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Battlestar Galactica ****(+)
I've been thinking about writing this review for many months, ever since I saw the Battlestar Galactica miniseries. Now the first season has ended, and I've come to the conclusion that while BSG can't replace Farscape, it's damn good, and deserves a lot of recognition. So just to make myself clear: five stars = Farscape. Battlestar Galactica may end up with a four++, if it continues on its current trajectory. You probably know some version of the story, which has been around in one form or another for a long time (starting with the first television series, circa 1980). Humans create sentient machines; machines decide they can do without humans, and start cleaning house. At the beginning of this version or iteration of the story, humans exist on on twelve planets with an aging military fleet in a state of uneasy peace when the bad machines -- called Cylons -- show up again, intent on getting rid of us once and for all. So there we are, fighting a war without enough resources, dying in vast numbers. The storyline revolves around the head of the military (played with subtle, vaguely threatening intensity by Edward James Olmos), the president (Mary McDonnell), a former secretary of education, various pilots and support personnel, and the Cylons. Who can look like metallic robots or, here's the innovation -- like humans. And they've got a great spy system in place. They've infiltrated in the most imaginative ways, compromising a key character. And another nice twist: some human-looking cylons don't know they're cylons, because they haven't been activated.
The things I like best about BSG: it's gritty, and it feels real inspite of the science fiction nature of it and cgi. I love the fact that the human population has a dominant religion that is nothing like what we now cope with. People are raised believing in the gods, and the idea that they are playing out a scenario setup by the gods that repeats itself over and over, forever. Those who don't believe in the gods kind of shrug and make up their own explanations for why things are happening. But the very cool twist is this: the Cylons, the ones who look like humans and act like humans and seem to feel emotions in a human way -- they believe in the one god, the old god, and they preach, where they can, the will of that one god to non-believing humans.
This is a very small part of the overall makeup of BSG, but it's the kind of detail that makes the story interesting to me, aside from the human interactions. There's no great love story here, but that's okay for Galactica. And I'm looking forward to the new season.
As a side note: I have to say that I wish Ben Browder had found a new home on this particular Battlestar rather than with the Stargate crew, but then I'll give that every chance, once he's on board.
April 10, 2005 01:05 AM
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Comments
*** CONTAINS SPOILERS UP TO END OF S1 ***
I knew this show truly had me when I saw Kara's reaction to the Boomer on Caprica - that scream of awful, primal despair and grief and rage. It epitomises the show perfectly.
I have to admit to kinda liking the understated nature of the love stories playing out in BSG - in particular, that between Lee and Kara. There are a few clever twists and turns in there, not the least of which was added by that very brief interaction between Helo and Kara on Caprica.
Lee and Kara are no John and Aeryn, to be sure, but I do like that the notion of a gender binary opposite is less obvious in BSG - when Kara punches, Lee punches right back and it seems right in a way it would not have in Farscape.
Posted by: Meredith at April 10, 2005 03:26 AM
BSG rocks, and for once, we in Canada can watch right along side you.
Posted by: Pam at April 10, 2005 07:38 PM
How true Meredith! That exchange of punches was one of the (many) moments where I said to myself "That right there, that's why I like this show so dang much, why Battlestar totally rocks."
Posted by: Cate at April 11, 2005 08:17 AM
BSG has only just started here in Australia. We've had maybe half a dozen episodes since the mini aired. I have to say that I loved the mini and the first few episodes. Then I found that the episodes started to really drag. I liked the gritty, earthy feel to it as well and I liked the characters but I did find myself thinking after a little while that the episodes were getting a little boring. It was like nothing much happened, just a lot of ruminating, not a lot of plot or character development except maybe in the hurried last 5 minutes. But your review, Sara, has made me feel that I should give it another chance. After all, not even every episode of Farscape was gold. One thing that I do feel and I don't think will be lessened when I start watching it again is that sometimes I find myself wishing for some lighter moments. Maybe the premise is too serious but I wonder whether some humour might not go astray. Afterall, humour is often used to reflect the darker sides of the story.
Posted by: Jacqui at April 14, 2005 02:59 AM
Dear Rosina/Sara
Allergy Season?
This year i think hell has desended upon me!
I reguarly check your site for wilderness updates and think that a search catagory would be great for that topic. (even if its just Giselle still is not speaking to me this week., but But Daniel is makeing plans for that arm of his dispite the pain)
i am eagerly looking forward to the next novel.
paula in kansas city missouri usa
Posted by: paula at April 23, 2005 01:53 PM
This is an old thread so maybe no one will see my question but here it is. I just watched the latest Battlestar Galactica episode "Downloaded" and I'm confused about Six & Balthar always being able to see and hear each other when no one else can. For a second, I thought Balthar might be a sleeper Cyclon but then he is supposed to be the "human" father of Sharon's child according to Six. Does anyone have a theory about how Balthar & Six communicate without being "bodily" present. If so, I'd really like to hear it!
Posted by: Desiree at February 26, 2006 06:21 PM
Desiree -- nope, not too old. And my answer? I'm as confused as you are. Even the Mathematician doesn't have a clue.
Posted by: Sara Donati at February 27, 2006 06:14 AM