The Hand of God (1978 Battlestar Galactica)
Encyclopedia
"The Hand of God" is an episode of the original Battlestar Galactica
television series. This was the last episode of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. The next episode is the first episode of the follow-up series, Galactica 1980
.
leads his friends to a forgotten observatory where they receive the mysterious transmissions. After discovering a wayward Cylon Basestar
very close to the Fleet, Adama
decides the Galactica has the element of surprise on their side, and they plan an attack. When Apollo and Starbuck
propose infiltrating the basestar and destroying its scanners—virtually guaranteeing the Galactica a surprise first strike—Baltar
provides essential information about the internal arrangement and configuration of the basestar to enable them to narrow the odds of failure. Baltar's price for his knowledge is his freedom—if the attack succeeds he will be marooned on some habitable planet with sufficient equipment and supplies to survive on his own.
Armed with Baltar's advice, Apollo and Starbuck successfully board the Basestar and set high detonation charges in the most carefully guarded and delicate location to paralyze and cripple its scanners—allowing the Galactica to sneak up in it. Boomer
leads the Colonial Viper
squadron on a risky attack of the Cylon Raider force—which outnumbers them 2-to-1. The Raiders are all destroyed. Baltar's Raider—which Apollo and Starbuck used to infiltrate the basestar—is about to be shot down on its way back, since a device designed to differentiate their ship from the Cylon attackers is lost, but Apollo "waddles" the ship in order to signal to the Galactica that he's friendly. In the last scene of the series finale, Apollo and Starbuck narrowly miss receiving Apollo 11
moon landing transmissions from Earth.
(Note: As part of the information-for-freedom deal, Adama reluctantly gives Baltar "short-range communications" so he has some hope of being "rescued"; this ultimately happens [off-screen], as the spin-off series Galactica 1980
reveals that Baltar is the Commandant of the Cylon Fleet which has followed the Galacticans to their objective, the planet Earth.)
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
television series. This was the last episode of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. The next episode is the first episode of the follow-up series, Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980 is a science fiction television series, and a spin-off from the 1978–1979 series Battlestar Galactica. It was first broadcast on the ABC network in the United States from January 27 to May 4, 1980.-Development:...
.
Summary
On a night out in the Galactica, ApolloApollo (Battlestar Galactica)
-Original Continuity:Apollo is the son of Commander Adama & Ila. He is played by Richard Hatch who also portrays Tom Zarek in the new Battlestar Galactica. Apollo has a sister Athena, also a Warrior, and a brother Zac who was killed in a Cylon ambush prior to their attack on the 12 colonies...
leads his friends to a forgotten observatory where they receive the mysterious transmissions. After discovering a wayward Cylon Basestar
Cylon Basestar
The Basestar is the capital ship of the Cylons in the 1978 science fiction television series and movie Battlestar Galactica along with its re-imagining in the 2003 miniseries and 2004 television series.- Battlestar Galactica :...
very close to the Fleet, Adama
Adama (Battlestar Galactica)
Adama is the family name of several fictional characters in the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi universe.In the Original Continuity:*Commander Adama, initially member of the Council then President of the Colonies, and Commander of the Battlestar Galactica,...
decides the Galactica has the element of surprise on their side, and they plan an attack. When Apollo and Starbuck
Lieutenant Starbuck
Lieutenant Starbuck of the Colonial Service, played by Dirk Benedict, is a fictional character in the 1978 science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica. Starbuck is a Viper starfighter pilot, gambler, womanizer and smoker of "fumerellos," or cigars. He is involved with Lieutenant Athena...
propose infiltrating the basestar and destroying its scanners—virtually guaranteeing the Galactica a surprise first strike—Baltar
Count Baltar
In the original 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series, Count Baltar was a leading antagonist character who betrayed the human race to its enemy, the robot race of Cylons...
provides essential information about the internal arrangement and configuration of the basestar to enable them to narrow the odds of failure. Baltar's price for his knowledge is his freedom—if the attack succeeds he will be marooned on some habitable planet with sufficient equipment and supplies to survive on his own.
Armed with Baltar's advice, Apollo and Starbuck successfully board the Basestar and set high detonation charges in the most carefully guarded and delicate location to paralyze and cripple its scanners—allowing the Galactica to sneak up in it. Boomer
Lieutenant Boomer
Lieutenant Boomer, later known as Colonel Boomer, was a character on the 1978-1979 television series Battlestar Galactica and its spin-off series Galactica 1980. He was portrayed on both series by Herbert Jefferson, Jr. Boomer was a lieutenant in the Colonial Service, an officer with a background...
leads the Colonial Viper
Colonial Viper
The Colonial Viper is the primary fighter spacecraft type used by the human protagonists in the Battlestar Galactica fictional universe. Appearing in both the 1978 original series and the 2003 reimagined series, as well as various derivative works, the single-pilot spacecraft are carried aboard...
squadron on a risky attack of the Cylon Raider force—which outnumbers them 2-to-1. The Raiders are all destroyed. Baltar's Raider—which Apollo and Starbuck used to infiltrate the basestar—is about to be shot down on its way back, since a device designed to differentiate their ship from the Cylon attackers is lost, but Apollo "waddles" the ship in order to signal to the Galactica that he's friendly. In the last scene of the series finale, Apollo and Starbuck narrowly miss receiving Apollo 11
Apollo 11
In early 1969, Bill Anders accepted a job with the National Space Council effective in August 1969 and announced his retirement as an astronaut. At that point Ken Mattingly was moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup Command Module Pilot in case Apollo 11 was...
moon landing transmissions from Earth.
(Note: As part of the information-for-freedom deal, Adama reluctantly gives Baltar "short-range communications" so he has some hope of being "rescued"; this ultimately happens [off-screen], as the spin-off series Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980 is a science fiction television series, and a spin-off from the 1978–1979 series Battlestar Galactica. It was first broadcast on the ABC network in the United States from January 27 to May 4, 1980.-Development:...
reveals that Baltar is the Commandant of the Cylon Fleet which has followed the Galacticans to their objective, the planet Earth.)
Actors
- Dirk BenedictDirk BenedictDirk Benedict is an American movie, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for playing the characters Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck in The A-Team television series and Lieutenant Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica film and television series.-Early life:Benedict was born...
- Lieutenant StarbuckLieutenant StarbuckLieutenant Starbuck of the Colonial Service, played by Dirk Benedict, is a fictional character in the 1978 science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica. Starbuck is a Viper starfighter pilot, gambler, womanizer and smoker of "fumerellos," or cigars. He is involved with Lieutenant Athena... - Terry CarterTerry CarterTerry Carter is an American actor and filmmaker who is known for his roles as "Sgt. Joe Broadhurst", on the seven year hit TV series McCloud and as "Colonel Tigh" on the original Battlestar Galactica.-Early life:...
- Colonel TighColonel TighColonel Tigh is a fictional character in the original 1978 TV series Battlestar Galactica, played by Terry Carter. He is the Executive Officer of the titutlar ship. In his early years, he flew a Viper in the same squadron as Commander Adama. Tigh at first appears to be strictly by-the-book and a... - John ColicosJohn ColicosJohn Colicos was a Greek-Canadian actor. He was a distinguished stage actor in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.-Career:...
- Count BaltarCount BaltarIn the original 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series, Count Baltar was a leading antagonist character who betrayed the human race to its enemy, the robot race of Cylons... - Lorne GreeneLorne GreeneLorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica...
- Commander AdamaCommander AdamaCommander Adama is a fictional character in the 1978 movie and subsequent ABC television series Battlestar Galactica and its continuation series, Galactica 1980. Adama is the commander of the great military vessel Battlestar Galactica, commander of the refugee fleet and military commander of the... - Richard HatchRichard Hatch (actor)Richard Hatch is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, and also as Tom Zarek in the remake of Battlestar Galactica....
- Captain ApolloCaptain ApolloCaptain Apollo is the name of a fictional character in the Battlestar Galactica franchise. He was first played by Richard Hatch, who would also later appear as the character of Tom Zarek in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series in 2005.... - Herbert Jefferson, Jr. - Lieutenant BoomerLieutenant BoomerLieutenant Boomer, later known as Colonel Boomer, was a character on the 1978-1979 television series Battlestar Galactica and its spin-off series Galactica 1980. He was portrayed on both series by Herbert Jefferson, Jr. Boomer was a lieutenant in the Colonial Service, an officer with a background...
- Maren JensenMaren JensenMaren Kawehilani Jensen is a former American model and actress, best known for portraying Athena in the 1970s television series Battlestar Galactica.-Biography:...
- Lieutenant AthenaLieutenant AthenaLieutenant Athena is a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1979. The character was portrayed by Maren Jensen.-Character history:... - Anne Lockhart - Lieutenant ShebaLieutenant ShebaLieutenant Sheba, portrayed by Anne Lockhart, is a fictional character and regular cast member of the 1978-1979 ABC television series Battlestar Galactica....
- Laurette SpangLaurette Spang-McCookLaurette Spang-McCook is an American television actress. She portrayed Cassiopeia in the original Battlestar Galactica.-Early life/family:...
- CassiopeiaCassiopeia (Battlestar Galactica)Cassiopeia is a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1979. The role was portrayed by Laurette Spang.-History:... - Tony SwartzTony SwartzTony Swartz is an American actor whose roles include Flight Sergeant Jolly on the original Battlestar Galactica television series....
- Sergeant Jolly
Re-Imagining
- This is the only episode of the original series to have the same title as its re-imagined counterpartThe Hand of God (2004 Battlestar Galactica)"The Hand of God" is the tenth episode of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It shares its title with the last episode of the original series....
in the new Battlestar GalacticaBattlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
. The plots of the two episodes are relatively similar. The two biggest differences in the remake are: the Galactica attacks a Cylon asteroid base as opposed to a Baseship and the absence of Starbuck and Apollo's sabotage mission. The episode title also has a different meaning.
External links
- The Hand of God at the Battlestar Wiki