Battlestar Galactica Interview: Mark Verheiden on Tyrol’s Guilt and Baltar the Traitor
Welcome to the latest installment of Battlestar Galactica Weekly, our recurring Q&A with Mark Verheiden, co-executive producer of the hit Sci-Fi Channel series Battlestar Galactica. Each week, we’ll interview Verheiden about the events of the week’s episode, what those events might mean for both the season and the series, and hopefully unearth some clues about what to expect as the final season of Battlestar Galactica nears its conclusion.
Along with posing our own questions to Verheiden, we’re also taking questions from fans — so be sure to send your questions to me, your official BSG Weekly interviewer, after each episode airs at chris [at] comicmix [dot] com. New episodes of Battlestar Galactica can be seen every Friday at 10 PM EST on Sci-Fi Channel. You can view previous interviews via the links at the end of this article.
This week, Verheiden answers questions about the fourth episode of Season Four, "Escape Velocity," which aired April 25, 2008. Note: These questions may contain spoilers, so read at your own risk.
COMICMIX (from reader John): What did Tyrol do at Cally’s funeral that Tigh felt might have given them away?
MARK VERHEIDEN: When the Chief grabbed Tigh and Tory in the receiving line, I think they could sense the intensity of his desperation and confusion.
Their concern was less about what he did during the ceremony than his precarious mental state in the wake of Cally’s death. Given Tyrol’s explosive comments to Adama, it’s not that far-fetched.
CMix (from reader John): Wouldn’t the final four put themselves at less risk if they stopped getting together and chatting about what they are all the time? Or, are they just programmed to do that?
MV: Short answer is yes. But on the other hand, they do have ongoing Cylon business to discuss in private. But programmed to do it? I don’t think so.
CMix (from reader Leah): How can the Six in Baltar’s head lift him up and turn him around?
MV: I would argue that Baltar’s gyrations were still him contorting himself, as if Number Six were hoisting him from the floor. I am reminded of Church services where people, in the throes of religious fervor, can evidence remarkable physical contortions, ”speaking in tongues," etc.
But feel free to interpret the scene in other ways if you’d like…
CMix (from reader Avery): The reading scenes between Adama and Roslin have been lovely. Will we be seeing more of that – or potentially more than that – as their relationship, and her cancer, progresses?