Paula Kennedy AKA: Captain Brie of the Battlestar Callisto. Email: bsgbrie@yahoo.com Location: Richmond, VA

The Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Co-President Shawn O'Donnell "BGR" (bgresurrection_1999@yahoo.com) recently spoke with Paula Kennedy, Captain Brie of the Battlestar Callisto. She is active in the efforts to revive the show.

BGR: What got you interested in Battlestar Galactica in the first place?

PK: I'm a huge Star Wars fan. That's what started it for me. I was fourteen when I first saw that movie, and it blew me away. Although I love the Science Fiction part of it, what really hooked me was the story. I remember seeing the commercials for Battlestar Galactica, and although I knew it was another space story, I could tell that it was about the people as well. It's an incredible story. By the words, "That was my son, Mr. President" I was hooked, and have been ever since.

BGR: Was there a favorite episode?

PK: I love all the episodes, even the ones that aren't quite as good as the others. They all have something to love. My favorite, though, without a doubt, is The Man With Nine Lives. I also love The Return of Starbuck, even though that's G80.

BGR: Any particular reason that the episode was your favorite?

PK: For The Man With Nine Lives there are a lot of reasons. I love seeing other parts of the fleet. I love the Borellian Nomen, Lance LeGault is brilliant. I love seeing the warriors on furlong. But most of all, I loved Fred Astaire. He was incredible! I've heard Dirk Benedict refer to him as having been "elegant," and I think that describes him perfectly. He fit in so well with the cast, I would have loved to have seen him in more episodes. And the characters of Starbuck and Chameleon...what chemistry. I didn't doubt for a moment that Starbuck was Chameleon's son.

With The Return of Starbuck it was the story. Sure, it had it's flaws, but the story was strong enough to get past them. Dirk Benedict was wonderful, and you can tell that he really enjoyed doing it. The idea of Starbuck making friends with a Cylon was so unlikely that it worked. When I first saw it my friends and I spent the next several days coming up with ways to get him off that planet. There was no way that he would die there, it was just unacceptable!

BGR: How about favorite characters?

PK: Anybody who knows me knows that my favorite character is Starbuck. But I like all of the characters. Tied for second place are Apollo, Adama, Tigh, Boomer, and of course Baltar. I can't pick a favorite female character. They all have strong points, but I would have liked to have seen more character development for the second season.

BGR: Why were they your favorites?

PK: Starbuck is my favorite simply because he's Starbuck! It's hard to explain, but all the Starbuck fans out there know what I'm talking about. I won't go into why I like all the other ones, except for Adama. Lorne Greene was an incredible actor, and he blew me away with every word that came out of his mouth.

BGR: What is it about the show that makes you want to see it back?

PK: Good question! It's a very rare show, a show that I can watch with my daughter and not have the remote in my hand to quickly change channels if need be. But that's not all. It's a show about hope against the worst possible odds. And I want to know what happened! It was cancelled way too soon, it never had a chance to end. That's why I was so happy to find Richard Hatch's books. It was like going home again.

BGR: Do you think Battlestar Galactica has an inspirational impact?

PK: Yes. All along we know that several of the characters believe that there's more out there than what we can see. It's about families, biological families as well as becoming family with someone who isn't physically related to you. And it's about faith, faith in God but also faith in each other.

BGR: What do you want to see in a new production?

PK: THE ORIGINAL CAST!!!!! That to me is the most important thing. I realize that some roles may have to be recast, but I would like the original actors whenever possible. They are the ones who made the roles great. Seeing Leonardo DiCaprio as Starbuck or Freddie Prinze Jr. as Apollo just wouldn't cut it for me.

BGR: What are your thoughts about the competing "productions"?

PK: Richard Hatch listens to the fans. He wants it to be the revival that we want. He's a fan as well, and I truly believe that he wants what is best for Galactica. Glen A. Larson doesn't seem to care about the fans. In the articles that I've read he's never once mentioned trying to please us. He has, though, mentioned how much money he thinks he could make. That says it all to me.

BGR: What is it about Richard Hatch's effort's that really capture your support?

PK: Richard Hatch firmly won me over the first time I heard him speak. I've been lucky enough to meet him at two different conventions. He is one of the most personable people that I've even had the pleasure to meet. Even my husband, who is not a Battlestar Galactica fan, has been impressed with his speaking. Richard's love for the show just comes through with every word. If he's not the one to bring it back, I hope it won't come back. I know I wouldn't waste my money.

BGR: You are a member of Gold Squadron ...tell us about this.

PK: I'm one of the charter members, and I'm very proud of this. We started out as several members of the bboard on the Dominion, and we wanted to start a squadron as mentioned by the fan club. As more people joined, we became a battlestar, the Battlestar Callisto. We now have two squadrons, Gold and Black. I'm proud to be the Captain of Gold Squadron. I've met some really great people through this. I have to admit, Galactica fans are some of the best around!

BGR: What would you like to see happen with Battlestar Galactica?

PK: As I've mentioned before, I want it to come back, with Richard Hatch leading the way. After all of his hard work, he's earned it. I'd love the original cast and themes. I'd prefer a TV show over a movie, just because I want to see it every week once again. I have to admit, though, I really like the idea of seeing it on the big screen. I'd like to see more of the people of the fleet, a subject that wasn't explored enough in the series. I love to get to know the children born in space, what a concept! And bring on the Cylons! But don't recast Baltar, that's one thing I don't want to see.

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