Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques

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Cybernetic Living Organism

Hello, Mr. Thompson, we wanted to ask you a question regarding the meaning of the word "Cylon".

When we began getting reports and such about the proposed spin-off "Caprica", amongst them was the news that we would learn what the word "Cylon" meant by the end of the pilot. Amongst this information we got a partial name, and then later on more was revealed: "Cybernetic Living Organism". However, we do not know if it is truly the one you, the writers, intend to use, or if it was just a rumor. Is "Cybernetic Living Organism" the canonical origin behind the word "Cylon", or was this just a rumor/old version?

Thank you for your time. --Sauron18 15:02, 6 July 2007 (CDT)

The Battlestar Concordance from the original series doesn't document the etymology. Ron D. Moore's "Caprica," has a character coin the term, saying, "A cybernetic life-form node, a Cylon." But as "Caprica" has yet to go before cameras, there is yet no "official" version. - Ngarenn 13:39, 20 September 2007 (CDT)

Thanks Bradley. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 03:04, 21 September 2007 (CDT)

Indeed, thank you! --Sauron18 06:47, 4 October 2007 (CDT)

Season 4 Episode Titles

Hello Mr. Thompson,

could you please confirm and maybe add (for us) unknown S4 episode titles, like you did with S3 episodes? So far we know about:

• 4.01 - He That Believeth In Me
• 4.02 - Six of One
• 4.03 - The Ties That Bind
• 4.04 - Escape Velocity
• 4.05 - Into the West
• 4.06 - Faith
• 4.08 - Sine Qua Non
• 4.10 - Revelations

That leaves 4.07 and 4.09 unknown. Thank you for an answer. --Deus 12:18, 17 November 2007 (CST)

Additionally, can you confirm that these 10 episodes have been produced, that the 10th ("Revelations") is the mid-season cliffhanger and that the one after that is the episode Ronald Moore was supposed to direct? --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 12:45, 17 November 2007 (CST)

If there's a title called "Into the West," it's news to me. The series has put thirteen episodes into the can -- that counts "Razor" as episodes #1 & 2 of the fourth order. Can't really call it all a fourth season, because SciFi could air it as two seasons or just one. The numbering we use in-house starts with 4.01 & 4.02 as "Razor." Season 4 Starts with Episode 3, "He That Believeth In Me." The titles you have are otherwise correct, though the Confidentiality Agreement in our contracts keeps me from filling in the gaps. This season's episodes contain so many spoilers that script distribution has been severely curtailed and diabolical measures have been enacted to catch and chastise leakers. Crucifixion, line on the left, one cross each. (Thank you Monty Python) Ngarenn 02:00, 30 November 2007 (CST)

So you can't fill in the gaps, but you can tell us which titles are correct? That's a weird contract... --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 06:08, 30 November 2007 (CST)

Well, we appreciate whatever help you can provide. Thanks for the info on the episode title and the episode numbering! --Steelviper 07:20, 30 November 2007 (CST)

Stay safe on the picket lines! Any picks of you holding a picket? :P Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 09:40, 30 November 2007 (CST)

So we can delete the "yet unconfirmed" comments on the episode pages I guess. Question is, do we cite and how? Maybe a link to this post instead of the GoBetween pictures? But those need to be updated when this page is archived. --Serenity 06:28, 30 November 2007 (CST)

Linking here is fine I guess. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 06:31, 30 November 2007 (CST)

4.05 (your number system) is entitled "Guess What's Coming to Dinner"

4.09 (your number system) is "The Hub"

You have the rest correct.

Michael Nankin directed the episode that follows Revelations. Ron will write and direct the one after that -- the first one to be shot after the strike.

Hey, Steelviper - the "Warrior Poets" photo was pretty cool. There may be a photo of us on the lines, but I'll have to check my other computer. - Ngarenn 20:14, 21 February 2008 (CST)

Thanks, Brad. Would you happen to know the title for 4.07 (the episode between Faith and Sine Qua Non) as well? --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 05:44, 22 February 2008 (CST)

Our Season 4 Production List is:

401-402 Razor

403 He That Believeth in Me

404 Six of One

405 Ties That Bind

406 Escape Velocity

407 The Road Less Travelled

408 Faith

409 Guess What's Coming to Dinner

410 Sine Qua Non

411 The Hub

412 Revelations

- Ngarenn 19:43, 25 February 2008 (CST)

Minor questions about Jaycie McGavin

Hi Bradley, just two minor questions on Jaycie McGavin that maybe you can answer. One, is her callsign "Goldbrick", and two, did she live or die after Operation Raptor Talon in the "Razor Flashbacks"? -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Sanctuary Wiki — New} 12:19, 15 December 2007 (CST)

The script never defines Lt. McGavin's call sign. As to living or dying... depends upon your time reference: By the end of the miniseries, nearly everybody in the Twelve Colonies is dead. But as yet, we've not referred to her since they carried her, still living, to sickbay, so you can make up your own story. - Ngarenn 20:09, 25 February 2008 (CST)

Adrien Bauer's actor

Hello there, just a question about a character mentioned in "Taking a Break From All Your Worries": is there any particular reason why a photograph of Graeme Duffy was chosen to portray Adrien Bauer or no? DrWho42 20:52, 25 February 2008 (CST)

New Episode Titles

koenigrules as reported the following episode titles:

11 - Sometimes a Great Nation

12 - The Disquiet That Follows My Soul

13 - The Oath

14 - Blood on the Scales

15 - No Exit

Are they correct? -- FrankieG 14:42, 9 March 2008 (CDT)

That's also mentioned on www.bsg.cz, but since I can't read czech I don't know their source. 11, 12 and 14 are pretty awesome titles, btw. BSG's titles are sometimes a bit generic, but these are pretty poetic. -- Serenity 15:01, 9 March 2008 (CDT)

For clarity, these would be 411-415 in our numbering scheme, with production numbers 413-417. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 15:36, 9 March 2008 (CDT)

Serenity: Our source is same as yours, koenigrules. We say they are unconfirmed and to be considered just as rumor. BTW we'll start with english news (at least we'll try) in few weeks with new design.--Deus 01:36, 10 March 2008 (CDT)

That's good. :) It's one of the best BSG news sites IMO (I usually check the links to get the the original source), but not having it in English is a real waste and limits the audience unnecessarily. -- Serenity 05:00, 10 March 2008 (CDT)

Tigh and the Cylon detector... and Baltar's Cult

Hi Brad. Having watched "He That Believeth In Me", I had a nagging question regarding Baltar's Cylon detector. Was Saul Tigh ever tested? The reason I ask is because there's a scene near the end of act 1 where Tigh comments that the detector failed to ID Boomer, then he stares off into the camera for no less than 10 seconds... as if he has something to add, but thinks the better of it... or wants someone to pick up on an unasked question. My inference from watching the episode was that Tigh was tested as well, but it's not concrete, so I'm looking for some confirmation either way on that fact.

Further, Baltar's cult really strikes mas being inspired by the Manson Family and other religious/counter-cultural cults. What were the inspirations for Baltar's cult? Further, I have the feeling that his book has much to do with how the cult started. Is that the cult's "holy text"? Thanks Brad! :D -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 18:18, 5 April 2008 (UTC)

Patience, oh my brother... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ngarenn (talk • contribs).

Samuel Anders Callsign + Highschool

Now we know there was no call name given to Mr. Anders in our newest episode, however, if you can disclose on what it is, that would be great. :) Also, is "Noyce Elementary School" the correct spelling of the high school name. Cheers on such a great premiere episode! Shane (talk) 17:23, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

We have it as Noyse in the teleplay. Ngarenn 02:26, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

Ngarenn, it appears that Sam actually was given the callsign "Longshot". Could you please confirm or deny this? Thanks. -- Noneofyourbusiness 14:36, 25 April 2008 (UTC)

Confirmed. He got his call sign in "He That Believeth In Me" So did Diana "Hardball" Seelix. - Ngarenn 15:23, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Thank you very much. -- Noneofyourbusiness 20:37, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

There was just some confusion with the dialogue a bit ambiguous. It can also be interpreted that he is addressing a pilot called Longshot :) -- Serenity 20:50, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Brothers and sisters

The current Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM) article assumes that brothers and sisters are distinct from priests and priestesses, and are the equivalent of monks or lay clergy. However, according to the casting info on Clarice Willow from Caprica, she is both a Sister and High Priestess. Does it mean that "Brother" and "Sister" are just honorifics for priests and priestesses? Ausir 19:10, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Quorum of Twelve

Which colonies do Reza Chronides and the unnamed delegate played by Iris Paluly represent? (or the other, uncredited delegates for that matter) Ausir 10:49, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

Centurions - retcon or later version?

Should we assume that the redesigned Centurions from "Razor" are what the First War Centurions always looked, or are the TOS Cylon replicas (more human-looking, with mechanical joints hidden in black tubes, flexible armor "skirts" and swords) from the museum and Armistice Officer's specification perhaps an earlier model, while the "Razor" ones are a later model used during the late stages of the war and by the Guardians (perhaps 0006)? The Razor ones look like something in the middle between the TOS Centurions and the modern ones. Ausir 11:47, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

As with any military design, Centurions are constantly modified as improvements are released for field use and/or mission profiles dictate. Often these changes are not visible -- software patches, greater ammunitions storiage, longer lasting servos an power supplies, better sensors, faster target recognition packages... -Ngarenn 15:21, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Fleet Population

In "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II" we get a glimpse of the chalkboard where Roslin and Baltar's votes are being counted ship by ship. It's from this that we've deduced the names of most of the ships in the Fleet, and the idea that you have a list of ships with which to work with.

We were wondering to what extent we could consider the populations of the ships indicated (deduced roughly from adding up Baltar's and Roslin's figures) to be accurate, are these figures part of a writer's handbook/Series Bible-like document?

Many thanks, OTW 10:23, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

I wouldn't go by the chalkboard on Galactica in LDYB II, simply because the numbers of voters (broken down by ship) do not add up with the overall totals at the top two boxes. (Yeah, I tried to do what you did, but decided that it wasn't worth it.) -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 19:03, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

"Guess What's Coming To Dinner" a two-parter?

Hi Bradley, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and for clarifying the "Longshot" issue! :D My question is this... Has "Guess What's Coming to Dinner" been split into a two-parter. According to both IMDb and Hulu, the episode is a two parter. However, on the official SciFi.com website, they say the next episode is "Sine Qua Non". Obviously, a bit of a contradiction here... Any insights from your end would be much appreciated! Thank you again! -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 01:51, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Middle names

A quick question about the middle names of some of the characters, notably Samuel T. Anders and Karl C. Agathon: Has the production team determined the full middle names of these characters, or is this another small mystery in the saga of Battlestar Galactica? -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 19:29, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Total number of ships in the fleet from start to finish

Just wondering if u would know the total number of vessels in the fleet cause I keep getting anything from 68 to 70 (that's if I add Caprica Clipper, the Pan Galactic liner and Gemini, the Gemini Freights heavy freighter).

so tell me what number of ships there are from 33 to current (revelations).

Also what became of Daru Mozu, is it destroyed or is it still in the fleet. And how about Coronis, Tauranian Traveller, Rising Star, Majahual, Scorpia Traveller, Virgon Express, McConnell, Baah Pakal and Freighter 212. --Lt. Corey "Shadow" Danian October 23 2008 2.24 CST

It is really difficult to pin down just how many ships were in the fleet at any given point in time, despite the fact that the production staff has a master list of names, but that some of these names were not apparently used. There are also serious discrepancy issues which are bound to skew results. For instance, the voting tally chalkboard on Galactica during "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II" lists ships that the whiteboard on Colonial One during that same episode does not list, and vice versa.

It also doesn't help that the numbers of ships that survived were retconned from the Miniseries to "33" and onward.

So, is there an exact number? No. Will there ever be one?

Nope. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 18:59, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Quorum Delegate

Is the "Quorum Delegate" (played by Veena Sood) representing three different colonies in three different episodes (first temporarily replacing Reza Chronides, then the Tauron Delegate, then the Gemenon Delegate) a continuity error? Or is there a canon explanation for this? (Perhaps her being an official stand-in that votes in the name of any colony whose delegate can't be present at a session)? Ausir 02:34, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

There is no order for less-important delegates in the show. It's a continuity error. -- Joe Beaudoin ^{So say we all - Donate - Battlestar Pegasus} 02:40, 1 February 2009 (UTC)

It might have been an error originally, but it doesn't mean it can't be retconned. :) In the Battlestar Forum someone said that it's actually common for an absentee member to be replaced by a sit-in that they select to vote on their behalf. Maybe Veena Sood's delegate is someone trusted enough by delegates from three different colonies to be selected by them as a sit-in? After all, politics is a family tradition for her (the same actress plays an important politician in Caprica). :) And the composition of the quorum has been pretty consistent across all the episodes the current quorum appears in, aside from her. Ausir 02:45, 1 February 2009 (UTC)