Battlestar Galactica – Season Three (DVD-Video/New Series)
Picture:
B- Sound: B Extras: C+ Episodes: B
Though Battlestar Galactica has been reviewed
multiple times on this site with mixed review; but this reviewer can say that Season 3 is by far the best season of
the series yet. In this third season of
the epic Battlestar series the story
picks-up where the Second Season
cliffhanger ending left off (no spoilers here).
After the crew colonized a new planet (New Caprica) there is a one year jump
in time for the series; an interesting choice in this reviewer’s opinion. This season takes the series in a very
different direction in the form of personal, mental and physical turmoil. Some of our favorite Battlestar veterans find themselves entrapped against unfathomable
odds within themselves, with their fellow people and of course the Cylons. The first four or five episodes focus on the
New Caprica story arch and are some of the series best episodes ever. An unmistakable connection between reality
and fiction arises in Season 3 with
the New Caprica storyline that connects the events on a new planet with the
U.S. involvement and military occupation of Iraq. The odd choice by the writers however were to
make the people the Iraqis and the occupying Cylons the USA; nevertheless these
choices were not overly political and were well presented, the parallels only
giving a dash of political commentary.
From the
new planet the series propelled back into space and introduced fans to a whole
new level of controversy. The story
arches after New Caprica did not always work, but overall were interesting and
well written. There are secret tribunals
to decide the fate of Cylon enablers, countless Cylon/Human interactions, and
odd love entanglements. Besides the love
stories that for the most part could have been left out, the rest of the season
was amazing and captivating.
Battlestar Galactica always leaves viewers wanting
more and this season did not disappoint.
There are great story arches that both answer many questions, while
raising an array of others. Some things
worked in Season 3 and others were
just adequate, but as an overall evaluation the season was one of the best yet. The show has always had moderately impressive
technical features and that trend continues with the Season Three DVD
release. The picture is once again
presented as an anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image that does a good job of
highlighting the series intense use of varying exposures, color schemes, and
other stylistic choices. If anything
this reviewer loves the odd combination of old and new that the series embodies
giving it an updated yet classic feel.
The picture at times does seem grainy but this reviewer feels that since
it was filmed digitally this effect was most likely intentional.
The
colors are well balanced within the realm to the stylistic intention, but this
reviewer still feels there is room for improvement in the areas of brightness
and contrast. The sound is ‘booming’ in
its Dolby Digital 5.1 Surrounds and emphasizes the action sequences just as
well as it does passing footsteps or quiet dialogue in a dark corridor. Overall, the sound on Season Three is the most impressive yet (besides the HD release of Season One), but as always there is
room for improvement. The side-to-side
directional sound could definitely be kicked up a notch for example. The extras on this set did not impress this
reviewer and he thinks it won’t impress other fans either. The extras offered on this third season set
include the podcast commentaries from Ron Moore that whereas they are nicely
done and humorous at times this reviewer wanted more. Also included as an extra is an extended cut
of one of the more complex episodes (‘Unfinished
Business’) and offers fans an opportunity to view the episode at almost
double the length with more content, flashbacks, and flashy camera work. Overall, this reviewer felt the extra 40
minutes neither added nor detracted from the episode; so it is a wash. The extras need work.
Battlestar Galactica has been a great series since its
origins in the late 1970’s and this newer updated series has just breathed new
life into an already brilliant concept.
Season 3 in particular has taken the series to a whole new level with
great action, huge story arches, and amazing visuals. Granted this DVD set may not be the best on
picture, sound and extras; it is the best this series has ever seen (except HD)
and is still an amazing series to own.
Though it has been confirmed that the Fourth Season of Battlestar
Galactica will be the series last, judging from Season Three there is only fantastic things to come in the future.
- Michael P Dougherty II
