Talk:William Adama/Archive 1

Just curious, but what's going on with the page? I thought it had more information than this... -- Joe Beaudoin 19:59, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

As it turns out, it did? Is this currently being revised? If so, that's great. -- Joe Beaudoin 20:01, 5 May 2005 (EDT)

Divorced?

Is there a source for his being divorced from Anne and a reason she is not mentioned in his "Marital Status" entry? --CalculatinAvatar 21:17, 28 December 2005 (EST)

I don't believe Adama was divorced from Anne at all, but in any case no episode data confirms that status. Note he wears a wedding ring in the miniseries. Also note his sadness on announcing Caprica City's nuking, suggesting other loved ones (maybe Anne) was a victim, too. The only information we can confirm thus far is that Adama married twice. --Spencerian 11:29, 17 January 2006 (EST)

OK, NOT the Adama I Expected to Get Kissed

Wow. Resurrection Ship, Part II took me a bit by surprise at the end there. Not Cain getting shot, but Adama's little kiss with Roslin. That was an interesting turn. Not sure what to make of it, other than I was getting all girly-swishy watching it all like a soap opera. That should make the next episode more harder to watch with Roslin...well, don't want to spoil it. And damn, I'm glad the wiki's back up. --Spencerian 23:32, 13 January 2006 (EST)

I was incredibly impressed with Olmos' acting just after the kiss. After she turned away and his face fell... I could very easily sense the utter depth of sorrow the Commander Admiral was feeling. I've seen that face a few times in real life regarding real life sickness and loss and, well, as I said, I was impressed. --Day 02:35, 14 January 2006 (EST)

Another good bit of Olmos' acting was in the last episode. I didn't notice it until after I listened to the podcast, but Olmos wipes away a tear as he turns around to hear Roslin say one more thing as he leaves Colonial One in the scene before the battle plan scene. He's a damn fine actor--they all are. --Spencerian 08:36, 14 January 2006 (EST)

I thought that RDM said something in the podcast about Olmos spontaneously adding the kiss, which is why Roslin's reaction is so good. --Deadlygopher 14:55, 16 January 2006 (EST)

That's correct. I learned this later myself when someone else noted this from the podcast as well as well as from the podcast when I listened in, too. --Spencerian 11:26, 17 January 2006 (EST)

"Roll the hard six"

Does anyone know what "rolling the hard six" actually refers to? I know it has to do with the game of craps, but I don't know specifically what it means. It would help if i did, because I've started using it completley inadvertently in everyday speech, along with frak. My friends look at me like I'm insane, its pretty bad. --BMS 00:52, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Dude...Six is the highest number on dice. "Rolling the hard six" means getting a high number, when your really need it in a difficult situation...as this is a statistically rare occurance, it is "hard" to do. This doesn't refer to anything specific at all; this is intuitive.--Ricimer 01:01, 29 January 2006 (EST)

First, I don't think you're right. I believe the reference is more specific than that.

Secondly, It would have been a simple matter to phrase your response without a condescending tone. Instead of what you actually said, you could've said "I think 'rolling the hard six' simply refers to actually rolling a six on a die. Since six is the highest number on dice, it means getting a high number when you really need it, and since rolling a 6 is statistically rare, it is "hard" to do."

Why is it necessary to be rude to other members of the wiki? It only encourages them to be rude back to you, and I know you've had problems with users flaming you in the past - well, this is why they did it. A less civilized person might decide to insult you every chance they get, after the several comments you've made at me.

When you insult me or other frequent posters, it is merely an annoyance. However, when you insult those who are relatively new to the wiki, you are actually scaring them. I know if I got a comment like that on my first post, I might decide never to post again. This damages the wiki, as there may be quality posters waiting in the wings who you could be scaring off. Please, choose your words carefully and refrain from being rude - to everyone, from newbs to admins and everyone in between. --BMS 11:13, 29 January 2006 (EST)

This is not rude, it is blunt honesty, and should be taken as such.--Ricimer 11:27, 29 January 2006 (EST)

There're plenty of ways to be honest and even blunt, but not rude. In fact, I don't think you were very blunt at all. Blunt would have been more like: "Six is the highest number on dice. That is "hard" to roll." And BMS's sample would have been just as honest (read: truthful) as your post. Additionally, just because you intended something to be blunt and honest, but not rude, doesn't mean others must take it that way; the onus is on you to make sure your intent is clear in the words and phrases you choose. --Day 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

In [standard craps], "hard six" specifically refers to the combination 3-3 on two dice. You can roll a six 5 different ways (1-5,2-4,3-3,4-2,5-1) only 1 of which is "hard". When a player needs a six, any of the combinations will do. The odds against making a hard six are 10-1, since only 1 outcome is favorable and 10 are unfavorable (namely, the other 4 ways to make a six, and all 6 ways to make a seven). So the symmetry and low frequency of 3-3 lead to its special designation. The same is true of hard 4, 8 and 10. There is no "hard 2" or "hard 12" for a variety of reasons including the obvious one (there's only one way to roll them anyhow). --JohnH 12:40, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Actually, the odds of rolling a hard six are 36 to 1 rather than 10 to 1. There are 36 (6x6) possible combinations with two dice, only one of which (3-3) is the one you need. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 15:48, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

Thanks, John. This has been bugging me for a long time, too. Now we all know. --Day 13:05, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Yes, yes, thank you. I am quite sorry. Please, let's put this unpleasantness behind us.--Ricimer 13:14, 29 January 2006 (EST)

That's what I thought it was. I've noticed that I've also been saying this in normal conversation. --Talos 13:32, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Thanks a ton John. That helps a lot, now I can actually explain it when someone asks. Talos: its pretty bad, isn't it? Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop doing it, though! --BMS 13:42, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Hey, don't feel bad, I insert it into conversation on purpose--Ricimer 14:16, 29 January 2006 (EST)

Husker

Say, is there a way to get the Character template to stop saying William "Husker" Adama? He has not been addressed as Husker, so it might be more of a confusion than anything to have it say that. As a Commander and now an Admiral, he has not been known as a Viper pilot for quite a while. Long before we became "acquainted" with him. Rocky8311 23:47, 24 February 2006 (EST)

Yeah, I'm not a fan of it either (or anything on that template, for that matter) - but if we get rid of his callsign, should we also get rid of Lee's? --Peter Farago 23:59, 24 February 2006 (EST)

Sources?

There are lots of things in this article that weren't stated in any of the shows. Shouldn't these things have notes as to their sources?

"At the outbreak of the first Cylon War, Adama was serving in the Colonial Fleet as a Viper pilot. He allegedly gained the call sign of "Husker" on account of his baritone "gravelled" voice. He proved to be a gifted pilot, shooting down his first Cylon on his very first mission. He racked-up his 1,000th deck landing while serving aboard the Battlestar Atlantia (Act of Contrition), when he held the rank of Lieutenant. "

Where is all that from? I can only imagine the Video Game, which is not a legitimate source (according to the Citation Jihad Project)

"before the pressures of Adama's career and the time he spent away from home of active service began to place a strain on their marriage."

Has it ever been stated why they divorced?

"but within a few years he had been discharged as the result of a reduction-in-force."

We don't know why he was discharged.

Just a few examples.

~~~~ makes a magic signature thing, though you have to make your own dashes.

We certainly know he was a gifted viper pilot, though the "in the First Cylon War" part might be based on deleted scenes. (The flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., certainly say it.) We know he had the callsign "Husker" as well, though, again, maybe just from deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc., probably); I don't recall knowing why he got it. I don't recall the kill on first mission, either. The 1,000th deck landing thing is apparently referenced in Act of Contrition, which fits with the celebration that was interrupted by the errant probe, but I admit not recalling the line; checking the transcripts would verify.

I don't recall knowing the reason Adama is estranged from his wife, but I do recall that we do not know if they are divorced at all (see above section).

I believe the reduction in force reason was at least heavily implied in deleted scenes (the flashbacks to Adama and Tigh meeting, etc.).

So, the stuff I'd be worried about is the reason for the callsign, the kill on the first mission, and the reason for his estrangement from his wife. All seem reasonable (and the last almost certain), but that's not good enough; someone else can probably source them, though. --CalculatinAvatar 15:02, 9 March 2006 (CST)

We know his callsign because it was printed by the cockpit of his Mark 2 viper in the miniseries.

We don't know wny adama is estranged from his wife, but we know he was divorced because in the miniseries, apollo says that she is getting remarried.

We don't know why Tigh and Adama ended up on a freighter. Maybe they quit after the war? Maybe they were tossed out as reduction in force. It's never said.

Both Adama and Tigh were honorably discharged after the war. The only reason why Adama got in was because his "new wife" had pull in the Colonial Military. -- Joe Beaudoin 17:26, 12 March 2006 (CST)

You're right about the callsign, though I'd note I did say that we knew it.

Popping in that DVD, indeed such a marriage is mentioned. (Though it did bring to mind my inability to recall mention that they were ever married.)

While I was popping in DVD's, I confirmed the Atlantia location for Adama's 1000th landing. (Kara tells a story about it in Act of Contrition.) --CalculatinAvatar 18:55, 12 March 2006 (CST)

Regarding the discharge of Adama and Tigh, I think that they were most likely honorably discharged, since the fleet eventually re-hired them. The issue here though is WHY were they honorably discharged? Did they themselves resign, or did the Fleet downsize them out of the service?

After World War II, the government didn't really have much problems with military size, as a great number of people merely did not reenlist.. and who could blame them? Did Adama and Tigh do the same thing? were they so sick of war that they got themselves out of the service, only to find civilian life unsatisfying?

We just don't know, and stating otherwise as fact probably isn't the best thing to do.

Cleanup Required

This article is one of our longest. I wouldn't necessarily want to lose the central bio, but we should move the first season info into a subarticle, or severely condense it. --Spencerian 10:51, 14 June 2006 (CDT)

This article now possesses the first truncated character bio for a major character. Discussions of the article appear in User talk:Spencerian/Shortbio and the original mock page is at User:Spencerian/Shortbio. In short, the goal of this adjustment to highlight the important notes of the character with a minimum of narrative or rehashing of episode data already present in other articles. In short, the bio page reflects more on who the character is, and less on what he's done that's not something of remarkable note and which hasn't been noted ad nauseum to another article. Truncated character bios also reduce the article size to prevent issues with older browsers and readers, and make it easier for all to edit and update since historical information can simply be added in a few bullets. We haven't set this format officially, so now is the time to comment and critique this live version. --Spencerian 09:54, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

I like. I went in and fixed some typos. I wonder if "background" might not be made to be even shorter. As it stands, it's nearly as long as the in-series stuff we've seen. Maybe that's just an artifact of his having a lot of background provided to us in the show (as opposed to the reletively equal amount of BG exposition each character received in the Mini). Anyway, I think this is a lot more wieldy. I would not be opposed to other lengthy character pages moving to a similar format. Maybe we should make some S&C regarding it, though, first. Not sure. --Day ^{(Talk - Admin)} 14:05, 13 July 2006 (CDT)

Right. The bullets allow better condensing, so if there's more there that's really an episode comment rather than a distinguishing character comment, then it should be removed. The essense of what he is is different than how we need to talk about what he does. I have Gaius Baltar next on my target for such a truncation once we approve the format, then Roslin. --Spencerian 13:17, 14 July 2006 (CDT)

I am opposed to this use of bulleted list on a character page. I understand that it is to long, but it's not good this way. I'll work on it later. --The Merovingian ^{(C - E)} 12:20, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

I am, personally, fine with bullets, but don't feel married to them. A narrative format giving this same level of information is, to me, equally desirable. --Day ^{(Talk - Admin - SotS)} 15:04, 19 July 2006 (CDT)

Mum and Pop Adjustment

Since the authenticity of the character's parents was correctly called into question by Merv per Citation Jihad guidelines, Sky One information on the character's parents, specifically Evilyn Adama, has been removed as its official source cannot be verified. The brief character page for Ms. Adama has also been removed. We may likely know more once Caprica airs. --Spencerian 11:44, 28 July 2006 (CDT)

His service file in "Hero"

Here is the service file from "Hero":

- Born H5/21290 and raised in the colony of Caprica, in [Qualia], a small coastal community.
- Mother Evelyn Adama, an accountant.
- Father Joseph Adama, a prominent attorney who specialized in criminal defense and civil liberties.

MILITARY SERVICE
D6/21311 First commission: Battlestar Galactica fighter squadron
E4/21312 Commendation for shooting down Cylon fighter in first combat mission
D3/21314 Mustered out of service post armistice
H5/21317 Served as Deck Hand in merchant fleet and as crewman aboard inter-colony tramp freighters
D1/21331 Recommissioned to Fleet
D2/21337 Major: Battlestar Atlantia
R3/21341 Executive Officer: Battlestar Columbia
C2/21345 Commander: Battlestar Valkyrie
C2/21348 Commander: Battlestar Galactica

What doesn't make sense is that he was XO on Valkyrie only 3 years ago. I got the distinct impression that he was on Galactica for a longer time. For example Gaeta, Starbuck and possibly Tyrol make statements that they served with him for 2-3 years on seperate occassions. Given his stated service time of 45 years, it would put the current year at 21356. That would also put the Valkyrie mission 8 years back. So assuming that it was 8 instead of 3 years, everything would fit again --Serenity 07:09, 18 November 2006 (CST)

Is Adama a Cylon?

This might sound far-reaching, but I don't think it is. Leoben hinted at the possibility, and we see him in another episode (sorry, don't remember which one) crushing pecan shells (or walnuts?) with his bare hands. Who do we know has superhuman strength? The human-Cylons as evidenced by when Leoben rips apart a pipe at the Ragnar station, and when Kara is fist-fighting 6 on Caprica, along with some other shows of strengths by human cylons that I'm neglecting to mention.

He might be one of the Final Five. Perhaps the Final Five were a rebellious group trying to help the humans, and that's why the other seven don't talk about them. -- supercheetah 05:41, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

Adama has a son and served in the original Cylon War. He cannot be a Cylon. --Mercifull ^{(Talk/Contribs)} 06:32, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

Perhaps he was one of the first human-Cylons. Serving in the first Cylon War may have been a rebellion on his part. --supercheetah 20:44, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

Not possible. The original Cylons were purely mechanical (identical in appearance to their Original Series versions), not humanoid as many are now. The humanoids weren't built until sometime between the end of the Cylon War and probably a short time before the second. William Adama has a child but also was the son of another mentioned-only character, of which a new character, Romo Lampkin, has studied under, which verifies Adama's humanity. Cylons are effectively infertile (with one exception). Check out the articles "Humanoid Cylon speculation" for notable characters that are eligible for suspicion, and a list of characters with virtually no possibility of being a Cylon for some additional insight. --Spencerian 23:08, 15 March 2007 (CDT)

Who here thinks Adama is a bad Commander

In the origional series he was really a good commander, but here, all he did was get assigned to a bad ship and not get promoted to Admiral. I've looked at the episode in a whole and see how bad Adama is in the CIC. When they get attacked in the miniseries all he does is exchange pleasentries with his XO whole a nuke is imbound that is going to kill 85 of his men. I don't want to sound rude, but shouldn't the great hero be a little smarter than he is. His own son was a better commander than he was as he at least cripled a Baseship by maneuvering the Pegasus instead of just sitting there letting his Vipers do all the work while he is outmaneuvered, outgunned, and outmatched every time. --Sith Penguin Lord 15:34, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

Remember that Adama planned the Battle of New Caprica. Granted, Pegasus had to intervene, but the plan was a daring one. Also remember that, like Apollo said, "command is about people". Adama's crew trusts him, and he knows how to communicate with his crew and defuse issues. For an example of the latter, I refer to the scene in "Flight of the Phoenix" in which Tigh and Gaeta are arguing, and Adama approaches Gaeta in a friendly way and gets him to work. Also, when a nuke is gonna hit you in 10 seconds, it's too late to do anything but pray the Vipers will take it down. Weapon batteries are powered off (they're no use against just two Raiders), and maneuvering a mile-long ship in such a short time is also not doable. --Catrope^{(Talk to me or e-mail me)} 15:43, 20 April 2007 (CDT)

The RDM Adama is more straightlaced but experienced military man, with his flaws that come with that. Bill Adama is also a cool cucumber in the heat of battle, with no dramatics like Captain Kirk would have. Character history shows that he does that purposely to show other crew an example of calm and discipline. Felix Gaeta emulates Adama often in season 1 with that same demeanor. The TOS Adama was more of a blend between the military Adama and Laura Roslin's spiritual and civilian outlook. Adama and Saul Tigh have a rapport with each other that has kept them calm through experience: They both served in the Cylon War, which was horrific in the worst way. Perhaps they don't overreact because (1) they knew that a battlestar could take a nuke hit (it is designed to) and (2) they've seen worse.

Don't discount Adama's strategy at the Battle of New Caprica. It worked and very well. But every strategy has its weaknesses, and Adama knew that if more than two baseships engaged Galactica, they were in trouble. His son (who's learned to be a good battlestar commmander himself) showed equal thoughtfulness in (1) coming to the battle (2) leaving his Vipers behind as protection for the last of humanity just in case, and (3) realizing that sacrificing one battlestar against 4 baseships was worth it to keeping one battlestar alive. -- Spencerian 15:54, 20 April 2007 (CDT) ^{(Talk - Contrib Skillz - Edit Skillz)}