TVSquad

(S04E09) I've been reading a lot lately from people who've become disappointed with this show the past few episodes or so. I've felt the same way. I'm happy to say, though, that while this episode didn't exactly make up for the lack of luster, it was certainly enjoyable.

Even without seeing the previews for this week (which, I admit, I can't even help but watch), we knew this episode would start with a flashback to what happened when Roslin and the occupants of the stolen Base Star jumped away. Right away we saw that a Cylon ship jumping has a strange effect on humans, though it's not clear if anyone other than Roslin had those brief visions.

(S04E04) I went on earlier today about how a lot of us were cut short in the early viewing of tonight's episode, which made me think perhaps something "big" happens later that they didn't want revealed early. With the exception of one "maybe big" moment, I can scratch that theory.

I wouldn't exactly call this a throw-away episode, though with what we saw in the past three episodes it did drag is places.

I finally caved. After all the hype and all the buzz, I gave in. I'm sick of avoiding headlines on blogs and it's frustrating to hear everyone chatting away about "Cylons this..." and "Caprica that..." while I stand by mute and clueless. I've finally started to watch Battlestar Galactica.

I should mention that I'm not completely in the dark. I've tried before. On a couple of occasions actually. I've had a burned copy of the three hour mini-series that started it all for some time now. I could never get through it. This time, I went all out though. I even shelled out the $55 for the season one DVD set. Now, I'm through the mini-series and I'm nine episodes into the season. Four to go before the finale and all of a sudden, I've stopped. I started thinking. What if I had watched the show, right from the get-go when it premiered back in 2005 along with everyone else? Let's pretend. Let's say it is 2005 all over again and episode nine just aired last night -- the one where Tigh's estranged wife shows up. Let's pretend that seasons 2, 3 and 4 don't exist yet. Cool premise? OK...

I don't see what the big deal is.

(S04E01) Starbuck is dead. At least the Starbuck as we knew her before the events of 'Maelstrom'.

Now don't go thinking I've revealed some sort of spoiler pre-jump here. What I said is merely an observation of how Starbuck appears in this episode and how others perceive her now. It's also from something Katee Sackhoff was told by Ron Moore (as she mentioned in an interview). And can you really blame all parties involved for behaving quite a bit differently now, since then?

For some time now, at least some members of the press and other media outlets have had an early copy of the fourth season premiere of Battlestar Galactica. This season, however, Sci Fi has made everyone sign and adhere to an embargo agreement, making us keep our traps shut about anything at all to do with the screener until today.

I'm not going to reveal what I consider spoilers here, though I will warn you that I will discuss some key plot points below. Consider yourself warned.

(S03E18) Since Ron Moore's podcast came out a few days ago, I'll do a little bit of recap of what he said along with the review.

Something that Battlestar does well that has bothered me with some other shows is how, when we have a primary cast of characters amongst a much larger involved population, I'm not left wondering why more background cast doesn't come forward more often. There's a decent balance here. It makes sense why someone like Kara is so highly mourned and regarded, while some other pilots aren't so much. And when a background character comes forward, it's done at the right time and place where it fits.

I thoroughly enjoy Battlestar Galactica. I feel that the special effects (when shown) are fantastic, the scripts are well-written, and the characters are all multi-dimensional. I have especially been enjoying this season, and I have yet to miss an episode. That being said, I do have one tiny issue with the show . . .

I can't hear a frakking word they're saying!

I have never seen a show with so many low talkers. They speak quietly everywhere: crew quarters, active hanger bays, planet-side. They even speak softly in crowded, noisy bars (as seen in this week's episode). I am constantly raising and lowering the volume on my TV just to catch a fragment of what they're saying. It's almost like I'm watching a British sitcom! Now I know why this show hasn't been nominated for any type of award. It's because the judges get so frustrated adjusting the volume up and down that they just give up and turn off the TV.

(S03E11) You could tell right away from the "previously on" that this was going to be a huge episode. Not that it being the fall finale wasn't enough. Though would you put it past them to end this with a huge cliffhanger? I didn't think so.

Welcome to Subtle Subtitles. For those of you who are uninitiated to the purpose of this feature, we're asking you to come up with your funniest quote or description for what's going on in the screen grab we choose for the week. Winners are announced in the following Friday's contest.

Last week's winners:

3rd place to heinlein: "We will do anything to get good reviews from Michael Ausiello."
2ndplace to Tucker: "This show is made from the best stuff on Earth! Oh wait, excuse me, wrong floor."
1st place to Jenna: "Scott: No no I wrote it down right here. It didn't make any sense but Jack said 'Liz is a huge Law & Order fan and so let's get Iced Tea to guest star in next week's show.'"

This week, a scene from last Friday's Battlestar Galactica:

(S03E08) I remember back when I interviewed Carl Lumbly that he'd mentioned something quickly in passing about making an appearance on Battlestar Galactica, or maybe it was just something I read somewhere later. He'd actually also said that he wanted to take a rest for a while, once Alias was through, though I'd hardly call his appearance on Battlestar taking a rest.

(S03E07) I was about to say that I wondered if this was the first time any humans (besides Baltar, if he is human) have seen the inside of a Base Star, though the previews for next week seem to put that question to rest somewhat.

It seems it didn't take Apollo very long to lose a stone or two, though we really don't know for sure how much time has passed since the goings on on New Caprica, do we? I also noticed there were a few usual characters rather absent from this episode, such as Col. Tigh.

(S03E06) Well, here I am watching the episodes live with the rest of you. And you know what? It feels good! Now I look forward to every week where there will be a new episode instead of lumping a bunch into one season. There's something to be said about pacing oneself.

Dear lord (lords?), what an opening. Does anyone get tired of seeing Number Six scantily clad, let along on a beach? Though it's about time that Baltar questions the vision of Number Six that plagues his thoughts, both in dreams and seemingly in reality.

(S03E05) Finally, we're back on Galactica for good ... or at least it seems that way. The episode wastes no time getting right into the thick of things, showing us why it's titled 'Collaborators'. You can tell Tigh doesn't exactly feel comfortable with the methods used to deal with those who they feel betrayed the human race on New Caprica, and Chief feels even more opposed, though still only really in the back of his mind. Everyone just wants to see someone get hurt back for what happened.

(S03E04) Because I saw these first five episodes on DVD, I wasn't subject to spoilers of what was to come in the next episode. I really do feel for everyone who sat and watched the preview for this week, only to be disappointed to learn that Pegasus comes to the rescue. While, really, this was something that seemed pretty inevitable anyway, it was still a bummer to have it told to you ahead of time. And even then, the preview was referring to the decoy. But who the hell is it that decides what's good to show for a preview every week?

Now, this is pretty nifty!

If you ever wanted to see your favorite Battlestar Galactica characters as they would look in the universe of The Simpsons, here's your chance. Artist Dylan Meconis has produced a number of sketches portraying all of your favorite BSG personalities and placed them on her website at LiveJournal under the heading Battlestar Galacticsimpsons. They're all there: from Admiral Adama and President Roslin enjoying an awkward moment of romance, to Boomer with her Cylon clone friends.

Actually, it all began with a picture of Six and Baltar (the picture you see to the right) in what looks like some sort of seductive dance. That image was so popular that Meconis decided to work in the entire cast. The response to her work has been very positive, with some commenters saying that Matt Groeing should call her directly and hire her on the spot. Hey, The Simpsons will be around for eternity and I'm sure they could use some new blood when the other artists die off of sheer exhaustion.

For more of Meconis' work, and well as information about her, please see her Quirkybird website.

[Thanks to both Jamie and Ryan for this tip]