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Definitely the new series. You don't have to be embarrassed to tell people you like the new one. :) hehe.
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?)
Source(s):
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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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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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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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).
Source(s):
http://www.tvfodder.com/battlestar/archives/2006/04/battlestar_galactica_wi...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HL05J2
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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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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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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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Another good question would be which other 70's show deserves the same treatment?
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Answered Question
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| January 04, 2009 12:56 AM |
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?)
Source(s):
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
| Asker's Rating: |
• I really enjoyed reading everyone's answers, but tko really went above and beyond, continuing a great discussion. Thank you all for answering.
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Other Answers (10)
January 04, 2009 12:13 AM
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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January 04, 2009 12:16 AM
100% new. the old series was good, the new show is great. galactica 1980 was an unholy abomination. (Still, good watching, though if there's nothing better on.) 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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January 04, 2009 12:42 AM
The Old Show. Yes the effects are cheesy but the basic story is better. The back story is better in my opinion for the old story. 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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January 04, 2009 01:06 AM
I must admit I never watched the older Galactica series - I always viewed them as a "poor-man's Star Wars". For the TV screen, Star Trek ruled them all until the new Galactica series in 2003. 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).
Source(s):
http://www.tvfodder.com/battlestar/archives/2006/04/battlestar_galactica_wi...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HL05J2
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January 04, 2009 08:40 PM
BTW - you can get a 13 minute "catch-up" to the first 4 seasons by watching this webisode:
http://go2.me/Gm
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http://go2.me/Gm
January 04, 2009 01:13 AM
I like the new one much more. The story is dense, tense, and intense. 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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January 04, 2009 05:52 AM
Actually, this is comparing apples to oranges. The old series was cheesy sci-fi, kind of a rip-off to Star Wars, but fun in it's own way. If you didn't take it too seriously, it could be a lot of fun. 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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Reply
January 04, 2009 06:48 AM
I am a bigger fan of the new Battlestar Galactica for a number of reasons: 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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January 04, 2009 02:30 PM
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.
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Great answers.
January 04, 2009 08:45 AM
I'm going to have to go with the new version on this one. Admittedly, I haven't really watched the old show very much (ok, not at all really), but I just love the rebooted version that I can't imagine that a campy 70's Battlestar Galactica would match up in any serious way. Another good question would be which other 70's show deserves the same treatment?
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January 04, 2009 02:25 PM
You should ask that question! I can think of a few I'd add to the answer list.
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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 ;)