Ok I finally downloaded and saw the entire over three hours mini-series of Battlestar Galactica : the new re-imagined series. Deviating somewhat from the classic original 1978 movie, BSG features some new characters and changes the sex of a couple of the original ones. The special effects are fantastic and the entire thing is worth watching several times, so – ok, I admit it! This thing could be one of the best things on tv. However I do have my gripes with the series. First of all, I think the new cylons who look & act human are good but I can’t stand the fact that they have multiple cyclons that look similar (played by the same actor). That is so annoying and old. And cylons as babes – not sure that I like it.

I don’t think that I like James Edward Olmos as Commander Adama – he is no Lorne Green and pales in comparison. President Roslin, played by Mary McDonnell is welcome as is the character of Chief Galen Tyrol played by Aaron Douglas. I like the fact (upon reading on the net) that Tahmoh Penikett who plays Karl “Helo” Agathon is a returning character, since it is not sure as to what happens to him, after he sacrifices his spot in the spaceship so that Baltar can be rescued. The best character I liked was of Colonel Tigh played by Michael Hogan. In 1978, African-American actor Terry Carter played him as a by the book, respected & reliable second-in-command, while Hogan plays him flawed as an alcoholic and not well liked amongst the crew, especially by Starbuck.

And the whole show seems too Earth like – jogging, tv cameras, mikes, etc etc! And Kara Thrace can never in a billion years be a proper Starbuck – the loveable rogue who seduced women left, right & center, who was afraid of commitment and loved to gamble and played by the actor Dirk Benedict. Thrace is a chick and she can’t hold a candle to Dirk. Plus she comes off too, well, American in this show about characters who are supposed to know nothing about America! Her mannerisms and language is so American. I felt that the original series captured the aspect of human but not of Earth much better than their current counterparts. And Boomer is a girl! I am sure that they are gonna have a sexual liason between Starbuck & Apollo, who is nothing like the 1978 Apollo (he is resentful of his father about Zack’s death). Imagine Richard Hatch & Dirk Benedict kissing or having sex. Yuck!

Still, it is a good show and entertaining and I will be a regular watcher of the series when it comes on tv here or by just downloading episodes by Veoh.com.

There are those who believe that life here, began out there