So there's a lot of speculation going around about the major character that is going to die in the second half of season 3. The general consensus, and hints from RDM, is that Kara "Starbuck" Thrace is going to die (in some way, shape, or form) in episode 16 of season 3, entitled Maelstrom.
Here are the confirmed facts:
1. A major character will "die" in Maelstrom.
2. A “profound” event involving Starbuck does occur a pivotal Season 3 episode called “Maelstrom”.
3. Moore says it “will be one of the most surprising things that’s happened in the history of the show so far.”
4. What happens to Thrace “will jump out and grab you,” Moore says.
5. Moore says, “I can say that Galactica will suffer a shocking loss in that episode and Kara is a key member of the crew.”
6. Katee Shackoff (the actress who plays starbuck) has confirmed that upon completion of filming on Maelstrom, her work on season 3 has ended (Maelstrom is episode 16 of 20 for season 3).
7. After Maelstrom, one of the cast's names will be removed from the opening credits of the show.
8. “It’s a fundamental and permanent change in the makeup of the show’s cast and of the show itself and how the show operates and what the show is about. It’s a very dramatic change of direction,” Moore says.
There is much speculation about exactly what will happen to Kara. RDM has refused to comment on whether or not she is a Cylon, and will be downloaded and reappear in the show in some way. RDM has also stated there will be a radical shift in the direction the show takes after season 3 (if they get a season 4 that is).
There was also some recent speculation regarding a
leaked image of Baltar in a Cylon resurrection tank, however RDM stated that that scene was ABSOLUTELY part of a Baltar "daydream" sequence.
Another image, from the upcoming episode Rapture (Jan 21st), appears to show Dienna Biers in front of the final 5 Cylons (or at least 5 hooded figures, dressed in all white, in the Kobol Symphony Hall Baltar saw in his visions on Kobol). The faces of the hooded figures are somewhat obscured, however if you look carefully, you might recognize some of them (Pay particular attention to the one second from the right... Starbuck?)
Whatever is to be the outcome of the second half of season 3, it is surely not going to be completely as it seems, RDM has eluded, “I would just add whether the fans of the show like what we do at the end of this year or find themselves aghast at what we do, they can rest assured it’s not what they’re expecting. Whatever they think is going happen, think again.”