Quorum of Twelve

The Quorum of Twelve is a fictional governing body of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol on the two "Battlestar Galactica" television series. In both series, it was composed of one representative from each colony.

Series creator Glen A. Larson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of whose governing bodies is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of many LDS references in the Battlestar Galactica series.

Battlestar Galactica (1978)

In the 1978 version of "Battlestar Galactica", the Quorum of Twelve was the civilian government mentioned occasionally on the show. Commander Adama, in addition to his role as the battlestar CO, was President of the Quorum. Most day-to-day aspects of civilian life were handled by the quorum; however, they typically left military decisions to Adama and his crew.The Council has its own security force, but interestingly uses Colonial Warriors for security in their own meeting chamber. There is little love lost between Security and the Warriors. During the events of "Saga of a Star World" it is inferred that Baltar is the representative from Scorpio and that his colony was to be subjugated instead of destroyed by the Cylons. This is confirmed in “Lost Planet of the Gods” where Baltar points out that his seal is the same as Adama’s and so he was able to enter the pyramid. Adama is presumably the representative from Caprica, though how he held that office while commanding a Battlestar is a matter not addressed in the series. A pivotal character whom later disappears is Sire Uri, whom is appointed to the new Council during "Saga of a Star World". Notably all of the Council members seen in the SoaSW episode have been replaced by the time of "Baltar's Escape" wherein the entire Council is captured in the Galactica landing bay while greeting "Representatives" of the Eastern Alliance.

Battlestar Galactica (2004)

The Quorum of Twelve in the new "Battlestar Galactica" has been stated by the series creator Ron Moore to be intentionally reminiscent of the United Nations Security Council, with some elements of the United States Senate, and is supposed to provide a "The West Wing" political drama element to the series.Fact|date=May 2008

In the episode "Colonial Day", the civilian government was reconstituted, as elections were held for new representatives from the twelve colonies: Caprica, Gemenon, Tauron, Aquaria, Canceron, Sagittaron, Virgon, Picon, Libris, Aerelon, Leonis, and Scorpia. Each Colony (the surviving humans from those colonies) elects one delegate who votes on their behalf. The President of the Twelve Colonies acts as the chairperson. As seen in the episode "Colonial Day" the first issues they were forced to deal with included education, distributing of medical and food supplies, and the election of a Vice President. The first meeting coincided with the 52nd Colonial Day which celebrates the signing of the Articles of Colonization; the founding of a unified government for the twelve colonies.

When President Laura Roslin was arrested and the fleet placed under martial law following a coup d'etat by Commander William Adama in orbit above Kobol ("Kobol's Last Gleaming"), Colonel Saul Tigh tried to justify Roslin's arrest and the suspension of civilian government to the Quorum of Twelve by showing them what he thought would be Roslin in an incapacitated and delusional state ("Fragged"). However after an impassioned speech to the Quorum (after which it was clear their loyalties lay with her, and not the military) Roslin led a civilian revolt which eventually returned civilian rule to the fleet.

It appears that the President can make appointments to the Quorum when vacancies appear in its membership; Lee Adama was appointed the Caprican delegate, apparently after the death or resignation of his predecessor ("The Ties That Bind"). It also appears that the Quorum can select the Acting President in case of the incapacitation of the President; it selected Lee Adama to be Acting President after Roslin's disappearance aboard a Cylon rebel basestar ("Sine Qua Non").

ee also

* Articles of Colonization