RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE: Curious, open-minded, philosophical, psychological, into war stories,  love strong female leads, spiritual, not spiritual 

*Reviews are written with no spoilers.*

I stood in my cousin’s apartment in downtown Indianapolis, sifting through his wife’s ever-changing stack of books she keeps behind the television. Michelle is an avid reader, so you’ll see things like Anne of Green of Gables and then The Satanic Verses — at the very least, I could appreciate the range that mostly always leads to surprise. At this time, I was mainly looking for a space opera I could spontaneously take home after reading tons of articles on SpaceX and telescopes in the New York Times, so I asked if she had any recommendations since there were none in her current repertoire. 

Michelle and I have more in common than I have with others, especially regarding nerdy interests. So, on April 24th, 2023, her thirty-seventh birthday, she told me to watch Battlestar Galactica. “Really, watch it! It’s so good!” Open-minded and with little thought, I subscribed to Peacock the next day and began my journey on Battlestar Galactica. 

My Perspective: What makes a Quality Show? 

• Relatable characters I can study with psychological profiles that parallel with calculated and intentional writing. 
• Daring to be original by discontinuing tropes. 
• Political and social relevance whose significance carries throughout the times. 
• Too much to lose with extreme and dire circumstances. 

Honorary mention: Being philosophical is not mutually exclusive with being psychological. But I love when show writers marry these themes. 

Battlestar Galactica — SYNOPSIS: 

Humanity has reached for the stars and populated twelve planets as colonies in a distant part of the galaxy. Scientific advancement has created robots with artificial intelligence, the Cylons, that rebel against humanity and, after a war, agree to go their own way. But, 50 years later, the Cylons return. (SOURCE)

Battlestar Galactica, one of the older battlestar ships, becomes the military operation that defends the remaining fleet against the Cylons. 

Did Battlestar Galactica… 

have Relatable characters I can study with psychological profiles that parallel with calculated and intentional writing?

 A: Yes, I found the characters incredibly relatable. People love this series so much because of how the writers highlight the beautiful and the insanely ugly in each character. Although this is science fiction, they reflect the reality of the situations throughout the series; they become your friend, your crush, your inspiration. The incredible part about it all is that characters become morally gray. It’s pretty much the end of humanity — right and wrong cease to exist. The same characters that make choices you hate will be the same characters you come to forgive. After all, this is a time of war and survival of the fittest. 

Dare to be original by discontinuing tropes? 

A: Yes. This is what made the story real to the viewer. You really want everything to happen how you think things originally happen? No. That’s not what makes a show great. The most extraordinary ability of Battlestar Galactica was its bold strategy of creating an original story that carries the audience to the very end. If I could sit there and guess everything that was going to happen, that would’ve been my sole intention for watching, to say, ha, I was right! If you’re trying to take guesses, you will be right about very few. 

have Political and social relevance whose significance carries throughout the times?

A: Oh myyyy, yes indeed. Although this first aired in 2003, the political and social relevance is uncanny, especially relating to artificial intelligence and advancements in technology. There’s not much more to say that will keep me from spoiling the series. 

have Too much to lose with extreme and dire obstacle?

A: Yes. Without a doubt, this summarizes the entirety of the show. They are at war in space with the objectives of maintaining order among the humane race AND avoiding the extinction of the human race all in one go with ONE Battlestar.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA IS THE BEST TELEVISION SHOW I’VE SEEN.

Want to watch? It is available on Peacock. Watch the miniseries first, then the television series. You’re very welcome.