DeSanto Script review "talkback" thread

[Scooter2000]

Here is Part 1 of KORN_FAN2’s review of the third script that was written for the pilot movie of Battlestar Galactica. His opinion favors the second script that was written for the production, but he reviewed the third script because the fans asked for this version to be reviewed. He notes that the third script is sloppy in some places and speculates that it never got reworked because of the announcement last April 2. He also speculated that this script seemed a tad bit long for a 2-hour Tele-movie.

This script was written after Bryan Singer’s departure and Fox pulling the plug.

He would like to acknowledge and give thanks to the Sci-Fi Channel for that week long marathon in February and Susan Paxton’s Battlezone Web-site for giving him better insight on the original series.



So here it is.


From Korn_Fan2:

I guess I will start by saying the Original series was a victim of many circumstances.
It was a victim of it’s own time with the disco music in outer space, Those long feathered back hair dos among both the women and the men. I even noticed that some of those extra Warriors in the background bare a striking resemblance to Kelso from That 70s Show.

It was a victim of greed. The original plan for Battlestar Galactica was to be series of Tele-movies but instead ABC execs took a gamble and reformatted it for an on going weekly series. ABC gambled and Battlestar Galactica lost. The rush production resulted in a handful of one-hour episodes that I would rather forget. The reusing of stocked visual effect footage was an insult to the viewers and the fans as well. However this show had heart and there are many memorable episodes that I like to praise such as the 3-hour pilot, Lost Planet of the Gods, The Living Legend, War of the Gods and the final episode that was ever produced. On the other hand as much as I liked the premise of the original series, I am forced to agree with Ronald D Moore and I did find the original to be a tad bit candy coated.

On the other hand Bryan Singer, Danny Angel, Billy Brown and Tom DeSanto previously shared that same opinion and sought out to fix the many flaws the original series had but they intended to keep the original themes, premise and timeline intact.


Let me start by saying this new version was not going to be candy coated like the original series. This version was not for entire family viewing. From my own experience it was intended for the ages of 14 to 40 crowd. It’s targeted audience were for the die hard fans, the casual viewer and a younger breed of science fiction fans who are sick and tired of the recent incarnations of Star Trek and/or not impressed with the mindless crap that the Sci-Fi Channel serves to their viewers. (excluding Star Gate and Farscape).

As far as calling this a continuation of the original series, I would have to say yes, but also a big No. This is a show that needed to stand out on it’s own and in many ways there are significant differences. Tom took huge steps in making this planned production far different from the original series but in a brilliant way he managed to integrate many elements of the original series that would of made it very recognizable as Battlestar Galactica.

This pilot has the feel of The X-Files (with horror elements and conspiracies) meets Space Above And Beyond meets the original Battlestar Galactica series, being the backbone of DeSanto’s vision.

First off I want I am changing the names of most of the new characters and Cylon species for two reasons. Reason one will be clear after reading this review and reason two is for holding out hope that Tom DeSanto will someday get the chance to show his vision to the fans that kept the spirit alive for all this time.

As for the characters, you will find that many of the heroes have many flaws and they are a reflection of today’s society. Also you will find that some of these characters are written to be either the original or a completely new character because the writers were anticipating Network interference. The Tigh character is a prime example. If the networks didn’t allow Mr. Carter to reprise his role as Tigh, Tom would have rewritten him as an entirely new character or be forced to recast the role.

Characters

Adama - Wise, noble and religious. The highest ranking and most respectable Colonial in the military. It was his wisdom and guidance that saved mankind from the holocaust. Ever since the colonizing on New Kobal, he still clings on to his belief that the Cylons will return and the quest for Earth must go on. Sadly Adama is dying of a terminal illness. (President Roslin anyone?)

Athena - The last surviving family member of Adama’s family. She serves on the bridge as Colonel and is third in command of the Galactica. She shares a strong bond with her father.

(Viewers who are just tuning in will learn that she was once a Colonial Warrior that flew off on missions. The old-time viewers of the original series will have to assume that she became a Colonial Warrior sometime between the events of The Hand of God and DeSanto’s pilot movie)

Skyler - The Captain of Blue Squadron. Orphaned since the holocaust of the 12 colonies. An honorable warrior and a lot like Apollo from the original series except he isn’t the sensitive type like Apollo.

Troy (Boxey) lieutenant of Blue Squadron. This young brat from the original series has grown up to have a cocky attitude. He is always taking heavy risks and tries to outshine the other members of Blue Squadron.
Although argues a lot with Skyler, they share a close friendship.

Murph – (I changed this name from the script but described him according to the script) - a brash young lieutenant of Blue Squadron. A full-fledged pervert, he spends most of his off duty time getting laid or trying to find ways of getting laid. (A nod to Night Court’s Dan Feilding) Like the most of the pilots in the original series, when the red alert sirens go off he immediately goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Tara – (I changed this name from the script but described her according to the script) - a headstrong female lieutenant of Blue Squadron with a long list of reprimands. She is always questioning authority and has a wicked temper. She is romantically involved with Skyler, but they are always butting heads because of her headstrong attitude versus Skyler's military by the book attitude.

(Note She reminds me of Ronald D Moore’s Kara Thrace except she does not go around slugging superior officers)

Starbuck - once a great Warrior and considered a legend among the new generation of Colonial Warriors. Starbuck spent some prior years marooned on wasteland planet until the Cylons finally captured him.
He spent the following years as a Cylon prisoner and underwent several interrogations, torture, and experiment procedures before making his escape and finding his way to New Kobal. Upon his arrival on New Kobal he has learned that most of his friends and one true love Cassiopeia are long dead. He left the Military and spends most of his time at the Rising Star drinking, gambling and womanizing. He was the last person to ever see his best friend Apollo while he was still a prisoner of the Cylons.



To be continued with the rest of the description of characters and a plot summery





:warrior:

[kingfish]

DeSanto knew what he was doing. Moore doesn't have a clue.

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
A full-fledged pervert, he spends most of his off duty time getting laid or trying to find ways of getting laid. (A nod to Night Court’s Dan Feilding)


Just because there was a pervert among the characters, it doesn't mean that their were explicit sex scenes, handjobs and or rape scenes.

I think this character was written for comediec purposes and I think that Tom DeSanto has a little more class than Ron.

[Dennis]

Does spending most of one's free time getting laid or in the pursuit make one a pervert?

Not that I'd know -- I spend my life online. Just checking. :D

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by Dennis
Does spending most of one's free time getting laid or in the pursuit make one a pervert?

Not that I'd know -- I spend my life online. Just checking. :D

No this guy is pervert. That's all this guy talks about and he boinked three different women within the first hour in the script.

[Dennis]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
No this guy is pervert. That's all this guy talks about and he boinked three different women within the first hour in the script.

Damn. He could at least settle for a handjob once in a while. ;):D

[Hito]

It seems like he was setting just the kind of tone that i'd have imagined after seeing X-Men.
It also seems that Mr Moore must have been farmiliar with Mr.Desanto's drafts because the paralels between Starbuck, Paul Tigh Adama and Rosilin are quite shocking.
Muroh and Tara seem like a direction they the new production mught take with "Kara" and "Lee"


I am sure if this had come to light early on the hardcore fans would have mobilized to ruin the production sooner than they had, since some of what he was doing is in large part what the fans were most vocal against with moores script.
Stuff like i cant watch it with my kids and a hero who is a drunk.
And i am sure there would have been more visible displays of intemacy since fix wasnt too afraid of stuff like that.

[Hito]

Originally posted by kingfish
DeSanto knew what he was doing. Moore doesn't have a clue.
No i think he knew exactly what he was doing.
From what i can tell he recycled a lot of elements of DeSantos work anyway.
And judging from your reaction what i've said in the past seems more true.
If moore had written his script as a continuation handjobs, sex and drunks included. He might have been praised for his edgyness.

But more likly he would have been shouted down just not as quickly

[adjudicator]

I prefer dasanto to moores version, at least he is not pretraying the cylons as being able to seduce humans. *sigh*

[the3rdhuman]

Oh what could have been.

Agonizing! I don't think I want part 2.

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by Hito

And judging from your reaction what i've said in the past seems more true.
If moore had written his script as a continuation handjobs, sex and drunks included. He might have been praised for his edgyness.

But more likly he would have been shouted down just not as quickly

Hito, yes there is one character that has a lot of sex in this story but there weren’t any racey scenes. Tom DeSanto was able to describe this character to the audience as a pervert with out actually showing the sex scenes.

It's like Dan Fielding in Night Court. Everyone knew he was a pervert. Everyone knew he was always having sex in his office, in his car and in the Janitor's closet but the viewer never actually witnessed it.

Yes I also agree that DeSanto's vision wasn't exactly family friendly but I disagree with KF2's statement about the targeted audience being 14 and up.

IMHO I would give it a PG13 rating.

As for Starbuck, he was a drunken manic-depressive when he was reintroduced to the audience, but upon the Cylon's return he is one of the first people to jump inside a viper. (Actually he steals a viper).


:warrior:

[Hito]

damn I gotta see this story.
It sounds great.

dont forget tho Paul Tigh also pulls it together in the end when the cylons attack.

[jewels]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
As for Starbuck, he was a drunken manic-depressive when he was reintroduced to the audience, but upon the Cylon's return he is one of the first people to jump inside a viper. (Actually he steals a viper).

Stealing a viper to go after Cylons: Yep, now THAT IS Starbuck. Upset that he can't do anything for his best friend: That's Starbuck too.

Thank Korn Fan & tell him I feel better already about Apollo in DeSanto's version. If Starbuck got back, Apollo might too. (and now I have complete proof that they need each other. ;)

Oh, what might...... I can't bear to complete that sentence.

It would have rolled in the cash.....over & over, world wide. Alas....
Jewels

[TwoBrainedCylon]

I also prefer this to the Moore version but I think a lot of improvements could be made here. I can see why this got some resistance.

Two-Brain

[Dennis]

You know, maybe we should have one topic for discussing this and another for the posting of the synopsis. I'd hate for the posting of further information to get bogged down as a result of the debates.

Or not. It's just a thought.

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by TwoBrainedCylon
I also prefer this to the Moore version but I think a lot of improvements could be made here. I can see why this got some resistance.

Two-Brain

Sandy this was a third script that was written for the pilot.

[ [/i]
His opinion favors the second script that was written for the production, but he reviewed the third script because the fans asked for this version to be reviewed.

[ [/i]
He notes that the third script is sloppy in some places and speculates that it never got reworked because of the announcement last April 2.


It seems that Tom DeSanto never got the chance to make those improvements after last April.

[jewels]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
Here is Part 1 of KORN_FAN2’s review of the third script that was written for the pilot movie of Battlestar Galactica. His opinion favors the second script that was written for the production, but he reviewed the third script because the fans asked for this version to be reviewed....

Characters

Athena - The last surviving family member of Adama’s family. She serves on the bridge as Colonel and is third in command of the Galactica. She shares a strong bond with her father.

(Viewers who are just tuning in will learn that she was once a Colonial Warrior that flew off on missions. The old-time viewers of the original series will have to assume that she became a Colonial Warrior sometime between the events of The Hand of God and DeSanto’s pilot movie)


Scooter: please tell Korn that Athena was already a bridge officer, Adama's shuttle pilot & warrior & had occaisional stints in the pilot's seat of a viper, most notably in Lost Planet of the Gods. She was always considered to be "more valuable on the bridge" so wasn't out in the fray much.

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by jewels
Scooter: please tell Korn that Athena was already a bridge officer, Adama's shuttle pilot & warrior & had occaisional stints in the pilot's seat of a viper, most notably in Lost Planet of the Gods. She was always considered to be "more valuable on the bridge" so wasn't out in the fray much.

In DeSanto's Script, it's been stated that she flew in many battles and she was a good Warrior in her time.

I don't remember this in the original series.

Anyway Maren Jenson was never considered to reprise the role.

Back when BSG was in Fox's hand Jenifer Hetrick (Star Trek:TNG's Vash and LA Law) was up for the role.

I think it would of worked considering that she is a better actress than Jenson.

[kingfish]

Larson also had plans to replace her in season 2. I wonder who he was going to hire?

[Hito]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
In DeSanto's Script, it's been stated that she flew in many battles and she was a good Warrior in her time.

I don't remember this in the original series.

Anyway Maren Jenson was never considered to reprise the role.

Back when BSG was in Fox's hand Jenifer Hetrick (Star Trek:TNG's Vash and LA Law) was up for the role.

I think it would of worked considering that she is a better actress than Jenson.

And she was also very attractive.
Not in the same way as Jenson who was just pure hotness.
She had this kind of clasical beauty.
Very statuesq i suppose.

I think Dennis has a good idea i will split these this thread into a debate and a review thread and stick the review thread to the top of the forum

[jewels]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
In DeSanto's Script, it's been stated that she flew in many battles and she was a good Warrior in her time.

I don't remember this in the original series.

Anyway Maren Jenson was never considered to reprise the role.

I was just pointing out that he is developing what had been started in TOS. LPotG insinuates that the female pilot squadron's maiden launch would have been her first viper pilot launch. Serina states that "your sister is a warrior and a pilot" [note that this was in arguement over Serina becoming a shuttle pilot, prior to the whole viper pilot infection/training of the females.] We have all that intervening time btwn. HoG and now, she'd have had time to become a good pilot too.

Maren would never have wanted to be considered from what I've heard. She's out of the 'biz and likes it that way.

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by jewels
I was just pointing out that he is developing what had been started in TOS. LPotG insinuates that the female pilot squadron's maiden launch would have been her first viper pilot launch.

I guess we can both agree that Tom was further developing her character.

This is what you would call one of Tom's way of improving the flaws that the original series had.

[jewels]

And further developing is what we wanted to happen to the characters, the story, the journey...

That's the whole point: to continue the story, not the 70s hair. ;)

Yea, Scooter, we agree. :walmart:

I'd have loved to see Tom's Galactica if X-men is any reflection of the depth of the man's creative vision.

[Krystal]

I definitely like this more than Moore version, it have the mix of new and old characters. And by the descriptions it have some similarities with the original Galactica. I definitely would give it a try to this. Is a shame it wasn't choose. At least is better than what have the green light. :rolleyes:

Krystal :)

[Hito]

I just read a new review of X-2 over at AICN.
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=15001

The depth of character they were able to pull off with X-1 is incredable given the time constraints of the movie format.
I'd have loved to see what they could have done with the episodic television format, or even more interesting would be to see what they could do with the multiple tele-movie format Larson had in mind.

[LordStarFyre]

"And she was also very attractive.
Not in the same way as Jenson who was just pure hotness.
She had this kind of clasical beauty.
Very statuesq i suppose."


Ack, something's wrong, I agree with Hito....

<-----Banging my head on my desk...

Something is wrong....

[kingfish]

I knew I heard that somewhere. Actually I read it in Resurrection. Starbuck steals a ship to rescue Dalton from the Cylons. Sadly he dies shortly afterwards. Fear not though because he is resurrected later in the novel.

[XANATOS]

I WISH POPLE WOULD KILLING OF STARBUCK


XANATOS

[Hito]

pardon?

[Sept17th]

Cant wait for part two.

Notice how DeSanto can set up a Battlestar Galactica that is clearly his yet not piss off every fan who remembers the original...amazing!

[jewels]

There's a comment Bryan Singer makes on the Xmen 1.5 disc, quoting something that Tom kept telling the writers and production staff, it was something like: "Stay true to the lore."

What a difference a little respect for the existing story can make.

[LucianG]

I WISH POPLE WOULD KILLING OF STARBUCK

xanatos,

I'm interpretting this as

I wish people would stop killing off Starbuck

Personally, I wish someone would admit that Starbuck is a guy instead of a female named Kara, and get rid of the Star Trek ties. While I'm a big ST fan, and am even still trying to watch Enterprise (it looses my interest half the time, at least), the name Kara even sounds similar to Kira from DS9. Of course, that was her family name.

[GalacticanCajun]

Originally posted by LucianG
I WISH POPLE WOULD KILLING OF STARBUCK

xanatos,

I'm interpretting this as

I wish people would stop killing off Starbuck

Personally, I wish someone would admit that Starbuck is a guy instead of a female named Kara, and get rid of the Star Trek ties. While I'm a big ST fan, and am even still trying to watch Enterprise (it looses my interest half the time, at least), the name Kara even sounds similar to Kira from DS9. Of course, that was her family name.

I though Kira's family name was Nerys.

[BST]

Originally posted by LucianG


the name Kara even sounds similar to Kira from DS9. Of course, that was her family name.

***

Originally posted by GalacticanCajun

I though Kira's family name was Nerys.



FYI, GalacticanCajun --

In the Bajoran culture, the family name is first, followed by the given name. Hence, "Nerys" and "Laren" would be the first names of the officers we know as 'Major Kira' and 'Ensign/Lt. Ro'.


BST

Editted to correct spelling to 'Laren' and also to add reference to the ST:TNG episode--'Ensign Ro' (where Ensign Ro enlightened Captain Picard on the Bajoran naming custom).

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by Warrior
It also shows DeSantos watched the series rather than just the pilot ep like some other writer! :D

Let's see, DeSanto had Eastern Alliance, there's a small mention of the ship of lights and also a comment about the legendary Comander Cain.

I guess it's safe to say that Tom viewed more episodes than just the pilot.

[Raymar3d]

Originally posted by Warrior
Athena was a warrior pilot in the same ep that introduced Serena, Brie and co as Warrior pilots: That ep where they all began training because the male pilots fell ill.

It'd stand to reason that Athena continued on later as a Warrior pilot.

It also shows DeSantos watched the series rather than just the pilot ep like some other writer! :D

I know he watched the WHOLE series. He had the masters on his desk! He also had quite a collection of material, and even a "Chariots of the Gods" book on his desk.

Saw them with my very own eyes. Uncut, no commercials. Would have loved to sit down and watch them all.

Ken

[kingfish]

Moore watched one episode. No wonder it is all frelled up. :confused:

[jewels]

Originally posted by Raymar3d
I know he watched the WHOLE series. He had the masters on his desk! He also had quite a collection of material, and even a "Chariots of the Gods" book on his desk.

Saw them with my very own eyes. Uncut, no commercials. Would have loved to sit down and watch them all.

Ken
Key word: masters, uncut, no commercials. :drool:

And this guy had tracked down a copy of Chariots of the Gods for background, too. Why do I think so much would have been so VERY well done.....

I hope X2 just makes bundles of money. What could have been done with our Battlestar.... There is still time Universal... There is still time.

Jewels

[GalacticanCajun]

Originally posted by BST
FYI, GalacticanCajun --

In the Bajoran culture, the family name is first, followed by the given name. Hence, "Nerys" and "Laren" would be the first names of the officers we know as 'Major Kira' and 'Ensign/Lt. Ro'.


BST

Editted to correct spelling to 'Laren' and also to add reference to the ST:TNG episode--'Ensign Ro' (where Ensign Ro enlightened Captain Picard on the Bajoran naming custom).

I guess I forgot that. I have seen every STNG and DS9 episode. Thanks for the info:colwar:

[LucianG]

BST,

Thanks! I knew I remembered that being explained somewhere, but I couldn't have told you in what episode if my life had depended on it! Odo called Major Kira "Nerys" quite often after they became close.

Lucian

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by jewels
And this guy had tracked down a copy of Chariots of the Gods for background, too. Why do I think so much would have been so VERY well done.....

I hope X2 just makes bundles of money. What could have been done with our Battlestar.... There is still time Universal... There is still time.

Jewels

Ditto!


I think both Tom and Ron were on the same wavelength about making a darker, edgier updated Galactica production. As KF2 mentioned, Tom's vision is not exactly G Rated.

The difference is both Tom and Bryan Singer were fans of the original series and they took the extra time to work their new vision of Battlestar Galactica into the timeline of the original series. They wanted the original fans along for the ride as well as new fans.

Ron has openly admitted that he didn't like the original 3 hour pilot and had bad memories of the series when he watched it back in the late 70s. He refuses to revisit the entire series and he and David Eicke are so damn arrogant in believing that the real Galactica fans would give it a chance.


I just hope that we are right and this fanbase makes a difference in making or breaking Ron's mini series in ratings.





:warrior:

[jewels]

Scooter: it won't be just us: it will be all the folks that realize a bait and switch has occurred.

[oldwardaggit]

One thing I feel that is important to keep in mind is respect to the fan base.
Yes we have things that we are totally against and yes we have things that we don't like but would be willing to let slide.

Tom paid respect to the fans in general when it came to the direction he took Galactica so the fans would have been more willing to over look some things that they didn't really agree with. More Forgiving as you will.

Ronald D. Moore jumped on the scene with a huge slap in the face towards the fans and hasn't stopped. That's why the fans are not holding back. The lack of respect baffles me. I will give credit where I feel that it's due and he did speak to the fans but his words ended up angering the fan base even further.

If I were to treat a fan base with disrespect by doing so many things to there show to upset them, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't expect that fan base to support my actions.

And being that it was us to make it feasible to bring this show back in the first place, it's just wrong to be going against the majority of the Battlestar Galactica fans.

I sure hope that we can catch a break and get Tom back in this with a continuation. After this last year, the fans of Battlestar Galactica more then deserve one.

OWD

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by oldwardaggit
One thing I feel that is important to keep in mind is respect to the fan base.

Yes, we have things that we are totally against and yes we have things that we don't like but would be willing to let slide.

Tom paid respect to the fans in general when it came to the direction he took Galactica so the fans would have been more willing to over look some things that they didn't really agree with. More Forgiving as you will.

a good example for starters on showing respect towards the fans is to set their production in the same time lime as the original series. (Preferably the distant past)


Unlike most original fans here, the rape scenes, handjobs,sex scenes and lack of family viewing quality has never been an issue with me (although I find the hand jobs and sex scenes unnecessary).

I find it so arrogant that they (Ron and Dave) are telling us to accept Katee Sackholf as Starbuck instead of a completely new and different character. That is just the tip of the iceburg with my gripes.

I think it's safe to say that more than 60% of real BSG fans would at least give the mini series a chance, if it was somehow set in the same timeline as the original series. We didn't ask for too much in our compromise to (Moore and Eicke) two people who has no love for the original series nor it's fans.



Originally posted by oldwardaggit

If I were to treat a fan base with disrespect by doing so many things to there show to upset them, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't expect that fan base to support my actions.

And being that it was us to make it feasible to bring this show back in the first place, it's just wrong to be going against the majority of the Battlestar Galactica fans.[/B]

My feelings exactly.


Originally posted by oldwardaggit
I sure hope that we can catch a break and get Tom back in this with a continuation. After this last year, the fans of Battlestar Galactica more then deserve one.

[crash4587]

Originally posted by Scooter2000
Ditto!




The difference is both Tom and Bryan Singer were fans of the original series and they took the extra time to work their new vision of Battlestar Galactica into the timeline of the original series. They wanted the original fans along for the ride as well as new fans.
BUT, RON CLAIMED HE WAS A FAN OF BG?
He refuses to revisit the entire series and he and David Eicke are so damn arrogant in believing that the real Galactica fans would give it a chance.

AND THERE ARROGANCE WILL BE THERE DOWN FALL





:warrior:

[BST]

Kingfish and GalacticanCajun,

No problem.

********************




Originally posted by Scooter2000

Unlike most original fans here, the rape scenes, handjobs,sex scenes and lack of family viewing quality has never been an issue with me (although I find the hand jobs and sex scenes unnecessary).

My main reason for disliking this portion of the script was generally along the lines of 'Great Special Effects, Lousy Story'. Now, before I set off a firestorm, I'm not referring to these particular elements as 'Special Effects', I'm only using the line 'Great Special Effects, Lousy Story' to indicate that RDM apparently cannot effetively tell a good story, so he has to resort to 'shock and awe' to fill in for his deficiencies. It's truly a shame that he had to resort to this type of trash, he did some good work on ST:

He actually wrote a 'continuation' story (ST:TNG--Journey's End) which was the 3rd story featuring a guest character known as 'The Traveller'. This character was originally introduced in the 1st season with the episode: "Where No One Has Gone Before" and made another appearance in the episode: "Remember Me". The 3 episodes had different main storylines but were loosely linked by the interaction between The Traveller and Wesley Crusher. "Journey's End" was a well told story and neatly closed the storyline.

Amazing that RDM chose the easy way out! He proved, in the past, that he could work with a storyline begun by someone else.


BST

[cobrastrikelead]

The idea essentially of introducing the present warriors and then bringing the old farts like Starbuck and Apollo back into the tale is just plain common sense and good story-telling. The new characters sound more colorful than Space: Above and Beyond." Although if they had only had the time to develope that series. From the scraps we have been allowed to see thus far, it sounds and looks and feels like Battlestar Galactica.

[Hito]

Any word when the synopsys will be up scooter?

[Scooter2000]

Originally posted by Hito
Any word when the synopsys will be up scooter?

Hopefully Friday.

[repcisg]

I am hoping the new series will be so different that few will recognize any of the links to the old series.

Further I am beginning to believe it may be possible, once this has aired and gone away, a new project can be started to do a real continuation of TOS.

The reason for this: So far I've seen no announcement of Universal providing any funding for the new mini, if production is in fact underway it must be funded by SciFi only. This is a big gamble for Bonnie and company, if the new mini does not do well, the new owners will be down on her and her team like a Himalayan avalanche. There are many who view Battlestar as having the potential to be the next trek like franchise. A failed mini, so very unlike the original should not prevent new projects from being brought forward under a new management team.

Hope springs eternal.

[Micheleh]

Right, it's not as if they will have screwed up the real thing, just their 'mis-representation' of it. This will only be used as proof that totally gutting an established story and changing everything doesn't work.

[BST]

Originally posted by repcisg

There are many who view Battlestar as having the potential to be the next trek like franchise.

Hope springs eternal.


Agreed. There is so much of the story that waits to be told, not just in terms of a Continuation, but also for the period preceding TOS timeline. So much potential. So rich a vein of gold. If this is so clear to us, how does it escape the vision of TPTB??


BST

[dilbertman]

Originally posted by Hito
Any word when the synopsys will be up scooter?
Originally posted by Scooter2000
Hopefully Friday.

Well it's Sunday afternoon, hope to see it sometime this week.

Jim:colwar:

[kingfish]

Wasn't Desanto going to get Ian McKellen(Magneto) from X-Men to play Adama?

[Hito]

yes

[kingfish]

Originally posted by Hito
yes


Thank you.

[Scooter2000]

Sir Ian was going to play the recasted Adama (ala Dick York to Dick Sargent) while Bryan Singer was still attached to the production.

Adama get's killed at the end of the pilot movie so it was highly unlikely that he had plans to be involved with the ongoing series.

I will take sir Ian over Almos on any givin day.

[dilbertman]

Scooter

When can we look forward to part.2 of the review? I will print it out and be reading it the night Ronnie's show airs. What could have been, what should have been. Off to buy my tickets for X2. Hope Tom and Glen team up to show Ron what Galactica should look like.

Jim:colwar:

[Corwwyn]

Originally posted by Scooter2000

The difference is both Tom and Bryan Singer were fans of the original series and they took the extra time to work their new vision of Battlestar Galactica into the timeline of the original series. They wanted the original fans along for the ride as well as new fans.

Ron has openly admitted that he didn't like the original 3 hour pilot and had bad memories of the series when he watched it back in the late 70s. He refuses to revisit the entire series and he and David Eicke are so damn arrogant in believing that the real Galactica fans would give it a chance.


From LOS ANGELES(Zap2it.com) 15 April 2002
http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?25244

"In the broadest strokes, I don't want to do 'Star Trek' and 'Star Wars' all over again. There's a certain style of filmmaking associated with those shows, which is a very romantic, glossy approach to science fiction, with big, lush, orchestral scores, etc."

"I've been wanting for a while to go in a different direction with film science fiction, and we're doing it with 'Galactica.' We're going to try to make it, for want of a better word, more real, a real place, down and dirty, with a sort of 'You are there' feel to it."

"It's going to be -- and this is a bad phrase -- a 'down to Earth' sort of place. It's going to be more about the people aboard the Galactica and the ragtag, fugitive fleet than it will be about aliens of the week, planets of the week or anything like that."

You're quite right, Tom and Brian are fans of BSG, whereas Ron isn't. Ron is only using Galactica as a vehicle to do the kind of story he wants. I'm sure he would have had this agenda regardless of what SF opportunity came up.

Unfortunately for many of us, it happens to be a show we care about.

[Corwwyn]

Originally posted by BST

My main reason for disliking this portion of the script was generally along the lines of 'Great Special Effects, Lousy Story'. Now, before I set off a firestorm, I'm not referring to these particular elements as 'Special Effects', I'm only using the line 'Great Special Effects, Lousy Story' to indicate that RDM apparently cannot effetively tell a good story, so he has to resort to 'shock and awe' to fill in for his deficiencies. It's truly a shame that he had to resort to this type of trash, he did some good work on ST:

He actually wrote a 'continuation' story (ST:TNG--Journey's End) which was the 3rd story featuring a guest character known as 'The Traveller'. This character was originally introduced in the 1st season with the episode: "Where No One Has Gone Before" and made another appearance in the episode: "Remember Me". The 3 episodes had different main storylines but were loosely linked by the interaction between The Traveller and Wesley Crusher. "Journey's End" was a well told story and neatly closed the storyline.


Well the killerB's were once able to write passable stories too.

Ron's Traveller stories were what, 15 years ago?

His last good work was in DS9, in an inspiring environment, surrounded by enthusiastic talent, and his dummy spit with Little Bee had him depart Voyager's shores pronto.

Now Ms Bonnie is letting him back from the wilderness to show his solo "stuff".

Perhaps he fancies himself as "ravager of worlds" now, or perhaps he is treading close to becoming a has-been? Could he have "lost the edge"?

I will always respect his work on DS9, but I won't hold that work up as a pair or rosey spectacles and say he can do no wrong...especially when he slices and dices something so close to the metaphorical heart.

If the DeSanto continuation went ahead in tandem then it wouldn't matter to me. Heck this production could almost even be a plus in that situation (much as B5 was motivator for DS9 to try harder to make a good show), but as things stand... :(

[BST]

Originally posted by Corwwyn
Well the killerB's were once able to write passable stories too.

Ron's Traveller stories were what, 15 years ago?

His last good work was in DS9, in an inspiring environment, surrounded by enthusiastic talent, and his dummy spit with Little Bee had him depart Voyager's shores pronto.

Now Ms Bonnie is letting him back from the wilderness to show his solo "stuff".

Perhaps he fancies himself as "ravager of worlds" now, or perhaps he is treading close to becoming a has-been? Could he have "lost the edge"?

I will always respect his work on DS9, but I won't hold that work up as a pair or rosey spectacles and say he can do no wrong...especially when he slices and dices something so close to the metaphorical heart.

If the DeSanto continuation went ahead in tandem then it wouldn't matter to me. Heck this production could almost even be a plus in that situation (much as B5 was motivator for DS9 to try harder to make a good show), but as things stand... :(


Corwwyn,

Agreed.

Hopefully, you didn't misinterpret my thoughts. I used those 3 eps to show that even though a particular 'storyline' was begun by other writers, "Where No One Has Gone Before" - Diane Duane & Michael Reaves and "Remember Me" - Lee Sheldon; RDM was able to write a story which was a 'continuation' of sorts. He was able to 'stay within the ST universe'. I enjoyed all 3 stories and did truly think that Moore neatly closed the storyline.

Please don't think, for a minute, that I am defending him. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If you're still unsure, check my previous posts. If I sound the least bit conciliatory, it's only to show that he could once write stories that added value to a franchise. What he has done to Galactica, as has been stated ad infinitum, goes contrary to this. He has pillaged and plundered BSG, the name being the only recognizable element in his storytelling.

Now Ms Bonnie is letting him back from the wilderness to show his solo "stuff". Perhaps he fancies himself as "ravager of worlds" now, or perhaps he is treading close to becoming a has-been? Could he have "lost the edge"?

Quite possible. If this 're-imagining' is an indication of his 'solo stuff' then, it leaves a lot to be desired. His only effective writing may be when he does so within the strict guidelines or boundaries of an existing franchise/storyline.

BST

[kingfish]

Ron wrote this one also and it was a smash hit. Why he fails with Galactica is another story. Didn't he threaten to quit the production 3 times?

[BST]

Originally posted by Warrior
Thing is... and I've said this before: With anything Trek, Moore *had* to write in the confines of the established Trek universe.

With this remake, his hands are untied, and we see the disasterous results.

If he was hired to do a Continuation, I bet we'd see an entirely different type of story, because he'd have to write, like in Trek, within certain guidelines.


Thanks Warrior,

Exactly my point. He's not a bad writer, when he writes within established limits. But, left to his own 'imagination'... OMG!

Perhaps, Moore will change the path that he's on, when he finds out that his 'interpretations' don't have the appeal that he thinks they do.

[kingfish]

Originally posted by BST
Thanks Warrior,

Exactly my point. He's not a bad writer, when he writes within established limits. But, left to his own 'imagination'... OMG!

Perhaps, Moore will change the path that he's on, when he finds out that his 'interpretations' don't have the appeal that he thinks they do.


IMHO he is being guided. The question is by who?

[BST]

Bonnie



She apparently is the one who is shepherding this miserable mess. She somehow convinced her superiors, at Universal, to bankroll this dung heap and ultimately will be the one responsible for it success/failure. It is likely a make or break situation for her. With the added uncertainty about the fate of VUE, she is hell-bent on having as much of this project completed as possible before a change of ownership takes place. Upon the sale, she will undoubtedly be in a caretaker position and will need to have this effort fly high in order to have a chance at retaining her position.

My friend, kingfish, as you well know, our mission is to make sure the damn thing never leaves the ground!! :)

[kingfish]

nt

[larocque6689]

For the record, I think scifiman76 is right in describing this entire thread as fan fiction. KORN_FAN2 was not credible as a miniseries insider and I was able to confirm that the very first CaptainTripps post of October 2001 contained false information on Desanto casting.

Anyway, here it is...

http://pub27.ezboard.com/fgalactica2003frm8.showMessage?topicID=191.topic

[oldwardaggit]

Oh well, at least with what we did know about Tom's Idea's , he was taking Galactica in a direction that let the original still exist. I realize that this is just my opinion but we know Tom was going to have Dirk reprising his role in a continuation amongst other things and that's a whole lot closer to what the majority of this fan base has been asking for then what Moore is bringing to the sci fi channel.

But like I said before, all are entitled to their opinions and I hope those in favor of the mini enjoy it.

OWD

[repcisg]

We've all been peging our hopes on vapor for so long, it is nolonger relevent what this person or that person said.

What counts is what is happening now, things that can be confirmed.

[shiningstar]

Kingfish I sooooooooooooo AGREE!

[dvo47p]

[i]Originally posted by Scooter2000
This script was written after Bryan Singer’s departure and Fox pulling the plug.

On the other hand Bryan Singer, Danny Angel, Billy Brown and Tom DeSanto previously shared that same opinion and sought out to fix the many flaws the original series had but they intended to keep the original themes, premise and timeline intact.

Characters:
Adama
Athena - The last surviving family member of Adama’s family.
Skyler
Troy (Boxey)

Starbuck - He was the last person to ever see his best friend Apollo while he was still a prisoner of the Cylons.

To be continued with the rest of the description of characters and a plot summery
:warrior: [/B]

Scooter, is Apollo/Hatch have any chance of reprising his role? Could Starbuck, Skyler &/or Troy find him marooned or help him escape Cylon capture.?

Or is he a nano-technology Cylon spy, like in the Singer/DeSanto's Fox/Scifi project?

Throw me a bone Mark.