Welcome to "Cylons and Other Life Forms: Life on Caprica," my new feature at Blogcritics. I also write the popular feature "Welcome to the End of the Thought Process: An Introspective Look at House, M.D." But I’ve decided to add a new television series to my limited viewing lineup, and share my thoughts with you. Hope you come along for the ride and discover this new series, premiering Friday, January 22 on the Syfy Network, 9 p.m. ET.
I’ve always been a bit of a sci-fi fan. Growing up on Trek Classic, going to see 2001: A Space Odyssey 15 times in one month were part of being a sci-fi geek “back in the day.” I loved the Star Wars saga (version 1.0, if you please), and I’ve always been wary of sequels and prequels, spin-offs and copycats.
Although the “re-imagined” series Battlestar Galactica (BSG) was high on my radar, and I watched it reasonably regularly, I will here and now confess that it was never “appointment TV” for me. I’ve seen most of the episodes by now — and Battlestar Galactica: The Plan, which sort of tells the BSG story from the Cylons' point of view. But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. For all I know, you may have never heard the term “Cylon” at all. You may, however, by now heard of the new Syfy Channel series Caprica. It lands on our TV screens Friday night, January 22. And, yes, it is a prequel to BSG, but no, say the producers, prior knowledge of BSG and its universe is not necessary to tune in. And technically that may be true, and if you are familiar with the critically acclaimed BSG, you may view Caprica through a slightly different lens than someone new to the BSG universe.
My feature here on Blogcritics will view Caprica through the perspective of someone not intimately familiar with what happens years in the future world of BSG. We will discover this new series together, although you will have to indulge me to share an “aha” moment or two when Caprica inevitably connects to BSG. But right off the bat, I’m going to ask everyone in the BSG fandom to forgive my ignorance for any details (big or small) of which I’m not aware from that series — and feel free to enlighten or correct my perceptions in the comments section below (consider me a new fan, not an all-knowing one).
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
I'm certainly looking forward to this, Barbara. I became an "accidental" BSG fan when I bought my husband the season one DVD set for Christmas a couple of years ago. We both became instantly hooked, and it was definitely appointment TV for us through the end of its run. If Caprica is nearly as good, it'll be a good ride (and will give me something to do until Mad Men returns).
2 - barbara barnett
I'm looking forward to this too. I like BSG and this new show is full of promise. I've heard it described as a family saga sort of scifi series--like a futuristic Dallas (but better).
3 - 420
I like how the series itself is racist.
The brown male blows up the train!!11
Oh, no! Even in the future, the brownies are out to get you!!1
Nice job, morons.