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This week on the podcast we’re pitting our beloved Stargate against one of our other favorite shows (now becoming a franchise in its own right), Battlestar Galactica! Its the second in our occasional “Versus” podcasts, following last year’s show on Stargate vs. Star Trek. We’ll discuss the very different tones of the shows, their approach to storytelling and long-term arcs, and how viewers become invested in those stories.
We’ll also talk about Stargate Universe as a bit of a departure from the typical Stargate storytelling, closer instead to the dark, dramatic approach of BSG. And of course, we’ll hear what you have to say about these two venerable sci-fi franchises!
SHOW NOTES
Discussion – Stargate vs. Battlestar Galactica
- Related Episodes:
“Abyss” (SG-1 Season Six)
“The Hive” (Atlantis Season Two)
“Be All My Sins Remember’d” (Atlantis Season Four)
“Ghost In the Machine” (Atlantis Season Five)
“The Lost Tribe” (Atlantis Season Five)
“There But For the Grace of God” (SG-1 Season One)
“Politics” (SG-1 Season One)
“Within the Serpent’s Grasp” (SG-1 Season One)
“The Serpent’s Lair” (SG-1 Season Two)
“Water” (Universe Season One)
“Exodus” (SG-1 Season Four)
“Enemies” (SG-1 Season Five)
“Threshold” (SG-1 Season Five)
“Critical Mass” (Atlantis Season Two)
“Justice” (Universe Season One)
| This Week’s Listener Question: What do you think of the Stargate franchise’s portrayal of women? Which character has been a strong representation of women, and which (if any) has come up short? |
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Next Episode: Women In Stargate. We’ll step aside and let two female fans talk about how well they think the franchise does (or doesn’t) portray women. Call in now and get your opinion on the show!
Why? It’d be much easier to talk about how similar SGU and BSG is.
both of them come full circle in SGU.
WOW, I’m not interested in hearing this podcast but I can probably guess which series you think is more superior considering this is after all a Stargate website and podcast. What are you going to compare next? The differences between the moon and the sun?
@lordball
Isn’t it easier to just listen to the podcast before you make such a comment?
discuss the very different tones of the shows?
that will be a short discussion then!
I’m afraid you lost me on this one. Both are done in the “I’m wetting my pants and zooming the lens in and out” camera style that after a brief period in vogue (The Beatles, The Monkees) due to it’s shock and novelty value was ditched for good reason until Blair Witch. I really tried to get into BSG but the camera work did me in. No disc sales from me due to that reason. At least if SGU retained the SG/SGA camera work it would maybe have something going for it. But for this household no matter how much… Read more »
to borrow a phrase: “for cry’in out loud”.
The two are only comparable in that they are both in the sci fi genre. I like both but come on, its apples and oranges in this case.
David,
After listening to this and the “vs Star Trek” podcasts, I’ve come to the conclusion that you are unqualified to talk about sci-fi television.
Your comments betray a complete ignorance of Star Trek DS9. Everything you’ve praised about BSG, DS9 was doing 15 years ago, and doing it better. Well developed characters, deep invloved politics, consequences, a more textured realistic story, moral ambiguity, story arcs… and it did it all while still offering a hopeful vision of the future and plenty of humor.
-Burt
I will grant BSG as being one of the greatest TV shows for the first 2 seasons, but as soon as the New Caprica storyline hit, the show completely lost everything. The only reason I bothered to watch season 4 was b/c it was the final season, but it was incredibly weak. That’s why SG1 and SGA will age better and will be more popular than BSG in the long run. I also think that BSG and SGU are both shows of this era, being “dark” and so called “reality-based” and using the GD shaky-cam (aka the worst thing ever).… Read more »
As a kid I got a kick out of the old BSG, I had a big crush on Apollo. I was awed by the remake and for the first two years of the show though it was some of the best television I’d ever seen. But come the third year and I couldn’t stand the darned thing, it just seemed so self-indulgent and exploitative and so stopped watching and never went back. Fortunately I returned to my Stargate roots, fell in love with SG1 all over again and started up my continuing fanish devotion to SGA. Now I realize, while… Read more »
SGU looks mostly like a very poor imitation of BSG.
The drama is cheap and looks forced. The characters are shallow and weak and little else.
I understand SG writers were trying to evolve beyond the story telling of SG-1/SGA, but apparently only to find out that they’re not quite up to the task just yet.
Nice try though (trying is always appreciated).
I’m not seeing much comparison simply because – at least thus far – while BSG writers seemed to embrace the ‘no actor/character is safe’ philosophy, the stargate franchise is known for just the opposite. As long as your name is in the opening credits, you will be miraculously saved by the closing credits. BSG seemed to thrive on doing the unexpected and keeping you guessing, while the SG franchise seems to take comfort in safety and predictability. It’s kind like comparing the Trek remake to Avatar. They’re both visually good, but while one seems to revel in doing the unexpected,… Read more »
Good on you Darren for going to all the effort to stimulate some novel ideas about Stargate.
What’s the old saying?….Don’t shoot the messenger! :)
Without you and the staff from Gateworld we fans would have nowhere to actively express our opinions.
Thanks mate.
There is nothing similar SG1 or BGA. SG1 is far superior. BGA and SGU are somewhat alike both are boring, bad storyline, acting, shakey camera, too many trips to earth, etc. Bring back SG1 and SGA and rid the universe of SGU.
well both are great shows my personal favourites just of a different atmosphere stargate is fun and adventurous bsg is dark and mystical,the thing is this stargate is jus by a little better for me because it is Eternal it cannot end unless smn ends it , but gallactica is limited they find earth and its gone,SGU is tryin to look like BSG but i guess thats gonna change later
I know I will be hated for saying this BUT… after looking at the success of visually stunning but back-to-basics sci-fi storytelling in movies like “Avatar” I think BSG and SGU powers that be are headed in the wrong direction. Dark and moody is fine if the story truly calls for it, if that is what inspires the writer but to say “we are going to make this dark and moody” and box the writers into it seems pointless. I actually like SGU but not the whole package but for a few characters: Rush, Eli, Young and Greer. The actors… Read more »