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Battlestar Galactica Character
Gaius Baltar
Status	Alive
Gender	Male
Species	Human
Origin	Aerelon
Portrayed by	James Callis
First Appearance	Miniseries
Profession	Scientist, computer programmer, politician
Relatives	none known living
Special Features	Has a recurring hallucination of Cylon model Number Six

Dr. Gaius Baltar (played by James Callis), on The SCI FI Channel TV series Battlestar Galactica, is the world-famous winner of three Magnate Prizes, and best known for his controversial views on computer technology. Stylish, handsome, and idiosyncratic, he offers the affected humility of the truly arrogant.

History

Baltar is convincing as a successful Caprican born to wealth and opportunity. In the series' third season he revealed to Chief Tyrol that he was originally from Aerolon, and grew up on a farm in Cuffles Breath Wash. He made a concerted effort to change his speech from the gravelly tones of an Aerolon native to a more sophisticated affectation. Baltar claimed to have left Aerolon at 18.("Dirty Hands")

Baltar carries the weight of guilt with him constantly but his own instincts for self preservation prevent him from owning up to and taking responsibility for the part he played in the destruction of the colonies when he allowed the Cylon known as Number Six to gain access to the defense mainframe in Caprica City. ("BSG Miniseries")

Following the destruction of the colonies, Baltar had an amazing string of good fortune due in no small part to the guidance of the Number Six he carries in his mind; a hallucination whose origin and goal remains mysterious. He managed to escape Caprica when Helo recognized him and his usefulness and gave up his own spot on board a raptor leaving the planet. Later, when he rejoined the fleet on board Colonial One, a Dr. Amorak informed the president of a likely traitor in their midst. Though Baltar initially panicked at the prospect of being revealed, his fears were resolved when the Olympic Carrier on which Amorak traveled was destroyed.

Baltar developed a Cylon detection method which he used on Sharon Valerii. Fearful of what she would do to him if he told her the truth (and guided by number Six), he informed her she was human despite the clear evidence of her being a Cylon. Thanks to this claim, when she was later revealed as a Cylon agent, his test was discredited. In the development of the technology he requested access to a nuclear bomb. This bomb was later delivered into the hands of a woman Baltar knew to be a Cylon. She used it to destroy the Cloud Nine and several nearby vessels.

Baltar ran against Laura Roslin for President of the colonies. Though his initial win was in doubt he used the chance to settle on New Caprica away from the Cylons to gain votes. He won and the fleet settled on the planet and attempted to eke out a living on the harsh planet. Baltar's string of luck came to an end.

Grieving at the loss of Gina, he indulged in his vices, women and drugs, and abused his role as president. When the Cylons arrived on New Caprica, as Roslin had predicted, Baltar surrendered to the Cylons and the painful occupation began. When the colonists were rescued by Galactica and Pegasus, Baltar was left behind with the Cylons.

The Cylons took Baltar with them on board their base star and Baltar's preservation instincts kicked in. He told them that he could find Earth and he was kept alive. Baltar began to worry that he may be a Cylon when he discovered that he shared controlled hallucinations similar to those human-form Cylons employed. Though there was some minor evidence that this could be true Baltar truly hoped this was the case as it would absolve him of the guilt for the part he has played in sabotaging humanity's future. Unfortunately for him, this was not the case.

Baltar was eventually captured and imprisoned on Galactica. There, he continued to be a subversive influence. He secretly wrote a book "My Triumphs, My Mistakes" which discussed the class separations that plague the fleet with the poorer colonists of Gemenon, Aerolon and Sagittaron forced to do the dirtiest work because of their origins while natives of Caprica and Picon took on the jobs as pilots and politicians. While his book made worthwhile points, his intentions were questionable.

Character

Gaius Baltar is a captivating character. He is at once pitiful, comical, despicable, and endearing. James Callis' superb portrayal of these multiplicities is a delight.

The character represents our weakest moments, our most selfish moments, our lack of altruism, and finally the moments at which we breakdown and again become human and begin to care. We all have these elements within ourselves, yet it is often our wish that we not allow ourselves to acquiesce, to slip into utter ennui and succumb to these abhorrent forces in times of distress.

We wish that we will find the courage to move forth with integrity and resolve problems in earnest. But that's not always the way of things. Baltar represents the uglier side of our nature, the side which we would rather not choose and but sometimes don't have the strength to oppose. Yet Baltar is more than that.

We see Gaius explore his spirituality, or initial lack thereof; we see him at war and exploring new ideas of what he believes it means to be a man; we see him learn a sense of duty; we watch in horror as he is very painfully tortured; and we see him fall in love. These are all deeply personal emotions not easily portrayed. James Callis is a fine actor and he plays the part honestly, responsibly and with purpose, and in doing so, he pays respect to those who've endured similar atrocities in their true lives.

One cannot simply dismiss the character, because one feels he is evil, or because he represents an unlikable side of human nature. Baltar is an intriguing character who showcases the part of ourselves that we most despise... not the violent side, which can at times be justified, but the weak side, for which none of us can seem to forgive ourselves...

As James Callis put it, it's all about staying true to the story. Battlestar Galactica isn't about good vs. evil or strong vs. weak. It is about human nature and our will to survive.

Mr. Callis captures that beautifully.

External Links

• Gaius Baltar at Battlestar Wiki