Caprica

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.

A CEO computer expert's daughter is killed in a terrorist attack however he finds that she has found a way to live on in a virtual world which in turn assists him with his military defence contract. In addition, the bombing causes a string of events which impacts on the terrorist organisation and its victims.

Carpica is a fairly complex series, part drama, part sci-fi with many threads and subtext. Those expecting Battlestar Glactica (BSG) with its struggle for survival may be disappointed, it's grounded in an urban environments rather than in space and although a prequel spin-off and in the same universe it covers mainly a society that's running out of control, intoxicated by success. It's a good production with spats of action. For BSG fans it does give an insight and link into some BSG history.

Carpica's themes focus on social observations, mirroring contemporary issues, culture, beliefs and so on. It includes adolescent issues, corruption, misspent youth, time spent in virtual reality's, technological advancements, its benefits and pitfalls to name a few.

Like BSG it creates a rich plausible environment, in this case Caprica City which immerses the viewer. In places it's reminiscent of The Thirteenth Floor (1999) and The Matrix (1999). There's mergers and accusations. On display are conglomerates, corporations, chat shows, the media's impact and control- naturally this comes hand in hand with 30s style mobsters and shady dealings. There's bombing and assassinations, Carpica City reflects our own world.

The ethereal music compliments the series perfectly, the effects however are a mixed bag but serve their purpose. There are many meaty characters, interesting dynamics, arcs and thought provoking issues. The relationship with Joseph Adama played excellently by Esai Morales and his son are reminiscent of Goodfellas. The Bladrunner-like aspects of love relationships with the virtual Zoe Graystone are interesting. The acting is excellent from the leads, Eric Stoltz as Daniel Graystone is partially notable.

It's a treat to see the original Cylon unit from both the original BSG and the re-imagining in action. While the closing episode feels slightly rushed (possibly to it not being renewed) plots are all tied up and it nestles nicely as a prequel to both Blood and Chrome and BSG the series.

Overall a cracking yet sadly short live series which offers plenty food for thought.

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 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'.

Good show.

The basic background is that humanity is at a crossroads. There is a set of moral dilemmas that are being faced. Mankind has made a number of technological breakthroughs, but is mankind mature enough to deal with the its new toys? There is moral decadence in a virtual world. There are religious fanatics who are willing to kill to get attention. I predict (based on the BSG background) that there will be an issue with Cylons and slavery. In addition to this, there are all the other problems that we humans bring upon ourselves.

This show is not BSG -- at least not as far as mankind being on the run from a ruthless problem that was ultimately of their own making. There are not a lot of shoot-em-up or space-based special effects either - at least not in the first few episodes I have seen so far.

What it does have are very good stories, characters, and themes. It also has good performances from the actors. They can make a culture which is similar to modern-day society, but alien at the same time be completely believable. Like BSG, this show is about humanity - our strengths, weaknesses, potential, and flaws. It may seem a little odd that a human society on a different set of worlds has neckties, antique cars, and chicken. But those things are really more to create a semi-familiar background than anything else. Anyone who gets stuck on those details is really missing the point. Whether you are from a mafia-style culture or an affluent and high-tech culture, humans and human nature aren't that different 150,000 years ago in a high-tech past than what we see in the world today. Wonder if the writers are trying to tell us something.