Battlestar Galactica has removed a classic sci-fi ship detail because of Star Trek

When William Adama noticed that his legs hurt Battlestar Galacticahe can blame people like James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard. While Battlestar Galactica And Star Trek are two very different franchises, their spiritual connection is felt in the countless science fiction tropes they share. The bond between the franchises is even stronger thanks to one Ronald D. Moore. The minds behind it Battlestar GalacticaMoore had his first science fiction experiences in the 2004 reboot series Star Trek: The Next Generation And Star Trek: Deep Space Ninein addition to a short stay Star Trek: Voyager.

Then of course a strong dose Battlestar GalacticaGene Roddenberry's DNA was taken from Gene Roddenberry's universe Star Trek informs something Battlestar Galactica was, something was also communicated Battlestar Galactica wasn't. For example, alien species were taboo. Aside from the man-made Cylons and the mysterious angelic creatures that have never been properly explained, Battlestar Galactica deliberately eschewed alien races, and this bold decision ensured that Galactica never drifted into the same fantastic territory occupied by the Enterprise. However, there were some that were less obvious Star Trek Tropes that Battlestar Galactica I also made a conscious decision to quit.

Adama didn't have a commander's chair in Battlestar Galactica because of Star Trek

Standing room only in Battlestar Galactica's CIC

Most legendary spaceships in the science fiction genre are equipped with a captain's chair of one kind or another. Star Trek is the most obvious example: Captains from Kirk to Burnham enjoy the benefits of a special seat positioned centrally on the bridge, allowing them to issue orders and direct combat maneuvers. Direct Star Trek Riffs like The Orville adopted this trope in a big way while star Wars“Millennium Falcon chose the no less iconic pilot seats. Even in the original from 1978 Battlestar Galactica Series, the eponymous ship's bridge was delivered with a commander's chair.

At some point the idea became accepted as the norm in science fiction: a spaceship with a crew led by a captain must usually have a large chair in the middle on which that captain sits. That is not the case Battlestar GalacticaReboot series from 2004. Whenever Commander, later Admiral, Adama gathered his senior crew members in the CIC (Combat Information Center) before a major mission, he usually stood in front of a large console intended for strategic planning.

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Other crew members would be sitting at their various stations, not dissimilar Star Trekis the standard configuration, but while a Starfleet captain would sit in a chair in the middle, Adama stood in front of his crew like a university lecturer or orchestra conductor. Ronald D. Moore has confirmed that this unusual design decision was a calculated response to the… Star Trek Formula. Moore (via Wired) explained: “I had done so much Trek, and I really wanted to have a general rule that if Trek goes right, we go left… No captain's chair, there's no place for the commander to sit.“

Why ditching the captain's chair worked so well in Battlestar Galactica

Galactica simply wouldn't be the same if Adama sat down

Discuss Battlestar Galacticais anti-Star Trek Philosophy, Moore explained: “Trek had done it, and done it for so long.” Surely, Little details like the lack of seats in the CIC helped make Galactica feel like a departure from the norm, but the real wisdom of the design deviation ran much deeper.

Battlestar GalacticaThe change from a bridge to a CIC maintained the show's more militaristic presentation. Starfleet had always been a quasi-military entity Star Trekbut Galactica took that to another level and often felt that way Top Gun with cyborgs. Battlestar Galactica evoked all sorts of military slang and trivia to feel authentic – from call signs and tactical instructions to the formal etiquette and ceremony one would expect on a real naval ship. Taking out Adama's chair made a big contribution to this Battlestar Galacticas strong military charisma.

The image of a central character commanding a spaceship from the comfort of a fancy chair is a purely sci-fi creation tailored to the needs of an ensemble cast. The image of Adama standing over Galactica's tactical console is far more realistic, reminiscent of war generals from history poring over maps and diagrams laid out on a desk and issuing orders over a radio. Although Adama may have returned to his quarters with a bad back, his traditional position in the CIC has undeniably helped Battlestar Galactica positions itself as a sound alternative to Star Trek.

Sources: Wired

The 2004 science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica is a reimagining of the 1978 series of the same name. The original Battlestar Galactica was created by Glen A. Larson and features a fictional human civilization living in a distant star system called “Twelve Colonies” is alive. They are in constant battle against a cybernetic race called the Cylons, who want to wipe out humanity. A massive attack was launched and only those who made it aboard the Battlestar Galactica and its fleet survived. You navigate through space in search of the mythical 13th colony called Earth. Battlestar Galactica is under the command of President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Colonial Fleet Officer Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos).

Pour

Grace Park, Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, Tahmoh Penikett, Tricia Helfer, Edward James Olmos, Aaron Douglas, James Callis, Alessandro Juliani, Michael Hogan, Jamie Bamber, Kandyse McClure

Release date

October 18, 2004

Seasons

4

Franchise(s)

Battlestar Galactica

Showrunner

Ronald D Moore

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