Unofficial Battlestar Galactica Blog

So long, farewell, good bye

It is with a mixture of sadness and relief that I write this blog post. The Unofficial Battlestar Galactica Blog is officially closing up shop and entering retirement. The site will not go away anytime soon--there is far too much valuable content--but I will no longer be updating. This is the last post.

Due to my family, other web ventures, continued success at work, and other personal endeavours, I just don't have the time I once I had for scouring the BSG universe and running a site at the level of quality that I expect from myself. There are plenty of BSG sites out there now, some really great ones.

If you run a BSG blog, feel free to post the link in the comments so my readers can find it!

It has really been fun being a part of the Battlestar Glactica community. I have emailed and talked to some great people and have seen great outpourings of support and thanks. My best to you all!

Cheers,
Trapper Markelz

P.S. I can always be reached through my personal website and at trapper@tjmweb.com.

Mr. Brown visits BSG post-production

Check out the adventures of Mr. Brown as he went behind the scenes of BSG at Universal Studios!

We were at Universal Studios for a meeting and got a chance to visit the bits of the studios that tourists cannot go to. And yes, we got to meet the guys who do post-production on BSG. When we were there, they were working on Season THREE!!!

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Beware of what some people might consider ever-so-minor spoilers. Nothing to freak about.

Official BSG convention this month!

For those of you in California, consider yourself lucky. For those of you with the means and the time to attend from around the world, I applaud you... for those of you like me... I pity you as I pity myself. It sure would be fun to be there!

THE OFFICIAL
BATTLESTAR: GALACTICA CONVENTION
SciFi's number one television show BATTLESTAR: GALACTICA travels in the intergalactic footsteps of the genre's top franchises as Creation Entertainment proudly presents the second Official Fan Convention for this amazing new series!

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA
Sat. & Sun. August 26-27, 2006
Burbank Airport Hilton and Towers
2500 Hollywood Way

Read more

Lots of cool guests. Should be tons of fun. I can't wait to read about it on all your blogs!

BSG news bullets

Here are some Battlestar Galactica new bits... Some are fresh... some not so fresh.

• Aragorn emailed in that the the Official Battlestar Galactica Magazine revealed that Stephen King is a huge fan of the show: “This is a beautifully written show, driven by characters rather than effects… but the effects are damn good,” King wrote of Battlestar Galactica. “And there’s not a better acting troupe at work on television.” While King claimed that Battlestar Galactica was “not quite as good as Lost,” he noted that it was “far better than Star Trek, in any of it’s incarnations”. He also revealed that he watched the show via computer download, and quipped that its source was “the Cylon Empire!” Oh and Aragorn if you read this, I tried to email you back and it bounced... no likey the gmail.
• Mark emailed about the SpikeTV awards. Check out the categories: Best TV Show, Best Heroic Performace - William Adama, Breakout Performance - Katie Sackhoff and Tricia Helfer. Go vote!
• BSG Sitrep has an interesting trailer for a defunct BSG revival project. I guess at some point Brian Singer was attached?
• One of the first Season Three promo pics is making the rounds... mmm pretty.

Fun Fun!

Battlestar bullets

Here are some news bullets... Comic-con was this last week... those reports are spoiler land mines... so I just want you to know that coverage is light on purpose!

• IGN covered Comic-con on Thursday and Friday... but be careful... I dare not tread there because of spoilers so click with care!
• Aaron Douglas says that season four is "All but certain"... good news for us fans!
• The BSG Sitrep has a link to five videos of the BSG panel.
• Who can pass up Cylons in Haiku form?
• This quote had me laughing: "A show so good it makes Nickelback sound good"
• If you don't agree with the quote you can try the trailer rescored! I dunno, I think the Nickelback seems to work for some reason.
• Grant Gould was bumping elbows with Olmos! Lucky guy!
• According to Galactica Station (who heard from Gateworld), Scifi might be running BSG season three without a mid-season break. Would that mean an even longer wait for season four?

And last but not least, Ron Moore returns to the world of blogging!

To catch up on things: we're currently filming episodes 10 & 11, our mid-season cliffhanger episodes, after which we're going to take a four week hiatus from shooting, then resume production on the remaining eight. "Eight?" you ask, perceptively recognizing that would only add up to 19 and our much-publicized order was for 20. "Are you in trouble? Are they cutting back your order? Or did you fail math?"

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Lots of great questions answered by Mr. Moore as well as some info about season three's episode count. It is nice to have Ron back!

New titanium line photos

Malnurtured Snay sends in a super secret photo of some unannounced BSG products:

Rebelscum.com has been covering the announcements of forthcoming Star Wars products. Hidden within the X-Wings and Jedi Starfighters and 1/6th scale Jabba the Hutt are as-yet-unannounced news from the Battlestar Galactica Titanium line.

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That Viper would look great sitting next to my Cylon Raider at work!

Season three preview!

I am sure you have seen it by now. I am a little slow to the party this week. In case you haven't, BSG news has a good collection of links:

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three preview

My thoughts?

It is looking pretty good. It seems like they took the formula that worked so well from the first season (splitting the cast into Capirca and Galactica) and doing the same thing having two story lines going in two separate places. I can imagine this will work out just as perfectly giving a variety of situations and textures for us to experience throughout the episodes.

It also seems like there will be a lot of soul searching... a lot of questioning of motivation... just what does it mean to survive? Does it mean to do enough to live or does it mean do enough to remain human? These are classic questions that writers have tackled over the ages and a very strong reoccurring theme throughout the show. It should be exciting to see the results play out against the background of a Cylon occupation.

Rumor has it, the webisodes will be hitting in September sometime, so it will be interesting to see how those prepare us for October! I am definitely excited though. Seeing this preview reminds me just how great this show is.
 

The 411 on Ron Moore's podcast

Dan emailed in a link to podcast411.com which has an interview with Ron Moore about his BSG episode podcasts. It makes for a good listen. Ron throws out some mild spoilers about season three related to casting efforts... nothing really alarming though.

Interview with Ron Moore @ podcast 411

Latest BSG news bits

Here they are... in no particular order... for a second time because my browser crashed and I lost everything!

• Dan emailed in that BSG is coming to HD-DVD. It isn't very specific as to what is actually being released. Is it the mini-series? The TV seasons? the old series? Such a tease! I am sure it will be pretty though! I might have to actually pick up that HD-DVD drive for my Xbox 360.
• Glenn sent a link to Out Magazine where Jamie Bamber is on the cover this month. The article talks about BSG's gender-blind universe and the use of gay characters in television. Near the end it gets a little close to spoilers... but nothing you can't handle!
• Rudy from galacticast.com sent a link to a recent parody they did called "You Might be a Cylon"
• Chris emailed a link to a podcast where BSG is favorably compared to Trek, Babylon 5 and Stargate. I haven't had a chance to listen to it but I was warned about language!
• The season three premier is coming! According to Justine at the Tahmoh Penikett blog, it will clock in a 2 hours.

With all this news it feels like October!

Official Season 2.5 DVD PR

Via PR Newswire, here is the official press release for the BSG Season 2.5 DVDs, released on September 19, 2006... notice the bonus stuff!

"Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5" includes an array of bonus features that will delight and surprise hardcore fans and new viewers, including:

• Ronald D. Moore's Podcast Commentaries -- Producer Ronald D. Moore provides a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of "Battlestar Galactica," previously available only online.
• David Eick's Video Blog -- Producer David Eick takes viewers onto the set to reveal the inner workings of "Battlestar Galactica," including a personal tour of the new Battleship Pegasus.
• Audio Commentary -- More insider information from Eick and Moore about the expanded midseason cliffhanger "Pegasus."
• RND TV Logos -- A compilation of the animated logos at the end of each show -- depicting the two executive producers -- David Eick and Ronald D. Moore -- killing each other off in creative ways.
• Deleted Scenes -- All new and never aired on TV!

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You can already pre-order at Amazon.com.

Revised opening credits

Check out this modification of the Battlestar Galactica opening credits by Deuteronomy69. If you haven't seen all of season 2, there are spoilers... My friend Kevin sent this one in:

Galactica S3 Intro *Revised*

I like the introduction of Baltar's line at that moment.

Hi-res photos of exclusive chrome

As previously posted, there will be some exclusive BSG products available at the San Diego Comic-con. Robert Yee from Art Asylum sent over these great pictures:

[Art Asylum] is the license holder of classic and new bsg and would like to send you pics for release.  For SDCC we are offering an extremely limited issue of 300 pieces of a chromed Cylon and Chromed Battlestar galactica 2 pack.  The cylon bust is 7.5” and the Battlestar Galactica is 15” in length.  We are doing an exclusive preorder at the Art Asylum booth 3913 at SDCC for $275.

If you are headed to SDCC and you have the cash, those are a mighty too pretty to pass up!

BSG link dump

Here I am, playing a little catch up with all the great stuff out there:

• I came across a new BSG site out there... it is a Galactica2003.net relaunch, now called www.bsgtns.com Check it out. They did a nice job!
• Over at Celeeb.com you can rank celebrities... Katee Sackhoff has an entry... boost her to the top!
• Over at the Positive Liberty blog, Timothy Sandefur posted his reviews of BSG novels. He didn't have very many good things to say.
• Brett J. emailed in a link to some pictures of the BSG Mini mates.
• You can now get a Battlestar Galactica Mastercard... will wonders never cease?
• You can watch the full episode Scar online now.
• Rob emailed in a great link where Richard Hatch claims "This coming season is probably the most powerful, the most provocative … of any show I’ve ever been put on." You will also see at the end that he has edited a BSG book of essays called So Say We All: Collected Thoughts and Opinions on Battlestar Galactica.
• The season three teaser is available on Youtube. Don't watch it if you haven't seen all of season two! Not really that exciting... but still cool. They do reveal the Cylon's intentions... so small spoiler warning.

That's all folks!

Exclusive chrome at Comic-con

Are you going to the San Diego Comic-Con this month? If you are, you have a shot at one of these:

Art Asylum will be offering fans a special San Diego Comic-Con exclusive: a resin 2-pack that will consist of a slick Cylon bust (pictured below; further images in the link) and the famed starship of the show: Galactica.

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BSG Season 3 begins October 6, 2006

The Futon Critic has the call:

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (Sci Fi) - The show's third season is set to kick off on Friday, October 6 at 10:00/9:00c according to advertising sales materials recently released by the network. The series will run for 10 consecutive weeks (through December 8), after which it will return for an additional 10 installments in 2007.

Looks like they are going to hold BSG in the same timeslot. I guess all those rumors of the show going to network are over? I am fine with that. I like SciFi having a flag ship.

Good stuff!

Battlestar Galactica 2.5 DVD released Sept 19th

The second half of Battlestar Galactica, Season Two is released on DVD September 19th, 2006.

Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0, vol 2 (2.5)

Now you tell me... could that title get any more confusing? :)

Remember, this set includes episodes 11-20 of season 2. Also included is the extended version of Pegasus. Some people are complaining about the price, but as of writing this, Amazon is giving you $17 dollars off... which is a pretty solid deal.

Sad day for Battlestar fans

As I am sure many of you have heard, Battlestar Galactica's cast was shut out of the big Emmy nominations.

Galactica's technical staff did pick up three though:

Outstanding Costumes For A Series
Battlestar Galactica • Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2 •
Sci Fi Channel • R&D Television in association with NBC
Universal Television Studios
Glenne Campbell, Costume Designer
Glenna Owen, Assistant Costume Designer
Cali Newcomen, Assistant Costume Designer

Outstanding Single-Camera Sound Mixing For A Series
Battlestar Galactica • Scattered • Sci Fi Channel • R&D
Television in association with NBC Universal Television
Studios
Kenneth Kobett, C.A.S., Supervising Re-Recording Mixer
Michael Olman, C.A.S., Supervising Re-Recording Mixer
Rick Bal, Production Mixer

Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series
Battlestar Galactica • Resurrection Ship (Part 2) • Sci Fi
Channel • R&D Television in association with NBC
Universal Television Studios
Gary Hutzel, Visual Effects Supervisor
Michael Gibson, Senior Visual Effects Coordinator
Doug Drexler, Digital Supervisor
Steve Kullback, Visual Effects Coordinator
Mark Shimer, Lead Visual Effects Animator
Chris Zapara, CGI Supervisor
Lane Jolly, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Kyle Toucher, Visual Effects Animator
Daniel Osaki, Lead CGI Model Maker

Congrats! To all involved on the nominations!

Although, as I scanned through the list of primary category nominations, it wasn't hard to see that the "new rules" didn't add much to the field of contenders. Maureen Ryan has the commentary:

The annual Emmy nominations are designed to break the hearts of serious television fans, and this year the awardsfest has done its duty again. The disappointments have a little more sting this year, since many observers thought things were going to be different this time around.

For the 2006 voting process, the Emmy bigwigs instituted new rules designed to allow critically acclaimed underdogs and a less predictable roster of actors and programs into the nomination process. Well, so much for that.

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Hopefully season three will simply kick so much booty that you can't escape all of the hype and press! Sure, one could say that about season one and season two but you never know!

Why does mass America fear science fiction and like medical/crime drama so much? Don't get me wrong... I watch Grey's Anatomy with my wife and we both think it is a great show... but the best on TV?! The drama series is a tough crowd... House is pretty good (from the 1/2 ep I saw) and Sopranos is ok (from the 1 ep I saw)... and 24 had it's moments this season... and my wife says that West Wing ended pretty good... but are any of these shows really (still) pushing the envelope and creating award winning television drama more so than BSG? Galactica is off in the corner reinventing TV at practically every turn with things like online distribution, blogging, podcasts, spin offs, web content... even to the point where people are talking about rebooting other franchises "just like BSG did".

Sure, I run the Unofficial Battlestar Galactica Blog, so of course I am a bit of a fan boy... but there is a reason I am running a blog about this show and not others that I truly love. Battlestar Galactica is something quite different... something you don't see that often... it is a real success that seems to smash the expectations of everyone I tell to watch it. You would think at some point that might be recognized.

BSG thoughts and bits

Here are a few things happening in BSG land:

• Grant Gould has another print up for auction at eBay. Starbuck and a gun. What more can you ask for?
• In other Grant Gould news, he will be attending San Diego Comic-Con, Wizard World Chicago, Dragon-Con, and MN FallCon this year, so if any of you are going to those shows and would like some original art, drop him an email (grantgould@hotmail.com) and order it ahead of time.  That way you can just pick it up when you get there and won't have to worry about waiting in too long of a line. Support the artists!
• I am particularly bummed that Wizard World Chicago is happening while I am on a trip to Alaska... finally a cool convention shows up and I am out of town! What are the chances?!
• Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy, etc) gushes about Battlestar Galactica in his own blog comments. It is pretty amazing for him to say that a show like BSG makes him want to go to writing school.
• I didn't watch this the first time around, but I enjoyed watching it this time... Trey Parker and Matt Stone praise BSG in their Peabody acceptance speech. "Somewhere somebody's blog just blew up."

Until the next link fest!!

The sexy Cylons of BSG in EW

The Cylons of Galactica appeared in Entertainment Weekly. The battlestar_blog LJ community has it posted:

Battlestar Babes

Is it just me or does Grace Park look like Lucy Liu in that photo? Tricia looks like she is going to an 80s prom or something!

Update 6/28/2006 7:30am CST

I should have put a spoiler warning on this. There is some spoilerage at the end of the sidebar next to the photo! Don't read it if you don't want to know!

Cylon action figure photos

The San Diego Comic-Con had an exclusive number of Cylon action figures. Check out the photos:

SDCC Cylon Action Figure
(scroll to the bottom)

How long until they are on eBay?