(SPOILERS, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED)
Now that the Pegasus is gone, a lot of questions have been raised:
- Because Galactica has 2 Air Wings, will they have to ready the Starboard Flight Pod for service to accomodate so many Vipers and Raptors on a single Battlestar?.
- Will/Could the Galactica have the ability to produce their own Vipers now that the contruction personel are no longer on Pegasus?.
- What will the command structure of Galactica be, Lee is a Commander and outranks Tigh so should he be XO?, or will he return as CAG?. Will Bill be demoted to Commander again as he is no longer in charge of 2 ships?.
- Now that Galactica has more than a full crew complement, will they upgrade her. With the technical knowledge of the Pegasus crew and all the time in the world what enhancements could they make to Galactica.
- What kind of permanent damage has Galactica sustained from the Intra-Atmosphere Jump and the attack of the Cylons. From the look of the armour during the fleet reunited shot, it could be severe.
- Tom Zarek is Vice President, with Baltar AWOL will he retain his place or will he be deposed along with the current government.
- Can the show go on the way it used to be, a single Battlestar running from the Cylons to find Earth after all the developments both character and story wise with Pegasus. Pulling this one off should prove quite a challange for Ron Moore and his team...
Also just for the sheer greatness, The Battle of New Caprica Courtesy Of YouTube.
Time is short, so I'll try yo be brief...
1.) It's logical that the starboard pod should be repaired, it should have been done during last season's end, IMO.
It's unknown exactly how many Vipers and Raptors remain in total, so it's impossible to know whether or not the surviving numbers can be supported by one flight deck. Logic states that the purpose of a carrier is to launch and support combat operations with as many strikers as possible.
During combat operations, the USN maximises carrier efficiency by utilizing as many available air-facilites aboard the carrier as possible.
ATM, Galactica is at 50% capability, despite the dramatic increase in her air-wing.
2.) Production of anything requires, A. Resources, and B. Tool/Facilites.
The knowledge and skills of engineers and techs are needed to build, but without the other two variables, I don't see how they could produce much of anything.
3.) I'll just take a guess and say I think Lee will return to duty as CAG, Tigh will be promoted to Cmdr. and continue to serve as XO, Bill will retain the rank of Adm. due to the fact that ATM, he is functioning as CINC.
4.) I'll have to say, refer to #2.)
Production of fighters is one thing, but upgrades on a ship of that scale would require even more resources and facilites, and typically would also require the inactivation of the ship as well.
5.) Obviously, they currently have manuevering and propulsion, FTL, power, life support, DRADIS, comms, and a funtional flight deck.
That said, I'd have to agree with your analysis- the damage is likely both extensive, and severe. Galactica was almost destroyed by hostile fire before Peg showed up, and was definatley showing wear and tear after free-falling through that atmosphere.
But given the proper facilites, and man-power- even critically damaged carriers were put back to sea in record time by dock-workers during WWII.
However, that dreaded #2.) keeps rearing it's ugly head.
6.) Clearly the current government must be deposed. Baltar could not be viewed by any of the Colonists as anything but a traitor, and worthy of state execution. Zarek wasn't part of Baltar's office after the Cylons took control, and was even to be executed by the Cylons along with Rosalin.
Due to her massive popularity, I expect that Rosalin will regain her position of President, possibly with Zarek as her VP.
7.) I don't really see a problem. The characters are still there, just aboard a different ship. Galactica's mission is still ongoing. It will be harder without two carriers, but the Cylons are going to have to catch up with the Colonists as well.
