"You are capable of setting aside your fears, setting aside your hesitation ... and even your revulsion. Every natural inhibition that, during battle, could mean the difference between life and death.
When you can be this -- or as long as you have to be -- then you're a razor." -- Admiral Helena Cain, Battlestar Galactica: Razor
Yes, I was as shocked as the rest of you that, when I got to the TV Squad package drop the other day, one of those magical purple binders was waiting for me, emblazoned with a big white "IF", which could only mean one thing -- SciFi Channel goodness.
Before you continue, I will warn you that some of this is a little spoilery. I don't think it's much, but I'd rather warn you now than incur your wrath later.
So let's get right down to the nity-gritty here. You all want to know how good it is, what's new and if it'll satisfy us until the last season starts back up. In short: It's fracking unbelievably good, there's more new than I thought there'd be and as for it being satisfying -- that's a tough one. While I completely loved this ... movie? episode? ... I'm now aching for the next season more than ever. It can't come soon enough!
One thing that surprised me was how polished this screener is. The effects are incredibly well done and non-temporary. This thing's ready for the air, as far as I'm concerned. Though how this will look in HD ... ho boy. Just take a gander at this shot from one of the battles:
And speaking of battles, I know I've whined in the past about there not being enough of them in previous episodes, but this two-hours makes up for all of that and more. Huge battle scenes and dogfights galore! Remember, part of this movie is during the moments when the Cylons started kicking the crap out of the colonies during the mini-series, when the other Battlestars were blown to smithereens. Oh, and as far as dogfights go, just you wait until the third and fourth mini-episode coming up with the young Husker (Bill Adama) -- holy frackin' frack. Trust me, there's no denying Bill was the most kick-assingest pilot in the fleet when you see these scenes.
As for surprises, I think you've already heard about the talk of Cain and Gina, Pegasus's Number Six, having a lesbian affair. Well, it's not only hinted at, so there's no mistaking it at all. What's surprising is how quickly Cain turns on her former lover and to what degree. If Adama was so badass, I wonder what Cain was like in her youth -- yikes.
Most of the episode follows the past of the Lee Adama-led Pegasus XO, Kendra Shaw. What she does and witnesses under Cain's command is pretty shocking altogether. We also get a look at the former XO of the Pegasus under Cain's command, before things turn, uh, bad for him.
Some other points of interest:
- We get some great shots of the shipyard where the Battlestars were docked before all hell broke loose on Caprica.
- Pay attention to the mini-episodes that SciFi is putting out in the weeks preceding this movie, as only small portions of them will be shown in the actual movie.
- Cylon Centurions of the past, called 'Guardians' by the Cylons, make several appearances.
- "All of this has happened before. And it will happen again."
- The prophecy of Kara "Starbuck" Thrace is revealed, and it's one that likely spells the mood and theme for the final season.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-13-2007 @ 4:04PM
bsgfan2003 said...
Keith: In regards to the Kara Thrace prohecy - Is the quote by Leoban that is going around (Patriot Resource) close to the actual?
It is absolutely true that the best 2 minutes of televsion are the BSG minisodes. Last night was a heartbreaker. It is very sad to see Young Bill Adama embark on life of duty and loss. As I've posted before, the gentleman that portrays young Bill Adama is outstanding.
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10-13-2007 @ 8:13PM
Keith McDuffee said...
@bsgfan: Can you point me to that quote?
If there's anything else anyone wants to know without my getting too spoiler, let me know.
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10-13-2007 @ 8:29PM
Oreo said...
The Starbuck thing deals with spoilers that TV Guide had and it was.... ***** ** ****......
Yeah i read spoilers, I know I'm bad, but damn the spoiler is HUGE!
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10-13-2007 @ 8:38PM
bsgfan2003 said...
OK- I guess this initially came from ASK Ausiellio. The quote had some words totally filled in and other words had missing letters. Patriot Resource took the best guesses and posted them. Here it is: "Kara Thrace will lead the cylon/human race to its end/god. She is the mother/source/origin of the apocalypse, the harbinger/protector/destroyer of earth/death/cylon. They/Kara must not follow/escape/reveal her/god.
Please throw us a bone and clarify this as much as you can. Thanks Keith!
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10-13-2007 @ 9:26PM
Keith McDuffee said...
***DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW SPOILERS***
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* SERIOUSLY, SPOILERS! *
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They got it all correct, and here are the correct guesses to where they didn't know: human, end, source, harbinger, death, They, follow, her.
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10-13-2007 @ 10:26PM
bsgfan2003 said...
AAAHHH what a good man you are!
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10-13-2007 @ 10:46PM
cress d said...
BSG PLEASE...2008...2 months away
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10-13-2007 @ 10:52PM
cress d said...
F*** spoilers this season. It is THE LAST SEASON!!!! Let the fans be surprised, and then debate the eps. after they air. Anyone else w/ me here? Come on people, you know I'm right....
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10-13-2007 @ 11:08PM
MJ Ceci said...
Is it wrong that I want to cancel my birthday to watch this? Or make my birthday party about this?
MJ Ceci
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10-13-2007 @ 11:27PM
chris w said...
2008..PLEASE HURRY!
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10-13-2007 @ 11:33PM
cress d said...
TIM-1...get your ass back in the game, you Sharon freak...
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10-13-2007 @ 11:36PM
Dorv said...
Cress: Chill out dude! Don't give yourself a brain aneurysm before you'll have the opportunity to WATCH the last season?
And calling out tim-1? Come on, is that what we really need? I mean seriously... He's got some serious issues working inside his little head (Ducks, because I'm sure somewhere on the internets, tim-1 is throwing something at me).
akbar will be out soon to tell us all about he continuity errors that this new movie/episode brings us (ducks again).
Yes, its good to see this site getting warmed up for BSG again. I'm almost glad that they've spread the season out over such a timespan, so we can all bicker at each other more ;)
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10-13-2007 @ 11:38PM
Dorv said...
Oh, and to be on topic: Who is credited for the spoiler quote? Leoben? Because, you know, he's never lied before, has he?
Unless Adama turns out to be the final Cylon, I don't believe this quote to be "true" for a second (I believe the spoiler, I just don't believe the prophecy). However, I think that a lot of characters on the show will believe it.
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10-13-2007 @ 11:42PM
Tim-1 said...
Cress d!....It is good to hear from you again. I hope you have completely recovered from your ailment earlier this year. Your enthusiasm and loyalty to BSG is good for the show. I will look forward to reading your reviews in the upcoming season!
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10-14-2007 @ 3:08AM
Akbar Fazil said...
Well Dorv, I will tell you right away from this review that there are a tons of continuity errors already, it's going to be terrible!
I kid. I am so excited about this. I don't think I have been this excited in a long time. Everything I hear about this just sounds more and more delicious.
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10-14-2007 @ 10:22AM
bsgfan2003 said...
Dorv: I think the quote is meant to make us fall out of our chairs (mission accomplished). And with this quote I am *guessing* (nobody jump me) that it should not be taken literally. We'll have to wait and see.
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10-14-2007 @ 10:34AM
bsgfan2003 said...
Furthermore, I am asking myself "What did Leoban really want with Kara in the bunker? " Other than the smooch and I love you, could he have wanted her to commit suicide, (I know he told her life was precious) What did he really want???...
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10-14-2007 @ 10:59AM
Oreo said...
Spoilers.......
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The quote is supposedly from one of the freaky half human half Cylon things that run the Basestars, and the quote is..... That the crew must not follow Kara Thrace, she is the harbinger of the Apocalypse for the Human Race.” He also keeps repeating “All this has happened before and will happen again, again, again….”
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The End.
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10-14-2007 @ 7:38PM
Keith McDuffee said...
Oreo has it right. As for the "prophecy" mentioned that we were talking about, you need to seriously consider a) the source of the quote and b) the circumstances when it was told in Razor.
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10-15-2007 @ 2:42AM
flinchme said...
I didn't see any mention of Grace Park...not excted about Razor. I'll just have to wait for S4.
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