We've waited quite some time for Ron Moore to release his commentary podcast for the season finale episode, though thankfully we did have that Frak Party Q&A last week.Though Moore went over some of the same things he mentioned last week, there were a few noteworthy nuggets in this podcast.
- Moore mentions that he doesn't know why he likes seeing Adama shaving all the time. I found this funny because I remember saying something about it in our live finale chat while the episode aired.
- I'm sorry to have to say this, but Moore's wife Terry (I think it is) is an incredible nag about his smoking, which as far as I can tell is a casual event. Although he gets pretty gross later on when he seems to have some sort of allergic reaction to the smoke and starts sucking snots into the mic. I felt bad for the guy, not being able to enjoy a fine smoke during the final episode of the season without having to be ordered to stop and having to talk over some dramatic coughs.
- In an original cut of the episode, Tyrol was walking his son down the corridors of Galactica, and he hears the music then as well. The scene we see is him going out yet again, though this time alone.
- The scene with Laura, Athena and Caprica Six is something that will be followed up on in season four. Here's the cool part: the writing staff is well into the fourth season -- the first nine episodes are already finished.
- As for the scene with Gaeta on the stand, Moore explains that Gaeta hated Baltar so much that he was willing to lie on the stand. In an earlier draft, the defense proved he was a perjurer, but it was never filmed. They had proof that, while he said he was watching Baltar sign the death warrant, Gaeta was at a drop with the resistance.
- Originally Baltar got on the stand, went on rants and withdrew his plea, saying "I won't be judged by anyone." Other versions were done where he said "I am the son of God and you are sacrificing me in his name!" Whoa.
- The idea of having Adama casting the deciding vote was a late decision.
- Laura had originally had more visions of the opera house in an original take, in the scene when they jump to the nebula.
- The writers have backstories for the final four and why they work as being cylons.
- Moore explains how he'd originally considered 'All Along the Watchtower' to be playing in the background as early as season one. Helo and Sharon would enter a cafe on cylon-occupied Caprica, turn a jukebox on and hear the song and both recognize it casually, causing the audience to think "how can that be?!"
- He actually starts to explain the whole connection between the Galactica people and Earth as we know it, and Terry warns him not to go too far.
- Another very interesting an possibly revealing thing said: Moore mentions that there were a few different versions shot of when Kara appears to Lee. In one such scene, Kara was instead standing in Lee's quarters while Lee runs in to get his gear as he preps for his Viper rather than in her own Viper in space. Moore figured it would be too "supernatural" for the viewers, as in how did she get in there? To me this seems like a pretty big reveal and hints very much at her being in Lee's head just as Six is in Baltar's.
- More says he may do more podcasts before next season, either in different formats (Q&A?) and/or go back to do some season one podcasts he never did.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-13-2007 @ 10:04AM
Victor said...
I think it's safe to assume that only a smoker could feel the slightest amount of sympathy for another smoker not being allowed to pollute the air.
I'm proudly on record as saying that I support any measure no matter how major or minor that moves this world a step closer to eradicating smoking forever. My idea is to create a special "smoker's helmet" that they can wear that totally encases their head while they smoke, completely sparing the rest of the world from having to suffer from someone else's addiction.
But that said, I think Mrs. Ron drags down the podcast whenever she's in it. Rather than her, I wish they'd have the writer or director of that episode comment along with Ron Moore.
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4-13-2007 @ 10:21AM
Keith McDuffee said...
@Victor -- Actually I'm only known to smoke a cigar maybe once every two months. I've never been a smoker, but I've lived with people who smoked multiple packs a day, and I will say I hated it.
I don't know if Moore smokes more often than perhaps once a week, but this is a publicly distributed podcast, and his wife comes off as a nag about it. It's his podcast, and honestly she adds nothing to it, so why the hell doesn't she just up and leave quietly if she doesn't like it? Maybe he's doing it in their living room, so it's not fair she'd have to leave, but this is sort of part of Moore's job, so let him do it in peace. The guy wants to relax with a scotch and a smoke and he most times doesn't light up, but the one time he does and she puts up a stink. It put me off.
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4-13-2007 @ 10:23AM
radwimp said...
Normally I don't mind MrsRon jumping in with a comment or two, but for whatever reason she was just annoying in this one. It would of be cool to have one of the actors (the podcast with Grace & Tahmoh this season was very good) or maybe Eick...
But anyway, there was a lot of cool info from Ron this time around. Very interesting that they are already so far planned into Season 4. I'm really happy to hear that they will be continuing with the Athena/Laura/Caprica/Hera angle, that was the only thing lacking in the season final, imo.
Also I thought the very same thing about the Starbuck comment Ron made... thought immediately of it being a "head Kara". I guess we'll find out in 9 months.
Hope he has time to do those extra podcasts.
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4-13-2007 @ 10:31AM
Chaim said...
I love the podcast (allthough the quality of the sound sucks) but I have always disliked his wife when she is on. I'm sure she is a very nice person. But on the podcast she just ruins it for me. I have turned it off a few times when she comes on.
She nags him way too much! Its not pleasant to hear. Let them man smoke if he wants to she makes the whole thing just a drag.
Also I hate when she talks about the "scifi forums" it's way to much. I don't like it, it's like she wants everyone to KNOW she is married to Ron Moore and soo cool.
Forums are for fans, not the producers wife.
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4-13-2007 @ 11:06AM
Raymond said...
I'm pretty sure Ron didn't say that the next nine episodes are finished. He only said that they had been broken.
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4-13-2007 @ 11:19AM
Akbar Fazil said...
I actually appreciate the MrsRon joins in on the podcasts. It gives me the listener a few things:
A. Gives someone for RDM to bounce off of. Go and listen to his commentaries when he is alone and then listen to when he has someone with him. There is a huge difference in his meter and enthusiasm.
B. She does post regularly at the scifi forums (I don't frequent there) but it is nice to have someone who is directly connected to the production but not in the production and is a bridge to the fans. (Chaim, can she not be both a fan and the producers wife?)
As for the nagging? Sure, it was a little annoying but not a deal breaker. When he records these in his house she has to live there too so she has every right to complain about it. For the record, I am a smoker but I do respect the wishes of those around me.
It's kind of hard for the writer or director or even the cast of the episode to do the podcast with him. All the production is in Vancouver while he records (for the most parts) these at home in LA. RDM is not on set all day, he runs things from a far and trusts his many other producers and head production staff.
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4-13-2007 @ 12:50PM
Rob said...
I don't mind Mrs. Ron in the podcasts, and let's face it, if Ron didn't want her to be there, she probably wouldn't be. He loves her despite the nagging,.. and what husband doesn't get nagged by his wife.
Anyway,.. I thought the comment about Starbuck coming off as supernatural was a clue in a different direction. It seemed to me that he was saying that she is real and never did die. (or at least die in the way we expected it). My money is on her being real, alive, perhaps a cylon, but hopefully not.
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4-13-2007 @ 8:18PM
Dorv said...
Akbar and I agree, again. This is becoming habit. My thoughts... If you don't like Mrs.Ron on the podcast, then don't listen. Keith, I guess I direct that to you as well (You know, respectfully like). Akbar said it right... I like the way it provides him an opportunity to have a discourse instead of just a monologue (Very Josh/Donna, if you catch my meaning, but less with the babe-in-woods). As for the nagging, well... Its real, I guess. Moore wants to do his podcast that way, then I'm all for it.
I also like that she interacts on the scifi.com boards. I, as well, don't frequent there (I've checked in during big shows, but never really posted much), because I like it when anyone having to do anything with the production interacts.
I also like the fact that she's an underdog, because everyone seems to dislike her.
Just saying...
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4-13-2007 @ 10:15PM
Keith McDuffee said...
@Dorv --
"If you don't like Mrs.Ron on the podcast, then don't listen."
You seriously think it's that cut and dry? I can not like her on the podcast and still tell you I think she's being a nag. It doesn't meant it's so bad I'm going to stop listening.
Since I haven't listened to every podcast, especially those of past seasons, I'll cut her some slack and assume she added something to the podcast ... *then*. She's adding nothing to it now other than taking me away from an enjoyable one-sided conversation with her knitting comments, her complaints to Ron and her prehistoric "hello Mrs. Ron" joke.
Moore's not infallible -- nobody is. You can appreciate his work without having to find anything he's involved with to be great.
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4-14-2007 @ 2:31AM
Akbar Fazil said...
Keith, about what percentage of the podcasts would you say you have listened to then?
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4-14-2007 @ 7:07PM
sean tubbs said...
My opinion is that Mrs. Ron brings down the podcasts. I love when it's just Ron talking to us, directly. He's a real human being who produces a show, and this is the closest I think we can come to being right there with him while he watches the show. I've listened to the podcasts since season 1. I don't listen to other show podcasts because they don't have this kind of feel. One person talking is the best. I remember a couple of times where David Eick was there, and it wasn't the same. It's not so much that I mind Mrs. Ron. I think she's kind of funny. But, there have been times when her interjections have distracted Ron from making the point he was trying to make. I'm certainly not going to stop listening.
During the next eight months, I'd love to hear a miniseries podcast. I am currently re-watching the entire series from the beginning again, just because doing so is really uncovering a whole treasure trove of riches. I'd love to hear him commenting on what may or may not be inconsistencies in the show. Caroline/Carol Ann, for instance.
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4-15-2007 @ 2:00AM
Kevin said...
I've seen Ron Moore in person, and he hammers these cigarettes down. Seriously, it's not just a casual smoking thing. If you listen to his podcasts, he smokes a lot. Plus they are those little brown cigarette things. Feh! Maybe he's a Cylon too.
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