Battlestar Galactica's Controversial Episode: The Showrunner's Shocking Pre-Airing Criticism Revealed!

Summary

Acknowledging its inherent weakness, Moore admitted that "Black Market" faced challenges from the very start, largely due to its distinct tone that deviated from the overall feel of the series.

"Black Market" was widely considered the worst episode of the entire series, receiving the lowest rating on IMDb, and audiences and critics alike agreed with Moore's critique. Showrunner Ronald D. Moore, aware of the episode's flaws before it aired, later explained his reasons for its failure. Even the strongest shows often have weaker episodes, but how these setbacks are analyzed and learned from by directors, actors, and showrunners demonstrates their mastery of their craft. It is fascinating to examine Moore's critiques of his creation, comparing them to the responses of fans, as both perspectives likely influenced his future work.

Battlestar Galactica's rebooted characters were survivors of a devastating Cylon attack that nearly wiped out the human race. Fleeing aboard the iconic battleship of the same name, they represented the last remnants of humanity. The critically acclaimed 2004 series Battlestar Galactica was developed and produced by Moore, who earned recognition and accolades for his exceptional work on the first two episodes. He also played a role in the creation of the spinoff series Caprica. However, despite its initial strength, Battlestar Galactica faced a decline in quality during later seasons. Even Moore himself acknowledged that certain episodes from seasons 1 and 2 did not stand the test of time.

Why Ronald D. Moore Didn't Like Battlestar Galactica Season 2's "Black Market"

Considered one of the weakest episodes of Battlestar Galactica season 2, episode 14 titled "Black Market" garnered acknowledgment from creator Ron Moore himself. In October 2005, Moore expressed his dissatisfaction and disappointment with the episode in a blog post, confessing that it fell far below the high standards he had set for himself and the series as a whole (via The Internet Archive). Though he did not directly mention the specific episode in his blog, Moore later went on to analyze "Black Market" extensively in a podcast episode, where he referred back to his blog post and discussed both its intended objectives and its flaws.

In the June 2006 podcast episode, which is saved on The Internet Archive, Moore acknowledged that "Black Market" faced challenges from the start. The showrunner expressed dissatisfaction with the storyline focused on Apollo, as it lacked the captivating quality he desired and felt disconnected from the essence of Battlestar Galactica. Instead, "Black Market" seemed to belong to a different series altogether, with its emphasis on "mystery noir" elements and predictable plot. Ultimately, Moore attributed the episode's shortcomings to the simplicity of the story, which hindered his intention of exploring character parallels.

"Black Market" Is Widely Considered BSG's Worst Episode

Viewers and Moore alike criticized Battlestar Galactica's episode "Black Market." It received the lowest rating on IMDb for the entire series, with reviewers labeling it the "worst" and "weakest" of all four seasons. Audiences agreed that it didn't align with the show's tone and served as a distraction from the main narrative. While some critics praised Apollo's character and the actors' performances, the majority panned the episode for not providing the desired answers and failing to introduce exciting changes. Considering Battlestar Galactica's groundbreaking impact on the science-fiction genre, this lackluster chapter came as an unexpected deviation.

Sources: The Internet Archive, The Internet Archive, IMDb