Baltar (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 depiction of this character, see: Baltar (TOS).

Baltar is the greatest traitor in human history, a former advisor to the President of the Quorum who orchestrated the betrayal of the Twelve Colonies to the Cylons, leading to the near-extinction of humanity. Despite his infamy, Baltar survives for decades after, serving the Cylons before eventually being captured by the Colonial Fleet and living among the survivors he betrayed.

Biography

Early Life and Political Career

Baltar serves as advisor to the President of the Quorum before the Fall of the Colonies. Despite his ambitions, he is passed over repeatedly for the Presidency of the Quorum itself, leading him to realize he will never attain that post through legitimate means. Even if he had achieved the presidency, he recognizes he would still have to contend with the eleven other councilors. This frustration, combined with his belief that he needs to rule absolutely, sets him on his path to betrayal.

Baltar is of the same blood as Commander Adama, a son of Kobol.

The Great Betrayal

After nearly a millennium of warfare between humanity and the Cylons, Baltar devises a scheme to end the war and simultaneously seize absolute power. He orchestrates a false peace initiative with the Cylons, planning for the Cylon Empire to conquer the human race with his assistance. In exchange, Baltar believes he will rule humanity as regent under the Imperious Leader, so long as he does not defy Cylon authority.

Baltar aids the Cylons in deceiving the Quorum, ensuring the Colonies are dealt a devastating defeat. He justifies his actions with the twisted logic that a few million lives are acceptable losses when measured against what he perceives as the future well-being and long-term survival of the human race under his leadership. However, the Cylons betray Baltar's expectations completely—the Imperious Leader seeks nothing less than the complete eradication of humanity from the galaxy.

Service to the Cylons

Following the betrayal, Baltar spends eighteen yahren working with the Cylons, attempting to track down the fleeing Colonial Fleet and destroy the last remnants of humanity. During this time, he does whatever is necessary to survive, continuing to obey the Imperious Leader while trying to consolidate some power among the Cylons, only to be betrayed repeatedly.

Baltar commands a Cylon base star for a time, with Lucifer serving as his aide. However, the Imperious Leader eventually relieves Baltar of command, demoting him to mere advisor while elevating Lucifer to command of the base star. Baltar despises Lucifer, particularly the cogitator's amused tone when saying "By your command."

During his time among the Cylons, Baltar learns much about their three castes: the nearly mindless Centurions, the Imperious Leader himself, and higher-functioning Cylons like Lucifer who possess two brains and serve as officers. He discovers that when an Imperious Leader dies—Cylon lifespans extend beyond two centuries—a new leader is chosen from the ranks of cogitators, who receive a third brain that grants them the capacity for abstract thought and limitless knowledge.

Baltar also learns critical information about Count Iblis, the ancient being who created the Cylon race millennia earlier through genetic splicing of the reptilian natives of planet Cylon and cybernetic technology, programming them with two species goals: conquest of the universe and extermination of humanity. Before his death, Iblis prepared an Imperious Leader with all his wisdom and knowledge to carry on in his place, though cogitators consider Iblis largely mythical. When Baltar faces execution, Iblis offers him information sufficient to save his life.

Return to the Fleet

Eventually, Baltar is captured by Colonial forces and brought back to the fleet. Rather than being executed, he is placed under a form of house arrest with a tracking device implanted around his ankle that causes pain when he strays too far from his designated quarters. This tracebomb implant is controversial, with some Quorum members like Siress Kiera objecting to it as an inhuman form of punishment.

Commander Apollo takes personal responsibility for Baltar, allowing him relative freedom in exchange for information about the Cylons and strategic advice. The Council's leniency stems partly from Baltar's extensive knowledge of Cylon capabilities and partly from political considerations. However, Baltar remains a pariah among the fleet's citizens, his name snarled with disgust by the average person.

Despite the restrictions, Baltar manages to acquire luxuries like ambrosa through sympathetic individuals who don't view him as the monster most citizens believe him to be. He develops a particularly notable friendship with Siress Kiera, appearing with her in public multiple times, which causes considerable controversy within the Quorum. President Tigh is especially incensed by this relationship and seeks a formal censure against Kiera, though the Quorum only issues a private reprimand. Tigh warns that if Kiera continues appearing publicly with Baltar, he will have the traitor imprisoned for life on Icarus.

Attempts at Redemption

While living among the fleet, Baltar makes periodic attempts to rehabilitate his image, working to convince people that he was an unwilling pawn in the Cylon betrayal. He presents himself as having been a prisoner of the Cylons rather than a willing collaborator. At times, Baltar even claims to have experienced "real freedom" and describes himself as "a free man," despite his captive status.

However, Baltar's true nature occasionally surfaces. When alone with Commander Cain, he drops his pretense entirely, revealing pride in his accomplishments and showing no remorse for his actions. He demonstrates a philosophy that rejects concepts of good and evil, instead viewing life as a series of "choices."

Despite his past, Baltar provides valuable intelligence to the fleet on multiple occasions. He offers the coordinates of a supposedly habitable planet unknown to the Cylons, knowledge he acquired during his time serving them. He insists his continued well-being is tied to the fleet's survival and claims his only future lies in redeeming himself with the colonials.

Conspiracy and Vindication

During a period of political upheaval, Baltar becomes entangled in a conspiracy orchestrated by Sire Aron. When Apollo is falsely accused of murdering Jinkrat, Baltar emerges from the shadows to help uncover the truth. Working with Koren, the son of Jinkrat, Baltar helps prove Apollo's innocence by allowing the boy to testify that his father died saving Apollo, not at Apollo's hand.

When Aron attempts to kill Apollo during the tribunal, Baltar physically grapples with the conspirator, forcing his laser blast astray and saving Apollo's life. In this moment, Baltar displays genuine courage and looks like "a true member of the Council" and "the great Lord he could once have been." His actions during this crisis demonstrate that despite his history, Baltar is capable of acting selflessly when circumstances demand it.

During the confrontation with Aron, Baltar makes a critical statement to the Council: "I'm not lying now, Aron. I am telling the truth!" This moment represents a turning point where Baltar openly acknowledges his past deceptions while insisting on his present honesty.

Final Days

Eventually, Baltar achieves a measure of freedom from his internal torments. In his final moments, he tells Apollo across a communication channel: "For the Lords of Kobol, I go to meet what fate the Gods have in store for me. You died bravely, Baltar." Before the connection ends, he delivers a dire warning about an approaching Cylon assault: "But your fate approaches too, Apollo. You must meet it with every ounce of courage that you have. Your father never faced such a challenge. The Cylons are coming, Apollo. Coming in all their might. And I know better than any man how weak the fleet is now. May the Light of the Lords of Kobol shine on you."

His final words are cut short: "I will see you no—" The implication is clear that Baltar dies shortly after delivering this warning, having achieved some form of peace and freedom from the Imperious Leader's mental control that had plagued him for decades.

Personality and Abilities

Baltar possesses an extraordinary ability to perceive and manipulate the thoughts of others, able to give commands with his mind as easily as breathing. The weak-minded and unwary are particularly vulnerable to his mental influence. Even strong-willed individuals like Apollo must guard their thoughts carefully in his presence to avoid giving Baltar any opening to worm his way into their minds.

Despite his advanced age—the years have not been kind to him as they were to Adama—Baltar retains much of his cunning and intelligence. However, there is a visible weakness in his movements and an uncertainty that stems not just from age but from something deeper in his soul. Much of his old fury and vigor fades over time, and he can no longer capture the nastiness he once possessed with such ease.

In his heart, Baltar believes he is the hero of his own story, never seeing himself as the villain others perceive. Every choice he makes seems foredoomed to turn into betrayal, though he cannot understand why this is so. He maintains that all his actions were undertaken for the betterment of humanity, believing that nothing could be better for the human race than his own leadership.

Baltar is haunted by persistent nightmares featuring the eyes of the Imperious Leader, Count Iblis, and all those who died because of his betrayals, including his long-dead parents. These nightmares grow increasingly bizarre and intense over time, becoming more elaborate and disturbing with each occurrence. The voice of the Imperious Leader continues to torment him even after his service to the Cylons ends, suggesting a lingering psychological connection.

Relationships

Apollo

Baltar's relationship with Apollo is complex and contradictory. He openly mocks and taunts the commander at times, yet also provides crucial assistance during critical moments. Despite taking personal responsibility for Baltar, Apollo maintains extreme caution around him, knowing the traitor's ability to manipulate minds. Their interactions are marked by mutual wariness, though Baltar occasionally shows what might be genuine concern for Apollo's well-being.

On one occasion, Baltar even walks in on Athena and Starbuck in a compromising situation in Apollo's quarters, an incident that causes Baltar to blush—an expression Apollo has never seen on the villain's face before.

The Cylons

Baltar's relationship with the Cylons is one of perpetual disappointment and betrayal. He despises them, particularly the Imperious Leader who repeatedly deceives him, and Lucifer, whose amused superiority grates on his pride. Yet he remains dependent on them for survival during his years of service. The Imperious Leader tells Baltar he was "the perfect traitor" because he "never loved," a statement that haunts him in his nightmares. The Cylons consider Baltar dysfunctional and evil precisely because he does not serve his own species, though they acknowledge he possesses one Cylon virtue: he does not let concern for any individual detract from his larger purpose.

Notes

• Baltar's statement that "there are always choices" reflects his philosophical rejection of absolute moral standards, viewing decisions as purely pragmatic rather than ethical.
• His ability to manipulate minds suggests either advanced psychological training or some form of psychic capability acquired through unknown means.
• The tracking device around his ankle causes him agony when he strays too far from his quarters, yet on at least one occasion he demonstrates remarkable pain tolerance, showing no reaction despite the device glowing "like a Cylon's eye."
• Despite being one of the most reviled figures in human history, Baltar maintains a small circle of sympathizers who provide him with contraband luxuries and social companionship.