Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Now for the obligatory Star Trek post:

I've watched a bit of this show called Battlestar Galactica, and I must say that it is some of the most enjoyable television viewing I've had in a good long time. With dynamic characters, realism (to a degree of course, it is Sci-Fi), and a compelling plot, this show has wormed its way into my cold-television-viewing-heart. After analyzing much of the characteristics of the show, I have come to the realization that there might be one major reason I like this show: It is the reincarnation of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, my favorite show of all time.

To explain this comment, I must elaborate the back-story of these two series. The Star Trek franchise was growing due to great reception of The Next Generation. TNG had done many things to create such high interest in the show, including but not limited to: more serialization of story (not ending each episode with a complete ending to the plots but instead allowing the plot line to be furthered later in the series), deeper characterizations, and combining the two to create amazing episodes (The Best of Both Worlds, Tapestry, and Reunion to name a few). Over the course of the show, the Star Trek universe became a richer, more complete place. To capitalize on TNG, the producers and studio decided to start another spin off.

This new show was to be set on a station orbiting a world established in earlier episodes of TNG as being devastated by an evil occupation, giving the Federation officers a big job of rebuilding a demolished society. They would not be able to make decisions and then leave to go off to another planet, but would instead face the consequences of their actions. Though this was hailed as not being true to the original concept of exploring the unknown, the show did explore many previously unknown places of the Star Trek universe such as justified hate, moral ambiguity, and of the horrors of war.

What enamored me to the show was not the engaging space battles or the fanciful Sci-Fi stories (though they had a few good ones of both), but instead the amazing growth of characters. These were not the cardboard cut-outs of the Original Series or the underdeveloped people of TNG (yes, Picard, Riker, Data, and Worf went somewhere, but what about the others?). The heroes of Deep Space Nine ended up fundamentally changed by the end of the series. The best part about their changes were that they were not altered on whim or just grew new interests in order to expedite story; they grew from the conditions around them naturally. That is what I believe makes a good show (space battles help with that too).

Battlestar Galactica is along the same lines of a spin off, but actually is a reboot of the previous show. It took the more interesting elements of the old show (isolationism, genocide, and space battles) and added a healthy dose of realism. The characters are grim, the situation is doubtful, and everybody has a good chance of not making it.

The story of BSG starts with the annihilation of the majority of the human race and chronicles the tales of the survivors who attempt to escape the danger. Everyone must adapt to the situation or die, and adapt they do. Some take drugs, some have random promiscuous relationships, others die (and that happens a lot). This show grabs the tragedy by the bumper and doesn't let go. We are never allowed to forget the holocaust of the first episode simply because these characters couldn't forget either. Unrelenting, BSG takes drama to another level.

I would continue this comparison, but I am getting tired, so look forward to Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Part II.