nuBSG: 33

Generally, the pilot of a serialized sci-fi series is pretty dull. This is mostly due to the fact that all the characters need to be introduced, the plot needs to be established (and possibly the framework for some story arcs), and we need to get a taste for what the show is to become. Oh, and the audience has to be entertained throughout all of this.

The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica has a significant advantage in this area. It already had an entire miniseries to do all this, so the actual pilot has no problem on the entertainment side. The show loses absolutely no momentum in this transition, and if anything it slows down to focus more on the characters and their actions in the face of the impending Cylon threat.

Steve worked diligently to plan bathroom times to account for the 33 minute cycles

Except, in this episode, it's more like the continual Cylon threat. For some unknown reason, the Cylons are jumping to hyperspace every 33 minutes to meet up with the Galactica and its fleet. Not a moment too soon, not a moment too late. By that time, every ship in the fleet must jump to hyperspace or risk further damage by the Cylons. It appears to be an effective strategy, as the crew on board the Galactica is tiring more and more with each jump, and systems begin to fail, causing them to lag farther behind on the 33 minute cycle.

Meanwhile, Baltar is having issues of his own. The consciousness of Number Six is still inhabiting his body and pushing him to accept that God exists and has a plan for him, and he is constantly haunted by the fact that it was him who let the Cylons infiltrate Caprica's defenses. There were actually some enjoyable scenes with him in this episode, such as when he is trying to carry a conversation with Roslin and others, but Six is posing questions of her own. He is forced to phrase his responses in a way that will work for both parties, while trying not to sound crazy.


Eventually, it is discovered that one of their own carriers is leading the Cylons to attack them at the end of each cycle, so Apollo and Starbuck reluctantly destroy it. You would expect an episode like this to occur somewhere in the middle of a season, and not at the beginning of one, but this episode is still solid. The plot continues to be entertaining and engaging, although there are still some things to be worked out. I can't entirely feel sympathy for the characters at this point, and there were quite a lot of trips into Baltar's head. (They were okay scenes, but the constant bantering got old pretty quickly)

Score: 8

Best Quote: "Well, I'm sure someday if you're a good Cylon, he'll reward you with a lovely little walking toaster of your very own."

Best Moment: The crew being forced to destroy the carrier.

nuBSG: Miniseries Part 2

This is the second and final part of the miniseries pilot before we get to the actual episodes, but I'm still going to keep this brief because this part of the miniseries pretty much has the same quality of the first part. The plot is just allowed to progress a bit more until we reach a nice position in which the series can begin.

The Cylons continue their attack on the Twelve Colonies, and soon Galactica is the only remaining battlestar. The ship makes an FTL jump to Ragnar to recover. The colony ship bearing Roslin and the Raptor that Baltar has taken refuge in reunite, and they amass a group of about 60 ships, but only 40 of them being FTL-capable. Roslin is forced to leave the sublight ships behind, not having enough time to evacuate the civilians.


The FTL-capable ships meet up with the Galactica at Ragnar, and Baltar goes to work on removing the programs on board their ships that cause them to be susceptible to the Cylon's hacking. However, he is now being haunted by a virtual image of the Cylon "Number Six". Baltar soon discovers that there is a Cylon agent on board, while the fleet is forced to leave Ragnar when the Cylons show up.

This part of the pilot runs much like the previous one, but I can feel the impact of the story increase as the plot thickens. Already we have a few characters being forced to make questionable and cold decisions for the sake of humanity's survival. It's a very cool premise for a show; I can only hope that this idea remains central to the series and that the actors take it up a notch.

Score: 7

Best Quote: "You cannot play God then wash your hands of the things you've created."

Best Moment: Baltar witnessing the Cylons attack Caprica.

nuBSG: Miniseries Part 1

Before I get this review going, I should say that I'm completely new to Battlestar Galactica. This just seemed like a nice place to start because I've heard good things about this series. I've gathered a little about the back story from around the internet, but for the most part this should be new and interesting.

The Cylon War has ended over 40 years ago, and humans from the twelve colonies of Kobol have built an Armistice Station in hopes of maintaining peaceful relations with the Cylons. In all the time that the station has been maintained, the Cylons have never sent an ambassador. However, today is different. Two Cylons enter as guards, and a woman walks in and approaches the officer. The officer can only sit in shock as the woman says "It has begun," and the station is destroyed. Wow, what an epic opening. I hope the rest of this show is as exciting as that was.

The apparently famous scientist Gaius Baltar is greeted in his home by a woman who is identical to the one in the armistice station. She reveals that she is a Cylon agent, an android that has used him to access critical facilities and gain information about Caprica. Before Baltar can fully grasp the situation, he sees a nuclear explosion go off in the distance through his windows. Caprica is now under full attack, and the Cylon tells Baltar that there are twelve Cylon models, and that she is number six.

The Galactica is soon informed of the attack, and the crew are completely caught off guard. In a desperate move, they send several Viper fighters out to meet the Cylon Raiders. They barely manage to get rid of the Cylons, but the Galactica is spinning out of control, so Colonel Tigh is forced to decompress sections of the Galactica's flight pod and kill 85 crew
members.

After a Raptor bearing Helo and Boomer from the Galactica makes an emergency landing, they are confronted by a group of survivors that are seeking refuge. They can only take three adults, however, so they have a raffle to decide who goes with them. The last number is 47, which belongs to an elderly woman standing next to Baltar. The elderly woman is allowed to board, and Helo gives up his seat on the Raptor to Baltar, whom he believes is more important.

Because the President and his cabinet have all perished, Secretary Roslin is the only person who can take the position. She is sworn into the position of the President of the Twelve Colonies despite some protests.

There's already some good stuff going on in this portion of the pilot. There's a nice balance between the visual effects and person-to-person shots, and the soundtrack sounds pretty cool too. It has somewhat of an exotic feel to it, and it's more contemporary than what I was expecting. The plot is moving along well, and I like how the Cylons are shrouded in mystery, at least at this point. Still, the acting doesn't really cut it for me yet, which I think brings this pilot down to just a "good" level for now.

Score: 6

I'll do the best quote/moment things after I see the entire miniseries.