Summary
Battlestar Galactica’sfourth season teaser “The Last Supper” quietly set the stage for several character’s fates in the show, and hinted at the full scope of the finale.Battlestar Galacticawas a phenomenon when it debuted, helping solidify the sci-fi genre’s evolution on television in the early era of prestige television. This thoughtful approach to big genre fare can be seen all over the series, but especially in the “Last Supper” promotional image that was created ahead of the show’s fourth season.
Plenty of shows use promotional images to tease upcoming seasons. However, ahead ofBattlestar Galactica’s finale, fans went over the image repeatedly in a bid to decipher any and all potential clues about the finale. They weren’t wrong, either, according toBattlestar GalacticaExecutive Producer Ron D. Mooreand Co-Executive Producer David Weddle. The pair later suggested that the composition of the picture indeed contained clues about the final season’s twists and turns. Here’s every character who appears in “The Last Supper,” and how it reflects their fate inBattlestar Galactica’s ending.
Battlestar Galactica’s Best Episode Improved Upon A 40-Year Star Trek Tradition
Battlestar Galactica gave Commander Adama a unique recognition that was a recurring element of several ship captains in Star Trek.
The Characters In The Last Supper Image Explained
Battlestar Galactica’s Last Supper Features The Show’s Biggest Characters
Modeled after Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic painting “The Last Supper,“Battlestar Galactica’s promotional “Last Supper” image quietly teased out several future events in the show’s final season. Released by Entertainment Weekly ahead of season 4, “Last Supper” features many of the show’s most important characters staged around a table. Aaron Douglas wrote onLiveJournaland Katee Sackhoff claimed in an interview with the Baltimore Sun that it was simply a photo shoot with no deeper meaning. However, despite not being present for the photo shoot, Ron Moore (via Chicago Tribune) claimed he had specifically requested the placement of the cast.
Michael Trucco
Sam “Longshot” Anders
The picture includes many of season 4’s most important characters, building to the series finale. On the far left sits President Roslin, the Six-copy known as Natalie, and Col. Tigh. Separated from Tigh by an empty chair sits Lee Adama, alongside Gaius Baltar. The version of Six who appeared in Baltar’s mind stands at the center of the picture, between Baltar and the pairing of Starbuck and Anders. Behind Anders is Tyrol. Besides him are Athena and Helo, next to Commander Adama on the far right. The poses of the characters' placement quietly have secondary meanings.
What The Last Supper Meant For Battlestar Galactica’s Story
Themes Of Death, Resurrection, And Faith Played Out Across Season 4
The secondary meanings ofBattlestar Galactica’s “Last Supper” image include powerful allusions to the season’s future events. The inherent religious overtones of replicating a spiritual image like"The Last Supper” fit neatly into the overall themes of the show, which explored questions of faith and fate. Those elements seem to be especially relevant for Roslin, who had previously turned to her religion in the face of death and danger. The fire in front of her seems to be teasing the way she eventually burns her holy book in a moment of doubt, setting up her final arc in the show.
This religious influence is also clear with Baltar and Six, with the former starring at the latter with reverence. This reflects the way Six is eventually confirmed inBattlestar Galactica’s final linesto be an angelic force sent by God to guide humanity to a new home. Baltar’s position reflects his faith in her, which helps save humanity in the finale. The image also hid the identity of the fifth Cylon, Ellen Tigh. This justified placing an empty chair next to her husband, as well as the cup to signify her death by poisoning in season 3.
This Battlestar Galactica Scene Is Still One Of Sci-Fi’s Best Almost 20 Years Later
Battlestar Galactica’s best action scene is exciting, dramatic, and one of the most well-constructed action sequences in sci-fi TV history.
What The Last Supper Meant For Battlestar Galactica’s Characters
Many Character Fates Were Teased In “The Last Supper”
The teaser is particularly prescient of the stories each character goes through in season 4, with subtle nods to their arcs in the final stretch of the show. Lee is seen in a business suit rather than his Viper flight suit, signifying his transition from combat to civilian leadership. Natalie’s accusatory gestures towards Athena and Helo references the tensions that erupt between them in the season, eventually leading to Natalie’s death. Tyrol brandishing a knife with a grim look reflects the dark arc he goes through in season 4, culminating in him murdering Tory.
Starbuck and Anders are shown embracing, hinting at their continued faith in one another throughout the season — as well as their shared fatal fate. By contrast, Adama and Roslin are shown far apart,hinting at how the season would divide them over revelations about about Hera’s survival and Roslin’s lies.Battlestar Galactica’s “Last Supper” image is one of the best examples of a promotional image being used to see the future of a show. While the cast may not have known the context of their placements, it served as a fitting tease forBattlestar Galactica’s final stretch.
Battlestar Galactica
Cast
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2004. The plot follows the crew of the aging Battlestar Galactica as they protect a small fleet of human survivors from the renewed threat of the Cylons, in a quest to find the mythical 13th colony, Earth.
