A reimagining of the 2000s military sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica It’s much more than the sum of your battles and jumps. From its satisfying character arcs to its philosophical and theological depths, the show is extremely rewatchable — thankfully, when Peacock Battlestar Galactica the reboot is no longer in progress.
The best kind of science fiction serves as a backdrop for exploring real-world issues that Battlestar Galactica He does it with dramatic, comedic, emotional and poetic ease. An aspect of writing Battlestar Galactica stands out especially in the dialogue, exemplified through the iconic quotes which have become synonymous with the series. From the stoic wisdom of William Adama to the biting cynicism of scientist Gaius Baltar, these lines capture the essence of the series’ characters and themes.
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“Nothing but the rain, sir.”
Said by Kara Thrace
“Nothing but the rain“is among the most quoted lines of Battlestar Galactica; this call and response between Rear Admiral Adama and Starbuck is their first interaction. Although the line has a secret meaning, it is essentially meaningless. It is simply a shared phrase rooted in military tradition. The show’s creators, including Ronald D. Moore, confirmed that the phrase was inspired by military marching chants. known as “jodies” (through GameRant). The quote remains an evocative element of the show and carries significant emotional weight, as the pair again exchange this dialogue as part of an emotional farewell in “Daybreak: Part 2.”
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“It’s not enough to survive…”
Said by William Adama
When the show delves into deep philosophical questions about the value of humanity, the question posed by Bill, “It’s not enough to survive; You have to be worthy to survive,“is particularly moving. The human characters struggle with their moral flaws and the tireless pursuit of his enemies, often becoming his own worst enemy. In the end, the human fleet arrives on a prehistoric Earth and the survivors choose to abandon their technological advances and integrate into primitive human society, a fitting end to a series that questions human morals.
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“Is this what makes me human?”
Said by Caio Baltar
Fans will no doubt hear this quote with James Callis’ signature:
“Is that what makes me human? Isn’t it conscious thought? Isn’t it poetry, or art, or music, literature? Murder. Murder is my heritage.”
Callis’ performance masterfully plays into the love/hate relationship that the viewer has with Gaius. Both in his moments of comic relief and in his main plot points, he carries the message of humanity’s arrogance. However, his background as a brilliant scientist emphasizes the show’s fundamental interest in religion and Moore always spoke about the importance of Gaius (through YouTube) in the central and cyclical conflict of the show that is linked to the past of our Earth.
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“You, your race, invented murder.”
Said by the number six
Number Six, a complex and enigmatic Cylon character in Battlestar Galacticaoften offers profound insights. Only Gaius can see Number Six, and in a particularly impressive conversation with Gaius Baltar, she notes that humanity invented murder. Baltar, initially surprised, is forced to confront the dark side of human nature.
This quote sums up the main enigma of humanity creating the Cylons in its image, the only distinction is their subservience. The idea of humanity inventing murder also evokes the image of Cain and Abel, one of many biblical references in the original series and the new series. The quote also highlights humanity’s inferiority according to the Cylons.
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“You can’t play God and then wash your hands of the things you created.”
Said by William Adama
The series suggests that true leadership requires not only strength and courage, but also a deep sense of moral responsibility. This full quote explores Adama’s sense of responsibility:
“You can’t play God and then wash your hands of the things you’ve created. Sooner or later, the day will come when you can no longer hide from the things you’ve done.”
The morally grounded leader of the Twelve Colonies embodies the weight of responsibility that accompanies leadership. Adama’s quote reflects the dilemmas faced by those in positions of power, while his character arc is intertwined with the series’ exploration of humanity’s capacity for both great good and terrible evil. This quote also relates to Adama’s role as a father; at one point he comments that facing Lee the next day makes his decision-making even more difficult.
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“It’s naive to think that horrible things we can’t understand have simple explanations.”
Said by Laura Roslin
This quote from Laura Roslin demonstrates her nuanced approach to problem solving. As she faces the challenges of leading a civilization on the run, Roslin often confronts the inexplicable and the terrifying. His understanding that simple answers are rarely enough highlights the series’ exploration of moral ambiguity and the human condition. Mary McDonnell’s delivery and cadence in her performance have conscious and emotional undertones, making her character a joy to watch. However, “horrible things“faces stiff competition for his best line due to ongoing threats to break several characters out of the airlock.
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“All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again.”
Said by the number six
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Another commonly cited line from Battlestar Galactica was taken from Pedro Pan. The saying is used to explain why humans exiled to BSG They’re just like us, while they talk about a fundamental truth about human nature: repeating mistakes. This truth is also an example of the original show’s Mormon influences, one of the things people may not know Battlestar Galactica.
The line has similarities to Mormon and Old Testament writings. A line in Ecclesiastes 1 (Old Testament) says: “What was will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.“ The Mormon hymn, “If You Could Hie To Kolob”, also has cyclical ideas: “Improvement and progression / Have an eternal round. / There is no end to matter; / There is no end to space; / There is no end to the spirit; / There is no end to the race.”
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“The pilots call me Starbuck; you can refer to me as God.”
Said by Kara Thrace
Kara Thrace is known for her bold and confident demeanor with this quote summing up his charming arrogance. It also strangely hints at the divine destiny that seems to follow her throughout the series, despite Battlestar Galactica theories that Starbuck is a Cylon. Kara transforms from rebel pilot to symbol of hope and redemption, making her one of the series’ most beloved characters. This decidedly presumptuous line is also a brilliant writing decision to endear her to a new audience in the first season, making Kara a formidable gender-swapped replacement for the original male Starbuck.
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“I’m an officer in the colonial fleet. Whatever it is…that’s the man I want to be.”
Said by Saul Tigh
The character of Saul Tigh provides a powerful exploration of military identity in Battlestar Galactica. His statement reflects the profound impact of military service on a person’s self-image. Tigh’s journey, particularly his revelation as not only a Cylon but also one of the Final Five in a major twist, defies this. Whether he knows who he is or not, Tigh has a strong sense of duty. He clings to his military identity, highlighting the power of self-definition in the face of adversity. This theme resonates everywhere Battlestar Galacticaas characters question their roles, their past, and their place in the cosmos.
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“I don’t want to be human! I want to see gamma rays!”
Said by brother Cavil
That Battlestar Galactica quote is a stunning evocation of the experience of being a Cylon and how the human experience pales in comparison. The full quote shows Cavil dismayed as he experiences the events through “ridiculous jelly orbs“of the human brain and having to express ideas through”limiting“spoken language. Furthermore, the grandiose language used to convey the Cylon experience parallels replicant Roy Batty’s iconic 42-word monologue in Blade Runner. Knowing he is about to die, Batty says:
“I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire on Orion’s shoulder. I watched the C-rays glow in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate.“