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Battlestar Galactica Season 3 · Nov 18, 07:11 PM
I recently finished watching the third series of the new Battlestar Galactica; here are my thoughts on it which do contain spoilers:
The season got off to a great start by exploring the events on New Caprica under Cylon-occupation; I loved these episodes, the set-up allowed for some excellent drama and an opportunity to understand the ‘bad’ guys, the Cylons, a lot more. The New Caprica storyline also took the show along a new route away from the somewhat 9/11 influenced terrorism style of plots that made up the earlier episodes (definitely a good move). I felt that they could have perhaps given a few more episodes over to life on the planet before the obvious reunification with the fleet but it did lead to some interesting episodes dealing with the aftermath.
Sadly I found the second-half of the season a little poor as it seemed to lose momentum. By the time Baltar’s trial came, despite having some great dialogue and revelations, it seemed to drag a little and could have done with, in my opinion, fewer episodes devoted to it so that it could have been more concentrated. I did, however, like the treatment of the very unexpected ‘death’ of Starbuck and its effects on the various characters in subsequent episodes.
Another aspect of the third series that I enjoyed was the stories on the Cylon ship. In the second season I had been a little hesitant over the episode that focused on the Cylon characters, but it worked nicely in this season. It did make the show seem a little more sci-fi, but managed not to lose the show’s realistic feel. The mystery of the final five Cylon models helped explain why they weren’t present on New Caprica and leave some unanswered questions to give BSG a bit of momentum. However, when four of the final models were revealed at the end I felt surprised at who they were (if they are actually them), but disappointed with the way in which they were revealed.
As I’ve said before, I feel that since BSG has been given longer seasons (since the second series) it seems to struggle to fill the episodes and at times stories seem to have been put in for no reason other than to make up the season’s run; as a result the first season for me remains the better of the lot for being able to really keep up the pace throughout. However, for its realism, unpredictability, and determination to not just paint a black-and-white world BSG continues to be a compelling watch. I look forward to the fourth and final season of the show which looks to be extremely promising, and rewarding. I hope that it does not let me down.
— Andy
I basically agree with all of this – especially with the random choice of 4 of the final 5 (and is [someone who I won’t spoil] the 5th – who knows??? If not, who is it???).
I managed to get hold of a copy of ‘Razor’, the first two eps of S4, which are a flash-back involving the Pegasus. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t really involve the main cast enough since it focuses on someone who is introduced in that storyline, and I was left with the question: “do I really care?” I suppose what it did do was leave me wanting more.
— Luke A · Nov 20, 05:09 PM · #
I’m not convinced ‘that’ person is the fifth Cylon, that would seem a little too easy; I just see them as a tool of the god(s) like the other obvious choice for the fifth Cylon who has been instrumental in all the events leading towards Earth. Could the fifth Cylon not even have been seen yet? Perhaps they are waiting for everyone on Earth? That could really throw some twists into the plot.
I heard about the first two episodes being about the Peagasus (in fact they are meant to play like a made-for-television film I believe). Seeing as the Pegasus storyline annoyed me a bit in the second series I am not particularly looking forward to that slight diversion (which is how I viewed its original introduction to the show).
I think that I will probably wait for it to be released on DVD before I see the final season. I’m not a big fan of watching stuff on my computer, and it looks much better commercial and logo free on my widescreen TV.
— Andy · Nov 21, 10:50 AM · #
I quite liked the Pegasus stuff, but this was a little annoying, since it was a little too convenient in places. I am looking forward to them getting to Earth though – I wonder how they’ll manage that.
— Luke A · Nov 21, 07:04 PM · #
The Pegasus television movie is out on DVD soon, so maybe I will be watching it sooner rather than later.
As for them finding Earth, it makes me feel a little uneasy as they could really destroy the show if they get it wrong. Making fantasy join with the real world is very difficult to do without it looking all wrong.
— Andy · Nov 26, 07:02 PM · #