In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« The Blog of Frederic Germay
"Five Reasons to Fall In Love with Battlestar Galactica..."
Before I get murdered by fan-hired assassins, I would like to apologize for not getting hooked “Battlestar Galactica” and initially laughing it off as some pathetic “Star Trek” imitation. I could not have been more wrong. After being starved for quality television during the duration of the writer’s strike, I succumbed to the excellent recommendations that this show was receiving from some of the television’s highest regarded critics. The last time I remember being so enthralled by a show was when “Lost” aired its premiere season, or during “Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s” spectacularly heartbreaking second season. In penance for my neglect of this show, I was inspired to write this to all non-BSG viewers, so that they too might experience televised perfection…
5) The Ronald Moore Podcasts.
Even if you don’t own an iPod, or remotely care about episode commentaries – you will find yourself captivated by the witty insights of Executive Producer Ron Moore. In these podcasts, Moore discusses anything from what the network wouldn’t let them air to potential plot developments throughout the season. His podcasts are the perfect companion to their corresponding BSG episodes.
4) The Special Effects
Many people complain about certain visual effects for several television shows as being cartoonish or ‘fake.’ “Battlestar Galactica” puts every single television show I have ever seen to shame in this particular category. No other show comes even close. Blockbuster movies can’t even compete with BSG. Period. However, the specific value that special effects contribute to the overall quality of the episodes can be difficult to ascertain when it comes to many shows. Nevertheless, after viewing episodes like “Resurrection Ship, part two,” I don’t believe it could or should have been done any other way.
3) The Writing
I have always enjoyed shows that take bold new directions and pull it off successfully, and BSG is no exception. The writers managed to sufficiently rework a 1970’s subpar television show into one of television best dramas. The scripts are consistently excellent and thought-provoking.
2) Edward James Olmos
Okay, well the other guys are pretty good too… Specific acting props go out to Mary McDonnell, and James Callis. However, the main acting talent in the show is undoubtedly Olmos. How this magnificently superb actor hasn’t won truckloads of Emmys and other accolades is mind-boggling. Olmos’s Admiral Adama is the heart and spirit of the show, and his powerful acting chops never diminish, even with that terrible mustache at the beginning of season three.
1) The Character-Driven Storyline
Before anyone doubts the significance of this particular attribute, remember how shows like “Buffy,” “Lost,” and “Firefly” managed to invoke passion in their viewing audiences, and create legions of insanely devoted fans. The character-driven plots caused us to deeply care about each individual character, and to a point, literally feel the anguish or joy that each character endured. I believe this is the main reason why everyone should watch this show.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 27, 2008 3:19 PM
|
I've watched about 1/2 of season 1 (I bought it a few months ago for only $25!) but haven't gotten around to watching any more. I really liked it, I just found other stuff I wanted to watch more.
I originally got digital cable for 2 reasons, Degrassi and BSG. With BSG airing on sundays, I always had a hard time remembering to watch/record. I'll eventually own all the seasons. I'm holding off though for the complete series set because I know it'll be awesome.
I did really like what I saw, I just never got back in the mood to watch. I've been watching a lot more comedy lately. Don't know why.
|
|
Mar 27, 2008 5:13 PM
|
Yeah, it's amazing the "pathetic" type of work those "Star Trek" people are involved in:
Ronald D. Moore – Battlestar Galactica, Carnivale, Roswell, ST: Voyager, ST: DS9, ST: TNG
Brannon Braga – Threshold, Enterprise, ST: Voyager, ST:TNG
Rene Echevarria – Medium, The 4400, Dark Angel, Now and Again, ST: DS9
Michael Piller – Wildfire, The Dead Zone, ST: Voyager, ST: DS9, ST: TNG
Jeri Taylor – ST: Voyager, ST: TNG, magnum, p.i., Quincy M.E.
Naren Shankar – CSI, Farscape, The Outer Limits, ST: DS9, ST: TNG
Richard Manning – Farscape, Sliders, ST: DS9, ST: TNG, Fame
D.C. Fontana – Beast Wars: Transformers, Earth: Final Conflict, Reboot, Babylon 5, ST: DS9, ST: TNG, He-Man, Buck Rogers, Dallas, The Waltons, Logan's Run, Kung Fu, Land of the Lost, The Six Million Dollar Man, Bonanza, The Big Valley, and of course, Star Trek
Bryan Fuller – Pushing Daisies, Heroes, Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, ST: Voyager
Robert Hewitt Wolfe – The Dresden Files, The 4400, Andromeda, The Dead Zone, ST: DS9, ST: TNG
James Crocker – The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Seven Days, Stargate SG-1, Lois & Clark, Beauty and the Beast, Max Headroom, Simon & Simon, Whiz Kids, The Rockford Files, Baa Baa Black Sheep
|
|
Mar 28, 2008 12:57 AM
|
Thanks for commenting everyone.
Jawick, I want to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to insult Star Trek or any of the writers or producers. What I meant was that I had thought that BSG was a pathetic imitation of Star Trek. I like Star Trek, and I like quite a few Sci Fi and space oriented shows (many of the shows you mentioned. However, I have noticed that some shows attempt to steal the concepts of Star Trek and BSG, but they actually are quite bad.
But I wasn't talking about any of these shows. In fact I was trying to say that these shows were quite the opposite. So...I think you misunderstood my post. Please Clarify...
|
|
Mar 28, 2008 3:38 PM
|
|
I concur to all of the above points, Frederic! There is upwards of 105 reasons to get hooked on BSG, right? It's really that good. I'll add the sixth. The coining of the word "frakkin." I use it far too much and get made fun of, but still I persist. And here's the seventh - you can use the aforementioned buzz word to get a free pizza during the premiere. Ok - well maybe that's like the 105th reason but still is pretty cool. Especially to nerdy fan girls like myself....
|
|
Mar 31, 2008 12:35 PM
|
|
|
