Battlestar Galactica: SCI FI Channel Original Series Premiere Episodes Review

Title: Battlestar Galactica: SCI FI Channel Original Series

Episodes: “33”, “Water”, “Bastille Day”, “Act Of Contrition”

Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Michael Hogan, Aaron Douglas, Tahmoh Penikett, Alessandro Juliani, Kandyse McClure, Paul Campbell, and Samuel Witwer

Special Guest Star: Richard Hatch

Episode Writers: Ronald D. Moore, Tony Graphia, Bradley Thompson, and David Weddle

Based on “Battlestar Galactica” Created By: Glen A. Larson

Directors: Michael Rymer, Marita Grabiak, A. Kroeker, and Ron Hardy

Executive Producers: Ronald D. Moore and David Eick

Approximate Running Time: 44 minutes without commercials

Media: SCI FI Channel Original Television Series (NTSC DVD Screeners)

“33” Series Premiere Episode - Friday, January 14, 2005, at 9pm (ET/PT)

“Water” Episode Premiere: Friday, January 14, 2005, at 10pm (ET/PT)

“Bastille Day” Episode Premiere: Friday, January 21, 2005, at 10pm (ET/PT)

“Act Of Contrition” Episode Premiere: Friday, January 28, 2005, at 10pm (ET/PT)

Network: SCI FI Channel (Check your local cable/satellite listings for channel)

TV Rating: Not Available At Time Of Review

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

Although more than a year has past since the hit SCI FI Channel miniseries “Battlestar Galactica” premiered, it seems as though no time has past between the production of the miniseries and the production of the premiere season. Thirteen episodes have been produced and I was fortunate enough to be granted the opportunity to screen and review the first four episodes. Having recently watched and reviewed Universal Studios Home Video’s upcoming DVD release of the miniseries, the first thing that struck me about these four episodes of “Battlestar Galactica” is how they are not at all like any other sci-fi television series airing first run episodes this season. “Battlestar Galactica” is still a space opera and it is definitely sci-fi, but it is also very much a drama along the lines of “ER” or the hit USA Network Original Series “The Dead Zone.” The attention to detail is outstanding with the starships behaving more believably than what one normally sees in a sci-fi TV series. Now there is nothing wrong with fantasy based shows. I love them, but it is refreshing to see a genre series take itself seriously without becoming pretentious. I found myself very involved in all four episodes I screened and while I will always love the original series for what it was, I must admit I think the new “Battlestar Galactica” has potential to be the best original program SCI FI has aired since the glory days of “Farscape” and believe me those two shows have nothing in common other than they are both examples of outstanding genre television. I only hope that viewers will give the new series a chance because this could have as large an impact on the face of science fiction television as the hit ABC TV series “Lost” has had on engaging “Twilight Zone” like mystery shows that are sure to follow in the wake of it’s success.

On Friday, January 14, 2005, at 9pm (ET/PT) SCI FI will launch “Battlestar Galactica” with two back-to-back episodes beginning with “33.” The show picks up roughly a week or less after the events of the miniseries and the Cylons have given the Colonial fleet no rest. Ever 33 minutes the entire fleet has had to make a faster than light jump and the crew is on the verge of exhaustion. While Adama (Edward James Olmos) tries to figure a way of eluding the Cylons once and for all, the Cylons are testing the last survivors of the 12 Colonies the way a psychologist might perform behavioral analysis on mice in a maze. Humanity is not only being tested among the fleet though, on Cylon occupied Caprica, Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) has been on the run from Cylon centurions only to fall into the hands of Boomer (Grace Park), who we all know now is not exactly who she seems to be…

As the episodes progress we begin to learn that there are many more surprises in relation to not only how the human characters behave, but how the evolving Cylons behave as well. Each episode is more or less a self-contained story though it is clear that this is part of a large rich tapestry one will appreciate even more as the series continues. In “Water” explosive charges vent out the water supply aboard the Galactica, which happens to be the only ship that was designed for extended tours of duty and thus it is the only vessel that can recycle water for the entire fleet in quantities necessary for survival. When a potential source of fresh water is discovered on a nearby moon, Apollo (Jamie Bamber) is sent to a prison ship to recruit volunteers with a freedom earning incentive. However Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch), a political idealist convicted of terrorism 20 years earlier, leads a revolt and takes Apollo and other fleet representatives as hostages in the episode “Bastille Day.” The events of this episode culminate in an interesting installment entitled “Act Of Contrition” where Adama learns of the true reason behind his son Zack’s tragic fate.

“Bastille Day” and “Act Of Contrition” will premiere on SCI FI in the show’s regular timeslot, which is Fridays at 10pm (ET/PT) on January 21 and 28 of 2005 respectively. The rest of the 13 season one episodes will air every Friday in that timeslot thereafter. In addition, NBC will air a 3-hour version of the miniseries on Saturday, January 8, 2005, at 8pm (ET/PT). For the record, Richard Hatch’s guest appearance in “Bastille Day” is terrific. He manages to bring a sense of honor and some menace to a character that I am not entirely sure yet can be considered a villain. While he will be making at least one more appearance on the series, I hope other original series cast members will make guest appearances in new character roles because based on Hatch’s performance alone, I think they can add even more vitality as well as presence to this franchise and I think it is a great nod to have Hatch on the show since he has been one of the most passionate people involved in trying to resurrect the series. While this is not what he had in mind, it is clear that participation and cooperation between the old and new series talent can truly bring synergy to this program.

“Battlestar Galactica” shows a lot of potential and is definitely well worth following when it premieres on Friday, January 14, 2005, at 9pm (ET/PT) only on SCI FI.

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