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Episode Studies by Clayton Barr
enik1138 at popapostle dot com
Battlestar Galactica: The Trap "The Trap"
Battlestar Galactica #12 (Marvel)
Written by Roger McKenzie and Walter Simonson
Pencils by Walter Simonson
Inks by Klaus Janson
February 1980

The human fleet and the Cylons set mutual traps.

Story Summary

Picking up from last issue, Starbuck is faced with the choice of remaining with the fleet or joining Eurayle on Scavenge World in exchange for her using her mental powers to save Commander Adama from the memory machine. Still not sure what he's going to do, he says goodbye to all his girls on the Galactica. Then he finally agrees to Euryale's demand. Meanwhile Colonel Tigh plots a trap for the Cylons with Scavenge World's help.

Eurayle reports to the memory machine chamber and begins a mind probe to free Adama just as the Cylons arrive and begin their attack. The guns of Scavenge World help to tear up the Cylon raiders, but two basestars are attacking the rest of the fleet on the other side of the sargasso of ancient ships. In the memory machine chamber, the sphere finally shatters and Adama emerges.

Just as Adama returns to his bridge, a third basestar suddenly appears...on a collision course to ram the Galactica!

CONTINUED IN BATTLESTAR GALACTICA #13! 

Didja Notice? 

Some classic Starbuck lines occur in this issue. On page 7, panel 5: "Why do I have to be so darned irresistible to women anyhow?" And also on page 7:
  • panel 6:
"Athena, whatever happens, I just want you to know you're the only one I ever really loved--" "Oh, Starbuck, you poor dear..."
  • panel 7:
"Saphire, whatever happens, I just want you to know you're the only one I ever really loved--" "Oh, Starbuck, you poor dear..."
  • panel 8:
"Cassiopeia, whatever happens, I just want you to know you're the only one I ever really loved--" "Oh, Starbuck, I bet you say that to all the girls..."
The other great thing here is that, as you see above, Cassiopeia sees right through him, and yet she continues to care for him. No wonder she's the one who wins out in the end (as witnessed in Richard Hatch's BSG novels).

On page 22, Master-Tech Shadrack tells Colonel Tigh that he and his team have finished converting all ships in the fleet to light-speed capabilities. From Tigh's log in "Scavenge World", it sounds like only a week has passed since they started the conversions, and Shadrack had said in "The Memory Machine" that it would take two weeks (even that seems fast!). Perhaps they received help in parts and labor from Scavenge World when they arrived there? 

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