WHO SAID THAT?
have two different versions
of the Battlestar Galactica premiere script. The later of the two is dated in May
1978 and is actually a script written after primary filming had been completed. The
earlier script is dated November 3, 1977 and is only two revisions away from the August
30, 1977 original. The early script is exceptionally interesting both for its similarities
to and differences from what we’re used to seeing. For one thing, it seems obvious
that the first hour of the three-hour premiere took on its final form very early—the
Cylon ambush, Starbuck’s card game, his later crash landing, Adama and Apollo’s
visit to the surface are, in this script, almost identical, with minor dialogue
variations, to the finished product.The differences, though, are more
intriguing than the similarities. Some are minor; Apollo is still Skyler
and Serina Lyra in this version. But some of the differences are more important.
Cassiopiea and Sire Uri are both conspicuously absent. Sire Anton is far from senile.
Skyler is a cold, driven man, utterly unlike the Apollo we came to know in the
series—in fact, if this is the script he first saw, it’s understandable why
Richard Hatch originally rejected the role, as this early version of his character is
considerably less than human. The Cylons in this script are the reptilian variety, so the
Colonials have intelligent robots and lack the technophobia of the series as filmed. The
entire final hour, involving the Carillon scenes, is completely different from the version
shot and would have been not only expensive and difficult to film, but there’s so
much going on that it likely would have been hard for viewers to follow. Baltar escapes
Cylon execution only to be shot dead on Carillon by Starbuck in this version.Possibly most interesting of all the
differences is that some of Apollo’s familiar dialogue was originally assigned to
Adama, a more active, positive, and very likely younger role in this early script.
Remember how furious Adama was when Apollo suggested to the Council that the fleet move
through the Straits of Madagon to reach Carillon? Well, here’s the original scene,
and guess whose idea it was….
ADAMA
Our course, while indirect and arduous, has successfully brought us to the outermost reaches of the star system without encountering Cylon patrols. If we can hold out for another eight or nine centons, we can reach the planet Carillon. There, hopefully, we can find fuel, water, and prepare fresh stores of food.
ANTON
Hopefully? My dear Commander, there is not one amongst us who is not grateful beyond words for your vision and resourcefulness in saving us all from certain death. Are we now to throw it all away? As of this moment we face a crisis no less lethal than the Cylon war machine. I would rather see my loved ones extinguished in the micron flash of a Cylon cannon, than drift in fuel-less vehicles while starvation, dehydration, and suffocation agonize us one by one.
ADAMA
Anton, it was hardly possible to adequately prepare ourselves for the journey we’ve had to undertake. We had to leave, we had no choice.
ANTON
But we have a choice now. We can stop here, on Borallus. We know that everything we need is there. Food, water, fuel….
ADAMA
And undoubtedly a Cylon task force. It is the most logical place for us to stop. Precisely why I believe it would be fatal to do so.
ANTON
Possibly fatal. Is it not surely fatal to continue towards Carillon?
TIGH
Commander, the situation has already reached crisis levels. Rations have already been cut by two thirds. How much more can we conserve?
ADAMA
As much as we have to, to reach Carillon. It is our only hope.
ANTON
The Cylons will be looking even unto those far reaches.
ADAMA
There is a path here, through the Nova of Madagon. Not patrolled, and a savings of some two centons in reaching Carillon.
ANTON
Commander, while I may not be a military expert, even I know that the Cylons avoid patrolling that area by mining it to make passage impossible.
ADAMA
Not impossible. We will do it. We have no other choice.
See how the Commander changed his
tune?! Later, when it came time for our heroes, Skyler and Starbuck (sans Boomer in this
script), to attack the minefield, the somewhat more dynamic Adama of this early draft was
there to cheer them on, again using what became Apollo’s dialogue….
ADAMA
The Nova of Madagon is not a nova at all, but a starfield so bright, your cockpits will be sealed to prevent blindness. You will navigate by scanner and sweep everything out of your path with turbolasers. Any questions?
STARBUCK
Yes, sir…would this be an appropriate time for me to take my sick leave?
ADAMA
It would, but request denied. I didn’t arrive at you two to lead us through without a great deal of anguish. If it will do any good, let me assure you that should you fail…no one will survive. Therefore, you have the advantage of controlling your fate. The rest of us must sit in anticipation of your skill.
STARBUCK
Or lack thereof.
Finally, when Boxey goes missing on
Carillon, it’s the heroic, action-packed Adama who goes in search of him, not
Skyler….
LOTAY
You are Commander Adama?
ADAMA
I am.
LOTAY
Welcome to Carillon. You are impressed?
ADAMA
Outraged would be more like it. Where are my men and the boy?
LOTAY
Would you care to join them?
ADAMA
You bet I would, and if anything’s happened to any one of them, you’ll answer to the Colonies!
Certainly an imposing threat in view
of what happened at the beginning of the episode!
Incidentally, this early draft serves
to discount the continuing, false rumors that the BG premiere was originally 6
hours long. This script is a three-hour script, the later version I have is also a
three-hour script, and Alan Levi, who directed half of the premiere, confirmed to me
personally that they had shot for a three-hour length.
�1989, 1999 by Susan J. Paxton