An interview from Scripps-Howard News Service
Rebellious Starbuck in for another rough ride
By DAVE MASON
Scripps Howard News Service
04-JAN-06
Katee Sackhoff says she often feels the urge to strangle
her "Battlestar Galactica" character — the rebellious, childish
Starbuck.
"Many, many times," Sackhoff said in a phone interview from Los
Angeles. "I think it's way (Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace) acts toward
people. I think, 'Will you just stop kidding around and tell him
(Lee "Apollo" Adama, played by Jamie Barber) that you love him?' It's
the way she is with Colonel Tigh (Michael Hogan), and the way she
picks on the other pilots. Tough love can only go so far. I
think, 'Will someone please hit her?' And usually someone is glad to.
"I have fans come up to me and say, 'I hate her.' And I say, 'That's
good. You should love or hate a character,' " Sackhoff said. "But
there are moments of deep sadness for her. Every time she takes a
step forward, circumstances make her take a step back."
Sackhoff admires the pilot she plays on "Battlestar Galactica" for
being a strong survivor who never breaks her word. "And I love her
honesty."
Starbuck's strength is put to a test when "Galactica" returns with
new episodes at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) Friday on Sci Fi.
Sackhoff said her Starbuck character has a sense of bravado that
masks her insecurity, traits that she believes existed in the first
Starbuck in the original "Battlestar," as played by Dirk Benedict.
She sees her Starbuck as a more flawed character. An upcoming
episode, "Scar," will explore Starbuck further.
"It's a complete departure from whom she's been for two seasons,"
Sackhoff said. "I went to (executive producers) Ron Moore and David
Eick and said, 'I don't get it. I don't like it.' I thought, 'What
happened to my character? She's drinking all the time.'
"The whole episode stems from her wanting to go back to Caprica and
get Anders (the man she fell in love with, played by Michael Trucco).
The likelihood of him being alive is growing small, and she knows
he's probably dead — and she loves him," Sackhoff said. "It's a great
episode."
Starbuck has been through a lot in two seasons.
"I think she's more tainted. She's experienced a tremendous amount of
loss, as has everyone on the show," Sackhoff said. "She's in her
early 20s. She's trying to find herself. She doesn't know what she
believe in."
Sackhoff said Starbuck will continue to grow up in upcoming episodes.
"At the end of the season, in the last episode, we'll see her in a
position to love and trust another person," Sackhoff said.
Does that mean a romance?
"Maybe," Sackhoff said.
Sackhoff, who grew up in Portland, Ore., said she had planned to
compete in swimming in college, but a dislocated knee made that
impossible. So at age 17, she decided to seek a Hollywood career
because it seemed out of her reach. She couldn't resist the challenge.
Her mother has another explanation.
"My mom likes to say I was always the class clown who needed to be
the center of attention," Sackhoff said. "I don't know about that."