By Stephen Pytak 

     For starters I'm not a fan of the original
series. I saw a few episodes, thought some
of the characters were O.K., but ultimately
just considered it a "Star Wars" knock off.
     My fondest memory may be seeing ads
on the back of "Famous Monsters" for
"New Warrior's Battle" jackets, which 
looked like they were inspired by the
show. They were made of "olive brown
denim." 
     The reimagining, which is currently 
airing on the Sci Fi Channel, has won me
over for a few reasons.
    It's a tense human drama about 
decisions and sacrifice, accented by a 
Richard Gibbs score which at 
times makes it feel like a ticking time 
bomb. By the way, the CD is available 
through La La Land Records.
     The characters are stronger this time out.
And that's thanks in part to the actors 
playing them. There's a veteran military
leader playing a proverbial chess game
for the human race (Olmos); a hot shot pilot
who punches out the XO (Sackhoff); the
Secretary of Education who's not only 
suffering from the onset of cancer, but the
responsibility of becomming president at
the end of the world (McDonnell); and a
brilliant scientist who's encouraged by his
fellow man, but seduced by the enemy
(Callis).
     Then there's the lady in red, the most
recognizible icon for the show, Cylon model
"Number 6" played by model Tricia Helfer.
This is reportedly her first acting gig, but
she proves herself in many ways. Villain.
Seductress. The ultimate sex doll perhaps.
Number 6 is after all produced by the Cylons en 
masse. And, it appears, her character is also a
woman who wants love, respect and, maybe,
more than she's letting on.
     The show is also aiming for a documentary
feel at times. This is very interesting. I've never
seen a sci fi drama try something like this.
It gives the space battles a new level of
believability. And sometimes when a ship
is blown up, you can see the pilot's body 
in the rain of debris. Intense.
     I became aware of the new series in
January when I was in a Borders flipping 
through the latest issue of Sci Fi Magazine.
     Here's a really quick run down of the
plot of the 2003 pilot, which is available
on an MGM DVD I also purchased at a 
Borders.
     In this version, the robot Cylons 
were created by man.  In the backstory, 
they rebelled, killed their masters and 
started a war. Mankind won, an 
armistice was created and the Cylons
retreated to a world to call their own. 
     Forty years later, the Cylons return with
upgraded ships and agents (12 models 
which look and act human) to destroy the
world of men. Their first strike is a big one,
a nuclear war on the 12 Colonies of 
Caprica.
     Meanwhile, an aircraft carrier in space,
"Battlestar Galactica," is being 
decommissioned. Proof that there's been
peace in the galaxy for years, one of its
flight bays has been turned into a gift shop.
     Word of the attack leads Commander
William Adama (Olmos) to declare war,
then retreat when he realizes the human
race is down to about 50,000.
     The series is punctuated by many 
interesting and relevant issues, from 
overwhelming grief (something many around 
the world felt after 9/11), conflicts with
friends and family, sex and even religion.
     Speaking of which, I think it's funny that 
the Cylons are talking about worshipping
"God" while the humans are praying to
something called the "Lords the Cobal."
Sounds like "Cobol," which is a computer
language.
    Some of the actors I recognize. I remember
Olmos from "Blade Runner (1982)" and
"Miami Vice (1984)." AndKatee Sackoff was 
in "Halloween: Resurrection (2002). 
Actually there are two actors here from that 
film. The other is Lorena Gale, who has a bit
part here as "Priest Elosha."
     As long as the show has a story to tell and
can keep lit the torch of intensity and drama
that shines on it, I'll be watching.
     The Sci Fi Channel Mini Series is currently 
in its first season, but a second season is 
in the works.