Norman Stuart

Lasers flash, the heavens explode and a space fleet undertakes an epic voyage in a blockbuster episode of "Battlestar Galactica." Starring in this space spectacular are Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene as Adama. In the opening episode a 12-colony space mission is sabotaged and the home planets are destroyed. The final remnants of human life reunite under the leadership of the giant warship Galactica, the only battlestar spaceship to survive the devastating ambush of the colonial fleet. Forming a cumbersome caravan of 220 space vehicles, the interplanetary refugees join together in search of a new and peaceful frontier where mankind may safely flourish and grow. Their hope and home of the future: the distant and unknown 13th colony, Earth. Greene stars as the battlestar’s commander, Adama, the last member of the shattered colonial government and acknowledged leader of the immigrant fleet. Carrying out the command decisions of their leader are Richard Hatch starring as Capt. Apollo, Adama's son and the leader of the Galactica's fighter squadron; and Dirk Benedict starring as Lt. Starbuck, the battlestar’s ace fighter pilot, con artist and Romeo; Herb Jefferson, Jr. as Lt. Boomer; Maren Jensen as Athena; Noah Hathaway as Boxey; Tony Swartz as Lt. Jolly and Terry Carter as Col. Tigh also star.

Captain Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Lt. Boomer (Herb Jefferson, Jr.) discover that many of the fleet’s provisions were contaminated during the battle with the Cylons and that there is a possibility of mass starvation. Boarding a passenger liner, they enter into their first confrontation with Sire Uri (Ray Milland) who is living in luxury with a few friends. Seeking fuel and supplies on the distant planet Carillon, Apollo, Boomer and Lt. Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) attempt to lead the fleet through a dangerous mine field. The voyage is made even more hazardous when the three lose visibility in their fighter craft due to the intense radiation.

Adama (Lorne Greene) becomes alarmed when he learns that Sire Uri (Ray Milland) has authorized half the fleet’s population permission to visit the planet Carillon. Concerned about the overly optimistic attitude of most members of the fleet and about the vulnerability to a Cylon attack, Adama is forced to resort to a desperate ruse. Finding their way into the deepest of Carillon's mines, Apollo (Richard Hatch) and Starbuck (Dirk Benedict) learn about the unpleasant fate which many of the recently missing fleet members have suffered. They also discover the strong ties between the inhabitants of Carillon and the Cylons.

An alien joins the Galactica fleet, attracting its people, including Apollo’s girlfriend, Sheba, with mysterious powers and promises of a successful end to their search for Earth. In "War of the Gods”-Part I, Apollo leads a desperate search-and-rescue mission for a squadron of missing pilots. Landing on the battle-scarred surface of a distant planet, Apollo and his warriors are confronted by Count Iblis, the lone survivor of an alien culture. When Iblis convinces the intergalactic fighters to escort him back to their battlestar, the entire fleet becomes entranced with the eerie stranger, his omnipotent powers and his desire to lead them to Earth. Skeptical of the new messiah's intentions, Commander Adama accepts Iblis' offer to prove himself by granting the fleet any three wishes.

A mysterious stranger grants the interplanetary immigrants three miraculous wishes in exchange for their blind allegiance. In "War of the Gods”-Part II, the alien, Count Iblis, promises to grant the Galactica leaders three wishes in exchange for command of the fleet. To test the powers of the would-be messiah, the battlestar commanders demand the capture of their archenemy, Count Baltar, and the safe journey of the fleet to Earth. However, before stating the final demand, Adama and the Council of Twelve discover the true identity of their mysterious visitor and launch a life-and death struggle against the malevolent Iblis, the Prince of Darkness.