Wilker (TOS-RH)

This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch Novelizations separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.

For the canonical counterpart, see: Wilker.

Doctor Wilker is a physician and scientist serving aboard Galactica.

Medical Duties

Wilker serves as a primary physician in Galactica's med-unit, treating both routine medical cases and critical injuries. He attends to Starbuck following the pilot's severe injuries sustained during a battle with the Chitain. Starbuck suffers a massive cranial trauma and oxygen deprivation after being rescued from his Viper.

When Starbuck awakens from a three-week coma, Wilker briefs Commander Apollo and the assembled group of friends on the pilot's condition. He cautions them not to expect too much, warning that Starbuck may not be the same man they remember. The doctor explains that due to the massive cranial trauma, Starbuck may not remember or even recognize his friends, though he notes it is "a miracle he's alive at all."

After allowing a brief visit, Wilker emphasizes that Starbuck's condition remains very unstable despite his remarkable retention of memory and cognition. He indicates that further tests are needed to determine if there is any damage to Starbuck's motor skills, and warns of possible serious repercussions.

Later in the crisis, when Starbuck's condition suddenly deteriorates while the fleet orbits Kobol, Wilker urgently contacts Apollo on the bridge to inform him of the emergency.

During the settlement of Paradis, Wilker checks on Cassiopeia during her pregnancy. When she shares the midwife K'Ris's metaphorical story about her child being "a piece of the sun," Wilker engages with the symbolism, noting that even the natives sense something special about Paradis's red sun. He explains that the fleet's physicists are fascinated by the star, and discusses the practical necessity of determining how long it will continue to give life to the planet. When Cassie expresses disbelief that a star can die, Wilker explains that dying stars throw out streams of pure neutrinos, adding that even with QSE technology, they likely could not harness all that free energy.

Wilker also provides medical care to Baltar, who seeks treatment for severe headaches that he believes may be psychosomatic. When Baltar admits the headaches are linked to nightmares, Wilker concludes they are likely psychosomatic in origin. The doctor proves somewhat skeptical of Baltar's concerns, frustrating the former traitor with his dismissive bedside manner. Wilker offers to prescribe stronger medication than Baltar has been using, but cautions that he believes the condition is psychosomatic and that even if there is a deeper cause, medication will not provide lasting relief.

Scientific Work

In addition to his medical responsibilities, Wilker conducts scientific research alongside Dr. Salik. The two scientists make a groundbreaking discovery while dissecting the remains of a destroyed Cylon that has been kept in storage for several yahren.

Wilker presents the findings to Apollo in the science lab, displaying two DNA samples on a computer monitor. When Apollo initially cannot determine any great difference between the samples, Wilker reveals they are comparing human DNA taken from Dr. Salik with Cylon DNA extracted from the biological brain of the preserved Cylon. The samples prove to be almost identical, with only minor differences in cellular structure.

Wilker explains the implications: the Cylons are using human DNA to upgrade and stabilize their own reptilian DNA. He notes that the Cylons are ever-evolving or adapting their race through genetic enhancements, seeking ways to improve their stock and create a race genetically superior to humans. Based on the sample from the frozen Cylon—which joined the fleet many yahren ago—Wilker expresses concern that the Cylons may be very close to achieving this goal.

This discovery proves crucial when Dr. Salik later publicly confirms the findings before an assembled crowd on Kobol, stating that he and Dr. Wilker discovered human DNA splices when they examined the Cylon corpse kept in storage.

Notes

• In the Original Series, Wilker's sciences are typically limited to electronics, robotics, and scientific research not relating to the medical sciences.

References

 

Subject: Characters