Battlestar Galactica TV show

[Ranger1]

Anyone watching this? i like it.

[Jan]

Originally posted by Ranger1
Anyone watching this? i like it.

It doesn't start here in the States until January. I liked the mini-series/pilot, though.

Jan

[Ranger1]

Yeah the mini series was awesome,already saw 4 episodes from the TV show,pretty good.

[Sigma]

Awesome show. All 4 episodes have been simply superb.

On par with miniseries or even better. :)
But i fear that after great buildup we have seen so far there will be letdown in the end.

[Ranger1]

One can never know,but hey,im an optimistic guy ;)

[Dr Maturin]

Stand alone eps with continuity? Or are they fully serialized?

[Sigma]

Originally posted by Z'ha'dumDweller
Stand alone eps with continuity? Or are they fully serialized?
Every episode is piece in the puzzle but also works as a standalone. That is one reason why i like it..it's not 100% arc like "24" but every episode more or less advances the big plot.

[Ranger1]

Yes true,and thus far (only 4 episodes) contain mucho action...me like :)

[Dr Maturin]

Any standard sci-fi cliché eps yet?

[jal]

Any standard sci-fi cliché eps yet?

nope, no time travel or similar so far, it`s nice and dark. :D

[bakana]

Are they plagarizing everyone is sight this time around?

They did last time.
I believe half a dozen authors collected lawyers fees.

[Jan]

Originally posted by bakana
Are they plagarizing everyone is sight this time around?

They did last time.
I believe half a dozen authors collected lawyers fees.

Really? I'm surprised because one of the 'issues' with the original show was that each episode was constantly rewritten due to network interference. At least that's what a BSGdocumentary I saw on the Sci-Fi Channel as well as Richard Hatch have said.

Do you have a source?

Jan

[I love Lyta]

BLEH! *pukes*
Starbuck a GIRL?!? :eek:

[Ranger1]

Originally posted by I love Lyta
BLEH! *pukes*
Starbuck a GIRL?!? :eek:

Yeah in the mini-series i just hated her so bad,but on this tv show she has some fine acting,she is so fine now IMHO.

[Jan]

Originally posted by I love Lyta
BLEH! *pukes*
Starbuck a GIRL?!? :eek:

The name is the same but it's really not the same character I remember. I saw the new one doing things in the mini that the old one never would have.

In fact, I can't say that any of them remind me of the originals and maybe that's good.


Jan

[starfighter]

first time in ages i have kept watching a scifi series don`t know why yet. could be because it reminds me of the first season of B5 a scifi series that allows characters to evolve. Its early days yet but it`s looking good. Hope its given a chance and not killed of by the "bad ratings" disease.

[Bonehead]

Originally posted by bakana
Are they plagarizing everyone is sight this time around?

They did last time.
I believe half a dozen authors collected lawyers fees.

I'm dubious about this. I even remember reading an article about how Glen.A.Larsen discussed the original pilot with George Lucas, so as to appear significantly different from Star Wars (which came out around the same time)

Larsen was extremely careful, even deciding to go with just flashes of light for the handguns instead of laser blasts as seen in Star Wars.

The only ideas from the show I can think of that had appeared in print would be the portrail of the Lords of Kobol's society (shown as an ancient Egyptian civilisation with great pyramids and hiroglyphics. - suggesting the earliest civilisations of man spawned the ancient Egyptians who came from the stars. - (Von Dannikan's ideas originally I believe))

But you could say the same about Stargate and many others. But all stories get re-used anyway. In fact Star Wars itself was an almost direct copy of an old animated film, which I didn't believe until I saw it myself. Sadly I forget the name of it now.

[bakana]

Lukas was the most Famous person to sue BG, but others had better cases.
(Yes, he did, he lost because plagiarism is very hard to prove.)

Fred Saberhagen's "Berserker" stories predate the "Cylons" by a number of years.

There are other examples, but findning them is more work than I have time for at the momment.

Most of the people ripped off couldn't Afford the legal fees necessary to file suit.

[Dr Maturin]

<<In fact Star Wars itself was an almost direct copy of an old animated film, which I didn't believe until I saw it myself. Sadly I forget the name of it now.>>

Well, the basic plot of A New Hope is based on The Hidden Fortress, but the Hero's Journey isn't something that can be copied. It's in our minds. That's why we keep telling the same stories over and over.

As for BSG...Lucas sued them not due to plagiarism, but due to the fact that several people on his FX team jumped ship and used the methods created for Star Wars to produce BSG.

[Capt.Montoya]

Originally posted by bakana
Are they plagarizing everyone is sight this time around?

They did last time.
I believe half a dozen authors collected lawyers fees. There was a movie called "The Towering Inferno" around those dates... then there was a raging fire episode in the original Galactica series.
I saw a documentary on the show that mentioned this and other examples and stated that the very people involved in it didn't think it was such original storytelling (a point which might have been exaggerated by the documentary makers, but does have a hint of truth).

The "idea" of ancient civilizations spawned by aliens was by von Daniken mostly, yes. Someone else has written something that reflects my opinion on that. ( http://skepdic.com/vondanik.html)

[bakana]

As for BSG...Lucas sued them not due to plagiarism,

Most of the articles available on the web refer to it as a Plagiarism lawsuit.
You'd have to track down the Original filings in Westlaw to prove them wrong.
Lucas wouldn't have any Other grounds to sue on if it were just a dispute over people jumping ship.

Creative people jump from studio to studio all the time.
The days of the exclusive contract were long gone before any of the current crop of actors was even born.

[Dr Maturin]

<<Creative people jump from studio to studio all the time.
The days of the exclusive contract were long gone before any of the current crop of actors was even born.>>

Not when they took methods that apparently had patents pending.

Admittedly, I am not very knowledgeable about the situation, but I read about it years ago and I vaguely remember it. Could "plagiarism" also mean copying methods used for FX or for designs that are so similar?

[Radhil]

Could "plagiarism" also mean copying methods used for FX or for designs that are so similar?

It could, but the technical term would be more like copyright violation, or trade secret theft.

Which are very closely covered in contract, even where exclusivity agreements and time after dismissal are not.

[Ranger1]

Keeping this thread alive,i would like to hear some American viewers who started watching BG and what do you think about it.

Season 1 ended,and i think its so odd that it was SO short (only 14 episodes if i remember correctly).

[Milkman]

So far i have enjoyed every episode. I think last night was episode 5? They are a refreshing change to what has been on TV as of late, and really make me watch Sci-Fi channel all night long 7-10PM here.(SG-1, SG:A, BG).

The only think i have a small problem with is the posible overuse??? of sexuality in the show. While i personally really don't care, us conservitive Americans can be a bit uptight about such things. This show is one of those that along with B5 i would like to share with my kids someday as being a good show to watch together. But do to the some of the content i may have to wait until they are a bit older to share it than say B5 or ST:TNG.

I look forward to the rest of the episodes and hope there are many more to come!

[SpooRancher]

I don't get BSG here. Only reason I can get B5 is my DVD's.

I had to wait until the DVD for the BSG pilot/miniseries. The cable provider in my town does not have SciFi, and satellite prices are very unreasonable here in the boonies.

(**wishes really hard for the episodes to come out on DVD soon so he can see them and really join the conversations, or for some wonderful unknown friend to drop ship a case of the videotapings of the episodes into his po box**)

[Jan]

Originally posted by Ranger1
Keeping this thread alive,i would like to hear some American viewers who started watching BG and what do you think about it.

I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The characters are all distinct from each other and the relationships are nuanced and feel genuine. The one aspect I'm not enjoying is the Baltar/Six interraction. I think her appearing/talking to him would be more effective used much more sparingly. As it is, I imagine he's getting a reputation as a madman rather than a genius.

Season 1 ended,and i think its so odd that it was SO short (only 14 episodes if i remember correctly).

Unfortunately that seems to be the way of things in these days of cancelling shows after 4 episodes or so. Sci-Fi seems to be very cautious. First starting with the mini-series, then the 'limited' first season. Hopefully the second season will be a full order but even those are getting shorter all the time. <creaky old lady voice> Why, I remember, back in the day, when a Tee-Vee season was a full 26 episodes, sonny. Yessirree, thems was the good ole days...</creaky old lady voice> ;)

Jan

[Radhil]

Originally posted by Jan
I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The characters are all distinct from each other and the relationships are nuanced and feel genuine. The one aspect I'm not enjoying is the Baltar/Six interraction. I think her appearing/talking to him would be more effective used much more sparingly. As it is, I imagine he's getting a reputation as a madman rather than a genius.

I think he already had a reputation as being a bit off.

But I do agree with you. There's been... one? to my memory anyway... scene with Baltar without his tag-along. Less would be more. Especialy with her... *ahem* manner.


Unfortunately that seems to be the way of things in these days of cancelling shows after 4 episodes or so. Sci-Fi seems to be very cautious. First starting with the mini-series, then the 'limited' first season. Hopefully the second season will be a full order but even those are getting shorter all the time. <creaky old lady voice> Why, I remember, back in the day, when a Tee-Vee season was a full 26 episodes, sonny. Yessirree, thems was the good ole days...</creaky old lady voice> ;)

Jan

Outside of reality shows (most of those have short seasons anyway), nothing will EVER get a full order off the bat. Scripted TV has fallen a long way. There's still great stuff, but the almighty whip of Neilsen still rules all, and no one will take a chance anymore. Every major network only orders half up-front, half after it's a sure thing.

The UK airing confuse things, because that's almost a side-outlet for broadcast. SciFi in the US is payin' the bills. And it's their meter that's being watched.

It will likely get a full season next "year", however that translates into SciFi's wacky schedule parameters.

[AaronB]

Originally posted by Jan
I'm enjoying it quite a bit. The characters are all distinct from each other and the relationships are nuanced and feel genuine. The one aspect I'm not enjoying is the Baltar/Six interraction.



I have to agree. Although in the last episode of the "season" they do explain it somewhat. Even with that I still don't "get" it. The best thing about the show (IMO) is that it is a character driven show first and a Sci-Fi show second. They have been very good about keeping the techo babble to an absolute minimum as well. In my book, that is always a plus.



Unfortunately that seems to be the way of things in these days of cancelling shows after 4 episodes or so. Sci-Fi seems to be very cautious. First starting with the mini-series, then the 'limited' first season. Hopefully the second season will be a full order but even those are getting shorter all the time. <creaky old lady voice> Why, I remember, back in the day, when a Tee-Vee season was a full 26 episodes, sonny. Yessirree, thems was the good ole days...</creaky old lady voice> ;)

Jan

Ah... the good old days! IIRC a full season is about 22 episodes or so. Not too much of a drop off. Of course what is on TV these days (the Big 4 networks) is complete garbage. It is almost as if all the writers, especially comedy, need to have a frontal lombodomy before starting.

[Ranger1]

I didn't enjoy the "Baltar/Six" relationship at beginning also,now,LOL its so AWESOME,i love this show,just keep on watching.

Same goes for Starbuck,but as the characters develops i did enjoy them more and more,now after i finished watching the first season i can't wait for more (please don't let season 2 take so long to air i need it like...NOW). :)

[Dr Maturin]

For 1/28:

SG1 - 2.1, or 2.5 million viewers
Atlantis - 2.4, or 2.9 million viewers
BSG - 2.5, or 3 million viewers

Very good.

[Ranger1]

How do you get the numbers Z?

[Firebird]

Originally posted by Radhil

The UK airing confuse things, because that's almost a side-outlet for broadcast. SciFi in the US is payin' the bills. And it's their meter that's being watched.


Information please, Lightstorm and I don't understand this statement. How do you mean that they "....confuse things..", in what way?

Are you saying that international sales are not taken into account in any way? Isn't that rather short sighted?

:)

[AaronB]

Originally posted by Ranger1
How do you get the numbers Z?
IIRC, I saw it at gateworld.net. I can't find the link now however. :mad:

I did see this bit of news while looking, SCI FI Friday nudges up in ratings. Read (http://www.gateworld.net/news/2005/02/scififridaynudgesupinratin.shtml) the whole article since there is lots of good stuff in iit.

[Radhil]

Originally posted by Firebird
Are you saying that international sales are not taken into account in any way? Isn't that rather short sighted?

Yes, yes it is short sighted. Welcome to America. :rolleyes:

I'm sure the UK response is taken into some consideration. But on the order of a grape beside a watermelon.

[DysfunctionalReality]

I've watched a few of the episodes, and from what I've seen it looks like a pretty good sci-fi tv show. Especially compared to 90% of the mindless garbage that's already in Sci-Fi channels line up (there really is no comparison).

I think they do skimp on the special effects though. I rarely ever see them provide more than 2-3 second glimpes of what's going on outside the ships.

I'd probably watch it more, if it was on earlier and there weren't so many damned commercial breaks (the most I can say is I might rent it if it comes out on DVD at a local Blockbuster).

[colonyearth]

As for the shortened first season...that was a precautionary step by everyone involved, however, based on the UK ratings alone (before it aired one episode in the US) Sci-Fi ordered 9 more episodes for the first season to begin production immediately...so more are on the way! This would fill out the first season.

I love this show. My only issue with it is the overuse of common, modern "earthisms" and culture. This is supposed to be another group of humans in another part of the galaxy that evolved seperately from us, yet they're talking in very modern day earth slang and military slang. This could eventually date the series as badly as disco dated the original. Not to mention the "nukes" and apparent "bullets" they use (I still think a good laser is fine).

Some would call this lazy writing. Some have said they think it's Ron Moore's overreaction to so much technobabble he was forced to write on ST. I don't know...I do think it's a bit lazy in the creative department. A recent ep. here had the pilots chanting, "I don't know but I've been told..." type military chants. This, to me, was unnecessary and overdone. The same with the use of modern terms, like "bitch" or some other such word or phrase. The series is repleat with them. I've so far managed to ignore it, so it's not stopped me liking the show. It is, in fact, my one complaint about the show.

But the story, the characters, and the intensity and acting are so good that I'm able to forgive the "earthisms." That is ultimately a good sign.

I could see this show becoming another B5. From my source, I've been hinted to that the series is fully arced and planned out and that it will end with a huge twist. What that is...I could not tell you. I know what I would most likely do...(which is an idea I love)...but then that's me.

CE

[Radhil]

But the story, the characters, and the intensity and acting are so good that I'm able to forgive the "earthisms." That is ultimately a good sign.

I dunno, I have no real problem with the earth slang. There's no real reason for it to NOT be there, other than it's from current day Earth. That's a pretty thin reason. I mean hell, if you really want nitpicky, what are they all doin' speaking English?

I don't expect every show to re-invent their own cultures and fill in the timeline of centuries just to establish themselves. Few shows would ever get off the ground that way. Some shows would be better for it, but those shows likely wouldn't have the proper effort towards their writing either. Firefly probably gets the nod for best wholesale invention of new culture, but I don't expect that from a non-Whedon show. Besides, they haven't shown much beside the military angle, and that side has more constants than normal average Joe life. All in all, BSG is doing OK by me.

In fact, since it's mostly reflecting Earth-type military and government down the wire - with some obvious hints toward American democracy, in that one episode - I'm curious to see how it plays out under the extremes they will be put through. And I wonder how the religion angle will come in, since they've made a point of establishing it, and the differences of the Cylons. We are dealing with intelligent beings here - Six has an agenda, but certainly is no automaton. So it makes me wonder.

Lotta potential here. Just gotta see how it all collides...

[Ranger1]

Well,i really don't remember the original BG (i was waaay too young),but when i asked my dad he said that all of BG people were originally from earth (well,their great great great.. grandparents).

And now it goes the other way,they try to find earth.

Don't know if thats true or not,but hell,could be a nice plot :p

At the end,they will all have to do something with earth,too many similarities (Cloths,pats,food,humans etc...).

[Dr Maturin]

For 2/4:

SG1 - 2.1
Atlantis - 2.2
BSG - 2.5

BSG is impressive...MOST impressive. And I still haven't seen one ep.

[Towelmaster]

Neither have I... not aired in Holland yet...

Does anybody have good url's I can check out? And can anybody tell me if they are still swearing and shouting "Felgerkarb!" ? :D

BTW : I loved the idea behind BSG Original but the product sucked big big time. It would be a nice surprise to see them do it right the second time.

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by Towelmaster
Neither have I... not aired in Holland yet...

Does anybody have good url's I can check out? And can anybody tell me if they are still swearing and shouting "Felgerkarb!" ? :D

BTW : I loved the idea behind BSG Original but the product sucked big big time. It would be a nice surprise to see them do it right the second time.

No on "felgerkarb" yes on "frak."

However, they are making the word "frak" play much better than the OS did.

As for the "earthisms," as I stated, they are the easy way out, IMO, but they are in no way stopping me from loving this show. As I stated, it's the best SF (especially arced SF) show I've seen since B5. There's tons of potential.

As for the Cylon religion...I'm told that's a big revelation down the road, and it will be a very surprising thing for the audience. I'm deeply intrigued.

I don't have a problem with certain levels of "willing suspension of disbelief," however, they have been pushing the "earthisms" a bit much. I can forgive it, but I still think creating some original terms and cultural phrases and actions is a good thing for a story about a race of humans that have never met anyone from Earth and live in another part of the galaxy. To do otherwise (as a writer myself) is lazy writing...no matter how you rationalize it. The SW prequels have fallen victim to this, but in the case of SW, it's really, really badly done (doing the "wave" at the pod-races, etc.)

Now...can I get past it? With BG, yes (with SW...no...it's just horrible). But I still think that some differences between these people across the galaxy that evolved completely seperate from us and our modern 20th/21st century slang and culture would be a sign of more creativity.

That being said, there will always be some association with current times...thus the use of English (or whatever language the show/film is shot in)...etc. That is a given. But using so many obvious current cultural and lingual "earthisms" is nothing short of lazy work and easy-way-out thinking.

Moore is clearly making up for this with great story (and arc) and wonderful characters. Therefore, I forgive him this one deficiency...even if I don't particulary like it some of the time (I consider it the only weakness the show has).

Ultimately, BG is the best SF show on the air right now. If they can keep up the level of tension, the character development, the story, the level of writing and arc and keep it this interesting...then it will, IMO, go down as one of the best SF shows ever done.

CE

[vacantlook]

One thing I don't like is the new ad for it eagerly quoting someone (they should be eager from their perspective, from mine it's aggravating) calling the new BSG "the most ambitious science fiction program since The Twilight Zone."

:mad:

The most ambitious since Babylon 5: maybe. Most ambitious since TTZ, I'd have to say no.

[/rant]

[Radhil]

Originally posted by vacantlook
One thing I don't like is the new ad for it eagerly quoting someone (they should be eager from their perspective, from mine it's aggravating) calling the new BSG "the most ambitious science fiction program since The Twilight Zone."

:mad:

The most ambitious since Babylon 5: maybe. Most ambitious since TTZ, I'd have to say no.

[/rant]

I don't think the hyperbole spewage from advertising executive bobbleheads should be taken too seriously.

[vacantlook]

Oh, I don't take it too seriously, just enough to make me go, "Ugh!" and roll my eyes at it. It's the same type of annoyance that I get whenever I hear that Cortislim ad with the guy saying, "Holiday over-indulgence cannot be changed."

[Towelmaster]

Yeah but don't forget that TTZ had a much bigger impact on the general american audience than B5 had.
This is marketing-crap so they are trying ty reach the highest possible number of people. Which also means the lowest common denominator...

But I understand your aversion, I used to have that every time some asshole announce a new SF-book and compared it to "The greatest SF-novels of all time, Foundation, Dune"... Never heard of Phil Dick, Sturgeon, Laumer, Lafferty, Scott Card, Tiptree, Harness, Ellison, andsoonandsoon...

Ignore them and feel absolutely superior instead, is what I say... :D ;)

[AaronB]

Originally posted by Towelmaster
Yeah but don't forget that TTZ had a much bigger impact on the general american audience than B5 had.
This is marketing-crap so they are trying ty reach the highest possible number of people. Which also means the lowest common denominator...

Of course, with out this marketing "crap" the show would have an abisimal rating and would be killed at the end of the season. If not sooner.

We should be happy that the campaign that they have run has been successful. Like it or not, TV bases it's decisions on ratings. Not what Science Fiction fans like ourselves like.

thebaron,
a sales and marketing guy

[colonyearth]

According to Sci-fi Wire, BG is renewed for a second season!

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?category=0&id=30357

Perhaps this is what I was told about it getting 9 more eps for the first season, I will now have to investigate, it might have been a miscommunication in what someone wrote; not 9 new eps for S1 but a second season alltogether.

CE

[AaronB]

Originally posted by colonyearth
According to Sci-fi Wire, BG is renewed for a second season!

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?category=0&id=30357

Perhaps this is what I was told about it getting 9 more eps for the first season, I will now have to investigate, it might have been a miscommunication in what someone wrote; not 9 new eps for S1 but a second season alltogether.

CE
CE does that mean that the second season will be only 9 eps or is that just what they are being asked to do upfront and the rest pending ratings?

aaron

[Dr Maturin]

I am cool with 10-15 ep seasons if it means cutting out filler episodes that so many arc shows seem to have.

[Radhil]

As the article sez, the details of S2 - including the actual count of episodes - are still being worked out.

EDIT - The article also makes mention of Moore's log on the SciFi site. Interesting reading, and it touches on a few things we've already hit on here.

[DGTWoodward]

So BG has an overall arc has it? Good to hear it, good show it is too, FireBird and I both enjoyed it. Can't wait for season 2 when it arrives. There is just one thing....

Have you noticed that since Babylon 5 came on the air, just about every (and I do mean more or less EVERY) show introduced long term arcs into their stories, from the TREK of the time outwards. Now, now that it has been done to perfection, EVERYONE is doing it and talking about it, or talking about doing it. TOUGH LUCK SUCKERS BABYLON 5 started it. BLAKE'S 7 had a stab at it but the melange of writers damaged it very much indeed...causing huge gaps in logic and even same-season, inter-episode lack of continuity!

Nowadays, every important show has a baseline 'arc' around which all the rest of the details develop, as if this had been done all the time. People very glibbly talk about their 'arc', and how intricate and complex it is, how they'd been thinking about for so long etc.

TOUGH LUCK KIDDIES, that race has already been won...and it wasn't by you!

Writing parts of two 3rd season episodes way back in season 1, now that's intricate, that's long-term planning, that's trend-setting. Un-fragging-beatable!!!

[Radhil]

Ah, but so few shows even have time to get decent arcs off the ground, ne? Or even have the wits to make them decent.

Or, as I believe Joe said at that school discussion... Imitation is the sincerest form of television.

The arcs that are done well are still quite fun to watch nowadays. They're usually plotted year by year, which gives them a more organic feel and unpredictable nature. Of course, this also gives the chance of ruining the show completely by growing in the wrong directions (witness Alias, season 3), but it's worth it. If ever a TV show does manage to plot a multi-year story form - in advance (as opposed to the hindsight "I meant to do that" approach)- good luck to them. They'll need it. B5 did.

[Dr Maturin]

Yeah, luck indeed. I don't think imitation has anything to do with it. Any time an arc was attempted, it was usually the network that cut it short. B5 showed that outfoxing the suits can be done. Any good storyteller can plot a five-year arc and pull it off. Only a good persuader can get the suits to give them the go order.

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by thebaron
CE does that mean that the second season will be only 9 eps or is that just what they are being asked to do upfront and the rest pending ratings?

aaron

No...I'm sure it's either another 13 ep season or a full one. The 9 eps I heard about I think was someone misunderstanding something and jumping the gun on reporting it.

The reason, BTW, for the 13 ep season, is because BG costs over 2 million an ep. This means they're doing shorter seasons so they can spend more per ep. It's, IMO, a good move.

As to whether the next season will be 13 eps...I couldn't say...but it wouldn't surprise me. These shorter seasons are a new thing...started at HBO (actually the UK has been doing it for years). It is most likely a movement that will grow.

CE

[AaronB]

Originally posted by colonyearth

The reason, BTW, for the 13 ep season, is because BG costs over 2 million an ep.

Over $2 millon per ep?! Maybe Ronald Moore should talke with JMS about keeping costs down. ;)

IMO I don't care is a season is 13 or 130 episodes. I just want a good story told and acted out well.

[Garibaldi's Hair]

These shorter seasons are a new thing...started at HBO (actually the UK has been doing it for years).

Very true - 13 episodes has been a standard TV season for many years in certain genres of UK television.

Some (comedy particularly) even go as low as 6 for a standard season. That's why there are only 12 eps of Fawlty Towers ever made - 2 seasons of 6 each. Likewise, the four Blackadder series each 6 episodes.

[DGTWoodward]

While we are still on this subject, UK fans of BSG may like to check out the following link....

www.collectormania.com

These are not actually conventions but elongated autograph sessions. There is usually one every six months and at the last one guest signers included Richard Keil, Margot Kidder, Carrie Fisher, Billy-Dee Williams, Julie Caitlin Brown, Dirk Benedict, Richard Hatch, Verne Troyer, Dwight Schultz, Paul Darrow and Walter Keonig. Usually the guest will sign either a photo (which they themselves and NOT YOU supply) or a personal item which you can bring yourself. They do this for a small fee of between £10-20 (except Carrie Fisher who deemed herself worth £25, so I didn't get hers on principle - it was more than was stated on the web page and we had budgeted for it accordingly!). This may seem like a lot of cash but when you consider the potential price if getting them from a third pary seller, it is not so bad. Also you always run the risk of buying a fake, even with a C.O.C. - but not here! Most guests are OK with a quick photo too.

It may be of interest to fans but, whilst we were there we did not see Dirk or Richard share one word with each other! They did not even sit at the same table, even though they were the headliners of the same show. Bad planning on the part of the organisers?

We went to meet Margot Kidder and Richard Keil as Firebird and I are both also ace BOND and Superman fans (as well as B5!). Margot signed our SUPERMAN-The Movie DVD and Richard signed the fantastic 14inch JAWS figure by Sideshow collectibles. We also got our STAR WARS DVD sleeves signed by many other SW cast members including a rare autograph from Gary Kurtz (SW's producer).

All in all it was an enjoyable event, even if it did have the 'cattle-market' feel to it occasionally. Though this was actually lessened by the virtual-que, you're given a number and you can come and go whenever you please.

One down point though, while we were there waiting for the guests of take their places, we heard a familiar voice to our left. We turned, and there was BLAKE'S 7's Kerr Avon himself...Paul Darrow standing right next to us. He was waiting to be taken to where he was going to sit and sign but this was taking so long that Firebird and I talked to him for quite some time. Charming man. When he did get escorted to his seat, there was no banner photo of him to catch fan's eyes (everyone else had one though). I thought that his was rather shoddy treatment of our own homegrown talent.

This time round we have a Sideshow SPIKE figure we would like James Masters to autograph, also our LotR DVDs will get a couple of signatures on them too.

As you can see from the list, there are plenty of guests for all tastes. Some WILL CANCEL due to work commitments, but there are more than enough others to not disappoint.

Not bad really.:) :) :)

[Dr Maturin]

Question(s):

Does BSG have the same director every episode?

Secondly, if or if not, do they use the same style every episode, with the claustrophobic, zoomed in shots?

I actually caught an ep the other night...about the "witch hunt." Heh, there is one sci-fi cliché that they have touched upon. The only thing that I didn't like was the camera work.

[AaronB]

Originally posted by Z'ha'dumDweller
Question(s):

Does BSG have the same director every episode?

Secondly, if or if not, do they use the same style every episode, with the claustrophobic, zoomed in shots?

I actually caught an ep the other night...about the "witch hunt." Heh, there is one sci-fi cliché that they have touched upon. The only thing that I didn't like was the camera work.

They use different directors (11 for 13 eps) so I would presume that Moore has told them to use those types of shots. Personally, I like the shots because it gives me that feeling I am in the ships along with them.

[Ranger1]

I love the shots,tell you the truth,i didn't even thought about the shots until you folks talked about them right now.

If i didn't notice the shots,that means they are GOOD :D

[colonyearth]

It's a documentary, cinema-verite, style of shooting that works really well for what they're doing with the series. It keeps it visually edgy and is a style that makes the viewer feel off-balance and uncertain psycologically...which is what the series is trying to do.

It has the added effect of doing what thebaron says, making it seem as though you're there with them.

Personally, I love it...it's a great choice for the show...and yes, though I'm sure it wasn't all Moore's idea, I'm certain that Moore and Eick were a part of the decision to go with this style of shooting.

The only issue I had with the ep is that it all supposedly happened in one day, I felt it was a longer time than that until they said it happened in a day, which I felt was too fast of a time for a true "witch-hunt" to grow. That and the fact that the witch-hunt happened too easily,...there was no clear escalation to a dangerous mentality IMO...it was...in short, too subtle.

All in all, I like this new BG.

CE

[Dr Maturin]

The most interesting "witch hunt" archetype episode I've ever seen was DS9's "Inquisition." The first time I saw it, I was just like "Wow." They totally catch you off guard.

SPOILERS BELOW...and don't look if you are thinking about ever seeing DS9.





















I like how they used not only the witch hunt, but the use of holodeck in a new and innovative way. DS9 was really good about using the holodeck in ways other than "We're trapped on the holodeck and the computer has gone nuts!"

I didn't figure it out until Bashir was rescued from the Dominion ship and everyone was being mean to him on the bridge of the Defiant. Even then, I didn't know who or why they put him through hell. I was hoping it wasn't something like TNG's Future Imperfect, and after the break, I found that it wasn't. Great ep from one of DS9's best seasons.

[Mort_Q]

Most of the articles available on the web refer to it as a Plagiarism lawsuit.

BSG:TOS FAQ (http://www.kobol.com/archives/BG-FAQ.html#G6)

[Ranger1]

SCI FI Renews Galactica

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?id=30357

whoowhoo :)

[SpooRancher]

Has anybody heard anything about a possible release date for the first season of BSG? I haven't seen any of it, (local cable does not carry SciFi) and really want to see it.

BTW, BattlestarGalactica.com has the first episode, "33", available to watch for free. So, that and the pilot (on DVD) are all I have seen.

But I do like what I have seen.

[Radhil]

Nothing yet, and I've looked. With the rapidness of their DVD releases lately, I'd hazard a guess that'll it'll be announced shortly and released in the fall - Sept/Oct, when the usual glut is. The second season would be a good release date, but it probably is coming up too quickly.

[colonyearth]

Can I just throw in here that I'm LOVING this series!? Each episode pulls me in more and more.

What a great trick they pulled on us in this last one. And GODS am I curious about this new prophecy.

Shit, I haven't seen such a show since B5.

Congrats to Ron Moore! Just goes to show what a person can do once they don't have Dickhead Berman standing over his their shoulder.

CE

[AaronB]

Can I just throw in here that I'm LOVING this series!? Each episode pulls me in more and more.

What a great trick they pulled on us in this last one. And GODS am I curious about this new prophecy.

Shit, I haven't seen such a show since B5.

Congrats to Ron Moore! Just goes to show what a person can do once they don't have Dickhead Berman standing over his their shoulder.

CE
Yeah, that was one hell of a trick. The show just keeps getting better and better. Wait till you see the season finale...

[Radhil]

Ninety-nine other sci-fi shows would have put Starbuck out in the captured Cylon Raider with some lame throwaway line about it being easier on her knee and had her kick ass. I was half expecting it too.

Only this show would have her biting her nails as she hears the combat and can't do anything, watching the strategy board, wishing she was out there, hoping all to hell she didn't just screw the fleet with her wild plan (and paralleling to Baltar, of all people).

I can't even read Baltar anymore. I just take it as given that if Six smiles, it is a Bad Thing. Everything else is up in the air.

[Ranger1]

Season 1 DVD box set is availble from tomorrow at amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007L6SA8/qid=1111875494/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_11_1/202-2036727-7936628

[SpooRancher]

Congrats to all you in the Realm, but, alas, no word on a release date for the US. This is a bit of a reversal, with the Europeans getting first dibs on a DVD release.

Hope you all enjoy, I'm still here waiting. :D

[Dr Maturin]

BSG pulled a 2.2 rating on Friday.

Did anyone post the news of a twenty-episode renewal?

[Ranger1]

Did anyone post the news of a twenty-episode renewal?

Yeah i did,somewhere on this thread...or at least i think i did,feel free to repost it.

Oh wait,yes i did,its 8 post above you Z :)

[modernmajorgeneral]

As a hardcore B5 fan, the new Battlestar Galactica is right up my alley. It's got the continuity. It's got the character development. And it has the guts to take on the big issues. I'm not surprised that other B5'ers like it so much. :)

[Dauriel]

I am really enjoying this show. The premise may not be a new one, but each episode is well written. I look forward to each episode and see how each character develops. I get the feeling that anything can happen to anyone on this show. I can't wait to see how things develop with Baltar. The first season has been wonderful so far. I hope the momentum continues!

[Dr Maturin]

<<Congrats to Ron Moore! Just goes to show what a person can do once they don't have Dickhead Berman standing over his their shoulder.>>

Like the great job he did on DS9, where Fuckface Berman wasn't looking over his shoulder.

<<Oh wait,yes i did,its 8 post above you Z>>

Ani Mitzta'er.

[Ranger1]

I find it a bit weird that the show itself was first to air outside the U.S,and now the DVD is out as PAL.

Its a well known fact that the best sales of DVD's (american shows to be more specific) are the strongest in the U.S,is this some sort of a new strategy to lower down the piracy?


<<Oh wait,yes i did,its 8 post above you Z>>

Ani Mitzta'er.

LOL,nothing to it :p

[colonyearth]

<<Congrats to Ron Moore! Just goes to show what a person can do once they don't have Dickhead Berman standing over his their shoulder.>>

Like the great job he did on DS9, where Fuckface Berman wasn't looking over his shoulder.


Not true. Berman has had final say and "his hands in" all things Trek up until this last season of ENTERPRISE, where it appears he's had a lot less power.

Berman was always looking over Moore's shoulder and demanding bad story ideas and changes be incorporated.

As for the final ep. of ENTERPRISE, apparently the cast, especially T'Pol is being verbal against the horrid ending to the show that was written by none other than the original twin idiots...Berman and Braga. She says it's terrible, they ruined everything Coto had started to fix and do right.

I can't see Berman gone from Trek soon enough.

Thank god, Moore got out from under him. BSG is wonderful!

CE

[Dr Maturin]

Not true. Berman has had final say and "his hands in" all things Trek up until this last season of ENTERPRISE, where it appears he's had a lot less power.

Berman was always looking over Moore's shoulder and demanding bad story ideas and changes be incorporated.

As for the final ep. of ENTERPRISE, apparently the cast, especially T'Pol is being verbal against the horrid ending to the show that was written by none other than the original twin idiots...Berman and Braga. She says it's terrible, they ruined everything Coto had started to fix and do right.

I can't see Berman gone from Trek soon enough.

Thank god, Moore got out from under him. BSG is wonderful!

Berman had little to do with DS9, despite the EP credit, after the second season or so.

Let's take a look at his track record:

(story) (episode 4.12 "Paradise Lost")
(teleplay) (episode 3.01 "Search: Part 1, The")
(teleplay) (episode 3.03 "House of Quark, The")
(teleplay) (episode 3.13 "Life Support")
(teleplay) (episode 4.06 "Rejoined")
(teleplay) (episode 4.10 "Our Man Bashir")
(teleplay) (episode 4.18 "Rules of Engagement")
(teleplay) (episode 4.22 "For the Cause")
(teleplay) (episode 5.06 "Trials and Tribble-ations")
(teleplay) (episode 5.11 "Darkness and the Light, The")
(teleplay) (episode 5.16 "Doctor Bashir, I Presume")
(teleplay) (episode 5.25 "In the Cards")
(teleplay) (episode 6.25 "Sound of Her Voice, The")
(teleplay) (episode 7.10 "It's Only a Paper Moon")
(teleplay) (episode 7.24 "Dogs of War, The")
(writer) (episode 3.09 "Defiant")
(writer) (episode 3.21 "Die is Cast, The")
(writer) (episode 4.15 "Sons of Mogh")
(writer) (episode 5.03 "Looking for Par'mach in All the Wrong Places")
(writer) (episode 5.21 "Soldiers of the Empire")
(writer) (episode 6.02 "Rocks and Shoals")
(writer) (episode 6.07 "You are Cordially Invited")
(writer) (episode 6.11 "Waltz")
(writer) (episode 6.16 "Change of Heart")
(writer) (episode 6.22 "Valiant")
(writer) (episode 7.04 "Take Me Out to the Holosuite")
(writer) (episode 7.07 "Once More Unto the Breach")
(writer) (episode 7.16 "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges")
(writer) (episode 7.19 "Strange Bedfellows")
(writer) (episode 7.22 "Tacking into the Wind")

Some of the best DS9 and STU eps are above. Sure, there are a few stinkers, but nobody is perfect.

[modernmajorgeneral]

Very sad that B&B, the Chucklehead Twins, get the last word on Trek for the next three years. :mad:

[colonyearth]

From the leaks I've read about the final episode, it's going to be horrid.

SPOILERS:








































They supposedly jump 6 years into the future where the ENTERPRISE (a relatively brand new ship) is being decommissioned and the Federation is forming or some such major timeline blunder. Even Frakes and Sirtis are supposed to guest star. How the hell are they going to be in it?!

Can't this cast even get its own farewell? Done right?! Without some other TNG people having to get involved? After the crap they've been through, I'd say they deserved a rockin' great send-off all to themselves.

Looks like another Voyager ending.

So...I'm guessing we jump into the future where we learn that the whole series was just Riker and Troi telling the story of the first Enterprise to their kids. :rolleyes: My god, that's really what I'm expecting.


On the other hand, though I still am not convinced another film will actually happen right now, I am intrigued by what I've read in interviews with Jendrenson, the man who created and wrote the script for ST XI. He has some radical ideas and praises Coto, TOS, and Meyer, claiming that he will remain very true to what has been established and the spirit of what the afore mentioned group has set up. If left to his own devices and if the dundernamic duo of B&B are kept clear, then it might just turn out to be something decent if not good.

I did note that he seemed to go out of his way to avoid the name Rick Berman in his interview, instead using such terms as "the executives at Paramount." Whether this means Berman is only involved as a name or that he's being pushed out (we can only hope!) is unclear.

I will still only believe that Paramount is willing to make a new film when I see the cast list and that they've named a director and are starting production.

Until then, I'll have to also bite the bullet on waiting for the new seasons of SG-1, ATLANTIS, and BSG (the finale is this Friday and I can't wait!).

CE

[Dr Maturin]

<<They supposedly jump 6 years into the future where the ENTERPRISE (a relatively brand new ship) is being decommissioned and the Federation is forming or some such major timeline blunder. Even Frakes and Sirtis are supposed to guest star. How the hell are they going to be in it?!>>

The time is right. The UFP was formed in 2161. The major blunder of ENT is the fact that the Klingons are not only contacted but are encountered frequently. I believe before ENT debuted, the first contact date with them was in 2218.

Also, I highly doubt that Frakes and Sirtis will play the roles that made them famous. Unless this has been confirmed?

[Ranger1]

Also, I highly doubt that Frakes and Sirtis will play the roles that made them famous. Unless this has been confirmed?

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/ENT/episode/9655.html
Check Guest Cast

[AaronB]

Until then, I'll have to also bite the bullet on waiting for the new seasons of SG-1, ATLANTIS, and BSG (the finale is this Friday and I can't wait!).

CE
To tide you over, gateworld (http://www.gateworld.net) has info on some of next season's episode. Even a few about season 2 of BSG.

[AaronB]

http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/ENT/episode/9655.html
Check Guest Cast
Did anyone hear that Shatner had pitched a new movie featuring Kirk, Spock et al as teens? Aparently, he went over Berman's head to pitch his idea to Paramount execs. I think I saw it on slashdot...

[colonyearth]

<<They supposedly jump 6 years into the future where the ENTERPRISE (a relatively brand new ship) is being decommissioned and the Federation is forming or some such major timeline blunder. Even Frakes and Sirtis are supposed to guest star. How the hell are they going to be in it?!>>

The time is right. The UFP was formed in 2161. The major blunder of ENT is the fact that the Klingons are not only contacted but are encountered frequently. I believe before ENT debuted, the first contact date with them was in 2218.

Also, I highly doubt that Frakes and Sirtis will play the roles that made them famous. Unless this has been confirmed?

Yes, confirmed about their appearances, not sure about characters, though it screams of a Berman and Braga stunt.

Yes, you are right about the timing of the Federation formation. Unfortunately, that is not what I was referring to. The wrong time for encountering the Klingons was one of the first signs that this show wasn't going to give a hoot about continuity...it went downhill from there.

Coto was trying to repair the damage as best he could and was doing a wonderful job. Unfortunately, again, from everything I've read, B&B have pretty much destroyed that effort in the last episode, just as they have destroyed TREK.

The idea of the formation of the Federation not being played out correctly, would arise from the fact that we will have skipped over the Romulan War completely (a wonderfully untapped story)...unless they say it hasn't happened yet, which I wouldn't be surprised by, since B&B ignore continuity whenever they choose to.

No...word is that the new ST XI script (still not greenlighted) is about some aspect of the formation of the Federation, but is set 20 yrs after ENTERPRISE...that is what I was referring to. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

If they don't get B&B out of the picture, the timeline will be so badly muddled that no amount of imagination will be able to save it.

CE

[Radhil]

If they don't get B&B out of the picture, the timeline will be so badly muddled that no amount of imagination will be able to save it.

They'll just throw John DeLancie into it somehow and have it magically re-arranged.

Oh, wait, that is no imagination.

[Jan]

You know...at the risk of being a pain, maybe ST could be discussed in a Star Trek thread? I can split it off if you like?

Jan

[jal]

how about just deleting all references to trek? :D

[Ranger1]

You know...at the risk of being a pain, maybe ST could be discussed in a Star Trek thread? I can split it off if you like?

Jan

LOL,how the hell did we get from BSG to ST (again) :p

[Jan]

how about just deleting all references to trek? :D

Tsk, tsk, Jal...we must use our powers for good! :D

Jan

[modernmajorgeneral]

Back to the subject of the new, miraculous, compelling, and eminently entertaing Battlestar Galactica. I've yet to catch the season closer, but I've got the beer ready for the Friday night rerun. I can't wait. To be honest this is the first time in my personal history of fandom that there is a NEW series that keeps me breathless until the next episode. Sure there was Doctor Who and Blake's 7 in the eighties on Georgia Public TV, but they had already run their course. I missed the boat on B5 and had to catch up with the DVDs. Like the Hobbits said in Return of the King as Aragorn unfurled the Tree of Gondor on the black ships of the Corsairs, "Help that is unlooked for is often the best kind". Who would have thought that Battlestar Galactica, one of the biggest stinkburgers in the history of sci-fi TV, could have been so brilliantly reworked?

[colonyearth]

LOL,how the hell did we get from BSG to ST (again) :p

Ron Moore, the connecting tie. Once a medocre writer being held back, now blossoming into a wonderfully creative writer, unbound.

CE

[AaronB]

LOL,how the hell did we get from BSG to ST (again) :p
Ron Moore wrote for some of the Trek series (DS9 & Voyager iirc), so it will be something that will easily intertwined.

CE: Great minds think alike I guess :D

[Dr Maturin]

Ron Moore, the connecting tie. Once a medocre writer being held back, now blossoming into a wonderfully creative writer, unbound.

More like a writer who displayed how so good he was on DS9 that he got the job on BSG.

[colonyearth]

More like a writer who displayed how so good he was on DS9 that he got the job on BSG.

That's what started the spiral off the topic in the first place...let us not traverse that road again...or Jan will flog us! :eek:

thebaron....thanks, we do seem to agree a good bit, don't we? :)

CE

[Radhil]

Holy shit.

That's it. That's all I got.

[AaronB]

huh? Got what?

[vacantlook]

Got what?

I think it's that "Holy shit" is the extent of the reaction that Radhill has to the season one finale.

[AaronB]

I think it's that "Holy shit" is the extent of the reaction that Radhill has to the season one finale.
Good point. My reaction was Oh My God! I don't beleive it! But, Holy Shit works too.

[Ranger1]

Oh,so season 1 ended for you U.S folks? cool ... for those who haven't seen it to the end,spoilers ahead

Highlight to read:
I have surround headphones (nothing great,but can do the job),usually i dont get scared and very rare when i get jumpy over a bullet shot...well,when she fired at Adama i jumped right of my chair lol ... powerful moment

[Anders]

I recently saw the miniseries and liked it quite a lot. My wife is on a trip to England now, and she just bought the full season of Battlestar Galactica for me while she was in London. When she returns from the trip next week I'm looking forward to having a good time with it.

I'm getting the original series as well, which should be interesting.

[kochia]

Ranger1, that was really unexpected.

Even my husband was dumbfounded and he doesn't even like the show.