TV

Battlestar Galactica Series Review
Rage Against the Machines

You'd be hard pressed to find a TV show with a name that sounds geekier than Battlestar Galactica. Yet, despite what it may appear to be, it is actually a show about political and social issues disguised as a science-fiction geekfest. It also boasts a large cast of characters who all have more than their share of demons. Chris Dahlen of the AV Club said it best: "People watch 24 to see Jack Bauer torture the bad guys; I watch Battlestar Galactica to see the characters torture themselves."

So instead of actually breaking down the entire Battlestar Galactica series (this should get you started on some of the themes), I'm going to do something different. The following is all based on having seen the entire series.

After the jump, take a look at the "Who Deserves the Most Pity" March Madness-style bracket as well as some unlikely ideas for TV and film spin-offs. SPOILER ALERT

PITY MADNESS

Breakdown

In the Military region, Chief Tyrol faces off against Samuel Anders in the finals. Anders really started racking up the pity points in season three, with Starbuck pretty much dumping him for Lee, finding out he's a Cylon, getting shot in the head and then turning into a hybrid vegetable. It still isn't enough because Chief Tyrol has been bringing it from the beginning. His forbidden affair with Boomer, finding out Boomer is a Cylon, having Boomer die in his arms, sentenced to death after killing the officer who raped Athena, contemplates suicide, beats the crap out of Cally when she wakes him from a nightmare, his rough patches with Cally, finding out he's a Cylon, Cally's death, his depression, finding out his son is actually Hot Dog's son, gets emotionally manipulated and tricked by Boomer into helping her escape with Hera, and goes off on his on on the new Earth to live as a hermit. Chief to the finals.

In the Civilian region, Laura Roslin defeats Billy in the finals. The cancer thing was pretty rough on her and having Billy die and then Tory be a Cylon was pretty devastating. Billy makes the finals despite dying early in the series just becaue he was awesome.

In the Cylon region, Athena wins because of her never-ending struggle to prove herself and all the crap she took for being a Cylon in the fleet. She also had her baby stolen away from her. Twice.

Roslin defeats Athena to advance to the finals but gets absolutely clobbered by Chief Tyrol and his impressive repertoire of tales of woe.

SPINOFFS

With Caprica already partway through it's first season, as well as rumours of another spin-off, why not try for a few more. Here are some of my ideas for potential Battlestar Galactica TV and film spin-offs:

TV Spinoffs

How I Met Your Cylon Mother

In the future, Helo tells his daughter about how he met their mother, Sharon "Athena" Agathon

My Name is Tyrol

After winning the "Who Deserves the Most Pity?" bracket, Chief Tyrol decides to adopt karma as a path to a happier life.

Cottle's Anatomy

Two and a Half Cylons

Dancing with the Starbuck

Galactica's Next Top Skinjob

The Amazing Thrace

Hot Dog the Bounty Hunter

Film Spinoffs

The Six Sense

Gaius Baltar sees dead Cylon people.

There's Something About Tory

She's a Cylon.

The Brave Little Toaster

When a Cylon centurion is left stranded at home when its master goes on vacation, it decides to go on a journey to track its master down.

Apollo 13

A thirteenth cylon is made and is modelled after Lee Adama.

Hot Dog Day Afternoon

Crouching Viper, Hidden Raptor

Meet the Frakkers

Adama Mia!

Galen Tyrol's A Series of Unfortunate Events