Thoughts on "Battlestar Galactica"

[FredM 0]

Hey there all,

 

Though it isn't directly related to Star Trek, the author of this Sci-Fi Channel miniseries wrote many of the Trek episodes/movies in recent years. So...what did you think of Ron Moore's Battlestar Galactica?

 

Now, I didn't grow up ever seeing the original (which only lasted a single season). However, I have seen it before. I'm also aware of the numerous politics that happened with the show, eventually causing it's stories to get so far off base it wasn't even remotly funny.

 

I must tell you, I loved this miniseries! To me, the story made a lot more sense than the original. I thought the writing, acting, directing and special effects were simply amazing! In many respects, this show reminded me of the feeling, atmosphere and energy that existed on Space: Above & Beyond. There was a certain "realistic" sense to the entire show. Same can be said here.

 

I honestly couldn't find any major plot holes. The acting was really astounding. The special effects helped to reinforce the atmosphere of a realistic future. Case and point...you could see this as an aging aircraft carrier who was past it's day. It looked old, looked worn, etc. Simply astounding.

 

I'm encouraged by the ratings....(see Reuters ). It has been said that if the ratings were solid enough, the Sci-Fi channel might seriously consider pushing this show into a full series. If that happens, I can tell you they'll have my vote. I would only hope they'd be able to get the same actors.

[Dumbass 0]

Well I *did* grow up with the original series, including the theatrical release of the pilot, the series itself, owned the lunchbox, the board game, the Viper and Raider toys that were recalled because a kid choked on the missles that could be fired from the toys, the pilot on VHS (I don't have a working DVD player right now or I would own those as well.) etc. I even saw the Galactica 1980 series, and was looking for a Cylon or a Raider as my STSF avitar but couldn't find a suitable image.

 

On the whole I thought this latest incarnation was more realistic. The original series showed Adama saying "Let the word go forward that we are gathering ships" or words to that effect and 3 minutes later everyone was gathered. The miniseries showed the logistical problems of gathering the remains of humanity together when we were still under attack, and I liked seeing the hard decisions that had to be made to keep everyone else alive.

 

I agree with Fred in that this was solid sci-fi entertainment, and they set themselves up nicely for an additional miniseries or even a full series. I just don't want it to end up like the last episode of V where they left a lot of cliffhangers and never returned to do a second season.

 

I think adequate homage was paid to the original with the older Vipers and images of the original Cylons, but I don't like the tired theme they chose of humanity's technology taking over. It worked fine for the Terminator and Matrix movies but I would have prefered they stuck with the original premise of the Cylons having already enslaved their master race and now bent on domination of *everyone*, not just humans.

 

Was this enough to keep me from enjoying it? No. The only thing new to come out in 23 years was the books by Richard Hatch (the original Apollo, not the Survivor I winner - and I mean the *character* Apollo, not the Greek god or the STSF simmer) so I was ready for anything.

 

But a woman Starbuck? Come on! B)

Edited December 11, 2003 by Dumbass

[ens_tino 0]

I havent seem it but the commercials looked pretty good.

[Dumbass 0]

I havent seem it but the commercials looked pretty good.

Well it's showing again this Sunday.

[Kara Midanyl 0]

I thought it rocked. The only thing I disliked about it was that it was only two parts long. I would love to see this become a regular series. I never seen the original series (had to check the internet to see what the whole starbuck problem was, I understand now) but the miniseries(too mini in my opinion) was awesome.

Edited December 11, 2003 by Kara Midanyl

[Merina 0]

Seen a little of it. Don't like it.

[Dumbass 0]

I never seen the original series (had to check the internet to see what the whole starbuck problem was, I understand now) but the miniseries(too mini in my opinion) was awesome.

Here's a bit of useless trivia about the "real" Starbuck character.

 

The producers of the original series tried to write out the cigars he smoked. They were concerned that it would turn off women viewers. But after a few episodes aired they discovered that Starbuck was a big hit with the women viewers, and it was because of the cigar! Once they knew that they went out of their way to write the cigars into the stories, including one scene where he smoked a cigar, in space, in the cramped conditions of his Viper cockpit! B)

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

Well, I thought the female version of the character was very realistic. I mean, it was a typical fighter jock...who just happened to be a woman. A major issue wasn't made out of this fact and I think that's what allowed it to work.

[Travis Kroells 0]

I didnt watch it, and I dont plan on it. I was the original show, a couple of them when I was at my friends over the summer, I didnt like it at all, and I just never liked the plot or anything.

 

I dont get Scifi in the first place, so with no want, and no way to see it...It doesnt really bother me.

[Dumbass 0]

Well, I thought the female version of the character was very realistic. I mean, it was a typical fighter jock...who just happened to be a woman. A major issue wasn't made out of this fact and I think that's what allowed it to work.

In the "Making Of" documentary there is footage of the original Starbuck (Dirk Benedict, aka "Face" from The A-Team) giving one of his trademark cigars to the new Starbuck. And guess what? They filmed it at a Starbucks! B)

Edited December 12, 2003 by Dumbass

[Seiben 0]

NEver really got a chance to watch the show myself. Not even on sydnication. And judging by he commericals, it looks really cheesy, and I don't know If I'd want to.. let alone purchase the DVD. Geez, I'm hardly even a Star Trek fan.

[ens_tino 0]

Sci-fi junk is awsome. I used to watch a lot of those shows before they took them off the air or messed them up.

[Vex Xiang 0]

I dont call 2 episodes a miniseries. But I liked it a lot.

 

I thought the cigar thing was pretty lame...not because she was smoking a cigar, but because her cigar wasnt even lit the entire time. B)

[FredM 0]

I thought the cigar thing was pretty lame...not because she was smoking a cigar, but because her cigar wasnt even lit the entire time. B)

Hey there,

 

Well, I'd watch out...I know of a lot of people (including a relative) who never smoke a cigar but seem to chew on them. Don't ask me why, but it seems to be quite popular in some circles.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Geez, I'm hardly even a Star Trek fan.

Dude Sebien, you do like five different sims! How can you say that your barely a ST fan! Thats like having a job as a dog walker, but not liking dogs! Whats up with that!?

[Dumbass 0]

Geez, I'm hardly even a Star Trek fan.

Uh, hey Seiben, you know all those Star Trek fans you like to make jokes about?

 

Well, don't look now, but you're one of them!! B)

 

Oh my God, I'm one of them too! B)

[Seiben 0]

Well, maybe I was a little too hasty when I posted that. I'd probably consider myself a "casual" Star Trek fan. Not a hardcore Trekkie like some of you guys. As for Battlestar, I'll give it a chance if it ever airs here. Though it'll probably be a long time for that. But since there are no anime sims that I know of, I guess this'll do. B)

Edit: I know, van roy, the shame of it all! B)

Edited December 12, 2003 by Seiben

[STSF Precip 0]

Battlestar Galactica on Sci-Fi was quite a piece of work. Well written, good FX. It lived up to the hype Sci-Fi put into it.

 

I wouldn't call myself a Battlestar Purist. But I did see the movie in theatre and enjoyed the series somewhat..minus Muffet. I would dismiss any criticism from purists as being just fanatical. Starbuck's character was well written, and well acted. I thought her character stole the show.

 

I don't see how Sci-Fi would pass up making it into a series. Stargate is (no offense I like the show) due for retirement soon. Galactica could fill the void, and given how over the show is right now..it's the right choice.

 

The decision may have already been made in advance. I find it interesting in a Promotion for SciFi 2004 they show a Viper in the clips of their future programing.

 

Precip

[Dumbass 0]

I wouldn't call myself a Battlestar Purist. But I did see the movie in theatre and enjoyed the series somewhat..minus Muffet. I

Yeah, that's one character I'm glad they left out.

[FredM 0]

I don't see how Sci-Fi would pass up making it into a series. Stargate is (no offense I like the show) due for retirement soon. Galactica could fill the void, and given how over the show is right now..it's the right choice.

Hey there,

 

But you forget...Stargate SG-1 ends this season moving towards a feature film! That's not counting the spinoff series that starts production in February, "Stargate: Atlantis". B)

[STSF Precip 0]

Actually Fred, I didn't know about Stargate's plans as you laid out. Nonetheless, I hope Sci-Fi doesn't pass on the opportunity they have created with Galactica.

 

Precip.

[ens_tino 0]

Stargate is a pretty good show.

[Kavik Evleagh 0]

It was one of the best Sci-Fi movies I have seen in a long time and I would like to see it as a series. I agree with others it was much to short w/ no closure at all, meaning they need to make it a series! :)

 

Now if they could just put that much quality into some of the movies they bother to release to theaters..................................

[HyperDrive 0]

Well, I enjoyed it. I'm glad to see Galactica come back to life... and I hope it hangs around for a while.

 

The only thing about it that I didn't like was all of the sexual-related scenes. There were several of them, and I believe they really weren't needed. For a sci-fi film, I think that these scenes tend to lose audiences, and not gain them.

 

 

But, overall, it was very interesting. It was neat to see how one guy could cause havoc over the world, and many other colonies. It's also neat to see how Galactica became a flying museum, and that it was indeed "old." I probably could have gone without the conflict between Apollo and his dad, but it didn't go as deep as I figured it would.

 

I'd like to see it continue. :)

 

~HD

[Travis Kroells 0]

Hey there,

 

But you forget...Stargate SG-1 ends this season moving towards a feature film! That's not counting the spinoff series that starts production in February, "Stargate: Atlantis". :)

Which is something Im really looking forward too. Sg-1 is my favorite sci show so far, even over startrek, I cant wait for the movie, for Atlantis, and the rest of the seasons to come out on box sets, so I can complete my collection.