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[[Image:Season 3 - Promo - Collaborators - Tribuial.jpg|The Circle.<br/>Pictured clockwise are members Saul Tigh, Jean Barolay, Kara Thrace, Diana Seelix, and Charlie Connor.|200px|thumb]]
'''The Circle''' is a secret tribunal authorized by President [[Tom Zarek]]. The task of this tribunal is to decide the fate of people implicated as collaborators during the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]].   
'''The Circle''' is the name given to a tribunal secretly authorized by President [[Tom Zarek]]. The task of this tribunal is to decide the fate of people implicated as collaborators during the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]].   


The Circle's initial members include [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Diana Seelix]], [[Jean Barolay]], and [[Charlie Connor]]. After the trials and executions of thirteen suspected collaborators, Anders decides that he is no longer able to handle the emotional burden of deciding the life or death decisions made by the group. He is replaced by his wife, [[Kara Thrace]].
[[Image:Season 3 - Promo - Collaborators - Tribuial.jpg|The Circle discussing Felix Gaeta. In clockwise: Kara Thrace, Diana Seelix, Charlie Connor, Saul Tigh, Jean Barolay. Not shown is Galen Tyrol.|200px|thumb]]


While certainly not the normal manner for the trial (and punishment) of suspected traitors, the Circle does have a legal basis. When Anders drops out, the group needs to find a sixth member. As Colonel Tigh mentions, they "are not a death squad. [They] need six members to be legal, as the President ordered." (Some viewers might think that he refers to [[Laura Roslin]], but she has not re-assumed the presidency yet, and with Baltar with the Cylons, this means Tom Zarek has succeeded to the office.)
Convictions are for "crimes against humanity and treason". The tribunal's proceedings are apparently limited to the period between the escape from New Caprica and the transition of the presidency from Zarek to [[Laura Roslin]].


Although Connor is out of revenge for his dead son and cares little for proper procedures, Tigh and Tyrol emphasize that they need proof and eye witnesses accounts to convict people. Nonetheless, Roslin and Adama are appalled that Zarek would authorize trials without granting the accused the legal representation they are entitled too. Zarek tries to justify this, by saying that the Fleet would be occupied for months or years with proper trials and wants to spare Roslin signing death warrants for the entirety of her next term.
The Circle consists of six members and is initially composed of [[Saul Tigh|Colonel Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]], [[Diana Seelix]], [[Jean Barolay]], and [[Charlie Connor]], all former members of the resistance on New Caprica. Anders later leaves the group and is replaced by his wife, [[Kara Thrace]].  


The suspect list includes [[Galactica (RDM)|''Galactica'']] military personnel [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]] and [[Felix Gaeta]]. The Circle convicts Lyman for perpetrating crimes against humanity and treason and executes him by expulsion through one of ''Galactica's'' [[launch tubes (RDM)|launch tubes]]. Gaeta, who had served as a presidential aide to [[Gaius Baltar]] on New Caprica is also convicted by the Circle of crimes against humanity.  Just before Gaeta is to be executed, Tyrol is able to confirm that it was Gaeta who served as the "inside source" during the occupation of New Caprica, passing top-secret information to the resistance. Tyrol convinces the other members of the Circle to stay the execution and Gaeta is released.
The members differ drastically in their motivations and behaviour:
*Anders and Tyrol are the most scrupulous members, insisting on proper procedure and clear evidence for convictions. Tyrol is often the last member to cast his vote. Anders drops out in protest against the majority's handling of the case of [[Felix Gaeta]] and Tyrol insists on the need to replace him before proceeding.  
*Colonel Tigh is less scrupulous and prone to assume guilt by association but - as in the case of Anders' replacement - insists on proper procedure according to presidential decree.
*Seelix and Barolay mostly mirror Tigh's approach but take no stance in the procedural issues.
*The most extreme member is Connor, who is simply out for revenge for his dead son and cares little for procedures. His proposal of summary conviction and execution is vocally (and physically) opposed by Colonel Tigh, who insists that the Circle is "not a death squad".
*Short-term member Kara Thrace, after initial concerns about the legality of the tribunal, quickly votes in favour of Gaeta's execution. She joined the Circle mainly for emotional reasons, seeking retribution for her ordeal on New Caprica by hurting somebody. She assaults Gaeta before his iminent execution but in the process he reveals information that leads to Gaeta's acquittal.


Fifty-six other suspected collaborators on the list are not tried. The Circle disbands when newly reinstated President Laura Roslin grants general pardons for all collaborators ([[Collaborators]]).
Of the Circle's list of suspects, two cases are shown on screen:
*The Circle convicts [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]], a reluctant member of the [[New Caprica Police]], for having participated in killings during a raid and execute him by expulsion through one of ''Galactica''{{'|s}} [[launch tubes (TRS)|launch tubes]]. 
*[[Felix Gaeta]], who had served as a presidential aide to [[Gaius Baltar]] on New Caprica, is also convicted by the Circle, though without proper evidence, leading to Anders' resignation. Gaeta, unwilling to defend himself, is assaulted by Kara Thrace, which leads to the revelation that Gaeta served as Tyrol's "inside source" during the occupation of New Caprica, passing top-secret information to the resistance. Tyrol convinces the other members of the Circle to acquit Gaeta.
 
Roslin and Adama are appalled that Zarek would authorize trials without granting the accused the legal representation they are entitled to. Zarek tries to justify this, by saying that the Fleet would be occupied for months or years with proper trials and that he wants to spare Roslin from signing death warrants for the entirety of her next term. The Circle disbands when newly reinstated President Laura Roslin grants a general pardon to all members of the fleet for crimes committed during the occupation. Fifty-six other suspected collaborators on the list are not tried {{TRS|Collaborators}}.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
*It is an interesting irony that at least three of the founding members are members of the [[final five]] Cylons, though they were not aware of it.
*Ironically, three members of the circle - Tyrol, Anders and Tigh - are later revealed to be members of the [[final five]] Cylons, though they were not aware of it at the time.
 
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[[Category:A to Z|Circle, The]]
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[[Category:Terminology|Circle, The]]
[[Category:Terminology (RDM)|Circle, The]]
[[Category:RDM|Circle, The]]

Latest revision as of 02:08, 3 April 2023

The Circle is a secret tribunal authorized by President Tom Zarek. The task of this tribunal is to decide the fate of people implicated as collaborators during the Cylon occupation of New Caprica.

The Circle discussing Felix Gaeta. In clockwise: Kara Thrace, Diana Seelix, Charlie Connor, Saul Tigh, Jean Barolay. Not shown is Galen Tyrol.

Convictions are for "crimes against humanity and treason". The tribunal's proceedings are apparently limited to the period between the escape from New Caprica and the transition of the presidency from Zarek to Laura Roslin.

The Circle consists of six members and is initially composed of Colonel Tigh, Galen Tyrol, Samuel Anders, Diana Seelix, Jean Barolay, and Charlie Connor, all former members of the resistance on New Caprica. Anders later leaves the group and is replaced by his wife, Kara Thrace.

The members differ drastically in their motivations and behaviour:

  • Anders and Tyrol are the most scrupulous members, insisting on proper procedure and clear evidence for convictions. Tyrol is often the last member to cast his vote. Anders drops out in protest against the majority's handling of the case of Felix Gaeta and Tyrol insists on the need to replace him before proceeding.
  • Colonel Tigh is less scrupulous and prone to assume guilt by association but - as in the case of Anders' replacement - insists on proper procedure according to presidential decree.
  • Seelix and Barolay mostly mirror Tigh's approach but take no stance in the procedural issues.
  • The most extreme member is Connor, who is simply out for revenge for his dead son and cares little for procedures. His proposal of summary conviction and execution is vocally (and physically) opposed by Colonel Tigh, who insists that the Circle is "not a death squad".
  • Short-term member Kara Thrace, after initial concerns about the legality of the tribunal, quickly votes in favour of Gaeta's execution. She joined the Circle mainly for emotional reasons, seeking retribution for her ordeal on New Caprica by hurting somebody. She assaults Gaeta before his iminent execution but in the process he reveals information that leads to Gaeta's acquittal.

Of the Circle's list of suspects, two cases are shown on screen:

  • The Circle convicts James "Jammer" Lyman, a reluctant member of the New Caprica Police, for having participated in killings during a raid and execute him by expulsion through one of Galactica's launch tubes.
  • Felix Gaeta, who had served as a presidential aide to Gaius Baltar on New Caprica, is also convicted by the Circle, though without proper evidence, leading to Anders' resignation. Gaeta, unwilling to defend himself, is assaulted by Kara Thrace, which leads to the revelation that Gaeta served as Tyrol's "inside source" during the occupation of New Caprica, passing top-secret information to the resistance. Tyrol convinces the other members of the Circle to acquit Gaeta.

Roslin and Adama are appalled that Zarek would authorize trials without granting the accused the legal representation they are entitled to. Zarek tries to justify this, by saying that the Fleet would be occupied for months or years with proper trials and that he wants to spare Roslin from signing death warrants for the entirety of her next term. The Circle disbands when newly reinstated President Laura Roslin grants a general pardon to all members of the fleet for crimes committed during the occupation. Fifty-six other suspected collaborators on the list are not tried (TRS: "Collaborators").

Notes[edit]

  • Ironically, three members of the circle - Tyrol, Anders and Tigh - are later revealed to be members of the final five Cylons, though they were not aware of it at the time.