Sci-Fi BattleStar Galactica Master Official Thread

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"There are those who believe... that life here... began out there. Far across the universe. With tribes of humans... who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians... or the Toltecs... or the Mayans... that they may have been the architects of the Great Pyramids... or the lost civilizations of Lemuria... or Atlantis... Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man... who even now fight to survive... somewhere beyond the heavens."


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[FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Spin Off:Galactica 1980[/FONT]
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[FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Sci-Fi's *NEW* Battlestar[/FONT]
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[FONT=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Special Battlestar Features :[/FONT]


"Battlestar Galactica" (2004)

The second war against the Cylons is over and The Twelve Colonies have been destroyed. Now Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galatica and President Laura Roslin lead a ragtag fleet of refugees in a supposed search for the fabled lost thirteenth colony, Earth. However, the dangers they face are many which compound an already difficult situation. In addition to the Cylons hunting and attacking the fleet in space, their infiltrator units carry out a more subtle plot even as their former unwitting pawn, Gaius Baltar, helps in the hunt for them while hiding both his own guilt and the strange presence that haunts his every thought. If that wasn't enough, the fleet also faces internal political conflict in which the rabble-rousing figure, Tom Zarek, is merely the loudest dissenting voice. In the midst of these trials however, clues begin to appear that suggest that Adama's simple bluff about Earth may be more truthful than anyone could have guessed. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)


  • In the original "Battlestar Galactica" (1978), Viper weapons fire was red lasers and the Cylon Raider fire was white lasers. In this version, both ships fire actual bullets.
  • Starbuck, who is played by Katee Sackhoff, was a man in the original "Battlestar Galactica" (1978) show, played by Dirk Benedict. It's also the name of the first officer aboard the Pequod in the book Moby Dick.
  • The Battlestar Galactica and the Viper fighters are similar in design to the old show, but were revamped for the new show. The Cylon Basetar, Cylon Raider, and Cylon Centurion each had a completely new design for the new show. Also, there are only four ships that appear in the remake but not in the original: "Colonial One" (the transport used by Laura Roslin), the Olympic Carrier, Cloud 9 and the ringed passenger liner.

  • The executive officer was named Paul Tigh in original scripts, but this was changed to Saul Tigh in the final filming for legal reasons.
  • Commander Adama has a shaving mirror in his cabin. This mirror is made by IKEA, and is a model called "Fräck" (spelling according to IKEA Web site). This word is similar to "frak" (spelling according to the subtitles with an "a" and without a "c"), which is the primary vulgarity in the Battlestar Galactica universe. "Fräck" is Swedish and can actually mean insolent or shameless but the meaning IKEA is most likely after is striking, which is another interpretation of the word. (This is a long shot, because the pronunciation of the Swedish word "fräck" is not that similar to "frak", the letter "ä" has a much shorter sound in that word then the a in "frak".)
  • In the original scripts, Admiral Cain's first name was Nelena.
  • "Kobol" in the ancient Persian language means "Heaven". It is also an anagram of "Kolob", the name of the planet/star nearest the "throne of God", according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) - Glen A. Larson, the executive producer of the original television series, was a church member and incorporated a number of themes from Mormon theology into the show.
  • Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore maintains a weekly blog on the Sci-Fi Channel's official Web site, talking about different aspects of the show and answering fan questions.
  • During the show's first season, it consistently remained Sci-Fi Channel's top-rated program, pulling in more than 3 million viewers. Its 10pm viewing even finished ahead of UPN's "Enterprise" (2001) which aired at 8pm on Fridays on a non-cable/satellite network.
  • The rank structure for the officers serving in the Colonial Fleet are as follows: OFFICERS: Admiral, Commander, Colonel, Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Lieutenant (junior grade), Ensign. ENLISTED: Master Chief Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer (1st, 2nd Class), Specialist, Deck Hand, Recruit. there are also Marines aboard Galactica which conform more closely to the traditional enlisted Marine ranks, with Sergeants, Sergeant-Majors, etc. Unresolved is the question of whether the Marine officers would also adhere to the mixed rank structure.
  • Sci-Fi Channel ordered six scripts for a second season of the show before the first episode even aired in the United States. It ordered a 20-episode second season a month after it began to air in the United States.
  • The first season was aired in the United Kingdom on SkyOne months before it aired in North America. This resulted in an increase in North Americans downloading episodes on the Internet that were made freely available by British viewers of the show. Fearing that this widespread "previewing" of the series would diminish the show's ratings once it aired in North America, executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick made a written plea to fans to stop downloading episodes and wait for them to air in the United States and Canada.
  • Number Six (Tricia Helfer) was named after Patrick McGoohan's character in the television series "The Prisoner" (1967).
  • The opening theme song for seasons one, two, and three is a famous Hindu mantra, the Gayatri Mantra, taken from the Rig Veda. The words are "OM bhûr bhuvah svah tat savitur varçnyam bhargô dçvasya dhîmahi dhiyô yô nah pracôdayât", which may be translated in various ways but means approximately "may we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the God / so May he stimulate our prayers".
  • Katee Sackhoff was able to continue wearing her thumb ring while shooting by explaining it away as Zak Adama's ring.
  • Paper in the series have corners cut off. It is said that director 'Michael Rymer (I)' did this during the miniseries as a reference to how he had to "cut corners" financially to make the miniseries work on a limited budget.
  • The telephone handset used on the bridge of the Galactica is a US Army issues field telephone used since the Korean War, known as the TA-1.
  • Jane Seymour was offered the role of Admiral Helena Cain. When she turned down the offer, Ronald D. Moore offered the role to Michelle Forbes and she accepted.
  • Adama's lighter was actually purchased at a garage sale.
  • The characters Tarn and Selix, who first appear in "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2", were named at the behest of Aaron Douglas, who plays Chief Petty Officer Tyrol. Douglas noted that the two were originally listed in the script generically (Technician 1 and 2) and, recognizing the potential of the two characters, consulted with others in the cast to give them proper names. Douglas then inserted their new names into his lines on every take.
  • The season 1 finale, "Kobol's Last Gleaming, Parts 1-2", went through a number of changes according to the Podcast commentary for both episodes. Some of these early differences include: - 1. Part One was to conclude with the Raptor crashing and Part Two would end with Starbuck stealing the Raider to finish the finale with a season-ending cliffhanger. This was changed when the original pacing wasn't working. - 2. Originally, the ruins on Kobol were supposed to be a huge temple that was mirrored on Caprica. This was abandoned due to cost constraints. - 3. What Baltar and Number Six experienced inside the ruins on Kobol went through a number of changes. Originally, Ron D. Moore proposed to the other writers that there was supposed to be a bright corridor of light. In a later version, there was to be complete darkness punctuated with music from a song recognizable by both the audience and the two explorers. Then, Dirk Benedict (Starbuck from the original "Battlestar Galactica" (1978)) was supposed appear and say something like, "Hi. I'm God." followed by TO BE CONTINUED... However, the other writers quickly disparaged the idea as implausible, and Ron D. Moore reluctantly agreed. - 4. One concept that the writers liked, but were forced to abandon was the idea that the interior room of the ruins was to be located in "otherspace" or in a different spatial or dimensional location.
  • When they created the sub plot with Helo and Boomer on Caprica the creators did not know why Boomer and the Cylons were interested in Helo. It was only about half way through the first season that they decided that the Cylons were interested in biological reproduction, an issue that has become very important to the series.
  • The subplot set on Cylon Occupied Caprica with Helo and Boomer was not originally planned; after being left of Caprica in the mini series, Helo was supposed to never be seen again: the audience would be left to assume that he died. Only after seeing the audience's reaction to Helo did the show producers decide to bring him back, and introduce another Boomer, and the Cylons' experiments in creating a Cylon/Human Hybrid, which eventually became an integral part of the Cylon "plan".
  • The phrase "so say we all", which is used as a ceremonial affirmation in the series, was ad-libbed by Edward James Olmos in a speech given by Commander Adama in the mini-series.
  • The Battlestar Pegasus set is actually the recycled set of the Jupiter 2 from The Robinsons: Lost in Space (2004) (TV). The set was purchased when the latter's pilot failed to generate a series.
  • Both Ronald D. Moore and James Callis have said that all the lead actors were required to sign seven-year contracts when they were hired for the pilot miniseries.
  • Lucy Lawless was originally offered the role of Ellen Tigh, but rejected it feeling that she was wrong for the part. The producers so wanted her for a role on the series, however, that they later wrote the role of D'Anna Biers with Lawless in mind.
  • The term "skinjob", used to describe any of the humanoid Cylon models, is a reference to the movie Blade Runner (1982), in which Edward James Olmos also starred (and suggested Tricia Helfer watch to help her prepare) and the Nexus 6 models are described by the same moniker.
  • The combat helmets worn by the Marines are actually Giro "Bad Lieutenant" snowboarder helmets. They're made out of plastic, not Kevlar.
  • Many of the weapons used in the series are actual modern firearms, and not custom props. The Marines often use Heckler & Koch G36 rifles and Beretta CX4 carbines, Anders frequently carries a Heckler & Koch UMP submachinegun and a Desert Eagle pistol, Helo sometimes carries a South African Protecta drum-fed shotgun, and Starbuck sometimes uses a pair of Skorpion vz 61 submachineguns.
  • In the beginning of season 3, Jamie Bamber did not actually gain the weight for the role. Instead, a body double was used for some close-up shots of the rounded tummy, and Bamber wore a jowl-forming brace in his mouth. A few wide shots of his body were cheated out.
  • Occasionally, the main musical theme from The Deer Hunter (1978) can be heard. For example, in the final scene of "Scar" (episode 2.15).
  • Ranked #3 in "The Top 50 TV shows of all time" list by UnderGroundOnline.
  • Ronald D. Moore and David Eick have said they adopted a largely improvisational style of developing stories for this series. Rather than plot out story arcs years in advance-a practice commonplace on sci-fi shows like "Lost" (2004) and "Babylon 5" (1994)-the writers develop ideas for stories based solely on the themes present in current episodes, and try to take them in a totally unexpected direction.
  • In 2007, ranked #2 by Entertainment Weekly in their list of their list of best 25 Science Fiction of the past 25 years.
  • To prepare for her role as Gina, the captive Cylon, Tricia Helfer viewed the film Ciociara, La (1960) to give her a better understanding of a rape victim.
  • It was planned to start Season 2 with a flashback about the life of the characters before the Cylon attack, but finally they just continued where Season 1 ended.
  • In Hebrew the name "Adama" (last name of William, Lee and Zak) actually means "ground" or "earth" and pronounced almost exactly: "ada-ma". Hardly a coincidence since finding Earth is the main theme of the series.
  • Religion in the show started as a line said by Number 6 in the script of the miniseries, and the producers liked it so much that they decided to expand it, so Ronald D. Moore and David 'Eick' related the Cylon religion to their terrorist acts.
  • Richard Hatch, who plays Tom Zarek, played Apollo in the original "Battlestar Galactica" (1978).
  • Doc Cottle is named after Michael Rymer's childhood pediatrician, who was actually a very nice person unlike his fictional counterpart.

"Battlestar Galactica" (1978)


This short-lived TV series dealt with the adventures of a fleet of starships from an ancient civilization who are seeking a legendary lost colony known as Earth. It later spawned an even shorter-lived TV series, Galactica 1980. Written by Christopher E. Meadows {cmeadows@nyx.cs.du.edu}
The human Colonial forces have agreed to peace with their mortal enemies the Robotic Cylons when a surprise attack destroys most of the Colonial Fleet. The remnants of the Colonials form up a "ragtag group of ships" on the surviving major ship, the Battlestar Galactica. They decide to go off in a search for the planet founded by missing tribe of the Colonials, a planet called earth as the Cylons continue to search for them. Written by John Vogel {jlvogel@comcast.net}
The leaders of the twelve human colonies are making plans to sign a peace treaty with their mortal enemies, the Cylons. On the eve of the ceremony, the Cylons attack and destroy most of the colonies. The remaining Colonial ships, led by the battlestar Galactica under the command of Adama, head out into space and seek out a "lost" 13th colony, which turns out to be Earth. Along the way, the Colonials encounter various races (both friendly and hostile), the legendary human warrior Commander Cain, and the planet Kobol, the mother world of all the colonies. All the while, the Cylons--led by the human traitor, Baltar--are in hot pursuit... Written by Brian Barjenbruch
In a distant galaxy, twelve planets bearing tribes of the race known as Man have been at war with an alien cyborg race, the Cylon empire, for a millenium. In the measurements used by the Twelve Colonies it is the Yahren 7341, and a treaty of peace is to be signed - a treaty that proves to be a ruse for the largest assault in the history of galactic warfare. With their defending warships destroyed and their homeworld annihilated, the Twelve Tribes gather to their one remaining warship, a battlestar named the Galactica, boarding every assorted star vehicle that will carry them, as their leader, Commander Adama, seeks out the one planet that will protect Man from the predation of the Cylon Empire - a planet called Earth. As their journey proceeds this Fugitive Fleet is closely pursued by forces of the Cylon Empire under the command of human traitor Baltar. Written by Michael Daly (fanstp43@aol.com)




  • In the beginning of the premiere episode, five Battlestars appear, although only two are clearly named: the Galactica and Atlantia. Faint background radio voices can be heard identifying the other four - Pacifica, Triton, and Acropolis.
  • The humans in the series had their own units for measuring time. A "micron" was the equivalent of a second; a "centon," a minute; and centar, secton, sectar, and yahren corresponded to hour, week, month, and year.
  • The Cylons are led by an "Imperious Leader." The word "imperious" actually means arrogant and overbearing, but the writers chose it because it sounded different from "Imperial," a word that too strongly evoked Star Wars (1977).

  • The first weekly television series budgeted at over $1,000,000 per episode. Much of this lavish (for the time) sum was consumed by the special effects processes used. This necessitated the frequent, often glaringly obvious, re-use of effects footage throughout the series wherever possible.
  • Props from this series were later recycled for "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" (1979).
  • The exact size of Colonial battlestars such as the Galactica and of Cylon base stars was never properly explained in the show, leading to some disagreement over the years. A scale measurement comparison of the Galactica to one of her vipers provided the final answer - the Galactica and identical battlestars were each 4,150 feet in length, with each of two flight bays measuring 1,977 feet in length and some 215 feet in width; each flight bay was thus nearly twice the length and almost the width of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, and a battlestar could easily carry far more fighters than the listed 150 with 24 shuttles - a more accurate measurement would be 300 fighters (with perhaps a third in ready reserve; Saga Of A Star World listed the Galactica's pilot contingent at over 200 while in Lost Planet Of The Gods injured warriors hastily return to duty and fly what are presuambly backup fighters stored in ready reserve) and 40 to 50 shuttles. A Cylon base star, based on scale measurement comparison, is 5,800 feet wide and can carry far more than its listed contingent of 300 fighters.
  • Was a complete rewrite of a pilot called "Adam's Ark", in which Earth is destroyed and the survivors ship out into space. The Colonies are all named after the signs of the Zodiac.
  • Mark Hamill was offered the role of Cmdr. Adama but turned it down.
  • There were contemporary news reports that either George Lucas or his studio considered legal action against the producers over alleged similarities with the Star Wars (1977) saga. Although "BSG" was indeed created to capitalize on the popularity of Star Wars, nothing came of this controversy.
  • The character 'Starbuck' was ranked #21 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends" (1 August 2004 issue).
  • John Colicos became so well known for his Baltar role that reportedly it was what won him the role of Mikkos Cassadine for the ABC daytime drama "General Hospital" (1963) for its Ice Princess story arc in the summer of 1981, and in 1991 he was appearing in theater in his native Toronto, and after performances audience members would applaud him and supportively chant "Baltar Lives!"
  • Much of Glen A. Larson's Mormon faith is very evident in the series. Things such as the "Council of the Twelve" (The Mormon ruling body under the leadership of their Prophet), "Bonding" used for marriage (a Mormon Temple wedding is called a "Sealing"), and other aspects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) faith is very apparent in each and every episode. The moral lessons of each episode is very Mormon in design.
  • When ABC canceled the series, both NBC and CBS expressed interest in buying the show. CBS considered adding it as a mid-season replacement, but neither network ultimately acquired the show.
  • Much of the controls used on the bridge of the Galactica were standard electronic laboratory equipment manufactured at the time by Tektronix, Inc (TEK). This equipment was of a mainframe design where 19 inch wide racks contained test equipment components such as multi-meters, power supplies, or signal generators that slid into these racks like books on a shelf. One can notice tier after tier of these racks used all over the bridge as control panels. Tektronix is even mentioned in the closing credits.
  • Dirk Benedict modeled the character of Starbuck on James Garner as "Maverick" (1957).
  • To construct the 'rag tag fleet' that follows the Galactica on its lonely quest, the model makers were given a free hand to let their imaginations run wild. Ken Swenson constructed the livery ship (that was supposed to carry all the livestock) out of three film cans, one behind the other.
  • Don Johnson was up for the part of Starbuck, but lost out because of his Southern accent.
  • Galacticans have no fingerprints - and have different blood cells from Earth humans - as revealed from episodes of Galactica 1980.
  • Several character names are taken from Greek mythology, like Apollo and Athena. Starbuck and Boomer are characters from the book "Moby Dick": Starbuck is the first officer of the ship 'Pequod' while Boomer is a less important character, a captain from another ship. These names (Apollo, Athena, Starbuck and Boomer) are call signs for major character in the re-imagined "Battlestar Galactica" (2004).
  • The insignia worn on the uniform jackets is actually the officer Branch of Service insignia for the US Army Military Intelligence.
  • Boxey's robot dagget (dog) Muffy was realized by having a trained chimp inside the dagget costume. Three chimps were used during the series.
  • The Cylons had to be over six feet in height, so Glen A. Larson hired a bunch of out-of-work basketball players.

Follows

Battlestar Galactica (1978) (TV)
Followed by

Conquest of the Earth (1980) (TV)
"Galactica 1980" (1980)
Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming (1999)
Version of

"Battlestar Galactica" (2004)
Remade as

Battlestar Galactica (2003) (TV)
"Battlestar Galactica" (2004)
- This is a remake of the original series.
Edited into

Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack (1978) (TV)
Battlestar Galactica (1978) (TV)


 

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