Battlestar Galactica Interview: Mark Verheiden on Cylon Amnesty and Finding Earth
Welcome to the latest installment of Battlestar Galactica Weekly, our recurring Q&A with Mark Verheiden, co-executive producer of the hit Sci-Fi Channel series Battlestar Galactica. Each week, we’ll interview Verheiden about the events of the week’s episode, what those events might mean for both the season and the series, and hopefully unearth some clues about what to expect as the final season of Battlestar Galactica nears its conclusion.
Along with posing our own questions to Verheiden, we’re also taking questions from fans — so be sure to send your questions to me, your official BSG Weekly interviewer, after each episode airs at chris [at] comicmix [dot] com. New episodes of Battlestar Galactica can be seen every Friday at 10 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel. You can read previous interviews via our BSG Weekly Archive or the links at the end of this article.
This week, Mark is answering questions about Episode #10 of Season Four, “Revelations,” which aired June 13, 2008 and is BSG’s mid-season finale. Note: These answers may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.
COMICMIX (from reader Erica): Is it true that the online streamed version of the episode is longer than the one that aired on Sci-Fi?
MARK VERHEIDEN: As usual, I have to plead ignorance, I simply donâÂÂt know, and guess whose TiVo went to the wrong channel when the episode actually aired Friday night?àIâÂÂm sure the eagle-eyes in the audience will let us know soon enough!
CMix (from reader Erica): Are we to assume that, in the show’s final shot on Earth, that is Caprica Six who walks up to Tigh and reaches for him?ÃÂ Was she freed from the brig as part of the amnesty policy Lee announced?
MV: That is Caprica Six and yes, LeeâÂÂs amnesty encompassed her as well.
CMix (from reader Avery): Was that the Brooklyn Bridge in the background of the final scene? Are they on Ellis Island?
MV: Anything I might say or not say about that last sequence could be construed as a spoiler, so IâÂÂm afraid youâÂÂll just have to wait until the next bunch of episodes. Given the other questions IâÂÂve been receiving since the episode ran, I may have to put that particular demur on a hot key, since it will be my standard answer re: anything involving the next episodes.
But as long as weâÂÂre discussing the last scene, may I give a shout out, as usual, to the incredible FX team who once again pulled out all the stops for this episode?àAnd for that matter, the props and play-back guys.àKaraâÂÂs discovery in her Viper plays because the visual information is so clear and dynamic.ààÃÂ
CMix (from reader Leah): Does the fact that Laura Roslin made it to Earth mean she’s not the dying leader?
MV: Well, sheâÂÂs still dying from cancer, so sheâÂÂs âÂÂthe dying leaderâ of the fleet no matter how you parse it. I donâÂÂt think the scrolls specified âÂÂdeadâ leader. As for where that particular prophesy eventually takes us, I can only preach patience.ààÃÂ
CMix (from reader Avery): Will we see further ramifications of the revelation of the four in the second half, specifically regarding the Adama/Tigh relationship? Adama’s breakdown was heartbreaking.
MV:àPoor Adama has certainly been through a lot this season, and itâÂÂs not over yet.àEddie Olmosâ performance was as raw and powerful as anything weâÂÂve done, and I donâÂÂt think it gives anything away to say that yes, there will be tests and challenges for the Admiral and all in our rag-tag fleet when the show picks back up. ÃÂ
CMix (from reader Avery): Can you tell us about any webisodes that are coming out during the hiatus? Or any potential movies?
MV: At this writing, no, I canâÂÂt.àDoesnâÂÂt mean these things wonâÂÂt happen, but various issues are still being mulled.àAnd there is the possibility of a SAG strike looming out there as well, bringing a queasy and unfortunately familiar feeling to those of us who went through the WGA strike earlier this year.
Anyhow, if and when decisions are made re: either one of those ancillary projects, IâÂÂm sure Ron Moore, David Eick and/or the good people at NBC/Universal and Sci-Fi will let everyone know. ÃÂ
CMix: Is it really Earth, or is it perhaps just one possible version of earth?
MV: I feel like IâÂÂm on the stand during the Watergate hearings.àIâÂÂm pleading the fifth. Drinking a fifth, since IâÂÂm as eager to discuss all this as anyone!
CMix: What was your favorite part of this episode?
MV: Where to start?àDavid Weddle and Bradley ThompsonâÂÂs powerful script, Michael RymerâÂÂs amazing direction. Michael is also directing the show finale. All the performances.
in an episode that I could drown in superlatives, I really enjoyed the back and forth stand-off between DâÂÂAnna and Lee, TighâÂÂs torturous decision to reveal himself, and finally it was a rare treat to see joy erupt across the fleet as Earth beckoned.àÃÂ
As always, we thank Mark for answering our questions this week, and to all of theÃÂ Battlestar GalacticaÃÂ fans who sent in their own questions. As Revelations was the mid-season finale of BSG, this will be the last installment of our weekly Q&A for now.
However, look for all kind of other BSG news, interviews and related information coming soon right here at ComicMix.
Missed a week? Here are links to all of the previous BSG Weekly articles:
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #9 – “The Hub”
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #8 – “Sine Qua Non”
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #7 – “Guess What’s Coming to Dinner”
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #6 – “Faith’
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #5 – ‘The Road Less Traveled’
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #4 – ‘Escape Velocity’
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #3 – ‘The Ties That Bind’
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #2: ‘Six of One’
BSG Weekly – Season Four, Episode #1: ‘He That Believeth In Me’
For more on Battlestar Galactica, including full BSG episodes, as well as info on other programming on the Sci-Fi Channel, visitÃÂ www.scifi.com
Leah's question is about the part of the prophecy stating that the leader who suffers a wasting disease will not live to enter the promised land.