Cassiopeia (Battlestar Galactica)
Encyclopedia
Cassiopeia
is a fictional character
in the original Battlestar Galactica
which ran on ABC
from 1978 to 1979. The role was portrayed by Laurette Spang
.
at the hands of the Cylons
. Cassiopiea's former occupation was as a 'socialator', which is a euphemism for a prostitute (her actual job was implied more along the lines of the classic definition of a geisha
), but this background is played down in the subsequent episodes of the series where she serves as part of the Battlestar Galacticas medical staff.
She develops a romantic relationship with Lieutenant Starbuck
early on, and this persists to the end of the series. Initially, she is a rival to Starbuck's other girlfriend, Lieutenant Athena
, but Cassiopeia has clearly won the contest by later episodes.
She becomes the one person whom Chameleon
(Fred Astaire
) trusts with the knowledge that he is Starbuck's father in "The Man With Nine Lives
," and in "Murder On The Rising Star
" she is able to talk Starbuck out of fighting with Ortega.
Earlier in life, Cassiopeia was romantically linked to Commander Cain
and considered reuniting with him when the Battlestar Pegasus
was discovered.
In "The Return of Starbuck
" episode of the sequel series Galactica 1980
, Starbuck tells Boomer to give Cassiopeia his love, when it appears he will not be able to return to the Fleet, though he also mentions Athena.
The relaunch novel series, written by series star Richard Hatch, reveals that in the years following the end of the television series, Cassiopeia and Starbuck had a daughter named Dalton, who becomes the youngest of all Colonial Viper pilots at the age of 17 and becomes involved with Apollo's stepson Troy (Boxey).
, who has a relationship with Apollo, not Starbuck. However, Cassie's initial look and wardrobe: a sexy blonde wearing a sensuous, bright red dress, had been adopted by the new BSG's Head Six, appearing to Baltar in his mind.
Cassiopeia
-Mythology:* Cassiopeia , a queen of Ethiopia and mother of Andromeda in Greek mythology.-Science:* Cassiopeia , a northern constellation representing the queen* Cassiopeia A, a supernova remnant in that constellation....
is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the original Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
which ran on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1978 to 1979. The role was portrayed by Laurette Spang
Laurette Spang-McCook
Laurette Spang-McCook is an American television actress. She portrayed Cassiopeia in the original Battlestar Galactica.-Early life/family:...
.
History
When we are first introduced to Cassiopeia, she is a refugee on the freighter Gemini, who escaped the destruction of the Twelve ColoniesTwelve Colonies
The Twelve Colonies of Man are fictional locations that constitute the principal human civilization in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, the "reimagined" series of the same name in 2004, and in the prequel series, Caprica...
at the hands of the Cylons
Cylon (Battlestar Galactica)
The Cylons are a cybernetic civilization at war with the Twelve Colonies of humanity in the Battlestar Galactica science fiction franchise, in the original 1978 and 1980 series, the 2004 reimagining, as well as the spin-off prequel series, Caprica...
. Cassiopiea's former occupation was as a 'socialator', which is a euphemism for a prostitute (her actual job was implied more along the lines of the classic definition of a geisha
Geisha
, Geiko or Geigi are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.-Terms:...
), but this background is played down in the subsequent episodes of the series where she serves as part of the Battlestar Galacticas medical staff.
She develops a romantic relationship with Lieutenant Starbuck
Lieutenant Starbuck
Lieutenant Starbuck of the Colonial Service, played by Dirk Benedict, is a fictional character in the 1978 science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica. Starbuck is a Viper starfighter pilot, gambler, womanizer and smoker of "fumerellos," or cigars. He is involved with Lieutenant Athena...
early on, and this persists to the end of the series. Initially, she is a rival to Starbuck's other girlfriend, Lieutenant Athena
Lieutenant Athena
Lieutenant Athena is a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1979. The character was portrayed by Maren Jensen.-Character history:...
, but Cassiopeia has clearly won the contest by later episodes.
She becomes the one person whom Chameleon
Chameleon (Battlestar Galactica)
Chameleon is a character from the television series Battlestar Galactica, appearing in the installment "The Man With Nine Lives." He was an older gentleman, well versed in the art of flattery and misdirection, which he used to con unsuspecting Colonists out of the things he needed to survive...
(Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
) trusts with the knowledge that he is Starbuck's father in "The Man With Nine Lives
The Man With Nine Lives
"The Man With Nine Lives" is an episode of the original Battlestar Galactica television series.-Plot:The Colonial pilots head to the Rising Star for some relaxation and leisure, and Starbuck is particularly excited about the gambling deck. Apollo is markedly less excited about Starbuck's system...
," and in "Murder On The Rising Star
Murder on the Rising Star
"Murder on the Rising Star" is an episode of the original Battlestar Galactica television series.- Plot synopsis :Apollo and Starbuck are playing the game of Triad against Flight Sergeants Ortega and Barton. However, Ortega's rough play starts to anger Starbuck. Cassiopeia, Athena and Sheba are...
" she is able to talk Starbuck out of fighting with Ortega.
Earlier in life, Cassiopeia was romantically linked to Commander Cain
Commander Cain
Commander Cain is a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica science fiction TV series, portrayed by the American actor Lloyd Bridges.-Description:...
and considered reuniting with him when the Battlestar Pegasus
Battlestar Pegasus
Battlestar Pegasus is a fictional spacecraft that appears in the both the original and the reimagined television series Battlestar Galactica.- Battlestar Galactica :...
was discovered.
In "The Return of Starbuck
The Return of Starbuck
"The Return of Starbuck" is the tenth and final episode of the television series Galactica 1980, a spin-off of the earlier ABC science fiction series Battlestar Galactica....
" episode of the sequel series Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980
Galactica 1980 is a science fiction television series, and a spin-off from the 1978–1979 series Battlestar Galactica. It was first broadcast on the ABC network in the United States from January 27 to May 4, 1980.-Development:...
, Starbuck tells Boomer to give Cassiopeia his love, when it appears he will not be able to return to the Fleet, though he also mentions Athena.
The relaunch novel series, written by series star Richard Hatch, reveals that in the years following the end of the television series, Cassiopeia and Starbuck had a daughter named Dalton, who becomes the youngest of all Colonial Viper pilots at the age of 17 and becomes involved with Apollo's stepson Troy (Boxey).
Analog in the new Battlestar Galactica
There was no Cassiopeia in the new Battlestar Galactica. There was no prominent medical technician or nurse, either. The most prominent substitute on the new BSG was ShevonBlack Market (Battlestar Galactica)
"Black Market" is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series. It aired originally on the Sci Fi Channel on January 27, 2006. In the episode, Apollo's investigation of the fleet's black market becomes intertwined with his involvement with a...
, who has a relationship with Apollo, not Starbuck. However, Cassie's initial look and wardrobe: a sexy blonde wearing a sensuous, bright red dress, had been adopted by the new BSG's Head Six, appearing to Baltar in his mind.
External links
- Cassiopeia at the Battlestar Wiki