Highlights
- The Borays were intelligent beings who led a peaceful agrarian existence on the planet Sectar before the human settlers arrived in Battlestar Galactica. However, they transformed into raiders during the full moon, highlighting external influences on civilization.
- The Borays are highly organized creatures with primitive technology but impressive agricultural and animal husbandry skills. They communicate primarily through animalistic grunts and show unwavering loyalty to their leaders.
- In “The Magnificent Warriors,” the Borays attack the Serenity settlement under the full moon, leading to a tense adventure for the human characters. Ultimately, they secure the much-needed seed from the settlement and the story takes a surprising twist.
- The Borays did not appear in the reimagined series, but their impact on the original series remains significant.
The Borays are a compelling contrast to the human characters of Battlestar Galactica. Described as “intelligent pre-technological beings,” they led a simple, agrarian existence on the planet Sectar before the arrival of the human settlers. The Borays epitomized a peaceful coexistence with nature, relying on basic agricultural practices to sustain their lives.
The intriguing species debuted in a 1978 episode of the original series, titled “The Magnificent Warriors.” Although their appearance in the series was brief, their distinctive boar-like characteristics and their impact on the storyline made them instantly recognizable and left an enduring mark on the world of Battlestar Galactica. Their transformation from serene farmers into opportunistic raiders during the full moon marked a significant shift in their behavior, highlighting the influence that external factors and encounters with other species can have on a civilization.
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Who Are the Borays?
The Borays are intriguing creatures who reside on the planet Sectar, located in the Zeta Quadrant. Their society operates under the leadership of a dominant Boray, making them a highly organized race. Before the arrival of human settlers, the Borays were peaceful farmers, content with simple agricultural practices.
The humans’ establishment of the Serenity settlement on Sectar marked a turning point in Boray history. Faced with the allure of taking what they needed from the settlers during the full moon, the Borays shifted from agriculture to raids. They would ride horned stallions into town, plundering grain and, in the process, often killing and kidnapping humans.
Borays are known for their unwavering loyalty to their leaders. While their technological prowess is primitive, including spears and rudimentary clothing, they exhibit impressive skills in agriculture and animal husbandry. Borays are adept at farming, growing crops, and taming camel-like creatures for use as mounts. They communicate primarily through animalistic grunts, although they seem to possess some limited understanding of the Human language.
What Happened to the Borays in ‘The Magnificent Warriors’?
In “The Magnificent Warriors,” Cylon Raiders breach the defenses of the Blue Squadron, resulting in the destruction of two of the fleet’s three agricultural ships. The only surviving vessel, Agro Ship Nine, sustains a compromised airlock. Colonel Tigh inspects the damage and learns that the fleet’s entire crop supply has been destroyed. Even more concerning, the supply of seed has been entirely depleted, leaving the fleet in dire need of replenishment. Commander Adama plans to trade an old energizer (lacking Colonial markings) to the Serenity settlement on Sectar in exchange for new seed.
This energizer, the only one available for trade, belongs to Siress Belloby, an old acquaintance of Commander Adama. However, Belloby insists on a personal meeting with Adama and requires a romantic courtship as part of the bargain. As Belloby and Adama embark on this unique endeavor, they accompany Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to Serenity, the small agricultural colony on Sectar. Little do they know that they are walking into a perilous situation with the Borays.
Before the Colonials’ arrival, the Borays, under the light of the full moon, launch an attack on Serenity. Riding on horseback, they kill Constable Farnes, throwing the settlement into chaos. Bogan, the settlement’s leader, faces the difficult task of finding a replacement constable.
Starbuck and Boomer enter the town, posing as farmers seeking to trade their energizer for seed. Bogan, desperate to fill the constable’s role, offers them employment, but they decline the offer. However, things take a twist when Starbuck and Boomer are ambushed by Dipper and accomplice Duggy, who hijack their vehicle and the energizer. In a surprising turn of events, Starbuck finds himself in possession of the constable’s star, making him the de facto town constable.
As the Borays prepare for another attack, Siress Belloby is captured and taken by the marauding creatures. Apollo, with Muffit’s help, tracks Belloby to the Boray cave. The Colonials manage to locate the Boray camp, using warning laser blasts to fend off the creatures. Adama attempts to negotiate with Nogow, the Boray leader, but their talks bear no fruit.
Starbuck, in a clever move, offers his constable’s star to Nogow in exchange for Siress Belloby’s release. With Belloby returned, Adama successfully secures the much-needed seed from Bogan, concluding a tense and action-packed adventure on Sectar. In the end, Belloby decides to part ways with Adama, offering a surprising twist to the narrative.
Do The Borays Appear In The Reimagined Series?
In retrospect, the legacy of the Borays and other unforgettable species in the classic show serves as a poignant reminder of the multitude of narratives that once flourished within the series. Some of these beings, like the Borays, didn’t transition to the reimagined version of the show. However, their impact on the original series remains an integral part of the franchise’s history. The stark differences between the old and new iterations of Battlestar Galactica are a testament to the evolution of storytelling and the ever-changing landscape of science fiction television.
The modern remake of Battlestar Galactica, although lauded for its gritty realism and complex character dynamics, took a different approach to the storyline and character development. The result was a more contemporary and nuanced narrative. While the classic series exuded a distinct charm with its adventurous spirit and unique portrayal of various alien civilizations, the remake delved deeper into societal and political themes. As such, it garnered critical acclaim for its exploration of human nature in times of crisis.
Despite the differences between the classic and modern iterations, the timeless appeal of Battlestar Galactica endures, drawing fans back to its captivating tales of humanity’s struggle for survival in the face of overwhelming odds. Revisiting the lore of the original series is not only a trip down memory lane for loyal fans. It’s also an invitation for new audiences to experience the magic that made the series an iconic part of science fiction history.
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