Whats so wrong about being the villan? We're always rich, powerful, intelligent... have hordes of minions, ambition, stylin threads. Sure, we lose alot in the cartoons... but this is real life... the villan always wins  (just look at the crap in this world and tell me im wrong >.> )

Who cares if you get a bad rap on tv... your a villan! just bribe, threaten, and kill people until they like you!

Oh! i forgot to mention the cookies... sweet, sweet, cookies... mmm evil cookies...

I agree. The good guys are always such mediocre chump-ass bitches. Viva villainy!

I don't know what you take from Batllestar Galactica (BG from now on) Medi-guy, but I think it deals excellently with religious themes.

Firstly, I like Baltar. He is the villian, yes, but unlike most villians in classic American storytelling, he is really fleshed out. You get very much under his skin, and get intimately familiar with his motivations. You may not agree with them, but you can't deny his motives, like with so many bad guys. His not the classic "he wears the black hat, so he's just EVIL, period" kinda villian. He's much more complex than that. And mind you, do you think he becomes NICER as he repents and embrases the Cylon (note, monotheistic) God?

The Cylons too, are much more complex than just: "They are evil". Think of the Sharon Cylons, and the Six'es (Baltar's blond girl). They are themselves constantly strugling with their role in the whole thing.

And oftentimes religious fervour is shown in a very ambigious light. Think of the episode where the people from that one planet of the twelve colonies, where there are many strongly religious people (Alegory of the Bible Belt states, anyone?) , that don't want the vacine for the virus, thus endangering the whole fleet.

And the most evil acts commited by the Cylons are almost always explained by their fanatical faith in their ONE God, which very much resembles the God of Abraham.

And many of the main characters don't seem to be religious at all. The Adamas, both father and son for example, don't appear to be religious at all, they are just accepting of the other people's faith, because they feel they have more important things to worry about.

And finally, Starbuck, who seems the main character who takes her religion most seriously, is explained to be that way because her mother was a harsh, un-loving, controlling parent, who forced her to be religious, and that causes many problems for Starbuck in adulthood. Hardly a rosy portrail of a religious upbringing.

I think you should read between the lines. BG is, to me, a show that, unlike so much of what comes out of America, deals with religious themes in a very mature, and thoughtprovoking way.

I'm not saying I worship (hehe, pun intended) the show, but I do think it is a well written, well thought out, and generally mature TV-show. I enjoy it.

I'm just finishing off season 3 and it's starting to bug me too. However, since there is still one last season to go, so I'm hoping they turn it around.

On the other hand, I really do appreciate how the Cylons constantly attribute everything to "God's plan" as they commit genocide, torture and generally act completely amoral.

I totally agree with this.

I see Baltar almost as if he represents the naked human ego.  He lives merely by his wants and desires, w/o much thought to moral principles.  As far as moral principles go, he seems to be a blank slate.

Although Baltar is very intelligent and can see through the fictional nature of various religions, the fact that he has not attached himself to any type of moral principle (or developed his own morals), renders him easily seduced by or vulnerable to religion when subjected to the proper amount of coercion.

I agree that he is a fascinating character. 

And the destructive force (Cylons/Machines) respresent Monotheism.  The human face embraces either polytheism, as well as their own moral code, or almost a brand of secularism.   

The Machines already have a sort of immortality, but desperately want/need some sort of humanity.  The humans possess this already, but like all humans, desperately desire....immortality.

The President uses religion to her advantage, especially when it comes to influencing elections.  She states:  "It's time to play the religion card", showing that the writers clearly understand the role religions play all through history. 

Nikolaj is right.  It's far more complex than most shows that come from the U.S.... Maybe it's the Canadian influence.  Most of the actors are Canadian and it's filmed there.  Maybe the writers too ?  Anyway, it's a fascinating show.

See, I got tired of my friends constantly talking about it and reading all the critiques that kept saying, "It's the best show on TV".

So here's what you do, Matt.  Go down to Blockbuster (or whatever video store is close) and rent the 4 hour miniseries that started the whole thing.  Get yourself a cold drink and watch it.

And just like that you'll be hooked.  It's not a good plot.......It's a great plot.   If for nothing else, there are a # of female characters that can only be described as...way hot !!

Battlestar Galactica is based upon the tale of the Mormons fleeing persecution so it's not surprising it would adopt some religious themes.  For positive godless characters turn to Star Trek and Dr. Who.  Mr. Spock is a logical, rational godless type, as is Dr. Who (both series written by Atheists).  In Firefly the captain and the genius River are Atheists.

BSG

Admiral Adama is an atheist but 'respects' religion

The Cylons are actually very mixed from out right atheists to religious hippies to total fanatics

Baltar is on a 'journey', some of the shit he pretends some he may well believe himself

Regardless BSG is not propaganda for either atheism or christianity (or even Zeus) its just extermely good fiction that religions has a large part in . It's a bit like saying the original Omen movie was a bad movie because of the way it portrays fiction god and satan.

But don't get me on Stargate. while it can be quite entertaining its morality is utterly utterly appalling.

It's in my opinion openly racist (not in the black people are bad but they are 'noble savages' shit) but even worse is how it portrays the use of the military.

Do people really think its reasonably behaviour to go another people's world  (country) with armed soldiers just to 'explore'. You send an unarmed diplomat and if he comes back without someone eating him then you consider further actions. If he does get eaten you either go to war or you avoid the place.

You really want to be villian-ized by the moo moo wearing, gravy stained, bible thumping, orgasm-less, catastrophies who refer to themselves as "middle america"? ...try being an atheist...*&* a swinger.

thanks for that site bulldog, ive been watching crappy pirated videos all morning ^_^ *looks at the clock*... err... day o_O

Yea, Battlestar galactica sucks BIG TIME. That's the only series i saw in which i actually hated most of the characters.

But i quite liked that all the humans were portrayed like intolerant, hating, violent assholes, which most of the humans actually are.