If you know what that subject line means then you probably also know that Battlestar Galactica returns for a third season tonight on Sci Fi Channel (with encores airing Sunday, Monday and Tuesday).
Last season the show was one of my picks for the season's best and having seen rough cuts (without visual effects, sadly) of four new episodes I can happily report that BSG is still great TV. And no not "great sci-fi TV" or "great for Sci Fi TV." Just great TV. One of the best dramas on TV, regardless of genre or network. If you like 24, if you like Lost, if you like the HBO or FX dramas, I can pretty much guarantee you will like this.
Battlestar is full of rich human drama, unexpected and provocative political themes that parallel current events, generally excellent ensemble acting (including Oscar-nominated leads Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, remarkable scene stealer James Callis and surprisingly strong model-turned-actress Tricia Helfer) and a documentary-like visual style worthy of a top notch indie film. It's smart, exciting, addictive.
But here's the thing, I wouldn't recommend that anyone who hasn't already been a regular viewer start watching now. The third season is great, dark, dramatic stuff but it's also different in many ways from what the series has been in the past. Newcomers won't have a sense of the tone of the show up to this point, and the drama won't possess the same weight if you haven't followed the journey.
Go back and check out the DVDs of the miniseries and seasons one and two (which is split into two halves). They're all available on Netflix and should be in most video stores as well. Catch yourself up, you'll be glad you did.
No comments:
Post a Comment