Toggle search
Toggle menu
5.2K
0
8.4K
245.5K
Battlestar Wiki
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Battlestar Galactica (SE): Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
More languages
More actions
Browse history interactively
VisualWikitext
Joe Beaudoin Jr. (talk | contribs)
Senior Chiefs, Marines, Interface administrators, interwiki, Sponsors, CAP, Chiefs
62,829 edits
initial skeleton
 
Joe Beaudoin Jr. (talk | contribs)
Senior Chiefs, Marines, Interface administrators, interwiki, Sponsors, CAP, Chiefs
62,829 edits
m Text replacement - "Lee "Apollo" Adama" to "{{callsign|Apollo}}"
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{disline|This article refers to the upcoming re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For previous incarnations of ''Battlestar Galactica'', see: either [[Original Series]] or the [[Re-imagined Series]].}}


:''This article refers to the 2003 re-imagined version of ''Battlestar Galactica''. For information on the 1978 Original Series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].
{{shortcut|SE<br/>Esmail<br/>BSG20}}
 
{{shortcut|TRS<br/>TNS}}


{{Series Data
{{Series Data
| image= TRS Title.jpg
| image= Peacock.png
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| title= Battlestar Galactica
| creator= [[Ronald D. Moore]]
| creator= [[Sam Esmail]]
| starring= [[Edward James Olmos]]<br/>[[Mary McDonnell]]<br/>[[Katee Sackhoff]]<br/>[[Jamie Bamber]]<br/>[[James Callis]]<br/>[[Tricia Helfer]]<br/>[[Grace Park]]
| starring=  
| composer= [[Bear McCreary]]
| composer=  
| company= [[w:NBC Universal|NBC Universal]]
| company= [[w:NBC Universal|NBC Universal]]
| seasons= 4
| seasons=  
| episodes= 74
| episodes=  
| episodelistid=The Re-imagined Series
| episodelistid=Peacock
| channel= [[Sci Fi Channel]] and [[Sky One]]
| channel= [[Peacock]]
| US airdate= 2003-12-08
| US airdate=  
| UK airdate= 2004-02-17
| UK airdate=  
| dvd= 2005-03-28
| dvd=  
| exec producer= [[Ronald D. Moore]]<br/>[[David Eick]]
| exec producer= [[Sam Esmail]]
| producer=  
| producer=  
| supervising producer=
| supervising producer=
| associate producer=
| associate producer=
| co-producer= [[Jane Espenson]]<br/>[[Toni Graphia]]
| co-producer=  
| story editor=
| story editor=
| prev=
| prev=
Line 30: Line 29:


==Summary==
==Summary==
The 2003 [[Miniseries]] debut of '''''Battlestar Galactica''''' was a "[[Wikipedia:Reboot (continuity)|re-imagining]]," or updated version of the [[Original Series]] made [[Naturalistic science fiction|more suitable]] to the modern sensibilities of the 21st Century.  Aiming to tackle issues of civil rights, survival, terrorism, and religion, ''Battlestar Galactica'' is an drama following the survivors of a race of humanity&mdash;which number under 50,000. The new ''Battlestar'' was spearheaded by former ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' writer/producer [[Ron D. Moore]] and co-produced by [[David Eick]].


A familiar but different [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' finds herself leading a refugee [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]] away from the destroyed [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies of Kobol]] and on a (and [[Home, Part II|initially fictitious]]) quest for [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], with turmoil from within and danger from without.
Announced on the 41st anniversary of the [[Original Series|1978 ''Battlestar Galactica'' series]], this new series is inspired by the [[Ronald D. Moore]]-lead [[Re-imagined Series]].<ref name="esmail">{{cite_web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/battlestar-galactica-reboot-sam-esmail-works-at-nbcus-streamer-1239018|title='Battlestar Galactica' Reboot From Sam Esmail in the Works at NBCU's Streamer|accessdate=17 September 2019|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley}}</ref>
 
Following the announcement wherein NBC claimed that the new series was a "reboot,"<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.nbcuniversal.com/press-release/nbcuniversal-announces-%E2%80%98peacock%E2%80%99-name-its-streaming-service-and-unveils-initial|title=NBCUNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES ‘PEACOCK’ AS THE NAME OF ITS STREAMING SERVICE AND UNVEILS INITIAL CONTENT LINEUP|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019}}</ref> Esmail went to Twitter to clarify that "it will '''NOT''' be a remake of the amazing series by @RonDMoore launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of ''Battlestar''. [[So say we all]]!"<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/samesmail/status/1173987378894999552|title=Sam Esmail Tweet|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=17 September 2019}}</ref>
 
Furthermore, according to the website Deadline.com, "We hear Esmail had been in touch with Moore, who blessed the idea of him taking on the franchise, because of Esmail's passion for Moore's show."<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/battlestar-galactica-reboot-drama-series-sam-esmail-nbc-streaming-service-peacock-1202736127/|title=‘Battlestar Galactica’ Reboot From Sam Esmail Headed For NBCU’s Peacock Streaming Service|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Hipes|first=Patrick}}</ref> This was clarified by Esmail himself in an interview October 2019, wherein he notes that he spoke to Moore and asked: "A, are you OK with this? And B, if you are, how do we proceed?" Esmail also noted that Moore "said he was OK with it as long as it wasn't a reboot — which was in line with what I was thinking."<ref name="thr-100319">{{cite_web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sam-esmail-battlestar-galactica-life-mr-robot-1244397|title=Sam Esmail on 'Battlestar Galactica' and Life After 'Mr. Robot'|date=03 October 2019|accessdate=03 October 2019|last=O'Connell|first=Michael}}</ref>
 
To date, Moore himself has not commented publicly on the series' development.
 
Meanwhile, fan reaction is understandably mixed, with some questioning publicly as to why another ''Battlestar Galactica'' series is necessary to some even voicing doubt on Esmail's claims.  


''Battlestar Galactica'' began as a four-hour miniseries pilot on the [[Sci Fi Channel]] in late 2003. As with the Original Series, the show begins with the destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]], but in a style more familiar and disturbing to today's viewers, making its events eerily reminiscent of feelings felt by many viewers to the sporadic and inconsistent news and chaos shown during the [[w:September 11, 2001|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]] in the United States.
Reaction from cast and crew members is also fairly positive, with initial responses posted to social media by [[Katee Sackhoff]] ([[Kara Thrace]]), [[Aaron Douglas]] ([[Galen Tyrol]]), [[Sam Witwer]] ([[Alex Quartararo]]), [[Rekha Sharma]] ([[Tory Foster]]), and others. (See: the [[#Official Statements|Official statements]] section.)


While the design of the battlestar ''Galactica'' was probably the most familiar element derived from the Original Series, many elements of the new show were altered. The commander, [[William Adama]], is a battle-hardened, secularly-minded commander on the eve of retirement for himself and his [[Cylon War|combat-decorated]] old battlestar. The names of Original Series characters are now the pilot call signs for his son, [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]] and the crack pilot, [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]. Starbuck's change into a female character initially became a torrid issue to Original Series fans who feared this and other changes would render an inferior series.
Executive produced by [[Sam Esmail]] under an overall deal with [[Universal Content Productions]] that itself was renewed February 2019, this series will leverage the ''Battlestar'' brand for NBC's own specialty streaming service called [[Peacock]] and may launch as early as April 2020.<ref name="peacock">{{cite_web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbcuniversals-streaming-strategy-name-programming-lineup-revealed-1240157|title=The Hollywood Reporter: NBCUniversal's Streaming Strategy, Name, Programming Lineup Revealed|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=17 September 2019|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley}}</ref>


However, some fans became pleasantly surprised of the quality of the miniseries and the regular series. Unlike its Original Series counterpart, the new series has not only survived to prepare for a [[Season 4|fourth and final season]] in 2008, but has received many awards and nominations, including several Emmy nominations, a Peabody Award, a Saturn Award, and a Hugo Award. Its popularity has even given the show its own spin-off series, [[Caprica (series)| Caprica]]. In addition, the series has been sold to many other countries across the world.
Additional details on development, plot, casting, and confirmed airdate were not yet available as the series is considered in-development as of 17 September 2019.


== Series development ==
== Series development ==


After the miniseries, the regular series itself was not immediately approved due to financial considerations. Initially, Universal Studios and Sci Fi Channel both deemed that the series was unaffordable, despite [[David Eick]]'s and David Kissinger's attempts to secure funding for the series. Fortuitously, the UK network [[Sky One]] was looking to fund "high-profile American shows", "ultimately making up the difference between what Universal felt it could afford and what we needed to make the show", according to Eick.<ref name="pg 41">{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=41|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
''Forthcoming.''
 
== Official Statements ==


Once funding was secured, the official announcement for the series' launch was given on 10 February 2004.<ref name="pg 41"/> Moore, a majority of the production staff, as well as every principal cast member from the miniseries returned to work on the series. Moore also hired the show's writing staff, including [[Toni Graphia]], [[David Weddle]], [[Bradley Thompson]], and [[Carla Robinson]]. <ref>{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=41-43|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
=== [[Sam Esmail]] ===


Principal shooting on the [[Season 1 (2004-05)|first season]] was from 19 April to 15 September 2004, with each episode taking eight days to shoot. In an interesting twist, the series was first broadcast on a European network, Sky One, between 18 October 2004 to 24 January 2005.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=43|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref> As part of the funding agreement, Sky One was given the opportunity to play the new series first, leaving Americans to wait several months before the series would debut in the Americas.
* ''Esmail clarifies the announcement:''


== Noted changes from the [[Original Series]] ==
: BSG fans, this will NOT be a remake of the [[Re-imagined Series|amazing series]] [[Ronald D. Moore|@RonDMoore]] launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of ''Battlestar''. [[So say we all]]!<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/samesmail/status/1173987378894999552|title=Sam Esmail's Tweet - Re: Reboot|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=17 September 2019|last=Esmail|first=Sam}}</ref>
The basic story is still present: robotic [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] conduct a [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|surprise attack on the Colonies]], thus forcing several stranded spaceships to coalesce around the last surviving [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestar]], ''[[Galactica]]'', to seek a mythical [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] where the survivors hope to find shelter from the Cylons.


Many of the fine details changed from the Original Series.
* ''Esmail discusses topical political commentary in response to a fan's plea to refrain from the inclusion of "identity politics or anti [[w:Donald Trump|Trump]] comentary (sic)," wherein they state that "the equilibrium between conservative AND liberal views" made "the <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Re-imagined Series]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> so special."''


* The Cylons were created by humanity itself and not by a [[Cylons (TOS)|separate alien race]].<ref>This shift in antagonists mirror similar dystopian man/machine stories found in such popular films as the ''[[Wikipedia:The Terminator|Terminator]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:The Matrix|The Matrix]]'' movie series.</ref>
: Please try to remember that Trump doesn’t represent liberal or conservative values. All he represents is ignorant narcissism via his banal assholery. My attacks on trump (sic) aren’t on any political affiliation, just on the shittiness of his pathetically low character.<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/samesmail/status/1174428056569569280|title=Sam Esmail's Tweet - Re: Battlestar Politics|date=18 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Esmail|first=Sam}}</ref>
* ''Galactica'' is a 50 year old relic on the verge of decommission.
* The names of "Apollo", "Boomer", and "Starbuck" are changed to call signs.  Most characters have standard first and last names; some first names were not given until later in the series, such as [[Felix Gaeta|Felix Gaeta's]] or [[Anastasia Dualla|Anastasia Dualla's]].  
* The alien (and often confusing) terminology used to denote units of measurement, such as distance and time, in the Original Series has been replaced with understandable terminology, such as "year" and not "[[yahren]]".  
* The ship designs, save for some revisions to the [[Viper Mark II]] and ''[[Galactica]]'' and a few noteworthy background ships (such as the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' and the [[Botanical Cruiser]]), have been redone.
* The government of the Colonies resembles the United States' democratic republic, with a president, vice president, and secretaries. The [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] appears later, revised as a senatorial body, in the episode  "[[Colonial Day]]".
* Instead of the other-worldly, Egyptian-esque clothing and city designs (i.e. pyramids) seen in the Original Series, objects are more contemporary in design and function. Indeed, many aspects of contemporary society are very common throughout the new series.
* The [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)|religion]] for the Colonials revises the Lords of Kobol to be analogous in name to many of [[w:Greek mythology|the gods in real-world Greek mythology]], making the Colonial religion of the Re-imagined Series truly polytheistic (the Original Series' religion was more monotheistic as [[God (RDM)|God]] is referenced in tandem with the Lords of Kobol, who were more akin to [[w:saint|saints]].)
* The Cylons themselves [[Cylon Religion|celebrate a monotheistic religion]] with a deity similar to the God of the [[w:Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic religions]]. The Cylons and Colonials consider each other's religions to be false, reflecting the current Islam/Christianity/Judaism strife between the Western world and the Middle East, or clashes between colonizing forces and many indigenous or native populations throughout the age of exploration and modernity.


Characters are altered significantly from the Original Series.
* ''Esmail espouses his fondness for the Re-imagined Series:''


* [[Boomer (TOS)|Boomer]], played by [[Herb Jefferson Jr.]], is now the callsign of a female, Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii]] ([[Grace Park]]).
: It was this sci-fi show that didn't feel incredibly sci-fi-y. It was grounded. I felt like I was watching a war film — so allegorical because it really was talking about 9/11 and the post-terrorist attack environment in a really human way. It was groundbreaking television in how serialized it was before that became popular among the other dramatic shows.<ref name="thr-100319"/>
* [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]], played as a male character by [[Dirk Benedict]], is now the call-sign of a female lieutenant named [[Kara Thrace]] ([[Katee Sackhoff]]).
* "Adama", "Tigh", and "Baltar" are now surnames.
* The character of [[Adama (TOS)|Adama]], portrayed by [[Lorne Greene]] in the Original Series, becomes [[William Adama]] ([[Edward James Olmos]]). Adama's beliefs are far more secular than his Original Series counterpart.
* [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], portrayed by [[Richard Hatch]] in the Original Series, becomes the call sign of [[Lee Adama]] ([[Jamie Bamber]]).
* [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]], who was willingly complicit in the destruction of the Colonies due to his thirst for power, became [[Gaius Baltar]], an arrogant scientific genius that is tricked into working with the Cylons.
* Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]], portrayed by [[Terry Carter]] in the original series, becomes Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] ([[Michael Hogan]]), a grumpy alcoholic plagued by marital and psychological problems.


The show has taken a more realistic turn, scientifically. [[Science in the Re-imagined Series|Realistic science]], which was absent in the Original Series, is applied in this series as best as cinematic and storyline requirements permit.
* ''Esmail notes his conversation with Re-imagined Series' developer, [[Ronald D. Moore]], on the concept of a "reboot":''


Certain models of Cylons [[Humanoid Cylon|appear human, right down to the blood]], which generates some very disturbing problems in distinguishing friend from foe. This mirrors terrorist methods of infiltration and delivering destructive results to heavy population centers (akin to suicide bombers).
: The word "reboot" was used when we were first talking about it, and I cringed. [Showrunner] Ronald Moore, he just hit it out of the park with his series, so why would I even want to touch that? I talked to him and said, "A, are you OK with this? And B, if you are, how do we proceed?" He said he was OK with it as long as it wasn't a reboot — which was in line with what I was thinking. But the world of ''Battlestar Galactica'' is so rich, the mythology is so interesting, that I think there is a lot to pick from and explore.<ref name="thr-100319"/>


== Official Statements ==
=== [[Re-Imagined Series]] Cast & Crew Statements ===
 
* ''[[Katee Sackhoff]] ([[TRS]]'s [[Kara Thrace]]) replies to Esmail via Twitter:''


* ''[[Ron D. Moore]] discusses using the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] as a template:''
: Good to know 👍🏻😉 Excited to see what you come up with. 🚀<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/kateesackhoff/status/1174164332080271361|title=Katee Sackhoff's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Sackhoff|first=Katee}}</ref>


: I approached the original show and looked at what worked and what didn't work. I tried to keep as much of the original show as possible. I kept all the essential elements of ''Battlestar Galactica'': the aircraft-carrier-in-space; the rag-tag fleet; the Cylon attack, the escape and the search for Earth; Commander Adama; Adama's son "Apollo", who's the ''Galactica'''s lead fighter pilot; the rogue pilot, "Starbuck"; their friend, "Boomer"; and Baltar, the traitor. Those were the main things I knew I had to keep – it wouldn't have been ''Battlestar Galactica'' without them.
* ''[[Rekha Sharma]] ([[TRS]]'s [[Tory Foster]]) initial reaction to the news via Twitter:''
: I changed the things I knew didn't work. The original [[Baltar (TOS)|Baltar]] didn't have a motivation for betraying his race<ref>Moore's statement is subjective. Some readers may feel that Baltar's motivations were power-based. By deliberately making a deal with the Cylons, he believed that the Cylons would spare his colony and subjugate the human species under him ([[Saga of a Star World]]).</ref>, so I knew I'd have to change that character. I also never understood why the Cylons were so intent on pursuing these humans across the galaxy<ref>For detail on the Original Series Cylons and their motivations, see [[Cylons (TOS)]].</ref>, so I changed the background of the Cylons and their relationship with the human beings. Making the Cylons the creation of humanity enabled the Cylons to have a much more complicated love/hate relationship with humans, and also provided us with a way to use humanoid Cylons in the series, which was something we knew we wanted to do because there would be limits on how much we could use CGI Cylons.
: [[Athena (TOS)|Athena]] didn't seem to serve any function in the original show other than look beautiful and be a love interest for Starbuck, so I just got rid of that character.<ref>The series would transfer the daughter-figure aspects of the Original Series Athena to [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Sharon Agathon]], who [[Torn|later]] receives the callsign of "Athena."</ref> And while I thought [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]] was part of the family and decided it would be nice to [[Boxey (RDM)|include him in some peripheral way]],<ref>The character of Boxey in the Re-imagined Series was intended to be part of a family unit with [[Galen Tyrol]] and [[Sharon Valerii]], but a place for the character within story arcs were eventually dropped, and the character has essentially been dropped from the series.</ref> I never considered keeping [[Muffit|Boxey's dog]] for a second. The dog was just absurd! it was right out from the moment I took the show.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=13-14|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>


* ''Moore discusses the religious aspects of the series:''
: Dear BSG fans, I think @samesmail @NBCUniversal are gonna do something great with BSG: not a remake! So lay down your sidearms and grab the ambrosia...
: The religious aspects of the show developed naturally out of my intention to reflect every aspect of the human experience. I was delighted because I'm fascinated with this notion of monotheism versus polytheism, and I felt its addition to the show enriched it and helped make it unique.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Bassom|first=David|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=2005|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|pages=18-19|editor=ed. Adam "Adama" Newell|publisher=Titan Books|location=|id=ISBN 1-84576-0972}}</ref>
:And if it goes sideways, don't worry.
:I mean, have you met us?
:Cylons are NOT to be trifled with.  
:End of line.  
:😘😘💃🏽💃🏽💪🏽💪🏽<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/kateesackhoff/status/1174052752177029121|title=Rekha Sharma's Twitter - Re: BSG - Not a Remake|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Sharma|first=Rekha}}</ref>


* ''Moore discusses using the series as allegory to current events:''
* ''[[Rekha Sharma]] ([[TRS]]'s [[Tory Foster]]) replies to Esmail via Twitter:''


: The original "[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Original Series|[Star] Trek]]" series ... dealt with a lot of hot-button issues at the time: It dealt with racism, and it dealt with war, and it dealt with a lot of ideas that were very, very timely and very important. And this was a chance to make a science fiction show that wasn't purely escapist, but actually dealt with the world that we live in.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thestreet.com/_tsclsii/funds/goodlife/10276628.html|title=Delve Into 'Battlestar Galactica'|date=5 April 2006|accessdate=9 Feburary 2007|last=Wolverton|first=Troy|format=|language=}}</ref>
: Looking forward to it, Sam! And maybe you've got a place for some [[Cylon (RDM)|cylons]] (sic)...? I'd love to revisit that exquisite mythology 😘 <ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/kateesackhoff/status/1174164332080271361|title=Rekha Sharma's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification|date=18 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Sharma|first=Rekha}}</ref>


* ''[[Jamie Bamber]] talks about the discussions that the cast and crew have regarding the show's content:''
* ''[[Aaron Douglas]] ([[TRS]]'s [[Galen Tyrol]]) replies to Esmail via Twitter:''


: We discuss everything. We even do try to discuss the sci-fi techie stuff, but we're just not very good at it. When [[A Day in the Life|the script]] throws out something like [[Cally Tyrol|Callie]] [''sic''] and [[Galen Tyrol|the Chief]] in space without any protection, lots [of us discuss] around the set if that was really possible. In the end, we all bow down to the experts who tell us it is. That shuts us up very quick. The political stuff, that's the juice of the show with the cast. That's pretty much what we like to inhabit, those social-political dilemmas and what they mean morally and legally, and how they pertain to the world that we're in now. The interesting thing about this show is that a lot of people come up to me and say, "Is it really liberal, or something?" but everyone across the political spectrum can find a view that they can side with. We don't cast moral judgment on any of them. It is all shades of gray that are out there to be interpreted, and that's the beauty of the writing, I think.<ref name="TV Guide">{{cite_web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting=%7BAC4FC1D4-115F-457C-8E4A-01A539D77D39%7D|title=''Galactica'''s Jamie Bamber Visits a Heavenly ''Ghost''|date=23 February 2007|accessdate=23 February 2007|last=Cohn|first=Angel|format=|language=}}</ref>
: Hi Sam. I’m available & I’m very familiar with the mythology of Battlestar…. 😉 @samesmail <ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/theaarondouglas/status/1174100959548461056|title=Aaron Douglas' Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification|date=17 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Douglas|first=Aaron}}</ref>


* ''Bamber discusses being sympathetic to the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]:''
* ''[[Sam Witwer]] ([[TRS]]'s [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]]) replies to Esmail via Twitter:''
: The Cylons do garner your empathy gradually, as you see more and more from their point of view. That's a bold move. There is a lot about them that should be sympathetic to a Western American audience. They are monotheists, they kind of believe in redemption and rebirth and all these things that a lot of us believe in. The humans are polytheists and are a bit more anachronistic.<ref name="TV Guide"/>


* ''[[Edward James Olmos]] discusses what the series is to him, referencing [[Sharon Agathon]]'s birth of [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]:''
: We breathe a sigh of relief, sir.
: No, I think it was [<nowiki></nowiki>[[Sharon Agathon]]'s] [[Hera Agathon|baby]] that really pushed her to the point of being more human than android. The love of a child is really the premise of this story. [[William Adama|My [character's]]] love of my children, [[Laura Roslin|Roslin]]'s love of humanity — all of us are her children. I have my son [Major [[Lee Adama|Lee ''Apollo'' Adama]]], and of course I just [[Maelstrom|lost]] my [surrogate] daughter [Captain [[Kara Thrace|Kara ''Starbuck'' Thrace]]], which was brutal. <ref name="ew ejo">{{cite_web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20036782_20037403_20015932_2,00.html|title=Four-ward, Cylons: EDWARD JAMES OLMOS|date=|accessdate=31 May 2007|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>


* ''Moore discusses mapping out the series:''
: <nowiki>#CrashdownWasACylon</nowiki><ref>{{cite_web|url=https://twitter.com/SamWitwer/status/1174504250677719040|title=Sam Witwer's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification|date=18 September 2019|accessdate=19 September 2019|last=Witwer|first=Sam}}</ref><ref>Also, Crashdown was not a Cylon.</ref>
: Each season, we mapped out where we wanted to go by the end of that season.  That’s how I like to approach things.  At the beginning of [[Season 1 (2004-05)|season one]], we talked about where the end of the first year would be.  And then, into the [[Season 2 (2005-06)|second year]], we broke it up into groups of the first 10 and the second 10, and kept that style of planning, all through the show.  I would say, somewhere mid-way through the second season, I started thinking seriously about what the end of the series itself might be.  Ideas for where we were headed and what it all meant started to coalesce over the course of the third season.  In season three, we started talking in earnest about, “Well, okay, if we do end it next year, what would it really be?,” and it just felt like, “Yeah, this is the right time to do it.”  In terms of whether we’ve had enough time, I feel like we have.  We’re really taking our cues from the story itself, and it just feels like the story has moved forward aggressively.  What I’m proud of about the series is that it’s been unafraid to take risks and it’s been unafraid to move strongly forward, instead of trying to tread water.  It just feels like the momentum of the series is now moving towards a conclusion. <ref name="crave">{{cite_web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648062/battlestar_galactica_ronald_moore_talks_about_earth.html|title=Battlestar Galactica: Ronald Moore talks about Earth|date=13 June 2007|accessdate=15 June 2007|last=Topel|first=Fred|format=|language=}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
* In the finale of ''Battlestar Galactica'', it was revealed that the series took place more than 150,000 years before the present day. Therefore, unlike most space opera series, the reimagined ''Battlestar Galactica'' was a saga of ancient history rather than future history.


== See Also ==
* In lieu of a more distinct title, the initialism "SE" (for [[Sam Esmail]]) is to be used for any content in this series' continuity, per our [[BW:SEPCON|Separate Continuity]] policy.
 
<!-- == See Also ==
* [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]
* [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]
* [[Philosophy in Battlestar Galactica]]
* [[Philosophy in Battlestar Galactica]]
Line 116: Line 111:


==Cast==
==Cast==
[[Image:Image lg bgcast.jpg|thumb|Season One cast photo.]]
[[File:Image lg bgcast.jpg|thumb|Season One cast photo.]]
===Stars===
===Stars===
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Edward James Olmos]] as [[William Adama]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Mary McDonnell]] as [[Laura Roslin]]
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]  
* [[Katee Sackhoff]] as [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]]  
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as [[Lee Adama|Lee "Apollo" Adama]]
* [[Jamie Bamber]] as {{callsign|Apollo}}
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[James Callis]] as [[Gaius Baltar]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
* [[Tricia Helfer]] as [[Number Six]]
Line 135: Line 130:
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] (2003-2008)
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Tyrol|Cally]] (2003-2008)
* [[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]] (2004-2005)
* [[Samuel Witwer]] as [[Alex Quartararo|Alex "Crashdown" Quartararo]] (2004-2005)
* [[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]] (2008-)
* [[Michael Trucco]] as [[Samuel Anders]] (2008-) -->


==Production Crew==
==Production Crew==
===Producers===
===Producers===
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] - Developer / Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Sam Esmail]] - Developer / Executive Producer
* [[David Eick]] - Executive Producer
* [[Toni Graphia]] - Co-Executive Producer / Writer
* [[Harvey Frand]] - Producer
* [[Glen A. Larson]] - Consulting Producer


===Directors & Writing Staff===
<!--===Directors & Writing Staff===
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Crew Portal]].
: ''To view the list of all the directors and staff, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Crew#Directors|Crew Portal]].
-->


== Episodes ==
<!--== Episodes ==


:''For a complete list of all episodes, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Episode Guide - Season 1 Guide|Episode Guide]]''.
:''For a complete list of all episodes, see the [[Portal:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Episode Guide - Season 1 Guide|Episode Guide]]''.-->


== References ==
== References ==
Line 158: Line 150:
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Behind the Scenes]]
[[Category:Series in the Re-Imagined Continuity]]
[[Category:SE| ]]
[[Category:RDM| ]]


[[de:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]
[[de:Battlestar Galactica (SE)]]
[[fr:Battlestar Galactica (LSR)]]
[[ms:Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]
[[zh:银河战星卡拉狄加 (RDM)]]

Latest revision as of 18:40, 11 February 2024

Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo
This article refers to the upcoming re-imagined version of Battlestar Galactica. For previous incarnations of Battlestar Galactica, see: either Original Series or the Re-imagined Series.
 Battlestar Wiki Story Arc Logo


Shortcut:
SE
Esmail
BSG20


Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica
Created by Sam Esmail
Starring
Theme music by
Statistics
Production company NBC Universal
Number of seasons
Number of episodes (list)
Debut channel Peacock
US first-run airdates USA
UK first-run airdates UK
DVD release
Production staff
Executive producer(s) Sam Esmail
Producer(s)
Supervising producer(s)
Associate producer(s)
Co-producer(s)
Story editor(s)
Online Purchasing
Available at iTunes – [ Purchase]
Related Media
@ BW Media

Summary[edit]

Announced on the 41st anniversary of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica series, this new series is inspired by the Ronald D. Moore-lead Re-imagined Series.[1]

Following the announcement wherein NBC claimed that the new series was a "reboot,"[2] Esmail went to Twitter to clarify that "it will NOT be a remake of the amazing series by @RonDMoore launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar. So say we all!"[3]

Furthermore, according to the website Deadline.com, "We hear Esmail had been in touch with Moore, who blessed the idea of him taking on the franchise, because of Esmail's passion for Moore's show."[4] This was clarified by Esmail himself in an interview October 2019, wherein he notes that he spoke to Moore and asked: "A, are you OK with this? And B, if you are, how do we proceed?" Esmail also noted that Moore "said he was OK with it as long as it wasn't a reboot — which was in line with what I was thinking."[5]

To date, Moore himself has not commented publicly on the series' development.

Meanwhile, fan reaction is understandably mixed, with some questioning publicly as to why another Battlestar Galactica series is necessary to some even voicing doubt on Esmail's claims.

Reaction from cast and crew members is also fairly positive, with initial responses posted to social media by Katee Sackhoff (Kara Thrace), Aaron Douglas (Galen Tyrol), Sam Witwer (Alex Quartararo), Rekha Sharma (Tory Foster), and others. (See: the Official statements section.)

Executive produced by Sam Esmail under an overall deal with Universal Content Productions that itself was renewed February 2019, this series will leverage the Battlestar brand for NBC's own specialty streaming service called Peacock and may launch as early as April 2020.[6]

Additional details on development, plot, casting, and confirmed airdate were not yet available as the series is considered in-development as of 17 September 2019.

Series development[edit]

Forthcoming.

Official Statements[edit]

Sam Esmail[edit]

  • Esmail clarifies the announcement:
BSG fans, this will NOT be a remake of the amazing series @RonDMoore launched because... why mess with perfection? Instead, we’ll explore a new story within the mythology while staying true to the spirit of Battlestar. So say we all![7]
  • Esmail discusses topical political commentary in response to a fan's plea to refrain from the inclusion of "identity politics or anti Trump comentary (sic)," wherein they state that "the equilibrium between conservative AND liberal views" made "the [Re-imagined Series] so special."
Please try to remember that Trump doesn’t represent liberal or conservative values. All he represents is ignorant narcissism via his banal assholery. My attacks on trump (sic) aren’t on any political affiliation, just on the shittiness of his pathetically low character.[8]
  • Esmail espouses his fondness for the Re-imagined Series:
It was this sci-fi show that didn't feel incredibly sci-fi-y. It was grounded. I felt like I was watching a war film — so allegorical because it really was talking about 9/11 and the post-terrorist attack environment in a really human way. It was groundbreaking television in how serialized it was before that became popular among the other dramatic shows.[5]
  • Esmail notes his conversation with Re-imagined Series' developer, Ronald D. Moore, on the concept of a "reboot":
The word "reboot" was used when we were first talking about it, and I cringed. [Showrunner] Ronald Moore, he just hit it out of the park with his series, so why would I even want to touch that? I talked to him and said, "A, are you OK with this? And B, if you are, how do we proceed?" He said he was OK with it as long as it wasn't a reboot — which was in line with what I was thinking. But the world of Battlestar Galactica is so rich, the mythology is so interesting, that I think there is a lot to pick from and explore.[5]

Re-Imagined Series Cast & Crew Statements[edit]

Good to know 👍🏻😉 Excited to see what you come up with. 🚀[9]
Dear BSG fans, I think @samesmail @NBCUniversal are gonna do something great with BSG: not a remake! So lay down your sidearms and grab the ambrosia...
And if it goes sideways, don't worry.
I mean, have you met us?
Cylons are NOT to be trifled with.
End of line.
😘😘💃🏽💃🏽💪🏽💪🏽[10]
Looking forward to it, Sam! And maybe you've got a place for some cylons (sic)...? I'd love to revisit that exquisite mythology 😘 [11]
Hi Sam. I’m available & I’m very familiar with the mythology of Battlestar…. 😉 @samesmail [12]
We breathe a sigh of relief, sir.
#CrashdownWasACylon[13][14]

Notes[edit]

  • In lieu of a more distinct title, the initialism "SE" (for Sam Esmail) is to be used for any content in this series' continuity, per our Separate Continuity policy.


Production Crew[edit]

Producers[edit]


References[edit]

  1. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley. 'Battlestar Galactica' Reboot From Sam Esmail in the Works at NBCU's Streamer (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 17 September 2019.
  2. ↑ NBCUNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES ‘PEACOCK’ AS THE NAME OF ITS STREAMING SERVICE AND UNVEILS INITIAL CONTENT LINEUP (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). (17 September 2019). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  3. ↑ Sam Esmail Tweet (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). (17 September 2019). Retrieved on 17 September 2019.
  4. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (17 September 2019). ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Reboot From Sam Esmail Headed For NBCU’s Peacock Streaming Service (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 O'Connell, Michael (03 October 2019). Sam Esmail on 'Battlestar Galactica' and Life After 'Mr. Robot' (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 03 October 2019.
  6. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (17 September 2019). The Hollywood Reporter: NBCUniversal's Streaming Strategy, Name, Programming Lineup Revealed (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 17 September 2019.
  7. ↑ Esmail, Sam (17 September 2019). Sam Esmail's Tweet - Re: Reboot (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 17 September 2019.
  8. ↑ Esmail, Sam (18 September 2019). Sam Esmail's Tweet - Re: Battlestar Politics (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  9. ↑ Sackhoff, Katee (17 September 2019). Katee Sackhoff's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Sharma, Rekha (17 September 2019). Rekha Sharma's Twitter - Re: BSG - Not a Remake (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  11. ↑ Sharma, Rekha (18 September 2019). Rekha Sharma's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  12. ↑ Douglas, Aaron (17 September 2019). Aaron Douglas' Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  13. ↑ Witwer, Sam (18 September 2019). Sam Witwer's Twitter - Re: Esmail's Clarification (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). Retrieved on 19 September 2019.
  14. ↑ Also, Crashdown was not a Cylon.

Re-imagined Series definition: Battlestar Group (TRS: "Water"). It also doubles as an acronym for the television series itself.

Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon is called both a terrorist and a chauvinist by Jamie Hamilton during their phone call from the police station; he asks Troy "what's a terrorist chauvinist?" (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")

These are terms directly relating to Galactica 1980, some of which are based from the Original Series. For terms from that series, please refer to List of terms (TOS).

Re-imagined Series definition: a type of alcoholic beverage, see: ambrosia

Retrieved from "https://en.battlestarwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Battlestar_Galactica_(SE)&oldid=245866"