Galactica Discovers Earth (Book)
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| Galactica Discovers Earth A book of the Berkley Books line | ||
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| Book No. | 5 | |
| Author(s) | Michael Resnick | |
| Adaptation of | Galactica Discovers Earth | |
| No. of Pages | 187 (2nd edition) | |
| Published | December 1980 (1st edition) September 1981 (2nd edition) December 1982 (3rd edition) | |
| ISBN | 0425061256 | |
| Chronology | ||
| Previous | Next | |
| The Young Warriors | Galactica Discovers Earth | The Living Legend |
| Paperback Version | ||
| Available at Amazon.com – Purchase | ||
| Available at Amazon.co.uk – Purchase | ||
| Available at BOOKSAMILLION.COM - Purchase | ||
| Available at Half.com by eBay - Purchase | ||
| Audiobook Version | ||
| Available at iTunes – [{{{itunes}}} Purchase] | ||
Galactica Discovers Earth was a novelization of the original three hours of Galactica 1980 that was published after the series was canceled. The storyline covers the events of what would be the first three episodes in the syndicated version of the series: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part 1" Part 2 and Part 3.
Plot
Much of the novel is composed of entries from Adama's journals, Dr. Zee's diary tapes, "reconstructed" transcripts and even newspaper clippings to lend a contemporary and urgent air to the text.
The novel strays far from the episodes, indicating that it was based on earlier story treatments. There is additional dialogue in the book, while whole sections from the television programs are missing. The basic plotline involving the search for Doctor Donald Mortinson (named Alfred Mortinson), and the time travel sequence to 1944, and Xavier finding Mortinson are all present. Chapters 35 through 39 deviate the most from the storyline and also deal with additional events that occur between "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III" and "The Super Scouts, Part I".
In these last chapters, we learn that Xavier has headed off into the past to several different time frames. Troy and Dillon follow him to Ancient Greece, to Europe during the Crusades, and to the time of the US Civil War. After he is intercepted—but eludes them—each time, Troy concludes that Xavier has given up time travel in favor of influencing present day Earth, since the Warriors will undoubtedly be able to stop Xaviar from making any changes to the timeline before they take hold permanently. Finally, Troy and Dillon again meet with Doctor Mortinson to make sure he is able to continue work using the formula they gave him, and Adama reflects on the promise the alliance between the Colonials and the people of Earth holds.
This novelization is an early example of writing by Mike Resnick who went on to become a Hugo Award winning science fiction author. Robert Thurston was the author originally contracted to write the book but since his wife was suffering from cancer, Resnick, a close friend of Thurston's, stepped in and wrote it in his place.
Summary of Differences
- In an Adama Journals entry, we are told that Apollo was killed in battle with the Cylons (though we aren't given any details).
- As the Galactica approaches Earth, many people in the fleet make bets as to how Earth will turn out: Earth is radioctive, Earth is primitive, Earth is too advanced to be bothered with them, Earth is planning to declare war on them. Dillon bets that the people of Earth already detected the Cylons and evacuated the planet in preparation for war.
- Adama experiences a major dose of culture shock when he watches images of Earth television such as a football game and a cartoon (Road Runner?).
- Dr. Zee is able to detect the Cylons because he notices there is an excessive amount of neutrino activity in the vicinity of Barnard's Star. He concludes that the increased neutrino activity is being caused by the power output of the Cylon fleet.
- Zee's creation of a projected Cylon attack on Earth is much more global, including attacks on Europe and other countries.
- The Turbines do not have flying capabilities.
- The motivation of the Hell's Angels attack on Troy and Dillon is explained. Further, the altercation doesn't end with the Warriors flying away on their turbocycle; instead, the Warriors manage to deal with all 20+ Hell's Angels in an altercation in a schoolyard, mostly stunning them.
- Instead of walking through the front door of the Pacific Institute of Technology and stunning the guard, Troy and Dillon enter the nearby sewer system and burn their way through the basement of the building. After burning their way to the first floor, they then decide to take the stairs after stunning two of the guards.
- Dr. Mortinson's hand is cut by the glass from the shattered window.
- The entire sub-plot dealing with Willy Griffin and his father discovering the Vipers is gone. The Vipers, however, are detected by military personnel. However, before they are taken away to a military base, Dillon and Troy are able to retake their craft non-violently and leave. Also, the plot of Troy, Dillon, and Hamilton sneaking into Van Nuys A.N.G. Base to recover the ships—including Xaviar's—is not present here.
- After the Gestapo search Number Three Mororanstrasse, Troy allows himself to be captured. Troy begins to undergo torture at the hands of Branham, but is later freed by Dillon.
- Jamie Hamilton leaves her new job at the UBC, after Dana Anderson orders a trace on an incoming call made by Dillon—a "terrorist"—and having earlier voiced his belief that she was becoming sympathetic with these so-called "terrorists".
- After pursuing Xaviar throughout time, and managing to thwart him the first few times, Troy surmises that Xaviar has given up altering the past, because each time he does so, the Warriors would be able to intercept him, as so long as they have the technology and the means to do so.
- Troy completes the equation he had left Alfred Mortinson earlier.
Characters
A list of characters and their analogues to the aired episode, if applicable.
Galacticans
1944 C.E.
Allied Forces and Others
Nazis
In a report from General Yodel, the following Nazi soldiers who are dispatched by Troy and Dillon were transferred to the Russian front: J. Huber, W. Blumenstritt, L. Steinhardt, W. Kappstadt, J. Streck, T. Straunning, L. Blaumann, and P. Plaga. Their commanding officer, J. Gansz, was recommended for immediate court martial.[8]
1980 C.E.
Analysis
- As with the episode, Mortinson apparently doesn't back up his computer files, since any work that Troy and Dillon would've done could be reverted with such a computerized data backup.
Notes
- Troy and Dillon are equipped with climbing equipment in the form of suction devices for their hands and feet, and consider using it to gain access to the fourth floor (where Alfred Mortinson's office is), but determine that they may be easily found and gunned down before they knew what struck them.
- Rather than being published under the Galactica 1980 series title, the novelisation was published as part of the ongoing Battlestar Galactica book series. This would prove appropriate, given that the episodes of 1980 would later be rolled into the syndicated package of the original series.
Alternate covers
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Front cover. -
Back cover.
References
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 109-111
- ↑ Ibid., p. 94
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 105-106
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 102, 123-124
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 108-109
- ↑ Ibid., p. 107
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 127-134
- ↑ Ibid., p. 102
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 20-24
- ↑ Ibid., p. 74
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 57-59
- ↑ Ibid., p. 157
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ibid, p. 20
- ↑ Ibid., p. 186
- ↑ Ibid., p. 157
- ↑ Ibid., p. 43-46
- ↑ Ibid., p. 186