President Laura Roslin

Battlestar Galactica

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Played by:

Mary McDonnell
Renowned for her stage work on the East Coast, working with the Long Wharf Theatre Co., amongst others. ...

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President Laura Roslin Quotes

	Season 4 / Episode 20: - Daybreak Part 2 President Laura Roslin: [Her last words, spoken while riding a Raptor flying over Earth, looking at the various wildlife on the planet] So much life...
	Season 4 / Episode 19: - Daybreak Part 1 President Laura Roslin: [volunteering for the mission despite being barely able to walk] You didn't think you were gonna to take off without me Admiral, did you?
	Season 4 / Episode 15: - No Exit President Laura Roslin: You are the right one, Lee. You have always been the right one. My only concern about you is that you're so hellbent on doing the right thing that you sometimes don't do the smart thing. Lee Adama: Well, I'll try to be smarter, and wronger.
	Season 4 / Episode 14: - Blood on the Scales (2) Tom Zarek: You have to think about the people of this fleet now, and surrender. President Laura Roslin: No. Not now. Not ever. Do you hear me? I will use every cannon, every bomb, every bullet, every weapon I have down to my own eye teeth to end you! I swear it! I'm coming for all of you!
	Season 4 / Episode 14: - Blood on the Scales (2) Tom Zarek: [speaking on the wireless] This is Tom Zarek, President of the Twelve Colonies. It's over, Laura. Saul Tigh was killed attempting to escape. Bill Adama was tried and found guilty of his crimes. A firing squad executed him this morning. It's done, Laura. You want to think about the people of this fleet now, and surrender. President Laura Roslin: No. Not now. Not ever. Do you hear me? I will use every cannon, every bomb, every bullet, every weapon I have down to my own eyeteeth to end you. I swear it! I'm coming for all of you!
	Season 4 / Episode 13: - The Oath (1) President Laura Roslin: [addressing the fleet on the wireless during the mutiny] Women and men of the fleet. This is your president. We have come to a crossroads in our long and painful journey. Of all the decisions that I have had to make since assuming the presidency, none was more frightening or more difficult than agreeing to this alliance with the Cylons. But we have come to a crossroads in our long and painful journey. Cylons and humans have been at war for generations; we know nothing else. And we have been locked in a struggle that has seen both sides suffer unspeakable loss. But with our supplies running low and our options limited, our former enemies may represent our last, perhaps our only hope. To those in the fleet and in Galactica who would reject this alliance, I am asking you. No, I am begging you to reconsider and place your trust back in those who have brought you this far, and to reject those traitors who would use your fear of the Cylons to destroy Colonial civilization a... [transmission is cut off]
	Season 4 / Episode 9: - Hub Dr. Gaius Baltar: I gave the access codes to the Cylons. They wiped out most of humanity. Of course, I didn't know what I was doing at the time exactly, but that's what I did. And when I realized what I had done, the magnitude, in that moment I was saved. I was loved. By God. Looking back, I think I was rewarded. President Laura Roslin: Rewarded? Dr. Gaius Baltar: Pythia talks about a flood. Wiped out most of humanity. Nobody blames the flood. The flood is a force of nature. Through the flood mankind is rejuvenated, born again. I was another flood, you see. I blamed myself. I blamed myself. But God made the man that made that choice. God made us all perfect. And in that thought, all my guilt flies away. Flies away like a bird.
	Season 4 / Episode 7: - Guess What's Coming to Dinner? President Laura Roslin: I won't compromise the success of this operation or the safety of this fleet to indulge the neediness of 12 perpetually unhappy representatives. I can't.
	Season 4 / Episode 7: - Guess What's Coming to Dinner? Number Six: Our ship can heal itself. But most of our Raiderswere destroyed in the ambush. We're asking for you help here. We can't do it alone. President Laura Roslin: What could possibly motivate us to trust you now? What have you got? Lt. Sharon 'Athena' Agathon: The boxing facility resides within the Cylon Resurrection Hub. This hub controls the functions of every Resurrection ship in existence. Lt. Sharon 'Athena' Agathon: It protects itself by periodically jumping to a new set of coordinates and relaying them back to the Baseship. Number Six: [Standing up] Madame President, you asked for a reason to help us. Vengeance. You destroy the Hub, Cylons lose their ability to download. All of us. President Laura Roslin: Why would you be willing to lose your ability to resurrect? Number Six: We're rebels. We can't go back. What matters most to us is being with the Five. D'Anna will be able to identify them. We'll take you to the hub if you help us unbox D'Anna.
	Season 4 / Episode 7: - Guess What's Coming to Dinner? President Laura Roslin: I am here because I want to tell you face to face that I believe in this mission and what it means for our future. I'm here to profess my trust in our new allies. I'm here to ask you to listen. I'm here to ask for your support. President Laura Roslin: [to the marines at the door] Bring her in. Number Six: In our civil war, we've seen death. We've watched our people die. Gone forever. As terrible as it was beyond the reach of the Resurrection ships, something began to change. We could feel a sense of time, as if each moment held its own significance. We began to realize that for our existence to hold any value, it must end. To live meaningful lives, we must die and not return. The one human flaw that you spend your lifetimes distressing over... Mortality is the one thing... Well, it's the one thing that makes you whole. Number Six: I believe it was no accident that we were found by Kara Thrace. It was destiny. She asked me to leave my people, and I accepted. No matter what the sacrifice, even if it should mean my death... The Hybrid: Thus shall it come to pass. The dying leader shall know the truth of the opera house. You are the harbinger of death, Kara Thrace. Number Six: Our destiny. Our future. Begins here. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. Admiral William Adama: Take her out.
	Season 4 / Episode 4: - Escape Velocity President Laura Roslin: Lee has no idea. He really has no idea. Admiral William Adama: Have you anything I've said? President Laura Roslin: There are pragmatic realities he refuses to face. Admiral William Adama: Well, that's a problem of course; he saying what he thinks is right. President Laura Roslin: Well yeah, he's Lee. Thing is, it probably is the right thing. But sometimes the right thing is a luxury. And it can have profoundly dangerous consequences. And it's almost as if he doesn't want that to be true. Ok, I've got to stop this. I'm not supposed to get upset during treatment. Will you read the next chapter? Admiral William Adama: I must warn you that I'm getting into the part I haven't read yet. President Laura Roslin: Oh dear, are you going to be able to continue? Admiral William Adama: Chapter Seven. The raft was not as seaworthy as I'd hoped. The waves repeatedly threatened to swamp it. I wasn't afraid to die. I was afraid of the emptiness that I felt inside. I couldn't feel anything, and that's what scared me. You came into my thoughts; you filled them. It felt good.
	Season 3 / Episode 13: - Taking a Break from All Your Worries President Laura Roslin: [interrogating Baltar] This is Devlin and Mary Ann McCallister and their son and daughter. This is a family of four that was gunned down in their own home on suspicion of harboring insurgents. Just wondering if you recognize even one of these faces, did any image get through to you on the rare occasion that you ventured out, from behind your sandbags and your razor wires TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO YOUR PEOPLE? YOUR PEOPLE!
	Season 3 / Episode 13: - Taking a Break from All Your Worries President Laura Roslin: Doctor, did you conspire with her to subvert our defense system? Dr. Gaius Baltar: Conspiracy requires intent. I never intended... though she said deep down I'd always suspected. But I didn't know. How could I know? Did I conspire? Did I? No. No. I don't know. No. It wasn't my fault. It wasn't my fault! I am not responsible!
	Season 2 / Episode 18: - Downloaded Doctor Gaius Baltar: What are you suggesting? President Laura Roslin: I'm not suggesting anything Doctor. If I want to throw a baby out an airlock I'll do it.
	Season 2 / Episode 12: - Resurrection Ship (2) Commander William Adama: How are you feeling? President Laura Roslin: I could sleep for about a year, but... but you, however, do not have that luxury, because you have a new job. Billy. Billy Keikeya: Took a little while to find that jeweler. President Laura Roslin: Thank you. President Laura Roslin: Rumor has it that I know very little about military protocol, but I do believe... that... someone who commands more than one ship is called an Admiral. President Laura Roslin: Congratulations, Admiral Adama. Commander William Adama: Thank you, Madam President. Thank you Billy. I, umm, never gave up hope, I just... stopped trying to get these a long time ago. President Laura Roslin: Just goes to show you, Bill. Never give up hope. Commander William Adama: Same goes for you, Laura.
	Season 2 / Episode 11: - Resurrection Ship (1) President Laura Roslin: The spirit of the law requires something more here than summary executions. Admiral Helena Cain: ...Is this what the two of you have been doing for the past six months? Debating the finer points of Colonial law? Well, guess what, we're at war! And we don't have the luxury of academic debate over these issues.
	Season 2 / Episode 11: - Resurrection Ship (1) President Laura Roslin: You have Pegasus, he has Galactica. Two heavily-armed, very powerful warships. Now, I am sure that Pegasus would prevail in any fight- Commander William Adama: [interrupting] -I wouldn't count on that- President Laura Roslin: -but certainly, there'd be heavy damage and you'd take significant casualties. So you can go out there and fight it out with Galactica or you can compromise. And those are the only two options on the table, period. Admiral Helena Cain: How the two of you have survived this long, I will never know.
	Season 2 / Episode 11: - Resurrection Ship (1) President Laura Roslin: [discussing Admiral Cain] I afraid this can only end one way... You've got to kill her. Commander William Adama: What the hell are you talking about? President Laura Roslin: Like she said, let's cut through it. The two of you were willing to go to war today. Do you think she's going to step down from that? She's going to bide her time and hit you the first chance she gets. That's a given. I hate to lay this on you, Bill, but she is dangerous and the only thing that you can do is to hit her before she hits you. Commander William Adama: I'm not an assassin.
	Season 2 / Episode 9: - Flight of the Phoenix Commander William Adama: [after the first flight of the black bird, Commander Adama, President Roslin and Colonel Tigh go to the hanger deck to congratulate Chief Tyrol and cristin the black bird All personal come to attention and salute as they walk in] As you were. Commander William Adama: Chief Tyrol. [President Roslin shakes his hand] President Laura Roslin: This is the black bird? Chief Petty Officer Tyrol: Yes ma'am. Madame President this is an honor President Laura Roslin: No, the honor is mine. It's remarkable. Chief Petty Officer Tyrol: [as all crewmembers that helped build the blackbird sign their signitures onto it] Just a ship ma'am. President Laura Roslin: Oh you are much to modest. After what we've been through... it would be very easy to give up, to lose hope ,but not here, not today. This is more than a ship Chief. This is an act of faith. It is proof... that despite all we've lost... we keep trying... and we will get through this, all of us, together. I promise Chief Petty Officer Tyrol: [Picks up a bottle of champagne] Commander [hands the bottle to Adama] Uh, Madame President. This was uh... suppose to be a surprise but uh... well. President Laura Roslin: [Chief Tyrol removes the colonial flag from the nose of the black bird revealing that the name "Laura" has been given to it. President Roslin stands silent and fights to hold back tears, she finally clears her throat] Thank you. Commander William Adama: [Adama gives Roslin the Bottles of Champagne] If you'l do us the honors... Madame President. President Laura Roslin: Oh, of course! [Roslin takes the bottle and prepares to smash it against the black bird causing the Chief and the entire crowd to panic] kidding [looks around to re-assure the amused crowd and an especially surprised chief] Chief Petty Officer Tyrol: [opens the bottle while crowd cheers and gives the bottle to Chief Tyrol who takes the first drink]
	Season 2 / Episode 7: - Home (2) Commander William Adama: [after being reunited on Kobol, the President and the Commander sit down by a campfire to talk] You interfered with a military mission and you broke your word to me. President Laura Roslin: It's the second part that really bothers you isn't it? Commander William Adama: Laura I forgive you. President Laura Roslin: Thank you Bill. I didn't ask for your forgiveness. Commander William Adama: Well, you have it anyway. President Laura Roslin: Lt. Thrace says there are survivors on the Colonies. There are people fighting against the Cylons everyday. They are fighting for their homes, their future. Commander William Adama: I see. President Laura Roslin: It doesn't give you pause? Maybe your impulse the day the Cylons attacked was right. Maybe we should have stayed and fought for our homes. Maybe the President of the Colonies should have stayed and fought with her people. Commander William Adama: I didn't come here for this. I didn't come here to lay blame or to catalogue our mistakes. We made a decision to leave the Colonies after the attack. We made the decision. It was the right one then and it's the right one now. Because every moment of every day since then is a gift. President Laura Roslin: From the gods. Commander William Adama: No, from you, for convincing me that I should go. I would be dead. My son would be dead. Whatever else the costs, I won't second guess that outcome. Commander William Adama: [after a pause, Roslin and Adama look over and see Starbuck and Apollo happily chatting near another fire] I think its time to go find this... tomb of yours.
	Season 2 / Episode 4: - Resistance President Laura Roslin: Doctor, I need your help. But it's illegal, dangerous and in violation of your oath as an officer. Dr. Cottle: You're a lousy salesman.
	Season 1 / Episode 11: - Colonial Day Commander William Adama: Politics. As exciting as war. Definitely as dangerous. President Laura Roslin: Though in war, you only get killed once. In politics it can happen over and over. Commander William Adama: You're still standing. President Laura Roslin: So are you.
	Season 1 / Episode 11: - Colonial Day President Laura Roslin: Mr. Zarek. Oh, don't worry, I won't be kissing you today. Tom Zarek: That's a shame. I shaved very closely in anticipation of being smacked by you.
	Season 1 / Episode 9: - Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down President Laura Roslin: [to Commander Adama, who is concerned about Ellen's identity] You actually think that woman is a Cylon? Captain Lee 'Apollo' Adama: Well, if she's not, then we're all in a lot of trouble.
	Season 1 / Episode 9: - Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down Doctor Gaius Baltar: Look, it's not magic, it's science. If you want my result, you're gonna have to wait a while. Commander William Adama: I gave you her sample this morning. Doctor Gaius Baltar: I have started and stopped the test twice already now so I'm running a little behind. Commander William Adama: Twice? President Laura Roslin: My fault... Long story. Commander William Adama: Your fault? Doctor Gaius Baltar: Yes, I probably shouldn't have mentioned that. President Laura Roslin: No, you probably shouldn't have.
	Season 1 / Episode 8: - Flesh and Bone President Laura Roslin: Put him out the air lock. Lt. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace: What? You can't do that, not after he told you the truth. President Laura Roslin: Yes, I can, and I will. Lieutenant, look at me. You've lost perspective. During the time I've allowed him to remain alive and captive on this ship, he has caused our entire fleet to spread out defenseless. He puts insidious ideas in our minds, more lethal than any warhead. He creates fear, but you're right. He's a machine, and you don't keep a deadly machine around when it kills your people and threatens your future. You get rid of it.
	Season 1 / Episode 4: - Act of Contrition Doctor Cottle: You are obviously an intelligent, well-educated young woman. Would you mind explaining to me why you waited five years in between breast exams? President Laura Roslin: Yes, I would mind. It's none of your business. I was busy. Doctor Cottle: [lighting a cigarette] And now here you are. President Laura Roslin: Yes, here we are. Would you mind? Doctor Cottle: I do, actually.
	Unknown Episode: President Laura Roslin: [about Commander Adama] Maybe if he's more comfortable he'll be a little easier to deal with. Billy Keikeya: That's smart. President Laura Roslin: No, it's not smart. It's politics.
	Unknown Episode: President Laura Roslin: [about Commander Adama] Maybe if he's more comfortable he'll be a little easier to deal with. Billy Keikeya: That's smart. President Laura Roslin: No, it's not smart. It's politics.
	Unknown Episode: President Laura Roslin: [about Commander Adama] Maybe if he's more comfortable he'll be a little easier to deal with. Billy Keikeya: That's smart. President Laura Roslin: No, it's not smart. It's politics.

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