Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far: Difference between revisions

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'''Battlestar Galactica:  The Story So Far''' is a one-hour recap special of the first 2 seasons of ''Battlestar Galactica'' that was aired repeatedly on the Sci-Fi Channel in August/September 2006, leading up to the Season 3 premiere.  The special summarizes "the story so far" for prospective new viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20060809scifi01|title=The Futon Critic|accessdate=2006-08-11}}</ref>
'''"Battlestar Galactica:  The Story So Far"''' is a special program that summarizes the first 2 seasons of the [[Re-imagined Series]].  The special was intended to attract new viewers and offers no new content for frequent viewers of the series.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/pr.aspx?id=20060809scifi01|title=The Futon Critic|accessdate=2006-08-11}}</ref>


On the evening of August 13, 2006, NBC affliliates on the U.S. West Coast broadcast the special following the Cincinnati-Washington NFL football game. As was to be expected with a program that tried to synopsize the two seasons of BSG, "The Story So Far" was a good primer for those who had never seen the show before but was glaring in terms of some of the events that were omitted.
On the evening of August 13, 2006, NBC affiliates on the U.S. West Coast broadcast the special following the Cincinnati-Washington [http://www.nfl.com NFL football game]. The program was aired repeatedly on the Sci-Fi Channel in August/September 2006 prior to the [[Occupation|season 3 premiere episode]].


Gone was any mention of the arrival of the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and [[William Adama|Adama]]'s conflict with Admiral [[Helena Cain]], the relationship between [[Chief Tyrol]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]] (though she was shown dying in his arms), and the conflict between civilian and military authority that led to the arrest of Roslin, the declaration of martial law and the temporary splitting of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]]. [[Billy Keikeya]] was never mentioned, despite his importance as one of the central supporting character in season 1.  
Narrated by actress [[Mary McDonnell]] (voicing the narration in her character of [[Laura Roslin]]), "The Story So Far" ignored several supporting and significant story arcs and character developments in the interest of the program's limited 43 minute air time.


But in fairness, balance is hard to achieve in a one-hour show. For instance, a recap of the miniseries took the first twenty minutes, the whole first season was over by the half-hour mark, and it seemed like most of jump-foward-one-year part of the Season Two finale was played intact. Also, scenes were generally shuffled around out of their normal timeline to explain important relationships.
Significant information missing from the special program included:


The narration of the program by "Laura Roslin" (Mary McDonnell in character) was low-key and strangely effective, though it will probably leave some people wondering who she was supposed to be talking to.
*The trials of [[Helo]] while marooned on Caprica in season 1
*The arrival of the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and [[William Adama|Adama]]'s conflict with its commander, Admiral [[Helena Cain]]
*The relationship between [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Sharon Valerii|"Boomer" Valerii]]
*The presidential coup that led to the arrest of Laura Roslin, the declaration of martial law and the temporary splitting of the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].
*Any reference to [[Billy Keikeya]], despite his importance as one of the central supporting characters in season 1


One plot point that was not officially stated in the regular series, and is mentioned in this special, is that the group of refugees left behind on Caprica, save for Helo, all succumbed to radiation poisoning in the intervening period between the [[Miniseries|Miniseries]] and "[[33|33]]".
Areas that attempted to plot significant events of the show included a recap of the miniseries in the program's  first twenty minutes, a synopsis of the first season by the half-hour mark, and generally concise information on season 2. Several scenes were generally shuffled out of their aired timeline to explain important relationships.


In the end, "Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far" is clearly intended to draw new viewers to the series but offers little new content for current followers.
The program is now available in several online venues for free viewing, including [http://www.apple.com/itunes the iTunes Store] (iTunes software required).
 
The program is now available in several online venues, including [http://www.apple.com/itunes the iTunes Store] (iTunes software required).


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:08, 7 February 2007

"Battlestar Galactica: The Story So Far" is a special program that summarizes the first 2 seasons of the Re-imagined Series. The special was intended to attract new viewers and offers no new content for frequent viewers of the series. [1]

On the evening of August 13, 2006, NBC affiliates on the U.S. West Coast broadcast the special following the Cincinnati-Washington NFL football game. The program was aired repeatedly on the Sci-Fi Channel in August/September 2006 prior to the season 3 premiere episode.

Narrated by actress Mary McDonnell (voicing the narration in her character of Laura Roslin), "The Story So Far" ignored several supporting and significant story arcs and character developments in the interest of the program's limited 43 minute air time.

Significant information missing from the special program included:

  • The trials of Helo while marooned on Caprica in season 1
  • The arrival of the battlestar Pegasus and Adama's conflict with its commander, Admiral Helena Cain
  • The relationship between Galen Tyrol and "Boomer" Valerii
  • The presidential coup that led to the arrest of Laura Roslin, the declaration of martial law and the temporary splitting of the Fleet.
  • Any reference to Billy Keikeya, despite his importance as one of the central supporting characters in season 1

Areas that attempted to plot significant events of the show included a recap of the miniseries in the program's first twenty minutes, a synopsis of the first season by the half-hour mark, and generally concise information on season 2. Several scenes were generally shuffled out of their aired timeline to explain important relationships.

The program is now available in several online venues for free viewing, including the iTunes Store (iTunes software required).

References

  1. The Futon Critic (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 2006-08-11.