Quorum of Twelve
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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 of the colonies of mankind, and as a governing body. Series creator Glen A. Larson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the head governing body of which is named the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of many LDS references in the Battlestar Galactica series.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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. 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, Libran, 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 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 a delusional and ill Roslin (Fragged). When she made an impassioned speech to the Quorum, it was clear their loyalties lied with her, and not the military, lead to a civilian revolt and the eventual return of civilian rule to the fleet.
