BSG's "Last Supper" Photo

Take a look at these photos, then read my interpretation below from 28 March 2008:

I haven't read any other interpretations of the BSG S4 cast a la Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" (TLS). Here are my observations, comparisons and differences. Draw your own conclusions as to how they apply (or don't) to the resolution of BSG.

1. In TLS, Jesus sits with His 12 Apostles, making that 13 [people] at the table. In BSG, there are only 12 people at the table, five of whom are women. (Look at those numbers again: 12 Apostles; 12 Colonies; the 13th Tribe.)

2. In TLS, Jesus, clothed partially in red, has six Apostles each to His left and right. In BSG, Caprica [Six], clothed completely in red, has six people to her left and five to her right. Someone is "missing" from Six's right (notice the open space between Tigh and Apollo). Could it be Tory? She's the only one of four newly revealed Cylons who isn't at the table.

3. In BSG, Apollo appears to be seated where Judas sits in TLS, and both men have an elbow on the table (bad manners). Each is a man apart from the others. Judas is about to betray Jesus. Apollo can be said to have betrayed the fleet by resigning from the military and defending Baltar.

4. Starbuck and Baltar also have their elbows on the table.

5. Apollo and Starbuck are the only ones facing away from Six. (Tyrol's head is slightly turned toward the right.)

6. In TLS, Jesus is seated. In BSG, Six is standing. Each left hand has the palm facing upward.

7. Baltar and John [or Mary Magdalene] are seated to the right of Six and Jesus, respectively. Baltar faces Six, while John [Mary] is turned away from Jesus. John, depicted effeminately, is known as the Apostle "whom Jesus loved." [Or it's really Mary Magdalene.] Baltar, with his long girlish hair, is the one Six loves.

8. In TLS, Philip is said to be "seeking clarification" from Jesus, but Jesus' attention is down toward the bread (earth). In BSG, Baltar appears to be talking to Six, even raising his arm to appeal to her, but her attention is directed upward (to space).

9. Roslin and Adama are at either end of the table, facing slightly inward, but not really paying attention to what the others are doing. They're on the fringes, lost in their own thoughts.

10. Six only appears to be visible to [Natalie] (at the far left), Baltar and Athena. (Helo isn't quite looking at [Six], but perhaps at [Natalie].)

11. In BSG, [Natalie] is pointing angrily at Six. In TLS, James the Lesser's hand is reaching over to touch Peter.

12. In TLS, Andrew has his hands up in a "stop" gesture. In BSG, Athena's hand is reaching up to touch Adama, perhaps hoping he can "stop" whatever's happening.

13. In TLS, Peter is said to appear "angry," and Judas is right next to him. In BSG, Tigh appears angry and is right next to Apollo, the object of his anger.

14. In TLS, Peter also is said to be holding a dagger that's directed away from Jesus. In BSG, Tyrol is holding what appears to be a knife that's pointed toward Six. Peter is not focused on the dagger, but rather on talking to John [or Mary Magdalene]. Tyrol is engrossed in his knife, not paying attention to anyone else.

15. In TLS, glasses and bread are on the table. Some interpretations indicate that on the far left, on the pillar above Bartholomew, is a chalice (the Holy Grail?). In BSG, there are four books and two glasses on the table … and immediately to Apollo's right is a chalice-like glass.

16. In TLS, John [or Mary Magdalene] is turned away from Jesus and his [or her] eyes are closed. In BSG, Starbuck is turned away from Six and has her eyes closed.

17. In TLS, Peter's mouth is very close to John's [or Mary Magdalene's] head. In BSG, Anders' mouth is kissing Starbuck's head.