Let's just say that I tolerated the original Battlestar Gallactica as a pale rip off of Star Wars. Back then TV was a Sci Fi wasteland and it was one of the few things to watch for a Sci Fi geek girl.

So I was highly pessimistic of a remake of a show that I didn't like much in the first incarnation.

Imagine my surprise that Battlestar Gallactica in the new millenium beats most everything on TV! The writing, the risks they take, the issues they explore, the incredible characterization--it's like something you'd see on HBO or Showtime. Given that it explores many issues related to war, it's also a timely show. In the last few episodes we've been exploring the issues of torture and rape of prisoners--and how the issue plays out when the captive isn't human but looks and acts human. Dehumanization always takes place in war--how much easier when your opponent is a cyborg!

I don't want to give anything away but the original miniseries and first season are out on DVD and if you haven't seen them you owe it to yourself to do so. Also, they are available on iTunes.