It is always exciting when streaming services usher big-name properties onto their platform, and though new movies and series are always a treat, sometimes it is even more exciting when audiences get a chance to watch something older and more established, such as the iconic sci-fi show Battlestar Galactica, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Although there are countless new sci-fi and fantasy television series coming out on streaming, this is the series that viewers should definitely put at the top of their watch list. Battlestar Galactica has critical acclaim, history, and a truly timeless story.
These days, science fiction movies and television are not very difficult to find. There is always another shiny new sci-fi project in the works, and oftentimes, it is a toss-up whether this project will succeed, or whether it will ebb away into sci-hi history. A big part of this is quality. While someone could have an amazing premise for a sci-fi series, the execution is what really matters. A thin, weak story can kill sci-fi just as easily as shoddy CGI and special effects. Sci-fi has a tough audience to please, but luckily, viewers can always return to the basics.
A pillar of the genre that all sci-fi fans must watch is 2004’s Battlestar Galactica, and fortunately, it is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction series which tells the story of an intergalactic conflict between humans and robots called Cylons, and furthermore, the goal of a spaceship called the Galactica to find a new place to live, the mysterious planet called Earth. Notably, 2004’s Battlestar Galactica is a remake of an original series of the same name, released in 1978, however, it has many significant differences from its predecessor.
First and foremost, 2004’s Battlestar Galactica has four seasons, whereas the original series only had one. In this way, the remake was able to really expand on the original premise and story, leading to amazing twists and turns throughout. Furthermore, 2004’s Battlestar Galactica took a much darker route from its source material. The newer series delved into serious issues concerning politics and society, many of which paralleled the real world. So, although Battlestar Galactica began long ago, and includes other series and seasons aside from 2004’s Battlestar Galactica, this is the best series to watch.
Battlestar Galactica is one of the best sci-fi television series of all time, and for good reason. Battlestar Galactica never feels like a clone of other big sci-fi franchises like Star Wars or Star Trek. Despite taking place in space, the series is able to tell a story that feels fresh and different, especially due to Galactica’s focus on personal relationships and societal dynamics. On top of that, Battlestar Galactica is not overly concerned with flashiness.
Battlestar Galactica pushes the boundaries of sci-fi. It could have easily followed in the footsteps of its original 1978 show, but instead, 2004’s Battlestar Galactica made updates that turned the show from any average sci-fi series into a project that is unlike anything else on TV. Its darkness made it unique, but also more realistic. And despite its intergalactic setting, the show’s focus on characters and their dynamics with others made the series incredibly relatable to real life. Overall, this is why Battlestar Galactica is so well-received to this day. It is sci-fi that explores space’s boundaries while maintaining humanity.
For those viewers who are interested in diving into Battlestar Galactica, be sure to watch the 2003 miniseries before starting episode 1. Though it may seem strange, the remake of Battlestar Galactica actually started with a two-episode miniseries released the year before the true series came out. Ultimately, its success is what led to the full-on remake in 2004. In this way, the two are inextricably linked. The 2003 miniseries lays the groundwork for what is to come in the 2004 series. Therefore, in order to understand the 2004 series, it is pivotal to watch the miniseries first.
It is a very exciting fact that Amazon Prime Video is now streaming both the 2004 Battlestar Galactica and the 2003 miniseries. Battlestar Galactica is truly a pillar of the science fiction genre, and audience members who love sci-fi definitely need to watch it. Despite its age, Battlestar Galactica remains one of the most pivotal and entertaining sci-fi television series of all time.