New Battlestar Galactica or old Battlestar Galactica?
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M$12 Answers
There are so many things in the new one that made for a complex and interesting story: the decision to make some cylons look human, the female starbuck, the conflict between the civilian and military leaders, Helo's story back on Earth (which wasn't originally planned), the amazing 'steadycam' space scenes, the decision to go for 'reality', etc.. (Agreed with hartwell: for the old fans, bringing in the original Apollo to play Zarek was brilliant.)
The old series was good as a young kid. But even then, I noticed the heavily cycled special-fx. It was created as a money-grab on the Star Wars craze, and its quality reflects that origin. It was so campy I'm inclined to call it a Sci-Fi comedy.
The marooned-Starbuck episode on both series' perfectly illustrates the differences. In the original he was just searched for without question, in the new one there were huge arguments about the resources being committed to the operation. In the old one the planet was quite earth-like and habitable, in the new one it was an inhospitable rock with no visibility and an unbreathable atmosphere. In the old one the cylon was befriended and cheesy 'buddy+foreign-buddy' conversations ensued, in the new one the creature was unceremoniously cut-out of the ship and starbuck got to fly back in it's bloody husk. Nice. :) (love the little 'waggle' the two ships do at the end .. an homage to the original?)
My memories of the two, also info from the podcasts/commentary of Ronald D. Moore: http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=1819
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M$
Lorne Greene was quite an actor. I like that they have Richard Hatch (the old series Apollo) playing a recurring character, Tom Zarek.
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M$I loved the old version for several reasons:
1. Dirk Benedict as Starbuck. I had such a crush on him.
http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/Dirk%20Benedict%20Galactica%20Starbuck.jpg
Muffit, the daggit (who looked cuter when I was a child)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e65/ccorcoran/wordpress/Muffit.jpg
Serina and Apollo--I thought they made a cute couple.
http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTI1NDM0ODcwOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNjk4MjU2._V1._SX272_SY400_.jpg
This is my car:
http://io9.com/assets/resources/2008/01/dean%27s-battlestar-galactica.JPG
(Okay, it's not, but I thought it looked cool.)
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M$
The thing that I like most about it is that they fully intended to have a final season, and this is it. So they're not just drawing out a story until the point that it becomes useless and irrelevant.
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M$Another good question would be which other 70's show deserves the same treatment?
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M$
The new one is hard-core science fiction. It's a solid, mature story, and demands a lot more from the viewer. You can't just drop in and have a bit of fun, then leave. Though both are technically science fiction, the first is really space opera, which is practically a separate genre.
However, comparing each within it's own genre, the original series was second-rate space opera. Star Wars was far better, and there were a lot of pretty good B-movies that probably out-shone it. The new one is probably the best in its class. I can't think of another science fiction series with as much depth, power, and complexity.
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M$
I have a problem were a big chunk of the crew are cylons. I still do not get the whole cylons evolving in to humans thought.
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M$The new series has a much higher budget which means you get:
- Excellent writing (winning the show a Peabody award in 2006).
- Excellent special effects
- Excellent ensemble cast
Everything about the new series is very high quality, with story lines that reflect modern moral issues. Much as Gene Roddenberry used Star Trek to explore issues of race and the Vietnam war, several Galactica episodes explore issues such as terrorism, torture and genocide - paralleling the US involvement in the Iraq war.
Over the Christmas break, my wife and I have been working through the complete BG series 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 - available in a DVD boxed set ($120 from Amazon.com).
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M$
BTW - you can get a 13 minute "catch-up" to the first 4 seasons by watching this webisode:
http://go2.me/Gm
1) True to Life Themes / Stories - The new Battlestar Galactica hits really close to home with its "based on real world" events stories and themes (i.e., suicide bombers, occupation, etc.)
2) Fleshed out Characters - None of the characters in the new Battlestar Galactica are easily categorized. They all have flaws and are more complex than most TV characters on air now.
3) Great Action Scenes / Cinematography - I love the action scenes and cinematography of the new version.
Hope this helps.
Matt
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M$
I think the fleshing of the characters is one of the best parts of the series. Even with evolution of the character of Gaius Baltar, there isn't one clear answer on his personality and merit, which makes him an essential character to the plot. Originally, he was just a traitor, but in the new series, he obviously has very compelling reasons to do the things he does. It makes one question whether or not they might do the same things he has done if put into his position.
Great answers.
As a kid again, however, I'd enjoy the old one more. Maybe because character depth and a gritty plot were less important than cool space battles and cheesy but stirring suspense.
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M$
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M$
I tend to agree with the fact that the old show didn't age well. A lot of the issues they faced seemed somewhat cheesy as well, but it was one of the earliest Sci-Fi TV shows I watched growing up. I even had little Starbuck and Apollo action figures who hung out with my Star Wars guys. Starbuck and Han Solo were always getting into it.
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M$
I liked the old. I've been wondering why now that I have the two series to look at. I think for me, the older just had more color, culture, and mythology to it. Probably why even robot dogs are fine with me. Just part of the different look of this other culture.
The Cylons might have been clunky as costumes, but they looked menacing on the screen. Just looked like big hulking knights. I liked how they would shine in the light.
The Colonial warriors, loved that look they had as a uniform, and all that they stood for.
Very basic story. Man vs. Machine. Machines might be better and faster but man is creative and unique. Or it was basically a good ole good guys and bad guys story. Refreshing.
Loved the old series Vipers, loved the Egpytian look to the helmets. Again, part of that unique culture.
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New Battlestar... an alternate universe to the other Battlestar universe much like the New Star Trek Movies to the older Star Trek. I didn't appreciate that concept applied to Battlestar till I started seeing "Classic Battlestar" stuff being released, and when the new Star Trek movie came up with the alternate timeline idea.
I didn't watch most of the new BSG simply because I was insulted this was not a continuation of the older series, but a rewrite.
But being that both existed, just not in the same universe, I have to say... GREAT SERIES!!! :D Loved what they did with the Cylons, Starbuck was as cool as the older Starbuck... I mean they did some great stuff with that series.
Just not QUITE as good as the AWESOMENESS, the color, the grand music, and the epicness of the older Battlestar Galactica.
But a notable try. :)
Yes, you're right there. There were many aspects to old Starbuck that made him the joker of the bunch. He was at home with his vices: the drink, the women, the gambling, the smoking. (Come to think of it, he was quite a caricature all on his own, wasn't he?) Nice the way they twisted it in the remake in that she has a lot of vices, but it's more a way to cope with bad experiences of the past, to hide who she really is. ..Unfortunately they have at times overplayed the Starbuck screw-up storyline. I've tired of it more than once and just wished they'd take it as read and move on.
But as you mention below, Baltar, he's been turned from an out-and-out villian to a brilliant complex coward who just got seduced by the wrong woman (or toaster.) :) I love what they've done with 6 in Baltar's head, Baltar in 6's head and the ways it makes us question what he is and what influence he's under. Then his presidential moment, the trial, and now his cult-hero/god status. I never cease to be amazed with what they do with him.
There are just so many great characters. The sour chain-smoking doctor, the alcoholic right-hand man, the soldier left behind (who doesn't like Helo, eh?), the quiet hero in Gaida, the Chief ..and there there's the Cylons. Who doesn't like Brother Cavil? He's brilliant.
Ah, so much to like. The *lack* of technology is something I love. It's bullets, missiles, nukes ..not ray-guns. And it's all grimy and real. The steady-cam shots out in space add a sense of realism too, like it's documentary footage.
I could go on (I really could!) .. but I won't ;)
I love your comparison to the two Starbuck episodes. This is a great depiction of the reality aspect of the newer series in comparison to the older series. One of the things that always sort of freaked me out about the original series was how far the original Starbuck went to get ladies. There they are, out in space at war with evil machines, and he's picking up chicks. In the new series there is a very real edge, something identifiable about what the colonists and the fleet are going through, and there's no black or white, right or wrong. Great answer!