For other persons sharing this name, see: Anslem (disambiguation).
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| Birth Name | {{{birthname}}} | ||||
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| Introduced | Blood and Chrome | ||||
| Parents | Jim Kirby (father) Janey (mother) | ||||
| Siblings | {{{siblings}}} | ||||
| Family Tree | View | ||||
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| Portrayed by | Not shown | ||||
| Anslem (disambiguation) is a Human/Cylon Hybrid | |||||
| Anslem (disambiguation) is an Original Series Cylon | |||||
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| [[File:|300px|Anslem (disambiguation)]] | |||||
Anslem is the infant son of Viper pilot Jim Kirby and his wife Janey circa 42 BCH (58YR). Named after his maternal grandfather, Anslem was born while his father was serving in the secret "ghost fleet" and officially listed as killed in action. He is being raised by his mother on Picon, unaware that his father is still alive (TRS: "Blood and Chrome").
Script Version Details
edit sourceThe pre-production script for Blood and Chrome provides detailed information about Anslem and his significance to the story that does not appear in the final production. According to the script, Anslem was named after Janey's father, following Colonial naming traditions.[1] The timing of his birth is particularly significant - he was conceived during Jim Kirby's last leave before the battlestar Valkyrie was deployed to the ghost fleet, but Janey was unaware of her pregnancy when she and Kirby last spoke about a month after conception.
When Coker Fasjovik visits Janey during a leave on Picon, he observes the infant and later informs Jim Kirby about his son during their reunion in the ghost fleet. Coker describes the baby as having Janey's "nose and hair" but Jim Kirby's "eyes," providing Kirby with his first glimpse of what his child looks like.[2] This revelation devastates and overwhelms Kirby, who had no idea he had become a father.
Learning about Anslem's existence has a profound psychological impact on Jim Kirby, transforming him from a dedicated military pilot into a conflicted father figure. In honor of his son, Kirby changes his Viper call sign from "Goldbrick" to "Anslem," painting over his original designation with crude white letters.[3] This symbolic act represents his shifting priorities from military duty to paternal responsibility. Ultimately, knowledge of his son's existence influences Kirby's decision to abandon his mission during the Battle of Djerba, choosing potential survival and return to his family over completing the dangerous operation.[4]
Notes
edit source- Anslem represents the next generation of Colonial society growing up during the First Cylon War, born into a world where his father is officially dead due to military secrecy.
- His existence serves as a catalyst for exploring themes of duty versus family loyalty, and the personal costs of covert military operations.
- The character demonstrates how the ghost fleet's operational security requirements created profound human tragedies, separating families who could never be reunited while the war continued.