"Battlestar Galactica" (2004) TV series 2004-2009

User Rating:

9.1/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

14 January 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The fight to save humanity rages on.

Plot:

After losing the war against the Cylon robots, the Battlestar Galactica crew speed toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth. Galactica Commander Adama and President Laura Roslin face waning supplies, crushed morale, ... and the credible threat Cylons aboard the ship.

Plot Keywords:

Cylon | Space | Guilt | Robot | Refugee

Awards:

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 18 wins & 41 nominations

Cast

Edward James Olmos	...	Admiral William Adama / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Mary McDonnell	...	President Laura Roslin / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Jamie Bamber	...	Captain Lee 'Apollo' Adama / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
James Callis	...	Dr. Gaius Baltar / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Tricia Helfer	...	Number Six / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Grace Park	...	Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii / ... (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Katee Sackhoff	...	Captain Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace / ... (71 episodes, 2004-2009)
Michael Hogan	...	Colonel Saul Tigh (69 episodes, 2004-2009)
Aaron Douglas	...	Chief Galen Tyrol (66 episodes, 2004-2009)
Tahmoh Penikett	...	Captain Karl 'Helo' Agathon / ... (64 episodes, 2004-2009)
Alessandro Juliani	...	Lt. Felix Gaeta (59 episodes, 2004-2009)
Kandyse McClure	...	Officer Anastasia Dualla / ... (54 episodes, 2004-2009)
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Dr. Cottle / ... (36 episodes, 2004-2009)
Nicki Clyne	...	Crewman Specialist Cally Henderson / ... (36 episodes, 2004-2008)
Bodie Olmos	...	Brendan 'Hot Dog' Costanza / ... (36 episodes, 2004-2009)
Michael Trucco	...	Samuel Anders / ... (35 episodes, 2005-2009)
Leah Cairns	...	Lt. Margaret 'Racetrack' Edmonson (33 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rekha Sharma	...	Tory Foster (31 episodes, 2006-2009)

Also Known As:

BSG (USA) (promotional abbreviation)

Runtime:

USA:50 min (73 episodes)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | UK:12 (Season 1) | UK:15 (Season 2) | Singapore:PG (Season 2.0 boxset) | USA:TV-PG (Some Episodes) | Canada:14+ (TV re-rating) | Canada:PG (TV rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Germany:12 | Malaysia:18PL | Singapore:NC-16 (Season 1) (season 2.5 boxset) (season 3) (season 4.0 boxset) (season 4.5 boxset) | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M (season 4 - part 1) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | USA:TV-14

Filming Locations:

British Columbia Railway, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB)

Trivia:

Jane Seymour was offered the role of Admiral Helena Cain. When she turned down the offer, Ronald D. Moore offered the role to Michelle Forbes and she accepted.

Goofs:

Continuity: The colony called Sagittarion in the miniseries is called Sagittaron throughout the series.

Quotes:

Doctor Gaius Baltar: So the fate... of the entire human race depends upon my wild guess.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Big Bang Theory: The Dead Hooker Juxtaposition (#2.19)" (2009)

Different? Yes, Better? Absolutely!

As a child of the 70's I can say that I loved the original BSG and always wanted a proper return to the story, not that lame attempt called "Gallactica" with the guy from "Adam 12". However, I was skeptical about this new show because of the core changes, like making Starbuck and Boomer female, for example. It didn't matter. This is one of the best TV shows ever made. It's dramatic, funny, sad, extremely dark and immensely engrossing. By changing the character of Baltar from a ruthless power hungry madman in the original to the witless and sympathetic patsy that he is at the beginning of this show creates a whole new dynamic to this character and his development. Adding the president to be a counter balance to Adama instead of the commander automatically ruling over everyone was far more believable than the council full of wusses that were supposed to be in charge in the '78 version.

Bottom line, the stories are more intense, the characters are stronger, the suspense can drive you mad. This show is addictive to say the least. The creators have brought a realism to this idea that just wasn't there in the original. In '78, the show was a campy attempt to capitalize on the Star Wars phenomenon that was definitely entertaining, but was also a little too convenient in its "everything works out by the end of the episode" theme. Life isn't like that. This new version completely escapes from the happy family sweetness of a '70's TV series. Battlestar Gallactica(2004) is a more believable life and death struggle because people actually die in this series. The only noteworthy death in the original was that of Serena, and that was in the first 3 to 5 hours of the series. These people are fighting for their lives. They're not all going to make it. The last scene of season 1 had me and all my friends jumping out of our seats yelling "NOOOOO! They didn't just do that!!! They can't leave it like that!! When does the next season start?!?!?!?!" Not many shows have had that kind of effect on me in my life, and I watch way too much TV.

In closing, BSG(04) is a fantastic show. If you were a fan of the original, savor it for what it was, but give this reincarnation a chance, I think you'll love it.