Battlestar Galactica

Starring:Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, Lorne Greene, Herb Jefferson Jr., Maren Jensen, Tony Swartz, Noah Hathaway, Terry Carter, Lew Ayres, Wilfrid Hyde-White, John Colicos, Laurette Spang, John Fink, Jane Seymour, Ray Milland, Ed Begley Jr., Rick Springfield, Randi Oakes, Norman Stuart, David Greenan
Director: Alan J. Levi, Richard A. Colla
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Battlestar Galactica's Edward James Olmos wasn't kidding when he said "the series is even better than the miniseries." As developed by sci-fi TV veteran Ronald D. Moore, the "reimagined" BG is exactly what it claims to be: a drama for grown-ups in a science-fiction setting. The mature intelligence of the series is its greatest asset, from the tenuous respect between Galactica's militarily principled commander Adama (Olmos) and politically astute President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) to the barely suppressed passion between ace Viper pilot "Apollo" (a.k.a. Adama's son Lee, played by Jamie Bamber) and the brashly insubordinate Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), whose multifaceted character is just one of many first-season highlights. Picking up where the miniseries ended (it's included here, sparing the need for separate purchase), season 1 opens with the riveting, Hugo Award-winning episode "33," in which Galactica and the "ragtag fleet" of colonial survivors begin their quest for the legendary 13th colony planet Earth, while being pursued with clockwork regularity by the Cylons, who've now occupied the colonial planet of Caprica. The fleet's hard-fought survival forms (1) the primary side of the series' three-part structure, shared with (2) the apparent psychosis of Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis) whose every thought and move are monitored by various incarnations of Number Six (Tricia Helfer), the seemingly omniscient Cylon ultravixen who follows a master plan somehow connected to (3) the Caprican survival ordeal of crash-landed pilots "Helo" (Tahmoh Penikett) and "Boomer" (Grace Park), whose simultaneous presence on Galactica is further evidence that 12 multicopied models of Cylons, in human form, are gathering their forces.

With remarkably consistent quality, each of these 13 episodes deepens the dynamics of these fascinating characters and suspenseful situations. While BG relies on finely nuanced performances, solid direction, and satisfying personal and political drama to build its strong emotional foundation, the action/adventure elements are equally impressive, especially in "The Hand of God," a pivotal episode in which the show's dazzling visual effects get a particularly impressive showcase. Original BG series star Richard Hatch appears in two politically charged episodes (he's a better actor now, too), and with the threat of civil war among the fleet, season 1 ends with an exceptional cliffhanger that's totally unexpected while connecting the plot threads of all preceding episodes. To the credit of everyone involved, this is frackin' good television.

DVD features
The fifth disc in Battlestar Galactica's season 1 set is highlighted by eight comprehensive featurettes covering all aspects of the series, from its miniseries origins to standard surveys of production design, visual effects, and particulars of plot and character. For hardcore fans and anyone interested in TV production, nine out of 13 episodes, plus the disc 1 miniseries, are accompanied by intelligent and informative commentary originally provided as BG website podcasts, mostly by series developer and writer Ronald D. Moore, who provides tantalizing clues about developments in season 2. The "Series Lowdown" is a cast-and-crew promotional program originally broadcast to attract SciFi Channel viewers who were initially reluctant to embrace a "reimagined" Battlestar Galactica. The strategy worked: First-season ratings left no doubt that the new BG was as good as--and in many ways better than--the original. --Jeff Shannon

Description

With the 12 colonies of man virtually destroyed in the climax of a hundred-year war with the Cylon Empire, President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) gather up the few humans left and embark on a journey to find the mythical planet Earth, not realizing that the Cylon robot is no longer a recognizable enemy. Battlestar Galactica is a complete re-imagining of the 1970s series - upping the ante on the action, adventure, and drama that made the original so popular. Now, experience all 13 thrilling episodes of Season 1 and the four hour TV miniseries that started it all in this 5 disc DVD set loaded with explosive bonus features and presented in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound.

Customer Reviews:

Suicide Blonde.......2007-07-04

Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?

We don't get a fix on that in this first season of Michael Rymer's staggering new "Battlestar Galactica", but we do learn one thing for sure: the Cylons definitely believe in God.

You already know the whole "BSG" drill: all the robotic Cylons want to do is just be friends with the shattered remnants of Human civilization.

Only by "Be Friends", of course, the Cylons mean lobbing nukes helter-skelter at the Human Colonies, incinerating entire homeworlds, swooping down with their big shiny howling fighter ships on the screaming refugees, for a jolly little game of "Strafe-the-Carbon-Based-Lifeform", and rewarding the few surviving human females with a close encounter of the worst kind: strapped up as a brood-mare to a Cylon birthing vat. Call it a Blind Date, Cylon style.

Those naughty Cylons, they never play nice. Is it any wonder the Humans run away?

Anyway, Series 1 picks up right where the pilot left off: the Humans flee screaming from the Colonial Cluster, now either radioactive or Cylon occupied, packing themselves onto starships and forging a fleet around the Battlestar Galactica, all of them in search of a mystical paradisiacal planet called "Earth". Apparently nobody got Al Gore's memo that Earthlings had already reduced that planet to one vast oozing pustule of magma, a slagpit incapable of supporting a fruitbat flea.

But what they don't know won't hurt them!

Point is, the Cylons have adapted. They boast 12 Cylon models that look just like Me and You (well not you, but Me, anyway): the best of the bunch is the sultry Number 6 (the unspeakably, cravenly hot Tricia Helfer), who brings a new meaning to "Love Devastation! Suicide Blonde!". Or, for that matter, the old phrase "getting inside your head". Women. Anyway, Helfer does her little thang with the disintegrating Gaius Baltar (the delightful James Callis). Helfer---er, Number 6---can sing my Body Electric any day of the week.

Two things are clear with Episode 1: 1) Director Michael Rymer has imbued this little jaunt into the techno-apocalypse with an insane level of conviction. "BSG" is hatefully consumptive TV-watching: I greedily gulped each of this little nuggests of fear & loathing & bright pointy things down like they were caviar skittles and was left hungry for more!

2) My God the ensemble acting works well! Even better than the meticulous set design and special effects---on that, there's really nothing more to say than the FX are grand, everything contributes to this low, mounting, menacing, ominous hum---is the acting here.

There are no walk-ons here, & everyone is playing off each other and working it to the hilt: whether it's the purring, grinning, terrified Baltar, the stoic but unstable Chief Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), the crusty Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan, who is going to lend me his boot whiskey-flask), the plucky Starbuck (honorably acquitted by the unfortunately named Katee Sackhoff)---all of them are champs.

But it's in Episode 1 that Edward James Olmos nails it with his Commander Adama in a way Lorne Greene never did. Greene never had the darkness or the acting chops: Olmos does, and can brood and glower with the best of them. He's great. He owns every scene he's in. He provide this fierce, ferocious dark heart of pure integrity in a very dangerous world.

Another surprise: I wasn't a big fan of Mary McDonnell's Laura Roslyn in the pilot, but here she---and the character---really come into their own. I'm not sure what it is: less simper, more gravity, whatever it is, it's nice. It made me protective of her. And Baltar, particularly Baltar, provides the highest fun/episode quotient: his disintegrating act is one of the funniest spectacles in TV history.

Best of all, there is no filler here: the smart writing and taut pacing covers all of the bases, whether it's the terror of the chase and mounting exhaustion against an implacable foe in "33", the mounting paranoia of "Water", the hilarity---and deep unease---of "Tigh me Up" and "Six Degrees", and the kidney punch of "Kobol's Last Gleaming." Rymer draws up Mankind at the brink, and the duplicity, tension, & terrorism are all to evocative of our own post-9/11 Age of Unease.

"BSG" is smart, slick, and devilishly entertaining stuff.

JSG

Fantastic Show - From Someone Who Doesn't Watch TV.......2007-07-02

I don't even watch or care for television drama (the Sopranos is the only other drama I've followed in the past 10+ years), but I love "Battlestar Galactica."

After the Cylons (robots) wipe out almost all of humanity in a sneak attack, the "Battlestar Galactica" is the last remaining human warship and leads the few survivors on a search for the mythical Earth. The television show focuses on the President of the Colonies and the military leaders aboard the Galactica. The show has a gritty, realistic, military feel, but despite this, the show is much more than an action/military show: it expertly blends politics, morality, philosophy, and religion into its many plots and focuses on the many characters as they cope with the travails of humanity facing extinction.

Season One begins with the pilot miniseries that began the show and 13 one-hour episodes. It features great acting, excellent production quality, and brilliant intertwined and ongoing plotlines. While it may not be true enough to "the original" Battlestar Galactica, it is a fantastic television show. Watch this one, and then enjoy the remaining seasons.

Great TV.......2007-06-28

This season allows you to join the journey that the remainder of the human race and the fleet of the 13 colonies. The drama is gritty and the acting is fantastic. What a great ride.

Intelligent Sci-Fi! .......2007-06-27

I was admittedly a skeptic at first.

While most sci-fi shows seem somewhat cheesy to me, Battlestar Galactica offers a welcome relief from that, in spite of the fact that it is a futuristic show where the humans are being chased by cylons - all the while in search of Earth. It has elements of philosophy, morality, sci-fi action, sex appeal, and drama, all in one fantastic show that keeps you wanting more; not to mention a season finale that keeps you at the edge of your seat all the way to season two...

One of the most engaging sagas of our time........2007-06-20

I heard about BG when it first came out and chose not to watch it. With the new theme from the last few years about redoing older t.v shows and movies and pretty much dragging them into the ground i figured why would this be any different. Well, it just goes to show that you should never judge a book by its cover, BG is the real deal people.

The amazing thing about this show to me is at first glance you would think it was an hbo miniseries like band of brothers or rome. The level of detail that went into the sets and the space special effects and also the numerous planets are simply top notch. Forget everything you ever thought about Star trek (any of them) and think this show is about being hailed by new species of baddies wanting to take over the ship or the human race and the very next episode there is another one. The enemy is the Cylons, the Cylons were created by man, the Cylons had a rebellion and now they are going to once and for all rid the world of humanity. They dont use laser beams to shoot down the ship with shields at 68% but instead they use the biggest weapon against the human race...humans themselves.

This show deals with every deep dark corner of the human psyche as well as some of the brightest, the things that seperate us from mere machines. The show touches on this so well that each episode is not just a new bad situation every week, but a continuing long journey for each member of the cast. I am not going to go into debt about actors, how good a job they do, or anything else cause this isnt just a regular new sci-fi show of the week. This is a saga about the human spirit and the fight to survive amidst all odds while maintaining a semblance of humanity....not as easy as it sounds.

What are you waiting for, watch it, live it, love it.

Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)

Average customer rating:

Love this remake
Galactica Season 2, 2nd half
more goodness
The Best TV Has to Offer
Outstanding

Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)
Starring: Edward James Olmos , and Mary McDonnell
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)
Battlestar Galactica - Season One
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
X-Men - The Last Stand (Widescreen Edition)
Stargate SG-1 - Season 9 Boxed Set (Thinpak)

ASIN: B000GFLEAO
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Amazon.com

Battlestar Galactica's season 2.5 (i.e., the final 10 episodes of the second season, plus an extended version of episode 10) picks up where season 2.0 (the first 10 episodes) left off: Galactica's giddy reunion with the Pegasus had taken a sour turn when Admiral Cain (Michelle Forbes) went back on her word to Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and decided to integrate the crews, moving Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) to Pegasus. The animosity, combined with an attack on Sharon (Grace Park), threatens to derail a golden opportunity for the fleet to strike the Cylons where they'll hurt, and stay hurt--their resurrection ship.

In many ways, Sharon is the central character. The attack lands Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and the Chief (Aaron Douglas) in hot water; her impending baby remains the subject of heated debate among president Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), Commander Adama, and others; and a rebellious movement determined to force Galactica to give up the Cylon ends up threatening both Apollo and Starbuck and putting further strain on their already-shaky relationship. Dr. Baltar (James Callis) becomes even more intertwined with the Cylons when he discovers another version of Number Six (Tricia Helfer) on the Pegasus, but is also in line to take over the presidency as Roslin's cancer reaches a critical stage. Battlestar Galactica's inexorable dramatic arc sagged in a couple episodes during this run, but the terrific two-part season finale involving a presidential election, a glimmer of hope for humanity, and some unexpected turns of events makes for a thrilling springboard to season 3. Battlestar is often called the best sci-fi show on television, but that seems like damning it with faint praise; it's the best drama on television.

In addition to the 10 episodes, the three-DVD set has an extended version of the last episode of season 2.0, "Pegasus"; the extra 15 minutes include a longer conversation in which Cain reveals her plans to Adama. That episode has a commentary track by executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, Moore's podcast commentaries are on every other episode, Eick's "video blogs" serve as casual featurettes on series production, and there are numerous deleted scenes. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Love this remake.......2007-07-04

This is really how to remake a classic. They do a great job love the series and the DVD did not disappoint. The only gripe is that they broke the 2nd season into two parts.

Galactica Season 2, 2nd half.......2007-06-09

A very interesting, very good series.
Excellent special effects and a good inter-personal story as well, a must see for all Sci-Fi fans.

more goodness.......2007-05-22

If you are reading this then you are already hooked on the series and might as well just buy it! Sure, it sucks that they broke the season into 2 expensive parts but the story line is still good and the final episode is a stunner!

The Best TV Has to Offer.......2007-05-21

I enjoyed Season 2.5 a little more than 2.0. Perhaps that's because as far as the second season as a larger arc goes, this half seems to be where the buildup and climax was.

BSG is best when it gets epic, so I tend to find the two-parter episodes to be the best. Early in 2.5 there are the "Resurrection" episodes and the season ends with the "Lay Down Your Burdens" episodes--both examples of Battlestar at its best.

Everything that has made this series great--character and conflict first come to mind--is here, but the mystery surrounding the Cylons' motives deepens.

Most TV is not that good. But Battlestar has managed at least two excellent seasons. I can't wait for Season Three to come out on DVD.

Outstanding.......2007-05-13

Start from the beginning and make sure you can devote plenty of time to this great series. Once you view the first mini series you will continue to be impressed with the entire series. Enjoy!

Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)

Average customer rating:

Love this remake
Fantastic Show - From Someone Who Doesn't Watch TV
Superb
Not real happy
A brilliant sci-fi series!

Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)
Starring: Edward James Olmos , and Jamie Bamber
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)
Battlestar Galactica - Season One
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Serenity (Widescreen Edition)
Firefly - The Complete Series

ASIN: B000BNI90Y
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Amazon.com

The first half of Battlestar Galactica's second season left no doubts about the continuing excellence of the best science fiction TV series of 2005. Beginning with the Colonial Fleet separated, Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) botching his temporary command, and Capt. Adama (Edward James Olmos) near death after a Cylon assassination attempt, series producer/developer Ronald D. Moore and his gifted writing staff packed more into these 10 episodes than most series manage in a full season. Maintaining its reputation as an adult drama, the series is compellingly anchored by the gravitas of Olmos and Mary McDonnell, whose role as Fleet President Laura Roslin grows more complex as she reveals her diagnosis of breast cancer and defies Adama, playing the "religious card" with her conviction that prophetic visions will lead the embattled fleet toward its legendary home planet Earth. As Adama's son Apollo (Jamie Bamber) wrestles with his role in Roslin's mutinous agenda, paranoia runs high as Cylon copies (or "avatars") of Boomer (Grace Park) complicate matters aboard Galactica and on Kobol, where a lost Raptor crew struggles to survive and Dr. Baltar (James Callis) endures the increasingly haunting and manipulative intrusions into his tormented psyche by Number Six (Tricia Helfer), the seductive Cylon who holds the secret to the Cylon master plan to destroy humankind.

Further action takes place on Cylon-occupied Caprica, where Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) and Helo (Tamoh Penikett) discover a group of human resistance fighters who survived the Cylons' nuclear attack in season 1. As all of these plot threads are expertly interwoven, the high-stakes conflict of BG 2.0 culminates in a suspenseful mid-season cliffhanger. Through all of this, Battlestar Galactica maintains consistently high standards of intelligent drama and well-justified, story-based use of spectacular special effects, while developing rich relationships across a broad spectrum of interesting supporting characters. The series' large and likable cast is well-used throughout (even smaller roles are given adequate dimension), and Moore's "podcast" commentaries provide a smart, thorough analysis of the show's writing process and conceptual evolution. Yes, it's undeniably true that this half-season DVD set is a blatantly commercial ploy to lure more and more viewers into the ongoing season (which resumed in January 2006), but you can hardly blame Universal for capitalizing on a high-quality series. With solid ratings, good scripts, and a devoted cast and crew, Battlestar Galactica showed every indication of thriving toward a third season and beyond. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Sci-fi's hottest TV series returns as Battlestar Galactica 2.0 blasts onto DVD in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. As the epic second season begins, the fight to save humanity rages on - even as civil war looms within the fleet between the followers of President Roslin and Commander Adama. Relive all the intensity and excitement aboard the Galactica with a supernova of explosive bonus features, including deleted scenes and podcasts. It's a heart-pounding adventure you can't afford to miss!

Customer Reviews:

Love this remake.......2007-07-04

Great series and DVD. Only complaint was that they broke it up over two DVD's for season 2

Fantastic Show - From Someone Who Doesn't Watch TV .......2007-07-02

I don't even watch or care for television drama (the Sopranos is the only other drama I've followed in the past 10+ years), but I love "Battlestar Galactica."

After the Cylons (robots) wipe out almost all of humanity in a sneak attack, the "Battlestar Galactica" is the last remaining human warship and leads the few survivors on a search for the mythical Earth. The television show focuses on the President of the Colonies and the military leaders aboard the Galactica. The show has a gritty, realistic, military feel, but despite this, the show is much more than an action/military show: it expertly blends politics, morality, philososphy, and religion into its many plots and focuses on the many characters as they cope with the travails of humanity facing extinction.

Season 2.0 features serious conflicts between the military and civilian leadership that almost erupt into civil war, a return trip to Caprica, religious prophecies fulfilled, and more plot twists involving Cylon agents inside the fleet, and ends with even more drama. While it may not be true enough to "the original" Battlestar Galactica, it is a fantastic television show. Watch Season One and Season 2.0, and then enjoy the remaining seasons.

Superb.......2007-07-02

Just a great show, from concept to the visual effects. Every time I watch the show it reminds me why I love the sci-fi genre and what sci-fi can be when it is done right. It is just a great time to sit down and go through these episodes on DVD.

Not real happy.......2007-06-10

I had ordered Battle Star Galactica season 2 but got an entirely different item. When I spoke to them they said they didn't even have the title in stock. I'm still waiting to see if I'm going to be reimbursed.

A brilliant sci-fi series!.......2007-05-29

An intelligent, thought-provoking, fast, adrenaline-pumping sci-fi ride. Escapism at it's finest. I never watched the original series but this is highly recommended viewing. It's dark, gruesome and I can't speak highly enough of the soundtrack. Superb viewing.

Battlestar Galactica: Seasons 2.0 and 2.5

Average customer rating:

Second season manages to match expectations after the mind blowing mini series and first season... no surprise really!
The BEST TV Show I'v ever seen
the best show on TV
Unusually hard biting SF drama
Takes TV Sci-fi to realms never before seen - a must-own set

Battlestar Galactica: Seasons 2.0 and 2.5
Starring: Battlestar Galactica
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Battlestar Galactica - Season One
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Stargate SG-1 - Season 10
Babylon 5 - The Lost Tales
Heroes - Season 1

ASIN: B000NOIVV8
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Description

Rejoin Sci-Fi's most action-packed TV series as Battlestar Galactica 2.5 flies on to DVD in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. Featuring an extended version of the cliffhanger episode "Pegasus," this continuation of the epic second season follows the ongoing battle of President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) and Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) in their heart-pounding crusade to save humanity from the deadly robot Cylons. Packed with special features, including deleted scenes, podcasts and Producer David Eick's video blog, Battlestar Galactica 2.5 is an explosive thrill-ride that's not to be missed!

Customer Reviews:

Second season manages to match expectations after the mind blowing mini series and first season... no surprise really!.......2007-07-03

When you get this blown away by what was just the mini-series (which I consider a full-sized feature film and which could well have stood on its own, without the show following up !!!), you can't believe they'll be able to hold up the intensity of that first season: sci-fi and human drama interwoven in a masterpiece of a show unheard off (and there are many, many good shows out there... lucky us).
But they manage to get our full attention up. They do it by shifting to a little different angles, focusing more on the characters than the big turns in the story, making episodes into little stories inside the big story ("Scar" is a really marvellous example...)
And having Kara/Starbuck(played by overwhelming Katee Sackhoff) moved even more into the center of attention is just fine with me. Not that there is any actor on the show who is anything less than perfect...

You enjoyed the first season? Zero risk you'll be disappointed by the second, guaranteed. I watched more than half of it in three days, my evenings seeming way too short!

What a wonderful thing to have entertainment of that caliber at our fingertips.

The BEST TV Show I'v ever seen.......2007-06-15

STAR TREK? STAR WARS? It's all for Kids....Very dramatic.... Very powerful... Deep story.... You never forget....
If you steel don't seen BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, you're don't seen anything at all.

the best show on TV.......2007-06-13

battlestar is the best! so good that I do not watch it on TV, but wait for the DVD's, so I can watch the whole season at a time.

Unusually hard biting SF drama.......2007-06-10

Great series with interesting ethical dilemmas. Asks some tough but valid questions. Despite the occasioanal cliche and at times uneven acting from some of the minor characters, BG provides great entertainment. It offers well developped central characters interpreted by generally strong actors and interesting insights into problems we face today. Battlestar Galactica is a modern allegory relevant to a broad range of TV viewers. Not just for scifi aficionados.

Takes TV Sci-fi to realms never before seen - a must-own set.......2007-05-22

Warning! Spoilers ahead!

Buying all of this incredible series on DVD is a more confusing undertaking than it ought to be. Grouping both halves of Season Two into this single package definitely simplifies things somewhat. The set also comes with a friendlier price than when each half was sold separately.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA after three seasons has established a critical reputation unprecedented in the history of TV Sci-fi. A host of mainstream reviewers and publications have named it not merely the best Sci-fi series on TV, but the best series of any genre. And we are not talking low-profile critics and publications. At one time or another TV Guide, Ken Tucker, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Matt Roush, the Chicago Tribune, Maureen Ryan, the San Francisco Chronicle, Entertainment Weekly, and a host of others have praised the show as the best on TV. It was only one of two shows to make the American Film Institute's list of the Ten Best Shows on TV two years in a row. To top it all off, in 2006 it won a prestigious Peabody Award. And all this for a Sci-fi series!

But there has never before been Sci-fi like this. Normally Sci-fi TV is associated with escapist entertainment, clever perhaps at its best, but never truly challenging. A few series have previously challenged this, in particular FIREFLY and FARSCAPE, but all other series to some degree kept looking over their shoulders at imagined teen viewers, determined never to get either very dark or very outrageous. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA was the first Sci-fi series targeted more at intelligent grown ups than young male teens (even if those "teens" were in their thirties or forties). BSG went dark and stayed dark, became grittier and grittier, and had a cast of characters who were sometimes heroic but where more often simply messed up.

Narratively BSG will, in the end, contain more or less a single narrative. It is best to think of the show, like LOST, as a long novel that contains individual chapters. Arcs overlap from season to season and year to year. For instance, in the Miniseries we are introduced to a Cylon sleeper agent known as Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii and in the first episode of Season One a Cylon who is identical to her who is another Sharon (usually referred to merely as "Sharon" though later as "Athena"). Over the course of the three seasons we gradually see these two Cylons basically trade places. Season One focuses more on Boomer, but in Season Two and Three the focus is almost exclusively on the other Sharon. But their stories are not contained neatly in this or that season. Similarly, we learn in Season One that the Cylons believe that Starbuck is "special," that she "has a destiny." In Season Two that is expanded upon a bit, but it comes to full fruition in Season Three. It is, therefore, a tad meaningless to say something like, "Season One is the best season of BSG" or "No, Season Two (or Three) is!" All the seasons hang together. In the end it will be one long story.

While insisting that BSG must be judged as a whole, Season Two is nonetheless remarkable in its own right. Not that every episode is golden. In a recent interview BSG creator Ron Moore revealed that over the first three seasons the network had often insisted on stand alone episodes that they hoped would attract new viewers who are otherwise intimidated by the complexity of the overall story. As a result, the writers were forced each season to insert some episodes that didn't really carry the story forward and were something of a drag on the series as a whole. The first half of Season Two was not plagued by this problem. In fact, few of the first ten episodes can truly be considered stand-alone. "Final Cut" and "The Flight of the Phoenix" are stand alones, but both of these are utterly remarkably episodes. But in the second half of the season the series hits something of a dead spot. "Black Market" is widely regarded (even by Ron Moore) as perhaps the weakest episode in the entire series, but it is followed by other episodes that are considered below par, including "Scar" and "Sacrifice." Luckily, the stand alone "Downloaded" is one of the season highlights and the two-part finale "Lay Down Your Burdens" even better.

The first seven episodes of Season Two really continue major events of Season One. These include the fallout from the attempted assassination of Adama in the Season One finale, what happens after Starbuck arrives on Caprica, her and Helo's meeting members of the resistance movement on Caprica, the determination of Roslin and Lee to lead whoever will follow them to Kobol, what happens to Boomer after everyone realizes she is a Cylon, and the reaction to the arrival of Helo's Sharon and what she does to keep herself alive. "Final Cut" and "The Flight of the Phoenix" are stand-alone episodes, but "Pegasus" introduces the battlestar of that name and its commander Admiral Cain. I would, however, caution viewers not to watch the version of "Pegasus" that appears on the 2.0 disc, but instead to watch the Extended Version on in the 2.5 set. It adds a lot to the story.

The second half of Season Two, with the exception of the amazing Pegasus trilogy of episodes, doesn't carry the story forward as much as the previous season and a half had. No doubt the network's desire for stand-alone episodes played a role here. There were, however, a number of plot developments, many of them centered on what to do about Sharon's pregnancy (indeed, what to do with Sharon in general). The latter part of the season deals with Baltar's challenge of Roslin for the presidency in the upcoming election. But I would hasten to add that even at its weakest, BSG remains riveting entertainment. I will admit that I usually skip "Black Market" and "Scar" when I rewatch Season Two, but I don't skip anything else.

I want to close by stating that BSG is actually a series that might be better suited for fans of other quality TV shows more than those viewers who normally watch nothing but Sci-fi. There is certainly nothing wrong with watching only shows of a particular genre, but my own experience in talking with others, making recommendations to others, getting their feedback, and spending considerable time on various BSG boards that this show appeals more to people who focus less on genre and more on quality. If your favorite shows of the past decade include such shows as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, THE SOPRANOS, SIX FEET UNDER, THE WEST WING, ANGEL, LOST, THE WIRE, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, THE GILMORE GIRLS, and VERONICA MARS, you are almost certain to love this show. Not all fans of the Star Trek or Stargate franchises, on the other hand, always do. This series breaks down and reconstructs what we expect of a Sci-fi series.

Average customer rating:

superb - so say we all
Excellent Myth and execution. wow. but buy it with season one bundled together
Mistake I made
A solid spectacular beginning to an amazing series
battlestar galactica mini series

Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Starring: Edward James Olmos , Mary McDonnell , Katee Sackhoff , Jamie Bamber , and James Callis
Director: Michael Rymer
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)
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Battlestar Galactica - The Feature Film (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00064AFBE
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Amazon.com

Despite voluminous protest and nitpicking criticism from loyal fans of the original 1978-80 TV series, the 2003 version of Battlestar Galactica turned out surprisingly well for viewers with a tolerance for change. Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 and conceived by Star Trek: The Next Generation alumnus Ronald D. Moore as the pilot episode for a "reimagined" TV series, this four-hour "miniseries" reprises the basic premise of the original show while giving a major overhaul (including some changes in gender) to several characters and plot elements. Gone are the flowing robes, disco-era hairstyles, and mock-Egyptian fighter helmets, and thankfully there's not a fluffy "daggit" in sight... at least, not yet. Also missing are the "chrome toaster" Cylons, replaced by new, more formidable varieties of the invading Cylon enemy, including "Number Six" in hot red skirts and ample cleavage, who tricks the human genius Baltar into a scenario that nearly annihilates the human inhabitants of 12 colonial worlds.

Thus begins the epic battle and eventual retreat of a "ragtag fleet" of humans, searching for the mythical planet Earth under the military command of Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the political leadership of Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), a former secretary of education, 43rd in line of succession and rising to the occasion of her unexpected Presidency. As directed by Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned), Moore's ambitious teleplay also includes newfangled CGI space battles (featuring "handheld" camera moves and subdued sound effects for "enhanced realism"), a dysfunctional Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) who's provoked into action by the insubordinate Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), and a father-son reunion steeped in familial tragedy. To fans of the original BG series, many of these changes are blasphemous, but for the most part they work--including an ominous cliffhanger ending. The remade Galactica is brimming with smart, well-drawn characters ripe with dramatic potential, and it readily qualifies as serious-minded science fiction, even as it gives BG loyalists ample fuel for lively debate. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

superb - so say we all.......2007-06-12

This is an outstanding piece of television. The acting is a cut above the TV sci-fi norm, and the plot development excellent. This led into one of the best sci-fi series for many years, and the pilot shows why.

Excellent Myth and execution. wow. but buy it with season one bundled together.......2007-06-08

The original miniseries is a treat. If you are looking for a new myth to add to today's world, everything adds up in this one. Besides the beautiful views, artful cinematography and the convincing acting, the unceasing parade of interesting changes makes every scene fodder for a future episode that I am looking forward to. This story follows convolutions and intricacies of classic tales of empire building and rending apart. Every episode has ties both to the present day and to our own ancient times. It's filled with the whole depth of the human psychological experience. It's surreal, effective and this world and these characters are now a permanent part of my inner world.

Mistake I made.......2007-06-04

When I saw the intro of the miniseries, I really didn't expect anything good. I turned away and I didn't looked back until one day I didn't have nothing to do. When I revisited the series again, I realized my mistake because this series is one of the best I have seen. It makes you question many things about our society and religion. I think this series is even better than many of big-budget movies.

A solid spectacular beginning to an amazing series.......2007-05-14

This is in many ways the most exciting part of the entire series kicking off quite literally with a (sultry) bang. Most exciting though is that many of the narrative threads only now seeing the light of day were right there at the very beginning. A nuanced, complex and often dark series this show bears no resemblance at all to the original disco-infused cotton candy concoction; instead this is the Star Trek that should have been - darker, more intelligent, yet ultimately the most hopeful.

battlestar galactica mini series.......2007-05-13

amazon did thier job excellent condition packed well so no damage while shipping

Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series

Average customer rating:

This is the "REAL" Battlestar Galactica
Classic Sci-Fi Comes to DVD
Is Moon 168 the battlestar Galactica? Thank you Lord
Surprised
MISSING EPISODES

Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series
Director: Lorne Greene , Donald P. Bellisario , Richard A. Colla , Alan J. Levi , and Vince Edwards
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Battlestar Galactica - The Feature Film (Widescreen Edition)
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V - The Final Battle

ASIN: B00018LTDI
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Customer Reviews:

This is the "REAL" Battlestar Galactica.......2007-06-12

This series is my all-time favorite, and this DVD set is the highlight of my collection! People make fun of it for production values - so what, remember it was a 1970's TV show. But the criticism I hear that bugs me the most is when people say it "isn't edgy", or that it doesn't reflect real life because it is too family-friendly with every episode having a moral if you look deep enough. To me, this isn't a criticism of the original BSG as much as it is an indictment of today's TV fare, with its need to be "edgy" and "real". Look at the new BSG series for example. Starbuck is now a foul-mouthed, cigar-smoking female who punches out superior officers at the drop of a hat. Military respect and discipline? Forget it - they just don't exist. Pilots routinely tell their CAG where to go. And morals? How about Starbuck sleeping with Apollo the night before marrying someone else. No, give me the old BSG any day, with its morals and light-hearted fun - even with antiquated special effects. If the new BSG had captured that spirit, it would have been 100 times better.

So this set is a breath of fresh air - fun, without losing site of values. This set is also well-made, with high-quality transfers and some cool extras. Heartily recommended!!

Classic Sci-Fi Comes to DVD.......2007-06-04

Like the original Star Trek a decade before, the original Battlestar Galactica broke new ground that allowed for the newer, higher tech, special effects heavy series we know today. At the time "the most expensive show on television", Galactica tells an epic story, a lonely quest, to find the lost 13th colony of Earth. It's based on the premise that the great civilizations of Earth were founded by a parent civilization elsewhere in the universe that also founded other civilizations. Drawing upon the imagery and language of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, the show never deviates from this premise: all these cultures and the cultures of the 12 colonies are one and the same--at least in origin. It's something I couldn't understand in 1978 when i was in the second grade, but can definitely see in this DVD collection.

The DVD set itself has a couple problems. One is the ambiguous labeling of each of the disks. some are double sided. some are not. it's never clear from any part of the packaging which are which. I missed seeing a couple episodes because of this. Since each disk has no more than 5 hours of programming, the format just doesn't make sense--on all other DVD sets I own (which is a lot) they are able to put five episodes on a disk without flipping. In fact I have a Law and Order season that uses both sides but puts nearly twice the number of episodes.

Once this packaging error is fixed, i think this makes a great set. Yes, the show is a little dated. So is original star trek. Yet it would be unfair to judge a 1968 or 1978 program by 1998 standards. The age of the supercomputer has radicially changed our concept and expectations in filmmaking. it's almost refreshing to see a show where the ships are models instead of cgi animations and there are flesh and blood people in the background of the bridge scenes.

yes, it's a show from 1978, but what a ride! they just don't make them like that anymore and never will!

Is Moon 168 the battlestar Galactica? Thank you Lord.......2007-05-22

Battlestar Galactica the Complete epic series is important. Bradamawes Daughter played by Mauren Jensen is rarely mentioned by the critics. In my Pantheon of the Gods just like Agamemnon corresponds to Zeus, I correspond to the God who See and my Daughter Corresponds to Snipe his daughter who said moon 168 readback See tin me lead. I once said to America I was using bad grammar to prove I wasnt a robot so dont be scared by that moon 168 readback. I have confirmed that the Kennedy Family has found favor with the Whirly Lizards mentioned by the NRO. I particularly liked the friendships between the Galactica crewmembers. As for what has been happening around the globe with warfare JuliaAthena and I say Lord help us they trusted us to protect them. I invoke Freedom of speech as a Kennedy Family member of the American Shadow Government so that this review crucial to Humanitys survival is not deleted. Support Amazon.com

Surprised.......2007-05-22

I saw first few episodes on TV but was bored. Looked like an update of Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers. Second half (2nd year?) was 100% better with better sets, stories and guest stars. Too bad they had already lost their audience.

MISSING EPISODES.......2007-05-20

I remember quite clearly that there were episodes where Earth was found. Alot of the original characters are gone but Lorne Green is still Adoma. Galactica has "escaped" the Cylons, and Earth is the Earth of the 70's. What am I missing, was this another series taken from Galactic or was it just left out.

Battlestar Galactica - The Feature Film (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

battlestar has come a long way
Cheap Star Wars rip off don't buy
DONT BUY IT IF YOU BUY COMPLETE EPIC SERIES
MOVIE...or first 4 series episodes
A Sci-Fi Classic

Battlestar Galactica - The Feature Film (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Richard Hatch , Dirk Benedict , Lorne Greene , Herb Jefferson Jr. , and Maren Jensen
Director: Richard A. Colla , and Alan J. Levi
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Robots & Androids | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series
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Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)

ASIN: B0000AFX64
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Amazon.com

Star Wars meets Wagon Train as a futuristic flotilla of ragtag explorers search for a mysterious savior planet known only as "Earth," while being pursued by the dreaded Cylons (cybernetic tin-can baddies with vocal patterns that closely resemble a Speak & Spell game). This theatrical feature culled from the first and fourth episodes of the fondly remembered TV show is hilariously dated (the preponderance of polyester outfits and astrology motifs have the unfortunate effect of making the future look like an giant interstellar singles bar), but that only adds to the retro charm. An irresistibly cheesy blast from the past for Gen-X nostalgia-hounds, with impressive visuals by effects legend John Dykstra and a special appearance by teenybopper guru Rick Springfield. --Andrew Wright

Customer Reviews:

battlestar has come a long way.......2007-06-09

I remember watching battlestar when I was a kid and hadn't seen it for a long time...man I didn't remember it being sooo cheesy. It was fun to watch anyways. I laughed a lot - and not because it was meant to be funny...I'm just glad they re-did battlestar!!

Cheap Star Wars rip off don't buy.......2007-05-14

what more is there to say, its a horrible movie don't buy it

DONT BUY IT IF YOU BUY COMPLETE EPIC SERIES.......2007-02-20

Gosh....., where can I start, I buy it combine with Complete Epic Series, I found it no much diffrent. CES also have this episode. Amazon should advice the customer clearly pertaining this matter before the customer buy it.

Now I'm facing difficult to sell it back to amazon due to the locality of my country (Malaysia) and its very difficult to find fans of BSG (old version) in my country in order to sold it off.

So should there any BSG fans in my country who read this, I'm willing to sell it around RM30.00 (very good condition)

I can be reach at : 019-7567403

MOVIE...or first 4 series episodes.......2007-02-18

I grew up watching such shows as BSG , BuckRodgers and movies like Star wars. I was so excited to find out that their had been a Bigscreen motion picture made way back when of BSG. I was stunned to find out it was never coming to the USA. I was even more disappointed to watch and realize it was like the first 4 or so episodes tied together. I had actually believed it was seperate from the origional series. But that being said, I am glad I bought it.

A Sci-Fi Classic.......2007-01-11

I used to watch the TV Series Battlestar Gallactica when I was between 9 and 10 years old. This movie was the TV pilot for the original TV series. I used to have movie on VHS. Now I'm glad to see it on DVD. It is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series (Limited Edition Cylon Head Packaging)

Average customer rating:

This is the "REAL" Battlestar Galactica
Classic Sci-Fi Comes to DVD
Is Moon 168 the battlestar Galactica? Thank you Lord
Surprised
MISSING EPISODES

Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series (Limited Edition Cylon Head Packaging)
Starring: Battlestar Galactica
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Battlestar Galactica - The Feature Film (Widescreen Edition)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - The Complete Epic Series
Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)
Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)
V - The Final Battle

ASIN: B00005JM3C
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Customer Reviews:

This is the "REAL" Battlestar Galactica.......2007-06-12

Classic Sci-Fi Comes to DVD.......2007-06-04

Is Moon 168 the battlestar Galactica? Thank you Lord.......2007-05-22

Surprised.......2007-05-22

MISSING EPISODES.......2007-05-20

Average customer rating:

battlestar has come a long way
Cheap Star Wars rip off don't buy
DONT BUY IT IF YOU BUY COMPLETE EPIC SERIES
MOVIE...or first 4 series episodes
A Sci-Fi Classic

Battlestar Galactica
Starring: Richard Hatch , Dirk Benedict , Lorne Greene , Herb Jefferson Jr. , and Maren Jensen
Director: Richard A. Colla , and Alan J. Levi
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Robots & Androids | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Space Adventure | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Battlestar Galactica - The Complete Epic Series
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Battlestar Galactica - Season One
Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10)
Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 10-20)

ASIN: B00000IQW0
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

battlestar has come a long way.......2007-06-09

Cheap Star Wars rip off don't buy.......2007-05-14

what more is there to say, its a horrible movie don't buy it

DONT BUY IT IF YOU BUY COMPLETE EPIC SERIES.......2007-02-20

MOVIE...or first 4 series episodes.......2007-02-18

A Sci-Fi Classic.......2007-01-11

Battlestar Galactica - Season One - Disc Four

Average customer rating:

Battlestar Galactica - Season One - Disc Four

Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Battlestar Galactica - Season One - Disc Four. This disc contains episode titles: Tigh Me Up. Tigh Me Down; The Hand Of God; Colonial Day, and Kobol's Last Gleaming (Part One).

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

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