Bros Watch Forever: BSG Pilot-S1E3

Wow, big day for the the Brog and me. The internet is easy when you're home all day.

Anyway, hope you all got started on Battlestar Galactica, because it picks up quick. Perhaps a little too quick--I'm sure the 3-hour pilot discouraged a lot of potential casual fans early on--but anyone who sticks the early going out already knows it's well worth it. Not that the pilot is a chore--actually, it's one of the most entertaining pilots I've ever watched.

There's no way to summarize the thing, or the other three episodes, effectively. The basic premise of the show is as follows: Humans make intelligent robots, called Cylons. The Cylons become self-aware and war with humans. Humans and Cylons sign a treaty, and the Cylons disappear. 30 years later, the Cylons return, much stronger, and kick humanity's ass. The last of the humans rally around the last human warship, the Battlestar Galactica, and set out into deep, uncharted space, looking for a new home, the legendary Earth. I won't waste any more time with a summary, because it would probably fill many pages. Instead, here's what I like about the show so far:

-Humanity loses. Fast. Seeing as we're already awash in epic tales of unlikely underdog victories, it's nice to see the good guys get their asses kicked. The Cylons have the upper hand. They keep it. End of humanity (almost).

-Morality is complicated. I guess this is true of most good shows, but I think BSG does ambiguity particularly well. Even a few episodes in, it's clear the the Cylons aren't necessarily wrong--they're just not human. Even in the early episodes, this special boundary is starting to blur. Number 6 (who may or may not be a figment of Gaius' imagination) may or may not be in love with Gaius (who seems to have no morals, at all), and may or may not be trying to help him. Number 8 manages to triumph over her Cylon programming when scouting for a new water source (a source that she necessitated with her blackout bombing of Galactica's water tanks). Apollo has to choose between the path of the diplomat and the path of the soldier, but has he chosen a side, yet? Does he have to?

-Apollo. While I'm on the subject, the dude is way more interesting than I thought he would be. He's a great soldier and a great negotiator. He can't be both--at least not all the time. Episode 3 ("Prison Break") is the first real treatment of this conundrum.

-:33. What a great concept for an episode. The white board tally of the whole of humanity is an incredible touch. Best "second episode" I've ever seen, hands down.

There are a few bones to be picked thus far--the really mediocre acting of Number 8 (Grace Park), and the odd bones that the script sometimes throws to the viewer ("we're draining our water supply out into space!")--but the series already feels like it's hit its stride, and we're only a few episodes in. This bodes well.

The next five episodes, as well as a google search that should supply you with all of season one, are in the comments section. Hopefully, next week will lend itself better to a more comprehensive summary. In any case, it's not my burden to bear. Alex is taking next week's post. Comment if you want to help with posting...