# 9 episodes into Battlestar Galactica - Does it get any better? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 12, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556 "2012-03-12T15:27:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/21 "2012-03-12T17:53:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I gave up about 2 1/2 episodes in, IIRC. It was after the episode where… they visit an old arms depot space station thing that’s in a big cloud of stuff that kills Cylons …and it was just too dreary to bother going on. Apart from anything else, the Cylons-look-like-humans twist didn’t make any fucking sense. That was still in the miniseries. They got away from that kind of stuff somewhat in the first season proper, so far. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/22 "2012-03-12T17:59:46Z")
If you don’t like the first season of BSG, stop now. I do feel sorry for you though. BSG is one of the better works of SF on TV and if you don’t like it…well, there must not be much you like. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/23 "2012-03-12T18:16:20Z")
If you are not blown away by the first few episodes you are just wasting your time watching more. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/24 "2012-03-12T18:22:12Z")
I’d say that the biggest problem with BSG was making the humans so unlikeable that you were pretty much rooting most of the time for the Cylons to put them out of their misery. It’s sort of as if having your home worlds destroyed and trying to escape to a new life on a decaying fleet of random vehicles by being chased by murderous robots wasn’t a high enough concept for them – no, the humans had to be their own worst enemies. The writers kind of leapt across the border line between “gritty” and “irredeemably bleak”. And once you’ve demonstrated that the humans were completely broken, it’s too late to have a triumphant finale with the human spirit conquering all, or even coming to peaceable terms with the Cylons. So you have to play the mystical unicorns card. I still think it would have been a better series if they’d kept truer to the original and just dialed back the cheese to 0. (Having Starbuck be a hot female who hangs out in her skivvies a lot was fine with me, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/25 "2012-03-12T18:42:04Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > It gets much better, then stumbles, then gets awesome, then gets worse, and the finale blows goats. So if I wanted to experience the awsome, how much of the meh and the better and the stumbling would I need to go through? And where would I stop? I’m guessing the mini-series and first show of season 1 are must-see. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/26 "2012-03-12T19:01:53Z")
I got to the episode “Scar” before I bailed. I might go back to it, but I probably won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/27 "2012-03-12T19:02:20Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > A good summation of the quality arc. > > Far into the series it gets pretty chaotic–there’s almost too much confusion. If you’ve made it this far and are unimpressed, then looking ahead there’s no reason to get excited (to speak kindly). By the end of the series, a lot of people (many among us Dopers) felt like it was some kind of joke. > > I’d write more, but I’ve been up for a while and it’s getting late (plus the wind is really picking up and the noise is getting distracting). I see what you did there, and I like it. Well played. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/28 "2012-03-12T19:06:48Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Can you tell me at what time it starts to get better and then awesome? Because if it is midway through season 2, I don’t think we are going to be able to make it there. > [@Yllaria](#): > > So if I wanted to experience the awsome, how much of the meh and the better and the stumbling would I need to go through? And where would I stop? I’m guessing the mini-series and first show of season 1 are must-see. Going from memory here- I think Season 2 is better, and Season 3 nudges over into awesome. After a shiny new viper appears, it’s pretty much all downhill. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/29 "2012-03-12T19:27:32Z")
I really enjoyed the series, but if you’re not into by now, it’s not for you. Everyone I know who has liked it, has liked it from the very first episode. For those of who do like it: [http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-battlestar-galactica](http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-battlestar-galactica) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/30 "2012-03-12T20:28:59Z")
I could swallow the prophecy _and_ the angels. What I personally choked on was a pair of planets. But yeah, what others have said: It really is a soap opera in space, and if after nine episodes it’s not working for you, it probably never will. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/31 "2012-03-12T23:34:32Z")
I was another who was a bit disappointed in the direction they took in S4 which, after the sheer AWESOME!!! of S3 was just, well… not as good. And yes, the Cylon “plan” didn’t amount to all that much, even though they did a post-BSG mini-series that tried to address what it was supposed to be (but of course it didn’t live up to the expectations we had at the start). That said I was happy with how it finished. Was it the best finale I’ve ever seen? No, but it was a good way to end the season, and I’m glad they did what most American TV shows don’t seem to be able to and quit whilst they were still ahead. We’re on, what, series 43 of the US version of the Office now? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/32 "2012-03-12T23:53:27Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > And yes, the Cylon “plan” didn’t amount to all that much, Kill all humans. 🙂 There was one faction that wanted to become human, and replace the existing humans. But having G-d hand wave the ending discredits the efforts of the humans. Why the hell didn’t (S)he do it before the Cylons nuked the human planets? ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/33 "2012-03-13T10:19:40Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Kill all humans. 🙂 > There was one faction that wanted to become human, and replace the existing humans. > > But having G-d hand wave the ending discredits the efforts of the humans. Why the hell didn’t (S)he do it before the Cylons nuked the human planets? There was the whole thing about “this has happened before, it will happen again” - what happened between the colonies/the cylons was just another version of what had happened on Kobol and the original Earth. G-d was trying to make it so that it wouldn’t happen again. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/34 "2012-03-13T12:10:29Z")
> [@BlinkingDuck](#): > > I do feel sorry for you though. BSG is one of the better works of SF on TV and if you don’t like it…well, there must not be much you like. I didn’t like BSG, and was soundly mocked by my nerd friends. I got the last laugh though. _ha!_ And I like many many other sci-fi shows, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/35 "2012-03-13T14:36:59Z")
By episode nine you should know if you like it. I would watch more than just the pilot/miniseries though - I wasn’t sold on that but went on to love the series. Strangely though I rewatched the pilot recently and enjoyed it more this time. I think pacing problems are easier to digest on second viewings. ---
**Author:** ![joemama24\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@joemama24\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joemama24_98)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/36 "2012-03-13T15:02:16Z")
I personally enjoyed the series, but agree some of the story arcs were annoying. One thing to consider through is that SyFy renewed the series season by season, making it difficult to plan for a consistent story arc over four years - I think a lot of the craziness in the plotlines was due to this - closing some story lines with the assumption that “this season was the last” and having to then create/extend others once they were renewed. Even if you don’t like it, I think following episodes are worth watching, simply for the eye-candy Exodus (PT II) The Series Finale - a lot of people did not like how it ended, but I enjoyed the final space battle ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/37 "2012-03-13T15:15:24Z")
I guess my standards are pretty low. I can’t recall any slow or bad points. The only thing that made me want to shoot the tv is: \*\* WHY THE FUCK DID THESE GUYS GO FULL HARD ON FOR STARBUCK?!?!\*\* Seriously, she’s a psycho bitch with no redeeming qualities!! ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/38 "2012-03-13T15:31:26Z")
If you haven’t liked it thus far, don’t continue. Lest you join the crazed ranks of people forced to show the internet where the bad show touched you. > [@joemama24\_98](#): > > Even if you don’t like it, I think following episodes are worth watching, simply for the eye-candy > > Exodus (PT II) > The Series Finale - a lot of people did not like how it ended, but I enjoyed the final space battle Also: _Hand of God_. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/39 "2012-03-13T15:31:34Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > I guess my standards are pretty low. I can’t recall any slow or bad points. > > The only thing that made me want to shoot the tv is: \*\* WHY THE FUCK DID THESE GUYS GO FULL HARD ON FOR STARBUCK?!?!\*\* > > Seriously, she’s a psycho bitch with no redeeming qualities!! The heart wants what it wants. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556/40 "2012-03-13T16:59:08Z")
> [@](#): > > The only thing that made me want to shoot the tv is: WHY THE FUCK DID THESE GUYS GO FULL HARD ON FOR STARBUCK?!?! > > Seriously, she’s a psycho bitch with no redeeming qualities!! The _Galactica_ seemed to have about a 3 to 1 gender ratio, and Starbuck is easy. Makes sense to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-episodes-into-battlestar-galactica-does-it-get-any-better/615556.md?page=3)