Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Top 10 Battlestar Galactica (RDM version) Episodes

Well, you all seemed to enjoy the first ever Geek Top 10 list, so I've decided to make these a more regular feature of the blog. This week, with the premier of Caprica nearing ever closer, I decided to do my Top 10 Battlestar Galactica episodes:

10. Maelstrom, Season 3
A great "what was real, and what was in her head" episode. Starbuck is a complex character, and this episode is where the knot starts to untangle. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but I really didn't see it coming. Granted, the end wasn't what it appeared to be, but to say I was shocked would be an extreme understatement.

9. Blood on the Scales, Season 4
I was shocked it took the producers as long as it did to use mutiny as a plot. When they did though, they certainly didn't disappoint. Watching Adama and his followers attempt to retake the ship was fantastic. The ending was shot perfectly too, leaving the audience questioning whether the mutineers were truly power-hungry or simply misguided. My vote is for both.

8. Sometimes a Great Notion, Season 4
Talk about a depressing start to a season. ::SPOILERS:: Earth is an irradiated wasteland, and the humans elation has turned to abject sorrow. Not only that, the Thirteenth Tribe weren't human at all, they were frakking Cylons! ::END SPOILERS:: Wow, I was exhausted after this episode, and I mean that in the best way possible.

7. Exodus (Parts I and II), Season 3
Wow, the action in this episode is absolutely epic for a television show. Again, I won't give any spoilers away, but when a certain ship jumps into the middle of a battle to save the day, I got chills. This episode is really a coming-out party for Lee Adama. The character really steps to another level of complexity, and became one of the most compelling characters from that point forward.

6. Fragged, Season 2
I am a huge Gaius Baltar fan. This episode is perhaps James Callis's best performance as the self absorbed doctor. The dynamic between the stranded crewmen in this episode is fascinating to watch. This cemented Baltar as the deepest character in the show, and left me wanting to learn more about Gaius each episode.

5. The Hand of God, Season 1
The first true victory for the humans. This episode is truly highlighted by Bear McCreary's score. The Celtic victory march (Wander My Friends) became somewhat of a running theme throughout the rest of the series, and deservedly so. As an aficionado of Celtic music myself, I can tell you that it is a fantastic song. During the victory celebration on Galactica the audience truly feels a part of the crew, as if they had just struck a blow to the Cylons themselves.

4. Crossroads (Parts I and II), Season 3
Final Five. That's all that needs to be said. Really, I'm not going to say anything else.

3. 33, Season 1
I swear I didn't try to have 33 at number 3, it just worked out that way. This was the first true "episode" of the show after the Miniseries. The tension was absolutely palpable, as Galactica's crew began to wear down from the stress of the pursuing Cylons, who show up on the Humans' tail every 33 minutes. Every jump in this episode was incredibly tense, wondering what ships will make it and what ones will be left to the pursuing Basestars.

2. Someone to Watch Over Me, Season 4
This is Katee Sackhoff's finest performance. Kara Thrace was always the most compelling character on the show for me, and this episode really showed why. The mental torment Starbuck faced each episode was evident, and Sackhoff really brought that all home this time around. This episode also sprung the most shocking revelation of the show on the audience. With how good this episode was, its almost a shame to have it as number 2.

1. Daybreak (Parts I and II), Season 4
As far as I'm concerned there was no other choice than this one. Daybreak is by far the best season finale of any series since Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The producers played their hand perfectly with the finale, revealing some secrets to us, while leaving some still shrouded in mystery to give the fans something to debate for years to come. I'm not going to spoil the ending for anyone who is still living under a rock, but it is one of the greatest twists of all time. This is a perfect episode and was a fitting end for not only a great show, but one of the best pieces of sci-fi ever crafted.