Movies - Lieutenant Athena

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	Movies - Lieutenant Athena

Lieutenant Athena is the name of a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica television series which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1979. The role was portrayed by Maren Jensen.

Athena is Commander Adama’s only daughter, and serves as both a bridge officer on the Battlestar Galactica and as a pilot. She also is seen working as a teacher, providing education to some of the Colonial Fleet's children, in what appears to be an elementary school setting.

She had two brothers, Captain Apollo who was featured in the series, and Zac who died in the opening episode. Ila her mother died off screen during the Cylon sneak attack on Caprica.

Before the destruction of the Twelve Colonies she was romantically linked to Lieutenant Starbuck, but later drifted apart, particularly after Starbuck met the ex-socialator Cassiopeia. In a memorable sequence from The Long Patrol, Starbuck continues to try and date the two women, even on the same night, but ulimately Cassiopeia seemed to win out in the rivalry for Starbuck's affections.

Athena also expressed some concern that Starbuck might eventually not return from a mission, and questioned whether they should continue their relationship. In The Return of Starbuck episode of the sequel series Galactica 1980 we learn that Athena's concerns were perhaps justified.

The role of Athena was originally intended to be central to the series, but Maren Jensen was not an experienced actress, and despite considerable improvement over time, her screen time was gradually reduced. First, the role of Cassiopeia began to expand to fill the role Athena has been designed to play, and then the character of Lieutenant Sheba was introduced midway through the season. Athena was the only major recurring character not to appear for the entire run of the show, as Maren Jensen left the series after Greetings From Earth.

Although we never did see Athena again after this point, she was mentioned later in The Return of Starbuck.

The character of Athena does not appear in this capacity in the 2004 TV series (see Athena (Battlestar Galactica) for her direct counterpart), however several characters in the new series encompass major elements of Jensen's character. Sharon Valerii and Kara Thrace take on the piloting and romantic elements of the character and are also treated as "surrogate daughters" by William Adama, who has no biological daughter in the reimagined version. Athena's role as a bridge officer is carried by the character of Anastasia Dualla.

Athena's Rank

In the episode The Long Patrol, a readout on one of the computers lists Athena's rank as Lieutenant. In other parts of the series she is referred to as an Ensign. However, depending on which order the episodes were filmed (vis-a-vis broadcast order), it is likely that she was promoted at some point.

Origin of Name

The name Athena was based on a goddess from Greek mythology whom was identified by the Roman Minerva, also known as Athene.

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