Battlestar Gallactica...More realistic than anything you have seen by TragicStory

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Battlestar Gallactica...More realistic than anything you have seen

POSTED BY: TRAGICSTORY
UPDATED: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 19:57
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Saturday, December 6, 2003 8:50 AM

This was heard over the explosions in space... I guess they never saw Firefly.

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"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger

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Monday, December 8, 2003 6:54 PM

VENA

Well I can see where they might be coming from with that statement. I just watched it and now only was I very surprised at how interesting it was, but I found the filming to be quite interesting. The whole thing was filmed like a documentary and the aspects of war they were depicting were moving. Not to mention lots and lots of explosions and death for entertaining the masses.

Mal:"someone ever ties to kill you, you try to kill'em right back!"

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Monday, December 8, 2003 7:02 PM

SERGEANTX

Gotta have explosions. and Jerry Bruckheimer.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

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Monday, December 8, 2003 11:46 PM

SAMUS

I saw Gallactica Part One, and thought is was good - not GREAT - but really good. I was pleasantly surprised.

So, as some points for discussion, I present: something I thought was weird, some things I didn't like, and some things I liked:

Weird:
I was a bit surprised at the sheer amount of sex that took place in the first hour. It just seemed strange and slightly out of place. Oh well, I guess sex sells.

Didn't Like:
although I understand the story value to having human-looking cylons, this disappointed me. The CGI robotic cylons looked really great - I want more of them, not less.

Plus, I thought the whole point of the Cylons is that they think organic life is inferior. Other than using them for spying purposes, I can't see them having much desire to emulate humans at all.

Also, conspicously missing was that traitor guy who ended up working with the Cylons in the original series (I forget his name). I liked that character, would have like to see him included.

Liked:
Liked the mixing up of the characters. Liked Starbuck and Boomer being women - great twist there. Starbuck being the same rowdy fighter pilot, but a woman, was a GREAT twist. Liked that Apollo and Adama aren't the perfect happy family of the original series.

Overall, I guess I give it a "B"

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 12:03 AM

VENA

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
I was a bit surprised at the sheer amount of sex that took place in the first hour. It just seemed strange and slightly out of place. Oh well, I guess sex sells.
...
Also, conspicously missing was that traitor guy who ended up working with the Cylons in the original series (I forget his name). I liked that character, would have like to see him included.

Well it was part one so you know that they want to suck the viewers in and what better way to do that then to give them death, :hange: sex,

explosions,

and a cliff-hanger esq.

ending?

And I think that the traitor that you are talking about is that British man who was sleeping with the blond human looking cylon.

I really do not like eather of those characters. A lot. But then that was the point I’m sure.

Mal:"someone ever ties to kill you, you try to kill'em right back!"

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 12:12 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Vena:
And I think that the traitor that you are talking about is that British man who was sleeping with the blond human looking cylon.

Hmm. I guess I never thought of it that way - you could be right.

But if it's true, then he's a poor replacement for the guy in the original series. The original guy was really eeeeeeeevil. This guy just seemed to make mistakes because of too much pillow talk and a lack of control with keeping his peepee in his pants.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 12:50 AM

DRAKON

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:

Didn't Like:
although I understand the story value to having human-looking cylons, this disappointed me. The CGI robotic cylons looked really great - I want more of them, not less.

Plus, I thought the whole point of the Cylons is that they think organic life is inferior. Other than using them for spying purposes, I can't see them having much desire to emulate humans at all.

I think there is a reason to emulate humans. They are a successful species, they created the Cylons (in this version) Emulating success is not a dumb thing to do.

Quote:
Also, conspicously missing was that traitor guy who ended up working with the Cylons in the original series (I forget his name). I liked that character, would have like to see him included.

Baltar, yes, just like the computer scientist traitor guy playing groin hockey with "Number 6" before the bombs start falling. In the original, Baltar wanted to be ruler of the surviving humans. The Cylons used him and were about to execute him as well, when they learned of Galacitca's escape.

In this one, his treason is a lot less intentional.

Quote:

Overall, I guess I give it a "B"

Well, Maybe B+, but then I grade on a scale

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 1:00 AM

ZNAPEL

Hey, did you guys notice the Firefly in the show? In the scene where the Secretary/President is first shown in the waiting room with the large windows there are a lot of space ships flying past. If you look carefully you will see a Firefly class ship coming in for a landing. I had to rewind it with TiVo to double-check. If it's not, it's a ship that looks a whole lot like it. Figure it is an easter egg by the CG guys ; P

My US$.02 on the show... I've seen only a couple of the episodes of the original, so it didn't have to live up to any expectations on my part. I just loved it. Granted it wasn't as realistic as Firefly, but its 100X more real than any other sci fi out there. The ships aren't just 'flying through space', they can spin on their axis and still maintain their same motion. There's jets from RCS thrusters as they manouver. While there are noises in space they are subtle, there for the people that need to hear them, but not overwhelming. I also love the camera work. Gives it a grittier feeling along the lines of Firefly. I can't wait to see tomorrow's show...

Znapel

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:14 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Vena:
And I think that the traitor that you are talking about is that British man who was sleeping with the blond human looking cylon.

The British man is Baltar, as Baltar was in the beginning of the original series pilot - a sniveling little man out for the greater good of nobody but himself. he negotiated the truce between humans and Cylons not for the betterment of mankind, but for the betterment of Baltar - all for one and one for one. he didn't get truly evil until the second two-part of the series.

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
But if it's true, then he's a poor replacement for the guy in the original series. The original guy was really eeeeeeeevil. This guy just seemed to make mistakes because of too much pillow talk and a lack of control with keeping his peepee in his pants.

well there really is only one Baltar, isn't there? even the actor himself says so. in the Lowdown that was aired two weeks ago, James Callus warned us that his Baltar wouldn't be as evil as the original. in this version, he's still a traitor, but doesn't realize it until it's too late. he's more of a self-centered Lando Calrissian type, really ("it's not my fault!"), but I'd bet even money that if the Cylons came to him and offered the same deal as they did in the original series, New Baltar would be sitting on some pedestal in a basestar in no time.

Can I go off a bit on how much shinier the Viper stuff is in the re-image? I can probably count on one hand how many original Viper fly-by scenes were used in the original series - and count on the other hand how many original combat scenes there were too, for that matter. The new "live-action" effects used in this version totally kick ass.

And I may be the only person who noticed, but New Starbuck has the exact same smile as Starbuck - flashy and cocky and confident. It's like they went out and found Dirk Benedict's love child or something.

New Apollo has the same seriousness as Apollo, if a tad less charisma - and Edward James Almos was absolutely perfect. He fits the description of Adama from the novel as well if not just a tad better than Lorne Greene did - and that's speaking as a confirmed traditionalist.

Part 2 may tell a different tale and may change my mind, but for now I'm thoroughly enjoying the re-imaging.

Firefly Artwork Series
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:16 AM

TRAGICSTORY

What I really didn't like was the CGI of the spaceships. I think the unsteady camera angles, quick zooms, and tilted views worked great for Firefly, because of the small doses as establishig shots but were shown too often in BG (IMHO).

Also a complaint, but not really valid, I wish they kept more of the Mormon symbolism and ideology, just because it is neat to catch it.

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"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 7:57 AM

WERESPAZ

I only saw a couple of expisodes of the original, and I was pretty young then. I do remember Starbuck's smile, and the new Starbuck has got it down, however she reminds me of Pink for some reason. Must be that tough, short blonde hair look.

The space combat stuff good, and the whole time I couldn't help but think of Firefly because of the similarity in "camera" work, plus have the Serenity easter egg also helped with that. I liked they way ships could rotate in place without changing thier vector, made it a bit more realistic.

-The SpAz

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 8:09 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

tis true, it was very Firefly-like, except that for the sounds-in-space aspect. but then if they had done it EXACTLY like Firefly, it wouldn't be Battlestar Galactica. They did minimize the sounds, certainly more than in any Star Trek or B5 episode.

the new-fangled Vipers were pretty cool. so sad they were so suseptable to Cylon techno-terrorism.

wait until Adama finds out that so-and-so Minister of Education who was ordering his son around is now the boss of him. ooh - BETTER, the moment he finds out Apollo is still alive - that's what I'm looking forward to.

one also wonders if Apollo's hostility toward Dad, blaming him for Zac's death is his way of dealing with his own guilt. In the original, uncut pilot, Zac sacrified himself so Apollo could warn Galactica of the pending Cylon attack, thus Apollo always blamed himself for his little brother's death. How, then, did Zac die in this version? maybe I need to do a little more reading?

anyone else catch the Battlestar theme used as fanfare music during the decommission ceremony? I've seen all the BG eps at least once - late night reruns are a wonderful thing. I remember thinking as a kid how cool it was that my favorite character was named after my home town

Firefly Artwork Series
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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 8:21 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
The British man is Baltar, as Baltar was in the beginning of the original series pilot - a sniveling little man out for the greater good of nobody but himself. he negotiated the truce between humans and Cylons not for the betterment of mankind, but for the betterment of Baltar - all for one and one for one. he didn't get truly evil until the second two-part of the series.

Yes, I do seem to remember that Baltar (thanks to all with the name info) had a personality change - but I was very young.

Before Baltar, there was some pointy-headed Cylon in a red sparkly robe, I think. For some reason, he always reminded me of the Bishop chess piece. I think it was the shape of his head.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
New Apollo has the same seriousness as Apollo, if a tad less charisma - and Edward James Almos was absolutely perfect.

You know, at the risk of being chased with big sticks, I'd have to say that the acting is pretty much better all the way around in this one - Lorne Greene or no.

Just my opinion, but I can tell you that I think this Apollo is head AND shoulders above Richard Hatch in the "hubba hubba" department - charisma included (although that just might be a by-product of generational differences, but I don't really think so), and his acting is better too.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
anyone else catch the Battlestar theme used as fanfare music during the decommission ceremony?

Noticed it, yes. Smiled.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
How, then, did Zac die in this version?

They only seemed to touch on it. My interpretation is that he died due to some sort of flight error of his own. Hence the anger of Apollo at Adama, for helping Zac get into flight school when he wasn't ready. Or something like that, I think.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 9:00 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
Before Baltar, there was some pointy-headed Cylon in a red sparkly robe, I think. For some reason, he always reminded me of the Bishop chess piece. I think it was the shape of his head.

That would be Lucifer, his red robe and sparkly head, who was voiced by Jonathan Harris - now that one I had to look up. I could see him, sparkly lights in his head and all, but couldn't think of his name. Probably because I don't miss Lucifer in the slightest. Or Boxey either, for that matter. The kid needed a leash, I tell you!

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
You know, at the risk of being chased with big sticks, I'd have to say that the acting is pretty much better all the way around in this one - Lorne Greene or no.

just to ease your mind, I won't be one of those chasing you with a stick, big or otherwise. the acting is better this time around, but that may be part of the generational difference. like how everything ST:TNG (after the gawd-awful first season) was better than the original. It might have something to do with a post September 11 frame of mind too. in the 70s, the last time there was a major surprise attack was Pearl Harbor in the 40s - and that's just one parralel.

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
Just my opinion, but I can tell you that I think this Apollo is head AND shoulders above Richard Hatch in the "hubba hubba" department - charisma included (although that just might be a by-product of generational differences, but I don't really think so), and his acting is better too.

the hubba-hubba factor! shiny!

just for the record, Richard Hatch was pretty hubba-hubba in his day, but my heart will forever be claimed by Dirk Benedict, who I think is aging considerably better. he also has a better attitude toward the re-imaging than Richard does, but I'm not going to go into that.

however, you are absolutely right - Jamie Faber is definitely improving on a good thing.

Firefly Artwork Series
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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 9:16 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
...Boxey either, for that matter. The kid needed a leash, I tell you!

Yeah, the kid is not missed by me either. Neither is that weird robotic "dog" that was supposed to replace the kid's dog. In general I think the show is better off without the "family show" aspect to it.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
just for the record, Richard Hatch was pretty hubba-hubba in his day

I can believe it, I think I was just too young to care.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
but my heart will forever be claimed by Dirk Benedict

I was just thinking about looking him up actually, I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but survived. I was just kind of wondering if he was even still with us.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 9:25 AM

KASUO

I'm hoping to see a newer Cylon Basestar.

Didn't the Cylon ships look kind of like a mesh of Trade Federation (Star Wars Ep I) and Kilrathi (video game Wing Commander) ships?

"Let's moon 'em!"

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 9:28 AM

ASTRIANA

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
but my heart will forever be claimed by Dirk Benedict

I was just thinking about looking him up actually, I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but survived. I was just kind of wondering if he was even still with us.

I believe he is still with us. I seem to recall his having been a guest at DragonCon recently.

~A~

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 9:31 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
Yeah, the kid is not missed by me either. Neither is that weird robotic "dog" that was supposed to replace the kid's dog. In general I think the show is better off without the "family show" aspect to it.

ah yes "Come on Muffy, Come on muffy! Darn you daggit!!" (cringe)

The family aspect has been trimmed down to the adult father/son dynamic between Adama and Apollo, which is also an excellent story to tell.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Dirk Benedict...I was just thinking about looking him up actually, I heard he had cancer a few years ago, but survived. I was just kind of wondering if he was even still with us.

He's the poster boy for alternative cancer treatments. more than a little neurotic about it (grinding his own wheat to bake his own bread and such), but then all cancer survivors can be that way to some degree - and have every right to be. he wrote a book about it too. on the Sci-fi Lowdown, he was fit as a fiddle, buff and fiesty. tried to light his cigar in the Starbuck's during the "Starbuck buys Starbuck a Starbuck's" segment. he's always maintained that he could still fit into Starbuck's uniform. Richard Hatch? not so much. there's a post here about how David Boreanaz has put on a pound or two, but he's downright thin by comparison to Richard. sadly, no more hubba-hubba factor.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 10:40 AM

HAKEN

Likes to mess with stuffs.

Quote:
Originally posted by kasuo:
Didn't the Cylon ships look kind of like a mesh of Trade Federation (Star Wars Ep I) and Kilrathi (video game Wing Commander) ships?

I can't help thinking that the Cylon fighter's cockpit looked a lot like RoboCop's helmet.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 11:15 AM

LEEH

Actually, the traitor guy was very much in it: the original was Baltar, and the remake has Gaius Baltar (in keeping with their tradition of giving the characters first and last names, plus "call" names for the pilots). The guy having the affair with the humanoid Cylon is the new version of Baltar.

He's a lot more plausible than the original: that guy was just a power hungry baddie, whose motivation never made sense. This guy is deluded, selfish, and cowardly, but he never intended the destruction of earth.

I agree that Cylons think organic life is inferior, but I think the point here is that they have improved on the original--they've created a cyborg with the advantages of both. This is the more true since they apparently can transmit the memory and personality of a cyborg from one model to the next: so when one is destroyed, its successor can pick up where the prior one left off. What a great idea. And maybe Number 6 and the other 11 like her were just designed for this purpose: to infiltrate the colonies, access the defense computers, and facilitate the Cylon victory. From a machine's perspective, it's a totally logical reason to design a biological entity!

Lee

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 11:18 AM

LEEH

Yeah, that original Battlestar Galactica theme during the ceremonial flyby kicked ASS--I was cheering away!

Lee

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 11:40 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
well there really is only one Baltar, isn't there? even the actor himself says so. in the Lowdown that was aired two weeks ago, James Callus warned us that his Baltar wouldn't be as evil as the original. in this version, he's still a traitor, but doesn't realize it until it's too late. he's more of a self-centered Lando Calrissian type, really ("it's not my fault!"), but I'd bet even money that if the Cylons came to him and offered the same deal as they did in the original series, New Baltar would be sitting on some pedestal in a basestar in no time.

You know, I do have to say that I was intrigued when the new Baltar didn't trick the old lady with bad eyesight out of her seat - and was honest about it. Makes him somewhat more empathetic - and interesting - of a character.

Also did anyone else notice that the pilot asked him who he was, then told the other pilot that he was giving up his seat...but he didn't seem to tell Baltar, who just walked up with the old lady.
Was that an error in editing? I didn't hear the pilot say "I'm giving you my seat", he just seemed to tell his partner.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 11:46 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
You know, I do have to say that I was intrigued when the new Baltar didn't trick the old lady with bad eyesight out of her seat - and was honest about it. Makes him somewhat more empathetic - and interesting - of a character.

surprised the heck outta me. Old Baltar would have taken the slip of paper and bolted with it. "Me! It's me! I'm number 47!!"

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
Also did anyone else notice that the pilot asked him who he was, then told the other pilot that he was giving up his seat...but he didn't seem to tell Baltar, who just walked up with the old lady.
Was that an error in editing? I didn't hear the pilot say "I'm giving you my seat", he just seemed to tell his partner..

could be, now that you mention it. I don't know that Baltar would have cared one way or the other. here's hoping her valiant co-pilot didn't give up his life for no good reason.

Firefly Artwork Series
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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 11:57 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Old Baltar would have taken the slip of paper and bolted with it. "Me! It's me! I'm number 47!!"

Actually, I was kind of expecting him to push her down and make a run for it!

Quote:
Originally posted by Drakon:
I think there is a reason to emulate humans. They are a successful species, they created the Cylons (in this version) Emulating success is not a dumb thing to do.

Quote:
Originally posted by LeeH:
I agree that Cylons think organic life is inferior, but I think the point here is that they have improved on the original--they've created a cyborg with the advantages of both.

I sort of do agree with both of you. Like I said, storyline-wise it made perfect sense. But I just thought the CGI robots were cool, and was disappointed that all we got was less than five minutes of them.

Plus, you know, being a long-time fan of Buffy...I'm just a little bit tired of people having sex with robots.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 12:24 PM

VENA

Yes up to that point Baltar seemed wormy enough to just take the seat. But then when the co-pilot asked Baltar who he was Baltar replied something like ‘Me? I’m nobody. She is the one with the ticket.’ I think that was out of fear that he had been recognized by a military person as the person who betrayed them to the cylons. He had no way of knowing if he were a fugitive yet or not.
And no the co-pilot never said “I’m giving up me seat.” but he did ask Baltar to ‘come here’ then he started filling Boomer in on his idea about how the best and the brightest need to survive if humans are going to pull through this.

I agree a good B+ but then I am going through SciFi withdrawals.

Mal:"someone ever ties to kill you, you try to kill'em right back!"

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 4:45 PM

MAKEROFPATHS

Thanks everyone for your insightful BG reports. I'm now (but wasn't before) looking forward to it. We in Canada don't get the series until January, when it will be shown on Space.
BTW, Baltar was played by Canadian stage actor John Colicos, an acclaimed wielder of Shakespearean verse.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 5:15 PM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by makerofpaths:
Thanks everyone for your insightful BG reports. I'm now (but wasn't before) looking forward to it. We in Canada don't get the series until January, when it will be shown on Space.

I'm Canadian but am in the states right now - so just consider me the scoutship

Quote:
Originally posted by makerofpaths:
BTW, Baltar was played by Canadian stage actor John Colicos, an acclaimed wielder of Shakespearean verse.

He looks a lot like Dr. Bashir from Deep Space Nine - slightly hotter.

Part Two is shaping up to pretty good, but I'll post more when it's over

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 5:57 PM

SAMUS

OMG!

Select to view spoiler:

Boomer, say it ain't so!

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:02 PM

SAMUS

That was just amazing, really.

Part One was good - but Part Two blew it out of the water.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:11 PM

AUREIAS

wow. that was good. I'd like to see a lot more of it, they sorta set it up so that it seems like they would turn it into a tv series I guess if the ratings or attention was good enough.

:) crosses fingers.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:26 PM

SAMUS

OK, I've had a few minutes to collect my thoughts.
Presented in point form, for now. I'm leaving out the big ending, but this post does contain spoilers so be warned if you haven't watched yet.

-Almost nothing I didn't like - except blonde Cylon was a tad irritating. But as someone said earlier, I guess that was the point.

-Given our conversation earlier, I laughed out loud when Boxey showed up. But if this turns into a regular series - he has Wesley Crusher potential. Which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about Wesley Crusher.

-The take on Earth is interesting - I wonder if we exist or not?

-Whoever said earlier that they liked the Mormon stuff, well you got a bit of that tonight. The "so say we all" speech really made it feel like the old show.

-Starbuck, I think I love you. You are the best pilot ever and you saved the lovely Apollo. I am shipping Starpollo already. Or Appolbuck, if you prefer.

-Baltar was freaking hilarious with his two conversations at once, and feigned ignorance/guilt. I think I love him too.

-Overall, I give it an A, and a big YAY vote on this becoming a regular series.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 7:05 PM

VETERAN

Don't squat with your spurs on.

I give it a B+. Just don't understand why Boomer and Starbuck had to undergo sex changes. Wasn't there a prominent female pilot in the first series.

I can't wait until we can have a thread like this regarding a Firefly movie or miniseries.

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Tuesday, December 9, 2003 7:22 PM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
I give it a B+. Just don't understand why Boomer and Starbuck had to undergo sex changes. Wasn't there a prominent female pilot in the first series.

There were tons of female pilots in the first one - the big deal being that all the male pilots were dying so they had to do the unprecedented and allow the precious women to fly. In the 70s, that may have been OK, but I think if they followed the original to the letter, it would have appeared dated. And honestly, I think making Starbuck a woman was pure genious.

Honestly, I like this version better - the women aren't "precious", they're a integral part of the team. As for the sex changes - your opinion, so your call. But I haven't been this excited about a female character since Buffy, so I'm all for it.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2003 2:41 AM

DRAKON

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:

You know, I do have to say that I was intrigued when the new Baltar didn't trick the old lady with bad eyesight out of her seat - and was honest about it. Makes him somewhat more empathetic - and interesting - of a character.

But he was thinking about it. The only reason he didn't was the pilot recognized him first, as someone who they might want on the ship. Otherwise, he would have done it.

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

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Wednesday, December 10, 2003 3:34 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
I was a bit surprised at the sheer amount of sex that took place in the first hour. It just seemed strange and slightly out of place. Oh well, I guess sex sells.

it does, but actually they were upholding tradition, if you'll pardon the really bad pun. last night I remembered that one of the first things Starbuck did in the original was proposition Cassiopeia. it was her idea to get physical in the launch tubes, and with censorship the way it was in the 70s (and how ironical is that?) they couldn't show much. and I think Athena hit the steam release before they really got busy anyway.

what's excessive to me is how it took two couples to recreate that one brief moment of...tradition.

all I can say this morning without writing any spoilers for thems as missed part two, is that there better be a series in the works, or at least another miniseries. leaving it like this would be like the cancellation all over again - leaving us dangling on the cliff when there's obviously still so much story to tell.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2003 3:44 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
I give it a B+. Just don't understand why Boomer and Starbuck had to undergo sex changes. Wasn't there a prominent female pilot in the first series.

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
There were tons of female pilots in the first one - the big deal being that all the male pilots were dying so they had to do the unprecedented and allow the precious women to fly.

that would be the point - ONE prominent female pilot. with there being more women pilots in the service these days, having only one wouldn't have lent the sense of realism this series needs.

not to mention after the girls got drafted to replace the dying boys, we only saw one female pilot remain with the squadrons - an African American who seen more often with Boomer's arm around her than in a Viper. Sheba came along eventually, and predictably got herself involved with Apollo. So both female pilots had only one primary plot motivation - to provide sympathetic pat-on-the-back romantic interests for two of the existing characters, not to be warriors in the true sense.

girls wanna have fun too, Veteran

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
I can't wait until we can have a thread like this regarding a Firefly movie or miniseries.

you and me both, browncoat. keep flying!

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Wednesday, December 10, 2003 6:47 PM

VETERAN

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Channain wrote:

Quote:
girls wanna have fun too

Well, I'm all for that. Besides Katie Sackhoff is doing a great job.

Now, what's going on with Boomer? I noticed only one Boomer Cylon in the last scene. Is there something to that? Maybe the Cylons captured the real Boomer and replaced her. I really hope they didn't go so far as to make one of the main crew members a Cylon.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 4:59 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
Channain wrote:

Quote:
girls wanna have fun too

Well, I'm all for that. Besides Katie Sackhoff is doing a great job.

Yes she is!!

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
Now, what's going on with Boomer? I noticed only one Boomer Cylon in the last scene. Is there something to that? Maybe the Cylons captured the real Boomer and replaced her. I really hope they didn't go so far as to make one of the main crew members a Cylon.

Recall that Number Six, Baltar's very own "Harvey", told him that there were Cylons among them. Many probably don't even know they're Cylons, and wouldn't until "activation". Boomer told Boxey that her parents died when she was little.

Here's a what if - what if Boxey is a Cylon, and instinctively sought out the Boomer Cylon? so far we've only seen about one-third of the Cylon models - there's still seven other models we haven't seen.

What bugs me is that the models we have seen are exact duplicates of the infiltrators, right down to their clothes - the Number 6 models in the red suit and boots, etc. If they were going to be true infiltrators, wouldn't they want to mix up the wardrobe a bit?

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 6:08 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain
Here's a what if - what if Boxey is a Cylon, and instinctively sought out the Boomer Cylon? so far we've only seen about one-third of the Cylon models - there's still seven other models we haven't seen.

I don't THINK Boxey is a Cylon - but I could be wrong though - I certainly didn't suspect Boomer AT ALL, so who knows

The reason I think Boxey is human is that his picture was on the table of the Emissary from the Colonies that died at the very beginning of the movie. I think he is that guy's son.

Not that that's the strongest evidence in the world, but I think Boomer not having parents is significant. Oops, my parents are dead - so I have no family for my friends to meet - convenient.

But yeah, it's plausible that cyclons could have replaced regular people. I'm assuming they don't age though, which might be a problem.

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
I noticed only one Boomer Cylon in the last scene. Is there something to that?

Yeah but, when they had her big reveal and she said what she said, the Number Six said something like: at your command. I think Boomer's the leader - maybe she's Lucifer, or the equivalent. If she's in charge, may be that there aren't that many of her.

OK my questions:

How many human-looking cyclons are there now, for sure.

I count 4 so far:

Six
Boomer
Munitions thief guy
annoying press junket guy (Baltar's patsy).

Did I miss anyone?

Also - is Boomer a sleeper or not? Someone left that nasty note in Adama's quarters about the colonies, so if she is "sleeping", then there is at least one other Cylon. Maybe it's her boyfriend, then they don't have to break up :)

The fresh-faced, bushy-haired assistant to the new President. He was TOO intuitive and seemed to get "lost" a little too often (I thought maybe on purpose).I thought he might of been a Cylon, or a red herring. Anyone else think any other characters were suspicious?

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 6:19 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
What bugs me is that the models we have seen are exact duplicates of the infiltrators, right down to their clothes - the Number 6 models in the red suit and boots, etc. If they were going to be true infiltrators, wouldn't they want to mix up the wardrobe a bit?

I think if you watch the last scene again, you'll see at least some variety in the clothing. I watched again to count the number of models there, and did notice a bit of clothing variety. Also, Baltar's intangible/brain chip Six was dressed differently than the tangible one.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 6:41 AM

FAHQ

Quote:
Originally posted by Veteran:
I noticed only one Boomer Cylon in the last scene. Is there something to that?

What was actually said was: "By your command". That was from the original series, and the Cylon equivalent of "Yes sir". in their command structure. When an order was given, the subordinate's response was: "By your command".

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 6:53 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
I think if you watch the last scene again, you'll see at least some variety in the clothing. I watched again to count the number of models there, and did notice a bit of clothing variety. Also, Baltar's intangible/brain chip Six was dressed differently than the tangible one.

True, Baltar's Number Six was dressed VERY different than the tangible one - that was a very effective bombshell/make-men-stupid dress, I must say - and the tangible one had an extensive "Sluts-R-Us" wardrobe. The make-men-stupid dress didn't show up until Baltar was about to board the Raptor and saw his "Harvey" for the first time.

I will have to go back and look again, but at first glance it seemed like all they did was have the same actors playing the three known Cylon models walk into the shot in different positions wearing the same costumes. The only variation was the Boomer model, who came in with her hair down and not wearing a Colonial pilot's suit.

On the other hand, this could be a Cylon cultural thing. Exact duplication down to the threads could be their idea of perfection, which is the be-all, end-all of their existence.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 6:59 AM

SAMUS

I am pretty sure that press junket guy was wearing a different colored blazer (but similar) from the other press junket guy that came with the other cyclons.

and i think munitions guy models had a variety of clothes too.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:09 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

I'm sure you're bang-on - I haeven't looked at it since I got the Firefly DVDs

- but I can't get rid of the image in my mind that the second press junket guy (Aaron Doral) seen strolling onto Ragnar Station was wearing the same robin-egg blue "follow-me" suit that the "original" Aaron Doral was wearing during the press tour on Galactica. That's how we would recognize the third model quickly and realize that Baltar did the Galactica a service after all by getting Original Aaron off the ship. Original Aaron had changed into different clothes for the trip back to Caprica.

The best answer for my poor tortured mind is that the film makers decided to not change the costuming too dramatically because the final shot of the Cylons was pretty quick. Viewers like us who weren't recording for posterity

wouldn't be able to tell at a glance that only the three known models were boarding the station.

My brain is also still tweaking with the Cylon Culture aspect - each model wears a particular type of clothing as one part imitation, one part achievement of perfection, one part classification of the model. Since the CGI Cylon models all look alike - being more robotic - the Upgraded models might continue that aspect of the culture.

And now that I have traveled all the way to Geekdom, I'm going to stop right here and take a rest.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:35 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
I'm sure you're bang-on - I haeven't looked at it since I got the Firefly DVDs - but I can't get rid of the image in my mind that the second press junket guy (Aaron Doral) seen strolling onto Ragnar Station was wearing the same robin-egg blue "follow-me" suit that the "original" Aaron Doral was wearing during the press tour on Galactica.

Yes, I think so - sameish blazer as the beginning of the show. When Aaron Doral (but I like the name press junket guy) was kicked off the ship, his blazer was orangey browney.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 8:43 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

how about doofus press junket guy? refusing to accept the minister of education as the take-charge girl that she was, trying to get Apollo to assume control when clearly Apollo knows a kick-ass leader when he sees one. I mean who does press junket guy think he is anyway? man, I wanted to smack him!

also, I think Laura's assistant Billy is the real deal - that is to say not a Cylon. aside from the fact that the red-herring factor is way too obvious, he only signed on to be assistant to the minister of education, not the ruler of the free colonies who suddenly finds himself living on board a Battlestar. that's enough to turn anyone into a bumbling fool, never mind that every corridor on board looked the same as the one before it, and Galactica's big enough to accommodate 2000 people - that's bigger than Enterprise E - roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier. It would be like trying to find your way around the inside of the TARDIS (Dr. Who reference, fyi.)

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:02 AM

SAMUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
how about doofus press junket guy? refusing to accept the minister of education as the take-charge girl that she was, trying to get Apollo to assume control when clearly Apollo knows a kick-ass leader when he sees one. I mean who does press junket guy think he is anyway? man, I wanted to smack him!

At first I thought so too, then when the cylon factor emerged I realized he was trying to cause chaos - get people to question authority, have them stay behind with those who couldn't light jump, play on human emotion, etc. Cause chaos and play on human weakness - same thing that made me question billy too - 'that little girl isn't coming along, comment'. but i agree he was probably a red herring.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 9:13 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

telling the president about the little girl was putting more weight on her decision - the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Billy's comment just put a pretty little face on one of the few. punched a hole in my heart too, actually.

it was part of what the original BG never explored. yes, millions were killed in the attack, but no one ever mentioned how many of those millions were children.

btw - GOOD EYE!! I didn't even see that Boxey was in the picture on the ambassador's desk in the prolouge.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 1:45 PM

INDIANABANZAI

Quote:
Originally posted by Samus:
we only saw one female pilot remain with the squadrons - an African American who seen more often with Boomer's arm around her than in a Viper.

Having just watched a good chunk of the BSG DVD set, I noticed that at least one other female fighter pilot appears, the one who later became Anna Demera on Days of Our Lives (oh god, what an obscure reference that was). I gotta look for the AA female that you were refering to.

And whoever asked before, 'Greetings From Earth' included scenes of Athena teaching the children about Earth.

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Thursday, December 11, 2003 5:01 PM

VETERAN

Don't squat with your spurs on.

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
Recall that Number Six, Baltar's very own "Harvey", told him that there were Cylons among them. ...

Yep, but at the time I thought they were referring to the "PR" guy.

Quote:
... what if Boxey is a Cylon, and instinctively sought out the Boomer Cylon? so far we've only seen about one-third of the Cylon models - there's still seven other models we haven't seen.

I hadn't thought about that. But until the last scene, I thought there were 12 of one model and Baltar was having his fling with the 6th one (the previous 5 having met their demise in some way).

Quote:
What bugs me is that the models we have seen are exact duplicates of the infiltrators, right down to their clothes

Yeah, that was very sloppy on the part of the production crew.

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