Most sci-fi fans will remember the television series "Battlestar Galactica," which aired for one season in 1978 on ABC. The show featured the dreaded Cylons, large silver robots that turned on their human creators.
The Sci Fi Channel unearths the Cylons for its four-hour miniseries "Battlestar Galactica." The miniseries is an epic story on its own, and it does not pick up where the original television series ended.
The new version may disappoint die-hard fans. Many changes have been made. The most notable is that the charming, daredevil Starbuck (played by Dirk Benedict in the original series) is now a woman. Lt. Kara Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), call sign Starbuck, smokes cigars and enjoys poker, like her predecessor. She doesn't like rules or her commanding officers and is not afraid to punch a colonel.
In this version, women play prominent roles. They are now fighter pilots and political leaders. Despite their new roles, they are still treated as sexual objects or given female frailties. Even the ambitious Starbuck is subject to romantic whimsy and affected by her relationships.
Another change in the new movie is the Cylons. They no longer have large silver heads with a roving red eye. They look human, or at least the 12 new prototypes do. Number Six (Tricia Helfer) is a beautiful blonde who has compromised one of the greatest minds in the 12 colonies. Gaius Baltar (James Callis), who helped develop the defense computer system, falls for her charms and later learns that he was used so the Cylons could infiltrate the computer system.
The Cylons are able to infiltrate and terminate any network computer. That is why the antiquated Battlestar Galactica proves so valuable in the nuclear war the Cylons wage. The Galactica does not have any network systems on board the battleship or its fighter planes. The Galactica is ready to retire and become a museum, commemorating the vicious Cylon war that ended 40 years ago.
"Galactica was created at a time when we were so frightened by our enemies that we literally looked backward for protection," says Doral (Matthew Bennett), a public relations man giving a tour of the ship.
Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) is also ready to retire. He wishes to turn over command and return home where he can relax. His son, Capt. Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber), joins the ship to lead a special ceremony for his father's retirement. Lee, better known by his call sign Apollo, is at odds with his father over the death of his brother several years ago.
Before the ceremony can proceed, word is received that the Cylons have launched a deadly nuclear war on the 12 colonies. The precision strikes are devastating. Within hours, Secretary of Education Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) finds herself advancing from 43rd in line for the presidency to the top job.
"The war is over, and we lost," says Roslin.
Roslin and Adama finds themselves joining forces to rescue the few people who are left and find a safe haven for the survivors.
The movie's end provides a great beginning for a series. This "Battlestar Galactica" focuses on personal relationships and the tragedies of war. It forgoes the entertainment aspects of the original series to offer an anti-war message. Despite its sexy scenes and great special effects, the miniseries moves slowly. It would have been better as a two-hour movie, instead of a two-night production.
Additional Information:
Details
'Battlestar Galactica'9 p.m. Monday & Tuesday
Sci Fi Channel
