Felix Gaeta’s Last Words Fit Battlestar Galactica’s Entire Theme

Felix Gaeta’s Last Words Fit Battlestar Galactica’s Entire Theme

A damaged Felix Gaeta’s last words before his season 4 execution are poignant and meaningfully expound a core Battlestar Galactica concept.

When Felix Gaeta faces a firing squad, his final words capture Battlestar Galactica’s central theme. In Season 4, Episode 14, “Blood on the Scales”, Gaeta looks down at his missing leg in wonder, just moments before the firing squad carries out his execution. His final words—“it stopped”—seemingly referred to the constant pain and itching he’d experienced due to phantom limb symptoms.

Initially a minor character, Felix Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani) is a naive idealist whose belief in democracy leads him to cooperate with Baltar. By the time Battlestar Galactica season 4 ended, Gaeta’s role had developed considerably. Once the collaborationist nature of Baltar’s government becomes clear, Gaeta secretly helps the resistance. Despite being a vital conduit of information, he is viewed as a traitor by other officers in the fleet and haunted by guilt. In the episode “The Ties That Bind”, he loses a leg to Sam Anders and is denied the prompt medical attention needed to avoid the limb’s loss. On a path of ever-increasing resentment and despair, Gaeta turns against Adama and joins forces with the former terrorist, Zarek. His misguided mutiny is propelled more by personal feelings and a desire for vengeance, and he is horrified by its bloody outcome.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Related: Why Paul Campbell’s Billy Left Battlestar Galactica

Gaeta’s final words are so fitting because they encapsulate Battlestar Galactica’s theme of letting go. Having played their part in thwarting the Cylon’s plans and getting everyone to Earth, the characters need to release the pain of their experiences. They cannot live a new life while haunted by the horrors and regrets of the past. Just as Gaeta lost a limb, the remnants of humanity were severed from all they knew. And although their homes are gone, they still feel the pain. In a sense, Gaeta’s failed rebellion was ultimately what Battlestar Galactica needed. Gaeta experiences tremendous suffering. He has wounds to both mind and body, so pain is physical and emotional. Only at the very end can he find inner peace and still the internal conflict that plagued him. At that moment, he lets go of the anger and resentment. His last words effectively symbolize emotional serenity. He may be speaking of his leg, but the peace is psychological.

Battlestar Galactica is a better technology warning than Terminator. It explores many contemporary themes, including the War on Terror, religious extremism, and the danger of losing civil liberties in pursuit of safety and victory over enemies. But the journey from trauma to acceptance is vital to the show’s message, and Gaeta’s story arc exemplifies this theme.

Gaeta is both physically and emotionally torn apart during Battlestar Galactica’s journey. Frequently persecuted by crewmates and denied justice, his actions nearly destroy the very high-minded concepts he holds dear. But at the moment of death, he finds the sense of peace he’d lacked in life. As a character, Felix Gaeta proves the old adage that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Next: Battlestar Galactica Star James Callis Reacts to Upcoming Reboot

Juliana Ben Baby Daddy Michael Model In 90 Day Fiance

90 Day Fiancé: Juliana Reveals Why She Won’t Show Baby’s Face

About The Author

Jonathan Creffield
(4 Articles Published)

Jonathan Creffield lives in the South West of England and works as a freelance writer and editor. He holds a first-class honors degree in Creative and Professional Writing. Jonathan has written extensively for game publishers, advertising agencies and copywriting agencies. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Jonathan worked closely with Gary Gygax, creator of the original D&D game. Jonathan wrote or co-wrote numerous RPG books for Hekaforge, Troll Lord Games, Crossroads Publishing, Mongoose Publishing, Pelgrane Press, Black Void and others. He has an abiding interest in film, TV, and games. Jonathan loves gritty sci-fi, all things related to 2000AD, especially Judge Dredd, space operas like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, sword and sorcery, and Mythos/Lovecraftian horror. When he isn’t attempting to awaken dread Cthulhu, Jonathan is deeply interested in comparative religion, history and mythology. He loves discovering new and exciting TV shows and films and enjoys screenwriting, podcasting and radio.

More From Jonathan Creffield

Author: Deann Hawkins