The universe where Baltar dies!
Before the premier of Battlestar Galactica in September 1978, the first episode was released as a motion picture in Canada, Europe and Japan. This version differed in many respects from the three hour premier. The movie was quite a bit shorter in length than the television premier, so there were many scenes missing in the motion picture version. However, there were also scenes in the movie that were not shown on TV.
One notable scene involves a changed premise. In the movie, Baltar is executed by the Cylons - his head is chopped off by order of the Imperious Leader (albeit off camera). This was the original intent of the series creators. Later, it was determined that Baltar should be a recurring character and the scene was deleted. A different scene, where Baltar is assigned a basestar was added in instead.
The timeline below chronicles the events depicted in the 1978 Battlestar Galactica movie, and explores some of the possible differences in continuity that would have resulted, had the series unfolded, but Baltar had not been spared. It is all completely speculative.
The timeline is given in yahrens.
Timeline
5999
Destruction of the Colonies, (just before the 7th millenium of recorded time.) and the end of the Thousand Yahren War. ("Saga of a Star World")
Battlestar Galactica series takes place.
Battlestar Galactica Theatrical Release
During the course of the movie, Baltar is executed.
To replace the warriors lost in the Destruction, Adama opens the shuttle pilot training program to civilians from the Fleet. Serina joins the service and begins training, but keeps this secret from Apollo.
Cassiopeia joins the Colonial service and is given a posting as a nurse on the Galactica, serving under Dr. Salik.
Episode "Lost Planet of the Gods."
If Baltar had not lived, he would not have landed on Kobol to convince Adama to attack the Cylons. Neither would Starbuck have been captured and then returned to Kobol. So.. the Cylon warriors that killed Serina would never have arrived and would not have been on Kobol during the attack. So, Serina would not have been killed, and Apollo would not have become a single father.
Lucifer would presumably have been mandated with hunting down the humans in Baltar's stead.
Episode "The Lost Warrior."
To the extent that Apollo's actions in this episode reflect his response to his recent loss of Serina, we might imagine some change in motivation. However, it is kind of hard to tell - he probably would have seen parallels between his family and the one he stayed with in any case.
Episode "The Long Patrol."
Episode "Gun on Ice Planet Zero."
Episode "The Magnificent Warriors."
Episode "The Young Lords."
In this episode, Spectre would not have served as a foil to Lucifer, since they would not be playing off of Baltar. Instead, Spectre and Lucifer would be opponents. The only difference here is that Lucifer would not have bought into Spectre's lame excuses and flattery and would probably have been less willing to surrender the planet. So I guess the kids keep on fighting in this universe - but with their Dad at their side again.
Episode "The Living Legend."
The Living Legend plotline has much to do with Baltar. In his absense, the strategy that Cain uses to fight off the Basestars at the end of the episode would not have worked. So, Cain must have done something else.. but he may have disappeared anyway.
In addition, the confusion apparent in the Cylon forces may not have been as complete if Baltar's duplicity and erroneous reports were removed from the equation. Perhaps the Cylons would have not been surprised by the Galactica's arrival at Gamoray if they were better integrating their intelligence.
Episode "Fire in Space."
Episode "War of the Gods."
With Baltar out of the picture, Iblis would have had to come up with a different miracle to demonstrate his power. And with Serina IN the picture Apollo probably wouldn't have been so jealous of Sheba's interest in Iblis.
Episode "The Man with Nine Lives."
Episode "Murder on the Rising Star."
Episode "Greetings from Earth."
Episode "Baltar's Escape."
No one episode is less comprehensible without Baltar than Baltar's Escape. Without Baltar involved, the Borellians and the Eastern Alliance prisoners are unlikely to have allied. So this episode would simply not have happened!
Another bonus - hopefully the person serving the food on the Prison Barge would not be wearing velvet gloves - as was Baltar's practice when he was on kitchen patrol.
Episode "Experiment in Terra."
Episode "Take the Celestra."
No changes - Baltar did not appear in this episode.
Episode "The Hand of God."
Another episode that would not have happened. Since Baltar would not be able to give the Colonials a description of the interior of the Basestar, the mission could not have been mounted.
In addition, since Apollo is still married, it is unlikely Sheba and Apollo would be spending much time with Cassie and Starbuck at the observation bubble. And, Sheba probably wouldn't have kissed him in the shuttle.
6000
The journey continues..
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Galactica Page
Last Updated on Wednesday, April 20, 2005