Battlestar Galactica: A Beginner’s Guide

STOP.  Don’t skip over this post; don’t just mark as ‘read’ 

Yes, the title of the show (and now this blog post) is SEVERLY nerdy.  Please, just read over some facts about why I think the show is accessible to all.

1. You don’t have to be a Sci-Fi fan to enjoy this show.

            This is not Star Wars, nor Star Trek.  After watching five minutes of the show, you will see it as a demi-LOST, only in space. (but not Lost in Space) 

2. The show is about characters, not Sci-Fi gizmos.

            The producers say in an extra features – “We don’t really care how people will make coffee on spaceships or use light-speed.  We wanted to focus on making characters and a story people will enjoy, not fancy machines.” 

3. “Thou shalt be real.”

            This is one of the first rules the producers decided on when making the show.  They didn’t want a clean, Star-Trekkish ship.  They wanted one that actually looked like people lived (and died) there. 

4. You do not have to know anything about the original show.

            And, from what I gather, they’ve changed a lot of things anyways (which makes the hardcore fans upset.)

5. Dr. Baltar is an antagonist.

            If you do actually check out the show, this is very helpful.  I watched the whole first season and was so pissed at this guy.  But, apparently we’re supposed to hate him.  He slipped by my radar as a narcissistic good guy; don’t be fooled, he’s technically an antagonist.  This will help you enjoy the show so you don’t have to try to like him when you are screaming at the TV.

SUMMING UP

            So, give this show a chance.  I enjoyed the first season (all I’ve seen).  On my (limited) TV show judging scale, I would place BG third – LOST, Arrested Development, Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice, The Office.  (And if you know me, you know I love Burn Notice… )

Overall, the show has intriguing characters and a stellar storyline.  Also, when the whole human race is being destroyed, some tough ethical decisions come up.  When you throw all of this in the oven, out comes a very intelligent, emotional TV drama.

Check it out, the cool people at IMDB didn’t give it 9/10 for nothing. 

B R Y C E

PS Also, note that the ‘first’ episode was a three-part, three-hour miniseries.  Keep that in mind for viewing time.  Split it up.  Or don’t?