HAPPY 45TH BIRTHDAY, 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'!

Classic art by John Solie.

It started off as an idea for a smaller scale space hippy-ish science fiction series called Adam's Ark in the late sixties, then thankfully went on to become something bigger, greater, more spectacular and more resonating with audiences by the time it metamorphosed into Battlestar Galactica by 1978, following in the post cinematic arrival of Star Wars. Creator Glen A. Larson's finest series continues on in its titular spaceship's journey for sanctuary and strength looking for that shiny, long lost planet called Earth. And its beloved fans worldwide continue to enjoy every aspect of that very special singular season journey and the characters within it...

And even now, the show is still attracting new UK TV audiences and appreciation, what with another classic run airing on digital TV during these past few months of 2023...

HAPPY 45TH ANNIVERSARY, 'BATTLESTAR GALACTICA'!

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE MISSION BEGINS...

A lone Viper with an experienced warrior gets ready to launch.

Not wanting to attract unnecessary attention whilst entering the quadrant ahead, a single Viper is chosen to escort the now-launched Shuttle housing the demolitions team, piloted by the respected and battle-experienced Lt. Killian.

Ready for launch - Colonial Warrior Lt. Killian (Richard Milholland).

Lt. Killian's viper tears out of the launch tube.

Apollo's shuttle departs the hangar bay.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: ALTERCATIONS WITH DEPARTURE

The final preparations for departure within the Galactica shuttle are underway but a fight soon breaks out between the demolitions team and the support team, resulting in a temporary paralysis given to Vickers by Thane, whilst Wolfe and Haals come to their first physical conflict. 

Haals slips over Thane.

Vickers is challeneged by Thane.

Haals tries to come through...

Wolfe attacks Vickers as Thane soon fights Wolfe.

Thane paralyses Vickers as Leda tries to stop him.

Boomer and Apollo break up the fight.

Leda confirms Vickers has a temporary paralysis but will recover.

Thane has a practical hand mine when apprehended.

Uneasy tension exists with the arrival of Croft.

Apollo tells Croft that 'Nobody is expendable' on the mission as the shuttle readies for departure.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: FAMILY MATTERS...

"Come here, ya little monster!"

In their quarters on Galactica, Apollo has fun with young adopted son Boxey and his robot Muffey the Daggit before letting the pair know that he will be departing on an important mission to an ice planet. Avoiding the details of the mission, Apollo tasks Boxey with a special task of his own, beyond regularly saying his prayers, to look after an important personal medallion. 

A sweet and tender scene between the characters nicely played by Richard Hatch and Noah Hathaway, who had great father and son chemistry together during the series. Though no reference is made at all to the tragedy of Boxey's TV version mother Serina (Jane Seymour) that was originally planned for the end of Saga of a Star World, music composer Stu Phillips does at least cleverly reprise a brief understated music cue from Serina's theme for the end of the scene.

Holding Boxey upside down to the amusement of Muffey.

Apollo tells Boxey of his upcoming departure...

Apollo gives Boxey his own special mission to accomplish in his absence.

Thinking about the tragic death of Serina (to have passed offscreen from radiation poisoning after the originally planned events of Saga of a Star World), Apollo watches with mild sadness as Boxey hugs Muffey.

But Boxey and Muffey are ultimately much more interested in seeing snow...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: ARCTA - BEHIND THE SCENES ON AN ICE PLANET!

An interesting behind the scenes shot from Gun on Ice Planet Zero, presumably linked to the capture of Cree from his Viper on Arcta. The production crew in the Universal Burbank Studios in 1978 had to wear masks in order not to swallow/inhale the likely jabolite made snow material constantly used on the set during filming. 

Note the assumed stuntman/stunt coordinator in the Theta Clone outfit (presumably to double James Olsen for his later explosive death scene, to be filmed on another Universal Studios soundstage that day) talking to the camera team and the Cylon suited stuntmen about the action to be filmed for the snowbound sequence.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: CREE FIGHTS THE CYLONS!

Having been forced down onto the surface of Arcta, the young Cadet Cree recovers from his Viper crash ordeal only to find a Cylon patrol heading his way. The first blaster shots from the young warrior prove effective but he is ultimately subdued by his metallic enemies and taken away for questioning... 

Alternate angle of Cree dispatching a Cylon Centurion.

"Take him to Vulpa!"

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE GALACTICA TASK FORCE ASSEMBLES...

Adama addresses the selected to win them over to the mission.

Cleaned-up, put in uniform, the four criminal members of the new Demolition Team are brought to Commander Adama, as the life or death situation is discussed and the full mission to the ice planet Arcta initiated. Alongside the four, led by Colonel Croft, will be a team of six Colonial Warriors, led by Captain Apollo, Lt. Boomer (who, in later filmed footage for the two-parter, revealed he pulled a tour of duty at ice station Thula), and, incredulously, Lt. Starbuck!

Interestingly, this episode has references to pursuit by 'Cylon Battlestars' rather than Basestars - presumably script continuity gaffes. But wouldn't it have been interesting to have seen another type of heavy duty Cylon space vehicle in the series?

Unused angle of Wolfe and Croft, the latter of whom has his rank of Colonial Warrior Colonel temporarily re-activated during the mission.

The Colonial support team is introduced: senior gunnery master Sgt. Haals (Curtis Credel). A deleted scene moment.

A cheer for the selected Sgt. Vickers (Walt Davis) who previously partook as one of the key and valiant rear gun crew at the Battle of Caprica. A deleted scene moment. 

Lt. Voight (actor unknown) - laser technician and Chief of Weapons. A deleted scene moment.