TV: Battlestar Galactica

[Trilogist]

This may be old news, but it's still not too late. Battlestar Galactica is set for a comeback; unfortunately the Sci-Fi Channel has rejected Tom DeSanto and his concepts for a continuation of the series which included original cast members (and new) and all the same themes and concepts which made us love the show.

That's one thing, but they didn't even bother to let him know that he was off the project. They simply moved on without him, handing it over to writer/producer Ronald Moore, who proceeded to take all the things the fans wanted and shred them to pieces, promoting his own "reimagining" of the show. He managed to accomplish all this, while alienating all the fans, insulting the original Galactica concept, and disrespecting Gene Roddenberry his old boss. And I used to think the guy was OK.

The following links are petitions you can sign to let them know that we don't suppport their outrageous actions, and that we want Tom Desanto or somebody who will take our opinons to account. Let them know what you think!

Stop Sci Fi Channel's Battlestar Travesty! (http://www.petitiononline.com/bsg1/petition.html)
Fight For Survival -- Say No to Battlestar Re-imagined! (http://www.petitiononline.com/bsgffs/petition.html)
Bring Back Battlestar Galactica with the original cast! (http://www.petitiononline.com/bsg2001a/petition.html)

Spread the word to all your friends who also remember Galactica and would like to see it back on TV (with better special effects and stuff of course). Let them know they're not just dealing with a few disgruntled fans, but sci fi fans everywhere, including the numerous and powerful Star Wars fans!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif

[Vyndim]

<span style="color:000070">So what is Battlestar Galactica? I've heard peope mention it before. Its older Sci-Fi type show right? But I don't know more then that about it.</span>

[Meche]

I think it's 1978, didn't run long, but has a good fan base far as I can tell.

http://www.epguides.com/BattlestarGalactica/

[AlanRJ]

It was a fantastic Sci-Fi show which was all about a race of beings (humaoid shape) who were space faring people. They had twelve colonies and were always at war with a race of machines called Cylons. The Cylons only had one thought, and that was to destroy them. Now, the humans had great battleships called Battlestars and smaller fighters which docked at them. The whole story was the Cylons wanted to make peace with the humans but it was all a big trap. The Cylons destroyed all the human colonies and the only people to escape was one Battlestar named Galactica. They had many ships from these colonies following them and the series followed their adventures as they were pursued across the galaxy and they searched for a fabled thirteenth colony on a planet know as Earth.

Sadly after Battlestar Galactica finished they tried to pick it up again with new characters, this time finding Earth but noticing it was very primitive and trying to fit in a bit. By all means, avoid that part but the original Battlestar Galactica is a show not to be missed and I thoroughly advise you to watch it.

[Trilogist]

Yeah, that was Galactica 1980. Yuck. Steer clear of that miserable mess. The first season is the good one. Battlestar had amazing characters, Lorne Green came out in it as the leader, Commander Adama. Richard Hatch was his son Captain Apollo. Dirk Benedict was the coolest pilot since Han Solo, Starbuck. Jane Seymour was in it too. And a cool robot dog that I always wanted but never got. Now that I'm all grown up, NOW they start selling robot dogs! :(

[Trilogist]

They once got sued by Lucasfilm, I think, because they felt they were copying Star Wars. In some ways, I guess they did, but overall it was very different. They were just pushing this sci fi show because of Star Wars' success; sci fi wasn't really big until 1977.

There are a lot of classical themes in this, and you'll notice many of the people and place names have mythological origins.

... Tovor, where are you!? I know you're a closet Galactica fan! Show yourself!

[Tovor]

Here I am, out of the closet. *I got your letter, Tril, and I signed the petition, although it may be the same one I signed about a year ago off of Richard Hatch's site.

Yo, the loyal and the curious, for info check out:
http://battlestarfanclub.com/battlestar/
...and:
http://www.battlestargalactica.com/about/bg2/index.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>They once got sued by Lucasfilm, I think, because they felt they were copying Star Wars. In some ways, I guess they did, but overall it was very different. [/b][/quote]
From vague memory, it wasn't necessarily Universal that Lucas tried to sue, but Glen Larson personally. *I had always thought that odd, since the Galactica storyline was so far removed from the Star Wars storyline. *Other than massive battleships, star fighters, and space dogfights, there are no similarities that I can tell. *Ironically, today Larson and/or Universal might want to seek damages for the prequel's battledroids, which sound slightly like the Cylon drones in monotone and pitch, if you think about it.

Like I said, I never understood the reasoning behind Lucas' efforts to haul Larson into court. *For what, benefitting from Star Wars' success and society's rekindled love for space opera? *However, when I read the SW Annotated Screenplays and understood more about GL's initial attempts to buy the rights to Flash Gordon and bring that serial back to life, and his other attempted drafts which were never completed but took him closer and closer to the eventual Star Wars (or rather, to the "The Star Wars, the Adventures of Annakin Starkiller",), I wondered if perhaps in his brainstorming sessions he hadn't spent time with Glen Larson for a possible writing partnership. *That thought led me to wonder further if perhaps the two had come up with a joint venture story that fizzled out leaving them to go their seperate ways; and if perhaps the eventual Battlestar Galactica had been based on those ideas developed between Lucas and Larson in their time together. *In other words, maybe Larson went ahead and used a concept that Lucas himself had suggested, which may have been an early stage of the "The Star Wars".

Moving along, my ideas on BG. *I loved BG when I was a kid (11 in 78). *It had the starships, space battles, and unEarthly themes and environments that I clammored for. *Although great but not as good as, it was the Star Wars I could sit home and watch every week. *Even today I still miss BG. *It was a lot of fun. *But alas it had great protential yet never went where it really could have gone (hmm, like TPM). *A couple of years ago, before I read about the revival, I wrote a rough draft for a new BG book and movie. *In it, Galactica 1980 was merely a bad dream, and 30-40 years later the Galactica is still leading that rag tag fleet in search of Earth, with Commander Apollo now in command of the Galactica. *After making an alliance with a manufacturing world, the humans have fortified their ships and built new ones, including the Battlestar Alexia. *The humans are tired of running one step ahead of the Cylons, and are taking steps to turn around and take on the Cylon search and destroy fleet directly. *A new device/space station is created to open a portal in time and space, and a special ops team is sent back through time and distance to stop the Cylon war from beginning (1000 years before the time of the original series is when the war began.), in a Terminator kind of way. *And so, my story was to have a two fold battle, with the Galactica warriors fighting to save the past and the future. *Anyway, that was my story. *I wonder what these new guys are dealing with as far as story concepts?

My thoughts on the revival? *I believe in adding new characters and new storylines around the main, but to me and many others BG is BG of old, with Hatch/Apollo, Benedict/Starbuck, Boomer, Sheba, Athena, Cassiopia, ect. *When the original Star Trek was turned into a movie franchise, it kept the characters, actors, and concepts, went forward with time-expected changes but did not change or delete the ST past as fans had grown to love and remember it. *The same should be done with BG. *20-30 years from where it left off, same main cast (those still living, of course, none should be recasted), new concepts, updated hardware and equipment for a more advanced appearance, some new ships and of course better FX, but stay true to form and function, and don't change or contradict what brought the story to that point in time. *If any changes are to be made, they should not be as the Lost in Space movie was to the original Lost in Space series, but as Star Trek II was to the original Star Trek.

That's my say in the matter. *BG is Apollo and Starbuck and Boomer, Adama (Greene is gone, but keep the character's spirit in the show, not his ghost, but his charm and nobility), Athena, Colonel Tigh and Mary Ann and the Professor and, no, wait, scratch that... *I am not interested in a remake of BG, and have no interest in seeing some non-BG-fan writer's version of an entirely different saga than what I grew up loving and remembering. *A new BG should/must continue and further the story the original series left us with, not retell it and transform it into something different entirely.

[Trilogist]

I agree with you entirely, as do most BSG fans. Your ideas are very much aligned with Tom Desanto's vision of what the new BSG was going to be, almost exactly as you stated. But he got the rug pulled out from under him, and now ... well here's an old press release from April to explain it better:

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (4-hour miniseries) - SCI FI re-imagines the groundbreaking and beloved series in which ``a rag, tag fugitive fleet'' of the last remnants of mankind searches for its true home. Fleeing the aliens responsible for the slaughter of their homeworld, the Battlestar Galactica survivors must meet a whole new set of challenges. This intriguing twist on a classic will be written by writer Ronald D. Moore (Roswell, Mission Impossible II) with Breck Eisner (Steven Spielberg's Taken; The Invisible Man) attached to direct. Distributed by USA Cable Entertainment, the project will be executive produced by David Eick (American Gothic, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Spy Game).

This Press Release came as a shock to Tom DeSanto as well as to the rest of us, and appears to have come out of nowhere. Tom's role going forward in the production is unclear. Tom has championed the original cast and themes from the beginning and what he has been planning would include the original concepts of the show. There has been little news regarding the new production for the past few months, but work has been going on and a shoot schedule is set for this summer.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Tom's vision of the new series did include the original cast and themes of the show, with some new additional cast members leading the fans into the next generation of the show. This concept, and Tom's planned story arc, would create the best possible storyline fans could hope for in the new series. The powers that be seem to have decided to go in a different direction, this could be disastrous to the fans who have been fighting for the past 5 years to bring back the show properly. The most we can do is let the powers that be at StudiosUSA and the Sci-Fi Channel know what we want in a new series. For now Tom Desanto has asked that we continue to show our support for the original cast and themes of the show, and help support his efforts to continue with the production he has been developing. Tom wanted me to thank everyone for the support they have shown in his efforts. He is working to be included in this production to bring back the show the way the fans want to see it.[/b][/quote]

Of course, he's completely out now. Here's the new concept:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>A new four-hour mini-series version of Battlestar Galactica will be appearing on the US Sci-Fi Channel but not as a continuation of the short-lived ABC series. Instead, it will begin with a remake of the premiere episode (released here in the UK as a movie) in which the Cylons wipe out most of humanity in the far reaches of space. In other words, we're talking remake, not sequel.

Writer Ronald D Moore explained the reason behind this decision to SFX. "Doing a sequel crossed my mind," says the writer Ronald D Moore, late of Deep Space Nine and Roswell, "but I just wasn't interested in that so much as I was in going back and starting over. Part of it is on a practical level. I think if you're going to pick up from where you left off, you basically reduce the audience to those who know and love the original already. Let's face it, Battlestar Galactica is just not Star Trek and we're not going to pretend that it is this giant pop-cultural phenomenon where you literally could pick up 75 years later and continue going.

"By the time Star Trek: The Next Generation came on," he adds, "the whole notion of Star Trek's universe was firmly implanted in the audience's mind everywhere. Starships, warp drive, phasers, transporters - the whole landscape had become Americana. Now with Galactica, the thing is that as I've been talking to people about this and it's funny to see how few of them really remember it. In truth, very few people actually remember the premise, that their worlds were wiped out and that the Cylons are chasing them. It's surprising how many people - some writers, some not in the business - think that the original premise was that they're all from Earth and Earth is wiped out. I've run into that over and over again. With that in mind, there's a sort of general confusion out there of what the show is, even though the name is very recognizable, even by people who are not fans of the genre and may not have seen an episode. "

"It made such a blip on the pop-culture radar when it came out, that it has maintained a certain memory. So I think you have to go back and redo it. I just can't see picking it up later." The real question of course, is whether or not Moore is ready for original star Richard Hatch and his supporters, who will no doubt protest this approach to the material. "That comes with the territory, this is my take, this is is the take that they bought and what we're going to do."

Although he admits that he's not sure what to expect, Moore points out that he's pretty psyched over what he's come up with for Galactica so far.

"When I spent some time thinking about it, I started to see the possibilities," says Moore. "The process of putting the pitch together, it kind of force me to focus on what the story would be. I started to get excited about that. Then thinking about the Cylons got me excited. The more I started to flesh out the characters and what the world is going to be and how it's going to operate, the more I've gotten confident that it's going to be really cool. When the Bryan (X-Men) Singer version was announced, I remember people in passing conversation were excited that it was happening, that they were going to do one. Hopefully people will continue to be excited that it is still happening." [/b][/quote]

[Trilogist]

And, alas, the heretic Ronald Moore does an interview and his insidious, evil thoughts are revealed:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>A popular adage is that when one door closes, another one opens. Certainly, when the door of TV'S Rosell was slammed shut with a cancellation sticker slapped across it, executive producer Ron Moore found entrance at the Sci.Fi Channel and the new version of Battlestar Galactica. Several months ago Moore - former co-executive producer of the still-lamented Star Trek; Deep Space Nine - was asked whether or not he would be interested in writing the four-hour mini-series that will also serve as a pilot for a potential new weekly series. He took a weekend to think about it, and during that time he developed his own take on the material. That Monday he met with executives from the Sci.Fi Channel and pitched his ideas - a task made more difficult by the fact that he found himself involved in his first ever video teleconference.

"It was a very strange experience,' reflects Moore. " It was like talking to a viewscreen in Star Trek. Yo! u're in a conference room at a long table and there's a big-screen TV at the end. As I was going in to the pitch, there were people in the room and people from New York on the screen, and I was trying to talk to the people in New York. But it was very distracting. Down at the lower corner of the TV screen was a little picture-in-picture with a current shot of the room I'm in. So I'm trying to talk to them, but you keep looking down at a picture-in-picture trying to figure out, 'Am I still in frame? Did I lean too far back in my chair? The It becomes, 'Am I losing my train of thought?'"

His pitch accepted, Moore went back to watch the original premiere of Battlestar Galactica, which had aired back in 1978. Although he hadn't seen the show in nearly two decades, he was surprised by how strongly it had stayed with him over the years.

"I liked it as a kid,' he says, "even though I knew there were things about it that I didn't think made a lot of sense and didn't ! quite work for me even at the time. But I went out and got the DVD version, most of which I remeber pretty well. It did, however, take me by surprise in a number of ways. One, I was fairly amazed at how much money they must have spent on this thing, because for 1978 there were just so many visual effects shots, models, sets and explosions. Oh my God! It was very impressive. Knowing what I know about producing science fiction for television and thinking what it must have cost at that point when all the technology was brand new, made it even more amazing. That stayed with me all the way through: 'Man, there's another shot of another ship!'

"Then," Moore elaborates, "it's the fact that looking at it in a post 9/11 world, brings with it a different resonance than it did at the time. It's a surprisingly dark premise. Twelve entire planets are wiped out in the pilot; entire civilisations destroyed and the survivors are on the run from the enemy. They're not heroically doin! g anything except trying to survive and hunting for a place called Earth. Just a very dark, doomed, apaocalyptic vision of something for a primetime network series. I was really surprised by that. Everybody talks about how they were ripping off Star Wars. Well, yeah, of course, the fighters and how they shot the fighters, visually were very similar, but overall I could appreciate what they were trying to do."

One thing he couldn't appreciate - then or now - was one of the basic tenets of the show's premise. As establised in the pilot, the Colonials had fought the robotic Cylons for a thousand years, yet when the Cylons announced they wanted to declare peace, the Colonials jumped at the opportunity. Notes Moore, "And the entire fleet comes together in one spot and then gets their asses kicked. Even as a kid I was, like, 'Are they idiots?' It just didn't make any sense and still doesn't. There was however, an interesting set-up in terms of of the family unit that's the! re, the Adama character and his son. Even Starbuck, which is the name that is easiest to make fun of and the silliest kind of notion in a way, but you watch it now and you can see the character was trying to be a rogue. They were kind of going for it in a certain sense - he smokes, he drinks, he chases girls. He does walk the walk a little bit for ABC television in 1978. So I can kind of see what they were trying in places and I could see the roots of why it's been memorable for people for years. I haven't sat down to watch many of the subsequent episodes beyond that, but I do remember the show fairly strongly."

Events of September 11, have, in a sense, come to bear on this new version of Battlestar Galactica. "In the original version - where the characters are coming to peace - and in the version I want to tell where they are at peace already, suddenly this bolt from the blue happens and it just shocks their collective psyche in a very profound way,' Moore explains.! "Suddenly that premise and that show has a different resonance now. I think it's an interesting place to put a group of characters in a science fiction context. I also think that now we can mine it in different ways and can explore characters in different ways. What happens to the people in Galactica is what happened to us in September, but in several orders of magnitude larger. It's sort of like saying September 11 happens, but the only people who survive are the people inside the Twin Towers. So it feels like what we'll be able to do is play out the psychic and emotional reverberations of that kind of an apocalypse through the characters and through the series. It's something that will always be with these characters.

"They didn't really try to play that too much in the original series," he adds. "It was a little bit more in the Star Trek pantheon where the fugitive fleet would go from planet to planet or alien race to alien race or situation to situation. What I ! want to do with the new version of Galactica is make the show much more about the people within those ships, the societies that have developed and what they've taken away from the worlds that are now gone, what they're going to lose and what they're going to keep. And what happens to these people. How are their lives changes and what does it say about them as people? It's an interesting event. I can see that there are things to hook into as a writer, there are character aspects to explore that weren't quite there to explore before."

The impression is that such an approach would result in a real downer of a series. Moore disagrees. While the situation is desperate, he argues there are many other shows on TV based around desperate situations which aren't so constantly dreary as EastEnders.

"It's more of a drama," he points out. "It's going to have ups and downs through all the characters. In the same way that you watch ER, there's always a certain sense of deat! h in the air at a hospital. There's always a sense of jeopardy and mortality that sort of colours everything that happens within the hospital. That might be in the background. You might say that there's a downer every week, but it's really not because that's part of the human experience. You see how characters respond to facing their mortality in uplifting ways and depressing ways, and it gives you a way to explore the range of human emotions."

All of which raises the question of whether or not a weekly Battlestar Galactica would be a series of individual stories week-by-week, or more of a serial with a developing arc like Deep Space Nine.

"I think there will always be an internal narrative structure where there's an episode each week,' he says. "The DS9 format was that the station never went anywhere, so by its very nature it had to have a continuing storyline. I think the way to look at Galactica is that the character relationships will continue, the charac! ters will change and grow and there will be a continuing through-line with the characters and their relationships, but Galactica will give us the opportunity to tell episodic plots as well."

Although he's still determining the character make-up of the show (new Cylons are definitely in, Baltar is a possibility), Moore promises it will have more female characters, and more civilians. "I want it to be a different world from Star Trek in that I don't want it to be a strictly military world. The irony is that Gene Roddenberry used to say that he used to pitch the original Star Trek as Wagon Train. Well, actually it's not. The original series is really Horatio Hornblower, a ship sailing around the world. Galactica is a wagon train. It's a bunch of covered wagons of civilians guarded by one troop of cavalry. The original Galactica kind of made it all about the cavalry and I want to make this about the wagon train. The show is Battlestar Galactica, so that is still the home! base. It's still about the ship primarily, but I want a larger window into the civilian world as well. I think that sort of dynamic was something that we were never really able to do with Star Trek: The Next Generation, which supposedly had all these civilians aboard, but they figured into nothing. They were along for the ride and would get killed periodically. So I was always fascinated by the idea of these civilians and I remember many story meetings where I kept trying to get the notion that isn't there somebody who speaks for those guys; a quasi-mayor or something? He could go to Captain Picard and say, 'We've got some problems with the way you guys are treating us.' But that was like heresy.

"But here there should be a natural tension," Moore concludes. "Once the initial emergency wears off, it feels like there would be a natural tension between the military and the civilians. I'm trying to make it a more realistic series; trying to ground it in terms of character and storytelling. At the same time I want to maintain the general myth and the elements of Battlestar Galactica that have made it a beloved classic."[/b][/quote]
He contradicts himself! He proposes a major rewrite of Battlestar Galactica history, and then maintains he wants to preserve the basic elements of BSG? Moore, just quit. Or rename your little show to 'Adventures Aboard the Starship Lollipop' just don't call it Battlestar Galactica and expect us to watch it like poor saps. I can't believe the nerve of that guy and some of his comments on his interview; about BSG, about Star Trek, and even about Roddenberry. That's why I want as many people as possible to continue signing the petitions and exerting pressure on them, otherwise this show is coming out, is going to flop, and no studio may be keen on revitalizing it again.

[BL-17]

"Must die in Lorne Green pose from Battlestar Galactica. Best... death... ever!" --Comic Book Guy, The Simpsons

I watched quite a few episodes of Battlestar Galactica when The Sci-fi channel re-ran the entire first season a couple years ago. I thought it was unique and enjoyable. I wish there were more shows like this on today.

It seems a lot of people's views and thoughts get in the way when it comes to things like this. I hope that the show is brought back. I just hope it won't suck.

[jawajedi]

I love BG! I have the whole video collection.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>My thoughts on the revival? *I believe in adding new characters and new storylines around the main, but to me and many others BG is BG of old, with Hatch/Apollo, Benedict/Starbuck, Boomer, Sheba, Athena, Cassiopia, ect. *When the original Star Trek was turned into a movie franchise, it kept the characters, actors, and concepts, went forward with time-expected changes but did not change or delete the ST past as fans had grown to love and remember it. *The same should be done with BG. *20-30 years from where it left off, same main cast (those still living, of course, none should be recasted), new concepts, updated hardware and equipment for a more advanced appearance, some new ships and of course better FX, but stay true to form and function, and don't change or contradict what brought the story to that point in time. *[/b][/quote]

I agree with you 100% Tovor. If they're not gonna do it like that, I don't want to see it. I would rather watch BG 1980 10 times.

[Trilogist]

YES!!! The petition list is growing! Vote early and vote often ... j/k :p

Let's hope the powers that be actually see the petition and care what people think.

[Tovor]

I will add one of my gripes about the original series as well as the novel, and what I would have remedied in my BG novel had I finished it. *Neither the movie nor the tv show nor the novel even ever told us anything about the Cylons. *Most people think of the Cylons as the silver robots who were commanded by the mysterious and never explained Imperius Leader. *But the robots were not really the Cylons, the Imperious leaders were, and it was the Cylon race which built the robots to fight their wars. *In fact, if I remember correctly, in the novel the warriors were not robots at all but lesser beings of the Cylon race, a race in which the Imperious leaders were the most evolved (with 3 brains I think). *That may be old news to other fans but it was totally unexpected years after the series ended when I read the book the first time. *My gripe then, and my point, is that the filmed version of the story never told us anything about the actual Cylon race and their homeworld, and why they hate the humans so much. *The book told that a 1000 years ago the humans had intervened in a Cylon trade dispute, and that was what led to the 1000 year war when the Cylons attacked to eliminate the opposing voice of the humans, but the movie (the pilot) and show only mentioned this in passing. *So hopefully the new series would reveal more about the Cylons themselves, as well as bring us back the original cast (wishful thinking).

Hey Tril, back to my comment on Lucas and Larson possibly having worked together on story ideas, isn't this news about the Cylon trade dispute and robots created by the Cylons to fight for them, surprisingly similar to the TPM trade dispute with the battledroids fighting for the Nemoidians? *Could that be the supposed link between both early stories as far as Lucas and Larson brainstorming and Lucas sharing his TF ideas with him, hence the reason for the lawsuit? *Imagine if the Seperatists defeated the Republic in Ep. III but the Trade Feds got too strong for the others and with their battledroids gained complete power over everybody? *Maybe that was how the Cylons got their start 1000 years before the time of Adama. *Maybe also, that was the reason for the Lucas vs. Larson lawsuit, not because Larson's BG resembled ANH, but because it resembled GL's back story, the future prequels.

[Trilogist]

Wow ... so that would mean Lucas had this figured out that far ahead of time? Amazing. Of course, creators like him do actually sit around, thinking stuff up. And if he's like me, he saves his ideas and revisits them later to use.

But yes, that is a VERY interesting parallel ... I haven't read the BG novel in years, so my memory of it is fuzzy. But it was the late 70's, we can expect more out of it this time around, especially since the first incarnation was only one season.

BTW, Tovor, have you ever read any of Hatch's BG novels? Just curious b/c I never have and maybe he reveals some extended info from the show's "bible" that we never got to see.

[Trilogist]

Just thought of something ... what if they bring back the original cast, and then there's the episode of how they're just flying around the stars and suddenly run into Rick Springfield again, realizing he's not dead after all (Apollo's younger brother). They find him performing at one of those intergalactic discotheques. :whatsthat:

But seriously, folks, I found another petition. This one's even larger I think, and may perhaps be the original one. The mother of all online petitions: Bring back Battlestar Galactica with the original cast! (http://www.petitiononline.com/bsg2001a/petition.html)

[Tovor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I haven't read the BG novel in years, so my memory of it is fuzzy. But it was the late 70's, we can expect more out of it this time around, especially since the first incarnation was only one season.
BTW, Tovor, have you ever read any of Hatch's BG novels? Just curious b/c I never have and maybe he reveals some extended info from the show's "bible" that we never got to see.
[/b][/quote]

No, I have not read any of Hatch's works, but I find his version of the continuing story intriguing enough to warrant a look later on. *You should certainly reread the original BG novel. *Unlike most movie novelizations, I found the novel surprisingly well done in a bit more length than I had expected. *Although I remember so little of the book story now, what I do remember and found fascinating is that the Inperious Leader Cylons had 3 brains and so thought themselves far above the levels of mere humans. *The concept of 3 brains, not 1 big brain but 3 seperate yet connected brains, is mind boggling as far as trying to imagine their thought processes. *And, that was a concept never mentioned or explored on the show. *I would love to see an original cast BG leader (Commander Apollo) trying to outwit a 3-brained villian in a massive battle scenario. *That's one of the things the original never had. *We always saw the Galactica getting attacked and sitting there like a dead floating whale getting nipped at by sharks and not doing very much except taking on massive damage. *The only episode I remember (and I admit I don't remember enough of the episodes) in which they did outwit the Cylons was The Guns On Ice Planet Zero (I think that was the title), which was something like the Guns of Naverone, in which the Colonial warriors sought to knock out a huge cannon that would have been used to fire at the passing fleet.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>and suddenly run into Rick Springfield again, realizing he's not dead after all (Apollo's younger brother). They find him performing at one of those intergalactic discotheques. [/b][/quote]
Heh heh, they could also have them run into Ricky Martin as Starbuck's long lost brother Cometspurt. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Seanakin]

The Cylons RULED. I don't know how often I made myself dizzy moving my eyeballs side to side over and over and over like that when I was younger. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif

[Tovor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know how often I made myself dizzy moving my eyeballs side to side over and over and over like that when I was younger. [/b][/quote]
LOL. I used to do that in school too, and the teacher had to tell me to stop making the noise that came from the Cylon helmets as their red eye went back and forth.

[Trilogist]

I used to try to talk in the robotic monotone. It annoyed everybody around me, except my fellow BG fans and friends. And did anybody also want a daggit (sp?) the robot dog from the show? I wanted one so bad ...

[Darth Kyle]

Star Wars will always be my favorite. However, I do remember being a 10-11 year old watching BG every week. It was great getting to see a new sci-fi show every week rather than every 3 years.

That's an interesting twist if you're right about Lucas' lawsuit.

[Tovor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>That's an interesting twist if you're right about Lucas' lawsuit.
[/b][/quote]
Elementary, my dear Watson. *All joking aside, I only put it together when Trilogist reminded me of the lawsuit, and after seeing AOTC several times and discussing TPM all this time, the trade dispute and battledroids and battledrones in both stories struck me as more signficant than I had ever thought before. *

Holy jump on the bandwagon, Batman. *I have always found the BG backstory, with the start of the 1000 year war, intriguing--not as much as the SW backstory has been for the past 20 years--and I sense potential there. *Obviously without our beloved BG characters from the TV show, who else here but me would be interested in a BG prequel movie to reveal the rift between the Cylons and the Colonials and the start of the 1000 year Cylon/Colonials war?

Star Trek had the Federation of Planets...Star Wars has the Republic...Battlestar Galactica had what, the Colonies? *Does anybody remember what the alliance of 12 colonies were known as? *I remember the leadership was called the Chorum of Twelve, but that's all I can remember.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I used to try to talk in the robotic monotone. It annoyed everybody around me, except my fellow BG fans and friends. [/b][/quote]
LOL, I did that too. *"By your command!"
I was real good when I was a kid at doing several sound effects from my favorite sci-fi media, and in addition to doing the laser gun sounds, I constantly did my impression of Twikki from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. *Anybody remember the way he sounded? "Bitty bitty bitty, right on, Buck!" *I also did the daggit Muffit pretty good, that electronic bark of his and the hum of his servos as he walked. *So Tril, I didn't want a daggit, I WAS a daggit!

[Trilogist]

LOL Tovor, if you can't get one, become one!

The BG backstory does sound intriguing, but would that almost have to be it's own series? Maybe if BG comes back successfully the prequel would very naturally suggest itself ... and Tovor can write for the show ;)

I believe they were called the Quorum of the Twelve.

[Tovor]

Nah, I don't think it would warrant a whole series. *One book, and/or one movie, or a 2 hour tv special would do it probably.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I believe they were *called the Quorum of the Twelve.[/b][/quote]
Yes, that much I remember. I just don't remember what the 12 world human alliance was called.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>and Tovor can write for the show * [/b][/quote]
Heh heh, I think I'll include your recommendation in my resume to send to the producers!

[Trilogist]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif
I just stumbled into a bit of information that can be classified as good news and bad news and bad news. :huh:

I have learned that Universal (who I believe owns StudiosUSA and Sci Fi Channel) NEEDS to make a Galactica production by a certain time or they lose the rights to the show.

Good news -- their financial troubles, coupled with the backlash from the fans over their plans, may prevent this version from ever making it to TV. Then, the chance will be alive that they can still do a continuation like the fans want.

Bad news -- Universal may feel time and budgetary pressures, and STILL move forward with an awful, low-budget version of Galactica 90210, totally ruining it for the fans, and disillusioning any potential new fans.

*The other bit of news along this line is that if Universal loses the rights to Galactica, they fall right back into Glen Larson's lap, that evil, fat, bitter old man who wants nothing better but to screw Richard Hatch and his dream of bringing the show back.

Bad news -- the fans still don't get what they want. Unless ...

Let's take one thing at a time. I believe that there is still a chance, so nobody give up!

[Tovor]

Live, thread, live! :joystick:

[RedMirax]

I liked Battlestar Galactica. It was pretty cool. All things space were popular back then.

I remember thinking Starbuck was soooo cute!!!! :hehe:

And thinking the dude from Bonanza was in space!! (we stayed with my grandparents during the summer and my Granddaddy LOVES westerns!!! )

Does anyone remember Buck Rogers?

[Tovor]

I remember Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. I liked that show a lot at first even though it was very cheesy. But hey, I was a kid and they cancelled Galactica so what else was there? (Heh heh, they even reused the Galactica fighter launching tubes)

[RedMirax]

Very cheesy....but Twiggy was cool!!!! LOL

[Trilogist]

Yes, I remember. And the kid from Different Strokes was Mr. President. Who was that guy with feathers for hair? He was cool too. Was he also the same guy who would take off his head? Or was that the villain?

One thing I can say about these old sci-fi shows, what they lacked in special effects (compared to today), they made up in sound effects! :hehe:

Since we're on the subject of old sci-fi shows, did anyone also used to watch V? It was two mini-series, then a television series. It was good. I used to run inside from playing outdoors every week to see it. The second miniseries is out on DVD now. I need to buy it.

[Trilogist]

... and another thing in common, despite being centuries in the future, they all still had happening intergalactic discotheques! :p

[Tovor]

I remember V. *I enjoyed it a lot when it was on tv, the first V mini series, then the second part about a year later I think it was, and then the tv series. *However, the series itself was only good at the beginning and then quickly lost its appeal and quality.

Redmirax, Twiggy was a rail thin British model and actress from the 70's! *Twikki was the one I always impersonated in school which led to the non-sci-fi kids to think I was a wacko (they had already called me a "Star Wars freak" in 5th grade, and BR started when I was in 6th or 7th).

Tril, yeah, I loved them BG sound affects. *The laser sounds of both the Cylon marauders and the Colonial Vipers kicked ass. *However, I grew to detest the explosions. *You know how BG was, they always reused the same battle scenes in nearly if not every episode, and the exploding fighters always had those two syllable blasts. *Remember the shot of the group of Cylon fighters as it traveled closer to the Galactica in each show? *There was the foreground bunch of fighters and the background bunch of fighters, and the foreground bunch in synchronization always shifted to the right and then back to the left again.

Do you want to know what else I just thought of, as if I hadn't thought it a dozen dozen times over the past 20 years? *I woulda loved to see a Battlestar go head to head with an Imperial Star Destroyer. *Sadly, we already know the Battlestar would have sat there like a floating whale taking on hits as Adama went to his command chair and said, "Positive shield, now," as if they hadn't thought of it until then, and the SD would have maneuvered around it and caused it heavy damage if not defeat. *I think the SD would have won against the BG, but the Vipers would have sent the TIE fighters running for safety.

And, being on the subject of old sci-fi shows, do you remember or know anything about the 1970 British show UFO? *That was an awesome show, and one of the shoes I vaguely remember in content but remember still as one which was the basis for my early childhood love for sci-fi and space battles and all things space ships.
Definately check out this link:
http://ufoseries.com/

[Trilogist]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/music.gif
The following special article is from Battlestargalactica.com:

The scales have tipped yet again...

(21.Aug.02) BattlestarGalactica.com's staff has been privy to information from time to time, preferring to release official information directly from the production team. (And given the revival history, production team turnover has been a regular occurrence!) Given current events, we have decided to break tradition and share one of our latest correspondences with an inside source (with her permission). Essentially, the "re-imagined" Battlestar Galactica mini-series at the SCI-FI Channel is undergoing upheavals and changes.

(We apologize in advance, as some of the text may appear confusing. Remember, it's part of an established dialogue. We will explain a couple of items below. We are assuming, too, that readers have a basic understanding of the current circumstances around the planned "re-imagined" Battlestar Galactica mini-series.)

From our source: "[Ronald D.] Moore is basically done. If he think he's still doing this show, he's dead wrong. BHammer [Bonnie Hammer of the SCI-FI Channel] intends to bring in someone (even ghost writers) to get the production done the way she wants it done. Universal thinks she's on-track; welcome to the big corporation. She stands to get a 'nose bleed' of sorts in not too long. The other television productions she announced back in April are falling apart, too. It would be a Godsend if she quit. It ain't happening unless she has a breakdown. The woman loves the spotlight too much to do that. The channel is retooling. Changes are in the air ever since they started getting profitable with original programming a few years ago."

"The production could be canned by September. It's getting buried in an unmarked grave. No announcements unless some reporter manages to get it out of her. She's playing with napalm and doesn't realize it. She'll say it's happening but she's leading people on and it will fade away. She can't win so she's screwing everyone. You'll see more attention on the Irwin Allen property remakes which scifi can rebroadcast, Quantum Leap, (scratch Six Billion Dollar Man (Men?) cuz it's going to theaters in 2006) and maybe dusting off some old Universal films as tv remakes. You know the rest on that. You won't hear a damn thing about Galactica. It's cursed. Move on. The creator Larson might get it back too and you're back to square one since he won't use the original cast. He thinks he's right about everything. You should see how badly the Knight Rider production is coming. At this point it's his swan song. Maybe he'll give Galactica to one of his kids. If BHammer pulls it together this could be a great remake. The trouble is that she's too angry at fans. Why she hates [Richard] Hatch is so bizarre it isn't funny. Remember she did fawn over having Dirk [Benedict] on the new show to her private and professional embarrassment."

"And yes we're running scared here. They're into statistics and budgets and numbers to the point of being blind about what is good biz sense. By the way Richard [Hatch] doesn't stand a chance with Great War [of Magellan] around there. They don't like creators talking it up. Shut up, put it on the table and walk away. Just ask JM Stracinski [Stracynski] and the rules they put on him. Why do you think he shopped Jeremiah elsewhere? Great guy. I don't think you guys are pitching to them so maybe it's nothing. And Dirk [Benedict] isn't ever working for scifi believe it. That bridge is ash."

Editor's clarifications: Richard Hatch was approached by executive producer David Eick from the SCI-FI Channel Battlestar Galactica production team; no cameo role was offered. (Richard was under consideration to return as Apollo in the Tom DeSanto production, but not within the pilot episode.) Dirk Benedict (who was under consideration with the Tom DeSanto production to reprise his role as Starbuck) has talked with the SCI-FI Channel; he does not plan to participate in a cameo. Both gentlemen continue to be desired by the vast majority of Battlestar Galactica fans to reprise their roles in a continuation of the original Battlestar Galactica series which Richard Hatch and Tom DeSanto (separately) endeavored to make. (The SCI-FI Channel's current planned effort is a "re-imagining" -- remake -- of the show.)

Also, Richard Hatch's The Great War of Magellan (GWoM) science fiction project has not been pitched to any studios/networks as of this writing. The final trailer (which will begin that process) is now due for completion in October 2002. It will be shown to the public, too, starting with the October 2002 CultTV convention in England.

[Tovor]

That is all very confusing, Trilogist. Not due to the writing of it, but the haphhazard way the producing and direction or lack thereof is being handled. It appears the new BG may be history before it ever sees the light.

[Trilogist]

Exactly. I don't know whether to be upset or ecstatic. For now, I'm glad this version isn't going anywhere.

By the way, I didn't write any of this, in case anyone had the idea. I simply copied and pasted it from their site. Probably a bad habit, but it is a very efficient way of communicating for me.

[Tovor]

On the bright side, this gives me the opening to submit my own Galactica script. Did I mention that I wrote a rough draft at one one time? I developed a few strong ideas, but I'll never get around to finishing it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unhappy.gif

[Trilogist]

Ooh, I want to read it! Can you send it to me?

[nerfer]

<span style="color:c1007e"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms">

I never got to see Hatch's trailer but I heard it was good. Apparantly the book he wrote went down well too. They should all just get off their high horses and let him do it.

I loved Battlestar, and Buck Rogers. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Starbuck was a cutie. I liked the little in joke in the A - Team titles when they Cylon walked past Face (Dirk Benedict). It always made me smile.

After Team Knightrider I don't think they could make that thing much worse. </span></span>

[Trilogist]

Okay, okay, fine. There actually is a Battlestar Galactica update. Instead of foolishly copying and pasting the information here, I will simply post a link. This is a question and answer session (http://www.battlestargalactica.com/discussions/rm2002qa/bg_moore_sept2002qa.html) with the alleged series producer Ronald Moore. Although I still despise him like Satan himself, he is at least displaying a little more humility toward the fans. Some of his comments are actually reasonably decent ideas. So this project is officially categorized as "better than nothing" for the time being.

BTW, Tovor, if they ever have another Q&A session (I somehow missed this last one) I intend to submit the following question:

I seem to remember fans being allowed to submit scripts for Star Trek: Next Generation episodes. Some of them were even used. Might this be the case for the new Galactica production?

Tovor, depending on Satan's answer, this may be your opportunity!! I too may submit one if it is allowed.

[Tovor]

Tril, I read through a lot of the interview but finally grew bored with fans asking the same questions over and over. I am not happy about Moore (satan)'s plan to redo the series from the beginning without the original living actors, although I have to admit I would be intrigued by his idea to depict the attack on the Colonial worlds from new perspectives. However, although I could easily pretend Galactica 1980 never happened, I hate the idea of wiping out the original show for the sake of the new version. He could simply, and I would do this, start the mini-series in 2 halves.
Part 1: Intermixed with original footage with original actors, show scenes of new characters involved in, and victimized by, the attack on the colonies. Tell the stories as Moore has said he intended, of the survivors in the rag tag fleet rather than just the Galactica crew. In Part 1, tell their stories and introduce their young or brand new children, as well as tell us the fans more about the Colonials themselves and the nature of the Cylon empire. Show and tell the stories and reactions of these people as they hear Green's Adama talking about heading to Earth, and even use heavy make up and special effects to put in a few new scenes with Benedict and Hatch somehow playing their roles at the ages of the original pilot. Then jump ahead in Part 1 to perhaps the last episode of the original show in time an setting, or something else similar to that time frame, and end Part 1 with a sense of hope and promise of the continuing search for Earth.
Part 2: 20-30 years later, with Hatch as the elder Apollo now commanding the Galactica, and Starbuck, Boomer, Athena, ect. and the grown up children introduced in Part 1, start the new series from there. So then you have the original characters and actors, plus several all new characters that have continuity in the story, and then expand on some of the new revelations about the Colonials and Cylons introduced in Part 1 and continue the series from there.

[Jedi D'oh]

Trilogist, i just found this thread. Very interesting. Not suprising what sci-fi did, though, considering they pulled the plug on Farscape. A STUPID IDEA! The only show that was woth watching on it and they favor a dying show, Stargate, over it.

I met Richard Hatch in 2000 at Dragoncon here in Atlanta and he was such a groovy person and had high hopes for the new Battlestar redo.

Anyway, just wanted to put in my 2 cents about this and say that sci-fi's people have been really making bad desicions as of late. Take care.

[Trilogist]

jedi-d'oh, glad to see you here. I apologize to all for the lack of attention I have given to this, the only thread I have created and maintained on the Senate. It's kind of late now, but I will post some new information.

It's interesting you mention meeting Hatch at Dragoncon, jedi-d'oh, because there's a few tidbits that I have picked up from someone who also attended and spoke with Richard Hatch. For all I know, it may have been you! Anyway, that info and any more updates are forthcoming ...

[Trilogist]

Tovor, my thoughts on your thoughts are also forthcoming, as well as my own thoughts. Your toughts on my thoughts are invited, of course. Ugh, I'm thinking too much. I have a headache.

For now, good night. Catch you on the flipside.

[Trilogist]

Sorry, check that. It wasn't 2000 Dragoncon but actually more recent from this month! Here's the post:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>At this weekend's ComiCon/Sci-Fi Expo in Plano, Texas, I got to talk extensively with Richard Hatch at the show. It was great to see the trailer again (in a dark room this year....last year the room had a skylight and the screen couldn't be seen very well), as well as the "Making of the Great War of Magellan"trailer.

Richard knew all about Farscape, but didn't realize the backlash of fans towards Bonnie H. at SciFi. He did say that Battlestar "is in network hell" currently, as the green light HAS NOT been given as of yet to Ron Moore, and that yes, Ron Moore is still writing the pilot for the proposed mini-series, but it is in VERY EARLY stages. Richard does think that eventually a Battlestar Galactica WILL come to pass as a series on television, just perhaps not through Sci-Fi. He did encourage everyone to continue to write letters to Bonnie H., as she is still currently making all decisions at Sci-Fi regarding Galactica. Richard gave a 20 minute "this is what is going on" talk before showing his trailer, which was very informative (some of which I've summarized above). He did say that the DeSanto production was only three weeks away from filming when it was stopped; all the sets were completed in Canada and ready to go, and that he considered Tom DeSanto "a very, very nice gentleman and a good choice for the continuation of Galactica." DeSanto was supposed to pitch his production to Sci-Fi after Fox pulled the plug, but Sci-Fi went with Ron Moore and a new direction before DeSanto could meet with them.... you all know the rest.

On a related subject, Richard was (again) very, very nice in person, and was selling his new novel, "Rebellion," of which I picked up an autographed copy. He was also selling photos, and signing your items, also. This is the fourth time I've met Richard in person, and the second time to view the trailer (which will be revamped with new acting scenes, etc. hopefully sometime late next year).

Thought you all might be interested.... [/b][/quote]

So as you can see, this whole thing isn't over yet.

[Trilogist]

Tovor: First of all, this whole project hinges on the idea that the show creators and the fans will collectively agree to forget about Galactica 1980. It never happened. It was a bad dream. If you read Moore's Q&A, he states that if we go with a continuation, we CAN'T conveniently discard 1980. It has to be included. And that is one of the reasons he gives for doing a remake. Naturally, the fact that the entire base of fans wholeheartedly disagree means nothing to him. But YES, do a continuation and forget 1980. That can be done. The newer Treks were built upon the 60's series, despite it having some of the silliest and stupidest episodes. The continuity was still there. Cant' he ever learn?

Now the only problem I have with your two-parter is the mix of the old footage with the new. That usually doesn't work for me, especially given that this footage is from the late 70's. I still like going back to the beginning, as an introduction to what happened in the past. In that sense, going back to the Saga of a Star World episode is good. Perhaps doing it as a flashback would be good? With the elder Apollo and/or Starbuck telling the story, reminiscing about old times. Or maybe they're passing the story on to the children of the Colonials, so that their history is not forgotten. In this same context, they can teach the children (as well as the audience) more about the thousand year war and more details about the Cylons. That's just one idea.

The main thing to me is to keep the old footage as short as possible, not to the extent of an entire episode or 1/2 of a miniseries.

Now that I think of it, a better idea would be to use a special introduction -- using the old footage with new effects -- with a narrator giving the history of Galactica as we know it (meaning the entire backtsory, the war, and the destruction of the Colonies, followed by the long journey started by Adama). This would set the stage for the beginning of the continuation. Something along the lines of Apollo's voice narrating (Apollo as Captain AND statesman, like his father) along the lines of the Lord of the Rings intro. This would be cool. It leads to the opening credits with musical score, etc.

We can spend the rest of the mini furthering the plot while exploring the new characters. If it is creatively written, this can be done extremely well. Go ahead, Tovor. Write the rough draft and get back to me. http://smilies.networkessence.net/contrib/edoom/eat_arrow.gif

[Trilogist]

By the way, I read something about many battlestar galactica fans that had been posting on scifi's message board now refusing to do so. Apparently there is a lot of censorship going on with any posts critical of the production or of Bonnie H. being deleted. It's sad really, the way those people are dealing with the fans. They're only killing themselves alienating everybody like that.

I think Sci Fi Channel is in serious trouble.

[Trilogist]

Still no substantive news on the frontier. I'm keeping an eye out for anything of interest. Tovor, one of the Battlestar fan sites has a writing contest for "revivalists" and "reimaginists" to show everyone how it should be done. Best story wins. Contest ends at the end of November.

I'd give it a stab but I'm busy studying for a certification at the moment. I have always loved writing, and I remember my teachers at school trying to push me in that direction. Someday I'll do something about it. But I know that you should.

[Trilogist]

No BG news. No updates. Nothing of interest lately. Pay no heed. You don't need to see my identification. These aren't the droids you're looking for. I can go about my business. Move along.

Just trying a little experiment. Didn't know where else to put it, except in this dying little thread.

[Tovor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Tovor, one of the Battlestar fan sites has a writing contest for "revivalists" and "reimaginists" to show everyone how it should be done. Best story wins. Contest ends at the end of November.

[/b][/quote]
Is that so? Which site is it? I doubt I have time to get to work on my treatment this late, but I wonder what the requirements are regarding length and detail.

[Tovor]

BTW, I love your new avatar. The last one was a little...uh...freaky if ya know what I mean. =)

[Lara]

Tov, I didn't know you had written a script.

[Tovor]

Not a script. A few pages of concepts and outlined sequences, a barebones summary.

[Lara]

Oh, I've never read it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Trilogist]

Lara, we don't stand a chance. Tovor, I'm convinced, is going to hoard all his writings. And, in a creative flash, he'll come out with everything later in life. He'll write like 20 novels a year in Asimovian fashion.

I have foreseen it. :look:

[Trilogist]

And my last avatar was cool!!! I forgot the Japanese name for it, but it is a "tree spirit" from the anime film "Princess Mononoke." There were thousands of those things. It is said that many spirits inhabit the forest. I figure: hey, there a lot better than ewoks, right?

I'll go and try to find that BG fan site with the writing contest, but I do think it's late ...

[Trilogist]

This should be the link to Colonial Fleets (http://www.3dgladiators.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=17758) the Battlestar Galactica discussion forum at 3DGladiators.com. Personally, I don't post there, not even registered. I just happened to be browsing one day looking for news and stumbled upon that notice. Contest is until the end of November, and you probably win nothing. It's jut a fan thing.

[Trilogist]

The monologue continues ...

Here's a recent update of the goings-on at the BG remake HQ. Many Bothans died to bring us this information ...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Michael Faries of BattlestarGalactica.com has just posted a new update on the Battlestar Galactica mini-series: "It's ALIVE! - The script has finally been approved. The next steps for the process appear to be: a.) nailing down a director (which may happen within the next two weeks), then b.) going full bore into production. (re: director. I'm assuming Breck Eisner is no longer attached to this project.) Some conceptual artwork has been done on a few of the interiors and exteriors, but beyond that, most of the design work still looms on the horizon. Personal note: The green-light still has not been given, but the current BG mini-series production has not folded. For those that might ask, I'm not going to comment on specifics, both what I've heard from reliable sources and the rumormill. You can interpret things as you like." Thanks to Michael Faries for posting the report at the Battlestar Galactica Club Forums.
[/b][/quote]

On other fronts: There's been some major re-org going on at Universal. Barry Diller is officially the reigning despot. I believe that's good. My guess is that he's going to make some changes, upset the status quo, and finally bring some sense and sanity to the television arm of the business.

[Trilogist]

Just when you were just starting to get comfortable with the idea of a "re-imagined" Battlestar Galactica, Ron Moore strikes again. The slimy piece of worm-ridden filth has completed his script. Brace yourself. The sheer idiocy of his ideas, the obvious malice towards the fans, and all the other anti-Moore traits rear their ugly heads once again.

The following are snippets of news items I've neglected to post:

[Trilogist]

December 2, 2002

Battlestar Galactica mini-series to start filming in March?

Battlestar Galactica mini-series to start filming in March? That's the rumor sparked by a report posted at FilmJerk.com, a rumor-reporting information web site. Check out the articles below, especially the first link at FilmJerk.com. The report is definitely an interesting read, though the news is not good for the Battlestar Galactica continuation supporters. Whether you support a continuation, or a re-make, check out the new article.

http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/0212...3galactica.html (http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/021203galactica.html)

http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/archive/...038963811,48340 (http://www.comingsoon.net/cgi-bin/archive/fullnews.cgi?newsid1038963811,48340),

http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/mainFramed.html

http://www.productionweekly.com/


December 5, 2002

Battlestar Galactica report is true and mini-series is green lit for production

BattlestarGalactica.com today confirmed that the report at FilmJerk.com is "the most accurate account of Ronald D. Moore's work" to date, and that the Sci-Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica mini-series has been green lit for production. BattlestarGalactica.com reports that: "It's official: Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica has been green lit for production. (4.Dec.02) In speaking with BattlestarGalactica.com and BattlestarPegasus.com, Ronald D. Moore officially confirmed that his Battlestar Galactica production has been green lit for full production. According to Moore, 'Michael Rymer ('Queen of the Damned,' 'Haunted' pilot) has been confirmed as the director.' FilmJerk.com has confirmed numerous plot and character details. In response, Moore comments, 'Bear in mind that this jumble of story elements and descriptions is not the same thing as a true synopsis and doesn't really do justice to what we're trying to do.' We will bring you additional, official information as it becomes available."

http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/0212...3galactica.html (http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/021203galactica.html)



December 6, 2002

Filmjerk.com Editor expounds a bit on the background of his report

Edward Havens the Editor of Filmjerk.com and author of the initial "mini-series shooting in March" and "character list, new Starbuck will be female" report of December 2nd expounds a bit on the background of his report and adds some additional comments. Definitely worth reading, check out the following link for Edward Havens' post at the Sci-Fi BBoard.

http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/.../1/5/531/316223 (http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/531/316223)



December 7, 2002

Ron D. Moore Replies!

Well, the recent announcement of Ron D. Moore's script drew harsh comment over at the Sci-Fi BBoard for 5 days straight, and the storm hasn't cleared yet. The announcement drew titular comments such as: "damned freak", "butcher", "sickly schoolmarm", "Burden To Society", "Bizarro", "Disease of the week", "Cursed By God!", "Baby", "The Aids Virus Of Television", and even a death threat, as well as "HE HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HA" and "HAAAA!!! HAAAA!!!". And these are just the titles of some of the notes, I left out the scathing remarks and comments that made up the actual text of these notes. Well, look what the cat dragged in (or look what the cat barfed up, depending on your take on the script).

http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/.../5/531/316256/1 (http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/531/316256/1)



December 8, 2002

NEW! Sign the Petition to Save Starbuck's Genitalia

Have you heard the official (confirmed) treatment of Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica mini-series script for the Sci-Fi Channel? 1) After decades of peace with the Cylons (robots BUILT BY HUMANS but with enough intelligence to turn against their designers), the HUMANS OF KOBOL are virtually annihilated in a sneak attack. With a small remnant of humanity surviving aboard the last remaining Battlestar, Commander Adama and President Laura Roslin opt to make a run for it in the Galactica, hoping to reach the humans' legendary homeworld of Earth, while pursued through space by the fanatical, now HUMANOID CYLONS... 2) LEE "APOLLO" ADAMA. A man with a LONG-SIMMERING BITTERNESS against his famous and respected father [COMMANDER ADAMA!], LEE believes that his brother Zak was forced into military service by their father, and that Zak's death was due to Commander Adama's demands upon his son. BARELY CIVIL TO HIS FATHER when they meet formally, LEE regards VISITS TO THE GALACTICA as INCIDENTS TO BE ENDURED. ["APOLLO" is only Lee Adama's RADIO CALL-SIGN!] 3) KARA "STARBUCK" THRACE, in ***HER*** late 20s to early 30s, is a loner, which makes HER an oddity among the Galactica's tight-knit crew of pilots. SHE'S tough and BALLSY with a certain worldliness. SHE'S as undisciplined and rebellious out of the cockpit as SHE is calculating and precise in it. HER mouth has definitely held back HER career. Not fond of COLONEL PAUL TIGH, the ship's Executive Officer, SHE enjoys both taunting him and beating him at cards. A take-charge woman who RUNS AROUND THE SHIP in a JOGGING BRA AND SHORTS, who might be attracted to LEE ADAMA. 4) GAIUS BALTAR is a literal genius. Elegantly dressed and aesthetically handsome, with the affected humility of the truly arrogant, BALTAR is a COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY DESIGNER who has won three Magnate Prizes. Sign the Petition to Save Starbuck's Genitalia, and speak out against this ABOMINABLE and RIDICULOUS script for a "Battlestar Galactica" mini-series on the Sci-Fi Channel!

http://www.petitiononline.com/nopeepee/



December 8, 2002

For Better *and* For Worse?

Well, if the first announcement from FilmJerk.com was a bomb dropped on the Battlestar Galactica universe, the second announcement at least has some news for the better. Mister X at FilmJerk.com has stepped forward with an apparent "Mission Statement" from Ron D. Moore for the mini-series. The "Mission Statement" does contain at least some better news, following the notorious recent announcement that mentioned a script where Starbuck is a female, Apollo's name is "Lee", and Lee is bitter towards Commander Adama. There's no character breakdown in the second announcement, though special effects for the mini-series is discussed. Check out the following link at FilmJerk.com for the reported "Mission Statement" and commentary from the editor of that site.

http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/0212...8galactica.html (http://www.filmjerk.com/archives/0212/021208galactica.html)



December 18, 2002

Sign up for the Battlestar Fan Force!

Battlestar Fan Force is now recruiting new members! T. Shawn Hardy has posted an announcement at the Battlestar Galactica Club Forums where fans may sign up. Be sure to post a reply with your handle and e-mail address, and T. Shawn Hardy will add your name to the Fan Force member list.

http://www.battlestargalacticaclub.com/cgi...ct=ST;f=1;t=805 (http://www.battlestargalacticaclub.com/cgi-bin/forums/v5/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=805)



December 18, 2002

Battlestar Fan Force web site launches with a News Flash

Battlestar Fan Force has just launched a brand-new web site! The web site features news and articles, and is a place for Battlestar Galactica fans to participate, take action, and make a difference in the revival of Battlestar Galactica. For more information and to participate, be sure to visit the Battlestar Fan Force web site at the following link.

http://www.3dgladiators.com/colfleets/htm/home.php



December 18, 2002

Moore Addresses Some Of The Character Changes Made, Why is Starbuck a Woman?

Sci Fi Pulse has posted a new article that features a brief interview with Ronald D. Moore, writer of the proposed Battlestar Galactica mini-series on the Sci-Fi Channel. The article is entitled, "Ron Moore Provides Further Insights About His Take On Galactica". In the article, Ron Moore expounds on his infamous decision to change Starbuck from male-to-female, as well as his intention to create an estrangement between Commander Adama and Lee "Apollo" Adama. For the latest debauchery from Ron Moore, check out his interview at the following link.

http://www.scifipulse.net/battlestarnews/B...redbyMoore.html (http://www.scifipulse.net/battlestarnews/BSG/MorequestionsansweredbyMoore.html)



December 20, 2002

"Starballs-less" cartoon satire painting by artist David Hitchcock (U.K.)

Save Starbuck: Have you heard what writer Ron Moore has in mind for Battlestar Galactica's Starbuck in Moore's new mini-series? Check out the Save Starbuck cartoon satire painting "Starballs-less" by artist David Hitchcock in the United Kingdom. Thanks to BattlestarGalactica.com for permission to display the painting.

http://www.battlestargalacticaclub.com/artwork.html



December 22, 2002

Close Encounters Of A 'Ron Moore' Kind

Ian Cullen of Sci Fi Pulse just spoke with Ron More regarding the new Battlestar Galactica mini-series script. Check out the new article posted at the Sci Fi Pulse web site.

http://www.scifipulse.net/editorials/RonMoore.html

[Trilogist]

And now, someone has gotten their hands on the script. Here's the review:

[Trilogist]

December 22, 2002

Battlestar Galactica remake script reviewed

Just posted at BattlestarGalactica.com: "BattlestarGalactica.com and BattlestarPegasus.com have received a copy of the forthcoming Battlestar Galactica remake mini-series script from a source. We have been asked NOT to reprint the script online. However, a review of the script is now available. A basic summary of the script is still pending." Be sure to check out the brand-new script review posted this morning at BattlestarGalactica.com!

Battlestar Galactica script remake review
By Michael Faries

PREFACE

From the original series novelization by Glen A. Larson and Robert Thurston: "At the end of a bloody thousand-year war against an invincible enemy, an uneasy peace has finally been achieved between humans and the dreaded cyborg warriors of the Cylon Empire. But peace soon turns to bloodshed when the Cylons launch an unexpected attack against humanity's twelve Colonial worlds, wiping out most of the inhabitants."

On September 17, 1978, the largest television audience in U.S. Nielsen ratings history tuned into the premiere of the ABC-TV Battlestar Galactica 3-hour pilot episode, "Saga of a Star World." The series succumbed to high production costs, lower-than-expected advertising revenues and eventual cancellation, despite supportive Nielsen (U.S.) ratings during first-run episodes.

Viewers witnessed a new science fiction epic filled with action, drama, romance, mystery, intrigue and horror. The show captured the mindshare of a generation; it retains a strong worldwide fanbase, continues to draw new fans, and remains fondly remembered by many original viewers.

In recent years, various production teams strove to reignite the property, ranging from original series executive producer Glen A. Larson, to the largely fan supported effort by original series star Richard "Apollo" Hatch, to Bryan Singer and Tom DeSanto of X-Men/X2 fame. During April 2002, the SCI-FI Channel announced plans for a Battlestar Galactica mini-series by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. As of this writing, a script has been authored and Moore has claimed there is a greenlight for the mini-series.

The mini-series is touted as a "re-imagining" and a "remake" of the original show. And despite ongoing mass fan protests for a continuation of the original series, the SCI-FI Channel is pushing ahead for this four-hour mini-series.

The following is a review of the (remake/reimagined) Battlestar Galactica script, as authored by Ronald D. Moore.

Disclaimer: The reviewer, Michael Faries, has been a long-time fan of the original Battlestar Galactica series, dating back to the original television series airings in 1978-79. Mr. Faries is the founding webmaster/site manager for BattlestarGalactica.com and BattlestarPegasus.com and contributes to RichardHatch.com. The views expressed are his own.

This review may be reprinted provided the text is reprinted completely intact and unaltered, with credit given back to the author, Michael Faries, and is not used for commercial or illegal purposes. The author retains all rights to the review and may change the terms at his discretion.

Posted 21 December 2002.


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SCRIPT SUMMARY - DUE SOON (26.Dec.02)


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THE PROS

+ If you forget the old show and take the new premise at face-value, it is an intriguing story. (If the script is regarded as a standalone "re-creation" without ties to the original series.) The introduction tells (in text) of the Cylons, who were created by Man, used as servants, becoming more advanced, used for dangerous work, used to fight when the Twelve Colonies warred amongst themselves, and eventually fighting against Man... and unifying the Colonies in a common cause, moving away from their dependences on technology and winning. The Cylons have left Man, finding a new home in space. And for forty years, Man has not heard from the Cylons... not until the start of the mini-series.

+ The Cylons are deadlier, smarter, and faster. The original Cylon Centurion designs are seen, as are the "next generation" of Cylons: humanoid in appearance and able to blend into the human population. In fact, the Colonials have no awareness of this evolution... nor the Cylons' intent towards them. Based on an armistice which ended the Colonial/Cylon conflict, there appears to be a peace. Or so the illusion appears...

+ Scriptwriter Ronald D. Moore maintains a few elements from the original series: The Cylons (antagonists); human Colonials from Twelve Colonies (ambushed/nearly annihilated/pursued by the Cylons); the mention of character names used in the original series; the tag line "Life here began out there" is mentioned; references to the Lords of Kobol; the Book of the Word (the Colonial bible of sorts, quoted often in the original series) is mentioned; the Quorum of the Twelve and its President; a rag tag fleet of Colonial survivors aboard faster than light starships led by the battlestar Galactica; Colonial Viper designs from the original series; possibly preserved Cylon basestar designs; the robotic Cylon Centurian design from the original series; and the quest for Earth.

+ To generalize, the script has dramatic moments, interpersonal relationships, romance between numerous characters within the story, some subtext which could be explored in an ongoing series, and action sequences -- the general items which the original series had. (Far more romance, though.)

+ Life on planet Kobol is shown. (In this remake, Kobol is the homeworld to the Twelve Colonies - twelve large population centers.) Viewers will see the Colonials in their daily lives both before and after the Cylons attacks.

+ The history of the Cylons is established upfront, beginning with superimposed text introductions in the opening scene. Throughout the mini-series, viewers are given insights into the Cylons' thinking, their logic, and their human-like curiousity about their creators... and perhaps, the Cylons' fears, too. The Cylons have evolved since their inception. They aren't mindless automatons; they believe they, too, have souls -- and a higher power ("God") talking with them. In essence, the Cylons have found religion. It plays upon their motivations, interpretations and understandings. They see their purpose in the universe. They aren't motivated by sheer extermination of the Colonials, as was evident in the original series. Various discussions illuminate their motivations -- and Moore delves into them within his script.

+ There is a hint given (when a Cylon character discusses "God") that there may be another individual/force behind the scenes which is guiding the Cylons. (Is a Count Iblis "re-imagining" far behind?)

+ The obvious homage of the name "Number Six" (the female Cylon who haunts Baltar) to the name of Patrick McGoohan's character from The Prisoner.

+ The Cylons are tenacious foes. In a sense, they cannot die. As their bodies are destroyed, their memories and consciousness are instantantly transmitted to a new bodies. From the opening scene at the "Armistice Stationa" (space station) to the closing scenes, we see examples of the Cylons' ability to sacrifice themselves/become "reborn." The Cylons have achieved immortality.

+ The man vs. machine interplay. The Frankenstein monster themes. The parent/child relationships and accountabilities. Evolution. There are common literary and sociological themes which Moore expounds throughout the script.

+ The tactics used by the Cylons to disarm and destroy the Colonials are sound. The computer virii plot may seen contrived and recycled, as will the nuclear strikes against each population center, starting with Caprica City. The deactivation of civilian craft, battlestars and fighters as though a light switch was thrown. It is effective within the script and gives a plausible explanation for the ease at which the Cylons overrun/destroy the Colonials. The Colonial star system is also swept (post-attack) by the Cylons for survivors.

+ The drama of desperate Colonial survivors trying to leave planet Kobol. Harsh decicions and sacrifices are made so some might survive, particularly by the new President, Laura Roslin; these facts aren't ignored -- people are sacrificed and left behind, both on Kobol and in space. The script has a couple of chilling scenes on this topic. (Note: Something similiar was exorcised from the original series pilot, "Saga of a Star World" in a scene with Athena and her father, Adama.)

+ The number of Colonial Fleet battlestars is established. (There are 120 battlestars total in service, as one line indicates that 30 battlestars - a fourth of the fleet - are destroyed during the offscreen Cylon attack.) There is also the possibility that other battlestars may have survived, leaving the door open for a potential "The Living Legend"-type of episode(s) in the future. ["The Living Legend" was a two-part episode in the original series which introduced Commander Cain, Sheba, Bojay, Tolan and the battlestar Pegasus.] We don't see the actual battlestar fleets destroyed.

+ The script specifically cites the names of the battlestars Atlantia, Triton, Solaria and Columbia (and, of course, the Galactica) -- ships which were mentioned within the original series. Fans may appreciate this nod to the original series. (The script also mentions that twelve battlestars were originally built, with the Galactica as the first one, and more were built later on.) And as the expression goes, "They don't build them like they used to." As one character states, "Modern battlestars resemble Galactica only in the most superficial ways." No other battlestars are shown within the mini-series.

+ No cutesy characters (alien, Cylon or Colonial related), added for the sake of merchandising, appear.

+ Science returns to the Battlestar Galactica universe. Most of the ships are equipped with faster than light (FTL) propulsion systems. Distances/units are explained. Compartments decompress in space from damage. Etc.

+ The "de-evolution" of technology since the rise/threat/independence of the Cylons. The Colonials have taken an aggressive stance in preventing their machine-based foes from using technology against them, particularly their own technologies, where possible. Given the Cylon gone awry, the Colonials' distrust of technology makes sense, particularly Commander Adama. Even Baltar's television interview within the first hour discusses this technology paranoia further.

+ The realism that President Adar's death -- and that of 42 successors -- places Laura Roslin in the Presidency by attrition. And she is faced with the immediate task of becoming the leader of an imperiled nation. And making decisions which may save some... and doom many others. Moore takes the time to give homage to another event in our own history: The swearing in of Lyndon B. Johnson, following the death of John F. Kennedy in 1963, shown in the form of Roslin's induction into the presidency by another surviving Quorum of the Twelve council member.

+ The Cylon and human villains are ruthless, determined and interesting. In particular, the Colonial human, Baltar. He is an integral part of this Battlestar Galactica remake. Like the original, he is the Judas character; it is his "humanity" which sells out the entire Twelve Colonies to the Cylons. The character is self-absorbed, egomaniacal, brilliant and flawed. He is almost beyond redemption. Despite a couple of situations where Baltar has the ability to come clean, to make wrong into right, he remains true to form: Misguided, arrogant and devious. He has the total trust of his fellow Colonials; none of them know his unwitting betrayal. Baltar is a stand-out character by his complexities. His motivations are not the same as the original series Baltar, portrayed by the late John Colicos. The new Baltar's "evil" resides within his moral and emotional failings as a human being, not his megomaniacal efforts to rule his kind, as shown in the original series.

+ The scene on Kobol where Baltar has an opportunity to escape with Boomer/Helo by tricking an older woman plays out brilliantly. Without spoiling the scene, we don't get to see if Baltar would have been devious or not; he manages to be rescued regardless. The sacrifice made by another is hurtful to watch, given Baltar's unwitting betrayal of the human race.

+ The Galactica is still an aircraft carrier in space. The Galactica is indeed a warship, too, and manages to flex her military might during the last hour of the mini-series. Viewers are treated to more visuals within the Galactica's landing bays (pods) than in the original series. There is greater interaction between the flight deck crews, officers and pilots as well.

+ The Galactica resembles an actual aircraft carrier in scenes, ranging from having a CAG officer and pilots' ready room, to a CIC (bridge) with helm control (not actually seen in the original series), to mechanics working on the ships, to fire control, to authentic naval pilot dialogue for the ships when they land. (Which was said to have been based on a documentary on the U.S.S. Constellation, a U.S. aircraft carrier.)

+ The Galactica is placed into retirement (decommisioned) and holds a number of historical items, given it's new status as a museum. As the Galactica is forced to flee the Cylons with her rag tag fleet, it also carries reminders of the Colonials' past.

+ The characters are fleshed out with more background, more details than in the original series pilot. Sexism which appeared in some of the original series episodes such as "Lost Planet of the Gods" does not appear here. There are unisex environments, female pilots along male pilots, etc.

+ If you enjoy sex on television, then there's plenty of scenes, consisting entirely of onscreen human/Cylon (man/machine) sexual acts.

+ If you, as a viewer, want to relate to technology gone awry, plus a science fiction story set with contemporary themes (where poverty, violence and hunger are still unsolved amongst the populace and the general feel of the civilian populace seems like our own), then this is the right show for you. The Colonials are flawed, even doomed by their self-destructiveness, with ramifications which our human race may someday face.


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CONS:

- The opening scene. The implied sexual advances (the term "rape" is applicable since the Colonial Warrior officer submits, but eventually tries to pull away and is forceably pinned) is completely unnecessary.

- The characters are mostly fundamentally flawed, with few, if any, possessing redeeming traits. (The original series provided role models; this series is a mixed bag.) It is difficult to be sympathetic to any of them, even with their plight. They may be "human", but they act all-too-human even in situations which call for them to be respectful and honorable (such as in the military).

- Humankind comes off as "pathetic"; at least, during the daily, dull, routine, uninteresting lives of most of them (though not all characters are unexpressive). It's perfectly possible to blend the idealistic/spiritual/visionary side of the original universe with a new, more-than-realistic/material/pragmatic groundwork. You could have the grotesque and the divine, the moral and the amoral parts of Man and Universe beautifully mixed up into a very innovative and interesting dance of opposites. That isn't possible with this script.

- The original show is an epic story, a saga about History and Ages. This remake ISN'T. It makes sense that an epic would, preferably, orchestrate a pomp and circumstance prologue idea, just like following along the musical introduction of a typical overture's piece when, after a precise given start point in time, enthralling, guiding and orienting the viewership.

- The script's attempt to preserve names and ships for the sake of reference or homages. As a remake, it continues to remind us of what fans AREN'T getting.

- The Laura Roslin/breast cancer issue. The character is diagnosed in the first hour with terminal cancer and she deals with the issue two more times. (Once, alone in a lavatory; the other in discussions with her aide.) There is no resolution with the sickness; it does not play an integral part in the script, nor conclude within the mini-series.

Note: In the original 1978 pilot, the character Serina was originally named Lyra -- and had "space cancer." This plot device was dropped. It didn't work.

- The names. Lee "Apollo" Adama. Paul Tigh. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii. Billy. Laura Roslin. etc. Perhaps it's a stereotype, but more exotic, extraterrestrial names would be welcomed, even something which lends to Earth mythologies (and not merely Greek/Roman mythos). The use of call signs is understandable. (In the original series, I couldn't fathom why anyone would name their child "Greenbean.")

- Tigh's lack of command ability as an XO (Executive Officer) during a firefighting/damage control sequence. He is a Colonial Warrior; he acts more like a fresh cadet in various scenes than a war-tested officer (which he is).

- The Kara "Starbuck" Thrace/ Paul Tigh fight during a card game on the Galactica.

In talking with three U.S. military officers, including a retired Colonel with honors, the consensus was: "This is Hollywood at it's worst." No officer would ever strike a senior officer, no matter the aggravation, regardless of the fact that it is Tigh who turns over the card table in an aggressive move, followed by Starbuck's fistcuffs assault.

- Who is in charge? William Adama is called "Commander," but from the lack of respect for him by most, including his own son and others, it was hard to tell why he was even referred to as Commander. During war time, and I'd consider the nuking of every major population center on the entire planet a WAR TIME SITUATION, the Commander of your base ship deserves a lot more than a teeth gritted angry salute. Adama is also portrayed as a veteran, someone with combat experience, and ready to retire. The lack of respect after such servitude is ridiculous, despite other scenes where some members of his crew honor him.

- The retirement of the Galactica and conversion into a museum before the Cylon attack. Yes, it does permit older Vipers to be pulled from their museum casings/positions for use against the Cylons, especially as their older navigation equipment is immune technologically to the Cylon virii attacks (by virtue of not having been upgraded to tech which is affected by Number Six's trojan horse virii). The Galactica becomes a parody of her circumstances when the pilots cannot launch from one of the pods because it has been turned into a gift shop.

- The missed opportunity to focus on more mythological elements, the Erich VonDaniken "Chariots of the Gods" and "Gods From Outer Space" elements which brought intrigue to the original series -- and originally inspired series credited creator/producer/writer Glen A. Larson.

- One world (the planet Kobol) with twelve colonies. Colonies which fought one another using their creations, the Cylons, but were eventually united/unified by the robotic revolt. The space-faring nature of the Colonials seems diminished; we know they have an orbital fleet. We see there is a military depot (Ragnar anchorage) at a distant gas giant. Beyond that, little is implied about the extend of the Colonials' reach into space. (And if the Thirteenth Colony - Earth - existed, it's difficult to understand why/when/how they left Kobol, unlike the explanations in the original series.) The remake's backstory is incomplete and weak in these regards, among others.

- The "technology" is 20th Century (ie. 1960s). Despite the fact that the Colonials have distanced themselves from technology, due to dangers from Cylon influence (and the Cylons' uprising years before), there is severely limited technology on ships that have faster than light capability. And what's worse, a "Commander" who seems terrified by such technology. The weaponry includes missiles, not more inventive offensive/defensive weapons (given this is a remake with the opportunity to introduce new concepts). Sidearms fire explosive projectiles, not energy bolts. And given the Cylons are their foes, this seems too limiting in combat situations.

- For those that are curious, no, there are no "languatrons" specified within the remake. (A rectangular hand-held translating device, used to translate spoken language and apparently emulates male/female voices. Obviously containing a speaker and keypad for various functions, including reset, diagnostics checks, and other programmed functions.)

- The Galactica is fifty years old, yet we haven't heard from the Cylons in forty years. Why was the Galactica built in the first place? That fact is never disclosed.

- No extraterrestrial life forms. In the original series, the Cylons were an alien race with a largely unexplained backstory. However, in the backstory, the Colonial-Cylon War started because of the Cylon invasion of the Hassaris. Given the space travel abilities, the Colonials had encountered other life forms, too. In this story, as denoted in the closing moments, the Colonials appear to be alone in the Universe, now searching for a mythical Earth and being chased by the Cylons. There may not need to be Ovions, or Borays, or Borellian Nomen to be "Battlestar Galactica," but the centric view of Humans as the sole life form in the Universe is pronounced, particularly by Commander Adama.

- The vulgar language. The script is peppered with language that wouldn't be suitable for children. The REASON Glen A. Larson and company came up with memorable terms like "frack" and "felgercarb" was so that this show could be viewed by younger sci-fi fans. We knew what the words were supposed to mean, but part of the charm about using these made up terms was that we DIDN'T need to hear the "English translations" to understand the reason for their use. Instead, we hear numerous vulgar slang terms -- primarily from the "heroes," too.

While "frak" is used, there is no other Colonial lingo. Yahren, sectar, secton, micron, as examples, don't exist.

- No Cylon Imperious Leader.

- Gratuitous sex/sexual acts. From the opening scene where a widowed Colonial military officer is straddled and felt up by a Cylon "female" (and essentially raped/killed) to Baltar and a blonde no-name woman snoozing together in bed while Number Six watches, to sex scenes between Baltar and Number Six including sexual intercourse and a handjob, courtesy of his Cylon brain implant... This is not a family show. It is obviously geared for an older adult audience. Sexual acts are not merely implied, either. Some are shown, although not to completion.

- Number Six. Let loose the "Sex of Twelve" (based on the "Seven of Nine" character from the Star Trek franchise) and "Battlesex Galactica" jokes. This character is a Mata Hari type who seduces/corrupts Gaius Baltar, the human antagonist. The level of gratuitous sex, from full-on sexual intercourse to giving a handjob, is completely unnecessary. Instead of being implied, it is shown. Again, this isn't a television series which children should be watching. (Which seems strange if merchandising for children is planned...)

- The Galactica bridge. The bridge is now referred to as "CIC" (based on modern day aircraft carriers). It bears little resemblance to the original series. The futuristic potential of this set is lost within the script. (The fact that the Colonials have moved away from computer networks and advanced computer technologies makes sense, given their past with the Cylons and their abilities. It denies, though, that technologies can be developed/implemented which the Cylons might not be able to affect.)

- Lee "Apollo" Adama's flight into the nearby Viper Training Grounds asteroid to fend off an incoming Cylon missile attack. In summary: "Star Tours" at Disneyland/DisneyWorld. It was also frustrating to see that his Viper runs out of fuel. Don't aviators generally keep track of their fuel, particularly space-borne aviators? Wouldn't his equipment have warned him well in advance, despite battle damage?

- 20th century items within a futuristic world: grease pencils (used in the landing bay, on the bridge); three ring binders; handset phones with cords; mops used on the landing bay by crewmembers, hatches which must be opened and closed manually; computer displays with little more than Apple II graphics (stated in the script); no networked computer systems. The distancing from technology is understandable, but the Galactica feels like a 1960s aircraft carrier foisted into deep space with little advanced technology. Viewers will be immediately puzzled at the level of low tech/no tech instead of focusing on the technology fears that the Colonials possess.

- The destruction of the Colonies on Kobol: Images of death and destruction seem limited within the script, given the scope and magnitude of the destruction.

- The rag tag fleet: Approx. 60 ships, discounting ships destroyed, other ships that can't keep up. And 50,000 survivors amongst those vessels. (The original series featured over 220 ships.)

- No scenes depicting the destruction of the battlestar fleets. No scenes showing the Cylons moving on Kobol.

- Lack of military language. Example: "D, as in dog, A, as in Apple" within the dialogue, not "D, Delta. A, Alpha." Everyone is referred to as "Sir" regardless of gender (sexist and unnecessary).

- The dig at Richard Hatch, intentional or otherwise, in this reviewer's opinion, within a scene between Laura Roslin and Lee "Apollo" Adama.

- Technobabble by Apollo during second night. It could be construed as Moore making fun of his Star Trek days. Instead, it is used to justify the previous night's cliffhanger.

- It's been 25 years since the Galactica last used her FTL (Faster Than Light) drive?

- The damage to Starbuck's Viper is reminiscent of the damage to Zac's Viper from "Saga of a Star World." However, Starbuck lands and isn't aware that one of her engines is gone until she looks at it on the Galactica landing deck, making an off-handed comment about it.

- Sharon "Boomer" Valerii takes in the orphaned Boxey. There's actually a scene where Apollo interfaces with them both as she does. (Boxey's destiny lies not with Apollo, but Boomer.) The con side: Strong reservations about Boomer/Boxey, given a secret about Boomer which is revealed in the closing moments of the mini-series.

- The lack of the original Battlestar Galactica design, one of the more recognizable starship designs in science fiction. (Disclaimer: The design has not been shown to the reviewer at the time of this writing. My assumption could be wrong.) In this version, there are "pods", eight thrusters, and other items are mentioned, giving pause that this remake Galactica looks anything like the original design.

- Weapon coils for the battlestar? Coils which are dropped from the bottom of the shop to be discarded during the retirement ceremony? (Yes, it's a dramatic element: A toothless warship than cannot engage the Cylon attack directly.) It felt more like a "warp core" was being discarded during this scene as the Galactica is decommisioned and moved into place as an orbital museum relic for Colonial tourists (which there are even jokes about where visitors can get t-shirts).

- The Galactica venting plasma/fuel in a maneuver against an enemy. The usage feels directly borrowed from Star Trek.

- The lack of futuristic innovations, given the space-faring nature of the Colonials/Cylons. As a remake, there are far more interesting plot ideas which could have been introduced, more technologies by both sides which could have been utilized/conceptualized.

- The missed opportunity to give more science to space combat, to show how the Vipers maneuver in space. Retro rockets might explain their dexterity in maneuvers, but the fighter could have been given gravity spheres, or some form of maneuverability, to explain how they work in atmospheres and outer space.

- The Cylon silica chip implant. This powerful technology, implanted into Baltar's brain, allows Number Six to communicate directly with him. She appears before him in his awakened (conscious) state during the second half of the mini-series, even "touching" him in a sexual act on the bridge (CIC) of the Galactica. I'm curious: What is powering this chip? How can it be so powerful that it can project Number Six's presence to Baltar from light years away? (I know this is science fiction, but bear with me.) As the Colonial rag tag fleet moves further and further away from the Cylons, will they still be able to communicate with him? Does it seem realistic that communications could easily reach him? Or that Cylon humanoids, such as one destroyed in the second hour, could beam their consciousness to another Cylon host body without losing any memory? Also: If the Colonials and Cylons have faster-than-light communications abilities, such as the chip seems to exhibit, why would Armistice Stationa exist? Why wouldn't the Cylons communicate via transmissions, rather than send emissaries? The silica chip is a convient plot device, but not a very realistic one, given the technologies shown within the series, even by the Cylons.

- The Colonials' Ragnar anchorage (space depot) lies within the upper atmosphere of a gas giant. Given the extreme gravitational pull of a large planetary body and enormous radiation exposure (which has a "pro" in the outcome of a fight sequence for our heroes), it makes little sense how the station could exist, especially given the generally low tech nature of the Colonials.

- Final con? This is a remake, not a continuation of the original series, which most fans have been demanding/supporting for years. It seemingly mocks the original instead of vastly improving upon it, in this reviewer's opinion.


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PERSONAL OPINIONS:

Upon receiving the script from a reliable source, I had the daunting task of reading a planned remake of a 24 year old show, one which I am very familiar with. It is natural to expect a bias against anything new, anything altered within this reimagined Battlestar Galactica, given my personal history of promoting the continuation of the original Battlestar Galactica series, particularly with Richard Hatch's Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming endeavors.

I had seen the 2.Dec.02 casting sheet posting on Edward Havens's filmjerk.com site. As a result, I was aware of various character descriptions and scenarios before reading the script itself. Regardless of the character information leak, I had questions.

The biggest questions in my mind were: What is "Battlestar Galactica"? What represents the CORE of this beloved science fiction story? They are questions which I weighed heavily as I read the script. To me, these elements were:

The characters.
The mythological elements.
The battlestar Galactica.
The story/storytelling.

In reading (and re-reading) the script, I found that it failed three of the four items. And it failed them miserably. I found myself growing angered and saddended as I read/re-read the script. I could not believe that someone who claimed to be a fan of the original Battlestar Galactica series could mutilate and dismember (especially in Starbuck's and Boomer's cases) elements which made the original series SPECIAL. No real passion or love for the original show is what comes through most of all in Moore's script.

THE CHARACTERS

Battlestar Galactica captured the mindshare of audiences young and old with it's characters in the original series. As a remake, I cannot find one single character whom I admire, who is a role model, who is someone worth investing my television watching time to see what their latest exploits are. (And this runs contrary to the original series.) In fact, my nickname for this remake is: "Battlestar Dysfunctional." This script and it's characters are completely devoid of any nobility. I kept wondering what was severely lacking and that is it.

In the original series, the characters had nobility. Yes, true, there were self-centered types (Sire Uri, Count Baltar, even some members of the Council), but they were far outnumbered. Characters that rose up, even in the sense of a space opera, and showed a true sign of human depth.

Other classic films are good examples. Casablanca is a stand out. Rick could have easily followed a Moore character type, and turned Ilsa's husband over to the Nazis. He would have gotten the girl, but at what price?

Like I said, this one key factor is missing in this script. Sadly, upon reflection, without that element, the Battlestar Galactica remake characters are nothing but a bunch of disjointed, very unsympathetic, dysfunctional "paper cut-outs" that no one is going to care for very much. There are three main examples I want to cite:

1.) The William "Husker" Adama/Lee "Apollo" Adama (father/son) relationship is fractured. There is little love between these characters. In fact, the dramatic elements point to a divorced father, a remarried ex-wife, a deceased son who may have been pushed too hard by his father, and a son with an enormous chip on his shoulder. I found the characterizations to be wholly unnecessary. As a father myself, I want something positive to share/enjoy with my family. Not in this case. The lack of forgiveness from Lee "Apollo" Adama to his father goes against the loving admiration and respect in the original series. In fact, it makes a mockery of it. There may be a scene where Adama is glad to see his son alive, even embracing him, and Apollo shows signs of forgiveness, but the overall tone is a strained relationship throughout the show -- and that's not something I find as entertainment value.

One of the key relationships in Battlestar Galactica that made it special, was the closeness of Adama to his children. The loss of Zac to the Cylons in the first wave of the assualt on the Colonies was one of the most monumental of the pilot episode. It summed up, in those brief minutes on screen, just how close the family was. It showed a family caught up in a war which eventually would tear apart the numbers, but would eventually strengthen the bond with the surviving members. A bond, by the way, which was evident throughout the series. This fact is exampled by the fact that Rick Springfield is still recognized as Zac, a character that was only on screen for 10 minutes of the pilot episode, and only briefly mentioned in subsequent episodes. His death in "Saga of a Star World" was a HUGE moment. In this script, it's both a passing reference and a cause of family strife. (Family strife that wouldn't happen in a true military family, in this reviewer's opinion and that of military officers who were asked.) Apollo, a pilot himself, knows the risks he takes, as does any Colonial Warrior/soldier. This character strips away EVERYTHING that made Apollo a Hero in the eyes of the original series fans -- and makes him someone no one can really care about.

Speaking of which: What's with all the dysfunctional relationships, seen and implied? Apollo/Adama, Adama/Mrs. "Ex" Adama, Tigh/Mrs. "unfaithful" Tigh, etc. It seems every other character is too busy screwing (literally) other characters to really be bothered by what the Cylons are up to. There are so many self center "poopyheads" (a vulgar word of choice in the script) in this, there isn't a one that generates any real sympathy. There isn't a one character in this script who shows any real human depth. Simply being able to pilot a viper down a tunnel on a moon (during a scene between Apollo and a pursuing Cylon missile) does not equal Heroism of the Human Spirit. There is no redeeming human values present anywhere in this story, unless you consider broken marriages, broken homes, unfaithful spouses, self centered and self absorbed punks, gratuitous sex/sexual acts between human (and sometimes non-human) partners, married or not, and a constant desire on most of the adult characters to achieve personal glory at the expense of others, a redeeming human value. Otherwise, this script is devoid of the things that made Battlestar Galactica great.

2.) The disrespectful, often unapologetic, crude FEMALE Kara "Starbuck" Thrace.

Striking a commanding officer (and the executive officer of the Galactica!); referring to him as "a superior *******." There is NO MILITARY, ANYWHERE, that would tolerate this sort of insubordination. (Adama even questions Tigh as to to whether he deserved it or not. "Were you drunk?" Please.) ANY COMMANDING OFFICER who saw his second in command struck by a subbordinate would be to busy having that person (a Lieutenant, no less) hauled off to the brig. What kind of example does When confronted about it by Apollo, a superior officer of Starbuck's, he simply nods away her derrogatory comments about Tigh as if they weren't important.

I asked three friends from the U.S. Military, including a retired Colonel with honors, "theoretically" what would happen if he had issues with his tipsy CO (and XO of his ship/base) during a card game, who then turns over a card table after making some choice remarks (which he himself might have retorted to), and proceeds to hit the CO.

In the Colonel's case, he provided a 20 minute rebuttal on the consequences of such actions -- and why he would never engage in such undignified behavior in the first place. It is pure Hollywood-esque garbage which shows a complete lack of common sense, of any understanding about the military. It may be argued that humans are fundamentally flawed, that only a utopian, idealistic society such as Star Trek might yield flawless characters. The original Battlestar Galactica series did not have flawless characters, nor did it portray accurate military types. As a remake, the script gives worse depictions of military personnel that the original series did. I would conclude that military personnel may be deeply offended by the Starbuck/Tigh scene... and other behaviors throughout the script by Starbuck and others.

3.) At times, Commander William Adama speaks like a badly educated grunt, not a Man chosen, supposedly because of his expertise and skill. His mixed fears, his inability to make real decisions (applicable to Tigh, too, in specific scenes, such as internal damage control/fire containment until he realizes what he must do), or his lackluster attitude toward outright insubordination aren't the marks of a Man who has risen through the ranks to command a battlestar. He is honored by members of his crew, particularly in a scene during the first hour where he is presented with a special surprise. They do pull together in a time of crisis. I didn't see a commanding character with extraordinary presence, though. Hopefully the actor playing William Adama will make all the difference with his delivery and charisma.

(As a sidenote to those whom are curious: Athena, Serina, Cassiopeia, Dr. Salik, Dr. Wilker, Omega, Rigel, Muffit, Giles, Greenbean, the Cylon Imperious Leader, Lucifer and others from the original series are absent. Zac and President Adar are never seen, but mentioned. There is an assortment of new characters.)

Summary: Char