Spaceball (Battlestar Galactica)
Encyclopedia
Spaceball is the sixth episode of the television series Galactica 1980
, a spin-off
of the earlier ABC science fiction series Battlestar Galactica
. The episode first aired on March 30, 1980 on ABC
.
The children are with Jamie Hamilton, who is giving them a tour of the United Broadcasting Corporation’s Studios (whose signs read UBC instead of UBS as in previous episodes). After she leaves for a staff meeting, one of the Scouts, Wellington, provides the other Scouts with a demonstration of television which necessitates dismantling an entire camera. At the meeting, Mr. Brooks mentions a human interest story
: Billy Ayers, a former National League
Bonus Baby and the current owner of Casey’s Camp for Underprivileged Children, is in financial trouble. Jamie volunteers to pursue the story. Brooks, worried about her recent escapades, assigns a Cameraman, Hal, and orders Jamie to stay out of trouble. A technician hauls everyone down to the studio, but they find that the children—upon meeting the upset technician—have already put the dismantled camera back together. Jamie covers for the Scouts by telling Brooks that they are orphans.
At the Baseball Park, Billy explains that if their team does not win the regionals the donations needed to keep his camp running will dry up. Hal, upon seeing one of the Scouts, Starla, throw a ball to an enormous distance, says she has an arm like Nolan Ryan
. Jamie tells him she has a genetic mutation, and then orders the kids not to show off their abilities. Shortly thereafter, Jamie meets ‘Lt. Nash’ and the two learn that half of Billy’s team now has the flu. If they have to forfeit the game their landowner is likely to sell the property. Jamie then gets a call from Brooks, who tells her that he was just visited by Colonel Sydell, who has decided to focus his investigation of recent events upon Jamie. He does not tell her that ‘Nash’ was also at his office looking for the children. Jamie then shows Billy what her kids can really do. Meanwhile, Xavier contacts Adama, demanding his freedom on Earth.
The baseball game is held between Billy’s team—the Polecats—and their rivals, the Encino Cougars. Before the game can start, Sydell arrives, thus forcing Jamie to tell the Scouts to play badly. They are slaughtered by the competition for several innings.
Realizing their air will run out before re-entering Galactica’s communications range, Troy and Dillon conduct a spacewalk to fix their ship’s master circuits. Once repaired, they speed towards the coordinates of Xavier’s transmissions. Jamie overhears one such communiqué, in which Adama refuses Xavier’s demands. She tells the children they must now play to win. They do so spectacularly and are surrounded by a press crunch, therefore unable to sneak away with Xavier, who takes Jamie hostage. But Sydell finds Jamie and Xavier, as do Troy and Dillon, and a running firefight ensues, during which the Colonel is shot. Troy and Dillon break off pursuit. The episode ends with the two warriors taking over responsibilities for the children, and the previous episode’s final card is shown.
Guests:
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:...
, a 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...
of the earlier ABC science fiction series 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...
. The episode first aired on March 30, 1980 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...
.
Plot
A lone Colonial Viper appears in a clearing. The pilot, Lt. Nash, explains the secrecy around Troy and Dillon’s mission by announcing that Dr. Xavier has returned to their present time frame, and Dr. Zee is attempting to prevent the rogue scientist from intercepting their transmissions. Nash claims the ship will take them to Xavier; he promises to watch the children. The two warriors fly into space, but upon contacting Galactica learn that Nash is still aboard ship and there is no secret mission. Evidently, the ‘Nash’ they met was Xavier, who has gained the powers of epidermal transformation. The Viper they are now using is Xavier’s and what’s more it has been sabotaged, losing all power and trapping everyone aboard with 24 hours of air. Adama speaks with Zee and the two realize that Xavier has purposely moved Troy and Dillon away from their children, who now can be used as his bargaining tools for freedom. As they don't know where the children are, Adama and Zee are effectively helpless.The children are with Jamie Hamilton, who is giving them a tour of the United Broadcasting Corporation’s Studios (whose signs read UBC instead of UBS as in previous episodes). After she leaves for a staff meeting, one of the Scouts, Wellington, provides the other Scouts with a demonstration of television which necessitates dismantling an entire camera. At the meeting, Mr. Brooks mentions a human interest story
Human interest story
A human interest story is a feature story that discusses a person or people in an emotional way. It presents people and their problems, concerns, or achievements in a way that brings about interest or sympathy in the reader or viewer....
: Billy Ayers, a former National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Bonus Baby and the current owner of Casey’s Camp for Underprivileged Children, is in financial trouble. Jamie volunteers to pursue the story. Brooks, worried about her recent escapades, assigns a Cameraman, Hal, and orders Jamie to stay out of trouble. A technician hauls everyone down to the studio, but they find that the children—upon meeting the upset technician—have already put the dismantled camera back together. Jamie covers for the Scouts by telling Brooks that they are orphans.
At the Baseball Park, Billy explains that if their team does not win the regionals the donations needed to keep his camp running will dry up. Hal, upon seeing one of the Scouts, Starla, throw a ball to an enormous distance, says she has an arm like Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
. Jamie tells him she has a genetic mutation, and then orders the kids not to show off their abilities. Shortly thereafter, Jamie meets ‘Lt. Nash’ and the two learn that half of Billy’s team now has the flu. If they have to forfeit the game their landowner is likely to sell the property. Jamie then gets a call from Brooks, who tells her that he was just visited by Colonel Sydell, who has decided to focus his investigation of recent events upon Jamie. He does not tell her that ‘Nash’ was also at his office looking for the children. Jamie then shows Billy what her kids can really do. Meanwhile, Xavier contacts Adama, demanding his freedom on Earth.
The baseball game is held between Billy’s team—the Polecats—and their rivals, the Encino Cougars. Before the game can start, Sydell arrives, thus forcing Jamie to tell the Scouts to play badly. They are slaughtered by the competition for several innings.
Realizing their air will run out before re-entering Galactica’s communications range, Troy and Dillon conduct a spacewalk to fix their ship’s master circuits. Once repaired, they speed towards the coordinates of Xavier’s transmissions. Jamie overhears one such communiqué, in which Adama refuses Xavier’s demands. She tells the children they must now play to win. They do so spectacularly and are surrounded by a press crunch, therefore unable to sneak away with Xavier, who takes Jamie hostage. But Sydell finds Jamie and Xavier, as do Troy and Dillon, and a running firefight ensues, during which the Colonel is shot. Troy and Dillon break off pursuit. The episode ends with the two warriors taking over responsibilities for the children, and the previous episode’s final card is shown.
Cast
- Lorne GreeneLorne GreeneLorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica...
as Commander AdamaCommander AdamaCommander Adama is a fictional character in the 1978 movie and subsequent ABC television series Battlestar Galactica and its continuation series, Galactica 1980. Adama is the commander of the great military vessel Battlestar Galactica, commander of the refugee fleet and military commander of the... - Herb Jefferson, Jr.Herb Jefferson, Jr.Herbert Jefferson Jr. is an African-American actor. He graduated with honors from New York's American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1969. He is probably best known for his role as Lieutenant Boomer on the original Battlestar Galactica television series...
as Colonel BoomerLieutenant BoomerLieutenant 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... - Kent McCordKent McCordKent McCord is an American actor best known for his role as Officer Jim Reed on the television series Adam-12.- Biography :...
as Captain Troy - Barry Van DykeBarry Van DykeBarry Van Dyke is an American actor and the second son of actor and entertainer, Dick Van Dyke, and nephew of Jerry Van Dyke. He has one older brother, Christian, and two younger sisters, Stacy and Carrie Beth...
as Lieutenant Dillon - Robyn DouglassRobyn DouglassRobyn Douglass is an American actress and model. The daughter of an Army doctor and hospital administrator, she was born in Sendai, Japan. She began acting while attending a Catholic girls' school in Mountain View, California...
as Jamie Hamilton - Allan MillerAllan MillerAllan Miller is an American actor, best known for the role of Harland Richards in Santa Barbara.Miller was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Anna and Benedict Miller....
as Colonel Sydell - Patrick StuartJames Patrick StuartJames Patrick Stuart is an English-American stage, film and television actor.-Theater:His early career began on stage, where his work received recognition.-Television:...
as Doctor Zee
Guests:
- Jeremy BrettJeremy BrettJeremy Brett , born Peter Jeremy William Huggins, was an English actor, most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in four Granada TV series.-Early life:...
as Commander Xavier/Lieutenant Nash - Fred HollidayFred GrossingerFred Grossinger , best known by his Hollywood name, Fred Holliday, was a stage, film, and television actor renowned for his all-American face who starred in over 1,000 TV commercials from the late 1950s through the 1980s.Holliday made guest appearances on more than 150 television shows...
as Mr. Brooks - Paul KosloPaul KosloPaul Koslo is a German-Canadian actor.-Career:Koslo started his career in such 1970's cult films as Nam's Angels a.k.a. The Losers, , Mr. Majestyk, Vanishing Point, Joe Kidd and The Stone Killer...
as Billy - Bert Rosario as Hal