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[[Image:bsg-1-01.jpg|thumb|"33" (credit: Sci-Fi Channel)]]
{{Episode Data
| image = 33mincount_101_1080i.jpg
| title= 33
| series=
| season= 1
| episode= 1
| guests=
| writer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| story=
| goof=Y
| director= [[Michael Rymer]]
| production= 101
| rating= 2.6
| US airdate= 2005-01-14
| CAN airdate= 2005-01-15
| UK airdate= 2004-10-18
| dvd= {{Season 1 NTSC DVD release date}} '''US'''<br/>{{Season 1 PAL DVD release date}} '''UK'''
| population= 50298
| extra= '''Series Premiere'''
| prev= [[Miniseries, Night 2]]
| next= [[Water]]
| amazon=y
|deleted=y|archives=y}}
: ''Continuing from the events of the [[Miniseries]], ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' and the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] must avoid their [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] pursuers, which ambush them every 33 minutes after each successful [[FTL|jump]].''


== Overview ==
== Summary ==


: <i>Continuing from the events of the [[mini-series]], the [[Battlestar]] [[Galactica]] and the fleet must avoid their [[Cylon]] pursuers, which happen upon them every 33 minutes after each successful [[FTL]] jump.   </i>  
=== On ''Galactica'' ===
* The crew of [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' have been on continuous alert for some 130.35 hours, during which time the Fleet has had to make an [[FTL|FTL jump]] every 33 minutes to escape their [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] pursuers shortly after their initial escape from [[Ragnar Anchorage]].
* Everyone in the Fleet is beginning to feel the strain – particularly [[Gaius Baltar]], who is also distracted by [[Number Six|Six's]] repeated conversations about [[God (RDM)|God]] having a plan for him, and also her wanting to have his children.
* Vessels in the Fleet are also beginning to feel the strain: Jump engines and their controlling computers are starting to breakdown or malfunction, requiring ''Galactica'' to linger longer and longer in the Cylon line of fire while the rest of the fleet complete their jumps.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.10, script p.5}}</ref> As reported in the [[Combat Information Center|CIC]], "ten [ships are] still reporting trouble with their FTL drives. Including Colonial One."<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.9, script p.4}}</ref>
*[[Anastasia Dualla]] finds time to visit a team of people who are [[Fleet registry|cataloging survivors]] in the Fleet. When she cannot leave her photos to aid in searching for her loved ones, she is amazed to see a corridor that has been [[Memorial hallway|converted into a makeshift memorial]].
* Elsewhere, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] is having problems accepting her new [[ECO]], {{callsign|Crashdown}}, and is feeling guilty about leaving [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]] on {{RDM|Caprica}} to his fate.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.90, script p.85}}</ref>
* Following jump number 237, [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] receives word from a Dr. [[Amarak]] aboard the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' concerning information on how the Cylons overcame Colonial defenses.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.36, script p.31}}</ref>
* Overhearing the conversation, Baltar is worried: he knew Amarak at the [[Ministry of Defense]]. As Six points out, Amarak might have information on Baltar's complicity with the Cylon attack.
* There is insufficient time before the next jump to bring Amarak aboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', but Roslin wants to see him directly after the jump has been completed.
* When the next jump is made, the ''Olympic Carrier'', complete with Dr. Amarak and 1,344 other souls, fails to appear with the rest of the Fleet.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.74, script p.69}}</ref> Six tries to convince Baltar that it is because God is watching over him.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.32, script p.27}}</ref>
* Thirty-three minutes later, the Fleet is ready to jump, but the Cylons don't appear. Adama orders a stand-down from the immediate alert, but the Fleet is to maintain a readiness to jump, in case the Cylons do return.
* When Baltar continues to refuse the concept of God, the ''Olympic Carrier'' reappears; Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] orders the Fleet to [[Action Stations|Condition One alert]], fearing the worst. He orders the jump clocks reset in anticipation of the Cylons arriving.
*The [[Combat Air Patrol]] lead by {{callsign|Lee Adama}} intercepts the [[Intersun|starliner]]. Adama orders all communications with the ''Carrier'' jammed and the ''Carrier'' is ordered (through signal lamps) to remain at its current position. When the ''Carrier'' fails to heed orders not to approach the fleet, tensions rise, and a [[Radiological Alarm|radiological alarm]] reveals there is now a nuclear weapon on the liner.
*As the crisis deepens, the Cylons appear precisely 33 minutes after the return of the ''Carrier'', confirming that the ''Carrier'' was used somehow by the Cylons to track the Fleet. Adama wants to destroy the liner, but Roslin hesitates to give the order, as no one can be sure if the 1,345 people aboard the ''Carrier'' are still alive. Baltar is terrified she won't give the order for fear of Amarak's information.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.49, script p.44}}</ref>
*Six uses the hesitation to push Baltar into "repenting" before God. As soon as he does, Roslin gives the order to destroy the liner.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.49, script p.44}}</ref> Apollo and {{callsign|Starbuck}} (reluctantly) open fire, destroying the liner. After the Fleet makes a jump once more, the Cylons' relentless pursuit is halted.
*A day later, everyone is living with the consequences of their actions. Only [[Billy Keikeya]] has a small nugget of good news: at some point in the proceedings, a baby was born in the Fleet aboard ''[[Rising Star (TRS)|Rising Star]]''.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.52, script p.47}}</ref>


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


== Summary ==  
== Notes ==  


* The crew of the [[Battlestar]] ''[[Galactica]]'' have been on continuous alert for some 130.35 hours, during which time the fleet has had to make an [[FTL]] jump every 33 minutes to escape their [[Cylon]] pursuers.
=== Episode Notes ===
* Everyone in the fleet is beginning to feel the strain – particularly [[Baltar, Gaius|Gaius Baltar]], who is also distracted by [[Number Six|Six’s]] repeated conversations about [[God]] having a plan for him, and also her wanting to have his children.
* Vessels in the fleet are also beginning to feel the strain: FTL jump engines and their controlling computers are starting to breakdown or malfunction, requiring the Galactica to linger longer and longer in the Cylon line of fire while the rest of the fleet makes their jumps.
* Following jump number 237, [[Roslin, Laura|President Roslin]] receives word from a Dr. [[Amorak]] aboard the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' that he has information concerning how the Cylons overcame Colonial defences.
* Overhearing the conversation, Baltar is worried: he knew Amorak at the [[Defence Ministry]]. As Six points out, Amorak might have information on Baltar.
* There is insufficient time before the next jump to bring Amorak aboard ''[[Colonial One]]'', but Roslin wants to see him directly after the jump has been completed.
* Elsewhere, [[Valerii, Sharon#"Boomer" Valerii|Boomer Valerii]] is having problems accepting her new [[ECO]], [[Crashdown]], and is feeling guilty about leaving [[Agathon, Karl C.|“Helo” Agathon]] on [[Caprica]].
* When the next jump is made, the ''Olympic Carrier'', complete with Dr. Amorak and 1344 other souls, vanishes. Six tries to convince Baltar that it is because God is watching over him.
* Thirty-three minutes later, the fleet is ready to jump, but the Cylons don’t show up. Adama orders a stand-down from the immediate alert, but the fleet is to maintain a readiness to jump, in case the Cylons do show up.
* When Baltar continues to refuse the concept of God, the ''Olympic Carrier'' reappears; [[Adama, William|Adama]] orders the fleet to full alert, fearing the worst. He orders the jump clocks reset in anticipation of the Cylons arriving.
*A [[CAP]] lead by [[Adama, Lee|Lee Adama]] intercepts the liner. Adama orders all communications with the ''Carrier'' jammed and is ordered (through signal lamps) to remain at it's current position. When the ''Carrier'' fails to heed orders not to approach the fleet, tensions rise, and a radiological alarm reveals there are now nuclear weapons on the liner
*As the crisis deepens, the Cylons show up. Adama wants to destroy the liner, but Roslin hesitates to give the order, no one can be sure whether or not there aren’t still 1,345 people aboard the Carrier. Baltar is terrified she won't give the order.
*Six uses the hesitation to push Baltar into “repenting” before God. As soon as he does, Roslin gives the order to destroy the liner. Lee Adama and [[Thrace, Kara|Starbuck]] (reluctantly) open fire, destroying the ship.
*24 hours later, everyone is living with the consequences of their actions. Only [[Keikeya, Billy|Billy]] has a small nugget of good news: at some point in the proceedings, a couple gave birth to a baby.


===On Caprica===  
*Continuous jumping badly affects the FTL drives and management systems aboard commercial Colonial vessels, which are not as rugged as ''Galactica'''s military-issue drives.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.44, script p.39}}</ref> Colonel Tigh notes that "damned civilian crews" often don't begin jump preparation "until five minutes before the mark," while ''Galactica'' requires "ten minutes to calculate Jump coordinates [and] another five to program the computers."<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.44, script p.39}}</ref>
* [[Agathon, Karl C.|Helo]] is on the run in woodland, and has C4-type ordinance he uses to blow up pursuing [[Cylon Warrior|Cylon warriors]]
*The Cylons' FTL technology is more precise than the Colonials'. 238 times they manage to pounce on the Colonial fleet, arriving with precise momentum and trajectory to be able to close the distance and launch an attack. In the Season 2 episode "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]," it is explained that the Cylons have far better navigational computers which allow more accurate jump plots and a greater range.
* However, his 6 days on the run comes to an end when he is captured by the Cylons, after being distracted by the appearance of [[Number Six|Six]], wearing a white rain coat
*According to [[Socinus]], there are 5,251 people in the Fleet from [[Sagittaron]].
*He is “rescued” by [[Valerii, Sharon#Caprica Valerii|Valerii]], who shoots Six and then leads Helo away into the woods
*The head count of Colonial citizens at the end of the episode is 47,973.
*At first glance, there appears to be an error with Billy Keikeya's math with the [[survivor count]]. The episode starts with the count being 50,298. He informs Roslin this is in error by 300 = 49,998 survivors. When the ''Olympic Carrier'' is destroyed (1,345 people), he reduces the total to 47,972 – that's a reduction of 2026, or 681 people ''more'' than listed on the ''Carrier''. However, in [[List of Deleted Scenes - Season 1 (RDM)#33|deleted scenes]] from this episode, Keikeya is actually reducing the survivor count additional times set between the beginning of the episode and the destruction of the ''Olympic Carrier''. These other deaths just occur off-screen.
*The episode shows the devastating effects of sleep deprivation on the crew. In the script, [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] is described as "mentally burnt, strung-out, right on the edge" while questioning "Why is it always thirty-three minutes?"<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.15, script p.10}}</ref> Commander Adama cuts himself while shaving due to "sleep deprivation and fatigue causing him to lose focus."<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.44, script p.39}}</ref>
*The Fleet's deteriorating condition is evident in Adama's reports of "twelve more cases of nervous exhaustion" bringing the total to "sixty-one total. Ten suicides," leading him to order stimulant injections for crew and pilots.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.69, script p.64}}</ref>


--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 06:48, 24 Jan 2005 (EST)
=== [[Continuity errors (TRS)|Continuity Errors and Retcons]] ===


== Questions ==
* As of "33," there are 60 civilian ships in the Fleet. This number is [[Continuity errors (RDM)#Retcon|retconned]] up from the Miniseries.
* {{callsign|Crashdown}} wears a patch of the battlestar ''[[Triton (RDM)|Triton]]'' on his flight suit, which fits to Boomer's comment that she has been saddled with a "refugee from ''Triton''." ''Triton'''s [[battlestar group]] number is ''39'', but is erroneously displayed on the patch as ''BS'''T'''-39'' instead of ''BSG-39''. The costuming department very likely assumed that "BSG" stands for "Battlestar ''Galactica''" and changed the last letter accordingly. However, "[[Water]]" and ''{{RDM|Pegasus}}''<nowiki/>' patches establish that it stands for "battlestar group."
* The [[Colonial One co-pilot|''Colonial One'' co-pilot]] appears briefly when he notifies [[Billy Keikeya]] about ''[[Colonial One]]''<nowiki/>'s FTL issue, wearing a [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] [[Insignia (RDM)|junior flight wing]] pin instead of the civilian flight wing pin from his appearance in the [[Miniseries]].
* The disparity between "Intersun" featured on ''Colonial One''<nowiki/>'s hull and "[[Eversun]]" on the patches worn by ''One''<nowiki/>'s crew continues.


<!-- Use bulleted lists.  Try to list questions in number of importance.  If the question was answered in a future episode, make a link to the episode. -->
=== Production Notes ===


* Billy reports that the number of survivors is down by 300 - some lost through death from injuries, etc., some "lost" through initial inaccurate counts, and the rest of whom have "disappeared". How can people simply "disappear" in the fleet?
*This episode won the [[Awards and Honors|2005 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form]].
* Does Doctor Amorak truly have something on Baltar's involvement in the holocaust?
*[[Cally Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]'s scenes were added during the Goldenrod revision phase in May 2004, as indicated by "Cally - ADDED" notation in the cast list, showing her role was expanded after initial script completion.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.9, cast list}}</ref>
* Is Six actually in contact with other Cylons, and thus was involved in the disappearance / reappearance of the ''Olympic Carrier''?
*When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "33" and "[[Water]]" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event. This was also the case when [[Season 3 (2006-07)|Season 3]] first aired in the United States with the episodes "[[Occupation]]" and "[[Precipice]]". 
*When the first few episodes of the series began airing in the US on the [[Sci Fi Channel]], title cards were shown at the beginning of each episode, i.e. "33" or "Water" flashing in white letters on a black screen, and then the episode would begin. These episode titles stopped midway in Season 1.
*[[Zoic]] visual effects artists hid small signs of movement within the ''Olympic Carrier'' in close-up effect shots as something of a morbid joke.  Lights in the windows appear to flicker on and off rather rapidly and when slowed down there is some kind of movement visible on the inside of the ship. Originally, the scene was to confirm the existence of civilians inside the ship by showing civilians peering out the windows.<ref group="production" name="bassom_olympic_carrier_visual_effects">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=47|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
*In the DVD commentary for this episode, Ron D. Moore states that during the scene when Dualla hands Commander Adama a set of reports that he reads aloud (including fuel shortages, dozens of crewmen breaking down from nervous exhaustion, etc), Edward James Olmos ad-libbed "and ten suicides" in one take.  The production team really liked the ad-lib, and thought the way Olmos acted the scene was fantastic.  However, there were concerns that the network would think this would make an already ''extremely'' "dark" episode far '''too''' dark and alienate the audience during the premiere, and the line was reluctantly cut.
*While waiting to film a Viper sequence for this episode at 11 or 12 o'clock at night, [[Katee Sackhoff]] fell asleep inside the Viper cockpit.<ref group="production" name="bassom_sackhoff_viper_sleep">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=44|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
*To add realism to the sleep deprivation motif, Olmos enlisted the aid of a sleep deprivation expert and also curtailed his sleeping habits to a maximum of three hours per night, noting how it affected him. With the help of this expert, he relayed to the rest of the crew how deprivation affects the human body and mind. Additionally, director [[Michael Rymer]] told the actors to choose one symptom to play, so as to avoid distracting repetition.<ref group="production" name="bassom_sleep_deprivation_expert">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=46|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>


== Script Revisions ==


==Blooper Moments==
The "33" script underwent extensive revisions during production, with six distinct revision cycles spanning over a month of pre-production work.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.4, revision history}}</ref>
* During the opening titles, the ''Galactica'' is shown to be making a jump with her flight pods extended - not only that, the shot is from the [[Mini-Series]].
* Billy may be a good PA but he’s crap at maths. “33” starts with 50,298 survivors. He informs Roslin this is in error by 300 = 49,998 survivors. When the Olympic Carrier is destroyed (1345 people), he reduces the total to 47,972 – that’s a reduction of 2026, or 681 people MORE than listed on the ''Carrier''!
* Whatever Roslin taught at school, it wasn’t mathematics – she fails to pick up on Billy’s error.
* When [[Dee]] admits that she lost the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'', her headset changes sides during the conversation.
* As Helo fires upon the Cylon warrior that survived the detonation of an anti-personnel mine (similar to a [[Wikipedia:Claymore mine|Claymore mine]]), the first time Helo fires the pistol, it is heard to fire, but there is no accompanying visual spark from the barrel. In contrast, the second shot is accompanied by both a spark and the appropriate sound.
* As the Cylon Warrior approaches Helo from behind, you can see the rain hitting it, but it does not drip off the Warrior's body.  In contrast, water is dripping from Helo's face in a fairly consistent and noticeable manner.
* After the disappearance of the Olympic Carrier in jump 238, and the timer is running towards the 33 minute mark, the viewer can see that the clock is at 10 seconds.  When focusing on Adama and Tigh, the viewer hears ten seconds counting off, but when the camera quick-pans to the overhead console, it reads that 3 seconds have passed.


== Analysis ==
=== April 2, 2004: White Pages (1-62) ===
Initial complete script draft encompassing the full 62-page teleplay, establishing the basic structure of the episode across four acts plus teaser.
 
=== April 12, 2004: Full Blue Revision (1-55) ===
Comprehensive rewrite reducing the script length by 7 pages, indicating significant structural changes. This major revision likely involved cutting entire scenes or consolidating sequences to tighten the narrative pacing.
 
=== April 13, 2004: Pink Revision ===
Targeted revisions to 24 specific pages affecting key narrative sequences:
 
* '''Pages 8, 10:''' ''[[Colonial One]]'' [[FTL]] issues and hangar deck scenes with [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]]'s sleep-deprived questioning of the 33-minute pattern
* '''Page 12:''' [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Lee Adama]]'s dialogue about jump counts reaching "two thirty-seven"
* '''Page 14:''' [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s intimate scene with [[Messenger Six|Six]] in his house, establishing the "Time's up" motif
* '''Pages 18-19:''' Combat sequences with [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] attack aftermath and jump preparations
* '''Pages 21, 21A, 21B:''' Expansion of Act One scenes (new pages 21A and 21B suggest significant additions to character interactions)
* '''Pages 23-24:''' Post-jump sequences with ''Colonial One''{{'|s}} appearance and Baltar's transition between reality and his house visions
* '''Page 26:''' Baltar's philosophical conversation with Six about belief systems
* '''Page 33:''' Jump 237 completion and fleet status reports
* '''Page 35:''' End of Teaser with Baltar and Six's intimate moment as the clock ticks
* '''Pages 38-39:''' [[William Adama|Adama]] and [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]]'s conversation about fleet jump preparations and civilian crew delays 
* '''Page 42:''' [[Memorial hallway]] sequence showing [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]]'s emotional encounter with the wall of missing persons
* '''Pages 44-45:''' [["Lest We Forget"]] photo presentation to [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] and Baltar's conversation with Six about having children
* '''Pages 47-50:''' Dr. [[Amarak]] introduction, Baltar's panic about potential exposure, and the setup for ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' plot
 
The creation of pages 21A and 21B suggests significant expansion of early Act One material, likely enhancing character development and tension-building sequences.
 
=== April 16, 2004: Yellow Revision ===
Extensive changes to 31 pages with significant scene expansions:


Overall, a good opening episode that cleverly adds to a number of arcs from the mini: is Boomer a Cylon? What is the Six who is interacting with Baltar? Can the Colonials truly escape the shadow of the Cylons?
* '''Pages 2-3:''' Opening [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] squadron sequences and [[Lee Adama]]'s countdown dialogue in his cockpit
* '''Page 5:''' [[Combat Information Center|CIC]] scenes with [[William Adama|Adama]], [[Saul Tigh|Tigh]], [[Felix Gaeta|Gaeta]], and [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]] monitoring jump preparations
* '''Pages 7-8:''' ''[[Colonial One]]'' [[FTL]] computer issues and [[Laura Roslin]]'s attempts to maintain confidence
* '''Page 10:''' [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]]'s sleep-deprived questioning about the 33-minute pattern on the [[hangar deck]]
* '''Pages 12, 12A:''' Expanded Viper pilot dialogue with new page 12A adding [[Lee Adama]] and [[Kara Thrace]]'s conversation about jump counts reaching 237
* '''Pages 13, 15:''' [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s house sequences and transition between reality and his visions
* '''Pages 18-20:''' Extended combat aftermath and CIC activity during [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] attacks
* '''Pages 21, 21A, 21B:''' Continued expansion of Act One character development scenes
* '''Pages 48-50, 50A:''' ''[[Olympic Carrier]]'' plot development with new page 50A likely expanding the resolution sequences
* '''Pages 51-53:''' Final act sequences including the aftermath of the ''Olympic Carrier'' destruction


The opening sequence of shots ending with the Valerii on the Ragnar Anchorage is interesting: is this a hint to the real identity of Boomer on Galactica? Also, is the good-natured teasing between Starbuck and Boomer during the CAP an indication that others have noticed Boomer seems to be handling the lack of sleep a lot better than others. Could this lead to some kind of rumour-mill starting-up about her?
The addition of pages 12A and 50A indicates significant scene expansions at crucial narrative moments - the Viper pilot interactions and the episode's conclusion.


As to Baltar's Six: three possibilities seem to suggest themselves:  
=== April 19, 2004: Green Revision ===
Focused changes to 6 pages for final dialogue polish and technical adjustments:


*She is a working of his own psyche; a reaction to his betrayal of his people to the Cylons. Certainly, his increasing psychosis in the episode would seem to point to this; but then, he has - like the rest - been five plus days without sleep, and some degree of paranoia is bound to result.
* '''Page 18:''' Combat sequences and Cylon attack aftermath refinements
*She is, as she suggested in the mini, an implant in his head and possibly in communication with the Cylons. However, if this is the case, surely the Cylon hunt for the fleet would continue despite the destruction of the Olympic Carrier - as the Cylons would be tracing the fleet through Baltar. Given the humans are to all intents and purposes "on the ropes", it seems odd that they would break off the attack when they have such a clear advantage.
* '''Page 23:''' Post-jump sequences with ''Colonial One''{{'|s}} appearance and fleet regrouping
*She could she actually be a complete download of "Six's" personality, captured at the point of destruction of Baltar's home, and now contained in his head, possibily occupying his subconscious, out of contact with her own kind, but able to fully interact with his thoughts and feelings – even manipulate his thoughts and feelings?
* '''Pages 29-30:''' Mid-episode character development and plot progression moments
* '''Page 33:''' Jump 237 completion and critical fleet status reports
* '''Page 45:''' Dr. [[Amarak]] introduction and [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s growing panic about potential exposure


Hopefully, these issues will be addressed in time. Meanwhile, the episode builds on some of the relationships established in the mini: Apollo and Starbuck clearly have a past, one that reaches beyond command hierarchies, exhaustion and tempers. The hanger deck confrontation is a valuable byplay not so much for what it says, but for the way in which it is communicated - a large element of non-verbal communication passing between Thrace and Lee Adama prior to her taking the stims.  
This targeted revision suggests final dialogue polish and technical adjustments to key dramatic moments, including scenes involving Cylon attacks, jump completions, and character interactions.


Similarly, Roslin's mistrust of Adama, as expressed at the end of the mini following his admission that "earth" was a deception on his part, has begun to grow into an edgy respect: she knows full-well that without his leadership, the fleet would not have survived 5 days of repeated FTL jumps - and she is prepared to admit it.
=== May 10, 2004: Goldenrod Revision ===
Final pre-production changes to 4 pages with last-minute scene additions:


Then there is Adama's relationship with his son. From the scene where they discuss responsibility, it is evident that there is a gulf between them still - one that may well be held open in part by their relative positions aboard the Galactica: Adama is Lee's father and the Officer Commanding the Galactica. While both again appear to want to bridge the gap – the difference in rank still prevents them openly discussing things: hence Lee's act of rebuffing his father's attempt to console him following the shooting of the Olympic Carrier.
* '''Pages 3, 3A:''' Opening episode sequences with new page 3A expanding [[Lee Adama]]'s [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] cockpit scenes and the countdown to the jump
* '''Pages 4, 4A:''' Early teaser material with new page 4A likely expanding [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s house sequences and [[Messenger Six|Six]]'s philosophical discussions about [[God (RDM)|God]]'s plan


Overall the three storylines evident in the episode – escaping the Cylons, Baltar and Six and Helo on Caprica - are cleverly interwoven, with the main storyline; the Baltar / Six relationship in particular intersecting smoothly through the crisis involving the Olympic Carrier, while the Helo subplot is given enough exposure to engage us and deflect attention from the "A" story sufficiently to heighten the drama, without actually interrupting the overall story flow.  
The addition of pages 3A and 4A represents last-minute scene additions or expansions to the opening sequences of the episode. This revision occurred just four days before the final script compilation on May 14, 2004, suggesting final refinements to the crucial opening moments that establish the episode's tone and the 33-minute cycle premise.


Indeed, such is the subtlety of the Helo sub-plot that the questions it raises don't really reveal themselves until a second viewing, and you realise they are related to the central Cylon theme: why does Six ask him if he is alive? He clearly is, and the question is not a reference to either his leg wound or his radiation-induced sickness. Nor is it simply a throwback to her "sister's" first words to the Colonial officer at Armistice Station. It is something that appears to go to the very centre of Cylon reasoning.
=== Notable Omissions and Plot Changes ===


Similarly, while it could be over-sensitivity given the amount of time the Valerii on Caprica was on-screen, but one couldn't help but feel she was perhaps a little too human; too familiar with Helo? It seems odd that she is introduced to Helo through the "killing" of the Six construct. Why resort to the "murder" of one of her own? Was this simply to establish her credibility in the eyes of Helo? Could she not have found another way to make contact with Helo? Contrasted with the comments regarding Boomer's heritage back at Galactica, are the writers attempting to imply something?  Could it bee that BOTH the Valerii characters are Cylons that believe themselves to be human?
The final script shows significant content removal that affected key character development and world-building elements:


Time will tell - but it will be interesting to see how the Helo/Valerii/Caprica arc is followed-up.
'''Scenes 46-63 (End of Act One):''' These 18 omitted scenes originally followed the establishment of Dr. [[Amarak]]'s importance and [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s growing panic.<ref name="moore_33_script_omitted_scenes_act_one">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.50, script p.45}}</ref> Based on the surviving content, this likely included extended character interactions and setup for the memorial hallway sequence.


But, in discussing the role of Cylon agents, there is a potentially interesting throwaway comment in this episode that might be an indication that something is amiss in the fleet: in discussing the number of survivors, Roslin asks why the total has dropped by 300. Billy responds that some over-counts were made (understandable), that there have been deaths from wounds (possibly people picked up from the 12 colonies), and some seem to have simply "disappeared" during the last Cylon attack (witnessed prior to jump 237).
'''Memorial Hallway Sequence:''' The script contains detailed scenes showing [[Anastasia Dualla|Dualla]]'s visit to a communications office where she attempts to locate missing family members from [[Sagittaron]], learning that 5,251 survivors from her home colony have been accounted for.<ref name="moore_33_script_dualla_sagittaron_survivors">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.45, script p.40}}</ref> This leads to the powerful [[memorial hallway]] scene where "the sheer number of the faces...hits Dualla in the chest" as she encounters the improvised memorial wall covered with "photos, descriptions of loved ones, small drawings, tributes" where crew members are "putting up photos, touching the faces of missing loved ones, praying, or just staring at the faces."<ref name="moore_33_script_memorial_wall_description">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.47, script p.42}}</ref>


"Disappeared"? How? No ships were destroyed during the attack / jump, so how do people just "disappear"? Again, is this simply an error in the script, or are the writers trying to point at something deeper?
'''Pilots' Ready Room "Lest We Forget" Photo:''' The script provides extensive detail about the iconic photo that pilots touch before missions, describing it as showing "a Colonial soldier with his back to the camera, standing on a rooftop, looking out over a city. Dark clouds of smoke rise up from the city. A Colonial flag ripples in the breeze above his head."<ref name="moore_33_script_lest_we_forget_photo_description">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.46, script p.41}}</ref>


All that said, the episode isn't without some flaws.  
'''Scenes 87-93 (Act Two):''' Seven consecutive scenes were omitted between the patrol setup and [[Laura Roslin]]'s exhausted late-night work session.<ref name="moore_33_script_omitted_scenes_act_two">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.91, script p.86}}</ref> These likely contained additional character development showing the psychological toll of the relentless [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] pursuit.


===Nit-picks===
'''Scene 68 (Act Three):''' A single omitted scene at the beginning of Act Three,<ref name="moore_33_script_omitted_scene_68">{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.73, script p.68}}</ref> likely involving setup for the discovery of the ''[[Olympic Carrier]]''{{'|s}} disappearance.


*Why is Boomer's Raptor launched alongside Apollo's Vipers for what everyone is expecting to be an interdiction exercise against Cylon Raiders? It is a complete departure from previous actions: in the mini, CAG ordered Boomer to get her Raptor out of the way as his squadron went into to face the Cylon Raiders; at Ragnar, the Raptors weren't deployed against incoming Raiders, nor where they in evidence prior to jump 237 at the start of this episode. It is unclear whether Raptors are armed, or whether they would be effectively in an electronic warfare capability against Raiders, but the sudden presence of a Raptor in a Viper interdiction flight smacks of being a somewhat clumsy means of meeting the needs of the plot: obviously, the writers wanted Boomer there to handle the communications with Olympic Carrier & so heighten the perceived tension.  
'''Character Development Elements:''' The revisions particularly affected scenes showing the human cost of the crisis, including Dualla's personal search for family members, detailed casualty reports mentioning specific numbers of "nervous exhaustion" cases and suicides, and extended sequences showing crew members coping with grief and loss through the memorial wall.


*The 9/11 scene is, sadly, something of a misplaced element. Yes, 9/11 is a horror that stunned the world, and will always rightfully have a place in the memories of all Americans, but the use of a scene that so closely mirrors the aftermath of the site around the World Trade Centre to try and convey the sense of loss the Colonials are feeling is somewhat heavy-handed. More should have been done to impart this to the audience back in the mini (where Cylon strikes on the Colonial worlds were restricted to a few scenes of Caprica, and even then the outright and inevitable destruction was barely shown).
== Analysis ==
*'''Why did the Cylons come "every 33 minutes"?''' Short answer:  it was a number Ron Moore has stated he picked at random, with no other significance. The long answer is available in Ron Moore's blog entry of January 13, 2005:<ref group="commentary" name="moore_blog_33_minutes_random">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/why-33-minutes.php|title=Why 33 Minutes?|author=[[Ronald D. Moore]]|date=13 January 2005|publisher=SciFi.com Blog|accessdate=25 August 2025}}</ref>


*Similarly, the failure to openly resolve the issue of whether or not 1345 people were aboard the Olympic Carrier weakens the story. Indeed, Apollo's flyby of the ship is suggestive that she indeed wasn't carrying anyone any more - thus removing our feelings of horror one step further from the drama being played out on screen. In opting to remain ambiguous about the presence of humans aboard the ship, the writers very much weaken the entire “should we / shouldn’t we” argument as to whether the Colonials can fire on and destroy the ship. Should they have shown people clinging to the windows of the Carrier, staring back at Apollo in helplessness as he made his final fly-by? Perhaps; perhaps not - but out emotions would have been better engaged if we had at least seen some evidence that lives were going to be destroyed along with the Olympic Carrier.
<blockquote>The truth is, there's no real answer. It's just a random number that felt right when I came up with the idea that our people were under continuous, relentless attack since the end of the pilot. I wanted it to be a short interval, just long enough for them to grab a bite to eat, jump in the shower and maybe try to catch a catnap before dragging themselves back to their duty stations and begin the whole tedious, terrifying ordeal all over again.</blockquote>


*A final nit-pick comes with the reminder of Tigh's alcoholism. The by-play here didn't entirely fit, and came across as a clumsy reminder that the writers hadn't forgotten about Tigh's condition and would possibly be returning to it in the future. Better to have kept the focus on Adama's comments regarding driving and managing the crew.
<blockquote>A deeper truth is, I was never interested in coming up with an explanation for Why? Never. I mean, I suppose I could've come up with a sufficiently important-sounding bit of technobabble that would've made sense (you see, the Cylon double-talk sensors tracking the Olympic Carrier's nonsense drive signature needed 15 minutes to relay the made-up data wave through the pretend continuum, then the Cylon navigational hyper silly system needed another 10 minutes to recalculate the flux capacitor, etc.) but what would that have really added to the drama? How does explaining that 33 minute interval help our understanding of Laura's terrible moment of decision, or bring us to any greater knowledge of Dualla's search for her missing family and friends, or yield insight into Baltar's morally shattered psyche?</blockquote>


However, all this said, "33" serves as an excellent opening episode: the pacing is smooth, the storylines cleverly interwoven and combined without stepping on one another, and there are no hurried or harried resolutions. Arcs established in the mini are extended and new interactions given birth.
<blockquote>It doesn't, of course. The answer, however artfully it may (or may not) have been crafted can only subtract from the experience we have in watching the episode. Not knowing the how's or why's of the Cylon attack puts us in the same seat as the characters we're watching. They're in the dark, and we're in the dark. The relentless attack is unfathomable in its origin and unstoppable in its execution. It's mortality coming at you on a loop. If you only had 33 minutes before the next time you could die, what would you do? And what about the time after that? And the time after that? At a certain point, you stop caring about why it's happening, all you know is that it is happening, and it's happening to you.</blockquote>


--[[User:Ernestborg9|Colonial Archivist]] 11:59, 6 Jan 2005 (EST)
<blockquote>So the mystery of 33 will be permanent on this show. No explanation, not even the attempt. Let it just be a number that seemed like an eternity for five long days on the battlestar Galactica.</blockquote>


[[The mystery of 33]] remains, despite [[RDM]]s comments below that the number "33" was chosen at random. Random or not, 33 is quite a significant number and adds complexity to this episode, intentionally or not.
*The cast actually consulted with a sleep deprivation expert before this episode, making a large effort to accurately depict the effects of sleep deprivation on their characters, and it really comes through on screen. Rather than simply yawning alot and constantly saying "wow, I'm so tired," the cast met the series' goal of realistically portraying their symptoms: they behave aggravated, they start to forget things, their minds just start "slowing down".
** '''Note: The fact that the Cylons attack every 33 minutes may not be so random after all. We see the number 3 featured prominently in the episode [[Scattered]]: in a number of flashbacks that Colonel Tigh has, in a scene where [[Lt. Gaeta]] arranges three bars of soap together, and in the firewall that [[Gaeta]] devises to slow down the [[Cylon]] attack on the [[Galactica]]'s network, which involves networking three sub-systems. In addition, the [[Galactica]] sends a compliment of 3 [[Raptor]] dropships to survey the planet of [[Kobol]] in the episode "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming Pt. 1]]". While it may be a passing coincidence, it seems there is more to this mystery than meets the eye.
*The [[Messengers|Messenger Six]]'s motives, and her origins, become murkier, and Baltar's tendency to listen to her advice increases.
*Raptors are general purpose vehicles that handle reconnaissance, electronic countersurveillance on [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]]s, troop deploys and other tasks. In a [[You Can't Go Home Again|later episode]] a Raptor is used for rescuing ejected pilots during combat.
*The [[Memorial hallway]] scene continues the writers' allusion to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States to the events of the Miniseries through the use of the many memorials, the confusion in finding lost loved ones, and Dualla's amazement at the size of the memorial. (A [[Lest We Forget|picture of a Colonial soldier]] on one of the Colonies during its destruction also plays on the intense feelings felt by many Americans when they saw similar pictures of New York City firefighters at the ruins of the World Trade Center.)
*Despite his age, [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]] seems to be taking the sleep deprivation better than others.  He is shown waking people up in the CIC.  [[Chief Tyrol]] is seen doing the same on the hangar deck. Perhaps this is an early clue to their true nature {{TRS|Crossroads, Part II}}.


== Notes ==  
== Questions ==
 
=== Answered Questions ===


* Continuous jumping badly affects the FTL drives and management systems aboard Colonial vessels
{{answered questions|season=1|series=RDM|episode=33}}
* The Cylons have the same ability to undertake highly-accurate FTL jumps as the Colonials: 238 times they’ve managed to jump to the Colonial fleet and arrive with precise momentum and trajectory to be able to close the distance and launch an attack
* There are 5,251 people in the fleet from [[Sagittaron]]
* As of [[33]], there are 60 civilian ships in the ragtag fleet


== Noteworthy Dialogue ==
*[[Billy Keikeya]] reports that the [[Survivor count|number of survivors]] is down by 300 as a result of some being lost through death from injuries, initial inaccurate counts, and others having "disappeared." How can people simply "disappear" in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]?
*Is [[Messenger Six]] actually in contact with other [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]], and thus involved in the disappearance and reappearance of ''[[Olympic Carrier]]''?
*What happened to the group of survivors {{callsign|Karl Agathon}} was left with in the [[Miniseries]]?
*Was the person speaking over the wireless when the ''Olympic Carrier'' returned really its captain, or a humanoid Cylon?
*Were there any people aboard ''Olympic Carrier'' when it was destroyed?
*What is the Cylons' plan?


''Discussion on Stims between Lee & Kara''
=== Unanswered Questions ===


'''Lee:'''  "Hey, um, did you see the note from the XO?"<br>
*Did Doctor [[Amarak]] truly have something on Baltar's involvement in the holocaust?
'''Kara:'''  "I saw it.  No way."<br>
*Was Amarak even aboard ''Olympic Carrier''?
'''Lee:'''  "Kara, everyone else--"<br>
*How long was ''Olympic Carrier'' under Cylon control?
'''Kara:'''  "I don't fly with stims.  They fudge with your reflexes, reaction time."<br>
'''Lee:'''  "C'mon Kara, give me a break.  Just--"<br>
'''Kara:'''  "Why are we arguing about this?"<br>
'''Lee:'''  "I have no idea."<br>
'''Kara:'''  "Neither do I.  You're the [[CAG]], act like one."<br>
'''Lee:'''  "What does that mean?"<br>
'''Kara:'''  "It means that you're still acting like everyone's best friend.  We're not friends.  You're the CAG.  (beat)  'Be careful out there?'  Our job isn't to be careful, it's to shoot fraking [[Cylons]] out of the sky.  'Good Hunting' is what you say.  And one of your idiot pilots is acting like a child and refusing to take her pills.  So she either says 'Yes, sir' and obeys a direct order, or you smack her in the mouth and drag her sorry ass to sickbay and you make her take those pills."<br>
(beat; Lee bursts out with a chortle)<br>
'''Lee:'''  "Well, I'm glad I'm not working for you."<br>
'''Kara:''' "Damn right you're glad."<br>
'''Lee:'''  "So do I have to smack you in the mouth, Lieutenant?"<br>
'''Kara:'''  "No sir, I'll take my pills."<br>


== Official Statements ==  
== Official Statements ==  


<!-- Use bullets or standard paragraph form.  Please use links to sources!!! -->
=== Note on [["Lest We Forget"]] ===
<!-- If you wish to create the source within the Battlestar Wiki, then do so! -->
{{From RDM blog}}


=== {{from_RDM_blog}}: Why 33 minutes? ===
:"It's probably been asked before, but I'm curious as to whom[sic] is in the picture in the Viper Pilot's briefing room, facing away from the camera . . . the one the pilots, including [[William Adama|Commander Adama]], touch when they enter and leave? This is touching, and is a wonderful human element to the story. So who is it?"


:The truth is, there's no real answer. It's just a random number that felt right when I came up with the idea that our people were under continuous, relentless attack since the end of the pilot. I wanted it to be a short interval, just long enough for them to grab a bite to eat, jump in the shower and maybe try to catch a catnap before dragging themselves back to their duty stations and begin the whole tedious, terrifying ordeal all over again.
:There was a scene cut from [[33|"33"]] where we saw [[Laura Roslin]] being given her copy of the photo along with a card that said it was taken on the roof of the capitol building on Aerilon during the attack. The photo was inspired by the famous shot of the fire-fighters raising the flag at Ground Zero that became iconic. I thought the Colonies would have their own version of this&mdash;a snapshot taken in the moment that becomes a symbol of the day they can never forget and of all they had lost. The photo itself is of a soldier falling to his knees (possibly shot or simply overcome by emotion) as he stands on the rooftop overlooking the devastation of his city, while the Colonial flag waves at the edge of frame. The inscription below the photo on Laura's plaque reads, [["Lest We Forget"]] in itself a reference to the inscription on the watch presented to John Wayne's character in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."


:A deeper truth is, I was never interested in coming up with an explanation for Why? Never. I mean, I suppose I could've come up with a sufficiently important-sounding bit of technobabble that would've made sense (you see, the [[Cylon]] double-talk sensors tracking the <i>[[Olympic Carrier]]</i>'s nonsense drive signature needed 15 minutes to relay the made-up data wave through the pretend continuum, then the Cylon navigational hyper silly system needed another 10 minutes to recalculate the flux capacitor, etc.) but what would that have really added to the drama? How does explaining that 33 minute interval help our understanding of [[Laura Roslin|Laura]]'s terrible moment of decision, or bring us to any greater knowledge of [[Dualla]]'s search for her missing family and friends, or yield insight into [[Gaius Baltar|Baltar]]'s morally shattered psyche?
=== Comments from the Cast and Crew ===


:It doesn't, of course. The answer, however artfully it may (or may not) have been crafted can only subtract from the experience we have in watching the episode. Not knowing the how's or why's of the Cylon attack puts us in the same seat as the characters we're watching. They're in the dark, and we're in the dark. The relentless attack is unfathomable in its origin and unstoppable in its execution. It's mortality coming at you on a loop. If you only had 33 minutes before the next time you could die, what would you do? And what about the time after that? And the time after that? At a certain point, you stop caring about why it's happening, all you know is that it is happening, and it's happening to you.
*"Insomnia. Nobody has slept. Everyone's just coming to terms with the fact that they have lost everybody that they've loved or relate to."&mdash;[[Jamie Bamber]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]


:So [[the mystery of 33]] will be permanent on this show. No explanation, not even the attempt. Let it just be a number that seemed like an eternity for five long days on the [[battlestar]] <i>[[Galactica]]</i>.
*"It was a hard episode, because, you just had to basically fall apart."&mdash;[[Katee Sackhoff]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]


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


:"It's probably been asked before, but I'm curious as to whom is in the picture in the Viper Pilot's briefing room, facing away from the camera . . . the one the pilots, including [[Adama, William|Commander Adama]], touch when they enter and leave? This is touching, and is a wonderful human element to the story. So who is it?"
* ''Bamber discusses why "33" is his favorite episode:''<ref group="commentary" name="bensoussan_bamber_33_favorite">{{cite web|url=http://acedmagazine.com/content/view/677/1/|title=ACED Magazine: Battlestar Galactica: Cast Interviews|date=24 November 2007|accessdate=25 November 2007|last=Bensoussan|first=Jenna}}</ref>
: My favorite episode...I'd say "33"...the very first one, just because that was the unknown. We were in an unknown situation. We'd made a decent [[Miniseries|mini-series]] and we were all very excited. To read that script, I thought structurally it was really compelling. It was kind of a nutshell of what the whole of our story is, which is a nightmare, waking up constantly to find that the monster is on you again, and that's basically the modus operandi of the show, and Ron [Moore] captured it in one episode. I think that is really the perfect episode of ''Battlestar Galactica''.


:There was a scene cut from [[33|"33"]] where we saw [[Roslin, Laura|Laura]] being given her copy of the photo along with a card that said it was taken on the roof of the capitol building on Aerilon during the attack. The photo was inspired by the famous shot of the fire-fighters raising the flag at Ground Zero that became iconic. I thought the Colonies would have their own version of this -- a snapshot taken in the moment that becomes a symbol of the day they can never forget and of all they had lost. The photo itself is of a soldier falling to his knees (possibly shot or simply overcome by emotion) as he stands on the rooftop over looking the devastation of his city, while the Colonial flag waves at the edge of frame. The inscription below the photo on Laura's plaque reads, [["Lest We Forget"]] in itself a reference to the inscription on the watch presented to John Wayne's character in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."
* ''[[Tahmoh Penikett]] on filming the Caprica sequences:''<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_penikett_33_caprica_filming">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=46|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
: I loved doing '33'. It was great to come back to Helo and show him trying to survive on the planet. It was grueling to shoot that episode — I did so much running that I was a little sore the next day! But that was just an awesome episode to work on.


=== Comments from the Cast ===
* ''[[Bear McCreary]] on scoring the Olympic Carrier destruction:''<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_mccreary_olympic_carrier_score">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=47|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
: At a surface level, that sequence looks like an action scene, so I put it against a backdrop of driving frame drums and taikos. But as the scene ultimately boils down to the terrifying decision that the main characters must make, I layered in dark orchestral textures and ambient soloists to play more to the drama and less to the spectacle. The result was one of my favorite cues for the entire series.


*"Insomnia. Nobody has slept.  Everyone's just coming to terms with the fact that they have lost everybody that they've loved or relate to." -- [[Jamie Bamber]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]
* ''[[Ronald D. Moore]] on the episode's success:''<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_moore_33_assessment">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=47|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
: I was very pleased with '33'. I think the teaser is terrific, the thirty-three minute loop is an interesting concept, and it's just interesting to watch the characters getting exhausted. I think it turned out great.


*"It was a hard episode, because, you just had to basically fall apart." -- [[Katee Sackhoff]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]
* ''[[Edward James Olmos]] on the episode's impact:''<ref group="commentary" name="bassom_olmos_33_courageous">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=47|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
: I thought '33' was phenomenal. I loved it. It was so damned courageous.


*"Episode 1 is extremely docu-style because the characters haven't actually slept for five days (sic) and they have been running from the Cylons for the 250th time.  And its very stressful and they're about to lose the plot completely because of sleep deprivation." -- [[Michael Rymer]], [http://scifi.com/battlestar/bts/video/mov/video_06_320.mov]
=== Excerpt from the Official Companion ===
In ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]'', the dedicated performance by the cast, trying to accurately and realistically depict extensive sleep deprivation on-screen, was explained:<ref group="production" name="bassom_olmos_sleep_deprivation_process">{{cite book|last=Bassom|first=David|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|page=46|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
:"''Battlestar Galactica<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s first season première required the show's cast members to depict their characters under extreme physical and emotional duress, as they faced sleep deprivation and the constant threat of Cylon attack.  This unique and intriguing acting challenge prompted Edward James Olmos to enlist the assistance of a sleep deprivation expert, who met with the cast shortly prior to the starting of shooting. Olmos and several other cast members also restricted their sleeping patterns a few days before filming, to gain a better understanding of sleep deprivation.


== Statistics ==
:"I rested just before we actually shot the episode, because I didn't want to go on-camera exhausted," explains Olmos.  "But in the week before shooting, I only had about three hours of sleep per night and I studied myself to get to know how to pay the symptoms of sleep deprivation.  About two days away from shooting, I was sitting in this meeting and everyone was looking at me as I tried to make sense.  I told everyone, "This is what happens when you go without sleep — you don't act funny or yawn all the time, it's more the case that your mind doesn't function correctly".  The doctor later expanded on this, and pretty soon everyone was tuned in.  So when we went into the episode, everyone knew exactly what they were doing, and it was beautiful to watch."" (page 46)


<!-- All the odds and ends items go here. -->
== Noteworthy Dialogue ==


=== Guest Stars ===
*''[[Gaius Baltar]] is having a vision of climbing into bed with [[Messenger Six]]:''
<!-- Please use this format when listing actor/characters. -->
:'''Six:''' You know you're not safe.
<!-- Also don't forget to link characters through the Wiki by using the brackets: [[ ]] -->
:'''Baltar:''' No, course not.  The Cylons will follow us again, as they have the last two hundred and thirty seven times.<ref>{{cite script|writer=Ronald D. Moore|script=33|title="33" Script|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Sources:33|pages=PDF p.36, script p.31}}</ref>
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Alonso+Oyarzun Alonso Oyarzun] as [[Socinus]]
:'''Six:''' You're right, you know. There are limits. Eventually you'll make a mistake.
*[http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Nicki+Clyne Nicki Clyne] as [[Cally]]
:'''Baltar:''' And then you'll kill us all. Yes. Yes, I know, but... not for another thirty-three minutes.
<!-- Please link people to the Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB). -->
<!-- Example of Link [http://us.imdb.com/M/person-exact?+Edward+James+Olomos Edward James Olmos] -->


=== Writing & Direction ===
*{{audio|33tighspeech.mp3|''Tigh and Adama addressing the CIC crew:''}}
:'''Colonel Tigh''': Yes, we're tired. Yes, there is no relief. Yes, the Cylons keep coming after us time after time after time. And yes, we are still expected to do our jobs!
:'''Commander Adama''': We make mistakes, people die. There aren't many of us left.


*Written by {{RDM|33}}
* ''When Lee Adama and Kara Thrace are on ''Galactica'''s flight deck:''
*Directed by {{Michael Rymer|33}}
:'''Lee Adama''': Hey, did you see the note from the XO?
:'''Kara Thrace''': I saw it. No way.
:'''Lee Adama''': Kara, everyone else--
:'''Kara Thrace''': I don't fly with stims. They fudge with your reflexes, your reaction time.
:'''Lee Adama''':  Come on, Kara, give me a break. Just--
:'''Kara Thrace''': Why are we arguing about this?
:'''Lee Adama''': I have no idea.
:'''Kara Thrace''': Neither do I. You're the [[CAG]], act like one.
:'''Lee Adama''':  What does that mean?
:'''Kara Thrace''': It means that you're still acting like everyone's best friend. We're not friends. You're the CAG. "Be careful out there?" Our job isn't to be careful, it's to shoot frakking [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] out of the sky. "Good Hunting" is what you say. And one of your idiot pilots is acting like a child and refusing to take her pills. So she either says "Yes, sir" and obeys a direct order, or you smack her in the mouth and drag her sorry ass to [[sickbay]] and you make her take those pills.
:(Lee and Kara both start laughing)
:'''Lee Adama''': Well, I'm glad I'm not working for you.
:'''Kara Thrace''': (laughing) Damn right you're glad.
:'''Lee Adama''': So do I have to smack you in the mouth, Lieutenant?
:'''Kara Thrace''': No sir, I'll take my pills. (takes pills from Lee) Perfect.
:'''Lee Adama''': Carry on.
:'''Kara Thrace''': (half-heartedly saluting) Yes, sir.


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


=== Production Notes ===
== Guest stars ==
*[[Michael Hogan]] as Colonel [[Saul Tigh]]
*[[Aaron Douglas]] as Chief [[Galen Tyrol]]
*[[Tahmoh Penikett]] as Lieutenant [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]]
*[[Kandyse McClure]] as Petty Officer [[Anastasia Dualla]]
*[[Paul Campbell]] as [[Billy Keikeya]]
*[[Alessandro Juliani]] as Lieutenant [[Felix Gaeta]]
*[[Samuel Witwer]] as {{callsign|Crashdown}}
*[[Alonso Oyarzun]] as Specialist [[Socinus]]
*[[Nicki Clyne]] as Specialist [[Cally Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]
*[[Guyle Fraizer]] as [[Colonial One co-pilot|''Colonial One'' co-pilot]] (uncredited)
*[[Wayne Rose]] as [["Lest We Forget"|"Lest We Forget" Soldier]] (uncredited)


*Series: 1 (2004 / 2005)
== References ==
*Production Number: 1.01
*Airdate Order: 1 (of 13)


=== First Run Air Dates & Releases ===
=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}


*UK Airdate: 18 October 2004 (Sky One)
=== Production History ===
*US Airdate: 14 January 2005 (Sci-Fi Channel)
{{reflist|group=production}}
*DVD Release: 28 March 2005 (UK)


{{Episode List}}
{{episode list (RDM season 1)}}


[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Ronald D. Moore]]
[[Category:Episode Guide (RDM)]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Michael Rymer]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:RDM]]
{{audio playback
| diff= 87831
| filename= 33_episodeguide.mp3
}}
[[de:33 Minuten]]
[[fr:Épisode:33 minutes]]
{{#related:Olympic Carrier}}
{{#related:The Plan}}

Latest revision as of 04:47, 2 September 2025

33
"33"
An episode of the Re-imagined Series
Episode No. Season 1, Episode 1
Writer(s) Ronald D. Moore
Story by
Director Michael Rymer
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No. 101
Nielsen Rating 2.6
US airdate USA 2005-01-14
CAN airdate CAN 2005-01-15
UK airdate UK 2004-10-18
DVD release 20 September 2005 US
28 March 2005 UK
Population 50,298 survivors
Additional Info Series Premiere
Full Credits
Episode Chronology
Previous Next
Miniseries, Night 2 33 Water
Related Information
Official Summary
R&D Skit – View
Continuity Errors Present – View
Deleted Scenes
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
Photo Gallery @ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition


Continuing from the events of the Miniseries, Galactica and the Fleet must avoid their Cylon pursuers, which ambush them every 33 minutes after each successful jump.

Summary

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On Galactica

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  • The crew of battlestar Galactica have been on continuous alert for some 130.35 hours, during which time the Fleet has had to make an FTL jump every 33 minutes to escape their Cylon pursuers shortly after their initial escape from Ragnar Anchorage.
  • Everyone in the Fleet is beginning to feel the strain – particularly Gaius Baltar, who is also distracted by Six's repeated conversations about God having a plan for him, and also her wanting to have his children.
  • Vessels in the Fleet are also beginning to feel the strain: Jump engines and their controlling computers are starting to breakdown or malfunction, requiring Galactica to linger longer and longer in the Cylon line of fire while the rest of the fleet complete their jumps.[1] As reported in the CIC, "ten [ships are] still reporting trouble with their FTL drives. Including Colonial One."[2]
  • Anastasia Dualla finds time to visit a team of people who are cataloging survivors in the Fleet. When she cannot leave her photos to aid in searching for her loved ones, she is amazed to see a corridor that has been converted into a makeshift memorial.
  • Elsewhere, Sharon "Boomer" Valerii is having problems accepting her new ECO, Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo, and is feeling guilty about leaving Karl "Helo" Agathon on Caprica to his fate.[3]
  • Following jump number 237, President Roslin receives word from a Dr. Amarak aboard the Olympic Carrier concerning information on how the Cylons overcame Colonial defenses.[4]
  • Overhearing the conversation, Baltar is worried: he knew Amarak at the Ministry of Defense. As Six points out, Amarak might have information on Baltar's complicity with the Cylon attack.
  • There is insufficient time before the next jump to bring Amarak aboard Colonial One, but Roslin wants to see him directly after the jump has been completed.
  • When the next jump is made, the Olympic Carrier, complete with Dr. Amarak and 1,344 other souls, fails to appear with the rest of the Fleet.[5] Six tries to convince Baltar that it is because God is watching over him.[6]
  • Thirty-three minutes later, the Fleet is ready to jump, but the Cylons don't appear. Adama orders a stand-down from the immediate alert, but the Fleet is to maintain a readiness to jump, in case the Cylons do return.
  • When Baltar continues to refuse the concept of God, the Olympic Carrier reappears; Commander Adama orders the Fleet to Condition One alert, fearing the worst. He orders the jump clocks reset in anticipation of the Cylons arriving.
  • The Combat Air Patrol lead by Lee "Apollo" Adama intercepts the starliner. Adama orders all communications with the Carrier jammed and the Carrier is ordered (through signal lamps) to remain at its current position. When the Carrier fails to heed orders not to approach the fleet, tensions rise, and a radiological alarm reveals there is now a nuclear weapon on the liner.
  • As the crisis deepens, the Cylons appear precisely 33 minutes after the return of the Carrier, confirming that the Carrier was used somehow by the Cylons to track the Fleet. Adama wants to destroy the liner, but Roslin hesitates to give the order, as no one can be sure if the 1,345 people aboard the Carrier are still alive. Baltar is terrified she won't give the order for fear of Amarak's information.[7]
  • Six uses the hesitation to push Baltar into "repenting" before God. As soon as he does, Roslin gives the order to destroy the liner.[8] Apollo and Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (reluctantly) open fire, destroying the liner. After the Fleet makes a jump once more, the Cylons' relentless pursuit is halted.
  • A day later, everyone is living with the consequences of their actions. Only Billy Keikeya has a small nugget of good news: at some point in the proceedings, a baby was born in the Fleet aboard Rising Star.[9]

On Caprica

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  • Karl "Helo" Agathon is on the run in the rainy woodland, and has Claymore-like ordnance he uses to blow up pursuing Cylon Centurions.
  • Helo's six days on the run comes to an end when he is captured by the Cylons, after being distracted by the appearance of a Number Six, wearing a white raincoat.
  • Helo is "rescued" by a copy of Sharon Valerii, who shoots Six and then leads Helo away into the woods. Helo mistakenly believes that this Valerii copy is actually the "Boomer" copy that left Caprica and returned to rescue him.

Notes

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Episode Notes

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  • Continuous jumping badly affects the FTL drives and management systems aboard commercial Colonial vessels, which are not as rugged as Galactica's military-issue drives.[10] Colonel Tigh notes that "damned civilian crews" often don't begin jump preparation "until five minutes before the mark," while Galactica requires "ten minutes to calculate Jump coordinates [and] another five to program the computers."[11]
  • The Cylons' FTL technology is more precise than the Colonials'. 238 times they manage to pounce on the Colonial fleet, arriving with precise momentum and trajectory to be able to close the distance and launch an attack. In the Season 2 episode "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I," it is explained that the Cylons have far better navigational computers which allow more accurate jump plots and a greater range.
  • According to Socinus, there are 5,251 people in the Fleet from Sagittaron.
  • The head count of Colonial citizens at the end of the episode is 47,973.
  • At first glance, there appears to be an error with Billy Keikeya's math with the survivor count. The episode starts with the count being 50,298. He informs Roslin this is in error by 300 = 49,998 survivors. When the Olympic Carrier is destroyed (1,345 people), he reduces the total to 47,972 – that's a reduction of 2026, or 681 people more than listed on the Carrier. However, in deleted scenes from this episode, Keikeya is actually reducing the survivor count additional times set between the beginning of the episode and the destruction of the Olympic Carrier. These other deaths just occur off-screen.
  • The episode shows the devastating effects of sleep deprivation on the crew. In the script, Cally is described as "mentally burnt, strung-out, right on the edge" while questioning "Why is it always thirty-three minutes?"[12] Commander Adama cuts himself while shaving due to "sleep deprivation and fatigue causing him to lose focus."[13]
  • The Fleet's deteriorating condition is evident in Adama's reports of "twelve more cases of nervous exhaustion" bringing the total to "sixty-one total. Ten suicides," leading him to order stimulant injections for crew and pilots.[14]

Continuity Errors and Retcons

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  • As of "33," there are 60 civilian ships in the Fleet. This number is retconned up from the Miniseries.
  • Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo wears a patch of the battlestar Triton on his flight suit, which fits to Boomer's comment that she has been saddled with a "refugee from Triton." Triton's battlestar group number is 39, but is erroneously displayed on the patch as BST-39 instead of BSG-39. The costuming department very likely assumed that "BSG" stands for "Battlestar Galactica" and changed the last letter accordingly. However, "Water" and Pegasus' patches establish that it stands for "battlestar group."
  • The Colonial One co-pilot appears briefly when he notifies Billy Keikeya about Colonial One's FTL issue, wearing a Colonial Fleet junior flight wing pin instead of the civilian flight wing pin from his appearance in the Miniseries.
  • The disparity between "Intersun" featured on Colonial One's hull and "Eversun" on the patches worn by One's crew continues.

Production Notes

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  • This episode won the 2005 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.
  • Cally Henderson's scenes were added during the Goldenrod revision phase in May 2004, as indicated by "Cally - ADDED" notation in the cast list, showing her role was expanded after initial script completion.[15]
  • When Season 1 premiered in the United States, "33" and "Water" aired back-to-back as a two hour TV event. This was also the case when Season 3 first aired in the United States with the episodes "Occupation" and "Precipice".
  • When the first few episodes of the series began airing in the US on the Sci Fi Channel, title cards were shown at the beginning of each episode, i.e. "33" or "Water" flashing in white letters on a black screen, and then the episode would begin. These episode titles stopped midway in Season 1.
  • Zoic visual effects artists hid small signs of movement within the Olympic Carrier in close-up effect shots as something of a morbid joke. Lights in the windows appear to flicker on and off rather rapidly and when slowed down there is some kind of movement visible on the inside of the ship. Originally, the scene was to confirm the existence of civilians inside the ship by showing civilians peering out the windows.[production 1]
  • In the DVD commentary for this episode, Ron D. Moore states that during the scene when Dualla hands Commander Adama a set of reports that he reads aloud (including fuel shortages, dozens of crewmen breaking down from nervous exhaustion, etc), Edward James Olmos ad-libbed "and ten suicides" in one take. The production team really liked the ad-lib, and thought the way Olmos acted the scene was fantastic. However, there were concerns that the network would think this would make an already extremely "dark" episode far too dark and alienate the audience during the premiere, and the line was reluctantly cut.
  • While waiting to film a Viper sequence for this episode at 11 or 12 o'clock at night, Katee Sackhoff fell asleep inside the Viper cockpit.[production 2]
  • To add realism to the sleep deprivation motif, Olmos enlisted the aid of a sleep deprivation expert and also curtailed his sleeping habits to a maximum of three hours per night, noting how it affected him. With the help of this expert, he relayed to the rest of the crew how deprivation affects the human body and mind. Additionally, director Michael Rymer told the actors to choose one symptom to play, so as to avoid distracting repetition.[production 3]

Script Revisions

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The "33" script underwent extensive revisions during production, with six distinct revision cycles spanning over a month of pre-production work.[16]

April 2, 2004: White Pages (1-62)

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Initial complete script draft encompassing the full 62-page teleplay, establishing the basic structure of the episode across four acts plus teaser.

April 12, 2004: Full Blue Revision (1-55)

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Comprehensive rewrite reducing the script length by 7 pages, indicating significant structural changes. This major revision likely involved cutting entire scenes or consolidating sequences to tighten the narrative pacing.

April 13, 2004: Pink Revision

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Targeted revisions to 24 specific pages affecting key narrative sequences:

  • Pages 8, 10: Colonial One FTL issues and hangar deck scenes with Cally's sleep-deprived questioning of the 33-minute pattern
  • Page 12: Kara Thrace and Lee Adama's dialogue about jump counts reaching "two thirty-seven"
  • Page 14: Baltar's intimate scene with Six in his house, establishing the "Time's up" motif
  • Pages 18-19: Combat sequences with Cylon attack aftermath and jump preparations
  • Pages 21, 21A, 21B: Expansion of Act One scenes (new pages 21A and 21B suggest significant additions to character interactions)
  • Pages 23-24: Post-jump sequences with Colonial One's appearance and Baltar's transition between reality and his house visions
  • Page 26: Baltar's philosophical conversation with Six about belief systems
  • Page 33: Jump 237 completion and fleet status reports
  • Page 35: End of Teaser with Baltar and Six's intimate moment as the clock ticks
  • Pages 38-39: Adama and Tigh's conversation about fleet jump preparations and civilian crew delays
  • Page 42: Memorial hallway sequence showing Dualla's emotional encounter with the wall of missing persons
  • Pages 44-45: "Lest We Forget" photo presentation to President Roslin and Baltar's conversation with Six about having children
  • Pages 47-50: Dr. Amarak introduction, Baltar's panic about potential exposure, and the setup for Olympic Carrier plot

The creation of pages 21A and 21B suggests significant expansion of early Act One material, likely enhancing character development and tension-building sequences.

April 16, 2004: Yellow Revision

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Extensive changes to 31 pages with significant scene expansions:

  • Pages 2-3: Opening Viper squadron sequences and Lee Adama's countdown dialogue in his cockpit
  • Page 5: CIC scenes with Adama, Tigh, Gaeta, and Dualla monitoring jump preparations
  • Pages 7-8: Colonial One FTL computer issues and Laura Roslin's attempts to maintain confidence
  • Page 10: Cally's sleep-deprived questioning about the 33-minute pattern on the hangar deck
  • Pages 12, 12A: Expanded Viper pilot dialogue with new page 12A adding Lee Adama and Kara Thrace's conversation about jump counts reaching 237
  • Pages 13, 15: Baltar's house sequences and transition between reality and his visions
  • Pages 18-20: Extended combat aftermath and CIC activity during Cylon attacks
  • Pages 21, 21A, 21B: Continued expansion of Act One character development scenes
  • Pages 48-50, 50A: Olympic Carrier plot development with new page 50A likely expanding the resolution sequences
  • Pages 51-53: Final act sequences including the aftermath of the Olympic Carrier destruction

The addition of pages 12A and 50A indicates significant scene expansions at crucial narrative moments - the Viper pilot interactions and the episode's conclusion.

April 19, 2004: Green Revision

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Focused changes to 6 pages for final dialogue polish and technical adjustments:

  • Page 18: Combat sequences and Cylon attack aftermath refinements
  • Page 23: Post-jump sequences with Colonial One's appearance and fleet regrouping
  • Pages 29-30: Mid-episode character development and plot progression moments
  • Page 33: Jump 237 completion and critical fleet status reports
  • Page 45: Dr. Amarak introduction and Baltar's growing panic about potential exposure

This targeted revision suggests final dialogue polish and technical adjustments to key dramatic moments, including scenes involving Cylon attacks, jump completions, and character interactions.

May 10, 2004: Goldenrod Revision

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Final pre-production changes to 4 pages with last-minute scene additions:

  • Pages 3, 3A: Opening episode sequences with new page 3A expanding Lee Adama's Viper cockpit scenes and the countdown to the jump
  • Pages 4, 4A: Early teaser material with new page 4A likely expanding Baltar's house sequences and Six's philosophical discussions about God's plan

The addition of pages 3A and 4A represents last-minute scene additions or expansions to the opening sequences of the episode. This revision occurred just four days before the final script compilation on May 14, 2004, suggesting final refinements to the crucial opening moments that establish the episode's tone and the 33-minute cycle premise.

Notable Omissions and Plot Changes

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The final script shows significant content removal that affected key character development and world-building elements:

Scenes 46-63 (End of Act One): These 18 omitted scenes originally followed the establishment of Dr. Amarak's importance and Baltar's growing panic.[17] Based on the surviving content, this likely included extended character interactions and setup for the memorial hallway sequence.

Memorial Hallway Sequence: The script contains detailed scenes showing Dualla's visit to a communications office where she attempts to locate missing family members from Sagittaron, learning that 5,251 survivors from her home colony have been accounted for.[18] This leads to the powerful memorial hallway scene where "the sheer number of the faces...hits Dualla in the chest" as she encounters the improvised memorial wall covered with "photos, descriptions of loved ones, small drawings, tributes" where crew members are "putting up photos, touching the faces of missing loved ones, praying, or just staring at the faces."[19]

Pilots' Ready Room "Lest We Forget" Photo: The script provides extensive detail about the iconic photo that pilots touch before missions, describing it as showing "a Colonial soldier with his back to the camera, standing on a rooftop, looking out over a city. Dark clouds of smoke rise up from the city. A Colonial flag ripples in the breeze above his head."[20]

Scenes 87-93 (Act Two): Seven consecutive scenes were omitted between the patrol setup and Laura Roslin's exhausted late-night work session.[21] These likely contained additional character development showing the psychological toll of the relentless Cylon pursuit.

Scene 68 (Act Three): A single omitted scene at the beginning of Act Three,[22] likely involving setup for the discovery of the Olympic Carrier's disappearance.

Character Development Elements: The revisions particularly affected scenes showing the human cost of the crisis, including Dualla's personal search for family members, detailed casualty reports mentioning specific numbers of "nervous exhaustion" cases and suicides, and extended sequences showing crew members coping with grief and loss through the memorial wall.

Analysis

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  • Why did the Cylons come "every 33 minutes"? Short answer: it was a number Ron Moore has stated he picked at random, with no other significance. The long answer is available in Ron Moore's blog entry of January 13, 2005:[commentary 1]

The truth is, there's no real answer. It's just a random number that felt right when I came up with the idea that our people were under continuous, relentless attack since the end of the pilot. I wanted it to be a short interval, just long enough for them to grab a bite to eat, jump in the shower and maybe try to catch a catnap before dragging themselves back to their duty stations and begin the whole tedious, terrifying ordeal all over again.

A deeper truth is, I was never interested in coming up with an explanation for Why? Never. I mean, I suppose I could've come up with a sufficiently important-sounding bit of technobabble that would've made sense (you see, the Cylon double-talk sensors tracking the Olympic Carrier's nonsense drive signature needed 15 minutes to relay the made-up data wave through the pretend continuum, then the Cylon navigational hyper silly system needed another 10 minutes to recalculate the flux capacitor, etc.) but what would that have really added to the drama? How does explaining that 33 minute interval help our understanding of Laura's terrible moment of decision, or bring us to any greater knowledge of Dualla's search for her missing family and friends, or yield insight into Baltar's morally shattered psyche?

It doesn't, of course. The answer, however artfully it may (or may not) have been crafted can only subtract from the experience we have in watching the episode. Not knowing the how's or why's of the Cylon attack puts us in the same seat as the characters we're watching. They're in the dark, and we're in the dark. The relentless attack is unfathomable in its origin and unstoppable in its execution. It's mortality coming at you on a loop. If you only had 33 minutes before the next time you could die, what would you do? And what about the time after that? And the time after that? At a certain point, you stop caring about why it's happening, all you know is that it is happening, and it's happening to you.

So the mystery of 33 will be permanent on this show. No explanation, not even the attempt. Let it just be a number that seemed like an eternity for five long days on the battlestar Galactica.

  • The cast actually consulted with a sleep deprivation expert before this episode, making a large effort to accurately depict the effects of sleep deprivation on their characters, and it really comes through on screen. Rather than simply yawning alot and constantly saying "wow, I'm so tired," the cast met the series' goal of realistically portraying their symptoms: they behave aggravated, they start to forget things, their minds just start "slowing down".
  • The Messenger Six's motives, and her origins, become murkier, and Baltar's tendency to listen to her advice increases.
  • Raptors are general purpose vehicles that handle reconnaissance, electronic countersurveillance on CAPs, troop deploys and other tasks. In a later episode a Raptor is used for rescuing ejected pilots during combat.
  • The Memorial hallway scene continues the writers' allusion to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States to the events of the Miniseries through the use of the many memorials, the confusion in finding lost loved ones, and Dualla's amazement at the size of the memorial. (A picture of a Colonial soldier on one of the Colonies during its destruction also plays on the intense feelings felt by many Americans when they saw similar pictures of New York City firefighters at the ruins of the World Trade Center.)
  • Despite his age, Colonel Tigh seems to be taking the sleep deprivation better than others. He is shown waking people up in the CIC. Chief Tyrol is seen doing the same on the hangar deck. Perhaps this is an early clue to their true nature (TRS: "Crossroads, Part II").

Questions

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Answered Questions

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For answers to the questions in this section, click here.
  • Billy Keikeya reports that the number of survivors is down by 300 as a result of some being lost through death from injuries, initial inaccurate counts, and others having "disappeared." How can people simply "disappear" in the Fleet?
  • Is Messenger Six actually in contact with other Cylons, and thus involved in the disappearance and reappearance of Olympic Carrier?
  • What happened to the group of survivors Karl "Helo" Agathon was left with in the Miniseries?
  • Was the person speaking over the wireless when the Olympic Carrier returned really its captain, or a humanoid Cylon?
  • Were there any people aboard Olympic Carrier when it was destroyed?
  • What is the Cylons' plan?

Unanswered Questions

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  • Did Doctor Amarak truly have something on Baltar's involvement in the holocaust?
  • Was Amarak even aboard Olympic Carrier?
  • How long was Olympic Carrier under Cylon control?

Official Statements

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Note on "Lest We Forget"

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From RDM's Sci-Fi Channel Blog

"It's probably been asked before, but I'm curious as to whom[sic] is in the picture in the Viper Pilot's briefing room, facing away from the camera . . . the one the pilots, including Commander Adama, touch when they enter and leave? This is touching, and is a wonderful human element to the story. So who is it?"
There was a scene cut from "33" where we saw Laura Roslin being given her copy of the photo along with a card that said it was taken on the roof of the capitol building on Aerilon during the attack. The photo was inspired by the famous shot of the fire-fighters raising the flag at Ground Zero that became iconic. I thought the Colonies would have their own version of this—a snapshot taken in the moment that becomes a symbol of the day they can never forget and of all they had lost. The photo itself is of a soldier falling to his knees (possibly shot or simply overcome by emotion) as he stands on the rooftop overlooking the devastation of his city, while the Colonial flag waves at the edge of frame. The inscription below the photo on Laura's plaque reads, "Lest We Forget" in itself a reference to the inscription on the watch presented to John Wayne's character in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

Comments from the Cast and Crew

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  • "Insomnia. Nobody has slept. Everyone's just coming to terms with the fact that they have lost everybody that they've loved or relate to."—Jamie Bamber, [1]
  • "It was a hard episode, because, you just had to basically fall apart."—Katee Sackhoff, [2]
  • "Episode 1 is extremely docu-style because the characters haven't actually slept for five days (sic) and they have been running from the Cylons for the 250th time. And it's very stressful and they're about to lose the plot completely because of sleep deprivation."—Michael Rymer, [3]
My favorite episode...I'd say "33"...the very first one, just because that was the unknown. We were in an unknown situation. We'd made a decent mini-series and we were all very excited. To read that script, I thought structurally it was really compelling. It was kind of a nutshell of what the whole of our story is, which is a nightmare, waking up constantly to find that the monster is on you again, and that's basically the modus operandi of the show, and Ron [Moore] captured it in one episode. I think that is really the perfect episode of Battlestar Galactica.
I loved doing '33'. It was great to come back to Helo and show him trying to survive on the planet. It was grueling to shoot that episode — I did so much running that I was a little sore the next day! But that was just an awesome episode to work on.
At a surface level, that sequence looks like an action scene, so I put it against a backdrop of driving frame drums and taikos. But as the scene ultimately boils down to the terrifying decision that the main characters must make, I layered in dark orchestral textures and ambient soloists to play more to the drama and less to the spectacle. The result was one of my favorite cues for the entire series.
I was very pleased with '33'. I think the teaser is terrific, the thirty-three minute loop is an interesting concept, and it's just interesting to watch the characters getting exhausted. I think it turned out great.
I thought '33' was phenomenal. I loved it. It was so damned courageous.

Excerpt from the Official Companion

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In Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion, the dedicated performance by the cast, trying to accurately and realistically depict extensive sleep deprivation on-screen, was explained:[production 4]

"Battlestar Galactica's first season première required the show's cast members to depict their characters under extreme physical and emotional duress, as they faced sleep deprivation and the constant threat of Cylon attack. This unique and intriguing acting challenge prompted Edward James Olmos to enlist the assistance of a sleep deprivation expert, who met with the cast shortly prior to the starting of shooting. Olmos and several other cast members also restricted their sleeping patterns a few days before filming, to gain a better understanding of sleep deprivation.
"I rested just before we actually shot the episode, because I didn't want to go on-camera exhausted," explains Olmos. "But in the week before shooting, I only had about three hours of sleep per night and I studied myself to get to know how to pay the symptoms of sleep deprivation. About two days away from shooting, I was sitting in this meeting and everyone was looking at me as I tried to make sense. I told everyone, "This is what happens when you go without sleep — you don't act funny or yawn all the time, it's more the case that your mind doesn't function correctly". The doctor later expanded on this, and pretty soon everyone was tuned in. So when we went into the episode, everyone knew exactly what they were doing, and it was beautiful to watch."" (page 46)

Noteworthy Dialogue

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Six: You know you're not safe.
Baltar: No, course not. The Cylons will follow us again, as they have the last two hundred and thirty seven times.[23]
Six: You're right, you know. There are limits. Eventually you'll make a mistake.
Baltar: And then you'll kill us all. Yes. Yes, I know, but... not for another thirty-three minutes.
Colonel Tigh: Yes, we're tired. Yes, there is no relief. Yes, the Cylons keep coming after us time after time after time. And yes, we are still expected to do our jobs!
Commander Adama: We make mistakes, people die. There aren't many of us left.
  • When Lee Adama and Kara Thrace are on Galactica's flight deck:
Lee Adama: Hey, did you see the note from the XO?
Kara Thrace: I saw it. No way.
Lee Adama: Kara, everyone else--
Kara Thrace: I don't fly with stims. They fudge with your reflexes, your reaction time.
Lee Adama: Come on, Kara, give me a break. Just--
Kara Thrace: Why are we arguing about this?
Lee Adama: I have no idea.
Kara Thrace: Neither do I. You're the CAG, act like one.
Lee Adama: What does that mean?
Kara Thrace: It means that you're still acting like everyone's best friend. We're not friends. You're the CAG. "Be careful out there?" Our job isn't to be careful, it's to shoot frakking Cylons out of the sky. "Good Hunting" is what you say. And one of your idiot pilots is acting like a child and refusing to take her pills. So she either says "Yes, sir" and obeys a direct order, or you smack her in the mouth and drag her sorry ass to sickbay and you make her take those pills.
(Lee and Kara both start laughing)
Lee Adama: Well, I'm glad I'm not working for you.
Kara Thrace: (laughing) Damn right you're glad.
Lee Adama: So do I have to smack you in the mouth, Lieutenant?
Kara Thrace: No sir, I'll take my pills. (takes pills from Lee) Perfect.
Lee Adama: Carry on.
Kara Thrace: (half-heartedly saluting) Yes, sir.
  • When Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh are talking outside the CIC:
Colonel Tigh: (grunting) Oh...a couple hours rack time does sound awfully sweet right about now...
Commander Adama: You deserve it.
Colonel Tigh: You know, the truth is, all this has me feeling...well, more alive than I have in years.
Commander Adama: You look that way too. It's good to see you without the cup in your hand.
Colonel Tigh: Ah, don't start.
Commander Adama: I know there's a whole lot of people on this ship, that wish you weren't feeling as good.
Colonel Tigh: (laughing) If the crew doesn't hate the XO, then he's not doing his job. Besides, I've gotta make the old man look good.
Commander Adama: I always look good.
Colonel Tigh: Look in the mirror.
Commander Adama: Seriously...
Colonel Tigh: Sir?
Commander Adama: It's one thing to push the crew. It's another thing to break them.

Guest stars

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References

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Commentary and Interviews

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  1. ↑ Ronald D. Moore (13 January 2005). Why 33 Minutes? (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). SciFi.com Blog. Retrieved on 25 August 2025.
  2. ↑ Bensoussan, Jenna (24 November 2007). ACED Magazine: Battlestar Galactica: Cast Interviews (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 25 November 2007.
  3. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 46.
  4. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 47.
  5. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 47.
  6. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 47.

Production History

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  1. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 47.
  2. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 44.
  3. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 46.
  4. ↑ Bassom, David (2005). ed. Adam "Adama" Newell Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books. ISBN 1-84576-0972, p. 46.


Re-imagined Series Episode List — Miniseries and Season 1


Battlestar Galactica (Re-Imagined) Miniseries (2003): Miniseries, Night 1 | Miniseries, Night 2

Battlestar Galactica (Re-Imagined) Season 1 (2004-2005) Episode List

33 | Water | Bastille Day | Act of Contrition | You Can't Go Home Again | Litmus | Six Degrees of Separation | Flesh and Bone | Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down | The Hand of God | Colonial Day | Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I | Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II | Next Season Episode >




  1. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.10, script p.5.
  2. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.9, script p.4.
  3. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.90, script p.85.
  4. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.36, script p.31.
  5. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.74, script p.69.
  6. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.32, script p.27.
  7. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.49, script p.44.
  8. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.49, script p.44.
  9. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.52, script p.47.
  10. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.44, script p.39.
  11. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.44, script p.39.
  12. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.15, script p.10.
  13. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.44, script p.39.
  14. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.69, script p.64.
  15. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.9, cast list.
  16. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.4, revision history.
  17. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.50, script p.45.
  18. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.45, script p.40.
  19. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.47, script p.42.
  20. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.46, script p.41.
  21. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.91, script p.86.
  22. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.73, script p.68.
  23. ↑ Ronald D. Moore.""33" Script".pp. PDF p.36, script p.31.
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