Galactica 1980

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You may be looking for the Battlestar Galactica (1978) letterzine, Galactica.

Fandom
Name: Galactica 1980
Abbreviation(s):
Creator:
Date(s): 1980
Medium: Television
Country of Origin: United States
External Links:
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Galactica 1980 was a spin-off of Battlestar Galactica (1978).

It was canceled after ten episodes.

Characters

Fan Description

In January 1980, a fan described this then-upcoming show:

Once again Glen Larson tries to bring Battlestar Galactica back to life. This time its "Galactica 1980", a three part series which will air in three-one hour segments beginning Sunday Jan. 27th and the consecutive Sundays. The only surviving cast member from the old series is a bearded Lorne Greene. Kent McCord stars as Troy (Boxey grown up) and Barry Van Dyke as Dillion. In this special, the Galactica finally reaches earth and Adama must decide how to announce their presence to the people of earth. [1]

Fandom

Fan Comments

For those of you who saw Galactica 1980's episode of "The Return of Starbuck", I thought I would throw this little article in. Personally, I liked Battlestar Galactica. That is, I did, before they tried to make us believe that Apollo died and that Boxey grew up, while Adama looked no older. After the first few episodes of Galactica 1980 I quit watching it. I couldn't stand watching a bunch of space scouts after knowing Apollo and Starbuck.

However, when I heard that the episode of "The Return of Starbuck" was coming up, I was pleased. I watched it, teary-eyed most of the time. Dirk Benedict was brilliant in his role, as always. Seeing him in his warrior uniform really brought bock memories. And the plot was great. It was a beautiful story. But when they just left him there on that empty rock, they mode it seem like he just stayed there and died. I was so upset with the ending that I couldn't sleep that night. I thought there had to be a loophole somewhere, there had to be some way for Starbuck to survive. It must have been around 2 A.M. when the answer hit me. The Cylon ship! Yes, the rescue party of Cylons landed in a fighter. Of course! Starbuck must've hot-wired it, he's done it before in the episode "The Hand of God". Then I wept with joy. He may not hove been able to make it back to the fleet, but he could at least find a habitable planet nearby on which he could land and survive. Why then did Glen Larson leave us hanging at the end, just showing us the scene of Starbuck sitting on on outcropping of rocks, looking very hungry and dejected? I don't know, unless he thought that we would figure out his 'escape' on [his] own.

Personally I still think that Starbuck is alive and well, somewhere beyond the heavens.... [2]

After watching the 3 part introductory movie and the March 16th

program, I have noticed three major differences between Battlestar: Galactica and Galactica 1980's story lines, the characters and the total effect.

First, the story line of Galactica 1980 deals with finding Earth and evolving its culture to match the Terrans, Another problem in assimilating Galacticans to Earth. These basic plots provide a prospective script writer with many facets of either problem to deal with. This matches Battlestar: Galactica, whose basic story line was Galactica flees the Cylons and encounters alien worlds with humanoids who may be colonists from the 13th tribe.

The second difference is the new characters. Although Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba, Athena, Cassy, etc. are all gone, they have been replaced with people who have similar character traits, Troy, or Boxey, is a solid, hard working warrior just like his step father, Apollo. Dillon is a now model of a happy-go-lucky, I'll try anything once, warrior reminiscent of Starbuck. Jamie is a combination of Athena and Sheba, She has pluck, courage and a refreshing naivete about these very human aliens. Boomer, naturally, has, replaced Col. Tigh as the officer who strictly adheres to military rule.

The third difference is the total effect of the plots, Galactica 1980 is more light-hearted than Battlestar: Galactica. Galactica 1980 has humor which reminds one of Buck Rogers in the' 25th Century. Instead of puzzled 25th Century people, we have puzzled Galacticans. Like Buck's futuristic friends, Galacticans take everything earthlings say too literally. Instead of the pessimistic overtones of Battlestar: Galactica with Cylons, dark space and imminent death, we have a hopeful views of Earth, the 13th tribe, but until the Cylons hovering in the shadows, with the adjusting and protecting of Earth from said Cylons.

Battlestar: Galactica has a special place in my memory. However, Galactica 1980 should be watched and enjoyed since letters from Battlestar: Galactica fens brought Galactica 1980 about. [3]

As most of you know by Glen Larson has decided, along with ABC and Universal, to prove how much of a moron he and they really are,

by making a new Battlestar: Galactica titled Galactica 1980. It only has a few resemblances to the originals I must say some of those are even different.

The only characters or people from the original series are Adama (Loren Greene) and Boomer (Herb Jefferson). As for Adama — he's definitely changed. In Battlestar: Galactica he was both military and compassionate with those close to him and he was very strong. He never let the Council of Twelve stop him from doing something he felt should be done. An example of this is when he said to Apollo in the episode "Lost Planet of the Gods" (the episode where Apollo and Serina were married) "I can handle the Council." Another example is from "War of the Gods" when the Council was about to make Count Iblis the President and Adama worked on an idea to find out what Iblis wanted and who he was exactly. In Galactica 1980, Adama lets the Council do what they want when he doesn't agree with them. So what happened? Could it have been the loss of his eldest son and his daughter that made him behave so weakly? Very doubtful. In the beginning of "Saga of a Star World" (the Battlestar: Galactica movie), Adama witnesses his youngest son's death, a violent one at that, but he comes out strong. He returns to his home on Caprica to find that his wife is missing, weeps a little, then declares to the crowd around his house, "Yes, we are going to fight back."

Considering what he went through right after the Holocaust, I don't think the deaths of Apollo and Athena would change him into a weak-minded Commander, for he was an extremely strong one in Battlestar: Galactica.

As for Boomer, I can't say anything. He wasn't in Galactica 1980 long enough to get any idea.

But one question is still around that I would like to ask. What ever happened to Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba, Athena, Omega and Cassiopeia? Oh and don't forget Col. Tigh. Just where did they all go? It has never been explained.

Pertaining to Galactica 1980 itself, I find it absurdly childish. The humor is directed at children and I noticed at least three 'lessons' for children in the opening movie. Everyone, Troy and Dillion especially, were so goody-goody you wonder how they made it past flight school without getting blown up. They won't shoot anyone, especially Troy, who is supposed to be Boxey (Apollo and Serina's son) who, on several occasions said, 'I want to be a Viper pilot like my dad.' He may be a Viper pilot, but certainly not like his dad.

And then they have the fantasy things for Earth kids who can't enjoy a science fiction show on plot alone — gadgets which can make you disappear, lots of mechanical daggits... which are now purely for children to play with, flying motor scooters plus two man Vipers.

[...]

Oh well, what can I say but Glen Larson is proving he is a twit. [4]

The three-part film:

Before I go any farther, let me say this. I LOVED IT!!! Maybe it wasn't Starbuck, Apollo, and Boomer, but I feel GALACTICA 1980 was more than adequate compensation for the loss of my be loved BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Thank the Lords of Kobol ABC has at least a semi-open mind, and is giving Larson another chance.

Now, to get down to serious business...

No, the script wasn't too much better than any of the first half of last year's series. I agree with the general consensus about Kent (Troy) McCord — he can't act. Apollo and Starbuck are gone (wail!). But it helps to look at the bright side of the revamping of the ragtag fleet, still fleeing from the Cylon tyranny after thirty yahrens.

Opening with an older, bewhiskered Adama announcing, "We have found Earth," almost made me cry. The scenes from the old shows like the shot on Kobol of Apollo, Serina, and Adama walking through the ruins — did make me cry. Perhaps an analysis — amateur, true — would help clarify my thoughts on the show.

Production on the show is still first-rate, as it was with the old and is with Larson's other SF series, BUCK ROGERS. The set designs are still excellent, a blending of the "used universe" look from the George Lucas/STAR WARS universe and some of the fantasy/mythological elements seen in last year's series. The special effects — a combination of the old stock shots done by the near-legendary John Dykstra and Industrial Light and Magic, and the not-insignificant efforts of Universal's own SFX house — remain believable. That's what we want, isn't it? Ships that fly through space, and guns that use lasers to knock off Cylons. Things we can believe in. That aspect of the show hasn't changed. The hardware is believable.

And the cast. Did any of us really expect to see Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict back as Apollo and Starbuck, after the second season slump last year? I hoped, but I didn't expect. What do we have now, then? Boxey's all grown up into Troy, Flight Captain of Blue Squadron. No, Kent McCord can't act — I said it earlier — but, gee, isn't he pretty? Boxey would've grown up to be a Warrior, just like his dad, so that's pretty continuous with last year. Troy's sidekick — Barry Van Dyke as Dillon — is a perfect opposite to offset McCord/Troy; he's a wisecracking, impulsive prankster who has to be Starbuck's son. Van Dyke/Dillon brings the same light touch to GALACTICA 1980 that Dirk Benedict/Starbuck brought to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. And don't give me a line about the dark-haired/light-haired comparison — I have a feeling Larson and Company were hoping to sign the two from the first series, right up to the end.

To continue...

Adama's much older now, and one of the two carryovers from the old series. The paste-on beard looks silly, but other than that, it's the same old Adama (although I don't like the idea of a man one hundred or so yahrens old taking orders from a god-like adolescent, especially not Robbie Rist!!). Speaking of returning people, it was definitely a blessing to see good old Boomer back, even if he does have a blue command suit and greying hair. Maybe they'll give him a little more of a role as the series progresses.

As for the rest of the new faces...

Robyn Douglass as Jaimie (I never did catch her last name!), a lady reporter (shades of Serina!) who gets caught up in Troy and Dillon's search for a friendly scientist. I like the character of Jaimie lots, because it's something for all us fantasy freaks to grab hold of — the girl from Earth gets to go aboard the big spaceship and into the past with the two gorgeous men from outer space. Aside from that, the lady is convincing as a bewildered, though controlled, reporter who lets her curiosity get the better once too often.

I have only one thing to say about Dr. Zee — unnecessary. Any of the GALACTICA's scientists could've come up with all those little toys he did — not as quick, maybe, but they could've. I feel Dr. Zee is for the little kids what Jaimie is for the adolescent and post-adolescent girls — something to identify with. I really don't like him.

The story itself was interesting. I place it on the same level as "The Living Legend" from last year. Okay, so it borrowed heavily at some points from THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. But there were parts — humorous and dramatic — that made up for it, especially Troy and Dillon's first encounter with a telephone booth. And Xavier, that no-good S.O.B. (I don't like him — and I hope they burned him in Salem!!), was, somehow, just perfect as antagonist for the "forces of good." The time-travel ability opens up ways to bring back any of the old crew — they could go back in time and stop Apollo's death, for example, with relative ease.

No, I agree with most of the GALACTICA fans — it's not the same. But I feel GALACTICA 1980 has just as much promise, and as much to offer, as last year's series, with added interest for the mundanes — the fact that many of its stories will revolve around Earth in the year 1980.

And what do you think of GALACTICA 1980? Do you agree with Judi Steck? Do you disagree? Did you love it — or hate it? We should point out that Judi's review is her opinion, and not necessarily the opinion of the editors. We may tell you our thoughts on the subject at some future time — but for now, we prefer to withhold judgment until we've something more than a three-part pilot and the first half of "The Super Scouts" to use as a basis for our evaluation. All we intend to do at present is echo Judi in one simple statement: "It's not the same."
So... Did we win our fight — or lose it? By Worldcon, we should all have an answer. See you then. [5]

Fanworks

References

  1. ^ from Probe One #16
  2. ^ by a fan, Tracy Christensen, in Millennium (September 1980)
  3. ^ from SPICA #2 (Spring 1980)
  4. ^ from SPICA #2 (Spring 1980)
  5. ^ from Purple & Orange? #5 (1980)


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