Flight of the Phoenix
Flight of the Phoenix/Blackbird, the BSG episode whose Act Four I saw being filmed at Vancouver Film Studios, finally aired this week. The episode was every bit as good as I expected it to be, though besides changing the Phoenix to the Blackbird (same reasons as Firefox?), the Fourth (last) Act differed somewhat in order from the script I have.

Episode:

• First shot of finished ship (with panels)
• Starbuck launches, disappears, found
• Christening with President (cuts only to signing)
• People congratulate Helo
• Roslin and Adama talk about Sharon
• Tyrol sees Sharon, no talk

Script:

• First shot of finished ship (with panels)
• Christening with President (cuts to signing and Doc Cottle looking over Roslin's medical file, "she has guts")
• Roslin and Adama talk about Sharon
• Starbuck launches, disappears, found
• People congratulate Helo
• Tyrol sees Sharon, there is talk
• Deck cleared after party, Tyrol satisfied

The major difference is that the christening and flight switched order. They also cut the Chief's talk with Sharon and his state of satisfaction, perhaps they moved it to the next episode.

Another change is that Number Six was completely cut from the episode. Originally she was over Baltar's shoulder when he, Adama, and Gaeta are discussing killing the Cylon virus. On the bright side, Six is on the call sheet for after-wrap wardrobe fitting and make-up tests. Perhaps she will have a new look in the next episode?

An interesting observation is that throughout the show, the actors use slightly different wording than what is written. This sort of improvisation indicates more leeway for the actors than on some other shows.

This whole opportunity with being able to see an episode on paper, being filmed, and the final product has me feeling satisfied with the whole experience. I wish I could work in production on a show of this quality; I simply have no idea where to start. I also wish I could thank the kind person who let me on the set that day. In front of me there is a whole sheetful of phone numbers and contact information, but I do not consider it wise to abuse it just to say give my regards; it would be sort of contradictive.