1 of 33

Write now Article Tools

Battlestar Galactica TV Review (Covering Mini Series plus Series 1-4)

Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Katee Sackhoff, Michael Hogan

2003-2009 ~ Created by Ronald D. Moore

OLD VS NEW

I'm writing this review for two reasons: one because I recently found out there were people who were put off the new televised Battlestar Galactica series after the versions done in the 70s and 80s and having finally completed the new story I felt compelled to tell them what they were missing.

Up until this point I had only seen the European movie release 'Battlestar Galactica' in the 80's, which was a remake of the episode 'Saga of Star World' from the US TV series 'Galactica 1980'. I wasn't much impressed and if that was all I had to go on I would probably have passed over this remake without much thought. However this is a continuation of the story as well as a rebirth of the concept, not to mention using the latest digital affects to their advantage.

Make sure you watch the 2003 Mini-Series first, which was done originally as a pilot, before you go onto watch anything else. It will reveal some essential ideas and character info that you will need, otherwise you might feel a bit lost further down the line.

THE STORY (Contains spoilers)

One of the main ways this story diverges from its predecessor's right from the start is the idea that the Cylons evolved beyond their original design. As well as the classic robot version we knew and loved there are 13 human models, loving referred to as 'skin jobs' so they could infiltrate human society to further the war effort.

Unable to reproduce, there are many cloned 'copies' of each Cylon model that can resurrect after death with their memories intact. Some models don't even know they are Cylon until they are 'switched on' or die for the first time. Throughout the series there is a guessing game as to who these hidden models are, as they are revealed over the course of the show.

We start on the planet Caprica, one of the planets of the twelve colonies that house humanity. Here is where the first wave of the war begins again in this story (after a 40 year ceasefire) with a nuclear holocaust and invasion of the colonies; after a Cylon gains access to the defence mainframe of the planet. From then on the survival of humanity is in the hands of a single fleet spearheaded by the Battlestar. Very quickly all humanity is reduced to tens of thousands of survivors.

To give hope to those left in this dire

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about TV show reviews: Battlestar Galactica?
We want to hear your view. Write now!