The Return of Starbuck

Overview

Dr. Zee relates a dream he had about a pilot called Starbuck to Commander Adama; thus revealing Starbuck's fate.

Summary

• Dr. Zee has had a dream about a Colonial Warrior called Starbuck, who crashed on an unknown planet. After confiding in Commander Adama, he discovers that the dream is indeed true.
• Some 14 yahren ago, Starbuck and Boomer were on patrol when they were attacked by a phalanx of Cylon Raiders.
• After being seriously damaged, Starbuck says farewell to his friend, Boomer, and finds a planet to crash land on.
• Boomer pleads with Adama to mount a rescue; such an act is impossible as the Cylons are actively pursuing them. They can only press forward.
• After setting up camp on the planet Starbuck, Starbuck comes across the wreckage of a Raider, finding all the Cylons non-functional.
• Out of loneliness, Starbuck fixes a Cylon Centurion, who initially tries to kill the Warrior. However, Starbuck has wired himself a remote on/off switch, so that he can disable the Centurion at will.
• The Cylon, whom he calls Cy (shorthand for Cyrus), and Starbuck become friends of a sort, much to their mutual astonishment.
• Cy runs off after discovering that Starbuck was cheating at pyramid.
• As Starbuck mopes, Cy returns to the camp with a female human. She calls herself Angela and is pregnant.
• Cy hoped that now that Starbuck had a human companion that he would not be so bored.
• Angela asks that Starbuck find a way to get her child off the planet; Starbuck begins to suspect that Angela is not all she appears.
• Cy and Starbuck cobble together parts from both their crafts, creating a ship that could carry Angela and her child to safety.
• After the ship launches, a Cylon patrol lands on the planet. Finding Starbuck, the Cylon Centurions attempt to kill him.
• Cy defends Starbuck, sacrificing his life for that of the Warrior's.

Notes

• This is the only episode that fandom would deem canonical, as they believe it has the spirit of the original series; unsurprising as it was an idea thrown around during the run of the original.
• "The Return of Starbuck" is viewed as -- and was -- a last-ditch effort to save Galactica 1980. It failed.
• Had the series been permitted to live, an episode called "Wheel of Fire" would have seen Starbuck rescued by the Beings of Light to become one of their rank.

Statistics

Guest Stars

• Dirk Benedict as Lieutenant Starbuck
• Judith Chapman as Angela
• Rex Cutter as Cyrus / "Cy"
• Gary Owens as Cyrus / "Cy" (voice)
• Ellen Gurkin as Girl on bridge

Writing & Direction

• Written by Glen A. Larson
• Directed by Ron Satlof

Production Notes

• Series 1 (1980)
• Production Number: 1.10
• Airdate Order: 10 (of 10)

First Run Air Dates & Releases

• UK Airdate: Date
• US Airdate: 4 May 1980
• DVD Release: N/A