BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Season 2.5

DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 521 minutes (3 disc set), audio commentary, 10 podcast commentaries, deleted scenes, producer's video logs, previews, season 2 logo spots

STUDIO: Universal/ Sci-Fi Channel/

RELEASE DATE: 9-19-2006

DISC 1- PEGASUS (extended version), RESURRECTION SHIP Part 1 & 2, EPIPHANIES

DISC 2- BLACK MARKET, SCAR, SACRIFICE, THE CAPTAIN'S HAND

DISC 3- DOWNLOADED, LAY DOWN YOUR BURDENS Part 1 and 2 (extended episode)

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA continued to blow away the original by being the best sci-fi show (and one of the best shows period) on TV right now. A three part storyline was at the middle of the second season. A few episodes soared while others weren't as good (and still better than some of the average episodes of other TV shows). Maybe Ronald D. Moore wasn't ready to do a 20 episode season (maybe he will learn from his mistakes for season 3 which starts airing on the Sci-Fi Channel at 9 pm ET/PT). However, the two part season finale (LAY DOWN YOUR BURDENS) set up one hell of a cliffhanger and leave room for lots of questions. I do think Sci-Fi made a mistake by pushing the third season back to October because the cliffhanger is the stuff of water cooler talk.

The extended version of PEGASUS is better than the aired version and RESURRECTION SHIP became 2 episodes when it was originally 1. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has always turned things on it's head and this 3 part storyline is no exception where they made Cain a woman and Commander Adama's commanding officer. Then the Pegasus and it's crew is so different from their counterparts in the original series. Another big surprise is the Pegasus sticks around and Lee Adama becomes the new commander of the ship by the end of THE CAPTAIN'S HAND. SCAR feels like the two parter that SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND did. DOWNLOADED looks at the story from the POV of two Cylons. I just can't wait to see what season 3 has in store.

VIDEO: 1.78:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

The discs have great image detail with some film grain added during post-production of the episodes.  Kudos goes to Universal for sending me a replacement set when disc 2 wouldn't play right.

AUDIO: English 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

Dialogue is clear and the sound effects really make the most out of the 5.1 mix.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The audio commentary for the extended version of PEGASUS (with Executive Producers Ronald d. Moore and David Eick) is one of the best extras besides the episode itself as it reveals how hard it is to get a 90 minute episode to air on the Sci-Fi Cannel, and how some episode run over their planned running time. Also it seems Glenn Larson watches the news how or has watched it. The podcast commentaries has Roland D. Moore talk about each episode as he is joined by David Eick and Ron's wife on various commentaries. The deleted scenes are for most episodes (over 35 minutes worth) and it has been pointed out the deleted scenes are new for the DVD and the scenes shown on Sci-Fi's Pulse web site aren't included with this set. The deleted scenes have some interesting scenes while other scenes were wisely cut (like the baby kidnapping sub-plot in DOWNLOADED).

7 of David Eick's producer video logs (from the Sci-Fi Channel web site) are included on this set. They don't take themselves too seriously, but you manage to learn a little bit about the production. I hope the actors and other writers are included in future podcast and audio commentaries for the season 3 DVD sets.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The amount of extras and a few great episodes make this set a must own for any fan of this series.

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this review is (c)9-30-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com  and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com