Tonight is it, the last episode of season one of Battlestar Galactica and what an incredible first season. I am both looking forward to and dreading tonight’s episode for a few reasons.
I am looking forward to it because it is rated at 5 out of 5 stars and I am told, from a few folks who have already seen it thanks to the Internet, that they definitely saved the best for last. I am not looking forward to it for three reasons; first it is the last episode, secondly it is a cliff hanger and third it will end with my three most hated words that can be shown at the end of a TV show… TO BE CONTINUED! Okay, there are some other things that have me bummed out about the end of season one and that is the DVDs aren’t being released right away – some rumors say not until Christmas! –and the Brits are getting theirs really soon. That is just not right. The other thing is that it’s going to feel like forever until season two starts. I’ll live.
Again I have to say that I haven’t been so "into" a TV show in ages. Not since the late 1980s with Star Trek the Next Generation. Admittedly STTNG didn’t grab me right away either. First season felt so very stilted and forced. STTNG grew on me though and I stuck with it even though a lot of the early episodes rehashed stories from the original. BSG on the other hand grabbed me right out of the star gate. From the first episode this show was a hit. Every week has been like watching a theatrical release movie. I personally couldn’t be happier with BSG. The stellar cast and superb acting really make this show feel real. The characters all have strengths and weaknesses that make them interesting and compelling. They each have traits that we can all relate to and that makes them feel so very real. The story line is engaging and there have been lots of twists and turns and surprises. Add to all of that lots of very cool space ships, god fearing evil robots, exciting space battles, good looking gals and guys, sex, political intrigue, and a life & death struggle against incredible odds. For those of you who have missed this show I hope that you will catch it when the Sci-Fi channel re-runs it.
Now I want to address a comment that I received in last week’s Battlestar Friday entry. My good and long time friend Tom Atkinson wrote, “I haven't posted anything in a while, and I feel a little bad about returning with a complaint, but what are you gonna do?
I've been grumbling about the recent TVGuide article on the new BSG, this in particular: "... the producers say they have one ambition: to make viewers aware that they're watching more than a sci-fi epic."
That pretty much nails down why I feel I've been watching less than a sci-fi epic.
I haven't seen anything on the new BSG that couldn't be translated to, say, an aircraft carrier full of American families evacuated from the South Pacific during WWII. Who's an Axis sympathizer? Is the doctor just crazy and seeing things? Do the Nazis believe in God?
The Sci-Fi Channel has a long tradition of apologizing for sci-fi, and I wish they'd stop. Science Fiction is the literature of thought, of ideas, of change. I'd like to see a sci-fi epic that's _more_ than, in BSG producer David Eick's words, "a complex, sophisticated drama."
Thomas, I honestly don’t understand the point you are trying to make here. Sure, the show could be translated to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific during WWII. Put aside the fact that it wouldn’t be historically accurate and no one would watch it because it is simply not plausible. When folks watch shows/movies set in WWII they want it based on real events. Okay, put that aside and let me get back on ‘star’ track. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy is the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The Day the Earth Stood Still is a story of Jesus Christ, and almost every episode of Star Trek – and I am talking the original with Kirk, Spock and McCoy – addressed all sorts of current political, social and cultural issues that the audience could relate to and identify with. Lastly, Star Wars – of which you and I have always been a fans – can be translated into the rise of an evil empire (insert name of empire here) on earth led by a charismatic politician turned dictator with the corruption of a hero of the people followed by a growing rebellion with heroes based on classic archetypes. Emperor Palpatine could easily be Hitler or Stalin and his Imperial Navy could easily be the Imperial Japanese Navy and his armies of Storm Troopers could easily be… well they could be Storm Troopers. The Rebellion could easily be the Allied Forces. So you have an issue with the Sci-Fi channel. Many people do especially when the Sci-Fi Channel makes flicks like Mansquito and especially when after what they did to Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea. Sci-Fi Channel doesn’t have a great track record. Hell they don’t have a good track record, but what they do have with BSG is a real winner. So Thomas my friend, what is the real issue you have BSG? I sense something more and something deeper. Inquiring minds want to know. I invite you all to chime in with your thoughts on the topic of the Sci-Fi Channel and BSG.
So say we all!
I, too, mourn the coming absence of BSG. It's one well-done and yes, sexy, Sci-Fi show, incorporating all the elements of "tech" plus throwing in a host of emotionally screwed-up people...makes for surprising viewing each week.
Posted by: Uber-Pea on April 1, 2005 08:23 AMThis is way outta left field, but the feeling I've been getting from BSG (and it's not a bad one) is that it's shooting for something like a "Homicide" vibe. The characters are complex. There's no archetypical hero - they all have distasteful flaws, and thus you never quite feel that you can trust anyone. Every character's got their own motives, and while there's an overarching conflict that ties things together, you really can't predict how anyone is going to react.
There's no true "righteous hero". There's no "smart-aleck who always comes through" (though Starbuck's close). It's refreshing that the typical archetypes are being mixed up. The writers don't flinch from showing that even strong people have weaknesses, in some cases fatal flaws. Never would I have thought that before the end of the first season, one of the main characters (and a namesake from the original) would be both a replica, a supposed replica, and be found sitting on a bunk with the muzzle of a pistol in their mouth.
The only thing I can see being a flaw with this show is that they try to keep pulling twist after twist to keep the tension. You have to resolve something at some point, otherwise people give up trying to keep it all straight. That's not to say that it requires a Happy Ending to any of the plotlines. Hell, the resolution can be a gut-wrencher. In fact, I'd love to see something completely unexpected that makes me think "No way! They didn't just do that! That took balls!"
You know what, Mansquito was not bad to be honest.
Posted by: Daveed on April 1, 2005 12:41 PMWill (or Rob), have you been taping the show? I've not been able to watch any of it 'cause of band practices, and really had a hard time getting into it in the beginning, and would like to give it some real viewing time....
Posted by: Geren on April 1, 2005 01:43 PMI'm sorry, so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry.
I love your New program below. LOL! I do hope you find something close to home. Why dont you call Bush and see if they have something you can do from home. They are looking for a few brave men to work bata on their new spy program! Now about this little problem of you geting down in the dumps! Your not old enough to do that so cut it out K! You and Jenny have a great weekend! Hang in there!
I'm surprised you didn't hrow in a Palpatine-Bush comparison in there.
Posted by: Clark on April 1, 2005 07:34 PMRemember Will, I'm going to be doing DVDs of season one. And they were offered to you, if you still want them. I know they might not be up to retail quality but I try to go that extra mile.
Posted by: SteveK on April 1, 2005 08:49 PMEverything about the season finale was unexpected and fantastic! And there was A WHOLE LOT OF EVERYTHING!! My head is still spinning from all that happened and what happened in the very end... OMG!!!! That is some serious science fiction and drama!!! Way to go BSG director, writers, cast and crew. BRAVO! Saying that was the best hour of TV I have ever watched is an understatement.
So say we all!
Peace,
--Will