A space odyssey of epic proportions, Battlestar Galactica in all of its incarnations examines political and religious arenas through intergalactic war, love, and everything in between. While the Star Trek crews occasionally battle the Romulans, they encounter a multitude of other species. In Battlestar Galactica, humans are often the ones who are their own worst enemy. They have also, in fact, created their actual worst enemy: the Cylons.

It’s a post-apocalyptic world in which morality is the biggest commodity and human survivors are, unsurprisingly, dwindling as the cycles of hate and violence continue between each other and with the Cylons. The us-versus-them mentality is a prevalent theme that drives the show, and as the real world moves through its own tumultuous cycles, so do our sci-fi counterparts, beginning with...

The OG ‘Battlestar Galactica’

Battlestar Galactica is the last remaining major fighter carrier from a thousand-year war between humans and the Cylon Empire as it leads a small, fugitive fleet in the search for a legendary planet called Earth. Debuting in 1978 on ABC, the original Battlestar Galactica drew immense attention for its similarities to Star Wars. The show only lasted 21 episodes, yet its short-lived run spawned the 10-episode spin-off Galactica 1980 as well as a book series before being revived as a re-make in 2003.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ reincarnated

The Battlestar Galactica re-make aired as the highest-rated mini-series on cable in 2003 and boasted the best ratings that year for any show on its network, the Sci Fi Channel. The mini-series became the backdoor pilot of sorts for the new show, which debuted in 2004 and ran for four seasons. 

The new version received some modern updates that were likely key in its longer run: The characters of Captain Starbuck and the Cylon infiltrator Boomer were made female, played by Katee Sackhoff and Grace Park respectively. Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis) was also drastically altered from his original ruthless-madman persona to be a more empathetic character. The new Battlestar Galactica also had President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) to rule the remaining humans alongside Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos). And most notably, not everyone made it. Unlike the 1978 version that tied up every episode neatly in a family-friendly bow, this Battlestar Galactica wasn’t afraid to go to the dark side of things. Characters died. They were in a war, after all; not everyone is getting out alive.

What makes it binge-worthy is how well creators Glen A. Larson, Ronald D. Moore, and their writing team grounded the fantasy in very real human psychology. Morality is constantly tested, and characters developed deep relationships that we became invested in. Most interestingly (though every true BSG fan has their own favorite couple), that of Lt. Sharon "Boomer"/"Athena" Valerii and Captain Karl "Helo" Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett). Boomer is a humanoid Cylon copy, and thus the Romeo-and-Juliet saga begins as allegiances become blurred. This kind of revelation is only one example of the crazy plot twists that went hand in hand with the show’s curiosity about human nature.

Political metaphor

While the original aired when American-Soviet relations were tense, the re-make had 9/11 fresh on its mind. Thus, the war on terror complete with suicide bombings is prevalent in the series. Genocide and religious motivations are explored as well, and constantly that theme of everything being cyclical — that in our attempts to be different, do better, fight for our causes, we end up in the same predicaments. At the series’ close, Six says, “All of this has happened before…” and Baltar answers, “But the question remains, does all of this have to happen again?” It’s revealed that the events of Battlestar Galactica — the end of humanity, the war, the beginnings of civilization (again) on Earth — are our ancient history; humanity’s origin story, if you will. So are we living it all again?

In retrospect

In recent years, The New York Times placed Battlestar Galactica on their list of the 20 best TV dramas since The Sopranos. The show racked up 19 Emmy® nominations during its run for writing and directing, amongst other categories, including its wins for Outstanding Special Visual Effects and Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy or Drama Series, along with multiple Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films and AFI Award wins, a Peabody Award, and Television Critics Association Program of the Year Award.

Battlestar Galactica still holds its own nearly two decades later for not only great sci-fi, but moral resonance. Stream it now on Prime Video.