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Borrowing from history has been the best resource for
many writers. When Glen A. Larson (“Alias Smith and Jones”,
“The A Team” among many TV series)created “Battlestar Galatica”
he borrowed from, Judaism, Mormonism, Greek mythology, the
serials that were popular during his youth, “Buck Rogers”
and even “Star Wars” (although he would deny it but borrowing
from “Star Wars” would be like stealing from a very sleek
and clever thief—Lucas “borrowed” just about everything
IN “Star Wars” putting his unique stamp on it)created a
clever mishmash that had his own unique stamp on it. While
the original “Battlestar Galatica” quickly fell into the
trap of telling unimaginative stories (Harlan Ellison churlishly
referred to the show as “Battlestar Galaxtive” failing to
recognize that Larson, like author Michael Crichton, hadn’t
created a science fiction show but a space opera that cleverly
referred back to the shows of his youth using the genre
as a spring board) by rote, using the same visual effects
stock footage produced for the pilot and early episodes
by visual effects wiz John Dykstra (“Star Wars”, “Spider-Man”)
and failing to capitalize on a marvelous concept resulting
in falling ratings (although too late ABC found that the
target demographics that the show was popular with loved
the show resulting in the network having to bring it back
with an almost entirely new cast and concept because the
main actors had moved on to other things with the exception
of Lorne Green) and the premature demise of the series.
***
Cue up the “Galatica” fanfare 25 years later as Ronald
Moore one of the successful writer/producers behind “Star
Trek: The Next Generation”, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”,
“Roswell” and the revival of “Mission: Impossible” as a
Tom Cruise franchise sells the Sci-Fi channel (before their
idiotic name change to Sy Fy which insults their audience
assuming they’re ignorant) after the successful repeats
of the original series sells the network on reinventing
the show with a series, darker edge and radically changing
characters but keeping the essential concept. Sci-Fi buys
it and Moore along with partner David Eick proceeds to reinvent
TV science fiction with a series examination of the same
story that allows them to dip into areas that have always
interested Moore—the impact of faith, various forms of prejudice,
a religious war with echoes of the conflict in Iraq, the
terrorist attack of 9/11 and mythology. Surprisingly, “Battlestar
Galatica” becomes a break out hit for Sci-Fi. Having learned
their lesson from screwing up “Farscape” and “Sliders”,
Sci-Fi leaves well enough alone and commits to the series.
***
Moore and Eick put together one of the most riveting
and morally complex TV shows in history. You’ll notice I
didn’t say “Science Fiction TV shows”. That’s because it
doesn’t matter what genre “Battlestar Galatica” fits into;
Moore and Eick recognized that great dramatic material exists
independently of the genre your working in. The duo managed
to turn science fiction clichés on their head and tackled
a series of morally complex and rich storylines with some
of the best realized characters in a continuing drama. ***
Certainly there are those who didn’t care for the use
of the unsteady camera work (which admittedly has become
something of a cliché since it was first employed by TV
shows like “24”) but it works for “Galatica” adding a sense
of “you are there” reality that became essential to the
show. Moore and Eick recognized that the more outlandish
a concept was the more grounded it needed to be so it was
accepted by a audience. The grainy look of the show also
added to that impact as well removing the any sense that
this was a fantasy. The gritty look of the show from the
dirty hallways, cracked bulkheads and work look of the Viper
defense ships added texture to the series. Moore who had
a career in the Navy before leaving and becoming a writer/producer
for TV recognized that establishing and maintaining these
elements would allow the show to leap over the hurdle of
“Galatica” being categorized as a science fiction TV show.
Harlan Ellison one of the harshest critics and talented
writers who had worked in the genre referred to this reinvention
as one of the best dramas on TV regardless of genre. He’s
right. ***
For those unfamiliar with the series I’ll do a brief
summary of the show; Humanity exists among the stars having
colonized a number of planets in their system, humanity
creates a race of robots called Cylons that are essentially
slaves. The Cylons rebel and a war breaks out between humanity
us and them. An uneasy truce is established and humanity
doesn’t see the Cylons again for decades. ***
During a decommissioning ceremony for the warship the
Galatica, the Cylons mount a surprise attack taking out
the defense grid of humanity. The only survivors are a ragtag
fleet of spaceships away from the planet Caprica and the
aging Galatica commanded by Commander Adama (Edward James
Olmos)provides the only protection for the survivors of
humanity. Adama doesn’t realize that Dr. Gaius Balter (James
Callis in one of the most deliciously rich performances
for a villain in TV history) the right hand person of President
Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) caused the failure of the
defense system by giving information to Number Six (Tricia
Helfer) a Cylon that looks human. In fact, the Cylons infiltrated
the fleet with Cylon sleeper agents. ***
Adama puts aside his often difficult relationship with
his son Captain Lee “Apollo” Adama (Jaime Bamber), his deceased
son’s fiancé Kara “Starbuck” Thrace (Katee Sackhoff)and
continues to overlook his second-in-command Colonel Tigh’s
(Michael Hogan) battle with alcoholism in an effort to find
the fabled 13th colony Earth so that humanity can have a
home again. The Cylons for their own reasons continue to
pursue the Galatica as she roams around the cosmos looking
for signs that will lead them to Earth. The show features
a number of compelling characters but two of the most compelling
villains in TV history-Gaius Balter and Cavil (Dean Stockwell
who continues to be one of the best character actors ever)a
leader of the Cylons. Balter finds redemption and purpose
while Cavil turns out to be every bit as evil, maniuplative
as everyone believed him to be . Heroes and villains each
one receives their due portrayed as anything but one-dimensional
characters doing things to further the plot. The final three
episodes even the dead have their role to play. ***
Fans who have only casually followed the show may want
to rent or buy the individual sets on DVD and/or Blu-ray
prior to digging in for the long haul here as the plotting
of the series became quite complex from the end of the first
season onward. I’d suggest working your way sequentially
through the show if you’re going to rent or buy the series.
***
An apology to readers that this review wasn’t available
in advance. Universal in a bone headed move elected NOT
to forward review copies to us any longer. Despite their
idiocy, I felt it was important to you readers to cover
“Battlestar Galatica: The Complete Series”. The marketing
companies that the studios often employee to work with sites
reviewing their product often show an amazing lack of foresight
much less intelligence not recognizing that many fans wait
until there are reviews out there to cover their “product”
to make sure it isn’t defective and make sure it’s worthwhile
prior to buying their releases. If you’re unhappy about
this decision by Universal’s marketing partners, drop them
a line at their website and let them know.
Image & Sound:
The first thing you’ll notice when watching the Blu-ray
discs is a disclaimer about the gritty look of the show.
That’s because Universal wisely recognized that Blu-ray
often creates a false impression that every show will look
perfect with smooth and crisp images. “Battlestar Galatica”
has always looked gritty and the Blu-ray presentation only
enhances that grittiness. On the other hand, it has never
looked this sharp before on Blu-ray. Textures and the depth
of the image are outstanding. Be aware however that it will
vary between scenes that are incredibly crisp to those that
are a bit soft. It’s intentional. Like “Burn Notice: Season
Two” on Blu-ray the look of the series is MEANT to vary
between exceptional to so-so depending on the dramatic purpose
of the scene. ***
Blacks are solid throughout the show and the grainy
look survives intact as it should. Skin tones vary a bit
but, again, that was the intention of the show. Even the
darkest scenes have a remarkable degree of depth, detail
and texture allowing you to see things that weren’t even
noticeable if you watched the show in high def during its
original run on Sci-Fi. High def signals are often compressed
resulting in a compromised image that appears better than
DVD but isn’t quite up to the standard of Blu-ray. ***
Audio sounds remarkable throughout. The 5.1 Dolgy Digital
lossless soundtrack isn’t compressed and remains active
even during relatively sedate sequences involving large
chunks of dialogue. The use of the surround channels to
create the “environment” of the Galatica, the post-apocalyptic
Caprica or the Vipers in battle reveal an amazing amount
of detail that might have been missed during the series
run. It sounds rich and marvelous with dialogue always front
and center when it’s necessary and muffled when it’s part
of the presentation as well. The sound designers did an
exceptional job of putting together the sound track AND
those who did the transfer did an exceptional job of maintaining
the quality of that sound track throughout. ---
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