james callis

(S03E16) I have to be honest, I have no experience at all with unions, how they work or what it's like being involved in one. Even so, it wasn't difficult to feel something for workers who'd have to endure what the Tylium crew had to deal with for so long.

Usually an episode like this would leave me well disappointed, as there wasn't anything significantly advancing the story. I realize now, with the help of several commenters, that it's episodes like this that are working to help us get a deeper understanding of what's going on with the humans on these ships and especially with the main players.

I thoroughly enjoy Battlestar Galactica. I feel that the special effects (when shown) are fantastic, the scripts are well-written, and the characters are all multi-dimensional. I have especially been enjoying this season, and I have yet to miss an episode. That being said, I do have one tiny issue with the show . . .

I can't hear a frakking word they're saying!

I have never seen a show with so many low talkers. They speak quietly everywhere: crew quarters, active hanger bays, planet-side. They even speak softly in crowded, noisy bars (as seen in this week's episode). I am constantly raising and lowering the volume on my TV just to catch a fragment of what they're saying. It's almost like I'm watching a British sitcom! Now I know why this show hasn't been nominated for any type of award. It's because the judges get so frustrated adjusting the volume up and down that they just give up and turn off the TV.

Everybody's wondering whether BSG is going to suck this year since the season finale seriously altered the direction of the show. You can get a sneak peek of the season three premiere (which airs on Friday) over at SciFi's website and decide for yourself. The first 13 minutes of the episode, or the "First Act", is available for viewing. It basically answers the question, "What will happen next?" You'll see how the humans and Cylons are living/interacting on New Caprica. I'll just say that everybody seems to be working on their own method of survival... and Starbuck seriously kicks some ass.

Based on just those 13 minutes, I'd say BSG fans don't have anything to worry about. Then again, I liked the turn the show took at the end of last season and I like what I see so far.

*The video played for me in Internet Explorer, but had trouble with it in Firefox.

[Thanks, Akbar!]

As Battlestar Galactica wraps up its second season tomorrow night with a 90-minute finale, its cast is just about to start shooting season three. Just to keep all of us fans sane, Sci Fi has already announced that Galactica will return to its Friday night timeslot in October, although a specific date has not been revealed. The network has ordered 20 episodes. We already know that Lucy Lawless will return as cylon for a 10-episode arc next season. It looks like we'll get to see most of the major cast members again next season, too. Filming of season three of BSG starts in April in Vancouver, B.C.