Character's Sexuality Just Fit, 'Battlestar' Writer Says.

By MICHAEL HINMAN
Source: SyFy Portal
Dec-11-2008

This story contains MINOR SPOILERS for the upcoming Webisodes of "Battlestar Galactica," which premiere online Dec. 12

They're not part of the eposode that will begin airing in January on Sci Fi Chanel, but it doesn't mean the "Battlesstar Galactica" Webisodes that begin Friday online aren't part of the overall story.

Following on the success ofthe "Battlestar" Webisodes that led into Season 3, the online shorts are back again, this time focusing on a new member of the crew - Alessandro Juliani's Gaeta - which will not only strengthen the character's role in the final episodes of the series, but shed some light on what exactly makes Gaeta tick.

Including his sexuality.

"Actually, thsi makes sense," Webisodes writer Jane Espenson told SyFy Portal's Michael Hinman. "Give Gaeta a boyfriend and everything kind of gets richer and more interesting. And we don't have that sense that we are taking away a character that people embraced."

Juliani has always played Gaeta with some ambiguity, which has done nothing but fuel speculation of the character's sexuality throughout the show's four-season run, Espenson said. That only made it easier to defone his character even more.

"I knew that fans had seized on that dynamic and were sort of already identifying Gaeta as a gay character," Espenson said during an interview recorded for the Dec. 17 broadcast of SyFy Radio. "I mentioned to [showrunner Ronald D. Moore] the possibility of addressing this issue head on, and he told me to check with the actor. Alessandro was fine with it, and I wrote it in. It works very, very well, and I'm really glad that we did it."

The Webisodes won't be focused solely on Gaeta's sexuality. In fact, in a recap posted on AfterElton, the reference exposing Gaeta's sexuality is almost fleeting.

"We actually learn Felix and Hoshi (played by Brad Dryborough) are a couple in the very first Webisode when Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) sends Gaeta away for some rest and relaxation." AfterElton's Michael Jenson said. "As Felix is leaving the deck, he runs into Hoshi. Felix apologises for leaving on such short notice, but Hoshi only says, 'Go. Feel better. I'll be waiting.' The two then share a brief but sweet kiss indicating they have been a couple for quite some time."

AfterElton's full account of the Webisodes can be found by clicking here, but be warned, there are significant spoilers.

Gaeta's sexuality had not been formally a part of his character from the start in the writers room, but not every aspect of the canon has to originate there, Espenson said.

"It had never been cosnciously written in by the writers, but 'Battlestar' is an exremely collaborative show," Espenson said. Elements are added because "actors put them in, directors put them in."

The "Battlestar Galactica" Webisodes premiere Friday at noon ET. They will be broadcast in three-to-four-minute chapters on SciFi.com, the website said.

Called "The Face of the Enemy," the webisdoes focus ona stranded Raptor that includes Gaeta, a Cylon played by Grace Park, and is a murder mystery that would challenge some of the best whodunits.

Espenson was joined by Seamus Kevin Fahey as writers of the Webisodes, and will lead to the Jan. 16 premiere of "Battlestar Galactica."

SyFy Radio airs the full interview with Jane Espenson, which includes talk about the new Joss Whedon series "Dollhouse" and other aspects of her career Wednesday, Dec 17 beginning at 10 p.m. ET at SyFy Radio.