I loved the episode last night. My hubby and I are taking bets on when Baltar's going to crack and go all psycho on somebody. :)
I just couldn't get into the series when I was a kid, though I eagerly devoured Star Wars, Star Trek, and Babylon 5. I watched the first mini-series episode of BSG with trepidation. By the end of it, both me & my hubby are on the edge of our seats going "WOW!"
Well, I dont wanna light any fires on this hayride of Battlestar joy, but hey, am an efreeti so...while I watch the show; is anyone else annoyed at how stupid and undisciplined these supposed military types are; I mean really; what a load of bull they are handing up; maybe it is because I was a soldier and all and a lot of my freinds are or where soldier or sailors, but it is way beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief that this military that is supposedly battle trained and hardened from years or decades of war, would perfom so dismally, have such poor discipline; have no plans or standard procedures to deal with much of the stuff that arises on the show. Then there is the whole bs about these pilots being good foot soldiers too; this was the same problem with Space Above and Beyond; and look what happened to that show. I am not saying at all that the premise is bad; all I really want to point out is that they should have hired a military advisor or two and then listened to them; and wrote better episodes based on that feedback. I am just glad I dont serve in that fleet; shudder, they are reactive rather than proactive about every situation. Guess the writers haven't figured out that a lot of high ranking officers spend a lot of time trying to figure out what can go wrong and testing it every way they can and gaging response, effectiveness and such. The other characters are great. Starbuck is my single hated character on the show. No professional group would put up with her crap; she should be a civilian watching the others fly by and wave. Sigh, will still watch to see what happens...
Yep you may be right; perhaps they are not the vets I thought they were; wonder where I got that idea; hmm. would make sense I suppose.
Whatever happened to that other battlestar? The one with the Admiral in command; something happened to my reception as there was a storm and I lost connection to satellete and didnt see how it ended; jsut that things were tuff and Adama was sending some Marines to get back his guys; peeps started locking weapons and stuff; I wonder how it ended....
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I have no familiarty with military realism, so it doesn't bug me. In fact, the rant that the show lacks military realism irritates me more than any truth the rant may contain. It gives me flashbacks to samurai v. knight arguments where you get a half dozen armchair experts with anecodtal evidence together and they present it as if it's scientific fact. The way in which people and organizations "really" react is a topic of constant and unresolved discussion - I have a hard time saying that BSG's interpretation is so far off base as to be completely unbelievable. Besides, shacking drama to realism is a recipe for boredom.
I've got a few beefs, but they are minor in comparison with how much I love the show. It's my favorite thing on tv right now, and about the only show I am actively committed to watching. Last night's episode was terrific.
About the only thing that gets under my skin is the whole cancer curing blood thing. It just smacked of ham fisted plot device. It also seems to violate the show's internal rules. Cylons are difficult to detect, but according to that episode, there was a difference in cylon blood and human blood which resulted in the cancer curing properties when mixed together genetically. It stands to reason that that difference in blood composition could thereby be used to differentiate cylons and humans generally.
But still, I can just pretend that episode doesn't exist and be happy.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I've been in the military and the medical profession, and I've seen so much dumb fake ludicrous crap on television I don't bother with looking for it anymore. Like Doctors on E.R. wheeling stretchers to C.T. That's as big a stretch as a flyboy breaking bad like he had mad 11B skills.
Or the perp confessing at the end of every episode of CSI.
Or lawyers giving ridiculous speeches completely disconnected to the law in any legal drama.
Etc.
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I understand it, it's just kind of a b**ch slap to a legitemately trained professional.
Like on House one time, these M.D.s were performing a lung scan. M.D.s don't do lung scans. Nuclear Medicine Technologists get called in at 2 a.m. to do lung scans.
I do lung scans at 2 a.m.
But, I'm over it. I don't expect some guy who writes for t.v. to really know all this stuff, so I don't take it personally.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I understand it, it's just kind of a b**ch slap to a legitemately trained professional.
Like on House one time, these M.D.s were performing a lung scan. M.D.s don't do lung scans. Nuclear Medicine Technologists get called in at 2 a.m. to do lung scans.
I do lung scans at 2 a.m.
But, I'm over it. I don't expect some guy who writes for t.v. to really know all this stuff, so I don't take it personally.
And I'm sure CSI officers don't question all the witnesses involved in a crime nor know how to operate all their fancy devices. And, I bet those fancy devices look like crap and don't have really cool graphics. And I bet Lillith could rattle off 600 different things that computers can't really do that they are shown doing on that show. All fiction makes these sorts of short cuts, and pointing them out isn't a very interesting criticism in my book.
It's not a b&@*% slap, it's necessary to tell the story. If things were done realisticaly, we'd need an additional 30-50 ancillary characters on every procedural show to do the things that the leads are doing, the technicality of the show would make it difficult for lay people to watch, and it would be poor fiction.
I agree with Sebastian. I don't think I'd want to watch a realistic cop show either. However, a few little tidbits of realism couldn't hurt. CSI investigators interrogating suspects? Gimme a break....most CSI techs run from call to call to call and don't even get time to eat lunch, much less go investigate cases.
Watch as the detectives spend 6 hours a day doing paperwork and b@$$$ing as the network connection goes down at 3pm when everyone logs on to finish their reports......
This week's episode: Mandatory in-service training!!!
Next week: Court overtime after graveyard shift!!!
However, I also think that showing physicians operating machines is a bit too unrealistic. Every hospital I've been in, every function that can be delegated to a specialist, is so delegated. It wouldn't take away that much drama to have a yawning radiologist sporting a five o' clock shadow in the background, scratching himself as he operates the CT scan or whatever.
Even though I don't watch a bunch of TV, I think I might have to start recording Battlestar Galactica after what you guys have said about it here. Unrealistic portrayals of military types have never bothered me, MASH was one of my favorite shows ever.
...And I bet Lillith could rattle off 600 different things that computers can't really do that they are shown doing on that show...
My hubby and I generally look at one another with eyebrows raised when, ahem, inconsistencies show up. We usually go "la-la-la-la" and continue watching the show. Unless it's a documentary. Then it's a different matter. Then we start swearing at the host/narrator, particularly if their facts are horribly, grossly wrong.
Like "Digging for the Truth" on the History Channel. I just want to wring the host's scrawny little neck. I could do it too. Wouldn't take much...*plots plans plots*
Well, I am not going to the point of griping about style and tactics; after all; they do hold their weapons wrong and go around corners stupidly; but hey; I can understand that sort of thing like in a cop show; you dont see the real deal; I am talking specifically about the fact that the military very anally proceduralizes lottidotti everything and everybody. This show lacks the team eithic and broad sweeping facts about militarty life. I am not nitpicking technology or stuff like that or griping about science; its the culture that is so unbelievable and some of the basic design issues and the fact that they have what amounts to a space air craft carrier and we hardly see any enlisted men that matter other than once crew chief of some fighter techs; that sort of thing.
Well, I'm watching it... And I love it.
I like the fact that it's more drama than Sci-fi,
I like the fact that it's pretty damn serious (no stupid jokes/remarks by the characters),
I like the fact that it's gritty, the characters are having a hard time, and the situation looks dire (almost a Shindler's List kind of dire),
I like the space scenes (they look like someone was actually there filming with a handycam),
I like that the enemy is evil and smart.
Excellent quality show. Best thing I've seen on TV in a long time.
Ultradan
Yeah, what Ultradan said.
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Don't worry, the Cylons have a plan ...
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I watched and loved the original movies. I was too young for Star Wars in cinema, so I was happy to watch Galactica in TV. The effects were pretty bad even by then, but the story of humanity out there, a lost civilization left behind, and the search for the holy Grale - uhhm: Earth - was a fabulous plot for a primary school kid.
So I very curiously watched the movie which started the new series. I was wondering if any new movie could keep up the suspense of the old movies (never talking about the old series which was really crap). It did so very cleverly, even though it definitely felt different.
Unfortunately the series isn't broadcasted in public tv here in Germany, so I am still pondering whether to buy episode 1 on DVD or not... which means quite something about the overall quality of the movie. :-)
Greetings,
Günther
Sie kann es nicht in Deutschland gesehen?
Ach, ich mag das nicht. Es ist nicht rechts!
Ich hoffe sie konnen es gesehen in dem futur.Heathansson (feebly multilingual)
Love it; wonder how many besides me can read this; hehe should we answer in other languages :) would be fun, but might be unproductive hehe. Ok; really, I like the Battlestar Galactica too; bit to much sex for me, but hey just means the kids have to be in bed before the wife and/or I can watch it. The Cylons really seem to be incidental atm; seems the factions of humans are doing a good job of screwing each other over. Am interested in how all this drama will move toward resolution.
I loved the episode last night. My hubby and I are taking bets on when Baltar's going to crack and go all psycho on somebody. :)
I just couldn't get into the series when I was a kid, though I eagerly devoured Star Wars, Star Trek, and Babylon 5. I watched the first mini-series episode of BSG with trepidation. By the end of it, both me & my hubby are on the edge of our seats going "WOW!"
Hubby?!? HUBBY?!? When did you get married? Why were we not invited? Does he know just how lucky he is? If you two are not married, when does that miscreant get off his, ah-hem, pardon me... and propose to you!
Hubby?!? HUBBY?!? When did you get married? Why were we not invited? Does he know just how lucky he is? If you two are not married, when does that miscreant get off his, ah-hem, pardon me... and propose to you!
Not married, as in a piece of paper with the legal folderol on it. However, I've been with him for eight years. Long enough to be considered common law. :) We had made a deal as far as what things needed to be done with our lives (certifications and such) before we would get married. Kinda cementing our commitment to each other. :)
That was pretty intense tonight.
Star Chamber, spacing cylon collaborators in the Viper tubes.
Wow.
Hush, you! It just came on in my time zone and I'm watching it now!
Okay, I'm better now. :)
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Well, I'm watching it... And I love it.
I like the fact that it's more drama than Sci-fi,
I like the fact that it's pretty damn serious (no stupid jokes/remarks by the characters),
I like the fact that it's gritty, the characters are having a hard time, and the situation looks dire (almost a Shindler's List kind of dire),
I like the space scenes (they look like someone was actually there filming with a handycam),
I like that the enemy is evil and smart.Excellent quality show. Best thing I've seen on TV in a long time.
Ultradan
I like the space scenes and the enemy also but I miss the ridiculously funny moments from the old series. It is too much drama for me. I was hoping for something grittier than the original but they went too far for me. I can't watch it. Oh well. Guess ya can't please all the people all the time.
FH
A bit disappointed myself. There is enough darkness in the world and franky I prefer things a bit more uplifting and delightful.
wow, another dissappointed guy; woot! thought I was the only one; in the old cattlecar galactica series; sure things were rough and tuff, but they new how to smile and look for the best in things; the current show is depressing and most of the characters are hmm have no moral character; basically they are scum dregged up from the bowels of humanity. Funny thing is; I watch it anyway; go figure.
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Well, I'm watching it... And I love it.
I like the fact that it's more drama than Sci-fi,
I like the fact that it's pretty damn serious (no stupid jokes/remarks by the characters),
I like the fact that it's gritty, the characters are having a hard time, and the situation looks dire (almost a Shindler's List kind of dire),
I like the space scenes (they look like someone was actually there filming with a handycam),
I like that the enemy is evil and smart.Excellent quality show. Best thing I've seen on TV in a long time.
Ultradan
I like the space scenes and the enemy also but I miss the ridiculously funny moments from the old series. It is too much drama for me. I was hoping for something grittier than the original but they went too far for me. I can't watch it. Oh well. Guess ya can't please all the people all the time.
FH
I'm with Fake Healer on this one: gritty and spacey good; too much drama, bad.
Thoth-Amon
Battlestar Galactica is a car-wreck! I find myself watching the show and generally enjoying finding flaws and mistakes. They are so abundant.
Starbuck is captured by Cylons and instantly believes her capture (the blond, randy cylon dude/ the enemy) that she has a baby girl created from her stolen ovary. Boomer’s mystery cylon child is still around one year old at this time (and it was conceived much earlier), and Starbuck knows this. She also knows that the flesh-cylons don’t willingly endanger one of their own. So why put the child in a room with a killer like Starbuck? Starbuck has already killed the blond, randy cylon dude 4 or 5 times by that point. Since when do cylons develop children bodies? Since when do they grow so fast? It was so obvious that the cylon took the easy route and scooped up a civilian captive’s child. Is she that simple-minded that she couldn’t make that minor leap? Why does she suddenly buy into it so deeply? Did she miscarry previously and needs to feel maternal? Starbuck maternal? Starbuck weak? Where’s the hero that overcomes the odds? Did she forget that they are her mortal enemy?
Adama wants to commit forces to rescuing the prisoners of New Caprica with the initial count of 5 basestars to one battlestar (this, of course, changes in the next episode to two, then three and so on). Poor odds, but he commits. So instead of taking the better and newer battlestar (Pegasus) to improve his chances, he reduces his resolve and odds of success by taking the old Galactica. Was he really thinking? Was he really committed to winning or just dying? He’s not Kirk, and it wasn’t the Enterprise.
Boomer and Mr. Boomer thwart a plan by Adama and the President to commit genocide on the cylons via a plague, and Adama blows off punishing them? Hello, it is war, and they broke the law and their orders. This isn’t Picard and the Hugh, the Borg. Star Trek has the loftier, and sometimes sillier ideas. Battlestar is more about the human experience in a real, nasty war for survival. Survival! Why can’t the other characters figure out who killed the plan? Isn’t it painfully obvious to the rest of the crew? It isn’t like Adama figured it out by himself and a leak by his investigators should have turned into a flood with an appropriate reaction. Boomer and Mr. Boomer (another that bought into the cylon propaganda) need to be spaced. Make the show have a rotating cast if this is to continue. Add new characters for lengthy stays! Doesn’t anyone follow command decisions or understand the need for them?
Get the crybaby Baltar some tissue. Does his greasy face have to have a runny nose every episode? Yes, he’s a cylon. Why doesn’t he even ask, “So Six, how did I survive the nuke that went off outside of my bedroom window back on Caprica?” Answer, “You didn’t, but your consciousness was uploaded to a new model, you git.”
The show has other flaws: Teddy bears? On Caprica they showed teddy bears! I had no idea that Teddy Roosevelt had visited them before. Earth forces sure are advanced to have secretly been watching the colonies over the years. I know this is minor but c’mon. Where’s the dagget, Boxie?
How come they can travel faster than light with jump drive (even on their tiny raptors) but they don’t have any cool sci-fi weapons? Where are the sonic pistols? They can be fired inside a ship without shooting a hole in it? Where are the Cylon counter measure weapons? These must have been built when they created the Cylons, just in case. Apparently not.
While the humans of New Caprica are being mistreated and supplies rationed, Apollo is getting fat. He must have really enjoyed all the excess supplies he no longer thot he’d have to stretch with the others. Some hero.
Colonel Tye. The best scene was between his wife and himself. That was great! Really! He lived by his word. She’s dead, and he’s a hero. He proved he could do what had to be done. He’s the reality check for the show. He’s finally gotten his defining moment.
“Lee, don’t make me cry on my own flight deck.” Did those words really come out of the man in charge? Adama? Who wants to follow that guy? No, he didn’t really guard his words appropriately. He was right there where anyone passing by could have heard him. Thanks for the leadership and confidence, pal. Worf would have snapped Picard’s neck for saying that much less the public display of affection with the hug. Han Solo would have left the rebels in a heartbeat if Luke had said that to him.
Doesn’t anyone else see these obvious flaws? Rolling Stone calls it the best show on television? Do they watch it? Okay, R.S. didn’t say the smartest show on TV.
The list for why this show sucks is longer than a Tolkien fan’s reasons for hating Peter Jackson. I am passionate about this show because I want it to succeed where Space Above and Beyond, and Firefly did not. And yet, I watch.
Battlestar Galactica is a car-wreck! I find myself watching the show and generally enjoying finding flaws and mistakes. They are so abundant... Doesn’t anyone else see these obvious flaws? Rolling Stone calls it the best show on television? Do they watch it?
Best show doesn't mean most consistent plots. It's character development is at least as good as what we saw in Firefly. I think RS is spot-on.
Regards,
Jack
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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It always amazes me how one person's minor suspension of disbelief is another person's OMG BIGGEST PLOT HOLE EVER!! C'mon, teddy bears are ruining the show? That's like complaining that the show is in English (did English speakers really colonize the 13 colonies? Wouldn't their language have evolved? How can we understand them?!?!?!?)
Various stuff about Starbuck and the kid
1. She didn't know what happened to Boomer's kid. Only the cap't, pres, and Dr. did.
2. As far as she knows, half-cylon kids age faster than normal. Or heck, maybe she's never been around kids and has no idea how old a kid is just by looking at it. I sure as hell couldn't differentiate a 2 year old from a 4 year old before I had children.3. Was it a weak sub-plot? Yeah - Starbuck subplots usually are. She's either drunk and angry or mopey and angry. Was it OMG TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE? No. (well no more unbelievable than any other show set in space where everyone looks good, speaks english, and has tidy resolutions to their problems every 60 minutes).
Stuff about taking Galactica instead of Pegasus
Again, nits at best. Maybe he figured it was a suicide mission with little chance of success and that it was better for Pegasus to stay behind. Again, not a huge hole unless you make it one.
Same old rant about military realism.
See above re: realism v. drama. That being said, I do agree that it was completely stupid that Mr. Boomer was not up for killing all the cylons when given the chance. A weak episode, without a doubt.
Baltar the cylon
Maybe. There have been no less than 4 moments when I have said "How can he not be a cylon." That being said, even if he is a cylon, he's definitely not the normal run of the mill version. If it turns out he is just another random cylon, I agree that would be a very big and very stupid hole in the entire show. The cylons treat him like human, so there's more to the story than "he is a cylon."
Teddy bears
Seriously. This is the stupidist complaint ever made in the history of television. Why can't they have stuffed bears? It's okay that they have haircuts circa America 2006, they speak American English (mostly), they dress in American style, and appear to conform to American customs regarding eating, sleeping, etc., but it bothers you that they HAVE STUFFED BEARS?
Prosac. Seriously.
High tech hijinks!
Guns are cool. That's why.
Appollo gets fat
Maybe he ate his wife's leftovers. Maybe he just quit exercising and has a slow metabolism. Again, if this is the best complaint you've got...
(It would be marginally more rationale to point out how difficult it would be to lose so much weight so fast, but it's still not a very interesting criticism of the show.)
Adoma shows emotion in public.
It's called a drama. People talk about their feelings and stuff. It's a convention of the narrative form. Good luck finding a t.v. show that doesn't employ such devices (including Star Trek, Firefly, etc).
Doesn’t anyone else see these obvious flaws? Rolling Stone calls it the best show on television? Do they watch it? Okay, R.S. didn’t say the smartest show on TV.
The problem with the flaws you pointed out is that they are minor at best and no worse than any other show. Every single show ever made by humans could be subject to this ridiculous criticism. OMG! There's a huge hole in Friends - have you ever noticed they never sit on all four sides of a table even when it would make sense to do so?!!? Why don't they have somebody sit with their back to the camera?!?!?
I'm not saying the show doesn't have issues or holes, I'm not saying it is without flaws, but most of the issues above are laughable.
Sebastian,
I have read a great deal of your numerous and various posts here and generally I agree with almost everyone of them. But it does seem to be your increasing habit to attack the people and not the message itself. I don't want a flame war with you. You have your opinion, and I have mine. We can disagree without getting personal. Right?
As you can tell I am very passionate about this series. I want it to be better than it is, but it needs to live up to its potential. The original series was too campy at times and the new one is too dark while attempting to be "realistic". Come on. It hasn't succeeded. I expect more of a sci-fi series when it is called "the best show on TV." I expect the core "heroes" of the series to be more than the dregs of humanity easily led astray at nearly every turn. I want my heroes to be heroic, to lead by example, to strive and overcome. No, not all, but at least 2-3 per TV series.
If we are going to have a human survival/war epic then provide for those human choices like Hilo made and have a realistic response to his action. The story outcome was implausable, IMO. My family has been military for a long time, so I know what to look for in most cases in most such dramas.
Teddy Bears were only pointed out to show that the show doesn't really reach like it should. It's sloppy and lazy, and not very original. They could still pull a lot from the original series (daggets). I could point out more flaws, but what's the point. They can all be easily swept away with a single "that's so trivial" response by anyone at anytime. It doesn't take any effort to do that. I was offering a healthy counter point of view. BTW: It does seem that you focused just as much as I did on it or you would have overlooked it to begin with.
Now, here's my friendly challenge to you Sebastian (or anyone else): point out the show's strengths with examples. Prove its good in a fair discussion. I am keeping an open mind, and I am willing to be swayed. Yes, really.
Respects.
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Much like Vic Wertz above, I at first refused to watch the re-imagined Battlestar out of a sense of loyalty to the original show. These days I don't watch it because basically I'd hate to go through the effort of catching up with what's been going on since the beginning. So I've never seen an episode, but I am sure it is a good show by the simple fact that they have Lucy Lawless - the former warrior princess kicks ass!
I will take this opportunity to say something about remakes, however. Is it just me, or has Hollywood been going overboard in the remake department over the last few years? Not just in TV, but in movies as well. Granted, I think some of the stuff they do remake is really good, but other stuff sucks. I don't know, I gues it just depresses me thinking that humanity might one day run out of the capacity to tell original stories. Of course, anytime I really start to think that they come along with a really great idea like Lost or Heroes. Anyway, threadjacking rant over.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I have read a great deal of your numerous and various posts here and generally I agree with almost everyone of them. But it does seem to be your increasing habit to attack the people and not the message itself. I don't want a flame war with you. You have your opinion, and I have mine. We can disagree without getting personal. Right?
Sorry - from time to time I try and scale back my propensity to come out double barrelled when I disagree with the sentiment being expressed, but it always creeps back in. It's particularly likely when it is an argument I dislike but have run up against before. The teddy bear thing is what pushed me over the edge. You had some good points, many of which I agree with, but I was distracted by the rest. I was also distracted by your tone, which seemed to me to be saying "these flaws are so rampant and obvious that they ruin the show and people, how could anyone possibly overcome them?" My answer in a nutshell: "most of the flaws you identified are neither rampant nor obvious and are easy to overcome."
As you can tell I am very passionate about this series. I want it to be better than it is, but it needs to live up to its potential. The original series was too campy at times and the new one is too dark while attempting to be "realistic". Come on. It hasn't succeeded.
I disagree on this front. The tone of the show is different from anything done on television sci fi to date. I think a large part of that is jettisoning the alien's-with-different-forehead-and-ear syndrome. The fact that the sci fi elements are limited and that at the end of the day it's about people is what makes it good. I have never been a star trek fan in part because so many problems are solved by redifferentiating the quark anti-matter particulator or some other sci-fi gibberish. This show hasn't been entirely immune from that (see: Boomer gives the cylons a computer virus or cancer is cured by hybrid blood), but it's done a lot better than other series. Of course, tone seems to be the dividing line for a lot of people that don't like the series, so it seems like it's just one of those things that you like or don't like. I can't see arguing that the series fails in establishing a consistent tone; it's just a question of whether you like that tone or not.
I expect more of a sci-fi series when it is called "the best show on TV." I expect the core "heroes" of the series to be more than the dregs of humanity easily led astray at nearly every turn. I want my heroes to be heroic, to lead by example, to strive and overcome. No, not all, but at least 2-3 per TV series.
The fact that the characters don't always do the right thing, or the heroic thing, is an element that I like about the series. I can't stand epic, unconflicted characters that always make the right decision.
If we are going to have a human survival/war epic then provide for those human choices like Hilo made and have a realistic response to his action. The story outcome was implausable, IMO. My family has been military for a long time, so I know what to look for in most cases in most such dramas.
I completely agree that the Hilo decision should have repurcussions and that it was a craptacular episode. I was royally pissed off with the way that plot line played out. One thing I love about the show is that it is rarely episodic in the sense that one episode is self contained and does not effect the next episode. The Hilo saves the cylons episode cried out for an exploration of its consequences and they ducked the hard question. Weak.
That being said, the show has dealt with the consequences of character actions. The secret tribunals after the escape of New Caprica fits in this category.
Teddy Bears were only pointed out to show that the show doesn't really reach like it should. It's sloppy and lazy, and not very original. They could still pull a lot from the original series (daggets). I could point out more flaws, but what's the point. They can all be easily swept away with a single "that's so trivial" response by anyone at anytime. It doesn't take any effort to do that. I was offering a healthy counter point of view. BTW: It does seem that you focused just as much as I did on it or you would have overlooked it to begin with.
To the extent the points are minor and trivial (teddy bears), yes, it is hard to take them seriously and not say they are trivial. Like I said, it's the equivalent of complaining that they speak American english or have modern haircuts. Like I said, I'm more than happy to discuss the flaws of the show, but your post was in a format that dared me to disagree with your assertions that various elements of the show were so absurd as to be per se unbelievable.
As for talking you into liking the show, I'm not sure what to do about that. If you don't like the tone, it's going to be hard to like the series. If you are focused on finding minor inconsistencies, you're going to miss a the forest for the trees.
Sebastian,
You are right about my tone. I do believe that the shows flaws are far to numerous "for the best show on TV" - Rolling Stones. (I wish they'd stop using this because it's hard to love up to.) The show has tremendous potential. And it has hindsight from the original.
I see your point. I too like the fact that the show is science light, but it is a sci-fi genre after all and not strictly a disguised soap opera for men. They avoided major costs by making the cylons humans and that explains the lack of ears, foreheads, and noses (can you say “over budget”?). Babylon 5 managed to avoid this and still be sci-fi. The technology was rarely explained and didn’t impede the show. Yes, the human experience in times of war (facing genocide) seems to be the defining theme of the show.
Yes, I agree with you on the fact that the heroes need to have flaws. A Ming vase with a flaw is priceless, but a shattered one is garbage. Can they make Starbuck anymore of a loser? I really enjoyed last weeks “Boxing” episode, but they made Starbuck a weak-spined, wishy-washy female-type when she failed to keep her new romantic commitment to Apollo. They furthered this female stereotype by having her pursue him again regardless of who it hurt (respective spouses). As I stated earlier this show resembles car-wreck; you cannot help but stare in disbelief.
Regarding the “Hilo” disobeys Adama’s suggestion (orders) episode: I was expecting Apollo to be the one to push the “human’s, even in war, are better than that, and we don’t commit Genocide!” speech. The writer’s can’t seem to stay focused. The show isn’t about war; it’s about surviving genocide.
Speaking English is necessary for the show. Allowing the cast to have reasonable haircuts for when they are not on the set is sound. German made cars and 9mm and Teddy Bears and coats with ties are just too close to home for a setting in a galaxy far, far away. But, I know why they do it: A) budget, and B) perhaps to provide familiarity and empathy. I can see that for you, the show is really about the story’s core and that everything else is window dressing, and with that view the show rocks (and that is not a negative criticism of you). I want more on my plate than just a drumstick (give me the potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce too or its not a real meal). The extras are not trivial; they just take the cook more time and real effort.
Sadly, you didn’t make even one argument or cite one example for supporting the show, but I do see your take on it now. We both are passionate about it; we just look for different attributes. When I GM, its all about the details and the granularity of the available game options; my players REALLY keep me on my toes so I am looking for holes to avoid or patch! I’ve learned that they expect more from me, and after many years of GMing, I feel the same about my entertainment.
Keep watching and enjoying.
Peace.