Battlestar Galactica’s Edward James Olmos took a line of dialogue in the original script and elevated it to almost literal biblical proportions.
"So Say We All" is the poignant call and response that has come to define Battlestar Galactica, but the now-iconic saying would have had a very different legacy had Edward James Olmos not intervened. 2004's Battlestar Galactica was a re-imagining of the original 1978 TV series of the same name. While Battlestar Galactica paid tribute to the original series in several ways, the critically acclaimed Syfy show also received its fair share of endearing homages from the likes of The Office to Portlandia, cementing its legacy. This is in no small part due to its memorable script and dialogue.
Battlestar Galactica is still one of the more rewatchable and bingeable sci-fi series thanks to its strong writing, directing, and the unrelenting tension of who might be a humanoid Cylon lurking in plain sight. The sci-fi series has other interesting quirks too; instead of distancing itself from Earth and the Milky Way Galaxy entirely like Star Wars or directly connecting with a future version of this planet like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica features humans on a distant star system who view Earth almost through the lens of mythology. As if that weren't intriguing and mysterious enough, Battlestar Galactica's controversial ending reveals the series' events actually took place over 150,000 years ago – a plot twist that continues to be debated to this day.
Unlike the polarizing ending, however, there's no debating the reverential power and cultural legacy of Battlestar Galactica's most important line, "So Say We All." Yet, despite the phrase's significance, it was actually an almost accidental inclusion, with William Adama actor Edward James Olmos improvising the original line in the script – transforming "So Say We All" into a powerful, hopeful call and response that drove home many of Battlestar Galactica's most memorable and emotional moments. According to Edward James Olmos, it was something that also helped unite the cast and crew at the beginning of the sci-fi series’ run. Interestingly, despite the religious symbolism of "So Say We All," it coexisted with "Amen" in the show; that linguistic oddity is right up there with why Battlestar Galactica's characters don't swear. Whatever its original intentions, however, there's no doubt that "So Say We All" represents one of Battlestar Galactica's most enduring impacts on pop culture.
Where Does "So Say We All" Come From
"So Say We All" was actually part of Battlestar Galactica's original script as written by screenwriter and executive producer Ronald D. Moore. However, it was meant to be a one-off line of dialogue. According to Edward James Olmos, he made the executive decision to improvise the line into what it ultimately became. During a 2010 Q&A at Seattle's Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, the veteran actor noted the very first day of shooting happened not long after 9/11. Given the circumstances, "it was really not a healthy time," and everyone was "all kind of very depressed." It wasn't just because of 9/11 either; nobody knew each other, and they had been "standing around for a couple hours waiting to do this scene." Edward James Olmos decided to go against Battlestar Galactica's original plan and turned "So Say We All" into a call and response that was so powerful, "it united everybody" and "people started crying."
The beauty of "So Say We All" was that it combined an organically scriptural feel with Battlestar Galactica's greater themes while also harnessing the power of Edward James Olmos' astute improvisation on the first day of filming. Although "Amen" was used in at least two episodes on the show, it's clear that "So Say We All" was really the true beacon of hope for the sci-fi series and its cast and crew. Sadly, the show faced failing ratings through its run, and Battlestar Galactica ended after season 4, but one of the lasting legacies of the show is the “So Say We All” catchphrase, thanks to Edward James Olmos.
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Barrett Sonn is a freelance movie/TV features writer for Screen Rant. He got an early start in the entertainment industry as a part-time child model. Now he has an educational background in communications and media. He is a former opinion columnist and radio talk show host from his time in Iowa City. More recently, he has written and edited for several publications in the Chicagoland area. Even more recently, he wrote this bio. When Barrett is not writing about movies and TV shows, he is usually watching them. He is also a big fan of basketball, dishonoring his family, and dropping I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson references like someone with slicked back hair. Barrett is the founder of movie/TV review site KUATOCOBRETTI.COM, and he can also be found on the beach pretending to be profoundly introspective.
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