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Mark Sheppard (April 30, 1964) is an English actor and musician of an Irish-German background.[1]
Sheppard is the son of character actor William Morgan Sheppard. His first passion was being a musician, which lead him to play in multiple bands that performed in parts of the globe like France and Algeria. He initially preferred being a musician over following his father's footsteps, believing that "he’s the actor and I’m the musician and that was when I was a kid, but then years later I discovered it was pretty much the same thing to me".[1]
Sheppard began pursuing acting as someone had "asked me to see if I could be in a play, and I was reluctant but I did it and I discovered it was something I love, it’s fun".[1]
He credits his father for teaching him "a certain sensibility about acting, as far as we are of the same belief that there is no such thing as a bad guy. They are people of a differing opinion. And are willing to do different things to get what it is that they want. But you should never play the guy as a bad guy."[1]
In addition to Battlestar Galactica, he has done work on David Eick's remake of The Bionic Woman (with Katee Sackhoff).[1] He also recently guest stared in Burn Notice Season 2 episode Bad Breaks as a bank robber. He appears in the 2011 Doctor Who episodes "The Impossible Astronaut" and "Day of the Moon" as a 1960s FBI agent Canton Everett Delaware III.
Battlestar Galactica
Sheppard has mentioned that he is a fan of the Re-imagined Series, but did not get into the Original Series. Sheppard's involvement in Battlestar Galactica began through CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's Naren Shankar, who encouraged him to meet Ronald D. Moore. After meeting, Moore attempted to get Sheppard a role as a Cylon in Season 2, which did not happen due to his commitment to Medium. He had a future conversation with Moore and David Eick, where Sheppard mentioned that he would be willing to play any character; a few months after that, when fixing Moore's computer, Moore offered him "three episodes of Battlestar" and, thus, the part of Romo Lampkin.[1]
Mark Verheiden is a respected and prolific television, movie, and comic book writer. He joined the production team and writing staff of the Re-imagined Series with the second season, initially as a consulting producer and then becoming a co-executive producer mid-way through the season. He continues to serve as a co-executive producer and writer as of the fourth season.[commentary 1]
In addition to working on the Re-imagined Series, Verheiden has also contributed TV scripts for The Mask, Timecop, and Smallville television series.
His film work includes writing the story on which the 1994 The Mask film starring Jim Carrey was based, and the script for the original 1993 Timecop feature film starring Jean Claude Van Damme. [1]
Verheiden's comic-book writings include the Predator, Aliens and American series for Dark Horse Comics, [2] as well as Superman and Smallville monthly series for DC Comics. As of Spring 2006, he took over the reins of writing the Superman/Batman monthlies. [3]
Interestingly, it was probably his work on the Predator and Aliens comics that got a character (played by Tommy Flanagan) named after him in the 2004 feature film, Alien vs. Predator.
Verheiden has reportedly written a horror comedy film as a vehicle for actor Bruce Campbell entitled My Name is Bruce, which is currently in pre-production and scheduled for release in 2007. [4]
As of Summer 2008, Verheiden has joined the staff of Heroes, where he will work part-time as a consulting producer/writer from the second half of the show's third season on. Meanwhile he is also writing a feature film. [5]
Production insights
Verheiden participated in a weekly interview series with ComicMix during Season 4's broadcast, providing insights into the creative process and answering fan questions about each episode as it aired.[commentary 1] When discussing his favorite moments from the Season 4 premiere "He That Believeth in Me", Verheiden specifically praised Katee Sackhoff's performance and cited the opening battle sequence as particularly impressive. He noted that one moment gave him "a little chill" – the red light from the raider scanning Anders' eyeball.[commentary 2]
Regarding the season's high stakes, Verheiden confirmed that "a number of informed sources have noted that no one in the cast is safe this season. And that means no one."[commentary 3]
When asked about Gaius Baltar's group of female followers, Verheiden reminded viewers that Baltar "was President of the Colonies for awhile, duly elected over Roslin. There was clearly a groundswell of support for him then, and there's no reason all those supporters would have abandoned him overnight."[commentary 4]
On the revelation that Chief Tyrol is a Cylon, Verheiden noted the implications for Nicholas Tyrol: "As far as there being two Cylon babies… isn't that interesting?"[commentary 5]
Verheiden also discussed the evolving relationship between Adama and Lee, explaining that despite their confrontation at the end of Season 3, "given that Adama voted to spare Baltar on the strength of Lee's argument, he must have decided his son had a point. But aside from all that, Lee is his son. They fight, and then they get over it — that's the way families go sometimes."[commentary 6]
Mark One Eyeball is a Colonial military term for visual reconnissance or flight plans improvised by the pilots themselves when searching for wreckage, survivors or managing other mission objectives. This becomes necessary when the use of technology isn't applicable or available due to unforeseen, unpredictable, or hazardous changes in completing a mission or task.
The CAP guarding the Majahual during a critical mining operation must use their Mark One Eyeballs when DRADIS cannot distinguish between the rock and debris in the asteroid system and enemy fighters harassing the mining operation (TRS: "Scar").
Notes
This term is actual British military slang for eyes or eye sight, derived from British Royal Navy nomenclature for distinguishing sequential variations of a piece of equipment (i.e., "Mark 13 Depth Charge"). Since the human eye has not changed, it is called the Mark I Eyeball. The term is typically used when someone relies too much on their equipment: "Use your Mark One Eyeball!". It is used likewise in the United States military and other predominantly English-speaking countries.
The Viper Mark II is a single seat fighter aerospace craft used by the Colonial Fleet during the First Cylon War. The fighter served with distinction, proving to be a capable fighting vehicle and winning renown across the Twelve Colonies; the Mark II is regarded as instrumental in ensuring that the Colonials did not lose the original Cylon War [4]. Eventually, the Mark II was succeeded in service by the larger, and more advanced Viper Mark III (Blood & Chrome), in the later years of the War, however, the Mark II was still utilized by the military up to, and for at least two decades following[5], the Armistice(TRS: "Razor Flashbacks" and "Miniseries, Night 1"). Owing to the iconic status that the Mark II achieved during its operational years, a squadron of 40 planes are chosen for preservation in the battlestar Galactica History Museum. These Vipers are later brought back online to defend Galactica, and later its civilian fleet, following the sudden Cylon attack on the Colonies (TRS: "Miniseries").
Overview
Fore, side, top and aft views of the Mark II
The Mark II is a long, sleek vehicle with specialized features for zero-g and atmospheric combat, and reconnaissance.
The fore section comprises the nose back to the cockpit. Located there are the forward RCS systems for maneuvering the craft; the forward landing gear; the main avionics and sensor packages and the single-seat cockpit.
The stern comprises the main engines, numerous RCS maneuvering jets, fuel tanks, wings and vertical stabilizer. The wings themselves contain the kinetic energy weapons, their munitions storage and feeds. Mounting points beneath the wings allow missiles, munitions pods and other items to be rack-mounted (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The wing's roots contain the main landing gear, retracted during flight. The Mark II's shape is distinctive because of the offset "intakes" mounted just behind the cockpit. The port / starboard "intakes" incorporate small but powerful reverse thrust engines that can quickly counter a Viper's forward momentum in an emergency (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The Mark II is equipped with a Milso Delta-G Intrepid guidance system. The quad mounted gyroscopic ACRS is hot-linked to the cockpit instrument package and all RCS ports for enhanced performance [6].
As part of its use in the Cylon War, the Mark II was initially designed to resist Cylon attempts at disabling or damaging its flight controls [7]. Given the number of analog gauges and controls, its likely that the Mark II was intended to be flown entirely without computer assistance in fear of compromise by an electronic attack. Nevertheless, a simple computer to manage the flight systems is present in the cockpit, assisting the pilot's Mark One Eyeball. Some gauges, such as the altimeter, are used only in atmospheric flight.
The Mark II is equipped with two 800 rd. Thraxon MEC-A6 30mm Mass Accelerator Cannons (MECS), as its primary weapon. These cannons are capable of firing 20 rounds per second and are augmented with orange tracers, which enable the pilot to see where the rounds are going, and adjust their aim accordingly[6].
These cannons are supplemented with a storage bay capable of holding up to eight Lightning Javelin missiles capable of carrying conventional or up to 50 megatons of nuclear tipped warheads[6].
Performance
The Mark II is as "nimble as a jackrabbit," and can rotate 180 degrees vertically in .35 seconds (TRS: "Act of Contrition"). It accelerates at six to seven G's, or 60 to 70 m/s² (TRS: "The Hand of God").
Following the decommissioning of the battlestar Galactica 40 years after the Cylon War ended, and its transformation into a museum, a squadron Mark IIs are chosen for preservation and display on the port flight deck. Following the sudden Cylon attacks, these Vipers are brought back to working order and used to defend the ship as it made its way to Ragnar Anchorage to refit. Eventually, these Vipers are used to defend the 50,000 survivors of the attacks as they flee the Colonies into deep space (TRS: "Miniseries").
They served with distinction up until the end of the Fleet's journey, however not without losses. The few remaining Mark IIs are eventually destroyed after Galactica is flown into a star following the Colonial's settlement of a new world (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").
Related Imagery
The rear of a pristine Mk II.
Viper Mark II with visible battle damage.
Burning up in an atmosphere (Act of Contrition)
Viper in atmospheric flight (Razor)
Destroying a Cylon guard tower
Viper in perfect condition (Miniseries)
Viper in launch tube (Miniseries)
Viper in maintenance
A pair of Mk. IIs fly CAP
A squadron of Mk. IIs fly in formation during the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid
A pilot in a Mk. II Viper stares down an enemy Raider
A Mk. II fires its main 30mm guns
A Mk. II flies in the upper atmosphere of a gas giant
↑ 2.02.12.2Dimensions provided by Lee Stringer, one of the VFX Animators of the miniseries. These are for the CGI models, which are based on but not identical to the fullsize props. Source: Starshipbuilder.com forums
↑In flight, without landing gear. Landing gear adds approximately (0.5m)
↑Its iconic status is not unlike that of the real world Supermarine Spitfire, which is held in great esteem in the countries where it served - particularly Great Britain. Many Spitfires are preserved today as museum pieces, just as the Mk. II Vipers were aboard Galactica.
The Mark III retains the same shape and layout as the Mark II, however is slightly larger than the predecessor.[1] It featured a drab grey paint scheme with red accents along the wings and nose, and identification numbers printed along the front side and along the vertical stabilizer.[2]
According to the pre-production script for Blood and Chrome, the Mark III Vipers were specifically designed for special operations missions and were "sleeker planes with bigger wings" compared to standard models.[3] The enhanced wing design was intended for both space combat and ground air support missions, making them suitable for the diverse operational requirements of the Ghost Fleet Offensive and similar special operations.
The Viper Mark III features:
an angular forward fuselage cross section
a revised cockpit canopy featuring rounder edges
more angular side intakes with intake ramps
narrower thrust nozzles
deletion of structures housing the rear undercarriage and reduction of the ventral fairing; all three landing struts retract directly into the main fuselage
two internal missile launchers on the underside
control surfaces for maneuverability in atmosphere
enhanced wing design for ground air support capabilities
Operational History
Ghost Fleet Operations
The Viper Mark III saw significant service during the secret Ghost Fleet Offensive near the end of the First Cylon War. According to the pre-production script for Blood and Chrome, Mark III Vipers were specifically assigned to special operations units operating from Orion-class stealth ships like Osiris.[4]
These fighters were described as being "loaded for bear" and prepared for atmospheric insertion missions, demonstrating their versatility in both space and planetary environments. The script indicates that approximately ten Mark III Vipers were typically assigned to each special operations mission, suggesting they operated in larger squadrons than the smaller complements seen on regular battlestars.[5]
Battle of Djerba
Mark III Vipers participated in the Battle of Djerba, where their atmospheric capabilities were put to the test against Cylon Raiders that had been modified with adaptive flight systems. The script describes how these Vipers were launched from forward-facing tubes on Orion-class ships, allowing for rapid deployment during combat operations.[6]
During atmospheric combat, the Mark III's enhanced wing design proved crucial for maintaining maneuverability against Cylon forces that had developed their own atmospheric adaptation capabilities. However, the battle also demonstrated the limitations of even advanced Colonial fighters when facing overwhelming numerical odds and adaptive enemy technology.
The pre-production script for Blood and Chrome provides additional technical and operational details about the Mark III that were not included in the final production. The script emphasizes that these fighters were specifically chosen for special operations due to their enhanced capabilities over standard Mark II Vipers.
The Mark III's role in special operations included support for covert missions deep in Cylon-controlled territory, where their atmospheric flight capabilities were essential for planetary operations. The script suggests that the Mark III represented a significant advancement in Colonial fighter technology, bridging the gap between the wartime Mark II and the post-war developments that would lead to the Mark VII.[7]
The fighters were also noted for their integration with the cramped hangar facilities of Orion-class ships, where space constraints required more efficient operations than those possible on full-sized battlestars. This operational requirement influenced both the design and deployment strategies for Mark III squadrons.
The Viper Mark III's control stick appears to be a Logitech Wingman; it should be noted that the cockpit is a reuse of the "wildable cockpit" built for the Re-imagined Series, as no full-size mockup was physically built. The Viper Mark III is entirely a CGI constructwildable cockpit.
The Mark III is similar to an early design for the Mark II Viper made during pre-production of the 2003 Miniseries, which was simplified into the final version to ease the construction of the full-size prop.[8]
The script version of Blood and Chrome provides much more detail about the Mark III's special operations role and atmospheric capabilities than appears in the final production.
Gallery
Mk. III Vipers in a hotstack on Galactica.
Mk. III in atmospheric flight.
Mk. III in flight.
References
↑The exact size is never stated in canon, however, modeler Pierre Drolet lists 10.6 meters long, 6.77 meters wide, and 3.85 meters tall (presumed to include landing gear). These sizes would be too large to fit in series established launch tubes without the tubes themselves being larger as well. The launch tubes are not directly seen in the production, but considering the enlarged hangar bay, it is quite possible that they were, creating yet another series continuity error.
↑In yet another production error, each Viper was a clone of a single model, featuring the same squad and tail numbers - 407, and SF/10 579011, respectively.
3 x forward-firing kinetic energy weapons (KEW), 2 mounted towards the outboard sections of the wings, 1 x mounted in the vertical stabilizer, Weapon hard-points for mounting missiles / munitions pods, etc. under the wings.[2]
Capable of atmospheric flight, the Mark VII is the front-line variant of the Viper design, retaining the Mark II's general layout but adding fully integrated avionics that provide superior battle management and flight information for the pilot.
Ironically, it is this incorporation of new integrated systems that prevents the majority of Mark VIIs from being effective during the Cylon attack: as with the majority of Colonial Fleet, the Mark VIIs suffer fatal computer system failures on contact with Cylon forces. Thanks to a Cylon agent's relationship with Dr. Gaius Baltar, scientist and programmer of the navigation software project, the navigational software in use on board most Colonial Fleet vessels contains back-doors that allow the Cylons to infiltrate a vessel's computers by wireless signals and to disable its power systems. Though this problem can be overcome by removing the navigational upgrade compromised by the Cylons, the information is not discovered in time to benefit the surprised and hard-pressed Colonial forces.
Being a single-seat craft, it mounts three forward-facing kinetic energy weapons (KEW). In addition, it possesses hard-points beneath the wings for mounting missiles, munitions pods and other ordnance (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The Mark VII cockpit is almost totally computerized. There are far fewer analog gauges and more reliance is placed on a powerful central flight computer. This gives the Mark VII pilot far greater control of the fighter as well as, presumably, greater targeting control in a dogfight.
However, the latest and last software upgrade, the CNP upgrade, introduces a fatal flaw (inserted by a Cylon agent) in the Mark VII that leads to the virtual annihilation of most of these fighters in the opening wave of the Cylon attack.
The surviving Mark VII fighters on both Galactica and Pegasus are retrofitted to older avionics packages to replace the compromised CNP and eliminate further infiltration.
As of "Scar", Pegasus has begun to use her on board construction facilities to produce replacement Vipers. Materials mined in an asteroid field allow the production of two full squadrons. Additionally, since Pegasus joined the Fleet, Mark IIs have been steadily phased out in favor of retrofitted Mark VIIs.
The Mark VII's main weapons are three forward-facing cannons, two in the wings and one in the vertical stabilizer. Typically, it is only the wing-mounted cannons that are used.
Like the Mark II, it can also be armed with missiles.
Performance
While the Mark II can rotate 180 degrees vertically in .35 seconds (TRS: "Act of Contrition"), it is presumed that the Mark VII has an equal or better performance ratio.
Given that the Mark II is capable of holding its own even against superior numbers of modern Cylon Raiders, the more advanced Mark VII probably also has an equal or superior performance as Raiders in the hands of a capable pilot.
Other design features
The Viper Mark VII has primary and secondary hydraulics, the secondary system presumably acting as a redundant backup for mission-critical prime system. Damage to both systems does not significantly compromise the Viper's performance as a space combat craft, provided the pilot is sufficiently skilled to manage the changed flight characteristics (TRS: "Scar"). The consequences of the loss of both systems in atmospheric flight would undoubtedly be far more dire.
Since Galactica had only 40 Viper Mark IIs aboard as part of its museum, they needed as many fighters as possible. The remaining Mark VII's advanced computer systems were refitted to resist Cylon infiltration. However, since this is not how the Mark VII was designed to fly, the craft is increasingly more difficult to handle and can only be flown by the most experienced pilots such as Apollo and Kara "Starbuck" Thrace. Galactica had roughly 6-8 Mark VIIs on board after the Cylon attack ("Scattered", "Flight of the Phoenix") [5]. Since the Vipers aboard Pegasus were predominantly Mark VIIs, these too were presumably retrofitted to less vulnerable avionics.
According to David Weddle during the "Scar" podcast the Mark VII cockpit design "was actually laid out based on, I think it's either the F-16 or the F-18." The side-mounted control stick more closely resembles that of the F-16, which is appropriate given the "Viper" nickname of the jet (that was initially the General Dynamics codename for the project, which was in turn named for the TOS Viper).
Also revealed in the podcast for "Scar" is that the full cockpit interior for the Viper Mark VII was built for this episode. "Flight of the Phoenix" had paved the way for the construction of the full cockpit when "the line producers and the production designers figure[d] out ways to move money around that basically bought us this cockpit because we had built the stealth fighter." The cockpit interior may have been constructed at the same time the Blackbird was being built.
Like the Original Series' Viper, the weapons fire of Vipers on the Re-Imagined Series is red, however, the button is on the center of the joystick for the Mark VII, and the left for the Mark II (TRS: "33").
As of "Maelstrom", a new exterior design for the Viper Mk VII is being used. It is characterized by angular air intakes - with three intakes on the ventral side as opposed to the original's single intake - and a compressed forward fuselage with chines extending only partway to the nose. Additionally, the new version possesses a drab gray hue that differs from the original's gunmetal-gray coloration. Due to the fact that all Mark VII fighters seen since "Maelstrom" display the later appearance, it was surmised that this was a retroactive update rather than a variant of an existing ship.
However, this shot taken from "Razor" displays both variants in action. Starbuck's Viper (in the foreground) is of the redesigned variant, while Showboat's Viper (in the back) is the original version - characterized by gunmetal-gray armoring and the sleek forward fuselage. Taking this visual into account, it may be alternatively concluded that these are two versions of Viper (with the newer design perhaps being a product of Pegasus's Viper production facilities). Accepting this conclusion would partly explain why the Mk VIIs present on Galactica's hangar deck bear the original appearance while those seen in action do not - there would no longer be a design conflict between the physical model and the CGI version of the craft. However, for sequences where an actor climbs into the physical model but is subsequently seen flying the new version (as it happens in "Crossroads, Part II" and "He That Believeth in Me" for example) the discrepancy is still present, although these shots show only the cockpit of the Vipers making this less obvious. In Razor and Season 4 both designs do appear onscreen although seldom together. However much of the confusion stems from all of the close up shots being of the Maelstorm design with the original design appearing in many the far out shots.
According to Doug Drexler, "The model was rebuilt by master modeler Pierre Drollet (sic) at Gary’s request. After all the episodes we had done, we learned all of the original models weaknesses, and built it to withstand greater scrutiny, and render more efficiently. Changes were fairly superficial, but improved the lines of the bird." [6]
Overall, between the new engine, cannon, and wing detailing, it can be surmised the update was intended to bring the plane closer to the details of the full-scale prop, which it resembles much more then the detailing in the original CGI model. Only the nose of the full-scale prop was built for the Miniseries, the rest of the plane was built later and very simplified in comparison to the CGI one.
Although nearly all Viper Mark VIIs seen, including those on Caprica before the war, have the same ####NC serial number pattern, in addition to his 48 kill markings, enough of Captain Cole "Stinger" Taylor's can be seen to show that it is marked with one ending in P, possibly intended to be for Pegasus.
Related Images
Zoic CGI model
Zoic CGI model
The belly of the Viper
Hiding in the shadows of an asteroid
Atmospheric flight
Joint patrol
Avionics
Control stick
References
↑Very segmented exhaust nozzle design suggest possible thrust-vectoring.
↑ 2.02.1Ammunition used was same as older Viper models; the Mark VII guns appear to have a higher rate of fire. Armaments listings and ejector seat details from David Bassom's Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion.
↑Dimensions provided by Lee Stringer, one of the VFX Animators of the miniseries. These are for the CGI models, which are based on but not identical to the full size props. Source: Starshipbuilder.com forums
↑In flight, without landing gear. Landing gear adds approximately 0.5m.
↑Information previously available on the SciFi website.
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