Tpotdomescandal's Top 10 TV Shows

#6 Battlestar Galactica

Suicide bombings, secret agents, a president who leads with religious faith, torture, biological warfare. Am I talking about 24? Love triangles, estranged fathers, secret adoptions, dead fiancées. Am I talking about Days of Our Lives? Actually, I’m talking about Battlestar Galactica on the SciFi Network. This remake of the 1970’s cult classic is one of the smartest shows on television. In this version, the Cylons, who look like humans, chase the last survivors of the attack on the human colonies across the universe while the humans look for a legendary home called Earth. Edward James Olmos plays Commander Adama and is a total badass. The show also features many strong female characters: the edgy, cigar-chomping antihero, Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), the resolute President Roslin (Mary McDonnell), the evil but beguiling #6 (Tricia Helfer). By the way, #6 can take over my home planet any day. My favorite character is Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis), the brilliant but egocentric scientist who carries on a secret mental love affair with a cylon beauty.

The action sequences are terrific, especially for basic cable, and the romance and relationship drama make for good popcorn television. However, the real beauty of the show is the moral drama. The show is definitely not about something as simple as good humans versus evil robots. After some particularly jarring scenes, I am reminded, “Oh yeah, we’re not the good guys, we’re just humans.”

There’s a lot of drinking and smoking and cursing (Frak!). The whole series is pervaded by spirituality and metaphysiscs. Is there one God, or are there many? Can we change our destiny? What about sin, freedom, and community? Family ties are important, too. Commander Adama’s relationship with his son, Captain Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber) has many ups and downs. Anti-government themes explored include the tension between liberty and security, and the distinction between terrorism and freedom-fighting.