Battlestar Galactica not-so-subtly repeated a Star Trek episode written by Ronald D. Moore 16 years earlier

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Battlestar Galactica not-so-subtly repeated a Star Trek episode written by Ronald D. Moore 16 years earlier

Ronald D. Moore, writer of both Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica franchises, frequently repeats motifs from his previous works. He is often credited as one of the best writers in charge of Star Trekformidable universe. A great example of this is “The Defector,” which was only Moore’s second screenplay for The next generation and solidified his place on the show’s writing team. It is also a decided example of a time when Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek have copied each other over the years.

THE Star Trek: The Next Generation The episode’s structure, which focuses on themes of deception, distrust, and an overarching tactical game, is repeated in Moore’s film Battlestar Galactica episode “Hero”. The two programs feature very different interspecies policies, especially considering Battlestar Galactica“no aliens” rule. However, the essential premise of a plant being placed among the crew is the same, as is the discovery of the deception. With the same configuration in BSG, viewers can observe the remarkable evolution of Moore’s writing.

Battlestar Galactica’s “Hero” Is a Cover Version of Next Generation’s Star Trek: “The Defector”

Moore copied his own Star Trek motifs and made them even better

THE Battlestar Galactica episode “Hero” and the Star Trek: The Next Generation The episode “The Defector” are episodes from the 3rd season of their respective series. Node BSG episode, a Cylon invader is pursued by two other Cylon invaders and escapes to the Galactica. The “Cylon” inside is a human, Bulldog, who served in Adama’s previous army. Battlestar Galactica ship, the Valkyrie, and was held captive by the Cylons for three years. He escaped from the Cylons, but is unaware that the Cylons likely allowed him to, knowing he would seek the truth about why he was captured and seek revenge on Adama.

Viewers don’t see much of Starbuck in the episode, but significantly Thrace appears nervous and suspicious as Bulldog and Adama greet each other, similar to the crew’s initial suspicious reaction in Star Trek‘The Deserter’. She is later seen reviewing the footage. His realization that “Cylons could have wasted it” is comparable to “The Deserter” which shows computer footage from the bridge. Geordi points to the evidence on the screen – the Romulan warship could have overtaken the scout ship at any time, showing that the Romulan “deserter” aboard the Enterprise is a plant, whether he knows it or not.

What the Battlestar Galactica version does differently in Star Trek: The Next Generation

It is not a direct copy of Star Trek, instead using more compelling plots and themes


Battlestar Galactica's Starbuck reviewing flight footage with a worried expression in the episode Hero

One The main difference between the episodes is the openings – while Star Trek opens “The Deserter” using Shakespeare Henry V as a framing device (devised by Patrick Stewart, according to Eruditorum Press), BSG2017’s ‘Hero’ hilariously begins with Laura Roslin suggesting that a portrait of Gaius Baltar be hung above the toilet. However, the following dialogue about recognizing Adama’s 45 years of service serves the same purpose as the Henry V dialogue. Establishes themes around the challenges of leadership and the weight of responsibility, common in the best episodes of Battlestar Galactica.

The episodes are more similar in underlying tactics than in details.

Furthermore, the episodes are more similar in underlying tactics than in details. BSGAdama’s Black Ops mission lured Adama into making a call that was one of the few actions that triggered the Cylon attack on the colonies; the Romulans also wanted to lure the Enterprise into neutral territory to justify the attack. However, Moore takes advantage of this in different ways – namely, in Battlestar Galactica, it expands the idea. “The Defector” is a highly replayable episode because it has little impact on the overall plot. In BSG, ‘Hero’ is a key episode for Adama and Tigh’s character development.

Source: Eruditorum Press

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