In 2003, Sci-Fi (now SyFy) rebooted the 1978 television series Battlestar Galactica. It opened with a miniseries totaling three hours, introducing the world of the warship Galactica and humanities ongoing and seemingly endless conflict with the Cylons. Battlestar Galactica soon became one of the most recognizable and successful shows of its time.
Now on the heels of shows like The Expanse and The Mandalorian, Battlestar is making a comeback. There are many reasons why a continuation would be confusing, especially with showrunner Ronald D. Moore not returning. And like the humans who created the Cylons, this raises the question if just because it can be done, does it mean that it should?
Continued: Issues Are More Topical Than Ever
Upon any rewatch of the 2003 series, there is no question that Battlestar was a vehicle for raising topics that were up for debate. Most obviously, the show was an allegory for racism.
A focal point was the interspecies relationship between Helo and Sharon. The show also deals with abortion rights, election fraud, and sexual assault. Without a doubt, Battlestar holds up. Continuing the already topical show would be an opportunity to explore these themes and integrate issues of the current day.
Never Live Up: Cannot Outdo The Cylons
Cylon Centurions had been in the Battlestar Galactica culture since the beginning of the original series. Galactica’s purpose is to defeat the murderous robot race, intent on humanity’s destruction. Ronald D. Moore not only took from the source material but improved on it.
Number Six is the first Cylon we see in the very first scene, a humanoid version of the Cylons. There are twelve models, all with many copies. The reveal that Cylons can blend in with the human race was a great surprise. While the continuation of the show may employ Cylons in the future, they will never be able to top the reveal.
Continued: Improved Special Effects
Battlestar Galactica shines in its portrayal of the human condition. The show premiered around the time that computer graphics were becoming popular. But for a cable network show, it was not always stellar.
This could not be helped. There were many sci-fi/fantasy shows around the time with a similar plight. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was another cult classic that was at times too ambitious for the available technology. A continuation would be the perfect opportunity to utilize the newest technologies for sci-fi stories.
Never Live Up: Can Never Be As Weird As The Original
Battlestar had many political and social commentaries to make. Any continuation of the story would be difficult because its weirdness would be hard to replicate. Battlestar creates its own culture, the money system, and even sports. The world of Caprica is entirely foreign and fascinating.
But one of the more infamous aspects of its weirdness was Gaius Baltar’s visions of Cylon Number Six. A Cylon Gaius fell in love with, Six who appears to him in strange visions that he can interact with, but no one else can see. It is only revealed at the very end of the series the meaning behind them. Battlestar was ambitious in its storytelling as well as the weird stories they committed to.
Continued: Learn From Past Mistakes
While Battlestar is largely one of the most beloved sci-fi shows of its generation, it isn’t without its faults. After season two, humanity escapes the Cylons and settles on New Caprica, diverging from the show's original formula.
This had to happen for the show to go on, but this hard turn made character choices that were not always popular. From Lee's attempt at being a lawyer to Gaeta's betrayal, some of these storylines didn't land. The continuation could use these storylines as a learning experience.
Never Live Up: Caprica Was A Disaster
There have been instances in the past where SyFy has tried to recapture the magic of the 2003 reboot. One of these instances was the short-lived reboot Caprica. It followed the creation of the humanoid Cylons after a father loses his daughter in an explosion. The show never gained the traction and magic of the original.
Even adding Admiral Adama’s father into the mix was no saving grace. The storytelling was uninspired as well as logistical issues that made it inconsistent with Battlestar.
Continued: Can Be Socially Distanced
In the current climate, social distancing is an integral element of filmmaking. The Mandalorian is a show that has proven that social distancing is not only possible but perhaps an integral part of making these stories.
The use of robots and many aspects of special effects can mean a safe working environment. So long as you have the right equipment, anything is possible.
Never Live Up: There Is Only One Gaius Baltar
Behind every Sci-Fi show about robots, there is one man who pretends he knows more about what is going on than he does. Gaius was a genius scientifically and selfish personally. Through him, Six was allowed access to the defense mainframe which allowed Cylons to nuke the entire planet.
Gaius’s choices were morally reprehensible at times, but watching him was pure delight. His fate is decided in the series finale, making it impossible for him to return. Any continuation without Gaius Baltar seems doomed to fail.
Continued: The Legacy of Kara Thrace
Kara Thrace had probably one of the divisive ends to a character on television. In the series finale, it is revealed that she had died sometime before and was an unspecified ghost for the remainder of the show. However that plot point came to be, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Kara was an enduring character.
Originally male in the 1978 show, Starbuck was gender-bent into Kara. The best Viper pilot the Galactica has ever seen, her status has become iconic. While she would not be able to be brought back, her legacy has made the show what it is.
Never Live Up: That Series Finale
The series finale has been a source of contention for many reasons. Even though Kara was a ghost and Gaius and Six were angels, it was certainly memorable. Continuing the show after that brings up some serious questions. Most of the characters were Cylons or just killed off altogether.
These characters never return to Caprica and end up founding Earth as we know it. It asks the question of how to continue a show when most of the characters are either dead or are synthetic robots who don’t age.