"Undermining my electoral viability since 2001."

Good TV Exists

You know what's good? The new BattleStar Galactica. I snagged some of it online (no cable or TV for the Koenig) as I've been looking for entertainment and Zephyr mentioned she liked it. It's pretty decent. I have a giant soft spot for good sci-fi but most everything I've seen coming out lately has been dreck. This is the best stuff since Star Trek w/Patrick Stewart (which is the current high water mark for televised sci-fi content).

I also have the benefit of no commercials, watching a rip off SkyOne (UK TV), but I think the cutting may have removed a few scenes. Either that, or the producers are playing with the form of a serial television series by inserting information into the "previously on BattleStar Galactica" bits that wasn't actually in the previous episode. I actually kind of hope it's that, because it works as long as you roll with it, and it would be a novel use of the form, which I'm all about.

UPDATE: Mike comments in from the offices of the Hearst corporation with this resource for anyone looking to catch up, a television without pity recap. It does appear they pull some content from the miniseries into (which I'm also downloading now), but it's also clear after watching four episodes that they're also playing with the dimension of time in telling the story. In particular, the opening introduction always features a fast-cut montage of images from the episode to come, and there are also other elements of foreshadowing that let the viewer in on certain plot elements the characters themselves are ignorant of. Quite interesting.

It's my kind of show; heavy on character, psychology, metaphysical and philosphical themes -- the true value of science fiction -- and the production and acting are mostly above average. Edward James Olmos is approching old master status, and it's nice to see him get a chance to play a leading role that doesn't revolve around him being Latino. The rest are up-and-comers. This Katee Sackhoff (from Oregon) stands out w/sass and unconventional good looks, but the whole ensemble seems to know what they're doing.

I never saw the old shows or movie, just a memory of the faded '70s video box at the rental place from when I was a kid, but this seems to be a worthy ressurection.

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