The Mind-Blowing Twist in Battlestar Galactica's Ending that Paves the Way for an Epic Reboot Series
Battlestar Galactica's epic ending lays the groundwork for an exciting future sequel series, honoring the original's continuity while introducing fresh storylines However, challenges lie ahead in crafting a worthy follow-up to the beloved Cylon War cycle
Summary
A potential avenue for the revitalized Battlestar Galactica series lies in delving into the evolving connection between mankind and technology, effectively addressing the contemporary dialogues surrounding Artificial Intelligence and its profound societal repercussions.
A future sequel show could expand on the themes and continuity explored in Ronald D. Moore's BSG revival, while also delving into the origins of the conflict between humans and Cylons. Instead of repeating previous errors, the sequel should focus on humanity's efforts to break the cycle of violence and destruction, presenting a new and socially significant perspective within the Battlestar Galactica universe.
The conclusion of Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica discreetly established the perfect opportunity for a modern reboot in the future. Despite years of speculation about a new BSG reboot, there has been no confirmed plan as of yet. While some may believe that there is no more to explore within Battlestar Galactica after Moore's highly acclaimed and gritty reboot in the mid-2000s, the story has arguably become even more relevant. In the current Hollywood climate, both screenwriters and actors have gone on strike due to concerns about big studios utilizing Artificial Intelligence to reduce costs for creatives. The topic of A.I. is a major point of discussion in the 2020s, making it an ideal time for a fresh Battlestar Galactica series.
Ronald D. Moore's divisive finale for Battlestar Galactica featured an epilogue set in present-day Earth, revealing that the events of the series took place in humanity's distant past. In a bustling town square, two beings resembling Six (Tricia Helfer) and Gaius Baltar (James Callis) contemplated whether the cycle of violence between humans and artificial intelligence could ever be broken. The Six entity expressed optimism, but a montage showcasing advancements in robotics, accompanied by Jimi Hendrix's rendition of "All Along the Watchtower," suggested that her hope may have been misplaced, setting the stage for a future BSG reboot.
Battlestar Galactica's Ending Set Up A Sequel Series In The Far Future
The contemporary state of Earth was reminiscent of Caprica before its downfall and the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, suggesting a similar destiny. Instead of starting over completely, this creates an intriguing opportunity for a sequel to Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica vision. Set in the near future of 2020s Earth, this sequel would allow for a deeper exploration of the themes Moore was originally addressing. By paralleling real-world advancements, a sequel series could examine humanity's evolving relationship with technology, as BSG had already revealed surprising connections with figures like Bob Dylan being identified as Cylons.
In this potential sequel show, Tricia Helfer and James Callis could reprise their roles as the entities from BSG's finale, observing yet another decline of humanity within the endless cycle of capitalist expansion and violence. To distinguish itself from Moore's original series, the Battlestar Galactica sequel series could delve deeper into the origins of the conflict between humanity and the Cylons. While Moore had already attempted this with Caprica, setting the story on a credible version of Earth may provide a stronger thematic resonance.
Battlestar Galactica's Next Story Should Honor RDM's Continuity, Not Reboot It
"All of this has occurred before, and all of this shall occur again." This became the guiding principle of the Battlestar Galactica reboot, serving as a declaration that the original BSG would not be overlooked. In Ronald D. Moore's modern rendition of Battlestar Galactica, the events of Glen A. Larson's original series still unfolded, forming part of a continuous cycle where technological advancement ultimately leads to humanity's downfall. Rather than rebooting Moore's revived storyline, a new Battlestar Galactica show can instead expand upon it, delving into the next phase of this recurring pattern.
The glimpse of hope presented in the finale of Battlestar Galactica offers an opportunity for a new show to showcase Ronald D. Moore's revival as a cautionary tale. No one desires the repetition of this cycle, especially not the audience who have witnessed it unfold twice. Thus, it would be far more captivating if the next installment in the BSG universe pays homage to Moore's existing continuity and examines how humanity strives to evade the same fate as their predecessors. By incorporating Six and Baltar as observers or active participants in preventing the inevitable, the show can simultaneously honor Moore's established narrative while venturing into more contemporary storylines.
Battlestar Galactica's Cylon War Cycle Means A Sequel Would Feel Like New
Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica retained the essence of the war against the Cylons while incorporating fresh elements to create a sense of novelty. The introduction of humanoid Cylons and the enhanced exploration of character motivations and internal psychology set BSG apart as groundbreaking. While the core principles remained from Glen A. Larson's original show, they were reimagined for a 21st century audience amidst the aftermath of 9/11 and America's ongoing War on Terror. A sequel show would be wise to adopt a similar approach, seizing the opportunity to address the current discussions revolving around the utilization of A.I. for spreading disinformation and meddling in politics.
Ultimately, as long as the show revolves around the fundamental conflict between humans and Cylons, it will still embody the spirit of Battlestar Galactica. The exact nature of how a modern Battlestar Galactica would evolve the Cylon concept is open to debate, but examining concerns surrounding online "bots" on social media and the increasing integration of A.I. in replacing human roles could serve as an excellent starting point. In a BSG sequel, the initial clash between humans and Cylons could begin as a labor or civil rights dispute that escalates uncontrollably, reigniting the destructive cycle once more.
The Problem With A Battlestar Galactica Sequel Series
Selling a TV show using the phrase "All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again" is ineffective in today's age, where audiences crave new and original content. Furthermore, the ending of Battlestar Galactica hinted at the possibility of humanity avoiding the mistakes of their ancestors. So, creating a sequel that follows the same fate and portrays the cycle as unbreakable would be a mere exploitation of past success, rendering the whole endeavor of revisiting Moore's Battlestar Galactica both frustrating and pointless. Instead, it would be more logical to explore how humanity plans to break the cycle, rather than repeating the same mistakes as their predecessors.
Repeating the exact same mistakes made by beloved characters in the previous Battlestar Galactica reboot lacks any drama or suspense. However, there is genuine drama and suspense in depicting the characters' attempts to avoid those mistakes, even if their efforts might make things worse. Rather than establishing from the beginning that the characters' home is lost, as seen in the previous entries of the Battlestar Galactica series, a sequel show should focus on the lengths both sides of the conflict are willing to go to either destroy or save Earth. By taking the core ideas and transforming them into something fresh and socially relevant, the reboot can successfully continue Ronald D. Moore's ambitious vision for Battlestar Galactica.
