The Patriot Resource: Battlestar Galactica The Resistance Webisode Production Notes

The Resistance Webisodes
Written By Bradley Thompson & David Weddle
Directed By Wayne Rose

Production Notes & Analysis

The webisodes premiered two a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 5, 2006 leading up to the Season 3 premier on October 6, 2006.

The webisodes were originally planned to appear one a week leading up to the Season 3 starting in August. However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) grew concerned over the online content being created for several shows. Even though the Battlestar Galactica writers welcomed the opportunity. the WGA ordered that the webisodes not be turned over until the dispute was settled. Universal argued that the material was promotion content, but the WGA wanted clear guidelines for compension if the work were redistributed later. The webisodes were eventially handed over.
A second set of webisodes were planned, but in light of the dispute with the WGA, those plans have been shelved.
The original title of the webisodes was "Crossroads," according to writer Bradley Thompson.
The webisodes were first assigned during the production of the Season 3 episode Exodus.
The webisodes were put together during the regular production of Season 3 with all those involved carrying out their regular production responsibilities while working on the webisodes.
In a September 2006 blog post, Ronald D. Moore listed all those involved in the production of the webisodes. RDM Blog @ SciFi.com
In the same blog post, Ronald D. Moore had the following comments:
In spite of the photograph indicating that she might have been a Viper pilot on Galactica, Nora's first appearance was in the webisodes, having never been seen in either Season 1 or 2.
Sister Tivenan is another webisodes-only character (so far).
The webisodes served to set up several storylines for Season 3:
- The first thing that the Cylons built was a jail (the detention center).
- The resistance was still in its embryonic stage more than two months after the Cylons' arrival.
- The resistance (and opposition to the Cylons) took off with the "massacre" at the temple by Cylon Centurions after the resistance itself had hidden weapons there and yet there was enough known about the movement that the Cylons were conducting searches and arrests.
- Around this time, the Cylons also were working to establish the New Caprica Police, a force of humans.
- Duck joined the New Caprica Police basically as a mole to learn the identity of collaborators to avenge Nora's death.
- Jammer joined the New Caprica Police after he grew increasingly concerned with Tigh's attitude concerning putting civilians in danger.
Both Anders and Barolay, who were part of the Caprica resistance, were early members of the New Caprica resistance.
The webisodes were set before Tigh's incarceration and the loss of his eye.
The webisodes feature nine speaking characters:
- Jammer - appears in nine episodes (missing from webisode 4)
- Tyrol - appears in seven episodes (missing from webisodes 4, 6 & 8)
- Duck - appears in six episodes (missing from webisode 4, 6, 7 & 8)
- Tigh - appears in six episodes (missing from webisode 4, 5, 8 & 9)
- Cally - appears in four episodes (1, 4, 5 & 10)
- Barolay - appears in four episodes (2, 3, 6 & 10)
- Nora - appears in three episodes (1, 3 & 4)
- Number Five (Doral) - appears in two episodes (7 & 8)
- Sister Tivenan - appears in two episodes (2 & 10)
The webisodes mark the first few appearances and christening of Nicholas Stephen Tyrol, who is Galen and Cally's son. Nicholas' impending arrival had been indicated by a very pregnant Cally seen in the last few scenes of the final episode of Season 2.5.

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