Battlestar Galactica (2003): For geeks or for everybody?

Answer 1

I watched the original show as a kid, and watch the current incarnation of the show now. I like both versions for their own reasons, but the new version (based on the 2003 miniseries) is so NOT for geeks. Of course the proverbial geek may like the show, and though I am a fan of science fiction in general, I feel that the show appeals more to a wider audience simply because of its creative hyper-realism. The miniseries and following two seasons were gritty, realistic, and the characters went from noble and upstanding to just downright messy in that really human way, so anyone interested in Human dramas would enjoy the show just for that alone.

And, well...you have to admit: the Cylons are a lot more interesting than the "toasters" in the original series...which, cleverly enough serves as "backstory" to the current incarnation of the drama. It's not so much a remake of the original as a recursive continuation of the story.

Answer 2

Battlestar Galactica is for everybody. I remember seeing it as a teenager with Lorne Green ,RIchard Hatch and Dirk Benedict. ( wow star buck was sexy back then) Oh any way the 2003 Battlestar Galactica is basically on the same calibar as the original just a slight cast change but the storylines are written to be as a Family show just as the original was. I hope that answers your question.

Answer 3

Battlestar Galactic works on so many levels. It may be the most erudite and literary show on television since Babylon 5.

On the surface, BSG is a modern day derivative of the story of the 12 tribes of Juda trying to find the promised land. But, that's just the beginning.

It is also about the conflicts among religious groups. In BSG, neither the humans nor the Cylons regard the other as true life forms. In the very first episode, number 6 (Tricia Helfer) asks her human counterpart, "Are you alive?" When he answers yes, she replies, "Prove it!". The humans, having invented the first generation of Cylons, see the Cylons as machines and refer to them as "toasters".

It is also about how religion can be used to control people. Commander Adama lied to everyone and told them that Earth exists and that he knows where it is. (He had no idea about either.) He did it to keep the fleet together so that they couldn't be picked off by the Cylons one by one. His lie served a humanitarian purpose, but it was still a like. Eventually, the humans find that Earth is real and find a map to it. But, Adama didn't know that.

Similarly, the Cylons think that they cannot die. When their body fails, their consciousness is allegedly downloaded into a new body and they are resurrected. Is that real? Or is just what they're told to motivate them to take risks in service of the larger cause.

And, of course, there is the mystery that is never even touched on. How did the first generation of Cylons become sentient? And, when they did, why did they attack the 12 colonies? How did machine-based life decided to develop a new biological-based life? And, why 40 years after the first war did they attack again?

There is breadth and depth to BSG beyond that of any television show on today. The producers, directors, writers, cast, and crew of BSG deserve every accolade they receive.

Answer 4

Everyone. The series is character based drama, therefore it appeals to the normal tv viewer as well as catching the sci-fi crowd. It's just a matter of getting the normal viewer to tune in, that's the hard part. Most normal viewers would see the advertisement and just think it's another sci-fi series that they should care nothing about - but if they tune in they will see that the series is far from being just a space based shoot and destroy tv show.