In my mind, the last scifi show as riveting and heart-rending as Scifi’s remake of ‘Galactica‘ was Fox’s one-season sensation, “Space: Above & Beyond.”  There have been a lot of good shows in the past ten years, including “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Babylon 5,” and “Stargate SG-1,” all of which I’ve enjoyed tremendously.

But Galactica is special.  The two-hour episode which launched the series was fascinating, disturbing, depressing, and, in my mind, a landmark in terms of televsion scifi.  I wasn’t sure HOW I felt about the show after that pilot episode.  But I was sure of one thing, the show was POWERFUL!

When the new series launched last year, I wound up missing most of the first half of the season.  It was dread as much as life’s distractions which kept me away. 

I continued to watch Scifi’s Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis, but my problem with Galactica was its emotionally dark core.

I’ve been a scifi and fantasy fan for almost three decades now.  One thing you learn, especially in the realm of scifi, is that this genre can be either incredibly uplifting and optimistic (Star Trek), or very dark and depressing (Space: Above & Beyond).  There are a few shows which dabble in both (The X-Files).

Galactica definitely specializes in the dark-side of the genre.  And it is relentless in its intensity.  As it should be, I guess, in dealing with a plot which includes the merciless slaughter of billions of human beings at the hands of their own creation. 

And yet, Galactica is riveting television.  It is, quite possibly, the greatest scifi show ever to air on television.  The characters are strong, the storyline as deep as the Grand Canyon, yet consistent, etc.  The producers of this show have taken risks in every way, from the original idea to recreate the show, but with a dramatically different approach to the story, the characters, the depth of the content, and just about everything else. 

In its day, the original Star Trek series took a lot of risks as well.  This, I guess, is the early 21st century version of a risk-taking scifi show.  It pulls no punches, makes no excuses, and offers no apologizes.  In other words, it’s a show worth watching.

One last quick note. 

For those of us who love this genre, the Scifi Channel has become THE place to go with the richest lineup of scifi shows in the history of television. They deserve a lot of credit for what they’ve done in the service of this genre.  This channel, by far, receives more of my viewing attention than any other.

And yes, I am a big geek!

Now if we could only find a way to convince Paramount to partner with the Scifi Channel for the launch of another Star Trek show.  But then, I always have been a bit of a dreamer.

The only thing I have to say about this show is that it’s a definite loser, unless you are a Hollywood.  Then again, even Hollywood media critics might not like this one

The creators of this show may well have been on a drug trip when they first came up with the concept.

Ironically, you can find a better message – speaking from the perspective of the show’s moral content – from the new NBC comedy, “My Name is Earl.”  My thinking is that the writers and producers of this show were trying to be edgy and, perhaps, clever, in the manner of some of the HBO shows like “The Sopranos,” or “Six Feet Under.” 

Mission NOT accomplished!

Nuff said.