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This article on Old Man is a shard, or a part, of a larger article (Unnamed characters (TOS)). Please direct all edits there.
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The Old Man is an affectionate nickname amongst Galactica's crew for the battlestar's commanding officer, William Adama, as well as attributed to previous commanders of the ship dating back to 40 BCH (60YR).
During the final days of the First Cylon War, Adama discusses the old chant with Jaycie McGavin when recounting his encounter with Galactica's commanding officer while placing boots outside the hatch to the duty locker (TRS: "Razor Flashbacks, Episode 1").
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The Great Franda is a legendary actor who abandoned his theatrical career and lived anonymously in the Devil's Pit aboard the battlestar Galactica. Known simply as "the old man" to most residents of the ship, his true identity is eventually discovered by Dwybolt during the events surrounding Spectre's attack on Galactica.
The Great Franda was widely regarded as "the greatest actor of our times" and had achieved legendary status in the theatrical world.[1] His reputation was so extensive that Cassiopeia claims to have seen him perform when she was a child, and he sardonically notes that "everybody over twenty-two" had seen him perform.[2]
Franda once performed with Dwybolt's theater company, serving as the troupe's star actor when Dwybolt was still "just an apprentice." During this period, Franda served as Dwybolt's mentor, teaching him theatrical techniques including the art of studying people for character inspiration. Franda once told Dwybolt that "he'd taken so many moves from other people he no longer knew whether any gesture was his own," demonstrating his method of observational acting.[3]
Franda's departure from the stage was sudden and mysterious. Broadside's Captain Ironhand recalls seeing Dwybolt's troupe when it still included the Great Franda, noting that Franda was "a fine actor" and expressing regret at his disappearance.[3]
According to Dwybolt, Franda's final performance was in a comedy, but he came offstage with "a hangdog look on his face," clearly not an expression from the performance itself. When Dwybolt, who had been studying Franda's performance to learn from it, encountered him in the wings, Franda briefly smiled and simply said, "It's no longer fun." He then walked out of the playhouse without removing his makeup or changing out of his costume, and "nobody in the troupe ever saw him again."[4]
After abandoning the theater, Franda eventually found his way to the Devil's Pit, the lowest levels of Galactica where outcasts, misfits, and those seeking anonymity congregate. He lived there for an extended period, becoming known simply as "the old man" and refusing to reveal his real name to anyone he encountered.
During his time in the Devil's Pit, Franda worked as an engineer, though he describes this as temporary work. He tells Boxey and others that he was "an engineer once, for a while," but distinguishes himself from the Warrior Elite, a faction of former Galactica crew members led mostly by engineers. Despite his engineering background, Franda chooses not to affiliate with any of the warring factions in the Devil's Pit, preferring to remain a loner.[5]
Franda develops relationships with other Devil's Pit residents, including Peri, a young girl who knows the ship's hidden passages. He maintains his anonymity so completely that when pressed for a name, he claims, "I forget. I was in the Devil's Pit so long, without a name, I forget my name now."[6]
Despite his desire to remain hidden from his theatrical past, Franda's knowledge and skills become apparent when Hera asks for his help with a play she and Cassiopeia are writing. Initially reluctant, he agrees to assist them, and his contributions significantly improve their work. His theatrical expertise becomes evident to the two women, though they do not initially realize his true identity.
When Apollo invites him to attend Dwybolt's performance, Franda initially resists, saying "it wouldn't be easy for me." However, he ultimately agrees to accompany Apollo, cryptically noting, "And, Dwybolt, we'll see how good your memory is," suggesting he is curious about how his former protégé has developed.[7]
Franda's anonymity is finally shattered when Dwybolt spots him backstage during the theater company's performance aboard Galactica. Despite Franda's attempts to flee, Dwybolt recognizes him and shouts, "Franda! The Great Franda!" This leads to a dramatic chase through the ship's corridors as Franda tries to escape back to the Devil's Pit while Dwybolt, Shalheya, and Cassiopeia pursue him.[8]
When finally cornered by Dwybolt, Franda initially continues to deny his identity, claiming to be merely an engineer and "nobody." However, faced with Dwybolt's persistence and the ship coming under attack, he eventually admits the truth. Dwybolt immediately attempts to recruit him back into the troupe, declaring "I intend to invite you into the troupe. No, I insist. We need your talent."[9]
Despite the reunion with his former protégé and Dwybolt's enthusiasm about having him return to the stage, Franda agrees only temporarily to rejoin the theater company for their performance on Galactica. Dwybolt expresses tremendous excitement at the prospect, telling Shalheya, "Imagine, Shalheya, to be onstage with the Great Franda in one of my very own plays!"[10]
However, just before the performance is to begin, Franda disappears once again. He leaves behind a farewell note addressed to Dwybolt, explaining his decision:This note reveals both his continued pride in his past achievements and his firm resolution to leave that life behind permanently. The note devastates Dwybolt, who had looked forward to performing alongside his former mentor, though Dwybolt finds himself momentarily distracted by Franda's assessment of his playwriting as merely "pretty fair.""My dear Dwybolt, I have to admit I was tempted to return to the boards, smell the greasepaint, get a little of the old dash back. But I couldn't. I can't really explain why, because I don't know. It is not fear. I just don't want to go back to the life, that is all. I was an actor once. I am still an actor, but I choose not to ply my trade upon a stage. I was once known as the Great Franda, and it was a proper appellation. I was, to put it as modestly as possible, quite talented. But I can't give the profession that kind of dedication any longer. So I'm off to the Devil's Pit. Where I belong, really. If anyone really needs me at any time, tell them they can travel down there and shout my name a few times. One of the echoes will reach me. I think you're a fine actor, Dwybolt, and a pretty fair playwright, too. I wish you well. Good-bye. Franda."[11]
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