Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques

This page is one of Battlestar Wiki's many projects. This page serves to coordinate discussion on a particular aspect of this Wiki. The formal recommendations of a project may be treated as policies.

Members of Battlestar Wiki: This page is to coordinate all questions to any official members of the cast or crew of "Battlestar Galactica." Please sign your question after you are done. the "summary" of the question should be be first, if any, and then the questions, in short form, should be placed at the bottom. This is to not confuse people and to keep the quetions distictive.

Cast/Crew: These are questions we are seeking from you. If you have the time, please answer them as best you can. We will move these questions/answers to the correct page once they have been done. You can also check out Category:Seeking Official Information for larger items - particularly pictures.

All questions which have been previouslly answered can be found on the archive pages. Questions get moved here once items and questions seeming from the issue have stopped.

• Archive 1:

Other concerns about interview text in "Final Cut", 3 Raptor pilot names, Tie-in Material, Helo Rank, Colonial One and One, Hadrian in "Valley of Darkness", Scar, Rebirth Room, Restraints on Galactica-Sharon in "Downloaded", "Radar" gaffe in "The Hand of God"?, Resurrection Ship, "Skin Jobs"

• Archive 2:

Resources, Red Line, Human sacrifice, Centurion armor, Tom Zarek / Ellen Tigh involvement, "Caprica-Six", Cylon Homeworld, Squadron numbers, Galactica Chain of Command, Timeline, Guns nomenclature

• Archive 3:

No HUD's in Vipers?, FTL and the cylons, Sleeper Agents, Galactica's Armor Skin, SkyOne Biography Canonicity, Basestar losses in Res Ship II, Webisode series, Scar Podcast Transcribed, Caprica, "Cally Henderson"?!, Cally vs Caprica-Sharon, Tyrol's Pegasus service, Helmets, RE: Military Ships

• Archive 4:

Exodus! v. Exodus, Part I, "Sacrifice" question, Webisodes in Crisis?!, Squadron numbers, Pegasus (Extended Version), Luciana Carro: Casting; pronunciation of her name; Kat in "Final Cut"

Ask a new question or begin a new discussion by clicking here.

Episode titles

Your mention of "Exodus" brings up another point: BattlestarWiki has a news policy where we don't trust any news that cannot be sourced back to a cast or crewmember...the result being we don't trust some news even from TVGuide or the respectable www.gateworld.net because we think they're just repeating unsourced information which might be wrong. As you can see on our list of Season 3 episodes, we've resorted to calling certain episodes "Episode 3.1" in order to err on the side of caution. As a result, we've currently listed:

• Episode 3.1 -- written by Ronald D Moore, Dir by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
• Episode 3.2 -- written by Ronald D Moore, Dir by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
• Episode 3.3 -- two parts, written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, Dir by Felix Acala (Part 1) Part 2 is technically unassigned right now.
• Episode 3.4 -- written by Mark Verheiden, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.5 -- written by Anne Cofell Saunders, Dir by Jean de Segoznac
• Episode 3.6 -- written by Michael Angeli, Dir by Bill Eagles
• Hero - name confirmed (and written by) David Eick, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Unfinished Business -name confirmed by Grace Park - written by Michael Taylor, Dir by Bob Young
• The Passage -name confirmed by Jane Espenson, Dir by Michael Nankin
• Episode 3.10 - written by Mark Verheiden, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.11 - written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.12 - written by Michael Taylor, Dir by Edward James Olmos
• Episode 3.13 - written by Michael Angeli, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.14 - written by Mark Verheiden
• Episode 3.15 - written by Anne Cofell Saunders

Please keep in mind that these credits have not yet been confirmed by the WGA or the DGA. Episodes 3.12 is about to go into preproduction. Eps 3.13-3.15 are in various stages of the pipeline. The directors have been assigned but - this is TV - anything can change. Eps 3.1 & 3.2 were merged to form a two-hour premiere episode, and 3.3 broken was into two episodes, which I guess technically makes them 3.2 & 3.3 -- but numbering is something I'll leave to you. - Ngarenn 20:32, 27 July 2006 (CDT)

Like I said, many reputable websites have listed the names of the first 5 episodes (though they didn't confirm their source, so we didn't list them) as "Occupation", "Precipice", "Exodus", "Collaborators", and "Torn".

I can confirm that those are the titles on the scripts. None of them are final. - Ngarenn 20:32, 27 July 2006 (CDT)

Chances of a change? --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 20:35, 27 July 2006 (CDT)

Without asking for any information that is an actual spoiler (if something is a spoiler and cannot be revealed, please just say so) what are the names of the Season 3 episodes? (btw, do you know who wrote and directed some of these?) --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 14:48, 24 July 2006 (CDT)

It's wise to avoid nailing titles down because the titles can (and do) change up to the date they air. I'll get back to you on the rest of this. - Ngarenn 15:47, 26 July 2006 (CDT)

BTW, Ron Moore just cleared up that "Exodus is a two parter" thing in the blog:

"In another of our patented feats of editorial derring-do, we've taken what was to be episode 3, "Exodus" and crafted two episodes from it, thereby obviating the need to shoot one more show. As it currently stands, we will be opening Season Three with a two-hour premiere of what were originally two stand-alone episodes, "Occupation" and "Precipice" ("Occuprice," as it were) then resume airing normal one hours with "Exodus Part One." Confused? Good, that's the way we like it. Gotta keep the audience guessing." I'm still sorting through this...--The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 22:01, 27 July 2006 (CDT)

How could "Exodus, Part II" not have a director assigned yet?

I'm reading this from the in-house script status report - "Unassigned" just means his deal hadn't been struck at the time the report was generated. Directing credit is turf of the DGA. I believe the contractual obligation is that Felix must shoot the additional material needed for the two eps, unless he chooses to do otherwise. We're hoping his schedule will permit it, because he did a great job on the initial shoot. But this still leaves the official credit for the ep blank at the moment. - Ngarenn 16:08, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Haven't the first half of the episodes already been filmed?

There are about eight minutes of material we still need to shoot to make both of them work. - Ngarenn 16:08, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Thank you for this...incredible boon of information. Excellent that you and David got to write Exodus. I can only imagine that it can be best described by the phrase "Stuff's gonna 'splode"; looks like lots of fighting. Remember, the enemy's gate is down...

Mr. Rymer's dailies are awesome. - Ngarenn 16:08, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Anyway, I want to make sure I got this correct:

• Occupation - Episode 1 - written byRon Moore, directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
• Precipice - Episode 1.5 (aired the same night, same writer/director team)
• Exodus, Part I - Episode 2 - written by Thompson & Weddle, director Felix Acala
• Exodus, Part II - Episode 3 - written Thompson & Weddle, director Felix Acala
• Collaborators - Episode 4 - written by Mark Verheiden, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Torn - Episode 5 -written by Anne Cofell Saunders, Dir by Jean de Segoznac
• A Measure of Salvation - Episode 6 - written by Michael Angeli, Dir by Bill Eagles? RDM keeps calling Hero episode 7, but more than 6 episodes were listed before it above.

That's because you're counting Occupation and Precipice as two eps. Which they used to be, but they will air as one massive season premiere. - Ngarenn 16:08, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

• Hero - Episode 7 (Ron and David keep referring to this as "Episode 7", so I think this one is in sync) written by David Eick, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Unfinished Business - Episode 8 - written by Michael Taylor, Dir by Bob Young
• The Passage - Episode 9 (confirmed at the moment) writer Jane Espenson, Dir by Michael Nankin
• The Eye of Jupiter - Episode 10 - Christmas break cliffhanger two part episode. written by Mark Verheiden, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Rapture - Episode 11 - written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, Dir by Michael Rymer (This is the second half of the cliffhanger)
• Taking a Break From All Your Worries - Episode 3.12 - written by Michael Taylor, Dir by Edward James Olmos
• Episode 3.13 - written by Michael Angeli, Dir by Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.14 - written by Mark Verheiden, Dir by Hardy
• Episode 3.15 - written by Anne Cofell Saunders, Dir Garcia
• Episode 3.16 - written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson, Dir Nankin
• Episode 3.17 - written by David Eick & Michael Angeli, Dir Mimica-Gizzan
• Episode 3.18 - written by Michael Taylor, Dir Michael Rymer
• Episode 3.19 - Dir Michael Rymer

directors added for eps 14-19 - Ngarenn 13:28, 23 August 2006 (CDT)

Correct as noted, to the best of my knowledge today - Ngarenn 16:08, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

3.16 & 3.17 added - Ngarenn 21:08, 9 August 2006 (CDT)

Thank you for all the delightfully authoritative information. I don't mean to be a bother, but it's in my nature to nitpick. Is "Taking A Break from All Your Worries" intentionally cased like that, or should it be "Taking a Break from All Your Worries" like the normal convention (assuming that's a the article)? --CalculatinAvatar^(C-T) 00:47, 10 August 2006 (CDT)

The actual casing (from the title page on the Full Yellow Production Draft) is Taking a Break From All Your Worries. I have no idea what Michael Taylor has in mind with that. But assume that he has a plan... - Ngarenn 15:51, 7 September 2006 (CDT)

Thanks. --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 23:07, 27 July 2006 (CDT)

Thank you, sir. This entire concept of having "19" episodes, with the first being a super-episode which audaciously defies to be categorized as a mere "two part episode".....seems entirely fitting with RDM's essay on "Naturalistic science fiction", which set out that the show would break the old habits in all respects. Thanks. --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 18:09, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

I want to add my thanks too. --FrankieG 18:23, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Bouns. Thanks for the tips and clarifiing some data. --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 18:38, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

de nada. Y'all are doing a good thing here. BTW, just found out that Felix is doing the additional shooting for Ep 3. - Ngarenn 20:35, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Just make sure you get the word.. that we want at least 10 seasons. That's about 50k pages. :D --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 23:16, 29 July 2006 (CDT)

Well okay, but personally I would wish the production team to "make the best stories possible", rather than just for a long time; I'd rather have one season of BSG, then not even get season two, than have a guarantee of 7 years and thus a repeat of Star Trek where they just kept it going until they bled it white. No, I'd rather see 5 trailblazing years of episodes which are practically small movies (like Hand of God).--The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 00:30, 30 July 2006 (CDT)

Will "Occupation / Precipice" really be one two-hour episode, or two episodes shown together? As in having two intros. And will there be an episode 3.20, or is 3.19 the finale? --Serenity 09:21, 7 September 2006 (CDT)

Laurette Spang?

There has been news passing around that Laurette Spang, who played Cassiopeia on the Original Series, has been playing e-mail tag with David Eick about a possible role on the Re-imagined Series. Has this progressed beyond a theoretical thing and into an actual part being worked on? Or is this still just an idea David was batting around? --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 00:03, 10 August 2006 (CDT)

The contents of David Eick's e-box are WAY above my pay grade. :) - Ngarenn 13:38, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

I'd still like a confirm from Ron about the Jane Seymour role, which she was apparently offered for Pegasus and turned down. I know... different TOS actor. (Jane and Laurette were my favorite TOS ladies) On top of that, there's those persistent Anne Lockhart cameo stories which seem to pop up like the Beatles or Led Zeppelin reunion rumors. David (Weddle, not Eick) told me that they talked about Seymour as a prototype for D'Anna Biers but that's about as much he knew on the subject. But I'm one of those that never lets an inquiry die untli I've gotten to the bottom of it... ;-) --Larocque6689 21:16, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

Episode Transcript Permission Contact

An interest has been expressed to host episode transcripts here, using inline links to link the episode content to the relevent articles here. Before undertaking such an effort, we would want to get (written) permission from the appropriate powers that be. Could you point us in the right direction as to who we could contact for such permission? If you are comfortable giving us direction (but not posting it here) feel free to email myself or any of the other admins (especially Peter Farago, our Copyright Specialist). We appreciate any help in this regard, and this is the type of project that will NOT proceed unless we get an official "green light". We worried enough about the issues with the podcast transcripts... --Steelviper 11:16, 11 August 2006 (CDT)

You see there are actually websites that already have transcripts (fan-made) and we refer to them alot (though they're less than perfect, of course, and we have to rewatch things on our own often, to make sure), and eventually we said "Why not just recopy them here, to move towards making this the one stop for all episode info?" but we thought we'd run into legal troubles....--The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 12:12, 11 August 2006 (CDT)

This sounds like a pretty good idea, I mean this is a nonprofit organization, what possible money can we get from just hosting scripts of the episodes. If NBC asks to cease and desist, why not just do it until they tell us not too? --Volostheguardian 14:20, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

Why put the effort into something and then have to delete it? :) --Shane ^{(T - C - E)} 14:23, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

While I understand and appreciate the "better to ask forgiveness than permission" mentality (especially in its kinship to the "be bold" attitude), how can we expect others to respect our license (Creative Commons) if we ourselves are willing to violate the copyright of others? Especially the copyright of the people responsible for making the content that we document/describe/summarize (something akin to biting the hand that feeds you). I'd love to see the episode transcripts here (in full linkified glory), but I'd rather not jeopardize the integrity of the wiki and expose it to legal risk, especially only to host content that is already easily available to those interested. --Steelviper 18:25, 12 August 2006 (CDT)

You know what, I'll start my own BattlestarWiki, and it'll be called CertainlY cooLer then that Other battlestarwiki Nonsense, or C.Y.L.O.N. for short and I'll host scripts on there and disregard NBC. --Volostheguardian 01:33, 13 August 2006 (CDT)

Cancellation Rumor

The rumor is circulating that S4 is in jeopardy along with "Caprica." Given that series are always under a "ratings gun" and concerned caused by the cancellation of SG-1, if there is any truth to the rumor, is there something as fans that we can do now? --FrankieG 07:36, 23 August 2006 (CDT)

There was also a rumor that the show would move to Tuesday nights, but that hasn't materialized. While the cancelation of SG-1 raises concerns about ratings and budget A) it's the top rated show on the channel B) It won a Peabody award and critics love it C) They've got a real chance to win at next year's Emmys, when the old shows which filled up this years (West Wing, Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Commander in Chief, etc.) will all be gone and not fill up the nominations. --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 09:34, 23 August 2006 (CDT)

Sorry, I have no knowledge of SciFi executive decisions - Ngarenn 13:38, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

Thanks, I sort of asked in a panic. --FrankieG 14:05, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

The role of the Marines.

When will we see a bigger role played by the Marines and avoid embarrasments like Starbuck's matrix attempt in Sacrifice? Panther 18:53, 23 August 2006 (CDT)

Ron already said in the blog that he was embarrased about using Starbuck as "just happening to also be a sniper" in "Bastille Day". Also in the podcasts Ron has said that they dropped Corporal Venner as a recurring Marine character because fans weren't that intrested in that, but as a really religous Gemenon and a Marine, I actually kind of was interested in seeing him as a recurring character...--The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 22:20, 23 August 2006 (CDT)

I wasn't phased by her being a marksman but a "sniper" is a different ballgame. Sniping is more than shooting. Back on topic, I just want to see a Marine character of some importance on the show. I think too many shows go the way of PBI. Panther 11:41, 24 August 2006 (CDT)

Did RDM really say that? Sucks, 'cause I liked Venner. Honestly, I haven't read a single post where fans stated they weren't interested in a recurring Marine. And even if - isn't Ron always (rightly) claiming that BSG ain't a democracy? --Pedda 14:42, 24 August 2006 (CDT)

The writers room has discussed having a continuing Marine character more than once, but thus far there's been no compelling story reason for doing so. So, if it is to happen, the character would arrive in a minor role and evolve the way Kat did in Luciana's capable hands. - Ngarenn 13:53, 25 August 2006 (CDT)

True. I wonder though if, in Lay Down Your Burdens, the ground rescue mission should have been commanded by a Marine who is probably trained for that sort of warfare. :D

Panther 01:50, 27 August 2006 (CDT)

If we had a Marine officer as colorful as Starbuck, it probably would have. :) - Ngarenn 13:00, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

Relations between the Colonial President and the Colonial Military

I was wondering ever since the Miniseries what the is the legal relationship between the president and military. Does the president have CINC powers or is it a loose relationship whereby the military is fairly independent but is fully dependent on the state it serves? I ask this because it seems that Roslin hasn't shown any power over the military, and Adama though he had a legitimate reason for a military coup. I'm thinking if Roslin had CINC powers Adama would have been less inclined to do so. Panther 17:40, 27 August 2006 (CDT)

The best answer I can give is to have you check out the deal Roslin made with Adama in the miniseries. The two leaders are well aware of the new order imposed by the collapse of the Twelve Colonies. Adama has the guns and the loyalty of the only military force remaining. Fortunately, he believes in the ultimate authority of law -- unless it conflicts with his own view of military necessity. The relationship of civilian and military has been fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings. Roslin's true power appeared when she escaped detention aboard Galactica and went back to Kobol for the Arrow of Apollo, and Adama bowed to the Rule of Law by going with the majority in settling New Caprica. We'll see how this uneasy relationship continues to develop in Season 3 - Ngarenn 12:55, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

S.F.M.

Anastasia Dualla mentions in "Bastille Day" that the name of Tom Zarek's group was the S.F.M. What does this acronym stand for? It seems likely to mean "Sagittaron Freedom Movement", but we'd like to be sure. Noneofyourbusiness 15:40, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

Rank Insignia

This is a minor question but one that I've had in the back of my mind for awhile, especially while working on the uniform and rank pages here. In the Miniseries, Boomer's Raptor is labeled "JRLIEUTENANT" for her rank. Assuming this is the Lieutenant Junior Grade rank, that would corespond with the rank insignia she had on, a diamond with a chevron in it that did not extend past the lower edge of the diamond. Later, in "33", Helo gives his rank as Lieutenant Junior Grade when he is captured. His insignia has the chevron extended so it goes beyond the edge of the diamond. The insignia is identical to the one that Starbuck, a definate Lieutenant wears (except for most of Hand of God, a gaffe, I assume). Gaeta has been seen wearing both. The reason I ask this is that in the new promotional shots for Season 3, Dualla wears this rank insignia on her blue uniform. I basically want to know, which insignia corresponds to which rank? Thank you in advance for the answer and keep up the good work on the show. --Talos 22:37, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

Heh. I just wanted to make a comment about this. By intuition one would probably say "longer chevron = higher rank". But I think there is enough evidence to reverse that case here. I think Helo started as jay-gee and Sharon as a full Lieutenant. Helo calls her "sir" once or twice. That makes her Raptor markings an error. Later Helo got promoted and is wearing the "short chevron" insignia. The same one worn by most other Lieutenants like Starbuck and Gaeta. Now and then especially Starbuck can be seen with the "long chevron" insignia. Those are costuming errors. Often they :happen when characters switch between the green and blue uniforms.

Dualla also wears a completely new insignia in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" but is called Lieutenant. Is there any meaning behind that? Maybe a brevet rank?

I don't want to be presumptous, but maybe the actors could check their rank pins when they receive a new uniform. That shouldn't take too long. The errors are no big deal, but interesting --Serenity 22:15 CET, September 1st 2006

The reason I bring this up is that I'm a military history buff, an ROTC cadet, and a DA Civilian so this is very interesting to me. From watching the show, this is what I've been able to gather.

• Sharon's Raptor is still marked like that all the way through Season 1.
• Dee had an unusual insignia in LDYB PII but is refered to as a Lieutenant and in the promotional shots for Season 3, wears a short-chevron insignia as seen in this pic.(Warning-big pic)
• Starbuck consistantly wears the long-chevron rank, except for the majority of Hand of God (she wore the long rank in the celebration scene in the hanger.
• Helo is now a full Lieutenant according to some things Penikett has said. In the promo shots for Season 3, he still wears the long insignia, as seen here. (Big pic again)
• Gaeta goes back and forth between the two.

--Talos 19:19, 1 September 2006 (CDT)

Going through screencaps I think you're right and Starbuck usually has "long chevron". Especially in the first season. I checked "Act of Contrition", "Flesh and Bone" and "Kobol's Last Gleaming" for example. I didn't notice any inconsistences with Sharon yet

About Helo: I thought he had "short chevron" in Season 2...However I just checked my DVDs and he's still wearing "long chevron" in 'Flight of the Phoenix', 'Epiphanies' and probably 'Scar'! I couldn't see it very clearly in the latter one. So that promotion thing might not be true. Or at least it wasn't reflected in the costuming yet

What that argument gone, I guess one could just as easily say that Helo stating his rank was a gaffe and thus conclude that "long chevron = Lt. SG" and "short chevron = Lt. JG" which also makes Sharon's Raptor right. Very confusing... --Serenity 10:17, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

My point exactly, and the reason for me asking. He also has long chevrons rank in Season 1, especially visible in the restaurant scenes in, I think, Hand of God. His promotion and postition on Galactica circa LDYB PII was from an interview. It said that he was promoted to full Lieutenant sometime after returning to the ship. Also, even if he outranked her (which can be implied in the Miniseries {First you're flying with rooks and now you're betting against Starbuck} or something like that), he sould still call her sir since she would be in command of the Raptor. --Talos 10:25, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Yeah, I already thought that maybe she outranked him because of position and not rank.

I probably made some wrong conclusions, because I had a false memory of Starbuck's rank pins. Sorry.

In Season 2, hers are harder to track because she's often out of uniform until she returns from Caprica. But in "Pegasus" and "RS, I" it's "long chevron". And then she's promoted to Captain by Admiral Cain.

And if Helo is already a Lt. SG, then Tahmoh's story about a promotion would be false--Serenity 10:43, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Thus the dilemma. My thoughts are as follows: Boomer is a junior LTJG, still a rookie. Helo is a LTJG also, but with much more experience and more tours of duty. Except for the insignia problems, as well as Boomer's bag in "Water" that was marked "Lieutenant Sharon Valerii," this fits with what we have seen. --Talos 10:58, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Sharon's rankpin is always LT.JG (short chevron). I didn't notice an error there yet. Maybe they just leave the SG/JG stuff from clothing. And Helo's is very consistently LT.SG (long chevron). So how about Helo is indeed a LT.SG - and considering his comment to Six a writing error - but Sharon is still in charge of missions because she's the pilot and he's just the ECO?

I'd prefer to go with one error in dialogue over considering his rankpin in ALL episodes an error.

My main question remaining now is Dualla's rankpin in LDYB. Though in one released S3 pic she's wearing a regular Lt. pin I think. Maybe Mr. Thompson can shed some light on that --Serenity 11:21, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

The problem is that we don't know if the which pin belongs to which rank, thus my question. In the promo shot of Dualla I linked to above, she wears the short chevron insignia. --Talos 12:25, 2 September 2006 (CDT)

Re-imagined Series definition: Battlestar Group ^{(TRS: "Water")}. It also doubles as an acronym for the television series itself.

crew member handling electronic countermeasures of a craft; ECOs are standard crew aboard Raptors (see: ECO)