Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries) - Part 1.0

Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Over forty years have passed since the end of the Cylon War, contested between the humans of the Twelve Colonies and man's creation, the Cylons.

The Galactica, one of the original twelve battlestars, is scheduled to be decommissioned. As part of the ceremonies, Commander Adama's son Lee ("Apollo") is named to fly Adama's restored Viper. Lee's return opens old wounds when they discuss the fate of Adama's other son, Zak.

Meanwhile, in Caprica City, the famous scientist Gaius Baltar argues against limits on research into artificial intelligence. He also has a sensual new lover with a mysterious agenda of her own.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (25)

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  • The hype is immense, but it will take a serious and determined sci-fi fan to get through the first hour of the miniseries.

    7.4
    "Good"
    By goshwow, May 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    The hype kills this show for me. I rented the first season, which includes the miniseries, and I was forcing myself to keep watching. I stopped the episode short and decided to put Battlestar through the noose.

    It's well written, I'll give it that. But the characters are dry and unoriginal (of-course they reek with depth later, but that LATER). I guess you can't go back after watching Firefly. Anyways, nobody cares about what I say in this review seeing as how they're all too busy watching Battlestar. But if you are uninitiated with the series, please, do not blindly buy the first season box-set just because your friends told you to.moreless

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    3 7

  • The Battlestar Galactica is about to be decommissioned, but the Cylons, a race of robots, are about to launch their war against humanity. This introduction is astounding in production quality, rounded out by well written dialogue and sharp acting.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By huntlsoffun, May 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    The science fiction world presents a forum for what could be, a portal to the unimaginable filled with mysterious creatures and mind-boggling technology. Escape to far away galaxies tends to be the biggest draw for many great science fiction shows and movies, but the fantasy removes viewers so far from the real world, typically the biggest criticism of the genre is its lack of relevance to our reality. Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica successfully bridges the gap between the two, presenting us a fantasy which parallels our real world problems.

    The main conflict of the story is between humanity and a mechanical race of robots known as cylons. They were created by humans, but after they rebelled against them, they disappeared into the far outer reaches of space for forty years. Their return is the beginning of this story, and we see their sleek chrome fanged minions flanked by a striking blond female, apparently one of twelve models designed to appear human. The sixth version, played with sinister charm by Tricia Helfer, comes in to seduce scientist and genius Gaius Baltar (James Callis), a worker for the colonial defense whose arrogance (and sexual appetite) makes him the perfect target for espionage.

    Our protagonists on Galactica are preparing the ship for decommissioning. It is a relic of older technology, with corded phones instead of wireless communicators and computers which look ancient by comparison to our current offerings. This approach is refreshing, as this world presented to us doesn't seem so distant or hard to believe. The characters are well-rounded already, each with their own set of conflicts, presenting the viewer with a seemingly infinite number of sub-plots. Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) is confronted by his estranged son Lee (Jamie Bamber), with each one of them having their own unique perspective of the death of the Lee's brother. Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) has an authority problem, causing a testy exchange with her superior Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan), who happens to have some marital issues and drinking problems. Each actor plays their character with a swagger and confidence, and the situations are written well enough where each moral conflict reveals to be a debatable scenario.

    The strength of the story is the complexity of the situations we are presented with, giving the viewer infinite shades of gray. each person's issues can resonate with our own great difficulties in life. Throw that together with the ethereal soundtrack and expressive cinematography, and Battlestar Galactica paints a beautiful picture of a world dealing with complex problems and imminent danger.moreless

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    2 0

  • A promising start..

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Parricida, May 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    So, after only heard so much good about this serie I decided it's my turn to watch it and so I took it and with my little sister who have seen some episodes of the serie, and we watched.. To be honest, this part of the miniserie felt somehow little slow.. Ofcourse, I get it.. it's main goal was to build the story, to introduce the chars and give us the idea what it's all about but somehow there were many intriguing parts and then some time when I felt nothing is happening.

    So maybe I was expecting little more action but I am sure it comes later.. I am already liking that Cyclon woman.. maybe because she just stands out so much of the other people.. and the whole scene with her and the baby.. intriguing I most say..moreless

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    2 1

  • A great start!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By seriesguy3998, May 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    Battlestar Galactica
    Miniseries
    Battlestar Galactica is a reimaginning of the 1978 series of the same name. In a future, the humans live in 12 colonies. The humans created the Cylons, robotic beings, to make life easier. They rebelled and a war was held. An attack was done to the 12 colonies, and the humans joined a fleet of ships lead by Commander William Adama of Battlestar Galactica to the legendary 13nth colony: Earth.

    I started watching BSG about a month ago and my impression on it is that it is awesome! The miniseries, considered a backdoor pilot, is an awesome start. The miniseries is great. So awesome and so full of action. If you want to start watching BSG, then start here.moreless

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    1 1

  • Have potencial.

    7.0
    "Good"
    By Dante_Edy, May 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    After hearing about this series, i finally decided to see it, even if i am not a good fan of battle in the stars. However I liked Star Wars and Star Trek.

    This episode began really slow, since the all purpose is to build the story and to present to us the main cast.

    The most interesting story is this gais or whatever, which seems to have a vital importance to this series, that Cylon woman was a interesing character also.

    Inside the Galactica, the only character that seems interesting is Starbuck.

    Even with the slow pace, this series have some potencial to be a great series.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Introductory text The Cylons were created by Man. They were created to make life easier on the Twelve Colonies. And then the day came when the Cylons decided to kill their masters. After a long and bloody struggle, an armistice was declared. The Cylons left for another world to call their own. A remote space station was built... ...where Cylon and Human could meet and maintain diplomatic relations. Every year, the Colonials send an officer. The Cylons send no one. No one has seen or heard from the Cylons in over forty years. Edit
    • Goof: While discussing Kara Thrace's punishment with Adama in Adama's quarters, Col. Tigh mutters "Jesus" under his breath. The Colonials do not have a Christ in their history or their religion. Thus, Tigh would have no reason to use this as an exclamation. Edit
    • The history of the Galactica The public relations official Aaron Doral notes that the battlestar Galactica was built over 50 years ago, during the early days of the Cylon War. The fleet originally included only 12 battlestars, each representing one of Kobol's 12 colonies. The Galactica represented Caprica. Commander Nash was the first commander of the Galactica. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Glen A. Larson was given a writing credit for the miniseries under the alias of Christopher Eric James, although he did not actively participate in the writing of the 2003 miniseries. Ronald Moore felt that Larson deserved a writing credit because the miniseries used many characters and story elements from the original series. Even so, Larson had to take his case before an arbitration panel at the Writers Guild of America before getting the credit. Edit
    • Tricia Helfer's hair was dyed platinum blonde for the miniseries. Her natural hair color is a much darker blonde. After Season 1, she wore a wig instead because the dye chemicals were damaging her hair. Edit
    • Edward James Olmos is wearing blue-colored contact lenses while Jamie Bamber's hair is dyed a dark brown color. This was done to make the two look more like each other, since they play father and son. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Adama: The Cylon War is long over, yet we must not forget the reasons why so many sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom. The cost of wearing the uniform can be high, but -- (long pause) sometimes it's too high. You know, when we fought the Cylons, we did it to save ourselves from extinction. But we never answered the question, why? Why are we as a people worth saving? We still commit murder because of greed, spite, jealousy. And we still visit all of our sins upon our children. We refuse to accept the responsibility for anything that we've done. Like we did with the Cylons. We decided to play God, create life. When that life turned against us, we comforted ourselves in the knowledge that it really wasn't our fault, not really. You cannot play God, then wash your hands of the things that you've created. Sooner or later, the day comes when you can't hide from the things that you've done anymore. Edit
    • Number Six: Gaius, I can't die. When this body is destroyed, my memory, my consciousness, will be transmitted to a new one. I'll just wake up somewhere else in an identical body. Baltar: You mean there's more out there like you? Number Six: There are twelve models. I'm Number Six. Edit
    • Number Six: It won't be necessary, because in a few hours no one will be left to charge you with anything. Baltar: What exactly are you saying? Number Six: Humanity's children are returning home... today. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • The Number Six character (played by Tricia Helfer) is named after Patrick McGoohan's character in the 1967-1968 British cult sci-fi series The Prisoner. Edit
    • Part 1.0 of the miniseries contains a few nods to the original Battlestar Galactica series. The armistice station officer reviews a briefing document that details the specifications for the old Cylon Centurian (sic) model. The museum in Galactica's starboard landing bay displays a copy of an old Cylon Centurion and a Cylon baseship from the original series. Finally, the martial music played during the Viper fly-by at the decommissioning ceremony quotes the Stu Phillips title theme from the original series. Edit

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