In Theory...[edit]
Naturalistic Science Fiction (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF cliches, utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as The Sorpranos and The West Wing.
In Practice...[edit]
For BSG this means that characters are viewed as normal, every-day people. There will be no characters that are simply the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".
Technology is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: FTL travel) and plausable; no Star Trek matter-energy conversion tech, phaser weapons or other unrealistic SF deus ex machina exist.
There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. A majority of BSG's episodes primarily focus on internal fleet survival issues (see: Water or Bastille Day). There will be an absense of aliens, a la Joss Whedon's Wikipedia:Firefly (Series)Firefly]], for planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless (with sound, scientific reasoning).
BSG avoids the thematic eloments found in Star Wars and episodic storytelling, using a documentary feel for the series and tribal music.