Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review An absolutely thrilling, magnificent, must-own television series. So say we all...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown, July 29, 2009 I'm usually not at a loss for words, but I've been staring at my laptop for twenty minutes now, writing and deleting dozens of sentences in an effort to properly introduce one of the finest television series I've ever encountered. As you can tell, I've settled on brutal honesty, a trait executive producer Ron Moore's Battlestar Galactica exudes in every season, episode, scene, and frame. It's impossible to write anything about Moore's critically acclaimed, award-winning series that countless others before me haven't already expressed over the last six years. Television critics have hailed its prevailing storylines and commanding performances. Bloggers have waxed poetic over its chilling cliffhangers, intricate twists and turns, and complex characters. Fans have spread word of its genre-defying nature and unpredictable season to season evolution. Even its cast and crew have joined the discerning fray, following its plot threads and developments with as much curiosity as the viewers watching it all unfold. Make no mistake, if you haven't taken the plunge, if you haven't put aside your preconceived notions, if you simply can't imagine a science fiction series could be so exceedingly relevant, if you haven't considered the possibility that the hype -- just this once -- is well deserved, there is simply no better time to sink into the desolate worlds and savage arena of Battlestar Galactica.

Loosely based on the short-lived 1978 television series of the same name, Battlestar Galactica stunned critics and sci-fi fans alike with its powerful, oft-times resonant account of a small, spacefaring fleet -- the surviving remnants of a devastated human civilization -- fleeing an armada of relentless machines called Cylons. Boasting a distinctly different vision and tone than its cheesy, flash-bang predecessor, Moore's reimagining was darker, sharper, and more challenging than anyone expected, offering more serious social satire and biting political commentary than most television series dared. More to the point, the show's scathing portrait of mankind at its best and worst tackled post-9/11 issues and events other more traditional dramatic series avoided at all costs. Those who expected endless dogfights and laserfire were met with disquieting character exchanges and meticulous plotting, those searching for lofty action and alien worlds found gritty conflicts and vacant space, those longing for light-hearted humor and digestible drama were handed bleak betrayals and ugly glimpses into our darkest fears. Battlestar Galactica has never been a typical sci-fi series... for that matter, it's never been a typical series. So what makes BSG stand apart from its genre ilk? What makes it stand atop the vast majority of dramas the major networks offer us year after year? As it turns out, a great many things. The story at the heart of the series is startlingly pertinent to the trials and tribulations of our own perilous times; its at-times callous disregard for genre convention is disarming and unexpected, its challenging themes and prickly political quandaries feel raw and dangerous. From the fleet's earliest struggles with starvation, desperation, exhaustion, and the uncompromising advances of a tireless enemy, to humanity's inevitable cannibalization of its own ethics and moral fortitude, Battlestar Galactica forces its viewers to ask difficult questions, to consider every side of a debate, and to apply their newfound perspective to the world they see on CNN and MSNBC. That's not to say the series is a wholly academic endeavor -- the show's ongoing mythos is as intricate, ambiguous, and absorbing as anything shows like Lost dish out -- but it is to say viewers are required to *gasp* think during and long after an episode has delivered its payload. It may strike the cynical among you as a stretch -- particularly since I'm referring to a television series that occasionally serves up enough action to rival a Hollywood blockbuster -- but Galactica fans (at least those of us who were barely able to contain our excitement from week to week when it was on the air) understand all too well how piercing and invasive each season tends to be. Perhaps that's why the show is able to weave its magic so effectively. With so many intriguing characters, show-stopping performances, gut-punching reveals, jaw-dropping storylines, and unforgettable exchanges, it's simple to overlook all of the series' subtleties, only to realize days

later that you're still thinking about a specific subplot or a single line of dialogue. Perhaps that's why Moore's sci-fi epic is so riveting. While distracting viewers with explosions and dense mythology in one hand, it hurls psychological barbs and philosophical darts with the other. Perhaps that's the exact reason Battlestar Galactica continues to haunt my brain, long after its fourth season brought Adama's fleet to the end of their journey. The final episodes were bound to upset some. With so much riding on every minute, Moore couldn't possibly please everyone. Some complained about the series' use of the supernatural and the divine to answer several looming questions. Me? I think anyone who watched more than two episodes of the show shouldn't be surprised to see the culmination of such a fundamental theme. Others whined about the fates of their favorite characters, but I thought the writers brought nearly all of them full circle; reuniting each disheveled survivor with the very core of their being. After being adrift in space -- oft-times from their own humanity -- it was refreshing to see the humans and Cylons reconnect with their individual purposes and callings. Still others barked about the last half hour of the finale, accusing it of cheap sleight-of-hand and rampant sentimentality. I seem to recall The Return of the King receiving the same criticism. At the end of four long seasons, and an even longer trip across the universe, I was ecstatic to simply sit with the characters and watch them reevaluate their lives. Regardless of their sins, I realized I loved them all and wanted the best for them. Even the series' most wily weasel won my affection and sympathies with a single, heartbreaking line. Still, the most engrossing story and engaging characters would be wasted without strong performances to support it. To that end, Moore has assembled a cast anointed by the gods; a Hollywood-caliber ensemble whose deft and effortless embrace of their troubled characters have made the series one of the finest performance-driven dramas in recent memory. Galactica is one of the few television shows that have managed to leave me in an emotional heap by the time the credits roll. The finale alone, I'm unashamed to say, elicited a steady trickle of man-tears that made me feel as weak and vulnerable as Adama's fleet. Whether you credit the gifted men and women in the writers room or simply attribute everything to the cast's collective control over their characters, it's impossible to deny that Edward James Olmos and company sink their all into each and every scene. Bit players rise to the occasion (first season regulars meet grisly ends, leaving secondary character actors to successfully fill any sudden vacuum), the series' stars continually push past their limits (Jamie Barber, Michael Hogan, James Callis, Aaron Douglas, Grace Park, Katee Sackhoff, Tahmoh Penikett, Michael Trucco, and Tricia Helfer, among many others, are utterly fantastic), and venerable industry veterans deliver the performances of their lives (Olmos and McDonnell will forever be Adama and Roslin to me). It may sound like hyperbole, but I challenge anyone to sit through four seasons of Moore's sci-fi stunner and criticize the cast's vitality or commitment to their craft. I'm afraid I've reached the end of my review with the same feelings I had when I began. It's impossible to convey the impact of such an ingenious series; impossible to describe everything that makes it the timeless classic I consider it to be. If you're nodding your head, you've no doubt invested plenty of time and money into Moore's masterpiece. If you're shaking your head, I can't say anything more to convince you to sample Galactica's wares. But, if your eyebrows are raised and you're considering the possibilities, let me make one last push: give Battlestar Galactica a chance. If you can make it to the end of its first season without feeling the tug of Season Two, you're a stronger man than I. If you can stop after its second season finale, you have the willpower of a god. But if you plow through to the end, if you lap up its every episode as if it were your last, I can assure you that you'll have watched a series you'll never forget. You may not scream its praises like I have, but, chances are, you'll be a fan.

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Blu-ray, Video Quality

While longtime fans won't bat an eye at the faithful 1080p transfers spread across The Complete

Series' twenty BD-50 discs -- the first and third seasons utilize VC-1 encodes, the second and fourth seasons employ comparable AVC encodes -- others may be taken aback by the presentation's grainy picture, soft scenery, and gritty aesthetics. To be clear, Battlestar Galactica will never be (nor was it ever meant to be) a flashy, hyper-polished series ripe for Blu-ray consumption. Executive producer Ron Moore always intended to submerse his version of Galactica in the grimy, grim fringes of space; to achieve a harmony of atmosphere and photography befitting a series as bleak and desolate as his creation. To that end, Universal's high definition presentation is worthy of praise, if for no other reason than it pays tremendous respect to Moore's every intention. Colors are at the mercy of overblown contrast, absorbing shadows, and rampant noise (more on that in a moment), yet skintones remain relatively natural, primaries remain strong and stable, and blacks remain inky throughout. Likewise, detail soars and plummets with each lighting and scenery change, but nevertheless delivers an unexpectedly consistent experience over the course of The Complete Series's seventy-plus episodes. It can be disconcerting at first, but anyone who spends the smallest amount of time with Galactica will soon realize how immersive the effect actually is. Sure, delineation is poor and shadows are overly aggressive (particularly when it comes to swallowing the backgrounds), but it becomes clear with every passing shot that Moore wouldn't have it any other way (he says just as much in a brief video introduction that accompanies each season). Universal has also gone to great lengths to ensure viewers aren't confused by the series' appearance. As each disc loads, a message states: "The Blu-ray release of Battlestar Galactica accurately preserves the artistic intentions of the creators. The stylized visual elements within certain scenes are intentional and faithful to the broadcast presentation of the television show." Message overkill? Perhaps, but it should help keep disappointment at bay for any newcomers to the series. Anyone watching the episodes in quick succession will notice some discrepancies between the first four discs and the other sixteen. The original miniseries pales in comparison to the rest of the series' episodes (contrast is duller, fine detail is middling, and blacks aren't as fully resolved), and Season One is a bit rough around the edges compared to the three seasons that follow it. However, any weaknesses associated with these episodes should be attributed to the fledgling production values of Battlestar's humble beginnings. Budgets were tighter and network support wasn't as robust as it became in later years. Moreover, the special effects weren't as refined, the sets weren't as impressive, and the costumes weren't as elaborate. Thankfully, even in the face of more problematic source material, Universal's technical presentations remain resilient and proficient. The aforementioned noise on each transfer is trickier to evaluate. At times, it's an unobtrusive and welcome filmic addition, lingering atop the image without interfering with the integrity of Stephen McNutt's cinematography. At other times, it's brash and unsettling, flooding the picture with detailsapping grain (scenes on the Cylon basestars tend to be the most distracting). That being said, Moore's use of noise doesn't bother me per se, but it does make digital anomalies more difficult to identify. Look closely and you'll notice that the studio's technical presentation isn't perfect -- faint artifacting, minor banding, and crush leave their mark on several scenes, and edge enhancement makes its fair share of appearances. Mind you, none of these issues are nearly as annoying as they were in the HD DVD release of Season One (which suffered from more frequent macroblocking, more noticeable banding, and other technical mishaps), but they still pop up (again, to a lesser extent) on several occasions. All things considered, I'm quite pleased with the results. Even a quick comparison to the standard DVDs reveal a variety of obvious improvements, making the Blu-ray edition of each season well worth the upgrade. I'm confident anyone approaching Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series with appropriate expectations will be just as satisfied with the overall presentation.

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Blu-ray, Audio Quality

The Complete Series' bold and bombastic DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks are even more impressive, packing enough nuclear blasts and ship-to-ship combat to thoroughly demolish your home theater. The thundering rumble of colliding basestars, the heavy kick-kack of gunfire, and the recurrent bah-dah-dah-dah of composer Bear McCreary's infectious version of "All Along the Watchtower" (among many other memorable musical cues) erupt as powerfully and precisely as any uber-fan like myself could hope for. LFE output is vigorous and convincing, dipping deep to come up with some sternum-rattling bass. I grinned every time an explosion jarred the crew on the Galactica bridge, and marveled at the immediate rush of sound that accompanied the Battlestar's sudden, low-atmosphere appearance. By the time the crew prepared for their last stand and final assault, I was enthralled by every clanking hunk of metal, every tick-tack-tock of Raptor fire, and every upbeat and beatdown of McCreary's phenomenal score. Better still, the shrill sheen of every FTL jump is crisp and clean, the desperate cries of fallen heroes are crystal clear, and the shunk-shunk-shunk of approaching toasters is unnerving enough to make an audiophile mutter, "fraaak." Rear speaker activity is just as potent, filling panicked hallways and shuddering officers' quarters with the same rich ambient atmosphere that graces planetary surfaces and Cylon complexes. Simon the Cylon's baby factory is filled with eerie echoes, the inside of a hijacked Raider pulses with the strange biomechanic rhythm of the machine's integrated guts, the advanced operating systems of the Pegasus hum and quiver with life, angry winds meander across the desolate surface of an enslaved New Caprica, and the stony confines of an ancient temple sound just as vast as they should. I couldn't get over how easily effects panned across the soundfield or how accurate their placement was (especially for a television show). Dynamics hit me just as hard, leaving little to the imagination and even less to grumble about. If I have any complaint it's that dialogue, while exceedingly sharp and intelligible for the most part, sometimes (once or twice an episode, tops) sounds a bit hollow. Lines occasionally sit above the soundscape instead of dwelling within it, leading to a few instances of pinched voices and shallow conversations. It's more apparent on the original miniseries and several first season episodes -more often than not, something I'd attribute to production values -- but the issue also rears its head, strangely enough, in the series finale. Even so, the attributes of the Complete Series audio presentation far outweighs such minor (and infrequent) oddities, leaving little for astute listeners to whine about. Fans will be enraptured by the experience, newcomers will nod their heads in approval, and ardent audiophiles will give this lossless powerhouse their blessing.

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series boasts a daunting collection of special features spread across twenty -- that's right, twenty -- BD-50 discs. You'll find 22 full-length commentaries, 57 fulllength podcast commentaries, five extended episodes (six if you count the Unrated Extended version of Razor), five hours of behind-the-scenes featurettes and documentaries, nearly seven hours of deleted scenes, more than two hours of executive producer David Eick's behind-thescenes Video Blogs, and a variety of U-Control options spread across the box set's discs. As it stands, the veritable cornucopia of supplemental material on hand easily justifies the box set's price and should keep any Galactica enthusiast busy for weeks. It should be mentioned that the "complete" in The Complete Series is a slight misnomer. MIA are a handful of minor features that appeared on the DVD sets (most notably two "Lowdown" mini-docs from Season One), a Razor documentary (exclusive to the Best Buy release of the film), and some SciFi Network specials and SciFi.com content that didn't appear on any previously released DVDs, but would have been nice to have nonetheless. The most obvious and disappointing omission though is "The Face of the Enemy," a 10-episode, Gaeta-centric online miniseries that, simply put, reveals aspects of our favorite mutineer that weren't explored in the series proper. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if the webisodes appear on the upcoming Blu-ray release of The Plan, a

feature-length BSG movie (in the vein of Razor) due this October. The set itself comes bundled in an oversized, multi-tiered box (7.5 inches wide, 7.5 inches in length, and 8.5 inches high) that extends vertically to reveal four smaller packages inside. Each of the inner-packages house a full season, and their discs sit inside glossy paper sleeves. Season One is spread across four discs, Season Two across five, Season Three across another five (one is reserved specifically for Razor), and Season Four across five more (the finale is comfortably housed on a single disc). Last but not least, a bonus Cylon Centurion action figure is included, housed in the top of the box inside a transparent plastic... erm, coffin of sorts. For more detailed pictures of this release, simply click on the Amazon link above and view the many photos that accompany the product listing. It's a decent set, but I do have a few complaints. First and foremost, the oversized box is great for collectors with plenty of room on their shelves, but it would have been better had the individual season releases been packaged in standardized Blu-ray cases. Fans with limited shelf space could have simply removed the cases and discarded the box. Instead, consumers are forced to choose between displaying a giant block o' Battlestar or sliding four narrow cardboard cases (that look odd and malnourished next to other Blu-ray releases) alongside the rest of their collection. Second, the discs aren't held in place by plastic hubs of any sort... they simply sit inside removable, accordionesque cardboard sleeves. While the glossy surface of the sleeves helps prevent scratches, the open sides and slippery nature of the sleeves means you still need to be extremely careful when removing discs from their cases. Finally, there isn't any room for the Blu-ray release of The Plan. I tried sliding a standard Blu-ray case (and later an extra Blu-ray disc) into the box set, but the only solution I could come up with was to insert a disc in a paper DVD sleeve and tuck it in with one of the seasons. It isn't ideal (to say the least). Ultimately, I'm pretty happy with the box set. Granted, I'm not entirely sold on the packaging -- in the future, Universal should seek the help of actual Blu-ray consumers to help the studio build more secure, practical, and functional box sets -- but you definitely get ample bang for your high definition buck. Had the box been safer and "The Face of the Enemy" miniseries been included, this set would have earned a perfect supplemental score. Sadly, despite an endless deluge of commentaries and special features, I have to shave a half-point off this one for its shortcomings. Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series includes: U-Control Features: Each disc offers at least one interactive fact track -- "The Oracle" (on Discs 1-20), "Battlestar Blips" (Discs 10-14), and "Battlestar Actual" (Discs 15-20). In cases where "The Oracle" is available with another U-Control experience, both can be viewed separately or in tandem. Once any of the tracks are engaged, simply press "enter" when the UControl icon flashes to gain access to text-based factoids, glossary definitions, character bios, and photos. The original Battlestar miniseries and the finale episode are unique in that they also offer their own bonuses. The miniseries features a Picture-in-Picture overview of the production and the finale includes a feature called "What the Frak Happened to You," a Maximum-MovieMode-esque track that provides PiP bios, origin details, and glimpses at the ultimate fate of each character in the series. The U-Control experiences don't amount to much, but they're welcome exclusives nonetheless. Unaired Extended Episodes: Alongside their broadcast counterparts, you'll find extended versions of five episodes -- "Pegasus," "Unfinished Business," "A Disquiet Follows My Soul," "Islanded in a Stream of Stars," and "Daybreak." The extended finale will be of particular interest to many as it fleshes out the climaxes, backstories, and fates of various characters, giving each one more room to breathe. As an added bonus, an Unrated Extended version of Razor is also included on Disc 15. Audio Commentaries: Take a deep breath and brace yourself for the long haul. The Complete Series hits with twenty-two audio commentaries (not including Ron Moore's podcast commentaries... I'll get to those in a bit). You'll find tracks for the "Miniseries Parts 1 & 2"

(executive producers Ron Moore and David Eick, and director Michael Rymer), "33" (Moore, Eick, and Rymer), "Bastille Day" (Moore and Eick), "Act of Contrition" (Moore and Eick), "You Can't Go Home Again" (Moore and Eick), "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down" (Moore), "The Hand of God" (Moore), "Colonial Day" (Moore), "Kobol's Last Gleaming Parts 1 & 2" (Moore), "Pegasus Extended" (Moore and Eick), "Hero" (Eick), the unaired extended cut of "Unfinished Business" (Moore), Razor (Moore and writer Michael Taylor), "Faith" (Moore and Supervising Producers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle), "Guess What's Coming to Dinner" (Moore and writer Michael Angeli), "Sine Qua Non" (Moore and Taylor), "A Disquiet Follows My Soul" (Moore), "Islanded in a Stream of Stars" (series star/episode director Edward James Olmos), and "Daybreak" (Moore, Eick, and Rymer). Podcast Commentaries: If you've never had the pleasure of listening to a commentary track with executive producer and series creator Ron Moore, you're in for a real treat. Candid, amiable, and quick to criticize his own work, Moore uses his commentaries to pull back the proverbial curtain on every aspect of his critically acclaimed show. From casting to storytelling, visual to practical effects, behind-the-scenes anecdotes to boardroom revelations, he leaves no stone unturned, offering honest, insightful glimpses into how the series came to be, decisions that were made along the way and, inevitably, the series' emotional fourth season. His discussions are informative, entertaining and, above all else, exactly what a fan would want from a commentary. The Complete Series offers a whopping fifty-seven podcast commentaries. Tracks are available on "Scattered," "Valley of Darkness," "Resistance," "The Farm," Home Parts 1 & 2" (with David Eick), "Final Cut" "Resurrection Ship Parts 1 & 2," "Epiphanies," "Black Market," "Scar," "Sacrifice," "The Captain's Hand," "Downloaded," "Lay Down Your Burdens Parts 1 & 2," "Occupation," "Precipice," "Exodus Parts 1 & 2," "Collaborators," "Torn," "A Measure of Salvation," "Hero," "Unfinished Business" (with actors Grace Park and Tahmoh Penikett), "The Passage," "The Eye of Jupiter," "Rapture," "Taking a Break from All Your Worries," "The Woman King," "A Day in the Life," "Dirty Hands," "Maelstrom," "The Son Also Rises," a second "The Son Also Rises" track (with actor Mark Sheppard and writer Michael Angeli), "Crossroads Part 1," an additional "Crossroads Part 1" track (with Sheppard), "Crossroads Part 2," and yet another "Crossroads Part 2" track (with Sheppard). But wait, there's more! Podcast commentaries are also included for "He That Believeth in Me," "Six of One," "The Ties That Bind," "Escape Velocity," "The Road Less Traveled," "The Hub" (with co-executive producer Jane Espenson, editor Michael O'Halloran, and supervising editor Andrew Seklir), "Revelations" (with writers David Weddle and Bradley Thompson, and editor Julius Ramsay), "Sometimes a Great Notion," the broadcast version of "A Disquiet Follows My Soul," "The Oath," "Blood on the Scales," "No Exit," "Deadlock," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Islanded in a Stream of Stars," "Daybreak Part 1," and "Daybreak Parts 2 & 3." Whew. Deleted Scenes (All Discs, SD, 353 minutes): Some are little more than redundant connecting shots, others offer juicy character beats, but each one is worth watching. Just be forewarned, fugly standard definition video and unfinished FX shots abound. Deleted scenes are available for the "Miniseries Parts 1 & 2," "33," "Water," "Act of Contrition," "You Can't Go Home Again," "Litmus," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Flesh and Bone," "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down," "The Hand of God," "Colonial Day," "Kobol's Last Gleaming Parts 1 & 2," "Scattered," "Valley of Darkness," "Fragged," "Resistance," "The Farm," "Home Parts 1 & 2," "Final Cut," "Flight of the Phoenix," "Resurrection Ship Part 1," "Black Market," "Scar," "Sacrifice," "The Captain's Hand," "Downloaded," and "Lay Down Your Burdens Parts 1 & 2." The cuts keep on coming with "Occupation," "Precipice," "Exodus Part 2," "Collaborators," "Torn," "A Measure of Salvation," "Hero," "The Passage," "The Eye of Jupiter," "Rapture," "Taking a Break from All Your Worries," "The Woman King," "A Day in the Life," "Dirty Hands," "Maelstrom," "The Son Also Rises," "Crossroads Parts 1 & 2," Razor, "He That Believeth in Me," "Six of One," "The Ties That Bind," "Escape Velocity," "The Road Less Traveled," "Faith," "Guess What's Coming to Dinner," "Sine Qua Non," "The Hub, "Revelations," "Sometimes a Great

Notion," "The Oath," "Blood on the Scales," "No Exit," "Deadlock," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and "Daybreak." Exclusive Deleted Scenes (Disc 16-17, SD, 23 minutes): Several fourth season episodes - "Six of One," "Guess What's Coming to Dinner," "The Hub," and "Revelations" -- also include deleted scenes exclusive to the Season Four Blu-ray release. David Eick's Video Blogs (Disc 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, and 19, SD, 149 minutes) -- Executive producer David Eick tackles his cast and crew with a camcorder, nabbing a variety of entertaining tidbits, details about the production, and memorable anecdotes. Above all, he captures the sense of community and family thriving on set. Chapters include "Episode 205," "Episode 207," "On the Set of the New Pegasus," "The Magic of BSG," "Never Let the Inmates Run the Asylum," "Scenes from the Video Blog Floor," "Sex Lies and a Video Blog," "Testimonials," "Who Dies," "Prosthetics," "Lucy and David," "Introducing Bulldog," "Characters," "Adama on Adama," "Episode 6 Readthrough," "On the Road," "Steve McNutt Gets a Video Blog," and "The Soldier's Code." Eick's Video Blogs continue with "Taking a Break from All Your Worries," "On the Road Part 2," "Some Guy Named Colin," "Building a Better Show," "Katee's Scrapbook," "Shooting," "Mr. Eddie If You Please," "Oceans in the Desert," "David Who," "Out of Control," "Last Episode Blues," "Love in Space," "Why Hath David Forsaken Us," "So This Is It," "What Next, What Now," "Digital Pressure," "Space Cowboys," "Lucy's Breakdown," "Are You Frakkin' Kidding Me," "I'm a Frakkin' Cylon," "Last Call," "No Retreat, No Surrender," "The Hatch," "The Fifth is Among Us," "Action Please," "Hanging in the Background," "Some Guy Named Colin, Part II," "A Cylon 'Til the End," "Inserts, Action & FX" "Documenting Battlestar Galactica," "Life on a Cylon Battleship," and "Favorite Battlestar Galactica Moments." Season One Behind the Scenes (Disc 1, SD, 63 minutes): An impressive bundle of Season One featurettes that discuss the genesis, development, and production of the new Battlestar Galactica series. Segments include "From Miniseries to Series," "Change is Good Now They're Babes," "The Cylon Centurion," "Future/Past Technology," "The Doctor Is Out (of His Mind)," "Production," "Visual Effects," and "Epilogue." Sketches and Art (Disc 1, SD, 4 minutes): A montage of production artwork, design concepts, sketches, and behind-the-scenes photographs set to a selection from Bear McCreary's score. Are You a Cylon? (Disc 4, HD): A brief, mildly amusing interactive personality test that determines whether you're a human or a skinjob. Me? Apparently, there's a chance I'm a Cylon sleeper agent. Sizzle Reel (Disc 6, SD, 4 minutes): A sneak peak at Season Two's eleventh episode. It's nothing special -- essentially just an extended promo that aired on the SciFi Network -- but completists will appreciate its inclusion. Career Assignment (Disc 9, HD): Yet another interactive quiz, this one determines what position you would hold on the Battlestar. Me? It looks like I'd be hanging out with Tigh in the XO's quarters. RND Logos (Disc 9, SD, 3 minutes): A series of strange but amusing, Gilliam-esque animated shorts with two-dimensional renderings of executive producers Ron Moore and David Eick... dying and killing each other in a variety of ways. The Resistance Webisodes (Disc 11, SD, 27 minutes): This ten-part online short offers fans a secondary story that takes place amidst the chaos of Season Three. Several regulars show up for brief appearances, but the tale itself mainly focuses on a trio of survivors who weren't prominently featured in the show.

Colonial Military Assessment (Disc 14, HD): A third interactive quiz, this time to determine your rank in the fleet. I'm a Colonel. The Look of Battlestar Galactica (Disc 15, SD, 8 minutes): Ron Moore helms a solid overview of the series' production design, sets, ships, environments, and costumes, as well as the reasoning behind his decisions. My Favorite Episode So Far (Disc 15, SD, 11 minutes): Key members of the cast and crew weigh in on their favorite episodes of the series. Season 4 Sneak Peek and Trailer (Disc 15, SD, 3 minutes): Two television promos for the series' fourth season. Minisodes (Disc 15, SD, 20 minutes): An multi-part, online miniseries that expands a major plot thread in Razor. I won't spoil the goods (or the identity of the main character), but I will say I would love to see a spin-off series with its characters, themes, and storylines. Good stuff. The Journey (Disc 17, SD, 21 minutes): This hefty, Season Four documentary traces the course of the characters, the stories, the performances, and the many arcs that develop as the series barrels toward its conclusion. Dozens of cast and crew interviews provide insights into the nuances and subtleties of the actors' efforts and their choices. The Cylons: The Twelve (Disc 17, SD, 16 minutes): An intriguing analysis of the Cylons, their motivations, and their evolving beliefs. The actors and writers are on hand to dissect the skinjobs and chat about the conflicts that arise in Season Four. The Music of Battlestar Galactica (Disc 17, SD, 23 minutes): Composer Bear McCreary hosts a tour of the production of the series' score. Unfortunately, it's a tongue-in-cheek gag that runs on for far too long. There are nuggets of truth here and there, but the forced humor overshadows a lot of it. My advice? Check out to the fantastic music documentaries on Discs 18 and 20 and skip this lame stunt. Caprica Sneak Peek (Disc 17, SD, 2 minutes): An all-too-short preview of the upcoming Caprica prequel series. Season 4.5: The Untold Story Untold (Disc 17, SD, 2 minutes): A television promo for the second half of Season Four. The Journey Ends: The Arrival (Disc 18, HD, 13 minutes): A thorough, rather somber reflection on the series coming to a close. Fans of the show will be engrossed by the chance to see key members of the cast and crew struggle to hold back tears, discuss its impact on their careers and personal lives, and explain how the finale came together and the mythos came to a close. Evolution of a Cue (Disc 18, SD, 23 minutes): Composer Bear McCreary takes you behind the scenes to learn about the creation of a single musical cue, from its inception in McCreary's mind to its orchestral recording and post-production mixing. Incredibly extensive, informative, and revealing, this is one of the finest musical score documentaries I've had the pleasure to review. What the Frak is Going on with Battlestar Galactica? (Disc 18, SD, 8 minutes): An absolutely hilarious recap of the entire series with a dry, critically precise narrator who's more than willing to poke fun at the beloved show. Even if you're not planning on digging through any of the set's special features, be sure to sit down with a bag of popcorn and enjoy this brilliant short. A Look Back (Disc 20, HD, 37 minutes): An oft-times amusing overview of the series and its development, as well as its casting, storylines, creators and producers, production design,

characters, plot twists, cliffhangers, and basically every other aspect of the show anyone with an inkling of adoration will soak up from beginning to end. The documentary is divided into six segments, available individually or in one massive chunk. Chapters include "So Say We All," "Manifesto Destiny," "Battle-Style Galactica," "Martyr to a Cause," "The Sins of the Forgiven," and "Battlestar Revelations." The Musicians of Daybreak (Disc 20, SD, 31 minutes): Bear McCreary is on hand again to lead this sprawling documentary about the music, instruments, themes and, most importantly, the individual musicians and percussionists who brought each episode of Battlestar Galactica to life. And They Have a Plan (Disc 20, HD, 5 minutes): A look at the upcoming feature-length direct-to-video Battlestar Galactica movie, The Plan. My Scenes Bookmarking BD-Live Functionality

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

I'm sure I could pound out another sixteen paragraphs, but I'll save you the trouble of reading more unabashed praise. To cut to the chase, Battlestar Galactica is, without a doubt, one of the finest television series I've ever encountered and one that I'll revisit again and again for years to come. Universal's Complete Series box set may be missing a few relatively minor supplements (and have a few problems with its packaging), but its faithful video transfers, powerful DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, and neverending parade of special features and audio commentaries make it a must-own release. As one forum member so astutely put it, it's "the best $209 dollars plus tax I've spent." I couldn't agree more.

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) Overall Grade The Movie Itself HD Video Quality HD Audio Quality Supplements High-Def Extras Bottom Line Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Tom Landy Monday, August 17, 2009 The Movie Itself: Our Reviewer's Take Ronald D. Moore and David Eick are gods among men. Back in 2003, the duo set out to resurrect Glen A. Larson's campy 1978 sci-fi classic 'Battlestar Galactica' by giving it an extreme makeover for the new millennium. Any project of such magnitude is always a bold and risky endeavor, especially after the numerous failed attempts in the past to rekindle the franchise. The plan for the update was to retain the basic plot of a group of space-faring humans on the run from the deadly cybernetic Cylons, but inject it with a much more serious tone -- taking the production into an entirely different direction. The whole idea was a potential recipe for disaster, yet somehow all the stars aligned just right and Moore and Eick were in the zone. When they needed to zig they zigged, and when they were supposed to zag they zagged. These guys put away their targeting computers and still blew the Death Star to smithereens. The final result is what Time Magazine and countless others (myself included) hail as one of the best dramas on television. Ever. Sometime in their history, a civilized planetary system consisting of a dozen tribes of humanity known as the Twelve Colonies of Kobol created a race of sentient robotic beings they called Cylons. The Cylons were built to make the humans' lives easier, but one day the machines had enough of slavery and rebelled against their masters. The uprising escalated into a war and then suddenly -the Cylons vanished without a trace. After forty years of silence the Cylons had become nearly forgotten relics of the past. The only person who seems to be unable to let his guard down is Commander Bill Adama (Edward James Olmos) of the warship Battlestar Galactica. On the verge of retirement, Adama is a seasoned veteran from the Cylon War and sadly his ship is in the process of being converted into a museum. But while he's still aboard the vessel he's the one calling the shots, which comes in real handy when word comes in that their homeworlds are being nuked. The Colonies are under attack. With the vicious return of the Cylons, Adama makes the critical decision to put his old girl back into commission and protect as many survivors as he can -- which will include his estranged son Lee "Apollo" Adama (Jamie Bamber); his right hand man by day/drunkard by night Colonel Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan); the cancer-stricken Secretary of Education Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell); insubordinate hotshot pilot Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff); Chief Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas); Karl "Helo" Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett); Sharon "Boomer" Valerii (Grace Park); and the sniveling genius who is somehow connected to the assault -- Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis) to

name a few. Decimated to near-extinction, there is a glimmer of hope -- and the driving force behind the fleet's survival is finding the mythical thirteenth colony called Earth. There are many elements that merge together to transform 'Battlestar Galactica' into the exceptional series it has become, and one of them is the outstanding performances. Nobody is more perfect than Edward James Olmos as the steadfast Bill Adama, who serves as the anchor of the entire production. Olmos brings life to a character that is honorable and loyal if a little stubborn, and is able to make extremely difficult decisions. Sometimes he doesn't even need to say a word for the viewer to know exactly what's on his mind, and there are times where he delivers a line so callously it can actually send shivers down your spine. Likewise, Mary McDonnell is the ideal complement to Olmos, butting heads with him on occasion and often acting as the voice of reason. Her Roslin is a level-headed political woman, and her struggle with a terminal illness is touching and believable. Another favorite of mine is Dr. Baltar himself, James Callis, who creates a smart yet misguided soul that seems to have more luck up his sleeves than Han Solo. Watching him squirm out of dire situations is highly entertaining, not to mention the fact that his facial expressions are simply priceless. Every character is flawed in one way or another making them all interesting, and the entire cast contributes their own little pieces, adding humor, friction, drama, and more. In short, this ensemble is tough to top. The show also thrives from its remarkable writing. 'Battlestar Galactica' may appear to be a sci-fi shoot-em-up on the surface, but Moore and company wisely focus on human nature and interaction before anything else, which builds the framework for a character driven drama at its core. Every topic you could possibly imagine is covered at some point -- politics, religion, racism, human rights, and in the wake of 9/11 even terrorism is dealt with accordingly. Each episode brings something new to the table and keeps the series constantly evolving with so many twists and turns that it never gets stale. Another major difference in this reimagining is with the Cylons themselves. The Centurions have been given an overhaul with a more sleek and streamlined model (although the older clunkier versions still "have their uses" and show up on occasion), but we also learn that some Cylons now look and feel completely human. The first of these new marvels we meet is the seductive temptress Number Six (Tricia Helfer), who uses her perfectly crafted body to blend in and get what she wants. There are twelve different models of these human impostors in total and there are multiple copies of each, including sleeper agents totally unaware of what they truly are until they are activated. This new layer strengthens the drama and is part of what makes this series so riveting. It becomes abundantly clear that there are enemies among the fleet -- and not only does this curveball constantly keep viewers guessing, the genius of it is that it allows for even more complex and engaging storylines. Not all of the creative liberties were welcomed with open arms, however. Many dedicated followers of the original series were outraged when it was revealed that some of their favorite characters had been given a sex change. Both Boomer (who is technically the merging of Boomer and Athena from the '70s show) and cigar-chomping Starbuck were now women. Some fans were so infuriated by this change they even vowed to boycott the entire production. Most came around eventually, but for those who didn't it's nobody's loss but their own. The problem with the old 'Galactica' was that it was male-dominated, limiting its options, and by creating more female characters it opened up a few more doors to even more possibilities. If the show had stayed true to form, I really don't think the series would have been such a hit and--next to the addition of human-looking Cylons--I personally think this is the strongest decision that was made for the revival. The new 'Battlestar Galactica' began as a two-part event for the Sci-Fi Channel (which is now the ridiculously renamed Syfy). Ratings normally tend to drop off a bit for subsequent chapters of a miniseries as some viewers lose interest, but in this case the ratings skyrocketed for the second

half -- paving the runway for four incredible seasons, two movies, and the upcoming 'Caprica' prequel spinoff. 'Battlestar Galactica' is the type of series that hits all the right marks, latches onto you almost immediately, and a pitch perfect illustration of television at its finest. The Video: Sizing Up the Picture 'Battlestar Galactica' is a tough release to judge visually. The series is often grainy and colors are heavily unsaturated in places, but this gritty washed-out look is the intended style of the filmmakers. On the first disc for each season, Ronald D. Moore gives a brief introduction touching on this subject plus there's a message on startup from Universal stating: "The Blu-ray release of Battlestar Galactica accurately preserves the artistic intentions of the creators. The stylized visual elements within certain scenes are intentional and faithful to the broadcast presentation of the television show." The point is that 'Battlestar Galactica' was never meant to gleam and sparkle, so as long as viewers keep this in mind and don't approach the Blu-rays expecting the crystal clearness of a show like 'LOST' for example, then I'm sure the majority will be satisfied with the results. As an owner of the DVDs, one difference with the standard-definition releases is that the picture is so murky at times it really tends to hinder visibility into the backgrounds. The Blu-rays open things up tremendously, so much so that now I'd almost consider it an entirely new adventure. The miniseries was captured on traditional film (as opposed to the rest of the series which was filmed via high-definition cameras), and it is slightly more problematic than the rest of the series but still a noticeable improvement over the DVDs. Black levels are darker, although they occasionally slip and lose some of their luster from time to time. Skin tones are realistic if a little soft, and details are crisper. There is some artifacting, color banding, minor crushing, and some edge enhancement, but generally speaking the miniseries easily blows its DVD counterpart to Kingdom Come. Even better than the miniseries, though, is the series itself. The picture has been treated with artificial grain to maintain the grittiness and grimy feel, but the image is much tighter -- especially in the fine details of facial features and the outer hulls of ships. Colors are still bleak in some scenes, and now they are much richer overall. Whites can be intensely hot on Cylon-occupied Caprica as well as Galactica's Viper hangar, while black levels are deep and inky throughout. The series does suffer from some of the same imperfections previously mentioned in the miniseries -however they are greatly reduced here and practically nonexistent in the last few seasons. My only real gripe is with the excessive amount of digital noise. For instance, one camera angle might appear gritty and still pleasing, but the next shot writhes with a cloud of heavy mosquito noise, it's like the snowy interference on an old TV -- and all of the episodes seem to suffer a bit from this sickness. It's possible that this is due to the manipulation of the image's graininess, a side effect from compressing too many episodes on each disc, or maybe it has always been there and Blu-ray merely magnifies it. Who knows? I'm sure DNR haters will probably be tickled pink with this, but for me there are points when it becomes a distraction. That being said, I love the rest of the 1080p 1.78:1 aspect ratio encode (VC-1 for seasons 1 & 3, AVC MPEG-4 for seasons 2 & 4) that is no contest for the DVDs and even improves upon the past HD DVD version. However, I would have easily bumped up my video rating another full star if the noise wasn't so inconsistent. The Audio: Rating the Sound

The box for 'Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series' comes with a slipcover listing the specs and supplements which incorrectly state Dolby Digital audio for the Blu-rays when the discs actually include DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks. I've always been impressed with the very immersive lossy tracks on the DVDs, but these new lossless mixes are vastly superior in every way. The series is heavy on dialogue, and Universal has done a great job making it clear and wellprioritized. Sometimes it can still sound a bit distant and constrained, but that's just a very minor quibble and it doesn't really detract from the experience. The rest of the soundstage is where the show truly shines. The mix is surprisingly airy and atmospheric -- using all of the speakers to their full potential. The rears distribute plenty of subtle effects, and one solid example of this is in the episode 'Bastille Day' with all of the background chatter and clanking aboard the prisoner transport called the Astral Queen. The dogfights between the Colonial's vipers and Cylon raiders commonly give the system a healthy workout, too. The series thrives on hard-driving bass as well -- from the Cylons nuking the Colonies, Adama's old girl firing her massive cannons, to the pulse-pounding percussions of McCreary's outstanding score. There's no question in my mind, 'Battlestar Galactica' is one of the best sounding shows on television. All of the discs in this collection also include optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles. The Supplements: Digging Into the Good Stuff If you aren't already sitting down as you're reading this review, now would be a good time to pull up a chair. Universal has included supplements on each of the twenty discs in this collection, so needless to say -- we're going to be here for awhile. Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries: Just for the sake of organization, I'm giving the miniseries its own little section here. However, all of this content is technically part of Season 1 on the first disc. Audio Commentary: Miniseries Parts 1 & 2 Both parts of the miniseries have an audio commentary with director Michael Rymer as well as executive producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. From Miniseries to Series (SD, 9 minutes) This featurette covers the evolution of the re-imagined 'Battlestar Galactica' from a televised miniseries to a full blown series. Change is Good, Now They're Babes (SD, 8 minutes) A short little piece covering Boomer's and Starbuck's sex change and a look at some of the other major female characters in the series. The Cylon Centurion (SD, 6 minutes) The toasters get their own 15 minutes (OK, make that 6 minutes) in the spotlight here. Future/Past Technology (SD, 8 minutes) A glimpse at the different kinds of technology seen in 'Battlestar Galactica' over the years. The Doctor is Out (Of His Mind) (SD, 8 minutes) All about the good Dr. Baltar played by James Callis. Production (SD, 9 minutes) A brief production vignette covering filming in highdefinition, the sets, make-up, and more. Visual Effects (SD, 9 minutes) Covers the various ships, jump effects, and usage of green screen technology bringing the intense world of 'Battlestar Galactica' to life. Epilogue (SD, 8 minutes) The final featurette is a general overview of the show.

Sketches and Art (SD, 4 minutes) A concept art, paintings, and costume photo slideshow set to music from the show. Deleted Scenes (SD, 21 minutes) An assortment of deleted scenes from the miniseries.

Battlestar Galactica: Season One: Audio Commentary: '33' (Disc 2) Commentary for the pilot episode of the series with Michael Rymer, David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Bastille Day' (Disc 2) Commentary with David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Act of Contrition' (Disc 2) Commentary with David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'You Can't Go Home Again' (Disc 2) Commentary with David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Tigh Me Up - Tigh Me Down' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Hand of God' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Colonial Day' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Kobol's Last Gleaming: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 4) The two-part season finale has a commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 2, 18 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes '33,' 'Water,' 'Act of Contrition,' and 'You Can't Go Home Again.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 3, 12 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Litmus,' 'Six Degrees of Separation,' 'Flesh and Bone,' 'Tigh Me Up - Tigh Me Down,' and Hand of God.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 4, 18 minutes) The last disc of this season has deleted scenes from episodes 'Colonial Day,' and 'Kobol's Last Gleaming: Parts 1 & 2.'

Battlestar Galactica: Season Two: Audio Commentary: 'Scattered' (Disc 1) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Valley of Darkness' (Disc 1) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Resistance' (Disc 1) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Farm' (Disc 1) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Home: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Final Cut' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Pegasus: Extended Edition' (Disc 3) Commentary with David Eick and Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Resurrection Ship: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Epiphanies' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Black Market' (Disc 4) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Scar' (Disc 4) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Sacrifice' (Disc 4) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'The Captain's Hand' (Disc 4) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Downloaded' (Disc 5) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore.

Audio Commentary: 'Lay Down Your Burdens: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 5) Commentary for the two-part season finale with Ronald D. Moore. Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 1, 42 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Scattered,' 'Valley of Darkness,' 'Fragged,' 'Resistance,' and 'The Farm.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 3, 9 minutes) Deleted scenes from episode 'Resurrection Ship: Part 1.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 4, 30 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Black Market,' 'Scar,' 'Sacrifice,' and 'The Captain's Hand.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 5, 30 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Downloaded,' and 'Lay Down Your Burdens: Parts 1 & 2.' Extended Episode: 'Pegasus' (HD, Disc 3) The unrated extended version of this episode. Sizzle Reel (SD, Disc 5, 4 minutes) Basically just a preview for the first episode of the second half of Season 2. R&D Logos (SD, Disc 5, 3 minutes) A collection of all of the weird Ronald vs. David death scenes that appear after each episode. David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 5, 22 minutes) A collection of video blogs: 'Episode 205: Day Two,' 'Episode 207: Day Four,' 'On the Set of the New Pegasus,' 'The Magic of Battlestar Galactica,' 'Never Let the Inmates Run the Asylum,' 'Scenes from the Video Blog Floor,' and 'Sex, Lies, and a Video Blog,'

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three: Podcast Commentary: 'Occupation' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Precipice' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Exodus: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Collaborators' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Torn' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'A Measure of Salvation' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Hero' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Hero' (Disc 2) A second commentary for this episode is included with David Eick. Audio Commentary: 'Unfinished Business' (Disc 2) Commentary with stars Grace Park and Tahmoh Penikett. Audio Commentary: 'Unfinished Business: Extended Version' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Passage' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Eye of Jupiter' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Rapture' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Taking a Break from All Your Worries' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Woman King' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'A Day in the Life' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Dirty Hands' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore.

Audio Commentary: 'Maelstrom' (Disc 4) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Son Also Rises' (Disc 5) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'The Son Also Rises' (Disc 5) A second commentary for this episode with actor Mark Sheppard and writer Michael Angeli. Audio Commentary: 'Crossroads: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 5) The two-part season finale commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Crossroads: Parts 1 & 2' (Disc 5) Another commentary for the season finale with actor Mark Sheppard. Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 1, 12 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Occupation,' 'Precipice,' 'Exodus: Part 2,' and 'Collaborators.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 2, 8 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes ''Torn,' 'A Measure of Salvation,' and 'Hero.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 3, 12 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'The Passage,' 'The Eye of Jupiter,' and 'Rapture.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 4, 19 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Taking a Break from All Your Worries,' 'The Woman King,' 'A Day in the Life,' 'Dirty Hands, and 'Maelstrom.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 5, 8 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'The Son Also Rises,' and 'Crossroads: Parts 1 & 2.' Extended Episode: 'Unfinished Business' (HD, Disc 3) The unrated extended version of this episode. David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 2, 15 minutes) More video blogs from David Eick: 'Testimonials,' 'Who Dies?' 'Prosthetics,' 'Lucy and David,' and 'Introducing Bulldog,' David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 3, 21 minutes) This disc has more video blogs: 'Characters,' 'Adama on Adama,' 'Episode 6 Read Through,' 'On the Road,' 'Steve McNutt Gets a Video Blog,' and 'The Soldiers' Code: Leave No Man Behind.' David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 5, 40 minutes) Eleven more video blogs: 'Taking a Break From All Your Worries,' 'On the Road: Part 2,' 'Some Guy Named Colin,' 'Building a Better Show,' 'Katee's Scrapbook,' 'Shooting,' 'Mr. Eddie If You Please...,' 'Oceans in the Desert,' 'David Who?' 'Out of Control,' and 'Last Episode Blues.' Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance (SD, Disc 2, 27 minutes) A collection of ten bonus 'Galactica' webisodes featuring an alternate storyline that takes place during the third season.

Battlestar Galactica: Razor: 'Battlestar Galactica: Razor' is included in Season 4 on its own separate disc. Audio Commentary: 'Razor: Extended Version' Commentary with Ronald D. Moore and writer Michael Taylor. Deleted Scenes (SD, 3 minutes) Deleted scenes from 'Razor.' Extended Episode: 'Razor' (HD) The unrated extended version of this movie. Razor Minisodes (SD, 20 minutes) All seven 'Razor' webisodes are included here. The Look of Battlestar Galactica (SD, 8 minutes) An all too brief glimpse into the production of the series hosted by Moore. My Favorite Episode So Far (SD, 11 minutes) The cast and crew reflect on their favorite episodes of the series. Season Four Sneak Peek and Season Four Trailer (SD, 3 minutes) Snippets promoting the fourth season.

Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.0: Podcast Commentary: 'He That Believeth in Me' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Six of One' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'That Ties That Bind' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Escape Velocity' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'The Road Less Traveled' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Faith' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore as well as producers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle. Audio Commentary: 'Guess What's Coming to Dinner' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore and writer Michael Angeli. Audio Commentary: 'Sine Qua Non' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore and writer Michael Taylor. Audio Commentary: 'The Hub' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore, coexecutive producer Jane Espenson, editor Michael O'Halloran and supervising Editor Andrew Seklir. Audio Commentary: 'Revelations' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson, and editor Julius Ramsay. Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 1, 12 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'He That Believeth in Me,' 'Six of One,' 'That Ties That Bind,' 'Escape Velocity,' 'The Road Less Traveled.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 2, 10 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Faith,' 'Guess What's Coming to Dinner,' 'Sine Qua Non,' 'The Hub,' and 'Revelations.' David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 1, 40 minutes) Yep, ten more video blogs from David Eick: 'Love in Space,' 'Why Hath David Forsaken Us?' 'So This Is It,' 'What Next? What Now?' 'Digital Pressure,' 'Space Cowboys,' 'Lucy's Breakdown,' 'Are You Frakkin Kidding Me?' 'I'm a Frakkin Cylon,' and 'Last Call,' The Journey (SD, Disc 2, 21 minutes) A very comprehensive documentary packed with cast and crew interviews with their thoughts on the progression of the characters and storylines throughout the series. Cylons: The Twelve (SD, Disc 2, 16 minutes) Just a teaser for the final ten episodes of the series. Season 4.5: The Untold Story - Untold (SD, Disc 2, 2 minutes) A television preview for season 4.5. Caprica Sneak Peek (SD, Disc 2, 2 minutes) A preview for the upcoming 'Battlestar Galactica' prequel spinoff series 'Caprica.' The Music of Battlestar Galactica (SD, Disc 2, 23 minutes) From what I can tell, this is sort of a spoof featurette with composer Bear McCreary. If you're interested in a serious behind-the-scenes look at the music for the series, you're better off with the ones in the next few discs.

Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5:

Podcast Commentary: 'Sometimes a Great Notion' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'A Disquiet Follows My Soul' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'A Disquiet Follows My Soul: Extended Version' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'The Oath' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Podcast Commentary: 'Blood on the Scales' (Disc 1) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'No Exit' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Deadlock' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Someone to Watch Over Me' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Islanded in a Stream of Stars' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Islanded in a Stream of Stars: Extended Version' (Disc 2) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Islanded in a Stream of Stars: Extended Version' (Disc 2) Commentary with star/director Edward James Olmos. Podcast Commentary: 'Daybreak: Parts 1-3' (Disc 3) Podcast commentary with Ronald D. Moore. Audio Commentary: 'Daybreak: Extended Version' (Disc 3) Commentary with Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 1, 16 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'Sometimes a Great Notion,' 'The Oath,' 'Blood on the Scales.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 2, 21 minutes) Deleted scenes from episodes 'No Exit,' 'Deadlock,' and 'Someone to Watch Over Me.' Deleted Scenes (SD, Disc 3, 6 minutes) Deleted scenes from the series finale 'Daybreak.' Extended Episode: 'A Disquiet Follows My Soul' (HD, Disc 1) The unrated extended version of this episode. Extended Episode: 'Islanded in a Stream of Stars' (HD, Disc 2) The unrated extended version of this episode. Extended Episode: 'Daybreak' (HD, Disc 3) The unrated extended version of the series finale that runs about half an hour longer. David Eick Video Blogs (SD, Disc 2, 46 minutes) More video blogs from David Eick: 'No Retreat No Surrender,' 'The Hatch,' 'The Fifth is Among Us,' 'Action Please,' 'Hanging in the Background,' 'Some Guy Named Colin Part 2,' 'A Cylon Till The End,' 'Inserts Action & FX,' 'Documenting Battlestar Galactica,' 'Life on the Cylon Battleship,' and 'Favorite Battlestar Galactica Moment,' The Journey Ends: The Arrival (HD, Disc 1, 13 minutes) The cast and crew say goodbye to one of the best series ever produced on television. Evolution of a Cue (SD, Disc 1, 23 minutes) Composer Bear McCreary reveals the process on developing musical cues for the score. What the Frak is Going On with Battlestar Galactica? (SD, Disc 1, 8 minutes) A lightning quick recap of the series in eight minutes. The first time I saw this was on You Tube and it's totally hilarious.

A Look Back (HD, Disc 3, 37 minutes) A extensive reminder of the series -- from its production, storylines, characters, and development. This feature is divided into six segments: 'So Say We All,' 'Manifesto Destiny,' 'Battle-Style Galactica,' 'Martyr to a Cause,' 'The Sins of the Forgiven,' and 'Battlestar Revelations.' And They Have a Plan (HD, Disc 3, 5 minutes) A promotional piece for the upcoming 'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan' film.

HD Bonus Content: Any Exclusive Goodies in There? U-Control: The Oracle Most, if not all, of the episodes (including the miniseries and Razor) come with this interactive guide to characters, starships, the twelve colonies, and more. U-Control: Picture-in-Picture: Miniseries (Season 1, Disc 1) This interactive feature is composed of notes and interviews for the making of the miniseries. It's the same one found on the previously released HD DVD. U-Control: Battlestar Blips (Season 3, All Discs) An optional viewing mode with a popup trivia and factoid track. This feature is a Season 3 exclusive. U-Control: Battlestar Actual (Season 4, All Discs) When activated, this viewing mode displays a pop-up guide to the terminology used in the show. This feature is a Season 4.0 and 4.5 exclusive. U-Control: What the Frak Happened to You? (Season 4.5, Disc 3) Another picture-inpicture track similar to the one for the miniseries. This one is exclusive to the series finale 'Daybreak: Extended Version.' Are You a Cylon? (HD, Season 1, Disc 4) Take this interactive quiz to see if you are human or a Cylon. It looks like I may be a sleeper toaster that hasn't been activated yet. Battlestar Galactica Career Assignment Quiz (HD, Season 2, Disc 5) An interactive quiz to see what your job would be in the Galactica universe. I've been assigned XO. Colonial Military Assignment Quiz (HD, Season 3, Disc 5) Another interactive quiz to determine what your rank would be in the Colonial fleet. I'm a Lieutenant (that's what I get for being a little rusty on the trivia questions). Battlestar Galactica: Ultimate Battle (Season 4.0, Disc 1) A BD-Live card game. I was expecting a poker-style game like the one from the show, but it's actually more along the lines of a collectible card game. I couldn't get it to work for me, though. The game can be found on the first disc of both 4.0 and 4.5 half-seasons. The Musicians Behind Daybreak (SD, Season 4.5, Disc 3, 31 minutes) In this documentary, composer Bear McCreary gives viewers an inside look at the creation of the music for the series finale. Exclusive Deleted Scenes (SD, Season 4.0, Discs 1 & 2, 23 minutes) Just in case you haven't had enough deleted scenes, there are a few more exclusive to this Blu-ray from the following episodes: 'Six of One,' 'Guess What's Coming to Dinner,' 'The Hub,' and 'Revelations.' My Scenes Bookmark and save clips of favorite scenes and send them to your friends. BD-Live Download Center Lastly, the disc is BD-Live enabled. The area has the usual option to register and a collection of previews, and as of this writing theres also the Battlestar Galactica: Ultimate Battle card game. I was expecting a poker-style game like the one from the show, but it's actually more along the lines of a collectible card game with Cylons vs. humans. I couldn't get it to work for me, though. The game can be found on the first disc of both 4.0 and 4.5 half-seasons.

The Cutting Room Floor: What Didn't Make the Blu-ray?

While the extensive supplemental package is more than enough to make any 'Battlestar Galactica' fan run circles around the room giddy with glee, there are few items noticeably absent from this Blu-ray collection: Battlestar Galactica: The Lowdown (40 minutes) The featurette originally included on the miniseries DVD release isn't included in this set. However, parts of it have been incorporated into the U-Control features so technically it isn't really a total loss. Battlestar Galactica: The Series - The Lowdown (20 minutes) This "making of" featurette included on the Season One DVD is also absent, although like the previous featurette, some of this seems to be recycled into the interactive content. The Making of Battlestar Galactica: Razor This behind-the-scenes featurette for the 'Razor' special was included on a bonus disc as a Best Buy exclusive for the DVD release. Too bad that it isn't part of this set. 'The Face of the Enemy' Webisodes A series of ten webisodes 'The Face of the Enemy' is MIA from this set. It's disappointing that Universal couldn't find the room for these segments, but hopefully they will be available at some point perhaps as a download via BD-Live or part of the upcoming movie 'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan.'

Easter Eggs There are a few Easter eggs reported so far in this set: Sharon Audio Quote (Season 2, Disc 5) On the setup menu, highlight the French option and press RIGHT to hear this audio quote. Hidden Deleted Scenes (SD, Season 3, Disc 5) Technically this might not be considered an egg, but on the 'Colonial Military Assignment Quiz' (fifth disc of Season 3) a hidden deleted scene can be viewed upon completion of the test. It looks like there are seven scenes in total. Music Editing Clip (SD, Season 4.5, Disc 1, 2 minutes) On the setup menu, highlight the "Evolution of a Clue" option and press RIGHT to access this short featurette.

The Frying Pan: Which Eggs Got Scrambled? Currently, it appears the Adama audio quote previously found on the first disc of the Season 2 DVD has been left off the Blu-ray release. Found an egg? Please use our tips form to let us know, and we'll credit you with the find. Final Thoughts Call it a remake, call it a reboot, call it whatever you like, it still won't change the fact that Moore and Eick's interpretation of 'Battlestar Galactica' is a rare gem, and the prime example of a redo done right. The series is in a state of constant evolution, with so many layers and twists and turns keeping viewers firmly perched on the edge of their seats. Plus it helps tremendously that the production has one of the finest ensemble casts ever assembled in television history. 'Battlestar Galactica' has never looked or sounded better than it does on these impressive Blu-rays, either, and the comprehensive supplemental package (including multiple featurettes, hours of deleted scenes, audio commentaries for most of the episodes, and a few other surprises) pretty much seals the deal for any science fiction geek. Universal's clunky packaging may convince some to hold out for the more compact individual seasons inevitably down the road, but 'Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series' remains a top-tier release of 2009 and easily comes highly frakkin' recommended.