The 2004 reboot ofBattlestar Galacticaleaves a lot of mysteries unanswered, from minor details such aswhy the corners of paper are always cutto more major plot elements, many of which have to do with Kara Thrace. While we do get to learn a little bit about Starbuck’s childhood, questions about where she came from, her familiarity with the Cylon song, and how she was able to return after she seemingly died are never fully answered within the show.
One thing that is made clear inBattlestar Galacticais the impact of the cycle of destruction that everyone is caught up in. The series is tragic from the beginning, asBattlestar Galacticais full of sad deaths, setting up themes exploring the horrors of war and what it’s like to have to fight for the survival of your people. Late-season revelations show that while humanity might have reached its new home and salvation for now,the cycle has been going on for a long time, and there’s no reason to assume that it’s been stopped for good.
Katee Sackhoff’s Starbuck Was A Spirit Guiding Humanity In Battlestar Galactica
Katee Sackhoff Believes Starbuck Was A Spirit
Katee Sackhoff, who portrays Starbuck in the show, has her own theory about Starbuck’s return to life.Sackhoff explained her theory about Starbuck’s returnin an Instagram comment in response to a fan question, stating that “She was a spirit brought to guide humanity to earth and salvation” (via Katee Sackhoff on Instagram). The idea holds numerous implications when it comes to the character’s storytelling potential.
“Nothing But The Rain”: Adama & Starbuck’s Line In Battlestar Galactica Explained
One of the best quotes in Battlestar Galactica is the iconic line, “nothin’ but the rain”. What is the origin of this line and what does it mean?
While the theory isn’t confirmed in the show, as the creators purposefully left things mysterious rather than explaining everything, it does make sense with the circumstances of Starbuck’s return. From the beginning of the series,Battlestar Galacticaleaned into spiritual elements, so the idea isn’t entirely out of left field. However, even if the theory were to be confirmed, it creates a lot of questions, regarding whether Starbuck always been a spirit and how her death enabled her to become a spirit in the first place.
If Starbuck Was Always A Spirit, She Can Return To Help Humanity Again In A Reboot
Leaning Into Battlestar Galactica’s Spiritual Elements Could Tie Together A New Reboot With The 2004 Version
Though Peacock is no longer involved in its development, discussions ofa newBattlestar Galacticareboothave been happening for years. The 2004 version sets up the possibility of a reboot perfectly, by reinforcing that “All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again,” as stated by Six in one ofBattlestar Galactica’s best quotes.
If Starbuck is a spirit who’s meant to guide humanity, there’s no reason why she couldn’t be brought back to guide humanity again.
The ending ofBattlestar Galacticaleaves the potential for viewers to see the cycle repeat in a continuation that takes place many generations after the 2004 version.Starbuck’s potential role as a spirit could be the perfect opportunityto bring her character back and connect a new show with the previous one, especially asKatee Sackhoff is open to returning for aBattlestar Galacticareboot. If Starbuck is a spirit who’s meant to guide humanity, there’s no reason why she couldn’t be brought back to guide humanity again.
If the plans for areboot to take place in the same continuity as the SyFyBattlestar Galacticastill stand, the spiritual elements that are established within the 2004 version leave a lot of room to bring back elements of that series. We see characters inBattlestar Galacticawho are alive in that series' present while also having lived generations ago, and that precedent being established means thatit would make sense for a character like Starbuck to reappear, as long as her presence is explained more thoroughly than her return for the final season was.
A Battlestar Galactica Reboot With Starbuck Couldn’t Avoid Answering What She Really Is
Starbuck Couldn’t Be Involved Without Some Answers Being Answered
If Starbuck does appear in a new reboot,continuing to leave questions about how she came back unanswered would be a missed opportunity. It would feel odd to have a character from a prior series appear in a story that takes place many generations later without any amount of explanation. ABattlestar Galacticareboot would have to be willing to explainthe mysteries behind Starbuck’s character if she returns.
A reboot with Starbuck could choose to have her serve a role similar to the character of the version of Caprica Six within Baltar’s mind, who it’s made clear there’s something strange about from the beginning. This time, though many questions about Starbuck remain unanswered,fans of the 2004 reboot would be at least somewhat aware of why Starbuck’s there. Alternatively, if she’s always been a spirit, we could see her living a new life, once again unaware of what she really is, whatever that might be.
Starbuck’s character could be a great bridge between the 2004 version ofBattlestar Galacticaand a reboot.
The creators of the reboot would also have to consider how they want her to fulfill her role and what this means for her as a character outside of being a guide for humanity. Starbuck’s character could be a great bridge between the 2004 version ofBattlestar Galacticaand a reboot, but her character would need to be given the attention it deserves, both by answering some of the questions remaining from the previous series and by letting her keep the personality that makes her one of thebest female characters in sci fi.
