Lost Planet of the Gods

"Lost Planet of the Gods"
Battlestar Galactica (1978) episode
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 4 & 5
Directed by	Chris Nyby, Jr.
Written by	Glen A. Larson Don Bellisario
Production code	50204 & 50205
Original air date	September 24, 1978 & October 1, 1978
Guest actors
Jane Seymour as Serina
Episode chronology
← Previous "Saga of a Star World (aka Battlestar: Galactica)" Next → "The Lost Warrior"
Episode chronology

"Lost Planet of the Gods" is a two-part episode of the original Battlestar Galactica television series.

Part 1 (Episode 4)

Overview

With many warriors suffering from an unknown ailment, Galactica recruits new Viper pilots — mostly young women, including Captain Apollo's new bride, Serina.

Plot Synopsis

The episode begins on board Galactica. Adama, Apollo, Serina, Boxey, Starbuck and Athena are all enjoying a meal prepared by Serina, with Athena's help. Adama drops hints that Serina would make some young man happy and that they have been waiting sometime for a major announcement by Apollo. Apollo finally announces that he and Serina are to be married if Boxey approves. Everyone celebrates and Athena looks at Starbuck longingly. Starbuck quickly gets up from the dinner and leaves stating that as best man he has to prepare for the groom's send off.

Boomer and Jolly prepare for their patrol and as they wait for launch clearance Starbuck and Apollo reminisce in the launch bay. Starbuck feels that Apollo's marriage is an end of the closeness of their friendship, Apollo is touched by Starbuck's devotion of friendship.

Boomer and Jolly launch on their patrol, soon followed by Starbuck and Apollo.

Meanwhile on board the Cylon basestar, Baltar's order of execution is countermanded. He is spared and given command of a basestar and introduced to an IL-Series Drone, Lucifer, as his second-in-command.

Starbuck continues to reminisce with Apollo on their patrol and they come across a black void. Apollo ventures out to investigate the void much to Starbuck's chagrin. Starbuck keeps track of Apollo so they won't get lost.

On board Galactica Greenbean shows up with victuals for the party and security enters questioning where the supplies came from. Colonel Tigh enters and says that he is responsible for the supplies being at the party. Tigh jokingly reprimands Greenbean for lifting rations and orders the party be in full swing before Apollo returns.

Starbuck continues to track as Apollo ventures deeper into the void. He fires a round of lasers so Apollo can find him and Apollo does. Apollo follows Starbuck out of the void and the two head back to Galactica. Apollo owes Starbuck a fumarello.

Boomer and Jolly land on an asteroid in the Otarsis Quadrant and Boomer notices pods. At first Jolly can't see them and Boomer points them out. Boomer reminds Jolly that if they miss any one of these outposts they'll never know what hit them. They hide as a Cylon patrol launches from the pods and after the ships veer away from the direction of the fleet, Boomer and Jolly quickly leave to warn Galactica.

On board Baltar's basestar Lucifer reports that they spotted the patrol at the listening outpost and follow the route to Galactica. Lucifer says they will take them by surprise. Baltar reminds him of the defeat at Carillon and tells Lucifer to keep Galactica just beyond their detection range as he formulates a plan.

Adama orders Boomer and Jolly's patrol in. As Boomer follows Jolly in he notices Jolly not flying properly and tells him to steady up. Jolly appears feverish but manages to land. Boomer makes his report to Adama about the outpost and Adama asks Tigh to change course that will eventually take them into the void.

Boomer skips decontamination and heads to the party. Boomer falters and Giles tells him to quit clowning around since Tigh is watching. Tigh warns them that if they are going to get falling down drunk then he will send them back to quarters. Boomer almost passes out from his fever.

In the medical bay Doctor Salik and Cassiopeia look over Jolly and he is almost in a coma. Due to his condition they put him in a cryo-support chamber.

Apollo and Starbuck return from patrol and go to de-con. Meanwhile on the bridge Salik reports to Adama the nature of Jolly's illness. Adama orders security to quarantine everyone who has been in contact with Jolly and Boomer. As Apollo and Starbuck approach the Warrior's lounge Salik and Adama stop them just in time and orders the other warriors back in and Salik orders them quarantined.

Apollo makes his report on the void to Adama and Tigh. Adama is distracted by mention of the void and goes to his quarters to think about this news. He apparently knows something that Tigh and Apollo don't.

Apollo returns to his quarters and talks with Boxey. Boxey won't tell Apollo what Serina has planned. Apollo enters and sees Serina in her flight uniform. He find out she has been training as a shuttle cadet and she has finished her first solo. Boxey leaves so Serina and Apollo can argue. Apollo mentions about how dangerous being a pilot is including a shuttle pilot. Serina reminds Apollo that Athena is a pilot and a warrior. They both mention how dangerous the other's job is and about the losses suffered on Carillon. Apollo finally relents and asks her if she is any good and Serina says she is top of her class and Apollo says she better be since she is going to be married to the squadron commander.

Salik reports another warrior has gone critical. Adama questions Salik about the warriors' condition and Salik tells Adama of the cryo-containers. Adama stresses the importance of the warriors and Salik tells Adama that his main concern right now is keeping them alive.

Adama reads a journal in his quarters about the days of Kobol and the magnetic void. Apollo enters and Adama gives him a roster of colonists who are deemed experienced enough to be combat trained. Apollo is shocked at this revelation. Adama stands his ground and sends Apollo on his way with his orders to train the new pilots. Apollo asks Adama to read the names on the roster. Adama does and notices Serina's name.

Apollo and Starbuck begin the female shuttle pilots' training as Viper pilots. Serina flirts with Apollo during the training.

Cassiopeia reports on another unit going critical. Salik goes to the bridge to ask Adama for a shuttle to go the asteroid where Boomer and Jolly were to find the source of the infection. Faced with the great loss of warriors Adama now has no choice but to get the very green Viper pilots who are still in simulators ready for the mission. Adama orders Salik to get his team ready.

In training Athena is in the simulator and as she destroys a Cylon she also inadvertently kills Starbuck. The training is interrupted when Apollo is called to the bridge.

On the bridge Adama asks about the status of the trainees. Adama then tells Apollo that there is no choice now but to launch the new warriors on the mission to the asteroid. Apollo reminds Adama that the pilots will be throwing away their lives if they go on this mission. Adama weighs the odds but still elects to have the mission proceed much to Apollo's amazement.

Apollo and Starbuck launch their Vipers first, followed by the new Blue Squadron pilots. The launch goes off without an issue except for Brie who has difficulty getting control of her viper after launch, but she does and Rigel announces the successful launch of Blue Squadron.

On board Baltar's ship Lucifer reports to Baltar that they have overtaken Galactica and that Galactica is turning into the void. Baltar requests that they capture one of the warriors during their patrols. Lucifer leaves, happy in Baltar's deviousness.

The warriors continue on their mission. Apollo goes ahead to the asteroid to destroy the outpost while Starbuck stays behind with the new warriors. Brie reports on objects coming from behind and Starbuck notices that it's a Cylon fighter. Athena follows Starbuck as his wingman. Starbuck allows Athena to follow but tells her "for Sagan's sake, don't shoot me". The Cylons warn the outpost and they launch fighters to intercept. The new warriors engage the Cylons to help Apollo after Apollo tells them not to. The new warriors successfully fight off the Cylons while Apollo destroys the listening post. With the mission a success, the medical shuttle lands and finds the source of the infection.

Adama orders the fleet to probe speed, Tigh can't believe they are going into the void. Adama tells him they have no choice since the outpost has now alerted other Cylons.

Lucifer reports to Baltar on the destruction of the outpost and Baltar is confused since there is nothing of value on the post to begin with. Lucifer reports on the erratic flight patterns of the Colonial Warriors. Baltar warns Lucifer not to fence with him, he then orders Lucifer to capture one of the patrol ships.

Part 2 (Episode 5)

Overview

Starbuck is captured by the Cylons while the Fleet continues through the mysterious black void to a fateful rendezvous with the planet Kobol that may hold the secret to the lost thirteenth tribe. But a deadly surprise awaits them on the planet surface.

Plot Synopsis

The Fleet continues through the black void. Adama orders the fleet to keep in visual contact with Galactica through the void.

Apollo and Starbuck visit Boomer in the Life Station and Boomer says thank you.

Tigh and Adama talk about the void. Adama mentions to Tigh a passage from the Book of the Word about the void and mentions his medallion that is the symbol of Adama's power and of their religion.

The female warriors gather in the Officer's lounge to discuss their mission. Apollo and Starbuck feel left out and begin discussing domestic duties. Serina notices the two carrying on and asks if they are feeling left out. Apollo sarcastically says they aren't.

Tigh notifies Adama of a blip on the scanner in quadrant Delta Nine, behind the fleet. Adama sees it and orders a patrol to investigate. The blip is a Cylon Raider awaiting a patrol so they can capture a Colonial Warrior.

Tigh pulls Apollo and Starbuck for the mission and Serina informs them that she is Apollo's wingman much to Apollo and Tigh's surprise. Starbuck wishes them well but instead of heading back to quarters he heads for the launch bay followed shortly by Apollo and Serina.

Starbuck launches in Apollo's viper stating to the flight deck officer that he took Apollo's patrol for him. Apollo and Serina launch shortly after. Apollo orders Serina back to the Galactica and she refuses. The three venture out together.

Starbuck ends up going beyond Apollo and Serina's scanner range and is captured by the Cylons.

On board the basestar Starbuck interacts with Lucifer and lights a match on a Cylon Centurion for his fumarello. Lucifer playfully warns Starbuck it would go well for him if he showed a little respect. Starbuck to his surprise meets Baltar.

Baltar informs him that there is a change in the Cylon Empire favorable to humans and that he is there as an envoy of peace and will release Starbuck at the right moment.

Lucifer and Baltar discuss Baltar's scheme to lure the humans into his trap.

Back on board Galactica Apollo watches the scanners for Starbuck. Serina comforts him and says they should not wait any longer to get sealed and says that Starbuck would understand and approve.

Adama performs the ceremony, Boxey as the protector gives Serina away. During the ceremony a bright star appears and Adama orders Tigh to scan for a planet in orbit. Apollo asks Adama what it could be and Adama says it could be the planet Kobol.

The Colonials land on the surface of the planet, where there are pyramids and ruins. Adama chooses a site for a camp, and posts a guard even though the planet is supposed to be dead.

Lucifer reports to Baltar that a star has appeared and guided Galactica to a dead planet. Baltar recognizes a chance to spring a trap, and orders Lucifer to prepare his craft. He will go alone, for only he can bring Galactica back to the Imperious Leader.

Adama, Serina, and Apollo explore the ruins. Adama suspects that it might be Eden, the largest city and the first to fall. Adama recognizes the seal of the Ninth Lord of Kobol. He was the last leader of Kobol before the thirteen tribes went to the stars. Apollo realizes that Adama is hoping to find the location of the thirteenth tribe (and Earth) by looking here.

The three find the entrance to the Tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol, which bears a warning of death for those that enter. Serina recognizes that Adama's medallion is the same as the seal on the tomb, and it acts as a key to open it.

They find the bodies of tomb robbers, and then are trapped by bars that descend, but lift when Adama uses his medallion again. They enter a room that appears to contain a sarcophagus.

Baltar enters through a different door, greeting Adama. Adama lunges at him, trying to strangle the traitor. Apollo pulls him off of Baltar, saying that he should be left to the council.

Baltar claims that he did not betray the colonies, and that Adama has been slandering him. He says he was trapped between his battlestar and Atlantia, and was tried by the Cylons. He claims that he was spared to lure them into another trap through a message of peace through a new and more benevolent Cylon ruler.

He claims that the Cylon forces are spread so thin looking for Galactica that the route to the Cylon home world is almost undefended. He says that a single battlestar could bring the Cylon Empire to its knees. He has the means to lead Galactica back to the Cylons as apparent prisoners, in order to launch a devastating counterattack. As proof of his good intentions, he has released Starbuck.

Adama orders Apollo to remove him. Adama says that safety does not lay behind them, with either Baltar or the Cylons, but somewhere "out there" along the path taken by the thirteenth tribe, who founded Earth.

Baltar believes that Earth is a myth, but Adama believes it to be real, and believes the key is somewhere in the tomb.

Back on the basestar, a Centurion reports that the prisoner (Starbuck) has been released. Lucifer (who is now sitting on Baltar's throne) inquires about Baltar, but the Centurion has not heard anything back from him. Lucifer concludes that Baltar's plan has failed. He speculates about the possible power gain he might make if there were a decisive military victory under his leadership.

Starbuck returns to the camp, much to the joy of Athena. He lets the Colonials know that there is a basestar just outside sensor range, causing Apollo to order the breaking of the camp.

Apollo brings Baltar back to Adama in the tomb. He informs Adama of the basestar that is just beyond range, suggesting they leave while the star is still dormant and shielding them from sensors. Adama refuses, as he wants to discover the path to Earth. Baltar claims that Earth might be a "myth of half-drunken star voyagers". He claims they must attack the Cylons and seize power.

The star begins pulsing again, and reflects off of Adama's medallion, causing what appeared to be the tomb to retract revealing a staircase. Baltar rushes down the steps, pursued by Adama, Apollo, and Serina.

Baltar pries off the lid sarcophagus, despite Apollo and Adama's protests, and seizes the scepter out of the hand of the mummy. He claims not to believe in all that "primitive superstition."

The room starts shaking and a large stone block seals them into the tomb. Baltar apologizes, claiming that he didn't mean it, but the damage is done. He appeals to Adama to use his power, since the lords are with him, but Adama can do nothing.

Cylon raiders begin attacking the Colonials on the surface. The female Viper pilots at the camp (as well as Starbuck) get into their Vipers and take off.

Back on Galactica, the male warriors have recovered from their illness. They are hardly strong enough to stand, but Boomer points that Vipers are flown from the seated position.

The female warriors begin to fight off the raiders as the male warriors begin to launch from Galactica.

Adama discovers the passages he had been searching for regarding the exodus of the thirteenth tribe in the last days of Kobol. As he gets to the part about where they went, a raider shoots the tomb causing the room to shake.

A door has been blasted open by the explosion, but the writing has disintegrated. Baltar is pinned under a block of fallen stone.

The male warriors join the combat, and the Colonials start dealing heavy losses to the raiders.

Adama, Apollo, and Serina are unable to move the stone that pins Baltar. They are forced to leave Baltar. Adama says that Baltar's Cylon friends have sealed his fate as well as theirs. Baltar threatens to tear Lucifer apart, and claims that he has not heard the last of Baltar.

The raiders are routed, and the Vipers are recalled to Galactica.

Starbuck and Deitra encounter Adama, Apollo, and Serina as they exit the tomb. Starbuck reports that they lost some good pilots, and that they should get back to Galactica before reinforcements arrive.

A Centurion steps out behind some cover and shoots Serina in the back. The Colonials return fire, killing both Centurions, but the damage is done.

Back aboard Galactica, Boxey is brought to Serina, who is laying on a medical table. Serina admits that she is "going away", but tells Boxey that his father (Apollo) will be there to love him and take care of him.

Apollo and Serina say their goodbyes in private, and when Apollo emerges from the room Serina is dead.

Apollo tells Boxey that they'll have Serina's love forever, and that he will make a fine warrior.

They walk off down the hallway together, holding hands.

Re-Imagining

• This episode was remade into a nine-episode story arc in the new Battlestar Galactica starting with season one's Kobol's Last Gleaming in which Kobol is discovered and ending in season two's "Home" when the route to Earth is found.

External links

• Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I at the Battlestar Wiki
• Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II at the Battlestar Wiki