‘Battlestar Galactica’: More than just sci-fi

Politically charged" and "socially relevant" are two of the farthest terms one would associate with a sci-fi television show that takes place in outer space, but that’s exactly what Battlestar Galactica is. Although the audience is launched into a futuristic, hi-tech, Star Wars-type world, the core plot of Battlestar Galactica cannot be more relevant to the present day. BSG deals with socially relevant issues like democracy, cloning, invasion and conflicting religious beliefs. The sci-fi hit intertwines the substance of a highly introspective storyline with spectacular sets and visual effects.

Battlestar Galactica stars Edward James Olmos, known for his work in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and the ’80s TV hit Miami Vice, as Commander William Adama, the leader of the Battlestar Galactica fleet.

Besides his work in TV, stage and film, Olmos is known as a community activist. This is reflected in the roles he chooses, as he has a strict criteria for projects he will do. Battlestar Galactica had all the essential elements of a project that Olmos wanted. It had a well-written and relevant story and unique characters.

"If you’re going to spend your time making something then you’re going to ask people to spend their time watching it, boy, oh boy, you better make sure you aren’t giving them cotton candy or fast food," Olmos told me in a phone interview.

With Battlestar Galactica, Olmos was intrigued by the character of Commander Adama.

"I don’t think there has ever been someone like him," he admits. "No one in the first world makes decisions like Commander Adama does. I wish there were."

Olmos also shares that the character of Commander Adama was developed with the 9/11 tragedy in mind. He took that event and those that followed to heart in the creation of the Adama we see on TV. "My character was infused with it – a very complex and radical individual," Olmos says.

The show’s plot revolves around a surviving fleet of the human race and their struggles with a new species called Cylons. The Cylons were created by the humans, but have since evolved and spawned their own civilization. The once-servant Cylons are now invading and infiltrating the human fleet through their advanced methods of cloning and developing computer viruses.

The members of Battlestar Galactica are desperately trying to find their way to their lost planet, Earth, while trying to dodge the Cylon attacks. The tension of the war and the anxiety of being away from family and a real home spark numerous conflicts within the fleet. With an unstable government, dissent in the military ranks and numerous personal agendas detrimental to the fleet, Galactica undergoes political and social turmoil that is eerily similar to the troubles facing the 21st-century world we live in.

"We talk about right-to-choose and right-to-life situations," Olmos says. These issues mirror true-to-life battles that our modern society deals with. Battlestar Galactica tackles the most pressing issues and takes them head on.

"That is what makes Battlestar Galactica such an incredible journey. Every week you get thrown into this thought process," Olmos says. Apart from the show being imbued with social commentary, Battlestar Galactica also features visual effects that are usually reserved for blockbuster movies. BSG was developed by Emmy nominee David E. Moore, a Star Trek alumnus, and has an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects for a Series in 2005. The space ships, the new planetary surroundings, the outfits and the hi-tech weaponry are sure to keep any sci-fi fan glued to the tube.

The rare mix of politics, a socially relevant plot and well-produced fiction make Battlestar Galactica a modern-day Animal Farm (George Orwell’s political fable). These characteristics also earned Battlestar Galactica the Peabody award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in electronic media. This award is usually reserved for public service documentaries on subjects like Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. It says a lot that a sci-fi television show earned the award in 2005.

Battlestar Galactica makes its season premiere on Cinemax this Sunday, Sept. 3 at 9 p.m. featuring four episodes. Catch The Making of Battlestar Galactica on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

* * *

For questions, comments or corrections, please e-mail me at emailcarlramirez@yahoo.com.