Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protects a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony of Earth.

Stars:

Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 24 wins & 59 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Edward James Olmos	...	Admiral William Adama (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Mary McDonnell	...	President Laura Roslin (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Jamie Bamber	...	Cpt. Lee 'Apollo' Adama (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
James Callis	...	Dr. Gaius Baltar (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Tricia Helfer	...	Number Six (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Grace Park	...	Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Katee Sackhoff	...	Captain Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace (71 episodes, 2004-2009)
Michael Hogan	...	Colonel Saul Tigh (69 episodes, 2004-2009)
Aaron Douglas	...	Chief Galen Tyrol (66 episodes, 2004-2009)
Tahmoh Penikett	...	Captain Karl 'Helo' Agathon (64 episodes, 2004-2009)
Alessandro Juliani	...	Lt. Felix Gaeta (59 episodes, 2004-2009)
Kandyse McClure	...	Officer Anastasia Dualla (54 episodes, 2004-2009)
Donnelly Rhodes	...	Dr. Cottle (36 episodes, 2004-2009)
Michael Trucco	...	Samuel Anders (35 episodes, 2005-2009)
Nicki Clyne	...	Crewman Specialist Cally Henderson (35 episodes, 2004-2008)
Bodie Olmos	...	Lt. Brendan 'Hot Dog' Constanza (35 episodes, 2004-2009)
Leah Cairns	...	Racetrack (33 episodes, 2005-2009)
Rekha Sharma	...	Tory Foster (31 episodes, 2006-2009)

Storyline

The second war against the Cylons is over and The Twelve Colonies have been destroyed. Now Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galatica and President Laura Roslin lead a ragtag fleet of refugees in a supposed search for the fabled lost thirteenth colony, Earth. However, the dangers they face are many which compound an already difficult situation. In addition to the Cylons hunting and attacking the fleet in space, their infiltrator units carry out a more subtle plot even as their former unwitting pawn, Gaius Baltar, helps in the hunt for them while hiding both his own guilt and the strange presence that haunts his every thought. If that wasn't enough, the fleet also faces internal political conflict in which the rabble-rousing figure, Tom Zarek, is merely the loudest dissenting voice. In the midst of these trials however, clues begin to appear that suggest that Adama's simple bluff about Earth may be more truthful than anyone could have guessed.

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Plot Keywords:

cylon | refugee | civilian fleet | guilt | pursuit | 

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Taglines:

The world is over. The fight has just begun.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Sci-Fi Channel

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Also Known As:

BSG

Filming Locations:

British Columbia Railway, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), David Eick Productions, NBC Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (73 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Battlestar Galactica and the Viper fighters are similar in design to the old show, but were revamped for the new show. The Cylon Basetar, Cylon Raider, and Cylon Centurion each had a completely new design for the new show. Also, there are only four ships that appear in the remake but not in the original: "Colonial One" (the transport used by Laura Roslin), the Olympic Carrier, Cloud 9, and Zephyr (the ringed passenger liner).

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Goofs

The colony called Sagittarion in the miniseries is called Sagittaron throughout the series.

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Quotes

Lt. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace: [after Starbuck has to plan a vital mission] I never wanted this kind of responsibility.
Commander William Adama: The Cylons never asked us what we wanted. Welcome to the big leagues.

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Crazy Credits

Opening title cards read for the second season: "The cylons were created by man. They evolved. They rebelled. There are many copies. And they have a plan."

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Connections

Spin-off Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007)

User Reviews

Different? Yes, Better? Absolutely!

As a child of the 70's I can say that I loved the original BSG and always wanted a proper return to the story, not that lame attempt called "Gallactica" with the guy from "Adam 12". However, I was skeptical about this new show because of the core changes, like making Starbuck and Boomer female, for example. It didn't matter. This is one of the best TV shows ever made. It's dramatic, funny, sad, extremely dark and immensely engrossing. By changing the character of Baltar from a ruthless power hungry madman in the original to the witless and sympathetic patsy that he is at the beginning of this show creates a whole new dynamic to this character and his development. Adding the president to be a counter balance to Adama instead of the commander automatically ruling over everyone was far more believable than the council full of wusses that were supposed to be in charge in the '78 version.

Bottom line, the stories are more intense, the characters are stronger, the suspense can drive you mad. This show is addictive to say the least. The creators have brought a realism to this idea that just wasn't there in the original. In '78, the show was a campy attempt to capitalize on the Star Wars phenomenon that was definitely entertaining, but was also a little too convenient in its "everything works out by the end of the episode" theme. Life isn't like that. This new version completely escapes from the happy family sweetness of a '70's TV series. Battlestar Gallactica(2004) is a more believable life and death struggle because people actually die in this series. The only noteworthy death in the original was that of Serena, and that was in the first 3 to 5 hours of the series. These people are fighting for their lives. They're not all going to make it. The last scene of season 1 had me and all my friends jumping out of our seats yelling "NOOOOO! They didn't just do that!!! They can't leave it like that!! When does the next season start?!?!?!?!" Not many shows have had that kind of effect on me in my life, and I watch way too much TV.

In closing, BSG(04) is a fantastic show. If you were a fan of the original, savor it for what it was, but give this reincarnation a chance, I think you'll love it.