Lieutenant Boomer
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Boomer, later known as Colonel Boomer, was a character on the 1978-1979 television series Battlestar Galactica
and its spin-off
series Galactica 1980
. He was portrayed on both series by Herbert Jefferson, Jr. Boomer was a lieutenant
in the Colonial Service, an officer with a background in engineering and communications. He was also an expert Colonial Viper
pilot, and had pulled a tour of duty in the frozen environment of Ice Station Thule; this made Boomer useful for similar missions in the series, such as in the episode Gun on Ice Planet Zero
.
In Robert Thurston's novel version of Battlestar Galactica: The Saga Of A Star World
, Thurston wrote that Boomer was a voracious reader who usually spent his off hours reading and called him cautious enough never to wager except on what was "surer than a sure thing". In Saga of a Star World
, he was one of the three recipients (Apollo and Starbuck being the other two) of the Golden Star Cluster, the highest military honor that could be awarded to Colonial Service warriors (similar to the Medal of Honor
for the real-world United States armed forces).
During the events of Galactica 1980
, Boomer had reached the rank of colonel
and was the executive officer
of the Battlestar Galactica.
, which was a re-imagining of the 1978 TV series, featured a character that was based on Boomer: Lieutenant Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, played by Grace Park
. This character differed from the original Boomer in several important ways: she was female; "Boomer" was only her military call sign
and not her actual name; and she was revealed to be a humanoid Cylon
sleeper agent
, one of many copies of the Cylon model known as Number Eight.
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...
and its spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
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:...
. He was portrayed on both series by Herbert Jefferson, Jr. Boomer was a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Colonial Service, an officer with a background in engineering and communications. He was also an expert Colonial Viper
Colonial Viper
The Colonial Viper is the primary fighter spacecraft type used by the human protagonists in the Battlestar Galactica fictional universe. Appearing in both the 1978 original series and the 2003 reimagined series, as well as various derivative works, the single-pilot spacecraft are carried aboard...
pilot, and had pulled a tour of duty in the frozen environment of Ice Station Thule; this made Boomer useful for similar missions in the series, such as in the episode Gun on Ice Planet Zero
Gun on Ice Planet Zero
"Gun on Ice Planet Zero" is a two-part episode of the original Battlestar Galactica television series. Robert Thurston adapted the screenplay into a novel he titled The Cylon Death Machine.-Summary:...
.
In Robert Thurston's novel version of Battlestar Galactica: The Saga Of A Star World
Saga of a Star World
"Saga of a Star World" is the pilot for the American science fiction television series of Battlestar Galactica which was produced in 1978 by Glen A. Larson...
, Thurston wrote that Boomer was a voracious reader who usually spent his off hours reading and called him cautious enough never to wager except on what was "surer than a sure thing". In Saga of a Star World
Saga of a Star World
"Saga of a Star World" is the pilot for the American science fiction television series of Battlestar Galactica which was produced in 1978 by Glen A. Larson...
, he was one of the three recipients (Apollo and Starbuck being the other two) of the Golden Star Cluster, the highest military honor that could be awarded to Colonial Service warriors (similar to the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for the real-world United States armed forces).
During the events of 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:...
, Boomer had reached the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and was the executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
of the Battlestar Galactica.
Reimagined analog
The 2004 TV series Battlestar GalacticaBattlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
, which was a re-imagining of the 1978 TV series, featured a character that was based on Boomer: Lieutenant Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, played by Grace Park
Grace Park (actress)
Grace Park is an American-born Canadian actress. She gained recognition as Sharon Valerii on Battlestar Galactica, as well as Shannon Ng in the Canadian television series teen soap Edgemont...
. This character differed from the original Boomer in several important ways: she was female; "Boomer" was only her military call sign
Aviator call sign
An aviator call sign or callsign is a nickname given to a military pilot or other flight officer. This call sign is a substitute for the officer's given name, and is used on name tags, planes, and radio conversations....
and not her actual name; and she was revealed to be a humanoid Cylon
Cylon (reimagining)
Cylons are a race which appear in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series and its prequel Caprica. They have several forms, some of which resemble and even mimic the behavior of humans, while others are mechanical in appearance and function.In the first DVD, one of the show's creators...
sleeper agent
Sleeper agent
A sleeper agent is a spy who is placed in a target country or organization, not to undertake an immediate mission, but rather to act as a potential asset if activated...
, one of many copies of the Cylon model known as Number Eight.
External links
- Boomer at the Battlestar Wiki
- Colonel Boomer at the Battlestar Wiki