6

In Battlestar Galactica we see plenty of relationship between military themselves (all kind of ranks) and military-civilians in "time of war":

Examples:

Military-military:

  • Helo-Athena
  • Starbuck-Apollo
  • Starbuck-Sam (pilot)
  • Apollo-Dualla

Military-Civilian:

  • Dualla-Billy
  • Starbuck-Sam (before being a pilot)
  • Adama-Roslin

...and no one bats an eye.

Nevertheless, one of the big plot points of season 1 is the "secret forbidden relationship" between Boomer and Chief Tyrol. Why is the relationship between Tyrol and Boomer not allowed? Is it because Tyrol is a "Non-commisioned officer"? It's the only difference I can find between him and the rest of the crew.

Relevant quote by Adama, in the argument leading up to Tyrol-Boomer's break up:

Adama: [to Tyrol, after Socinus has been incarcerated] (...) You’ll pay a different price. You’ll have to walk out on that hangar every day knowing that one of your men is in the brig because you couldn’t keep your fly zipped. You are the most experienced non-commissioned officer we have left. You keep my planes flying. I need my planes to fly.

Improve this question
8
  • Is it because mechanics are a special race that should only breed with themselves, AKA Cally? (Although not really...)
    – xDaizu
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 10:51
  • It's been a while, but I thought the Adama-Roslin one at least caused some problems. People didn't like the military chief being so cosy with the government one.
    – Jeremy French
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 10:55
  • @JeremyFrench true, Zarek used that argument, but my point is that it was not legally forbidden.
    – xDaizu
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 11:00
  • Is it "because frak Tyrol"?
    – xDaizu
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 11:05
  • 2
    Starbuck, not Starbucks. Starbucks makes coffee, Starbuck is a Viper pilot.
    – JRE
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 14:52

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
12

found this snippet on wikipedia:

Boomer and Galen Tyrol are romantically involved, although their relationship is against military protocol (she is an officer, he's enlisted)

Fraternization between officers and enlisted people is discouraged or prohibited in real world military organizations, the reasons for this, such as ability to make tactical decisions (which could risk the lives of enlisted people) or uphold the chain of command, hold for the navy in Galactica too.

Also, it is worth remembering that protocols change once your civilization is destroyed and you are fighting for survival on a daily basis. There was also the long term need to repopulate.

Adama: [sees Billy flirting with Dualla] They'd better start having babies.

Saul Tigh: Is that an order?

Adama: It may be before too long.

Improve this answer
7
  • 1
    So basically if you are an officer it's ok to frak both other officers or civilians, but no those enlisted peasants, is that it?
    – xDaizu
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 12:09
  • 4
    Oh you can frack them, just don't go getting romantically involved. ;)
    – Jeremy French
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 12:12
  • 1
    I assumed things were relaxed after the "we need to start having babies speech..."
    – Liath
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 12:33
  • 1
    I thought I remembered something about that. It's not an uncommon trope in post apocalyptic scenarios so I couldn't be sure it was in galactica.
    – Jeremy French
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 12:59
  • 1
    They mention the "we need to start having babies" in the miniseries, if I'm not mistaken, which is before season 1, yet still they have "abortion dilemmas" well into season 2 (S02E17). If there was a relaxation of the military law, it was not mentioned, but there's not any other case of enlisted-officer relationship I can think of, anyways, so I guess we'll never know...
    – xDaizu
    Commented Sep 28, 2016 at 13:49

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.