Battlestar Galactica: March 2009 Archives

By Ryan Riley, Contributor

*Note: This article discusses plot events that take place throughout the run of "Battlestar Galactica". Stop reading now if you are not caught up and don't want to read any spoilers.

The final episode of the SciFi Network's "Battlestar Galactica" is just about here. I'm fairly disheartened to see it end, because I think they could have easily kept this exceptional series going for at least one more season. The show, which was a reimagining of the original series produced by Glen A. Larson in the late 1970's/early 1980's, could not have been more different in tone than its predecessor. Sure, the basic premise was the same. Humankind has their planets ravaged by mechanical antagonists called Cylons, and the survivors of the assault form a "ragtag, fugitive fleet" with the purpose of finding a planet known as Earth. But the revamp of the concept took on a life of its own.

Much like "Lost" & "Heroes", the producers of "Battlestar Galactica" set out to make a well-written dramatic action series that happened to have a sci-fi/fantasy setting. They succeeded beyond anyone's wildest expectations, often employing plot threads that were both topical and thought provoking. For example, when the Cylons occupied New Caprica, the humans (ostensibly the protagonists of the series) employed morally reprehensible tactics like suicide bombings that targeted both Cylons and human sympathizers. Sure, the Cylons rained nuclear devastation on the humans, but the way the situation was written made one think twice about who the heroes of the series were supposed to be. And that's the type of thing that most television shows wouldn't have the courage to do.

But the aspect of the show that really puts it over the top with its fans are the multiple plot twists that you just don't see coming, or as I like to call them, the "Holy Frak!" moments. Over the four seasons "Battlestar Galactica" has been on the air, it has managed to keep its viewers guessing as to what will happen next. I've compiled a list of what I thought were the most memorable "Holy Frak!" moments of the show's excellent run.

Nope. Not missing this one -- and neither should you.  The two-hour "Battlestar Galactica" series finale "Daybreak Pt. 2" airs Friday at 9 p.m. on Sci Fi.    

James T. Rasmussen,
Contributor

With only two episodes left in Battlestar Galactica's final season, Ron Moore and David Eick still have a lot of explaining to do. Since we're huge fans of the show here at Modern Mythology this post is to help people catch up if they missed an episode as well as discuss possible theories to questions still unanswered.

What they've covered so far: SPOILERS (So don't carry on if you are not caught up - more after the supper picture).



The end is here

Earth is a joke. The first couple episodes in season 4.5 were about how people would react when you rip away their hopes and dreams. When they finally reach nuked earth the fleet hit a brick wall and people were forced to deal with the situation.

I believe Anastasia "Dee" Dualla's reaction best illustrated the feelings of the fleet since finding Earth was the only thing she had left going for her. She had two relationships that didn't work out, and Earth was her last glimmering hope. She couldn't handle having that taken away.  The normally regimented Dee couldn't even get through her daily routine anymore. After a last date with Lee Adama -- she wanted to feel happy one last time -- she shockingly ended her life.

Ellen Tigh was revealed as the final cylon. It wasn't a shocking feeling when this was announced, compared to ground breaking moments like when they found earth, or when Boomer shot Admiral William Adama. But with Col. Saul Tigh being a cylon this seemed like another piece to the  puzzle that finally fell into place. Tigh and Ellen's relationship always seemed to have more to it than what has been shown, and early in the first and second season everyone's gut instincts screamed cylon when it came to Ellen.

We also finally get an idea about what Starbuck is now after the episode, "Someone To Watch Over Me." It is all but said that Daniel, the missing number in the cylon lineup, is her father, Dreilede Thrace and that Kara is either the first or known first human/cylon offspring. Her father taught her the song, "All Along the Watchtower" which is the same song the final five have heard in their heads on multiple occasions. Now Anders says he wrote the song. So could Anders have taught the song to Daniel who then taught it to Starbuck? They also have to fill in the gaps on how Hera knows the notes to the song.

What still needs to be explained and predictions:

Why "All Along the Watchtower, and what is its meaning?" I've read multiple blogs and forum posts about people trying to link the lyrics of "All Along the Watchtower" to what is happening in the show right now. But I think Moore felt that the song's harmony fit well in the BSG universe, not to mention he is completely in love with that song as he says here in this interview with the Chicago Tribune:

Ron Moore: I had personally been obsessed with the song for a while. So, I just thought it was a fascinating song and the lyrics.
I had wanted to work it into a project of mine since, for the last several years. In fact I wanted to do a whole Roswell episode about it.

It was just sort of always in the back of my mind. And as we started talking about music and using music as a trigger, I just immediately said oh and it has to be "All Along the Watchtower".

And everybody kind of laughed. Then I just was very much, dogged about it. And kept going and made, and then we got the rights. And that became the song.

Read more: "Interview: Ron Moore and David Eick of Battlestar Galactica."

In "Someone to Watch Over Me" which aired the week before, the President Laura Roslin collapsed after Boomer took Hera. In last week's "Islanded in a Stream of Stars," The Galactica and President Roslin continues to deteriorate and the Admiral has to make a decision that will affect the welfare of his crew. He tells Tigh that the ship's vital resources (people in particular) need to move to their allied cylon basestar. And next week's preview of "Daybreak, Part 1" has Adama asking for volunteers to take on a final deadly mission on the old vessel that will finally (and likely) pit Admiral Adama against Cavil.

The episode this weekend will be the first of what looks to be an intense two-part finale.

Other fan theories about this can be found at the BSG SciFi forum.

This leads us into the next question. Where is the thirteenth colony that Cavil said Ellen's lab is on? Is this planet Earth? Or is the planet Galactica and the fleet found the real earth? Are there two different Earth planets? A cylon Earth and a human Earth?

Ron Moore said in an interview regarding nuked Earth, "They have found Earth. This is the Earth that the 13th Colony discovered, they christened it Earth. They found Earth."

Since they have already found Earth then we need an explanation of what the thirteenth colony is and who inhabits that planet. As well as a decent timeline explanation for Earth, Kobol and the colonies cataclysms that happened simultaneously 2,000 years ago.

What is Cavil's plan and why does he need Hera? This has to lead into the Opera House vision, and I hope this is where Baltar comes into play.

There is going to have to be a confrontation with Cavil and the other cylons to get Hera back now thanks to Boomer. I'm a fan of Boomer's character, but sadly she has sealed her fate. There is going to be no mercy on her when she crosses  paths with Galactica again. Here's hoping that Tyrol gets to pull the trigger for how she used him last episode. Athena would also be a solid choice for revenge after all the fraking she did with Helo last episode.

After part one of "Daybreak" airs on March 13th, we'll get a reaction up as soon as we can. There are only a two weeks left of BSG so enjoy it while it lasts.