Battlestar Galactica (2003): Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 10 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 329 Ratings

See All

9.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9.1	Your Score
9.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 329 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Battlestar Galactica

Now Playing: Battlestar Galactica

Season Details & Credits

SyFy | Season Premiere Date: January 14, 2005

Starring: Michelle Forbes, Alessandro Juliani, Mary McDonnell

Summary: The Best Show on Television? Yes, according to Time Magazine, The National Review, Rolling Stone and New York Newsday. Praised by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune and many other publications, Battlestar Galactica won a prestigious Peabody Award in the spring of 2006.

Ronald D. Moore,The Best Show on Television? Yes, according to Time Magazine, The National Review, Rolling Stone and New York Newsday. Praised by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune and many other publications, Battlestar Galactica won a prestigious Peabody Award in the spring of 2006.

Ronald D. Moore, the producer of Carnivale and writer for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, boldly re-imagined the original 1978 space opera of humans versus the robotic Cylons. He teamed up with fellow executive producer David Eick on a powerful and dramatic update of the Galactica story.

Gone are the technobabble, disco-themed costumes and Egyptian helmets of the original series. The modern show introduces new elements to the Galactica story. The Cylons have developed human-form models that are indistinguishable from real humans. The Cylons have a monotheistic religion in contrast to the polytheistic religion of the human Colonies. The approach is serious and intense, with a focus on tough political, philosophical and religious issues set in a tale that manages to keep the focus on realistic and not always perfect characters.In the miniseries, the Cylons launch a massive attack against the humans and wipe out the Twelve Colonies, sending the 47,000 survivors on a desperate search for the fabled 13th colony -- Earth.

Season One Overview

The Cylons declare war on humanity, wiping out billions in an unprovoked first strike. The Colonial fleet is all but eliminated leaving just a handful of ships, including the soon to be decommissioned battlestar Galactica. Galactica is manned by a crew that never expected to be involved in real duty. With the president gone and the government all but eliminated, Laura Roslin, the Education Minister, takes on the mantle of President of the 12 Colonies.

Gaius Baltar, a top researcher in Artificial Intelligence, inadvertently betrayed humanity by allowing a Cylon agent into the defense network, rendering it and all of the Colonial military forces impotent in the face of the Cylon attacks. He sees her everywhere when no one else can. He initially attributes this to stress-induced hallucinations. She tells him that she implanted a chip in his brain during their time on Caprica, which enables her to talk to him. Over the season Baltar falls in love with the Cylon, Number Six, eventually betraying humanity again and again.

A lone soldier is trapped on Cylon-occupied Caprica, having given up his seat on a transport for Baltar, as he believes that his own life is not as important as one of the greatest minds of their time. He struggles against the odds, trying to stay alive amid the hostile Cylons. He is surprised to learn that Sharon Valerii, the pilot of the transport, returned for him. However, the truth is that she is actually another human-form Cylon. Sharon and Helo spend the season trying to escape Caprica. Sharon also finds herself falling in love with her human target. The season ends with her pregnant and fighting to save his life.

Meanwhile, the copy of Sharon onboard Galactica (known as "Boomer") has set off several bombs and engaged in other acts of sabotage. The season ends with a stunning turn of events after a successful mission to disable a Cylon base ship.

For a more detailed overview of the first three seasons, visit the pinned thread titled "Battlestar Galactica in Just Ten Minutes" located in the forum.

Awards and critical praise

The 2003 miniseries was the highest-rated miniseries on the Sci Fi Channel (soon to be known as Syfy) at the time. It was also the most successful cable miniseries that TV season.The first regular season premiered to excellent viewer numbers and critical acclaim. After the midseason break in Season Two, the show received widespread recognition from the mainstream media, including several outlets not always known for their interest in science fiction. As mentioned above, Time Magazine named BSG the best show on television for 2005. Rolling Stone Magazine and New York Newsday also named BSG the best show of the year. Many other publications like the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune lavished praise on the series.The American Film Institute added the show to its list of the ten best television shows of 2005. The show won Emmy Awards in the usual sci-fi categories of special visual effects but it also received Emmy nominations for writing and directing. It also won a prestigious Peabody award for its general excellence in creativity in the television medium.

The Sci Fi Channel has used creative means to promote the series, including the release of certain episodes as free streaming video on the official website. In the month leading up to the start of Season Three, the Sci Fi Channel aired a Web-only series titled Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance. The brief, 2 to 3 minute episodes revealed key events from the time period between the Season Two finale and the Season Three premiere episode. Another Web-only series was shown on the official website in the lead-up to the Season 4.5 "final" episodes.

A Battlestar Galactica television movie, "Razor", was broadcast in late 2007, followed soon after with a release on DVD. The story followed the struggles of Admiral Cain and young Kendra Shaw as they tried to survive the Cylon attack on the Colonies. The hard-hitting movie was well received by fans and critics.

Even though the series "ended" on March 20, 2009, with the two-hour broadcast of "Daybreak, Part 2", the Sci Fi Channel (Syfy) will broadcast one final Battlestar Galactica television movie. "The Plan" is scheduled to air in the fall of 2009.

The Galactica franchise will live on, even after the final movie and DVD. A prequel series, Caprica, began production even before Battlestar Galactica ended. The pilot movie will be released as a stand-alone DVD in April 2009. The movie will later air on Syfy along with regular episodes of the new series in 2010. For more information about this look at the early days of the development of the Cylons on Caprica, please consult the separate guide for that series.

Original Broadcast History: Season One
October 18, 2004 - January 24, 2005 - 8:00 PM SKY One (UK)
January 14, 2005 - April 1, 2005 - Fridays @ 10:00 PM Sci Fi Channel (USA)… Expand

Creator: Glen A. Larson

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Watch Now

Stream On

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2
Air Date: April 1, 2005
tbd
S1:E12. Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1
Air Date: March 25, 2005
tbd
S1:E11. Colonial Day
Air Date: March 18, 2005

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Charlie McCollum

Aug 23, 2022

The engrossing series is loaded with surprisingly strong stuff, including provocative takes on terrorism and the politics of genocide. The special effects are unexpectedly good. And the acting -- from the likes of Edward James Olmos as Commander Adama, Mary McDonnell as President Roslin and Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck -- is light-years better than in the original. [10 Jan 2005, p.2C]

100

Linda Stasi

Aug 23, 2022

Don't annihilate me, but I'm on the Cylons' side. We already have enough human dopes on this planet. [14 Jan 2005, p.119]

100

John Ruch

Aug 23, 2022

The Sci Fi Channel's brilliantly reinvented Battlestar Galactica - a terrific miniseries in 2003 - is now the full series it deserves to be. If it's given the room to grow that the 1978 original never got, it could end up being one of the best sci-fi television outings ever...An intelligent, attention-demanding, character-driven show, it marks a maturing of the sci-fi series genre. This series is to ``Star Trek'' what ``Hill Street Blues'' was to ``Dragnet.''

Maureen Ryan

Aug 23, 2022

Perhaps the most refreshing thing about this re-imagined "Battlestar" is its darkness (and by that I don't just mean the show's dusky blue-and-brown visual palette). This new "Battlestar," which is creatively helmed by "Carnivale" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" veteran Ronald D. Moore, doesn't pretend that the aftermath of the mass destruction of most of humanity is anything but deeply scary. [14 Jan 2005, p.C3]

Kevin Crust

Aug 23, 2022

The show could use a little more humor, and that may come as supporting players step into more prominent roles, but the first several episodes bode well for a series that should eventually win over fans, old and new. [14 Jan 2005, p.E33]

Brian Lowry

Aug 23, 2022

In terms of top-notch sci-fi fare on a budget, this impressive new vessel flies well beyond its predecessor. Read full review

Terry Kelleher

Jun 28, 2013

A well-crafted, surprisingly intelligent update of ABC's late-'70s Star Wars clone. Read full review

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

9.1

User Reviews

Ewynn

May 29, 2012

It's a pity that one of the best and awesome TV show is as unknow as this. I mean, because it's SCIFI, a majority just think that there will be some evils aliens and badass against them, but BSG is faaaaaar away from these clichÃ©s. To me, this is one of the best show that youIt's a pity that one of the best and awesome TV show is as unknow as this. I mean, because it's SCIFI, a majority just think that there will be some evils aliens and badass against them, but BSG is faaaaaar away from these clichÃ©s. To me, this is one of the best show that you must see before dying.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

mrich

Dec 19, 2012

I am soo glad that I've found a show that takes a hold of my imagination and moves it to places I didn't expect to go. I started watching the first season of this show. It's been almost ten years since it has come out and I am still captivated. I can't wait to run through each episode likeI am soo glad that I've found a show that takes a hold of my imagination and moves it to places I didn't expect to go. I started watching the first season of this show. It's been almost ten years since it has come out and I am still captivated. I can't wait to run through each episode like candy. The story, the characters, and the setting are what grab you, and allows the show to transcend that geeky mold that tends to repel. I wouldn't say that I am a Sci-Fi enthusiast, however, I still like to indulge my nerd side every once in a while. This show definitely helps me with that. IT IS SO GOOD!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

stevenf49

May 25, 2018

One of the reasons that there is a Golden Age Of Television. Binge-worthy indeed. This is one great rides with a great message to it in the end. The last show was riveting.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Heapsy

Jan 17, 2013

There is a large cult following behind this show and I am proud to be a part of it. In fact, I would consider this series to be one of my favorite television shows in existence.

Whenever a series develops such devotion, there is always a reason for it. Battlestar Galactica is oftenThere is a large cult following behind this show and I am proud to be a part of it. In fact, I would consider this series to be one of my favorite television shows in existence.

Whenever a series develops such devotion, there is always a reason for it. Battlestar Galactica is often overlooked as being another … Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Benjamin_C

Jul 21, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All i remember is that starbuck was gone, and now she’s back, leading them to some planet, and i just got tired of it all. . . . .… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

drlowdon

May 25, 2013

From the get go it is easy to ignore the fact that this show shares its name with the low-budget 70's original as that is pretty much all the two have in common.

In this retelling man created the Cylons, a group of cybernetic organisms that eventually became too smart and rebelled.From the get go it is easy to ignore the fact that this show shares its name with the low-budget 70's original as that is pretty much all the two have in common.

In this retelling man created the Cylons, a group of cybernetic organisms that eventually became too smart and rebelled. Following a destructive War the Cylons vanished and haven't been seen for fourty years. Suddenly, and without warning, the Cylons return and launch a devastating attack on the twelve human colonies. The only thing left standing in the way of the extinction of the human race is the ageing Battlestar Galactica and its experienced commander William Adama. Most sci-fi fans will have likely heard plenty of praise for the remake and, while not as interesting as the first full season; this three hour mini-series/movie does an excellent job of setting up the premise of the show for the episodes that followed.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Satanski

May 13, 2019

Another boring sci fi soap opera, full of cheap drama and unlikable characters, of which, Starbuck is both, the most annoying and hilarious at the same time, as she is a military space pilot, who behaves like fifteen years old kid, and one of the dumbest kind. Since it aired, i tried toAnother boring sci fi soap opera, full of cheap drama and unlikable characters, of which, Starbuck is both, the most annoying and hilarious at the same time, as she is a military space pilot, who behaves like fifteen years old kid, and one of the dumbest kind. Since it aired, i tried to watch it for four times, but my god, this show is just so bad for a sci fi series. It's just another soap opera in space.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 42 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

89

Series Overview
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: January 16, 2009
Season 4

85
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: April 4, 2008
Season 3

94
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 6, 2006
Season 2

89
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: July 15, 2005
Season 1

89
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 14, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E13. Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 2
  Air Date: April 1, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E12. Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part 1
  Air Date: March 25, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E11. Colonial Day
  Air Date: March 18, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Hand of God
  Air Date: March 11, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E9. Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down
  Air Date: March 4, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E8. Flesh and Bone
  Air Date: February 25, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E7. Six Degrees of Separation
  Air Date: February 18, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E6. Litmus
  Air Date: February 11, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E5. You Can't Go Home Again (2)
  Air Date: February 4, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E4. Act of Contrition (1)
  Air Date: January 28, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E3. Bastille Day
  Air Date: January 21, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E2. Water
  Air Date: January 14, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E1. 33
  Air Date: January 14, 2005