BSG: Original compared to the "reboot" (Opinions?)

[jds1911a1]

I prefer the classic. I gave the new show what I felt was a fair shake (the entirety of the first seasaon) and just couldn't get into it. I lierally gave up the episode before the season 1 finale. It wasn't just a bash this new one for me I just didn't care for it. Same was true for me with Lost and CSI after the 4th season I just didn't care
Yes the plots in the older show were more simple or "trite" but I would say that is more a sign of it's times (watch a 70's cop show like Kojak. Strreets of San francisco, Starksy and Hutch, or Adam 12 in comparison to a modern one like Southland, the SHield, Law and Order, or even the closer and you'll likely say the plots are simple or the acting was cheesy) because you are looking at it from a different lense. Not just 8 yr old vers 40+ year old but we are much more jaded than people our ages were in the 70's. the producers feel audiences want chacters to be flawed and dark.

This is why I prefer ME TV and ANT TV

[apes3978]

Based on what most are saying, I think it sounds like it might be worth giving the "new" series a shot(but I'll know that it's definitely its own take on the BSG name...)

Thanks for your opinions...

[apes3978]

"double post"

[Mego Magyar]

While I still prefer the original I will say that I enjoyed watching the reboot - in the beginning. For me as the new series went on it got worse and I watched the last year just because I knew it was the last year and figured I'd see it to the end, and I had nothing better to do at the time. For me the show really lost it after the "New Caprica" story line, the only good thing after that was learning the history of the final 5.

All that said I never watched Caprica and while I sort of watched last nights "Blood and Chrome" pilot I probably wouldn't watch it as a series.

[MIB41]

Yes the plots in the older show were more simple or "trite" but I would say that is more a sign of it's times (watch a 70's cop show like Kojak. Strreets of San francisco, Starksy and Hutch, or Adam 12 in comparison to a modern one like Southland, the SHield, Law and Order, or even the closer and you'll likely say the plots are simple or the acting was cheesy) because you are looking at it from a different lense. Not just 8 yr old vers 40+ year old but we are much more jaded than people our ages were in the 70's. the producers feel audiences want chacters to be flawed and dark.

That's an excellent observation. I think modern day television is SO depressing, it makes it difficult for people like me, who grew up watching television in the 60's and 70's to really enjoy it. I like a nice twist to characters that can be dark and engaging. But not when it permeates the very fabric of the story. And sometimes that's a problem too. There is not always a clear line to distinguish the good from the bad. And maybe that's a point too. When I sit down to watch television, I don't take it incredibly serious. So when the subject matter starts taking itself too serious, I lose interest. I don't get lots of time to watch the tube as it is. So what I do watch it, I want to be entertained, not depressed. Good points though jds1911a1.

[ctc]

>we are much more jaded than people our ages were in the 70's

I dunno about that. Have a look at some of the cop movies of the day; the Death Wishes, the Dirty Harrys.... where bad guys actually did bad things. Horrible bad things.... and flaunted how they'd get away with it because the system was broken. Hell; even tv shows like Kojak or Baretta presented the same dark view. (As least as much as they could get away with on tv.) Newer stuff has a different take; a gritted teeth, sweaty brow one, but content-wise it's no darker, deeper or heavier overall, than the older stuff. Shows like Adam-12 actually had more depth and complexity than a lot of new ones (like the continuing back story, and experimental episodes like "Requiem for a Pig") but we don't always see it 'cos we associate it with a simpler, carefree time FOR OURSELVES. (For an adult, the 70's were horrible!)

The new Galactica follows those things too. It's more solidly written (overall....) but conforms to the newer templates; hence the "GRRRR!!!! Angry!!!!" characterization. All the time. Since the 90's that's been the weay to show depth, but after you watch for a while (especially if you watch a few episodes a sitting) you'll notice there isn't much more depth than the older stuff. Characters are angry, we may find out why... but they never REALLY change. They never get over their feelings, and the biggest personal developments are event related; not character related. Like when you find out who's a Cylon, or a spy, or a Cylon spy.... In modern fashion, it also subscribes to the "tell don't show" method of writing. So you'll be TOLD that they blew up a ship full of civilians, but at no time will be shown any civilians on the ship; 'cos that takes it from unpleasant to REALLY unpleasant for the audience.

Don C.

[MIB41]

I dunno about that. Have a look at some of the cop movies of the day; the Death Wishes, the Dirty Harrys.... where bad guys actually did bad things. Horrible bad things.... and flaunted how they'd get away with it because the system was broken.
Don C.

You have to remember though, Dirty Harry and Death Wish were theatrical movies. There was often a big distinction between film and television back in those days. What is note worthy though is how much more...blunt... some shows were that dealt with social issues. All in the Family or Sanford and Son could NOT exist today with society's overly PC nerves. But those shows were amazing because they dealt with the issues in a way that culturally were acceptable to hear back then. But most other programming like Columbo, Hawaii Five-O, Starsky and Hutch, were very much idealized entertainment. I think too, there was a more specific audience for these shows so they were scripted accordingly. BSG was certainly written and staged for kids with a cast that might lure in adults. But it's core target audience was kids and so that's why it always had a warm and fuzzy feel to it.

[ctc]

>There was often a big distinction between film and television back in those days.

There was, but there was a lot of spillover too. What worked for movies often tricked down to tv; often in an edited form, for budget and content. But the early 70's saw a proliferation of "tough cop" moves, which became the tough cop tv shows of the mid to late 70's. One would have to wonder how much of the movies was the result of the popularity of more straight laced cop shows of the late 60's/early 70's. Stuff like the original Hawaii Five-0 had plots and characters APPROACHING the grittier movie stuff, but not quite there 'cos you couldn't show a lot of things on tv. Same thing with stuff like Galactica; post Star Wars saw a LOT of space opera on tv. And movies, and books, and comics....

>BSG was certainly written and staged for kids with a cast that might lure in adults.

Maybe; although I kinda see it as a "general audience" show. One that was (more or less) okay for the kiddies but not watered down so much that adults wouldn't watch. (One of the main characters WAS a space prostitute after all....) You could see what happens when it gets all kiddied up with "Galactica 1980."

*shudder*

Don C.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I prefer the 70s shows and writing. I find I like my stories free of blood and sexual situations. I am not a prude, but I just do not find much new TV my cup of tea. I followed the storyline of the new BG, but I have no desire to own the DVDs. I do own the original on DVD and do watch those quite a bit. I like new Dr. Who, a few comedys on ABC and NBC and that is about it for scripted fare. I also watch a lot of Antenna TV.

[spacecaps]

I guess the consensus is most of the members here liked the original to the reboot but having not seen the 70's version since it was on TV, going back to watch the original series, I found them to be unbearable. I couldn't get past maybe the 3rd episode before I gave up trying to relive the series entirely. This has also happened to me with Buck Rodgers and Knight Rider too. Buck Rogers still has some 70's swag but some episodes have worse plots than some Saturday morning cartoons and outside of one of the coolest opening credits, Knigt Rider is just unwatchable. Anyway, the BSG reboot was unreal. I simply could not get enough of the show. For an added bonus, check out the Portlandia episode about BSG. That episode pretty much nailed how addictive the show was and was almost too true to life.

[Brue]

i loved the original an i still can watch rnd enjoy it. i gave the new one three hours of my time that i feel were poorly spent.

[silveralex]

good childhood memories of watching the original with my dad.

But the reboot is an amazing show. Complex characters and situations and stuff to make you think. It fell apart a little at the end, but the first couple of seasons was among the best scifi ever on tv.