Galáctica, estrella de combate

This is a cult classic, that I believe everyone should watch. I was in the middle of the third season when GoT final season aired, and I couldn't put this down long enough to watch GoT!

It's intense, deeply philosophical, and felt like something I was willing to commit more energy into than into any relationship I've had, ever! (While that says a thing or two about me, it definitely says A LOT about this series)

Having watched the original series as a child I put off watching this for some time expecting it to be a virtual remake but with CGI and characters who had been gender switched for no obvious reason... I'm glad I eventually decided to watch it though as I could not have been more wrong! This is nothing like the light hearted original that I loved as a child; series creator Ronald D. Moore has taken the original premise and made something much darker and much more grown up. As with the original the series starts with the destruction of the Twelve Colonies where humanity has settled and the survivors head off into space in search of the mythical thirteenth colony; Earth. Here the similarities end though; the Cylons that destroyed the colonies weren't crated by aliens; they were created by humanity and rebelled against their masters. As well as the familiar Centurions we soon learn that there are some Cylons that can't be distinguished from people and some of those don't even realise they are Cylons. As humanity flees they will have to struggle against both Cylons and themselves if they are to survive and find their new home.

I really enjoyed this series; the story may have been familiar but the characters were much deeper than in the version I saw as a child and there wasn't the feeling that if a character was a regular they would inevitably survive; in fact many major characters die including some that manage to survive for several seasons. The cast did a fantastic job; most notably Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katie Sackhoff, Grace Park, Jamie Bamber, Michael Hogan, Tricia Helfer and James Callis... and even listing this many stand out performances seems unfair on the rest as just about everybody was great! Fans of the original series will be pleased to see Richard 'Apollo' Hatch return; this time his character, Tom Zarek, is far from heroic. I don't usually think to comment on the music for a series but here I must as composer Bear McCreary did such a fine job and later on some of the music is actually integral to the plot. As with all series there are some weaker episodes but even the poor Galactica episodes are better than much of what is on television. When the series finished I was left wanting more but all the key story threads had been tied up and it was good that it ended while it was still good rather than overstaying its welcome. If you haven't seen this series yet I strongly recommend it; just remember to watch the miniseries before series one as that sets up the whole story.

It's 2025 and I just now watched Battlestar Galactica. I'm not sure why I put it off for so long but I did. After years and years of hearing how good this show is and seeing it on every best sci-fi shows ever list I've seen I finally gave in and I'm glad I did. Now, even though I really enjoyed it I wouldn't have it on my best sci-fi shows ever list. It's good, I just didn't find it great. I know we've come a long way in technology and CGI but the CGI on this show is bad. It looks like it's from the 70's or 80's, not the mid 2000's. I know it was a sci-fi channel show and they obviously didn't have a huge budget but still. It's bad, especially the cylons and spacecraft flying. It seems like I'm bashing this show but I'm not. It's just not the best sci-fi show I've seen. I really liked it though and would recommend it to any sci-fi fan.

I was introduced to this show by our lovable goof on The Office Dwight Schrute. I began this show with no expectations as I was not sure how the effects would hold up. Now, as I sit digesting the entirety of the show. I am sitting in awe of its magnificent characters, thoughtful writing, and well-rounded story that feels more like a philosophical journey I have been on the past few weeks. If you read no further know this show is 110% worth your time. As well as if you make it to the last episode and the last minutes your mind will be blown in 2024. So rare for a show to be so timeless but I can say with certainty this show truly is a timeless masterpiece.

The story is about humans that created "Cylons" or basically robot soldier slaves that resemble the Terminator but are more than just a metallic skeleton. These robots rebel and destroy the original home world called Caprica. There are only 40,000 survivors set adrift on the Battlestar Galactica with a small fleet of civilian ships they are a protecting. They are in search of a new home but try to keep the stability of the life they once had. However, this comes with a shocking twist about the Cylons and their capabilities. This sends you barreling on a journey of paranoia and excitement as you learn more throughout the seasons.

Characters are one of the driving forces behind a Sci-Fi show like this one and they nailed them. Occasionally some of the characters do annoying things. However, they are always excusable and do not become a constant annoyance. Just certain actions they believed in taking that were clearly wrong. It can be said that's what makes a good character. No characters ever do a 180 and start acting differently. They bring these characters to life and give them depth. I don't want to ruin anything but I would follow Admiral Adama into the depths of hell. He is just that compelling as a military man and leader.

This is the only part where the show suffers sometimes. Its pretty easy to spot they didn't have the whole thing planned out. Even with this the show plays like a beautiful record. Each season you can feel yourself winding towards the goal of the show. Yet somehow each season feels like a journey of itself. I can fondly remember the events of season 1 yet now it feels as far as the Galactica herself travels in the show.

In conclusion I will say part of the ending could have been better. They could have made it much much better. Also be prepared to be annoyed at a character. Just a stupid bit of writing but its forgivable. Sort of. I dont like to spoil a good experience so you're gonna have to be annoyed for yourself :) However, the hole Game of Thrones ending left in my heart has been filled with this amazing ending. I am floating on cloud nine and likely will be for the next few days. Generally I want to move onto the next show on my list but I can honestly say I want to re-watch this show. I want more to think about. Explore more questions about what it means to be human as we create intelligences that may rival our own. I have never seen a show draw so many parallels to our reality with such fantastic ideas that eventually boil down to very simple ones we have heard throughout the centuries. Simply fantastic television 10/10.

"Be the man you want to be till the day you die." -Colonel Saul Tigh.

Before I proceed, I'll just add a quick comment for those slating the series without seeing it: please, stop it. Instead, wait and see what the new show is about and give it a chance. Unless of course, you want to miss one of the best dramas currently airing...

BSG is a very human story. Yet unlike Star Trek, they're not resolved by the end of the episode. Here the characters are real people who make mistakes, grow and learn from their errors. Or maybe they don't...

The point is that in the new BSG, the impact of the loss of the Colonies is something everybody must deal with, be it on a resource-management level to dealing with the loss of their families. The impact of the Cylon attack - never explored in the original series - is a major emphasis in the show and the viewer genuinely does get the feeling of the "rag tag fleet."

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the original series as much as anybody, but it was a product of its time and audience-slot. The new BSG is a much more adult production, both in terms of the writing and performances and the intended audience.

Additionally, the show is very non-sci-fi, but in a good way. Whenever any "science" turns up, it's integrated in such a way as to have minimal impact on the plot and, unlike Star Trek, it isn't used as a Deus Ex Machina to simply resolve the "crisis of the week." In fact, I'd go as far as to say the show is closer to 24 or The West Wing than it is Star Trek or Babylon 5, with the focus being much more on the people and their individual actions, rather than a wide-scale "space opera."

Performances are all strong, with James Callis being the real star. His tortured performance as the guilt-stricken Baltar are a joy to watch as he flips from near-hysterical lunatic to scheming toad to smooth womaniser. Olmos has the presence to give Adama the air of authority required. Sackhoff's performance as Starbuck is "subtly obvious" - she plays the brash, cocky pilot a little too well, something that's explained in later episodes. And Bamber's Apollo is a mix of heroic action and self-doubt which balances well. Mention must also go to McDonnell's President Roslin who, over the course of the series, has grown in stature and presence in a very subtle manner.

Quite simply, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most consistently strong shows I've ever seen. Considering this is only the first of (hopefully) many seasons, it's amazing to see how the show has "hit the ground running," with each episode being an improvement on the last. And considering the high standard of the first one, that's quite the achievement.

Watch it. You won't be disappointed.