Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three Blu-ray Movie Review

Beware! First and second season spoilers lie ahead...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown July 13, 2010

Game changer: a term used far too often and far too loosely. It implies that the rules have been broken, that the players have been caught off guard, that the goal has been made uncertain. Yet fans and critics hastily load it into their vocabulary as if it were going out of style, blindly firing it into whatever crowd they have set in their sights. Every now and then though, a film or television series delivers a truly game-changing blow; a sudden shock to the system so jolting, so utterly irrevocable that nothing left standing in its wake is ever the same again. And that's exactly what happened during Battlestar Galactica's second-season finale. With three simple words -- One Year Later -- series mastermind Ronald D. Moore broke the rules, caught everyone off guard and, quite literally, changed everything. Within minutes, a harsh new home, a corrupt president, a weary planetary populous, and an overwhelming Cylon occupation left viewers in stunned silence... for seven long months. What is Moore doing? Where is he going with this? Has he gone insane? How is he going to dig his way out of such an impossible scenario? But Moore did more than dig his way out. He delivered some of the series' best storylines, forced his characters to evolve in intriguing new directions, smartly divided his focus between the humans and the Cylons, and set the stage for yet another... wait for it... season-ending game changer. Above all, Season Three made one thing abundantly clear: Battlestar Galactica wasn't about to go quietly into the night.

All along the watchtower, princes kept the view...

Season Three opens some four months after the Cylons first occupied New Caprica; four months after the Galactica and Pegasus were forced to retreat into the depths of space. On the surface of the planet, the machines have established martial law in an effort to keep the human population in line, a decision recently elected president Gaius Baltar (James Callis) concedes to without putting up much of a fight. But others aren't so willing to accept Cylon rule. A number of survivors, among them former military men Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan) and Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), form an organized insurgency to disrupt the order the Cylons are so intent on maintaining. Bloodshed is rampant and the costs are high. Inevitably though, Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos) and Apollo (Jamie Bamber), now commander of the Pegasus, mount a daring rescue -- one that stands among the greatest battle sequences the series has to offer -- and flee New Caprica with every man, woman, child and ship that survives the assault. Sadly, it isn't nearly as many as Adama and Apollo had hoped. As the humans resume their search for Earth, Roslin (Mary McDonnell) retakes the presidency, Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) attempts to deal with the fallout of New Caprica and becomes more reckless than ever, Anders (Michael Trucco) and Dualla (Kandyse McClure) confront the hard truths about Kara and Lee, Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani) has difficulty fitting into a crew who now hates him, and Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and Athena (Grace Park) are finally given a legitimate opportunity to live as husband and wife.

Meanwhile, Baltar leaves New Caprica with the Cylons, an organic plot development that allows Moore and his writers to pull back the curtain on the brewing unrest in the Skinjob ranks. With young Hera (Alexandra Thomas) in his possession, Baltar joins Caprica-Six (Tricia Helfer) aboard a Cylon basestar where he finds himself privy to the increasingly divisive politics and philosophies of the humanoid Cylon models, including those of Cavil (Dean Stockwell), Leoben (Callum Keith Rennie), D'Anna (Lucy Lawless), Simon (Rick Worthy), Doral (Matthew Bennett), and Boomer (Grace Park). While decisions among the seven models were once made in unison, exposure to our beloved protagonists has left some of the humanoids questioning everything they believe. The result? A tangled web of waning loyalty and tested faith materializes; one that begins to echo the unrest that continually boils over on the Galactica. The Cylons are, in effect, becoming more human, a reality Cavil maneuvers to control (rest assured, for reasons revealed in Season Four and dissected in The Plan). However, as D'Anna becomes more and more obsessed with uncovering the identities of the "Final Five" Cylons, a vast divide begins to form that could potentially split the humanoid models into rival factions. Before long, a standoff finds the human fleet and the Cylons vying for control of an ancient temple that may point the way to Earth. Oh... did I mention all that happens in the first eleven episodes of Season Three?

Despite his exponential expansion of character and mythos, Moore keeps his feet firmly planted in the 21st Century, exploring the fabric of our world and the dangerous momentum of our global culture. The Cylon occupation turns out to be a four-episode foray into the Middle East; a frank, at-times frighteningly familiar glimpse into the nature of insurgencies, wartime politics, propaganda and perceptions, and collateral costs. Baltar's tenure with the Cylons is a deconstruction of societal arrogance and ego, as well as an examination of the effect truth and faith have on a large scale. Religious zealotry isn't carelessly or thoughtlessly employed to introduce the unknown into a grim-n-gritty sci-fi drama, it's provided as a sobering reflection of the tumultuous times in which we live. Socioeconomic unrest, partisan ire, military aggression, euthanasia, the ills of the legal system, biological warfare, the needs of the few, poverty... each element not only serves the story, it serves the countless layers of subtext pulsing beneath Galactica's surface. Even so, Moore never allows Season Three to become a dark descent into hopelessness. The venom and vitriol that nearly tear the survivors apart -- on New Caprica and beyond -- stems from the same drive and passions that continue to band them together. Moore's message, if there is a definitive message to be unearthed, is that humanity has always found, and always will find, a way to push through and push on.

But it's Battlestar's already outstanding cast that really shines in Season Three. Olmos doesn't allow Adama to break, nor does he give him leave to surrender; his speeches inspire whoever hears them, be they standing at attention on the flight deck of the Galactica or nestled in the comfy confines of a home theater. Bamber is given leave to strip Apollo of his heroism, and rises to the task. Overweight one minute, pining for the wrong woman the next, he tests the waters of his father's respect and questions what his comrades claim to hold dear. Sackhoff finds warmth buried within Starbuck, approaching everything from a doe-eyed child to a love triangle with unsettling believability. Hogan, Douglas and Callis plum the depths of their characters' souls, delivering the most fully realized performances Season Three has to offer. Murky and ambiguous, their post-New Caprica incarnations carry the most weight and bear the brunt of the most heart-breaking consequences. And the Cylons? Helfer effortlessly excavates Caprica-Six's soul, while Lawless dabbles in delusion and commits herself to D'Anna's steady decline. Stockwell pours on the sleaze and molds Cavil into a manipulative power monger. Park pulls double, sometimes triple duty, and still manages to make each Eight empathetic. Worthy brings restrained yet murderous resolve to an understated role, while Bennett and Rennie imbue their eccentric baddies with contemptible disregard and oddly misplaced affection. Suffice to say, Moore's cast goes above and beyond.

If Season Three stumbles, it's only temporarily. As its twentieth episode draws to a hair-raising close, Moore pummels his faithful fans with a quick succession of warheads best described as the series' most polarizing what-the-frak moments. Unlike Season Two's jaw-dropping capper, "Crossroads" offers little context with its abrupt, arguably maddening revelations. It deploys genuine game changers -- no one can argue there -- but it leaves viewers reeling, wondering how anything they just witnessed is even possible. Whereas Season Two left dutiful devotees like myself in awe, eagerly anticipating whatever brilliance Moore had in store, Season Three left me angry and dissatisfied, unsure of what to expect or how to feel about anything that had unfolded. Thankfully, my confusion and disappointment proved to be short-lived. Lingering doubt and fears are immediately put to rest in Season Four, and Moore's seemingly scattershot gut punches undergo a most fascinating metamorphosis. (As far as I'm concerned, whether on not he knew exactly where the series was going when "Crossroads" spilled out of the writers' room is entirely irrelevant.) And that's what makes Season Three -- and Galactica as a whole -- so captivating. Even when writing their way out of a corner, Moore and his cohorts apply greater pressure to their characters' lives and inject more complexity into each passing episode. Every time a storyline shouldn't work, it does. Every time a Cylon occupation spells doom for humanity, a rousing dose of salvation is waiting in the wings. Every time a traitor looks death in the eye, a chance for redemption presents itself. Every time you think Moore has nowhere else to go, he shows you just how wild and wonderful his little slice of space can be.

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

I'm assuming anyone who's considering purchasing Battlestar Galactica: Season Three has already picked up the series' first two seasons, so I'll skip any long, drawn out explanation concerning the show's unkempt appearance and Moore's visceral intentions. Simply put, Universal's 1080p/VC-1 transfer is every bit as fit and faithful as its first and second season counterparts, and looks as grainy and noisy as it should. On New Caprica, contrast is stark and overbearing, colors bristle with malicious intent, and shadows envelop and overwhelm. On the Galactica, warmer tones prevail. Savory browns and oranges settle in Adama's quarters, deep blues and lifelike skintones swarm the bridge, and water-stained hues and bottomless shadows lend depth to the ship's corridors. Regardless of locale, details are as crisp as they could possibly be -- some closeups are startlingly refined, others are anything but -- and delineation follows suit. My only lingering hesitation? Like Season One and Two, it's impossible to know how proficient Universal's presentation really is. With so much noise, so many digital anomalies, and so much fluctuating grain in every episode, viewers simply won't be able to determine where intention ends and any potential problems begin. Still, it's hardly worth debate. Season Three comes with Moore's stamp of approval, and looks every bit as rough and rickety as the rest of the series. Besides, at this point viewers should know what to expect and realize how effective Galactica's aesthetics can be.

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Season Three's lossless track stands alongside Season Two's mix at the head of the series pack. Universal's immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is nothing short of magnificent, embracing every Battlestar freefall, Basestar implosion, automatic weapons burst, precarious Raptor landing, and Bear McCreary-composed drum line Galactica's twenty-episode third season has on tap. Dialogue is clean and clear, and rarely exhibits the (admittedly minor) prioritization mishaps that occasionally pop up in other BSG releases. The LFE channel fuses palpable heft into any effect that requires its power, spine-shaking resolve into planetary explosions, and rousing thooms into score cues and percussion flairs. Likewise, rear speaker activity is fierce and fluid, crafting a thoroughly convincing soundfield where a two-dimensional television experience could have resided. Ambience is nimble and natural, interior acoustics are believable, and directionality is spot on. New Caprican insurgent attacks send debris skittering across the floor, and surround the listener with the roar of toppling buildings. Gunfire snaps branches and splits tree trunks; ricochets off dusty city walls and hammers battlestar bulkheads. Angry winds rip across the desolate surface of a nearly uninhabitable planet, and the stony confines of an ancient temple sound just as vast and spacious as they should. It is, without a doubt, a mesmerizing lossless outing that doesn't disappoint.

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Another season of Battlestar Galactica, another extensive cornucopia of special features. Twenty-five audio commentaries, seventy minutes of deleted scenes, seventy-five minutes of production journals, a 10-part webisode series, two U-Control trivia tracks and more. It's an embarrassingly generous 5-disc set. And other than the fact that all its supplemental video content is presented in standard definition, there simply isn't much to whine about.

• Podcast Commentaries (Discs 1-5): Don't judge a book by its cover? Don't judge a commentary by the word "podcast." Executive producer Ronald D. Moore leads Season Three's supplemental charge with twenty podcast commentaries, and they're as informative and candid as they are engaging and entertaining. He briskly details the development and production of "Occupation," "Precipice," "Exodus Part 1," "Exodus Part 2," "Collaborators," "Torn," "A Measure of Salvation," "Hero," "Unfinished Business" (with special guests 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," "Crossroads Part 1," and "Crossroads Part 2." There are also three bonus podcast commentaries: actor Mark Sheppard and writer Michael Angeli tackle "The Son Also Rises," and Sheppard takes on "Crossroads Part 1" and "Part 2" all by his lonesome.
• Additional Audio Commentaries (Disc 2): Executive producer David Eick provides a solid solo traditional track with "Hero," and Moore follows suit with the unaired, extended cut of "Unfinished Business."
• Deleted Scenes (Discs 1-5, SD, 69 minutes): Though the majority of the set's deleted scenes are unfinalized, standard definition eyesores, they have quiet character beats and sobering exchanges aplenty. Deleted scenes are available alongside "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 Part 1," and "Crossroads Part 2."
• Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance (Disc 2, SD, 26 minutes): This ten-part online miniseries focuses on a trio of lesser characters fighting to survive the chaos of New Caprica. Good, but not as good as the fourth season's Gaeta-centric webisodes.
• David Eick's Video Blogs (Discs 2-5, SD, 76 minutes): Executive producer David Eick helms another droll, forthcoming collection of video journals. This season's segments include "Testimonials," "Prosthetics," "Lucy and David," "Introducing Bulldog," "Who Dies," "Characters," "Adama on Adama," "Episode 6 Read Through," "On the Road," "Steve McNutt Gets a Video Blog," "The Soldier's Code: Leave No Man Behind," "Takin' 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," "Out of Control," "Last Episode Blues," and "David Who?"
• U-Control Features (Discs 1-5): Two options are available, "The Oracle" and "Battlestar Blips," but both turn out to be glorified trivia tracks, neither of which are worth more than a few minutes of your time.
• Colonial Military Assignment Quiz (Disc 5): Where could you best serve the Colonial Military? Take this quick quiz and see how you rank.
• My Scenes Bookmarking
• BD-Live Functionality

Battlestar Galactica: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Another arresting season, another faithful video transfer, another staggering DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and another enormous supplemental package, this one bursting with twenty-five audio commentaries and hours of additional goodies. If you have any love for Moore's space-faring epic, there is absolutely no reason why this 5-disc set shouldn't have a place on your shelves. Aside from its price point, that is. Still, the standalone Blu-ray release of Season Three is meant for those who already own the series' first and second seasons; those who didn't want to risk $200 on a show they had never seen, and are now locked into buying individual seasons for the long haul. Ideally, fans should save up enough cash to pick up Universal's Big-Box-o-Battlestar. But if it's easier to pick up a season at a time, or if you're already stuck in this hellish one-at-a-time cycle, add Season Three to your cart post haste.