... For now.
I'm hanging up the helmet for the time being because of a number of things going on right now. I'm in graduate school, working full time and have a couple other blogs that have taken up most of my online time. For, this is farewell, for now. For your galactica news, I'd recommend Galactica Sitrep, as they're nice people and are on top of things.
Once the show returns, I'll probably be back, but not to the extent that I was before.
Crypter crypter crypter.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Battlestar Finale Updated
This in from the SciFiWire:
Battlestar Finale Updated
SCI FI Channel is unable to confirm a report in the Chicago Tribune that the final part of Battlestar Galactica's last season will expand or that the finale of the series is expected to be three hours long.
The channel will only say that the finale, written by series creator Ronald D. Moore, extends beyond the time allotted for the episode.
The channel is currently exploring how to shoot the extra footage as Moore has envisioned and written it. No premiere date has been announced yet for the start of the second half of the fourth and final season.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Frak! No More Galactica until 2009,
Tonight's the last new episode of 2008, it would appear:
And:
Ugh!
No more frakking BSG until 2009?!I mean seriously, what the frak? Why the frak do we have to wait until frakking 2009 for the final frakking season of Battlestar frakking Galactica. Those motherfrakking skinjobs, and I know they're Cylons or they wouldn't do this to us, really like to frakking torture us diehard frakking fans, don't they. Frakkers! Wow, that does make it incredibly frakking easy to drop frakking curse words all the frakking time without really frakking cussing. How frakking liberating is that!
But back to business. Executive producer Ronald D. Moore spoke at a Wednesday night screening of this Friday's summer finale and broke the news that the remainder of this fourth and final season of BSG probably wouldn't air until early 2009. The show just doesn't want to have to face off against the new fall slates on the networks or football and baseball, which I guess I can understand. Why not wait until January so all you have to deal with is those crappy shows nobody watches like American Idol and 24? And nobody will be interested in the build-ups to the season finales of shows like Lost and Heroes. It's a frakking no-brainer!
Source
And:
Battlestar Galactica fans are well-advised to sit back and savor this Friday's midseason finale, because the balance of Season 4 — the series' last, lest we forget — won't be hitting the tube until after "the first of the year," says executive producer Ronald D. Moore. And that's a best-case scenario.
At a Wednesday-night screening of this week's episode, Moore explained to TVGuide.com that even though they are currently filming the series' final scenes, the "practical realities" of post-production — coupled with the formidable end-of-year competition presented by new fall series, baseball and football — places the onset of the final episodes at the start of 2009, at the earliest. "Realistically, there's no way to get back on the air faster," he apologetically added.
Source
Ugh!
Monday, June 09, 2008
'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.
The Hub
From TV Squad:
Battlestar Galactica: Hub
(S04E09) I've been reading a lot lately from people who've become disappointed with this show the past few episodes or so. I've felt the same way. I'm happy to say, though, that while this episode didn't exactly make up for the lack of luster, it was certainly enjoyable.
Even without seeing the previews for this week (which, I admit, I can't even help but watch), we knew this episode would start with a flashback to what happened when Roslin and the occupants of the stolen Base Star jumped away. Right away we saw that a Cylon ship jumping has a strange effect on humans, though it's not clear if anyone other than Roslin had those brief visions.
When Roslin appeared in the desolate halls of the Galactica with Elosha, I noted right away that she had her real, non-wig hair. Again, I have to ask, how the heck do those makeup people hide that much hair behind another wig or a bald cap? Unreal. I smell another TV Squad award nomination!
It seems Elosha (Head Elosha?) is part of yet another force that's trying to push Roslin to do the "right thing." It makes me wonder sometimes what it is that's pushing Roslin so hard to be pigheaded about her decisions, to abuse the power granted to her. Remember when she was a meek thing who was shocked at being thrust into the position of President seasons ago?
Now, Helo. Y'know, I was beginning to really like Helo. Back when he was in command of the Demitrius, he held his own and did the job well. He was becoming one of my new favorite characters. Then he goes and throws that all away by somewhat blindly following Roslin's orders to bring D'Anna to her for a private meeting. Then he's ordered to be a door bouncer. I'm also surprised that Helo was fine with letting Roslin have that private meeting, when for all he knew Roslin was one of the final five. Look, I know she's the president and all, but Helo had more balls than that. What happened?
Speaking of D'Anna, I actually missed her. Jane Espenson wrote some great dialogue for her and especially Baltar. Baltar was back to the Baltar I like: somewhat comical, a bit scheming, and not getting all Jesusy on us. His interaction with the Hybrid and the Centurion were great, though I'm not quite sure what to make of the Centurion getting blown to bits yet. There's got to be something symbolic there.
There were two big revelations in this episode. The first was one not made to us but to Roslin, where Baltar confesses his involvement in the destruction of Caprica. I was first surprised at how Roslin stopped herself from simply pummeling Baltar to death, then surprised at how quickly she followed her visions and decided he should live after all. It will be interesting now to see what she does with this information.
The second revelation is that, if we're to believe what D'Anna says, Roslin is no way the final Cylon. It wasn't just what she said during their private meeting together, where she seemingly joked that Roslin was one of the final five. It was also when Helo told Sharon that he was taking D'Anna to Roslin, where D'Anna said, "Double-dealing. It's very human. You never got that, Eight." To me this was clear to say that Roslin is human, not Cylon. If we were thrown for a loop after this exchange and Roslin was really the final Cylon, there'd be some 'splaining to do.
Other things:
- The book Adama was reading to Roslin mentioned something about 'Scar' saving someone's life. Is that an actual passage out of that particular book or is it a strange part of her vision?
- Is Cavil really permanently dead?
- Is Hardball dead? Why the big deal about him jumping away as he was wounded? I guess if you wanted to talk about Cylon possibilities and all that, there's all sorts of things you could speculate. I'll just leave that for someone else. Didn't the fleet find Gonzo dead last week? (Nevermind -- thanks commenters for clarifying that Pike is Gonzo, and that was him in the Raptor. Makes much more sense) What about Sandman?
- Why did Laura think D'Anna would say anything to her alone in the first place? Roslin's hardly a physically threatening person on her own.
Current fleet population: 39,673
(Assuming Sandman's not dead, since the number didn't go down like I thought last week, and also assuming Hardball's not dead. Unknown if anyone else bit it this week, so the number stays unchanged for now.)
Friday, June 06, 2008
'Battlestar Galactica': Let's get back to base-ics
This article just popped up:
'Battlestar Galactica': Let's get back to base-ics
Is anyone else as bored and disillusioned as I am by this leaden final season of Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica"?
It pains me to write such things, given how the show's first two seasons were so exciting and refreshing. But after Season Three's confusing ending (Tyrol's a Cylon? So why no fuss about his baby?), this fourth and final season has been one long, bleak dud, lacking the common-cause heroism and universal Odyssean storyline that made this retooled drama so compelling.
Last Friday's episode, "Sine Qua Non" — the eighth in the 10-episode first half of the final season (whether we'll see the second half in the fall or next spring, who knows) — was one massive coitus interuptus. When last we saw our valiant crew of refugees, Roslin and company had plugged in the Cylon hybrid, which immediately screamed, "Jump!" and sent the commandeered base ship vanishing to gods-know-where. Finally, a supremely dramatic moment in a season that feels like nothing but marked time! So what happened Friday night on the base ship? Good question. The entire episode never went back to that storyline. All we got was more parental griping from Adama and some creepy old leech revelations about Col. Tigh.
Also, we plumbed the dragged-out depths of the Lee Adama subplot, getting to the heart of why the writers made the thus-far dreadful error of hanging up that hottie's flight suit. His utterly dreary life thus far as a diplomat seems to be leading now to a run for president in Roslin's absence — a plan crafted by ye olde Scottish lawyer Romo Lampkin. I can't help but agree with another reviewer who wrote, "I think the 'Galactica' writers like Romo a lot more than the guy deserves, as he's less a character than a collection of colorful tics." With our surround sound cranked to neighbor-annoying levels, we still couldn't understand half of what that dead-cat-carting weirdo was yakking about in his burbly brogue, and from what we can tell now he wasn't saying anything of real consequence anyway.
The ending, in which the elder Adama turns over the Galactica to Tigh so he can sit in a raptor and wait for his true love Roslin to return — well, in a word, ridiculous. We've been given plenty of clues thus far that a romantic bond was sublimating between them, but nothing whatsoever to suggest it had boiled to the degree that would make Adama give up his ship and sit alone in space waiting for Godot. Uncharacteristic, unrealistic, unfortunate.
The promos for this week's episode give us great hope, though ...
Monday, June 02, 2008
Battlestar Galactica: Sine Qua Non
)
(S04E08) After two weeks of waiting, and through several other shows having their season finales, we're back for more frakking BSG, baby. And speaking of season finales, after watching Lost last night with all of its flashbacks and flash-forwards, it almost seemed as though we may be seeing a bit of flashbackery next week to explain what happened to Roslin and the others aboard the hijacked Base Star.
In case you're wondering what the title means, it's a latin legal term, of course.
I've never had a firm grasp on the whole Adama-Roslin relationship, though obviously it's been a budding one for some time now. It wasn't until this episode that we saw concrete affection for Roslin, Bill even saying he can't function without her around. And, with that, he quite honorably and logically takes himself out of active command until he can get his head on straight: e.g., he finds Roslin or dies trying.
In some of the opening scenes we saw the shot Six wasn't yet dead, with Cottle and his crew working frantically to save her. Seeing Six reach up as if "toward the light" and Cottle standing over her seemed either to scream out Cottle as a red herring (for being the final Cylon) or just made his stock price go up a few points. I'm going with the latter in this case.
How could they possibly trust Sharon again after going nuts and killing the Six? I've been bitching for weeks now that the comfort level they've given a known Cylon -- Sharon -- is a tough pill to swallow sometimes. I understand that she put her neck out for the colonials before, but this last incident should leave her in chains with the other Six.
As for the appointing of a new president, I legitimately felt bad for Zarek. Like was said to Bill Adama, they could do a lot worse than Zarek in the topmost place of power in the fleet. The guy seems to take his role of vice president seriously and took it on the chin to see Roslin in the high seat. Now when it's his time, he has it plucked away to please "the old man." He steps down so Adama's own son can be sworn in instead! If that's not enough points now to win over the trust of those who didn't at one time or another, short of taking a bullet for someone else, I'm not sure what will.
Then, of course, we had the return of Lampkin the lawyer. Can I just say that Sheppard as Lampkin, in that long trenshcoat, reminds me of early Phil Collins? Remember that video for ... nevermind. Anyway, the man clearly has more than a few marbles loose. It was a neat trick to show us a cat that wasn't there, but at the same time it was pretty sick to learn he was toting around a tiny corpse in that bag for weeks.
When the damaged Raptor showed up, as soon as I heard someone was going for a space walk, I thought we were going to see another redshirt death. I was half right, though, as it was Eammon Pike who appeared as a bloated mess aboard the mess of a ship. Scratch one off the population for this week.
As for pregnant Six, this clearly points out the differences that the final five have to previously-known skinjobs. As far as I recall, the Cylons have said they can't breed eith each other. Humans and Cylons -- different story. But this whole Tigh-Six "relationship," if you want to call it that, is just too weird and I'm really wondering where they're going with it. Damn, though, that was a mean fist fight between Adama and Tigh. If we can't get some decent space battle scenes, let's get the dukes out!
As a side note, I think we now know why Tigh was wearing admiral tags in scenes several episodes ago, as mentioned in one of Ron Moore's podcasts. They must have shot the sequences out of order is all I can summise.
Adama looked strange in a flight outfit, didn't he? Just didn't quite look right. And in case you missed it, we got aother glimpse of the Orion constellation again in that last scene.
Current fleet population:
(Note: I take the population mentioned at the start of the episode and then subtract/add to that number based on what was shown or heard in this episode to get the number below)
39,672 (since last week it was 39,673 and this week was 39,674, we have +1 birth, -1 for Gonzo, probably -1 for Sandman
Friday, May 30, 2008
Want a Lifesize Cylon?
This is so cool:
Let's sell some cylons!
They have a plan: NBC is selling life-size replicas of the cylon centurion robots from "Battlestar Galactica" for a mere $7,900 each. There's both Ron Moore-era CGI-style cylons and Lorne Greene-era man-in-suit versions. Sound effects and menacing red swivel lights? Of course!
Now if only they could somehow be programmed to watch "ER"...
Here's the press release and photo:
BURBANK, CA - May 28, 2008 - Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group today announced that "Battlestar Galactica's" infamous Cylon Centurion Robots have arrived... as full-size masterpiece replicas from Fred Barton Productions. The announcement was made by Bill Kispert, Vice President and General Manager, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. This high-end replica was created by Fred Barton Productions through a licensing agreement with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group.
These amazing reproductions stand seven feet tall, feature advanced electronics and the trademark sinister red LED scanning eye movements that fans of the series have come to know. There are two life-size versions of the Cylon Centurions available for purchase, one is from the original classic series and the other is from the current Emmy Award-winning "Battlestar Galactica" series, which airs on SCI FI Channel (Fridays 10-11 p.m. ET/PT). Both are made in the USA and retail for $7,900.00. They are now available at specialty retailers and online through www.the-robotman.com and NBCstore.com.
"'Battlestar Galactica' is one of the most exciting and visually intense series on television, with the Cylons being one of its most intriguing character sets," said Kispert. "We are pleased to partner with Fred Barton Productions to create this museum-quality replica. Barton is a master craftsman, and his attention to detail on this project authentically captures the essence of one of the show's signature characters."
"I have always wanted to make the Battlestar Galactica robots," said Fred Barton, "so I was delighted when NBC Universal approached me about bringing the Cylons to life. I loved having the chance to create the re-imagined Cylon, based only on a computer generated design and I know that fans of the show will be as impressed as I am with how these Cylons appear in person."
The Cylon Centurion replicas were both molded and hand-sculpted to perfection in Barton's Los Angeles studios using an original costume from the 1970s and a computer generated, automated foam-cut Cylon, which was scaled to the imposing height of seven feet. The body is made of 100% fiberglass. The classic Cylon Centurion boasts a "reflective showroom finish," while the Cylon from the current series bears a "distressed multi-tone finish." Both incorporate synchronized stereo sound and lighting effects, advanced electronics and red LED light effects.
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/05/lets-sell-some.html
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