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Battlestar Galactica Viewing Order [No spoilers!]

#1
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Hey everyone, I've just started watching Battlestar Galactica, and I'm really enjoying it but I'm becoming more and more confused about the viewing order. Between Webisodes, the movie and Extended Episodes, I feel like I'm in a proverbial minefield.

Could a helpful BSG expert please help me put together a list of precisely how it should be watched?

Thanks for any help!

UPDATE: This is now pretty much complete. Thanks to those who helped!

UPDATE UPDATE: I've shifted the viewing order over to my blog where I'm more likely to keep it up to date.

Link: Battlestar Galactica Viewing Order



Edited by John CW - 3/6/10 at 5:49am
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#2
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I think they should be watched in the order above. The Resistance webisodes belong between the second season finale and third season premiere. Razor could conceivably be watched earlier but does contain some spoilers for the third season finale, and for this reason, should be watched after the third season finale. The Face of the Enemy webisodes (not on DVD or Blul-Ray!) should be watched during the fourth season, probably about mid-way.
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#3
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Thanks, but as I understand it there are at least two Extended Episodes, which I'm not entirely sure my boxset includes...? "Unfinished Business" and the "Razor" movie. Am I right in saying that those two are available in "Extended" versions? And are there any more Extended Episodes I should watch out for?

Also, why does my DVD set only contain deleted scenes from the first half of season 2? Have deleted scenes for the second half been released anywhere? My boxset (R2 UK DVD) also includes Season 4 "Minisodes" on the same disc as Razor. Such a confusing mess! :(

Thanks again.
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#4
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I think Razor should be watched after episode 217 (which is where it takes place in the chronology of the show). The information given in Razor isn't a spoiler in the traditional sense, it just gives information that resonates better after seeing S3. However, if you see Razor in S2, it introduces some important elements earlier and that gives a more cohesive appearance to the series' story. Plus, S3 ends on a cliffhanger and S4 picks up at the same moment so Razor completely interrupts the flow between the two seasons.

If I remember correctly, the Razor flashbacks were actually deleted scenes (some of which are even in the extended version of Razor) that they put up online to hype up the audience. I think they all take place prior to the series so I'd just watch them after viewing Razor.

The Face Of The Enemy webisodes come after episode 411.

As for the extended episodes, either skip the broadcast cuts of those episodes or watch the extended ones right after the broadcast versions. I think there's extended versions of episodes 210, 309, Razor, 412, 418 and a long version of Daybreak (which has all the Daybreak episodes and extended scenes in one long episode).
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#5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John CW View Post

Also, why does my DVD set only contain deleted scenes from the first half of season 2? Have deleted scenes for the second half been released anywhere? My boxset (R2 UK DVD) also includes Season 4 "Minisodes" on the same disc as Razor. Such a confusing mess! :(

Thanks again.
 


I don't know if it's the same in the UK as the US but S2 was released in two halves (as Season 2.0 and Season 2.5). I don't know why the UK sets wouldn't include the deleted scenes for Season 2.5 though.

The S4 minisodes are probably the Razor flashbacks but that's just a guess.
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#6
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Wow. Thanks for that, that's incredibly useful information. What a complicated series! I'm tempted to watch Razor now as I'm just up to episode 308... Are there any BSG fans out there who disagree with Travis and think it might be a mistake?

Looks like I might have missed an extended episode in Season 2, too... Guess I should go back and watch it (or check which version came with my DVDs)!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#7
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My personal preference is to watch the entire series in single speed rewind in reverse production order. Not really a spoiler, but I don't want to get accused of including one...


Warning Spoiler! Click to show
Amazingly, not a single human or cylon ever dies when you watch in reverse.
Just kidding of course.

It's been awhile since I watched it, but I think Travis has it right.

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#8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John CW View Post

Wow. Thanks for that, that's incredibly useful information. What a complicated series! I'm tempted to watch Razor now as I'm just up to episode 308... Are there any BSG fans out there who disagree with Travis and think it might be a mistake?


 


For what it's worth, I don't think your enjoyment of the show would be negatively impacted by watching Razor after you finish S3 (everyone who watched the show as it aired saw it that way). It's just a break in the story since, like I said, S4 picks up right where S3 ends.
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#9
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Well I'm really excited by the prospect of being able to watch Razor now :) (Especially if it starts laying down the foundation for a more cohesive tale.)

I'm surprised, given the massive fanbase that BSG has, that more people aren't weighing in!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#10
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Woo! Good news. It seems my DVD set already came with the extended (56 min) version of Pegasus (episode 210)... So I already watched it without knowing! :) It's weird how there's no mention of extended episodes on the packaging anywhere, but I'm glad I saw the "intended" version.
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#11
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I've dared to do a bit of research elsewhere and it does seem that the placement of Razor is quite contentious.

Here's some quotes of people debating it...

Quote:
I think you can safely watch it after season 2 before season 3. That's when I watched it and I don't think anything was spoiled. I also think it fits in better.

Quote:
I watched Razor when it aired and I personally don't recommend watching it until you've finished with season 3. I think it would totally put a damper on some of the plot revelations about a certain character and change the way viewers see that character in season 3, when I think that was the intended effect for season 4.

It's an interesting one!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#12
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^ I could lay out my views a little better but I'd have to delve into spoilers. If you're already on episode 308, I think anything that I would consider a potential spoiler has already been shown in the course of the episodes. At this point, you might as well wait to watch Razor though.
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#13
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I shall take your advice and come back and discuss it! Thanks a lot for your help.
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#14
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So I just watched it and, yeah, there's zero spoilers... In fact the only reason I'd think there were any spoilers would probably be because there's such a big deal made about watching it before the end of Season 3!


Warning Spoiler! Click to show
So it's pretty clear, thanks to the concern of other BSG fans, that there's some truth in the "Old Man in the Bath"'s assertion that Thrace will "bring the apocalypse"... but we've been told many things by the Cylons in the past, and while this hybrid does seem to be a more reliable source, it's still extremely unclear what it means...

Saying that, the first scene with Starbuck in after this supposed revelation does feel odd... and I did start seeing her in a different, more dangerous light... I'm sure that will pass once I get back to my own timeline, though.

At least, I hope it will!
I have to agree that you pretty much have to watch Razor after episode 217... It was jarring for me to go back and try and remember what was going on -- and I'm only a 10 episodes on. After two season finales I would imagine it would be almost excruciating to go back and pick up an old story thread.

Regarding the "minisodes" on my DVD -- yes, they're the "Razor Flashbacks". These were actually the scenes involving the young William Adama as seen in the Extended version of Razor (the only version available on DVD). There's seven in total but, interestingly, the first two episodes and last half of the final one were NOT included in Razor -- so there's some extra (tiny) backstory for those who want it.

Edited by John CW - 9/16/09 at 3:58pm
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#15
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great idea for a topic.
Since i haven't seen one episode yet I decided to wait until they were all on home video.

Now I have to wait until netflix makes the blu version available.
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#16
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You don't need to watch the webisodes in order watch the Season 3 episodes. They're not really neccessary. 
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#17
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That's true, but they're only 25 mins, so you may as well. I'm currently interested to find out why The Face of the Enemy webisodes weren't included in the "Complete" boxset... I read somewhere that they were a bit of a slog to get through. I guess I'll find out when I get there!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John CW View Post

That's true, but they're only 25 mins, so you may as well. I'm currently interested to find out why The Face of the Enemy webisodes weren't included in the "Complete" boxset... I read somewhere that they were a bit of a slog to get through. I guess I'll find out when I get there!
 


Eventhough they're not neccessary to following the plot, I liked the Resistance webisodes just because some of the minor characters and their backstories were established in them.

The Face Of The Enemy webisodes help lay more groundwork for a story that comes up in S4 and they reveal a piece of info from a S3 episode as well. Like the other webisodes though, they aren't vital to following the series.
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#19
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I wholeheartedly agree. 

The Face of the Enemy webisodes fit chronologically between 4x11 and 4x12, not between 4x10 and 4x11, as they originally aired.  That confused the heck out of me when watching 4x10 originally. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR View Post

The Face Of The Enemy webisodes come after episode 411.
 


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#20
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Updated the viewing order to reflect that... Thanks guys!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#21
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Surprising turn of events: Unlike 2x10 ("Pegasus"), which had its extended version included in my boxset, 3x09 ("Unfinished Business") was NOT the extended version. I was wondering if people could confirm if their boxsets include the extended version of this episode, and what boxset/region they are. Thanks!

(Also: What an awesome, awesome episode! I saw the extended one and it really was superb. Probably the best episode yet, which went some way to making up for the previous one, ("Hero"))
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John CW View Post

Surprising turn of events: Unlike 2x10 ("Pegasus"), which had its extended version included in my boxset, 3x09 ("Unfinished Business") was NOT the extended version. I was wondering if people could confirm if their boxsets include the extended version of this episode, and what boxset/region they are. Thanks!

(Also: What an awesome, awesome episode! I saw the extended one and it really was superb. Probably the best episode yet, which went some way to making up for the previous one, ("Hero"))
 


The R1 DVD set of S3 and the Blu-ray series set has both the original and extended versions of Unfinished Business. Out of the extended episodes, that's the one that benefits the most from the 'new' material.
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#23
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Wow, just finished Season 3 -- Very interested to see what's going to happen next!
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#24
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Dear whoever is responsible for these things, the next time you release Battlestar Galactica on Bluray, please do the wise thing: Include all the deleted scenes in extended versions of the episodes from Season 4. They do an awful lot to explain the puzzling behaviour from characters we've come to know and love, and help bridge a lot of the gaps in story, too.

I'm a little shaken by the inconsistent quality of the writing and editing in the first half of Season 4 so far...


Warning Spoiler! Click to show
I have a to rant a little, but how "Six of One" got nominated an Emmy is beyond me... I have no doubt that BSG deserves an Emmy nod, but there were plenty of better episodes to choose from ("Faith", for example, just a few episodes on leaps to mind). What's somewhat shocking to discover is that there probably was an Emmy award winning episode in the deleted scenes.

Katie Sackoff's portrayal of Thrace's pain was so vivid and really showcased probably the actor's best work... and yet for time constraints those scenes were left truncated. It's a shame because in the broadcast version some of those scenes barely made sense (Adama's motivations for attacking her in the scene in her cell, springs to mind). Such a shame that an extended cut wasn't included (and the same can be said for just about every single episode in the first half of Season 4).

Whoever decided to make "Lee Adama becoming the acting President" a sub-plot in "Sine Qua Non" deserves a good talking to, as well. I spent the entire episode thinking "It's going to be Lee, it's going to be Lee", while the characters sat and pondered, "Gee, who on earth would the old man listen to? Hmmm. Who's charismatic enough to unite the Quorum? Hmmm, I wonder who? I know, I'll write the shocking answer on a whiteboard that the audience can't see for a big surprising reveal." It was really jaw-dropping that BSG would do something so obvious.

The worst episode of all has got to be "Revelations". I hope it was the writer's strike that's to blame for such a pivotal episode being so badly structured, but it's still a shame to see what was produced. Getting the humans to suddenly start a truce with the Cylons was a big task, to be sure, but there had to have been better ways... Why didn't the Cavels suddenly come back en masse and force everyone to unite through desperation? Why didn't the fleet's FTL drives start immediately plotting a course to jump to the second it became clear there were complications? *sigh* The whole "let's find each together, then" just was not earned and neither was the "we've decided to let the final four go free". It felt so forced. I understand it must have been a tricky thing to accomplish, but having to make the characters stop behaving like themselves, in order to make it work, what sad to see. In all there was a surprising amount of clunks in a short period of time for Battlestar Galactica, a show I've come to expect consistent quality from. (I guess I've been spoiled.)

Thankfully the first episode of 4.5 showed people acting like themselves again and had some serious emotional gravitas, too. I hope the rest of the season (show!) maintains the previous quality that I know the writers are capable of. Fingers crossed...
On to Face of the Enemy!

Update: What an excellent little story that was!

Also: Thanks for the help in putting together this Viewing Order -- it's holding up perfectly so far.



Edited by John CW - 10/11/09 at 10:19am
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#25
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 I didn't like the first 1/2 of season 4 at all! It was bad, so was some of the middle of season 3. I have said it before, but the boxing episode was a shark jumping moment, the show almost didn't recover from, IMO. Now as for the second half of season 4, its great. And i am glad its done! The show couldn't sustain itself for another year, much less 4 more years.
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#26
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It's funny you picked on the boxing episode of Season 3 because the Extended version of that episode (I haven't seen the broadcast version) is probably one of my favourites :) I think there were some weird moments, like


Warning Spoiler! Click to show
Older Adama getting into the ring and getting beaten up by Tyrol, but the I loved the backstory involving young Adama and Starbuck, and especially Dee's heartbreak. There was also something about the pacing of the Extended version that made it somewhat hypnotic -- there was so much breathing space.

But I think you're right, there's definitely the unfortunate odd moments when character's motivations go bizarrely out the window for dramatic effect or in order to progress the plot.
Have you seen the Extended version?

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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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#27
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 No, never the extended version, never even knew it had an extended version. As a matter of fact, after i saw the episode when it was shown, i almost stopped watching the show. I was saying to myself, this is an alien culture, in a different time and place, with technology, and ways far different then us, and they have boxing! Like good ol' 20th century earth boxing?! I forgive the show a lot, like using the same medical equipment i know and use every day. Cause most people wont know, but come on...Rocky in Space! I cringe thinking about it now. The good in the show outweighs the bad, but i have to skip around.
Loved season 1 and 2, hated the middle of season 3, indifferent to most of 4.1, and loved season 4.5. Thats how i break it down.
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#28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickER View Post

I was saying to myself, this is an alien culture, in a different time and place, with technology, and ways far different then us, and they have boxing! Like good ol' 20th century earth boxing?!


About the only differences I ever noticed between our world and their world is that they spaceships and a different f-word. Everything else is exactly the same.
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#29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR View Post



About the only differences I ever noticed between our world and their world is that they spaceships and a different f-word. Everything else is exactly the same.

LOL, thats true. Wanna bet the computer systems that the Cylons hacked were Windows?
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#30
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I really like the fact that their medicine isn't Star Trek/space-age: There are no super bio scanner computers that can deus ex machina and save the day. It was definitely a good choice, if you ask me. As for "boxing in space", that didn't bother me in the slightest -- I was much more concerned when they started singing Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix... THAT was something that took me out of it.

(Note: If this is explained at some point in the future, don't ruin it for me! :)
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Elvis returns from the dead to say: "Objectively looking at the world, you're the only people alive on the earth today. All the people who created tradition, created countries, created rules ... THEM #@&%ERS ARE DEAD. Why don't you start your own world while you got the chance?"
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