'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Lost': The similarities are spooky

I think that some of these are a bit of a streatch, but it's an interesting read:

'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Lost': The similarities are spooky

I'm certainly not the first to draw parallels between "Lost" and "Battlestar Galactica," two intense and rewarding dramas chock full of dense mythologies. The hardcore fan bases for these shows aren’t averse to spending hours poring over the similarities the programs share, and the Internet is a handy enabler for these overlapping obsessions.

But there seemed to be more coincidences than usual as both dramas wrapped up their most recent batch of episodes (“Battlestar” has its mid-season finale on Sci Fi June 13 and airs 10 more episodes, probably in 2009, before it ends for good; “Lost” just concluded its fourth season on ABC and resumes in January. Pictured at left; Francois Chau as "Lost's" Dr. Edgar Halliwax; at right, "Battlestar's" Lucy Lawless, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park).

The parallels are uncanny. On both shows, people see visions. Mystery babies appear to hold many answers. The “boxing” and “unboxing” of key characters are crucial plot points.

So am I alone in wondering if Ben Linus might be the final Cylon, or in speculating about the possibility of a polar bear hidden away in the Galactica fleet? Or have I just spent too many late nights watching and rewatching these delightfully convoluted dramas? Hmmm…..

In any case, the parallels below are mostly drawn from the most recent seasons of each show. As always, weigh in with your own thoughts in the comment area.

Box brouhaha

• “Battlestar’s” D’Anna: Her "unboxing," or revival from a form of Cylon death, was a key plot twist.
• “Lost’s” John Locke/Jeremy Bentham: The appearance of this apparently dead character in “Locke box” was a key plot twist.

Miracle baby

• “Lost’s” Aaron: This indestructible baby seems to be part of some divine plan.
• “Battlestar’s” Hera: This human-Cylon baby seems to be part of some divine plan.

Wounded leader

• “Lost’s” Jack: In recent episodes, this headstrong, controversial leader survived dangerous situations despite a Christ-like wound in his side.
• “Battlestar’s” Baltar: In a recent episode, this headstrong, controversial leader survived dangerous situations despite a Christ-like wound in his side.

Murderous, remorseless schemer

• “Lost’s” Ben: This enigmatic island resident killed without remorse and always has a self-serving plan.
• “Battlestar’s” Tory: This enigmatic Cylon killed without remorse and always has a self-serving plan.

Group with a big secret

• “Lost’s” Oceanic 6: They do all they can to prevent the world from knowing the truth about them.
• “Battlestar’s” Final Four Cylons: They do all they can to prevent the fleet from knowing the truth about them.

Shadowy figure

• “Lost’s” Jacob: Who is this guy and what is he really up to?
• “Battlestar’s” fifth Cylon: Who is this individual and what is he or she is really up to?

Person seeing visions

• “Battlestar’s” Laura Roslin: She sees people who aren’t there, or are they? (Yep, I know, other people on the show have visions too.)
• “Lost’s” Hurley: He sees people who aren’t there, or are they? (Yep, I know, other people on the show have visions too.)

Mysterious pregnancy

• “Battlestar’s” Caprica Six: Allegedly Cylons can’t get each other pregnant. Or can they? Saul Tigh seems to have done just that, because his secret lover, Caprica Six, has a toaster in the oven.
• “Lost’s” Sun: Supposedly women can’t stay pregnant on the mysterious “Lost” island. Or can they? Sun gave birth to a healthy baby after her island rescue.

Powerful father-son duo

• “Lost”: A key story line involves the mysterious, possibly island-ruling Christian and his stubborn son, Jack, the leader of the Oceanic Six.
• “Battlestar”: A key story line involves the commanding, fleet-ruling William Adama and his stubborn son, Lee, the new president of the 12 colonies’ Quorum.

Big kaboom

• “Battlestar”: A human/Cylon team blew up the Cylons’ crucial, life-regenerating Hub.
• “Lost”: A vengeful Keamy blew up the ill-fated, possibly life-saving freighter.

Unhappy pet

• “Lost”: Bunnies.
• “Battlestar”: Centurions.

Scary/freaky servant

• “Lost”: Richard Alpert
• “Battlestar”: The base ship’s hybrid controller.

Disappearance

• “Lost”: The island disappears.
• “Battlestar”: Gaeta’s leg disappears.

Disappointing revelation

• “Lost”: A frozen donkey wheel controls the island’s powers. Um. Huh?
• “Battlestar”: Romo Lampkin has a dead cat in his gym bag. Um. Huh?

Majorly awesome fight

• “Battlestar”: Tigh vs. Adama.
• “Lost”: Keamy vs. Sayid.

Angry spouse left behind

• “Battlestar’s” Chief Tyrol: The death of his spouse left him bitter and angry, plus he’s got a big secret to hide.
• “Lost’s” Sun: The death of her spouse left her bitter and angry, plus she’s got a big secret to hide.

Epic romance

• “Lost”: When Desmond and Penny reconnected and acknowledged their deep love, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
• “Battlestar”: When Adama and Roslin reconnected and acknowledged their deep love, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. (At left, "Lost's" Henry Ian Cusick and Sonya Walger as Desmond and Penny; at right, Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell as "Battlestar's" Adama and Roslin.)
  

Directional catch phrase

• “Lost’s” Jack: “We have to go back!”
• “Battlestar’s” Starbuck: “We’re going the wrong way!”

This week’s unifying theory

• “Battlestar”: Whoever knows God is close to knowing the secrets of the universe.
• “Lost”: Whoever knows the island’s secrets is close to being a god.

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