Chameleon (Battlestar Galactica)
Encyclopedia
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. He is first introduced on a transport, talking with one of the older ladies who appeared to be better off than most fleeing Colonists and whom he was probably setting up as a "mark." When the attendant asks him for his transportation ducat
, he implies that he is a talent scout for the Fleet broadcast show "Heroes of the Fleet," which he is was just watching about Lt. Starbuck, saying that "ordinary" people, such as the attendant himself, should be interviewed. After saying that the man should report to the broadcast ship upon the completion of his duty round, Chameleon tells him "I already gave you my ducat, remember?" to which the man agrees.
Chameleon cons Lieutenant Starbuck
into thinking he might be Starbuck's father to aid him is escaping the Borelian Nomen, whom Chameleon, using the alias "Captain Dimitri," had conned into thinking he could obtain spare parts for the Viper they were building. When they take a simple genetic test, a possible connection is found, and Starbuck starts to make plans to leave the fleet to be with his "father." Later, when his con (and the fact that "Chameleon" is his real name) is exposed, Chameleon tells Starbuck he got the information about him by watching the Fleet broadcast earlier. Just after this, Cassiopeia tells Chameleon that a more detailed test shows that he actually is Starbuck's father. Chameleon swears her to secrecy, saying he will tell Starbuck some day, perhaps on the day Starbuck gets sealed (married). As Cassiopeia laughs it off, Chameleon says, "Don't be too sure."
The character of Chameleon was acted out by Fred Astaire
, for whom one of the producers of Battlestar Galactica, Donald P. Bellisario, specifically wrote the installment "The Man With Nine Lives
."
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...
, appearing in the installment "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...
." 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. He is first introduced on a transport, talking with one of the older ladies who appeared to be better off than most fleeing Colonists and whom he was probably setting up as a "mark." When the attendant asks him for his transportation ducat
Ducat
The ducat is a gold coin that was used as a trade coin throughout Europe before World War I. Its weight is 3.4909 grams of .986 gold, which is 0.1107 troy ounce, actual gold weight...
, he implies that he is a talent scout for the Fleet broadcast show "Heroes of the Fleet," which he is was just watching about Lt. Starbuck, saying that "ordinary" people, such as the attendant himself, should be interviewed. After saying that the man should report to the broadcast ship upon the completion of his duty round, Chameleon tells him "I already gave you my ducat, remember?" to which the man agrees.
Chameleon cons 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...
into thinking he might be Starbuck's father to aid him is escaping the Borelian Nomen, whom Chameleon, using the alias "Captain Dimitri," had conned into thinking he could obtain spare parts for the Viper they were building. When they take a simple genetic test, a possible connection is found, and Starbuck starts to make plans to leave the fleet to be with his "father." Later, when his con (and the fact that "Chameleon" is his real name) is exposed, Chameleon tells Starbuck he got the information about him by watching the Fleet broadcast earlier. Just after this, Cassiopeia tells Chameleon that a more detailed test shows that he actually is Starbuck's father. Chameleon swears her to secrecy, saying he will tell Starbuck some day, perhaps on the day Starbuck gets sealed (married). As Cassiopeia laughs it off, Chameleon says, "Don't be too sure."
The character of Chameleon was acted out by 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...
, for whom one of the producers of Battlestar Galactica, Donald P. Bellisario, specifically wrote the installment "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...
."