The Different Versions of the Battlestar Galactica Pilot Episode

First created: July 1, 1996
Last revised: August 15, 2000
Maintained by John Larocque
Special thanks to Jerry Zabel for his kind assistance.

This document is copyrighted material. Placing a copy of this document on your site, in part or in full, is expressly forbidden. If you wish to provide a link to this document from your site, please contact the author in advance for permission.

Introduction

I1. Document Format

I. Versions of the Pilot Episode

V1. Overview
V2. Canadian Theatrical Version (CV)
V3. Network Television Broadcast (TV)
V4. US Theatrical Version (USV)
V5. Laser Disc (LD)
V6. Telemovie Version (TMV)
V7. Syndicated Version (SV)
V8. Home Video (HV)
V9. Unreleased Home Video (UHV)
V10. Sci-Fi Channel (SFC)
V11. DVD
V12. European Home Video (EHV)

II. Missing Scenes from the BSG Pilot Home Video

M2. Serina's News Report
M3. Athena's Locker Scene
M4. Apollo Confronts Adama
M5. Athena Consoles Adama
M6. Baltar Escapes Execution
M7. The Carillon Landram Scene
M8. The Tylium Mine Mystery
M9. Hope It's The Grog
M10. Conversation Below Carillon
M11. Baltar Meets Lucifer

III. Scenes and Dialog Cut from the ABC Version of the Pilot

C1. Screaming Man On Fire Aboard The Atlantia
C2. Council Chambers - Uri's Proposal

IV. Other Differences Between the Two Versions

D1. Opening Sequence
D2. Adama's reply to President Adar - Clipped Dialog
D3. Dialog Over the Atlantia
D4. Starbuck's Emergency Landing
D5. Baltar on Caprica
D6. Serpentine's Report to Imperious Leader
D7. Serpentine's Report to Imperious Leader - Clipped Dialog
D8. Council Chambers - The Carillon Session
D9. Nova of Madegon
D10. Baltar's Execution Sequence
D11. Council Chambers - The Disarmament Session
D12. The Ovion's Words
D13. Elevator to Lower Chambers
D14. Ovion Feeding Chamber
D15. Sire Uri's Speech on Carillon
D16. Battle Over Carillon - Dogfight Dialog
D17. Battle Over Carillon - End Dialog
D18. Apollo and Starbuck's Squadrons
D19. Carillon Explodes
D20. The End Credits

Introduction

I1. Document Format

The differences between the two major versions of the Battlestar Galactica pilot have been the subject of much discussion over the years. This document is a list attempting to catalogue all known differences between them, and is presented in four sections.

In the Versions section is a list of every known variant of the pilot episode, including the main two versions under discussion in this document -- the network or television version (TV), and the home video version (HV).

In the Missing Scenes section, is a title for all eleven missing scenes. Inside the parenthesis is the time of the segment in the TV. Where present, the second number represents the shortened version of the same scene in the HV. When each missing scene is inserted into the HV, it expands to about 2h20, or three minutes longer than the TV.

In the Deleted Scenes section, is a title for each cut scene. Inside the parenthesis is the duration of that cut. In one case, the second number represents a replacement scene in the TV used to bridge two cut scenes and a misplaced scene. There are about 90 seconds worth of cut material, in two separate scenes. The unedited versions of these scenes are in the HV.

In the Other Differences Section is a list of whatever could not be classified as either a deletion or a missing scene. These include dialog inadvertently deleted from the HV soundtrack, untranslated Ovion dialog in the TV, and the theme music played over the end credits.

For another document covering some of the same ground as this one, visit Susan Paxton's "Lost Premiere", at: http://www.geocities.com/sjpaxton/newpage5.html

I. Versions of the Pilot Episode

V1. Overview

In all the versions of the pilot episode, Galactica writer/producer Glen A. Larson is credited as the writer and Richard Colla as director, but in actual fact he only directed part of the plot. Wilfred Hyde-White, who played Sire Anton in the pilot, recalled that Colla was "a lovely director. Of course, they sacked [him] because he got a half-hour behind." (Starlog #47, June 1981) Having directed two thirds of the pilot, Colla was replaced by Alan Levi, who at the time was in preproduction for the forecasted second episode "Gun on Ice Planet Zero". Alan Levi's involvement with the pilot is also confirmed on theatrical lobby cards from the Canadian 1978 theatrical release. On two of these cards, Alan Levi is credited as co-director.

Periodically discussed in this document is a copy of the three-hour screenplay "Saga of a Star World", last revised May 8, 1978 (Prod. #50201, formerly #85245). Other known versions include the following: August 30 1977, September 14 1977, Februrary 27 1978, March 2 1978, March 28 1978, March 31 1978, April 6 1978. An earlier version of the script (September 14) features Skyler as Apollo, Lyra as Serina, and Boxey as an orphan unrelated to Lyra.

The pilot episode was released theatrically internationally (outside the USA) in July 1978, and on US television on 17 September 1978, and later theatrically in the United States in May 1979.

V2. Canadian Theatrical Version (CV)

The Canadian theatrical version of the pilot in July 1978. Universal released the pilot in theaters in Canada and Europe, to help recoup the cost of making the show. In this version, and the USV, Baltar is executed. In the article from Future #6 (November 1978) described the CV as "pared down a bit here, beefed up a bit there" from the network pilot. Like the USV, it was also around two hours. This fact has been confirmed by several sources, including Isaac Asimov's review in Newsday.

V3. Network Television Broadcast (TV)

The original ABC version, featured on ABC television in September 17, 1978 and aired in three television hours. This is the first of two major versions of the pilot discussed in this document. It has been timed at about 2h17 without commercials. The only surviving versions are second or third generation copies of the original broadcast, either on VHS or Beta. One individual known to this writer has the actual film reels. There are eleven new scenes presented in this version that are absent in the HV, which form the basis for Section II.

There is at least one significant difference between this version and the CV - the Cassiopeia/Starbuck love scene in the Viper launch tube. A few weeks before her interview in US Magazine (October 17, 1978) Laurette Spang received an urgent call to reshoot this scene with Starbuck. Maren Jensen commented on this scene in Starlog #19 (February 1979). "In the first episode, I steam Starbuck and Cassiopeia while they're kissing away in the launching area. Well, originally, they were writhing away on the floor and all you saw was Starbuck's bare back. They really toned that bit down." The remake, demanded by ABC, features a fully clothed Starbuck, and this is the scene as shown here and in all subsequent versions of the pilot.

ABC also demanded a career change. From the sexy "socialator", Cassiopeia became a med-tech (nurse) in the rest of the series. "All of a sudden I'm dressed from head to toe. Before that, my outfits were slashed almost to my hips, I had four-inch heels and things wrapped around my legs, very sexy." One letter writer in Fantastic Films #9 (July 1979) also claimed that Dr. Wilker's lines were redubbed, changing "droid" to "drone", to avoid confusion with Star Wars.

V4. US Theatrical Version (USV)

The US theatrical release of the pilot in May 1979. This is what forms the basis for the Home Video release, which is 2h04 (including the Universal logo). Based on observations of several scenes -- including Baltar's death (M4), the reduced role of Serina (M1), and Starbuck and Apollo's dialog below Carillon (M10) -- it is highly probable that the HV predates the TV, and may be identical to the CV (aside from the launch tube love scene remake.) As Section III of this document indicates, many scenes are available in their entirety only in the HV, as they have undergone cuts of one kind or another in other versions (TV, SV.)

V5. Laser Disc (LD)

Equivalent to the USV, the laserdisc was released by MCA Discovision in 1980 as a 5 sided CAV release. It has been out of print for years and is very rare. It was reissued by MCA Videodisc in 1982 (same catalog #) as a time-compressed 2 sided CLV disc. The time compression reduced the running time from 124 minutes to 118 minutes. Here are the technical specifics of the 1980 version (courtesy of Stephen Rindour):

LaserDisc Number: 602
Catalogue Number: 19-007
Year: 1979
Category: Movie Group (Genre): Sci-Fi
Length: 123 Release
Date: 1980
Availability Status: Out of print
Video Standard: NTSC
Sound Encoding: Analog Analog Left: Mono
Pressing Plant: DiscoVision
Disc Size: 12
Number of Sides: 5
Disc Format: CAV
Picture Format: Video
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

For more information on the disc check out this site: http://www.oz.net/blam/DiscoVision/Television_Movies/19-007.htm

Several years ago, I saw the movie's extended version (with Serina, with the Starbuck/Athena behind-the-locker scenes, etc.) which WAS released by MCA/Universal. I was a FOOL not to offer $50.00 to the kid for his copy (he wasn't that much of a BSG fan), I always thought that I could just find it in a video store -- NOT! The tape we're looking for has TWO considerable differences from the shorter, disappointing version, heretofore referred to as "DV". The first is the most obvious. It has PURPLE siding on the tape case, not BLUE. In fact, it's the same color purple used on the Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack debacle. The other thing is that the DV is listed at being exactly (and only) 2 hours and 5 minutes in length. This is about the standard length of a T-120 video tape, and MCA proabably didn't want to spend the money on bizarre-length tapes for a movie that didn't do too terribly well for an extended period of time. This is why, unfortunately, that the DV is so commonly found in stores. The length listing should be noticably longer on the extended version (like maybe 2h 30m, or thereabouts). Good luck to everyone interested. I haven't seen a copy of the extended version in about 4 or 5 years, and I suspect it will be EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible, to find.

V10. Sci-Fi Channel (SFC)

The SFC purchased the rights to the 24 one-hour syndicated episodes, but edited them down in order to air more commercials during the shows. A butchered version of the SV, it is perhaps the most widely available television version of the pilot. Amazingly enough, 8 of the 11 missing scenes are all intact in this version, notwithstanding cuts everywhere else. The SFC first went on the air in November 1992, with Galactica as one of its star shows.

V11. DVD

The pilot was released on DVD in 1999, with a widesscreen (1.85:1) transfer of the film, and the Sensurround track restored using a Dolby Digital 1.1 channel soundtrack. Chirs Pappas reviewed the disc on the BSG mailing list on February 19, 1999:

The pilot for Galactica, including the special effects footage was shot on flat 35mm which has an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. When it was released theatrically, the top and bottom of the frame were masked off to make it a 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
The practice of shooting a film intended for theatrical release in 1.33:1 and matting it in the theater is common. For example, Back to the Future was done this way. The only difference with BTTF was that the special effects were delivered in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. In the standard LaserDisc version, you get more 'actor' picture with cropped special effects footage and in the widescreen version, the actor footage is matted (the same as in the theater) but you get all of the special effects. (If anyone wants to split hairs, even the special effects for BTTF were slightly matted in the theater since they were 1.66:1 and the film was shown in 1.85:1.)
So, the bottom line is that for Galactica there was more visible on the home screen than the big screen. If the DVD is any type of wide screen, 16:9 or otherwise, it will mean a loss of image.

And later on July 12, 1999:

The MCA home video version (for clarity, the 1985 home video release) shows more picture data on the top and bottom. For example, the frames showing the Cylon Tanker in Warbook show the graphic in its entirety, however, the DVD crops both the nose and tail. The examples are endless since the matting is consistent throughout. The only way you won't see the above results is if your television or monitor is misadjusted and you are losing significant picture due to overscan.
It's also worth mentioning that in my comparison this time, I also noted that the right side of the DVD and video are even while there is a bit more data on the left side of the DVD. Don't get me wrong here, if I'm going to watch one, it will be the DVD. However, I stand by my assessment that the DVD is cropped top to bottom in comparison to the video version.

V12. European Home Video (EHV)

In 1999, the syndicated version of the pilot episode (SV) was made available on home video, in VHS PAL format. It was the first of eight projected volumes comprising the entire Galactica saga on home video.

II. Missing Scenes from the BSG Pilot Home Video

M1. The Warrior's Vacuum Tube (11s)

Adama calls battle stations. In crew quarters, Starbuck shovels his cubit winnings down his pants as the alert is sounded (0:15:57). The lost scene here is an eleven second segment of Starbuck and his fellow Colonial warriors being trammed through a vacuum tube to their Vipers. Starbuck is shown holding his helmet in his hands. This was also shown as stock footage in "Gun on Ice Planet Zero - Part I". This scene is present in the May 8 script.

M2. Serina's News Report (2m04s/18s)

Most of the following material, including all of Serina's lines, was deleted in the HV. In the TV it is clearly shown that Serina is a news reporter, and she was in the middle of a broadcast when the Cylons attacked Caprica. The segment begins just prior to Omega informing Adama of a Cylon wave of ships attacking the inner planets (0:25:24), and immediately after the scene of the three Battlestars in the background. It continues up to the point where Serina shouts "Boxey!" during the Cylon attack on Caprica (0:25:55). One sequence of the ship veering away is shown before Omega's line in the HV, but after his line in the TV (during Starbuck and Boomer's dialog.) This scene is in the May 8 script.

A good number of Serina's scenes were filmed but never shown, including this missing scene. Jane Seymour discussed them in an interview in Starlog #40:

First of all, that two-hour movie for TV was shot and reshot, and in the end it no longer resembled the original script at all. When I accepted the role I was handled a script in which my character was similar in some ways in strength to Jane Fonda's character in The China Syndrome. I was playing a news media reporter who was announcing that everything was being destroyed. She went through traumas there, trying to fight for the rights of the people who were surviving and then realizing half-way through the film that she had the equivalent of galactic cancer. None of this was shown in the final version [my emphasis]. They just turned this into a hardware kind of thing.
I had a wonderful role, and I played the whole thing like a woman who was dying. Then they called up my agent (I had died, mind you, in the film) and said they would like me to do the series. He said: 'Well, she is not doing the series. I told you just one two-hour episode, and that's it. Besides, her character is dead.' They said, 'Well, she's not dead.' 'How can she not be dead?' he replied. 'She wandered around looking sick through most of the movie. She was always seeing doctors and talking about who she would leave child to.'
They assured us Serina hadn't died; so we went off to see the film. I absolutely could not believe it. They had cut out every scene I had ever talked in. They had all the other characters talking to me and saying things. And they cut to moments when I wasn't looking so pained. My character made no sense at all. I couldn't believe what they had done. There were things happening to me that I had never seen.

Having Serina's character as a regular cast member may have been their plan all along. An early version of "Gun on Ice Planet Zero", entitled "Crossfire" (November 1977), by John Ireland, features Lyra, the character that evolved into Serina, as a member of the Council of the Twelve. Yet the May 8, 1978 script matches Seymour's descriptions, as well as the first Marvel comic adapation, where Lyra [Serina], knowing she would soon die, wanted Apollo to take care of Boxey. One wonders if the producers added these scenes for the benefit of Seymour, who expected only to be in the pilot episode.

The inclusion of this particular missing scene in the TV may be directly related to Seymour's decision to appear in the second two-hour episode of the series, "Lost Planet of the Gods". It would be her last Galactica appearance, as her character died in the second part of the episode.

Here is the complete scene as shown in the HV:

Three battlestars in the background. The Galactica veers away from the fleet. The scene switches to the main bridge.

Omega: Commander, the long-range scanner picks up wave after wave of small ships headed towards all inner planets.

The Cylons begin their attack on Caprica. Boxey is seen running with the crowd down the stairs. Serina, with microphone in her hand, shouts "Boxey!"

Here is the complete scene as shown in the TV:

Space shot -- three battlestars are in the background. The scene switches to the main bridge.

Omega: Commander, the long-range scanner picks up wave after wave of small ships heading towards all inner planets.
Starbuck, Boomer and Greenbean watch in their Vipers as the Galactica veers away from the fleet.

Starbuck: Hey, Boomer.

Boomer: I see it.

Starbuck: Where's she going?

Boomer: Don't ask me. The Commander's calling the shots.

Greenbean: Hey you guys. What's going on? The Galactica's pulling out.

Starbuck: There's got to be a good reason.

The scene then switches back to Galactica's main bridge.

Omega: The electronic jamming has stopped.

Apollo: They're clearing the air for their electronic guidance systems.

Tigh: That means the attack is under way.

Omega: No sir. We're picking up long range video satellite sygnals. Everything looks perfectly normal at home. We have a civil broadcast transmission coming up here shortly.

Tigh: Perhaps we're in time, Commander.

On deck, the command staff are watching the monitor as Serina begins her news report from Caprica.

Serina: Preparations continue through the night here at the Caprica Presidium. We can see at the moment it is somewhat deserted, but with the new dawn it will be full of Capricans coming here, eagerly and joyfully, to usher in a new era, the era of peace. So far, details of the armistice meeting going on at this very moment on the Star Kobol, are not coming in as we had hoped for. It seems that this is due to unusual electrical interferences which are blocking out all interstellar communcations. However, as soon as they are available, we will be showing you the first pictures of something that has been described as the most signficant event in history.

As Serina continues here report, the Cylons begin their attack on Caprica.

Serina: Oh, my God! It's a tremendous explosion... Are we getting this on the camera... People are running everywhere and they... are running in all different directions. Ladies and gentlemen... It's terrible! They're bombing the city...

Boxey is seen running with the crowd down the stairs. Serina, with microphone in her hand, shouts "Boxey!"

At this point the television pilot and the home video converge.

M3. Athena's Locker Scene (2m57s)

After Adama tells representatives of the new fleet of his goal of reaching Earth (0:40:30), is one infamous "lost" scene where Starbuck decides to apologize to Athena for his confrontation in the corridor after his emergency landing. As Athena is undressing in her quarters, Starbuck makes his entrance. Athena uses her locker door to cover herself while Starbuck tries not to look in her direction. It is not in the May 8 script, and was probably included to justify Starbuck's subsequent pursuit of Cassiopeia. Here is the complete scene:

Stabuck: Anybody here?

Athena: Oh... Starbuck!

Athena, caught undressing, hides behind her locker door

Starbuck: Oh... They're looking for you. I came to apologize for how I treated you. It's just... I've seen so many guys from my squadron... burned up. I guess I was looking to take it out on somebody. I wish it hadn't been you.

Athena: It wasn't important, Starbuck. I don't know what is.

Starbuck: Look, I'm sorry about Zac, and your mother.

Athena: Starbuck, you don't have to say anything.

Starbuck: Zac pulled my patrol.

Athena: He wanted to go!

Starbuck: Athena, this is a time for sticking together. Maybe we could talk about things.

Athena: Us, you mean.

Starbuck: Well, I guess it is a little overdue.

Athena: Starbuck, I don't know. I don't think any of us have any kind of future any more.

Starbuck: Don't say that. Thing's are going to be all right. Look, if we can handle what we've just been through, we can handle anything.

Athena: Later, maybe. But things are so fresh in my mind.

Starbuck: Athena, I said I was sorry.

Athena: Starbuck, I don't want to care about anybody, but especially you. Zac couldn't wait to get out there, get all shot up. And you, you're worse than Zac.

Starbuck: I think of it as an obligation.

Athena: No you don't. You like to pretend that they're out there dragging you by your boot straps, but you really can't wait to get up there in that machine of yours.

Starbuck: Well, I guess we see things differently.

Athena: I guess we do.

Starbuck: I said what I came to say.

M4. Apollo Confronts Adama (1m46s)

After Apollo tells the Council of his mission to go through the Nova of Madagon (0:58:24), there is another missing scene -- where Apollo engages in a heated argument with his father. Adama accuses Apollo of playing into Sire Uri's hands, and Apollo says his father isn't willing to take risks. While this scene is not in the May 8 script, there are several other scenes where Apollo confronts Adama, sometimes in the company of Athena, and even accuses him of cowardice. Here is the complete scene:

Adama: And just what did you think you were doing volunteering for a mission like that? Sire Uri must be laughing up his sleeve.

Apollo: What's worrying you more, the mission or your being made to look foolish by Uri? I'm sorry, I know better than that, but there was no choice. You didn't seem to have a viable plan. It was his way or mine.

Adama: Now you see. He's got us doing it. Turning one against the other. If Uri weren't such a prima donna I'd say let him lead. But we must not allow ourselves be fractioned off, there are so few of us left. A single voice is imperative.

Apollo: But not his! He's only interested in himself. I don't understand how he ever got elected to the Council of the Twelve. And you voted for him.

Adama: You should have known him back in the renaissance days of Caprica. He was one of the best, a builder, an architect of dreams. Now he just sits and decays himself with drink and remembrance. No wonder our world fell apart.

Apollo: Looking back is contagious. Decay and corruption go hand in hand with defeatism and lack of action. Uri moved in because you failed to act, to have alternatives to his plan.

Adama: I believe it is sometimes prudent to steer away from the flames once you've been badly burnt.

Apollo: And I'd say you'd better look around more carefully. You're nursing wounds while we're still in the fire.

M5. Athena Consoles Adama (1m56s)

In this missing scene, Adama is sitting alone in his chamber, depressed, and is consoled by his daughter Athena. In the TV, this scene appeared after Dr. Wilker presents Boxey with his droid daggit, and before Starbuck's famous love scene in the launch tube (1:00:51). In the May 8 script, this scene is present between the scene were Apollo is on the shuttle, pledging to see "what's on the bottom of the conspiracy of silence" on the food shortage, and the following scene which took place on the Rising Star (0:47:19). Why was it inserted here in the TV? Perhaps to replace another Adama/Athena scene in the May 8 script which was never shown (the subject of that scene was Starbuck and Athena's relationship with him.) Here is the complete scene:

Athena: Father... Father? Are you all right?

Adama: If any one amongst us can say that he is all right after what has happened, I recommend him for catharsis treatment.

Athena: That's not the warrior I'm used to. Whatever happened to the joy of living to fight another day?

Adama: Ah yes, the joy of living. You were aboard the Galactica. You didn't see them down there, their faces. The old, the young, desperate, begging, screaming for a chance to come aboard, a chance to live. And there I was like God, passing out priorities as if they were tickets to a lottery. There was one woman with a child in her arms. She tore at my arm as we were boarding the launch to come back.

Athena: Father, don't...

Adama: The guard came up -- I saw him out of the corner of my eye, I tried to stop him -- he shoved her away, pushed her. He didn't see the child. I don't know what happened to that woman. Oh God, I don't want it any more. Let someone else do it...

Athena: Father...

Adama: Take this burden from me.

M6. Baltar Escapes Execution (8s/2s)

This is perhaps the most well known of all the missing or altered scenes. Shown after the Colonials reach Carillon, and before the actual landing procedures, is the scene of Baltar's execution (1:08:58). Baltar was originally slated to die in the pilot. Versions with Baltar's execution include the CV, the USV, the HV, the May 8 script and the novelization.

However, this scene was altered for the television version of the pilot (both HV and SV), as Baltar was "spared" to became a regular cast member of the show (see also M11.) Colicos revealed the reasons behind this in his interview in Starlog #138:

Initially, I was only going to be in the pilot. Then, Glen [Larson] decided he liked the character and the work that I was doing, so he decided to keep Baltar as a running character. He redirected the pilot's final scene himself, so that when the sword came down to cut me head off, he stopped it at the last second and I was spared if I would betray the human race.

Here is the complete scene, including those parts common to all versions of the pilot:

Leader: Welcome, Baltar. I have grave news. A handful of Colonials prevail, but we will soon find them.

Baltar: What of our bargain? My colony was to be spared!

Leader: I now alter the bargain.

Baltar: How can you change one side of a bargain?

Leader: When there is no other side. You have missed the entire point of the war.

Baltar: But I have no ambitions against you?

Leader: Could you think me so foolish as to trust a man who would see his own race destroyed?

Baltar: Not destroyed, subjugated, under me.

Leader: There can be no survivors. So long as one human remains alive, the Alliance is threatened.

Baltar: Surely you don't mean me?

Leader: We thank you for your help, Baltar. Your time is at an end

In the HV, the Centurion on Baltar's left pulls his hair back, as the one on his right full unsheathes his knife (1:10:07). Baltar cries "No! You can't. You still nee...arrgh" His head is held back and his throat exposed as the Cylon is shown applying his knife. It quickly cuts away to the next scene on the Carillon surface.

In the television version, Imperious Leader interupts the Cylon at the moment that he unsheathes his knife. He utters:

Leader: No, not now, Centurion.

The camera then focuses on Baltar a little longer, as Imperious Leader continues:

Leader: Remove him for public execution.

Jerry Zabel describes how this was achieved visually: "Rather than reshoot the sequence of Baltar's execution, it was redubbed with reversed film footage of the Cylon drawing his sword. It was merely reversed to appear as if the Cylon were placing his sword back into his sheath, with a line dubbed for the Imperious Leader."

M7. The Carillon Landram Scene (1m58s/15s)

This scene is shown not long after Starbuck and Boomer enter the casino (1:14:50), and is only 15 seconds long in the HV. Here Apollo instructs Boxey to look for high concentrations of Tylium, and tells him of the origins of the Cylons, and human attitudes to artificial intelligence (including Cylons and drones like Boxey's new pet daggit.) Radically altered from the same scene in the May 8 script, where the subject is not of the Cylon's origins, but of prejudice and hate. In the development of the series, the Cylons were downgraded from humanoid lizards in armor, to cyborgs, to finally the genocidal robots as presented in the series. Here is the complete scene:

Apollo: We can't aford to stay in any one place for too long.

Boxey: Why? Why do these people want to hurt us. What did we do to them?

Apollo: It's not what we did to them. It's what they fear we could do. You see, they're not like us. They're machines created by living creatures a long, long time ago.

Boxey: If they're machines, why don't we just turn them off?

Apollo: Boy, I wish we could. But these machines aren't all that simple. You see, some machines are so advanced that they can function better than a lot of living creatures.

Boxey: They're not smarter.

Apollo: In some ways they are. They're programmed to think a lot faster than than we do. On the other hand, they're not as individual. We can do a little more of the unexpected. It's about the only advantage we have.

Boxey: Why did we make them?

Apollo: We didn't. Another race did, a race of reptiles called Cylons. After a while the Cylons discovered humans were the most practical form of creature in this system. So they copied our bodies, but they built them bigger and stronger than we are. And they can exchange parts so they can live forever.

Boxey: Maybe the Cylons who created these machines could turn them off.

Apollo: There are no more real Cylons. They died off thousands of yahrens ago, leaving behind a race of super-machines, but we still call them Cylons.

Boxey: Will that happen to us too? Will our drones and machines take over?

Apollo: We are very careful not to make our drones quite that intelligent or independent -- present company excepted, Muffit.

Muffit lets out a mechanical bark. Apollo humorously adds:

Apollo: As a matter of fact we'd better have this drone checked. I think he's been listening awfully closly.

M8. The Tylium Mine Mystery (1m39s)

This scene with Tigh and Adama takes place in Adama's private quarters just prior to the Council disarmament session (1:25:22), and is immediately followed by the next missing scene (M9). Here, Adama wonders about the mystery of Carillon and reveals to Tigh that Baltar's people discovered the Tylium mine. It is not in the May 8 script, but portions of it, including Baltar's intelligence report, are alluded to in the disarmament session of the Council of the Twelve. Here is the complete scene:

Tigh: You wanted to see me?

Adama: I've been sitting here for yahrens, it seems, examining our military intelligence on this Carillon outpost.

Tigh: I didn't think we had any beyond the exploration for fighter fuel.

Adama: That's the disquieting part. It was Baltar's people who engineered that expedition. It declared the Tylium too miminal for mining, and our military intelligence is based on that report.

Tigh: And now we find one of the largest Tylium mining operations in the star system.

Adama: Exactly. So the mystery is, who's behind such a hugh remote mining operation. There's no local food source to feed the laborers, they must be bringing it from who knows how far.

Tigh: They have plenty of food to share. Some of our peple are getting downright obese.

Adama: Yes. And there's another mystery. There seems to be no connection between the Ovion workers underground and the resort on the surface, and yet there must be some connection.

Tigh: Do you suspect a tie-in with the Cylon Empire?

Adama: Where Baltar's involved, I suppose I suspect everything. You've had no reports of anything odd, or out of the ordinary?

Tigh: No, sir. The people are having the time of their lives.

M9. Hope It's The Grog (1m03s)

This scene appears just prior to the disarmament session of the Council of the Twelve (1:25:22), immediately following the previous scene (M8). Here, as Serina and Apollo go down to the gambling resort, Apollo overhears Sire Uri talking to a fellow council member about his plans for disarming the Colonial fleet. Immediately following this scene is the special Council meeting where Uri makes his disarmament proposal. Here is the complete scene:

Serina: It's a circus, a wonderland.

Apollo: Why don't we win a fortune.

Serina: Why don't we, my beautiful captain!

Scene switches to Sire Uri talking to a fellow Council member.

Uri: We have here the foods and necessities to feed our people. We have the support of a culture content to be subservient to our needs. We are far away from the Cylons so as not to pose a threat to them. At least we ought not to pose a threat, and would not, if we destroyed our war machines.

Apollo overhears Uri's conversation.

Apollo: What's this?

Uri: Ahh... Our young Warrior or should I say savior. I was just pointing out that the Cylons destroyed our cities because we were a threat to their order. Here, isolated from them, we pose no threat, or would not, if we disposed of our ships and weapons. Now what do you think of my proposal?

Apollo: Hope it's the grog.

Uri: Well, tonight, it might very well be the grog, but there's always tomorrow.

M10. Conversation Below Carillon (1:40s/55s)

One truly interesting new scene is a dialog below Carillon between Apollo and Starbuck, just moments after they saw an Ovion followed by two Cylons down the corridor (1:45:08). They are hiding in a corner, and any minute, Boxey is going to appear out of the elevator (1:45:19). A copy of the script dated May 8, 1978, supports the HV version. The dialog may have been recut and reshot to make better sense of Carillon's destruction. Here is the complete scene as shown in the HV:

Starbuck: Me and my big mouth.

Apollo: At least we know the secret of Carillon.

Starbuck: Do we? What's the connection between the casino and all this?

Apollo: Let's get out of here, then figure that one out.

Boxey and Muffit appear out of the elevator, as the Cylon attacks them. Apollo shouts:

Apollo: Run, Boxey, Run!

As they run through the coridor, shooting Cylons, Starbuck and Apollo look at the Tylium ceiling. Starbuck remarks:

Starbuck: Apollo, are you thinking what I'm thinking.

Apollo: With all this Tylium, we're setting fire to the biggest bomb in the universe.

Starbuck: I guess it's a little late to talk to these fellas.

Not much later, after the pair rescues Cassiopeia from the Ovions, Apollo tells Starbuck to aim for the ceiling rather than shooting the pursuing Cylons. There doesn't seem to be much thought in the decision to set fire to the Tylium that eventually destroyed Carillon and the Imperious Leader's base ship, which was probably the producer's motivation to alter this scene. Here is the complete scene as shown in the TV (the portions in brackets are the only parts absent in the SV):

Starbuck: Me and my big mouth.

Apollo: [At least we know the secret of] Carillon. Let's get out of here.

Starbuck: Wait, you go.

Apollo: What are you talking about?

Starbuck: We still don't know the connection between the casino and this mining operation? For all we know, they could be supplying half the fuel for the Cylon empire. We just can't leave it fully operational.

Apollo: We've got out entire population up on top -- that includes women and children.

Starbuck: Well, you get up there and warn them. I won't do anything until you've had a chance to get away.

Apollo: What can you do by yourself?

Starbuck: This whole planet is loaded with Tylium. If I can ignite it with my lasers it will blow the entire planet apart.

Apollo: Starbuck, I can't lose you down here, you'll never get out alive.

Starbuck: You don't have a choice.

Apollo: Starbuck, I had to leave Zac behind, I can't leave you too. You go up, I'll set fire to the Tylium.

Starbuck: Apollo, by the time we get to arguing about this it will...

Apollo: Shhhhh... Somebody's coming.

Boxey and Muffit appear out of the elevator, as the Cylon attacks them. Apollo shouts:

Apollo: Run, Boxey, Run!

Two lines, spoken by Starbuck and Apollo in the HV, were dubbed out in this version. As they run through the coridor, shooting Cylons, Starbuck remarks:

Starbuck: I guess it's a little late to talk to these fellas.

In the TV, the act is clearly premeditated, for the purpose of crippling Cylon fuel resources and protecting the fleet population. Starbuck's statement about blowing the planet apart makes his later statement -- that if they don't stop the Cylons "we're going to go back and live on that rock", confusing and contradictory. Did Starbuck know that planet was going to blow up or didn't he?

M11 Baltar Meets Lucifer (2m24s)

In this scene, which appears after Commander Adama's epilogue (2:02:21), the new Imperious Leader gives Baltar a Base Ship, and a new companion, Lucifer (the previous Imperious Leader perished over Carillon.) An edited version of this scene, with additional footage, is also in "Lost Planet of the Gods - Part I". Lucifer's role is unclear from this scene, as it is never stated. Nevertheless, Lucifer is assigned the role of Baltar's assistant (see also M6.) Here is the complete scene, as presented at the conclusion of the pilot:

Leader: You are Baltar?

Baltar: (laughs) As if you don't remember.

Leader: My predecessor has left me with a difficult choice.

Baltar: Your predecessor?

Leader: ... was destroyed by your peers, a foolish miscalculation of the will of your people.

Baltar: I... I... I tried to warn him... I could have prevented his... helped...

Leader: Yes. I have examined your epistle suggesting you could be able to locate the humans.

Baltar: Why yes... oh yes... I think as they do... I know where they will go, what they must do...

Leader: I find your reasoning logical.

Baltar: Then I am to be...

Leader: ... spared.

Baltar: To serve the Empire!

Leader: No, to serve your people, to help us extend the hand of truce.

Baltar: Truce?

Leader: My predecessor was programmed at a time when our Empire was less capable of tolerance. Now that we are omnipotent, we can afford to be more charitable. You will explain my policy of good will. I have spared you, I will spare them.

Baltar: They are not likely to be receptive.

Lucifer: I will send with you a base star entirely under your command. Lucifer...

Imperious Leader motions Lucifer to enter the throne room.

Here is the alternate version of this same scene, edited and with new footage, as shown in "Lost Planet of the Gods - Part I":

Leader: I have examined your epistle suggesting you could be able to locate the humans.

Baltar: Why yes... oh yes... I think as they do... I know where they go, what they must do...

Leader: I find your reasoning logical

Baltar: Then I am to be...

Leader: ... spared.

Baltar: To serve the Empire!

Leader: Lucifer!

Imperious Leader motions Lucifer to enter the throne room. He continues his discourse with Baltar. The loquatious assistant directs his comments towards his new commander.

Leader: I'm sending you a base ship entirely under your command.

Lucifer: It will be my pleasure, Baltar. I think I can assure you with some sense of pride you will inherit the most capable centurions in all the Empire.

III. Scenes and Dialog Cut from the ABC Version of the Pilot

C1. Screaming Man On Fire Aboard The Atlantia (3s)

Three seconds of a man on fire, screaming, aboard the Atlantia bridge, just prior to the attack by the Cylon ship from "group three, vector one seven and two eight." (0:22:00) Probably a cut demanded by the network.

C2. Council Chambers - Uri's Proposal (51s)

The prologue of Uri's proposal (1:25:22):

Adama: What is the purpose of this special council?

Anton: Adama, I'm afraid I must ask you to respect the order of business until called upon by this chair. I think councillor Uri has a measure to proposal. Thank you.

Uri: My brothers. The hasty attempt to outrun the Cylons spawned in the midnight of desperation, seems foolhardy in the light of day. I propose instead, we now attempt appealing for justice and mercy.

Adama: Justice? Justice from the Cylons? Is that what you actually said? Gentleman, they've told us they would not stop until every human had been exterminated. [Now why should we they believe we are now willing to accept that which we have always found unacceptable? To live under Cylon rule?]

IV. Other Differences Between the Two Versions

D1. Opening Sequence

After the opening credits and the Patrick Macnee narration, there follows the grand entrance of the Battlestar fleet (0:02:52). In the HV, the spectacular but often-used "fly-by" of the Galactica is used to open this sequence. In the TV, this shot is replaced by a longer, panaromic shot of the entire five-battlestar fleet. This panaromic shot is shown briefly in the HV, but after the fly-by. The music cue behind the different footage is the same. (source: Jerry Zabel)

D2. Adama's reply to President Adar - Clipped Dialog

Some parts of Adama's dialog were clipped out in the TV, but are present in the HV. The parts that were clipped are indicated within square brackets (0:17:00):

Adama: Sir, did [Count] Baltar suggest that our forces sit here totally defenceless?

D3. Dialog Over the Atlantia

Moments before the Atlantia's destruction (0:22:17), a line by Starbuck was dubbed in the the TV, during a scene where Starbuck and Boomer destroy a Cylon Raider over the President's Battlestar. Here is the complete dialog as taken from the TV, with brackets indicated the dubbed line.

Boomer: They're heading for the Atlantia. I've got him on the left.

Starbuck: I've got him on the right. [The main attack is on the President's ship.]

D4. Starbuck's Emergency Landing

When Athena begins to run a computer check with Starbuck who is attempting a landing onto the Galactica after the attack (0:30:25), the music cue in the TV version starts about 10 seconds earlier than the HV. (source: Jerry Zabel)

D5. Baltar on Caprica

In the scene on Caprica between Baltar and the two centurions (0:38:13), the sequence ends more quickly, and with different music, in the HV. In the HV, Baltar orders the centurions, "Carry out your orders. If they exist, they're doomed." The centurions turn and march off as Baltar surveys the burning city. However, in the TV version, the Cylons turn and march off, accompanied by the same music that complemented the Imperious Leader's earlier command, "Let the attack begin." Then there is a quick close-up of Baltar's sinister smirk, followed by a shot of the burning city that then blacks out for a commercial. (source: Jerry Zabel)

D6. Serpentine's Report to Imperious Leader

Flight Leader Serpentine's report to Imperious Leader, where he tells the Cylon leader of human survivors, is shown out of sequence in the TV. In the HV it appears after Adama tells the fleet he is searching for Earth (0:40:30). In the TV it is shown as Apollo exits the bottom level of the Rising Star and enters the second level (where Sire Uri is having his party) (0:48:02).

Before returning to the Rising Star upper deck sequence, there is an additional 8 seconds showing the Rising Star in space, with the Galactica theme music. This section is not in the home video, and was included to indicate a return to the Rising Star scenes.