The Day They Kidnapped Cleopatra

"The Day They Kidnapped Celopatra" An unproduced script for the Galactica 1980 series
Writer(s)	Mark Jones, Anne Collins, Chris Bunch and Alan Cole
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Production No.	55012
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The Return of Starbuck (produced, series finale)	The Day They Kidnapped Celopatra	The Wheel of Fire
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Overview

Xaviar continues his self-appointed mission of improving Earth's technology in the distant past. This time he pretends to be a god to Cleopatra, however in order to dispel those who doubt Xaviar's claim, she poisons his drink, forcing Xaviar to seek out Jamie Hamilton, Troy and Dillon in 1980 to get medical assistance. Unfortunately, he brings along Cleopatra to the future as well, jeopardizing Earth's timeline in the process.

Summary

Act 1

• In California of 1980, Troy and Dillon are about to land near Dr. Mortinson's university, carrying important documents for Earth's nuclear disarmament committee. Over their Viper's communicator, Adama impresses upon them that it is vital that the committee see these important documents, as their "decision could mean the difference between World War... and peace."
• In Alexandria, Egypt of 48 BC, Xaviar is playing with Cleopatra while using his invisibility field. She believes him to be a great god, which Xaviar comments chauvinistically that "but only a queen of your beauty deserves a god such as me."
• They partake in drinking wine, during which Cleopatra tells him of her desire to share her vast kingdom with Xaviar. However, her high priests suspect him of deception, believing that he is not a god. To dispel their doubts, she informs Xaviar that she would prove to them that Xaviar was a god by poisoning his drink, as she believes that a god could neither be killed by sword nor poison.
• Xaviar is shocked, tells her that he is displeased and chides her by saying "one shouldn't deceive a god". When he attempts to leave, Cleopatra voices her concern that he'll never return to her, and as such she will go with him.
• Xaviar claims that he will return to the "land of the gods", but Cleopatra informs him that she had her slaves hide his "flying chariot", and teases him into letting her come with him to this said land, in exchange for telling him where the Viper is hidden.
• With Cleopatra, he pilots the Viper away from Egypt and activates his time warp synthesizer.
• On Galactica, in Doctor Zee's chambers, Zee asks Adama if he's heard about the ion trail that has re-entered their time frame from the distant past. Adama replies in the positive, then inquires as to why Xaviar would return to the present after safely eluding them.
• Zee is unsure, telling Adama (who thought he'd seen the lat of Xaviar) that "with his knowledge, he could have lived like a king in any other time". After posturing, Zee suspects that he has a "compelling reason" and that "possibly he wants to contact us". Zee also suspects that "it could be the beginnings of a clever plan".
• Zee emphasizes that they must find out immediately what Xaviar's motives are through Troy and Dillon; Zee allays Adama's concerns about pulling the Colonial Warriors from providing the important data to the Nuclear Disarmament Committee, since they have 60 hours before this committee convenes and could finish their mission since "they have the time if they use it wisely."
• Upon landing on a hilltop overlooking the Sheraton-Universal Hotel, Cleopatra comments on the large structures of the city, saying that "you must have slaves working day and night to erect those". Xaviar lies in the affirmative and tells her to follow him to the hotel.
• At the United Broadcasting Company, a worker at the studio hands Jamie Hamilton a phone, saying that a guy named Xaviar is on the phone asking for her. She doesn't immediately catch on, because she is absorbed in her work, but quickly takes the call upon realizing the importance of the name.
• In the Sheraton-Universal's lobby, Cleopatra is "intently examining the pay phone next to [Xaviar]" as he asks for her help. After some confusion regarding the hotel's name, he informs her that he's dying as a result of "a girl" poisoning him. He explains that the girl is Cleopatra, but doesn't come out and say the name; Hamilton promises to get Troy and Dillon for him. After hanging up, Hamilton realizes that the girl he spoke of was Cleopatra herself.
• Dillion and Troy "streak along the Ventura Freeway on their cycles", briefly exchanging concerned looks after Troy comments that "When Xaviar's invovled... it's always a matter of life and death."
• Inside the hotel's lobby, Cleopatra looks over the gold jewelry at a boutique run by a "matronly woman". Cleopatra grabs a gold chain; the woman notes that her robe is spun from pure gold, which Cleopatra indignantly replies in the affirmative. After the woman asks Cleopatra whether she wanted the gold necklace she took, Cleopatra simply says "Yes" and walks away.
• Hamilton enters the lobby, reacting to the appearance of Cleopatra herself. Xaviar confirms that the woman is, indeed, Cleopatra after she assuages Xaviar's concerns about the location of Troy and Dillon.
• Cleopatra asks if Hamilton is a god; after confirming that she is not a god, Cleopatra tells Hamilton to kneel before her.
• The boutique woman runs up, demanding for payment; Cleopatra is oblivious to the reasons why, however Hamilton offers to pay for the necklace and, to stop her from calling the police, Hamilton tells to the woman that they're "doing a film story". Apparently, the woman is impressed and convinced that Cleopatra is an actress, despite Cleopatra's various demands for guards and for the woman to be removed. Hamilton offers her credit card to cover the necklace, making a remark to herself: "There goes the credit limit."
• Tory and Dillon pull up in front of an automatic ticket dispenser; a ticket is ejected from the slot. Troy asks the machine for a place to park their vehicles. After Troy begins his attempt to talk with the machine, Dillon rips out the ticket and throws it to the ground, believing that "its hearing sensor was clogged". A car comes up behind them, honks its horn, encouraging Troy and Dillon to just park anywhere they please.
• In the lobby, Troy and Dillon encounter Cleopatra, Xaviar, and Hamilton; Hamilton is glad to see them, and begins talking excitedly about Cleopatra. Of course, the Galacticans do not know who she is. When Hamilton explains that she ruled all of Egypt and married Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony, Troy asks if they are there as well. Much to their relief, neither is.
• When Hamilton continues to talk about Cleopatra, Xaviar pleads for their help. In a ploy of sincerity, Xaviar hands over his weapon, and wishes to talk to them alone. Hamilton makes the arrangements, telling Cleopatra that they will be going to "your new palace". As she moves to the registration desk, she asks rhetorically why she didn't get the easy assignments, "like riots".
• Inside the penthouse, Cleopatra "marvels at the wondrous 'miracles' in the room...things like lights, plumbing, T.V., etc." While Cleopatra is flicking a light switch on and off, Cleopatra comments that the penthouse is "truly a palace for a queen". When Cleopatra is informed they are in California, she claims that as "Xaviar's queen, I am queen of California". Hamilton admits that it has a nice ring to it, then offers to fix Cleopatra something to eat. She replies that she would like a roast pig.
• In another room, Xaviar tells the Warriors his story as Dillon scans Xaviar's heart. Dillon replies that something is indeed happening to him metabolically. Xaviar pleads for assistance to save his life, telling them that he's willing to do anything, even returning to the Galactica to stand trial for his misdeeds.
• Since Cleopatra cannot remain in their time without history unraveling, Troy tasks Dillon to send her back to her time, while he and Hamilton will go to Xaviar, as Hamilton will need to help them find a medical center so that Xaviar could be treated.
• In the kitchen of the penthouse, Cleopatra asks about the water faucet. Hamilton attempts to explain to her that there are no slaves that pump the water, but rather that "it works on a pressure principal" before giving up. Cleopatra then becomes interested in the television, which is playing Fangface.
• Troy enters the kitchen, telling Hamilton that Xaviar is telling the truth and they need help finding a medical center. She replies that she has a doctor friend that she could call. She moves to do so.
• As Xaviar looks worse, Troy tells Dillon that Cleopatra has to leave. Xaviar comments that he doubts that this will occur without him; Troy tells Xaviar to convince her. He talks to Cleopatra, who is now watching a newscast on the television. He tells her to pretend to cooperate with the evil gods, and that the first chance she gets she is to escape to a place called the Museum of History, which is shown on the newscast to feature a display on Egyptian Queens. He promises to meet her there later. She obeys.

Notes

• This episode was being filmed when the order to cancel the series was passed down. To date, no images from the scenes shot have surfaced, nor has any information about casting for this episode been revealed either.

Analysis

• The fact that Cleopatra can speak and understand English is a major conceit.

Guest characters

• Cleopatra
• Williams
• Professor Johnson
• Dr. David Rubin