Battlestar Galactica's Six Soapiest Storylines

Battlestar Galactica is a space opera, a rare but specific sub-genre of science fiction that marries the elements of daytime drama to a tale set in a science fiction universe. The scope of the story is beyond the traditional science fiction elements of man versus machine, man versus his environment and man versus man. In a space opera, the themes run in greater and smaller arcs, bringing elements of the great tragedies into sharp relief against the science fiction backdrop. Battlestar Galactica delivers on all fronts, but beyond the space battles, the elegant storytelling and powerful acting are some common soap opera moments and these great soapy moments illustrate the gritty human drama and drive the point home.

The following list of BattlestarGalactica's top ten soapy moments are in no particular order.

Lee Adama/Kara Thrace/Sam Anders Love Triangle

The love triangle is a very old plot device of the soap opera genre. Introduce a central figure, develop a possible relationship for her with two equally suitable candidates and let human flaws mess them up. For Lee Adama and Kara Thrace, attraction became tempered by Kara's previous relationship with Lee's now dead brother: Zak. Their on-again, off-again attraction took a backseat to Kara's fascination with Sam Anders, borne during her desperate return to war-ravaged Caprica. Her relationship with Sam took on mythical proportions when she felt she would never see him again. A desperate rescue attempt brought Sam back to Galactica and into Kara's life, strengthening their romantic connection.

Lee saw Kara pulling away from him, but after trysting together on New Caprica and declaring his love for her, he was devastated by Kara's marriage to Sam the very next day. Why did Kara marry Sam when she declared her love for Lee? Was she in love with both men? Was she trying to sabotage herself? Lee's anger led him to marrying Dualla out of spite for Kara. Kara, Lee and Sam are still intimately intertwined and more complications face them following Kara's death and subsequent resurrection, Sam's identity as one of the Final Five Cylons and Lee's ascension to Presidency of the Fleet.

Sharon Deceives Helo, But Falls in Love and Gets Pregnant
On Caprica, and a duplicate Eight sets out to seduce Helo to test the Cylon theory that love is a necessary component to producing a child. The Eight masquerades as Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, the sleeper Cylon that Karl Agathon already shares a relationship with. Together, they go on the run, hiding from danger and growing closer. Eventually, they make love and Sharon becomes pregnant. When Helo discovers she's a Cylon, he rejects her and shoots her.

The storyline of boy and girl from opposite sides of the tracks or from warring families falling in love is a classic tale relying on the "Romeo and Juliet" effect. Sharon and Helo's feelings for each other cannot be denied. Sharon chooses Helo and his safety over her Cylon comrades. She helps him and the other humans escape. On Galactica, Helo maintains his devotion to her and they work together to be given the freedom to be together.

Adama and Roslin Fall in Love

These two powerful and dynamic leaders butted heads from the beginning. Roslin went around Adama and Adama threw Roslin in the brig. Eventually, they found common ground and mutual respect and fell in love. The process was gradual and troubled by Roslin's ever progressing health issues. Their relationship cemented after the fleet's exodus from New Caprica.

Cally Lies about Nicholas' Biological Father

The ret-conning of Nicholas' actual biological father is a painful moment that the specialist is not alive to defend herself over. When Nicholas Tyrol is diagnosed with a progressive disorder and needs a blood transfusion, the reality of his parentage is revealed. Doc Cottle knew, but was sworn to secrecy by Cally. Apparently just before marrying the Chief, she dallied with viper pilot Hot Dog. When she found out she was pregnant, she had the Doc run a DNA test that confirmed Hot Dog was the biological parent. Not wanting to ruin her marriage, she kept Nicholas' true parentage a secret. The reveal of Nicholas' true father also relieved Nicholas of being a Human/Cylon hybrid.

Ellen and Saul Tigh

Everything about Ellen and Saul speaks to the negative emotional impact of their relationship. They drink, they fight and they love each other fiercely. They are terrible for each other. Ellen's affairs are legendary and she's very jealous of his relationship with best friend Bill Adama and competes for his attention. That both turn out to be part of the Final Five and have been involved together for more than one lifetime just adds to their powerful relationship.

Saul killed Ellen for consorting with the Cylons, but never stopped loving her. When she returned to him on Galactica, he's the soon to be father of a Cylon-Cylon baby with Caprica Six; Ellen's jealousy and anger lead her to baiting Caprica until she miscarries the baby. It doesn't really matter if Ellen did it on purpose, but Saul and Ellen are like tinder and a match when together.

Stealing Hera

Baby swapping is a tried and true soap opera storyline. From the moment of her conception, Hera was a coveted baby. Humans like Laura Roslin feared her, Gaius Baltar's head Six told him to be the baby's guardian, the Cylons wanted her for their God's plan and Sharon and Helo just wanted to love their daughter.

The first swap occurred when Roslin ordered Doc Cottle to supply a dead baby in place of Hera. Sharon and Helo were told their daughter died. Hera was placed with another woman to be raised. The woman was unaware of Hera's true nature. During the exodus from New Caprica, Hera's adopted mother perished and Hera was found by Baltar. He gave the baby to one of the Threes, who found true love while holding the infant that promised the Cylon race a future without resurrection.

When Sharon and Helo learned of the deception and that their daughter was alive on a Cylon base ship, Helo shot Sharon so she could download and rescue their child. She returned to Galactica with baby Hera and the Agathon family was reunited. Despite Roslin's complicity, she expressed no regret for her high-handed actions. Hera's existence remains coveted as Boomer comes aboard Galactica with Ellen Tigh and steals baby Hera away, severely damaging the Galactica. Baby swapping and kidnapping are powerful plot devices and poor baby Hera remains at the center of all of it.

Raw Human Drama

The ongoing, raw human drama is part of what makes Battlestar Galactica so compelling. That the show borrows heavily from soap operas and other daytime dramas reveals the intrinsically human nature of a show that details the exodus of humanity from all that they knew to an uncertain future.