VideoTyme

The original "Battlestar Galactica" aired as a TV series in 1978 and as a theatrical movie at nearly the same time. The difference between the two was that the bad guy, Baltar, was killed in the movie. And he really was a bad guy, unlike the current character.

Battlestar Galactica

The 1978 version of Battlestar Galactica was expensive to produce and only lasted one season. Although the plot lines seemed okay, there just wasn't enough of an overall plot to keep it alive. It had some awesome actors, some of which aren't alive anymore, and it should have been a winner. In my opinion, some of the space scenes just didn't cut the mustard.

The best part of the series was watching Lorne Greene giving commands and making decisions. Dirk Benedict was also fun to watch and he later went on to play a part in "The A-Team".

Galactica 1980

Airing in 1980 (who'd a thought by the title?), Galactica 1980 was a failed attempt to revive the story by setting it at a contemporary Earth. Even special motorcycles, along with the Colonial Vipers, couldn't mask the cheesy special effects.

While I enjoyed both versions of the TV show, I strangely didn't miss it when it was gone. Considering I was a sci-fi nut in those days, that's saying something in itself.

The New Battlestar Galactica

In 2003, a revisionist miniseries was aired. It did so well that it spawned a 4-season regular series. The plot is much more intricate and the effects are first-rate.

James Edward Olmos, as Commander (and later Admiral) Adama, makes a much more intense character than Lorne Greene ever could have. Baltar is no longer the bad guy; he's merely a misguided person who imagines things. He was an accidental traitor, through negligence, but he isn't an evil character like the original.

Caprica

In 2009, we'll see the end of the Battlestar Galactica series. A spin-off, a prequel, called "Caprica" is scheduled to start airing in 2010. It's supposed to depict how all of this brouhaha started. I don't know about you, but I think I've had enough of all the frakkin' toaster shows.

The original cylons were cool. I know, they were people in costumes, but their appearance and their cybernetic voices were awesome. That wavering eye in their helmets completed them.

The new cylons are all CGI. There isn't anything cool about them at all. I'm not sure, but I don't even think they talk. I don't remember hearing any of them talk.

My Finale

I'm anxiously awaiting the finale of the 4th and final season. I don't think I'll be following Caprica like I did this TV show. Maybe it's just me, but most prequels usually don't do justice for the original series or movies. Just look at Star Trek's Enterprise as an example.

I don't know about you, but I would prefer to move on to bigger and brighter things.