Lessons we should learn from the previous series

Just mentioning the name Battlestar Galactica is cause for fans to get excited, as it has been and continues to be one of the most popular science fiction franchises to date.

There’s no denying the loyalty of the fan base, but unlike any other science fiction franchise, Battlestar Galactica has always had a very linear problem, and it is the linchpin of the franchise’s failure to truly being successful.

So, In this blog I want to briefly talk about both the original and re-imagined series in the franchise, and point out what I think they got right, and what they need to change before moving forward.

Beginning in 1977, the original series followed on the success of the recent Star Wars film by George Lucas, and was no doubt in part inspired by It’s success. Obviously, ABC Studios thought that their new space series would also be a success.

From a certain point of view it was and it wasn’t successful, which the latter is certainly proved by the numbers. The series lasted just one season before being cancelled due to the poor ratings, and decline in viewers.

ABC later made a deal with the series creator, Glen A. Larson, to produce a new series, Galactica 1980. It too was short lived, and far less appealing to fans than the original. It was for all intents and purposes, a tremendous waste of talent, time, and money.

Over the years there have been various tie-in marketing through the comics, novels, games, as well as toys, but none really served to bring back Battlestar. That all changed in 2003 with the made for television movie, which opened the door for the reimagined series in 2004.

The reimagined series was a reboot to the franchise, and many elements were changed in favor of practicality and purpose, which worked surprisingly well. What didn’t work so much was the story itself, which became overly complicated.

This led to several made for television movies and webisodes that were used to backfill missing parts of the overall plot and story structure for fans to follow. In the end, ratings took a dive, and so did Galactica, as the reimagined series came to an end. The few spin-off attempts set in the same universe also failed to gain traction.

So what is it about this franchise that draws fans to it, while also leading to It’s failure? Furthermore, why would anyone attempt a reboot to a reboot? Why would they attempt a tie-in motion picture to the reboot at the same time? What the frak is really going on here?

To begin, I think that Battlestar’s original appeal to fans was that it was first a science fiction story that was different, as well as being one that offered viewers a sense of hope in a difficult time. It was unique, and yet familiar.

These are tropes that are in nearly every science fiction franchise and story that exist, and they are there because we want them to be. We want to escape from our present circumstances, but it is those same circumstances upon which we build our stories.

In both the original and re-imagined series humanity is on the run from a cybernetic race of beings that they have created, who have wiped out all but a handful of survivors. Their journey takes them towards earth, which is their final destination.

Here is the real problem with the overall plot, because we already know what the end is going to be. Great, they find earth, now what? We’ve already seen the disaster that Galactica 1980 was, so what really is there to look forward to or revisit in this universe?

Beyond that, any science fiction franchise that is successful has at It’s roots an unparalleled ability to allow the story to continue. Be it in a different character, a different path ext. There has to be room to evolve and expand beyond the show’s original plot; Star Wars is a prime example of this type of story telling.

So what direction should Battlestar take moving forward? As a writer, my first inclination is to suggest that they do the exact opposite of what everyone has done thus far, and what has been proposed for the future. That would mean looking at what worked, and changing what didn’t.

The story itself would have to change to become more dynamic and grounded. Reaching earth could no longer be the plot. The Cylons and the threat that they impose must remain, but the way that is conveyed must change and evolve if they are to keep fans engaged and interested.

So too, must the human element of the story change. The very beginnings of humanity could and should be explored, while incorporating man’s innocence in exploration, which leads to their fall from grace through pride. There has to be a very real human element for fans to connect with and relate to.

The Cylons must represent more than a physical threat, though that aspect must be clearly defined. They must become the symbol of humanity’s selfish nature which leads them to their downfall. In that, there is hope for redemption, but not in running across the stars.

Earth must become more than a destination for the survivors, it must represent an ideal to which they must now return. If they are to have any chance at survival, it must not be in running away, or in weapons alone, but in character, ethics, and morality.

There should be a point in the very beginning where humanity recognizes what Earth stands for, and then they make the hard decision to stay and fight the Cylons to the very end. Be it an asymmetrical campaign, or an all out war, the human cost must be front and center of every episode.

Lastly, I completely disagree with the reimagined series use of polytheism, which in my opinion, detracted from the story, as it sought to replace God with an abstract construct. Grounding the series in a monotheistic belief system will simplify the story, while allowing our heroes to retain their faith to turn to in times of doubt.

The idea of a new reboot to a reboot should be anything but a cautionary idea at this point for the studios involved, because of the very things that I have listed. We seem to live in a day when creative writers and their ideas are passed over, in favor of trying to make something good, better.

Battlestar Galactica is just one example of this, and it lends itself as much as an example to be avoided, as much as one to be followed. If we’re going to revisit the twelve colonies, then it needs to be right from day one, otherwise the toasters might as well blast us all into oblivion…