That's pretty much what I'm thinking.

I know Americans have a thing about honest and blabbing to my European ears but Starbuck dying in Maelstrom didn't bother me in the slightest, and it didn't suprise me when she made a reappearance. It's an old and occasionally used plot device. He used it well and I can't understand why some of the audience or staff took it so personally at the time.

I've noticed Gaeta is building momentum in some quarters. That's a smart choice but he does seem a bit of a non-entity to me though, I suppose, there's scope to recraft his character in the first half on the next series. I just can't see that happening. I can see the appeal of Cain and it could work even post Razor but I get the feeling it's a time to move on thing.

I'm beginning to think you're right and Moore is deliberately obscuring the surprise. While there's a sense of structure and balance behind Battlestar Galactica, your own comment on viewing it as a dramatic exercise still holds true, so things can change and anything remains possible. I like that gritty and unpredicatable quality about the show.

Your suggestion of Joseph Adama has its merits. I can agree with that but it got me thinking about Laura Roslin again. Like the sound of one hand clapping, was Leoban talking about past, present, or future? With Cylon and fleet issues turning into a road crash next series I wonder if Laura and Adama will get married in the heat of the moment. It could work but has issues.

Anyway, that was fun, Brad. Thanks for the input.