'' from that series, which Michael Taylor and [[Ronald D. Moore]] formerly worked on.
*Like "[[He That Believeth In Me]]" and "[[Valley of Darkness]]", this episode's title is derived from Christian traditions; [[w:Blessed Be the Tie that Binds|Blessed Be the Tie that Binds]] is a Protestant hymn celebrating the unity that comes from love.
* Prior to the episode airing, [[Michael Taylor]] stated: "we say goodbye to another longtime character, though who that is and the manner of his or her departure should come as a surprise."<ref name="thewatcher">{{cite_web|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/11/answers-to-your.html|title=Answers to your 'Razor' questions and clues about 'Battlestar Galactica's' final season|date=16 November 2007|accessdate=16 November 2007|last=Ryan|first=Maureen}} </ref>
* The script was being written while "[[Razor]]" was still in pre-production.<ref name="thewatcher"/>
* For the first time since the second season, the journalists [[Playa Palacios]] and [[Sekou Hamilton]] make an appearance.

== Analysis ==
[[Image:Orion belt.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Orion's belt. [[:Image:Orion belt highlighted.jpg|View Highlighted Version]].]]
* The constellation [[w:Orion (constellation)|Orion]] appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.
*The ringed gas giant [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
* The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well.
* Foster also seems to be calmer, cooler, and more calculating than in the recent past. She appears to be more accepting of her Cylon nature than the others.
* Once again nobody notices the use of an airlock. It is hard to believe, that such a critical system is out of every control, especially at night, when the hangar deck is deserted.
* Given that [[Sarah Porter]] is not present at the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] meeting on ''Colonial One'', it is likely that she no longer is [[Gemenon (RDM)|Gemenon]]'s delegate.
* Cavil and Boomer apparently have some sort of relationship. This was hinted at in the previous episode, when she dances lightly attired in front of him, but unclear.
* Although in public [[Laura Roslin]] claims to have forgiven [[Lee Adama]], and even to admire his convictions, she apparently still holds a grudge for how he treated her during Baltar's trial. She refuses to see him to discuss political issues, and later snubs him in a Quorum session where she ribs on his inexperience.
* When learning that her husband is a Cylon, Cally remembers seeing him cutting his finger and licking off the blood. Tyrol may have done this to convince himself that he is human. The drop of blood hitting the floor is the same image used as a framing device in "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]" to signify the connection between Tyrol and Boomer.

== Questions ==

* Are all of the "renegade" Cylon faction baseships destroyed?

* Will the renegade models be boxed?

* Has [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] been left in foster care by her parents? If so, who have they found to look after her?

* Does the vague warning given by Cavil to Natalie about removing the inhibitors hint towards a Centurion rebellion against the humanoid Cylons?

* Will Boomer abandon Cavil's side now that he has resorted to lethal measures against Natalie's faction?

* What is Foster's motivation for killing Cally Tyrol?

* Now that power has shifted to the more aggresive models, will the Cylon renew their attacks on the humans, or will the stress and distraction of the Cylon civil war protect the human fleet for the time being?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

*''[[William Adama]] reads the opening of ''[[Love and Bullets]]'':''
:"It started like it always did. With a body. This one was in the river, and I could tell she had once been beautiful, but this bullet and fast current had taken away from her. All we are, or that we think we are, all that we are certain about, is taken away from us. When you've worked the streets and seen what I've seen, you become more and more convinced of it every day. [[Caprica City]] has been my teacher, my mistress. From the moment I opened my eyes, she is in my blood, like cheap wine. Bitter and sweet, tinged with regret. I'll never be free of her, nor do I wanna be, for she is what I am. All that is, should always be."

*''[[Tom Zarek]] and [[Lee Adama]] about [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s leadership:''
:'''Adama:''' Well, sometimes a benevolent tyrant is exactly what you need.
:'''Zarek:''' No. A tyrant craves power for its own sake. And all Laura wants is to save us all.

*''[[Samuel Anders]] confronts [[Kara Thrace]]:''
:'''Anders:''' You know, some of us actually volunteered for this mission.
:'''Thrace:''' "Some" meaning you. Because that's what this is about, Sam. You know what the deal is, with us, with our marriage? It didn't make much sense to begin with. Makes even less now.
:'''Anders:''' I don't buy that. I don't think you believe a single, frakking word you're saying. You're just scared. You see that, mhh? You see [[Arts and Literature of the Twelve Colonies#Kara Thrace .26 Samuel Anders|this]]? Remember those? You remember when we got 'em? That's what's real, ok. That's part of who we are. That is a part of what ''you'' are, whether you will admit it or not.
:'''Thrace:''' Dumb motherfrakker. I only married you because it was save and it was easy, Sam. And you were just pathetic enough to go along with it. So get the frak out! (She shoves him out) Sam, get out! Get out! Leave, come on! Get out! (Anders takes her by the arms and holds her. They are almost kissing.) I don't want to fight, Sam. I wanna frak. You don't get it, do you? I'm not the same girl you married. All I wanna do right now is frak. Really frak, like it's the end of the world and nothing else matters. So come on, Sam, make me feel something. I dare you.
:(Anders shoves her away, then gives her a second shove onto the bunk bed.)

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
* [[Aaron Douglas]] as CPO [[Galen Tyrol]]
* [[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Captain [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
* [[Michael Trucco]] as Ensign [[Samuel Anders]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson Tyrol]]
* [[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
* [[Richard Hatch]] as [[Tom Zarek]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Doctor [[Cottle]]
* [[Matthew Bennett]] as [[Number Five]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Dean Stockwell]] as [[Number One]]
* [[Jen Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Christina Schild]] as [[Playa Palacios]]
* [[Biski Gugushe]] as [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Finn R. Devitt]] as [[Nicholas Tyrol]] (credited as "Baby Nicky")
* [[Donna Soares]] as Speaking Delegate #1
* [[Andrew McIlroy]] as [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Judith Maxie]] as [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] Delegate
* [[Iris Paluly]] as Speaking Delegate #2
* [[Ryan McDonell]] as Lieutenant [[Eammon Pike|Eammon "Gonzo" Pike]]
* [[Marilyn Norry]] as [[Reza Chronides]]
* [[Leo Li Chiang]] as the [[tattooed pilot]] (uncredited)

== External Links ==
*Composer [[Bear McCreary]] on the episode's score: http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=245

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:The Ties That Bind]]

Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-04-08T23:50:12Z

Philwelch: /* The Final Five */ that's the opposite of ironic

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating= 1.6
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41398
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| hulu=Y
| unbox=B00178W020
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's.
* [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick.
* Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick".
* Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet.
* Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched.
[[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]
* Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama through his right eye. However, he is wakened by his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever flown a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be.
* During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either.
* Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship.
* Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]].
* Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself.
* Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her.
* Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages.
* The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights. Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep.
* Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage.
* Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter.
* In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none.
* Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her.
* From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative.
* Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable.
* Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination.
* Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs.
* Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him.
* As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future...
* Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds it beautiful, but a hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt.
* As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence.
[[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]
* "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon.
* Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth.
* Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]].
* Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet.
* Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor".
* Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it.
* Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, since Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref>
* Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course.
* Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]].
* Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was.
* Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake".
* They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work.
[[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]
* Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way.
* Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova.
* Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition.
* Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind.
* Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being.
* Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments.
* Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on.
[[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]
* After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God.
* As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at.
* Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard.
* After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin.
* Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]

* Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death.
* Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this.
* Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
* In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her.
* She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]].
* Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
* After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way.
* Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates the female marine, while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it.
* Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out.
* Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a stun grenade<ref>Also known as a "flash bang", see the [[w:Grenade#Stun grenades|Wikipedia article about it]]</ref>. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)
* The population of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,100 likely died on other ships during the attack.
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* In promotional photos for this episode, the tail number for Thrace's pristine Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". However, this number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode is an abbreviated version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, which has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].
* The stills from Starbuck's gun camera footage incorrectly show ''Galactica'' as belonging to Battlestar Group 62. Given that ''Pegasus'' was in BSG 62, the production staff likely modified and re-used a graphic template from an earlier episode, but the incorrect number slipped past them.
*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by some humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon [[Hybrid]]'s designation of Baltar as "the chosen one". Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. The ship's main guns are fully active on screen here for the first time since that engagement, and ''Galactica's'' point defense batteries are also shown operating.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Her apparently strange trip through time and space may suggest a possible wormhole or spacial anomaly. If so, the inability of Adama, Roslin, and others to seriously consider this possibility again highlights the [[naturalistic science fiction]] aspect of the series (though the absence of Dr. Baltar's scientific expertise may also be a factor). Wormholes would a phenomenon known to the Colonials, as Adama mentions them in "[[Sacrifice]]".
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow" matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a charcoal gray. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photographs are very desaturated - to the point of being black and white - and very likely don't represent the true colors. Moreover, the moon shown in the photo has a shadow pattern more indicative of a partial lunar eclipse than the ordinary terminator. Alternatively, she may have intended to say "yellow star and moon" (referring only to the star as yellow) instead of "yellow moon and star."
* Assuming that Thrace has been in the system [[w:Sol|Sol]], the "giant gas planet with rings" could be any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets. [[w:Saturn|Saturn]] is noted for its large ring system, whereas [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] (noted as being the largest gas giant in Sol), [[w:Uranus|Uranus]] and [[w:Neptune|Neptune]] each have rings that are not as notable as those of the aforementioned Saturn. There is, however, no "flashing triple star" presently obvious from Earth. (Alpha Centauri does not flash and would only be seen as triple when close to Proxima Centauri.)
* Interestingly, Jupiter is home of a massive storm known as the "[[w:Great Red Spot|Great Red Spot]]", which is another allusion to the "[[Eye of Jupiter]]". Further, this Great Red Spot, which is a massive hurricane-like storm of immense width, is a storm similar to the one in "Maelstrom" and may possibly be related to how she returns to the Fleet.

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated", to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four", and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama through the right eye, the same eye that Tigh lost by the Significant Seven Cylons on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]

* During the battle, Samuel Anders maneuvers behind a Cylon Raider on Seelix's six, but fails to fire his guns.
* The Cylon Raider seems to sense something different about the chasing Viper and turns around to face it.
* The Raider's forward lid lowers to reveal its scanning red eye, reminiscent of when Raiders accessed the backdoor in Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]].
* The Raider's eye locks straight ahead at Anders. A few moments later, Ander's right iris faintly flashes red in response to the Raider's [[IFF]] transponder.
* The Raider raises its lid and breaks off, broadcasting its discovery to the rest of the attacking Cylon fleet, which disengages and retreats.
* There is no indication that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider is because of any technical problem with the Viper. His safeties remain engaged during the battle, which is figured to be one of two things in the episode: what [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and Tigh chalk up as a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake", or what Anders suspects is subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good", the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe".
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.
* A potential abduction of Starbuck could relate to the Ship of Lights from the Original Series. These advanced humans evolved to state where they appear to be gods to the Colonials. Likewise, Count Iblis is their satanic counterpart who tries to seduce the Colonial fleet into submission, however, he can't triumph over these benevolent beings of "light," much the same way Lucifer cannot triumph over God in Christian traditions. To extrapolate the analogy further, the Final Five may be members of a benevolent, evolved line of humans who are watching over the Fleet, whereas the Significant Seven represent Count Iblis and the Devil.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon?
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true?
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative?
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?

== Official Statements ==

* ''[[Aaron Douglas]] (via [[w:Antrhax|Antrhax]]'s [[w:Scott Ian|Scott Ian]]) explains an ad-lib that was dropped from one of Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]]'s scenes:''

: I had the best adlib ever in the scene where Chief walks onto the hangar deck yelling for the [[Nugget]]s. It didn't make it into the show. What did make it was something like “lets go nuggets! your momma's aren't going to save ya today” it is all adlib'd but one take I said, & this is pure gold, “drop your dicks and grab your sticks!” 5 seconds later [[Harvey Frand|Harvey [Frand]]] (producer) says from video village, “ you can't say dicks on TV”. We had to do it again. Ha. <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://blogs.scifi.com/battlestar/scottian/2008/04/drop-your-dicks-and-grab-your.html|title=SCIFI.com - Scott Ian's Blog: Drop your dicks and grab your sticks!!|date=7 April 2008|accessdate=7 April 2008|last=Ian|first=Scott|format=|language=}}</ref>

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Marine #2

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]

Adama Glare

2008-04-07T11:44:55Z

Philwelch:

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare2.jpg|thumb|right|Adama uses his Glare on Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'Anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

The Cylon are so afraid of the Glare, fearing that resurrected Cylons are too heart-broken to live after being exposed to it, that during the occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons <ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref>. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method) <ref>It should be noted that the object of this method is then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare is an innate skill highly dependent upon Adama's personal gravitas—as demonstrated by the fact that officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association.

Although Adama never used the Glare in the first Cylon War, he used a similar tactic, namely parachuting down to a Cylon-occupied [[ice planet]] looking really pissed off, to force the Cylons to sue for peace. Rather than face the prospect of a young and severely enraged William Adama running around on a Cylon-occupied planet with a crowbar, the Cylons made a hasty retreat with the [[First Hybrid]] and signed the [[Armistice]] in record time. History may never have adequately recognized Adama's role in ending the first war, had the Cylons not wiped out most of the human race 40 years later, leaving Adama the opportunity to write the first draft of history in his logs.

==Notes==
*The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Adama Glare

2008-04-07T11:42:25Z

Philwelch: adding Razor reference

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare2.jpg|thumb|right|Adama uses his Glare on Admiral [[Helena Cain|Cain]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'Anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

The Cylon are so afraid of the Glare, fearing that resurrected Cylons are too heart-broken to live after being exposed to it, that during the occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons <ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref>. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method) <ref>It should be noted that the object of this method is then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare is an innate skill highly dependent upon Adama's personal gravitas—as demonstrated by the fact that officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association.

Although Adama never used the glare in the first Cylon War, he used a similar tactic, namely parachuting down to a Cylon-occupied [[ice planet]] looking really pissed off, to force the Cylons to sue for peace. History may never have adequately recognized this, had the Cylons not wiped out most of the human race 40 years later, leaving Adama the latitude to write the first draft of history in his logs.

==Notes==
*The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

God (RDM)

2008-04-07T11:34:33Z

Philwelch: /* Judeo-Christian References */ any serious student of Judaism or Christianity would wince to see you describe Moses as "messianic"

[[Image:Bscap059.jpg|thumb|250px|"I am an instrument of God" --[[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] in [[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]]]

The [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] worship a deity they call only by the name of '''God''', justifing or attributing much of their actions, including the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|genocidal attack against humanity]], as a requirement of their God. The Cylons profess a series of commandments given by their God. However, the specific commandments have not fully revealed.

While very knowledgeable of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]], the Cylons feel that the Colonials worship false gods ([[Home, Part I]])<ref>Despite the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|parallelism]] of the Lords of Kobol with the Olympian Gods of real-world Earth mythology, the parallelisms of the [[Wikipedia:Abrahamic conceptions of God|Judeo-Christian God]] are fewer. In "[[Occupation]]", Leoben Conoy prays before a meal, using a prayer that begins with "Heavenly father." When several dying Cylons are found on a [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]], they crawl together and [[Prayer to the Cloud of Unknowing|begin a prayer]] that also includes "Heavenly father." "Heavenly Father" is attested as a chiefly Mormon name for God, similar to the other parallels with the Mormon faith. [http://www.religionfacts.com/mormonism/beliefs/god_heavenly_father.htm]</ref>.

Several seemingly miraculous events suggest that there may be more to the Cylon God than mere myth. [[Virtual Six]] has claimed to be an agent of her deity, and has access to knowledge which seems to belie rational explanation. The healing of [[Derrick]] is similarly inexplicable.

==First Hybrid==
Cylon databases report of a [[First Hybrid|protoype Hybrid]] which was the result of early experiments in evolution to biological beings. This experiment was considered a failure but believed by some to still be alive. When [[Kendra Shaw]] meets this hybrid, he declares that "my children believe I am a god" and he makes a number of statements demonstrating significant and prophetic knowledge. He refers to Kendra as "my child." ([[Razor]]).

==Baltar==
[[Gaius Baltar]], initially sceptical of all religion, is converted to the Cylon faith though the persuasion of his Virtual Six and comes to conclude that he is an agent of God ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]). Despite this Baltar is far from a model believer and his path of faith is very rocky.

Upon orders from Virtual Six, Baltar instructs his [[Cult of Baltar|cult]], who appear to regard him as a prophet, to follow the "one true God", though it does not seem likely he has explained that this is also the Cylon God.

==Notable References==
* "Maybe the Cylons are God's retribution for our many sins. What if God decided he made a mistake and he decided to give souls to another creature, like the Cylons?" -- [[Leoben Conoy]], [[Miniseries, Night 2]]
* "God didn't create the Cylons. Man did. And I'm pretty sure we didn't include a soul in the programming." -- William Adama, Miniseries
* "I was right. See, our faiths are similar but I look to one God, not to many." -- Leoben Conoy, "[[Flesh and Bone]]"
* "To know the face of God is to know madness. I see the universe. I see the patterns. I see the foreshadowing that precedes every moment of every day. It's all there, I see it and you don't." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "I am more than you could ever imagine. I am God." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "It's funny, isn't it? We're all God, Starbuck, all of us. I see the love that binds all living things together. ... I know that God loved you more than all other living creatures and you repaid his divine love with sin, with hate, corruption, evil. So then he decided to create the Cylons." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "And this time, your role...you have to deliver my soul unto God. Do it for me. It's [[The Destiny|your destiny, and mine]]." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "Procreation, it’s one of God’s commandments, be fruitful. We can’t fulfill it we tried so we decided to <nowiki>[</nowiki>''create [[farms]]''<nowiki>]</nowiki>." -- [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]], "[[The Farm]]"

===Judeo-Christian References===
[[Image:Gaius crucifiction pose.jpg|thumb|Baltar in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"]]

The Re-imagined Series contains few references to [[Wikipedia:Judeo-Christian|Judeo-Christian]] concepts.

* "Jesus." -- Colonel Tigh, Miniseries (unscripted ad-lib)<ref>According to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM]], the "Jesus" line was an [[Wikipedia:ad-lib|ad-lib]] by [[Michael Hogan]]. Therefore, it should not be taken as a serious reference to [[Wikipedia:Christianity|Christianity]].</ref>

* "I was... [Six: ''Am.''] I am..." -- [[Gaius Baltar]], "[[The Hand of God]]" (full quote in previous section)

* "Come on, [[James McManus|Jim]]. [[Wallace Gray]] is no 'prince of darkness.'" -- [[Playa Palacios]], "[[Colonial Day]]"

* "I figured, the devil you know..." -- [[Laura Roslin]], "Colonial Day"

* "God is love" -- Number Six, Miniseries, (1 John 4:16)

The "I am" statement in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]" is noteworthy because of the self-description that the Judeo-Christian God gives to Moses in the Book of Exodus, [[Wikipedia:I am that I am|"I am that I am"]]. The Christian messiah, Jesus, has a series of "I am" statements in the New Testament of the Bible. The Bible contains over 300 "I am" statements. The Hebrew name for God, [[Wikipedia:Yahweh|Yahweh]], is derived from the Hebrew word for "I am" or "to be".

The five priests of the [[Temple of Five]] worshiped a "god whose name must not be spoken." In Jewish tradition, the name of God (Yahweh) is not spoken. In a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|deleted scene]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]), [[Elosha]] states that the exodus from Kobol was precipitated when "one jealous god began to desire that he be elevated above all the other gods, and the war on Kobol began." The 1st commandment requires the faithful have no other god before Yahweh.

A number of elements from the show derive from Mormonism, the religion of series creator [[Glen Larson]]. In particular, the concept of a lost [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] is from Mormon legend. The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is also a Mormon concept.

A curious parallel to the series is found in the Exodus story of the Old Testament: [[Wikipedia:Moses|Moses]] led the Israelites out of the Egyptian captivity toward the promised land, but did not live to lead the Israelites into the promised land because he doubted the water coming from the stone (Numbers 20:12). This parallels the [[Pythia|Pythian prophecy]] of the leader (presumed to be [[Laura Roslin]]) ,who, according to the [[Sacred Scrolls]], will not live to see the promised land of Earth ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

The name of [[Pergamus Flats]] (a location on [[New Caprica]]) is similar to [[Wikipedia:Pergamus|Pergamus]], a city mentioned in Revelation 2:12.

Both the [[Colonials]] and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] have had an experience similar to the Jewish exodus from [[w:Egypt|Egypt]]; the Cylons following the [[Cylon War|war with the Colonies]] and the Colonials following their [[Exodus, Part II|escape from]] [[New Caprica]].

==Official statements==
*In an [http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0050.htm interview with BattlestarGalactica.com on December 28th, 2005] Ron Moore was asked about fan speculation that the Cylon God may be Count Iblis in the Re-imagined Series:

: Q: "There's speculation that Count Iblis' counterpart in this series is the as-yet-unseen Cylon God. Is there any possibility that elements of the original series "War of the Gods" storyline may weave themselves into the new series?

:RDM: While I have thought of incorporating the Count Iblis/Ship of Lights mythology from the original show into the series, I've pretty much decided not to go there for now. The theological construct we've been establishing seems more interesting to me at this point and I don't think Iblis will be part of the current show."

*RDM noted in his [[podcast]] of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", that the original ending of Season One called for actor [[Dirk Benedict]] to appear to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] and introduce himself as "God". Numerous prohibiting factors prevented this storyline from making it on camera, chief among them was Moore's confessed inability to write a feasible conclusion to the surprise revelation at the time. Another mitigating factor which influenced Moore to drop the idea was that when he revealed his idea to the other writers, the entire writing team found the idea simply revolting, so Moore acquiesced.

* In an [http://www.beliefnet.com/story/166/story_16650_3.html interview at beliefnet.com] Ron Moore made the following statement in response to the question:
:Q: " In “Galactica 1980,” we actually meet the “Imperious Commander” of the Cylons who turns out to be the Devil in the guise of a humanoid. Will we ever meet the maker of the Cylons in this version?

:A: I think if we ever found an answer to why the Cylons have a god or who the god is--you know, the guy steps out from behind the curtain--I think you’d be disappointed. They’re in an interesting place in that their faith is as legitimate as the human faith. Human beings have souls given by the gods, and Cylons have a soul given by their one true god and that has to be just as valid. That means there is a plan for their soul and something for them after they die too. It’s a fundamental element of their faith. "

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial History]]
[[Category:Colonial History (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylon Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

<pagesidebar>
* See Also
** Cylon Religion|Cylon Religion
* Analogues
**Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#The Lords of Kobol|Colonial Deities and Religion
* Other Series
** God (TOS)|God in the Original Series
</pagesidebar>

Saul Tigh

2008-04-07T11:32:07Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

{{Character Data
|photo= Saul Tigh.jpg
|age= Allegedly 71<ref>Tigh was born in 69 BCH, ("[[Valley of Darkness]]" deleted scene), and Season 3 takes place in 2 AHC.</ref>
|colony= Aerelon
|birthname=
|callsign=
|seen= Miniseries
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children= None
|marital status=Widower, formerly married to [[Ellen Tigh]]†
|role= Executive Officer, [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''
|rank= Colonel
|actor= [[Michael Hogan]]
|5cylon= y
|name= Saul Tigh
}}

'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', as well as frequently serving as acting Commander in the place of [[William Adama]]. Before that, he served as Adama's XO on the battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]''. A tough but troubled man with a long history of alcoholism, Tigh has served in the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] since his teenage years, seeing action in both [[Cylon War]]s. He is a widower of the deceased [[Ellen Tigh]].

Upon reaching the [[Ionian nebula]], he and [[Final Five|three others]] [[Crossroads, Part II|became aware]] of their nature as [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylons]]. Unlike the seven known models, neither Tigh nor the other three know what to make of their apparently inhuman nature.

== Biography ==

=== Background ===
Tigh was supposedly born on the colony of [[Aerelon]].<ref name="aerelon">"Cylon Intelligence Report: Personnel File: Saul Tigh." <u>Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine</u>. Feb./Mar. 2006: 62.</ref> (He has recently been revealed as a Cylon presumably making this point moot). A veteran of the Cylon War, Tigh is sometimes estranged from his wife Ellen 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]]").

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. 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, about 20 years after the war, 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 Fleet at 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 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 [[The Fleet (RDM)|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".

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 [[Caprica (RDM)|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 (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], intended to have been used to plant a nuclear warhead aboard a basestar in orbit around the planet believed to be [[Kobol (RDM)|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]]. 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 crew members. Morale and ship efficiency began to suffer. Ellen Tigh becomes a private adviser 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 [[humanoid Cylon]] 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 (RDM)|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 civilian 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 [[Combat Air Patrol|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 the [[Gideon]] Incident ===
After [[William Adama|Adama's]] return to command and Roslin to the presidency, for a moment the ''Gideon'' incident is almost forgotten. Before she is invited to ''Galactica'', reporter [[D'Anna Biers]] prepares a story about the incident, which could destroy the public's view towards Tigh, and eventually ''Galactica''. However she drops the subject in favor of a ''Galactica'' documentary.

Lt. [[Joe Palladino]], the pilot in charge of the boarding operation to ''Gideon'', blames Tigh for the discredit to his reputation. He begins to terrorize Tigh and his wife, but Tigh later manages to subdue Palladino ([[Final Cut]]).

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

Things once again turn on their head when ''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, Colonel 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 Tigh and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] to conspire to steal the election for Roslin, foreseeing 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 behavior regarding the ballot boxes. Admiral 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, the couple run into [[Kara Thrace]] at [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]] and [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] Tyrol'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. However, 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 [[Nicholas Tyrol|baby]] barely escape. This leads several members of the [[New Caprica Resistance|resistance movement]] 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 and Ellen's death===
[[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 launched from ''Galactica''.
[[Image:TighAdamaReunion.jpg|thumb|left|Adama welcomes Tigh back on ''Galactica'' ([[Exodus, Part II]]).]]
Following the escape, he initially 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 Tigh to "sleep it off", it is clear that the events on New Caprica - most notably, his wife's death - are still adversely affecting Tigh. Following that he spends a lot of time in his quarters trying to cope with what happened to him on New Caprica and is temporarily replaced by [[Karl Agathon]].

He eventually becomes the apparent ringleader of the [[The Circle|Circle]], a group of six people authorized 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]] and tells him the truth of his last mission. Tigh later stops him when Novacek tries to kill Adama in revenge for being the cause of him spending years as a Cylon captive ([[Hero]]). Tigh also referees the boxing fights organized to boost morale ([[Unfinished Business]]). He returns to duty during operations to resupply the Fleet's food stores ([[The Passage]]).

When [[Kara Thrace]] dies he is visibly heartbroken ([[Maelstrom]]), showing that he did truly care about her despite their differences, which he had begun to show in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]".

As the Fleet nears the [[Ionian nebula]] and Gaius Baltar's trial begins, Tigh is one of a few people who hear mysterious music on several occasions. When called to testify in court, he shows up drunk. [[Romo Lampkin|Baltar's lawyer]] exploits this vulnerability and forces Tigh to publicly admit that he killed his wife on New Caprica ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

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===The Damning Revelation===

[[Image:403 - Tigh and his gun.jpg|thumb|Tigh in his waking "nightmare" state ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).]]

Saul Tigh, [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] begin to hear a [[The Music|song]] only they can hear over and over again, driving them to distraction. They instinctively come to the realization that they are four of the [[final five]] Cylons. For the moment they decide to remain loyal to the Colonials ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

However, almost immediately, this decision is tested by both Tigh's waking nightmares during the onset of the [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula]]—where he believes he will kill his friend and commander, Adama, much the same way [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] tried to—and the return of [[Kara Thrace]], who may be a Cylon. Even amidst this, he is the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four" and continues to assure them that they are different than Boomer and the other Cylons. Further, he has them pledge to kill themselves should they feel any inkling of betraying the Fleet ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Notes==
* Tigh is supposedly a third-generation Colonial soldier. His father was a decorated fighter pilot killed in combat and his grandfather served under President [[Mueller (president)|Mueller]]. Also, Tigh was a published military historian until personal problems became apparent ([[Miniseries]], [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|deleted scene]]). However, given Tigh's recently-revealed Cylon nature, his family history may be a fabrication. Tigh's interest in military history has not been mentioned on screen after the Miniseries, although he mentions various Cylon tactics in use from the Cylon War that came to save ''Galactica'' after being boarded by [[Centurion (RDM)|Centurion]]s ([[Valley of Darkness]]).
* Tigh's first name has been given as "Paul" on a number of websites. This is initially 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. In the [[podcast]] [[Podcast:Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|commentary]] on the episode "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ronald D. Moore]] has indicated that the character's name initially was Paul Tigh. The name 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 ''[[w:In Harm's Way|In Harm's Way]]'' portrayed by [[w:Kirk Douglas|Kirk Douglas]] (with [[w:John Wayne|John Wayne]]).
* Tigh's age is one of the only ones which can be accurately deduced. According to a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Valley of Darkness|deleted scene]] from "[[Valley of Darkness]]", he served on the ''[[Brenik]]'' when it was boarded during the second year of the Cylon War. Tigh says that he was "just a kid. Virgin. Teenager." It is known 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. However, give that he is in fact a Cylon, that is in question as well.
* 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 went on to play the role of [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], ''Galactica'''s CMO.
* According to ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]'', Tigh's home colony is [[Aerelon]]. However, in "[[Dirty Hands]]", [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] claims that virtually no officers in the Colonial Fleet are from poorer colonies. While this could be an exaggeration, her [[Galen Tyrol|husband]] brings up [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] as counter-example, but not Tigh. Moreover, Tigh doesn't speak with an [[Language in the Twelve Colonies#Aerelon Accent|Aerelon accent]], although there might be local variations.
*Tigh's Cylon identity may be alluded to as early as [[Occupation]]: not only does he have only one eye at this point, but the Cylon "scanning eye" sound effect can be faintly heard as he looks toward the open door of his cell when Cavil enters to tell him he's been released.

==References==
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[[Category:A to Z]]
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[[Category:Characters (RDM)]]
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[[Category:Cylons]]
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Saul Tigh

2008-04-07T11:31:20Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

{{Character Data
|photo= Saul Tigh.jpg
|age= Allegedly 71<ref>Tigh was born in 69 BCH, ("[[Valley of Darkness]]" deleted scene), and Season 3 takes place in 2 AHC.</ref>
|colony= Aerelon
|birthname=
|callsign=
|seen= Miniseries
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children= None
|marital status=Widower, formerly married to [[Ellen Tigh]]†
|role= Executive Officer, [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''
|rank= Colonel
|actor= [[Michael Hogan]]
|5cylon= y
|name= Saul Tigh
}}

'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', as well as frequently serving as acting Commander in the place of [[William Adama]]. Before that, he served as Adama's XO on the battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]''. A tough but troubled man with a long history of alcoholism, Tigh has served in the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] since his teenage years, seeing action in both [[Cylon War]]s. He is a widower of the deceased [[Ellen Tigh]].

Upon reaching the [[Ionian nebula]], he and [[Final Five|three others]] [[Crossroads, Part II|became aware]] of their nature as [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylons]]. Unlike the seven known models, neither Tigh nor the other three know what to make of their apparently inhuman nature.

== Biography ==

=== Background ===
Tigh was supposedly born on the colony of [[Aerelon]].<ref name="aerelon">"Cylon Intelligence Report: Personnel File: Saul Tigh." <u>Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine</u>. Feb./Mar. 2006: 62.</ref> (He has recently been revealed as a Cylon presumably making this point moot). A veteran of the Cylon War, Tigh is sometimes estranged from his wife Ellen 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]]").

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. 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, about 20 years after the war, 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 Fleet at 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 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 [[The Fleet (RDM)|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".

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 [[Caprica (RDM)|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 (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], intended to have been used to plant a nuclear warhead aboard a basestar in orbit around the planet believed to be [[Kobol (RDM)|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]]. 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 crew members. Morale and ship efficiency began to suffer. Ellen Tigh becomes a private adviser 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 [[humanoid Cylon]] 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 (RDM)|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 civilian 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 [[Combat Air Patrol|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 the [[Gideon]] Incident ===
After [[William Adama|Adama's]] return to command and Roslin to the presidency, for a moment the ''Gideon'' incident is almost forgotten. Before she is invited to ''Galactica'', reporter [[D'Anna Biers]] prepares a story about the incident, which could destroy the public's view towards Tigh, and eventually ''Galactica''. However she drops the subject in favor of a ''Galactica'' documentary.

Lt. [[Joe Palladino]], the pilot in charge of the boarding operation to ''Gideon'', blames Tigh for the discredit to his reputation. He begins to terrorize Tigh and his wife, but Tigh later manages to subdue Palladino ([[Final Cut]]).

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

Things once again turn on their head when ''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, Colonel 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 Tigh and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] to conspire to steal the election for Roslin, foreseeing 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 behavior regarding the ballot boxes. Admiral 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, the couple run into [[Kara Thrace]] at [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]] and [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] Tyrol'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. However, 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 [[Nicholas Tyrol|baby]] barely escape. This leads several members of the [[New Caprica Resistance|resistance movement]] 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 and Ellen's death===
[[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 launched from ''Galactica''.
[[Image:TighAdamaReunion.jpg|thumb|left|Adama welcomes Tigh back on ''Galactica'' ([[Exodus, Part II]]).]]
Following the escape, he initially 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 Tigh to "sleep it off", it is clear that the events on New Caprica - most notably, his wife's death - are still adversely affecting Tigh. Following that he spends a lot of time in his quarters trying to cope with what happened to him on New Caprica and is temporarily replaced by [[Karl Agathon]].

He eventually becomes the apparent ringleader of the [[The Circle|Circle]], a group of six people authorized 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]] and tells him the truth of his last mission. Tigh later stops him when Novacek tries to kill Adama in revenge for being the cause of him spending years as a Cylon captive ([[Hero]]). Tigh also referees the boxing fights organized to boost morale ([[Unfinished Business]]). He returns to duty during operations to resupply the Fleet's food stores ([[The Passage]]).

When [[Kara Thrace]] dies he is visibly heartbroken ([[Maelstrom]]), showing that he did truly care about her despite their differences, which he had begun to show in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]".

As the Fleet nears the [[Ionian nebula]] and Gaius Baltar's trial begins, Tigh is one of a few people who hear mysterious music on several occasions. When called to testify in court, he shows up drunk. [[Romo Lampkin|Baltar's lawyer]] exploits this vulnerability and forces Tigh to publicly admit that he killed his wife on New Caprica ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

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===The Damning Revelation===

[[Image:403 - Tigh and his gun.jpg|thumb|Tigh in his waking "nightmare" state ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).]]

Saul Tigh, [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] begin to hear a [[The Music|song]] only they can hear over and over again, driving them to distraction. They instinctively come to the realization that they are four of the [[final five]] Cylons. For the moment they decide to remain loyal to the Colonials ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

However, almost immediately, this decision is tested by both Tigh's waking nightmares during the onset of the [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula]]—where he believes he will kill his friend and commander, Adama, much the same way [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] tried to—and the return of [[Kara Thrace]], who may be a Cylon. Even amidst this, he is the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four" and continues to assure them that they are different than Boomer and the other Cylons. Further, he has them pledge to kill themselves should they feel any inkling of betraying the Fleet ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

<div style="clear:both;"></div>

==Notes==
* Tigh is supposedly a third-generation Colonial soldier. His father was a decorated fighter pilot killed in combat and his grandfather served under President [[Mueller (president)|Mueller]]. Also, Tigh was a published military historian until personal problems became apparent ([[Miniseries]], [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|deleted scene]]). However, given Tigh's recently-revealed Cylon nature, his family history may be a fabrication. Tigh's interest in military history has not been mentioned on screen after the Miniseries, although he mentions various Cylon tactics in use from the Cylon War that came to save ''Galactica'' after being boarded by [[Centurion (RDM)|Centurion]]s ([[Valley of Darkness]]).
* Tigh's first name has been given as "Paul" on a number of websites. This is initially 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. In the [[podcast]] [[Podcast:Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|commentary]] on the episode "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ronald D. Moore]] has indicated that the character's name initially was Paul Tigh. The name 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 ''[[w:In Harm's Way|In Harm's Way]]'' portrayed by [[w:Kirk Douglas|Kirk Douglas]] (with [[w:John Wayne|John Wayne]]).
* Tigh's age is one of the only ones which can be accurately deduced. According to a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Valley of Darkness|deleted scene]] from "[[Valley of Darkness]]", he served on the ''[[Brenik]]'' when it was boarded during the second year of the Cylon War. Tigh says that he was "just a kid. Virgin. Teenager." It is known 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. However, give that he is in fact a Cylon, that is in question as well.
* 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 went on to play the role of [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], ''Galactica'''s CMO.
* According to ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]'', Tigh's home colony is [[Aerelon]]. However, in "[[Dirty Hands]]", [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] claims that virtually no officers in the Colonial Fleet are from poorer colonies. While this could be an exaggeration, her [[Galen Tyrol|husband]] brings up [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] as counter-example, but not Tigh. Moreover, Tigh doesn't speak with an [[Language in the Twelve Colonies#Aerelon Accent|Aerelon accent]], although there might be local variations.
*Tigh's Cylon identity may be alluded to as early as [[Occupation]]: not only does he have only one eye at this point, but the Cylon "scanning eye" sound effect can be faintly heard as he toward the open door of his cell when Cavil enters to tell him he's been released.

==References==
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[[Category:Cylons]]
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Saul Tigh

2008-04-07T11:22:09Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

{{Character Data
|photo= Saul Tigh.jpg
|age= Allegedly 71<ref>Tigh was born in 69 BCH, ("[[Valley of Darkness]]" deleted scene), and Season 3 takes place in 2 AHC.</ref>
|colony= Aerelon
|birthname=
|callsign=
|seen= Miniseries
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children= None
|marital status=Widower, formerly married to [[Ellen Tigh]]†
|role= Executive Officer, [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''
|rank= Colonel
|actor= [[Michael Hogan]]
|5cylon= y
|name= Saul Tigh
}}

'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', as well as frequently serving as acting Commander in the place of [[William Adama]]. Before that, he served as Adama's XO on the battlestar ''[[Valkyrie]]''. A tough but troubled man with a long history of alcoholism, Tigh has served in the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] since his teenage years, seeing action in both [[Cylon War]]s. He is a widower of the deceased [[Ellen Tigh]].

Upon reaching the [[Ionian nebula]], he and [[Final Five|three others]] [[Crossroads, Part II|became aware]] of their nature as [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylons]]. Unlike the seven known models, neither Tigh nor the other three know what to make of their apparently inhuman nature.

== Biography ==

=== Background ===
Tigh was supposedly born on the colony of [[Aerelon]].<ref name="aerelon">"Cylon Intelligence Report: Personnel File: Saul Tigh." <u>Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine</u>. Feb./Mar. 2006: 62.</ref> (He has recently been revealed as a Cylon presumably making this point moot). A veteran of the Cylon War, Tigh is sometimes estranged from his wife Ellen 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]]").

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. 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, about 20 years after the war, 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 Fleet at 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 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 [[The Fleet (RDM)|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".

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 [[Caprica (RDM)|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 (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], intended to have been used to plant a nuclear warhead aboard a basestar in orbit around the planet believed to be [[Kobol (RDM)|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]]. 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 crew members. Morale and ship efficiency began to suffer. Ellen Tigh becomes a private adviser 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 [[humanoid Cylon]] 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 (RDM)|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 civilian 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 [[Combat Air Patrol|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 the [[Gideon]] Incident ===
After [[William Adama|Adama's]] return to command and Roslin to the presidency, for a moment the ''Gideon'' incident is almost forgotten. Before she is invited to ''Galactica'', reporter [[D'Anna Biers]] prepares a story about the incident, which could destroy the public's view towards Tigh, and eventually ''Galactica''. However she drops the subject in favor of a ''Galactica'' documentary.

Lt. [[Joe Palladino]], the pilot in charge of the boarding operation to ''Gideon'', blames Tigh for the discredit to his reputation. He begins to terrorize Tigh and his wife, but Tigh later manages to subdue Palladino ([[Final Cut]]).

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

Things once again turn on their head when ''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, Colonel 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 Tigh and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] to conspire to steal the election for Roslin, foreseeing 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 behavior regarding the ballot boxes. Admiral 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, the couple run into [[Kara Thrace]] at [[Galen Tyrol|Galen]] and [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] Tyrol'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. However, 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 [[Nicholas Tyrol|baby]] barely escape. This leads several members of the [[New Caprica Resistance|resistance movement]] 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 and Ellen's death===
[[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 launched from ''Galactica''.
[[Image:TighAdamaReunion.jpg|thumb|left|Adama welcomes Tigh back on ''Galactica'' ([[Exodus, Part II]]).]]
Following the escape, he initially 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 Tigh to "sleep it off", it is clear that the events on New Caprica - most notably, his wife's death - are still adversely affecting Tigh. Following that he spends a lot of time in his quarters trying to cope with what happened to him on New Caprica and is temporarily replaced by [[Karl Agathon]].

He eventually becomes the apparent ringleader of the [[The Circle|Circle]], a group of six people authorized 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]] and tells him the truth of his last mission. Tigh later stops him when Novacek tries to kill Adama in revenge for being the cause of him spending years as a Cylon captive ([[Hero]]). Tigh also referees the boxing fights organized to boost morale ([[Unfinished Business]]). He returns to duty during operations to resupply the Fleet's food stores ([[The Passage]]).

When [[Kara Thrace]] dies he is visibly heartbroken ([[Maelstrom]]), showing that he did truly care about her despite their differences, which he had begun to show in "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]".

As the Fleet nears the [[Ionian nebula]] and Gaius Baltar's trial begins, Tigh is one of a few people who hear mysterious music on several occasions. When called to testify in court, he shows up drunk. [[Romo Lampkin|Baltar's lawyer]] exploits this vulnerability and forces Tigh to publicly admit that he killed his wife on New Caprica ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

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===The Damning Revelation===

[[Image:403 - Tigh and his gun.jpg|thumb|Tigh in his waking "nightmare" state ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).]]

Saul Tigh, [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] begin to hear a [[The Music|song]] only they can hear over and over again, driving them to distraction. They instinctively come to the realization that they are four of the [[final five]] Cylons. For the moment they decide to remain loyal to the Colonials ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

However, almost immediately, this decision is tested by both Tigh's waking nightmares during the onset of the [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula]]—where he believes he will kill his friend and commander, Adama, much the same way [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]] tried to—and the return of [[Kara Thrace]], who may be a Cylon. Even amidst this, he is the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four" and continues to assure them that they are different than Boomer and the other Cylons. Further, he has them pledge to kill themselves should they feel any inkling of betraying the Fleet ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

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==Notes==
* Tigh is supposedly a third-generation Colonial soldier. His father was a decorated fighter pilot killed in combat and his grandfather served under President [[Mueller (president)|Mueller]]. Also, Tigh was a published military historian until personal problems became apparent ([[Miniseries]], [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)|deleted scene]]). However, given Tigh's recently-revealed Cylon nature, his family history may be a fabrication. Tigh's interest in military history has not been mentioned on screen after the Miniseries, although he mentions various Cylon tactics in use from the Cylon War that came to save ''Galactica'' after being boarded by [[Centurion (RDM)|Centurion]]s ([[Valley of Darkness]]).
* Tigh's first name has been given as "Paul" on a number of websites. This is initially 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. In the [[podcast]] [[Podcast:Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|commentary]] on the episode "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]", [[Ronald D. Moore]] has indicated that the character's name initially was Paul Tigh. The name 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 ''[[w:In Harm's Way|In Harm's Way]]'' portrayed by [[w:Kirk Douglas|Kirk Douglas]] (with [[w:John Wayne|John Wayne]]).
* Tigh's age is one of the only ones which can be accurately deduced. According to a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Valley of Darkness|deleted scene]] from "[[Valley of Darkness]]", he served on the ''[[Brenik]]'' when it was boarded during the second year of the Cylon War. Tigh says that he was "just a kid. Virgin. Teenager." It is known 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. However, give that he is in fact a Cylon, that is in question as well.
* 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 went on to play the role of [[Cottle|Dr. Cottle]], ''Galactica'''s CMO.
* According to ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]'', Tigh's home colony is [[Aerelon]]. However, in "[[Dirty Hands]]", [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] claims that virtually no officers in the Colonial Fleet are from poorer colonies. While this could be an exaggeration, her [[Galen Tyrol|husband]] brings up [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] as counter-example, but not Tigh. Moreover, Tigh doesn't speak with an [[Language in the Twelve Colonies#Aerelon Accent|Aerelon accent]], although there might be local variations.
*Tigh's Cylon identity may be alluded to as early as [[Occupation]]: not only does he have only one eye at this point, but during the extended teaser of that episode, the Cylon "scanning eye" sound effect can be faintly heard as he looks away from the door when Cavil enters.

==References==
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[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)]]
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[[Category:Cylons]]
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{{featured article candidate previous}}

Gaius Baltar

2008-04-07T11:14:15Z

Philwelch: /* A greater purpose or insanity? */

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

{{Character Data
|photo= Gaius Baltar.jpg
|colony= Born [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Aerelon|Aerelon]], later moved to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]]
|birthname= Gaius Baltar
|seen= Miniseries
|marital status= Single, with primary involvements with a [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] and [[Caprica-Six]]
|role= Former President of [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|the Twelve Colonies]], former Fleet science advisor
|actor= [[James Callis]]
}}

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

__TOC__

== Background ==

* Dr. Baltar is from [[The_Twelve_Colonies_%28RDM%29#Aerelon|Aerelon]]. He was born and raised on a dairy farm outside of the town of [[Cuffle's Breath Wash]]. Finding the local dialect to be unpleasant, starting at the age of ten he trained himself to speak without the [[Language_in_the_Twelve_Colonies#Aerelon_Accent|Aerelon accent]] in hopes that one day he might be considered as not coming from Aerelon. He left Aerelon after his 18th birthday turning his back on his family and his heritage.
* He was formerly a lead defense systems developer working for the [[Colonial Ministry of Defense]] and came to prominence as a computer technology designer, having won three [[Magnate Prize]]s.
* He networks with others well, and became personal friends with President [[Richard Adar]]. However, Baltar is extremely arrogant at times.
* Baltar becomes responsible for the design of the critical [[Command Navigation Program]] (CNP) used throughout the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]], but he could not fix its shortfalls and asked his assistant ([[Number Six]]) to fix almost half of the base code and when she wrote the code, she got it up to 95% efficiency but then she put in back doors to allow the [[Cylons]] to "shut-down" space craft fitted with the CNP.
* Baltar's scientific prowess seems strongest in the medical and biological fields ([[Epiphanies]]). As a result of his lesser (although still advanced) computer programming skills, he seeks the help (and as a byproduct, the affections of) a [[Caprica Six|young woman]] to aid him with the CNP.
* Baltar's two-year affair with the mysterious woman-- even to the extent of using code she herself wrote to overcome shortfalls in his CNP -- allowed her unrestricted access to some of the most sensitive systems of the Colonial defenses.
*Baltar's involvement with his blonde assistant does not stop him from dalliances with other women during this time, right up to when his assistant confronts Baltar and a lover in bed.

==Character History==

=== The Attack on the Twelve Colonies ===

* Baltar learns that his "corporate spy" lover is in fact a new type of Cylon -- a [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylon in human form]], able to mimic human beings down to the smallest detail, who altered his CNP with [[backdoor]]s to subvert any CNP-equipped ship.
[[image:Mini-Baltar_Six.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Caprica-Six|Number Six]] kissing in the [[Miniseries]].]]
*Even though Baltar is appalled that it was his sexual folly that led to a holocaust, he is nevertheless determined to survive and keep this unintended treachery hidden. He only survives the following attack because the Cylon agent sacrifices herself to protect him from a nuclear blast.
* Baltar is rescued from [[Caprica]] following the forced-landing of a Colonial [[Raptor]] -- at the cost of [[Karl Agathon|one of the crew staying behind]] ([[Miniseries]])
* Baltar is plagued by visions of Number Six that only he can see and hear. He cannot be sure whether this is a result of his own guilt at his actions or whether -- as she initially claims -- she is part of a chip that has been implanted in his brain<ref name="chip">The idea that Six is an actual chip in Baltar's head was dismissed by Dr. [[Cottle]]'s image scan of Baltar's head. See [[Gaius Baltar#Speculation: The Real Baltar?|the section on alternate reasons for Six's existence]] for more.</ref>.
*Baltar is put to work trying to devise a means of detecting these humanoid Cylons. He luckily exposes [[Aaron Doral]] as a Cylon agent ([[Miniseries]]), using little more than invented [[technobabble]] to convince [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]].

=== Gaining trust ===

*Baltar eventually develops a genuine detector. This, together with his survival of a foiled attempt to expose him as a traitor ([[Six Degrees of Separation]]), firmly establishes his credentials within the Fleet's hierarchy.
*With this new-found trust, and despite his willingness to deliberately conceal vital information, such as [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii's]] true status as a [[Cylon agent]] ([[Flesh and Bone]]), Baltar enters the realm of political leadership, first as the Representative for [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] on the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]], and then as the newly-elected Vice President of the Colonies ([[Colonial Day]]).
* The virtual Six continues to help and hinder Baltar, gradually drawing him to a point of near-open acceptance and participation in Cylon plans and activities ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Whether by coincidence or design, Six manipulates Baltar through repeated threats of exposing his involvement with the destruction of the Colonies ("[[33]],", "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]"), while also appearing to aid him by giving information that [[The Hand of God (RDM)|appears insightful or inspired]] to help the Colonials.
[[image:Scattered-Baltar_Six.jpg|thumb|[[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Number Six]] seeing "the shape of things to come" in "[[Scattered]]".]]

=== A greater purpose or insanity? ===

*Initially an atheist, Baltar is slowly converted to the Cylon's monotheistic faith: in [[33]] he repents his sins, in [[Six Degrees of Separation]] he prays to the Cylon God and devotes his life to serving his divine will, and in [[The Hand of God]] he is led to believe he is an instrument of God.
*Baltar is subjected to a final revelation of his role with the Cylons (as virtual Six sees it) when "the future" is revealed to him on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], in the form of the first of "God's new generation of children" ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]).
[[Image:Baltarixvalleydarkness.jpg|Number Six showing Baltar the clearing filled with human bones, telling him they were from human sacrifices.|thumb]]
* While stranded on Kobol after a crash landing, Baltar's virtual Six warns him that the Colonial religion is a falsehood to cover up atrocities of their nature.
*On Kobol, Baltar shoots [[Crashdown]] in the back, killing him instantly, to save [[Cally]] from a practically suicidal and unnecessary attack on a Cylon missile battery<ref>The act of killing Crashdown appears to have led to a dramatic change in Baltar's attitude toward hurting anyone directly. When Cally tries to blackmail him after they return from Kobol, Baltar is somewhat rough with her. When he visits Tyrol and Boomer in the brig, he does not hesitate to inject Tyrol with fatal drugs to blackmail Boomer into giving Cylon secrets. Baltar's humanitarian acts to the Six copy known as Gina also suggests Baltar's attitude in the care of Cylons is further changing. More and more, Baltar appears to prefer direct intervention and is less cowardly in his attitude.</ref>. The group are eventually rescued by the Raptors. Baltar tells the [[SAR]] team that Crashdown died a hero in the fight, and Chief Tyrol reluctantly corroborates his story ([[Fragged]]).
*Back on ''Galactica'', Cally blackmails Baltar into making it a priority to prove that Chief Tyrol is not a Cylon, as Col. Tigh suspects, or Cally would reveal the truth of Crashdown's death.
* Incensed at this ingratitude, Baltar gambles that the [[brig|jailed]] Boomer knows of the number of Cylons in the Fleet, and blackmails her into doing so, using Tyrol's life.
[[image:brainscan.jpg|Baltar recieves his brain scan from Dr. Cottle, as Six watches on in amusement.|thumb]]
*Questioning his own sanity after his virtual Six claims that he was generally crazy, Baltar has a brain scan performed in [[sickbay]] by Dr. [[Cottle]] which confirms no "foreign objects" are present in his head.
*Baltar is ready to believe that he is truly insane until he hears [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Sharon]] discuss Valerii's pregnancy with a Cylon/Human hybrid child from his observation room. Six tells Baltar earlier that "their child" would be born in that cell, and this leads Baltar to realize that Six ''must'' be real because his subconscious couldn't have known that ([[Home, Part II]]).

=== Many talents ===

*When [[D'Anna Biers]] films a documentary about life aboard ''Galactica'', Six urges Baltar to give an interview to try to win people over to thinking that he should be running the Fleet. Baltar performs badly as he begins his interview but, fortunately, his interview is interrupted by a Cylon attack that Biers chooses to film instead ([[Final Cut]]).
*Baltar aids in trying to overcome the Cylon [[logic bomb]] which devastates ''Galactica's'' [[computers]]. Tigh's dislike of Baltar's involvement in this problem makes the scientist edgy enough to retort, "I'm sorry. Do you want to survive this one or not, Colonel?" ([[Flight of the Phoenix]])
[[image:baltargina.jpg|Baltar with Gina, the Cylon prisoner from ''Pegasus''.|thumb]]
*[[Helena Cain|Admiral Helena Cain]] requests that Baltar examine ''Pegasus' '' own Cylon prisoner to see what information he could glean from it. Baltar is horrified to discover the Cylon was a terribly abused and tortured copy of Number Six named "[[Gina]]". Baltar vows to help her and begins by having her restraints removed and bringing food to her ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).
*Over the course of his examination of Gina, he uncovers both her wish to die and the secret of the Cylon [[Resurrection Ship]]. He passes this information to Adama and Admiral Cain, who develop an [[Attack on the Resurrection Ship|operation to destroy it]] ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).
*Baltar continues to spend time with Gina, eventually helping her escape from the brig. He tells Gina that he can hide her, and also that he loves her. Gina goes on to kill Cain and escapes from ''Pegasus'' through unexplained means ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]).
*Torn between the "flesh and blood" copy of the [[Number Six]] copy, Gina, the demands of his internal Number Six, and his continuing attempt to cover his own multiple duplicities, Baltar becomes more aggressive and confrontational. With President Roslin's advice to abort the Cylon-hybrid fetus of the incarcerated [[Sharon Valerii]], Baltar reacts to defend it as if it were his own child. Admiral [[William Adama|Adama]] admonishes Baltar, telling him that, on Roslin's death, he will become President and that he needs to behave like one.
*Desperate to save Valerii's fetus, Baltar reviews Dr. [[Cottle]]'s medical tests and performs experiments of his own, learning a striking revelation: the blood of the fetus can destroy cancer and repair its damage to human tissue.<ref name="stemcells">According to the writer's original planning, this was due to the presence of Cylon [[Wikipedia:stem cells|stem cells]] in the fetus's blood. This explanation was absent in the final shooting script.</ref> With Admiral Adama's permission, he injects the dying President Roslin with some of the fetal blood, which works miraculously, saving both Roslin and Valerii's child by circumstance ([[Epiphanies]]).
*Baltar keeps his [[Fumarella leaf|fumarella]] supply fresh by trading in the [[black market (organization)|black market]] through new ''Pegasus'' Commander [[Jack Fisk]]. Not realizing that Fisk had been murdered, the scientist visits Fisk's quarters, only to meet Captain [[Lee Adama]], who has started an investigation on the black market and Fisk's murder. Baltar truthfully tells Adama that he knows nothing of Fisk's murder, but Adama correctly deduces Baltar's association with Fisk and the black market since the "[[Caprican Imperial]]" fumarellos are a known favorite of Baltar's ([[Black Market]]).

=== Increasing political ambitions ===

*After saving Roslin's life, Baltar reads the letter given to him in the event of her death, in which she says he lacks compassion and asks him to open his heart if he becomes president. Furious, and goaded on by Six who tells him that Roslin doesn't trust him, Baltar delivers the nuclear warhead used for the Cylon detector to Gina and her militant "[[Demand Peace]]" movement.
*Baltar is also unaware that his involvement in the destruction of the Colonies is partially revealed. In ''Galactica's'' sickbay, Laura Roslin recalled those final days on Caprica, and remembered Baltar in the company of a [[Number Six|woman]] on Caprica who she knows now is a Cylon ([[Epiphanies]]).
*Baltar is summoned to ''[[Colonial One]]'', where Roslin offers him, without explanation, the chance to resign from the Vice Presidency to return to his studies. Baltar becomes immediately suspicious (and frightened) in Roslin's succinct and direct vote of no-confidence in her vice president. Realizing that the Vice Presidency now has greater importance (if nothing other than to save his own hide), Baltar turns down what Roslin calls a "one-time offer" to save himself as he saved Roslin on her deathbed ([[Black Market]]).

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

=== New Caprica ===

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

=== Among the Cylons ===

*Once on board the basestar, Baltar must prove his worth to the Cylons or be killed. He seeks help from the basestar's [[Hybrid]], and gleans information which leads the Cylon fleet to the [[Lion's Head Nebula]], where they recover an ancient beacon. The beacon is also a plague carrier. To further prove his worth, Baltar takes on a mission to the dying basestar ([[Torn]]).
*Baltar is tortured by a Number Three for information on the viral plague. Misinterpreting his screams of love for the Internal Six as feeling for her, Number Three enters into a sexual relationship with Baltar and possibly Caprica-Six as well and starts to share a bed with both of them ([[A Measure of Salvation]]).
* Learning more about Cylon culture among them, he develops doubts about his identity, starting to belief that he might be one of the [[final five]] Cylons.

=== Return to the Fleet ===

[[Image:Baltar brig.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Baltar being placed in detention.]]

* Seeking answers to his questions about his identity, Baltar travels with Number Three and [[Cavil]] to the surface of the algae planet in order to visit the [[Temple of Five]]. After killing Cavil and watching the death of Number Three, he is unsuccessful in finding answers, and is captured and returned to ''Galactica'' ([[Rapture]]).
* He attempts to commit suicide and is tortured by [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] and [[William Adama]] under the influence of an [[interrogation drug]]. While offering no substantial information, Roslin's belief that he played a role in the attack on the Twelve Colonies is strengthened. She and Adama decide to give Baltar a public trial instead of quietly executing him ([[Taking a Break From All Your Worries]]).
* Baltar, in an attempt to curry favor with the fleet concerning his trial, secretly publishes a book called "[[My Triumphs, My Mistakes]]". This book causes a labor strike, led by [[Galen Tyrol]], but instead of bringing the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] to a screeching halt, it actually helps Tyrol and President [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]] stop a problem that was beginning to form in the Fleet ([[Dirty Hands]]).
* Before his trial begins, Baltar's lawyer, [[Alan Hughes]], is killed by sabotage, and is replaced by [[Romo Lampkin]]. Security for both Lampkin and Baltar is high, as many people believe fervently that Baltar should not be given a trial at all. Major [[Lee Adama]] is placed in command of this security detail, and eventually becomes Lampkin's aide for the trial ([[The Son Also Rises]]).
*Baltar's trial becomes a frenzied media circus. Lampkin manages to keep mob rule from overwhelming the proceedings, but it is Lee Adama's testimony that ultimately acquits Baltar. The son of William Adama notes many, many abuses of justice, crimes and mistakes committed by himself and other leadership in the Fleet that were ignored or punished lightly. Baltar's only distinction, in comparison, was that he was unlikeable and thus more useful as a scapegoat for the problems of the Fleet that stemmed from colonizing [[New Caprica]].
*With the end of the trial, Baltar finds his acquittal bitter-sweet, with no home, no work, and no allies.
*When the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] jumps into the [[Ionian nebula]], the confusion caused by a power outage allows the homeless Baltar to be secretly carried off by several women who claim they are leading him to his new life ([[Crossroads, Part II]]).

===Cult Leader ===

The women lead Baltar to an used storage compartment, where he learns that a [[Cult of Baltar|cult]] has arisen around him, likely starting with the publication of his [[My Triumphs, My Mistakes|book]] condemning the perceived suppression of the Fleet's poor. The cult is compromised of many young, athletic women and some men. Headed by [[Jeanne]], they view Baltar as a messianic figure and have been building a shrine for him. Baltar initially thinks of them as crazy and wants to have nothing to do with them. When [[Tracey Anne|one of the women]] watches him interact with his [[Virtual Six]], she thinks that he is praying and draws him into a religious discussion. Baltar tells her that [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|Colonial Religion]] is empty and false, and that there is only one [[God (RDM)|true God]]. Captivated by Baltar, she kisses him. His standing among his followers is further increased when he prays for a sick [[Derrick|child]], who miraculously recovers soon after ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

==Notes==
*There is speculation that Gaius Baltar could be a Cylon himself. See the [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] article for the pros and cons of this theory.
*[[Ron Moore]] has stated in several episode commentaries that when the role of "Gaius Baltar" was originally written in the script, the writing team never intended Baltar to have a "funny" aspect, but James Callis himself decided to play up that aspect of the frantic predicaments Baltar finds himself in during the [[Miniseries]] (which although the writers never anticipated, they enjoyed, and started writing him with that in mind).
*While [[Edward James Olmos]] and [[Mary McDonnell]] were hand-picked for their roles, the rest of the characters were cast by audition: among the actors in the running for the role of "Gaius Baltar" was ''[[w:Two and a Half Men|Two and a Half Men]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Wikipedia:Jon Cryer|Jon Cryer]], though the role ultimately went to [[James Callis]]. Callis was suggested by Angela Mancuso, who ran the studio at the time, who knew him from the ''[[w:Helen of Troy (TV miniseries)|Helen of Troy]]'' miniseries, in which he played [[w:Menelaus|Menelaus]].<ref>{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=23|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
{{WikiFrakr}}

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

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{{Characters}}

[[Category:A to Z|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:Characters|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:Main Characters (RDM)|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:RDM|Baltar, Gaius]]
[[Category:People from Aerelon|Baltar, Gaius]]

{{featured article}}

[[de:Gaius Baltar]]

Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-04-07T10:59:42Z

Philwelch: /* Gaius Baltar and his cult */ who says they're misguided, he's been an obvious christ figure since Season 1

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating=
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41398
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| hulu=Y
| unbox=B00178W020
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's.
* [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick.
* Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick".
* Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet.
* Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched.
[[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]
* Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama through his right eye. However, he is wakened by his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever flown a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be.
* During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either.
* Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship.
* Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]].
* Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself.
* Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her.
* Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages.
* The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights. Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep.
* Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage.
* Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter.
* In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none.
* Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her.
* From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative.
* Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable.
* Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination.
* Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs.
* Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him.
* As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future...
* Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds it beautiful, but a hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt.
* As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence.
[[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]
* "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon.
* Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth.
* Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]].
* Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet.
* Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor".
* Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it.
* Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, since Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref>
* Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course.
* Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]].
* Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was.
* Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake".
* They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work.
[[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]
* Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way.
* Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova.
* Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition.
* Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind.
* Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being.
* Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments.
* Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on.
[[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]
* After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God.
* As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at.
* Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard.
* After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin.
* Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]

* Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death.
* Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this.
* Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
* In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her.
* She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]].
* Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
* After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way.
* Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates the female marine, while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it.
* Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out.
* Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a smoke grenade as a distraction. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)
* The population of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,100 likely died on other ships during the attack.
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* In promotional photos for this episode, the tail number for Thrace's pristine Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". However, this number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode uses a shorter version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, that has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].

=== Religion ===

*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow" matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a charcoal gray. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photograph appears to be very desaturated and may not represent the true colors. Moreover, the moon shown in the photo has a shadow pattern more indicative of a partial lunar eclipse than the ordinary terminator. Alternatively, she may have intended to say "yellow star and moon" (referring only to the star as yellow) instead of "yellow moon and star."
* Assuming that Thrace has been in the system [[w:Sol|Sol]], the "giant gas planet with rings" could be any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets. [[w:Saturn|Saturn]] is noted for its large ring system, whereas [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] (noted as being the largest gas giant in Sol), [[w:Uranus|Uranus]] and [[w:Neptune|Neptune]] each have rings that are not as notable as those of the aforementioned Saturn. There is, however, no "flashing triple star" presently obvious from Earth. (Alpha Centauri does not flash and would only be seen as triple when close to Proxima Centauri.)
* Interestingly, Jupiter is home of a massive storm known as the "[[w:Great Red Spot|Great Red Spot]]", which is another allusion to the "[[Eye of Jupiter]]". Further, this Great Red Spot, which is a massive hurricane-like storm of immense width, is a storm similar to the one in "Maelstrom" and may possibly be related to how she returns to the Fleet.

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon Hybrid's designation of Baltar as "the chosen one". Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. The ship's main guns are fully active on screen here for the first time since that engagement, and ''Galactica's'' point defense batteries are also shown operating.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Kara's apparently strange trip through time and space may suggest a possible wormhole or spacial anomaly. If so, the inability of Adama, Roslin, and others to seriously consider this possibility again highlights the [[naturalistic science fiction]] aspect of the series (though the absence of Dr. Baltar's scientific expertise may also be a factor).
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated", to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four", and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama through the right eye, ironically the same eye that Tigh lost by the Significant Seven Cylons on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]

* During the battle, it is Samuel Anders's right eye that "responds" to the Cylon Raider's roving eye. The electronic reddening effect appears to be an acknowledgment of the [[IFF]] signal the Raider sent out.
* The "red eye" of the Cylon Raiders has been used to transmit signals to ships using Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]]. This may have "activated" some programming or instinct within the Cylon Raider -- or even Anders' -- in much the same way it accessed the backdoors to Baltar's program.
* It is implied that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider that "made him" is ''not'' related to any technical error on the Viper. His safeties are still active at the time, which are attributed to two things within the episode: a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" (according to [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and later reiterated by Tigh) or some subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good", the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe".
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon?
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true?
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative?
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Marine #2

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]

Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-04-07T10:56:21Z

Philwelch: /* Kara Thrace */

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating=
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41398
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| hulu=Y
| unbox=B00178W020
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's.
* [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick.
* Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick".
* Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet.
* Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched.
[[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]
* Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama through his right eye. However, he is wakened by his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever flown a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be.
* During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either.
* Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship.
* Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]].
* Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself.
* Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her.
* Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages.
* The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights. Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep.
* Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage.
* Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter.
* In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none.
* Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her.
* From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative.
* Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable.
* Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination.
* Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs.
* Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him.
* As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future...
* Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds it beautiful, but a hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt.
* As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence.
[[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]
* "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon.
* Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth.
* Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]].
* Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet.
* Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor".
* Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it.
* Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, since Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref>
* Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course.
* Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]].
* Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was.
* Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake".
* They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work.
[[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]
* Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way.
* Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova.
* Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition.
* Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind.
* Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being.
* Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments.
* Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on.
[[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]
* After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God.
* As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at.
* Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard.
* After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin.
* Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]

* Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death.
* Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this.
* Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
* In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her.
* She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]].
* Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
* After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way.
* Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates the female marine, while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it.
* Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out.
* Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a smoke grenade as a distraction. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)
* The population of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,100 likely died on other ships during the attack.
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* In promotional photos for this episode, the tail number for Thrace's pristine Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". However, this number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode uses a shorter version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, that has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].

=== Religion ===

*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow" matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a charcoal gray. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photograph appears to be very desaturated and may not represent the true colors. Moreover, the moon shown in the photo has a shadow pattern more indicative of a partial lunar eclipse than the ordinary terminator. Alternatively, she may have intended to say "yellow star and moon" (referring only to the star as yellow) instead of "yellow moon and star."
* Assuming that Thrace has been in the system [[w:Sol|Sol]], the "giant gas planet with rings" could be any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets. [[w:Saturn|Saturn]] is noted for its large ring system, whereas [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] (noted as being the largest gas giant in Sol), [[w:Uranus|Uranus]] and [[w:Neptune|Neptune]] each have rings that are not as notable as those of the aforementioned Saturn. There is, however, no "flashing triple star" presently obvious from Earth. (Alpha Centauri does not flash and would only be seen as triple when close to Proxima Centauri.)
* Interestingly, Jupiter is home of a massive storm known as the "[[w:Great Red Spot|Great Red Spot]]", which is another allusion to the "[[Eye of Jupiter]]". Further, this Great Red Spot, which is a massive hurricane-like storm of immense width, is a storm similar to the one in "Maelstrom" and may possibly be related to how she returns to the Fleet.

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by misguided humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon Hybrid's designation of Baltar as "the chosen one". Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. The ship's main guns are fully active on screen here for the first time since that engagement, and ''Galactica's'' point defense batteries are also shown operating.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Kara's apparently strange trip through time and space may suggest a possible wormhole or spacial anomaly. If so, the inability of Adama, Roslin, and others to seriously consider this possibility again highlights the [[naturalistic science fiction]] aspect of the series (though the absence of Dr. Baltar's scientific expertise may also be a factor).
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated", to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four", and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama through the right eye, ironically the same eye that Tigh lost by the Significant Seven Cylons on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]

* During the battle, it is Samuel Anders's right eye that "responds" to the Cylon Raider's roving eye. The electronic reddening effect appears to be an acknowledgment of the [[IFF]] signal the Raider sent out.
* The "red eye" of the Cylon Raiders has been used to transmit signals to ships using Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]]. This may have "activated" some programming or instinct within the Cylon Raider -- or even Anders' -- in much the same way it accessed the backdoors to Baltar's program.
* It is implied that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider that "made him" is ''not'' related to any technical error on the Viper. His safeties are still active at the time, which are attributed to two things within the episode: a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" (according to [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and later reiterated by Tigh) or some subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good", the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe".
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon?
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true?
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative?
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Marine #2

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]

Battlestar Wiki:Sandbox/He That Believeth in Me

2008-04-07T10:52:27Z

Philwelch: /* Gaius Baltar and his cult */ more on Baltar's messianic persona

{{Episode Data
| image=4x01 - Promo 1.jpg
| title= He That Believeth In Me
| season= 4
| episode= 1
| forumthread= 729
| guests=
| extra= '''Season 4.0 Premiere'''
| writer= [[Bradley Thompson]] <br/> [[David Weddle]]
| story=
| director=[[Michael Rymer]]
| production=403
| rating=
| US airdate= 4 April 2008
| UK airdate=15 April 2008
| dvd=
| population=39698
| oldpopulation=41398
| prev= [[Crossroads, Part II]]
| next= [[Six of One]]
| hulu=Y
| unbox=B00178W020
}}

== Overview ==

: ''During a seemingly hopeless [[Battle of the Ionian Nebula|battle]], [[Kara Thrace]] appears in a pristine [[Viper Mark II|Viper]], claiming that she has been to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] and can lead the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] there -- but the terminal [[Laura Roslin]] believes otherwise. Meanwhile, four of the so-called [[Final Five]] are forced to tackle the repercussions of their newfound nature, while [[Gaius Baltar]] discovers he has a [[Cult of Baltar|commune of nubile female cultists]] who believe him to be an agent of the [[God (RDM)|"one true God"]]. ''

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

* [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]] are flying side-by-side, staring at each other across space. Lee is in a state of disbelief. Thrace rebukes his claim that her [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] [[Maelstrom#Act 4|exploded]]. She says that she's found Earth, describes some of its attributes, as the [[CIC]] crew listens to the chatter.
* [[William Adama]], who is clearly emotional, demands that the ship be identified. [[Felix Gaeta]] does so, replying that the ship's recognition codes match, while [[Anastasia Dualla]] tries to get Lee on the comline. [[Karl Agathon]] notes that the woman's voice sounds like Thrace's.
* [[Laura Roslin]], recovered from her [[Crossroads, Part II|earlier headache]], notes that it is likely a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] trick.
* Adama orders that the verification be duplicated, however Gaeta notes that more than 200 Cylon [[Raider (RDM)|Raider]]s are inbound. Adama orders that the Vipers and Raptor pickets engage the Cylons.
* Hearing the order, Thrace tells Lee not to lose her. "Not a chance," he replies, as both begin engaging the first wave of Raiders. Thrace kills a Raider, its blood covering her ship.
* Roslin reiterates her belief that Thrace's voice is a "Cylon trick".
* Gaeta reports that the Vipers have stopped the main Cylon thrust, but the reserves have broken through the line, and are headed to the Fleet.
* Adama tells [[Saul Tigh]] that he wants everything launched.
[[Image:403 - Tigh scream, you scream, we all scream.jpg|thumb|[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a waking nightmare where he believes he shot [[William Adama]].]]
* Tigh hesitates, then experiences a vision where he pulls out a gun and shoots Adama through his right eye. However, he is wakened by his waking-state "nightmare", as Adama continues to bark orders at him. He wants everyone who has "ever flown a stick" up in the air. Unsure of what exactly happened, Tigh relays the order.
* [[Galen Tyrol]] is barking out orders on the [[hangar deck]]. Ensigns [[Diana Seelix]] and [[Samuel Anders]] arrive. En route to their ships, as Seelix goes off, Anders begins to vocally question whether or not he'll turn against "his own" after he launches. Tyrol tells him to "shut the [[frak]] up" and follow Tigh's lead: be the man he wants to be.
* During the pep-talk, [[Sharon Agathon]] approaches them, overhearing a snippet of the conversation. She asks who else would he be and then gives him advice to retain his cool out in the fray. She walks off to her Raptor; Anders is relieved that she didn't ferret him out, and hopes the other Cylons won't be able to either.
* Tyrol tells him to not give them the chance to find out, and tells Anders to get to his ship.
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and his [[Cult of Baltar|female admirers]], led by a woman named [[Jeanne]], escort Baltar through the ship, heading to a previously-abandoned compartment on the ship. En route, they pass by [[Charlie Connor]], who catches a glimpse of Baltar, even though Baltar is covered in a shawl.
* During the battle, a damaged Raider sprawls out of control and crashes into the ''[[Pyxis]]'', destroying the ship.
* Gaeta reports this and Roslin is shocked, saying that they've lost 600 souls, including Captain [[Tarney]]. Roslin then inquires as to how the Cylons were able to find them. Tigh and [[Tory Foster]] exchange glances [[Crossroads, Part II#Act 4|again]].
* Gaeta reports that the [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]]s have launched 50 plus missiles. Half are headed towards the Fleet, the other half are headed towards ''Galactica''. Adama believes that ''Galactica'' can take the beating, but the Fleet would be wiped out by such an attack; he orders that all the missiles headed towards the Fleet be shot down.
* Anders launches and, still fearing that he may have Cylon programming yet to be turned on, begins summarizing his life. Seelix replies that he's jamming up the wireless, since he has the transmit button pressed down. Anders release the button and chastises himself.
* Cylon warheads begin striking ''Galactica''. Two missiles headed toward the Fleet strike the ''[[Space Park]]'', damaging her.
* Seelix manages to destroy a warhead that would have struck ''[[Colonial One]]''. However, a Raider comes up from behind her and begins to pursue her. Anders comes up from behind the Raider, and attempts to take the Raider out, but his weapons have apparently seized. The Raider suddenly breaks off its attack on Seelix and confronts Anders. The Raider then performs some kind of scan on Anders using its red eye. Anders' iris in his right eye glows red and the Raider disengages.
* The Raiders flock back to the baseships, which spin their [[FTL]] drives, much to the confusion of the Colonials who know that the Cylons had them dead to rights. Adama orders that they take advantage of the opportunity they've been presented, ordering the fighters to cover their rear while the Fleet begins jump prep.
* Tigh asks why the Cylons withdrew, Foster replies that "maybe something's changed", referring to their newfound knowledge of being Cylons. Roslin asks what the "change" may be, but Tigh feigns ignorance.

=== Act 1 ===

* After the Fleet makes its first jump away from the Ionian Nebula, Baltar is being led to the women's enclave. [[Jeanne]] reassures him that he'll be safe as they approach a compartment previously dedicated to dry stowage.
* Connor and another male associate have followed the group to the compartment, but do not enter.
* In the compartment, Baltar enters a commune consisting mostly of young, nubile women and men, all primarily Caucasian. They look subserviently downward, unwilling to meet his gaze, until he comes across a shrine with glorified Christmas-lights. He merely looks around and mutters, "Right", in a state of semi-disbelief.
* Tyrol looks over Thrace's blood-covered, yet otherwise pristine Mark II Viper. As Thrace opens the cockpit, she tells Tyrol to develop her gun camera footage, claiming to have some great shots to show everyone. She asks for her post-flight checklist. Tyrol replies that she has none.
* Pilots who've landed start to approach Thrace and her Viper. Lee, who just landed, runs up and hugs her.
* From the walkway above the hangar bay, Tigh asks Adama if he believes in miracles. Adama replies in the negative.
* Anders follows Lee's suit, saying that he told everyone that she was too "frakking mean to kill". She notes Anders' apparel, learning that Anders has been trained as a Viper pilot, which she finds unbelievable.
* Thrace tells Adama that she found Earth. Adama replies with Marines, who are ordered to escort her to sickbay where [[Cottle]] will give her a complete examination.
* Thrace reveals that, from her point of view, she's been off the ship for six hours. Anders replies that it has been over two months since she died, which Lee confirms.
* In the commune, Jeanne tells Baltar that she's going to get her son, [[Derrick]], asking him not to go anywhere on the ship, since it isn't safe for him. Jeanne tells him that [[Tracey Anne]] will be with him to give him whatever he needs.
* Baltar claims that he's praying for Derrick, who is presently in ''Galactica's'' sickbay. When he asks about travel arrangements, Jeanne notes that security is too tight to smuggle him off ''Galactica''. Her fellow cultist, [[Paulla Schaffer]], adds that none of the other ships would have him.
* As they leave, [[Virtual Six]] in a red blouse appears to him. She asks why he is glum, given that he faced execution, yet was granted life. He replies that he's doomed to be stuck in a looney bin with a bunch of cultists. Virtual Six assures him that she hasn't brought him this far for nothing, then he begins to ask for a ray of hope for the future...
* Tracey Anne sees Baltar on his knees, appearing to pray. She finds it beautiful, but a hollow ritual. She tells him that when she prays, she feels empty. Prompted by Six, Baltar claims that the Gods they worship are false and that there is only one true God, all the while she's copping a feel on him. As he explains how the gods were propagated by the "ruling elite" to suppress their knowledge of "the truth", she unbuttons his shirt.
* As he reveals that "there's only one God", Tracey Anne exposes her breasts to him. Assured that they are alone and the door is locked, she moves his hands to cup her breasts, where Tracey Anne asks him if he feels God's presence.
[[Image:403 - God's presence.jpg|thumb|Baltar "feels" God's presence.]]
* "You know what," he replies glibly, "I think I do." Then they fornicate in the presence of the shrine.
* In Adama's quarters, Thrace is told that all her tests check out, and it appears she is human. She accuses them of thinking that she's a Cylon.
* Roslin, who is present with Tory Foster and Lee Adama, presses her for her story of how she found Earth.
* Thrace claims that she followed a [[Heavy Raider]] into the storm, taking some fire, then blacked out. When she came to, she was orbiting Earth, which she was able to identify from the descriptions in the [[Book of Pythia]]. Showing the pictures that were developed from her gun camera, she claims that the pictures are of Earth and her moon. Further, she claims to have been able to match the star configurations from what was seen in the [[Tomb of Athena]].
* Thrace claims that she doesn't know how she was able to find them at the Ionian Nebula. Roslin continues to press her for information. She replies that she turned the ship to a reciprocal heading, and later blacked out. She adds that she remembers a giant gas planet with rings. She also claims to have seen a comet.
* Roslin moves to questioning the time discrepancy. Thrace remains adamant that she found Earth, took the pictures, and was able to return to the Fleet.
* In the hangar bay, Tyrol shows Adama (who is accompanied by Roslin, Foster, Lee, and Tigh) the Viper Thrace returned in. He notes that, after it was cleaned up, the Viper is pristine, as if it came off the "showroom floor".
* Tyrol confirms that while the tail numbers match the one she flew out on, the ship is not the same one he's been repairing for years. Further, the navigational computer has no entries in it.
* Roslin tells Adama to put Thrace in the brig. Lee objects, asking about Cottle's test. Tigh grumpily replies that Cottle's test doesn't mean a thing, since Baltar's [[Cylon detector]] is a crock that failed to identify [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. <ref>Despite Tigh mentioning the Cylon detector, dialogue only states that Doctor Cottle compared Thrace's DNA with the one on record in her files (the same procedure he used with [[Bulldog]] in "[[Hero]]"). Baltar's Cylon detector, however, uses a more complex molecular analysis to generate a result.</ref>
* Adama ruefully notes that they're back at square one. Any one of them can be a Cylon, and they wouldn't know it until they had a bullet in their heads, or led the Fleet into an ambush. Roslin notes that something stopped the Cylons from destroying the Fleet, and she believes that Thrace is somehow responsible for it. Further, Roslin believes that Thrace was returned to them to pull them off their course.
* Lee notes that they don't have a course, since they weren't able to stay at the nebula. He posits that Thrace may very well be the "signpost" they've been looking for, but Roslin will have none of it.

=== Act 2 ===

* Baltar and Tracey Anne, both unclothed, are awakened by the presence of Jeanne and the cultists. Jeanne brings Derrick, who is ill with viral encephalitis and cannot be treated with medicines, and asks Baltar to pray for his recovery. Baltar says that Derrick has to be strong, and they have to be strong for him. Jeanne says that she didn't want Derrick to die in the [[sickbay]].
* Baltar reiterates his claim that he prays for Derrick. Jeanne claims to know this, but adds that she believes that the "one true God" doesn't want Derrick to live. A wide-eyed, nutty Baltar cannot answer this question.
* In Tigh's quarters, the "[[frakr:Fantastic Four|Final Four]]" are assembled. Tigh inquires about the "[[The Music|frakking music]]", and everyone replies that they no longer hear it. Tyrol posits that it may have stopped upon discovering their true natures, but they still don't know for certain what it was.
* Anders recites his experience with the Cylon Raider scanning him. Even after Anders recalls the tale, they don't know what to make of the Cylons' sudden retreat, or Ander's inability to fire on the Raider. Tigh remains adamant that [[Racetrack]] was right: Anders had made a "dumb nugget mistake".
* They broach the topic of being programmed to sabotage the Fleet, like [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. Tigh vociferously contends that Boomer did not know who she was; they do, and they silently agree to kill themselves before they do anything against the humans.
* Roslin visits [[Caprica Six]] in the brig. Roslin discusses the shared dream they experienced in the [[Opera House]], where Caprica saw more than she did. Roslin asks Caprica to help her with information regarding the Cylons known as the Final Five, since she wants to know if Kara Thrace is one of them. Caprica replies that they are programmed not to think of the Five, but notes that they are close since she can feel them.
* In the CIC, Thrace is reviewing star charts with Gaeta, who is clearly aggravated. Agathon notices Gaeta's behavior and relieves him. Thrace notes that no one believes her, since everyone seems to think she's a Cylon. In a conversation that begins to get heated, Adama overhears Thrace's reasoning that finding the star systems on their charts won't work.
[[Image:Thrace's headache.jpg|thumb|Thrace experiences a headache...]]
* Thrace tells them that she can find the way to Earth by feeling it. She says that the more jumps they do away from their starting point (the Ionian Nebula), the harder it is for her to tell the road to Earth, given that they are going the wrong way.
* Adama dismisses Agathon. Adama reveals that Roslin's adamant that they continue the course laid before them by the [[Eye of Jupiter]]. As they execute another FTL jump, Thrace experiences a headache and says they're going the wrong way, and fears she may lose the feeling completely. She asks for them to go back to the nebula and while Adama would like to believe her, he can't go to Roslin and ask her to dismiss the writings of Pythia and the information derived from the supernova.
* Adama reveals that he's just "left her ship", noting that it is pristine, and asks her to explain that fact. She cannot, but swears to the Gods that she ''is'' Kara Thrace and that he can trust her on her intuition.
* Adama painfully replies that he can't afford to trust her, and she leaves with her marine escort.

=== Act 3 ===

* Lee and William Adama are watching Lee's gun camera footage of Thrace's death near the mandala. The elder Adama asks whether he should believe his heart or his eyes. Lee replies that he shares the same state of mind.
* Adama says he wants to believe Thrace, but notes that Roslin's right, and that the Cylons may be counting on Adama's belief. He adds that they'll follow Roslin's lead for the time being.
* Lee asks if Roslin's still staying in his father's quarters. Adama replies in the positive, noting that this is temporary until they can find quarters where she can wait for the remaining [[diloxin]] treatments.
* Adama thanks Lee for suiting up during the fight. As an unspoken apology for an earlier heated discussion about Lee's integrity, Adama offers Lee his wings back. However, Lee notes that while he removed those for the wrong reasons, he's had feelers from the government, who have offered him a chance to do more than he ever could do in the cockpit. He feels that Baltar's trial was a "trigger", but he notes that he needs a change and move on.
[[Image:Yet another frakking Adama talk.jpg|thumb|The Adamas reconcile... a tad.]]
* After an uncomfortable, solemn silence, Lee asks what would have happened had [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had been in the cockpit, and it was revealed that he were a Cylon, and always had been. He asks if they would still love him, but Adama does not answer the question.
* At the commune, Baltar watches over Derrick as Jeanne and the others sleep. He then makes a decision to leave, but before he does so, he returns and prays over Derrick. Baltar asks why God should choose to take an innocent life instead of his own, because he's failed so many people and brought so much grief on the human race, yet the boy has done nothing to sin against God.
* As he prays, the women wake up and stare at him. Jeanne also awakens and begins to cry softly, clearly touched by this display. After Baltar is done, he looks around and walks away.
* Later on, Baltar and Schaffer walk through ''Galactica'''s oddly empty corridors heading towards the officer's head. During the conversation, she says that they were all moved by Baltar's prayer. Baltar ruefully notes that it did no good, as Derrick's sickness has become worse. Schaffer tells Baltar that the prayer helped ensure that God looks after his immortal soul, which Baltar glibly snaps at.
* Baltar tells Schaffer that they shouldn't look at him for guidance, implying that they are young and easily misguided. Baltar inquires as to what they're doing in the head, in reply to which, she snaps out a straight razor which he uses to shave his beard.
* After he is fully shaven, Charlie Connor enters. He appears very cordial towards Baltar, addressing him as "Mister President", and despite Schaffer's urging, Baltar strikes up a conversation with Connor. Connor reveals that they met at [[Founders' Day]] on [[New Caprica]], where Baltar also met Kevin (his son) who told Baltar that he wanted to be president when he grew up. Baltar then asks after Kevin.
* Connor reveals that Kevin died at the hands of the [[New Caprica Police]] during the Cylon occupation. Schaffer heads towards the hatch, only to be restrained by an associate of Connor's (possibly [[Shaunt]]). As she's being restrained, Connor assaults Baltar and places the razor Baltar used to Baltar's throat. Connor orders Baltar to look at him; Baltar does so, wide-eyed.

=== Act 4 ===

[[Image:Connor attacks Baltar.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie Connor]] attacks [[Gaius Baltar]].]]

* Connor demands that Baltar scream. He wants to know if anyone would come after him. Meanwhile, Shaunt begins choking Schaffer to death.
* Baltar is brought to his knees. When Connor starts cutting into his throat, Virtual Six arises and asks if he was sincere in his prayer. He replies to Six that he is sincere, and begs that his life be taken. Connor is flummoxed at this.
* Schaffer manages to break free from Shaunt and breaks off a handle from a nearby floor washing bucket. She beats Shaunt with it, incapacitating him, then saves Baltar. She continues to beat Connor until Baltar stops her.
* En route to the commune, an exhilarated Schaffer says that she knew God wouldn't abandon Baltar and that she had felt his love course through her, giving her the power to smite his attackers. He ruefully retorts that there'd be less fighting next time, unless she wants to be up on murder charges.
* Baltar enters the enclave to discover that Derrick has fully recovered from his encephalitis. As the cultists look on at him, Six appears with a smirk on her face.
* In the [[memorial hallway]], Thrace notes to Anders that no one has removed her picture from the wall. Anders tells her to cut Adama and everyone some slack, since they are trying to figure out what happened to her.
* She tells Anders that she figured her experience of finding Earth was a dream. She begins theorizing about the logistics of her return aloud, speculating that the Cylons may have pulled her out of the soup and brainwashed her, or managed to clone her from parts that were extracted from her during her time in the Cylon baby [[farms]].
* Anders disputes this, saying that if she were a Cylon, she's been one from the beginning. He professes his undying love for her, even if she may be a Cylon. She replies that he's more forgiving that she'd ever be, noting that if Anders were a Cylon, she'd kill him.
[[Image:Thrace and her gun.jpg|thumb|Thrace points a gun at Laura Roslin.]]
* After another jump, Thrace experiences another headache. She insists that the Fleet's going the wrong way. She claims that if she goes through one more jump, she'll lose the way.
* Anders offers her a bunk, but Thrace begins to believe that the only way to stop going the wrong way is to deal with Roslin. She incapacitates the female marine, while Anders knocks [[Nowart]]'s gun aside before he can fire it.
* Thrace incapacitates Nowart as well. Anders asks what the hell she's doing. She asks where Roslin is, but Anders refuses to answer, so she knocks him out.
* Thrace takes out the marines guarding Adama's quarters, using a smoke grenade as a distraction. Roslin, who is sleeping in Adama's bunk, awakens to find Thrace approaching her. As Roslin stands, Thrace aims a gun at her head.

== Notes ==

* This season shows the first major change in the teaser titles since the series began. Instead of the "Cylons have a Plan" claim, the new titles show: "Twelve Cylon models. Seven are known. Four live in secret. One will be revealed."
* As with Season 3's season opener, the length of this episode's teaser clocks near the 10 minute mark.
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] has been re-added to the opening credit roll, since her "stunt" removal in the episodes "[[The Son Also Rises]]" and the "[[Crossroads]]" two-parter. (Although she was credited in the end-credits for "[[Crossroads, Part II]]".)
* The population of the Fleet, which hasn't been revealed since "[[The Son Also Rises]]" (but is assumed to be around 41,398) is 39,698. 600 of those were people who died aboard the ''Pyxis'', the other 1,100 likely died on other ships during the attack.
* The gun Saul Tigh uses in his "nightmare" against [[William Adama]] is the same weapon that [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] shot Adama with in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]".
* While Anders played for a professional Caprican [[pyramid]] team, he was (allegedly) born on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] and enrolled in [[Noyce Elementary School]].
* In promotional photos for this episode, the tail number for Thrace's pristine Viper is [[Viper 4267|4267 NC]], the same Viper that [[Chuckles]] used and died in during the [[Battle for the Tylium Asteroid]] in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]". However, this number was digitally removed in the aired version to match the Viper that was destroyed in "Maelstrom": [[Viper 8757]].
* The [[FTL]] jump at the end of the episode uses a shorter version of the [[w:Vertigo zoom|Vertigo zoom]] effect, that has not been seen since the [[Miniseries]].

=== Religion ===

*The title was first reported as "He That Believ<u>a</u>th In Me". Writer [[User:Ngarenn|Bradley Thompson]] [[BW:OC#Season 4 First Episode Title|confirmed]] that this was an unintentional misspelling.
* The title is a reference to John 11:25-26, which says:
*: Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection, and the life: '''he that believeth in me''', though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (King James Bible)
* In Baltar's conversation with [[Tracey Anne]], he reveals the name of one more of the [[Lords of Kobol (RDM)|Gods]], [[Poseidon]], a God in the Greek pantheon.

=== Thrace's claims ===

[[Image:Kara Thrace Reconnaissance Photos.png|250px|thumb|right|Gun camera footage of [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]]]

* When speaking of her claim about [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], Thrace mentions the moon being "yellow" matching the description of Pythia. Earth's moon, when viewed from space, is a charcoal gray. Her photo, taken from above the atmosphere, shows a slightly yellowish moon over a grayish planet with white flecks. However, the photograph appears to be very desaturated and may not represent the true colors. Moreover, the moon shown in the photo has a shadow pattern more indicative of a partial lunar eclipse than the ordinary terminator. Alternatively, she may have intended to say "yellow star and moon" (referring only to the star as yellow) instead of "yellow moon and star."
* Assuming that Thrace has been in the system [[w:Sol|Sol]], the "giant gas planet with rings" could be any of the four [[w:Gas giant|Jovian]] planets. [[w:Saturn|Saturn]] is noted for its large ring system, whereas [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]] (noted as being the largest gas giant in Sol), [[w:Uranus|Uranus]] and [[w:Neptune|Neptune]] each have rings that are not as notable as those of the aforementioned Saturn. There is, however, no "flashing triple star" presently obvious from Earth. (Alpha Centauri does not flash and would only be seen as triple when close to Proxima Centauri.)
* Interestingly, Jupiter is home of a massive storm known as the "[[w:Great Red Spot|Great Red Spot]]", which is another allusion to the "[[Eye of Jupiter]]". Further, this Great Red Spot, which is a massive hurricane-like storm of immense width, is a storm similar to the one in "Maelstrom" and may possibly be related to how she returns to the Fleet.

== Analysis ==

=== Gaius Baltar and his cult ===

* Baltar's cult is a cult-of-personality, where Gaius Baltar is seen by misguided humans as a messianic, mortal savior, in a parallel to the Cylon Hybrid's designation of Baltar as "the chosen one". Further, no reason for this apparently sudden rise of the "Baltar cult" has yet been provided.
* While Baltar's appearance during Season 3 increasingly resembled that the classic image of Jesus Christ as bearded and long-haired, his messianic cult has him shave and cut his hair to shed this image. However, Baltar's new willingness to sacrifice himself for others has made him more of a Christ figure in action, even as he becomes less of one in appearance.
* Baltar's cult seems to have amassed a following comprising mostly of women who are Caucasian, well-fit, reasonably well-proportioned, and within the ages of 20 to 40. Further, the cult seems to be disturbingly similar to the "Manson Family" in this regard, although Baltar is more-or-less placed in the position as cult's spiritual leader.
* The cult is also hedonistic, verging on counter-cultural (the class-warfare against the Fleet's so-called "aristocracy"), cooperative, and religious. Apparently, the room is shared by all, and sexual intercourse with one another is implied as being common, as the cultists do not appear surprised that Baltar and [[Tracey Anne]] have engaged in intercourse.

=== Ionian Nebula ===

* The Fleet-wide power-loss, and subsequent power recovery, remains unexplained.
* It is heavily implied that the Cylons now know that the Final Five are in the Fleet, given their rapid withdrawal during the battle.
* Further, it remains unexplained how the Cylons were able to track the Fleet to the nebula. They were either able to determine the Fleet's projected course, despite the efforts to use the ''Daru Mozu'' as a decoy, or found another way to track the Fleet.
* The battle within the nebula demonstrates that ''Galactica'' remains combat ready and able to engage Cylon basestars despite the damage suffered during the [[Battle of New Caprica]]. The ship's main guns are fully active on screen here for the first time since that engagement, and ''Galactica's'' point defense batteries are also shown operating.
*Despite Racetrack's claim in "[[Torn]]" that ''Galactica'' has more trained pilots than ships as result of the combination of the crews of both battlestars, this episode shows Admiral Adama pressing nuggets into action in order to have as many Vipers flying as possible. This suggests either Racetrack was exaggerating or speaking only about Raptor pilots; or that ''Galactica's'' Viper compliment is now very large after also taking in ''Pegasus'''s Vipers.
* The battle marks the first overt Cylon attack on the civilian fleet since before the settling of New Caprica, where the Cylons indicated they no longer wished to wipe out the Colonials.

=== Kara Thrace ===

* As to be expected, Kara Thrace's return is clouded in suspicion. Given the effects of time dilation she had experienced (six hours from her perspective, more than two months from the Fleet's), she may have experienced a form [[w:gravitational time dilation|gravitational time dilation]], given her proximity to the mandala phenomenon in "[[Maelstrom]]" and the hard deck.
* The "missing time" phenomenon and the lack of navigation data in the Viper's computer are similar to the [[w:Abduction phenomenon|abduction experiences]] that have been reported. Coincidentally, these experiences allege paralysis and "blinding light." Kara Thrace experienced the blinding light phenomenon in "Maelstrom" before her death, and her lack of control in pulling up her Viper from the hard deck does suggest a form of paralysis, or even distraction, whereby her mind was occupied and thus ignored the warnings from Lee Adama, et al.
* Thrace has feelings of [[w:theophany|theophany]] before her death in "Maelstrom". Further, these feelings have somehow influenced her and manifested extra-sensory abilities that leads her to a [[w:Jeanne d'Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]]-ian crusade, believing that she can lead the Fleet to Earth.
* Thrace's headaches are likely similar in nature to [[Laura Roslin]]'s headache in "[[Crossroads, Part II]]" after arriving at the [[Ionian Nebula]]. After a jump is executed, Thrace experiences these headaches as well, however the headaches lead her to believe that they are further and further down the wrong path and away from Earth.

=== The Final Five ===

* Given their animal-like nature, the biological Cylon Raiders are able to identify members of the Final Five, as [[Samuel Anders]] experiences during the Battle of the Ionian Nebula.
* Sharon Agathon and Caprica Six are incapable of identifying the Final Five models, even after they've been "activated", to use the term loosely.
* The episode does not delve too deeply into [[Tory Foster]] or [[Galen Tyrol]]'s reactions to their newfound natures, however this will doubtless be the case in future episodes. The episode centers around [[Saul Tigh]], who has become the ''de facto'' leader of the "Final Four", and [[Samuel Anders]].
* Saul Tigh begins to have nightmares in his waking state. He envisions pulling out a gun and killing Adama, harkening back to [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]'s assassination attempt in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". In his nightmare, he shoots Adama through the right eye, ironically the same eye that Tigh lost by the Significant Seven Cylons on [[New Caprica]].

==== Samuel Anders ====

[[Image:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]

* During the battle, it is Samuel Anders's right eye that "responds" to the Cylon Raider's roving eye. The electronic reddening effect appears to be an acknowledgment of the [[IFF]] signal the Raider sent out.
* The "red eye" of the Cylon Raiders has been used to transmit signals to ships using Baltar's [[Command Navigation Program]] in the [[Miniseries]]. This may have "activated" some programming or instinct within the Cylon Raider -- or even Anders' -- in much the same way it accessed the backdoors to Baltar's program.
* It is implied that Anders's inability to fire on the Cylon Raider that "made him" is ''not'' related to any technical error on the Viper. His safeties are still active at the time, which are attributed to two things within the episode: a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" (according to [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson]] and later reiterated by Tigh) or some subconscious Cylon programming.

=== Comparisons to the Original Series ===

* The episode shares many of the same concepts in common from the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], particularly the mythology laid down in the Original Series's two-parter "[[War of the Gods]]". In that episode, it is revealed that there are greater forces at work in the universe: Count [[Iblis]], who is insinuated to have started the [[Thousand Yahren War]] that resulted in the [[Battle of Cimtar|Colonies' destruction]], and the "forces of good", the [[Beings of Light]] who [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]] describes as being "guardians of the universe".
** Essentially, in "[[War of the Gods, Part II]]", [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] is killed by a bolt that Iblis meant for [[Sheba]]. After the encounter, Iblis is captured by the Beings of Light, as are Starbuck and Sheba, who leave the [[red planet]] with Apollo's cadaver in their [[Colonial Shuttle (TOS)|shuttle]]. Much like [[Kara Thrace]], Apollo comes back from the dead. While Thrace's resurrection has yet been explained—this being one of the mysteries that drives the current season—Apollo is restored by the Beings of Light.
** Further, like Thrace, the three Warriors of the Original Series experience lost time, memory loss, and feelings of theophany. Additionally, they are given the coordinates to [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]], which are buried in their subconscious only to be awakened by a suggestion Adama makes to the three Warriors. On the other hand, Kara Thrace is given (allegedly) a feeling of extra-sensory perception, being able to "feel" her way to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].
* It should also be noted that the Beings of Light in the Original Series are capable of moving ships to different locations. In "[[Experiment in Terra]]", this is done to Apollo's ship as they move him well ahead of a patrol from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]''. Blackouts and memory loss (such as those apparently exhibited by Thrace) also demonstrated in the Original Series's abduction and subsequent encounters with the Beings of Light.

== Questions ==

* Did [[Samuel Anders]] make a "dumb [[nugget]] mistake" as Tigh contends, or was it some form of programing that asserted itself?
* Does [[Charlie Connor]] survive the massive beating he experiences at the hands of [[Paulla Schaffer]]?
* Is Kara Thrace the final Cylon?
* Where did Thrace get her pristine Viper?
* Are Thrace's claims about being to Earth true?
* Why is the Viper's camera footage viable, yet nothing is found in the navigational records?
* Why have the Significant Seven Cylons been programmed to not think of the Final Five?
* Can the Significant Seven identify the Final Five once they are able to bypass this imperative?
* Could the gun camera footage from Anders's Viper be used to expose him?

== Official Statements ==

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

* ''[[Saul Tigh]] experiences a disturbing daydream:''
: '''[[William Adama]]:''' Saul. Saul! What the hell is wrong with you?
: '''Saul Tigh:''' Nothing, Bill. (Tigh pulls out a gun and aims it at Adama.) I've never felt better in my entire life. (Tigh shoots Adama through his right eye.)

* ''[[Galen Tyrol]] barks out orders:''
: '''Galen Tyrol:''' Get that [[Showboat]] bird in the tube. Where the [[frak]] are these [[nugget]]s? '''C'mon! Momma's not gonna save ya today! Let's go!''' You want to fly or not?

* ''[[Virtual Six]] talks to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]:''
: '''Virtual Six:''' Yesterday you were facing execution. Today, you're free. Why the long face?
: '''Baltar:''' Oh, gee, I don't know. From President of the Colonies to this... King of fools. Probably best to be hated by everyone than loved by this lot, doomed to live out the rest of my life in this looney bin. I don't know, that might have something to do with my rather savage mood swings.
: '''Virtual Six:''' Relax Gaius. Do you think I've brought you this far to let it end here?
: '''Baltar:''' I need encouragement. A ray of hope about the future. An inkling.
: '''Virtual Six:''' You've got me. I'm here for you.

* ''Lee Adama asks his father an uncomfortable set of questions:''
: '''Lee Adama:''' Dad, what if [[Zak Adama|Zak]] had come back to us in that Viper? If my brother had climbed out of that cockpit, would it matter if he were a Cylon? If he always had been? When all said and done, would that really change how we feel about him?

* ''Baltar's prayer for [[Derrick]]:''
: '''Gaius Baltar:''' Please God, I'm asking you this one last time, don't let this child die. Has he sinned against you? He can't have sinned against you. He's not even had a life yet. How can you take him and let me live... after all I've done? Really, if you want someone to suffer, take me. We both know I deserve it. I'm selfish and weak. I have failed so many people. I have killed. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I'm just asking that you spare the life of this innocent child. Don't take him. Take me. Take me, take me, please.

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Colin Corrigan]] as [[Nowart]]
* [[Lukas Pummell]] as [[Derrick]]
* [[Ryan Robbins]] as [[Charlie Connor]]
* [[Keegan Connor Tracy]] as [[Jeanne]]
* [[Leah Cairns]] as Lieutenant [[Margaret Edmondson|Margaret "Racetrack" Edomondson]]
* [[Jennifer Halley]] as Ensign [[Diana Seelix|Diana "Hardball" Seelix]]
* [[Shaun Omaid]] as [[Shaunt]]
* [[Leela Savasta]] as [[Tracey Anne]]
* [[Lara Gilchrist]] as [[Paulla Schaffer]]
* [[Heather Doerksen]] as Marine #2

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

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}

[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:He That Believeth In Me]]

Thomas Zarek

2008-03-17T20:00:22Z

Philwelch: /* After the Fall of the Colonies */ then it's not that clear, is it?

: ''For other subjects with the same last name, see: [[Zarek (disambiguation)]].''

{{Character Data|
|photo= zarek.jpg
|age=
|colony= [[Sagittaron]]
|birthname= Thomas Zarek
|callsign=
|seen=Bastille Day
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children=
|marital status= Single
|role= Vice President of the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol]] <br/> Former representative of Sagittaron on the [[Quorum of Twelve]]
|rank=
|actor= [[Richard Hatch]]
|cylon=
|name=
}}

'''Tom Zarek''' was a political activist for more than 30 years before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. He is a charismatic, eloquent and ideological political agitator who was incarcerated for destroying a government building on [[Sagittaron]]. His 20-year incarceration culminated in a sojourn on the ''[[Astral Queen]]'', an [[FTL]]-capable prison ship, whilst in transit to parole hearings. Assigned the prison number of [[893893]], Zarek is under consideration for parole at the time of the [[Cylon attack]].

== Biography ==

Zarek came from [[Sagittaron]], a colony known to be mistreated by the other eleven [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Colonies]]. Through his experiences on that colony he became an advocate of freedom from slavery, and proclaimed himself a voice for the disenfranchised. Along with publishing a book that was virtually banned throughout the Colonies, Zarek actively sought to combat injustices with the aid of his group; the [[S.F.M.]]

Though some consider him a terrorist for his often violent tactics (which include the destruction of a government building that results in unspecified casualties), others see him as a freedom fighter and a hero. He believes in the efficacy of violence as a means of change, going as so far as to go to prison over a "matter of conscience" by refusing President [[Richard Adar]]'s politically motivated conditional pardon (the conditions of the pardon being that he would publicly apologize and pledge to give up violence as a means of change).

Some of his fellow Sagittarons have an intense dislike of him, including [[Anastasia Dualla]]. Despite this, he became a public figure whose name had weight and almost became legendary, thanks to public opinion ([[Bastille Day]]).

== After the Fall of the Colonies ==

[[Image:Tom zarek.jpg|thumb|right|Zarek in his cell ([[Bastille Day]]).]]
As the Cylons attack the Twelve Colonies, Zarek is on a prison barge called the ''[[Astral Queen]]'', headed to Caprica for parole hearings with several hundred other inmates. Hiding out in the atmosphere of [[Ragnar]] with the rest of humanity's survivors, the captain of the ''Astral Queen'' suggests that the inmates be euthanized, but his wish is overturned by [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]]'s humanitarian decision to keep all of mankind's remnants alive ([[Miniseries]]). This leaves Zarek with time to plot his escape.

With the discovery of a planet that could replenish ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica's]]'' lost water, Commander [[William Adama|Adama]], Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] and President Roslin reluctantly decide to ask the prisoners to volunteer as badly needed manpower, under the condition that they would not be treated as slaves and they would agree of their own volition ("[[Water]]", "[[Bastille Day]]").

After [[Lee Adama]]'s unsuccessful attempt to persuade the prisoners to help in the recovery efforts, Zarek's springs the prisoners' escape plan. The prisoners, under Zarek's command, usurp control of the ''Astral Queen'', and takes her crew and ''Galactica's'' visitors as prisoners. Zarek states his terms for release of the prisoners: the resignation of Laura Roslin and her administration, and the start of free and open elections for a new President. Zarek deems Roslin's presidency as illegitimate and illegal.

Unfortunately, Zarek's aims are not in keeping with his demands; he wants a bloodbath to ensue, believing that all that people understand is violence, and that a bloodbath would destroy any credibility that Adama and Roslin have.

When the situation deteriorates near the point of catastrophe for all involved, Zarek, ready to sacrifice his life for his beliefs, is swayed by Lee Adama's promise that he would uphold the [[Articles of Colonization]] and hold open elections for a new president, once Roslin had served the remainder of President Adar's term (as dictated by the Articles and [[Case Orange]]), as well as give the ship over to the prisoners as a show of good faith ([[Bastille Day]]).

== Attempts for Political Power ==
[[Image:Home_pt1_debate.jpg|thumb|left|Tom Zarek in debate with [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum]] members.]]

With a degree of freedom obtained by the prisoners - including control of the ''Astral Queen'' - Zarek engages in a steady effort to gain the goodwill of others of influence within the Fleet. This effort includes physical acts of support for other ships (such as fixing the air filtration system on the ship occupied by [[Marshall Bagott]], a politician from [[Virgon]]).

Zarek's efforts result in a nomination as Sagittaron's representative on the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. From there, Zarek makes a bid for the position of vice president using the support of those he assisted, and possibly badgered ([[Colonial Day]]).

While Zarek's attempt at the vice presidency fails after Roslin replaces the somewhat unlikeable [[Wallace Gray]] with the charismatic Doctor [[Gaius Baltar]] as an alternative candidate, Zarek makes it clear to Roslin that he will be standing against her in the elections.
Zarek remains possibly the most powerful and popular representative in the Quorum of Twelve.

When he is interviewed by the press aboard ''Cloud Nine'', he makes several comments consistent with a collectivist-oriented political ideology ([[Colonial Day]]). Whether these comments reflect Zarek's actual ideology, or if they are a cover he is using for his own purposes, remains unknown.<br/><br/>

== Breakaway from the Fleet ==

The schism created by Commander Adama's unlawful arrest of President Roslin and Colonel Tigh's declaration of [[w:martial law|martial law]] presents Zarek with an opportunity to convince others that Adama is after total control of the Fleet. Zarek likely sought to use Tigh's inexperience with dealing with the government and [[Colonial Press|press]] against the military powers. Zarek and the Quorum soon learn of Roslin's terminal cancer, after Tigh permits the Quorum of Twelve to see her in ''Galactica'''s brig ([[Fragged]]).

After the ''[[Gideon]]'' incident, where four civilians die, some crewmembers of ''Galactica'' orchestrate Roslin's escape. Lee Adama, knowing they would be hunted throughout the Fleet, enlists Zarek's assistance in secreting Roslin away from Tigh and Commander Adama ("[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]", "[[The Farm]]"). Roslin is initially dismayed to be greeted by Zarek, but realizes that Zarek, no friend to Adama or Tigh, is "the enemy of my enemy."

Zarek and Roslin attempt to use appeals by recorded [[wireless]] messages to sway favor in the Fleet to return to Kobol. Zarek convinces Lee Adama at first to create a dissenting message against ''Galactica's'' rule, but Lee changes his mind (probably because he swore to his comatose father that it wasn't about them). After Roslin plays the "religious card" to sway support for her cause in the Fleet, Roslin and Zarek lead a [[Laura Roslin faction|separatist fleet]] back to [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] to await [[Kara Thrace]]'s return with the [[Arrow of Apollo]], for use in unlocking the [[Tomb of Athena]].

Zarek, with his associate [[Meier]], plan to eliminate the young Captain Adama on Kobol, using the rationalization about [[Zeus]]'s warning that any return to Kobol would "exact a price in blood". Zarek feels that removing the young Adama would create a political power vacuum, allowing Zarek to take the position as leader of the fractioned Fleet, while Roslin would remain president ([[Home, Part I]]).

Zarek abandons the assassination plan when Commander Adama arrives on Kobol to mend fences with Roslin. However, Meier privately revises the plan outside of Zarek's knowledge, now with the goal of eliminating both Adamas by soliciting the help of the [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica copy of Sharon Valerii]] that returned with [[Karl Agathon]] and Thrace. Unfortunately for Zarek, Sharon Valerii double-crosses Meier, killing him at the entrance to the Tomb of Athena. While none in the group immediately consider Zarek as a suspect in Meier's assassination attempt, Commander Adama remains guarded and leaves Zarek and several others outside of the Tomb under the watchful eye of Chief [[Galen Tyrol|Tyrol]] while they unlock its secrets ([[Home, Part II]]).

==After the Fleet's Reunification==
Zarek later gives [[Lee Adama]] information regarding the [[Black market (organization)|black market]], initially claiming not to be a part of it because he needs to keep his hands clean, but ultimately points out that the black market does get supplies where they are needed. Nonetheless, Zarek mentions the central hub of the black market, ''[[Prometheus]]'', a ship so lawless that it is practically "off the grid", as well as the name of a "businessman", [[Phelan]]. However, soon after Phelan's death at the hands of Captain Adama, Tom Zarek is seen walking through a crowd on the ''Prometheus'' with one of Phelan's old henchmen in tow. It is unknown how much involvement Tom Zarek has with the organization ([[Black Market]]).

Despite being the presumed opponent of Roslin in the upcoming presidential election, Zarek decides not to run against her because he realizes he probably won't win the election. However, he encourages Vice President Gaius Baltar to run in his place ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

==Baltar's Election Campaign==
When Baltar announces his run for the presidency, Zarek assumes a position as his campaign manager. For all Zarek's personal political talent he has a hard time managing Baltar's campaign and faces the tough issue of whether Baltar is an electable candidate. After being trounced in the first debate by Roslin, Baltar's political future is in deep jeopardy and Zarek is left looking for a stronger wedge-issue other than Roslin's ties to the religious [[Gemenon|Gemenese]]. With the accidental discovery of [[New Caprica]], an issue presents itself that they can get on the supposed right side of: the colonization of the newly found planet and a safe-haven from the Cylons. Zarek presses Baltar to pick up this issue and run with it and as soon as he does his political fortunes turn around dramatically. Like he predicted the people rally around the idea of colonization and Baltar sails out of the final debate with a wide lead on Roslin ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

With his job of campaign manager all but over on election day, there isn't much for Zarek to do but sit back and wait for the results to come in. When the initial tallies come in suggesting Roslin scored a remarkable come-back victory he says to Baltar that he's seen enough elections to recognize a fixed one. Baltar admonishes Zarek, maintaining that, whatever Laura Roslin is, she is above fixing an election.

Later, with Baltar as president, Zarek becomes his vice president.

== The Occupation of New Caprica ==

After Baltar's surrender of the Colonial government, Zarek disagrees with the planned collaboration with the Cylons and steps down. In retaliation, he is sent to a detention camp for four months.

Along with former President Laura Roslin, he and about 200 other dissidents are driven to the [[Pergamus Flats]] where they are to be executed by an order Baltar was forced to sign. After exiting the truck, Zarek asks Roslin directly whether she had [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|attempted to steal]] the past election. After Roslin admits that she had, both agree that they wished she'd gone through with it. The group of detainees are soon faced with [[Cylon Centurion]]s preparing to fire, and Zarek pulls Roslin back from the front of the crowd ([[Precipice]]). However, members of the resistance successfully prevent the execution.

Zarek attends the final meeting of the resistance to review the [[Battle of New Caprica|plan to escape New Caprica]]. Zarek and Roslin evacuate together towards their ships, though Roslin chooses to escape on ''[[Colonial One]]''. Before departing for his own ship, Zarek gives a gun to [[James Lyman|Jammer]] and tells him to protect Roslin ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

==Presidency and the Roslin Administration==
After the [[Second Exodus|escape of the colonists from New Caprica]], Zarek assumes his office as President, succeeding the missing Baltar. He brokers an agreement with Roslin, whereby she is elected as vice president and he steps down, returning her to the office she has held since the Cylon invasion. She would then appoint him as Vice President to her. He asks her to give him a position in the new government and she offers this job to him herself citing his courage in standing up against Baltar. Unknown to Roslin and Adama, Zarek has signed into law an executive order authorizing a secret six-person [[The Circle|group]] tasked to find, charge, try, and execute collaborators and traitors. Sometime after disclosing this to Adama and Roslin, Zarek does go through with his plan, allowing Laura Roslin to resume her role as president. Despite condemning his actions and pardoning collaborators who collaborated with Cylons on New Caprica ([[Collaborators]]), Roslin is true to her word and appoints Zarek as her vice president.

Genuinely afraid of the consequences of trying Gaius Baltar after his capture on the [[algae planet]], Zarek argues with Roslin about instituting martial law throughout the Fleet during Baltar's trial, citing potentially dangerous and destructive civil unrest and work stoppages throughout the Fleet ([[The Woman King]]).

== Notes ==
*Tom Zarek is portrayed by actor [[Richard Hatch]], who portrayed the original [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] in the [[Original Series]]. Currently, Hatch is the only actor to have had roles in both ''Battlestar Galactica'' series.
*Hatch has written novels based on the Original Series, and also leads an effort to bring a Original Series [[continuation]] to a theatrical film in a project called ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming]]''.
*A [[separate continuity]] comic book series, starting with [[Battlestar Galactica: Zarek 1]], gives a non-canonical tale about this character's more rebellious life.

{{Characters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zarek, Tom}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters (RDM)]]
[[Category:Recurring Guest Characters (RDM)]]
[[Category:People from Sagittaron]]
[[Category:RDM]]
{{featured article}}
{{quality article}}

[[de:Tom Zarek]]
[[fr:Tom Zarek]]

The Circle

2008-03-17T19:57:15Z

Philwelch: copyedit

[[Image:Season 3 - Promo - Collaborators - Tribuial.jpg|The Circle.<br/>Pictured clockwise are members Saul Tigh, Jean Barolay, Kara Thrace, Diana Seelix, and Charlie Connor.|200px|thumb]]
'''The Circle''' is the name given to a tribunal secretly authorized by President [[Tom Zarek]]. The task of this tribunal is to decide the fate of people implicated as collaborators during the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]].

The Circle's initial members include [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Diana Seelix]], [[Jean Barolay]], and [[Charlie Connor]]. After the trials and executions of thirteen suspected collaborators, Anders decides that he is no longer able to handle the emotional burden of deciding the life or death decisions made by the group. He is replaced by his wife, [[Kara Thrace]].

It interesting irony that at least three of the founding members are members of the [[Final Five]] Cylons, though they are not aware of it.

The suspect list includes [[Galactica (RDM)|''Galactica'']] military personnel [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]] and [[Felix Gaeta]]. The Circle convicts Lyman for perpetrating crimes against humanity and treason and executes him by expulsion through one of ''Galactica's'' [[launch tubes (RDM)|launch tubes]]. Gaeta, who had served as a presidential aide to [[Gaius Baltar]] on New Caprica is also convicted by the Circle of crimes against humanity. Just before Gaeta is to be executed, Tyrol is able to confirm that it was Gaeta who served as the "inside source" during the occupation of New Caprica, passing top-secret information to the resistance. Tyrol convinces the other members of the Circle to stave the execution and Gaeta is released.

While certainly not the normal manner for the trial (and punishment) of suspected traitors, the Circle does have a legal basis. When [[Samuel Anders|Anders]] drops out, the group needs to find a sixth member. As Colonel [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]] mentions, they "are not a death squad. [They] need six members to be legal, as the President ordered." (Some viewers might think that he refers to Laura Roslin, but she has not re-assumed the Presidency yet, and with Baltar with the Cylons, this means [[Tom Zarek]] has succeeded to the office.)

Fifty-six other suspected collaborators on the list are not tried. The Circle disbands when newly reinstated President [[Laura Roslin]] grants general pardons for all collaborators ([[Collaborators]]).

[[Category:A to Z|Circle, The]]
[[Category:Terminology|Circle, The]]
[[Category:Terminology (RDM)|Circle, The]]
[[Category:RDM|Circle, The]]

[[de:Der Kreis]]

Adama Glare

2007-07-17T06:00:13Z

Philwelch: improve flow

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare.png|thumb|right|Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame.]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom are too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons <ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref>. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method) <ref>It should be noted that the object of this method is then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare is an innate skill highly dependent upon Adama's personal gravitas—as demonstrated by the fact that officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association. Whether it developed in time for use in the first Cylon War remains unknown.

==Notes==
*The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Adama Glare

2007-07-17T05:59:44Z

Philwelch:

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare.png|thumb|right|Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame.]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom are too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons <ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref>. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method) <ref>It should be noted that the object of this method is then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare is an innate skill highly dependent upon Adama's personal gravitas. Officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association. Whether it developed in time for use in the first Cylon War remains unknown.

==Notes==
*The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Adama Glare

2007-07-17T05:58:59Z

Philwelch: not a learned skill

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare.png|thumb|right|Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame.]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom are too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons <ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref>. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method) <ref>It should be noted that the object of this method is then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare is an innate skill highly dependent upon Adama's personal gravitas. Officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association. Whether it was developed in time for use in the first Cylon War remains unknown.

==Notes==
*The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-17T05:58:09Z

Philwelch: New Caprica

== Looking good ==
This article looks good, though it could use a picture. Also, I'm not sure about the real-world Chuck Norris reference. JubalHarshaw, could you give your professional opinion on this one? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 03:19, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:The Chuck Norris reference should go. Maybe replace it with something like "Even Colonel Tigh and Doctor Cottle regularly lose against Adama's glare". Those two have some intense glaring and frowning going on themselves. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:41, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
::Good suggestion. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:45, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:::Agreed and removed—Chuck Norris jokes haven't been funny since 2006. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 03:39, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Is it just me or are the feats ascribes to the glare way over the top? I think its effects should be described more subtly. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:04, 1 July 2007 (CDT)

: LOL at my "professional opinion" ... but the glare is definitely worthy of a Silly page. The feats being over the top works, I think. Though a little subtlety is always a good addition, the best Silly pages seem to be a mixture of both. [[User:JubalHarshaw|JubalHarshaw]] 07:02, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
::Yeah, some can be good, but in this case it's just way too much for my taste, and moves the page from being silly and amusing to groan-inducing. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 11:17, 7 July 2007 (CDT)
:::I think some of the over-the-top stuff is good, especially the part about the scanning eye. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 09:52, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== Picture ==

Would be nice to have a picture of the Glare of Death. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 18:24, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
:Still working on finding a good one. If any one has any, feel free to add them. I think I barely comprehensible scientific diagram might be in order too. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
:Is [http://www.revolutionsf.com/images/features/Battlestar_Galactica/Adama.jpg this] enough of a bad glare or just his normal scowl? Or maybe [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/s309screencaps/bsgm309_652.JPG this] from "Unfinished Business", though that's an extremely intense glare. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:11, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
::I'm liking that second glare. Maybe caption it with something like "Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame." --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 09:43, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:I think the screenshot needs to be something without a definite context. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
::I agree. I particularly like the one where he glares at Cain. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 08:03, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::Yeah, we need a better picture, and they're out there. I do recall the Glare appearing in "[[Act of Contrition]]", but it's been a while since I've seen it. Although the Cain one is just as good as well. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 20:42, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
::::As I recall, that was a two-shot with Starbuck, whereas Cain wasn't visible in "Pegasus" when she received the glare. His glare at Cain was just plain blood-chilling, too—his glare at Starbuck had a slight twinge of betrayed love to it, which was an incredible acting job from Olmos but not as fitting with the badass description in this rather silly article. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 21:23, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::Can someone get a cap of the Pegasus glare? --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 21:46, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::[[http://www.bsg-caps.com/s3/06/590.jpg]] Does this one from "Torn" work? It's definitely the "betrayal" glare.
::::::::It's an improvement, but I still prefer [http://www.bsg-caps.com/s2/10/250.jpg the one from Pegasus]. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:43, 16 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::::Oh yeah, that one is awesome. Just cut off the left part and upload it. You can just overwrite the existing file. or we could have both below each other. The article is big enough for that to look good. Then one can be entitled "betrayal glare" or something. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:51, 16 July 2007 (CDT)
::::::::::I like the empty space to the side of it, frames it nicely. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:59, 16 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::::::I think crop off the left side. --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 17:22, 16 July 2007 (CDT)

== Chuck Norris ==

I don't think there needs to be a consensus on this. That reference is somewhat out of place, as the voice should be largely in-universe. Chuck Norris chokes are also ancient and not that funny anymore. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:40, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:Consensus is sometimes best quantified as the product that remains after the dust settles after the editing is done. While it's polite and good form to discuss contentious items (especially if an "edit war" appears to be developing), sometimes it's most expedient to show what you mean by just doing it. (Please don't sue me, Nike.) As for myself, while I was slightly amused by the "Chucks" metric, it did seem out of place. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 05:45, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== New Caprica ==

In response to the edit summary: "Though I still don't see how the glare can be used on NC if noone else masters it"

That's not really the point of the joke. The point is that the Cylons were so afraid of the tactic that they took advantage of the puppet government to have it declared a war crime. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 00:58, 17 July 2007 (CDT)

Chamalla

2007-07-16T22:16:18Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

'''Chamalla''' {{IPA|kə.ˈmɑ.lə}} is probably a Colonial plant, root or vegetable, origins unknown.

Extracts from chamalla are used by [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Clergy|oracles]], and as an alternative therapy for certain illnesses, including cancer.

Chamalla withdrawal is highly acute, and resembles the symptoms of [[Wikipedia:Heroin|heroin]] addiction ([[Fragged]]). President [[Laura Roslin]] begins taking chamalla extract medication (distributed as pills) due to her terminal cancer ([[Act of Contrition]]). Roslin's visions in "[[Flesh and Bone]]" appear to be induced by Chamalla withdrawal.

The benefits of the extract are viewed as questionable by those in the medical profession, as evidenced by Doctor [[Cottle]]'s reaction to [[Laura Roslin|Roslin's]] request to use it when he confirms her cancer is inoperable.

Chamalla has hallucinogenic effects, desirable in its role as an [[Wikipedia:Entheogen|entheogen]], but not in its medicinal applications. In Roslin's case, these have been remarkably prescient ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]").

The chamalla treatments, as expected by Dr. Cottle, do nothing to stop Roslin's cancer from reaching a life-threatening stage ([[Epiphanies]]).

Chamalla has a very bitter taste. One oracle, [[Dodona Selloi]], prefers to ingest it with candy to sweeten it ([[Exodus, Part I]]). When Roslin resumes to take chamalla after her cancer returns, she dissolves it in tea to mask its taste ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

==Notes==
''Kamala'' is a small tree native to southeast Asia (Mallotus philippinensis). Its fruit yields Kamala powder, which has two uses:
# As a dye which produces brilliant yellows and oranges on wool, mohair, and silk.
# As a vermifugal (causing the expulsion of parasitic intestinal worms), generally given mixed with honey, gruel, or treacle, or made into a draught with mucilage of gum acacia and water.

The historical [[Wikipedia:Delphic Sibyl|Oracles at Delphi]] (Pythia) of Greece took their visions from geothermal fumes and chewing [[Wikipedia:Laurel|laurel]] leaves. The use of entheogens is common to many other cultures.

Cottle's reticence at the prospect of chamalla therapy calls to mind current debate on the issue of [[Wikipedia:Medical cannabis|medical marijuana]]. However, the two do not greatly resemble each other in other ways:
*Medical marijuana is used to manage pain and appetite in terminally ill patients, but has no ability to reverse the spread of cancer. Roslin is not told her condition is terminal, merely inoperable - Cottle would like to to attempt a course of [[diloxin]] therapy. That Roslin rejects this in favor of chamalla suggests that she believes her condition is hopeless, or that chamalla may have a concrete ability to treat her illness.
*The visions inspired by chamalla are more akin to [[Wikipedia:LSD|LSD]] or [[Wikipedia:Psychedelic mushroom|Psychedelic mushrooms]], if anything, although their prescience cannot be accounted for. [[Wikipedia:Peyote|Peyote]] is one example of an entheogen said to have an unpleasant flavor, like chamalla. Peyote is used for religious reasons by many Native Americans, much as priests and oracles use chamalla.
*Marijuana addiction is not well-attested, and the withdrawal symptoms suggested for it are not nearly as acute or severe as those displayed by Roslin in "[[Fragged]]."

{{Drugs}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Resources]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Chamalla]]

Chamalla

2007-07-16T22:14:58Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

'''Chamalla''' {{IPA|kə.ˈmɑ.lə}} is probably a Colonial plant, root or vegetable, origins unknown.

Extracts from chamalla are used by [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Clergy|oracles]], and as an alternative therapy for certain illnesses, including cancer.

Chamalla withdrawal is highly acute, and resembles the symptoms of [[Wikipedia:Heroin|heroin]] addiction ([[Fragged]]). President [[Laura Roslin]] begins taking chamalla extract medication (distributed as pills) due to her terminal cancer ([[Act of Contrition]]). Roslin's visions in "[[Flesh and Bone]]" appear to be induced by Chamalla withdrawal.

The benefits of the extract are viewed as questionable by those in the medical profession, as evidenced by Doctor [[Cottle]]'s reaction to [[Laura Roslin|Roslin's]] request to use it when he confirms her cancer is inoperable.

Chamalla has hallucinogenic effects, desirable in its role as an [[Wikipedia:Entheogen|entheogen]], but not in its medicinal applications. In Roslin's case, these have been remarkably prescient ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]").

The chamalla treatments, as expected by Dr. Cottle, do nothing to stop Roslin's cancer from reaching a life-threatening stage ([[Epiphanies]]).

Chamalla has a very bitter taste. One oracle, [[Dodona Selloi]], prefers to ingest it with candy to sweeten it ([[Exodus, Part I]]). When Roslin resumes to take chamalla after her cancer returns, she dissolves it in tea to mask its taste ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

==Notes==
''Kamala'' is a small tree native to southeast Asia (Mallotus philippinensis). Its fruit yields Kamala powder, which has two uses:
# As a dye which produces brilliant yellows and oranges on wool, mohair, and silk.
# As a vermifugal (causing the expulsion of parasitic intestinal worms), generally given mixed with honey, gruel, or treacle, or made into a draught with mucilage of gum acacia and water.

The historical [[Wikipedia:Delphic Sibyl|Oracles at Delphi]] (Pythia) of Greece took their visions from geothermal fumes and chewing [[Wikipedia:Laurel|laurel]] leaves. The use of entheogens is common to many other cultures.

Cottle's reticence at the prospect of chamalla therapy calls to mind current debate on the issue of [[Wikipedia:Medical cannabis|medical marijuana]]. However, the two do not greatly resemble each other in other ways:
*Medical marijuana is used to manage pain and appetite in terminally ill patients, but has no ability to reverse the spread of cancer. Roslin is not told her condition is terminal, merely inoperable - Cottle would like to to attempt a course of [[diloxin]] therapy. That Roslin rejects this in favor of chamalla suggests that she believes her condition is hopeless, or that chamalla may have a concrete ability to treat her illness.
*The visions inspired by chamalla are more akin to [[Wikipedia:LSD|LSD]] or [[Wikipedia:Psychedelic mushroom|Psychedelic mushrooms]], if anything, although their prescience cannot be accounted for. "[[Wikipedia:Entheogen|Entheogen]]" is a term used to refer to psychoactive substances thought to have spiritual significance—[[Wikipedia:Peyote|peyote]] is one example of an entheogen said to have an unpleasant flavor, like chamalla. Peyote is used for religious reasons by many Native Americans, much as priests and oracles use chamalla.
*Marijuana addiction is not well-attested, and the withdrawal symptoms suggested for it are not nearly as acute or severe as those displayed by Roslin in "[[Fragged]]."

{{Drugs}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Resources]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Terminology (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Chamalla]]

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-16T21:59:58Z

Philwelch: /* Picture */

== Looking good ==
This article looks good, though it could use a picture. Also, I'm not sure about the real-world Chuck Norris reference. JubalHarshaw, could you give your professional opinion on this one? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 03:19, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:The Chuck Norris reference should go. Maybe replace it with something like "Even Colonel Tigh and Doctor Cottle regularly lose against Adama's glare". Those two have some intense glaring and frowning going on themselves. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:41, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
::Good suggestion. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:45, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:::Agreed and removed—Chuck Norris jokes haven't been funny since 2006. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 03:39, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Is it just me or are the feats ascribes to the glare way over the top? I think its effects should be described more subtly. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:04, 1 July 2007 (CDT)

: LOL at my "professional opinion" ... but the glare is definitely worthy of a Silly page. The feats being over the top works, I think. Though a little subtlety is always a good addition, the best Silly pages seem to be a mixture of both. [[User:JubalHarshaw|JubalHarshaw]] 07:02, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
::Yeah, some can be good, but in this case it's just way too much for my taste, and moves the page from being silly and amusing to groan-inducing. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 11:17, 7 July 2007 (CDT)
:::I think some of the over-the-top stuff is good, especially the part about the scanning eye. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 09:52, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== Picture ==

Would be nice to have a picture of the Glare of Death. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 18:24, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
:Still working on finding a good one. If any one has any, feel free to add them. I think I barely comprehensible scientific diagram might be in order too. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
:Is [http://www.revolutionsf.com/images/features/Battlestar_Galactica/Adama.jpg this] enough of a bad glare or just his normal scowl? Or maybe [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/s309screencaps/bsgm309_652.JPG this] from "Unfinished Business", though that's an extremely intense glare. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:11, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
::I'm liking that second glare. Maybe caption it with something like "Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame." --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 09:43, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:I think the screenshot needs to be something without a definite context. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
::I agree. I particularly like the one where he glares at Cain. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 08:03, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::Yeah, we need a better picture, and they're out there. I do recall the Glare appearing in "[[Act of Contrition]]", but it's been a while since I've seen it. Although the Cain one is just as good as well. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 20:42, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
::::As I recall, that was a two-shot with Starbuck, whereas Cain wasn't visible in "Pegasus" when she received the glare. His glare at Cain was just plain blood-chilling, too—his glare at Starbuck had a slight twinge of betrayed love to it, which was an incredible acting job from Olmos but not as fitting with the badass description in this rather silly article. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 21:23, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::Can someone get a cap of the Pegasus glare? --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 21:46, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::[[http://www.bsg-caps.com/s3/06/590.jpg]] Does this one from "Torn" work? It's definitely the "betrayal" glare.
::::::::It's an improvement, but I still prefer [http://www.bsg-caps.com/s2/10/250.jpg the one from Pegasus]. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:43, 16 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::::Oh yeah, that one is awesome. Just cut off the left part and upload it. You can just overwrite the existing file. or we could have both below each other. The article is big enough for that to look good. Then one can be entitled "betrayal glare" or something. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 16:51, 16 July 2007 (CDT)
::::::::::I like the empty space to the side of it, frames it nicely. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:59, 16 July 2007 (CDT)

== Chuck Norris ==

I don't think there needs to be a consensus on this. That reference is somewhat out of place, as the voice should be largely in-universe. Chuck Norris chokes are also ancient and not that funny anymore. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:40, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:Consensus is sometimes best quantified as the product that remains after the dust settles after the editing is done. While it's polite and good form to discuss contentious items (especially if an "edit war" appears to be developing), sometimes it's most expedient to show what you mean by just doing it. (Please don't sue me, Nike.) As for myself, while I was slightly amused by the "Chucks" metric, it did seem out of place. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 05:45, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Adama Glare

2007-07-16T21:51:37Z

Philwelch:

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare.png|thumb|right|Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame.]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom are too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons.<ref>"Let's execute Baltar!"—Cavil, upon discovering [[New Caprican loco weed]]'s "mind-opening" properties</ref> Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method)<ref>It should be noted that the object of this method was then-President Gaius Baltar, who breaks down easily when faced with any psychological weapon, including direct questioning.</ref>, with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare may be a learned skill, rather than a technological feat. It appears highly dependent upon Adama's gravitas to work—officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association. Whether it was developed in time for use in the first Cylon War remains unknown. The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].

==Notes==
<references />
* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-16T21:45:17Z

Philwelch: /* Picture */

== Looking good ==
This article looks good, though it could use a picture. Also, I'm not sure about the real-world Chuck Norris reference. JubalHarshaw, could you give your professional opinion on this one? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 03:19, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:The Chuck Norris reference should go. Maybe replace it with something like "Even Colonel Tigh and Doctor Cottle regularly lose against Adama's glare". Those two have some intense glaring and frowning going on themselves. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:41, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
::Good suggestion. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:45, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:::Agreed and removed—Chuck Norris jokes haven't been funny since 2006. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 03:39, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Is it just me or are the feats ascribes to the glare way over the top? I think its effects should be described more subtly. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:04, 1 July 2007 (CDT)

: LOL at my "professional opinion" ... but the glare is definitely worthy of a Silly page. The feats being over the top works, I think. Though a little subtlety is always a good addition, the best Silly pages seem to be a mixture of both. [[User:JubalHarshaw|JubalHarshaw]] 07:02, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
::Yeah, some can be good, but in this case it's just way too much for my taste, and moves the page from being silly and amusing to groan-inducing. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 11:17, 7 July 2007 (CDT)
:::I think some of the over-the-top stuff is good, especially the part about the scanning eye. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 09:52, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== Picture ==

Would be nice to have a picture of the Glare of Death. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 18:24, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
:Still working on finding a good one. If any one has any, feel free to add them. I think I barely comprehensible scientific diagram might be in order too. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
:Is [http://www.revolutionsf.com/images/features/Battlestar_Galactica/Adama.jpg this] enough of a bad glare or just his normal scowl? Or maybe [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/s309screencaps/bsgm309_652.JPG this] from "Unfinished Business", though that's an extremely intense glare. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:11, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
::I'm liking that second glare. Maybe caption it with something like "Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame." --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 09:43, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:I think the screenshot needs to be something without a definite context. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
::I agree. I particularly like the one where he glares at Cain. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 08:03, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::Yeah, we need a better picture, and they're out there. I do recall the Glare appearing in "[[Act of Contrition]]", but it's been a while since I've seen it. Although the Cain one is just as good as well. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 20:42, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
::::As I recall, that was a two-shot with Starbuck, whereas Cain wasn't visible in "Pegasus" when she received the glare. His glare at Cain was just plain blood-chilling, too—his glare at Starbuck had a slight twinge of betrayed love to it, which was an incredible acting job from Olmos but not as fitting with the badass description in this rather silly article. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 21:23, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::Can someone get a cap of the Pegasus glare? --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 21:46, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::[[http://www.bsg-caps.com/s3/06/590.jpg]] Does this one from "Torn" work? It's definitely the "betrayal" glare.
::::::::It's an improvement, but I still prefer [http://www.bsg-caps.com/s2/10/250.jpg the one from Pegasus]. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:43, 16 July 2007 (CDT)

== Chuck Norris ==

I don't think there needs to be a consensus on this. That reference is somewhat out of place, as the voice should be largely in-universe. Chuck Norris chokes are also ancient and not that funny anymore. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:40, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:Consensus is sometimes best quantified as the product that remains after the dust settles after the editing is done. While it's polite and good form to discuss contentious items (especially if an "edit war" appears to be developing), sometimes it's most expedient to show what you mean by just doing it. (Please don't sue me, Nike.) As for myself, while I was slightly amused by the "Chucks" metric, it did seem out of place. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 05:45, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-16T21:43:43Z

Philwelch: /* Picture */

== Looking good ==
This article looks good, though it could use a picture. Also, I'm not sure about the real-world Chuck Norris reference. JubalHarshaw, could you give your professional opinion on this one? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 03:19, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:The Chuck Norris reference should go. Maybe replace it with something like "Even Colonel Tigh and Doctor Cottle regularly lose against Adama's glare". Those two have some intense glaring and frowning going on themselves. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:41, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
::Good suggestion. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:45, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:::Agreed and removed—Chuck Norris jokes haven't been funny since 2006. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 03:39, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Is it just me or are the feats ascribes to the glare way over the top? I think its effects should be described more subtly. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:04, 1 July 2007 (CDT)

: LOL at my "professional opinion" ... but the glare is definitely worthy of a Silly page. The feats being over the top works, I think. Though a little subtlety is always a good addition, the best Silly pages seem to be a mixture of both. [[User:JubalHarshaw|JubalHarshaw]] 07:02, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
::Yeah, some can be good, but in this case it's just way too much for my taste, and moves the page from being silly and amusing to groan-inducing. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 11:17, 7 July 2007 (CDT)
:::I think some of the over-the-top stuff is good, especially the part about the scanning eye. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 09:52, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== Picture ==

Would be nice to have a picture of the Glare of Death. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 18:24, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
:Still working on finding a good one. If any one has any, feel free to add them. I think I barely comprehensible scientific diagram might be in order too. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
:Is [http://www.revolutionsf.com/images/features/Battlestar_Galactica/Adama.jpg this] enough of a bad glare or just his normal scowl? Or maybe [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/s309screencaps/bsgm309_652.JPG this] from "Unfinished Business", though that's an extremely intense glare. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:11, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
::I'm liking that second glare. Maybe caption it with something like "Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame." --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 09:43, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:I think the screenshot needs to be something without a definite context. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
::I agree. I particularly like the one where he glares at Cain. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 08:03, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::Yeah, we need a better picture, and they're out there. I do recall the Glare appearing in "[[Act of Contrition]]", but it's been a while since I've seen it. Although the Cain one is just as good as well. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 20:42, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
::::As I recall, that was a two-shot with Starbuck, whereas Cain wasn't visible in "Pegasus" when she received the glare. His glare at Cain was just plain blood-chilling, too—his glare at Starbuck had a slight twinge of betrayed love to it, which was an incredible acting job from Olmos but not as fitting with the badass description in this rather silly article. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 21:23, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::Can someone get a cap of the Pegasus glare? --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 21:46, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::::::[[http://www.bsg-caps.com/s3/06/590.jpg]] Does this one from "Torn" work? It's definitely the "betrayal" glare.
::::::::It's an improvement, but I still prefer the one from Pegasus. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 16:43, 16 July 2007 (CDT)

== Chuck Norris ==

I don't think there needs to be a consensus on this. That reference is somewhat out of place, as the voice should be largely in-universe. Chuck Norris chokes are also ancient and not that funny anymore. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:40, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:Consensus is sometimes best quantified as the product that remains after the dust settles after the editing is done. While it's polite and good form to discuss contentious items (especially if an "edit war" appears to be developing), sometimes it's most expedient to show what you mean by just doing it. (Please don't sue me, Nike.) As for myself, while I was slightly amused by the "Chucks" metric, it did seem out of place. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 05:45, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Adama Glare

2007-07-16T02:32:54Z

Philwelch:

{{sillypage}}

[[Image:AdamaGlare.png|thumb|right|Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame.]]

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]]. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion. It is used to instill loyalty and to punish disloyalty.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is Doctor [[Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely himself while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that fails to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government rules the use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom are too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevents the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spends the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] is put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method), with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis. At this point, the Cylon occupational force fell back on defenses against psychological warfare. The roving omnipresent eye that distinguishes their military hardware may be a countermeasure against direct contact with the Glare.

The Glare may be a learned skill, rather than a technological feat. It appears highly dependent upon Adama's gravitas to work—officers who rely upon [[Cottle|curmudgeonry]], [[Saul Tigh|drunken curmudgeonry]], [[Lee Adama|angst]], and [[Kara Thrace|chronic angst]] rather than gravitas never acquire the skill from Adama despite years of close association. Whether it was developed in time for use in the first Cylon War remains unknown. The Adama Glare is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]].

==Notes==

* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-16T02:23:37Z

Philwelch: /* Picture */

== Looking good ==
This article looks good, though it could use a picture. Also, I'm not sure about the real-world Chuck Norris reference. JubalHarshaw, could you give your professional opinion on this one? --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 03:19, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:The Chuck Norris reference should go. Maybe replace it with something like "Even Colonel Tigh and Doctor Cottle regularly lose against Adama's glare". Those two have some intense glaring and frowning going on themselves. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:41, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
::Good suggestion. --[[User:Catrope|Catrope]]<sup>([[User talk:Catrope|Talk to me]] or [[Special:Emailuser/Catrope|e-mail me]])</sup> 05:45, 30 June 2007 (CDT)
:::Agreed and removed—Chuck Norris jokes haven't been funny since 2006. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 03:39, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Is it just me or are the feats ascribes to the glare way over the top? I think its effects should be described more subtly. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:04, 1 July 2007 (CDT)

: LOL at my "professional opinion" ... but the glare is definitely worthy of a Silly page. The feats being over the top works, I think. Though a little subtlety is always a good addition, the best Silly pages seem to be a mixture of both. [[User:JubalHarshaw|JubalHarshaw]] 07:02, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
::Yeah, some can be good, but in this case it's just way too much for my taste, and moves the page from being silly and amusing to groan-inducing. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 11:17, 7 July 2007 (CDT)
:::I think some of the over-the-top stuff is good, especially the part about the scanning eye. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 09:52, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

== Picture ==

Would be nice to have a picture of the Glare of Death. ;-) -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 18:24, 3 July 2007 (CDT)
:Still working on finding a good one. If any one has any, feel free to add them. I think I barely comprehensible scientific diagram might be in order too. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
:Is [http://www.revolutionsf.com/images/features/Battlestar_Galactica/Adama.jpg this] enough of a bad glare or just his normal scowl? Or maybe [http://bsgmedia.org/gallery/albums/s309screencaps/bsgm309_652.JPG this] from "Unfinished Business", though that's an extremely intense glare. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 06:11, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
::I'm liking that second glare. Maybe caption it with something like "Approximately 1 second after this photo was taken, the camera melted and the photographer burst into flame." --[[User:BklynBruzer|BklynBruzer]] 09:43, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:I think the screenshot needs to be something without a definite context. {{unsigned|FulltimeDefendent}}
::I agree. I particularly like the one where he glares at Cain. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 08:03, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
:::Yeah, we need a better picture, and they're out there. I do recall the Glare appearing in "[[Act of Contrition]]", but it's been a while since I've seen it. Although the Cain one is just as good as well. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 20:42, 15 July 2007 (CDT)
::::As I recall, that was a two-shot with Starbuck, whereas Cain wasn't visible in "Pegasus" when she received the glare. His glare at Cain was just plain blood-chilling, too—his glare at Starbuck had a slight twinge of betrayed love to it, which was an incredible acting job from Olmos but not as fitting with the badass description in this rather silly article. [[User:Philwelch|Philwelch]] 21:23, 15 July 2007 (CDT)

== Chuck Norris ==

I don't think there needs to be a consensus on this. That reference is somewhat out of place, as the voice should be largely in-universe. Chuck Norris chokes are also ancient and not that funny anymore. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 05:40, 14 July 2007 (CDT)
:Consensus is sometimes best quantified as the product that remains after the dust settles after the editing is done. While it's polite and good form to discuss contentious items (especially if an "edit war" appears to be developing), sometimes it's most expedient to show what you mean by just doing it. (Please don't sue me, Nike.) As for myself, while I was slightly amused by the "Chucks" metric, it did seem out of place. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 05:45, 14 July 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-15T13:03:17Z

Philwelch: /* Picture */

Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-14T14:52:31Z

Philwelch: /* Looking good */

Language in the Twelve Colonies

2007-07-14T09:21:02Z

Philwelch: /* Turn of phrase */

:''This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]].''

{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

English, or some language that is universally translated into it (à la [[Wikipedia:Westron|Tolkien]]) is standard. Loanwords from foreign languages ("élan", "fascist", "karma", "esprit de corps" etc.) occur with normal frequency, as do chronologically enigmatic borrowings such as the battlestar ''[[Columbia]]''. Most religious terms are explicitly shared with ancient Greek beliefs (either antecedent to or descendant from them).

==Vocabulary==

===Anachronisms===
''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' uses many terms from modern day naval aviation, which appear somewhat anachronistic but also lend the show a flavor of realistic jargon. These include:
*[[Combat Air Patrol]]
*[[Commander Air Group]]
*Planes
:'''Adama:''' "You keep my planes flying. I need my planes to fly." ([[Litmus]])

===Ersatz===
In contrast to its [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|predecessor]], the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' employs relatively little in the way of ersatz vocabulary. It does employ a few terms outside of a normal American English vocabulary, mostly military jargon. These are mixed in haphazardly with the real-life naval aviation terms above.

*[[Dradis]] - [[Wikipedia:RADAR|Radar]]
*[[Fumarella leaf]] - [[Wikipedia:Tobacco|Tobacco]]
*[[Frak]] - A bowdlerized version of "Fuck" (c.f. "[[Wikipedia:Frell|Frell]]" (Farscape), "[[Wikipedia:Frag|Frag]]" (Babylon 5), "[[Wikipedia:Smeg|Smeg]]" (Red Dwarf))
*[[G-4]] - [[Wikipedia: C-4 (explosive)|C-4]]
*[[Krypter]] - [[Wikipedia:Mayday|Mayday]]
*[[Morpha]] - [[Wikipedia:Morphine|Morphine]]
*[[Serisone]] - [[Wikipedia:prednisone|Prednisone]]
*[[Wireless]] - [[Wikipedia:Radio|Radio]]<ref name="wireless">This usage is not entirely unknown in Earth-bound English. As a synonym for radio or radiotelegraphy, it's more common in British usage, according to [http://www.m-w.com/ Merriam-Webster]. Prior to the popularisation of television in the 1950s, it was the preferred term for radio equipment and radio broadcasts amongst the bulk of the British population. It's also the source of the prefix 'Wi' in 'WiFi' and other similar wireless data standards now common.</ref>

===Invented Terminology===
As all science fiction shows must, Battlestar Galactica has a set of vocabulary referring to technologies and other items not shared with the real world.

*[[Ambrosia]] - a bright green alcoholic beverage
*[[Carom]] - the angle above or below the XY plane of a vessel, perpendicular to [[Wikipedia:Bearing (navigation)|bearing]] (c.f. "Mark" (Star Trek))
*[[Chamalla]] - an [[Wikipedia:Entheogen|entheogen]] used by priests
*[[Red Line]]

*'''For a more complete list of acronyms and expressions see:''' [[List of terms (RDM)]]

===Enigmas===

Language in ''Battlestar Galactica'' have terms whose origins are a curiosity due to chronology or uniqueness to the real-world Earth that likely wouldn't have a parallel of the same name in the Twelve Colonies. See [[Sacred Scrolls#Earth as the true origin of the human species|an interpretation of the origin of humanity on Kobol]] that could support the derivation of these terms.

* ''[[Columbia]]'': This battlestar name comes from Christopher Columbus, a man unlikely to have existed in the Twelve Colonies. However, it also stems from the Latin word "columba" meaning "dove" together with the suffix "ia" which means "land" (geographical expression) in all languages derived from Indo-European roots (ergo, "Land of the Dove")

* ''[[Cloud Nine]]'': This American expression of bliss comes from a 1890's Earth weather reference on the highest-altitude cloud formation. The expression became popularized in 1950s radio broadcasts.

* ''[[Adriatic]]'': The name of this vessel under the influence of [[Tom Zarek]], much like ''Columbia'' appears to have originated on Earth. On Earth the Adriatic Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, located between Italy and the Balkans.

===Honorifics===
Although civilians use the honorific "Madam" or it's shortened form "ma'am", in the Colonial military all superior officers are referred to as "Sir", regardless of gender.<ref>According to RDM's [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/blogs blog] on January 20th, 2006, the series follows the system established in ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'', where the term "sir" has become gender-neutral in military usage. Thus, [[Laura Roslin]] is referred to as "Madam President" or "ma'am" in a civilian context, but in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief, she is always addressed as "sir".</ref>

===Names===
Many characters have names that include one or more components that appear to be a Biblical or Classical reference. It remains an enigma whether, and to what degree, these should be thought of as translations for the audience's benefit.

Some of these apparent allusions may have no intended meaning beyond sounding good. Others are known to have been chosen for a reason, and that's noted where verifiable.

* [[William Adama|William]] and [[Lee Adama]]: "Adama" is Hebrew for "earth" in its literal meaning—ground, dirt—from which "Adam", the Biblical First Man, derives his name. It is also the name of a large city in Ethiopia. Lee's call-sign "Apollo" is of course a reference to the Greek (and apparently, Kobolan) god. Both "Adama" and "Apollo" are carry-overs from the original series, where they were chosen for their mythological significance.
* [[Richard Adar]]: "[[w:Adar|Adar]]" is a month in the Jewish lunar calendar still in use today. It coincides roughly with the Gregorian month of March. It is a carry over from the original series.
* [[Karl Agathon]]: "[[w:Agathon|Agathon]]" was an Athenian poet, a friend of Euripides and Plato.
* [[Gaius Baltar]]: "Gaius" was the ''[[w:praenomen|praenomen]]'' of the man we commonly call [[w:Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]]. "Baltar" was made up by [[Glen A. Larson]] for the original series.
* [[Helena Cain]]: "[[w:Helena|Helena]]" is a common enough name, but is also a possible reference to Helen of Troy. "[[w:Cain|Cain]]" in the Old Testament is the first murderer, and is a carry-over from the original series.
* [[Aaron Doral]]: "[[w:Aaron|Aaron]]" is a Biblical Hebrew name, the older brother of [[w:Moses|Moses]].
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]: The Greek word ''[[w:anastasia|anastasia]]'' translates to "resurrection", and was a deliberate choice by [[Ronald D. Moore|Ron Moore]]. It's also a common Greek and Russian name. Dualla is the name of a region and people in sub-saharan Africa.
* [[Hera]]/Isis: "[[w:Hera|Hera]]" was a Greek goddess, the wife of Zeus. "[[w:Isis|Isis]]" an Egyptian goddess, the wife of Horus in early mythology; the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus later. This is one of the few Egyptian references in the new series.
* [[Billy Keikeya]]: "Keikeya" is one of the three queens of [[w:Ayodhya|Ayodhya]] in the Hindu epic, ''[[w:Ramayana|Ramayana]]''.
* [[Kara Thrace]]: "[[w:Thrace|Thrace]]" is a region in southeast Europe spanning Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, and Serbia. It was also the ancient name for the same area. The famous gladiator Spartacus was a Thracian.
* [[Saul Tigh]]: "[[w:Saul|Saul]]" is a Hebrew name (pronounced "Shaul" in Hebrew), which means "borrowed". Biblical references include both the first king of Judah and Israel, and the birth-name of Paul of Tarsus. Originally the character was named "Paul Tigh", but when it was discovered that this could not be used for legal reasons, it was shifted to "''S''aul Tigh", a reverse of the name switch that Saul of Tarsus/St. Paul made. "Tigh" appears to be a reference to the historical figure [[w:Colonel Tye|Colonel Tye]], an African-American military leader who fought for the British in the [[w:American Revolutionary War|American Revolutionary War]] (the original series version of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]] was of African ethnicity).
* [[Galen Tyrol]]: "[[w:Galen|Galen]]" was a famous Greek healer, the source of much Medieval medical knowledge, and was the first to argue that the mind was in the brain and not the heart; this could be construed as ironic, given that Tyrol followed his heart and maintained a relationship with Boomer even when he shouldn't have. "[[w:Tyrol|Tyrol]]" is a region that spans the border of Austria and Italy.
* [[Sharon Valerii]]: "Sharon" is a name of a geographic area in the center of Israel, although it's also a common English woman's name. The [[w:Valerius|gens Valeria]] is one of the longest-running families in the history of the [[w:Roman Empire|Roman Empire]]. Curiously, "valerii" is the masculine plural form.
* [[Tom Zarek]]: "[[w:Thomas|Thomas]]" is a deliberate biblical reference, after the doubting apostle, although strictly speaking that apostle's name was Jude the Twin, "Tau'ma" being Aramaic for "twin". It's also a common English name. Zarek is a Polish name derived from the Babylonian name Balshazzar meaning "Baal protects the king." According to the writers, they just made up the name "Zarek" because they thought it sounded "spacey".

Uncertain references:
* [[Leoben Conoy]]: "[[w:Leoben|Leoben]]" is an Austrian town where a preliminary peace in the Napoleonic wars was signed. "[[w:Conoy|Conoy]]" is a Native American tribe, also known as the Piscataway. Both are pretty obscure.
* [[Laura Roslin]]: "[[w:Roslin Institute|Roslin Institute]]" is where Dolly the Sheep was cloned. A more likely source of the name would be the Scottish village of [[wikipedia:Roslin, Midlothian|Roslin, Midlothian]], where the Roslin Institute is located.

===Turn of phrase===
The dialect used by the Colonials employs some distinct turn of phrase at times:

*"As of this moment" is used particularly often for seemingly "official" announcements. After the original Cylon attack, then-Commander [[William Adama]] announced to his crew, "As of this moment, we are at war." The phrase was used later by Colonel Tigh in his announcement of martial law<ref>"As of this moment, I have declared martial law." —"[[Fragged]]"</ref>, and Gaius Baltar in announcing his candidacy for the Presidency<ref>"…I am, as of this moment, a candidate for the Presidency." —"[[The Captain's Hand]]"</ref>.
*"With every fiber of my being" is often used to conclude oaths, particularly the oath of presidency, as taken by Roslin and Baltar at various points.
*"So say we all" is used to conclude prayers and similar remarks. It is analagous to, and roughly synonymous with, "amen".
*When used as an intensifier or in other instances of profanity, "God" is usually replaced with "Gods", befitting the Colonials' polytheistic faith—"Gods damn it", "Oh my Gods!", etc.

==Accents==

Most characters speak with a [[Wikipedia:General American|Standard American]] accent, with some exceptions.

===English Accent===
Three characters speak with the [[Wikipedia:Received Pronunciation|Received Pronunciation]], Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] from [[Aerelon]] (although he consciously suppresses his native [[#Aerelon Accent|Aerelon accent]]), ''Galactica'' medic [[Layne Ishay]] and the captain of the ''[[Pyxis]]''.

===Canadian Accent===
Occassionally when Col. [[Saul Tigh]] is shouting or barking out orders, he exhibits a faint Canadian accent. [[Michael Hogan]] is a noted Canadian actor, and on the show his speech is usually indistinguishable from Standard American English, but observant fans can occassionally detect a trace of an accent.

===Puerto Rican Accent===
[[Giana]], a woman rescued from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] by [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]], speaks with a Puerto Rican accent, and inquires after the whereabouts of her husband, who she states is "stationed on Gemenon". Her place of origin is unclear, but no other characters from either Caprica, [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Gemenon|Gemenon]], or anywhere else have shared this accent. The actress, Lymari Nadal, is from Puerto Rico ([[Miniseries]]).

===Kiwi Accent===
The reporter [[D'Anna Biers]] speaks with a Kiwi/New Zealand accent (this is actually the accent that actress [[Lucy Lawless]] speaks with when off screen, because she is from New Zealand). However, the same episode revealed that D'Anna is actually a [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylon]] (Number Three), and another copy of her model on Cylon-occupied Caprica does ''not'' speak with this accent, but a Standard American one, perhaps to differentiate the two characters. Subsequent appearances by Number Threes in "[[Downloaded]]" and [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season 3]] have featured the Kiwi accent exclusively.

===Aerelon Accent===
In "[[Flesh and Bone]]", Baltar notes that Sharon Valerii speaks with a trace of an [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Aerelon|Aerelon]] accent. In the episode "[[Dirty Hands]]", Baltar displays his native Aerelon accent. It sounds somewhat raspy, and resembles a north English, Yorkshire accent. Him being from Aerelon explains how he could pick up a faint trace of it in Valerii. However, in her case, the accent appears to be entirely fictional - Canadian actress Grace Park speaks Standard American English without a foreign accent.

In "[[The Son Also Rises]]", [[Romo Lampkin]] speaks with an accent somewhat similar to Baltar's native Aerelon accent. The actor, [[Mark Sheppard]], is Irish.

(Note: The accent of the corresponding '[[Aeries]]' people in the Original Series sounds Irish, as heard in "[[The Long Patrol]]")

==Liturgy==
During the funeral service at the end of the Mini-series, Priest [[Elosha]] chants a prayer in a foreign language. It is recognizable as a common Sanskrit prayer, found in Part I, Chapter III, Verse 28 of the [http://sanatan.intnet.mu/upanishads/brihadaranyaka.htm Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad].

:{|
| '''Devanāgarī''' || '''Transliteration''' || '''Translation'''
|-
| अस्तो मा सद् गमय || asato mā sad gamaya || Lead us from Falsehood to Truth
|-
| तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय || tamaso mā jyotir gamaya || Lead us from Darkness to Light
|-
| मृत्योर् मा अमृतं गमय || mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya || Lead us from Death to Immortality
|}

Although the lyrics are identifiable, it should be noted that the actress's performance is closer to the chanting of biblical Hebrew, and does not resemble the traditional melody.<ref>Viewers can compare Elosha's chant to the same chant found in the soundtrack of the movie,''[[Wikipedia:The Matrix Revolutions|The Matrix Revolutions]]'', by composers Don Davis and the group Juno Reactor. The final track, "Navras," (which plays during the closing credits of the motion picture) begins with this same verse; the track Neodämmerung, also from The Matrix Revolutions, also consists entirely of Sanskrit lyrics taken from the Upaniṣads, including this verse.</ref>

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial History]]
[[Category:Colonial History (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

God (RDM)

2007-07-14T09:19:06Z

Philwelch: more on "heavenly father"

[[Image:Bscap059.jpg|thumb|250px|"I am an instrument of God" --[[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] in [[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]]]

:''This page is about God as depicted and worshiped by the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons in the Re-imagined Series]].''
:''For information on Cylon religion in general, see [[Cylon Religion]].''
:''For information on the Colonial deities in the Re-imagined Series, see [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#The Lords of Kobol]].''
:''For information on the nature of God to the Colonials in the Original Series, see [[God (TOS)]].''

The [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] worship a deity they call only by the name of '''God'''.

The Cylons justify or attribute much of their actions, including the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|genocidal attack against humanity]], as a requirement of their God.

The Cylons profess a series of commandments given by their God. However, the specific commandments have not fully revealed.

While very knowledgeable of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]], the Cylons feel that the Colonials worship false gods ([[Home, Part I]])<ref>Despite the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|parallelism]] of the Lords of Kobol with the Olympian Gods of real-world Earth mythology, the parallelisms of the [[Wikipedia:Abrahamic conceptions of God|Judeo-Christian God]] are fewer. In "[[Occupation]]", Leoben Conoy prays before a meal, using a prayer that begins with "Heavenly father." When several dying Cylons are found on a [[Basestar (RDM)|baseship]], they crawl together and [[Prayer to the Cloud of Unknowing|begin a prayer]] that also includes "Heavenly father." "Heavenly Father" is attested as a chiefly Mormon name for God, similar to the other parallels with the Mormon faith. [http://www.religionfacts.com/mormonism/beliefs/god_heavenly_father.htm]</ref>.

==Notable References==

* "Maybe the Cylons are God's retribution for our many sins. What if God decided he made a mistake and he decided to give souls to another creature, like the Cylons?" -- [[Leoben Conoy]], [[Miniseries, Night 2]]
* "God didn't create the Cylons. Man did. And I'm pretty sure we didn't include a soul in the programming." -- William Adama, Miniseries
* "I was right. See, our faiths are similar but I look to one God, not to many." -- Leoben Conoy, "[[Flesh and Bone]]"
* "To know the face of God is to know madness. I see the universe. I see the patterns. I see the foreshadowing that precedes every moment of every day. It's all there, I see it and you don't." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "I am more than you could ever imagine. I am God." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "It's funny, isn't it? We're all God, Starbuck, all of us. I see the love that binds all living things together. ... I know that God loved you more than all other living creatures and you repaid his divine love with sin, with hate, corruption, evil. So then he decided to create the Cylons." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "And this time, your role...you have to deliver my soul unto God. Do it for me. It's [[The Destiny|your destiny, and mine]]." -- Leoben Conoy, "Flesh and Bone"
* "Procreation, it’s one of God’s commandments, be fruitful. We can’t fulfill it we tried so we decided to <nowiki>[</nowiki>''create [[farms]]''<nowiki>]</nowiki>." -- [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]], "[[The Farm]]"

===Judeo-Christian References===
[[Image:Gaius crucifiction pose.jpg|thumb|Baltar in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"]]

The Re-imagined Series contains few references to [[Wikipedia:Judeo-Christian|Judeo-Christian]] concepts.

* "Jesus." -- Colonel Tigh, Miniseries<ref>According to [[Ronald D. Moore|RDM]], the "Jesus" line was an [[Wikipedia:ad-lib|ad-lib]] by [[Michael Hogan]]. Therefore, it should not be taken as a serious reference to [[Wikipedia:Christianity|Christianity]].</ref>

* "I was... [Six: ''Am.''] I am..." -- [[Gaius Baltar]], "[[The Hand of God]]" (full quote in previous section)

* "Come on, [[James McManus|Jim]]. [[Wallace Gray]] is no 'prince of darkness.'" -- [[Playa Palacios]], "[[Colonial Day]]"

* "I figured, the devil you know..." -- [[Laura Roslin]], "Colonial Day"

* "God is love" -- Number Six, Miniseries, (1 John 4:16)

The "I am" statement in "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]" is noteworthy because of the self-description that the Judeo-Christian God gives to Moses in the Book of Exodus, [[Wikipedia:I am that I am|"I am that I am"]]. The Christian messiah, Jesus, has a series of "I am" statements in the New Testament of the Bible. The Bible contains over 300 "I am" statements. The Hebrew name for God, [[Wikipedia:Yahweh|Yahweh]], is derived from the Hebrew word for "I am" or "to be".

The five priests of the [[Temple of Five]] worshiped a "god whose name must not be spoken." In Jewish tradition, the name of God (Yahweh) is not spoken. In a [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I|deleted scene]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]), [[Elosha]] states that the exodus from Kobol was precipitated when "one jealous god began to desire that he be elevated above all the other gods, and the war on Kobol began." The 1st commandment requires the faithful have no other god before Yahweh.

A number of elements from the show derive from Mormonism, the religion of series creator [[Glen Larson]]. In particular, the concept of a lost [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] is from Mormon legend. The [[Quorum of Twelve]] is also a Mormon concept.

A curious parallel to the series is found in the [[Wikipedia:Messiah|messianic]] figure of the Old Testament, [[Wikipedia:Moses|Moses]], who led the Israelites out of the Egyptian captivity into the promised land. He actually did not live to lead the Israelites into the promised land because he doubted the water coming from the stone (Numbers 20:12). This parallels the [[Pythia|Pythian prophecy]] of the leader (presumed to be [[Laura Roslin]]) ,who, according to the [[Sacred Scrolls]], will not live to see the promised land of Earth ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]).

The name of [[Pergamus Flats]] (a location on [[New Caprica]]) is similar to [[Wikipedia:Pergamus|Pergamus]], a city mentioned in Revelations 2:12.

Both the [[Colonials]] and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] have had an experience similar to the Jewish exodus from [[w:Egypt|Egypt]]; the Cylons following the [[Cylon War|war with the Colonies]] and the Colonials following their [[Exodus, Part II|escape from]] [[New Caprica]].

==Official statements==

*In an [http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0050.htm interview with BattlestarGalactica.com on December 28th, 2005] RDM was asked about fan speculation that the Cylon God may be Count Iblis in the Re-imagined Series:

: Q: "There's speculation that Count Iblis' counterpart in this series is the as-yet-unseen Cylon God. Is there any possibility that elements of the original series "War of the Gods" storyline may weave themselves into the new series?

:RDM: While I have thought of incorporating the Count Iblis/Ship of Lights mythology from the original show into the series, I've pretty much decided not to go there for now. The theological construct we've been establishing seems more interesting to me at this point and I don't think Iblis will be part of the current show."

*RDM noted in his [[podcast]] of "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]", that the original ending of Season One called for actor [[Dirk Benedict]] to appear to [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]] on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] and introduce himself as "God". Numerous prohibiting factors prevented this storyline from making it on camera, chief among them was Moore's confessed inability to write a feasible conclusion to the surprise revelation at the time. Another mitigating factor which influenced Moore to drop the idea was that when he revealed his idea to the other writers, the entire writing team found the idea simply revolting, so Moore acquiesced.

* In an interview at beliefnet.com (http://www.beliefnet.com/story/166/story_16650_3.html) RDM makes the following statement in response to the question:
:Q: " In “Galactica 1980,” we actually meet the “Imperious Commander” of the Cylons who turns out to be the Devil in the guise of a humanoid. Will we ever meet the maker of the Cylons in this version?

:A: I think if we ever found an answer to why the Cylons have a god or who the god is--you know, the guy steps out from behind the curtain--I think you’d be disappointed. They’re in an interesting place in that their faith is as legitimate as the human faith. Human beings have souls given by the gods, and Cylons have a soul given by their one true god and that has to be just as valid. That means there is a plan for their soul and something for them after they die too. It’s a fundamental element of their faith. "

== See Also ==

[[Cylon Religion]]

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

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial History]]
[[Category:Colonial History (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion]]
[[Category:Colonial Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Society]]
[[Category:Colonial Society (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylon Religion (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]

Language in the Twelve Colonies

2007-07-14T09:07:46Z

Philwelch: /* Vocabulary */ added section on "turn of phrase"

:''This article discusses an aspect of the [[Re-imagined Series]] version of the Twelve Colonies. For information on the [[Original Series]] version, see [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]].''

{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

English, or some language that is universally translated into it (à la [[Wikipedia:Westron|Tolkien]]) is standard. Loanwords from foreign languages ("élan", "fascist", "karma", "esprit de corps" etc.) occur with normal frequency, as do chronologically enigmatic borrowings such as the battlestar ''[[Columbia]]''. Most religious terms are explicitly shared with ancient Greek beliefs (either antecedent to or descendant from them).

==Vocabulary==

===Anachronisms===
''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' uses many terms from modern day naval aviation, which appear somewhat anachronistic but also lend the show a flavor of realistic jargon. These include:
*[[Combat Air Patrol]]
*[[Commander Air Group]]
*Planes
:'''Adama:''' "You keep my planes flying. I need my planes to fly." ([[Litmus]])

===Ersatz===
In contrast to its [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|predecessor]], the re-imagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' employs relatively little in the way of ersatz vocabulary. It does employ a few terms outside of a normal American English vocabulary, mostly military jargon. These are mixed in haphazardly with the real-life naval aviation terms above.

*[[Dradis]] - [[Wikipedia:RADAR|Radar]]
*[[Fumarella leaf]] - [[Wikipedia:Tobacco|Tobacco]]
*[[Frak]] - A bowdlerized version of "Fuck" (c.f. "[[Wikipedia:Frell|Frell]]" (Farscape), "[[Wikipedia:Frag|Frag]]" (Babylon 5), "[[Wikipedia:Smeg|Smeg]]" (Red Dwarf))
*[[G-4]] - [[Wikipedia: C-4 (explosive)|C-4]]
*[[Krypter]] - [[Wikipedia:Mayday|Mayday]]
*[[Morpha]] - [[Wikipedia:Morphine|Morphine]]
*[[Serisone]] - [[Wikipedia:prednisone|Prednisone]]
*[[Wireless]] - [[Wikipedia:Radio|Radio]]<ref name="wireless">This usage is not entirely unknown in Earth-bound English. As a synonym for radio or radiotelegraphy, it's more common in British usage, according to [http://www.m-w.com/ Merriam-Webster]. Prior to the popularisation of television in the 1950s, it was the preferred term for radio equipment and radio broadcasts amongst the bulk of the British population. It's also the source of the prefix 'Wi' in 'WiFi' and other similar wireless data standards now common.</ref>

===Invented Terminology===
As all science fiction shows must, Battlestar Galactica has a set of vocabulary referring to technologies and other items not shared with the real world.

*[[Ambrosia]] - a bright green alcoholic beverage
*[[Carom]] - the angle above or below the XY plane of a vessel, perpendicular to [[Wikipedia:Bearing (navigation)|bearing]] (c.f. "Mark" (Star Trek))
*[[Chamalla]] - an [[Wikipedia:Entheogen|entheogen]] used by priests
*[[Red Line]]

*'''For a more complete list of acronyms and expressions see:''' [[List of terms (RDM)]]

===Enigmas===

Language in ''Battlestar Galactica'' have terms whose origins are a curiosity due to chronology or uniqueness to the real-world Earth that likely wouldn't have a parallel of the same name in the Twelve Colonies. See [[Sacred Scrolls#Earth as the true origin of the human species|an interpretation of the origin of humanity on Kobol]] that could support the derivation of these terms.

* ''[[Columbia]]'': This battlestar name comes from Christopher Columbus, a man unlikely to have existed in the Twelve Colonies. However, it also stems from the Latin word "columba" meaning "dove" together with the suffix "ia" which means "land" (geographical expression) in all languages derived from Indo-European roots (ergo, "Land of the Dove")

* ''[[Cloud Nine]]'': This American expression of bliss comes from a 1890's Earth weather reference on the highest-altitude cloud formation. The expression became popularized in 1950s radio broadcasts.

* ''[[Adriatic]]'': The name of this vessel under the influence of [[Tom Zarek]], much like ''Columbia'' appears to have originated on Earth. On Earth the Adriatic Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, located between Italy and the Balkans.

===Honorifics===
Although civilians use the honorific "Madam" or it's shortened form "ma'am", in the Colonial military all superior officers are referred to as "Sir", regardless of gender.<ref>According to RDM's [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/blogs blog] on January 20th, 2006, the series follows the system established in ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'', where the term "sir" has become gender-neutral in military usage. Thus, [[Laura Roslin]] is referred to as "Madam President" or "ma'am" in a civilian context, but in her capacity as Commander-in-Chief, she is always addressed as "sir".</ref>

===Names===
Many characters have names that include one or more components that appear to be a Biblical or Classical reference. It remains an enigma whether, and to what degree, these should be thought of as translations for the audience's benefit.

Some of these apparent allusions may have no intended meaning beyond sounding good. Others are known to have been chosen for a reason, and that's noted where verifiable.

* [[William Adama|William]] and [[Lee Adama]]: "Adama" is Hebrew for "earth" in its literal meaning—ground, dirt—from which "Adam", the Biblical First Man, derives his name. It is also the name of a large city in Ethiopia. Lee's call-sign "Apollo" is of course a reference to the Greek (and apparently, Kobolan) god. Both "Adama" and "Apollo" are carry-overs from the original series, where they were chosen for their mythological significance.
* [[Richard Adar]]: "[[w:Adar|Adar]]" is a month in the Jewish lunar calendar still in use today. It coincides roughly with the Gregorian month of March. It is a carry over from the original series.
* [[Karl Agathon]]: "[[w:Agathon|Agathon]]" was an Athenian poet, a friend of Euripides and Plato.
* [[Gaius Baltar]]: "Gaius" was the ''[[w:praenomen|praenomen]]'' of the man we commonly call [[w:Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]]. "Baltar" was made up by [[Glen A. Larson]] for the original series.
* [[Helena Cain]]: "[[w:Helena|Helena]]" is a common enough name, but is also a possible reference to Helen of Troy. "[[w:Cain|Cain]]" in the Old Testament is the first murderer, and is a carry-over from the original series.
* [[Aaron Doral]]: "[[w:Aaron|Aaron]]" is a Biblical Hebrew name, the older brother of [[w:Moses|Moses]].
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]: The Greek word ''[[w:anastasia|anastasia]]'' translates to "resurrection", and was a deliberate choice by [[Ronald D. Moore|Ron Moore]]. It's also a common Greek and Russian name. Dualla is the name of a region and people in sub-saharan Africa.
* [[Hera]]/Isis: "[[w:Hera|Hera]]" was a Greek goddess, the wife of Zeus. "[[w:Isis|Isis]]" an Egyptian goddess, the wife of Horus in early mythology; the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus later. This is one of the few Egyptian references in the new series.
* [[Billy Keikeya]]: "Keikeya" is one of the three queens of [[w:Ayodhya|Ayodhya]] in the Hindu epic, ''[[w:Ramayana|Ramayana]]''.
* [[Kara Thrace]]: "[[w:Thrace|Thrace]]" is a region in southeast Europe spanning Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, and Serbia. It was also the ancient name for the same area. The famous gladiator Spartacus was a Thracian.
* [[Saul Tigh]]: "[[w:Saul|Saul]]" is a Hebrew name (pronounced "Shaul" in Hebrew), which means "borrowed". Biblical references include both the first king of Judah and Israel, and the birth-name of Paul of Tarsus. Originally the character was named "Paul Tigh", but when it was discovered that this could not be used for legal reasons, it was shifted to "''S''aul Tigh", a reverse of the name switch that Saul of Tarsus/St. Paul made. "Tigh" appears to be a reference to the historical figure [[w:Colonel Tye|Colonel Tye]], an African-American military leader who fought for the British in the [[w:American Revolutionary War|American Revolutionary War]] (the original series version of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]] was of African ethnicity).
* [[Galen Tyrol]]: "[[w:Galen|Galen]]" was a famous Greek healer, the source of much Medieval medical knowledge, and was the first to argue that the mind was in the brain and not the heart; this could be construed as ironic, given that Tyrol followed his heart and maintained a relationship with Boomer even when he shouldn't have. "[[w:Tyrol|Tyrol]]" is a region that spans the border of Austria and Italy.
* [[Sharon Valerii]]: "Sharon" is a name of a geographic area in the center of Israel, although it's also a common English woman's name. The [[w:Valerius|gens Valeria]] is one of the longest-running families in the history of the [[w:Roman Empire|Roman Empire]]. Curiously, "valerii" is the masculine plural form.
* [[Tom Zarek]]: "[[w:Thomas|Thomas]]" is a deliberate biblical reference, after the doubting apostle, although strictly speaking that apostle's name was Jude the Twin, "Tau'ma" being Aramaic for "twin". It's also a common English name. Zarek is a Polish name derived from the Babylonian name Balshazzar meaning "Baal protects the king." According to the writers, they just made up the name "Zarek" because they thought it sounded "spacey".

Uncertain references:
* [[Leoben Conoy]]: "[[w:Leoben|Leoben]]" is an Austrian town where a preliminary peace in the Napoleonic wars was signed. "[[w:Conoy|Conoy]]" is a Native American tribe, also known as the Piscataway. Both are pretty obscure.
* [[Laura Roslin]]: "[[w:Roslin Institute|Roslin Institute]]" is where Dolly the Sheep was cloned. A more likely source of the name would be the Scottish village of [[wikipedia:Roslin, Midlothian|Roslin, Midlothian]], where the Roslin Institute is located.

===Turn of phrase===
The dialect used by the Colonials employs some distinct turn of phrase at times:

*"As of this moment" is used particularly often for seemingly "official" announcements. After the original Cylon attack, then-Commander [[William Adama]] announced to his crew, "As of this moment, we are at war." The phrase was used later by Colonel Tigh in his announcement of martial law<ref>"As of this moment, I have declared martial law." —"[[Fragged]]"</ref>, and Gaius Baltar in announcing his candidacy for the Presidency<ref>"…I am, as of this moment, a candidate for the Presidency." —"[[The Captain's Hand]]"</ref>.
*"With every fiber of my being" is often used to conclude oaths, particularly the oath of presidency, as taken by Roslin and Baltar at various points.
*"So say we all" is used to conclude prayers and similar remarks. It is analagous to, and roughly synonymous with, "amen".

==Accents==

Most characters speak with a [[Wikipedia:General American|Standard American]] accent, with some exceptions.

===English Accent===
Three characters speak with the [[Wikipedia:Received Pronunciation|Received Pronunciation]], Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] from [[Aerelon]] (although he consciously suppresses his native [[#Aerelon Accent|Aerelon accent]]), ''Galactica'' medic [[Layne Ishay]] and the captain of the ''[[Pyxis]]''.

===Canadian Accent===
Occassionally when Col. [[Saul Tigh]] is shouting or barking out orders, he exhibits a faint Canadian accent. [[Michael Hogan]] is a noted Canadian actor, and on the show his speech is usually indistinguishable from Standard American English, but observant fans can occassionally detect a trace of an accent.

===Puerto Rican Accent===
[[Giana]], a woman rescued from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] by [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]], speaks with a Puerto Rican accent, and inquires after the whereabouts of her husband, who she states is "stationed on Gemenon". Her place of origin is unclear, but no other characters from either Caprica, [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Gemenon|Gemenon]], or anywhere else have shared this accent. The actress, Lymari Nadal, is from Puerto Rico ([[Miniseries]]).

===Kiwi Accent===
The reporter [[D'Anna Biers]] speaks with a Kiwi/New Zealand accent (this is actually the accent that actress [[Lucy Lawless]] speaks with when off screen, because she is from New Zealand). However, the same episode revealed that D'Anna is actually a [[Humanoid Cylon|Cylon]] (Number Three), and another copy of her model on Cylon-occupied Caprica does ''not'' speak with this accent, but a Standard American one, perhaps to differentiate the two characters. Subsequent appearances by Number Threes in "[[Downloaded]]" and [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season 3]] have featured the Kiwi accent exclusively.

===Aerelon Accent===
In "[[Flesh and Bone]]", Baltar notes that Sharon Valerii speaks with a trace of an [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Aerelon|Aerelon]] accent. In the episode "[[Dirty Hands]]", Baltar displays his native Aerelon accent. It sounds somewhat raspy, and resembles a north English, Yorkshire accent. Him being from Aerelon explains how he could pick up a faint trace of it in Valerii. However, in her case, the accent appears to be entirely fictional - Canadian actress Grace Park speaks Standard American English without a foreign accent.

In "[[The Son Also Rises]]", [[Romo Lampkin]] speaks with an accent somewhat similar to Baltar's native Aerelon accent. The actor, [[Mark Sheppard]], is Irish.

(Note: The accent of the corresponding '[[Aeries]]' people in the Original Series sounds Irish, as heard in "[[The Long Patrol]]")

==Liturgy==
During the funeral service at the end of the Mini-series, Priest [[Elosha]] chants a prayer in a foreign language. It is recognizable as a common Sanskrit prayer, found in Part I, Chapter III, Verse 28 of the [http://sanatan.intnet.mu/upanishads/brihadaranyaka.htm Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad].

:{|
| '''Devanāgarī''' || '''Transliteration''' || '''Translation'''
|-
| अस्तो मा सद् गमय || asato mā sad gamaya || Lead us from Falsehood to Truth
|-
| तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय || tamaso mā jyotir gamaya || Lead us from Darkness to Light
|-
| मृत्योर् मा अमृतं गमय || mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya || Lead us from Death to Immortality
|}

Although the lyrics are identifiable, it should be noted that the actress's performance is closer to the chanting of biblical Hebrew, and does not resemble the traditional melody.<ref>Viewers can compare Elosha's chant to the same chant found in the soundtrack of the movie,''[[Wikipedia:The Matrix Revolutions|The Matrix Revolutions]]'', by composers Don Davis and the group Juno Reactor. The final track, "Navras," (which plays during the closing credits of the motion picture) begins with this same verse; the track Neodämmerung, also from The Matrix Revolutions, also consists entirely of Sanskrit lyrics taken from the Upaniṣads, including this verse.</ref>

==References==
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{{featured article candidate previous}}

Adama Glare

2007-07-14T08:54:17Z

Philwelch:

{{sillypage}}

The '''Adama Glare''' (also known as the '''Glare of Death''') is a formidable psychological weapon in the arsenal of [[William Adama]], superstar. It is an alternative to Bill Adama's other main weapon, the Shield of Disapproval, activated by sudden eye-aversion.

The Adama Glare is most noticeably used on subversives, traitors, [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and [[Laura Roslin|rogue presidents]] as well as [[Lee Adama|people close]] [[Kara Thrace|to Adama]] [[Karl Agathon|who have]] [[Galen Tyrol|screwed up]], including family and subordinates.

The Adama Glare has the intended effect of accomplishing whatever Bill Adama needs to get done, such as calculating a blind [[FTL|jump]]... ''in his sleep'', defeating a Cylon army... ''with a [[Saul Tigh|drunk XO]] and one hand tied'', skinning Cylons... ''for couch leather'', and other astonishing feats. Legend has it that the roving red Cylon eye moves side to side so as to avoid direct contact with the awesome power of the Adama Glare. This is in fitting with the Glare's apparent effect on humanoid Cylons, who have no such defensive apparatus. Some humanoid Cylons are also affected by the Shield of Disapproval. So far, the only Colonial immune to the Adama Glare is [[Cottle|Doc Cottle]], who is able to scowl intensely while making [[The Captain's Hand|important medical decisions]]. [[Helena Cain]] resisted a Glare once, but the strain resulted in permanent back problems, exacerbated psychotic tendencies, and future vulnerability to the Adama Growled Ultimatum, a much weaker psychological weapon that failed to affect even [[D'anna Biers]] on a later occasion. Other strong opponents such as [[Kara Thrace]] have been sent away in tears.

The Adama Glare is presumed to be responsible for the conspicuous absence of [[New Caprica]]n wildlife. It is also credited for Bill Adama's ability to bring audiences to tears with his acoustic rendition of [[The Music|"All Along the Watchtower"]]. During the Cylon occupation of New Caprica, a treaty between the Cylons and Baltar's government ruled use of the Adama Glare a war crime, with Cylons claiming it was directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Cylons, most of whom were too broken-hearted to resurrect. Ironically, this prevented the Cylons from developing a Glare of their own, much to the consternation of the [[Brother Cavil]] model, who spent the rest of the occupation unsuccessfully pitching new ideas for psychological weapons. Ultimately, [[Number Five]] was put in charge of psychological warfare (using the primitive but effective "shout and point guns around" method), with the Cavil model reassigned to curmudgeonry and social commentary on a full-time basis.

==Notes==

* "Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the Adama Glare." - Bill Adama
* "Gods! His ego is shriveled up like a dried raisin!" - Dr. Cottle's unabashed medical opinion on the effect of the Adama Glare on human beings.

[[Category:A to Z]]
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Talk:Adama Glare/Archive 1

2007-07-14T08:39:37Z

Philwelch: /* Looking good */

Adama Glare

2007-07-14T08:38:30Z

Philwelch: consensus isn't a straitjacket

Chamalla

2007-07-14T01:29:20Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */

'''Chamalla''' {{IPA|kə.ˈmɑ.lə}} is probably a Colonial plant, root or vegetable, origins unknown.

Extracts from chamalla are used by [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Clergy|oracles]], and as an alternative therapy for certain illnesses, including cancer.

Chamalla withdrawal is highly acute, and resembles the symptoms of [[Wikipedia:Heroin|heroin]] addiction ([[Fragged]]). President [[Laura Roslin]] begins taking chamalla extract medication (distributed as pills) due to her terminal cancer ([[Act of Contrition]]). Roslin's visions in "[[Flesh and Bone]]" appear to be induced by Chamalla withdrawal.

The benefits of the extract are viewed as questionable by those in the medical profession, as evidenced by Doctor [[Cottle]]'s reaction to [[Laura Roslin|Roslin's]] request to use it when he confirms her cancer is inoperable.

Chamalla has hallucinogenic effects, desirable in its role as an [[Wikipedia:Entheogen|entheogen]], but not in its medicinal applications. In Roslin's case, these have been remarkably prescient ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]").

The chamalla treatments, as expected by Dr. Cottle, do nothing to stop Roslin's cancer from reaching a life-threatening stage ([[Epiphanies]]).

Chamalla has a very bitter taste. One oracle, [[Dodona Selloi]], prefers to ingest it with candy to sweeten it ([[Exodus, Part I]]). When Roslin resumes to take chamalla after her cancer returns, she dissolves it in tea to mask its taste ([[Crossroads, Part I]]).

==Notes==
''Kamala'' is a small tree native to southeast Asia (Mallotus philippinensis). Its fruit yields Kamala powder, which has two uses:
# As a dye which produces brilliant yellows and oranges on wool, mohair, and silk.
# As a vermifugal (causing the expulsion of parasitic intestinal worms), generally given mixed with honey, gruel, or treacle, or made into a draught with mucilage of gum acacia and water.

The historical [[Wikipedia:Delphic Sibyl|Oracles at Delphi]] (Pythia) of Greece took their visions from geothermal fumes and chewing [[Wikipedia:Laurel|laurel]] leaves. The use of entheogens is common to many other cultures.

Cottle's reticence at the prospect of chamalla therapy calls to mind current debate on the issue of [[Wikipedia:Medical cannabis|medical marijuana]]. However, the two do not greatly resemble each other in other ways:
*Medical marijuana is used to manage pain and appetite in terminally ill patients, but has no ability to reverse the spread of cancer. Roslin is not told her condition is terminal, merely inoperable - Cottle would like to to attempt a course of [[diloxin]] therapy. That Roslin rejects this in favor of chamalla suggests that she believes her condition is hopeless, or that chamalla may have a concrete ability to treat her illness.
*The visions inspired by chamalla are more akin to [[Wikipedia:LSD|LSD]] or [[Wikipedia:Psychedelic mushroom|Psychedelic mushrooms]], if anything, although their prescience cannot be accounted for. "[[Wikipedia:Entheogen|Entheogen]]" is a term used to refer to psychoactive substances thought to have spiritual significance—[[Wikipedia:Peyote|peyote]] is one example of an entheogen said to have an unpleasant flavor, like chamalla. Peyote is used for religious reasons by many Native Americans, much as priests are said to use chamalla.
*Marijuana addiction is not well-attested, and the withdrawal symptoms suggested for it are not nearly as acute or severe as those displayed by Roslin in "[[Fragged]]."

{{Drugs}}

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[[de:Chamalla]]

Adama Glare

2007-07-14T01:17:17Z

Philwelch: /* Notes */ Chuck Norris jokes aren't funny anymore

New Caprican leaf

2007-07-14T01:11:13Z

Philwelch: they hid it from Gaeta, which is a pretty strong clue as to what kind of thing it is

: ''For a [[BW:SILLY|silly]] treatment of this topic, see [[New Caprican loco weed]].''<br /><br />

[[Image:Adama_laura_toke.jpg|thumb|right|[[Roslin]] and [[William Adama|Adama]] enjoying a smoke.]]

'''New Caprican leaf'''<ref>{{bsgwiki term}}</ref> refers to a mildy-psychotropic plant<ref>Considering its relatively quick application into familiar weed cigarettes and cigars by Roslin and presumably other New Capricans, New Caprican leaf may be related to similar plants on [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] and on some if not all of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]. No information is available on whether the plant is a true weed or a parallel to the real-world [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] substance colloquially referred to as "weed" or "[[w:marijuana|marijuana]]."</ref> indigenous to [[New Caprica]].

It is seen briefly, being smoked by [[Admiral Adama]] and [[Laura Roslin]] during the New Caprica groundbreaking ceremony. When Adama asks Roslin about the plant, she confirms that it grows wild in the area. Adama and Roslin take effort to hide their enjoyment of the drug from [[Felix Gaeta]], who may not have approved of such recreational drugs ([[Unfinished Business]]).

==Notes==

* RDM confirmed its psychotropic status in the [[Podcast:Unfinished Business|podcast]] for "[[Unfinished Business]]"<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Unfinished Business|act=2|id=stoned|timestamp=16:37|totalrunning=}}</ref>.
* RDM uses the term "joint" when referring to the plant in the [[Podcast:A Day in the Life|podcast]] for "[[A Day in the Life]]". He also notes a scene that was planned, but never shot, of Roslin smoking some of the leaf she had saved from New Caprica<ref>{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=A Day in the Life|act=4|id=joint|timestamp=|totalrunning=}}</ref>.

==References==
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{{Drugs}}

{{quality candidate}}

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