Battlestar Galactica

Jamesbondjr

I couldn't find any topics on this so i'll start one.

I have recently started watching the newer version of Battlestar Galactica and I love it. I was sceptical when it was recommended to me as I have struggled to get into other Sci Fi series. But I guess this struck a chord with me.

So what are other peoples thoughts on the re-imagined series? I know there is a lot of split opinion on the new series, particularly from fans of the original. Love it or hate it post your thoughts here.

Please be aware that I am only half way through the 3rd series, if you have spoilers please use the spoiler bracket thingymajigs.

John Drake

I'm a big fan of this as well. Pity they've decided not to show the final part of Season 4 till next January. What episode are you on at the moment?

Jamesbondjr

I've just watched the 10th episode in season 3. Unfortunately I accidently found out who the next 4 cylons are already, which leaves 1 unknown, to me at least. I have my theories as to who it is.

From what I gather season 4 is to be the last, with a 2 hour prequel to follow

John Drake

That sucks knowing already. When the 4 were revealed I was, . Especially considering that two of those 4 would have been on my list for, No Way could this guy be a Cylon. The final one has yet to be unmasked, so I'm as much in the dark as you are.

TonyDP

I found it to be head and shoulders above the original show, which was a real stinker in terms of story and charcters, but I haven't followed it closely since the second season. The long gaps between new episodes on the SciFi Channel made the whole saga a little too cumbersome for me too keep up with and as such I fell out of touch with it. Hopefully, once it finishes its run it will be shown on a more regular schedule from start to finish without any gaps - I think that will make the narrative and overall story arc much easier to follow.

I've been reading that there will be an entire prequel series, which will show how the Cylons came to be and why they turned against their creators.

Jamesbondjr

I think the series you are refering to Tony is called Caprica, set on one of the original 12 colonies. It could be interesting if it's done right.

I am watching on DVD, i never watch tv series on tv as I prefer to watch at my own pace, it can be difficult to dodge spoilers at times but I just prefer to watch that way. It's going to be a tough wait for January to see the conclusion.

With regards to the original series, I remember loving it as a kid but can't really remember it too well. I have it on DVD also and will watch it for old times sake when i'm done with season 3 of the new version.

Number24

I usually don't like this genre (Star Trek, Babylon 5) but i love BG! Only Firefly can possibly compete, but the two shows have a different tone and Firefly only got one season.
I would like to see an episode in BG where the person in Fox TV responsible of axing Firefly is sucked into space via the airlock. Just a nice nod from one superior SF series to another.

Loeffelholz

My brother has been watching this series via Netflix, and he raves about it. I haven't seen it yet, but I certainly shall!

TonyDP

There was an ancillary BG movie released recently called Razor which explored events leading up to the Cylons' attempted genocide of the 12 Colonies as well as the story of the Battlestar Pegasus.

I haven't seen the entire movie yet, but I was able to download some clips via Xbox Live. Interestingly, at least part of the movie is a flashback to the first Human / Cylon war from the perspective of Captain Adama (then a young rookie pilot). The space combat scenes were really well done, even better than the actual show IMHO, and all the ships are straight out of the old TV show, right down to the Cylon raiders and twin-saucer basestars.

Loeffelholz

For someone who hasn't seen any of the new BG, would it be better to watch 'Razor' first, or the miniseries from '04?

John Drake

Loeffelholz wrote:

For someone who hasn't seen any of the new BG, would it be better to watch 'Razor' first, or the miniseries from '04?

Watch it from the beginning Loeff. Razor might be a prequel, but much of what happens is given greater meaning by having knowledge of the mini-series and the first three seasons. I think you'll like BSG a lot. You like things tough and gritty and this show doesn't let you down in that respect. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Loeffelholz

John Drake wrote:

Watch it from the beginning Loeff. Razor might be a prequel, but much of what happens is given greater meaning by having knowledge of the mini-series and the first three seasons. I think you'll like BSG a lot. You like things tough and gritty and this show doesn't let you down in that respect. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thanks, John {[] I've bumped the miniseries to the top of my Netflix queue...should have it by Wednesday B-) Will post reactions here...

Another Loeffelholz

Cool Bro Loeff !!! {[] I've been dying to hear your thoughts on this series. I am a big fan. And I've only just completed season 2.5 !! B-)

Loeffelholz

Gotta go to bed...it's late...but I've just seen the original Sci-Fi miniseries---4 hours when it aired on TV; 3 hours when viewed without commercial breaks...



Really good, smart science fiction...I'm just beginning this adventure. I've kicked the rest of Season 1 to the top of my Nefflix queue...wow B-)

John Drake

Loeffelholz wrote:

Gotta go to bed...it's late...but I've just seen the original Sci-Fi miniseries---4 hours when it aired on TV; 3 hours when viewed without commercial breaks...



Really good, smart science fiction...I'm just beginning this adventure. I've kicked the rest of Season 1 to the top of my Nefflix queue...wow B-)

{[] Glad to hear you liked it Loeff. And the good news is it gets even better.

Another Loeffelholz

John Drake wrote:

Loeffelholz wrote:

Gotta go to bed...it's late...but I've just seen the original Sci-Fi miniseries---4 hours when it aired on TV; 3 hours when viewed without commercial breaks...



Really good, smart science fiction...I'm just beginning this adventure. I've kicked the rest of Season 1 to the top of my Nefflix queue...wow B-)

{[] Glad to hear you liked it Loeff. And the good news is it gets even better.

I totally agree. The mini-series is a mere intro to the coolness to come !! The more story that unfolds, the more incredible it gets. Good stuff to come indeed. B-)

Loeffelholz

A day later, I'm still processing the miniseries. Great performances fromt the principals---especially the excellent Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell. I like the chick who plays Starbuck, too; nice cigar :x

There's a lot of cool here: the retro philosophy of the ship and its Vipers, the "reds under the bed" subtext of the new model Cylons (naturally, death comes in the form of a leggy, statuesque blonde supermodel-type!), the space battle FX---an interesting compromise between realistic soundlessness and the noisy fury of battle, and the kinetic feel of it all.

But best of all is the overall fidelity to the spirit of the original series, in terms of spacecraft, set design, etc---and I haven't seen any of the old series since it went off the air.

Great stuff. Why can't all science fiction be this smart?

Jamesbondjr

I have just finished watching series 4. I had been told it wasn't as good as the previous three.

I thought it was better, the story is coming together nicely. 4 of the final 5 have been revealed (I think i know who the 5th is, if you wanna know who I think let me know)

I enjoyed what they did with the Cylons in this series, and the cliffhanger at the end...

Can't wait til January to see the conclusion

Loeffelholz

Jamesbondjr wrote:

I have just finished watching series 4. I had been told it wasn't as good as the previous three.

I thought it was better, the story is coming together nicely. 4 of the final 5 have been revealed (I think i know who the 5th is, if you wanna know who I think let me know)

I enjoyed what they did with the Cylons in this series, and the cliffhanger at the end...

Can't wait til January to see the conclusion

I'm now in the middle of season 3, waiting to see when the first half of season 4 gets released...Holy crap, this is a good show B-)

Jamesbondjr

The first half of season 4 was released here in Britain this week, its 10 episodes. You could probably import it for around 40 bucks if you have a region free dvd player.

Loeffelholz

Season 4.5---the final ten episodes of the series---debuts this Friday on the SciFi Channel B-)

I pre-ordered my copy of Season 4.0 (the first ten episodes) on Overstock.com last month. It came out over a week ago, but I foolishly didn't expedite the shipping, and it just arrived today My sons and I just discovered this FANTASTIC series last year, so this final run on SciFi will be the only episodes we'll see in First Run on television as they're aired...

So the pressure is ON We watched six episodes this evening. I work late tomorrow night---so we'll be rushing to get the final four episodes in on Friday afternoon/evening, before the new season starts at 9:00 Central Time in the U.S.A....

It's a binge...and it's a blast. What a show. I've never smoked crack (I got away from recreational pharmaceuticals before things got that stupid), but this has to be comparable---at least for the purposes of satirical simile One hit---that incredible initial miniseries, which runs three hours on DVD---was all it took. I promptly ordered up everything that was available...and this Friday night, we'll be watching the first of the final episodes with the rest of the hopeless junkies around the world...

Loeffelholz

Just finished the final episode of Season 4.0. Holy frack.

Less than three hours until the final run of weekly episodes begins.

This sort of anticipation is...priceless B-)

Thunderbird 2

I have onoly seen up to the end of Season 3, which is mildly frustrating!

I am a fan of Trek / B5 / Stargate, and Galactica 04 as I call it, has turned the Genre upside down. It is to be fair, a drama series first, then Sci Fi. Like all good Science Fiction it uses its technological aspects for real world analogies. In this case, terrorisim, and the fact that we humans are complicated creatures, - no one s completely good or bad, but varying shades of gray. The Cylons refelct this too, because now they have a human face, they can't be dismissed as mere metal robots with wonky programming.

Many of the cast were drawn to the series by the quality of the writing. Actor, Writer Director Edward James Alomos who plays Admiral adama, said whe he was first approached he was not interested. It was the quality of the script that completely changed his mind. All of the cast, main recurring and guest stars have been fantastic, - Richard Hatch, Kate Vernon, Lucy Lawlewss and Dean Stockwell immediately spring to mind, creating characters that stick in your head even if their screen time is minimal in an episode.

I can see future big budget Sci Fi having its work cut out, to try to follow on from this new and dramatic sub-genre Galactic has created!

Chin chin! -{

Loeffelholz

The episode last night has completely spun the series---as it winds down---in a new direction. The revelation of

the 'Final Cylon' certainly wasn't what I expected (in fact it seemed mildly anticlimactic)

...but I've enough faith in the creative team behind this tremendous show that I'm on board for the full ride...

John Drake

Watching the new episode now. Total OMG moment, and we're only ten minutes in.

Loeffelholz

Oh yeah. There's more than one of those...

John Drake

So far there's three! Astonishing show. Just out of this world. Or in this world at the moment.

Another Loeffelholz

I am counting the minutes to the big finale on Friday Night!! B-) Although, I am really going to miss this incredible bit of television in my life and am sorry that the end is so near.. I have no idea how they're gonna wrap this baby up, but I have complete confidence in the creative minds behind this show that it will be super cool. {[] -{

Loeffelholz

Another Loeffelholz wrote:

I have no idea how they're gonna wrap this baby up

Me neither! They did a nice job of revealing very little during the Sci-Fi special they ran last night...I can't believe I'm going to be traveling while the finale airs! Mrs Loeff and Loeff III are in charge of recording...

John Drake

Just watched the penultimate episode. It looks like the finale will end in tears for everybody. I hope we find out what Kara is and where Leobon ran off to after they discovered her body together.

TonyDP

John Drake wrote:

Just watched the penultimate episode. It looks like the finale will end in tears for everybody. I hope we find out what Kara is and where Leobon ran off to after they discovered her body together.

Wasn't that Leobon a "headjob", like No. 6 with Baltar?

I'll be checking out the finale as well though I must admit to having been disappointed overall with this fourth season so far, especially the last few episodes.

This 4th season of BSG seems dragged out to me, as just about all the episodes presented have been rather thin on plot and long on repetitive imagery - Adama’s pain at Galactica falling apart and subsequent alcoholic binges; Roslin’s losing battle with cancer and lingering shots of her lying in that hospital bed; Starbuck’s uncertainty over who or what she is; Baltar’s uncertainty over ... well, everything. Nearly every episode has presented those same themes and images over and over again ad nauseum, and if you go back and look at just how much stuff actually happens in each episode, you’ll see that it isn’t much.

I know that it's supposed to be a dark show with a bunch of flawed and desperate characters fighting a losing battle and I get all the post 9/11 inferences, but to my way of thinking a good episodic show is one that touches on ALL the emotions, not just the negative ones. Lots of sci-fi shows like Trek, Babylon 5, and more recently Lost have all succeeded in doing that. BSG on the other hand has been something of a one trick pony lately, emotionally speaking.

I think Moore has kept the cards a little to close to the vest this season and I'm fearful that this final two hour episode will either try to do too much or give us a Sopranos-style non-ending.

All just my opinion of course. Just a few more days to go; I'll be curious to see how it all pans out.