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by Jim Pappas Published: December 10, 2003
 A human appearing Cylon is confronted by Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) in "Battlestar Galactica" The original “Battlestar Galactica” TV series began with a 2 hours long made for TV film that aired just over 25 years ago. The Sci-Fi Channel has adopted the premises of that original film and produced a startling new version in the form of a 4 hour mini-series. This modern retelling of the story is far different in tone and execution than the mostly child-friendly version produced in 1978, although the major story elements remain intact. What the producers, writers (Ronald D. Moore (also co-executive producer), and Christopher Eric James), and director (Michael Rymer) have done is make a cautionary tale while at the same time drawing parallels between the fictitious reality of the series and the realities of our own, very real, world. Set in a mythical area of space, most of the first installment of the mini-series takes place on or near the planet “Caprica.” A beautiful, earthlike world, it quickly becomes a smoking ruin as Cylon nuclear weapons explode over much of the surface in a surprise attack that occurs the day marked as “Armistice Day,” a holiday celebrating the end of the Cylon/Human war that had occurred 40 years earlier. This outbreak of hostilities catches the humans of the colonies completely by surprise, and we can feel the emotion of the surviving people as if what we are watching is real. The acting, especially by Mary McDonnell as Laura Roslin, the Colonial Secretary of Education, and Edward James Olmos (Commander William Adama) is so heartfelt and appropriate that we suffer the horror along with them. I cannot give enough credit to the screenwriters in this regard. They have managed to capture what it would really feel like, and what it would probably really be like if we were to experience a surprise attack by a terrible and remorseless foe. The Cylons in this series are of human origin, in other words we are told that man created the Cylons as helpers. These original Cylons (a quick glance at the schematics we are shown early on lets us know these were the Cylons of the original series) have evolved in the 40 years since the end of the war into gleaming metal monstrosities who’ve also created virtually perfect human replicas that they’ve sent to infiltrate the human worlds. The attack on Caprica (and the other 11 “colonies” that make up this human civilization) was facilitated, unwittingly in this case, by Dr. Gaius Baltar (yes, he has a first name here), played by James Callis, whose infatuation with a human looking Cylon female known to us only as Number 6 (Tricia Helfer, in an excellent turn) leads him to allow her access to the the Colonial defensive plans and systems. While the betrayal by Dr. Baltar occurs planetside, the battlestar “Galactica,” the last remaining warship still active from the original Cylon war is being decommissioned, and it’s commander, William Adama, is preparing to give a speech at the ceremony honoring the ship’s legacy. His speech catches most off guard, as while the Colonies have mostly forgotten the Cylon threat, he hasn’t, and it is ultimately his preparedness that gives him and his ship an edge that allows them to survive the initial attack. What follows in the second installment is how the remaining human survivors are able to rally to the Galactica, and what Adama and the now Colonial President Roslin are able to devise as a plan that will facilitate the survival of the species. This mini-series stays with the theme of the original show in that regard. The new “Battlestar Galactica” is not for kids, and packs an emotional wallop that caught me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting something as visceral and real as this show, especially since I’ve watched the original series, ad nauseam, over the years. There are other thematic elements that the writers and director have captured with this “Battlestar Galactica” that are intellectually challenging and emotionally gut-wrenching. These Cylons may be killing Man, but it is certain that they really and truly think of Man as their creators, and are seeking that unconditional love that we all seek. I believe that director Rymer, and writers Moore and James are using a fictional reality and story to talk about what lies in our hearts, and our subconscious minds, regarding the nature of our existence in this universe. It is unclear to me if there are plans to continue the story as an on-going series but if so, I will be glued to my set when it comes on. Overall Rating: B+ |
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