Ronald D. Moore, a writer for both theStar TrekandBattlestar Galacticafranchises,often repeats motifs from his previous work. He is frequently credited as one of the best writers entrusted withStar Trek’s formidable universe. A great example of this is “The Defector,” which was only Moore’s second script forThe Next Generationand solidified his place on the writing staff for the show. It is also a decided example of a time whenBattlestar GalacticaandStar Trekcopied each otherback and forth over the years.
TheStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode’s framework, which focuses on themes of deception, mistrust, and an overarching tactical play, is repeated in Moore’sBattlestar Galacticaepisode “Hero.” The two shows feature very different interspecies politics, especially givenBattlestar Galactica’s “no aliens” rule. However,the essential premise of a plant being placed among the crew is the same, as well as the discovery of the deception.With the same set-up inBSG,viewers can observe the remarkable evolution of Moore’s writing.
Battlestar Galactica’s “Hero” Is A Cover Version Of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Defector”
Moore Copied His Own Motifs From Star Trek & Made Them Even Better
TheBattlestar Galacticaepisode “Hero” and theStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode “The Defector” are both season 3 episodes of their respective series. In theBSGepisode, a Cylon raider is pursued by two other Cylon raiders and flees to Galactica. The “Cylon” inside is a human, Bulldog, who served on Adama’s previousBattlestar Galacticaship, the Valkyrie, and was held captive by the Cylons for three years. He escaped the Cylons but is not aware that the Cylons likely let him, knowing he would seek the truth about why he was captured and take his revenge on Adama.
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Viewers do not see much of Starbuck in the episode but, significantly,Thrace looks edgy and suspicious as Bulldog and Adama salute each other, similar to the suspicious initial reaction of the crew inStar Trek’s “The Defector.“Later, she is seen reviewing the footage. Her realization that the “Cylons could have wasted him” is comparable to “The Defector” showing the bridge’s computer footage. Geordi points to the screen’s evidence — the Romulan warrior ship could have overtaken the scoutship at any time, showing the Romulan “defector” aboard Enterprise is a plant, whether he knows it or not.
What Battlestar Galactica’s Version Does Differently To Star Trek: The Next Generation
Onekey difference between the episodes is the openings— whereasStar Trekopens “The Defector” using Shakespeare’sHenry Vas a framing device (ideated by Patrick Stewart, according toEruditorum Press),BSG’s “Hero” hilariously begins with Laura Roslin suggesting a portrait of Gaius Baltar be hung above the toilet. However, her following dialogue around recognizing Adama’s 45 years of service serves the same purpose as theHenry Vdialogue. It sets up themes around the challenges of leadership and the weight of responsibility, common in thebest episodes ofBattlestar Galactica.
The episodes are more similar in their underlying tactics than in the details.
Additionally, the episodes are more similar in their underlying tactics than in the details.BSG’s Black Ops mission lured Adama into making a call that was one of a few actions that triggered the Cylon attack on the colonies; the Romulans similarly wanted to lure Enterprise into the neutral territory to justify attacking. However, Moore leverages this in different ways — namely, inBattlestar Galactica,he expands the idea. “The Defector” is a highly rewatchable episode because it has little impact on the overall plot. InBSG,“Hero” is a key episode for both Adama and Tigh’s character development.
Battlestar Galactica
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Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2004. The plot follows the crew of the aging Battlestar Galactica as they protect a small fleet of human survivors from the renewed threat of the Cylons, in a quest to find the mythical 13th colony, Earth.
