I was going to start this blog post by stating that I'm not normally a science fiction fan, but that's not entirely true. I mean, I love Star Wars (except for those crappy new ones). And I did watch Lost. But I've never been able to sit through 2001: A Space Odyssey without falling asleep, and as for spaceships in general, hey, I can take them or leave them. However, given how much I loved Battlestar Galactica I may have to start self-identifying as a science fiction fan, or at least a fan of space dramas. I do recall watching a couple episodes of the original when I was a little kid, but somehow the new version that ran on the Sci-Fi (aka SyFy) channel from 2004 to 2009 slipped under my radar...or, shall I say, dradis (let the nerdy in-jokes begin!). Maybe because I didn't have cable. Good thing you can get TV shows on DVD now and watch them at your own pace.
A few months ago I started watching Battlestar Galactica, and I was hooked from the start. The premise is fairly straightforward- in a galaxy far, far away, humans invented robots called Cylons to serve as worker drones, and the Cylons eventually rebelled against the humans and disappeared. Forty years later they returned with a vegenance- dropping nuclear bombs in a surprise attack that decimated the human population and renedered their home planets uninhabitable. Now the surviving humans live on spaceships, on the run from the Cylons and searching for a new homeland, led by the sole remaining military ship, the trusty old Battlestar Galactica. Oh, and the Cylons have evolved and can look like people. And some people are Cylons and don't even know it. And some of them are on the battlestar! So yeah, there's plenty of shooty action stuff, but what makes the show great is the writing, the acting, and especially the characters. A friend of mine had recommended the show to me a while ago, saying that it had the best kick-ass female character of all time (Starbuck), who does indeed rule, although my personal favorite lady is the President. Oh, and there are plenty of hot dudes. (Hello, Helo.) And Edward James Olmos!
I just finished the last episode of the fourth and last season, and although I enjoyed the ending, it was bittersweet as now I don't have anymore episodes left to watch. One thing's for sure, and the finale really cemented the point- Lost was a piece of crap compared to BSG! If you're looking for something to keep you entertained for several months, I highly recommend giving Battlestar Gallactica a try. I like it so much that I'd go to a convention. So maybe I am a science fiction fan, after all.
8 comments:
Huh. I watched the first three seasons and a couple episodes of the 4th, but I petered out before the end. I think mostly because I read a lot of people were disappointed by the ending. There were folks on Metafilter saying it made them wish they hadn't watched the series AT ALL! But you liked it? You think I should finish it off?
Yeah, I really liked it! Sure, it wasn't perfect and they got a little heavy-handed with the theology stuff, but it's definitely worth finishing the series. There's a good twist when you find out who the final Cylon is (not sure if you got that far). I heard that a lot of fans hated the ending but I think it was just ineviatble fanboy whining. And as I said, Lost really lowered the bar in terms of series finales, so I thought it was pretty good.
Count me among the whiners. I loved the show for awhile, and thought the New Caprica (=Iraq) stuff was the show's finest hour. But, even as a big Dylan fan, the "All Along the Watchtower" stuff at the end of Season 3 was the beginning of an FTL shark jump for me, and I don't think the show ever fully recovered.
Space dramas? Unless you mean tense moments debating closet space, its Sci Fi. Does this mean your going to come to comic con?
You may not have known it, but this post will officially make you Dan's BFF.
Oh good, Dan and I can have nerdy discussions about the show next time we hang out! Big Al, you should watch so you can participate as well :)
My only claim to fame - Mary McDonnell is my 2nd cousin!! However, I have yet to watch an episode, but may do so now based upon your recommendation...
Mary McDonnell is so awesome- she was my favorite character. You totally should watch!
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