Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0 (Episodes 1-10) Reviews

• Fracking A

  
  By A2KBF2OYR359AJ on 2006-06-01
  This is the best show on TV right now. Maybe the best Sci-Fi show ever. If you are a sci-fi fan, this is a must-see show. If not, you should still consider checking this out. Yes, it is in space and yes, it has killer robots, yet even with that, the depth of human drama is comparable to anything on TV today.
  
  Last season, the 12 Colonies of Kobol were nearly blown away by the Cylons, machines that resemble humans and the old warrior mechanical types. The humans almost ran out of water and fuel, yet somehow manage to survive. This ragtag group of human refugees is in search of a 13th lost tribe of humans on a planet called Earth. Things this season start out badly, and they only get worse.
  
  Both of the leaders of the fleet are incapacitated at the beginning of the season. President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) is in Galactica's brig for inciting Lt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) to mutiny which caused the loss of the Cylon Raider that had been captured, which was a valuable military asset. Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) was shot by "Boomer" (Grace Park), who is a Cylon,
  
  The second season here picks up right where the first season left off. However, unlike most TV shows, the problems presented in the Season 1 finale are not resolved in the first episode. Some will take the whole first part of the second season to be resolved.
  
  As we learned in season 1, there are 12 models of Cylons. The question is: is the Raider (ship) and Warrior, unit 2 of the twelve, or are there 12 models that resemble humans? We do have the introduction of 2 new human-form cylon models (bringing the total to 6/8, leaving 6/4 left to be uncovered), and the reappearance of political activist/terrorist Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch, of the original Battlestar Galactica).
  
  A unique feature this season, and one that is a most interesting addition, is a textual representation of how many people are still alive. Each week in the credits, there is a sentence which lists the exact number of survivors, and it changes every week, depending on how many people died (or appeared) the episode before.
  
  In comparison to Season 1 it is hard to say which is better. The 13 episodes of Season 1 were all great. In the first half of Season 2, there are also no bad episodes. Battlestar Galactica season 2 has such powerful episodes as " Pegasus" and "Scattered". Yet the best episode of the Season 2.0 DVD is " Valley of Darkness", which in my opinion is sheer brilliance, and possibly the best episode of the series.
  
  This is one of the best shows on TV right now, according to many media outlets. "A Breakaway Hit!" -TV Guide and "The Best Show on Television." -Newsday are but two examples of the rave reviews it has received. If you are a sci-fi fan, this is a must-see show. If you aren't a sci-fi fan, you should still consider checking this out. Even though it's in space and has killer robots, it is more human than most other drama shows on TV today. So say we all.
  
  Anyway, for those who haven't seen this show, but you like a good character drama, be sure to check out this show on DVD. I believe it's even better on DVD. Much like Babylon 5, there is a single story line, with multiple story arcs all tying into that one line. So there is continuity between each episode...and unlike Star Trek, they don't hit the reset button between each episode or movie. What's damaged on a ship in one episode stays damaged in following episodes, as the first season takes place just over a 3 month period.
  
  I recognize that this is a compelling drama that just happens to take place in outer space. It deals with many weighty subjects such as genocide, human flaws, paranoia, depression, and religion. The creators of the original 1970's Battlestar Galactica included many Mormons. On the Internet there are hundreds of articles looking at the religious imagery, the Mormon end-time theology. The religion themes are just as powerful in this new series and this series has practicing religious (clergy - faithful believers), visions, a drug to induce religious visions, and the president believes she is to fulfill prophecy and save humanity.
  
  This is possibly the best Sci-fi series ever!
  
  So say we all.
  
  

• First half of the sophomore season of a great show!

  
  By A29R3O02O0PON4 on 2005-10-08
  Like a previous reviewer mentioned, when Sci-Fi Channel announced that they were producing a new BSG show, I was causiously optimistic. I was hoping that it would revive an old classic. To a lot of people's surprise...it did. In fact, the new Battlestar Galactica has been called the "Best Show on TV" by a lot of media organizations. However it's getting some flak by a small but vocal group of die-hard fans of the original show. So much so, that they have banned discussion of the new show on their web site. Yes, I'm talking about you guys at 'CF.com'. "Family show..." Eh? Ahemmm...the new show was never billed as a family show. It is clearly an adult drama set in space. I'm as conservative as you all are, but I know the difference between '70's space cheese and 21st Century sci-fi.
  
  Anyway, for those who haven't seen this show, but you like a good character drama, be sure to check out this show on DVD. I believe it's even better on DVD. For one, you don't have the commercials and second, you don't have to wait between weeks for the the next episode. There's a lot of continuity between episodes...and unlike Star Trek, they don't hit the proverbial "Reset Button" between episodes. What's damaged on a ship in one episode stays damaged in following episodes, as the first season takes place just over a 3 month period.
  
  The second season here picks up right where the first season left off. The major plot thread that was started with the first season's finale 2-part cliff-hanger, is built upon and concluded in the the first 5 or 6 episodes of the second season here. The remaining couple of episodes are more of stand-alone type episodes that are probably building up to what is to occur in the second half of this season which will air from January thru March.
  
  Now then, why is Universal offering just a half season here? Who really knows. Although getting these episodes out before the second half airs is not really a bad thing, just a strange thing. I guess since the show is such a hit, Universal figures that they could boost their ratings for the second half if they get all available episodes out on DVD before the second half airs. This set, however, will include a "90-minute" (60 minute actual) version of the mid-season cliff-hanger episode "Pegasus". So with that, there's at least some incentive to buy this set rather than wait for a possible full season set next year that may or may never come.
  
  UPDATE: I've been informed by a very observant reader that my above post is inaccurate with some out of date false information. I agree. So without further adue, I'll update the info below.
  
  Above I said that a 60+ minute version of "Pegasus" was going to be included on this set. That is incorrect. First of all, that fact was just a rumor spawned by what was said during one of the Podcasts, I believe. However, due to time constraints, Universal Studios was unable to "ready" the extended version of "Pegasus" for this release. Why so? Who knows...
  
  However, it has been reported that the extended version will be on the 2.5 set that will complete the second season. So in essence, fans who have bought both sets will have both versions of this episode. This is similar to the recent problem with the Stargate SG-1 Season 8 set in which the extended 60+ minute version of "Threads" was supposed to be included, but ultimately wasn't. This was remedied by a mail-in offer done by CheckMyRebate.com.
  
  Also, I mention that a full season set, may or may not be offered eventually after the entire season is done airing. After acquiring the 2.0 set, I noticed that there is a half of a image on the spine. The image being one half of the Galactica Seal and President Roslin. I assume the 2.5 set will have the other half of the Galactica Seal and presumably a pic of Commander/Admiral Adama. So with that, I'm beginning to assume that a complete Season 2 set may not in the future. Although I may be proven wrong...but we'll see.
  
  

• Mutinies, Madness, Mystery

  
  By ABSX5TGEGRH76 on 2005-10-05
  It's hard to believe that things could get any worse for the 50,000 humans left alive in the universe. Last year, the 12 Colonies of Kobol were nearly blown away by the cylons, machines that resemble humans, nearly ran out of water and fuel, and had the two leaders somehow incapacitated. Commander William "Husker" Adama (Edward James Olmos) was shot by Junior Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii (Grace Park), who turned out to be a cylon, while President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) was put in Galactica's brig for convincing Lt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff) to defy Commander Adama. Starbuck is now on Caprica, stranded with Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett) after another copy of the Boomer cylon stole the ship that Starbuck used to get to the planet. Captain Lee "Apollo" Adama (Jamie Bamber), the commander's son, is also under arrest for attempting to stage a mutiny with the president and pointed a gun at the head of the Executive Officer of Galactica, Col. Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan). Finally, Vice President Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis), Chief Gallen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), Lt. "Crashdown" (Sam Witwer), and Specialist Cally (Nicki Clyne) are stranded on Kobol and are surrounded by cylon centurions. As I said, things start out bad, and they only get worse.
  With the older Adama unconscious, Tigh is put in charge, and it is clear that he is no leader. He has an alcohol problem, an ambitious wife (Kate Vernon), and a surly attitude towards most people. Furthermore, his relationship with Apollo, who is the head pilot on Galactica, is obviously very strained now that Apollo put his gun to Tigh's head. In the first two episodes, Galactica gets seperated from the rest of the fleet, leaving the civilians defenseless, and a cylon raiding party boards the ship and attempts to take out the ship from within.
  On Caprica, Starbuck and Helo try to find a way off the planet, only to run into a human resistance group that has been operating out of an old hospital. But they aren't the only ones that Starbuck finds; a frightening plot is uncovered by her when she encounters a group of cylons. Meanwhile, the people on Kobol are forced to fend for themselves while Galactica is busy trying to find the fleet and deal with Boomer. Number Six (Tricia Helfer) begins to get a firmer grip over Baltar's mind, and gets him to do more and more questionable deeds.
  And that's all in the first few episodes. Unlike most shows, the problems presented at the end of Season 1 aren't solved in the first episode. Many of them are so deep that it requires multiple episodes to resolve certain characters' predicaments. I'm going to give a small spoiler by saying that eventually, everyone makes it back to Galactica, meaning that Helo is back on the ship for the first time since the Miniseries pilot. Of course, this creates only more trouble due to the bizarre love triangle that exists between Tyrol, Boomer, and Helo. Each man loved her, and in S1, they each got to know a different copy of the same model. Now, they both have a love/hate relationship with the copy remaining on Galactica. Further troubles come about through the paranoid actions of crew members (my favorite involving Specialist Cally), the introduction of 2 new human-form cylon models (bringing the total to 6, leaving 6 left to be uncovered), and the reappearance of political "activist" Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch, of the original Battlestar Galactica).
  These 10 episodes further prove that a science fiction show can not only be good, but be amazing. It is a shame that this show is overlooked by many people as just a "sci-fi" show, but it is so much more. Most critics as well as the relatively large number of fans (for a show on a cable genre network, it sure does get good ratings) recognize that this is a compelling drama that just happens to take place in outer space. It deals with weighty subjects such as genocide, human flaws, paranoia, and religion.
  This season retooled the opening theme a little bit. The music is now the chant used in Season 1 in the UK (instead of the march used last year in the US), and while most of the clips are still from the miniseries, there are a few from the previous year. For a while, the second part of the credits, which showed scenes from the episode set to a drum beat, was removed, only to be replaced halfway into the run (fortunately). The most interesting addition is a textual representation of how many people are still alive. Each week in the credits, there is a sentence which lists the exact number of survivors, and it changes every week, depending on how many people died (or appeared) the week before.
  It's hard to say which season is better (so far; this is only half of S2, which I'll get to soon). The 13 episodes of S1 were all great. In the first half of S2, there are no "bad" episodes per se, but there are some episodes that don't seem up to the usual quality that we expect from Battlestar Galactica (such as "Valley of Darkness"). However, the best episodes of the season (so far) have been absolutely amazing. "Scattered", "Home, Parts 1 and 2", and "Pegasus", which in my opinion is the best episode of the series so far, are sheer brilliance.
  As for the whole "Season 2.0" thing, I am very upset about this. All the respect that I had for Universal for releasing the Miniseries with the S1 set evaporated when I learned that they were pulling this stunt. Due to the schedule of the Sci-Fi channel, they are releasing the first half of S2 before Christmas, and then when the season ends in March, they'll release the second half, thus forcing us to spend more money on these two sets than we would have to if it were one set. I really hope that they eventually release "The Complete Second Season", and I will hold off buying this until I get a definitive answer. If there isn't going to be a Complete S2 set, I will buy both sets (I will be a little ticked off, but I love BSG too much), but if they release a Complete S2 set, I would reccomend buying that one.
  This is one of the best show's on TV right now. If you are a sci-fi fan, this is a must-see show. If you aren't a sci-fi fan, you should still consider checking this out. Even though it's in space and has killer robots, it is more human than most other drama shows on TV today. So say we all.
  
  

• BSG -- Second season, first 10 episodes

  
  By A2QSSNUGVG5II8 on 2006-08-27
  This DVD set of Battlestar Galactica (the new series) encompasses the first 10 episodes of the second season. It was released before the second half of the second season aired on TV.
  
  Following episodes are included:
  201 Scattered
  202 Valley of Darkness
  203 Fragged
  204 Resistance
  205 The Farm
  206 Home, Part 1
  207 Home, Part 2
  208 Final Cut
  209 Flight of the Phoenix
  210 Pegasus
  
  As some people have noted, the last episode "Pegasus" is not the 60+ minute special episode.
  
  So, you could have watched this on TV, and you could still be TiVo/taping it at 2AM showings. So why buy the DVD? Well, the recordings of the podcasts with Ron Moore et al are fun to listen to. Being able to watch the whole series end-to-end without commercials or intervening weeks is more than worth the price of buying the DVDs. And there's just something about owning it.
  
  Here is where I'm supposed to convince people that BSG is a great series that should be watched by everyone. Really, if you don't want to watch it because you don't like SF, because you think that killer robots and interstellar travel are unrealistic, nothing that I say here is going to convince you otherwise. This series is, however, one of the best on TV. The drama is gritty and more realistic and heartfelt than anything on network TV. It's more on the lines of "Nip/Tuck" or "Rescue Me" than "Star Trek." The cast is phenomenal. The acting is better than most other dramas, and part of that is because the writing is so good. Good actors with good material makes this show.
  
  On Nip/Tuck every week, I always cover my open mouth with my hand and exclaim, "I can't believe they did that [on TV.]" When I'm watching BSG, I forget I'm watching TV. It's so engrossing that it's more like reading a book or living through it.
  
  TK Kenyon
  Author of Rabid: A Novel and Callous: A Novel
  
  

• HALF a season at a FULL season price!?!?!

  
  By AZ515FFZ7I2P7 on 2006-04-19
  Some complete moron at the SciFi Channel got the bright idea that since the COMPLETE first season of Battlestar Galactica sold so well that they should release HALF of the second season of Battlestar Galactica for almost the same price.
  
  It's like if JK Rowling wrote HALF of a new Harry Potter book and then tried to sell it at full price. It's a rip off and an insult to the fans. I really love the new Battlestar Galactica, but if the SciFi Channel doesn't go back to the regular full season DVD format at a reasonable price I will NEVER buy another Battlestar Galactica DVD.
  
  Shame on the SciFi Channel and anyone involved with releasing HALF a season on DVD like this!!! Do NOT buy this DVD.
  
  
• ALL FANS OF BSG READ THIS....
  By A2NYRIUE2LUX8Q on 2006-02-07
  All the fans that are leaving reviews of this that are positive should be ashamed of themselves. This supposed 2nd season release has come out before the end of the 2nd season! This is not the whole thing and the fact that more people aren't compaining is incredibly sheepish and sad. If the box says season 2.0 then it should be the whole season or at least tell us it's not with something like this:WARNING! THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST HALF OF SEASON 2! DO NOT BUY THIS EXPECTING THE WHOLE THING! Shame on the distributors of this! And shame on the people not compaining about this. Don't be a sheep! (insert annoying bleating sounds here) I have examined the picture Amazon has posted and there is nothing that says it is a partial collection. Are they going to break the whole thing up when the 2nd season actually is complete? Or are they gonna sell this DVD plus the whole season in a separate set with a higher price? I have never seen a single season of any tv series broken up into multiple boxes (especially poignant when you consider that BSG seasons aren't even 22 episodes long like most shows on network tv). Whenever a distributor uses a cheap trick like this to get more money out of the fans everyone should complain. This is BS. And the BS don't stand for "BattleStar".
  
  
• Half a Loaf is Not Better than None
  By A11U25L0QSIA5E on 2006-02-04
  This is NOT the Second Series.
  
  It is an over-priced, 10 episodes from the first half of the second season (the second half started airing in January 2006).
  
  This is a particularly grim rip-off of fans, considering how the first season series DVD was so complete and comprehensive. (I really recommend the First Series DVD.) It is really venal of them to release this, trying to fool people into thinking it was the complete 2nd series.
  
  DO NOT BUY THIS EXPECTING THE FULL SECOND SERIES. This Faux 2nd Series will disappoint you, and leave you hanging. Wait until the COMPLETE SECOND SERIES is available. (I fully expect an equally over-priced "The Complete Second Series" DVD release.)
  
  
• Battle Star Rip Off!
  By AH0SMJCKTWS58 on 2005-11-26
  As a huge fan of the new Battlestar Galactica series, I am extremely disappointed to find that Universal studio is ripping off fans by selling only half a season at the price of a full box set. Once they have made as much as possible from selling two halves of a series I'm sure they will then sell the 'special edition' full series to make even more cash. I for one can wait for the full season rather than buy into this rip off.
  
  I suspect this marketing tactic is being used to create revenue to pay the wages of Lucy Lawless' new character 'D'anna Biers' and Michelle Forbes as commander Cain of The Pegasus.
  
  Living in the UK, myself and other BSG fans are forced to wait until Sky One airs the second season of Battlestar Galactica on Jan 10th,2006 (7 months after the show airs in the States/Canada.Which is cruel and outrageous for UK fans).
  
  I hope the creator Ronald D Moore can regain control of Battlestar Galactica from the Universal bean counters. Need I remind you all of the demise of the X-Files,production relocated to LA combined with the actors delusions of grandeur and fame, the story arc reduced to a joke and a conclusion reminiscient to David S Goyer's butchered Blade 3.
  
  Fans should demand a complete season box set for a reasonable price.
  
  MR K.DALEY
  ENGLAND
  UK
  
  
• Don't Be Duped Again, Folks
  By A34X89PGXAODGE on 2005-11-08
  It's stupid enough that this series takes a 3 month hiatus right in the middle of it's second season. But, to then release the mere 10 episodes on DVD to promote the second half of the season is BEYOND stupidity. Are they spending so much money on this show that they have to con the fans into forking over money top pay for the second season themselves?
  
  This isn't the first time they'd done this either. When season 1 came out, it was released as a "UK version" and sold exclusively to Best Buy. Fans forked over their $50 for this, but 2 months later the American version was released for a LESS than $50.
  
  So now they expect fans to buy this half season, then 9 months later, buy the entire season as a whole?
  I'd think even fans of this show should would be outraged by the greedy studio's cleaver little ploys at having fans pay twice.
  
  Don't be duped, folks. Wait a few more months and get the WHOLE season, with ALL of the bells and whistles.
  
  
• Series great!!! Read review for the rating.
  By AP9M8N0LRSIPL on 2005-12-12
  The show is great. It has a lot of character development. My only hesitancy is that, unlike Babylon 5 (my benchmark comparison), the character development seems forced; like, who knows when we'll be cancelled...let's let everybody know almost everything about everybody quickly.
  
  But, this review is about the release format. One big black mark for the Amazon reviewer, who refused to take the studio to task for this rip-off. I can't call it anything else. We all wait for the series to be released one year at a time. What's next...one episode at a time?
  
  I do not intend buying this until the year is together, and I encourage all readers to do likewise. Delay your gratification until the entire year is released. Or else, we will begin to see similar marketing for other favorite shows. Let's stop this now!!!
  
  
• Wanna bet...
  By A32JZ9XNHMNWOO on 2005-11-13
  ...that next June, a COMPLETE(20 eps) Season 2 box arrives....at the same price or less?
  
  
• we got ripped off by Universal
  By A2888XKG5GWUEL on 2006-01-18
  ONLY HALF A SEASON AT FULL PRICE??!! WHERE ARE THE EXTRAS RON MOORE TOLD US ABOUT?? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER SET TOO??
  
  
• Only half the season?
  By A2N25RUXRWOG8R on 2006-04-17
  What a rip-off. Only half the season? I purchased this expecting to see the entire year.
  
  I also purchased season 1, a nice hefty collection of five disks.. What I thought was season 2 was "light" at three disks.
  
  Universal Studios, what a bunch of scammers.
  
  
• Dispelling illusions
  By A2Q78AS39LOOQF on 2005-11-11
  Just to bring the casual purchaser into reality, this set contains 10 episodes. 10 EPISODES for the price of an entire season.
  
  Good episodes? ... mostly. The remake of BSG is one of the finest space dramas ever produced for televsion. But the price of this "set" (for lack of a better word) is absolutely outrageous for the pittance of viewing it offers.
  
  
• I'd wait...
  By AS1PSGXW8F8M2 on 2005-12-13
  These guys are greedy. First, they released the miniseries on DVD by itself; then the "British" season 1, without the miniseries; and finally, the "US" version, including the miniseries. Anybody who bought the so-called Brit DVD set are justifiably annoyed. Odds are, they'll eventually release season 2 in its entirety, too, and probably at a much better price. Patience is a virtue.
  
  
• WTF!?!?!
  By A1NJB4BDY6W7MK on 2005-12-12
  How can they release half a season. Is this even heard of... OMG. Like this is a bunch of crap. I mean believe me, I absolutely love BSG! LOVE IT! It's one of my favorite Sci-Fi series out there...
  
  But releasing the 2nd season when it's not even finished, just the first half. Ridiculous! I mean okay the first season was freaking short, but that was because of the whole "we don't know whether people will like this" factor. And we have established that people freaking liked the show. SO you don't need to continue to cut us short for the freaking rest of the show's run! Give us the standard 22-24 episode seasons, and RELEASE THEM ALL TOGETHER IN AN ACTUAL "SEASON" BOX SET!!!...
  
  NOT THIS SEASON 2.0 BULLCRAP!!!
  
  Whatever you do don't support them in this lame idea!! you will only encourage them! Hold out 'till the season's full run!!
  
  
• 10 episodes for $35 dollars????
  By A3OZ7RM7HY7VGI on 2005-11-28
  If this was a series that was long gone, I might buy it, but, with a current show that is going to finish the second half of the season starting in January? No way! I'll wait until they put the whole season on DVD, or at the very least wait for a package deal of both for the price of one. I find it an insult when DVD sets are released incomplete and it's such an obvious money soaking scheme. I see one of two things happening...They are going to release the second half for the same price and offer no whole season set, or they will wait and release the entire season in June. Although with company greediness for money, they could release the 2 half in April and then come back in August and re-release the entire season with bonus features not available in either half season set.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of the BSG whiners from the original series, cause, personally I think that show stinks to high heaven. Once they got past a certain part, it turned into a campy boring run and then they reached earth...don't get me started on that sad chapter in the series' life.
  
  This new series is totally amazing and attention grabbing from the very start, although, Baltar's psychosis is starting to get annoying and kinda unbelievable in the fact that no one is questioning him on why he's talking to thin air or a wall at any given point in the storyline.
  
  I'm just crossing my fingers that the commander of the Pegasus will be gone in a couple of episodes, I don't like the actress for one, and, I'm hoping one of her own crew puts an end to her, or at the very least, they find out she's actually a Cylon and Adama gets to take her down and out of our misery. LOL!
  
  
• Great show - horrible marketing ploy.
  By A2RK3LRI7VKKCF on 2005-12-07
  This is about the worst case of consumer abuse I have seen. Do not buy this and give the producers of this DVD and more importantly other producers of other shows the bogus idea of releasing half a season on DVD.
  
  Absolutely horrid. Too bad it had to happen with such a superb show.
  
  
  
  
• Best show, worst deal
  By A19EWUN0PTJA64 on 2005-12-10
  This is easily the best show out there. Possibly the best, ever.
  
  However, releasing half of a season and selling it for the price of a full season of other shows is horrible, and shows an amazing amount of disrespect for the consumer. They're not "getting it out there" they're trying to rip you off.
  
  Wait for the season to finish, and then buy the whole thing. Don't fall for this.
  
  
• Lousy marketing ploy, great content
  By A1XOZP8WHL148F on 2005-12-15
  I love this show, the content is superb and in my opinion, if this was the full second season release it would warrant 5 stars.
  
  However, to release half of the season at this high cost is unnaceptable. One reason I may think this is done is to bait friends and family of harcore fans (such as myself) who are uninformed and are lokking for a Christmas present. I think this is deplorable. Just release at a fair price when all is said and done.
  
  
• I got swindled!!!
  By A2W5W908364N8S on 2005-12-22
  I thought this was the full season until I got home. NOWHERE on the box set does it say "EXPERIENCE THE FIRST HALF OF SEASON 2." OR "STAY TUNED FOR MORE EPISODES." Something useful like that. Noooo. It says "Relive all the intensity and excitement aboard the Galactica with a supernova of explosive bonus features, including deleted scenes and podcasts".
  
  I only noticed when I was looking at season 1 dvd set. They call it "Season One". On this set they call it "Season 2.0", so I started getting suspicious why it was 2.0 and not Two, as if they were planning to release a 2.5. After further research I found the season isn't even fully aired yet. I don't follow the Sci-Fi channel because all they play is horror with rare goodies like this show in it.
  
  I got Season 1 DVD at Wal-Mart for 19.98 after it was out for a while. Season "2.0" I atleast got on sale for 29.99 w/ the $10 off for buying Serenity. But it's still a rip. WAIT FOR THIS TO GO DOWN, YOU WILL FIND IT FOR 9.99 WITHIN MONTHS I GUARANTEE.
  
  In conclusion, the sci-"horror"-fi channel sucks even more now than usual.
  
  
• The warm fuzzy glow of supporting artists you respect
  By A3BAHS8L3IAUSR on 2006-05-25
  ===Revised Review===
  
  I bought this from a "bricks and mortar" store and had no idea that it did not contain the whole of season 2 (See rant below). That said, Amazon makes it clear that this is only Volume 1, so if you want to buy it, this is the only place where you will do so knowing for sure what you are getting. Back when the second half of the season had not yet aired, this would have been a no-brainer purchase. Now, you must consider the fact that a complete version of Season 2 will probably be released soon. If you are a hardcore fan, you may want both as collectibles. Another thing to consider is that this "Volume 1" version doesn't contain extra features that you can't get elswhere. The audio commentary on these DVDs consists of the podcast commentary which is available for free on iTunes and other places. The new, complete Season 2 MAY contain more extra features.
  
  To be fair, the new BG, as a whole, is the most compelling Science Fiction I have seen in a long time and probably the best show currently in any genre. I will be buying the complete Season 2 when it comes out. If I had known that this version contained only half of the season, I probably wouldn't have purchased it, at least not when I purchased it--which was well after the complete season had aired. If I had known about this preliminary version before the season was over, I definitely would have bought it at that time.
  
  ===Original Angry Rant Below===
  
  There are too many apologists here saying that the quality of the show justifies the false marketing. That is simply not true. It doesn't matter how good the show is, a lie is a lie. The box says Season 2.0 and offers no indication whatsoever that it contains only half of that season. The demarcation "2.0" cannot be reasonably construed to indicate half a season. A simple "Volume 1", as Amazon has done, would have sufficed.
  
  I'm not arguing price here; half a Season may be well worth what they charged, but not when the box cover is deceptive.
  
  I did not have to be duped into buying this. I am a fan, and I'm happy to show monetary suport, but for now, the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from supporting artists I respect is gone.
  
  
• Well worth it
  By A3VJFNYR54LFVB on 2006-05-30
  I like the way the previous reviewer broke it down.
  
  Season 1 is 44.99 for 13 Episodes. Assuming the mini-series is a bonus since it is necessary for Season 1's back story, it works out to $3.46 per episode.
  
  Season 2.0 is $34.96 for 10 episodes. That works out to $3.50 per episode.
  
  It may be that Season 2.0 and Season 2.5 will add up to more than the Season 1 set, but there are 20 episodes in Season 2, and Season 1 only had 13! If the BSG producers are willing to make more episodes for the fans, it will cost the fans more for the extra episodes. Would the unhappy reviewers prefer to have only 13 episodes in Season 2 so that it would cost the same? I sure wouldn't.
  
  We are being charged virtually the same amount per episode in Season 2.0 as we paid for Season 1. I think it is worth it for the quality of this show.
  
  Also, I think people who feel ripped off because they bought the mini-series by itself and later got it as part of Season 1 should think a little more. They don't seem to be increasing the price of Season 1 because it includes the mini-series. As noted above, we are paying about $3.50 per episode in both Seasons. Also, it was released 6 months before Season 1. I realize that people can argue that if they had known, they would have waited 6 months to get it along with Season 1. I wonder if fans would have waited the 6 months if they had known in advance.
  
  Here's what I think: I think that because the mini-series was produced by itself and without plans to make it into a series, that they planned to release the mini-series by itself on DVD; which they did. Then, when they made BSG into a series and decided to release Season 1, they figured that some people (including me) who had not seen the mini-series would need the back story for Season 1 to make sense.
  
  I could be totally wrong, and the producers could have planned this double-release to get more cash; but that seems irrelevant to argue about since there aren't any facts that support or refute that claim. There is one fact: we are paying the same per episode for Seasons 1 and 2.0. Anyone who claims that we are paying more for Season 2, because Season 2.0 and 2.5 will add up to more than Season 1 is simply wrong. We are paying more for more episodes.
  
  
  
  
• DVD set for first half of Season 2
  By AYNAH993VDECT on 2005-10-05
  This three-disc set will include the first half of Season 2 (10 episodes). These episodes were shown in July-September 2005 on the SciFi channel.
  
  New fans of the show
  ---------------------
  Battlestar Galactica is shown on the SciFi channel. The SciFi channel seasons are different from typical TV seasons. SciFi breaks a season into two pieces: First half is July to September, and second half is January to March. Season 2 will consist of a total of 20 episodes (10 x 2). This DVD set contains the first 10 episodes (episodes 1-10). The 2nd half of Season 2 (episodes 11-20) will begin broadcasting on the SciFi channel in mid-January thru late March 2006.
  
  Bonus Materials?
  ----------------
  * RDM mentioned in his podcast that Universal has agreed to include a special 90-minute version of episode #10 "Pegasus". The episode broadcast on the SciFi channel was 62 minutes long (including commercials). (Not sure if 90 minutes refers to total runtime, or the equivalent of a 90-minute episode as it would be shown on TV). Will it be included on this DVD set or the future (unannounced) complete season 2 dvd set or both? That is not known.
  
  DVD sets
  --------
  At this point it is not known how the rest of Season 2 will be released in 2006. Will there be a 2B DVD set or a complete season 2 set? Where will special features be included? At this point it is not known.
  
  
• No Happy Endings
  By A2NG8XPY9RK1AG on 2005-10-14
  The second season of the highly overlooked Battlestar Galactica is definitely shaping itself into a very serious and dark non-escapist TV show. It is not shy about the subject matter it depicts, but the writers and producers still know where to draw the line and leave you reflecting and not cowering. Leaving no event under-analyzed, the show uses Murphy's law at every available instance. The result is wonderfully dramatic TV and a gritty series that surprisingly continues to shock viewers and shed the "after-school special" cheesiness if the sci-fi genre. The characters are still as realistic and true to human nature as they ever were, and the plot is just as enticing as it was in the first season. This is a definite buy, if you can't wait for the full season box set next year.
  
  
• Are you kidding me with the half season?
  By A10AGXZZ7IFRIO on 2006-05-13
  For all you people that are saying it should be obvious by the 2.0 that there would be a 2.1, this makes no sense. Should I also expect then a 2.2, 2.3 etc?? This is a ripoff no matter how you look at it and a cheap scam. Outstanding show though. I'm dissapointed by the cost of owning an entire season 2. I have season 1 and was looking forward to adding season 2 to my collection. I don't think I'll buy it now though.
  
  
• A Powerful Second Season for the New "Battlestar Galactica"
  By A18RQ2URRGIIEA on 2005-11-03
  When the Sci-Fi Channel first announced back in 2003 that it was producing a miniseries version of the original 1978 TV series "Battlestar Galactica", I had a lot of doubts about how successful it would be because two of the former main characters were being turned from men into women and because the some of the Cylons were going to appear human. When I first watched the miniseries back in 2003, my doubts were quickly washed away as the miniseries proved to be compelling, engaging, extremely realistic, emotional, well-acted and had superb special effects. Due to the huge success of the miniseries, the Sci-Fi Channel decided to produce a TV series based upon its 2003 miniseries. The first season of the new "Battlestar Galactica" TV series aired in 2004 and showed itself to be just as exciting and well made as the miniseries. The second season of "Battlestar Galactica" that aired in 2005 was even more exciting and emotionally intense than the first.
  
  The primary characters in the new "Battlestar Galactica" are Commander William "Husker" Adama (Edward James Olmos), President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), Lt. Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), Captain Lee 'Apollo' Adama (Jamie Bamber), Doctor Gaius Baltar (James Callis), Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii (Grace Park), the Cylon known as Number Six (Tricia Helfer), Col. Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan) and Lt. Karl 'Helo' Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett). Other characters include Tom Zarek (Richard Hatch, who played Apollo in the original 1978 "Battlestar Galactica" TV series), Chief Petty Officer Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), Crashdown (Sam Witwer) and Crewman Specialist Cally (Nicki Clyne).
  
  The 10 episodes of the second season are as follows:
  
  1. "Scattered". With Adama critically injured from the first season finale, Roslin imprisoned and people trapped on Kobol, the inept Col. Tigh takes command of the fleet, but only to lose the fleet when he orders the fleet to jump and the wrong jump coordinates are sent to the civilian fleet. In the meantime, Boomer, whose Cylon identity is well-known, sits in a jail cell on board Galactica while Starbuck becomes trapped on Caprica with Helo after the other Boomer takes her modified Cylon fighter.
  
  2. "Valley of Darkness". A deadly Cylon virus is trying to take over Galactica's computers. In the meantime, Baltar, Tyrol & the other people on Kobol fight for survival while Starbuck & Helo break into her old apartment on Caprica.
  
  3. "Fragged". The survivors on Kobol discover the Cylons are building an danti-aircraft gun while Adama is undergoing dangerous surgery. Not happy with the Quorum of Twelve, Col. Tigh places the fleet under martial law.
  
  4. "Resistance". Galactica personnel open fire on a group of civilians protesting martial law. Chief is accused of being a Cylon and arrested while Apollo helps Pres. Roslyn to escape confinement on Galactica. Starback & Helo on Caprica find 53 surviving humans.
  
  5. "The Farm". While the recovering Adama retakes command of the fleet from Col. Tigh, Pres. Roslyn leads a third of the fleet back to Kobol with the promise of finding the way to Earth. On Caprica, a wounded Starbuck is taken to a strange hospital and makes an unpleasant discovery.
  
  6. "Home: Part 1". While Pres. Roslyn has a difficult time leading the civilian ships at Kobol, Starbuck, Helo and Boomer return from Caprica and arrive at Kobol to search for the Tomb of Athena.
  
  7. "Home: Part 2". Adama decides to return to Kobol to reunite the fleet and heads to the surface to join Pres. Roslyn and those with her in search of the Tomb of Athena.
  
  8. "Final Cut". A reporter, D'Anna Biers (Lucy Lawless), is given a large amount of access to report activities on Galactica.
  
  9. "Flight of the Phoenix". While the crew helps Chief to build a brand new fighter named "The Black Bird", Adama must put his trust in Boomer to stop a deadly Cylon computer virus that has been infecting Galactica's computers.
  
  10. "Pegasus". The Galactica isn't the only surviving battlestar; the Pegasus also survived under the command of Admiral Helena Cain (Michelle Forbes), who takes command of the civilian fleet and begins to make things so difficult for Adama that a very real fight is a distinct possibility. What a season cliffhanger!
  
  Overall, I rate the second season of the new "Battlestar Galactica" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone.
  
  
• Half a season marketing cheat
  By AQZ8KTUNEIPSC on 2005-11-29
  I was about to buy this ripoff, until i read it only contained half the season! Producers should be totally ashamed trying to cheat the fans. Just because a lot of stupid people fell in the trap of the Lord of the Rings marketing "extended editions", and bought the same product twice, does not mean you are going to get away with it!
  
  
• Whiners, shut up!
  By A3CCQC21RO215E on 2005-12-16
  I know you all mean well, but you're bringing down the ratings. That hurts the show.
  
  Anyway, for those of you who don't have time to go through all these reviews I counted one, maybe two people who don't like it. All other negative reviews are from people pissed at Universal for not releasing the full season together....and with good reason. This is one of the most thought-provoking, well written, character-driven dramas ever. There is no restart button, no heros, no villians. This is just a story of people trying to get by, and accomplish their goals. I've compared it many times to George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series (Martin has recently declared himself to be a fan), because of the sheer humanness of everyone on their. I don't mean sympathetic villians and flawed heros, I mean NO VILLIANS and NO HEROS.
  
  All I can say is, get this show, but be prepared for something complex. You should sit down and watch it only when you can watch at least a full episode, uninterrupted, at a time, or you'll become confused. The story arc is THAT strong.
  
  And as a last note to the whiners, look at some full season DVD box sets. By that I mean those with 20+ episodes on them (ie Star Trek). You'll notice that most of them cost at least $100. This is 10 episodes for $40. The makers are charging what it's worth, not ripping you off. I know that DVD sets with only one or two episodes being sold for $20 have picked many pockets, but this is not one of those times.
  
  
• Feeling a bit ripped off...
  By A2GHXYK55UPBQ6 on 2006-05-08
  While I will still(of course) buy the second half of season 2 when it is released I do feel taken advantage of by having to pay full box-set price twice for one season. This is not a good way to treat the fans and supporters of any show.
  
  

• Battlestar Galactica: Season 2.5 (Episodes 11-20)
• Battlestar Galactica - Season One
• Battlestar Galactica - Season Three
• Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
• Battlestar Galactica - Razor (Unrated Extended Edition)