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s_rycroft
Reviews
Battlestar Galactica: The Son Also Rises (2007)
Guest star makes this a good one.
If Mark Sheppard weren't in this episode, it would fall flat. Any fan of Firefly will recognize 'Badger' and his raspy but somehow friendly voice. He's one of those actors who can take ordinary lines and make them great.
And he does this here, because the writing is average, and some plot points are a bit weak. The 'mystery' solved seemed tacked on at the end. There is some good character stuff with the Adamas. And they mention Zack, who the writer's seem to have forgotten through all of the Lee/Starbuck troubles.
Not great, but above average for the season.
Battlestar Galactica: Unfinished Business (2006)
TV Producer's: Take Note
This episode is an example of why BSG is not only a great Sci-Fi, but also a great drama period.
A character driven episode like no other, Unfinished Business reveals events that took place on New Caprica before the Cylon occupation. The focus on various love triangles (and rectangles) that have been undercurrents throughout the show makes this the best episode since Resurrection Ship. Here's hoping Michael Taylor continues writing for BSG. His first episode here was amazing.
The episode is made complete by the slightly lilting and haunting soundtrack. It would fall apart without it.
Some sci-fi fans complain that BSG lacks actual sci-fi, and episodes like this will only louden their voices. There's no Cylons, it takes place mainly in a boxing ring, and nothing 'plot-wise' actually happens.
But that's not what BSG has ever been about. It's focus has always been character, and complaining about a focus on character is just a symptom of not liking the direction of the entire show. So stop watching if you don't like character development.
If best-of-TV drama doesn't suit your style, look elsewhere.