A Testimonial...

[martok2112]

My friends,
It has been way too long since I've had to opportunity to watch Classic Galactica at its finest. Today I was able to pick up Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack, which, as many of you know, is a remix/reedit combining two episodes of Battlestar Galactica. (The Living Legend, and Fire In Space).

Granted, recently I have become a fan of the new Ron D. Moore version of Battlestar Galactica. The show has its merits and flaws just like the original did, and I am sure that in time it will only get better.

But, I found myself nearly in tears of joy as I watched the sheer beauty of the original show that so endeared me, and countless other fans some 25+ yahrens ago. The original Battlestar Galactica (despite its use of stock visual effects) was very much a television show with a BIG SCREEN vision, an incredible feat for 1978.

The interplay, the conflict, the tension, and the cooperation between Commander Adama and Commander Cain is now as it was back then....standout and beautiful. (I am dismissing the "occasionally" hokey acting...I am talking about the indomitably wondrous spirit of the thing.)

If I held the classic show's flaws against it, I would never have enjoyed it. As a 9 year old in 1978, I never saw the flaws. I only saw sheer perfection on a television show that captured my imagination, and served as Star Wars on television for me, until I finally got to see Star Wars. Even then, my love for the show never diminished. And as I watch the original show now, in my mid-thirties, I try to watch it as the nine year old wonderstruck boy I was back then...and it still ensnares me.

My love for the classic show has never diminished...and with the fortuitous purchase of Mission Galactica, I am again reminded why it has never diminished. Larger than life characters, great heroes and evil villains...sometimes played over the top....but definable good and evil, and an epic (if occasionally disjointed) tale nonetheless.

Hearing the bolsterous Commander Cain plea for Adama's blessing to carry out his potentially suicidal attack, and Adama's reluctant, but heartfelt prayer for Cain's success put a lump in my throat. Truthfully, right now, I am glad that I am not speaking verbally to anyone as I convey this feeling, because it literally is impossible for me to speak....I feel that strongly about the beloved show, and this episode in particular.

Knowing that to buy the boxed set of classic Galactica would be like going to Karaoke...(having to take the bad with the good)...I would still gladly pay the 80-100 dollars if it meant that one more voice was heard in the effort to bring our beloved classic show to the BIG SCREEN as a continuation. And now that I am clear of several key obligations, I find that such a purchase will be a much more easily attained goal.

Yes, I still strongly support the new show, and hope for its continued success...but this, in my heart, does not come at the expense of the original show that I fell in love with so long ago, when the names were NOT callsigns, and when faith was something expressed from the fiber of every Colonial's being. When Starbuck and Boomer were still men; one the carousing swashbuckling gambler, the other, the voice of reason who would never turn away when Apollo and Starbuck, and the fleet needed him the most. When Apollo and Adama worked as a team to see to the security of the last of humanity. When Adama had a lovely daughter named Athena. When Baltar was the traitor everyone loved to hate, and then found himself staring redemption in the eye at the end of the series' short run. When Cylons were walking toasters, with those awesome scanner eyes...and their voices...those foreboding, monotoned, metallic voices were as unique as hearing a Stormtrooper's comparatively clone-ish (and very human) voice.


LONG LIVE THE NAME OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA...LONG LIVE THE FANDOMS!!!

From the bottom of my heart, I remain,
Martok2112

[bsg1fan1975]

nicely said Martok!

[julix]

My friend............
Well said and I think you expressed the heart and soul of TOS and it wonderful to read your post about watching it again.....It is the same way I felt after I bought the box set and sat down and watched all the episodes. For me it is not cheesy or over the top at all, not saying that it was for you. But I know that sentiment has been expressed before, I just don't see it. Nothing is perfect but for me TOS captured something special and even now when I watch it, it is the same. The same magic and wonder and joy I felt the first time I watched.





Very well done

[thomas7g]

Glad you liked it!

[repcisg]

Now if only we can get TPTB to see what it is we see! Nicely said Martok!

[Archangel]

Martok, you summed up the old series beautifully.

Hats off to the Klingon who does more than just grunt.