The All new Battlestar Galactica

[Genus]

And so I heard that the Sci-fi channel had made a new Galactica miniseries and fell over myself to get the DVD.

My initial thoughts, I'm sure were mirrored by many other fans out there..."Starbuck's a woman?"..."No more chrome toasters?"...etc

But I have to say, the fast and loose way they have shot this thing, and the script updates, that make this thing a project for the new century has won me over completely.

Gone is the kitch and the glamour, leaving a dirty great big dark science fiction film with both purpose and meaning.

I can't wait for the rest of it.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I had a look at the mini-series trailers, but can't get much of a sense from them.

Are they making a film as well, or is it strictly series only? I became a little confused on that point.

 

[The Master™]

::SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT::

As I understood it, the mini-series all put together, is the movie... But I wasn't aware that there was going to be a new movie or series (in addition to the mini-series)... If there is, I'll be glued to my TV and recording every second!!!

Have to agree with Genus, when I first heard about Starbuck and Boomer being women, I was a little sceptical... BUT DAMN!! It just so works...

And I like the fact that Apollo, Boomer and Starbuck aren't their names, but their call-signs...

I also like the occassional bits from the old series - the music, etc!!!

And there are "chrome toasters", but not in a major part... Just stupid fighting machines!!!

COME ON, WE WANT MORE OF THE SERIES!!!

 

[Genus]

It does work doesn't it, the cinematography is superb. I had to giggle when the dialogue went, "My name is Captain Adama, Maam. Apollo is just my call sign", to which she replied, "I realise that, but Captain Apollo has such a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Tee, hee.

There are loads of little references like that throughout. And the Battlestar design...

Hubba, hubba.

 

[The Master™]

And the Battlestar design...

Hubba, hubba.

HAHAHAH!!! I think you need to get out more...

I like some of the design features of the "older" ship... The computers aren't networked... The hanger bays swing out, and must be in for it to "jump" into hyperspace...

There was something about the ship that reminded me of another similarly designed ship... In Wing Commander with Freddie Prinze jnr - but the flight deck was down the centre of the ship and the Tiger Claw sort of splits down the middle to reveal it...

 

[nemogbr]

I haven't seen it and I'm not sure whether I will ever watch it as I am a bit sceptical whenever they have these "updates" or re-imagining.

Of course, there is the point that several sci fi icons like Buck Rogers and Dr. Who have been updated, but still, scepticism remains....They may have murdered my childhood heroes.

Now I've read that now their names are now actually callsigns?

Were the producers even fans of the series?

Couldn't they have called the miniseries by another name or were they trying to cash in on the old name?

 

[Genus]

When did they re-make Buck Rogers?

Or are you referring to the series update from the original starring Buster Crabbe?



I kin of agree with you. I can't stand it when they do a remake when it's just for the sake of it, or because they haven't got any better ideas. However in the case of Galactica, you should watch, because what they have done with it knocks spots off the old one.

It's Galactica for growd ups.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Okay - I'm intrigued - I'm going to watch out for this next time I go a-renting out something to watch.

 

[Ivo]

As I understood it, the mini-series all put together, is the movie... But I wasn't aware that there was going to be a new movie or series (in addition to the mini-series)... If there is, I'll be glued to my TV and recording every second!!!

They have decided to make it a series now from what I've heard...


Sci Fi Wants More Battlestar Galactica
Source: The Hollywood Reporterh


After successfully relaunching the Battlestar Galactica franchise as a mini-series in December, Sci Fi Channel picked up the options last week on its top cast members, which include Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and Katee Sackhoff.

The Hollywood Reporter says the cable network is aiming to bow "Galactica" as a full-fledged series as early as fourth-quarter 2004. At least six episodes are expected to be shot in Vancouver as soon as April.

The four-hour mini-series averaged 4.2 million viewers last year, making it the third-highest-rated multinight program Sci Fi has aired.


And this is directly from Sci-Fi channels website...

Galactica Launches

[font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans Serif]SCI FI Channel's upcoming original series Battlestar Galactica begins production this week in Vancouver, B.C., the network announced. Based on the December 2003 miniseries that became the most-watched cable miniseries of the year, Galactica returns to SCI FI Channel as a one-hour weekly drama in early 2005.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans Serif]Richard Hatch, who starred as Apollo in the original 1970s Battlestar Galactica TV series, will make a special guest appearance in an early episode of the new show, playing a Nelson Mandela-like figure, Peter Zarek. Having spent the last 20 years in jail for inciting civil unrest against the government of the 12 Colonies of Kobol, Zarek and his followers riot against the leadership of the ragtag fleet, taking over the vessel on which they are being held and creating a hostage situation, which Adama (Edward James Olmos) and President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) must resolve.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Sans Serif]The show reunites miniseries stars Olmos, McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck) and Tricia Helfer (Number Six) with the rest of the Galactica cast. The series is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Michael Rymer, who directed the four-hour mini, returns to direct the series' premiere episode.[/font]

 

[gleek]

ok, i'd like to resurrect this thread now that the second season of BSG is IN PROGRESS on scifi. did anyone who was originally sceptical of this new series start watching and love it? what do you think?

i watched the old series when i was a kid but it didn't make an impression on me like some other scifi tv shows did. this new battlestar galactica though blows me away. i've never seen a more timely, dramatic, amazing television show! i've rewatched all of the episodes from season 1 and everytime i catch something new. ron moore, despite what others think of him, is a fantastic writer! he often talks about how he was held back and forced to write "in formula" for star trek and that he's happy now to be writing for BSG where he can really try out new storylines and tease the audience along instead of blatantly spelling out the storyline.

i'm a big fan of the new series. it's a shame that there are not more threads here to discuss all the great things that fans of this series love. let's get a discussion going!!!

 

[Isolde]

#SPOILERS#

I love the new series, and I think Baltar is a very intriguing villain. I loved the look on his face when Six asked him if he wanted to hold 'their' baby. You want to hate him, but kinda understand what he's going through.

BTW, I missed last week's ep. Can anyone give a rundown?

 

[gleek]

baltar and starbuck are my absolute favorites! baltar has gone from funny/weird to psychotic/weird but the transition is so believable that i empathize with him and laugh at him at the same time. very conflicting emotions and james callis really pulls it off.

last week's episode was my favorite one yet! scifi's website has short episode guides worth checking out. http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/ .. and they also have podcasts where moore watches the episode and comments on what went on behind the scenes. they are fantastic! http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/downloads/podcast/

 

[Frey Slayer]

I have just recently gotten into this show and I am loving it. It feels truly deep and gritty without an overwhelming sense of despair.

I cant wait until the season one dvd's come out and I can sit and watch them all at once!

Yes, Starbuck is great too!

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

I was watching some episodes of the new Galactica today and it struck me that they are doing the opening sequence in the same fashion as Space: 1999. While the opening theme plays, scenes are shown from the episode you are about to watch! I always thought that was clever when I was young and watching Space: 1999 and I cant help but feel the new Galactica is giving a tip of the hat to the old show by using this sort of opening montage.

Just some thoughts!!! Im loving this show more and more as it continues!

 

[gleek]

trey, the creators of this new BSG took out that pre-teaser in the credits for the second season... and then brought it back this past week! has anyone been listening to the podcasts after the show? i was expecting ron moore to talk a little about what inspired him in writing this last episode. i was aching to hear if "dune" had influenced him at all. when roslin says that she is going to play the religion card, i kept thinking "uh, oh. you're getting yourself into a quagmire! i hope your ready to deal with the consequences." it was a lesson that paul-muad'dib learned the hard way.

... and those machines that the women were hooked up to on caprica! i kept thinking "axlotl tanks!!!" *eek* gave me the chills.

 

[Trey Greyjoy]

oh man, when Starbuck looked down and then asked what the second scar was for....you are right, chills.

Did they take out the pre-teaser? Im trying to catch up and am watching the first season on DVD. I hope they keep it for the remainder of the second season!
Havent heard any podcasts, but I would be interested in hearing more discussion on the show. Im really getting hooked.

 

[gleek]

they did take out that pre-tease for the first couple of shows this season (season 2) but put it back in for friday night's show. i had heard on the podcasts that people were divided as to whether they liked it or not so they took it out. anyway, i like it too! and am glad to see it's back.. and the music's changed.

i find BSG to be a very compelling show. it has all the elements that i love in storytelling: action, romance, politics, and religion. i find religion to be enormously interesting, though i'm atheist myself. i wish i had taken a theology course in college! religion can completely grab hold of a population and turn it into an angry mob or docile group. there's so much that's human about the idea of having a god (or gods) that it's almost impossible to separate the human psyche from it.

anyway, i was enormously pleased to hear that roslin was going to play the religion card. creating herself as the messiah IS the way to go. she doesn't have long to live though so she most likely won't be around to see the consequences of her actions. i feel that it's going to give a lot of depth to the story.

 

[Ash]

Just chiming in to add my love for this show. SF TV for grown ups is a rare thing and this level of quality in a TV show in general is something you don't see every day. Absolutely fantastic stuff.

My wife and I have been making our way through the first series and just started on the second so far.

It's nice that they have a lot of respect for the original show, and have a lot of little nods to it every episode. And despite having fond memories of it, this is just light years ahead. If you doubt that just go back and watch an episode of the old one now.

My personal theory (not really a spoiler, I have no idea if it's correct). Starbuck herself is the Arrow of Apollo. She's a literal holy warrior. She got sent to Caprica to collect the physical arrow as a test, a trial by comabt, to prove she's worthy of being Roslin's protector.

Probably a load of rubbish, but it would be cool.

 

[stencyl]

Last season, I caught a few of the episodes and thought that they were okay. This season, it just feels like the actors are growing into their characaters in a good way. I agree with the comments about the cinemtography. It's great.

For some reason, the fake swearing grates on me, though. Frack this, frack that, frack you... It just seems a contrived way around the censors and the word is void of any of the power that profanity has.

Overall I enjoy the series, though.