Battlestar Galactica actresses Katee Sackhoff as Starbuck, Tricia Helfer as Number Six, and Grace Park as Sharon Agathon
By
Andrew Dyce
Published 36 minutes ago
Andrew Dyce is the Deputy Editor for ScreenRant's coverage of Marvel, DC, and all other comics. Whether superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, or any other genre, Andrew's decade in the industry and countless hours of analysis on podcasts like the Screen Rant Underground, Total Geekall, The Rings of Power Podcast, Batman v Superman: By The Minute, and more has left its mark.
With over a decade spent at GameRant and ScreenRant, Andrew has made himself known as an outspoken fan and critic of film, television, video games, comics, and more.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
There is no denying Battlestar Galactica earned one of sci-fi's most devoted cult followings ever, all of whom now agree to never discuss or debate the TV show's controversial ending. But when fans learn the details of Battlestar Galactica's original, lesser-known ending, there are sure to be thousands looking to rewrite history and wishing the TV show end on the same conclusion.
Battlestar Galactica's TV Show Ending Left Viewers Deeply Disappointed
Controversial Twists, Resolutions, And A Cynical Message Turned Many Fans Off
As tempting as it is to rehash the many controversial choices, resolutions, and subversive twists unleashed in the series finale, much has already been said about the controversial ending of Battlestar Galactica (2004). Suffice to say that the series had been built upon the uncertainty of humanity's future, its survival in the face of annihilation, and the struggles that created on a personal, character-to-character level. The finale... made unexpected choices in light of that, falling well short of a 'perfect' ending. But it wasn't without a reason.
Showrunner Ronald D. Moore recently explained to Screen Rant that he, too, regrets Battlestar Galactica's ending. While leaving the show open to potential sequels or reunions is appealing now, Moore was explicitly trying to conclude the story in as final and finite a way as possible. But that didn't just amplify the resentment of unsatisfied viewers; it went completely against the original, more optimistic ending to Battlestar Galactica's story.
The Original Battlestar TV Show Was Canceled Before Its Heroes Could Find Earth
The ABC Series Only Aired For One Season, Leaving Its Viewers Without An Ending
Considering the doomed fate of the original 1978 Battlestar Galactica TV series created by Glen A. Larson, the reboot of the series had all the time in the world to concoct a proper ending. Looking back, the fact that the original Battlestar gained any devoted following is a miracle, with shifts from a TV movie pilot, to serialized, and two-part episode events (to an ill-conceived sequel Galactica 1980).
The show was canceled after one season with no conclusion to its narrative whatsoever, only confirming that Earth existed in its reality (via scrambled footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing). But even tithout any potential sequel or continuation of the series in place, the potency of the characters and storyline wasn't lost on Marvel Comics. And with Marvel Super Special #8, the premise of the TV series found a new audience in comic book form.
Battlestar Galactica TV Show stars Dirk Benedict and Richhard Hatch alongside cover art for Marvel Super Special #8
The comic's story was adapted from early drafts of the 148-minute pilot by Roger McKenzie and Ernie Colón, driving enough sales for Marvel to greenlight an ongoing series. Legally unable to adapt the series in full, it fell to writer Roger McKenzie and Marvel legend Walt Simonson to expand the fiction into a full, two-year run. And after the series went off-air, that included providing fans with an actual ending.
Battlestar Galactica's Original Ending Gave Fans An Uncertain, But Respectable Story
The Marvel Comic Sequel Ended With A Surprisingly Good 'Final Episode'
Battlestar Galactica Comic Book Finale Issue
The 23-issue run of Battlestar Galactica from Marvel Comics is notable for several reasons, but the fact that it was created with an explicit ending in mind sets it apart. Especially considering the guiding hands of Walt Simonson, a soon-to-be industry legend behind iconic comic runs for The Mighty Thor, Star Wars, X-Factor, and more. With Simonson beginning on art duties, and later moving to writing, before utlimately writing and illustrating the final chapters, the ending was in as 'safe hands' as possible.
Thankfully, the conclusion is simple to relay; no massive twists, subversions of expectations, or revelations that the story was all "part of God's plan." Instead, research into the shared history between the Lords of Kobol and the mysterious planet Earth finally provides a clue, and a course. The surviving humans rejoice to learn the fleet will make its jump to Earth, reuniting the two divided branches of humanity. And in the comic's final page, the fleet, led by the heroic Battlestar Galactica, does exactly that.
Battlestar Galactica Comic Adaptation Ending Final Page
The story of Battlestar Galactica began by chronicling the last fleet of humans on the run from the Cylons, pursuing a path to the legendary Earth. And, fittingly, that story ends once they find it. What the fleet finds upon their arrival isn't revealed, ending the fleet's crucible on a hopeful, victorious, and still thrillingly unknown note. By comparison, the 2004 series saving almost all of its resolution and conclusion until after this journey seems downright odd.
There is no way to know how Battlestar audiences would have reacted if the show built to the hopeful, uncertain, but nevertheless successful conclusion of the comic. But considering how the more definitive ending was received, and the legacy it has earned since, it's hard to ignore a more open-ended finale to the Battlestar Galactica's adventure might have been the better option.
121
9.0/10
9/10
Battlestar Galactica
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Action & Adventure Drama Science Fiction War Release Date 2004 - 2009-00-00 Network SyFy Showrunner Ronald D. Moore Directors Wayne Rose, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Edward James Olmos, Robert M. Young, Jeff Woolnough, Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Jonas Pate, Allan Kroeker, Anthony Hemingway, Jean de Segonzac, Marita Grabiak, James Head, Paul A. Edwards, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Brad Turner, Ronald D. Moore, Bill Eagles Writers Carla Robinson, Michael Taylor, Bradley Thompson, David Weddle, Jane Espenson, Mark Verheiden, Michael Angeli, Anne Cofell Saunders, Jeff Vlaming, Michael Rymer, Dawn Prestwich, Nicole Yorkin, Seamus Kevin FaheyCast
See All-
Edward James Olmos
William Adama
-
Mary McDonnell
Laura Roslin
Expand
Collapse
-
Comics
-
Battlestar Galactica
-
Battlestar Galactica
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
9 hours ago
10 Harsh Realities Of Being A Fallout Fan
7 hours ago
The Fate Of Ryan Murphy's 3% RT Show Sends A Clear Message About The Future Of Streaming
5 hours ago
Upcoming TV Show Is The Perfect Blend Of Bosch & Jack Reacher
6 hours ago
One Piece Season 3 Casts Two Major Villains As Filming Begins
More from our brands
20 Years Later, This Long-Forgotten Sci-Fi Series From 'Star Trek's Creator Is Quietly Dominating Streaming
The 40 Best TV Shows Of The 2000s, Ranked
Star Wars Movies And Shows In Chronological Order
35 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows, Ranked
‘Battlestar Galactica’ Fans Might Find They Like This Five-Season Sci-Fi Show’s Ending Better
10 Things That Happen in Every Star Trek: The Original Series Episode
Why Rita Died in Dexter, Explained
Trending Now
Box Office Predictions: Zootopia 2 Will Deliver a Second Huge $100 Million+ Weekend In A Row
Tommy’s Landman Backstory Is Sadder Than We Thought
DC Confirms Bane For Batman's Next Movie & His Role Is What Fans Wanted
