Galactica 1980 DVD's

[Athene]

I went on a Galactica 1980 DVD marathon yesterday. :salute:
Watched all of the epsiodes.
I had a lot of fun! :D

[Kronus]

:wtf:

Although from a bizarre twisted way I can appreciate the attempt to continue with the story after such a horrible ending from the first season...but as Martok pointed out due to the time slot this was originally aired, this really took from the original flow from the first season.

These shows are to me as the Enterprise series is to most Trekkies..."What Enterprise series?" and "An affront to the whole original Roddenberry concept."

Even though I did watch the ST ENT series (and enjoyed the entertainment aspects of it) I do have issues in accepting it as cannon....just as I have with the second attempt of a season for Galactica 1980.

Entertaining? Yep...kinda cute. Do I see it as cannon to the original concept...NOPE not at all...but as everyone here as pointed out...it is entertaining to watch. :duck: :cool:
*Let the mushies fly!*

[Bradleyfett]

Finally an intellectually honest review of G80 requisit fanboy 'must hate Galactica 1980' mantra. I'll admit it, I like the show. No I fully realize that my perception is colored by my original viewing of the show when I was 10. But whatever the reason, I like it. I like the flying motorcycles. I like Kent McCord and Barry Van Dyke. I like the historic angle.- sort of the precursor of 'Voyagers'. I don't even mind Dr. Zee. There are a lot of cringe-inducing parts (I still can't stand the superscouts seed-planing scenes in Spacecroppers), but I'd still rather watch just about any episode of G80 than certain episodes of the original show.

I submit that G80 actually had the best plot devices since the original BSG pilot movie. After the pilot movie, the show wandered off on tangents that are just boring to me (then and now), especially those episodes dealing with Terra, etc. It wasn't until G80 that we saw a return of some of the more fun dramatic turns, albeit executed with a bit more whimsy than I'd like.

The whole idea of the Galacticans on Earth is great. The idea of reaching Earth only to find it unable to help defeat the Cylons has a lot more dramatic possibilities than reaching, say, Earth of the future as many have suggested.

Traveling back in time to bring Earth up to better technology is a fun idea. The main bad guy being a Galactican going off on his own to do this is a good dramatic turn- actually this sets up a deeper 'bad guy' motivation than they ever did with Baltar. (To this day I don't know what is motivation was)

The 'fish out of water' senerios of Troy and Dillon adjusting to Earth culture recall some of the best moments in Star Trek (usually time travel stories).

Dr. Zee is a neat concept that would have worked well if they had only explored the conflict that would have certainly occured with Adama subordinating his command to a child genius.

And did I say I love the flying motorcycyles?

Like the original season of BSG, there are a lot of good concepts set up that never get fully explored.

Mark

[Mieal Deneb]

Kronos said something I couldn't put my finger on before he said it, but it's exactly how I feel. G80 is fun and entertaining, but somehow I don't accept it as canon like the original.

[Athene]

I confess I like Galactica 1980. :blush: :duck:

It did have one excellent episode in it. The Return of Starbuck. I've lost count how many times I've watched that. ;)

[Bradleyfett]

I confess I like Galactica 1980. :blush: :duck:

It did have one excellent episode in it. The Return of Starbuck. I've lost count how many times I've watched that. ;)


Return of Starbuck was great, but it still lacked the flying motorcycles!

"I think you have us confused with someone else. My name's not Turkey and neither is his."

Mark

[peter noble]

Athene and Mark can join the CF Galactica 1980 Fan Club!

The other two members are myself and Stevew.

[Darrell Lawrence]

*ahem*

[peter noble]

*ahem*

Sorry, and the D-man as well.

And I'd have a glass of water if I were you, you seem to have a frog in your throat. :D

[Gemini1999]

Can I join?

I mean, I actually own a copy of the DVD's and I watched all of the episodes. I like the Turbines and I know all of the characters...etc.

Surely that deserves some level of inclusion...

Bryan

[peter noble]

Okay Bry, you're in, but I don't think our new club could muster a quorum yet!

[Athene]

Athene and Mark can join the CF Galactica 1980 Fan Club!

The other two members are myself and Stevew.
AWESOME! :D :salute:

[Athene]

*ahem*
Yes. Let's not forget Warrior! ;) :D

[Athene]

Okay Bry, you're in, but I don't think our new club could muster a quorum yet!

You'd be surprised how fast we can build a quorum. ;)

[Bradleyfett]

When I was 11, my best friend and I used to play 'Troy' and 'Dillon'. We both attached carboard wings to our bikes. That may qualify me to be fan club president.

Mark

[Kronus]

I confess I like Galactica 1980. :blush: :duck:

It did have one excellent episode in it. The Return of Starbuck. I've lost count how many times I've watched that. ;)

I too enjoyed that episode, it kind of wrapped up some things but you know I can not wait for a hopeful reboot...even though this series was "cute" (man it is a good thing I changed my ID from KlingonGeneral to Kronus here) to me it was just for pure entertainment and had no bearing on what the first series had been leading up to...IMNSHO.

I liked the fact it was VERY family friendly, my parents at the time liked it better for my sister and I to what than they did about the first season. They felt the first season was a bit more for adults, (Remember my parents are ministers...Pentecostal ministers).

Now the flying motorcycles I have to admit where quite the idea and I too liked them. I made my bike into one once but the cardboard kept falling off or getting into my tires and chain...LOL! (I was 9 or 10 at the time). Today I do ride and I am looking to buy the 2003 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic 100th anniversary Edition from a good friend.

[Bradleyfett]

Kronus,

Carboard turbocycle? Now there is no turning back for you; you've admitted to your vice and now you can start to heal...

Maybe instead of a 'fan club', this should be a support group!

Mark (Looking for a bank to exchange my Orec for cash...)

[Bradleyfett]

Another thought: If so many people can have a passion for the original Lost In Space, then we can certainly have G80 ...


As for our support group, I propose a 7-step program.
In each step you work toward admitting:

1. Galactica 1980 didn't exist.
2. I bought the DVDs just to be a completist
3. 'Return of Starbuck' was the only good episode of Galactica 1980
4. I watched Galactica 1980 on DVD and its cute, but I don't accept it as canon.
5. I watched it again, and it's not that bad.
6. I actually like Galactica 1980 now.
7. I'm making a Dr. Zee and Superscouts costumes for my children.

[peter noble]

Hey Mark, you should post some pictures of the studio scale Starbuck's Jalopy you made.

Best,

Peter (proud owner of a G80 Viper helm)

[Bradleyfett]

Hey Mark, you should post some pictures of the studio scale Starbuck's Jalopy you made.

Best,

Peter (proud owner of a G80 Viper helm)


You mean this?:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10867551@N00/sets/72157612254487878/

Mark

[peter noble]

You mean this?:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10867551@N00/sets/72157612254487878/

Mark

Aye, that's the one.

I'm surprised you haven't built a two-man Viper for your own amusment.

[Bradleyfett]

Aye, that's the one.

I'm surprised you haven't built a two-man Viper for your own amusment.


Its on my list! It'll have a Daggit Squadren pilot in there of course!

-M

[peter noble]

Its on my list! It'll have a Daggit Squadren pilot in there of course!

-M

:cool:

[Gemini1999]

:cool:

I know what that means......

[Reaper]

there are definately elements of G-1980 that I like as well. The motorcycles (landprobes as I prefer to call them) are one of the things I like best. Didn't like that you could store one in a Viper but that's besides the point lol. I would love to convert a bike with some fiberglass shells to look like a Landprobe. Even to the point of keeping it street legal. It may not fly, or have the sound effects, but imagine rolling up to a con in that thing!

There were other highlights, but I'm affraid too many lowpoints to save the show completely for me. I am working on ideas for a Fan Fic that would allow the events of G-80 (with some modifications) to be included in a Continuation effort. All of Dr Zee's involvement would be the mental deterioration of a dying Adama. he imagined it. The planet would not be Earth, but another Terra type planet. And the super scouts would NOT be able to have super powers lol. the Fleet could have stopped there for an extended time, and helped the developement of the planet, just as we saw Troy and Dillon doing. an exchange of survivors my have also happened.

It can be done, if you try hard lol

[Athene]

Another thought: If so many people can have a passion for the original Lost In Space, then we can certainly have G80 ...


As for our support group, I propose a 7-step program.
In each step you work toward admitting:

1. Galactica 1980 didn't exist.
2. I bought the DVDs just to be a completist
3. 'Return of Starbuck' was the only good episode of Galactica 1980
4. I watched Galactica 1980 on DVD and its cute, but I don't accept it as canon.
5. I watched it again, and it's not that bad.
6. I actually like Galactica 1980 now.
7. I'm making a Dr. Zee and Superscouts costumes for my children.

:LOL:
I like that list. ;)

How about this one?

8. I'm addicted to Galactica 1980 and can't stop watching! :D

[Athene]

I too enjoyed that episode, it kind of wrapped up some things but you know I can not wait for a hopeful reboot...even though this series was "cute" (man it is a good thing I changed my ID from KlingonGeneral to Kronus here) to me it was just for pure entertainment and had no bearing on what the first series had been leading up to...IMNSHO.

I liked the fact it was VERY family friendly, my parents at the time liked it better for my sister and I to what than they did about the first season. They felt the first season was a bit more for adults, (Remember my parents are ministers...Pentecostal ministers).

Now the flying motorcycles I have to admit where quite the idea and I too liked them. I made my bike into one once but the cardboard kept falling off or getting into my tires and chain...LOL! (I was 9 or 10 at the time). Today I do ride and I am looking to buy the 2003 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic 100th anniversary Edition from a good friend.

I would have liked to see your creation. ;)
Do you have a photo of it?

[Bradleyfett]

I like that one, but I think it comes before the 'I'm making G80 costumes for my kids' stage.

Mark

"Its called an apple, you frimp!"

[Athene]

there are definately elements of G-1980 that I like as well. The motorcycles (landprobes as I prefer to call them) are one of the things I like best. Didn't like that you could store one in a Viper but that's besides the point lol. I would love to convert a bike with some fiberglass shells to look like a Landprobe. Even to the point of keeping it street legal. It may not fly, or have the sound effects, but imagine rolling up to a con in that thing!

There were other highlights, but I'm affraid too many lowpoints to save the show completely for me. I am working on ideas for a Fan Fic that would allow the events of G-80 (with some modifications) to be included in a Continuation effort. All of Dr Zee's involvement would be the mental deterioration of a dying Adama. he imagined it. The planet would not be Earth, but another Terra type planet. And the super scouts would NOT be able to have super powers lol. the Fleet could have stopped there for an extended time, and helped the developement of the planet, just as we saw Troy and Dillon doing. an exchange of survivors my have also happened.

It can be done, if you try hard lol

That's a very interesting premise.
How about a G - 80 fan fiction contest or we could have a section where we can post G -80 fan fiction here.

[Bradleyfett]

I've always liked the idea of leaving what happened in G80 canon and continuing the story years later on modern day earth. I still believe there are a lot of story possibilities there. And you could still have the flying motorcycles!

Yea I know you have to get past accepting G80 as canon, but I would do it this way: try to forget the show if you've seen it recently and replace that with just your childhood memory of it- the basic concepts and major plot points weren't any worse than some of what happened on the original show, so just go with that as 'background' and treat the new material more seriously. Try this as an excercise: reword the premise of G80 as the 'forward' of the new fanfic.

Here's my idea:

The voice of a much older Commander Troy:
"We came to your world 30 years ago. Persued by the enemy that had destroyed our worlds, we travelled the stars for over two decades. We hoped Earth would be our salvation- a home for our people and an ally against the alien machines that sought our destruction. Instead, we found a people more vulnerable than ourselves. Our fleet headed out into deep space to lure them away. Some of us stayed behind to build a life here. Some of us stayed to keep watch. Watching for the return of our people... or our enemy. We don't know which will come first... "


The premise:

After years of waiting and watching, the Galacticans who settled on Earth, including the handful of Warriors, have come to belief that neither the Galactica and her fleet nor the Cylons will never return. One by one, each warrior Warrior has chosen to make their own life on Earth- persuing careers, raising families, etc. They keep their true identies secret, sometimes from their own families, but remain vigilant. Commander Troy eventually tired of leading the warriors in what seemed to be futile excercises and has retreated to live in a remote mountain cabin. Though he has also given up on ever seeing the Galactica again, he still believes the Cylons may return, but feels powerless to prepare for it.

Commander Dillon's life mission became the persuit of the renegade Xavier as he attempted to travel through time and build an empire for himself. Xavier's only deterrant was the realization that he would be stopped at every turn. Thus, Dillon very quickly became a student of Earth history. He has spent the last three decades researching this planet's past, including the Galacticas' mysterious connections to Earth's ancient peoples.

But now, a new threat may be emerging. Deep in the mountains of Afganistan, Allied troops have uncovered what they believe to be a terrorist-funded research facility containing experimental weaponry and flying craft. But one among them knows differently: Though its been a long time, a certain US Marine Commander knows Cylon technology when he sees it. Are the Cylons back? Have they been here all along? The Warriors may have to be re-assembled... but how do we find Commander Troy?...

GALACTICA 2010

[peter noble]

Mark,

I like the idea of the Galacticans living among us, though I'd work in Area 51 and Hanger 18 instead of Afghanistan.

Something like years before a Cylon baseship appeared in the Arctic and promptly crashed burying itself under the ice.

A US polar survey team found it and it was taken in pieces back to America where some of its Centurions and Raiders were found to be undamaged and after careful study reactivated.

The Galacticans are alerted when they detect strong Cylon signals emanating from US soil and gather to nullify the Cylon threat.

[Gemini1999]

Mark,

I like the idea of the Galacticans living among us, though I'd work in Area 51 and Hanger 18 instead of Afghanistan.

Something like years before a Cylon baseship appeared in the Arctic and promptly crashed burying itself under the ice.

A US polar survey team found it and it was taken in pieces back to America where some of its Centurions and Raiders were found to be undamaged and after careful study reactivated.

The Galacticans are alerted when they detect strong Cylon signals emanating from US soil and gather to nullify the Cylon threat.

Peter -

Thanks for that. Frankly, I don't think that I could stand yet another version of BSG that draws itself from being another 9/11 allegory. I understand the relative impact that 9/11 had on the world, but after 8 years, seeing it still having an impact on modern entertainment.....please.

I wouldn't mind a version of BSG that had it's roots in G80 as long as it moved past the weaker story elements due to the restriction of the demographic that it was targeted for. I wouldn't mind seeing a G80 continuation where humanity got assistance from the Colonials in a more direct and up-front manner, rather than one "under cover". I think the reason the whole "let's help the humans from behind the scenes" doesn't work for me is because there's no practical way for the Colonials to prepare Earth and it's people for a possible Cylon attack in a couple of decades doing it from hiding.

I do think that the Area 51 idea is not too bad - there's at least more story material that can be drawn from it than putting it in activity that's clouded by the war in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Bryan

[Bradleyfett]

Bryan and Peter:

Both ideas are great-

I'm not actually attached to the whole 'Afganistan/911 thing per se;, just an attempt to place it in mondern day. Plus the whole remote desert thing would play well for finding some sort of long lost Cylon outpost (my idea included finding out that this place had actually been in the desert for a lot longer than either Gulf war).

The Galacticans 'under cover' has to be maintianed for a while anyway to keep a storyline believable and relatable. Your idea of making contact/helping Earth OVERTLY is something I was actually including in my story- My idea was for the Galacticans to actually have no choice but to reveal themselves to the US Govenrment because they believed the Cylons were coming and Earth could not defend itself without their help. I imagined storylines of Earth/US Fighter pilots (or even astronauts!) being trained as Viper pilots/Warriors. Perhaps this would still be done as 'Top Secret', at least until a time when things got so nasty that it couldn't be hidden from the public. Of course all this would unfold over the course of several episodes.

All sorts of story ideas there.

M

[peter noble]

The tricky bit in the scenario is an excuse for the Galactica to be absent.

I'm thinking they had to lead the Cylons away from Earth and used the time warp technology to literally lose the Cylons in time.

Of course it would have to return in the pilot but with Adama no longer at the helm. Maybe it would be a character from TOS who would be at the helm, I don't know.

I envisage the Cylons taking over Area 51 and launching Raiders from it as the earth-based warriors attack the base. The Galactica would arrive in the nick of time and launch the D Squadron to take out the Raiders before they could attack their pre-programmed targets.

[Reaper]

Mark, I'd actually watch that Show, but even back in 1980, I was completely disappointed with Galactica. so even those memories are tainted lol

[Bradleyfett]

Of course it would have to return in the pilot but with Adama no longer at the helm. Maybe it would be a character from TOS who would be at the helm, I don't know.


THAT was EXACTLY my idea- this would be the climax of the pilot movie.

Mark

[Athene]

I've always liked the idea of leaving what happened in G80 canon and continuing the story years later on modern day earth. I still believe there are a lot of story possibilities there. And you could still have the flying motorcycles!

Yea I know you have to get past accepting G80 as canon, but I would do it this way: try to forget the show if you've seen it recently and replace that with just your childhood memory of it- the basic concepts and major plot points weren't any worse than some of what happened on the original show, so just go with that as 'background' and treat the new material more seriously. Try this as an excercise: reword the premise of G80 as the 'forward' of the new fanfic.

Here's my idea:

The voice of a much older Commander Troy:
"We came to your world 30 years ago. Persued by the enemy that had destroyed our worlds, we travelled the stars for over two decades. We hoped Earth would be our salvation- a home for our people and an ally against the alien machines that sought our destruction. Instead, we found a people more vulnerable than ourselves. Our fleet headed out into deep space to lure them away. Some of us stayed behind to build a life here. Some of us stayed to keep watch. Watching for the return of our people... or our enemy. We don't know which will come first... "


The premise:

After years of waiting and watching, the Galacticans who settled on Earth, including the handful of Warriors, have come to belief that neither the Galactica and her fleet nor the Cylons will never return. One by one, each warrior Warrior has chosen to make their own life on Earth- persuing careers, raising families, etc. They keep their true identies secret, sometimes from their own families, but remain vigilant. Commander Troy eventually tired of leading the warriors in what seemed to be futile excercises and has retreated to live in a remote mountain cabin. Though he has also given up on ever seeing the Galactica again, he still believes the Cylons may return, but feels powerless to prepare for it.

Commander Dillon's life mission became the persuit of the renegade Xavier as he attempted to travel through time and build an empire for himself. Xavier's only deterrant was the realization that he would be stopped at every turn. Thus, Dillon very quickly became a student of Earth history. He has spent the last three decades researching this planet's past, including the Galacticas' mysterious connections to Earth's ancient peoples.

But now, a new threat may be emerging. Deep in the mountains of Afganistan, Allied troops have uncovered what they believe to be a terrorist-funded research facility containing experimental weaponry and flying craft. But one among them knows differently: Though its been a long time, a certain US Marine Commander knows Cylon technology when he sees it. Are the Cylons back? Have they been here all along? The Warriors may have to be re-assembled... but how do we find Commander Troy?...

GALACTICA 2010

That sounds really interesting.
It would also be up to date what's going on in our world today.
And the flying motorcycles wouldn't seem so farfetched. ;)

[Kester Pelagius]

Can I join?

I mean, I actually own a copy of the DVD's and I watched all of the episodes. I like the Turbines and I know all of the characters...etc.

Surely that deserves some level of inclusion...

Bryan

But do you have DVDRs of the episodes, as aired on Sci-Fi, AND the DVDs?

You can't be a true fan unless you have DVDRs of episodes. Bonus points if you have the re-edited movie versions as released to VHS.

;)

[Athene]

But do you have DVDRs of the episodes, as aired on Sci-Fi, AND the DVDs?

You can't be a true fan unless you have DVDRs of episodes. Bonus points if you have the re-edited movie versions as released to VHS.

;)

I've got the DVD boxed set. I've also got the re-edited movie versions on VHS. I've also got taped episodes on VHS and they're still working great. I say that makes me a true fan. ;)

[martok2112]

There's that phrase "true fan" again. How I hate that phrase, with every fiber of my being.

[Kronus]

There's that phrase "true fan" again. How I hate that phrase, with every fiber of my being.
Please don't hold back, let us know how you really feel...:D

The only way I would own it is if Amazon had a $5 sale on the series and include free shipping...;)

Like I said before I liked the show as entertainment goes but I haven't fully convienced myself to actually own it...yet.

[Athene]

There's that phrase "true fan" again. How I hate that phrase, with every fiber of my being.

I see what you mean...;)
I'd say I'm a "fan".
'Nuff said. :D

[martok2112]

Please don't hold back, let us know how you really feel...:D

The only way I would own it is if Amazon had a $5 sale on the series and include free shipping...;)

Like I said before I liked the show as entertainment goes but I haven't fully convienced myself to actually own it...yet.

LOL!

It's not really all that bad a series....it just had a lot of (fingers in the pie) problems that held it back from its potential, like the original series that sired it.

I picked it up as soon as it came out, and although some stuff was rather cringe-worthy, I don't regret getting it.

Besides, in some ways, I am a completist. :)

[Reaper]

I did get the series on DVD as well, but I do view it less as a continuation, and more of a what happens when the network steps in too much (another case in point would be season 5 of Babylon 5 and the follow up series Crusade)

Like i've said, some good points, bad direction in the overall execution lol

[Gemini1999]

I've got the DVD boxed set. I've also got the re-edited movie versions on VHS. I've also got taped episodes on VHS and they're still working great. I say that makes me a true fan. ;)

Athene -

I've also got one of the re-edited VHS movies - I think I preferred the unedited episodes. Watching G80 episodes hacked together to make a single film was more effort than it was worth. I'll stick with the DVDs.

As for having taped episodes from the early days of Skiffy, by the time I lived somewhere that had Skiffy in their programming schedule, the only version of BSG they were showing was the original. I've only got a two-head recorder anyways, so the tape quality wouldn't have been worthwhile.

I did pre-order my G80 DVD set at the local Best Buy and picked up a day before the store release because they had it "in stock". That's about as far as I'm willing to go to get something.

As for the "true fan" stuff, as such, it's subjective at best and everyone has their own criteria...;)

Bryan

[Kester Pelagius]

I've got the DVD boxed set. I've also got the re-edited movie versions on VHS. I've also got taped episodes on VHS and they're still working great. I say that makes me a true fan. ;)

I transfered my episodes to DVDr, got the DVD set when it came out, but never had the movies on VHS. So you win, you old war daggit!

:salute:

[Kester Pelagius]

The only way I would own it is if Amazon had a $5 sale on the series and include free shipping...;)

Like I said before I liked the show as entertainment goes but I haven't fully convienced myself to actually own it...yet.

Which would you rather spend your money on G80 or something like Stargate Atlantis?

[martok2112]

I think I did get the re-edited VHS of the premiere episodes.

[Kronus]

Which would you rather spend your money on G80 or something like Stargate Atlantis?

Good point! LOL!

Wait a minute, although I do like all of the Stargate series...I guess I would have to go with Stargate Atlantis since I do own the first 2 seasons and will get the rest when the money is available...and at least it has stayed within the whole concept of what it was spun off of...maybe a bit too well since a lot of their episodes are pretty much a repeat from SG1 but with different bad guys...:/:

[Athene]

I transfered my episodes to DVDR, got the DVD set when it came out, but never had the movies on VHS. So you win, you old war daggit!

:salute:
Thank You :D

[Athene]

Athene -

I've also got one of the re-edited VHS movies - I think I preferred the unedited episodes. Watching G80 episodes hacked together to make a single film was more effort than it was worth. I'll stick with the DVDs.

As for having taped episodes from the early days of Skiffy, by the time I lived somewhere that had Skiffy in their programming schedule, the only version of BSG they were showing was the original. I've only got a two-head recorder anyways, so the tape quality wouldn't have been worthwhile.

I did pre-order my G80 DVD set at the local Best Buy and picked up a day before the store release because they had it "in stock". That's about as far as I'm willing to go to get something.

As for the "true fan" stuff, as such, it's subjective at best and everyone has their own criteria...;)

Bryan

I too prefer the unedited episodes. I got the VHS movies out of curiosity and to add to my TOS BSG collection.
We've got the Space Channel here in Canada.
As for the "true fan" comment it was said with tongue-in-cheek humour.
I can honestly say I'm a fan of TOS BSG and G80. ;)