Felix Gaeta, Adama’s Tactical Officer on Galactica, is one of the most complex and well-written characters in watching Battlestar Galactica in order.

From being almost executed without a trial in season 3 without an apology from his colleagues, to being shut down for questioning potentially unlawful decisions in season 4, Felix is treated rather badly in the series. It does not justify his actions that lead to his downfall in season 4, but the key events leading to his disillusionment with the system he is in make it clear why he was vulnerable to Zarek’s manipulation.

In Gaeta's First Battlestar Galactica Scene, He Tells Adama It Was Honor To Serve Under Him

Gaeta Is Established Early On As An Honorable Man

Felix Gaeta first appears in the Battlestar Galactica miniseries on “Night I”. As the “antiquated” Galactica prepares for her decommissioning ceremony, Adama’s officers are soon moving on to their next assignments. In a conversation with Adama, Gaeta states, “It’s been both a pleasure and an honor to serve under you these past three years.” Adama responds to the Lieutenant that the honor is his, and they both salute each other. Whereas he is not the only officer who addresses Adama like this, he makes a point of calling it an honor as well as a pleasure, highlighting his core values.

Season 1, episode 1, “33” also does a lot to establish Gaeta as an honorable character and a respectable senior officer. When Dee makes the horrifying announcement that “1,345 souls” are uned for, Tigh jumps to questioning her fulfillment of her duties. Felix, however, makes a point that it may not necessarily be her fault and lists possible logical reasons. This establishes him as someone who does not blindly agree with his superiors, but reserves judgement and considers situations from different angles. This makes him wise beyond his years, and it is easy to see why Adama values him.

Why Felix Gaeta Is One Of Battlestar Galactica's Most Tragic Figures

A Disillusioned Gaeta Leads A Mutiny In Season 4

Gaeta’s story is especially tragic because it highlights the brutality of the fleet’s situation that has led to the decisions he makes. There are key moments in his arc that the viewer can see have informed his character shift. Under normal circumstances, leading a coup is something Felix Gaeta would never do. However, key events lead to his disillusionment. He is ruthlessly interrogated in season 3, episode 5 “Collaborators” because he was suspected of colluding with the cylons and hiding behind Baltar, when in fact he was the silent hero of the event that made him a suspect.

From Gaeta’s point of view, he has fought hard against the cylons and sacrificed a great deal...

In season 4, episode 6 “Faith”, he is shot in the leg by Anders for doing what Helo says when he has his commanding officer Starbuck in a headlock. Tragically, he loses his leg in the next episode. The heartbreak of the situation is highlighted when he tells Doc he is refusing general anesthesia because “I don’t want to wake up with my leg gone.” From Gaeta’s point of view, he has fought hard against the cylons and sacrificed a great deal for that fight, so when he sees that Battlestar Galactica's Adama and Starbuck are seemingly allying with them, he feels betrayed.

Gaeta’s story, culminating in high treason, is brutal because not only do viewers see a lot of him by Adama’s side, but we also see an officer with values that run deep. The sadness of his execution is emphasized by Adama still showing signs of respect in the end, such as allowing him to die in his uniform. Gaeta’s last words in Battlestar Galactica also highlight his tragedy. Both Adama and Gaeta’s views of the situation are understandable, giving a nuanced end to his story befitting this complex, well-written character in Battlestar Galactica.