Battlestar Galactica (TV)
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that first aired in 1978, following the success of Star Wars. The narrative centers on the Twelve Colonies of Man, the last remnants of humanity fleeing from a robotic race known as the Cylons. The colonists embark on a quest to find Earth, the presumed origin of human life. Initially planned as a series of television films, the show was adapted to a weekly format, which led to production challenges, especially with the expensive special effects required for space battles.
The series explored complex themes such as mass starvation, political corruption, and religious undertones, although many of these plot lines were not fully developed throughout the series. Character arcs and backstories were introduced but often went unexplained, leading to continuity issues. Despite its cancellation after one season, Battlestar Galactica maintained a following in syndication and was later reimagined in 2003, which reintroduced the story to a new generation of science fiction fans. The show is noted for its cultural references and allegorical connections to biblical narratives, further enriching its thematic depth.
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Subject Terms
Battlestar Galactica (TV)
Identification Television science-fiction series
Date Aired from 1978 to 1979
Despite being criticized for its lack of scientific consistency and its plot elements, Battlestar Galactica provided entertainment to a generation of viewers that had become fascinated with the science-fiction genre.
Battlestar Galactica received high ratings when it debuted in 1978, largely because of the huge success of the film Star Wars (1977) in theaters. The pilot episode of Battlestar Galactica depicted the saga of the Twelve Colonies of Man, the last remnants of humanity who had managed to survive an attack by a robotic race called the Cylons. The colonists searched the galaxy for the source of all human life: the planet Earth. Battlestar Galactica was initially intended to be broadcast as a series of monthly television films, but the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network decided instead to run it as a weekly program.
The change in production created problems for the Battlestar Galactica crew. The special effects used for the series required significant work, including miniatures, full-size mock-ups, and vapor trails. The spectacular battle scenes and dazzling explosions in space were exactly what viewers wanted to see, but they were very expensive to produce. This resulted in several scenes being used over and over.
Plot lines of the pilot episode dealt with subjects such as mass starvation, political corruption, class division, and religion. These complex story lines caught the interest of the viewers but were abandoned as the series was rushed into production. Character backgrounds and other pieces of vital information were introduced but not expanded upon. For example, no mention was made about why the female character Cassiopeia was changed from being a prostitute in the pilot episode to a nurse in the series. Characters often spoke of a place called Orion, but it is not known if this was a planet or a galaxy or if the inhabitants were human or alien.
The background science of Battlestar Galactica also left much to the imagination. Viewers never learned how the Cylons could be created at will but lack the technology that would enable a single Cylon to pilot an aircraft on its own. Also not explained was how one robot could have less intelligence than another, since they were all created from a central program. Moreover, as the Galactica travels through space, fuel vapors can be seen trailing behind. This is illogical because there is no gravity in space; a ship would not require fuel to maintain a constant speed, as fuel would be needed only for acceleration.
Comparisons have been made between the series and various Bible stories. Commander Adam, Galactica leader, and his fleet of starships have been likened to Noah and the Ark, with the Flood being represented by the Cylon attack on human civilization. In the Bible, angels are presented as mystical beings with great power. In Battlestar Galactica, they are beings of white light who have the power to resurrect a fallen hero who appears to be dead.
Impact
Despite being canceled at the end of its first season, Battlestar Galactica continued to provide entertainment to science-fiction fans in syndication, and a reimagined version of the series debuted on the SciFi cable channel in 2003.
Bibliography
Booker, M. Keith. Science Fiction Television: A History. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 2004.
Muir, John Kenneth. An Analytical Guide to Television’s “Battlestar Galactica.” Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1999.