Best and Worst of Battlestar Galactica

[Thanas]

...alll of which happened to the characters.

People killed themselves (Dee, Starbuck), went nuts (Bulldog) or just have a defiant laugh (Adama). There were lighter moments, methinks, like Tigh and Adama cracking jokes etc.

[Stofsk]

...alll of which happened to the characters.

People killed themselves (Dee, Starbuck), went nuts (Bulldog)

When the hell did Starbuck kill herself? When did she commit suicide?

Anyway, the point I was making is that the 'grimdark' style to the story is the worst aspect of the show.

or just have a defiant laugh (Adama). There were lighter moments, methinks, like Tigh and Adama cracking jokes etc.

All welcome, but not enough of it occurred. Having Tigh and Adama exchange a crack is heart warming, but you need to show it throughout the cast. Starbuck and Apollo sharing a kiss in the middle of the mutiny is a good example. Never say die.

[Thanas]

...alll of which happened to the characters.

People killed themselves (Dee, Starbuck), went nuts (Bulldog)

When the hell did Starbuck kill herself? When did she commit suicide?

In the season three episode "Maelstrom".

Anyway, the point I was making is that the 'grimdark' style to the story is the worst aspect of the show.

I am not so sure of that - it certainly fits with the story of "all of this has happened before etc". I did enjoy the Grimdark episodes, usually because they were accompanied by great character acting.

or just have a defiant laugh (Adama). There were lighter moments, methinks, like Tigh and Adama cracking jokes etc.

All welcome, but not enough of it occurred. Having Tigh and Adama exchange a crack is heart warming, but you need to show it throughout the cast. Starbuck and Apollo sharing a kiss in the middle of the mutiny is a good example. Never say die.

Well, even in the finale plenty of things made me chuckle. Like the reaction to the angels, the "one track mind" etc.

Frankly, I doubt one could have told that story without the grimdark to it.

[Stofsk]

...alll of which happened to the characters.

People killed themselves (Dee, Starbuck), went nuts (Bulldog)

When the hell did Starbuck kill herself? When did she commit suicide?

In the season three episode "Maelstrom".

I wouldn't characterise that as 'committing suicide'. More like 'bizarre act of plot', particularly since Starbuck didn't 'die' as such. Whatever the fuck happened to her, she was alive and breathing at the end of Crossroads and throughout season 4.

I shouldn't have to say this, but people who commit suicide... tend to die.

Anyway, the point I was making is that the 'grimdark' style to the story is the worst aspect of the show.

I am not so sure of that

If you enjoyed the grimdark storytelling, fine. But not everyone shares your tastes. And since this is a thread about people's tastes...

Well, even in the finale plenty of things made me chuckle. Like the reaction to the angels, the "one track mind" etc.

Those were lighter moments and welcome relief, but I wasn't talking about the finale, please treat my post in the context of the thread: I was referring to the show as a whole.

Frankly, I doubt one could have told that story without the grimdark to it.

That wasn't what I said; if you read my post, you'll note that the main problem I had was there was too much grimdark/not enough lighter moments, and arguably it's the lighter moments that would help sell the story more. The state of the Fleet's morale was an issue that didn't get enough attention devoted to it IMO.

That, and unremitting violence that feels whimsical - something which I deplore. An example of this would be Athena shooting the Rebel's 6 Leader because Hera ran away from her and bumped into 6 being escorted through Galactica. All because Athena went psycho for no good reason. Senseless acts of violence don't make for good story telling, in my book.

[Thanas]

I wouldn't characterise that as 'committing suicide'. More like 'bizarre act of plot', particularly since Starbuck didn't 'die' as such. Whatever the fuck happened to her, she was alive and breathing at the end of Crossroads and throughout season 4.

I shouldn't have to say this, but people who commit suicide... tend to die.

Well, true, but that does not change the fact that her intent was to commit suicide. And she did die - or at least her body did.

If you enjoyed the grimdark storytelling, fine. But not everyone shares your tastes. And since this is a thread about people's tastes...

Fair enough. But I submit that the show found a good balance IMO - as the stress on the crew got harder and morale went to hell, it only follows that there would be more grimdark. To me, too many lighthearted moments would just have cost screentime.

Those were lighter moments and welcome relief, but I wasn't talking about the finale, please treat my post in the context of the thread: I was referring to the show as a whole.

Then it comes down to personal preference - I thought the grimdark was fitting and that there was enough humour.

Frankly, I doubt one could have told that story without the grimdark to it.

That wasn't what I said; if you read my post, you'll note that the main problem I had was there was too much grimdark/not enough lighter moments, and arguably it's the lighter moments that would help sell the story more.

I disagree - to me the show found the right balance. If there had been more lighter moments, methinks there would have been the real danger of becoming like oBSG. As the show stands, I am thoroughly satisified with it.

The state of the Fleet's morale was an issue that didn't get enough attention devoted to it IMO.

We see the effects finding earth nuked has on the crew, we have several episodes devoted to that each season...what more do you need?

That, and unremitting violence that feels whimsical - something which I deplore. An example of this would be Athena shooting the Rebel's 6 Leader because Hera ran away from her and bumped into 6 being escorted through Galactica. All because Athena went psycho for no good reason. Senseless acts of violence don't make for good story telling, in my book.

On the occasion in question we can agree, that was a pretty low point. I didn't have such a problem with the story arc of Natalie, but I did have a problem that Athena shoots her for no good reason, as you say. So that might have been executed in a more competent fashion - maybe one of the racist crew members should have shot her instead.

[Uraniun235]

The worst of Battlestar Livejournal was the awful Starbuck/Apollo/Dualla triangle soap opera bullshit, or even just the "Starbuck's crazy and doesn't know what she wants, lol" storyline they pursued. I guess maybe if I cared more about the character I might have found it slightly more compelling, but as-is I wouldn't have missed it at all.

[Skylon]

The worst of Battlestar Livejournal was the awful Starbuck/Apollo/Dualla triangle soap opera bullshit, or even just the "Starbuck's crazy and doesn't know what she wants, lol" storyline they pursued. I guess maybe if I cared more about the character I might have found it slightly more compelling, but as-is I wouldn't have missed it at all.

That whole sub-plot really hurt the "Eye of Jupiter"/"Rapture" two-parter. I was hoping the whole "Lee and Kara are pissed at each other after New Caprica" BS was resolved in the boxing episode...by them beating the shit out of each other (I think it would have been appropriate). It should have ended right there. Instead it dragged us, kicking and screaming, through the middle of season 3.

[Anguirus]

Eh, I don't really care about that subplot to be perfectly honest. I mean, I don't love it, but I can't work up the energy to hate it either. Kara's behavior is perfectly consistent with her "damaged goods" character, and Apollo takes a long time to get over her. I actually liked the "I won't divorce and you won't cheat" conversation.

And that shit was long over by the time Season 4 rolled in...it served its purpose and it was done. Maybe I have a different impression of it cause I watched the DVDs so I didn't get this sense of "this is going on forever."

[Skylon]

To slip back to some of the best stuff, I have to second the comments about the music. Season 1 started with some pretty basic "oh...drums" stuff, but started evolving themes pretty damn fast with "Wander My Friends". The Opera House theme from "Kobol's Last Gleaming" is just a very nice piece.

Season 2 added to this with the Roslin and Adama theme, and even a nice theme for Kara/Anders. "Prelude to War" from "Pegasus" was simply badass action music, and "Something Dark is Coming" from LDYB was properly ominous. Say what you will about season 3, the music quality only got better, "Wayward Soldier" from "Hero", and the chaotic music from "Malestrom" are of note.

McCreaery deserves an emmy. He threw himself into this show.

[JME2]

McCreaery deserves an emmy. He threw himself into this show.

I don't deny it and he'd better get a nomination for "Daybreak" alone; hell, I want the entire score to the series finale released with the S4 CD.

[JLTucker]

McCreaery deserves an emmy. He threw himself into this show.

I don't deny it and he'd better get a nomination for "Daybreak" alone; hell, I want the entire score to the series finale released with the S4 CD.

You are in luck.

Battlestar Galactica - Season 4:

We are striving to have this record available in the second half of July. I haven’t picked out the track list yet, but based on all the feedback I’m seeing here, I’ve decided that it will be a 2 CD set. It will include highlights from He That Believeth through Islanded in a Stream of Stars on the first disc. The second disc will contain virtually the entire Daybreak score.