Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dani is also part of ScreenRant’s books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses.
They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show’s TV trailer.
In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.
Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.
Many Battlestar Galactica character exits were devastating, but one had a negative impact on the TV show, causing long-term narrative ramifications. Reboots are always a major gamble, but some have paid off. The 2004 Battlestar Galactica reboot took a great story concept and added depth and complexity, transforming it into something even better. Now, the 2000s TV show is considered a classic and the best sci-fi show of the 21st century, so far.
One of the most fearless aspects of Battlestar Galactica is that it wasn’t afraid to kill off beloved characters. Dee’s suicide absolutely wrecked me. I’ll never get over the painfully realistic writing. Gaeta’s execution felt tragic. From a story standpoint, it was necessary, but from a viewer’s perspective, it was a sad ending to his really unnecessary fall from grace.
That said, two deaths in Battlestar Galactica negatively impacted the show. The characters brought great things to the story, and their deaths launched some very frustrating storylines. The less harmful is Starbuck. Her death was the pivotal turning point that launched the divisive religious storyline. If she hadn’t died, she wouldn’t have come back as some kind of divine messenger or angel, as suggested by The Character Exit That Hurt Battlestar
Starbuck’s ending twist in Battlestar Galactica season 4.
However, by far, the most harmful death in Battlestar Galactica was Billy Keikeya in season 2. When Vinson tried to shoot Dee, he jumped in front of her. Unfortunately, the negative ramifications of his death lasted a season and a half.
Why Paul Campbell Left Battlestar Galactica
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Image via MovieStillsDB</figure>
Billy Keikeya wasn’t killed off for creative reasons, unlike other deaths that negatively impacted the TV show. Instead, Paul Campbell made the choice, according to a 2008 interview with Media Blvd Magazine (accessed via the Web Archive), though he didn’t expect it to happen when it did. As he explains, about half the cast weren’t under contract at the end of season 1. As such, they could’ve all walked away from the show, and the showrunner and writers would’ve been out of luck. Moving into season 2, they signed folks.
However, Campbell booked a pilot between seasons 1 and 2 and wasn’t obligated to return. He left to see if that would work out, and it didn’t. When Paul Campbell returned for Battlestar Galactica in episode 7, they gave him an ultimatum that he needed to sign a five-year contract if he wanted to stay on the show. He pushed off the decision for so long that they believed he wasn’t committed.
They needed to plan and write future storylines, which they couldn’t do without a commitment. Moving forward without a contract would’ve made everything harder, since they wouldn’t know if or when Campbell would decide to walk away from Battlestar Galactica. So, they killed Billy. Unfortunately, the rushed nature of writing him off becomes clear in the writing.
Billy Keikeya’s Death Sent Battlestar Galactica Characters Spiraling
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Image via MovieStillsDB</figure>
From a logistical standpoint only, I completely understand the creative team’s decision to write Billy off. The question about whether Paul Campbell would be present would make everything harder, and they would have to be prepared to write Billy out of a story at a moment’s notice. Also, if they were going to have him die, sacrificing himself is probably the best a person could ask for in a show like Battlestar Galactica.
The problem is that Billy anchored so many characters’ storylines. He always felt important to the story, but the extent to which he was necessary only became clear once he was gone. He and Roslin had a good relationship. He served as her confidant, her moral compass, and her anchor. She always felt more grounded with him around, and he opened her up more than any other character. Unfortunately, Tory replaced him.
Tory’s sudden trust and involvement never really made sense, as she and Roslin were complete strangers. Billy and Roslin had a preexisting relationship, so their closeness made sense. She couldn’t serve as Roslin’s conscience, leading to the leader’s authoritarian arc. They also never fully connected, so her being a Cylon didn’t have a massive emotional impact. Billy being a Cylon would have felt like an emotional betrayal but also a really fantastic twist, and it was one of the most popular Battlestar Galactica theories.
On top of that, Dee and Billy weren’t in a committed relationship, but they still felt like a core relationship that would continue long term. The characters made sense together. Without Billy around, Dee became part of the really agonizing love square with Starbuck, Apollo, and Sam. That wasn’t great for any of the four Battlestar Galactica characters involved, making them all a little more grating. What’s more, Dee going out with Apollo right before Billy’s death cast a shadow over her.
After Billy’s death, Dee was deemed a cheater—even though she and Billy were never exclusive—who didn’t care about the death of the man who loved her. So many viewers hated her for it. The characters had bad communication. They clearly weren’t on the same page. However, she wasn’t seen as a flawed human being who didn’t handle a situation perfectly. Dee was now a two-timer, and that tarnished reputation lasts to this day. The writers did her dirty. Ultimately, Billy’s departure made Roslin, Dee, and everyone else in the love quadrangle worse characters, and introduced the deeply underwhelming Tory, hurting Battlestar Galactica.
Battlestar Galactica
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