The Long Patrol

This episode guide is in progress. You may add upon it as you so choose.

Cora in The Long Patrol

Overview

After losing an experimental Viper to a smuggler, Starbuck is imprisoned in a "unique" environment.

Summary

• The fleet is passing through asteroid dust, leaving their star system for the first time. Beyond the dust lies a whole new galaxy that no human in the fleet has seen before.

• Adama inquires about who the volunteer is, and Apollo informs him that it is Starbuck.

• Athena is surprised that Starbuck volunteered, until Apollo explains that whoever volunteered to test the new recon Viper would move to the head of the yahren-long waiting list to the dining room of the Rising Star.

• Athena tells Adama that she had been invited to dinner with Starbuck, but her duty assignment conflicted. Adama agreed to cover her shift along with Colonel Tigh.

• Starbuck and Cassieopa arrive on the Rising Star. Starbuck bribes the waiter for a private room (a luxury that usually is reserved 60 to 70 centares in advance).

• Arriving in their private room, Starbuck bribes the waiter for some Ambrosa. According to the waiter it is as rare as Tylium.

• Cassieopea leaves the room, promising to return quickly. Starbuck lights up his signature fumarello.

• Galactica's scanners detect possible life. Concentrating their scans confirms the presence of life. Adama orders Recon Viper One prepared.

• Athena arrives in Starbuck's private dining room. Starbuck quickly bribes the waiter for yet another private room, citing a (fictional) sanitation ship spoiling the view.

• Athena raves about the mushies, but complains about the lack of fresh protein. Starbuck leaps at a chance to remedy the situation, using it as an excuse to visit his other room.

• Back in Cassieopea's room, Starbuck claims that they are all out of mushies. Cassieopea claims that she doesn't mind, as the protein is just fine.

• Starbuck is summoned back to Galactica over the intercom. He gives Cassieopea one of his collar insignia as he leaves. He give Athena is other one for her goodbye.

• Starbuck settles up with the waiter for his dinner for three, costing him all his remaining cubits. The waiter admires Starbuck's daring, not in going on the mission, but in juggling the two young ladies. He claims that it is very "pre-war".

• Cassieopea and Athena encounter each other as they exit, both holding Starbuck's insignia. They quickly realize what had happened.

• Starbuck reports to Recon Viper One wearing civilian clothes. The disguise is designed to hide his status as a Colonial Warrior should he be forced to land.

• Apollo informs Starbuck that the Recon Viper has double the range and speed of a normal Viper, and has also had a voice activated computer installed.

• Starbuck is instructed to turn on his short-range marker beacon, but to otherwise avoid transmissions to prevent the Cylons from tracking him. Should he make Cylon contact, he is not to return to Galactica as that would give away the position of the fleet.

• Apollo explains that all the engine upgrades were made possible on the Recon Viper at the expense of the laser generators. The Recon Viper is unarmed.

• Starbuck takes the new craft through some high speed manuevers, and is impressed with the results.

• Starbuck activates CORA, commenting sarcastically that he'd like to see a computer do that. The computer puts the Recon Viper through a series of turns that forces Starbuck to ask to return to level flight.

• CORA introduces herself, then begins to set up a scan.

• CORA indicates that two sublight craft have been detected. The Recon Viper slows to sublight to investigate, and finds a sixth millenium fighter and shuttle. The shuttle is being chased by the fighter.

• Starbuck assumes manual control, and blows by the fighter with his turbo engaged, sending the fighter into a spin and allowing the shuttle to escape. Starbuck then pursues the shuttle, while the fighter returns to Proteus.

Stopped at 17:17.

Noteworthy Dialogue

A hot pilot doesn't need all that electronic felgercarb.

Statistics

Guest Stars

• Ted Gehring as Croad
• Sean McClory as Assault 9
• Cathy Paine as CORA
• James Whitmore Jr. as Robber

Writing & Direction

• Written by Donald Bellisario
• Directed by Christian I. Nyby II

Production Notes

• Season 1 (1978 / 1979)
• Production Number: X.X
• Airdate Order: 4 (of 21)

First Run Air Dates & Releases

• UK Airdate: Date
• US Airdate: October 15, 1978
• DVD Release: December 28, 2004

Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "year" (see: Yahren)

Original Series definition: another type of food

Original Series definition: a food (see: mushies)

Original Series definition: a form of coined currency (see: cubit)

Original Series definition: an all-purpose term for Colonial soldier and Viper pilot (see: Warrior)

Original Series definition: Computer, Oral Response Activated; an artificial intelligence capable of operating a Viper ^{(TOS: "The Long Patrol")}

Original Series definition: Warrior slang for their Viper's high-velocity booster engines, e.g. "hit your turbos"

Galactica 1980 definition: vulgarism equivalent to "shit" (see: felgercarb); Dillon uses this when discovering that his laser pistol wasn't set to stun ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II")}

Original Series definition: expletive, similar to "crap" (see: felgercarb)