Battlestar Galactica – Season 2.0 (Season Two, Part One/2005 version)
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: C
Despite
fans of the classic series Battlestar
Galactica (and even the lower-budgeted Galactica 1980) now being
fans of the new revised version of the series, Battlestar Galactica “Version 2.0” is enough of a hit on TV and DVD that it continues to stay in
production. Not having liked the new
version, the only reason to watch Season
2.0 was to see where they could
possibly go with the show.
To my surprise, it did not get worse, though it did
not get better either. To the show’s
credit, however, they got away from a sort of cheapness and maybe even
inferiority complex versus the original show.
It could also be said all the producers were taking the show more
seriously now that it is a hit. Edward James Olmos and Mary
McDonnell remain, but the rest are unknowns save Richard Hatch as a new
character and the only on camera human connection to the original series.
There are
10 episodes here that strictly cover the episodes from 2005, though that does
not make it an entire season, but this is being released December 2005 and the
rest of the episodes have yet to air.
The episodes are, with commentary tracks marked by an * and deleted scenes
marked with an #:
1)
Scattered*#
2)
Valley
Of Darkness*#
3)
Fragged#
4)
Resistance*#
5)
The
Farm*#
6)
Home
(Part One)*#
7)
Home
(Part Two)*#
8)
Final
Cut
9)
Flight
Of The Phoenix#
10)
Pegasus
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is recent and looks like it was shot
digitally, but definitely looks better than that of the last box with clearer
images and less micro-noise or fuzziness throughout. The digital visual effects are still forgettable and even
including ships from the old series does not make up for that. If anything, it makes watching the whole
thing odder. Much of the very clichéd,
color-drained look remains, but there is slightly more color for whatever
reason. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix may
still be weaker than expected, despite its surrounds, the directional ability
of which is not too impressive.
However, it is a tad more articulate.
Louder sounds still seem to hit a ceiling of compression and there is a
lack of presence throughout.
Extras
include co-Executive Producer David Eick taking on the “podcast” audio
commentaries above on his own this time, plus there is a sneak peak of the next
shows. That is not as much as the last
box, even if it had more episodes.
There are no featurettes this time around. Still, fans will be happy with the slight improvements. The rest of us can grab some other TV on DVD
title.
- Nicholas Sheffo
