Within the late Nineteen Seventies and early 80s, probably the most fashionable science fiction exhibits was Battlestar Galactica. We did an episode of Gone However Not Forgotten going in-depth on the unique present, however to sum up: the story revolves round a distant galaxy the place people have misplaced a struggle towards the Cylons—an evil race of robots who’ve destroyed the human homeworld. The survivors of the struggle flee to discover a new residence. Their vacation spot is a world the place their misplaced tribe as soon as traveled to—the planet Earth.
The present lasted a complete of 24 episodes, and in 1980, an inferior follow-up collection, Galactica 1980, was created. That collection lasted 10 episodes and appeared to place an finish to the way forward for Battlestar Galactica. However through the years, makes an attempt have been made to proceed the collection. Two of probably the most well-known have been when Richard Hatch invested $50,000 into making a proof-of-concept trailer, and when X-Males director Bryan Singer tried a revival collection. Each didn’t get off the bottom.
The rights reverted to Common, after which the president of Common’s tv division, Angela Mancuso, noticed potential within the franchise. That is when she approached David Eick to adapt Battlestar for a brand new technology. Eick was a veteran producer with a gradual observe file of profitable exhibits comparable to Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and cult classics like American Gothic. Seeing how massive a activity it might be to convey Battlestar again to life, David approached veteran Star Trek author Ronald D. Moore.
The route of the present started with a nationwide tragedy—the September eleventh assaults and their results on society. Each David and Ronald realized that Battlestar Galactica had parallels to the terrorist assaults. They knew this collection can be not like anything within the science fiction style. Their aim was to make it as practical as potential. The collection can be shot in a documentary-like type, the units have been constructed to seem like a army vessel, and the characters can be extra advanced than customary science fiction heroes or villains.
After chatting with Moore and Eick, Mancuso gave the inexperienced mild to make a miniseries on a brand new community referred to as The Science Fiction Community. However earlier than the miniseries even aired, there was intense hatred from followers of the unique collection. It began when Dawson attended the 2003 Galacticon to display clips of the miniseries. As soon as the viewers noticed it, they started to boo and hiss. They turned hostile to Dawson through the Q&A, and former star of the present Richard Hatch needed to step in to defend him.
The anger from Battlestar Galactica followers stemmed from the drastic adjustments Moore and Eick had made with the revival. Its allegory of a post-9/11 society and the choice to make Cylons humanoid have been seen as low cost and uninspired. However one of many largest controversies was gender-swapping the characters of Starbuck and Boomer.
Nonetheless, many followers rapidly modified their minds when the miniseries aired to large scores. The present went to collection attributable to this success and a intelligent advertising thought by David Eick. The very first thing he did was depart the miniseries on a cliffhanger. He knew it might entice executives to present the inexperienced mild to a full collection if the scores have been sturdy.
Whether or not or not that call was an element is unknown. What we do know is that the revival was a game-changer for the Syfy Community. Galactica was seen as groundbreaking within the science fiction style. Many stated it was the primary present to really push the boundaries of the style. Individuals in contrast it to basic TV exhibits like The Twilight Zone and the unique Star Trek, which integrated social commentary into their tales. The consensus amongst critics was that Battlestar Galacticadidn’t disguise its commentary. Themes of bitterness, survivor’s guilt, hatred of an unknown enemy, and non secular battle have been entrance and heart.
The primary season of Battlestar targeted on two ideologies: revenge towards its enemies and the significance of preserving a free society. It was fascinating to see this play out with Common Adama and President Roslin’s uneasy alliance that finally was a love story. Among the best storylines got here in season two with the introduction of Admiral Helena Cain, whose motivation for revenge towards the Cylons at any price modified Adama’s view of the struggle.
Whereas I agree that Battlestar Galactica launched these new themes, I feel exhibits like House: Above and Past did it first. However I can’t deny that Battlestar took it to a brand new stage.
In fact, the tales couldn’t have labored with out the actors behind the roles. Galactica’s solid was large, and every actor gave unimaginable performances. The important thing was that everybody took their function severely. On the time, science fiction roles weren’t as wanted as these in prime-time dramas. A job on a sci-fi present was typically seen as a step down. Nonetheless, each actor solid realized virtually instantly that being on the present was an honor—and that it might result in better alternatives. The clearest instance of this was Lieutenant Kara Thrace, a.okay.a. Starbuck, performed by Katee Sackhoff. To say that Sackhoff has the profession she does at the moment due to her portrayal of Starbuck is like saying that water is moist. Starbuck was the preferred character on the present, overshadowing even the legendary Edward James Olmos.
As I said earlier than, probably the most heated complaints earlier than the present aired was the gender swap of Starbuck. Moore said that these adjustments to Starbuck and Boomer have been as a result of the unique collection had few feminine roles. He felt this was unrealistic and restricted the present’s attraction to potential new followers. Surprisingly, probably the most vocal critics of this alteration was the person who originated the function of Starbuck, who wrote an article titled “Starbuck: Lost in Castration.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine his opinion. To his credit score, although, he didn’t personally assault Katee Sackhoff and even took a photograph together with her at Starbucks within the documentary Battlestar Galactica: The Lowdown.
The rationale Boomer’s gender was additionally modified went deeper than that of Starbuck’s. Moore felt that making Boomer a girl would supply extra story alternatives when introducing a feminine Cylon sleeper agent. It was extra fascinating to show a trusted member of the staff right into a spy than to introduce a wholly new character. It additionally caught audiences unexpectedly when the reveal of Cylon Boomer got here on the finish of the miniseries. Grace Park was praised not only for her portrayal of the Cylon sleeper agent Boomer but in addition of Athena—a Cylon who turned towards her form to assist the people.
Nonetheless, the primary solid wasn’t the one one to profit. Visitor stars like Mark Sheppard, Rick Worthy, and Callum Keith Rennie moved on to larger roles. Lucy Lawless and Dean Stockwell’s careers have been additionally revitalized by their appearances. However probably the most memorable visitor stars who noticed probably the most profit was the unique Apollo, Richard Hatch, who gained a brand new technology of followers together with his function as terrorist-turned-politician Tom Zarek.
But despite the fact that Battlestar Galactica seasons 1 and a couple of have been praised by critics and followers, season 3 is when the downfall started. A daring alternative was made to have the survivors attempt to begin a brand new life on a hostile planet, solely to be conquered by the Cylons. It began out properly, however by the tip of season 3, the present had gone off the rails.
Controversial decisions included Baltar being placed on trial after which acquitted, a big portion of the solid being revealed as Cylons, and Starbuck being killed—solely to be mysteriously resurrected. However the worst alternative was the reply to one of many largest questions of the collection.
From the beginning of the Battlestar Galactica revival, Gaius Baltar was the scientist inadvertently answerable for the destruction of the Twelve Colonies. It was a Cylon often known as Mannequin Six, or Caprica Six, who seduced Baltar into giving her info that allowed the Cylons to destroy the colonies. Afterwards, Baltar would have visions of Six, who helped him survive publicity of his crimes and suggested him on manipulating the crew for private energy.
The thriller of what “Vision Six” was—and her motivations—was closely debated by viewers. The 2 hottest theories have been that she was both a manifestation of Gaius’s damaged psyche or some form of Cylon program in his head. The thriller turned much more intriguing after we realized that Caprica Six additionally had visions—of Gaius Baltar.
However the fact divided the fanbase: the reply was that Imaginative and prescient Six and Imaginative and prescient Baltar have been angels.
Whereas the idea of faith had been there from the start, it was refined and by no means overshadowed the extra participating themes of survival and struggle. By the tip of season 3, although, the collection had modified drastically. Faith took heart stage. Now it was about future, the Cylons’ perception in a single god, Baltar beginning a cult, miracles, a Christ-like youngster, and angels. As a fan, I felt betrayed. I had been enamored with a present about struggle, survival, hatred, and hope within the darkness. Now I didn’t know what the hell I used to be watching.
However how did the present find yourself like this?
Properly, it goes all the best way again to the miniseries. As Moore and Eick labored on it, the mythology of the Cylons wasn’t fleshed out. The fundamentals have been that the Cylons and people had fought a struggle prior to now. A truce was referred to as, after which the Cylons attacked once more, practically exterminating humanity. A fleet of ships escaped to seek out Earth whereas the Cylons pursued them.
That’s all that was deliberate. In truth, probably the most memorable components of the collection was the tag earlier than each episode—it all the time ended with the phrases “The Cylons Have a Plan.” This was steered to the advertising staff by David Eick. When Ronald discovered, he went to Eick and stated, “But they don’t have a plan, David.” Eick replied, “No, trust me! This is marketing. It doesn’t matter. We’ll figure it out later. There’ll be a plan someday.”
This anecdote sums up Battlestar Galactica’s largest downside. Primarily, that they had turn into the Hollywood cliché of “We’ll fix it in post.”
In the event you ask Ronald Moore, he proudly says that the liberty of not having a transparent plan from starting to finish let the present write itself. He said that this helped the present really feel contemporary as a result of the writers have been on the identical journey because the characters. Nonetheless, Moore would finally focus on the controversial revelation that Dream Six and Dream Baltar have been magical beings. When requested in the event that they have been angels or demons, he replied:
“I think they’re both. We never tried to name exactly what the head characters were; we never looked at them as angels or demons. They seemed to periodically say good things or evil things, to save people or to damn people. There was a sense that they worked in the service of something else… that was guiding and helping, sometimes obstructing, sometimes tempting. The idea at the end was that whatever they’re in service of is eternal and continues, and whatever they are, they too are still around, with all of us who are the children of Hera. They continue to walk among us and watch.”
He was additionally requested why the thriller of Starbuck’s resurrection was by no means defined. He responded that offering a concrete reply would diminish the thriller and affect of the character’s religious journey.
So, in different phrases, he had no thought the right way to clarify it—and it was simpler to go away it a thriller and attempt to persuade everybody that was intentional.
This facet of Battlestar Galactica serves as an excellent instance for any author making a present: it’s extremely vital to have a plan whenever you create a narrative. The “fix it in post” mentality can’t maintain a TV collection. You may solely distract the viewers for thus lengthy earlier than they begin asking questions, and for those who don’t have solutions, issues can get ugly. Don’t imagine me? Go ask a former Sport of Thrones fan how they really feel concerning the ending of that eight-season present. You’re not going to seek out many who reward that catastrophe of a collection finale.
However for that miniseries, these first two seasons, and the Razor TV film—it had unimaginable writing. I nonetheless keep in mind superb episodes like “33,” the primary episode of season one, which made you’re feeling as exhausted because the crew; “Bastille Day,” which launched the fascinating character of Tom Zarek and requested whether or not he was a terrorist or a people hero; and the nail-biter “Pegasus,” which launched the brutal Admiral Cain.
There have been additionally unforgettable moments, comparable to when Starbuck confesses her function in Adama’s son’s dying or when Boomer tries to assassinate Adama whereas in a trance. To not point out the unimaginable performances of James Callis and Tricia Helfer, full of paranoia and uncooked sexuality.
It’s for these causes that I might by no means say the Battlestar Galactica revival was a failure.
After the collection ended, makes an attempt have been made to proceed the Battlestar Galactica universe. A prequel referred to as Caprica explored the origins of the Cylons however was canceled after one season. Then there was a two-hour pilot referred to as Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, revolving round a younger Adama contemporary out of the academy. Nonetheless, it was not picked up and was later cut up into an internet collection.
Since then, the world of Battlestar Galactica has remained closed. A reboot was being developed for Peacock till the community canceled it in 2024. There may be nonetheless discuss it being picked up by one other community or streaming service. I’m on the fence about this one. On the one hand, I don’t assume you can seize the identical lightning in a bottle that the 2004 revival had. However then again, it might be fascinating to see what a contemporary pair of eyes might make of it.
If you wish to watch Battlestar Galactica, it’s a little bit of a multitude. I used to be solely capable of finding the miniseries and the TV film Razor to stream on—of all locations—Fandango.com. Prime has the whole collection and Blood & Chrome obtainable to hire. Peacock is the one place you’ll be able to watch Caprica. However the second TV film, The Plan, was nowhere to be discovered on-line.
As I said earlier than, even with all its flaws, the Battlestar Galactica revival universe is one thing to be skilled. It was groundbreaking and nonetheless stands as a few of the finest science fiction ever made.
So possibly it is best to hop on board an outdated area battleship and witness the concern, the love, and—most significantly—the hope that we should all maintain alive within the face of darkness.
So say all of us.
