Jumped the Battlestar?
"So, um, there are these robots that come and destroy almost all of the humans on the other side of the galaxy. But a few humans get away on a big spaceship and the show is basically about them running away from the robots and...but yeah, no - it's really really good. No, it's really nothing like Star Trek. Um, yeah, really, you should check it out. I even have the DVDs"
That's pretty much how a fan of Battlestar Galactica sounds when trying to convince a friend to watch it. After giving the clumsy spiel myself for a while, I've lately had the pleasure of hearing other people stumble through it.
But BSG really is hands down the best TV sci-fi ever, and I'd be willing to make the case that it's some of the best dramatic writing on TV in any genre. It isn't about spaceships and robots; it's about 9/11, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Really. I'm often amazed that the show doesn't make headlines for the boldness of the subject matter.
But while it's bold, it's also subtle. There is no preaching. There is no editorializing. The writers simply say "here is the world, it's very complex, you figure out what to think about it." It's so refreshing - that mode is almost completely absent from political and cultural discourse in 21st century America. Maybe it's no surprise that you have to go to outer space to find it.
...
Unfortunately, as I write this, I am also wondering if the show has jumped the shark. I recently caught up on a episode 7 of the current season, and it was just plain bad. Laden with possibilities, it landed with a thud. It's the first time I've felt like the writers have lost sight of where they are going. Here's hoping it's a blip and not a trend.
If you haven't watched, it might be time to start now before things start going downhill. (And you do have to watch it from the beginning or you will be very lost).
Hey Pat,
We are making our way through the BG DVDs. Slowly (we've watched the miniseries and just finished season 1, over the past, what, year or so). Even Barbara (who doesn't really go for skiffy) likes it.
Can't wait for the new Dr. Who to eventually come out on DVD (what? PAY for cable, to watch maybe a couple hours a week of TV?) We've finally seen an episode of that. Oddly, even with its very high production values, it manages to somehow capture the feel of the original (as if I'm an expert, having seen maybe 15 episodes of THAT, and all Tom Baker ones to boot).
Hey Dean. Cool, yeah I've noticed a lot of ladies dig the BSG that don't normally like scifi. Hope you guys are well.
I like BSG but find it a bit on the relentlessly depressing side. I watched most of the episodes on itunes because I can't be bothered with TV and don't own a TIVO. But I still think that Babylon 5 is the best sci-fi show to date in terms of writing and character development not to mention story arc.