More on Battlestar Galactica
In my previous entry on the new Sci Fi Channel series of Battlestar Galactica, I noted that the show had “English roots”. My friend Blogenheimer asked me to clarify what I meant by this. Upon further reflection, I think it would be more accurate to note that the show has pronounced English influences. Technically, its roots are the original 1980’s era American television series.
First, the current series was developed and written by Ron Moore, a former Star Trek writer who is English. Second, the new series was partially financed by Sky One, “the UK’s most popular non-terrestrial entertainment TV channel.” The series initially ran on Sky One to strong reviews, and premiered in the US on the Sci Fi Channel in January 2005. I remark on the English influences because I think the show has a dark intelligence that is much more characteristic of English television than it is of most mainstream US television.
For example, in last Friday’s episode, “Act of Contrition,” Starbuck confessed to Adama that she had passed Zak (his son and her lover) for basic flight though he shouldn’t have qualified. Zak was subsequently killed in a flight accident. Edward James Olmos stood stony faced, inches from her as Starbuck stammered and sobbed. She finished, he made a comment about a related issue, and she began to babble, relieved to have come clean.
As I watched, I cringed as she began to speak again. “Run, run!” I urged her in my head.
“Get out,” snarled Adama, “while you still can.”
A lesser show would have played this scene differently. It would have had Adama forgive her, or at least show something less harrowing than the billowing, murderous rage that Olmos so skillfully projected without saying a word or moving a muscle.
I continue to be surprised that my new favorite show is science fiction. I worry for its success. Neither science fiction shows nor dark shows have a good record in the US. Yet spurred by HBO shows like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Six Feet Under, networks other than the big three (ABC, CBS and NBC) and the newer three (FOX, WB, and UPN) are building a strong and loyal viewership for new shows, providing both strong support and canny marketing. FX has done well both with Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me. I hope that Battlestar Galactica will continue to surprise and entertain, and in the process become the Sci Fi Channel’s biggest hit.
Slashdot teaser for the new Battlestar Galactica series
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February 2nd, 2005 at 9:32 am
I completely agree with you on Battlestar, and admit to anyone who cares that SciFi now has some of the best programming out there now. What’s your alternative? The only shows available on the major networks are either outlandish orompletely of the “who cares” variety of Reality TV, or sitcoms that aren’t funny. I think the only two exceptions to that are Arrested Development and Scrubs. Oh, Sorry Did I have a point? Rock on SciFi!