| Romo Lampkin | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
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Name |
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| Age | ||
| Colony | Uncertain. Known to have resided on Caprica, but possibly of Aerelon descent [1] | |
| Birth place | {{{birthplace}}} | |
| Birth Name | Romo Lampkin | |
| Birth Date | {{{birthdate}}} | |
| Callsign | ||
| Nickname | {{{nickname}}} | |
| Introduced | The Son Also Rises | |
| Death | ||
| Parents | Described as "missing" | |
| Siblings | ||
| Children | Two daughters. Jennifer and Kate. | |
| Marital Status | Previously married to Faye Lampkin | |
| Family Tree | View | |
| Role | Public defender | |
| Rank | ||
| Serial Number | {{{serial}}} | |
| Portrayed by | Mark Sheppard | |
| Romo Lampkin is a Cylon | ||
| Romo Lampkin is a Final Five Cylon | ||
| Romo Lampkin is a Human/Cylon Hybrid | ||
| Romo Lampkin is an Original Series Cylon | ||
| Related Media | ||
| @ BW Media | ||
| Additional Information | ||
| [[Image:|200px|Romo Lampkin]] | ||
Romo Lampkin is a highly capable yet ethically questionable lawyer in the Fleet. He is a kleptomaniac with penchants for deception and psychological manipulation.
Prior to the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, he worked in the public litigation office on Caprica, where he likely met and learned from Joseph Adama, a man whom he hated yet respected. His parents were kidnapped, robbed and murdered when he was nine. He was married for 10 years, and carries with him in a tote bag his late wife's cat, which he claims to dislike but appreciates that at least it does not "scratch or bite like she did" (The Son Also Rises).
Having survived the attack on the Colonies, he eventually settles on New Caprica and lives under the Cylon occupation (Crossroads, Part I).
Lampkin is appointed Gaius Baltar's defense counsel after his previous lawyer, Alan Hughes, is killed by a bomb planted in Margaret "Racetrack" Edmondson's Raptor. He claims to take the case for the fame and glory, and despite questions raised about his previous experience, appears insufferably self-confident and pompous.
Among his quirks, Lampkin claims that interrogation rooms give him "stage fright". He also channels his kleptomania to his advantage by stealing objects he believes might give him insight or handicap his opponents. For instance he steals Laura Roslin's glasses, figuring that without them the president would appear less serious during the trial; and steals Baltar's pen to raises suspicions that Baltar is being silenced, and to use in a ploy on Caprica-Six. Romo Lampkin typically wears a pair of sunglasses, letting him observe and read those around him without giving anything away himself.
Lampkin becomes the next assassination target, but is only injured when the door to his room is rigged with an explosive device. Consequently, Lampkin walks with a cane after being saved by marine Cheadle. A part he pocketed from Captain Aaron Kelly, identical to one used in an earlier unexploded bomb, reveals Kelly is the assassin (The Son Also Rises).
When Cassidy, the prosecuting attorney, presents a compelling opening statement highlighting mankind's dwindling numbers, Lampkin changes Baltar's plea to "guilty". In another controversial and unusual move, he calls on Lee Adama, who joined the defense after a falling out with his father, to take the stand and testify on Baltar's behalf, gambling that Lee's testimony would be the best chance to sway the admiral's foregone verdict of guilty. Lee delivers an impassioned speech about how the Colonial Fleet and government forgave so many crimes and gave so many second chances, but not for Baltar, who is being offered up as a scapegoat for their own guilt, shame and failures. His testimony tips the tribunal's balance in favor of acquittal.
Lampkin says his goodbye to Lee after the trial and departs without his cane, walking without a limp, hinting to what extent the perceptions of Adama and the court might have been manipulated (Crossroads, Part I and Part II).
Notes[edit]
- The name "Romo" comes from the first two letters of Ronald D. Moore's first and last names, although David Eick believes that the name is a nod to Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Tony Romo.[2]
- Romo Lampkin was originally envisioned as a "55-year old Alan Dershowitz character".[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ This is due to his accent, which is similar to Baltar's. However, it is unknown how accurately these accents can be traced to a single colony.
- ↑ Podcast: The Son Also Rises Bonus Seek to: ~00:01:05. Total running time: ~00:47:39.
- ↑ Podcast: The Son Also Rises Bonus Seek to: ~00:11:42. Total running time: ~00:47:39.