Battlestar: Galactica

    As an avid fan of the science fiction genre, I have seen my fair share of ridiculous storylines and completely imaginative worlds, most of which are populated by conveniently humanoid aliens that are burdened by seemingly pointless extensions of their body (I'm thinking Quark from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).  Every spacecraft in nearly every science fiction plot has a force field to protect it from enemy lasers, and for the sake of plot it usually fails mid battle.  Lasers, shields, humanoid aliens, nonsensical solutions to problems; I must admit, the sci-fi genre is saturated with gimmicky plots and suffers from a severe lack of believability, grittiness, and depth.  However, one exception must be noted: a science fiction story so superbly executed that it has broken through the barrier of generic and has single handedly rejuvenated the genre.  The re-imagined television series of Battlestar: Galactica immerses viewers into its characters, settings and events far surer than Star Trek, Stargate: SG-1, or even Star Wars (Blasphemy!).

    Battlestar: Galactica began as a miniseries depicting the events that ignited the second war with the Cylons, a race of man made machines that rebelled against their creators.  The first war was ended by a truce and the Cylons left for a planet to call their own and were not seen or heard from for forty years.  But after those years of dormancy, the Cylons have returned, and this time they look like us.  The series begins after the destruction of the twelve planet colonies (named after the twelve signs of the Zodiac) and the genocide of the human race; only a rag tag fleet of 50,000 humans remains and William Adama, commander the Battlestar (war ship) Galactica is tasked with protecting the survivors. The only option left is to run from the enemy, to ensure the survival of the human race.  What is interesting about the Battlestar: Galactica universe is that Earth is only a legend, and this legend becomes a source of hope for the survivors, that one day they will call Earth their new home.

    Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Battlestar: Galactica is the characters.  Every character is defined through a unique back-story that forms their opinions and dictates their actions throughout the series.  These characters are realistic and relatable; they are not heroes, they are flawed and they all have personal demons that are unreservedly addressed in every episode.  Better actors could not have portrayed the incredible depth of the characters.  The performance of Edward James Olmos (Miami Vice, 12 Angry Men) as the stern, courageous William Adama is extremely powerful; Mary McDonnell's (ER, Independence Day) performance as the levelheaded, peacekeeping President Laura Roslin is an absolutely critical role that is perfectly portrayed.  Battlestar: Galactica's characters are believable; they are all victims of tragedy living day-by-day without aspirations and the relentless struggle with the Cylons takes its toll on them.

    Battlestar: Galactica's dramatic plot extends beyond war against the Cylons; it also focuses heavily on events within the fleet itself, making for a more believable crisis.  Since season one of the show began in 2004, there have been rescue missions, Cylon infiltrations, assassination attempts, viral outbreaks, controversial court trials, and a host of other riveting situations that leave viewers in awe, and guarantees a returning audience for the next episode.  At times I found myself literally jumping out of my seat in awe of the events transpiring; I have even felt sympathy for characters in a few instances, even the enemy.  The drama of Battlestar: Galactica is well crafted, truly emotional, and uniquely compelling.       

    Produced by Ronald D. Moore (executive producer for Star Trek: The Next Generation) and David Eick (executive producer for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), the re-imagined Battlestar: Galactica certainly has some very prestigious talent behind it.  Moore and Eick were able to secure a large production budget that is reflected in the show's noticeably high definition presentation and hyper-realistic CG scenes, both of which create a heightened sense of immersion.  The camera work is also largely responsible for instilling a sense of immediacy and realism by treating action sequences as though the camera is hand held.

    Everything from the distinct soundtrack to the intense action sequences is flawlessly executed. The re-imagined Battlestar: Galactica defies the conventions of the sci-fi genre with every aspect of its fantastical presentation.  Neither the Cylon fleet or the Colonial fleet have shields and there are no lasers to speak of, no conveniences, and certainly no aliens.  The world of Battlestar: Galactica is no utopia; it is a grim world of desperation, and the only hope that persists is Earth.  Season three of the series ended recently so now would be a very good time to catch up.  You can download the miniseries and all three seasons on iTunes or purchase the DVD's. The series has been granted a fourth season which will air in 2008 on the SciFi Channel, and a straight-to-DVD movie is scheduled for a late 2007 release.  If you have never experienced the drama of Battlestar: Galactica, then I implore you to take watch the show.