newbie ? on part 3/4 of original TV pilot

December 23rd, 2003, 01:11 AM

After a friend of mine saw the new Scifi mini he wanted to watch the original since he never saw it so watched the original that aired on TV and also The Lost Planet. It had been ages since I saw them and it prompted a question. (sorry if this has been hashed over before, I searched and couldn't find anything) At the end of 3 episode it shows the "new" imperious leader sparing Baltar and giving them the task of finding the humans to offer peace. (I know that in the book Lucifer is the one that kept Baltar from being killed). Anyway in Lost Planet, Lucifer and Baltar basically plot together to capture Galactica, etc. and in later episodes you assume Lucifer rescued Baltar from the temple Question is what happened to the imperious leader wish for peace? In later episodes there is no mention of it and Lucifer/Baltar basically continue to seek human destruction. Is it just a continuity error and you have to assume the leader changed his mind or that he never did wish for peace. Thanks

GreggAllinson · December 23rd, 2003, 02:49 AM

I guess maybe there was a third Imperious Leader introduced at some point- one who did want the remnants of humanity wiped out.

jewels · December 23rd, 2003, 08:06 AM

I think the peace offer was another ploy to woo in the humans for their destruction. I think Imperious leader was not telling Baltar the real plan so he could convincingly negotiate.

That is interesting to note the change in Baltar's attitude: though I think it comes down to revenge. He never says he wants to kill all of humanity--only Adama and the Galactica.

SpyOne · December 23rd, 2003, 11:44 AM

I thought (back when I first watched) that Baltar was proceeding independantly.

That is, the Imperious Leader said he wanted peace, but Blatar realized that peace would leave him no where to go: no place with the Cylons and no place with the people he betrayed.
But, Baltar figured, if he proved his value to the Cylons by destroying the humans, he would have a future.
During this time, Baltar probably lied to the Imperious Leader about the humans having rebuffed his offer of peace. Or not, as there is little contact with the Cylons after Baltar surrenders. (Hand of God only, IIRC.)

Sci-Fi · December 24th, 2003, 01:31 PM

I find the original intent changed/evolved throughout the series. On one hand:
Leader: You are Baltar?
Baltar: (laughs) As if you don't remember.
Leader: My predecessor has left me with a difficult choice.
Baltar: Your predecessor?
Leader: ... was destroyed by your peers, a foolish miscalculation of the will of your people.
Baltar: I... I... I tried to warn him... I could have prevented his... helped...
Leader: Yes. I have examined your epistle suggesting you could be able to locate the humans.
Baltar: Why yes... oh yes... I think as they do... I know where they will go, what they must do...
Leader: I find your reasoning logical.
Baltar: Then I am to be...
Leader: ... spared.
Baltar: To serve the Empire!
Leader: No, to serve your people, to help us extend the hand of truce.
Baltar: Truce?
Leader: My predecessor was programmed at a time when our Empire was less capable of tolerance. Now that we are omnipotent, we can afford to be more charitable. You will explain my policy of good will. I have spared you, I will spare them.
Baltar: They are not likely to be receptive.
Leader: I will send with you a base star entirely under your command. Lucifer...

Then later in the Living Legend:

Lucifer: By order of the Imperious Leader through his Commander Baltar.....

So, it was never really explained how Baltar became a Commander in the Cylon Fleet or how he was able to assemble other basestars under his command. I don't recall the 2nd Imperious Leader being replaced/killed or giving new orders to destroy the humans. One would suspect Lucifer would be next in line from his comments early in the series and it wasn't explained how an Imperious Leader is chosen or picked.