21 Years Ago Today, a Sci-Fi Masterpiece Started With an All-Time Great Pilot Episode

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It usually takes a science fiction series a few episodes to really find its footing – the first episode is often weighed down by explaining the world and the characters are still getting to know each other. But sometimes, a show starts strong right away. A fantastic first episode immediately establishes the show’s style, introduces the characters effectively, and sets the basic rules of the world, while also raising expectations for future episodes. Twenty-one years ago today, an episode like that first aired, and it’s still considered one of the best pilots ever made.

The first episode of *Battlestar Galactica*, titled “33”, actually premiered in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2004 – several months before viewers in the United States could see it. Picking up the story from the original miniseries, the episode shows the last survivors of humanity desperately fleeing the Cylons. They’re constantly on the run, as the Cylons attack every thirty-three minutes, and the constant stress leads to exhaustion, fear, and hopelessness. The characters begin to grapple with a difficult question: not just how to survive, but how to maintain their humanity in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Battlestar Galactica’s “33” Set the Bar For Science Fiction TV

I still think about the episode “33” – it’s honestly one of the best things I’ve ever seen on TV. It was the moment *Battlestar Galactica* truly became something special, a sci-fi show unlike anything else. It’s amazing how Ronald D. Moore and his team took a fun, but silly, old series and turned it into this intense, politically charged story about just trying to survive. Watching the crew, led by Commander Adama and President Roslin, desperately try to keep everyone alive while facing this impossible moral dilemma… it was gripping. The way they had to decide whether to trust a civilian ship, and then what happened when they ultimately destroyed it… it didn’t feel like a victory at all. It really blurred the lines between what was right and wrong, and it stayed with me long after it ended.

Edward Olmos considers episode “33” the best of the series, sharing on Katee Sackhoff’s podcast, *The Shackoff Show*, how it shaped his portrayal of Adama and the weight of leading humanity as a Latino actor. The cast went to great lengths to achieve realistic performances, even deliberately depriving themselves of sleep, as reported by SYFY. This dedication resonated with viewers, particularly veterans, who lauded the authenticity of the scenes depicting life in the ready room and the relationships between pilots.

While it’s debatable whether the first episode, “33,” functions as a strong pilot – since the prequel miniseries did most of the initial world-building – it remains one of the best opening episodes ever. Many fans actually discovered the show through “33” before watching the miniseries. The 43-minute episode is incredibly efficient, with not a moment wasted, thanks to excellent storytelling. Combined with strong acting, the documentary-style filming creates a uniquely realistic and unsettling atmosphere. Remarkably, “33” fearlessly explored the complex ethical questions following 9/11 and the start of the war on terror, just three years after the attacks. This episode quickly established *Battlestar Galactica* as a standout sci-fi series of the 21st century.

Even after twenty years, creator Ron Moore still delves into complex moral questions with his new show, *For All Mankind*. This Apple TV+ series reimagines history with a focus on space exploration.

Is “33” the greatest episode of *Battlestar Galactica*? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-18 17:18