Battlestar Galactica - The Final Season [DVD] [2009]

 

 

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So the epic re-imagined BSG saga comes to an end and despite a few flaws here and there the series as a whole was top class television. It quickly developed a voice of it's own with its own unique story to tell, silencing the cynics who dismissed it as just another remake. Unlike other numerous recent television shows it told a coherent story and didn't throw in ridiculous twists and turns and pull the rug from under your feet just for the sake of it. Sure there were surprises and revelations but they were always delivered deftly and timely and always felt right, you always knew that you were ultimately heading somewhere - an ending!

This final series and particularly the final episode seem to have divided opinions, but for me it could not have ended any other way, the ending we have was always coming.

One of the aspects about the show that really appealed to me, and I'm not religious at all, was its mysterious religious and spiritual nature and the notion that God was ultimately behind everything. This spiritual aspect was so refreshing and interesting and elevated the show above the trappings of normal sci-fi.

I'm glad that the writers' didn't always go down the 'lets explain everything with science' route like Star Trek always did or employed over-used scientific explanations, like time-travel (no one ever gets time-travel stories right anyway!). The final few scenes of the final episode defy conventions and expectations, and despite a few open ended questions here and there (which I actually like, I hate being spoon-fed explanations!) at least it reached a conclusion.

Other reviewers have also commented that the show overall was dull and unexciting, well I always suggest watching certain episodes again and re-evaluating that assessment, the Pegasus and Exodus episodes for example are some of the most exciting television you will ever see!

Overall the re-imagined BSG series is a triumph, I just hope Caprica can live up to the quality.

The final ten episodes of BSG are not without their problems: some OTT moments, some unclear editing obscuring story points. But having just finished watching the series finale, I am left deeply moved by the conclusion, and feeling extremely bereft that the show that redefined the possibilities of what science-fiction could be is finally over. Equally I have to remind myself it's easy to take BSG too seriously: this was always a show that has made things up as it went along, and the writing is not really of the quality found in more earthbound shows (Mad Men, Six Feet Under). And yet, its sweeping mythology and intensely human portrayals of characters living on the brink of destruction have remained absolutely compelling throughout the series' life, lending the show uniquely addictive qualities. And I don't have a problem with the way that certain issues remain open, even at the end of the series. The show has always been about mystery: there could never have been any specific worked out 'answer' to the issues it raised, and preserving the mystery is better than explaining every detail away, and more consistent with the approach of the show as a whole. What we are left with instead is a gloriously beuatiful (if somewhat improbable?) vision of renewal, and a surprisingly deep sense of loss, as characters we have grown to love finally give up the ghost.

This should really be a four star review. I'll explain why it isn't in a moment.
Context: Battlestar Galactica kinda jumped the shark during the last episode of season 3. Major spoliers: but central characters were revealed as cylons in a wholly non-sensical twist. Throughout the first half of the fourth season (what this "Final Season" really is the second half of that season") the show seriously stumbled. Not that it wasn't entertaining - Battlestar is always entertaining - but what made it such captivating viewing for the first two/three years was it was a drama with great characters and a breakneck pace, unravelling mystery's concerning the central plot that always seemed to raise more questions. But previously at least we were given tidbits of answers along the way. Not in season 4 - questions, questions - no answers.
They finally start to offer some at the beginning of this DVD, but it they don't quite sit right with the audience. Five skinjob cylons are originally from earth, they built the rest and then for some unbeknownst reason forged an alliance with crazy death machine centurions, even though they look exactly like the thing those centurions were programmed to kill... Then through some divine miracle, Five cyclons with their memories erased and programmed human lives, somehow survive the genocide of tens of billions and find themselves in positions of power on the flagship of the fleet of survivors... Some cosmic coincidences don't wash. Then there's the whole Kara Thrace thing...

And this is why Battlestar Galactica as a series is ultimately unsatisfying. The first two years set up the show's central theme really well; a pragmatic, atheist Commander at the head of the fleet comes into conflict with a new religious President who thinks she's the lead prophesied in the ancient scrolls/bible of their polytheistic religion - all the while a race of machines chases them across the galaxy whilst preaching the works of the "One True God".

And so for much of the first two or three years, the viewer could watch the show through the lens of logic and science or the look for the hand of God in outcome of each episode. The viewer could come to their own conclusions; "Is there really a God in this show or is it just in the head of some of the more loopy characters?" etc.
For the show to be successful, this ambiguity would have to been carried on to the conclusion, and leave the viewer decide whether they ultimately believed in God or not.
But during the fourth season, the writers through caution to the wind and decided "Screw it"...
Step forward a whole range of deus ex machina, such as the aforementioned cylon conundrum, Kara Thrace being some kind of angel and numerous other instances.

So if this ruined the show, why five stars?

Because despite the central plot of Battlestar being ultimately unsatisfying, the rest of it is still great.
It's still a thrilling show with great characters and great performances.
And most importantly, Ron Moore and David Eick (the creators and lead writers) remembered the old Hollywood adage - "Wow them at the end".
And they sure did.
On this blu-ray, the last three episodes (Daybreak Parts 1,2 & 3) are compiled as one and extended twenty minutes, the complete version as originally intended.
The final forty minutes in particular are just stunning.
I won't go into spoilers, but it's up there with the greatest final episodes of any tv show ever (The Wire, MASH), the last chapter of a great novel.
It's a truly beautiful episode, a stunning conclusion that's cathartic in all the right ways and most of all it's a moving goodbye to the characters we had grown to love over the last five years.

So maybe the sci-fi, mythology heavy plot of the series was ultimately unsuccessful - like any great work Battlestar Galactica has deep flaws, but it was such an inventive and captivating show, the viewer is capable of overlooking those flaws.
And in the end, you won't be too disappointed, emotionally the journey of show is very, very satisfying.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The end of a long and amazing journey (and some caveats)
The end of one of my favorite TV series of all time.

It's important to note this is the 2nd half of season 4. Read more

Published 3 months ago by K. Gordon

1.0 out of 5 stars What a disappointment!
I agree with the reviewers that say BSG was innovative: the first season had me caught hook, line and sinker from the first intense scene. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Kantos

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Happy
Bought the box set entitled FINAL SEASON, only to find it is half of the episodes!! Does not even say part 1 or part 2, now I will have to hunt down the rest. What crap!!

Published 8 months ago by Rachel_KGR

5.0 out of 5 stars Watch out, this isn't all of season four
I bought this thinking it was season four, but it's actually just the second half of season four.
Quality product but just be sure you've already got the first half

Published 8 months ago by ([o_o])

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Program!
Simply brilliant series! Totally engrossed and well worth the price for a days worth of back to back series watching! Seller was prompt in delivery!

Published 9 months ago by R. J. Clark

3.0 out of 5 stars What a poor ending/unrealistic ending
I bought this one a few months back and I must say that the last episode was rather odd for me to coop with. Read more

Published 10 months ago by The Dwarf

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ending
Loved it :) One of the best series i have seen, and the last season was no let down. They were maybe rushing it in some parts, but loved how it ended :) 5/5 !

Published 10 months ago by Dennis

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Sci Fi of all time
I remember the original Battlestar Galactica and like so many people felt sceptical when I heard the news of a 'remake'. All I can say now is 'how wrong was I'. Read more

Published 10 months ago by E. Elliott

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Misleading!
Watch out people, this is not the complete season 4. It only contains the last 13 episodes and is missing the first half of season 4 (12 episodes). Not Good. Read more

Published 11 months ago by S. SAUNDERS

4.0 out of 5 stars BSG 'The Final Season!'
After the fantastic start and early seasons to one of the best sci-fi series ever made, I found the final season to be a little dissapointing, hence the four stars. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Je Salter

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