Battlestar Galactica

When the robotic Cylons launch a devastating attack that wipes out the Twelve Colonies, the battered warship Galactica becomes the protector of the last scattered survivors of humanity. With their military strength diminished and civilian ships full of refugees, Commander William Adama and President Laura Roslin struggle to keep order, ration supplies, and maintain hope as they head toward the mythical 13th colony, Earth. The show follows military decisions, political infighting, and personal struggles among the crew and civilian passengers as they cope with loss, suspicion, and the constant threat of Cylon infiltration, while trying to preserve a fragile sense of community and purpose.

The 2004 series was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a reimagining of Glen A. Larson's 1978 show, and it premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel in 2004. The cast includes Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, and James Callis.

The series received strong industry recognition. It earned multiple Emmy nominations and won awards in several technical and writing categories, and it was honored with a Peabody Award for its storytelling and social relevance.

Battlestar Galactica left a clear mark on pop culture. The rallying phrase "So say we all" became widely quoted, and the decision to recast Starbuck as a woman sparked conversations about gender on TV. Its imagery, serialized format, and moral ambiguity have influenced later science fiction shows and kept the series in fan and academic discussions for years.

Critics praised the show for its tense pacing, complex characters, and willingness to blur moral lines, reflected in a strong audience rating around 8.2 out of 10. Major themes include leadership under pressure, the interplay of religion and politics, identity and free will, and what it means to be human when facing artificial adversaries. The series balances action with philosophical questions, making it as much about people as about machines.