When Battlestar Galactica began in 1978, it was coming about in a period where sci-fi storylines centered around space were growing increasingly popular. While there were several other popular shows set in space being made at the time, Battlestar Galactica stood out for its thematic focus. The overarching focus that spanned across the entire franchise was entirely centered around humanity’s unhealthy reliance on technology
Nonetheless, the particular each work in the franchise (miniseries, web series, show, or movie) explores the concept tends to vary. In part, these variations are due to the different creative voices behind each branch of the franchise, but beyond that, they also offer up new perspectives of the greater story that connects each of its components. The greatest differences through perspective and style are apparent between the original 70s series and the 2000s remake, though there were works made between them.
There are plenty of evident differences in the structure and lens through which the stories are viewed in these two different television shows. The original series set the standard for the greater story, but the remake set the standard for how that story is told. The tone and the way that the characters are viewed in the remake is starkly different from how these same elements were approached in the 70s series, but that’s just the beginning.
The re-imagined 2004 series is based on the storyline set up in the 2003 two-part miniseries, which found considerable success for joining the franchise a couple of decades after the last series to be made in the Battlestar Galactica universe. In fact, this extension of the story was contemplated for several years before it was actually made. Producers knew that reviving the franchise had the potential to be a huge success, but not if it wasn’t done properly, with the right balance of familiarity and uniqueness. That’s why creators began with a miniseries, as a sort of trial run for the show.
The miniseries was received exceptionally well when it was released on SyFy, and in fact became one of the most-viewed series on the channel. When its success was clear, creators knew that the probability of an actual television show doing well was practically a guarantee, so the series was created. It lasted until 2009 and boosted the popularity of Battlestar Galactica as a while, making the creation of storylines in the franchise a more continual trend afterward.
While the original series was popular and well-known, the time in which it was made seems to have held it back some. The remake, on the other hand, being made in the 2000s, gave it the advantage of being more progressive. It also stood out more in the TV landscape at the time, as there weren’t as many popular sci-fi space storylines being created. In fact, many of the storylines fitting that description and being made at the same time as the remake series were also reboots or continuations of other beloved franchises that began around the same time as Battlestar Galactica.
Further, the remake felt a bit more mature than the original. It was darker, more graphic, the visuals weren’t as corny, and the characters had more of a believable influence on the story. Not to mention, the characters were more diverse in the reboot than in the original, which allowed the series to cater to a broader audience. These changes improved the story so much that the franchise's fanbase grew in response. Because the show was so unlike anything else being made at the time, even viewers that didn’t generally tend to watch science fiction storylines were drawn to the show for the fresh and unique content that it offered.
The success of the remake also overshadowed the success of the original, as it made the franchise relevant again. The continued additions to the stories, between web series and shows, were clearly much more consistent after the remake. In fact, there are plans to create another series by Peacock, though production complications have halted the process for the time being. That said, the considerable growth of the fanbase almost guarantees that it will come to fruition at some point.
Perhaps the most important difference between the two staples of the franchise is how much fuller the characters are in the remake than in the original. In the original series, the characters simply reacted to what was happening in the story. Their responses conveniently changed whenever the plot points did, making them come off as a bit unbelievable. Of course, the original show was made in a time when film and TV were more focused on original story concepts than relatable characters. On the other side of that, the remake featured full-rounded, flawed, relatable characters that the viewers connected with. Their emotions felt more realistic and lingering, which in turn made the story feel more believable, which is essential for a good sci-fi storyline.
Essentially, most of the set-backs that the original faced versus the high approval of the remake come down to the time periods that they were made in. Yet, though there are clear differences in the two series, some better than others, they both offer something vital to the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The original series laid the foundation for the plotline, and the remake series opened that plot line up to more people. Together, they have woven a unique, relevant, and timeless story that is sure to continue across several more series that bring their own beneficial differences to the franchise.