I wonder if most traveller fhans like the new BSG series. It certainly has the kind of gritty, retrotech look and feel of traveller. If anything I'd say that the tech level in the NBSG was lower than traveller, with the sole exception of jump drive tech where it's way ahead of traveller's.
Battlestar galactica and traveller fans
- Thread starter The Thing
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BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Well, since I hated Grunge music (and the culture surrounding it), and all of the other neo-suicidal, whining, psycho-depressed mentality that most such "gritty, retro-tech" offerings present as "realistic", no... I hated the one and only episode I ever tried to watch.
Writers and directors devoting most of their energies to putting more personality flaws, buried nasty secrets, and "dark undercurrents" into their protagonists and stories than the last such flop do absolutely nothing for me.
Writers and directors devoting most of their energies to putting more personality flaws, buried nasty secrets, and "dark undercurrents" into their protagonists and stories than the last such flop do absolutely nothing for me.
Hopefully they will have a marathon or something and I can veg out and watch all weekend, or I guess I can pop for the DVDs...
I, too, found myself repulsed by the "BSG" "Offered up".
NBSG was only superficially similar to the prior one, and the "miniseries" told me "This is not suitable for family viewing," while the later several eps I saw at other's homes convinced me that the last thing they wanted was to be anything like what BSG had come to mean.
The Tech on the Galatica of nBSG is retro not for "retro" sake, but because there was a good storyline reason for it: The NeoCylons could take over with just a data connection, so the retrotech is intentional. It feels like traveller, all right... New Era. I hated the TNE setting (and still do) with a flying passion due mostly to Virus. Well, folks, I present you the black curtain's contents: the Cylon Empire of nBSG.
Seriously, nBSG owes more to Traveller (especially TNE) than to oBSG, from what little I've watched.
NBSG was only superficially similar to the prior one, and the "miniseries" told me "This is not suitable for family viewing," while the later several eps I saw at other's homes convinced me that the last thing they wanted was to be anything like what BSG had come to mean.
The Tech on the Galatica of nBSG is retro not for "retro" sake, but because there was a good storyline reason for it: The NeoCylons could take over with just a data connection, so the retrotech is intentional. It feels like traveller, all right... New Era. I hated the TNE setting (and still do) with a flying passion due mostly to Virus. Well, folks, I present you the black curtain's contents: the Cylon Empire of nBSG.
Seriously, nBSG owes more to Traveller (especially TNE) than to oBSG, from what little I've watched.
TheEngineer
SOC-14 1K
Well, for myself I dislike shows with bipedal human-like rubbersuit aliens.
Letting the storybook say, that the bad bad aliens look SO much like humans, that its hardly possible to identify them as aliens, is kind of traditional (Bodysnatchers?, V, etc) but also booooring and a bit naive.
I loved old BSG because it did not take everything too serious and there were some sympathic characters (heros) ... new BSG always appears just "cold" to me. Nothing for the heart
BTW, does somebody remember Space 2060 ?
TE
Letting the storybook say, that the bad bad aliens look SO much like humans, that its hardly possible to identify them as aliens, is kind of traditional (Bodysnatchers?, V, etc) but also booooring and a bit naive.
I loved old BSG because it did not take everything too serious and there were some sympathic characters (heros) ... new BSG always appears just "cold" to me. Nothing for the heart
BTW, does somebody remember Space 2060 ?
TE
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Is that what they called "Space: Above and Beyond" over there in Germany?
Chigs, The 58th aka Wildcards, InVitros and Silicates, The Saratoga and Hammerheads.
Yes. I remember it well and fondly, a great series killed by ill treatment by the networks. Par for the course for good sci-fi.
I'll have to put that on my DVD want list.
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Well, for myself I dislike shows with bipedal human-like rubbersuit aliens.
Letting the storybook say, that the bad bad aliens look SO much like humans, that its hardly possible to identify them as aliens, is kind of traditional (Bodysnatchers?, V, etc) but also booooring and a bit naive.
I loved old BSG because it did not take everything too serious and there were some sympathic characters (heros) ... new BSG always appears just "cold" to me. Nothing for the heart
BTW, does somebody remember Space 2060 ?
TE
Uh, you do know that the cylons aren't alien in NBSG, but rather creations of humans who rebelled?
TheEngineer
SOC-14 1K
Yep, somehow I remember.
Perhaps I should have called them simply "bad guys" and not aliens
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
Funny, I always had the impression in OBSG that the cylons were a human aritifact run amok. And I watched it all first time around so I wasn't influenced in that by NBSG.
hunter
Ancient - Absent Friend
As far as I was aware the Cylons in the original were made by humans as well. Am I incorrect?
Don't hold back. What do you really think?
(You hit 'em with both barrels.)
PS, I just found the plot tedious.
Plankowner
SOC-13
Cylons in the original series were CYBERNETIC. There was supposed to be a being within the robotic body. At least according to the novelized pilot.
Later, I think they made them actually robots. Imperious Leader was supposed to be the "last of the true cylons" with all the others being Cylons.
The fact that the voice of Imperious Leader was the same as the Devil was just a coincidence... honest.
Later, I think they made them actually robots. Imperious Leader was supposed to be the "last of the true cylons" with all the others being Cylons.
The fact that the voice of Imperious Leader was the same as the Devil was just a coincidence... honest.
The original cylons were aliens, thru and thru in the series. The books had then as live aliens, but the series made them machines.
There was an off handed ref to them having a different form before encountering humans, and after seeing how much more efficient the humanoid form was they rebuilt themselves to be humanoid.
But they were always aliens.
There was an off handed ref to them having a different form before encountering humans, and after seeing how much more efficient the humanoid form was they rebuilt themselves to be humanoid.
But they were always aliens.
far-trader
SOC-14 10K
There was a novel 
Or are you talking a screenplay novelization, you know, written after the movie as a merchandising coup. In either case, who was the author please.
Or are you talking a screenplay novelization, you know, written after the movie as a merchandising coup. In either case, who was the author please.
Gallowglacht
SOC-12
One episode of the original series said the origial cylon race were reptilian and killed off by their creations the cylons the colonials knew. I think it was the second episode where they find the casino run by the insects.
And I much prefer the new series. Definately seems more Traveller (but thats not why I prefer it). I even see sandcasters when the Galactica's turret weapons fire those barrages that fill the area with flack and intercept incoming fire.
I thought the old series was great in general concept but woefully executed. Daggits, socialators, starbucks cringeworthy "riskee" behaviour, the starchild like leader, b movie Boltar and the fact that everything was clean cut and humanity didn't seem in danger...urgh...
It probably one of those marmite situations, and too each his own....
(hey I loved and still love Tne, takes all sorts)
And I much prefer the new series. Definately seems more Traveller (but thats not why I prefer it). I even see sandcasters when the Galactica's turret weapons fire those barrages that fill the area with flack and intercept incoming fire.
I thought the old series was great in general concept but woefully executed. Daggits, socialators, starbucks cringeworthy "riskee" behaviour, the starchild like leader, b movie Boltar and the fact that everything was clean cut and humanity didn't seem in danger...urgh...
It probably one of those marmite situations, and too each his own....
(hey I loved and still love Tne, takes all sorts)
The insection Ovions were in the original pilot, "Saga of a starworld"
As for the sandcaster rounds, i think they would be classed as "beehive" rounds, that's what I thought when I saw them, and they were likely propelled by some type of plasma propellant.
The new series really is more gritty and human than the empty, flashy "disco in space" original, which, like disco, was bright, bubbly, flashy and devoid of substance.
The oBSG cylons were said in at least one episode to have been reptilians.
The Ovion were a subject race. The Cylon Empire has no problem with subject biologicals in the original series, just with the uppity humans.
We see at least one other race as well, that has 4 eyes, and two mouths...
Plus we see a human offshoot, as well, in another oBSG episode.
As to the old series being devoid of substance... it was a series of morality plays set in space. I rather enjoyed it, and despite its strong Mormon overtones, it showed a basically strong religious and moral center, and the human range of deviations from it. In short, it was well written for the purpose of being an attractive venue for a morality play. It was also one of the higher rated shows of its day, cancelled not because of low ratings, but because of high costs and thus low profit margins.
Now, devoid of merit, that was G'84. Ugh.
The Ovion were a subject race. The Cylon Empire has no problem with subject biologicals in the original series, just with the uppity humans.
We see at least one other race as well, that has 4 eyes, and two mouths...
Plus we see a human offshoot, as well, in another oBSG episode.
As to the old series being devoid of substance... it was a series of morality plays set in space. I rather enjoyed it, and despite its strong Mormon overtones, it showed a basically strong religious and moral center, and the human range of deviations from it. In short, it was well written for the purpose of being an attractive venue for a morality play. It was also one of the higher rated shows of its day, cancelled not because of low ratings, but because of high costs and thus low profit margins.
Now, devoid of merit, that was G'84. Ugh.
Ganidirsii O'Flynn
SOC-12
OK, several things here....
On NBSG: There are several things to like about the new series. The tone of desperation, and grim reality is fantastic! It's what human beings do when placed in a life or death struggle. Yes, it isn't really for kids, but not all sci-fi is. Even anime fans pre-screen a new show before they let the rugrats watch it. That's called 'Parental Responsability'. But I will agree that it could lighten up some, at least every once an awhile. Still, I like the importance of enlisted personnel to the ship, and the actual details of technicians working their butts off to keep the ships flying. I like the fact that starfighter combat is disorienting, silent, and moves through all three dimentions, rather than the swoop-and-blast school of 'StarWars'. And I like the fact that they put every aspect of the human experience under stress... politics, intimacy, courage, family, everything. It adds a realism to the series that's refreshing after another wasted summer with the latest comic book movie. Or, God forbid, another YawnWars.
On OBSG: You can keep the Osmond Family Is Lost In Space hunky-dory CattleTrain Galactica from the 80's. There was WAY too much Little House On the Prarie in it. All it was missing was Festus from 'Gunsmoke'. God, even 'Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century' had more consistentcy.
On the tech: Yep there was quite a bit of retro-seeming tech in NBSG, all explained in the storyline. But if you look at modern technology progression in the military, you'll see that very little of it is state-of-the-art. Military tech is robust, easily repairable by a 19 year old with less than a year's training under his belt, and designed to be abused by personnel who are under stress, have had little sleep, and are in whatever environment the mission calls for. All in all, the technologies used in NBSG are consistent and clear, which is a big kudo for the writers/developers.
On Space:Above and Beyond: I too own the series and it's enjoyable to an extent. I like the prejudice issues it brings up, and the technology-going-awry themes. I also liked the 'what-do-you-mean-we-started-it' plotline and the corporate interference in military affairs. All very real, all very believable. But Marines don't have Cavalry (much less Space Cavalry) and jarhead aviation is based on the idea of close support for ground troops, not WWII kill stencils. And I have one question... While I am aware that Every Marine Is A Rifleman, WTF was the Saratoga sending FIGHTER PILOTS on ground recon missions (in scuba gear!)??? A little out of their specialty, isn't it? Wow, nice way to piss away all that Very Expensive Training, getting a fighter pilot whacked doing Stupid Infantry Tricks... But I will say it was way more entertaining than 'Starship Troopers'... lol!
I will be getting the Battlestar Galactica series on DVD, because it's one of the most realistic science fiction portrayals of humans in wartime to come along in years.
On NBSG: There are several things to like about the new series. The tone of desperation, and grim reality is fantastic! It's what human beings do when placed in a life or death struggle. Yes, it isn't really for kids, but not all sci-fi is. Even anime fans pre-screen a new show before they let the rugrats watch it. That's called 'Parental Responsability'. But I will agree that it could lighten up some, at least every once an awhile. Still, I like the importance of enlisted personnel to the ship, and the actual details of technicians working their butts off to keep the ships flying. I like the fact that starfighter combat is disorienting, silent, and moves through all three dimentions, rather than the swoop-and-blast school of 'StarWars'. And I like the fact that they put every aspect of the human experience under stress... politics, intimacy, courage, family, everything. It adds a realism to the series that's refreshing after another wasted summer with the latest comic book movie. Or, God forbid, another YawnWars.
On OBSG: You can keep the Osmond Family Is Lost In Space hunky-dory CattleTrain Galactica from the 80's. There was WAY too much Little House On the Prarie in it. All it was missing was Festus from 'Gunsmoke'. God, even 'Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century' had more consistentcy.
On the tech: Yep there was quite a bit of retro-seeming tech in NBSG, all explained in the storyline. But if you look at modern technology progression in the military, you'll see that very little of it is state-of-the-art. Military tech is robust, easily repairable by a 19 year old with less than a year's training under his belt, and designed to be abused by personnel who are under stress, have had little sleep, and are in whatever environment the mission calls for. All in all, the technologies used in NBSG are consistent and clear, which is a big kudo for the writers/developers.
On Space:Above and Beyond: I too own the series and it's enjoyable to an extent. I like the prejudice issues it brings up, and the technology-going-awry themes. I also liked the 'what-do-you-mean-we-started-it' plotline and the corporate interference in military affairs. All very real, all very believable. But Marines don't have Cavalry (much less Space Cavalry) and jarhead aviation is based on the idea of close support for ground troops, not WWII kill stencils. And I have one question... While I am aware that Every Marine Is A Rifleman, WTF was the Saratoga sending FIGHTER PILOTS on ground recon missions (in scuba gear!)??? A little out of their specialty, isn't it? Wow, nice way to piss away all that Very Expensive Training, getting a fighter pilot whacked doing Stupid Infantry Tricks... But I will say it was way more entertaining than 'Starship Troopers'... lol!
I will be getting the Battlestar Galactica series on DVD, because it's one of the most realistic science fiction portrayals of humans in wartime to come along in years.
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