The New Imperious Leader Spares Baltar | Battlestar Galactica (1978)

[@juanvallejo8826]

The voices! The legendary Patrick Mcnee as the Imperious leader. The brilliant Johnathan Harris as Lucifer and the great John Colicos as Baltar. What a scene!!😆

[@vaughnlewis1953]

Dr. Smith😮 was Lucifer oh the pain the pain

[@battlestarmarc]

Mcnee also played count iblis in war of the gods.

[@dlxmarks]

@@battlestarmarc And Baltar realizes that the voices are the same even though that "voice would have to have been transcribed into a machine leader a thousand yahrens ago."

[@lonnietoth5765]

I knew that was Dr. Smith !

[@SJHFoto]

This was SO COOL when I was a kid-still is!

[@PlanetIscandar]

Once again, i can't admire enough the acting skills of John Colicos.

[@battlestarmarc]

lol how the cylons drop baltar like he is garbage.

[@battlestarmarc]

Best sci fi series that should have lasted longer. Cylons looked like super machines. Keep the original Battlestar clips coming !!

[@Argumemnon]

Do you post that in _every_ comment section?

[@rodscarbrough2337]

heres a bit of trivia.. to look more intimidating every actor to play a cylon had to be 6ft or over.

[@jasonmatney8025]

​​@@rodscarbrough2337 they sure did the late Richard Hatch explained during a interview one-time the actors that played the cylons were 6 ft 6 inches tall.

[@YezaOutcast]

it was too expensive to have lasted longer. 1 million dollars per episode was insane back in the days.

[@billyb4790]

by your command

[@borusa32]

'Truce?' John Colicos looks to the Centurions to see if he heard the Imperious leader correctly in a 'is it just me or did he say,truce' way. What a trooper.

[@rumplebunny]

"this new Imperious Leader is all woke and shit wtf"

[@colinmerritt7645]

I really appreciate how the '78 Cylons took pride in their work. Shiny armor and everything!

[@speeddemon0117]

Patrick McNee did a great job as the voice of the Imperious Leader.

[@rascallyrabbit8548]

and Count Ibly

[@yamatomushashi5583]

Known as John Steed in the TV series "The Avengers".

[@jasonmatney8025]

Yes the Late Patrick MacNee did a great job is the voice of the imperious leader and count iblis. Jonathan Harris of Lost in space was terrific as the voice of Lucifer

[@powerboatguy2308]

Jonathan Harris was Lucifer's voice.

[@middleagenerd]

and the Narrator

[@williamnessanbaum7464]

I had the pleasure of meeting Herbert Jefferson Jr. at one of the old I-Con conventions that happened at Stony Brook University... If I remember correctly, he told me that the heads of actors that played I-L series Cylons had their heads at chest-level. In essence, the head of I-L series Cylon was being worn by the actor as a hat. Many years later, I had the pleasure of meeting Dirk Benedict at the WinterCon Conventions that happened at Resorts World, NYC. Dirk was absolutely fantastic.

[@superscrungus]

i figured that was the case with IL-series costumes! neat to hear it from the crew

[@jasonthewatchmansson8873]

Herb Jefferson/Boomer was so under-used in that show.

[@billyb4790]

@@jasonthewatchmansson8873 you think its cuz hes black?

[@broncoguy4862]

@@billyb4790 The show had a lot of secondary characters and it was difficult to feature each one, each episode. So, no.

[@SJHFoto]

Yes, the electronics took up so much space back then, that all the IL-series Cylons were midgets in suits

[@williampaz2092]

John Colicos was an accomplished actor.

[@mikejohnson9118]

No shit. He almost overacted that, almost. After all, what are we Barbarians?

[@InhumanCondition-gh2qj]

Yes he was. Now that I am much older and wiser I often think this role was a bit beneath his talents even though I enjoy watching it over and over.

[@miles2378]

Mikos Casidine.

[@GunGriffin187]

Great acting and get the job done effects... I love old classic stuff like this

[@kevinborgan8544]

The voice casting of Patrick McNee and Jonathan Harris was brilliant. They brought a smooth villainy to BG.

[@cabbol5012]

The costume and set design is fantastic.

[@cdorman11]

Especially when you learn how little time they were given to put everything together.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Heavy shades of Trigo, although I have to assume that no-one on the show had ever heard of, let alone read that comic.

[@QuinnJACKSON-zx1dx]

Good acting by John Colicos. Very convincing. Many actor/actresses today have half the talent.

[@Blake_Stone]

John Colicos played such a wonderful despicable worm that they couldn't go through with killing him and instead raised him to major antagonist for the whole series.

[@jasonthewatchmansson8873]

Great character, but it would have been better if he had a military background and was more competent. That would have made him a more formidable foe. As it was written, he was a merchant trader with no military experience.

[@PassivePortfolios]

Calicos made the series a success as the face of evil. Excellent writing too.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Was the bloke who tortured an innocent man into confessing a crime he didn't commit so Henry VIII could do his wife in and shag another woman in Anne of the Thousand Days. Colicos played Thomas Cromwell, loyal servant of the King who later had him executed. Related to, but not a direct antecedent of Oliver Cromwell, who had Charles I executed.

[@bhodili-3396]

Interestingly enough they did kill him off in the Feature Film Version of Battlestar Galactica. The Scene where he's Executed by the Cylons is also in the Marvel Comics Adaptation.

[@Blake_Stone]

I think they actually killed and un-killed him twice - he was meant to die in the original pilot, and again in the follow-up serial "The Lost Gods of Kobol". But nope, he survives again, he was just too good.

[@Spockzer]

As a kid I thought Lucifer was the most scary Cylon of them all. I thought he was so evil, he would eliminate Baltar as soon as they walked out that door.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

What with that voice !

[@darrenkeady6570]

He was awesome. Spector I found funny.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Lucifer was the same model as the Imperious Leader. Call it a class system if you like, but I thought their series, the I.L. series, were the administrators of the empire.

[@metv2363]

I thought Lucifer was a little light in the loafers.

[@billyb4790]

@@metv2363 pretty sure he had a "partner", if you follow me

[@carllord813]

The late actor Patrick macnee voiced the imperious leader and also played the character role of count iblis in Battlestar galactica .

[@sandal_thong]

Narrator too, "Some believe...."

[@akapple3538]

@@sandal_thong It’s “There are those who believe that life here began out there…”

[@karlhungus1569]

Okay, who wears black socks with a white robe. Geez Baltar, get it together man

[@jw451]

Hear the words of the "Dude"

[@mattosullivan9687]

Apparently, John Colicos was around to see the Galactica re make and said something to the effect of "Damn I wish the Cylons were that good looking when I was around"

[@LTPottenger]

Obvious bad guy combo

[@billyb4790]

it was the style back in 5000 AD

[@williampaz2092]

Well, he was about to be executed. Then a new Imperious Leader sends two Centurions to literally drag him back to be interrogated…again. I really don’t think Baltar had time, or even presence of mind, to choose matching colors schemes…..

[@MrGbscott1954]

Patrick McNee was a great actor.

[@janetbelanger5757]

There was another edited scene for the TV series. The leader says Baltar your time is at an end. The Cyclon starts to draw his sword. The leader then says No not here save him for public execution. The first leader is then killed before this takes place and the new leader comes in

[@williamnessanbaum7464]

There was also a thericial version of the TV pilot. In the movie they did kill Baltar. In the DVD box set there is a bonus disc that contains that scene and the production of that scene. John Colicos can be seen talking to Producer John Dykstra (out of frame) and the two actors playing the Cylons that were going to kill Baltar.

[@ajjy1110]

​@@williamnessanbaum7464 correct he got killed originally there's still pictures on line if you search

[@magicmulder]

Earlier point in the timeline, previous Imperious Leader.

[@jasonthewatchmansson8873]

In the novel, he is beheaded and then jettisoned from the baseship along with standard Cylon trash.

[@BogeyTheBear]

I had the theatrical release on VHS as a kid, which confused me when I saw the TV episodes. The only thing I could conclude is the Cylons would not tolerate a true human among them, so they decaptitated him and installed his head onto a humanoid Cylon body.

[@dskit7339]

Dr. Smith himself, Jonathan Harris as Lucifer!

[@matthewdunham1689]

And Anne Lockhart was the daughter of June Lockhart was the mom on the Jupiter 2 with Dr Smith. Love the meta casting. ❤

[@RJLNetwork]

And Patrick McNee as the Imperious Leader. This show was SOOOO underrated and SOOOOO much better than the crap in 2004!

[@matthewdunham1689]

@@RJLNetwork I concur wholeheartedly!

[@SpockBorg5]

I thought it was Roddy MacDowell?

[@matthewdunham1689]

@SpockBorg5 Nope, it was Johnny Harris. I can see the conflict, though they both have a similar speaking approach.

[@dank3151]

So many evil space empires needed defeating in the '70's

[@Broncort1]

Plenty more on earth’s surface in 2023….lol

[@UltraKryptonian]

Take that back to the 1960’s. The actor playing Baltar was the Klingon “Kor” in the original Star Trek series.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

@@UltraKryptonian We know. Everyone knows. If your were actually a fan you would know that John Colicos also played Kor in DS9.

[@UltraKryptonian]

@@jamesmaybrick2001 I know about the DS9 appearances. Everyone knows. If you were a true fan, you would have pointed out the 3 ST-TOS Klingon commanders who made an appearance together, not just Kor. 🤔

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

@@UltraKryptonian But not in BSG. As per topic being discussed.

[@ptrichie71]

As cool as a Stormtrooper uniform was I always wanted a Cylon outfit ❤

[@WWIIREBEL]

You CAN get one! Look up Kropserkel. They make all kinds of cool sci-fi stuff!.

[@vucubcaxis]

Base Ships had aged quite well

[@sandal_thong]

I heard the guy in charge of special effects for _Star Wars_ decided to leave ILM and make this movie/show.

[@philipchiu9835]

For those that don't know...this is the tv series ending of the pilot episode where Baltar lives... In the theatrical release, Baltar dies in this scene.

[@phx4closureman]

1:53 *That beautiful, rich, Patrick McNee voice, tho!!!*

[@yamatomushashi5583]

This scene was for the TV sèries. In the movie version, Baltar was immmediately executed.

[@bhodili-3396]

"No..Wait.. !!!

[@douglasnieblas74]

The plot of this epilogue was never implemented in the actual series. Baltar instead was sent to hunt down the fugitive fleet in the actual episodes and never mentioned a truce even when he did come face to face with Adama.

[@briansview2886]

It could be implied something changed between the time of this and when he's seen again

[@TheShawna1]

I was wondering about that? if he had Disobeyed orders from the Imperious Leader because of his thirst for power I guess not.

[@mattosullivan9687]

This was so cool. 1) Go look up the original Star Trek episode 'Errand of Mercy" John Colicos the actor that played Baltar played s a Klingon called Kor it was epic. 2) Then Lucifer was voiced by Jonathan Harris AKA Dr Smith. How cool was this

[@whiteknightcat]

"OH, the pain! The pain!"

[@mattosullivan9687]

@@whiteknightcat Yep I have seen several of his interviews seemed like a good guy who enjoyed what he did. He was also the Praying Mantis in A Bugs Life

[@Three-Headed-Monkey]

Oh he played Kor! I thought he looked familiar! He also appeared as Kor for several episodes in Deep Space 9! He had some amazing performances in those too and must be watched. DS9: Blood Oath, DS9: The Sword of Kahless, and DS9: Once More Unto the Breach.

[@mattosullivan9687]

you must be young enjoy@@Three-Headed-Monkey

[@CT-uv8os]

​@Three-Headed-Monkey the part of Kor was written with him in mind. Both Day of the Dove and The Trouble with Tribbles were originally written for Kor to be the antagonist but had to be re wrote because John Colicos couldn't make it. He became depressed over it because Kor was one of his favorite parts to play.

[@zejaguar]

The cylon design was classic.

[@youreale]

Think about that: one day you're about to be executed in public, with total disgrace... the other, you have a Basestar under your command!

[@jamesneese7663]

It suddenly occurs to me, that if what the new Imperius Leader is saying, then the ENTIRE SERIES is now a gigantic misunderstanding because the Cylons weren't out to kill the Galactica but Adama never received the memo on this new policy. It does make sense on the other hand why the Cylons didn't just send a full battle fleet to do to the Galactica what they did to the original colonial armada. The Cylons were trying to corral the colonials while the colonials thought they were fighting for their lives. Oops.

[@superscrungus]

it's inconsistent because they only had most of the pilot and some of the mythology nailed down by the time the series began production. following lost planet of the gods they were more or less just making it up as they went along, so the various villains' motivations were kind of all over the place

[@theconservative1967]

In other words, "What we have here, is failure to communicate."

[@lothean2099]

I really like lucifer. He was indeed a great character. He reminds of someone..I just can't put my finger on it yet.

[@motorbikeray]

C3PO?

[@08prema]

Most of the actors have passed. Very sad.

[@gerrymichaud3851]

Jonathan Harris had a great voice.

[@rascallyrabbit8548]

in the original movie shown in theatres Baltar's head was cutoff, quite gruesome for a kid of 12, but there it is

[@matthewdunham1689]

I remember!

[@AlanCanon2222]

I saw the movie in the theater, but I only remember that scene from the book. It's been a while. :)

[@zooks527]

Well, it showed the blade hitting his throat, but they did not show him being beheaded.

[@aaronleverton4221]

Memory says that like all the best productions they let your mind fill in the blanks. The Cylon drew its blade, held it high and then swung it down to an instant blackout. You knew what happened next and they didn't need to show it.

[@anthonybachler9526]

Movies liuke that are why our generation isnt a bunch of limp wristed nancy boys being offended at everything.

[@REB4444]

At the end, Lucifer has to have been voiced by Dr. Smith's voice from Lost in Space, lol. Very nice touch

[@brunozeigerts6379]

'Most capable Centurions.' Isn't that like having the 'best Stormtroopers'?

[@DarthDaddy-cg6ro]

God, I really miss TV worth watching.

[@ihavegymnastics]

Fantastic scene!!!!!

[@jolly7041]

For some unknown reason..I find that name "Lucifer" to be a scary name..😏

[@bhodili-3396]

There's a Ton of Biblical and Roman/Greco Names all over Battlestar Galactica. In Fact the Basic Plot ot the Show Resembles The Exodus.

[@matthewdunham1689]

Classic ❤

[@johnfeer9609]

This is Bashar Al-Assad in Moscow...

[@WhiteTriForce]

Baltar later discovered that he was a pleasure model and gave him a 101 ! 💥🥳

[@brunozeigerts6379]

Funny how when the next episode aired, the bit about 'sparing your people' was deleted.

[@michaelaustin334]

This was the good baltar..not the crappy new one.

[@anthonywarwick6090]

These were very well done for the time. More entertaining than the more recent series which was quite awful.

[@jamesxiaolong2199]

You can praise this series without shitting on the other.

[@CT-uv8os]

​@@jamesxiaolong2199touchy touchy ouch!

[@edwardpate6128]

In Star Trek he was Kor the dahar master

[@Damien-u2x]

I can see a pint of Guinness.....and now that i have sren it i can't unsee it

[@azurerainbow4637]

Baltar must've been roughed up before his life was spared by the new Cylon Imperious Leader.

[@davidwood9964]

Fantastic stuff ...

[@raymondstpaul6474]

Patrick McNee voice of the Cylon leader. I often wonder if a newer version of this series is made following the events of the original will they have an individual that sounds similar in tone to his voice? Whatever happened to that rumored series production I can't even find concept art of it online anyone have any information?

[@rockmanx00777]

I dont remember this part of the Imperis Leader offering to spare the entire human race. Is this an extended version?

[@johnbanks4761]

ok wait...how did it go from ...truce..peace...to hunting the humans down and trying to eliminate them????

[@bri55118]

One belief as to why baltar was spared is because of lucifer. The old imperious leader was destroyed, and the new one was installed. The new leader now had to figure out the cylons' mission with the 12 colonies now destroyed and no longer a major threat. Lucifer stated he couldn't understand why he wasn't chosen for the advanced position and probably was using baltar as a pawn to discredit the new leader. It would explain his tolerance to a human in command over him. and if baltar did cause the destruction of the galactica, lucifer would use that as leverage against the new leader as well as with base star being destroyed. Either way, the new leader would have to explain his decisions .

[@99bulldog]

Omnipotent. 🤔 To quote Inigo "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Just because you beat humans doesn't make you omnipotent.

[@benjaminschiel3339]

maybe hinting that the cylon have such a lack of creativty that they don't even assume the posibilty that they are more powerfull forces in this space sector...

[@robertellis4938]

2:32. Never fear, Smith is here.

[@markdignazio8524]

Oh dear, William my boy

[@Mrachnitedoktrini]

The only missing piece is the Cylons giving Baltar a harem of robotic girlfriends.

[@HeartFeltGesture]

I forgot about that freaky sparkle-head dude.

[@DUANEWORF]

So Baltar kept the war going

[@jassonsw]

What does the Imperious Leader do up there all day? How does he go to the loo?

[@jkkay477]

That *is* the loo. The big cylinder he's sitting on is in fact a giant septic tank.

[@jassonsw]

@@jkkay477 😂😂

[@TheOfficalNorthernStudioWorks]

People always get this scene confused because of the edit in Lost Planet of The Gods. In this version the new Imperious Leader wants a truce with the humans now that the Cylons are Omnipotent, which would suggest that the Imperious Leader has no desire to see the human race destroyed. In Lost Planet this part was taken out, for the more obvious story arc of The Cylons being the enemy. It probably would have been a much different Season 1 had the original Epilogue plot point been retained. It does however give insight to the Cylon Race by showing a new Imperious Leader and like the Centurions and IL Series they are programmed and not a living being, another plot point that was dropped in Lost Planet as well.

[@siatelecomsltdLondon]

Let us face it! If Lucifer was walking down the street late at night or even during the day time! You are going to run....😮

[@INCDZONE]

The kids annual book released in uk does actually have the scene where you see them cut off this head. It was weird as The photo shows the centurion with sword with dummy head already being sliced off. Being a child you don’t realise what photo shows due no blood

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

CHILDREN'S BOOK?! 😨 In the U.S. we talk about "Censorship in the media" as a bad thing, we discourage it to keep away from controlling political thought. But, over here you cannot show people things that are especially violent, gory, or morbid! And that is a good idea! But, you have children's stories that deliberately have decapitating people as a core part? Don't your children get traumatized and / or disturbed by being exposed to that?

[@INCDZONE]

@@TheNoiseySpectator Again like i said the photo used was not really that clear. Another example is transformers the comic series. They could get away with showing a robot have its guts hanging using oil as blood,

[@deathstrike]

Then it is NO coincidence that the voice of the "Imperious Leader" is none other than Count Iblis. The fallen "Celestial" who chose chaos and darkness. He is also known as "Diabolis or Mephistopheles" in the Kobolian (TOS) Book of the Word. So for a time, he ruled the Cylon Empire. After taking the Satyrs (A race of half human half goat beings) and crashed and killed them on a lonely planet. Apollo recognized him and nearly died for doing so.

[@scockery]

I thought the implication was Ibilis led the organic reptilian Cylons to their doom, offering something that led to their extinction. that's his modus operandi. (I think a comic book goes into the story, something about offering a cylon leader immortality and catch is the leader becomes an android)

[@downsrep]

So if they are to be spared, why does Baltar then set out to destroy them?

[@rascallyrabbit8548]

just the military

[@northernstudioworks]

In Lost Planet of The Gods this scene was edited to take out the reference that the Cylons had become Omnipotent and more tolerant and wanting to extend the hand of peace to the humans with Baltar being the one to send the message. Instead the re-edited scene just has the new Imperious Leader telling Baltar he has examined his epistle about locating the humans and assigns Lucifer to Baltar and a Basestar to continue the plot point of the Cylons still wanting to find and exterminate the Galactica and the survivors of the destruction of The Colonies.

[@LordZontar]

@@northernstudioworks Except there is no reason to suppose the new Imperious Leader was any more inclined to spare the last remnant of humanity than his predecessor, despite all that folderol about tolerance being possible now that the Cylons were omnipotent. Baltar himself knows or very reasonably suspects the Leader is lying and says as much to Adama (yes, even granting that Baltar is not the most reliable witness to anything) and knows what is actually expected of him, hence his attempt to trick Adama into going along with his half-assed scheme to attack Cylon and seize power. Of course, an alternative possibility is that the Leader may actually have been initially inclined toward tolerance, then observed Baltar changing the object of his mission to annihilation of the surviving human remnant, thereby proving the previous Leader's point that humans were too unstable and treacherous to be allowed to live, therefore allowed Baltar to pursue the destruction of the Galactica fleet and even facilitated him in achieving that objective. If he succeeds, the human problem is solved and Baltar can then be killed once his usefulness has ended. And if he fails, he can be killed when Lucifer determines nothing more is to be learned from observing him and that his usefulness has ended.

[@canuck_gamer3359]

So was this the writers having a hard time making up their minds? Or was it like in Dallas where an actor changed his mind? Why did they pull the 'ol switcharoo?

[@infinightsky]

Still better as Kor on Star Trek

[@ajjy1110]

not originally he didn't he got his head chopped off then they changed it. search on line for pictures

[@rcofer911]

I like this Baltar a lot more than the horndog version in the 2000s Hipster SJW remake, This one reminds me of Richard Nixon.

[@55tranquility]

How do Cylons reproduce, do they have factories?

[@Enzo012]

That went quite well?

[@Rorschachqp]

Colicos channeling Iago as Baltar.

[@bloodysimile4893]

Imperious leader, introducing Baltar to Lucifer. To the show lore, in espiode of (War of the Gods) Baltar met with Count Iblis( who is telhe show real devil,) noting the Iblis and Imperious leader voice sound the same. Some theories suggest Count Iblis was one of the Cylon gods and Imperious leader was to bear their god image.

[@Chloe1sylvester1234]

I like the film verus of the pilot episode better. Baltor gets beheaded making the Imperous Leader far more evil. That saying I do like Baltor and Lucifer relationship. Properly Lucifer sometimes thinks; "Why am I working for this moron!"

[@Mantikal]

A conversation with Satan

[@Argumemnon]

But which one is Satan?

[@LordTalax]

@@Argumemnon The one imprinted on the Imperious Leader.

[@powerboatguy2308]

Baltar was a Klingon on Star Trek and Lucifer's voice is Dr. Smith's from Lost in Space.

[@ozziemederos]

Here comes dr.smith

[@UltraKryptonian]

Never trust a “Doctor Smith” Cylon!!

[@Слава-г8м]

Смотрел в детстве 😂😂👍👍

[@markion7]

Do Ceylon’s breath 😮

[@nathanberry4339]

Such a better actor than James Calli's

[@superscrungus]

i like james callis, it's moreso his baltar's writing i take issue with 😅

[@asymmetry9988]

The first series with gay robots. LOL

[@bhodili-3396]

This is so much better than that Abortion on the Sci-Fi Channel.

[@akapple3538]

I grew up with BSG in the 70s but that really is a hot take

[@SeanDiVarco-bu4eu]

Got and HOT and really now please 🥺.

[@Turboy65]

This brutally reminds us of just how utterly TERRIBLE sci-fi TV shows were in the late 70s.

[@darchojandreoski]

ovaj Trump ha ha ha ha ha ha polagajne ha ha ha ha ha ha

[@m.s.6545]

plz tell me, who is this guy in the red cloak who talks to baltar ? what kind of race is this ?

[@rikk319]

He's a Cylon, too, their leader. Their outer robotic bodies come in different forms, but they are actually aliens within them with something of a caste system and hierarchy.

[@dougs7367]

He is a true Cylon, which was actually a flesh and blood sentient reptilian like race. They are the true builders and masters of the Centurians and the servant androids like Lucifer.

[@magicmulder]

In the novelizations the Cylons are an insectoid race born with a primitive brain. Those to be promoted to Centurion get a second brain implanted, boosting their intelligence. The Imperious Leader gets a third brain implanted, making him the single most intelligent of his species.

[@callumbush1]

Better than the lame remake.