The Terra arc

[Oscar]

It always bugged me that the Galactica just swept past a large human civilization, one relatively advanced and previously totally unknown to the Great Colonies, without even a pause to seriously consider the implications of their discovery.
Just where did Terra fit into the history of human expansion?
Why did the fleet not warn them that the Cylons may be on their way, or help them to prepare for a probable encounter?
Why didn't they stop and open a proper dialogue and exchange of information?

[Winemaster]

There was no series bible written so you can think up your own take on this.
Mine is that BG is the replaying of a disturbed timeline by Count Iblis.
Terra is a splinter of the 13th tribe that colonized Earth. They didn't want to go the full distance to Earth and decided to settle on Terra.
The main group continued on.
The ship of lights knew what the role of Terra would be and the Cylons were not part of it. The Cylons would not pass by Terra otherwise the ship of lights would have ensured Terra's defense.
They are essential to the survival for the ship of lights but in my view their role is to supply military assistance to Earth and the colonials after
the colonials reach earth and have the "final Cylon war" .

[Spike The Cylon]

This brings up another question: What about all the human controled planets the Cylons passed while chasing the Fleet?
:cylon:

[shiningstar]

I agree with you on that one. I thought that story line
could have been a little better written to include that
little 'tidbit' of information.

[Spike The Cylon]

I wonder what happened when the Eastern alliance, and the Western one (sorry, I can't rremember what they were called) encounted the Cylon task force? It would be interesting to see comic book, or a novel telling the tale.
:cylon:

[shiningstar]

I agree Spike.

[Bijou88]

I have read a fan fiction story entitled "The Coming of Cylons" by Patrick "Mac" McDonald. In it, Commandant Leiter leads the entire Eastern Alliance Fleet against a Cylon baseship that enters the Terra system. The story takes place after the rag-tag fleet continues on its journey. It is interesting to read a tale describing how the Alliance goes toe to toe with the Cylons. It is an action packed short story and is worth seeking out. I do not have the link address, but with a little hunting you should be able to find it online.
I agree that the people of Terra are decendents of the 13th tribe that did not go all the way to Earth. In a way, they could be concidered the 13th and 1/2 Tribe of Kobol. I think that the producers were toying with the audience back in 1979. For a while, it does seem like Terra could be a possible future Earth civilization. Only at the end of "Experiment in Terra" do we learn for sure that it is not Earth.
I think that the Terra arc could have been a peek at what a second season would have been like. The Galactica possibly would have encountered other Humans that broke off from the 13th tribe. We will never know. But, in a way, that is part of the magic of Battlestar Galactica. All the unrealized possibilities.

[shiningstar]

Where did you find that fan fic Bijou ....... I'd love to read it! :thumbsup:

[Bijou88]

I found the story at the following web address:

battlestarfanclub.com/battlestar/bgfans.htm

Enjoy the story!

[shiningstar]

Thanks Bijou I thought it was a fantastic story. I just
read it and added that addy to my favorites so I could
read some of the other stories at will :thumbsup:

[Bijou88]

I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I wish Mr. McDonald would write more tales set in the Galactica universe. I think he has a real gift.

[shiningstar]

Me too bijou

[Jubal]

Is there a new site that replaced...

battlestarfanclub.com/battlestar/bgfans.htm

(Now defunct.)

I would like to read this story.

As for the Terra arc, I think I can agree with one comment... that the people of Terra was a reserve for the battle that the Galactica Fleet and Earth would one day fight with the Cylons. :D

[Reaper]

Unfortunately, Pat passed away a few years ago. He was a very tallented writer, and a big fan of the Eastern Alliance and Classic BSG in General. I had the privledge of being in a BSG RP with him and writing along side of him.

He is certainly missed by those of us who were in the Battlestar Fan Club back then.