Battlestar Galactica: I Think You Should Look at the Other Battlestar

voboo · August 3rd, 2004, 06:51 PM

Battlestar Galactica: I Think You Should Look at the Other Battlestar

The Revolution Review "Sithbane"

http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.html?id=2075

It turns out that the preliminary anti-hype for the new "Battlestar Galactica" was way off the base-star.

I clearly remember my ninth-grade ritual on Sunday night, when the original "Galactica" came on television. I'd get loaded into the launch tube with a frozen pizza and a Coke on a TV tray, and I was in Viper mode. I had models of a Viper and a Cylon Raider. I have the theme music on a sci-fi medley album, because I loved that part of the intro where the Cylons in formation flip over like pancakes and swoop down on a planet. Yet I have, in recent years, tried to watch the old "Galactica" reruns on Sci Fi, and they were mostly painful to watch. They just didn't seem as good. I couldn't go back, although I still like those nifty brown flight jackets with the buckles.

The new "Galactica's" creators say that the casual fans, those who like the old "Galactica" but thought it could have been better, might like the new show. This aptly described me, giving me hope that the show would be good.

But the anti-hype has been relentless. Many stories keyed on the outspoken mega-fans, spewing their outrage that CHANGES had been made from the original. Starbuck is a woman! Oh no! And Boomer is transmogrified from a black man to an Asian woman! Horrors!

My blast shield went up. Perhaps it wouldn't be good. I braced myself for potentially profound disappointment. I've been dreading what appears to be an approaching drought of science fiction and fantasy. What entertainment would I look forward to, after "The Return of the King" and the final "Star Wars" movie? The clock is ticking. But if the refurbished "Galactica" was worthwhile and was approved as a full series, it would be a shining spot on the channel guide.

So I watched.

I got home Monday while it was already on. The first scene I saw was Starbuck, bellowing "LET'S GO!" at the deck crew while Cylons attacked the Galactica. The crew, wearing carrier flight deck headgear, scrambled to get her aloft. The catapult fired, hurling her into space with an awful hush, a sudden silence in the pitiless cold vacuum. And the drums, like a tribal warning beat, pounded with an urgent primordial pulse. My heart was suddenly in my throat. She charged.

Attitude thrusters puffed on the Viper's nose as she maneuvered, pivoting in ways impossible for an atmospheric fighter. She sprayed the oncoming missiles with lasers, ripping two of them from the sky, but unable to get the third as it slashed past her wing. The Galactica crew braced for the terrible impact....

I was riveted. Rarely have I ever seen such a gripping space combat sequence.

Afterward, I backed up the tape and watched from the beginning.

Authenticity

A human-looking Cylon temptress greets a Colonial officer with a question and a command: "Are you alive? Prove it." It was the central question of "Blade Runner" and the sentience trial of Data in "Star Trek: The Next Generation," turned around on the humans with vicious irony.

Baltar, now a naive egomaniac, is suddenly believable as a pawn of the Cylons. The inexplicably motivated traitor Baltar of the old show is gone.

Historical precedent paints this drama with the power of authenticity. When the Cylons' bombs fall, the people react with confused disbelief, stumbling around, speechless. The actors' performances seemed informed by the reality of how people felt watching the horrific spectacle of September 11. The president is sworn in aboard an airplane, another echo of history, just as Lyndon Johnson was sworn in after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. A military ship tries to evacuate desperate civilians from a lost planet, evoking the mad scramble for helicopters during the evacuation of Saigon.

Adama gives helm commands on the Galactica's bridge with calm authority and professionalism, suggesting the complexity of maneuvering the massive vessel.

Starbuck at the card table flashes a triangular grin that reminds me of Dennis Quaid's smile as Gordo Cooper in "The Right Stuff." She is seen running laps, doing push-ups, a keg of pent-up energy and ferocity.

The show pays homage to the original, with the old Cylon model on display in the ship's museum along with a base star model, and a snatch of the old show's majestic theme music plays as sleek new Vipers do a fly-by. The honor to the retiring Adama is also a respectful salute to original show.

I love this new "Galactica". I am probably about the same age as the show's creators, which might explain my affinity for their approach. I was young enough to be a great fan of the old show, but not so uncritical that I hold the old "Galactica" sacred with nostalgia. Their method is, evidently, "What would this be like if it REALLY happened? What would people do?" The ships and equipment may be the result of the same kind of sensibility that Peter Jackson used for the armor and weapons in "The Lord of the Rings," which was to make the stuff look like somebody really used it.

Potential for greatness

The show's creators have earned my enthusiastic attention. If "Galactica" makes it to a full series, I just hope they don't let me down. Many shows that started out good lost their way, including the original "Galactica" itself. More recent examples of good shows gone lame include "Babylon 5," which started well but eventually became convoluted and boring. The entire "Star Trek" franchise has squandered my loyalty. "Enterprise" promised to be a grittier approach to Trek, but quickly fell into the same old cliches and dogma. And "Nemesis" put the nails in the coffin.

The new "Galactica" does have flaws. I didn't see enough of the old chrome-headed villains to suit me. The scene where the blonde Cylon murdered the baby was too much; I understand perfectly well that they were seeking to establish that she is devoid of human compassion, but remorselessly raining nuclear warheads upon an entire civilization would have been sufficient, thanks.

The pilots' helmets have a long overhead visor, like the bill of a baseball cap, which is contrived to house the lights that illuminate the actors' faces for the camera. Logically, though, the glare of these lights inside the visor would blind the pilot, and the long bill would obscure the pilot's upward field of vision. The design makes little sense.

However, these are only nitpicks, things that I would have done differently if it were my sandbox. The greatest threat to the show's potential to continue, as I see it, is the danger of becoming relentlessly dark, like the morose "Space Above and Beyond".

But nitpicks aside, I give "Battlestar Galactica" high marks and a clean slate. If it becomes a series, I will make time to watch it. It is poised to succeed if it can push through the resistance of those who won't even give it a chance. As a Cylon pilot once told Baltar, as the Pegasus charged their flank, "I think you should look at the other battlestar."

This time, though, the other battlestar is another "Galactica."

We sci-fi fans have a chance to rally around something good, a top-notch effort to cater to our tastes. The new "Galactica" has the potential for long-term greatness. It's only a TV show, but this is the stuff we love. I'll buy the DVD of the pilot, and, if it makes it that far, maybe someday a DVD set of a season's episodes. Perhaps there'll be a soundtrack, action figures, and little die-cast Vipers to delight the toy collectors among us. Maybe people will show up at conventions wearing new Colonial uniforms.

If enough people give it a chance, I expect there will eventually be a chorus of us. By watching the show and buying the DVDs, toys, and collectibles, we'll proclaim our support for fresh, vibrant science fiction. Maybe then they'll make more good entertainment like this. Give us a quality show, and we'll embrace it -- so say we all.

BST · August 3rd, 2004, 07:08 PM

Glad to see that you liked "Return of the King".

As an exercise, try re-imagining THAT story with, say, Legolas and Gimli being female; Gandalf being Frodo's long lost father; the fellowship being, instead, a back-stabbing bunch of thugs; and the story about the ONE Rings's power just a tale from a drunken Hobbit.

Would you give THAT a chance?

braxiss · August 3rd, 2004, 07:55 PM

well said bst, i could't think of a better way to say that

amberstar · August 3rd, 2004, 08:10 PM

Voboo welcome to fleets!

I'm glad that you enjoyed seeing the mini. but what most of us are waiting for and still fighting for is a continuation of TOS BSG. Just try to have an open mind and see it from this point of view>>>> A movie made by Glen Larson and hopefully Tom DeSanto. With original actors who have grown from Hand of God....along with new actors as well.

For me I didn't watch more than five min. of the mini.....just couldn't stomach that it wasnt BSG....at least from my point of view. (and I'm only 31) I remember watching BSG when it was originally on and then later in the form of re runs in the mid 80's.

We've heard give it a chance before, but most of our mind are made up. Either we like it or we are waiting on a major motion movie, and then there are some that suport both efforts

So, again I say welcome to fleets.....hope you enjoy your time here!
Amber

amberstar · August 3rd, 2004, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

Glad to see that you liked "Return of the King".

As an exercise, try re-imagining THAT story with, say, Legolas and Gimli being female; Gandalf being Frodo's long lost father; the fellowship being, instead, a back-stabbing bunch of thugs; and the story about the ONE Rings's power just a tale from a drunken Hobbit.

Would you give THAT a chance?

Good analogy BST

Eric Paddon · August 3rd, 2004, 08:42 PM

"Baltar, now a naive egomaniac, is suddenly believable as a pawn of the Cylons. The inexplicably motivated traitor Baltar of the old show is gone."

This is yet another pet peeve of mine when I see people take shots at the original to justify the alleged superiority of the inferior product.

Baltar's motive in the original was always obvious from the beginning. Personal power, and the belief that he could spare his own colony to rule within the domain of the Cylon Empire. That's a far easier motive to grasp then being fast and loose with a Cyloness, and it's also a lot easier to believe that someone close to the actual seat of power as a Council member like Baltar, could pull off the ability to make the destruction of great magnitude, whereas this Baltar doesn't even have that kind of political power.

jewels · August 3rd, 2004, 10:42 PM

Vooboo, if you share the reviewer's opinion, I hope it pans out as a quality series for you. For me it will forever be an imposter that stole the name of a cherished show from my childhood, a show that taught much about duty, honor, family and--above all--to never give up hope regardless of how dark the circumstances. Better for RDM to have not had the constraint of trying to fit his "new" concept into the bounds of an existing science fiction classic, and for him to have had the freedom of creating something entirely new. I do believe that the guy had the talent to do that; I just wish that was what he'd been hired to do.

I too, look forward to the day when Glen Larson, hopefully with Tom DeSanto, make the original series fly again so that we can catch up with the Colonials further into their journey and see how they have grown, how their next generation will handle the journey of faith that Earth exists and can be found.

In the meantime, Firefly on DVD, Farscape reruns and their new mini, the Serenity movie: Those are where I hang the real future of science fiction film and TV. It has to do with the creators being allowed to innovate and not imitate what Joss and Rockne and the Hensons had already done, while claiming they were "reinventing sci-fi".

martok2112 · August 4th, 2004, 12:36 AM

Welcome to the Fleets.

I, as you are, am a fan of the new BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. I may look back with an occasional (but very rare) cringe at the original show, but I must say that my love for the new show does not come at the cost of the original.

There are many who believe that two Battlestars Galactica cannot exist side by side. The Classic Galactica was, and still is their passion.

Although I am far from being a fan of the Lord of the Rings stories, I can kinda appreciate BST's point about LOTR. (Actually, apparently there were some changes made that made absolute purists go ape-dung. I cannot identify specifically what those changes were, as every time I try to watch the LOTR movies, I fall asleep, but I have heard friends of mine complain about certain changes.)

I have a much more vested interest in Classic Galactica, and yet, why do these changes not bother me so? I would have to agree with your point that the new Battlestar Galactica was more along the lines of "What would people really do?" I was trepidated at first by the proposed changes to the mythos. However, I wiped the slate clean for the new Galactica, realizing that it will not be the same Galactica, save for the general concept. Now, I can view both Battlestars Galactica in equally brilliant beams of light, and see both of their merits and flaws.

Voboo, you will find many a reasonable person in this group. Some who like the new Galactica alone. Some, like myself, who love both, and those who only like the Classic Galactica. But, regardless of our stance, you have come to a very familial group here. I welcome you with a glass of Ambrosa!

Now, if Gollum and Yoda were to mate........?

Respectfully,
Martok2112

137th Gebirg · August 4th, 2004, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Paddon

"Baltar, now a naive egomaniac, is suddenly believable as a pawn of the Cylons. The inexplicably motivated traitor Baltar of the old show is gone."

This is yet another pet peeve of mine when I see people take shots at the original to justify the alleged superiority of the inferior product.

Baltar's motive in the original was always obvious from the beginning. Personal power, and the belief that he could spare his own colony to rule within the domain of the Cylon Empire. That's a far easier motive to grasp then being fast and loose with a Cyloness, and it's also a lot easier to believe that someone close to the actual seat of power as a Council member like Baltar, could pull off the ability to make the destruction of great magnitude, whereas this Baltar doesn't even have that kind of political power.

While I would agree with some of your assessments of the new show (it does have its high merits and low flaws, IMHO) I have to disagree with you here. Baltar in the new series was clearly stated as being the personal scientific advisor to the President of the Colonies (IIRC, this was established during his interview at the beginning of the pilot) and was re-established in that role by Laura Roslin after the Holocaust. Being the personal right-hand science man to the President would surely afford him some political opportunities that may not even be available to the other members of the Council of the Twelve. Like Baltar in TOS, this Baltar certainly had the ear of President Adar, which was likely why his was so renown as a scientist - not because he was a GOOD scientist, mind you (particularly regarding his opinions of advanced computer tech and robotics in a world bereft of such things) - but that he had strong political backing. The similarities are there. He's just not a member of the Council and not in charge of his own Battlestar. A small difference in the character, in my estimation.

julix · August 4th, 2004, 08:33 AM

If you liked the new show and felt excited about it that is great! There are people who don't. I found the gratuitious sex very disturbing in that show. I also felt very passionate about TOS and hope it will be a movie someday...I disagree with you that watchng it now seems cheesy(or however you put it) I love it just as much today! Just as I love A New Hope(Star Wars)....I even still love The Day The Eath Stood Still and Forbbiden Planet. Those things all have a common denominator...grat stories and great characters. And remember all the effects were state of the art for the time period they were shown....Sometimes today all you get is great special effects with no(or very little) story or character development and all sex. I prefer, as do others the former....and today's sci fi people could use a lesson in good old fashion story telling with characters you care about!

Welcome to the fleets!

bsg1fan1975 · August 4th, 2004, 08:45 AM

BST and my other friends here, you made all valid points. We hard core fans of the original found the new show too much of a departure from our old favorite. We have fought long and hard for the Original to return and I am not going to give up no matter what anyone says. I caught bits and pieces of the mini and from what I saw it Stunk! I won't waste my time with it or the new series!

julix · August 4th, 2004, 09:20 AM

Some of the mini was very painful....I think most poeple had trouble with the baby killing scence eventhough I have since heard it was a mercy killing...better to die in the arms of your mother than a thong wearnin' sex crazed reimagined so called cylon(?)....whoops sorry got a little riled up there!

Charybdis · August 4th, 2004, 09:56 AM

Voboo, welcome!!! I'm glad that you liked the mini, but you stated in your original post:

"Yet I have, in recent years, tried to watch the old "Galactica" reruns on Sci Fi, and they were mostly painful to watch. They just didn't seem as good. I couldn't go back, although I still like those nifty brown flight jackets with the buckles."

ANd right there's the difference between you and some of us. We CAN watch the originals and that show makes us WANT to go back...It didn't make us cringe. They are good. They are not painful to watch...to us.

You liked the jacket and the nifty buckles, and the new show took that away from you as well...

amberstar · August 4th, 2004, 10:33 AM

Voboo Just a thought here.......I just read Charybdis post and thoght that if the original made you cringe, maybe you should take a look at the Box Set DVD's of TOS. It has cut sceens that make the story more complete. They are worth the look for any fan of Battlestar Galactica.

Rowan · August 4th, 2004, 10:44 AM

Is Voboo saying he wrote this article? Under the name of Sithbane? or is it just a repost of the article? I thought Voboo was just posting an article he found and thought to share with us. There is no comment connected with this article he posted so I didn't want to draw any possible erroneous conclusions as to Voboos take on the article. Perhaps Voboo would be kind enough to clarify this for us.

BST · August 4th, 2004, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowan

Is Voboo saying he wrote this article? Under the name of Sithbane? or is it just a repost of the article? I thought Voboo was just posting an article he found and thought to share with us. There is no comment connected with this article he posted so I didn't want to draw any possible erroneous conclusions as to Voboos take on the article. Perhaps Voboo would be kind enough to clarify this for us.

Rowan, my dear, GOOD QUESTION (S)!!

I will admit to being a little bleary-eyed last evening and did not notice that the post was an entire re-print of the article, from the link.

Voboo, if you did not author this article, my apologies. Although, the question that I posed would still be valid for anyone to answer, it may not necessarily be directed at you.

*hangs head and mutters, "I must get more sleep, I must get more sleep, ... "

julix · August 4th, 2004, 01:50 PM

Same goes for me.....I still posted my feelings...whoever they should be directed to! I need more sleep too!

amberstar · August 4th, 2004, 04:54 PM

Good questions Rowan.........I didn't relize it was a re print of another article.

Senmut · August 4th, 2004, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

Glad to see that you liked "Return of the King".

As an exercise, try re-imagining THAT story with, say, Legolas and Gimli being female; Gandalf being Frodo's long lost father; the fellowship being, instead, a back-stabbing bunch of thugs; and the story about the ONE Rings's power just a tale from a drunken Hobbit.

Would you give THAT a chance?

BRAVO, BST! That about sizes it up for that recycler bait.
(The flick, not the poster!

Charybdis · August 5th, 2004, 08:06 AM

Oops! You're right. It's a reprint! Apologies to you, Voboo, if you are not the author, but again, the sentiment is still the same...

voboo · August 6th, 2004, 01:17 PM

“I Think You Should Look at the Other Battlestar” is that excellent line by one of Baltar’s Cylons from “The Living Legend” episode is posted on www.revolutionsf.com a board I frequent. I also think it fits the Battlestar Galactica mini I saw on Skiffy

I received an email from dvo47p requesting information used by watchfarscape.com and savefarscape.com that we used, to help the colonialfanforce.org with some of the same addresses used by Farscape fans, to contact the same sites in an effort to help a Battlestar Galactica movie.

His comparison to TV’s Firefly and the upcoming Serenity movie free from Fox should also be the next Farscape fans goal.

He and I agree on a Farscape movie with nothing to do with Skiffy, but we differed on the Battlestar Galactica mini, I liked it, but then I can sympathize with anyone with a problem with Skiffy.

Thank you for the nice welcome.

voboo

Sept17th · August 7th, 2004, 11:25 AM

Voboo, welcome to fleets puruse the following links at your leasure. Tell me if you would of enjoyed that, perhaps even more than the mini-series?

http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-desanto-01.html

http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-2come-01.html

Blue Banrigh · August 8th, 2004, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BST

Glad to see that you liked "Return of the King".

As an exercise, try re-imagining THAT story with, say, Legolas and Gimli being female; Gandalf being Frodo's long lost father; the fellowship being, instead, a back-stabbing bunch of thugs; and the story about the ONE Rings's power just a tale from a drunken Hobbit.

Would you give THAT a chance?

When you think about it, that wouldn't really matter since female dwarves look, talk and act like males anyway (it's the beards). And Legolas would just be even prettier.

BST · August 8th, 2004, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Banrigh

When you think about it, that wouldn't really matter since female dwarves look, talk and act like males anyway (it's the beards).

Is that before, or after they pop up out of the ground?

Welcome to Colonial Fleets!

thomas7g · August 8th, 2004, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Banrigh

When you think about it, that wouldn't really matter since female dwarves look, talk and act like males anyway (it's the beards). And Legolas would just be even prettier.

Welcome to Fleets!

martok2112 · August 8th, 2004, 07:42 PM

ROFLMAO! Legolas probably would be prettier....and probably an even better shot!

Irreverently, (as I try to clean up the CocaCola off my monitor)
Martok2112

cobrastrikelead · August 10th, 2004, 03:12 PM

The show could have been called StarCarrier Nimitz and had been mildly amusing. Just tweren't no Battlestar Galactica in my humble, unsolicited opinion.

Hello and welcome.

justjackrandom · August 10th, 2004, 03:34 PM

Cobrastrikelead…that call sign reminds me of my first BSG modeling project. I did a Ravell Viper (you know, the one that isn’t accurate) years ago with red stripes instead of orange, and used the red and black sticker decals from a GI-Joe Cobra (bad-guys) airplane that my cousin got for Christmas and decided to use other decals on. The predominant theme in the stickers was a red cobra. I thought this worked well for Galactica, and dubbed the ship a member of the Solaria’s Red Squadron.

Ah...the memories...

JJR

voboo · August 10th, 2004, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sept17th

Voboo, welcome to fleets puruse the following links at your leasure. Tell me if you would of enjoyed that, perhaps even more than the mini-series?

http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-desanto-01.html

http://www.cylon.org/bsg/bsg-2come-01.html

Thank you Sept17th, yes I enjoyed your links, I’ll have to watch my tape of the new Battlestar Galactica, then I’ll wait to watch my not yet delivered DVD set of Battlestar Galactica, The Complete Epic Series from an amazon, I understand the price has gone up since it was first released?

The original had John Dykstra, too.

So Skiffy had Bryan Singer and Tom DeSanto lined up to make Battlestar Galactica for Skiffy, so canceling Farscape is not the only really stupid thing they have done.