Entertainment
Battlestar Galactica Uses Tense Historic Handshake As Episode Inspiration
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Part of what made Ronald Moore’s Battlestar Galactica show so popular is that it frequently mixed allusions to real-world events with its futuristic storytelling. For example, all fans know that huge plot points in the show were meant to dramatize things like governmental power consolidation and the endorsement of torture in the wake of post-9/11 America. However, most of the Battlestar Galactica fandom missed one real-world connection in the episode “Colonial Day”: a handshake plot regarding Zarek and President Roslin written to reference the Oslo I Accord of 1993.
Battlestar Galactica And A Historic Handshake
For this tale about Battlestar Galactica’s handshake history to make sense, you’re going to need a crash course on “Colonial Day.” In this Season 1 episode, President Roslin reinstutes the Quorum of Twelve to allow specially chosen individuals to represent their respective colonies. Tom Zarek, a man who tried to previously force Roslin to resign, ends up running for the vacant vice president position, and the members of the press speculate about whether or not Roslin will run for the man who once openly defied her authority.
The reason most Battlestar Galactica fans didn’t clock the handshake subplot as a specific reference is that the show as a whole is steeped in modern politics. This included the politics of the time (much of the show serves as a critique of George W. Bush’s presidential administration) and the in-universe politics of the show (these characters spend far more time fighting each other than fighting the Cylons). However, it turns out this moment was inspired by a slightly older historical event. Namely, the 1993 signing of the Oslo I Accord.
If you’re a younger Battlestar Galactica fan, you may not remember this event and the weird handshake debate that surrounded it. You see, the real-world press was consumed by speculation as to whether PLO chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin would be able to get over their fairly steep political differences and shake hands. They did so and ended up making history; this was the first time that the PLO and Israel formally acknowledged one another.
Tensions Between Leaders
Of course, the only ones in Battlestar Galactica that really seemed to care whether there would be a handshake between Roslin and Zarek are the members of the press. And the only reason they appeared so prominently in “Colonial Day” is that the previous miniseries revealed that most of Colonial One’s passengers were assorted reporters and photographers. Putting them in this episode establishes that life is returning to some semblance of normality for
The presence of the surviving press and their role in this story was inspired by the Miniseries, which established that most of the passengers on Colonial One at the time of the Cylon attack were reporters and photographers; their presence here further solidifies the theme that life has returned to normal. But that presence also cements the high stakes of future episodes because we know that every action taken by President Roslin and Commander Adama will be intently scrutinized.
And that’s all, folks: not only is “Colonial Day” a standout episode of Battlestar Galactica, but it has a minor handshake subplot referencing a momentous historical occasion. All of this serves as a reminder that no matter how many times you’ve watched the show, there’s always something new to discover. And our own tumultuous national politics make this the perfect time to revisit this iconic series. So say we all.
Entertainment
Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
Mother figures are the backbone of the world. Yours may be your biological mother, or maybe she’s your mother-in-law, your best friend’s mom, or simply someone whose motherly instinct has helped you through hard times.
Moms teach you the adulting necessities, give advice even if the problem is your fault, and above all, they put up with your shit and (almost) never complain.
The game plan here isn’t just to snag the last bouquet at CVS just so you’re not the kid who forgot Mother’s Day (but definitely also get flowers). And you don’t even need to spend a lot of money. (Peep our list of Mother’s Day gifts that cost less than $50. Want even more cheap gift ideas?
Skip the generic mugs and show your appreciation with a gift picked just for her: Whether it’s something to make a part of her life easier, something she’s mentioned wanting in passing, or simply something to make her feel like a damn queen, you can’t put a price on everything she’s done for you, but heartfelt gifts certainly help.
After all, they say “No matter how hard you try, you always end up like your mother.” But is that even a bad thing?
Entertainment
Ban subscriptions and get Microsoft Office 2024 for life for just £121
TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business for PC or Mac for just £120.54 through June 1.
You wouldn’t keep paying for Netflix if you could own your favorite shows, right? So why are you still subscribing to Office apps you use every day? Microsoft 365’s price keeps going up, but there’s finally a way to break free — and it’ll cost you way less in the long run.
Microsoft Office 2024 is the answer you’ve been looking for. Instead of monthly payments, simply pay £120.54 once and be set for life (reg. £188.37). It’s that simple. And, yes, this lifetime download works for PC or Mac.
What’s included?
This license comes with:
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Word
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Excel
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PowerPoint
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Outlook
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OneNote
The newest version of Microsoft Office is a little different from Microsoft 365. But just because you’re switching to a lifetime license doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on some of the most recent updates. Word and Excel both still have AI integrations for text suggestions and smart data analysis, and PowerPoint still has improved tools for recorded presentations.
Once you’ve redeemed your purchase, you can install your apps on one computer. After that, they’re yours to use however you want. No more subscription fees or sudden price hikes to worry about.
Why rent when you can own?
Mashable Deals
Get a Microsoft Office lifetime license on sale for £120.54 with no coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 9, 2025
Oh hey there! If you’re here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we’re serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today’s answer.
If you just want to be told today’s word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today’s Wordle solution revealed. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What’s the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website’s creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn’t any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle‘s Hard Mode if you’re after more of a challenge, though.
Here’s a subtle hint for today’s Wordle answer:
Gibberish.
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Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today’s Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today’s Wordle starts with the letter T.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it’s your final chance to solve today’s Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today’s Wordle is…
TRIPE.
Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we’ll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today’s Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Wordle.
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Best Mothers Day gifts: Show mom some love
