The Epic Revolution: How Battlestar Galactica Redefined the Sci-Fi Genre

From 2004 to 2009, the Battlestar Galactica reboot revolutionized the science fiction genre with its innovative storytelling, production techniques, and visual effects. The series revolved around a courageous group of human survivors who fought against the mechanical beings known as Cylons. Their quest aboard the Battlestar ship Galactica was to locate the legendary society of Earth. Rather than relying on cutting-edge technology, the show deliberately incorporated outdated elements, prioritizing progressive narratives and meaningful messages.

Despite concluding after four seasons, Battlestar Galactica amassed a dedicated cult following. Despite some controversy surrounding the series finale, it still maintains an impressive 95% average score on Rotten Tomatoes. Furthermore, the show consistently appears on numerous lists ranking the greatest science fiction shows of all time, even securing the third spot on Rolling Stone's prestigious list. It is the profound impact Battlestar Galactica had on the science fiction landscape that serves as the primary justification for these esteemed accolades.

6 Battlestar Galactica Brought Gritty Drama To Sci-Fi

Prior to Battlestar Galactica, science fiction series such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek: The Original Series dealt with profound subjects through serialized science fiction parables. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Rod Serling was compelled to create The Twilight Zone due to censorship of his attempts to tackle social issues in Hollywood. Nonetheless, he had to subtly embed his commentary within the narratives.

In contrast, Battlestar Galactica took a more earnest approach in addressing these issues. The show delved into politics, war, identity, and religion, without skimming over their significance or darker aspects. The tone was bleak, gritty, and solemn, never romanticizing the world. The screenwriters infused the storylines with a sense of urgency that heightened the importance of every moment. This storytelling technique was influenced by shows like The Sopranos and Picket Fences, but Battlestar Galactica brought a newfound seriousness to the science fiction genre.

5 Battlestar Galactica Showed The Importance Of Time Jumps

When Battlestar Galactica premiered, the concept of a time jump wasn't entirely novel. Many shows had previously utilized flash-forwards at the start of a season or the conclusion of an episode for added emphasis. However, the producers of Battlestar Galactica decided to take a daring leap in season 2, episode 20, "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2." Instead of adhering to the customary approach, they inserted the time jump in the middle of the episode, with a substantial amount of the plot unfolding afterward.

Showrunner Ronald D. Moore explained during the DVD commentary track, "Our intention was to execute this audacious leap right at the season's end, catching viewers off guard with an unexpected twist." This gamble proved to be immensely successful for the entire science fiction genre. Battlestar Galactica popularized the employment of time jumps in storytelling, not solely within the confines of convention. Subsequently, science fiction shows have embraced the use of time jumps more frequently.

4 Battlestar Galactica Featured Innocent Character Deaths

Deaths are a common occurrence in sci-fi shows, but Battlestar Galactica took it a step further. Instead of only killing off characters who seemingly deserve it based on the plot, this show didn't hesitate to let innocent characters meet their demise. One particularly cruel incident took place in the show's miniseries, where Caprica Six, one of the multiple versions of Six in Battlestar Galactica, was portrayed killing a baby. While her facial expression afterwards suggested some level of remorse, possibly indicating it was a mercy killing, it doesn't negate the disturbing brutality of the act.

However, this wasn't the sole instance of innocent lives being taken in Battlestar Galactica. Cloud 9, a location in the show, saw the deaths of thousands due to a nuclear weapon detonated by Gina, who was provided with it by Count Baltar. Baltar attempts to conceal this tragedy by putting an end to any investigation. These tragic deaths in Battlestar Galactica opened up the doors for other sci-fi series and movies to explore a darker direction, no longer bound by the constraints imposed by lighter shows like Star Trek: The Original Series.

3 Battlestar Galactica Normalized Continuous Storylines

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Prior to Battlestar Galactica, the traditional approach to storytelling on TV involved separate, self-contained episodes. Whether it was popular series like Star Trek or smaller ones like Red Dwarf and Babylon 5, each episode would typically conclude its story within a single installment. Battlestar Galactica, however, broke this mold by introducing a continuous narrative that persisted throughout the entire series. Moreover, certain storylines would span multiple episodes, such as Anders' ascent to power and Six's shifting allegiances. While not every storyline in Battlestar Galactica enhanced the show, most provided added value for viewers.

Ever since the emergence of Battlestar Galactica, science fiction TV shows have embraced the concept of ongoing storylines. Foundation, a notable example found on Apple TV Plus, follows the lives of humans living under the rule of the Galactic Empire. This epic saga spans a thousand years and multiple planets, with a focus on the struggles of the exiled. It is thanks to Battlestar Galactica that sci-fi series like Foundation are now readily embracing storylines that span the entirety of the show.

2 Battlestar Galactica Brought Prestigious Actors To Sci-Fi

Before Battlestar Galactica, most sci-fi actors were newcomers to the industry. William Shatner had primarily minor roles on television shows until he took on the iconic role of Captain James Tiberius Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. On the other hand, Battlestar Galactica chose a different approach by including established actors in its cast. Edward James Olmos, who had been acting since 1974, had already achieved success in movies such as Blade Runner, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, and Miami Vice before joining the show. Mary McDonnell also had an extensive career prior to her involvement in Battlestar Galactica, with notable appearances in Independence Day, Donnie Darko, and You Can Thank Me Later.

Following Battlestar Galactica, numerous renowned actors have ventured into the realm of sci-fi. Zoe Saldana, for example, had already starred in films like Drumline, Crossroads, and Temptation before taking on the role of Uhura in Star Trek (2009). Similarly, the late Alan Rickman had acted in movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Die Hard, and Rasputin before portraying Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest and Marvin in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. These are merely two instances showcasing famous actors embracing roles in the realm of sci-fi.

1 Battlestar Galactica Made Space Battles More Realistic

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While there were many sci-fi TV shows that existed prior to Battlestar Galactica, this series revolutionized the portrayal of space battles. The duration of the Second Cylon War paralleled that of Battlestar Galactica. Within this show, the depiction of space battles became significantly more authentic in terms of appearance and circumstances. The weaponry projectiles became less reminiscent of lasers and adopted a more realistic ammunition-like quality. Consequently, explosions and fire became prominent features, akin to real-life scenarios. Furthermore, the attacks exhibited less coordination, resulting in a greater sense of chaos. The impact of shots often resulted in ship collisions. Tragically, fatalities were frequent occurrences in the space battles depicted in Battlestar Galactica.

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These elements persisted in sci-fi TV shows and movies following Battlestar Galactica. Even popular shows like Doctor Who adopted some of these elements. While they retained the laser appearance and sound, the weapons in the Time Wars caused explosions and fires, similar to Battlestar Galactica. Even the Star Trek reboot films shifted towards a more down-to-earth and realistic battle aesthetic. A significant instance of this is depicted when Captain James Tiberius Kirk's father dies in Star Trek (2009).