TL;DR
Battlestar Galactica is one of the greatest science fiction series ever produced for television. It hits the sweet spot for the genre. A wonderful mixture of science and fiction, while remaining accessible to a larger audience. This is not a show for the feint of heart however. The story is grim and edgy, and happy moments are hard to come by. For those willing to face the harsh overtone, you will be rewarded by one of the greatest dramas ever produced .
Synopsis
The story takes place in a distant part of space called the twelve colonies. The twelve colonies are a group of democratic planets that have warred with a cybernetic race which they created known as the Cylons. They offer peace to the humans which proves to be a ruse.
The Cylons carry out a massive nuclear attack on the colony leaving only scattered survivors to flee into outer space aboard the few remaining passenger trips and one military ship, named the Battlestar Galactica. Under the leadership of Commander Adama, the fleet of survivors search for the fabled thirteenth colony known as Earth.
Review
Ever since I was little, I was very interested in science fiction. Like most kids my age, my fascination began with Star Wars. I loved the idea of exciting worlds, flashy space battles, and mystical unknown powers. I also enjoyed a bit of Star Trek, but found the TV series to be a little bit dry at points.
With Battlestar Galactica, you get the best of both worlds. A smart engaging story line, with enough actions and events to keep you thoroughly entertained. Battlestar Galactica uses science fiction to create a complex background instead of hiding behind science fiction to hide weaker aspects of its story. It is better to think of Battlestar Galactica as a mixture of a drama and mystery rather then a sci-fi series.
It is a show about religion, politics, relationships, moral dilemmas, and insurmountable odds. It works to unsettle the viewer, but keep them waiting for more. The twists, turns, and cliffhangers at the end of most episodes keep you coming back for more and each season keeps the show always feeling fresh and interesting. It alludes to current issues such as the war on terror, abortions, executions, and democracies in a state of crisis.
These are issues that require strong acting by the cast, and for the most part the characters are wonderful in their roles. I have just finished watching the series a second time with my non-geeky fiance and I watched her on the edge of her seat the entire time. This is a story with a beginning and an end that does not drag it’s feet getting to the conclusion. If you’ve read this far in this review, get watching.
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