Do They Find Earth in Battlestar Galactica?

In the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series, the crew of the Galactica eventually uncovers the existence of Earth, but their journey to find it is not without challenges and surprises. Let's explore the different instances where Earth is discovered, from the reimagined series to the original series and its follow-ups.

Reimagined Battlestar Galactica

The reimagined series of Battlestar Galactica sees its crew aboard the Galactica finally finding Earth. This significant discovery occurs in the fourth season, particularly in the episode titled “Daybreak”. However, it's worth noting that Earth is not discovered just once, but twice.

The first instance of finding Earth is by the Cylons, who established a colony on it. This Earth was found thousands of years after a catastrophic nuclear conflict, and only five skin-jobs (a term used for human characters) managed to survive. They left the colony and made their way back to the 12 Human Colonies.

The second and more significant discovery of Earth happens in the final episode of the series. After a climactic battle against a rogue skin-job named Cavill, who was a severe mental health case, the Galactica makes a final "jump" that breaks the vessel. However, they find themselves near a natural satellite, and an exterior shot shows the Galactica flying over it as the camera follows its course. A planet soon comes into view – Earth mark 2, dating back to around 150,000 years ago. This discovery is a major turning point for the series and its characters.

Original Battlestar Galactica

For those interested in the original series, there are several ways to explore the journey to find Earth. Watching the rebooted series, Galactica 1980, can provide additional context, as it is essentially the 2nd season of the original series. However, I only watched the first three or four episodes of the 1980 series, so I cannot definitively say whether they found Earth or not.

Galactica 1980

Although Galactica 1980 does explore the journey to Earth, it takes a darker turn. The Cylons were preparing to attack the planet, and the cast had to prepare the people for the impending attack. The presence of the Cylons adds an element of danger to the characters' quest for Earth.

Follow-Up Series

The original Battlestar Galactica series had a short-lived spin-off series that took a different approach. Focusing on two other Galactica pilots, the series similarly explores adventures on Earth, much like Captain Kirk and Spock in Star Trek: The Voyage Home.

The spin-off series discovers two Earths: the first being rendered useless by a nuclear holocaust, and the second, our current Earth. Kara Thrace, a key character, manages to find this new Earth after rescuing Hera, who becomes a mitochondrial Eve, the earliest known human ancestor. This discovery is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of Earth.

Both the reimagined and original series of Battlestar Galactica offer a rich and compelling narrative that explores the search for Earth, filled with intrigue, conflict, and triumph. Whether through the Cylons, through climactic battles, or through rescues and discoveries, the journey to Earth remains a central theme in these series.