Battlestar Galactica

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.

What a brilliant reboot, I must say I totally enjoyed the new series, the whole series has been given a revamp , and everything has been written well to tie in with the cylons from the original series, you will see later on ,which for me works very well , Starbuck is now a women , but if you can get your head round that then don't let that deter you from watching the updated series , I felt the series itself had really well thought out story lines and plots worked well and kept you wondering and guessing and thinking through out the whole series and seasons, for me. I found it to be better than the original 1970s version but that just my view anyway.

Battlestar Galactica is so beautifully written and acted that it takes you into their world in such a great way. I never saw the original version from the 70's because it was before I was born but I can't imagine it being as good as this. The special effects aren't very good but it doesn't matter because that's not what makes a good show anyway. It's the writing and acting and that's as good as these reviews here have said. Just look at these reviews, 90% of them are positive. It has 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 8.7 here, making it one of the highest rated sci-fi shows on IMDB. The story is consistently moving forward and never feels like there's any filler episodes. This show contains real social, political and religious issues and does it in such an entertaining way. I binged through this series as fast as I could and when it was over I wanted more.

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.

When George Lucas announced that he was to make the Star Wars prequels I had this preconception of a darker, better acted, and more more grown up version of the movies that were made in the late seventies - early eighties. Instead we got a bunch of kids movies, littered with some of the most terrible cinematic decisions ever put on celluloid.

And then the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica came along, which I must add, I watched from start to finish only after the show had made it's debut on mainstream television.

I was initially sceptical of whether this would be any good, but after having reached the finale I can honestly say that this is quite simply the best sci-fi show ever made. The scripts are top notch, the acting superb with a real heart and soul, and characters that, even with their faults, will be remembered with great affection by the viewers for many years to come.

This is the template for all future TV shows. I't does not overstay it's welcome, knows when to stop, and constantly delivers fresh, new ideas as the seasons progress.

Series 1 was a great introduction; series 2 built on the initial success and delivered some of the shows highlights; season 3 was awesome for the first half (until the writers strike kicked in just after half way - but still highly entertaining); and season 4 put the icing on the cake with what I consider to be a tremendous and satisfying end to this great series.

The only downside was that I wished it could have continued, but I guess it is better to exit on a high and leave the crowd wanting more.

For me this has stripped Star Wars of it's crown and raised the bar where although it may one day be equalled, will never be bettered.

Awesome