Tonight I celebrate my love
Tonight, dear readers, I beheld greatness. What was so great, you ask? Why, the season premier of Battlestar Galactica, of course.
We've been inundated with a lot of remakes these days. The Dukes of Hazzard and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory spring immediately to mind. I haven't seen either movie and therefore can't comment on their quality, but the general consensus on remakes seems pretty clear: Don't mess with a good thing. This also applies to movie versions of books, naturally, but that's a topic for a different time.
So, most of us agree that remakes are a bad idea, but I must beg to differ when it comes to Battlestar Galactica because ohmyholyhell it rocks. And rolls. Granted, some of the acting isn't stellar. I'll stop short of saying that some of the cast members can't act themselves out of a wet paper bag, but I will say that some of them appear only to have just mastered that feat. Still, it doesn't matter. Why? Because A) the show is fresh and imaginative and B) a handful of veteran actors kick some serious ass on the screen. Take, for example, one Edward James Olmos (Commander Adama). Love him. I loved him on Miami Vice, and I love him now. That steely gaze, that gravely voice. I repeat: Love him. Also, I mustn't leave out the beautiful and talented Mary McDonnell (President Roslin). She broke my heart in Donnie Darko, and when I finally got around to watching Dances with Wolves she broke my heart again. I'm also a little in love with the endearingly grumpy Michael Hogan (Col. Tigh) and the bumbling-but-sexy James Callis (Dr. Baltar).
Of course, a cast alone does not an awesome sci-fi TV series make. No, a well-executed script and convincing special effects are essential, and this show most definitely has both. Tonight's combat scenes were fantastic, and I was left eager for the second installment of the premier (Brian, I hope your offer still stands). Will Adama make it? Will President Roslin break out of jail? We can only hope, dear readers. We can only hope.
Seriously, if you're among the lucky ones with cable television, I entreat you to add this show to your weekly lineup, and to let me come over and watch it with you.
