New Galactica Series
 

Ok everyone, The new Battlestar Galactica has aired, so how about it out there, what are your views on this uptake, will it be as good or better, or whatever ...... (Does have some nice eye candy in it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )..hmm new FBW clones maybe?????? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I think its better than the original series but that isn't saying much.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I like it.

I did notice during the first jump in "33" that it was really recycled from the miniseries, minus the storm and a lot of angles on the baseships seemed repeatative.

Perhaps a poke at the old series ;P

The one thing I would have liked to see is a voice over like lorne green's in the original series opening. With some slight changes and good casting, it would really provide a nice tie to the past.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

Well remember "pilot" episodes which that was don't always have the same begining as the rest of the series so they may add that later on http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I personally like it a LOT, it has drama but it's not so overboard that it's one of those "OH PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK!" deal.

And it is realistic too in that some times hard choices must be made for the sake of the numbers, you know? unlike the original series where they NEVER lost a ship, or even if they did they never made a mention of it beyond "LORDS Of KOBOL" or somethin stupid like that and then it was never mentioned again, they never ran out of fuel/food/supplies/fighters and they could lose like 10 pilots a episode and have like 1,000 more waiting in the wings, WHERE do you get those pilots from?

Also they actually have PILOTS and MARINES instead of some stupid hybrid "WARRIOR" where they know how to do everything.

PLUS it's nice to know what the hell they are talking about when they mention time frames, I mean what the was a "CENTON" a minute a second? It seemed like it could go either way depending on the episodes!

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I have already posted my opinions, likes, and dislikes on the series in the other BSG thread. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Aside from some prop issues, garage build sets, and some writting quirks, the series is off to a darn good start IMHO.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I think the original BSG, in addition to sharing a similar base design for the Bridge, shares Voyager's Crew-Cloning Vats.

the new BSG earned high marks from me when Adama and the President discussed the nature of the military as the police. It seemed to hint to what the writers might think is a growing problem in Iraq at the moment.

I might be spoiling it, but I do think there is an episode that deals specifically with the fighter pilot numbers coming up.

Another good point is the white board. While out of place (and also wrong style since all papers and pictures have 8-edges as opposed to 4) in BSG, they keep a running tally of the survivors which goes down by far more than what it goes up by.

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There are a lot of things I like about the series. And then there are a few things that just erk me to no end.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

Are there any trailers we could d/l?

Re: New Galactica Series
 

The official site has 2 that I remember. The Teaser with a Colonial warrior being chased through woods, and the trailer covering the end of the war and the fleets escape.

Edit: read back a bit further and saw the crew vats mention. I remember in Voyagers first season they had a crew member around for a few episodes and then killed him off. A bit more depth than a redshirt, but they then dropped that after the first season and we get stuff like a dead crewmember returning that we have never seen before http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif.

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The mini series is on DVD now. You can order it from the Sci-Fi site I think.

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Somebody mentioned the voice over opening... If I recall, Olmos gave a good portion of this in the rousing finale speech at the end of the miniseries.

Which I would take as a nod to the prior show.

Everybody needs to remember just how bad some of our favorite shows are when they first start. In case you forget, watch the first few episodes of ST:TNG. Their sets are horrible.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

That's because the TNG sets were supposed to be used in a show during the 80's called "Star Trek Phase II" which would star most of the original cast and crew except with a new vulcan and some ugly arsed helmsman. That series was cancled and the set was left waiting while they shot ST The Motion Picture and the rest of the movie series, during the late 80's they decided it was time for another Trek and used the uniforms and Written scripts of "Phase II" and placed the TNG crew in the roles instead. And if the first set's and episodes are any hint as to what "Phase II" was gonna be let's be glad they cancled it before it was launched http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif


As to BSG Yeah I do like the fact that they keep a running talley of how many people are left, I mean Voyager they had a crew of 150 roughly plus 20 Maqui, they apparently lost about 30-40 during the first few seasons where they took some pretty heavy beatings by the Kazon, later they got pLastered by the Borg which should have killed more yet didn't?


Anyway I like the new BSG because of the fact that they have very "modern" sets and nothing overly futuristic where it would just be pathetic http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif AND THANK YOU The Galactica is a warship NOT A PLEASURE CRUISER it has tight corridors and no frills, what was up with Star Trek and giving everyone wide open spaces and frills? Maybe that is why when their shields go down they explode, no room for armor with all those perks LOL.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

Actually I was suprised that is not too bad. The vipers launch silently, they tried to use Newtonian physics (more or less) there wasn't too much noise in space and banking turns (stuff that makes me turn it off quick!)There was some stuff that was goofy, but the acting was pretty good and the dialog was pretty good. I'll just see how long it takes for me to stop watching it...HA-HA-- I haven't watched a series(any series)since Bab 5. Notice the weapons were all missiles or some form of projectiles, no beam weapons. I think the Battlestar Galactica should retrofit some missile launch tubes too, Vipers and point defense may not serve the rag tag fleet for long.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

Just looked at the trailers and I must say I'm impressed.
Looks like they made quite a lot of changes moving series from space soap opera it was then (by today's standards) into space survival struggle. It really looks good and far more believable.

I remember the first episodes of old BSG and watching the destruction of 12 colonies back then had nowhere near that "catastrophic" feeling to it as it does now only looking at trailers! I'm really looking forward to this series.

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Yeah the original BSG was lame because 12 colonies and the entire colonial fleet were destroyed by a few fighters, yet the cylons could not bring down ONE BATTLESTAR! and a rag tag fleet of unarmed civilian targets (I mean ships).

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I think the new series looks great! It manages to be serious without going overboard. There were several converstaions I was particularly impressed with and I think the relationship between adama and the president is played out well. I was partiucarly impressed with the conversation about police/military roles conversation and Adamas speech to his son about living with your decisions.

I think the show is a lot more reall feeling then the originall. And for a pilot episode, 33 was incredible.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

If anyone who hasn't seen it, it is on in the US at 1500 EST on SciFi - the miniseries. Today.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

mac its great.

good eyecandy http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif starbucks http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

i like the look and feel of it as well , just finished watching the 33 one...

I like it.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I was a big fan of the original series (cuz I was like 12 years old and Apollo was my hero) and I think they did a nice job of keeping just enough of the old to validate using the name, but then reworking it into quality modern TV. There's too much good TV out there to watch these Last 2 years (ie: the CSI shows, Law and Order, Stargate, House, etc.). Just plain old good writing, and I think this series, if allowed to mature, will be better TV than Babylon 5 was.

Speaking of B5, I've noticed a lot of the CGI pioneered by that series on this new BSG. And that's cool.

My $0.02
Turin[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon42.gif[/img]

Re: New Galactica Series
 

Actually, his speech at the end of the miniseries would be a nice opener with some editing. I didn't even think about it.

Voyager's cloning vats... I was amazed that so many people existed on a ship with a crew of 150-170 people. Maybe the doctor was planning to go into pLastic surgery when they got home.... Can you imagine going into sickbay and waking up as someone else. Differnt face, gender, race, species, etc. That Doctor needs to be investigated...

The sets for TNG actually did not originate from Phase II. Those sets were torn down and used for other films prior to TNG's green-light. They later built new sets for the feature films that were redressed for the tv series. Only the cooridors, sickbay, battle bridge, and turbolifts survived to TNG.

Does anyone recall Babylon 5's early season? Before they added bracing to the back of the set walls? I recall one scene where the station was hit and an extra missed his cue to tumble and hit the wall in the background. The Monitor in the wall shifted back an inch and the whole wall shook from crew member hitting it.

back to BSG,
I think at the end of "Water" They were down to 45,000 and change. considering they started with 50,000... ouch.


But I see the galactica really as something like the Carrier Enterprise (cv-65) when put up against the rest of the carrier fleet of the US. She's the old girl, over-due for refit and retirement, of the entire fleet right now.

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I found an old tape of B5 Last night and watched it. I am appalled at how bad the sets were. It looks just like a sound stage with 3 wooden walls stuck up along the sides. I assume they spent most of their budgets on the CGI (which is the best part of course) and then skimped on sets and salaries (It is painful to watch the acting). Hey, great idea and storyline, pity about everything else.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

You got that right Tesco! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I liked what I've seen so far, Its hard for me to judge as I was an Old BSG fan way back when, except for the Last year which sucked (when they found earth and killed most of the regulars off). It has good qualities, only thing which I question, (same for the original) is when the Cylons attack the fleet, they only show attacking Galactica, IMHO, they need to show attacks on the other ships more often along with damage, explosions ect. as well as the vipers trying to defend the entire fleet not just the galactica. Over all, I give it a high rating for now. Time will tell if it'll hold up, depends on how good the writers are. The actors play good parts as well as their acting overall. The eye candy, well... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif Never thought I'd envy Voltar http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif Looks good hope it continues

Re: New Galactica Series
 

The word is that they will be spending more money on improving the sets this next year. The reviews and Ratings of the series are better than expected. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

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If they pull a farscape (which I think SCI FI tends to do, cheap as possible from the get go, then pump the funidng, then ***** about how much it costs http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif ) We will probably see some reall improvements next year. I mean, unlike farscape they don't have much costume work to do (as far as production value) and the sets shouldn't really change much. I think if they continue in the direction of what we have seen so far it will be good.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

B5 blew a ton of money on CGI effects. It did lay the ground work and set a visual style, but the expense really hurt them in the crew and prop dept.

Anyone notice that every time the cylons appear or a hostile is inbound, the galactica immeidately moves between the fleet and them acting as a shield. It's not automatic either, it's almsot always specified.

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It is a warship's duty to protect civilian ships, especially if it is the Last warship of your race and you can't afford to lose even a single civilian ship if it can be stopped.

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I have to say that I am very pleased to see that I am not the only one who enjoyed the episodes.

Many of the points brought up are spot on.

What I like.
The scene discussing military vrs police was a brilliant touch. I really like the way the writers are slowly building a partnership between Adama and the President.

I like the scene at the end of "33" where the President is told about the first birth. Sometimes it IS the little things that keep you going.

I like that the characters make tough decisions, but still have to live with the consequences.
. The President's decision to leave the non-ftl ships in the miniseries.
. The Decision by Adama/President/Lee to destroy the Carrier.
etc.

Not actually the pilot, but in the Miniseries, I like how they made you feel the plight/dispair. It was strangely engaging watching these people just do the best the could.

My big concern.
It really has to play out, but I just don't see how long the writers can plausibly draw out the Boomer/Chief thread. After one or two more events like in water, the Chief has to start getting suspicious. If not it will start to feel really forced.

All in all, we're off to a very promising start. This one is definately going into my watch list.

One other comment. B5 was (IMHO) the finest SciFi series in the Last 15 years. BSG has yet to earn mention in the same sentence. Given the rapid advances in CGI, it is no surprise that older shows look amatuer in comparison to what is coming out today.

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The Boomer/Chief relationship is a bit of a problem. Obviously from the outside we all see how wrong it is, but inside it is always more difficult. However, I think they're carrying it a bit too far already. Besides, if my girlfriend had an explosive strapped to her seat, I'd tell someone!!

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Yah, that Boomer thing really has to get wrapped up quickly. It's already unbelievable that the chief didn't turn her in on the spot. Unless he's a cylon too. Wouldn't that be a kick in the head? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

It's interesting how they introduced the second boomer back on Caprica. Kind of leaves open the possibility that the one that went back for her ECO is the real Boomer and the one on the Galactica the double. Of course it's more likely they are both Cylons. They haven't really explained yet whether these Cylon infiltrators are replacements for real humans that have been captured, or were Cylons that were moles to begin with.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I lean toward the idea that there are no human copies of the 12 cylon models.
The way she was introduced makes me darn close to certain that the Caprica Boomer is cylon. The #6 there just watched them move away. I am reasonably certain that the whole plan was to get an operative under-cover so they could slip her into the rebel ranks and destroy them from the inside.

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Great series. I like the cinema verite' look of how it is filmed. In space there is no steadycams or tripods! Also there is no sound in space but to still make scenes exciting they still have subdued craft noises or muffled engine noises. I noticed that when the vipers launch you can hear a thud as they leave the launch tubes.
The Battlebarge Collapsica looks great too. Not pretty at all but very funtional and ...survivable.
Now just keep Boxy away from the launch bays and make sure no one get a Daggit and everything should go fine.

There are 12 Cylon models. I want the one that is stacked and can suck the dimples off a golf ball!

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Keep in mind the Chief, like everyoen else - but boomer - has lost everyone he or she knows. Discovering your lover might be a cylon after the destruction of your civilization is something a person might block out or even turn a blind eye to. The Chief is msot likely realizing that she is one by now, but also fears for his own safety like Baltar feared when he found out Six was a Cylon and the colnies were under attack.

Geo, the flaw with that theory is that the First Boomer we saw was carrying survivors. The only place the switch could have happened was during the miniseries where boomer was searching for other ships. We'll have to wait to see if they try that, but I think Boomer was a cylon the whole time.

Jeffel, as for B5 looking primitive, I know I was talking more about the sets, not the CG effects being cheap and soddy looking. B5's special effects is one thing that defined it as it's own show.

Starhawk, in the original BSG, you never saw the galactica take such a move. They always appeared to be the fastest ship in the fleet and always leading it. In the new series, the Galactica appears to be travelling in the middle of the fleet or near the front of it.

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Well the original BSG was a bit before my time I only remember the one where they met up with Pegasus and where they were rammed by a Cylon fighter.

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I suppose so. But would that be true even if your lover were partly responsible for you losing everyone else you know? And activly trying to finish the job, including killing you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gifThe difference there was that Baltar knew he would be blamed for the attack. It was his own arrogance and lust that gave the Cylons the information they used to wipe out the colonies. He has to figure that once the truth comes out he'll be spaced, or chained to a wall at best. So his ongoing deceipt is in his own personal self interest. And in his arrogance he probably thinks he'll figure out a way to turn the situation around still. Boomer didn't use her relationship with the Chief to get access to the bLasting caps. Or if she did they didn't make that clear. It seemed she was just using her own access as a member of the crew. So the chief wouldn't be on the hook for anything she did before he found out. But by covering for her now he is definetly screwing himself, and endagering the fleet.

It seems to me like they are setting this up as the Boomer/Cylon on the fleet is malfunctioning or developing a concience or something. Once she's discovered I could see them trying to "reform" her and keep her around as some sort of double agent to use against the Cylons.

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In regardst to Boomer, If I remember right, in the very beginning, it was stated (written on screen) that the Cylons had the new improved Version of Humans, however, I believe it also stated that some of them were unaware they were Cylons until they were activated or notified somehow. If this is true, Boomer could have been a sleeper and is now just coming to grips after all this time that she is in fact a dreaded Cylon and not a human..... hmmmmm could be interesting twist

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Yeah funny thing is my Ma and Sis watch BSG and they feel soooo sorry for poor Boomer because she is so sweet and nice and is now a cylon but doesn't seem to want to be.

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I rented the movie and so far have watched the doco and the first 30 minutes. I think cigars and ties are anachronistic, but overall I find the realistic space fighting intriguing. That sort of highly realistic fighting, representing the flow of battle, is slightly confusing as you can't really make out everything at once, but I realise that it is a more realistic method. It appears to be like B5 though, where the set design is low key to save money for the effects (though the sets are at least believable), but I have no problem with it. I wait in anticipation for a BSG mod and the new shipsets.

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Starhawk, I think you just hit on part of why the show is so compelling, you not only feel for the heroes but the villians too, or at least some of them.

I'm not sure if anyone has expressed this or not but, for any fans of the original who are not wanting to watch the new one even Richard Hatch has come to like it, and he fought it tooth and nail before production. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

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Richard Hatch is getting a guest starring role. From the sounds of the chacater it might be a reoccuring role.

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I like the series for several reasons. I like the fact that they have Glen Larson as a creative consultant, and Richard Hatch in a re-occuring role. Very cool. Now if only they could use the original music in a few good area's, and Dirk Benidict (sp) in a guest role.

I love how they took on real problems like running out of water and fuel. I am egar to see more of the series, and hope that they also find other, newer Battlestars - say the Pegasus, survived.

The more favorable people rate the series, the more it will draw in an audiance and boast the budge. This is one series that I would like to see go longer than a year.

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Finshed viewing. To add to the list of anachronisms I include glasses. I keep reading of criticisms of the Presidents decisions, and this may only apply to the Mini-series, but I can't disagree with any of the decisions she made. They all seemed to make perfectly logical sense. I have one question though. I am hard of hearing so short of disturbing the whole neighbourhood I can't hear some of the dialogue. Is Starbuck the daughter of the XO?.

Re: New Galactica Series
 

I don't think so. But that would explain why they seem to hate each other so much. Would be interesting if it turned out she was and neither of them knew it yet. They haven't really established Starbuck's family history. Would be quite a shock if it turned out she was the offspring of some torrid affair Col Tigh had years ago. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

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Well I REALLY enjoyed it.

- I was impressed with how the show pulled me into it's mood. The relentlessness with which the Cylons attacked Galactica really sucked me in.

- I am very happy with the casting.

- I am happy that I didn't find myself trying to find reasons to justify the stupid things the characters do (like I did with 24)

- Very impressed with the set designs

- Very impressed with the combat sequences

- I can see how the series may get cheesy at points in the future, but I don't think it will be enough to turn me off completely (like 24)

Hooray for Sci-Fi!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

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Exactly I do feel for the characters, like I said the whole episode with Boomer in "Water" it's like 'That poor girl is a rook and is really fighting hard not to do anything to hurt the others." I don't know how "Sweet" she is like my Ma and Sis say but she is nice to the other crew and that kid whats his face.

I was thinkin "Oh man they better not kill her off or I'll be mad!" lol and it's true if they kill her off that'd suck since she's not evil she's just pre-programed beyond her choices.

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I have a technical question. Are the exterior and combat scenes 100% CGI or are they using models at all? It's pretty impressive if it's all CGI. It has a very photo-realistic look to it. I mean, I know it's not shot on location in space or anything, but if the computer can generate ships that look like actual pLastic models and not like computer-generated plactic models, that's pretty cool. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

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I think they have real sized model of Vipers. Not sure about the rest of the ships (probably Raiders as well).

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They have two full sized Viper Mk2 planes and one full sized Viper Mk7, they also have a Raptor model that can fit a few people.

I think it's all CGI in the space scenes though.

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It's all CGI for the space scenes. The mockups are just for bluescreen with the actors and location/set shots. I think they have one full size or partial mock-ups of the cylon fighters.

You have to wonder now if Boomer only carry out cylon commands when the cylons are present (and transmit the commands) or if she's programmed to suddenly snap one day and kill 500 people. Maybe both?

Randall, Glasses wouldn't be anachronism. It's like saying glasses are out of date today because we have contacts and lasik surgery. Adama is established as an old fuddy-dud when it comes to technology. Imagine if someone offered him artificial eyes?

Dirk Benedict would be a nice touch for a guest role. I think he's declined to have a role, but I wouldn't mind seeing him pop up as his trademark self on one of the passenger ships. Perhaps as the CAG on the Pegasus if that ship survived the attack and shows up? Ron Moore has expressed plans to revisist the original Galactica's episodes and revamp them a bit. Kobol's Last Gleaming, for example is a remake of one episode.

Other touch is the internal fire on the Galactica in the miniseries points back to an episode from the orignal series.

But a bit of trivia on the new series, Galactica was original planned to have scenes shot similar to 24 where one would see several things happening together but in different places. I can't remember what they call that type of shooting off hand, but fans of 24 will know what I'm talking about.

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She was planet side in the rain. Then became aware (came to) on the ship with the rain water still running off of her. Seems to be a little extra dimensional stuff going on.