ortunate BG fans are familiar with the full 2-hour version of the episode Lost Planet of the Gods which, compared to the version shown in 2 1-hour segments by ABC, has a number of extra scenes in it. This was made possible by the fact that when the two halves of the episode were joined, time was saved by only having to run the opening and closing credits once, and by eliminating the “scenes from next week’s/last week’s” segments necessary at the end of part one and beginning of part two. Interestingly, even with several scenes that were cut from the original to get it down to the proper length, there are still extra bits in the shooting script, some of which are worth reprinting.
A BG character with real possibilities was Lieutenant Deitra, portrayed by Sheila DeWindt. Unfortunately the entirely male production team either never realized that she could have been a useful continuing character or were intimidated by the concept of a strong, competent female warrior. In the episode, we get the impression that Deitra is another raw shuttle pilot volunteer, although it must be noted that compared to most of the others she is visibly more competent and military. Also, some BG fans have wondered why the shuttle pilots were already ranked as lieutenants when the cadets in “Gun” were just, well, cadets. In dialogue from the script not used in the episode, we find out why when Apollo meets with the shuttle pilots who are about to become warriors:

APOLLO
By now you must be aware of our situation. With a Cylon outpost in the quadrant we could be discovered and attacked at any moment. Without our fighter pilots the fleet is practically defenseless. The only possible solution is to train pilots serving in other capacities to fly in our vipers. Effective immediately, you’re all transferred to Blue Squadron for viper training.

DEITRA
Captain Apollo. Lieutenant Deitra, formerly of the Atlantia. I was on a run when she was...destroyed by the Cylons.

APOLLO
I’m glad you survived, Lieutenant.

DEITRA
Most of us are survivors from battlestars that were lost. We’ve been praying for a chance to strike back!

APOLLO (kicking into male wimp mode)
Quite frankly, Lieutenant, I hope you never get the opportunity. But I appreciate your enthusiasm.

One wonders if he changed his tune after Deitra et al saved his tiresome chauvinist astrum over the Cylon outpost! I also wonder if I’m the only one who found this entire plotline ridiculous. After all, Sheba was a pilot, and a warrior, and she could not have been the only one—especially in a military which I suspect from internal series evidence to have been all-volunteer. It’s a shame Dietra vanished after this episode; Sheila DeWindt would have been an excellent addition to the cast.
Interestingly, the version of the script I have (pt. 1 dated July 27, 1978, pt. 2 dated as late as September 20—and it aired on September 24!), has a major error. It contains no fewer than two scenes in which the star of Kobol is discovered—one while Serina is consoling Apollo over Starbuck’s disappearance, and one during the sealing ceremony. Presumably both versions were shot and Larson decided to use the wedding version. Here’s the possibly earlier version:

TIGH
Commander!

ADAMA
What is it?

TIGH
I don’t know. Our equipment is stabilizing. No more interference. And we’re scanning a light.

ADAMA
A light?

TIGH
It seems to be growing. We should have a visual at any moment...it appears to be a megastar...extremely unstable.

ADAMA
Fix on her and steer accordingly.

TIGH
It’s hard to believe.

ADAMA
Tigh, you old pragmatist. Believe your eyes! There it is!

OMEGA
Commander, long range scanners are picking up a galaxy behind the megastar...it’s the end of the void!

ADAMA
Forget the galaxy. Switch immediately to narrow band scan. Search for a single planet...elliptical orbit...one to three parsecs from the megastar (did anyone ever point out to Larson that a parsec is on the order of 3.4 light years?! SJP).

TIGH
A planet?

ADAMA
If I’m right...the planet Kobol! (italics Larson’s, not mine. SJP)

APOLLO
Kobol!

ADAMA
The mother world of all humans...where life began

SERINA
How long until we’re in range?

ADAMA
Thirty to forty centons.

SERINA
Time enough.

TIGH
For what?

APOLLO
A wedding!

A further difference crops up when Adama, Apollo, and Serina go exploring on the surface of Kobol. They find the tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol not in a pyramid, but in the Sphinx! In this scene, Apollo gives an approximate date for the end of Kobol:

ADAMA
“Beyond this portal lies the Ninth Lord of Kobol in eternal piece....enter upon pain of death.”

SERINA
It’s the same inscription as on your medallion (this line always provokes hilarity in yours truly, by the way. She obviously means the seal of the Lords, but it sounds as if Serina’s announcing that a death threat is engraved on Adama’s Councilor's medallion!)

ADAMA
The seal of the ancient Lords.

(Adama removes his medallion and inserts it into the round recess in the door. Slowly, effortlessly, the door swings open. They move into the dark passage beyond. For a beat, they are in the dark, then a light slowly glows. We see the three of them standing in the tunnel. On the wall are a number of ancient torches (NOTE: One torch is missing). Apollo takes a torch and cranks the small handle. It slowly glows to life)

APOLLO
Ten thousand yahrens and it still works.

ADAMA
In many ways our ancestors were more advanced than we are today. When the star that nurtured Kobol began to die, our ancestors would have turned all their efforts to creating new sources of light.

Later, when the Cylons attack, all is not good clean fun when the weakened pilots of Blue Squadron launch to rescue their comrades over Kobol.

OMEGA
Viper destroyed on launch....tube seven.

TIGH
Fire control.

RIGEL
Two pilots unable to launch; unconscious in the cockpits. One destroyed in launch tube. Remainder of squadron launched...and flying!

Reading the script and considering the pressure the cast and crew were under to produce, it’s sometimes astonishing that anything coherent resulted at all...and sometimes very discouraging to see that the editing and changes were by no means not all for the good.