Battlestar Galactica

Fans who have watched the first episode of Season Four, “He That Believeth In Me,” might be curious about the bevy of beautiful women who are suddenly keeping company with Dr. Gaius Baltar.

Tracey Anne is the young woman who shows Dr. Baltar the benefits of his new life situation, using the language that Baltar understands the best.  She is played by Leela Savasta, a Canadian actress who grew up in Vancouver and has appeared on Smallville and Stargate: Atlantis.  The photo to the left was taken from Leela’s official web site, which reports we have not seen the last of her character.  Leela will also be a regular on Atlantis during its upcoming fifth season.

Click the link to read more about Baltar’s new friends, but beware of spoilers if you have not seen the episode yet.

Paulla Shaffer is one of the more daring members of Baltar’s followers, and probably its most violent.  She helped him escape, helped the group rescue Derrick (the sick child) from sick bay, and had a feral look even before the violent confrontation where she saved Baltar’s life in the bathroom.  Paula seems to see the potential power that Baltar holds even more clearly than Baltar does at this point in his journey.  In that sense, she is a bit like Six … and perhaps she will play a more important role in his future.

Paula is played by Lara Gilchrist, another Canadian actress with a strong scifi background.  Lara has also appeared on Atlantis and Smallville, as well as Supernatural and Bionic Woman.  She is best known for providing the voice for Susan Storm in the 2007 animated version of The Fantastic Four.  According to her web site she has also done some acting in the theater — the photo to the right was taken while she was playing Starr in Hippies and Bolsheviks in 2007.

Derrick is not really a hottie (yet), but he is an important part of Baltar’s new life.  This is the young man who Baltar may have saved in “He That Believeth In Me,” the boy whose health provides a turning point in Baltar’s acceptance of his new role on the ship.  He is played by Lukas Pummell, another Canadian actor, in his first returning television role.  Lukas’ previous work has been in commercials for Huggies and Macys.  The photo to the right was taken when Lukas was four and played the role of “ring bearer” at a local bridal show.

Jeanne is Derrick’s mother, and a former member of the Fleet Press.  She attended Baltar’s trial and later helped him escape to the hidden pod that Baltar now calls home.  It is her pleas that he save Derrick that awakens Baltar’s compassion, that along with the instructions of the ever-present Six.

Jeanne is played by Keegan Connor Tracy, the actress with the longest resume among Baltar’s new followers.  Keegan has been appearing on television for over decade, and has logged appearances on Supernatural, Psych, Dark Angel, Stargate SG-1, and many other shows.  This fall Keegan as a plum role in the star-studded remake of The Women, which features Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Annette Benning, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, and many others.  Keegan has also been featured in several magazines over the years, usually wearing more than what she wore in this photo for Stuff.

There were obviously many other members of Baltar’s new circle of friends … if you recognized any more of them, please let me know.