The Enigmatic Borays of Battlestar Galactica

Highlights

The Borays, once peaceful agrarian inhabitants of the planet Sectar, underwent a dramatic change upon the arrival of human settlers in Battlestar Galactica. Transforming into raiders under the influence of the full moon, their civilization exemplified the profound impact of external forces.

The Borays, despite their primitive technology, possess remarkable agricultural and animal husbandry skills, making them highly organized creatures. They rely on animalistic grunts as their primary means of communication and exhibit unwavering loyalty towards their leaders.

In "The Magnificent Warriors," the Borays launch a midnight assault on the Serenity settlement, creating a gripping and tense experience for the human characters. In a surprising turn of events, they successfully obtain the critically important seed from the settlement, leading the story in an unexpected direction.

The absence of the Borays in the reimagined series does not undermine their enduring influence on the original series. Serving as a captivating foil to the human protagonists in Battlestar Galactica, the Borays were depicted as wise beings existing before the technological era. Prior to the arrival of humans, they embraced a serene and harmonious existence with nature on the planet Sectar, relying on fundamental agricultural methods to support their livelihoods.

Who Are the Borays?

First appearing in the 1978 episode "The Magnificent Warriors" of the original series, this captivating species captivated viewers with their unique boar-like features and their profound impact on the Battlestar Galactica narrative. Although their screen time was limited, their memorable presence and transformative journey from peaceful farmers to opportunistic raiders during the full moon showcased the significant effects external factors and encounters with other species can have on a civilization.

Residing in the Zeta Quadrant, on the planet Sectar, the Borays captivate with their enigmatic nature. They form a highly organized race governed by a dominant Boray, exerting authority over the society. Originally, the Borays embraced a peaceful farming lifestyle, practicing uncomplicated agricultural methods, until the arrival of human settlers.

The establishment of the Serenity settlement on Sectar by humans brought about a significant change in Boray history. Upon being tempted by the opportunity to exploit the settlers during the full moon, the Borays abandoned agriculture in favor of conducting raids. They would ride on horned stallions into the town, looting grain and often resorting to the killing and kidnapping of humans.

Borays are renowned for their unwavering loyalty to their leaders. Despite their limited technological advancements, which include the use of spears and basic clothing, they demonstrate impressive skills in agriculture and animal care. Borays excel in farming, cultivating crops, and domesticating camel-like creatures for transportation purposes. Their primary mode of communication is through animalistic grunts, although they exhibit some understanding of the Human language, albeit to a limited extent.

What Happened to the Borays in 'The Magnificent Warriors'?

Content

In "The Magnificent Warriors," the Blue Squadron's defenses are breached by Cylon Raiders, leading to the destruction of two out of the fleet's three agricultural ships. Only Agro Ship Nine survives, but its airlock is compromised. Colonel Tigh investigates the damage and discovers that the entire crop supply of the fleet has been destroyed. To make matters worse, the fleet has completely run out of seed, leaving them in urgent need of replenishment. Commander Adama devises a plan to trade an old energizer, which does not have any Colonial markings, to the Serenity settlement on Sectar in exchange for new seed.

Siress Belloby, who is an old acquaintance of Commander Adama, owns this energizer, which is the only one available for trade. However, Belloby insists on a face-to-face meeting with Adama and asks for a romantic courtship as part of the deal. As Belloby and Adama embark on this unconventional mission, they are accompanied by Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer to Serenity, a small agricultural colony on Sectar. Unbeknownst to them, they will soon find themselves in a dangerous situation with the Borays.

Upon the arrival of the Colonials, chaos ensues in Serenity as the Borays, taking advantage of the illumination of the full moon, initiate a sudden attack. Mounted on horseback, they ruthlessly murder Constable Farnes, plunging the settlement into disarray. Bogan, the leader of the community, is faced with the arduous task of finding a suitable replacement for the fallen constable.

In the midst of this turmoil, Starbuck and Boomer stealthily make their way into the town, disguising themselves as farmers in search of trading their energizer for seeds. Understanding the urgency to fill the vacant constable position, Bogan extends them an offer of employment, which they eventually decline. However, an unexpected turn of events occurs when Starbuck and Boomer become targets of a well-planned ambush orchestrated by Dipper and his accomplice, Duggy. The perpetrators successfully seize their vehicle and the vital energizer. To everyone's surprise, Starbuck discovers that he now possesses the constable's star, effectively assuming the role of the town's de facto constable.

The Borays are preparing for another attack, and Siress Belloby is captured by the marauding creatures. Apollo, aided by Muffit, traces Belloby's whereabouts to the Boray cave. The Colonials manage to locate the Boray camp, using laser blasts as a warning to repel the creatures. Adama tries to negotiate with Nogow, the Boray leader, but their discussions are fruitless.

Starbuck devises a clever plan and offers his constable's star to Nogow in exchange for the release of Siress Belloby. With Belloby back in their ranks, Adama successfully obtains the much-needed seed from Bogan, thereby bringing an intense and action-packed adventure on Sectar to a close. In a surprising twist, Belloby opts to go separate ways from Adama, adding an unexpected element to the narrative.

Do The Borays Appear In The Reimagined Series?

Looking back, the Borays and other unforgettable species from the classic show serve as a poignant reminder of the diverse narratives that once thrived within the series. While some beings, like the Borays, did not make the transition to the revamped version of the show, their impact on the original series remains an essential part of the franchise's history. The stark differences between the old and new iterations of Battlestar Galactica stand as a testament to the evolution of storytelling and the ever-changing landscape of science fiction television.

The contemporary remake of Battlestar Galactica received praise for its realistic and complex depiction of characters. Departing from the original storyline and character development, the remake offered a more nuanced and up-to-date narrative. While the classic series had a charming adventurous spirit and portrayed various alien civilizations uniquely, the remake delved deeper into societal and political themes. Consequently, it gained critical acclaim for its exploration of human nature during times of crisis.

Despite the disparities between the classic and modern versions, the enduring allure of Battlestar Galactica continues to attract fans who are captivated by its compelling stories of humanity's struggle for survival against overwhelming odds. Revisiting the lore of the original series not only evokes nostalgia for devoted fans but also extends an invitation for new audiences to experience the enchantment that made the series an iconic part of science fiction history.