Battlestar Gallactica - Series 1 Vol.1 (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Characters, addictive and gripping plot .  .  .  . well, everything really .
Disadvantages:	Addictive, therefore very time - consuming

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I was recently coerced into watching Battlestar Galactica by my 'other half' who insisted that I would love it, despite my misgivings.

Please bear in mind that I have not seen, nor do I know anything about, the original 1970s series of the same name, so this will not in any way be a comparison, simply a review of this series in its own right.

Where it all began (without giving everything away):
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--First, my abridged version: --

The humans created cylons as 'workers and soldiers'. One day, the cylons got p*s*ed and declared war. Some war was had, then an armistice declared. The cylons went - somewhere - and were not heard from for 40 years, until the day (in the mini-series) when they made a reappearence and began it all again.

--The longer version, if that wasn't quite enough:--

Many years ago, humans created cylons - a race of machines intended to make life easier for humankind - workers and soldiers. At some point, the cylons grew angry at their situation and waged war on their 'masters'. An armistice was eventually reached, and the cylons moved away from the 12 colonies where humans lived, to an unknown place, and were not seen or heard from in 40 years. During the armistice, a space station was set up where the two races could meet to maintain diplomatic relations - the story goes that every year, the colonials sent an officer, but the cylons sent no-one.

One day, after 40 years of no-shows, the cylons send a representative to begin the war again, this time more bloody than ever, and they launch a vicious nuclear attack on the colonies, all but wiping out humanity.

All of this, and much more, can be seen in the mini-series, which was a feature-length pilot 'episode' released before this first season. I would highly recommend watching this to anyone thinking of watching Battlestar Galactica (henceforth known as BSG because it's way too long a title to write over and over). Without the knowledge and character introductions provided by the pilot, I can imagine it would be more difficult to 'get into' the series or to understand certain aspects. Every episode does begin with a "previously on BSG", so you would have an idea, but there's really no substitute for the introduction that the pilot provides.

Moving on: The plot:
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So, we have the back-story out of the way - where does the series go from there, what can you expect?

The first series picks up where the pilot left off. The few remaining humans have fled from their homes into the safety of deep space, led by the Galactica - an obsolete battlestar that was due to be decommisioned prior to the attacks. Pursued relentlessly by the cylons, the crew of the Galactica must now try to defend their lives, and lead what is left of the human race on a journey to find a new homeworld where they can begin to rebuild their race. The first series follows their trials.

Along the way, they are subjected to numerous further attacks by the cylons, ranging from direct missile attacks to more surreptitious attempts to overthrow their computer systems.

The Galactica's fleet is led by the very competent Commander Adama. Amongst his rag-tag fleet of surviving humans, we have Laura Roslin, the new president of the colonies, previously the Secretary of Education, and Dr Gaius Baltar, a world-renowed genius mind.

It soon comes to the fleet's attention that the cylons have evolved beyond all recognition. When they were last seen, they were metal machines, now, many of their newer 'models' are virtually indistinguishable from humans, right down to their cellular structure. The crew must then contend with the very distinct possibility that many of those on board could be cylon infiltrators.

My opinion:
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First of all, as my title suggests, I am going to try to convince the sceptical that BSG really is a series worth watching. As I mentioned earlier, I had no desire to see BSG - I was bullied into doing so by my fiance, who insisted that he knew me well enough to know I would like it.

For all those out there (girls, I'm mainly talking to you, sexist as it may sound) who use phrases such as "I've never really like things like Star Trek - it's boring space stuff, innit" - disregard this, I urge you! That kind of comment is really, honestly, not applicable here, because BSG is something completely different, despite its outward appearence. I plead with even the most sceptical person - give it a go! I went into it imagining I would be bored stiff by all the 'faux technical talk' such as is seen in Star Trek and others like it, and yet it has quickly become a favourite of mine. I actually watched the entire first series in a two days, and then NEEDED to see the second series immediately.

I've now seen the entire first and second series, and although I eagerly await the third, the first series was by far my favourite of the two.

From the first episode, the characters are fabulously engaging. They are genuine and there are definitely few or no stereotypes here. As the viewer, we very quickly form an attachment to many of the characters, and this combined with great plot keeps us hooked from the word go.

The main thing that makes BSG so different is the sheer depth of the story and of the characters. This is not just a 'battle in space' with a sprinkling of character involvement like so many others. BSG explores - amongst other things - religion, morals, humanity, prejudice and racism. These are not dusted over either, all of these explorations are ongoing - there is none of the classic "episode with a moral message at the end", this is plot to make you think.

Another thing BSG has going for it is great pacing. There is never a dull moment where you're left wondering when something will happen - everything that's going on is going on for a reason, and this is clear to the viewer. Because of this, it is definitely a series that needs your full attention whilst watching. You lose the plot very quickly if you try to watch this 'in the background' whilst doing the ironing or emailing, so choose a few hours when you have *actual* free time.

A purported trademark of the series is its distinctive camera work. Often there are 'handheld' camera shots, no tripod in sight, and this gives a distinct feeling of reality, almost documentary style, only much nicer to watch. Some have called this 'grittiness', but that word conjures up grainy unprofessional footage. What you get here is professional, film-quality, but beautifully realistic shots that serve to draw you into the action - it's a bit of a shock to the system when an episode ends!

What I'd like to do now you have a good idea of the show is introduce you to some of my favourite characters...This should also serve to give you a further insight into series one, and the characters that drive the plot ahead.....

Laura Roslin (The President):
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Laura Roslin, prior to the Cylon attack that wiped out most of humanity, was the Secretary of Education. Before becoming a cabinet member, we learn, she was a school teacher. Upon learning that she is the highest ranking minister left alive (at number 43 in line), Roslin is sworn in as the new President. We also learn very early on that she is dying, suffering from terminal breast cancer. Roslin is a good-natured woman, and confident despite her condition. She makes decisions when necessary and sticks to her principles, and overall does what she feels is best for the few civilians that are left for her to lead.

Commander William Adama:
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Commander Adama is the commander in charge of Galactica. He is determined in his military duty to defend his ship and crew, but also has a very human side - he feels his crew are his 'family', and to lose any one of them, or know that they are in danger, scars him beyond the realm of his duty as their leader. This partly stems from the fact that he still struggles with the loss of his son in battle, which he feels responsible for. His other son, Lee Adama, is a captain on Galactica. The commander is very well respected and liked by his crew.

Lieutenant Kara Thrace (Starbuck):
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Starbuck was, I am told, a character in the original 70s series, only back then, 'she' was a 'he'. Despite the sex change, they have kept much of Starbuck's character the same and it shows - at times, she does things that one would normally associate with men, such as smoking cigars. Starbuck is an ace pilot, probably the best the Galactica has. She is an extremely headstrong woman, courageous and willing, but also has a vulnerable side that occasionally shows through.

Lieutenant Sharon Valerii (Boomer):
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Although Boomer isn't an *overly* interesting character in this first series, she is, however, one of my favourite characters. She is genuinely 'nice' and very likable. We do learn some things about her (fairly quickly, but I'm not sure exactly when, sorry!), which serve to make her much more interesting.

Last but not least, Dr. Gaius Baltar:
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Dr. Baltar is world-famous, known for his genius mind and scientific knowledge. He is handsome, stylish and ever-so-slightly off his trolley. Responsible in large part for the near destruction of the human race, he is plagued by the cylon he helped gain access to the defence mainframe, Number Six, seeing her everywhere he goes. It may or may not be sheer insanity on his part, as she gives him information that he would probably not otherwise have known, despite her status as a figment of his guilt-ridden imagination. I personally have a love-hate 'thing' with Dr Baltar, more erring toward 'hate', but he does make for hilarious viewing.

Main cast list:
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Edward James Olmos.............Commander William Adama
Mary McDonnell..........................President Laura Roslin
Katee Sackhoff...........................Lieutenant Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace
Jamie Bamber...........................Captain Lee 'Apollo' Adama
James Callis..............................Dr Gaius Baltar
Grace Park..................................Lieutenant Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii
Tricia Helfer................................Number Six
Michael Hogan..........................Colonel Saul Tigh
Aaron Douglas..........................Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol
Alessandro Juliani....................Lt. Felix Gaeta
Nicki Clyne.................................Crewman Specialist Cally
Paul Campbell..........................Billy Keikeya
Kandyse McClure......................Petty Officer Anastasia Dualla
Tahmoh Penikett.......................Lt. Karl C. 'Helo' Agathon

Summary:
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I absolutely, 100%, urge you to watch this if you haven't already, just make sure you have lots of time on your hands before you begin - it's like pringles - once you pop.....