Battlestar Galactica (2003)

Spoilers for both episodes:I tend to like sci-fi shows more than other kinds of TV shows. Doctor Who is currently my favorite show, but I think Battlestar Galactica might give it a run for it's money if these two episodes are representative of the show's overall quality. The fact that this was made in 2003 is really, really impressive- the directing, acting, writing, and music are all really good, and the special effects hold up very well. All the characters are really likable. Episode 1 is more action packed, and episode 2 is slower but much more intriguing. My favorite scenes are the ones between Gaius and Number 6, especially in episode 2- the producers do an impeccable job at distinguishing what's in Gaius' head and what is really going on with huge shifts in the music and in the camera work. I have to say, Boomer was a good character, and the cliffhanger at the end of episode 2 really shocked me. You can tell how much effort the producers put into making this as good as it could possibly be.I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

Cylons were created to work for the Twelve Colonies. Then they rebelled. There was a long war. Cylons were given their own world and there has been no contact for over forty years. Number Six (Tricia Helfer) is a new human form Cylon. They destroy the armistice space station and declare war on the humans. The Cylons have a tactical weapon which shuts off the modern systems of the new fleet. Battlestar Galactica is a hold out from the early days of the previous war. Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) is about to be its last commander as the ship is to be decommissioned. Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) is its ace fighter. Apollo (Jamie Bamber) is Adama's estranged son. When the Cylons attack, it's the only Battlestar able to fight them. Adama gathers the remaining survivors of the Twelve Colonies including Secretary of Education turned President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) in search of a mythical distant home.The great thing about this 2 part back-to-back movie is that it lays out both the style and the story for the series to come. It is surefooted enough to have the dark moody style right from the start. The story changes from the original works. The actors are a terrific blend of veterans and newcomers. I remember a little of Katee Sackhoff in 'The Education of Max Bickford' but this is an amazing performance. Edward James Olmos has the gravitas. Even the new frenetic style of space battles is an improvement. It's the start of a compelling new TV show.

In a far away galaxy, a peace treaty between Cylons, a race of machines and the humans is broken. The Cylons being more advanced destroy the colonies that are inhabited by the humans until the only survivors that are left, are in space....In an old battle ship known as Battlestar Galactica.I read the other reviews and thought...It can't be that bad....And its not.... The show has a genuinely good cast who provide satisfactory performances; I liked the relationship between Captain Apollo and Commander Adama...I found Grace Park very beautiful.... And I thought that James Callis who plays Gaius to be hilarious....especially when he is the only one who sees Number six....Hilarious! The only thing I didn't like was Star Buck and Cononel Tigh....they didn't do much expect fight...Overall a satisfactory TV show and I will definitely watch the TV show.

I hate space. I've never longed to be an astronaut, I have absolutely no passion for solar systems and the sight of technologically advanced super spacecrafts does not give me a redwood in my khakis. So when a friend told me that I should really start watching BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, I was less than thrilled to do so. Sure, it's being lauded by critics and viewers worldwide - but so is Star Wars, and I never even made it through The Phantom Menace.Yet I have to come clean. While watching the miniseries I was thrilled, exhilarated, baffled and immensely satisfied. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA proved to be perhaps the most rewarding and instantly striking three hour television event I've seen in a while. Or... well... 'a while...' I can't remember the last time I have been sitting in complete concentration for three straight hours, with my heart skipping a few beats every five minutes. The show is pulsing with rich scenery, imaginative story twists and beautiful camera-work.The writing and acting are both superb. Within its three hour canvas, the show paints a striking setting with little gems of perfect craftsmanship. My favorite of these gems was the character of Laura Roslin, who is sworn into presidency when the real president is killed. There's so much you can read in her eyes, and feel in her dialogue. Throughout the show she struggles to find the perfect balance between selflessness, authority and courage of conviction. A lot of this should be credited to actress Mary McDonnell, who plays the character sublimely.And there is another gem I would like to single out, since it shows - in my opinion - that this show is more subtle and intelligent than the surrounding ethos would lend you to believe. When Captain Apollo visits his father (who he is having a difficult relationship with) to let him know he's still alive, there is a hug between the two which is so well acted and written that I was actually baffled by it's subtlety. The commander never even looks his son in the eye after the hug and their eyes tell the tales of a lifetime of heartache in a single moment.So why not a perfect ten? Well, 0,5 points are lost because sometimes BATTLESTAR GALACTICA seems to think it should dip into the space battle clichés to make its running time worth while. The other 0,5 points are lost because of the character of Gaius Baltar, who (although played beautifully by James Callis) manifested himself as the only character I wouldn't mind seeing killed off.BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Mini-Series (2003) Running Time: 175 minutesRating: 4,5 / 5