Thanks to Michelle at Battlestar Blog for discovering that Sci-fi Channel photographer Carole Segal has posted nearly a hundred never-before-seen photos from the Galactica set during seasons 1-3.
More than a dozen feature Helo (half of which are new). You can see all the Helo photos over at the all.about.tahmoh Flickr.
If you haven't yet, you must watch the frakking awesome 8-minute recap of Seasons 1-3 of Galactica. Helo features rather largely in it due to his plot-heavy arc.
It's up over at Scifi.com or IMDB for international fans.
I've also uploaded the early Helo promo pictures from Season 1 that surfaced a few weeks ago to the site's Flickr for ease of browsing. All of them are watermarked, unless fans have photoshopped them, like this terrific one above.
BSG is nominated in several categories for the Spaceys, awarded each year by Canada's Space Channel. Some of the awards are determined by viewer's choice online votes, among them:
See my previous posts (with more cast photos from the Spaceys) here.Jeff over at Kindreds has assembled a short (4 minute) clip of all the Helo/Sharon scenes that have shown up in previouslies or previews that never made it into the final episodes.
You can just download the clip and watch them, but he's also compiled an illustrated list of lost scenes with descriptions, in case you're curious as to what we've missed.
It's a fascinating list. Like I never realized Helo went sliding down a chute while down in the sewers on Caprica in "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down":
Or apparently there was also a kiss during "Rapture" we missed:
Poor Tahmoh and Grace, they do all these stunts themselves and they get left on the cutting room floor. Heh.
See the full list and download the clip.
Here are the two "Alliances" cards from the season 2 BSG trading cards that feature Helo.
As announced by IF Magazine, the nominations for the fifth-annual VES Awards, handed out by the Visual Effects Society were just announced and Battlestar topped the list of television shows nominated with 4 total nominations:
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast SeriesThe winners will be announced Feb. 11 at the Kodak Grand Ballroom in Hollywood.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - "Exodus"
Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program, Commercial or Music Video
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - "Downloaded"
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Broadcast Program
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - "Resurrection Ship, Part 2"
Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program, Commercial or Music Video
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - "Resurrection Ship, Part 2"
The gag reel from this season of BSG has surfaced on Google Video. The clipshow is 13 minutes long and includes lots of hilarious moments and bloopers. Tahmoh is only in it very briefly, but be sure to watch!
BSG Season 3 Gag ReelAs it's for the whole season, it includes several scenes we haven't yet seen. So spoiler-phobes beware.
BSG Season 2 Gag Reel Part 1 (7:52)7 minutes into Part 1, there's a gag with Tahmoh and Aaron Douglas (Chief).
BSG Season 2 Gag Reel Part 2 (6:40)
Scifi Hobby recently announced the upcoming BSG Season 2 Trading Cards. The set will feature a Helo costume card, apparently from his rainy weather outfit in "Home" (206).
TV Guide, "Best TV Shows of 2006"
1. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi)Entertainment Weekly, "Series of the Year"
Not only the best sci-fi drama on TV right now, but one of the best dramas period. It may be set primarily aboard a spaceship, but this show offers true human emotions and realistic reactions like nothing else out there. The Sci Fi Channel's series took a big risk in its second season by jumping ahead a full year and ending on a huge cliff-hanger, with the Cylons taking over the human settlement on New Caprica. But the gamble paid off big-time — it was heart-wrenching to watch the torture of some characters, like Starbuck, while others on Galactica scrambled to find a way to safely retrieve their friends and loved ones. Even a reunion on board Galactica hasn't been smooth sailing, but it is an utterly captivating ride that seamlessly blends elements of war, ethics and religion as the humans and Cylons race to find Earth.
3. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi)Michael Ausiello from TV Guide
Gods, what a year. The sci-fi series — about the last fragments of humankind trying to survive the robot beings they've created — jabbed at very earthly issues: birth rights, justice, religion, prejudice, genocide, suicide bombing, and the nature of humanity. Battlestar is wonderfully acted — Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck is TV's most charismatic and infuriating hero — and smartly written, with searching conversations that never devolve into lecture. It's part family drama, with worthy President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and fair-minded Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos) as parents to a bunch of boisterous spacekids. But, thankfully, Battlestar is also an old-fashioned, Errol Flynn-worthy bit of swashbuckling — with vipers and raptors and fiery orange blast against a blue-black horizon.
2. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi)
On any other show, a sudden, one-year jump would reek of desperation. But on Battlestar, it was yet another bold move for a show that continues to reinvent the sci-fi genre. Those still not on board should just go frak themselves.
Time Magazine - Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)
A high-minded war turns into a brutal quagmire. Terrorist sleepers turn the public paranoid. And the victims of an attack find themselves sacrificing liberty to defend it. Sound like any planet you know? The topical parallels became deeper and more chilling in Seasons 2 and 3 of this thinking viewer's space opera. It's like the Iraq Study Group report with starship fights and hot-looking robots.Baltimore City Paper - Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)
One of the darkest, most politically convoluted, and straight-up sober sci-fi series the small screen has ever seen, Battlestar Galactica ventures into its imaginary places as if being led to the gallows. Aside from tackling occupied forces, psychological and physical interrogation, secret executions, flat-out torture, and the moral calculus of suicide bombings (and deciding such missions were worth it) with its third season, the show is, at its core, about what it is to be human--and what, if anything, makes humans worth fighting for and saving. That it may never come up with a satisfactory answer but never stops looking for one makes it such a gripping drama.LAist - Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)
Seriously, just forget the whole "sc-fi thing" and this show is just the best drama on television that keeps getting better and better. Conflict, romance and the nature of humanity all wrapped up in grittily realistic and superbly executed package makes this show richly deserve its place at the top of my list. Watch it -- you won't be sorry.Thanks to Galactica News for the links.
Battlestar GalacticaMaureen Ryan from The Chicago Tribune
Sci Fi Channel's bracingly adult fantasy adventure is less about outer space than inner space, as it looks deep into humanity's heart of darkness. This electrifying saga of survival took on disturbing new colors as it became a provocative war allegory. Subplots involving terrorism and genocide asked us to reconsider the very notion of heroism.
“Battlestar Galactica,” Sci Fi
Like “Deadwood,” “Battlestar Galactica” is interested in exploring how a society on the edge decides to govern itself. (Sounds exciting, eh? Trust me, it is.) What rights and actions are sacrosanct, which are outlawed, when most of the human race is eliminated? What’s allowable or forbidden when life-threatening emergencies loom? Thank goodness the people muddling through these decisions are the key to this provocative series. If not grounded in the lives of understandably flawed, often noble, decidedly real human beings, none of this highfalutin’ metaphorical stuff would fly. Thanks to a stellar cast and brave writing, “Battlestar” soars.
Galactica.tv has graciously allowed us to repost their interview with Tahmoh from the London Expo this past May. I've included everything except that last *spoilery* question. You'll have to visit the site to read that one!
GALACTICA.TV interview with Tahmoh Penikett
Written by Martine Voppen
At the London Expo 2006, held May 27-28 2006, our reporter Martine Voppen spoke to Tahmoh Penikett, better known as Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon. She talked about how his character grew in Season 2 and his relationship to the other cast members.
For starters, how the hell do you pronounce your name? And what does it mean if anything?
I tell you how the hell I pronounce my name. It's Tah - Môh, that's the proper pronunciation, Tah - Môh. And last name of course is just Penikett; that's any easy one. And what was the second question? What does it mean? I was named after my great uncle. He was a great doctor and trapper, but I can't tell you the meaning.
In the Mini-Series you gave up your seat so that Dr. Baltar could join the Fleet. Helo thought that one of the sharpest minds was more important than himself. From Helo's point of view, [now at the end of Season 2] on New Caprica, does he regret the decision that he let Baltar live?
Well obviously, I don't think Helo regrets it while he's on New Caprica. I mean, he might.... He might be thinking what an idiot I am to have done that. But I think, you know, when put under pressure, he realized it was for the greater good that he was giving up his seat. He didn't realize it of course at that time, nor does he even in the second season realise that Baltar is quite eccentric sort of shady character. I mean, nobody is privy to the fact that Baltar is pretty much responsible for the extermination of the human race. So I don't think he had the chance.
Tahmoh Penikett as Karl 'Helo' Agathon
In the Mini-Series you were supposed to die. Why did Ronald D. Moore keep you? What do you think?
What do I think? I don't know. I've been told... I have [been] told that they liked my work in the Mini-Series. So I take that... as a beautiful compliment and I just hope that's the real reason. Obviously there was also an opportunity there with the storyline. It was a neat idea to take them out of the ship and I think that Ron, whether he jacked that from Star Wars, you know. Kind of like, you know Empire-Strikes-Back-type of thing where you cut it up between the planet and the ships...or not. But I think it's a brilliant idea and he went with it.
Did you get a background story in the form of a book like Grace and Tricia got with the Cylonbook with background info in it?
Did I get a background info? No, I didn't. I didn't at all. Most of my choices that were made have been mine and they've gone [from] just the scripts that I've been given. Every once in a while I had the opportunity to talk to the writers, but they really don't give me too many hints so... We're basically not privy to the creative process. We are given a script and we go with it.
As an actor did you enjoy shooting Season 1 or Season 2 more, because of the cast changes?
I can't say I enjoyed either one more, because they're each absolutely unique. Obviously during the Second Season there was a great opportunity to be able to act with the rest of our brilliant ensemble. That was awesome, [to] be at the studio and actually getting recognised by people around there. Because, you know, I'd go to the studios many times and people were like: "Who is this guy?". First Season I was never there, I was always on location. But then, you know, First Season [was] awesome man. I had an opportunity for Grace and I to grow together as artists and to work together. And obviously, I was out of studio and that was neat to shoot the outdoors all the time. I do a lot of action stuff and for me that was a highlight also, so neither was a favourite, but they were both great.
Helo may not have been privy to the fact that Baltar was a shady character but didn't Helo notice when Boomer's spine was glowing red? Or did he just think he was doing a really, really good job?
Ahhh, that's hilarious! I think he just thought he was doing a really, really good job. Yeah, yeah, that's what it was. (laughing). That's hilarious.
A lot of the actual rape of Sharon was cut, but the accidental kill was shown very explicitly, even in slow motion. Because of it the actual scene now makes Helo and Tyrol look like they really go over the line. Do you think the editors or censors cut too much out of it? [Note: the actual rape scene has been included in the Season 2.5 DVD set now]
That's a touchy subject. I think, I saw the finished product, and... you know. Whether we went over the line or not or whether it's interpreted or shown that way with the cut... I mean... that's really up to the individual. Personally when I still watch it, we never see them go in there with the intention of killing him. I mean they're not just purposely killing this guy. Obviously the Chief has anger issues but I don't think he purposely kills him. We go in there stopping whatever is about to happen and I definitely don't think we went over the line.
Tahmoh Penikett as Karl 'Helo' Agathon
When Helo is in the brig with Chief on the Pegasus, Helo is wearing a tank top and Chief a sweatshirt. In a recent interview with us, Aaron Douglas said that he wore the sweatshirt because he didn't want to show up your pecs.
(laughing) Oh, that's funny!
So... did you thank him for not making you look bad?
Oh yeah, I thank him everyday. I thank him every day, because he makes me look bad. (laughs) Oh God... Aaron... Aaron is just a big bundle of squishy love. (laughs again)
Which direction would you like to see your character heading in [Season 3]?
To be honest with you, I just want to say that [they'll] keep it challenging and keep it a surprise, which has been the nature of this show already. That's been the pattern. It's always... I never know where they are going with it. So, I can tell you, I'm already in for some big surprises from what I hear when I come back and read the latest episodes. As long as they keep it interesting, you know what I mean? And dangerous too!
Starburst Special Issue #77 on newstands now focuses on Galactica and includes a new interview with Tahmoh. (You can also order the magazine here.) Thanks to Michelle from Aaron Douglas Fans for scanning it for us!
Tahmoh talks about his hopes for Season 3, directions they didn't pursue in Season 2, his start in acting and his love for fans.
The second half of the second season will be released on DVD on September 19th. It will include the last 10 episodes of the season, from "Resurrection Ship" to "Lay Down your Burdens," as well as an extended cut of "Pegasus." It's now available for pre-order from Amazon:
David Bassom's official compansion to the second season of Galactica will hit shelves at the end of August. This volume follows up on his earlier excellent companion to the miniseries and Season 1.
The new companion will feature new cast and crew interviews, photos, behind-the-scenes secrets, and a complete episode guide. It is now available for pre-order from Amazon:
Not just on ebay this time. Creation Entertainment has the three Helo S2 photos from several days ago available on their website for $4.50 each.
Shop for photos.They also have new promotional photos of other cast members, including Tricia Helfer, Lucy Lawless, Jamie Bamber and Aaron Douglas.
If you enjoy reading fan fiction, you should be sure to check out the vast list of fanfic featuring Helo and Kara compiled by angela8675 for the Helo/Kara LiveJournal community, onemorelastkiss. 
The stories range from PG to NC-17 and feature Helo and Starbuck variously as friends or lovers. They've been divided chronologically:
Pre-series/miniseries -- 10 storiesSee the full list.
Post Season One -- 12 stories
Season 2.0 -- 20 stories
Season 2.5 -- 13 stories
Three new official photos of Helo have popped up on ebay. Two are stills from Season 2 episodes ("Flight of the Phoenix" and "Resurrection Ship"); the third seems to be an alternate promo shot of Helo in his dress uniform.
Look for these on ebay or at a convention near you.
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