Caprica

To all the haters out there: condemning a TV series with one episode is like judging an entire book after reading the first few pages. That being said, I was a huge fan of BSG, thought it was some of the best TV drama (not just sci-fi) on the air. But it was time for it to end and the story to move on. I liked the BSG epilogue "The Plan", but it raised as many new questions as it answered, so I eagerly anticipated "Caprica" and I was not disappointed.

I was hoping it would not try to be another BSG, and I was pleased that "Caprica" is something different, and I personally found the story exciting, in a different way than blazing space battles, explosions and sci-fi special effects (don't get me wrong, I like that stuff too). Eric Stolz and Esai Morales give solid performances, and Alessandra was just wonderful. I can't wait until next week.

This series took a while to develop - I didn't know what the framework was for several episodes. Other BSG fans I know got bored and quit watching. That's unfortunate - there's a brilliant sci-fi idea and storyline here.

However, the series goes way overboard on all the religion and cultural stuff. It's interesting to a point - but then we need to get back to sci-fi material and/or sci-fi related plot development. This is probably the biggest problem with the show.

The characters, on the other hand, are very well acted. If they had right scripts, the combo would easily reach the heights that BattleStar Galactica did.

All in all, this is pretty good series with a lot of potential. If it picks up the pace and focuses more on it's sci-fi underpinnings, it would gain a bigger and more satisfied audience.

This series is set on the planet Caprica fifty eight years before the events depicted in the opening of 'Battlestar Galactica'; it shows just how the Cylons came to be sentient artificial lifeforms with their own faith.

Over the course of the series several intertwining plot strands are followed; primarily centred of two families; the Graystones and the Adamas. Dr Daniel Graystone is a cyber-engineer; he is responsible for the creation of virtual reality equipment and his latest project is the creation of cybernetic soldiers, cylons, for the Caprican military. He hand his wife Amanda lose their fifteen year old daughter in a terrorist attack carried out by a militant member of a minority monotheistic faith; the Soldiers of the One (STO); they have no idea that she is a believer. Joseph Adama loses his wife and daughter in the same incident. While Zoe may be dead she still exists in the virtual V-World as she created an avatar that is not a mere facsimile but a sentient being.

Over the course of the series we see the lengths Daniel will go to in order to try to get his daughter back, even in virtual form and Joseph seeking revenge. This will involve risking everything they hold dear and compromising their normal morality. Meanwhile Zoe explores her new existence both in the V-World and in the body of one of her father's new Cylons. We are also shown how the STO, under Sister Clarice Willow, are planning something that, using Zoe's creation, will bring on something referred to as 'Apotheosis'.

Having really enjoyed the rebooted 'Battlestar Galactica' I was a little nervous that this wouldn't be as good... I need not have worried. While this is a very different series it is still impressive; so much so that once I'd started the main series I had to watch several episodes each day! The creators did a great job creating a world that is similar to our own in many ways but has its own mythologies and technology. The cast does a great job bringing their characters to life; notably Eric Stoltz, as Daniel Graystone; Esai Morales as Joseph Adama; Polly Walker as Sister Clarice and Alessandra Torresani as Zoe. The special effects, both in the real world and the V-world are impressive. The series built up to a great finale... the only problem was that it was meant to be a season finale; we are even treated to hints at what is to come in a second season which was never made. It is a real shame the series was cancelled without being given a proper ending as there were many questions unanswered. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of hard sci-fi; especially if you enjoyed 'Battlestar Galactica'.

I must admit, I was one of the skeptics who prematurely judged this show before relatively any information was disseminated about it. I determined that it was going to be a cheap spin-off guided by Ronald D. Moore wielding the retcon-wand.

I was wrong!

The pilot leaves an excellent impression upon the viewers. The accessibility is marvelous! Of course, seasoned BSG veterans will find themselves immersed in the plot, which is focused on the development of the Cylons before the first War. (58 years before the events of the BSG pilot). The pilot also allows for newcomers, clearly presenting its plot and ideas in the first part of the episode.

Don't be mistaken: "Caprica" is not BSG. We are presented with an immersive, cerebral drama dotted by provocative, daring, and controversial ideas.

The casting maintains BSG's standards; Stoltz and Morales are simply astounding. Morales' portrayal of Joseph Adama, inspired by Olmos' portrayal of William, gives a wonderful glimpse of William's heroic father. Stoltz's portrayal of Dr. Graystone provokes a lot of thinking and questions.

If the quality of the pilot is any indication of what's yet to come, RDM and the creative team are set to continue BSG's legacy of first-rate television programming with another masterfully created television masterpiece.

Caprica, pronounced with a small i sound and not an e sound like Paprika (or have I been saying Paprika wrong my whole life?), loosely takes place in the home planet of the Battlestar Galactica crew, 50ish years before the cylons demanded retribution for decades of suffering from verbal abuse, constantly referred to as the "N" word for Robots, and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use this word on IMDB: toasters.

Perhaps I would have scored this higher if they had a second season, so they could better connect how we get from point A to the world of BG. I was rarely bored with the engaging acting and artistic shots, but I was frequently hoping for more.

The overall plot was slow moving as the show instead mostly focused on the examination of a few families. The main character (Zoe) is often ignored and becomes less important as the show goes on, and there is not enough to care too much about many of the other character arcs which are less arcs and more circular, obviously, since their world is doomed as we know. So, even the weird preaching in the final episode, where it seems the writers are speaking to the viewers about the importance of big government (eyeroll), doesn't hold meat since that system collapsed in a generation or two and also sounded weird coming from a teenage robot girl.

Other issues include an unsolved death and lack of resolution for several characters including one who has a nickname and is pretty important but ignored in the finale.

Overall, this feels more like a CW show at times and not the precursor to a powerful sci-fi show, but I would have tuned into a second season since a successful framework was firmly in place - they just needed to do more with it.