Prior to the broadcast of Razor, the last time we saw new Battlestar Galactica was March 27, 2007. In other words, it has been a long time. In my opinion, it has been much, much too long. When new episodes of Galactica are airing it is a glorious thing. It gives fans of science fiction, and good television in general, something to look forward to each week.

Now, with no new episodes slated to air until March, 2008 (at least, that's what they're saying now), a year since the conclusion of the third season, Razor is a very welcome arrival on the TV landscape, and even more so now with the writer's strike. Now, the funny thing is, I did not watch the broadcast. I didn't watch as I had just received a copy of the unrated DVD that Universal is releasing, so I skipped the broadcast and watched the DVD. Actually, I have watched it a couple of times and I have to say that it is a fantastic watch. Seriously. Anyone who is a fan of the series will not want to miss this.

As good as Razor is, it is pretty much a requirement that you already be a fan of the show. If you don't watch the show, there are a lot of things that you are likely not going to understand or care about. You will probably enjoy it, if you like good science fiction, but there is just so much more flavor to be had when you are familiar with everything that is going on. That said, I will be the first person to admit that I am not quite as well versed in the show as I would like to be. I have watched every episode and have loved every minute, but I have not taken the time to scrape it for every detail. I have scraped enough to recognize the brilliance of the series, but that is a story for a different time.

Razor is a stand-alone story that gives a look back to the first Cylon war, the journey of the Battlestar Pegasus and Admiral Cain, and even implies some of what is to come in season four. It is a brilliant piece of cinematic television that slowly reveals itself to be something more than just a stand-alone story. It is a weird creature to be sure, but there it is.

There are two primary threads woven throughout the narrative, both of them centering on new character Kendra Shaw (Stephanie Jacobsen). The first, set in the film's present, follows the Pegasus arc in season two, which culminated with Lee Adama taking command of the Pegasus. It follows Kendra Shaw's promotion to XO under Adama. The second is set in flashback to the second Cylon war and Kendra's initial arrival on Pegasus and what they go through after the destruction of the Colonial fleet. The tales are intricately woven together by screenwriter Michael Taylor and director Felix Alcala.