Earth

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Boomer analyzing a gamma frequency transmission ^{(TOS: "The Hand of God")}.

Earth is believed to be the home of the lost Thirteenth Tribe in the Original Series.

As told in the Book of the Word, the lost Thirteenth Tribe settles the planet Earth, following its exodus from Kobol from an environmental cataclysm that also caused the Exodus of the Twelve Tribes. As the Thirteenth Tribe left opposite the other Twelve Tribes, the information of their destination resided in the tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol, but could not be recovered before Lucifer's attack ^{(TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods")}.

Transmissions on an obsolete gamma frequency believed to be from Earth—the Apollo Moon Landing—are intercepted and recorded by Apollo in the celestial chamber. Further analysis of the recording proved impossible as the only copy of the transmission is destroyed in an attack on a Cylon basestar ^{(TOS: "The Hand of God")}.

Notes

• Due to the discovery of several planets possibly inhabited by humans of the Thirteenth Tribe, especially Terra and the Eastern Alliance, it may be assumed that Earth is very advanced in terms of technology, and could be more than a match for the Cylons.

• These planets may be inhabited by humans left behind by the Thirteenth Tribe on the trek to Earth (if not migrated and forgotten members of other Colonial habitations), and as such give no real clue as to Earth's status. The transmission of the Apollo 11 landing (which, barring other non-Einsteinian means, would travel at light-speed) could be used to define the distance between the Fleet and Earth.

• The events of Galactica 1980, set 30 years after the events in "The Hand of God" and recorded as its own divergent continuity, contradict this.

Dr. Zee's simulation of a Cylon attack on Los Angeles.

Thirty years after the Battle of Cimtar, the Fleet's quest to find the Thirteenth Colony of Earth becomes a reality.

Much to the dismay of Adama and his Galactica crew, their brother tribe on Earth was underdeveloped technologically in comparison to the destroyed worlds of the Twelve Colonies of Man and would not be able to defend themselves from any Cylon encounters. At the time of their arrival, the year is 1980 CE

Adama and Doctor Zee map out a plan to accelerate Earth technology to aid in their defense with Warriors Troy and Dillon leading expeditions to the planet ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.

Unfortunately, in addition to chance encounters by Cylon patrols, a rogue Quorum member, Xaviar, attempts to force Earth's technology advances with more dramatic and destructive means.

Composition

Earth's composition is very much astonishing to the Colonials. According to Adama, Earth's "proximity to the sun provides the only climate in the galaxy comfortably able to support life as we know it." Furthermore, he explains that seven-tenths of the Earth is ocean, which astonishes the council members and the Warriors present, but assures them that there's "plenty of room for all our people."

He further notes that the seven principal landmasses, two of which (Antartica and the North Pole) are polar ice caps, could be "easily reclaimed" by their technology (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I" ).

Technology

Mortinson's nuclear degeneration equation, after its correction by Troy ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.

At the time of 1980, nuclear power is a major concern on Earth, particularly due to the waste it generates. One of Earth's prominent nuclear physicists, Dr. Donald Mortinson, has been working on a theory to dissolve nuclear wastes (i.e. nuclear degeneration, a theory that Colonials are taught, though most apparently understand) for three years prior to the Galacticans arrival.

As such, Troy and Dillon leave a "calling card" and correct the formula, which Mortinson recognizes as one from an intelligent extraterrestrial society ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.

Notes

• Most of the Earth scenes in Galactica 1980 took place in Southern California, with the main exception of the time travel sequence to Nazi Germany (which still looked a lot like Southern California) and the trip that Troy and Dillon take to New York City.

• The memorable attack simulation by the Cylons, created by Doctor Zee, focuses particularly on Hollywood, as noted with the destruction of the Capitol Records Building. These scenes were recycled from the 1974 movie Earthquake, itself starring Lorne Greene (Adama).

• There were hints in the Original Series that Earth may be technologically advanced (e.g. Terra, the Silent One's drawing on Proteus). However, perhaps due to budgetary constraints in the sequel series, Earth was ultimately revealed to be the contemporary one.

• In the Galactica Discovers Earth novelization, Zee posits that, even with Galactican assistance, it will take 8 to 9 centuries before Earth could develop technology to withstand the Cylons.

See also

• Locations on Earth visited by the Galacticans

References

Earth, home of the Thirteenth Tribe, from orbit

Earth is the believed destination of the Thirteenth Tribe of Kobol, as attested in the Sacred Scrolls. Prior to its discovery, its existence is considered purely mythical and legendary within Colonial and Cylon societies. Earth is also the name of a planet Colonial survivors eventually settle after a long and arduous journey across space following the Fall of the Twelve Colonies.

Earth: Home of the Thirteenth Tribe

Beginnings

Earth, as it appeared before its destruction

Main articles: History of the Twelve Colonies and Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)

The legend of Earth begins at least four thousand years ago on Kobol, where Scriptures tell of the exodus of a Thirteenth Tribe of humanity during a period of great turmoil across the planet. It is said that "they traveled far and made their home upon a planet called Earth . . . which circled a distant and unknown star." While not many previously believed in Earth, there are artifacts rumored to point out the general direction to the planet. These rumors are later confirmed after the destruction of the Colonies (TRS: Miniseries, "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I").

Settlement and Development

For nearly two thousand years, the Thirteenth Tribe flourished on the planet, creating a civilization comparable to the Twelve Colonies before their fall, including development of their own robotics and artificial intelligence. Unbeknownst to Colonials or most Cylons, the Thirteenth Tribe was a flesh and blood race of artificial beings much like the humanoid Cylons, which were created on Kobol thousands of years ago. They originally relied on organic memory transfer technology to download into new bodies after their deaths. However, sometime after leaving Kobol, they gained the ability to reproduce sexually, and the technology fell out of use ^{(TRS: "No Exit")}.

The fact that the Tribe was artificial in nature is never fully revealed to the civilians of the fleet. To them, they were a society of humans that were destroyed by their robotic creations much like their society was four years prior.

Apocalypse

Main article: Final Five

Approximately two thousand years BCH, the Tribe's robotic creations rebelled against their creators, in an act of mutually assured destruction. The attack caught the population off guard, with many at work or enjoying leisurely activities. Evidence of people going about their lives is still visible on the remains millennia later. However, prior to the apocalypse, five individuals started seeing visions of strange people warning them of the upcoming cataclysm. The five worked hard to recreate the lost organic memory transfer technology, and built a ship in orbit to carry their experiments. After their deaths, the five were resurrected on this ship, and opted to follow the Tribe's original course back to Kobol, leaving Earth behind ^{(TRS: "Revelations", "Sometimes a Great Notion", "No Exit")}.

Earth's Fate

Earth's ruins, two millennia after the Fall of the Thirteenth Tribe

At the conclusion of the war, no survivors remained on either side, and Earth was left burning and irradiated. Despite lingering radioactive contamination, plant life gradually returned, and whatever ruins remained succumbed to nature and time. A large city on the planet visited by both Colonials and rebel Cylons was largely submerged in water and partly buried in sand.

Unable to support human life, the planet is abandoned days after its discovery, and is likely never visited again (TRS: "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I," "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II," "Revelations," "Sometimes a Great Notion").

A New Earth: The Promised Land

The Colonial's new home, as it appears from the moon's orbit

By an infinitesimal chance, a habitable planet is found by pilot Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, after she is able to extrapolate FTL jump coordinates from a song she used to play as a child. Lt. Thrace inputs these FTL coordinates into Galactica's FTL computer in a desperate attempt to escape from the Cylon Colony. Galactica, damaged from battle, limps into orbit of the planet.

As depicted in "Crossroads, Part II," this planet is located relatively close to the Ionian Nebula.

Diverse Wildlife

Earth's diverse wildlife

After Colonial recon of the planet, Earth is discovered to have a diverse range of wildlife, more than the Twelve Colonies put together. It also features a race of primitive hunter-gatherer humanoids, having evolved here separately from those on Kobol. Upon further study, these humanoids are discovered to be compatible with Colonial DNA, which opens up the possibility of Colonials and Cylons interbreeding with them.

Colonial/Cylon Settlement and Future Evolution

Survivors heading for shelter

With Galactica in pieces, and the Colonial Fleet not fairing any better, it is decided that the planet will be settled, with the remaining Cylons soon joining them. Plans begin for new cities to be built, but those plans are soon abandoned in favor of starting fresh in an attempt to break the historical cycle of violence. Colonial units scout the planet, and eventually determine the best possible chance for survival is to split the survivors into groups, and spread them across different sites around the globe. These locations are documented, and presented to each of the groups for future use. After the survivors set up their camps, the fleet and any remaining advanced technology are scuttled. The settlers christen this new planet "Earth," in honor of the promised land they have been chasing for four years.

The surviving Colonial and Cylon settlers and their descendants begin interbreeding with the indigenous humanoids, creating a new race, with the first human-Cylon hybrid becoming "Mitochondrial Eve," the most recent common matrilineal ancestor of all living humans. Her fossilized remains are uncovered nearly one hundred fifty thousand years later, around the time that another advanced human society is on the brink of major breakthroughs in robotics - much like the Twelve Colonies, the first Earth, and Kobol before them ^{(TRS: "Daybreak, Part II")}.

Notes

• Gaeta comments in "Revelations" that the constellations seen from orbit of the Earth they had just found match those seen in the Tomb of Athena. This was later proven incorrect, as those constellations are actually visible from a different Earth over one hundred centuries later ^{(TRS: "Daybreak, Part II")}. It would have been extremely improbable that the constellations visible from the Earth found in "Revelations" would have looked the same as those of New Earth. That being said, while on the first Earth, all of the constellations of Zodiac could all be seen at once-this is not possible on the current Earth.

• From what is known of the nature of navigation in FTL jumps, the odds of the coordinates used by Kara Thrace to jump Galactica from the Colony to the new Earth and actually achieving the end they did are no less than infinitesimal. One of the elements in FTL navigation is the point of origin. A point of origin is a necessary factor in many navigational forms in order to plot direction and distance to a required destination, and FTL navigation is no different. Essentially, what this means is that the coordinates entered by Kara Thrace into the FTL computer aboard Galactica would only jump the ship to its new Earth destination from the precise astral location of Galactica when it initiated the jump from the Colony. Given the coordinates' origins in the Music and the revelation that a divine entity is in some way shaping the events which have taken place in the series, as seen by Pythia, it could be suggested that the attack on the Colony and the resulting success and retreat were in some way destined. While this may seem logical, it is purely conjectural. The way these events have took place cannot be explained by rational means.

Official Statements

• Edward James Olmos jokingly describes how he thinks the Fleet could find Earth:

I personally — this is not [from] any of the writers, but my thing — I wanted to come into [the present day], find Earth, cruise on top of it, see it for what it is, and as we're coming down to it, we're blown up, we're nuked. And then [someone says to] the President of the United States, which is [George W.] Bush, "They've been taken care of. Thank God you saved the world again." And you turn, and you see who told him that, and it's one of the Cylons. [Laughs]

References

"Conquest of the Earth" A VHS cassette compiled from both the Original and Galactica 1980 series
Studio	MCA Universal
Rating
Running Time	99 minutes
Region	USA
Format	NTSC
Released	1988
UPC	096896604132
Chronology
Previous		Next
Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack (VHS)	Conquest of the Earth	none
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Conquest of the Earth is a VHS release, although it was also given a short theatrical release overseas. It contains edited and spliced together versions of "Galactica Discovers Earth" and "The Night the Cylons Landed," with footage from the Original Series.

Notes

• The opening sequence is composed mostly of footage from the original series.
• Adama's declaration that Earth has been found has been reedited.
• Adama's conversation with Dr. Zee about Earth being primitive is extended, giving a little more exposition about the Cylon threat (including visual images of them) and who Dr. Zee is. This was likely done for viewers who are unfamiliar with Galactica.
• In order to acknowledge two different actors playing Dr. Zee in the series, a voiceover indicates that there are two separate characters who are brothers, Dr. Zee (Robbie Rist) and Dr. Zen (Patrick Stuart), one 14 the other 16.
• There are a couple snippets of footage where we hear Robbie Rist's own voice instead of the adult dubbed voice that was used for him in the original episode.
• There is a clear romance between Dillon and Jamie Hamilton in this movie that was completely absent from the original Galactica 1980 episodes which the movie is composed of. The scenes which portray the romance are redubbed with the voice of a different actress. These scenes occur from 45:00 to 45:25, 50:00 to 54:00 and 1:34:00 to 1:35:15.
• Around 1:19:00, there is a funny moment when Centuri threatens to disintegrate Wolfman Jack. This is not in the original episode nor part of any deleted scene. It is exclusive to the movie.
• Also unique to the movie is a scene of Troy contacting the Galactica after arriving in New York, where Adama tells them the craft that's about to land is a Cylon craft. This was clearly a new shoot for the telemovie. There was no voiceover fix though when Dillon and Troy arrive at the crash site which repeats their surprise to discover it's a Cylon craft.
• In the scene where Troy and Dillon first meet Jamie, it is heavily edited to make it appear that Jamie already works for United Broadcasting whereas in the original episode she is applying for a job with them. As a result, the scene is much shorter, and several other scenes were able to be either shortened or omitted entirely.
• Another difference is that the Cylon humanoid Andromus tells Wolfman Jack that he and Centuri are federal agents from Washington.
• Footage is used of Baltar, Lucifer, and Spectre from the original series episode The Young Lords with certain parts of the dialogue redubbed. Spectre is in charge of the "communication baseship" with responsibility for making contact with the A-B patrol craft.
• Numerous scenes from the original episodes are omitted: The time travel adventure to Nazi Germany; Almost all of Xaviar's scenes; Dillon's phone call to Jamie from the police station; the attempted plane hijacking during the flight to New York; Centuri collapsing because of the microwave oven; the apartment catching fire; the muggers in Central Park confronting Troy and Dillon and then the Cylons; Troy and Dillon dancing on stage with cartoon characters like Yogi Bear; and most of Colonel Briggs's investigation at the police station and the hospital.
• The blurb on the back of the VHS box reads:

Far out in space, the ship Battlestar Galactica has at last found its long sought haven - Earth. Unfortunately, not far behind are their mortal enemies, the Cylons, who are determined to wipe out every Earthling in the Galaxy. The exciting action travels at warp speed through the Galaxies where life-and-death laser battles take place. Lorne Greene stars as Commander Adama in this thrilling space adventure in which the sky is literally the limit. So get ready for flying motorcyles, fabulous costumes and smashing visual effects as the Cylons and the Galacticans battle over the Conquest of the Earth.

To read a review of this telemovie, click here.

For more Galactica telemovies, see TV movies

External Links

Theatrical Poster

The theatrical poster for Conquest of the Earth.

"Galactica Discovers Earth" is the name of the three-part premiere episode of the series, Galactica 1980.

• Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I
• Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II
• Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III
• Galactica Discovers Earth (Book), a novelization of the episodes.

Notes

• When originally broadcast, these episodes were collectively referred as Galactica 1980. When the series was picked up, the episode title, "Galactica Discovers Earth," was used.

See Also

• "Revelations," where Galactica and her Fleet also discover a planet called Earth in the Re-imagined Series continuity.

NOTE: This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title If an article link referred you here, you might want to go back and fix it to point directly to the intended page.

This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. If an article link referred you here, you might want to go back and fix it to point directly to the intended page. Also, if you wanted to search for the term "Earth", click here.

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Berkley books separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

Galactica Discovers Earth A book of the Berkley Books line
Book No.	5
Author(s)	Michael Resnick
Adaptation of	Galactica Discovers Earth
No. of Pages	187 (2nd edition)
Published	December 1980 (1st edition) September 1981 (2nd edition) December 1982 (3rd edition)
ISBN	0425061256
Chronology
Previous		Next
The Young Warriors	Galactica Discovers Earth	The Living Legend
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Audiobook Version
Available at iTunes – [{{{itunes}}} Purchase]

Galactica Discovers Earth was a novelization of the original three hours of Galactica 1980 that was published after the series was canceled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1" Part 2 and Part 3.

Plot

Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, Dr. Zee's diary tapes, "reconstructed" transcripts and even newspaper clippings to lend a contemporary and urgent air to the text.

The novel strays far from the episodes, indicating that it was based on earlier story treatments. There is additional dialogue in the book, while whole sections from the television programs are missing. The basic plotline involving the search for Doctor Donald Mortinson (named Alfred Mortinson), and the time travel sequence to 1944, and Xavier finding Mortinson are all present. Chapters 35 through 39 deviate the most from the storyline and also deal with additional events that occur between "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III" and "The Super Scouts, Part I".

In these last chapters, we learn that Xavier has headed off into the past to several different time frames. Troy and Dillon follow him to Ancient Greece, to Europe during the Crusades, and to the time of the US Civil War. After he is intercepted—but eludes them—each time, Troy concludes that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth, since the Warriors will undoubtedly be able to stop Xaviar from making any changes to the timeline before they take hold permanently. Finally, Troy and Dillon again meet with Doctor Mortinson to make sure he is able to continue work using the formula they gave him, and Adama reflects on the promise the alliance between the Colonials and the people of Earth holds.

This novelization is an early example of writing by Mike Resnick who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author. Robert Thurston was the author originally contracted to write the book but since his wife was suffering from cancer, Resnick, a close friend of Thurston's, stepped in and wrote it in his place.

Differences From The Televised Pilot

• In an Adama Journals entry, we are told that Apollo was killed in battle with the Cylons (though we aren't given any details).
• As Galactica approaches Earth, many people in the fleet make bets as to how Earth will turn out: Earth is radioctive, Earth is primitive, Earth is too advanced to be bothered with them, Earth is planning to declare war on them. Dillon bets that the people of Earth already detected the Cylons and evacuated the planet in preparation for war.
• Adama experiences a major dose of culture shock when he watches images of Earth television such as a football game and a cartoon (Road Runner?), and he believes them to be barbaric.
• Dr. Zee is able to detect the Cylons because he notices there is an excessive amount of neutrino activity in the vicinity of Barnard's Star. He concludes that the increased neutrino activity is being caused by the power output of the Cylon fleet.
• Zee's creation of a projected Cylon attack on Earth is much more global, including attacks on Europe and other countries.
• The Turbines do not have flying capabilities.
• The motivation of the Hell's Angels attack on Troy and Dillon is explained. Further, the altercation doesn't end with the Warriors flying away on their turbocycle; instead, the Warriors manage to deal with all 20+ Hell's Angels in an altercation in a schoolyard, mostly stunning them.
• Instead of walking through the front door of the Pacific Institute of Technology and stunning the guard, Troy and Dillon enter the nearby sewer system and burn their way through the basement of the building. After burning their way to the first floor, they then decide to take the stairs after stunning two of the guards.
• Dr. Mortinson's hand is cut by the glass from the shattered window.
• Adama mentions to Xaviar that Troy saved Galactica from destruction during the last Cylon attack.
• It is established that the Colonials speak a different language than English. Troy and Dillon are able to use their advanced technology to quickly learn English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and a number of lesser dialects.
• The entire sub-plot dealing with Willy Griffin and his father discovering the Vipers is gone. The Vipers, however, are detected by military personnel. However, before they are taken away to a military base, Dillon and Troy are able to retake their craft non-violently and leave. Also, the plot of Troy, Dillon, and Hamilton sneaking into Van Nuys A.N.G. Base to recover the ships—including Xaviar's—is not present here.
• Jamie passes out during the time-warp to Nazi Germany because she has not gone through the conditioning procedures that Troy and Dillon have.
• The German soldiers who are temporarily stunned by the Colonials' lasers wind up being transfered to the Russian front where they presumably will be killed.
• Troy gets a knife in his stomach from a woman of the Resistance who suspects him to be a member of the S.S. Dillon then goes back to the vipers to get their advanced medicine. Unfortunately, his invisibility field runs out of energy before he can make it back, and he is forced to wait for hours before he can sneak back into the building. Troy is soon healed from the medicine.
• The Germans eventually discover them. Only one invisibility shield is working, and there is not enough room for all of them to hide so Troy voluntarily surrenders to the Nazis. He is tortured by the S.S. until Dillon arrives to free him.
• Jamie Hamilton quits her new job at the UBC, after Dana Anderson orders a trace on an incoming call made by Dillon—a "terrorist"—and having earlier voiced his belief that she was becoming sympathetic with these so-called "terrorists".
• Troy and Dillon are able to go for a week without eating because of a catalyst synthesized by Dr. Zee.
• Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel back to 1275 BCE because they believe Xaviar may have gone to seek out Moses. They find an old man with a cane walking along, but Troy decides it doesn't matter if this is Moses or not because Xaviar wouldn't bother to come back this far.
• Next, they travel to Athens in 457 BCE They find Xaviar's viper parked nearby. They then go back in time to the point where Xaviar first arrives. He spots them and quickly warps away again.
• They then travel to 1199 and stop Xaviar from preventing the assasination of Richard the Lion-Hearted (Cour de Lion). Xaviar planned to save him so he would be rewarded with political power. After being thwarted, Xaviar manages to escape again.
• The final stop is the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. They watch the battle in horror, but Xaviar never appears. They then head back to their own time.
• After pursuing Xaviar throughout time, and managing to thwart him the first few times, Troy surmises that Xaviar has given up altering the past, because each time he does so, the Warriors would be able to intercept him, as so long as they have the technology and the means to do so.
• Xaviar is still at large at the end of the story, although he has given up on trying to change Earth's past. Xaviar wants to create an empire for himself. He plans to hide somewhere in the present day and use his knowledge and superior technology to gain power. Xaviar wants the humans to live, but he is willing to bargain with the Cylons if necessary to achieve his aims.
• Troy completes the equation he had left Alfred Mortinson earlier.
• The book ends with an Adama Journals entry. Adama is hopeful for the future and believes they can successfully upgrade Earth's technology while leading the Cylons away from Earth. His final words are "We have begun!"

Characters

A list of characters and their analogues to the aired episode, if applicable.

Galacticans

Character	Biography
Commander Adama	Commander of Galactican fleet.
Lieutenant Dillon	Colonial Warrior and friend of Troy's.
Kip	Colonial Warrior assigned to contact sympathetic scientists in the United Soviet Socialist Republics.
Captain Troy	Colonial Warrior, son of Serena, and the Fleet's leading Warrior.
Xaviar	Former Colonial warrior and scientist who is incensed with Adama and Dr. Zee's method of accelerating Earth's technology. He believes the Galacticans fools and tries to use the time warp synthesizer to change Earth's past, but is continually thwarted by Dillon and Troy. His goal eventually turns from helping the Galacticans to power-lust, wanting to secure himself a place in history and live luxuriously.
Doctor Zee	Child prodigy. A cerebral mutation born in space. His origins are unexplained in the book (as opposed to the episode "The Return of Starbuck"), however his age as of this tale is 14. He is responsible for many of the Galacticans' scientific advancements, including the time warp synthesizer, a language educator, the invisibility fields, and other technological advancements.

1944 C.E.

Allied Forces and Others

Character	Analogue	Biography
Ramona Brandhorst	German resistance leader	Old lady part of the German underground. She owns Number Three Moranstrasse and stabs Troy in the gut, fearing him to be an SS officer out to kill her.
Charles de Gaulle	None	Leader of France's military who does not earn the respect of Col. Guidry. In his journal, Guidry notes that de Gaulle's obstructive actions almost prevent him from even leaving a French-held airfield to begin his mission of sabotage.
Col. John H. Guidry	Maj. Stockwell	American saboteur who is assigned to take out the V2 rocket in Obersalzberg. The Galacticans manage to enlist Guidry's help, despite his severe mistrust of them.
Unnamed Jewish girl	"Unnamed Jewish girl"	This young girl manages to escape the concentration camp-bound boxcar at the train station, making a beeline to Galactican's hidden position in Obersalzberg, and saved by the Galacticans.

Nazis

Character	Analogue	Biography
Oberleutnant Branham	None	German officer who finds the stunned Nazis who are summarily sent to the Russian front by General Yodel. Later, Branham brutally interrogates Troy after the Warrior is captured at Number Three Morganstrasse; Dillon subsequently stuns him and frees Troy.
Sgt. Josef Lammers	None	Nazi soldier who stops Troy out in the street, asking for Troy's papers. Troy manages to incapacitate him and deprive him of his clothing, which he uses to successfully arrive at Number Three Moranstrasse. Ironically, Troy's appearance as a soldier results in his being stabbed by Ramona Brandhorst.
Schlutter	None	Nazi soldier who is ordered to pursue Troy.
Col. Conrad Werner	Colonel Werner	Responsible for the V2 project in Obersalzberg and is responsible for involving Xaviar on the project.
Gen. Wilhelm Yodel	Gen. Yodel	High ranking Nazi officer who arrives to oversee a demonstration of the V2 rocket in Obersalzberg.

In a report from General Yodel, the following Nazi soldiers who are dispatched by Troy and Dillon were transferred to the Russian front: J. Huber, W. Blumenstritt, L. Steinhardt, W. Kappstadt, J. Streck, T. Straunning, L. Blaumann, and P. Plaga. Their commanding officer, J. Gansz, was recommended for immediate court martial.

1980 C.E.

Character	Analogue	Biography
Dana Anderson	Mr. Brooks	Jamie Hamilton's boss, and West Coast News Director of United Broadcasting Corporation, who tries to make a story out of Dr. Mortinson and his escapades with the Colonial Warriors.
Billjac the Crusher	Biker	A bearded Hell's Angel who is quickly dispatched by Troy and Dillon.
Stuart Brownstein	None	Professor at the UCLA Department of Astronomy, who points out in a news article that the UFOs (the Vipers) sighted could not be explained in any rationalized way, given their distinct flying patterns.
James William Cavin	Moran	The delusional lush that Troy and Dillon are locked in with; they use their invisibility fields and manage to fool the sergeant into opening the cell to investigate. Using this window of opportunity, the Warriors escape.
Ms. Davenport	Anne	Dana Anderson's uptight, abrasive secretary.
Col. Henry Becksworth Davies	Davies	General Wilson's aide, who denies reports of UFOs (Dillon and Troy's Vipers) to the press.
Donzo Gates	Donzo	Hell's Angel biker who tries to take Troy and Dillon's turbocycles.
Jamie Hamilton	Self	An up-and-coming reporter who encounters Troy and Dillon, only to be embroiled in their plans for Earth, and an asset to the Galacticans.
Professor Khalinov	None	Soviet scientist, possibly recruited by Kip, to help the Galacticans develop Earth's technology.
Sgt. Michael Lalor	Cop at Police Station	Police sergeant that discredits Jimmy the Lush's stories; he later discovers that the two Warriors have disappeared from police custody while still inside a locked cell.</ref>
Lizard Charlie	Biker	A Hell's Angel. Donzo Gates' "old lady" has been making eyes at him, hence Gates' decision to challenge Troy and Dillon.
Scott Miles	Jack Archer	Security guard at the Pacific Institute of Technology who tells Carlyle Tabakow about the intruders (Troy and Dillon) who are looking for Mortinson.
Chief Modzelewski	Police chief	Dana Anderson asks his secretary to get him in touch with this police officer.
Dr. Alfred Mortinson, Ph.D.	Dr. Donald Mortinson, Ph.D.	Nobel prize laureate and scientist looking for a safe way to deal with nuclear power. Recruited by Troy and Dillon to help the Galacticans accelerate Earth's technology.
Carlyle Tabakow	Dorothy Carlyle	Mortinson's secretary. Her journal entry notes her concern over Mortinson's sanity, as well as her own future job security.
Professor Rashid Tarid	None	Pakistani scientist recruited to help the Galacticans develop Earth's technology.
Gen. Tucker Wilson	General Cushing	Head of Strategic Air Command.

Analysis

• As with the episode, Mortinson apparently doesn't back up his computer files, since any work that Troy and Dillon would've done could be reverted with such a computerized data backup.

From "Sheba's Galaxy" Site

If there is any way to partially redeem Galactica 1980 (aside from the outstanding Return of Starbuck episode), Michael Resnick manages to do it with this book. He is able to write a strong adaptation of a fairly silly episode and make the characters seem more real and the events more interesting overall. Troy, Dillon, Jamie, and even Dr. Zee are done far more justice in this 187 page book than the ten episodes of the TV series ever did them.

The time travel elements of the story are much more interesting as Troy, Dillon, and Jamie travel to several different eras of the past besides Nazi Germany in their search for Xaviar, although the resolution of the time travel premise turns out to be a bit lame. The Colonials realize at the end that Xaviar ultimately cannot change history because all they have to do is simply keep traveling back to any era he meddles with as many times as it takes until they finally defeat him. This sounds logical (Or does it? Time travel stories never make much sense to begin with), but it undercuts the entire story because this means that Earth's history was never really threatened.

As good as this book is, you can't deny that a major reason it comes off so well is that Galactca 1980 was so horribly bad. Considering how bad Galactica 1980 was, it it little surprise that the book seems good. Most fans' expectations going in are so low that even bare competence would have sufficed. If Galactica 1980 had never been done and this had been an original story by Resnick, it would have been viewed as horrible (Of course, there are probably a good many fans who still consider it to be horrible).

Unfortunately, this makes things a little hard for the reviewer. Do you praise Resnick for taking a poor story and making it a little better, or criticize him for not going the extra mile, throwing out the time travel premise completely and staying with the more important premise of upgrading Earth's technology? In fairness to Resnick, he may not have had the creative freedom to make such changes, but it would have been nice. Galactica 1980 did in fact have some potential if only it had been done right (although there is still no way it could ever have lived up to the original series). Still, the novelization of Galactica Discovers Earth ultimately succeeds in making the best of a show that many fans consider to be the worst science fiction series of all time.

Notes

• Troy and Dillon are equipped with climbing equipment in the form of suction devices for their hands and feet, and consider using it to gain access to the fourth floor (where Alfred Mortinson's office is), but determine that they may be easily found and gunned down before they knew what struck them.
• Rather than being published under the Galactica 1980 series title, the novelisation was published as part of the ongoing Battlestar Galactica book series. This would prove appropriate, given that the episodes of 1980 would later be rolled into the syndicated package of the original series.

Cover

• 
  Front cover.
• 
  Back cover.
• 
  Virgin cover art by David Schleinkofer.

References

"Greetings From Earth" An episode of the Original Series
Episode No.	Season 1, Episode 17
Writer(s)	Glen A. Larson
Story by
Director	Ahmer Lateaf
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No.	50926/50947
Nielsen Rating
US airdate	1979-02-25
CAN airdate	{{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate
DVD release	2004-12-28
Population	survivors
Additional Info	Script available on Battlestar Pegasus
Episode Chronology
Previous		Next
Murder on the Rising Star	Greetings From Earth	Baltar's Escape
[[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
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]

A human sleeper ship found adrift is brought aboard Galactica, leading to argument and debate on whether to awaken its occupants. Their ship is eventually escorted by Apollo, Starbuck, and Cassiopeia to the planet Paradeen—embroiled in a bitter war with the fascist Eastern Alliance.

Summary

• Adama indicates that the Fleet is following the heading given by the Beings of Light (at the end of "War of the Gods, Part II"), hoping to find Earth.

• Apollo and Starbuck encounter a sublight spacecraft while on deep patrol. There are six life forms detected, but life support on the craft appears to be minimal.

• Rampant speculation that the craft may be from Earth forces Adama to make an announcement attempting to stop the rumors, and ask for the people of the Fleet to wait as the ship is towed aboard Galactica and quarantined.

• Once the spacecraft is aboard, Apollo worries about how safe it is for them to mess with it. Dr. Wilker, eager to board the ship, assures them that it isn't a bomb. Adama fears contaminating the spacecraft with their presence, but on Dr. Salik's recommendation they board the ship.

• Inside they find a man, a woman, and four children in some sort of stasis tubes. Dr. Salik is reluctant to remove the people from the equipment, as they lack the knowledge to operate it. Dr. Wilker suggests choosing one to experiment with, but is overruled by Adama and Apollo. The doctors are left alone in the spacecraft, but with strict orders from Adama not to risk the lives of the unconscious crew.

• Members of the Quorum arrive on the scene. Sire Geller demands that the Council has access to the "Earthlings" immediately. Jolly manages to keep them at bay.

File:TV Guide Advertisement - Greetings From Earth.jpg

TV Guide ad for Greetings From Earth

• Inside the shuttle, Dr. Wilker accidentally shorts out a component causing Dr. Salik to demand that they stop tampering with the equipment before they cause any harm. Apollo observes a loss in power, and commands them to stop immediately.

• Dr. Wilker explains that they have determined that the passengers of the craft come from a planet with 1/6th the gravity of Caprica. He also mentions references to a planet called Terra, which Adama recognizes as the Gemonese word for Earth.

• Apollo is upset that the people have been seized, and suggests releasing their ship and putting it back on course.

• Sire Geller arrives, demanding that the passengers be released. Adama worries about the consequences of interfering with the people, but Geller offers to relieve him of the responsibility by having the Council vote on it. Adama agrees to let the council convene, buying some time.

• Athena is teaching a classroom of children, who ask questions about the "Earthlings".

• A mob has assembled outside the ship, curious about the occupants. Reese and his Council Security compatriots claim jurisdiction over the situation, but Starbuck and Boomer refuse to yield.

• Inside the ship the male adult passenger is revived, and exits the tube. He awakens the other adult.

• Sarah is disoriented, and wonders if they have arrived. Michael indicates that they have not, but will investigate the matter.

• Sire Geller proposes removing the eldest member of the unconscious crew, believing that age will help that person acclimate to the situation. Dr. Salik refuses to participate, but the orders are issued anyway.

• Thanks to the order, Reese and his crew are officially in charge of the scene. He has little time to enjoy it, as shortly after assuming command Michael exits the shuttle holding a weapon. Reese fails miserably at diffusing the situation, managing to get himself shot in the process.

• Chaos erupts, and Michael is overcome by the pressure of Galactica's atmosphere and collapses. Dr. Salik orders him to the life sciences center to be placed in a chamber with reduced atmosphere. Adama rescues Sarah from the shuttle, and both adults are stabilized. Reese turns out to be merely stunned.

• Removing them from the support chambers will kill them, so the warriors decide the best option is to return them to their vessel and get them back on course. Dr. Wilker observes that their life support is nearly depleted, allowing them to hope that the ship may be near its destination.

• Michael's use of a weapon on Reese is suggested as a pretext to handle the situation as a military matter, so it is decided to escort the ship to its destination try to resolve the situation quickly.

• Apollo and Starbuck recruit Cassiopeia to board the shuttle for the duration of the flight in order to provide medical assistance if necessary.

• The warriors wheel in the support chambers, claiming that they are going to be used to remove the children from the ship. Reese is up and about, and makes little effort to hide the satisfaction that his men are in charge of the situation. Reese allows them to board the ship, believing them to be carrying out the Council's orders.

• Michael awakens aboard the ship, asking the warriors if they are with the Eastern Alliance. The Colonials have no idea what he is talking about. Michael reveals that his people are from Terra, but that he and his companions are from Lunar Seven. They fled the Eastern Alliance forces there.

• Michael will not assist them in locating Lunar Seven, fearing that the arrival of Galactica might tip off Eastern Alliance destroyers to the location of his destination.

• Boomer and Jolly remove the chambers from the shuttle. The engines fire on the shuttle, prompting Reese to panic. Boomer explains that the shuttle is being jettisoned to prevent possible contamination of Galactica.

• 

  Jolly receives admonishment from Boomer for "forgetting the kids" before Lunar Avion flees.

  Reese pulls the covers off of the chambers, revealing them to be empty. Boomer admonishes Jolly for having forgotten to remove the children. Reese attempts to stop the shuttle from launching, but his attempts are futile.

• The shuttle launches, followed shortly by Apollo and Starbuck in Vipers. Sire Geller arrives, wanting to know the situation. Reese claims the shuttle is being jettisoned (to prevent further contamination), and Geller is furious.

• Sire Geller orders Vipers to be launched, providing Apollo and Starbuck a pretext for their mission. Geller is further enraged when he sees the empty support chambers, but Reese isn't able to offer an explanation.

• Apollo and Starbuck put their Vipers on auto-pilot, and Cassie is sleeping aboard the shuttle when she is awakened by radio transmissions from their destination, Paradeen.

• As they near the planet, Michael finally reveals that they are making their way to the home prepared for them by Sarah's father. After arriving they will destroy their homing beacon in order to prevent Eastern Alliance forces from tracking them.

• Onboard an Eastern Alliance destroyer, Commandant Leiter is informed by one of his crew that they have detected the shuttle that had escaped Lunar Seven a month ago, and it is being escorted by two small craft of unknown configuration. The Vipers pique Leiter's interest, so he instructs the pilot to divert course from Lunar Nine to investigate the unknown ships.

• The expedition safely lands on Paradeen, and they are greeted by the androids Hector and Vector. They are taken to the home that was prepared for them, but Sarah's father is nowhere to be seen. The androids reveal that he is dead, and show her his tombstone.

• Sarah forbids Hector and Vector from telling the children about Terra. She rails against technology, as the governments engineered the colonists for thinner atmospheres but by doing so prevented them or their descendents from ever returning to their home planet.

• Sarah and Michael reveal that they are not married (as everybody had assumed). Sarah is a widow, and the three youngest children are hers. She claims she wouldn't marry a technocrat like Michael if he were the last person on the planet.

• The mood is lightened when Hector and Vector perform a traditional song and dance number from Terra.

• The Eastern Alliance destroyer tracks the shuttle's course to Paradeen. They are unable to report back to Eastern Alliance headquarters due to a sabotaged relay station on the planet.

• Michael thanks the robots for preparing a place for them, and for ensuring that it'd be safe by destroying the homing beacon. The robots are dismayed, as they realize that they forgot to destroy the beacon. Michael is still unwilling to let them use the beacon to find a way back to Lunar Seven, as he fears that they underestimate the Eastern Alliance.

• Michael explains the political history of Terra, with two sides polarizing into Eastern and Western factions. The powers from the East focused on expansion of planets near Terra. While Michael is filling Apollo and Starbuck in on the backstory, Sarah sneaks out of the house.

Sarah wants Apollo to stay on Paradeen.

• The following morning Sarah asks Apollo to stay on Terra with her. Apollo tries to let her down gently, but Sarah insists that she was forced to come to Paradeen with Michael, as he was the only way to get off of Lunar Seven, but she doesn't love him. Apollo indicates that her offer is not unappealing, but that he has to leave soon. Sarah asks what might happen if he weren't able to leave.

• Starbuck runs in, having spotted a city. Hector explains that the city is deserted, the population having been eradicated by neutron weapons that left the infrastructure intact.

• Apollo suggests that Starbuck search the city, hoping to garner information that might help them find Earth. Meanwhile Apollo will return to Galactica to warn them about the Eastern Alliance threat. Vector pulls a gun on them to try to stop them from going to the city, but their laser pistols prove to be persuasive.

• Hector and Starbuck wander around the city, philosophizing as they go. Little of intelligence value is left on the surface of the city. Hector mentions that the archives are under the city, but warns of the air quality down below. Starbuck ignores the warning, plunging forward and losing his android companion.

• Apollo encounters Aggie Moreland, Josh Moreland, and Doyle hanging about near the Vipers and the shuttle. The locals are anxious for the Colonials to leave, fearing their presence might attract the attention of the Eastern Alliance. They are also upset to learn that there are children in area. Apollo is ready to take his leave when he discovers that the controls of the Vipers have been sabotaged.

• Apollo returns to the homestead, revealing that the Morelands seem to have disabled their Vipers. Sarah is hopeful that they will stay.

• Hector reports back alone, warning them that Starbuck is down in the archives and is likely oxygen deprived by now. Hector tried to find the air tanks, but got lost and returned home for help. Needing more manpower, the group plans on seeking out the help of the Morelands.

• Realizing that her deception might be discovered, Sarah admits to sabotaging the Vipers. She had hoped it would make Apollo stay. Sarah remains behind with the children while the rest head to the city to rescue Starbuck.

• The older children are out in the barn when the Eastern Alliance destroyer lands near the house. They stay out of sight as Leiter and his goons enter the house, capturing Sarah and her youngest son.

• Leiter wants Sarah to talk, threatening her children as a possible consequence for not cooperating.

• The rescue party cannot find Starbuck. Vector suggests enlisting the former custodian, Doyle, who had been somewhat gruff when speaking to Apollo earlier. The group begins to hear a faint tapping sound coming from the pipes.

• Starbuck is nearly incapacitated, and lacks the air to speak or call out, so he is tapping on a nearby pipe.

• The kids sneak out of the barn and make their way to the Moreland residence. Aggie relents and takes the children in.

• The search party finds Starbuck just as he collapses. Doyle arrives, having been told by the kids where they were. He also heard about Sarah's capture, and offers to show them a quicker route back to the house.

• Leiter and Sarah engage in a war of words, Leiter believing the eradication of Paradeen's population to be justified, and Sarah believing that the Eastern Alliance will eventually lose.

• Michael jumps an Enforcer outside the house, while Starbuck and Apollo slide off of the roof to take out two others. They enter the house, freeing Sarah and her son, and capturing Leiter and another of his goons.

• Sarah asks Michael if their children are alright, and Michael is obviously pleased at the newfound "our" in the equation.

• The Colonials depart, taking the Eastern Alliance soldiers and Destroyer as their prize, as well as giving them a way home. Leiter is still full of bluster, sure of the Eastern Alliance's superiority, until they come into visual contact with Galactica and he sees the largest combat ship he's ever seen.

Adama's Notes

By the good graces of the lords of Kobol, the Galactica continues to lead her flock of survivors towards the coordinates, given us by those great white lights that vanished as mysteriously as they first appeared. There are those who speculate that those lights, advanced ships really, might have come from Earth, giving us great hope that they have a highly developed technology. Even now, our long range scouts patrol the quadrants, watching for signs that indicate that we are drawing close.

The ships have been gone for almost a secton now, and still no word. The Council has asked me to appear before them for an inquiry.

Notes

• Originally aired as a special two hour presentation that was edited into two parts for syndication.
• The destroyed city on Paradeen was filmed in Montréal, Canada. The prefabricated buildings left over from the World Expo of 1967 fell apart in the harsh Canadian winters. What remained made perfect futuristic ruins.
• Gillian Greene is the daughter of Lorne Greene.
• Michelle, G. Eric and David G. Larson are all children of producer Glen Larson. They would later appear as Super Scouts in Galactica 1980.
• Eric Taslitz, also one of the Super Scouts later seen in Galactica 1980, makes his uncredited appearance one of Boxey's classmates.
• This is the last appearance of Maren Jensen as Athena in the series, as well as the last appearance of Noah Hathaway as Boxey.
• In the 2009 Galactica 1980 comic series, issue #2 is titled Greetings From Earth, an obvious nod to this episode.

Analysis

• There are clues to a link between Terra and Earth in this episode. Further analysis can be found in the Terra article itself.

Questions

• Why do the doors in Michael and Sarah's home on Paradeen make the same door chime as Galactica's doors?

Noteworthy Dialogue

• Michael: Apollo, just what is a centon?!

Deleted Scenes

See: The deleted scenes from this episode.

Official Statements

Guest Stars

• Randolph Mantooth as Michael
• Kelly Harmon as Sarah
• Murray Matheson as Geller
• George Murdock as Dr. Salik
• John Dullaghan as Dr. Wilker
• Lesley Woods as Aggie Moreland
• Frank Marth as Josh Moreland
• Curt Lowens as Krebbs
• Lloyd Bochner as Leiter
• Bobby Van as Hector
• Ray Bolger as Vector
• Gary Vinson as Doyle
• Ron Kelly as Security Officer Reese
• Alex Rodine as Lanceman
• Lester Fletcher as Donner
• Michelle Larson as Charity
• Gillian Greene as Melanie
• G. Eric Larson as Todd
• Kimberly Woodward as Loma
• David G. Larson as Baby Walker
• Donald Mantooth as Med. Technician
• Eric Taslitz as Boy in Boxey's Class (uncredited)

External Links

• Greetings From Earth full summary and review at Sheba's Galaxy

• Greetings From Earth deleted scenes

This article has information from unproduced scripts or other unused production content. This article relates to an unproduced script or content for the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events as they relate to the unproduced content only.

"I Have Seen Earth" An unproduced script for the Original Series
Writer(s)	Steve Kreinberg Andy Guerdat
Story by
Director
Assistant Director
Special guest(s)
Production No.	50911
Nielsen Rating	{{{rating}}}
US airdate	{{{US airdate}}}
CAN airdate	{{{CAN airdate}}}
UK airdate	{{{UK airdate}}}
DVD release	{{{dvd}}}
Population	{{{population}}} survivors
Additional Info
Episode Chronology
	I Have Seen Earth
[[IMDB:tt{{{imdb}}}|IMDb entry]]
Listing of props for this episode
Related Media
			@ BW Media
Promotional Materials
Online Purchasing
Amazon: Standard Definition | High Definition
iTunes: [{{{itunes}}} USA]

Overview

A proprietor is forced to abandon an asteroid with a solid gold core when the Cylons arrive, after which he endears Boxey with tales about having been to Earth... which is proven at the end when he gives Boxey a medallion with Earth's continents engraved on it.

Summary

Act 1

Act 1 begins on page 1 and ends on page 15.

• While on patrol in the Omicron sector, Starbuck, Apollo and Athena are not finding any Cylons, which leads to a brief discussion over Athena's disappointment of the lack of Cylons. Starbuck reminiscences about remembering his days as a rookie, which leads to a brief recap over his kill statistics, much to Athena's disgust.
• Athena scans communications frequencies, happening over Jaspar's static-filled distress signal, where he tells of an attack by Cylons. Starbuck determines that the signal comes from Talus sector and detects that a sub-light vehicle is being chased by two fighters. Athena acknowledges and is the first to head towards the action.
• Inside The Golden Queen, a battered and beat-up shuttle that "should have been scrap-iron yahren ago," Jaspar is coaxing the ship along trying to keep it from being destroyed by the Cylons. It is here we are introduced to Nugget, Jaspar's pet Simian. He makes one last attempt at communicating to the outside, then notes to Nugget that "we're in big trouble this time". He vainly chastises the Cylons, berating them for running him off Opelon.
• Even after saving the engine from going out entirely, the Queen is unable to avoid the Cylons as they come in for the kill.
• As Athena lines up her first kill, Starbuck destroys it effortlessly. Despite her complaint about having him right in her sights, Starbuck admonishes her for not firing. Apollo takes out the second Raider and establishes communication to Queen.
• Jaspar reports that the Queen's solium tanks are leaking, his ship thruster has gone out, and he thinks that he saw his braking flaps "float by". Apollo instructs Jaspar to follow him.
• On Opelon, Baltar and Lucifer discuss how Jaspar's discovery is the richest ore deposit in the galaxy, and would be enough "metal for a millennium of weapon circuitry".
• A Centurion reports that Jaspar has escaped due to the intervention of Vipers from Galactica, leaving Baltar displeased.
• In the Life Station, Salik is examining Jaspar, who is evasive when questioned about where he comes from and where he's going. Salik goes to examine Nugget, who has disappeared.
• Nugget has found Boxey and Muffit II, who are playing a "game similar to marbles," and after Boxey rolls the gyroball, the simian grabs it and scampers away. Boxey and Muffit pursue Nugget to the Life Station, where Boxey meets Jasper, who informs Boxey that Nugget is attracted to shiny metal things. After giving Boxey back his gyroball, Jaspar tells Boxey that he and Nugget are prospectors.
• After Salik makes a crack about Jasper not having much success, suggesting that Jasper should "make Nugget dig for a change," Jaspar tells him that "looks can be deceiving" and asks to leave. With a reply to the affirmative, Jaspar invites Boxey to the Golden Queen.
• Boxey is reminded by Salik that Apollo confined him to his quarters for sneaking in to watch the Vipers launching, which is dangerous. However, Jaspar convinces Salik to take the boy with him so as to "see to it that he stays out of trouble," and they leave.
• In core command, Adama, Apollo and Tigh are discussing where the Cylons may have come from. Adama orders Apollo to bring Jaspar to the bridge when through with his medical examination.
• In the launch bay, Jaspar works on his ship, patching up the solium jets and turning "some internal plating into new braking flaps". When Jaspar informs Boxey that they'll be leaving soon, Boxey tells him that the Fleet is headed for Earth. Jaspar claims he's been there and begins pointing out damage to the ship. He points out a laser scar on the Queen, which he received from the Royal Knights of the planet Zanistan.
• As Apollo enters the landing bay, Jaspar tells Boxey the story of his encounter with the Royal Knights, as a result of sneaking megons of gold ore from the king's domain. He tells a story of being pursued by one, or two, hundred fighters which they evaded, claiming they were Syranese Pirates. Boxey catches the inconsistency, which Jaspar tries to weasel his way out of, but the story is interrupted by Apollo.
• Displeased with Boxey's disregard for Apollo's instruction to stay confined to their quarters, Apollo tells Boxey to go back to his quarters, despite Jaspar's attempt to take responsibilty. After Boxey leaves, Apollo asks Jaspar to come with him to see Adama.
• Jaspar and Nugget arrive on the bridge. Adama questions their visitor about the location of the Cylons, but is unhelpful in that regard. After claiming that he's "kicked all around the universe," from "Zanus to Carillon, [and] from Palobar to Earth," a surprised Adama asks him about Earth. Jaspar claims to have been to the planet "two, three times," and offers to lead them to Opelon, claiming that "there's a settlement of earthlings there" that will "take you right on to Earth".
• After Adama excuses Jaspar, he discusses Jaspar's claim with Apollo and Tigh, who ultimately agree to go to Opelon.
• In an underground command center, Lucifer informs Baltar that Galactica is headed straight for them, leaving Baltar reveling in the development. He puts the outpost on alert, exuberantly claiming that Galctica is delivering herself "right into our hands".

Act 2

Act 2 begins on page 16 and ends on page 28.

• Using an old sextant, Jaspar leads Galactica and the Fleet to Opelon, during which he begins to tell Boxey a story about "the time me and Nugget were trapped in a den of hungry leonines". As he relays these instructions to Omega, he becomes exasperated. Adama voices his concern to Tigh about possibly making a mistake, noting that they are being lead by a primitive device where they have the "finest navigational equipment in the universe".
• Later, Adama, Athena, Apollo, Boxey and Jaspar are in Adama's quarters eating a meal. Jaspar answers Athena's question regarding Earth, flattering her by saying Earth women "aren't half as pretty". Adama presses on his questioning of Jaspar regarding Earth. Boxey reveals that Jaspar told him that "kids on Earth don't have to go to bed early because the moons keep it light most of the day".
• Adama rebuffs this, as the ancient writings indicate that Earth only has one satellite. Jaspar tries to convince Adama that he saw three moons and assures that the people on Opelon will confirm this. Athena tries to defuse the tension by assuring Jaspar that Adama wasn't implying that he was lying. After Apollo indicates that they'll all feel better when they get to Opelon, Boxey defensively asks Adama why he doesn't like his best friend, Jaspar.
• Apollo admonishes him, telling him to eat his green veggies. Jaspar tells Boxey conspiratorially that Nugget likes green veggies, which Boxey subsequently feeds to Nugget under the table. However, this does not pass Apollo's attention, who tells him to go to his quarters.
• As Boxey leaves, Tigh enters and reports that they've picked up Opelon in the Ontarus sector, which dissolves the tensions in the room regarding Jaspar's character.
• In the underground center, Lucifer notifies Baltar that Galactica has entered the sector. He asks when they can attack, which Baltar answers that he needs a few centons to plan Galactica's capture.
• In the Officers' Club, Warriors are regaling in celebration over Opelon. Starbuck proposes a toast to "Opelon and the turning point of our long journey". As Jaspar enters the club with Boxey and Nugget, Jaspar is hailed as a hero by both Starbuck and Boomer. Boxey tells Jaspar that he's sure to get the Golden Cluster for that.
• Jaspar emotes how touched he is over the honor, even after Boxey reminds him of his story about him and Nugget being made kings on Arridus.
• Starbuck then puts his arm around Jaspar, telling him that he has "performed an heroic service" for the survivors of the Colonies.
• In core command, Adama looks out the window to the planet Opelon when Athena queries him about his not being present at the celebration. Adama has no desire to celebrate yet, offering his concern that the ancient writings do not refer to Opelon at all. Athena assures him that Jaspar will never take Adama's place in Boxey's eyes, and while Adama is sure of this any way, he continues to be deep in thought.
• After she leaves his side, Tigh notifies Adama that they're within Opelon's graviational field. Adama orders the ship to maintain an equatorial orbit and to give his "personal congratulations and the gratitude of the entire fleet to Jaspar," after which he proceeds to his quarters.
• Jaspar is in the launch bay loading up the Queen with supplies, telling Nugget of his plan to load up on the ore while the Cylons are preoccupied with Galactica.
• He is interrupted by the barking of Muffit and Boxey, who is upset that Jaspar is leaving. Jaspar tries to explain, claiming that he has to go to Zanistan to fight the Royal Knights, who are six-armed swordsmen. Boxey tells Jaspar that he wishes to accompany him, but Jaspar replies that Boxey shouldn't be too hard on his father, who is thinking of Boxey's best interests.
• Jaspar notices that Nugget is gone and goes to search for him.
• In core command, Rigel receives a communication from Jaspar, who manages to convince her to give him launch instructions. She obliges, believing his story about Adama wanting to set up a meeting between him and his old friend, the Emperor of Opelon, who doesn't like to be kept waiting.
• The Golden Queen launches, which is noticed by the Cylons on Opelon. Lucifer and Baltar infer correctly that Adama is unaware of the Cylon presence on the planet and orders that the Cylons meet the crew to capture the shuttle's occupants alive for use as hostages.
• On the Queen, Jaspar tells Nugget that he didn't like lying to the people on Galactica and notes that "how else could we get back to our gold". He believes Galactica is armed enough to take on the tinheads as he begins to descend on the planet.
• Athena enters Boxey's quarters, ready to instruct him, but finds the room deserted.
• After landing on Opelon, Jaspar checks over an old numo rifle and subsequently sees the approach of centurions to the landing sight. Nugget and Jaspar flee the ship, which Boxey and Muffit have stowed away on... only for Boxey and Muffit to be caught by the Cylons.

Act 3

Act 3 begins on page 29 and ends on page 40.

• Athena abruptly enters Adama's quarters and tells him that Boxey is missing, including Jaspar and the Golden Queen. Adama is furious, asking who gave him permission to launch; Adama tells her to inform the bridge that he's on his way.
• On the bridge, Tigh informs Adama that he's tracked the path of Jaspar's shuttle. Apollo requests a full squadron to search for him immediately, however Tigh and Adama both agree that they need to send a fighter probe first.
• Apollo offers both himself and Starbuck to lead the probe, which Adama gives permission for.
• Starbuck tries to cheer up Apollo by saying that Boxey's likely shaking hands with "the Colonial settlers" right now.

• In the Cylon's underground command center, Boxey and Muffit are presented to Baltar. Baltar is incredulous over the fact that Boxey was the sole occupant of the Queen. When Boxey kicks a Centurion in the shin, the Cylon withdraws its sword, but Baltar stops the Cylon from using it. Even when kicked in the shins himself, the Cylon does not react.
• Boxey lets it slip that Adama is his grandfather, which gives Baltar the upper hand in his dealings with Adama. He orders the Cylons to place Boxey in detention and to not harm the child; Muffit, on the other hand, is to be terminated after it bites Baltar's leg.
• Boxey tells Muffit to run and the daggit does so, even when shot at by a Centurion.

• Apollo and Starbuck approach the Queen, which appears abandoned. Starbuck identifies a footprint as belonging to a Cylon.
• When Apollo opens the Queen's hatch, they happen upon a Centurion who waited inside. Apollo manages to tackle the Centurion, and Starbuck tries to help, finding that another Centurion, coming up from behind a boulder, tries to interdict his attempt.
• Apollo finds the Centurion's strength overwhelming, but is able to slam the hatch upon the Centurion, who staggers backward. The Centurion is dazed long enough for Apollo to kill it with has laser.
• Apollo and Starbuck flee to the hillside, where they hope to find some cover from the approaching Centurions.

• In the mine, Jaspar talks to Nugget about abandoning Boxey to the Cylons. He tries to convince himself that Boxey won't be harmed by the Cylons because he's a mere boy. Apollo, who comes out of nowhere, corrects his delusion.
• Apollo and Jaspar argue, the former asking what was important enough to sacrifice Boxey's life. However, they are soon besieged by Centurions, who force the Warriors to follow Jaspar through the tunnels—that he reveals to have dug.

• In core command, Adama dresses down Rigel. After she's informed not to give anyone launching clearance without express orders of himself or Colonel Tigh, Omega reports that a Cylon base ship is eight to ten centons to attack range. Adama resigns himself to waiting only a few more centons, hoping that Apollo and Starbuck report their findings within that time.

• On Opelon, an angry Baltar asks who ordered the basestar into the sector. A Centurion replies that it was the Imperious Leader who ordered it. With a touch of sarcasm, Lucifer asks of Baltar's plans; Baltar orders the Cylons to bring Boxey to him.
• Jaspar, Nugget, Apollo and Starbuck continue avoiding the Cylons, who have broken up into smaller parties to search each tunnel entrance that they may have gone through. They eventually happen upon a gold mine, being mined by Cylons who are specially outfitted to mine the gold, and thus do not react to the humans' presence.
• Once it is revealed that the gold mine is the reason why Jaspar lead the Fleet to Opelon, Apollo angrily asks Jaspar where the Cylons would hold Boxey. Jaspar tells them that they'd hold Boxey in the detention chamber and leads the way, as he was once held there as well.

• On Galactica, they receive an unexpected transmission from Baltar. Adama's first words are those of unbridled anger, as he declares that he should have killed Baltar while he had the chance. Baltar chastises Adama for treating him so disdainfully, since he's "taking care of" Boxey.
• Enraged, Adama threatens harm upon Baltar should anything befall Boxey. Baltar tries to play off this, claiming that he wouldn't harm Boxey and notes that while he likes the boy, the Cylons don't feel the same way. With Boxey now a pawn in his game, Baltar offers Adama the deal he had offered him in the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol: help him overthrow the Cylon Empire. Adama pretends to play along, saying that they would have to share command of Galactica, but backtracks a bit to reiterate that he will not trust Baltar again. Baltar makes believe that he is the only one who can save Boxey; stalling for time, Adama convinces Baltar that he needs time to think about such a difficult decision.
• Baltar agrees to this and the communication ends. Tigh asks Adama if he's seriously considering Baltar's proposition; Adama doesn't reply, but instead orders him to maintain orbit around Opelon and to notify him when the baseship comes in range.

Act 4

Act 4 begins on page 41 and ends on ##.

• Appearing to be lost, Starbuck asks Jaspar if he's lost. Jaspar claims he's not lost, with the disclaimer that all the tunnels look alike.
• They run into Muffit, who deduce that the drone must know where Boxey is and thus follow the daggit.

• On Galactica, Tigh tells Adama that the Cylons basestar will be within range in a few microns.
• Adama asks after Apollo and Starbuck, but Tigh tells him that they have heard nothing. Faced with no apparent choice, Adama orders the Fleet to withdraw from Opelon and head towards deep space at full speed.

• On the approaching basestar, its Commander is told that Galactica and her Fleet are making their escape, and so orders fighters to be dispatched.

Notes

• The script analyzed here is the final revised draft dated November 3, 1978.
• The coversheet mistakenly spells Steve Kreinberg's last name as "Kreynberg".
• This script was retooled by Jim Carlson and Terrence McDonnell, and was a candidate for the Original Series' second season. Furthermore, veteran Western actor Jack Elam was considered for the part of Jaspar.

Characters

• This would be the third episode where Athena flies a Viper, having previously flown a Viper in the "Lost Planet of the Gods" two parter. This facet would be quickly abandoned as the character was scaled down during the series run, until the character disappeared entirely after "Greetings From Earth".
• The character of Cassiopeia is absent from this script.

Cylons

• This script is the second instance where the slang for Cylons, "tinheads," is used.
• Centurions are also equipped with laser pistols in the script, although this does not happen in the Original Series, save Red-Eye in "The Lost Warrior". Centurions are later equipped with pistols in the spin-off Galactica 1980.
• A new variant of Cylons are introduced in this script, a variant that is described only as being thus:

  Their arms are modified pickaxes and shoves instead of hands. Their single red eye has been replaced by a shining light, similar to the light on a miner's helmet.

Analysis

• Adama's hatred of Baltar continues unabated. His first reaction to Baltar's survival from Lucifer's attack on the pyramids of Kobol is one of near-murderous rage, a reaction that is only seen in "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II" during their initial meeting in the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol.

• Jaspar and his pet simian, Nugget, play off the stereotype of a pirate and his animal companion. Such stereotypes have been prevalent even in science fiction, notably in the cult camp classic Lost in Space.

• As is revealed in the final act, Jaspar has either been to Earth or has encountered someone who knows about Earth, given the medallion that he later gives Boxey. Although not definitive proof of Earth's existence, it lends credibility towards the belief that it does.

Get The Script

• You can get a pdf version of this script here.

Characters

• Commander Adama
• Captain Apollo
• Lieutenant Starbuck
• Lieutenant Boomer
• Colonel Tigh
• Athena
• Boxey
• Cassiopea
• Baltar
• Lucifer
• Rigel
• Omega
• Jaspar
• Salik
• Nugget

External Links

References

Earthlings is a nickname given to people from Terra by people aboard Galactica, under the erroneous belief that Michael, Sarah Fowler and their children are of Earth ^{(TOS: "Greetings From Earth")}.

Notes

• The term is also used by Colonials in Dynamite Entertainment's Galactica 1980 comic series, depicting an alternate retelling of the events of the Galactica 1980 series.

Galactica in orbit of Terra.

The planet Terra is home to the Terran Nationalists and the Eastern Alliance. The Eastern Alliance would have eliminated the Nationalists in a nuclear attack if not for the intervention of Apollo and Galactica. Despite hopes that Galactica had finally reached its destination, it is revealed that Terra is not Earth ^{(TOS: "Experiment in Terra")}.

Colonists from Terra founded the Lunar Colonies. Galactica first encounters "Earthlings" when they discover a ship from the Lunar Colonies. The people aboard were attempting to flee the influence of the Eastern Alliance by traveling to Paradeen ^{(TOS: "Greetings From Earth")}.

The Link to Earth

In the episodes "Greetings From Earth" and "Experiment in Terra" there are clues pointing to the people of Terra being descendants of the Thirteenth Tribe:

• The names of Terrans are Earthling names (e.g. Michael, Brenda), with a first and last name that is consistent with a great deal of Earth's cultures.
• Terra is Latin (and Gemonese) for Earth.
• The Terrans have never heard of centons as the Terran Michael asks Apollo what a centon is.
• Shots of Terra in "Experiment in Terra" look conspicuously like Earth herself, notably the North American continent.

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to the Re-imagined Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

The Earth Protectorate are a group of citizens who coordinate sabotage to FTL drives on various ships.

The group believes that, if the Fleet finds Earth, the Cylons will find the last refuge of mankind and destroy humanity once and for all. The group swears death to everyone to ensure that Earth is never found (Battlestar Galactica 1).

Notes

• This organization might be a nod to the Earth Defense Directorate from the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century television series, produced by Battlestar Galactica's creator Glen A. Larson.

This article needs to be expanded. Please improve this entry (Earth) in accordance to the guidelines on requests for expansion and in any notations on the article's talk page. Once the requested improvements have been completed, you may remove this notice.

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Maximum Press separate continuity, which is related to . Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

[[Category:Separate continuity ({{{universe}}})]]

Earth, also referred to as the Thirteenth Colony, is the destination for the remaining Colonials after the Battle of Cimtar, which effectively ends the Thousand-Yahren War with the Cylons.

As written in the Book of the Word and other scriptures, Earth is home to the Thirteenth Tribe and it is assumed by members of the rag-tag, fugitive Fleet that Earth has ample defenses to take on the Cylon Empire.

Dynamite Entertainment comics

Artifacts purporting to lead to Earth are believed to be found in the libraries of Maytoria, prompting Commander Adama to authorize a mission to recover them before fleeing their homeworlds (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 1).

After being struck by void lightning, Xam impresses his intense longing and desire for Earth into the minds of a swath of denizens in the Fleet, including Commander Adama, leading to visualizations of a false Earth (or an artifact) to be impressed in the minds of the Fleet's denizens (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #7-#11).

Countess Sephoni claims to have acquired the location of Earth via psionic divination, only to have been fooled by the Cylons (Battlestar Galactica: Death of Apollo #1-#4).

Maximum Press comics

Without the aid of the Seraphs, who give the Fleet a warping system known as the temporal overdrive in 7347, Earth is virtually unattainable in the Colonials's current generation—the journey would take thousands of yahrens. However, in 7362, Commander Apollo and Colonel Athena decide on one last, massive jump using the overdrive, which allows the Fleet to make it to Earth (War of Eden 1).

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to Galactica 1980. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

Galactica's remains on Earth after the nuclear strike in 1980 C.E.

For Earth depicted in Galactica 1980, see: Earth (1980).

Earth is the planet settled by the human descendants of the Thirteenth Tribe and was known to the Colonials only through Kobollian scripture.

In the Earth year 1980 C.E., the Colonials discover one of two Voyager spacecraft from which Doctor Zee learns about the current development of the humans there, as well as Earth's location. The Quorum of Twelve and Commander Adama discover that, much to their chagrin, Earth's population, society and technology are primitive by Colonial standards. This presents its own set of dilemmas, undoubtedly successful Cylons invasion and visceral, primitive reaction to the Colonials from their Earth brethren among them.

Colonial contact with Earth

Zee advocates forced colonization of Earth by conquest, indicating that Earth's population was too primitive to deal with on any peaceful level and that any attempt to do so would undoubtedly cause planetary panic. Adama vehemently refuses this recommendation, instead opting for attempt at peaceful contact with the continent that sent the Voyager probe. The Fleet sets sail for Earth and Adama attempts to contact the humans of Earth by having Galactica take position over the White House, in the United States of America. Despite attempts at communication with the people below—communications that appear unreceived for reasons unknown—for 67 centons, Adama and Galactica's crew are horrified to discover a sudden nuclear attack on the battlestar, which mortally damages the ship and forces its crash upon Washington, D.C..

The resultant devastation is massive to America's capital (Galactica 1980 1), yet other adverse cultural and sociopolitical affects are unknown.

Points of Interest

Mount Weather

Located somewhere in the United States, Mount Weather serves as the United States of America's government continuity bunker, in the event of a large-scale attack against the country (Galactica 1980 3—4).

Guymon, Oklahoma

In the aftermath of the Battle for Earth, the complete loss of all Fleet ships and the continuance of the Cylon threat results in the creation of a new ship. With limited resources available on Earth, they can only build one ship: a battlestar named Adama. Six quatrons later, Adama is undergoing construction at a shipyard in Guymon, Olkahoma, United States (Galactica 1980 4).

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• I Have Seen Earth
• Earthlings
• Terra
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