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The colonial fleet continues on its quest to locate Earth
and evade the Cylons. However, life is steadily becoming more
complex, and fraught with bitter struggles within the fleet,
rather than without...
The
new Doctor Who is a triumphant example of how to resurrect
an old show, and so is the new Battlestar Galactica.
In this time of fickle American networks, the fact that Battlestar
Galactica has managed a mini-series, and two seasons (with
a third starting in October of this year [2006]) is proof-positive
that the show is doing the right thing.
Ratings
success and the approval of cynical studio executives aside,
Battlestar Galactica works because it has brought the
ideas of the original '70s show bang up to date, and made
it relevant to a modern sensibility. The concept of us and
'them'; the hatred of one civilisation for another's way of
life, was always prevalent in the original show, but stifled
beneath superficial characters, special-effects, simplistic
scripts and American jingoism. Today's Battlestar Galactica
brings this fundamental conflict to the fore, existing as
it does post-911, and therefore understanding all too well
how one ideology can be violently juxtaposed to another. Not
only that, but the show is also wise enough to appreciate
how sometimes this division can become blurred. In the 1970s,
the Cylons were simply creatures of evil, and humanity was
on the side of the Angels. In the Noughties, it is not that
simple...
The
Mini-Series that kicked off the return of Battlestar
Galactica to TV was a rich if slow-paced affair. Season
One was a little more brisk, but Season Two frequently
runs like fury with a large firework stuck up its backside.
The scripts are still polished and sophisticated, the characters
and their interplays as complex as ever, it's just that there
is a lot more action. There are many superb episodes (in fact,
there is never a dud), but among the best is Pegasus
and Resurrection Ship parts one and two. What's curious
about these three is that the mutinous conflict that takes
place within the military is more thrilling than the fight
going on against the Cylons.
There
are some quibbles to be had with the show, the first of which
is the overuse of the space-expletive "frak", and the frequent
misconception that humans breathe oxygen, and nothing else.
We don't; we breathe "air", which is a mix of nitrogen,
oxygen, trace gases and water vapour.
Those
who thought Season One was a little on the short side
will be pleased by the increased number of episodes in Season
Two. As a DVD release, the standard of presentation has
also improved. Viewers are now dazzled with animated menus
(whoo!) as opposed to the less than attractive static menu
of the Season One release, and those among you who
like commentaries will no doubt be pleased by the inclusion
of chat on many of Season Two's episodes. As a negative,
a few of the episodes displayed an increased brightness of
image over the rest, but this may not be present on retail
versions.
Not
since Babylon 5 have fans of television science-fiction
been able to luxuriate in such an exquisite experience. Battlestar
Galactica is more than spaceships, aliens and war; it
is a statement of life; a critique of the world in which we
live, and long may it continue. So say we all!
Jeff
Watson
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