BSG: The Adama Maneuver (HD)

One of the most brillant military moves in the Human/Cylon war. Presented in HD and without any annoying background music. So say we all!

[@alastormedial]

While he's surely grateful to be rescued, can't help but think Tyrol is looking up at his beloved Battlestar falling through the atmosphere and already making a mental checklist of how much shit he's gonna have to fix afterwards.

[@raymondcanessa7208]

Thinking what happens if FTL overheats goes offline.

[@jamesharding3459]

@@raymondcanessa7208 Rods from God, scaled up to the size of a battlestar.

[@padmelotus]

​@@jamesharding3459 I mean, using Galactica as a kinetic bombardment weapon would have annihilated everyone on the ground; friend and foe.

[@jamesharding3459]

@@padmelotus Correct.

[@dixievfd55]

Like Scotty every time Kirk took the Enterprise into battle.

[@ared4108]

The implosion galactica creates with the flames still partially outlining its' shape shortly after it vanishes is one of the best special effects up to date (in my opinion)

[@eljay5009]

I thought they would do something similar when Galactica jumped away from the Cylon Base in the finale - that it would cause that part of the base to implode (like when Boomer jumped the raptor whilst alongside Galatica)

[@chouseification]

agreed... the only flaw is we should have heard the bang a few seconds after we saw the flash. It makes for pretty viewing but much less realistic, so it can pull us out of the story if we know the reality too well. :P

[@axi0matic]

@@chouseification Not sure why there's any fire at all. The Galactica is falling vertically, i.e. there's very little forward movement. So it's not like a Space Shuttle re-entering the atmosphere at orbital velocity. It's merely falling at 10m/s2, or whatever terminal velocity is on that planet. Looks cool though.

[@chouseification]

@@axi0matic remember Galactica has been in space for years... decades in fact. It's very possible such a structure would have lost much of the surface oxidation, so entering an atmosphere at altitude like that, they wouldn't be having a "reentry slowdown fireball" but could simply due to the surface of Galactica oxidizing quickly when exposed to a strongly oxidizing environment, possibly for the first time ever. Just like when we build concrete tunnels in some future Lunar base - we'll need to calculate how much O2 it will absorb over time, items with oxidizable surfaces that have been kept away from such conditions will spontaneously react unlike most materials we're used to dealing with. It probably would have been less severe than shown on screen, but I would expect at least some oxidation plasma ball given everything.

[@axi0matic]

@@chouseification Unless the Galactica is made from potassium, I doubt it would oxidise that vigorously in a regular atmosphere, regardless of how long it's been in space. I guess it's possible that an FTL jump leaves the hull very hot for some reason (perhaps due to the energy involved). Whilst in the vacuum of space this wouldn't normally be apparent, by jumping into an atmosphere perhaps the surface layers of the hull could vigorously oxidise? The hull is presumably not _that_ hot though, as it's never seen glowing even a dull red post-jump. And in a vacuum, such heat would take a very long time to radiate away, likely resulting in major heat-soak to the whole craft. Ultimately, the showrunners were going for the familiar 're-entry' plasma effect because it looks dramatic, and perhaps because people would expect it. But if you take into account that the Galactica warped in whilst being essentially stationary, then just fell, it makes no sense. I would expect the Galactica to be moving very quickly through space even if just cruising. But if that speed were maintained post-FTL jump, it would likely have skipped straight out of the atmosphere. Alternatively, it could have angled itself at e.g. 45 degrees, using air braking to slow down, but this wasn't a route they chose to go.

[@DanAdlingtonOnline]

This is a message to anyone who writes for Sci-fiction shows. The audience love it when the main characters execute very clever tactics in a story. This is a brilliant example.

[@natedaniels3655]

ALSO... clever tactics do not require you to portray everyone around the "main character" as stupid, cowardly, arrogant, or a traitor.

[@jakeg3733]

@@natedaniels3655 Wait really? I thought that only the main character could have even basic human decency and everyone else had to be evil, especially if they are _men_ !!!!

[@natedaniels3655]

@@jakeg3733 Right? Also.. would be somewhat more tolerable if the "main character" portrayed anything remotely human or decent. Usually they're the most rude, difficult, BITCHY, personality type imaginable.

[@jackstecker5796]

God, can you imagine how loud that would be? Giant 5700 foot warship basically teleports, creating giant vacuum in atmosphere. I can hear, "rheeeeeeee," just thinking about it.

[@jakeg3733]

@@jackstecker5796 It would definitely get everyone's attention. I think that was part of the intent, not just being able to sneak a squadron of planes into the atmosphere

[@FSEffect]

"Brace for turbulence" Massive understatement

[@Zarazazaza]

+FSEffect This was epic.

[@anrmlumlwundlistr7620]

Next time I hear that when I'm flying, and I'm next to some kid, I'll show this clip and say this is going to happen :)

[@StsFiveOneLima]

A bit. "Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die!" might be more appropriate.

[@drmayeda1930]

Engaging an ftl drive when in atmosphere is dangerous. This is one of those things the designers of the ship didn't figure on.

[@daviddurant6006]

FSEffect n

[@Greedyjama]

"You cant fly Battlestar in atmosphere!" "We are not flying, were Falling with style""

[@jamescritchley]

If a massive warshp isnt desied to fall what is he point of it existsing

[@TheAustinWoolShow]

It was so satisfying to see Hotdog go from a complete novice, to a completely badass ace throughout the first 3 seasons.

[@RescuedRecordings]

Hotdog is that reliable pilot that gets the job done. Nothing fancy, just a competent badass doing his job.

[@andrewshouse9840]

​@RescuedRecordings Sure got Cally pregnant, that's for sure.

[@lawrencepfaff9670]

​@@RescuedRecordingsthey prob started moving up his role cause he is actualy adamas son on real life

[@spacecadet2172]

Adama or the actor Edward James Olmos you mean? @@lawrencepfaff9670

[@hammerofdavey]

@@andrewshouse9840 hey he got the job done

[@SalAveNU]

"Well, This Ought To Be Different"....That still cracks me up.

[@warblerblue]

Me too.

[@ArchAnge11]

agreed. i was like WOW and laughed

[@sammencia7945]

Those fighters were very well made. Launch at Mach 2 into a reentry plasma field.

[@sixhundredandfive7123]

The soul of Camus' prior incarnation.

[@jokh1976]

Its the perfect irony of pulse pounding "everything on the line" moment with hotdog just downplaying the entire thing like he does atmospheric launches every other day. #coolas

[@MonkeyJedi99]

I loved the detail that when Galactica jumped away, the superheated air took a moment to stop showing the shape of the falling hull, then was imploded into the void left by the ship not being there anymore.

[@steadybacon1606]

Well... the fire shouldn't have even been there, but I guess since it looks cool, they kept it.

[@superdave8248]

What people probably didn't realize is this. This isn't the jump that broke the Galactica's back, but it is definitely the jump that caused the initial fractures.

[@nlanwarne]

@@steadybacon1606 It's not fire, it's plasma from the superheated air.

[@No1sonuk]

It's kind of like the dust "shadow" left behind by a cartoon character falling suddenly. ;)

[@DaveCarterAL]

@@nlanwarne re: "It's not fire, it's plasma from the superheated air." It's not plasma from superheated air, because no air got superheated, the ship is FALLING. Falling objects do not catch fire!

[@s-094cam5]

Fun fact: after New Caprica, the starboard pod was required to house Adama's balls due to their insurmountable size.

[@Comicsluvr]

"Sir, how are we going to defeat that many Cylons?" "I'm going to crush them with my balls. Any questions?"

[@s-094cam5]

@@Comicsluvr I believe that was the rescue plan for Hera in (please forgive the pun) a nutshell.

[@TonyFromChicago_]

Now I have to explain to my supervisor why I broke out laughing..

[@mhfuzzball]

That explains Galactica's insane fuel consumption. :)

[@RayPall]

While I appreciate Adama for having such titanic balls to do a maneuver such as this, I think major kudos should go to the guy who calculated the jump. Insert the Battlestar in an optimal altitude to have time to launch all Vipers and still have space to jump out...that had to be some mean math.

[@johnharte9274]

RayPall interesting observation, and very true. It could'nt have been Geata, the usual jump calculator either, since he was busy tipping over dog bowls down on New Caprica at the time

[@86Corvus]

when you know how faar above will you enter hte atmosphere and the rate of falling distance per secondwith the planet gravitation very earthlike it isnt that hard to calculate. lets say 100m per second you start 3 km above then you have 30 seconds till crash so 25 seconds to launch vipers and warp. Not that dificult.

[@FanjitaUK2k8]

It's kinda funny that you pretend to know what you're talking about in a fictitious (but otherwise amazing) scenario. You've missed a pretty important consideration that their position 25 seconds after arriving will not just be 100m per second falling. What about the planet's orbit? The System's speed within the galaxy? Their absolute position (in space) had probably changed by tens of thousands of miles. "not that difficult"

[@johnharte9274]

FanjitaUK2k8 your a bit of a passive aggressive douchebag, and therefore your point is entirely invalidated.

[@rollosnook]

FanjitaUK2k8 the planet is earthlike with a breathable atmosphere. While you were patronizing 86corvus you didn't discuss the atmosphere's chemical composition or the planet's escape velocity. Once inside the gravitational pull and atmosphere, it doesn't really matter where the planet is going or how fast it is moving. The speed of rotation however will alter the more precise calculations.

[@mikevanroy9356]

"Fuck, I'm gonna have to fix that!" - Chief Tyrol

[@thebradman4662]

*Frak Fixed that for you. Haha 😂😁 So say we all!

[@salesman687]

When I watched the series the first time I was like "Wait what?". Later on I realized that it was one of the most brilliant military tactical moves I've ever seen in a sci-fi.

[@ancaplanaoriginal5303]

Not really, a raptor assault would've more effective. Assault raptors are ftl capable, have missiles and can deploy marines, they can use the decoys, deploy the raptors and hide Galactica in the nebula calculating jumps to do some peek-a-boo with the basestars so they don't target the civilian fleet leaving. Or you can bring the two battlestars and engage the cylons with the main batteries, as we seen, Pegasus can destroy a basestar with a single salvo, it was destroyed because Lee was an idiot

[@mobiuscoreindustries]

@@ancaplanaoriginal5303 This move was insanely risky but then again addama knew it he was not expecting to get out alive, and he wanted to get the cylon's attention. And what better way to do that than by doing something so massively impressive as the addama maneuver. Yes, there was ways to save the galactica the damage and save the Pegasus, but they really needed a distraction, a big one. This is why the galactica came alone. They wanted the Pegasus safe.

[@ancaplanaoriginal5303]

@@mobiuscoreindustries The remainings of the fleet were not attacked for so long that the risk of an attack was stupidly low. They should've used both battlestars with all they had. The beast could remain hidden in the nebula until Galactica performed the stunt, then do a coordinated jump, shred the cylon fleet (a great time to use those spare nukes, btw) and get out with two battlestars still in fighting condition.

[@Judgewrath1]

@@ancaplanaoriginal5303 you don't send strike transports into airspace where the enemy has control. Good way to lose lots of valuable Colonial Marines. Not to mention the fact that the cylons almost certainly had ground-to-air defense as well. Adama sent his best fighters to get the job done. Vipers are air superiority craft, which generally dominate Cylon Raiders, with decent ground strike capabilities. This was an incredibly risky maneuver and he had to make sure it would succeed as best as possible. It was also an all-in action. This would be their only chance to rescue the colonial Fleet. His basic intention seems to be to use the Galactica as a sacrificial lamb, taking the damage from the reentry maneuver and distracting the Cylon basestars, leaving the Pegasus to provide for the defense of the surviving refugees. Lee, of course, messed that part up.

[@Judgewrath1]

@@ancaplanaoriginal5303 you're forgetting how badly damaged the Battlestar was after the maneuver. It could barely fight and was about to get shredded by the two basestars. If he had committed the Pegasus to that action it's possible that both battlestars would have been destroyed and the fleet would have been been quickly hunted down.

[@gamiensrule]

So much love and dedication put into this show. In this scene, if you watch closely you can see loose debris like rocks flying UPWARDS (being sucked toward the spacial rift) after the Galactica jumps away. Putting in that little detail took extreme care.

Hmm, in my head that was due to a smaller asterood sized ship just "disappearing" and leaving vacuum behind herself.

[@VTOffRoadAdventures]

@ same thing. Jumping left a spacial void creating a pocket of vacuum that atmosphere rushed into.

[@gamiensrule]

@ Well yeah. Spacial rift / Vacuum, whatever you wanna call it. The fact that they thought to put in that little detail is pretty sweet.

@@gamiensrule & @Carter: Oh, my bad. For some reason I thought that word meant something else. Thanks, today I learned something. So, yeah, completely agree that this attention to detail made it insanely good. I had to rewatch it; so awesome!

@@VTOffRoadAdventures Yeah, sorry. See my other reply, and thanks. :)

[@deusexaethera]

Admiral Adama dropped it low and made it clap like nobody else in history.

[@AwakenedAvocado]

Oh yea what a frackin hero he was

[@DW-indeed]

So say we all

[@alasdairgardiner2313]

That massive clanging sound you hear is the audience's collective jaws hitting the floor as Admiral William 'MEGA-BALLS' Adama pulls off one of the greatest moments in TV ever.

[@HeadHunterSix]

No, it's actually Adama's balls you're hearing. :D

[@alasdairgardiner2313]

@@HeadHunterSix - Those too :D

[@MastaSquidge]

The huge thunderclap when they jumped out was not the atmosphere slamming into the void left by the ship. It was Adama's nuts slapping together when he finished giving the order.

[@FlyingHeadbutt100]

Probably one of my favourite moments in television. Ever. That shot where you see the Vipers leaving the launch tubes, then the camera draws back and shows how quickly Galactica is approaching the ground.... Stunning.

[@devinfaux6987]

"Altitude 99,000, falling like a rock!"

[@NYCamper62]

"Well, this outta be different.."

[@TheEDFLegacy]

@@NYCamper62 #UnderstatementOfTheYear by that pilot. :P

[@Robert_Douglass]

Yeah, they're launching through Galactica's reentry fire, that takes some pogees right there.

[@Restilia_ch]

@@devinfaux6987 A rock more than a kilometer long and capable of tanking nukes to the hull. Had they hit the ground, it'd make a boom so big there'd be nothing left for at least hundreds of kilometers.

[@gutspillage]

"Brace for turbulence" more like "brace for becoming part of the most fracking epic event in combat tactics"

[@joshuaathridge3694]

My single favorite moment in television history. It should be in a museum. It's a shame so many people will never see it because they write the show off as a "genre show". But whatever, their loss. From writing, to acting, to special effects, this scene is perfect in every way.

[@randompotato26]

fun fact! a while back (like 2010) seattle art museum had an exhibition for Battlestar Galactica! I dont remember this scene being shown, but for sure lots of set props were there...

[@NitroDubzzz]

If someone can watch these clips and still write the show off then the show itself is going right over their head. Let them watch their shitty star trek reboot. This show was a treasure

[@jasonthatjason1912]

It was ripped straight from an old fan-fic based on the original back in the 90s. The Cylons did this in their raid over the colonies.

[@spurgear]

You are a huge nerd

[@SeArCh4DrEaMz]

yes

[@elhefe83]

Still one of my favorite scenes ever. Guys on the ground move into an impossible situation totally trusting in Adama and the boys. A risky deception that checks out, an incredibly ballsy maneuver to bring relief to those in peril, perfectly executed, a bunch of cold blooded pilots coming to the rescue with surgical precision at the exact right time. Its just beautiful how the whole world turns calm for a moment as they realize that the cavalry is there and has them covered.

[@FJF1085]

It really just reinforces the fact that had the Cylons fought fair the Colonials would have defeated them. I mean the Cylons knew that too or they wouldn’t have bothered doing what they did to bring down the Colonial defense network.

[@jakeg3733]

What's kind of infuriating is that he did this thinking, "Well even if I ruin Galactica we'll still have Pegasus". Then Lee took the fleet's only other hope and ran it into a basestar shortly thereafter. His dad really did toss him the keys to a battlestar

[@AwakenedAvocado]

What a frackin miracle

[@neutchain7838]

@@jakeg3733 What pisses me off even today that he didnt even try to fight. He went straight in. They had a solid chance to hold them up or even defeat them until the civilian ship jumped away. At least fuckn try to conduct a proper battle and if it looks like a lost cause then you can resort to ramming. Also, the Pegasus was MUCH more important than the Galactica. The Galactica underwent a refit shortly before the fall of the colonies, they've removed 2/3 of her main weaponry, half the CIWS and half her armor plates. If you look at her in Deadlock ( the game ) or in Blood and Chrome you can see that she had her entire back full of artillery and a lot more on her belly as well. So during the entire show she was severly handicapped. Also, the Pegasus was able to manufacture small craft so they were finally able to replace their losses, a VR simulator to train pilots and it was a modern ship with an insanely powerful battery on her prow. Honestly, Lee should've been shot the moment he step foot on the Galactica after the battle.

[@lloyd9710]

Chuck Norris looks under his bed for Adama

[@danrgoodnight9345]

oh snap thats funny

[@sminkycorp]

Top comment, of the entire interweb

[@samsung3254]

🤣🤣🤣 That's just brilliant! Seriously, Thanks for making my day brighter! 👍

[@fierykilljoy5921]

lets not go overboard here its chuck norris if it was him there he would have kicked the galactica back to space!

[@Knuspermonster]

Lils cylons ask there builders to look under there Bed in case Adama is there..... jokes on them he jumps directly over them with his Lady

[@gothia6515]

He is only a side char but Hotdog just rocks ! Unlike most Paragon-ish main chars of this show with set skills from the get go he grew into being a hero from just an ordinary civilian. And while all the others had their mental breakdowns throughout the show, he just flew his Viper and did his duty like a true chad.

[@jakeg3733]

Dude was the most rock solid pilot in the fleet. None of the theatrics, or the drama... just did his job every day while destroying the enemy and keeping his friends alive

[@trickm0nkey]

Hot Dog is who I picture when I think of "understated badass."

[@AwakenedAvocado]

As literally a true Chad i just give a shoutout to hotdog

[@evgSyr]

He's the Adama's son, after all.

[@Bazookatone1]

BSG did a great job of fleshing out all the side characters, you really felt that you knew them by the end, it makes the way so many of them turned traitor during the mutiny even more poignant.

[@wesleylunsford9691]

After all these years the scene still gives me goosebumps!

[@SiriaK]

BSG was one of few reboots made the original cry.

[@FRITZI999]

TRUE !!!

[@avenqer]

Two different animals. Both awesome.

[@proudamerican183]

Eh. I'm oldschool. I prefer the original.

[@richlisola1]

@@proudamerican183 You’re not old school, you’re prehistoric 🦖 🌴

[@proudamerican183]

@@richlisola1 I'll take that as a compliment.

[@jensgroen7332]

When the when the bagpipes started playing my brain started to overheat from the awsomeness. When the thunderclap hit I just died.

[@toddkes5890]

Should the thunderclap have been delayed by a second or two, to reflect how far above ground Galactica was? Even if Galactica was only ~1 mile above ground, we would have seen the light from the jump, but the thunderclap from the jump would not have arrived until ~5 seconds later.

[@deusexaethera]

Admiral Adama dropped it low and made it clap like nobody else in history.

[@TheSighphiguy]

"Galactica to Cylon internment camp.... permission to buzz the tower".

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

LOL

[@charliedobbie8916]

"Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is f- WAIT WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!?"

[@GeneralG1810]

Charlie Dobbie LMFAO XD

[@logandarklighter]

Goddamn! That's "Buy you a drink once I can stop myself laughing like a maniac" level of funny!!!

[@Robert_Douglass]

@@charliedobbie8916 It's a FUCKING FTL JUMP IN ATMO RIGHT OUT OF A GODSDAMN REENTRY BURN is what it is

[@japkap]

I also think this is the reason why Galactica ended up breaking her spine.

[@AeonStaite]

She was also very old, partly decommissioned, and been through far more than what should have been possible with the war.

[@user-yq3fz9ch5q]

Remember also when the Chief discovered cracks on the internal structure, even with the cylon goop, she didn't have many miles left in her. So say we all.

[@OldGeezer55]

@@user-yq3fz9ch5q "SO SAY WE ALL!!!"

[@jamesnicholson3658]

agreed, that and the metal could have been suffering age degredation

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

This, the pounding at the Colony, and just plain old age. The USS Texas was designed to take hits from 12 inch battleship guns yet she's slowly being eaten alive by the sea due to rust from lack of maintenance.

[@Scudboy17]

The Adama Drop is still one of the most insane and bad ass starship maneuvers ever imagined. I still get chills down my spine when I rewatch this episode.

[@arken1814]

"Adama" is not actually his last name. Its short for "Adamantium", wich refers to the material his balls are made off.

[@abledog006]

LOL!! So say we all!!

[@HaddaClu]

Probably a good thing that he doesnt wear a kilt, because you know that they would be giant and swinging free.

[@logandarklighter]

This scene is proof positive that only Galactica had the power-to-weight ratio needed to haul Adama’s IRON-CLAD KLANGING COHONES into battle!! 😎

[@ThexBorg]

Oh yee jest :-)

[@CarlosRodriguez-xg1hm]

you`re the boss man

[@axelbaldwin3343]

By far my favourite scene from BSG. When the sonic boom hits from the Galactica jumping to FTL mere metres from colliding with the ground.. ohhh it gave me goosebumps. I can't imagine the engineers that built her at space dock ever thought she'd complete a manuver such as this.

[@jaygee6738]

When I watched this for the first time, I was sitting on the couch, hands over my open mouth.... thinking "holy mother of gods this is fraking nuts!"

[@casbot71]

I can imagine Adama and Picard at a bar swapping stories, and then rolling their eyes when someone from the Rebel Alliance walks in.

[@100mmtubeofjustice7]

casbott, I kinda like to think that, jack o'neil could hang with those guys.

[@Wayoutthere]

The Rebels just run out of gas ffs lol

[@devinfaux6987]

@Wouter d.B. - That was the Resistance, though. Not the Rebel Alliance.

[@Wiedzemir]

You can see Rebel Alliance in Rogue One, the rest of the new movies are about "Resistance".

[@devinfaux6987]

@@@Wiedzemir - Right. And I imagine both Picard and Adama would give props to using one Star Destroyer to smash another Star Destroyer and the planetary shield in the process.

[@eamonnca1]

Some great lines delivered in this scene. "Where's Galactica?" followed by Baltar's terrified reaction to the question. "Launch. Launch them all." "Well this ought to be different" "Jump!"

[@Tigerhawk30]

To this day, I still laugh maniacally at the aforementioned Hot Dog quote of, "Well, this ought to be different". Ya think?

[@wordlesslfiddling]

Don't forget altitude 99000 falling like a rock

[@MarsFKA]

A 1.4-kilometre-long spaceship, weighing only the Lords of Kobol know how much, pulling a manoeuvre like that inside an atmosphere? "Hair raising" doesn't even *begin* to cut it! That Battlestar had the mass of a small asteroid and the potential, if it hit the ground at re-entry speeds, to end civilisation. Man, this was a great series. Still is.

[@mrspidey80]

Not just only that, had they executed that jump a few seconds later, the spatial disruption caused by the jump would have killed everybody on the ground.

[@TheWTFworks]

In the science of Battlestar Galactica, they estimated the weight (mass) of that ship to about 121 million metric tons xD

[@TheWTFworks]

You do realize it jumped into the upper atmosphere? thats like a 100 kilometers

[@JeroenDStout]

This is just going to be sci-fi handwaving, but; they show jumping near objects causes some sort of structural problems. What if instead of a 'pure' replacement, the 2.8 million litres of atmosphere is redistributed effortless by the jump; space is warped temporarily. It still increases the tension, but over a much larger area, so the effect is much less disastrous. Similarly when it jumps out, think of it as a elastic surface being stretched at a point which is then cut off (the ship jumping) and 'sewn'. There is not a full vacuum appearing because the air is already redistributed to cover the 'gap' of the Galactica; but as air from an area covers a slightly larger area now, it still displays that vacuum sucking effect we see. This is ignoring, of course, that the Galactica would have been disintegrated by the structural stress, and that any viper launched would have been likewise obliterated as it hit the air.

[@JeroenDStout]

Rafael: it's a question of scale. Displacing 1.4 billion litres is a lot, but only if that is displaced all in the same place all at once. If you 'gently' stretch space, imagine you create a gap where the Galactica fits (not moving any air, rather moving the space in which the air exists), then you move the ship into that gap. For a moment, space is non-euclidean. When space returns to normal after the jump, you moved the 1.4 billion litres but over a wide area, so the increase in pressure is much less. For a moment the Galatica has a bubble of air around it at much higher pressure, which can quickly dissipate. The question is how large the influence of a jump is; if it's the size of the ship you create that massive 1.4 billion litre shockwave. If it is 10 times the size of the ship (which in volume is just 3 times the radius of a sphere), the atmospheric pressure in that area is just 110% of what it should be. When they show the raptor jumping right next to the Galactica you see Galactica's hull bulking under the stress; perhaps that's because the jump effect radius is far larger than the ship that is jumping.

[@Kajotex]

The first time I watched the series I didn't even cath the scope of this move. But rewatching it I grasp how absolutely astounding it is.

[@partgard1]

I tried to CATH a rabbit once!

[@331Grabber]

Maybe the most badass moment in Sci-Fi history. Not just in concept but in the visuals and sound too. The boom Galactica makes when she jumps right before hitting the ground still gives me chills.

[@jetjazz05]

I was 17 or so when this came out, just watching it now at 34. The dedication of the team, the giant balls of the crew and the stakes of this maneuver have a lot more impact for me as an adult. I got to watch it on my surround sound and big TV for the first time and it was awe inspiring for sure.

[@boat1280]

The music for this show was really incredible, just so unique

[@FireOccator]

They didn't expect the ship to fall but Adama's balls were too heavy and forced the ship down.

[@HelloNewMoon]

Im a woman in my 30s. Didnt cry when my first son was born but for some reason I get emotional over this scene every time I watch. Frakked up but gods its good

[@Dr_Steal_Computer]

woman? cringe! 30s? cringe! mother? cringe! emotion? cringe!

[@Mosesdjr]

I remember the first time seeing this I was so overloaded with surprise, joy and shock that I just started crying. My brain couldn't handle this amount of awe.

[@OldGeezer55]

Me too brother. Going back through the series again after finally watching "Caprica". forgiving the physics accuracy of it, I think it's the best space battle move on screen.

[@FJF1085]

As amazing as this was, and I still think it’s one of the coolest moments in a sci-fi show I’ve ever seen, I have a feeling the stress of jumping into an atmosphere and being in free fall probably did more than anything else to damage the ship and ultimately led to those fractures they find throughout the ship near the end of season 4. Also, I never noticed until just now pieces of the hull were flying off as she fell.

[@VegetaLF7]

Yep, this 100% is the main cause of most of the damage Galactica suffered in season 4.

[@Negativvv]

Damage or not, the entire human race was on the line. Was stated many times during that story arc so whatever damage Galactica suffered was fully worth it. Of course you could argue the Colonials should have done better for the rescue mission however don't forget they were down to skeleton crews so didn't exactly have a lot of full strength assets to play with.

[@FJF1085]

@@Negativvv I wasn't saying it wasn't worth it. It clearly was since they rescued thousands off the surface. That being said they should probably have kept Pegasus and Galactica be the one that gets trashed but that was a writing thing because the show was called Battlestar Galactica. Anyway, like I said, it is not that it wasn't worth it, just that what they did likely is the reason the superstructure of the ship was in such bad shape by the end. All the other things that happened to it probably didn't help but this had to be one of the most stressful maneuvers the ship had to do.

[@Negativvv]

If Adama had sense he'd have transferred his flag to Pegasus shortly after consolidating control over the Colonial fleet, likely just after Fisk's death would be a good time. Leaving Lee with Galactica. Adama has proven he can utilise more modern ships as he commanded Valkyrie in the inter war period. So he'd likely have been able to accomplish more with the Pegasus so as a cold decision of effectiveness he'd take the better warship. However, just playing Devil's advocate. If the ships switched places on the Battle of New Caprica, it might have resulted in the loss of both. As Pegasus would have taken a hammering during the initial rescue and Galactica wouldn't be as capable coming to her aid later in the battle due to inferior firepower and less automation on the guns. I agree, Pegasus blowing up was mostly for plot reasons to keep the show BSG as they'd have to rename it BSP otherwise...

[@HuntingTarg]

@@Negativvv It's writing parallelism. In TOS, the Pegasus was discovered to be operational and commanded by a wily, wild-eyed Commander Cain (ep. "The Living Legend"). Ultimately, Cain was set on confronting the Cylon pursuers of the Galactica's fleet, and took Pegasus into a head-on confrontation against two Basestars, fired her fusion missiles at nearly point-blank range, and was presumed lost along with the basestars. From another perspective, it was already 'canon' that Pegasus be lost,

[@michaelmorton5698]

Me: "Tell me he didn't just drop a Battlestar through atmospheric reentry, launch Vipers, and then execute a jump while still IN atmosphere." Also me: "Okay, he didn't just do that."

[@WOranos]

The first time I saw this, the sight of Galactica jumping into the atmosphere literally propelled me out of my seat. I watched the rest of it standing up. A truly epic moment in science fiction.

[@mreboric8406]

I like how the friction flames retain the shape of Galatica for a moment. That coo. And the fact that the pilots who are used to fighting in zero G have to switch to conventional flight while falling at terminal velocity show how skilled they are. Hotdog indeed

[@SantomPh]

Vipers are designed for atmospheric flight as well, like Raptors. One would think they were also trained on Caprica.

[@alexh3974]

@@SantomPh Most Caprica Veterans where dead, Kara and the older pilots but no newbies

[@timesthree5757]

Master Chief John Spartan 117: I jumped from a space station to give back the Covenant their bomb. Admiral William Adama: Hold my beer!

[@electrohalo8798]

i bet even a spacemarine from 40K would be in shock

[@BigTylt]

Let's not forget that the Master Chief also destroyed two Halo Rings, damaged the Ark, killed untold amounts of Covenant soldiers, and stopped the Didact from composing all humans on Earth. If Adama has balls made of steel, the Chief's are made from neutron stars.

[@WowmobileOrlando]

For a brick, she flew pretty good!

[@JinghisKhan]

@@electrohalo8798 "Brother Captain, how exactly are we going to get on the ground this time without our Thunderhawks?" "... strap in, Brother. We may need the Emperor to bless us a little extra this time."

[@electrohalo8798]

Jinghis Khan *spacemarines collectively wet there pants when they realise what they are about to do*

[@alanhilton7336caradventure]

the best TV series I have ever seen this episode was amazing seeing such a massive ship as Galactica falling through the sky launching her fighter's and then jumping away was stunning to watch.

[@Ueberdoziz]

when i first seen this, and adama said "all hands, brace for turbulance" i was like huuuh? what is he going to do?..... DAMN SON

[@WelcomeToMyDream]

So say we all!

[@Arderas811]

My exact words were, and I quote: "HOLY SHIT!"

[@gregp103]

saw*

[@aaronlobliner7402]

Indeed. Good job on the writers and directors part, it was like solving an equation. My inner voice was like "ok, they lured out the raiders with the decoy, sounds like they are preparing to jump......brace for turbulence...what is Adama gonna d.....omfg!!!

[@whette_fahrtz]

99,000, fallin like a rock!

[@adambrokas5845]

Ahhhh...."The Old Man And 'The Bucket'", doing what only they can do! Another classic BSG moment, that made my jaw drop as I whispered "no fraking way!"

[@Lexic0n357]

As I watch this clip, the description says it's from 13 years ago. My God. That alone makes you ponder. Amazing scene and still epic today.

[@Elthenar]

This was one of the best TV episodes ever. It had it all, including manly tears at the end when Adama and Tigh meet back up.

[@spartandud3]

I do consider there first few episodes of BSG Season 3 to be some of the best television ever.

[@LoboalphaMASTER]

Don't forget the second half of the last episode of season 3 and the first of season 4.

[@AniwayasSong]

One of (If not *THE BEST)* scenes of any sci-fi battle and tactic, ever created thus far!

[@Leonidae]

This is why Cain respected Adama. He knows the old lady and what it's capable of, leading into moments of brilliance like this.

[@kevinh811]

The atmospheric disruption of something as big as a battlestar jumping away is the icing on the cake for this scene.

[@mrgideon666]

Every few months this video pops up in my recommended feed and I have to watch it again. Such a brilliant moment from an incredible show.

[@jasonfidler3363]

2021 November 2 I watched it again for the thousand time. 😉👍

[@Paddyjack]

You are lucky, for some unknown reasons YT algorythms always send me to some lightly clad ladies doing jumps or stunts....

[@Sartana1899]

The best scene in a fantastic series.

[@khartog01]

Down from the sky! Into the fight! Hearts full of rage, full of thunder and glory!

[@briancrain4181]

Can you imagine the abject terror of seeing a flaming Battlestar falling out of the sky directly at you???

[@burleyscott2910]

yeah, you be like either we all going to die or crap! i gotta fix all that when we get back!

[@elizabethdavies5186]

I love how we see hot dog go from a truly green rookie too a veteran pilot more then likely even an ace (if we go by today’s measure of and ace) that’s isn’t really phased by launching from galactic whilst she’s burning up and falling like a rock

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

With how many raiders they encounter, anyone who survives a battle or two is probably bound to become an ace.

[@PaulCashman]

It helps when your real-life dad happens to be Admiral William Adama. :)

[@marcusbluesky7299]

This "Launch, launch'em all" of Helo sounds actually more like "Launch, launch'em quick". This maneuver is one of best moments on the show and SciFi history.

[@cks796]

I can almost hear the Chief's thoughts... "Damn that's gonna break a lot of stuff."

[@alasdairgardiner2313]

He's also thinking - great, yet more stuff to fix once I get back on board.

[@JonThomas92]

It was one of the major reasons her back literally broke. She just wasn't built to handle that kind of punishment.

[@SantomPh]

It did, the next time it made such a random jump it broke her

[@Restilia_ch]

@@JonThomas92 The ship wasn't meant for atmospheric flight at all, let alone belly-flopping for hundreds of kilometers. I'm just surprised a belly-flop was her most aerodynamically stable position, as it made her as slow as possible for the Vipers to launch and get clear.

[@kabob0077]

OtakuMage For a brick, it flew pretty good.

[@Meg_Lovegood]

I forgot how completely well done this show was, this scene is by far one of the best moments I've ever seen.

[@erushi5503]

I don't know who did it first Battlestar Galactica or Space Battleship Yamato but jumping into hyperspace/warp after launching fighters as you enter atmosphere is always epic to me

[@duffey3]

Most understated line ever, “Prepare for turbulence”.

[@neilsmith4449]

Literally threw the ship at a planet and she kept on ticking. Makes me emotional every time. Best ship in the fleet.

[@yogertslinger84]

This scene gives me chills every time I see it. I loved BSG. This show was epic and had some amazing writing

[@amerigovespucci4076]

And this is why Battlestar Galactica is one of the best television shows ever produced.......

[@highlander723]

I remember the first time I saw this. At first I thought he jumped into low orbit but when you start seeing the Galactica fall out of the sky hot on reentry. I yelled to the top of my lungs! "HOLY SHIT!" After it was done I took a breath and said "Picard... you got competition"

[@DanYankee1923]

highlander723 I said the same. The best sci fi scene ever, I still think.

[@Spacehamster74]

I'm a lifelong Star Trek fan, but I agree. Adama Maneuver >>>>> Picard Maneuver > Riker Maneuver. God, what a great scene.

[@Name-ps9fx]

“Falling like a rock, Sir!”

[@OldGeezer55]

"So say we all!"

[@aiosquadron]

If there is anything better than the Picard maneuver, it's this. But the similarities tho. Both used decoys, buth fooled sensors, and both utilized some kind of superluminal drive.

[@majinmorpheus]

The move still gives me goosebumps.

[@Kopp203]

A close 2nd to the Galactica's final "All Along the Watchtower" jump for most epic scene in this entire series.

[@Linarielle]

+Kopp203 most epic scene of all series*

[@OldGeezer55]

I think I have the coordinates as 1123 6356 5321. I think that translates to AABC EDCE DCBA. Anyone help me with that? Correct if you have better info.

[@DamienHayesYo]

The one thing I love best about the viper pilots is that they're trained for space combat, when they enter an actual atmosphere and have to deal with gravity they don't make a single mistake. These are men and women trained for war on all battlefields, its hard to find heroes like them.

[@DanYankee1923]

Saw this the night it aired. I moved to the edge of my couch to get a better look, jaw open, then smilingly ear to ear. I said out loud, holy crap. To this day no sci fi show has done that to me. This was an amazing series.

[@rowdy35967]

I've seen the entire series at least 4 times now and this scene still gives me chills. I'm not sure which experience was better, seeing it when it aired, no idea what was about to happen, or viewing #4 being me gathering college friends every week and watching their reactions.

[@c.l.7525]

"Brace for turbelence"...well said....I think this is the best Sci-Fi scenes Ive seen...could you imagine being on the ground and looking up to see a Battlestar screaming down on you?

[@StinkyGreenBud]

Gods, 4 seasons was just not enough for one of the best fracking sci-fi shows ever produced!

[@nathanielyork6946]

I feel like a 5th season could have explored more of the cylon-human alliance, trying to figure out fertile compatibility, attempting to fix the Galactica, and more backstory of the final five. Alas, we still got a glorious show

[@13g0man]

A Battlestar is a pretty good way to achieve total air superiority.

[@dirdib69]

I love the shock on Tigh and Galen's faces, the sheer disbelief and then the shock that there's actually hope.

[@slooob23]

I saw this for first time a few days ago and it was one of the best moments in Sci fi I've ever experienced. I'm watching the series for the first time and it's a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of modern series that constantly patronize the audience. I did not weep when Netflix removed S.T.D.

[@dampnickers]

A lot of us fans didn't weep when STD was removed...

[@leebrewer7394]

@@dampnickers Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

[@deusdark1]

If you like this show , The Expanse was a nice follow-up

[@eggnorman]

I love how Agathon is just like "Launch.. launch them all!" in such a panicked voice. Like he knows what the fuck is happening and how insane it is. Also, damn good acting.

[@joshl6275]

Adama understands sometimes you gotta roll a hard six.

[@Restilia_ch]

Nah, that's needing a 100 on the 100-sided die.

[@kabob0077]

OtakuMage And a Nat 20 on several skill checks after rolling four percentiles.

[@peterschneider127]

Not really. He told the dealer he rolled a six and stared on him without moving a single muscle in his face. One of both wet their underwear.

[@kenmacleod7225]

This was the TV series that where TV science fiction finally grew up. Nearly two decades later, it's still the best SF that was ever televised and this was it's most thrilling scene.

[@Angron789]

My dad hates sci-fi, but he looked up from his paper and said "That was fucking brilliant..."

[@deusexaethera]

Gangsta recognize gangsta.

[@johnroscoe2406]

no he didn't

[@Sabactus]

Two things. One, the opening shot with Galactica gliding out of the gas cloud reminds me of a shark cruising out of the murk, very predatory. Two, I love how nonchalant Hotdog? is when he's about to be launched out of a free falling Battlestar, through the plasma sheath, into New Caprica's sky. "Well, this ought to be different."

[@shaunhall6834]

After all these years it still doesn't get old. So say we all.

[@Alexander-tu3iv]

Adama must have based this maneuver off of the whale from hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.

[@marsar1775]

Hello ground!

[@PaulCashman]

Or possibly the bowl of petunias. :)

[@marsar1775]

@@PaulCashman oh no, not again....

[@epiendless1128]

I _wonder_ if the Cylons will be friends with me.

[@partgard1]

THE WHALES DID'NT HAVE AN FTL DRIVE if I recall!

[@MrGeek2112]

I recall watching this, when I saw the FTL flash way up there over the Chief’s head I was like “NO WAY” Such a great scene & so well shot & edited. Film quality.

[@asturiancetorix2552]

3:25 h great holy fuck moment of science fiction 👍

[@JeroenDStout]

It's the bagpipes. I remember tearing up over this the first time I saw it. A mind-boggling piece of action.

[@PaulusdeKenezy]

Why?

[@danielhaire6677]

Imagine one of those pinned down Soldiers on the ground when Galactica came in later recounting this day. "We were pinned down and running out of hope. We heard a sound and looked up. There we saw the Galactica falling towards us. She looked like a Goddess at that point."

[@NeilFraser]

"Those are our angels coming to blow the Alliance to the hot place." Wait, wrong 'verse.

[@danrgoodnight9345]

beautifully said

[@reduande]

Well at the moment they were more like: "Sith, now we will be crashed to dust..."

[@briancrain4181]

Or, "holy Frak! I thought someone made a huge jump miscalculation"

[@albertoswald8461]

I remember watching this when it first came out. It's rare that you watch a TV show where you're on the edge of your seat while your mind has been blown. This was one of those rare episodes!!!

[@everybodylieshm]

I love that shot of Galactica in the clouds.

[@Jkim890]

Remember, the New Capricans hadn't seen the Galactica for years at this point. Imagine being one of the boots on the ground, and THIS being how you see the Galactica again for the first time after all this time.

[@Adiddy927]

That maneuver and the battle that followed took a toll of Galactica. Show how much damage one battlestar can take

[@Tounushi]

one of the coolest moments ever in sci-fi.

[@EndaRochford]

If you are a fan of The Expanse and have stumbled upon Battlestar Galactica and wonder if its worth your while, the answer is yes, its incredibly well written, well produced and has a solid story from start to the slightly controversial ending

[@AwakenedAvocado]

The frackin ending is bs tho

[@PumpkinTuna]

I saw a great comment about it on Reddit today. They said, everybody has a point where they stop watching and say, "Whelp, this is where it stops being good."

[@MegaLeafgreen]

The best episode of one of the best series, period. The decoy launch, the crew on-planet, the adama maneuver, Pegasus saving galactica…. if you can find all of those then you are lucky. I will always always remember watching it the first time through and seeing the camera zoom out on Galactica getting beat to ** and then.. pew pew. PEW PEW PEW. Tears, every time.But I have never found a clip with Ellen and Tigh. Ellen getting Tigh out of jail. "I would do anything, frak anyone" - and then Ellen's last moments. I really think that should be part of any real clip from new caprica.

[@MegaLeafgreen]

Finally found. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqacd3hqa7usftU

[@AwakenedAvocado]

You actually cried? Maybe i cried tho when everyone thought starbuck died

[@billybegood466]

Possibly the greatest episode of the greatest sub plot of the greatest scifi series.

[@dawnjohnson4869]

I still remember the first time I saw this. It took my breath away. I couldn't stop smiling. Beautiful work.

[@AwakenedAvocado]

What a frackin piece of cinematic mastery

[@scottbrennan8044]

I still remember watching this episode for the first time.... the pure joy for this scene

[@helluvatime4562]

What an amazing show this was. One of my all time favorites.

[@BenSmith0]

Galen's expression of "Frack, Adama, are you serious?" is priceless. He knows better than anyone what kind of damage to expect if they survive this.

[@yeahralfi1]

one of the greatest sci fi scenes of all time