World Famous Comics: Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 11-20)
Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 11-20)
Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Binding: DVD Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Sci-Fi Channel, The Number of Discs: 3 Number of Items: 3 Region Code: 1 Release Date: September 19, 2006 Running Time: 521 minutes Theatrical Release Date: January 14, 2005
Amazon.com: Battlestar Galactica's season 2.5 (i.e., the final 10 episodes of the second season, plus an extended version of episode 10) picks up where season 2.0 (the first 10 episodes) left off: Galactica's giddy reunion with the Pegasus had taken a sour turn when Admiral Cain (Michelle Forbes) went back on her word to Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and decided to integrate the crews, moving Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) to Pegasus. The animosity, combined with an attack on Sharon (Grace Park), threatens to derail a golden opportunity for the fleet to strike the Cylons where they'll hurt, and stay hurt--their resurrection ship.
In many ways, Sharon is the central character. The attack lands Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and the Chief (Aaron Douglas) in hot water; her impending baby remains the subject of heated debate among president Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), Commander Adama, and others; and a rebellious movement determined to force Galactica to give up the Cylon ends up threatening both Apollo and Starbuck and putting further strain on their already-shaky relationship. Dr. Baltar (James Callis) becomes even more intertwined with the Cylons when he discovers another version of Number Six (Tricia Helfer) on the Pegasus, but is also in line to take over the presidency as Roslin's cancer reaches a critical stage. Battlestar Galactica's inexorable dramatic arc sagged in a couple episodes during this run, but the terrific two-part season finale involving a presidential election, a glimmer of hope for humanity, and some unexpected turns of events makes for a thrilling springboard to season 3. Battlestar is often called the best sci-fi show on television, but that seems like damning it with faint praise; it's the best drama on television.
In addition to the 10 episodes, the three-DVD set has an extended version of the last episode of season 2.0, "Pegasus"; the extra 15 minutes include a longer conversation in which Cain reveals her plans to Adama. That episode has a commentary track by executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, Moore's podcast commentaries are on every other episode, Eick's "video blogs" serve as casual featurettes on series production, and there are numerous deleted scenes. --David Horiuchi
Take away Michelle Forbes, and what do you have left? How weird it is to have such a strong, compelling lead cast, only to weigh them down with weak, inscrutable villains. The narrative of this season was a little wobbly. Often it feels as though the story moves very fast -- sometimes too fast (Apollo gets promoted twice...in the same episode!). Also, in the rare instances when a Cylon Centurion appears on-screen, I'm actually grateful because it's a relief to have antagonists who are genuinely intimidating and don't spend each day navel-gazing and pondering their existence.
That's not to say all of the Cylons are dull: Six (Tricia Helfer) has an interesting "I'm a broken Barbie doll" kind of vulnerability, while Sharon (Grace Park) is always behind glass, wreathed in shadow, keeping you guessing as to whether she's on Galactica's side or is just waiting to rip everyone's lungs out. But for all the constant talk about Cylon agents being machines ("You're a machine."; "The baby I'm carrying is a machine."; "Can't you see she's a MACHINE?"), this isn't remotely the case. It really pulls you out of the narrative when none of the characters -- not one! -- is willing to recognize this. When Gaius Baltar (James Callis) determines that Cylons have the ability to emote, it's considered a giant breakthrough. What? Since when?
I've never felt such simultaneous fondness and loathing toward a TV character the way I do Dr. Baltar. He has the makings of an awesome villain -- throwing President Roslin under a bus politically, or air-mailing nukes to terrorists -- but he doesn't have much in the way of a motive. It's hard to believe this guy is a genius, especially since he probably couldn't find his way to the bathroom without Six's direction. Naturally, if one discusses him, one has to discuss HER -- "Head" Six (Tricia Helfer). Like it or not, they're a 2-in-1 package. However, even with the series over and done with, I still have no idea what any of this power-grabbing does to further Six's plans.
It's too bad the most interesting Cylon in the whole series exists only in Baltar's head (which Six enjoys slamming into hard surfaces at every opportunity). Arguably, her religious rants give us the most compelling look into Cylon fanaticism you'll get to see. Whenever the action switches away from Galactica and focuses on the Cylons and their 'cafe society' on Caprica, my eyelids inevitably droop. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something dull about the Cylons. They aren't robotic enough to be creepy, and they aren't threatening enough to be feared. Each of them wears trendy clothes, regardless of the situation (even on a starship), and don't seem to have much on the agenda besides harassing Six and Sharon, the only members of their race with personalities.
Once Admiral Cain's story has concluded, the Pegasus arc kind of becomes a drag. The Pegasus's CIC is quite boring to look at (I can't stand those stupid folding glass doors); it's apparently really easy to break into the Admiral's quarters (twice). Suffice to say, the crew of Pegasus should probably shouldn't bother buying any lottery tickets for awhile.
But, of course, these are mostly just nitpicks. This season may have failed to retain its momentum, but it still has enough memorable episodes to warrant seeing.
A quick update on the pricing I loved the show but not the splitting of the season into 2.0 and 2.5 effectively doubling the price of the original series (which also included the feature length pilot). I held off and found 2.0 and 2.5 at Target for $39.99. For once Amazon is not the cheapest option. The value pack released on May 8th and should be available from a number of other retailers.
Outstanding Science Fiction! I have never seen a series, before Battlestar, that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. Anticipation was constantly a part of my week, waiting for the next episode.
Well crafted and stark science fiction This has to be the most intense science fiction ever viewed, the music, the acting, the plots, the characters, and the communications style, all intense, all subtle and irreverent, yet deeply and emotionally reaching. However, it would be strongly recommended that this not be presented to children; the drama, the character interplay and the intimacies therein are highly charged, sometimes graphic, sometimes base, and sometimes beautific in nature, but all very mature, if not borderng on the sensually debauched. Although I believe this has to be one of the best choreographed science fiction series of all time, particularly the writing and character interaction, all said, this is one of the most intelligent representations for its Genre.
Sci fi at its lamest Slightly better than Stargate SG, doesn't compare to Star Trek the Next Generation or otherwise. The characters are weak and are not developed well. Try another show like Heroes, which has some stronger characters.
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