Okay, that title is as awkward a wordplay as I hope you're likely to get from me. This week. But for those of you who haven't been on the bandwagon of SciFi Channel's very, very 21st-century re-do of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, it's time to take the Kool-Aid. Aside from being one of the best-reviewed shows on any channel (see this entry from Slate, or any of the links in the Television Without Pity forum), this show will take you in directions...
you'd never expect from "sci-fi". Unless, of course, you remember such sci-fi classics as The Martian Chronicles, Dune, Star Trek: TOS, Blade Runner... even 2001.
Like all great science fiction -- and fiction in general -- BSG looks at our world and its foibles from a perspective outside of ourselves, which in times like these lets it go to places that more conventional dramas might shun (humanizing suicide bombers); it addresses issues from politics, to the role of the military in a society in a war with no end, to religion and spirituality and their role in decision making, to treatment of the enemy as 'other' and what how we treat enemies says about our own souls. (Read this article which too simplistically parallels it with Iraq.) Plus there's space battles! And hunky guys and beautiful, usually half-naked robot girls! Okay? That last part? Was for the cheesier side of all of us.
So, having sold you on this wonderful experience, how do you catch up? There is a "Story So Far" hourlong special that can be downloaded for free on iTunes (and episodes bought for $1.99), but I highly, highly recommend starting with the Season One DVDs (which include the 4-hour miniseries) and going from there. You can also catch full episodes and webisodes (admittedly, the latter were not their best effort) on SciFi.com.
The SSF certainly provides the background you'd need to know what's going on, as well as the major story arcs of the past 2 seasons. But there are so many wonderful and profoundly moving "miniarcs," if you will, in each season that are a shame to miss because they so well illustrate why this show is such tour-de-force drama.
The new season began last week, but if you hurry you can catch up! Honestly, this is the one new thing this season that has me excited and wanting everyone to see it... but ask me tomorrow about THE QUEEN!!
[ETA: the important info that if you want to start watching, BSG airs at 9 pm ET/PT on SciFi, a nonpremium cable channel.]
[ETA: Finally, SLATE reviews the show itself, and comes away interested.]