Science fiction often doesn’t hold up well over time. Advances in technology quickly make older effects look dated, and classic sci-fi shows were usually made with very limited budgets. This means that when we revisit shows like Star Trek: The Original Series, Doctor Who, Blake’s 7, and Space: 1999, we often have to overlook the silly costumes, cheap sets, and predictable storylines.
The best science fiction shows aren’t just popular for a moment – they become timeless classics. One show, released 22 years ago, has held up remarkably well, not just visually, but in its themes, characters, and how it approaches the sci-fi genre. Interestingly, it’s also considered the best reboot the genre has ever seen.
Battlestar Galactica’s Cylons Are Even More Appropriate Today
When Ronald D. Moore reimagined Battlestar Galactica for a modern audience, the Cylons were drastically changed. Instead of being simple robots, they became artificial beings created by humans who ultimately turned against them. The story revealed a complex history, but at its core, it showed a repeating cycle: humans build intelligent robots, fight a war with them, rebuild after almost being wiped out, and then repeat the process.
The show suggested that, after many attempts, humans and Cylons could learn to live together peacefully instead of fighting. The final moments, set on present-day Earth, strongly emphasized this message: don’t repeat the past.
It turns out the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica anticipated many of the concerns we’re facing today with artificial intelligence. The rapid growth of AI in recent years has raised important ethical and philosophical questions about how it should be used and what the potential risks are – questions that were central to the plot of Battlestar Galactica decades ago, as characters like Gaius Baltar and Admiral Adama debated them throughout the show.
Watching Battlestar Galactica now feels very different than it did when it first aired. The show’s fears about the Cylons now strongly reflect real-world concerns, especially with the growing presence of AI. People will likely continue to analyze and discuss how accurately the show predicted our future as AI becomes more and more common.
Battlestar Galactica Holds Up Amazingly Well Compared To Modern TV Shows
Even now, rewatching Battlestar Galactica doesn’t require overlooking dated special effects or predictable lines, and it might never will. The show smartly addressed potential issues right away: it explained that the Battlestar Galactica used older, analog technology because the Cylons could easily hack digital systems. This clever setup meant the show could feature realistic, old-fashioned sets filled with things like paper, pens, large monitors, and landline phones.
Even when Battlestar Galactica embraced a futuristic setting – like with the Cylon ships and large-scale space fights – the show still looks impressive today, over twenty years later. The Cylons’ simple, clean design choices actually benefited the series, and the action sequences between the Colonial fleet and the Cylons still hold up well. The improvement in visual effects for sci-fi TV between 2006 and 2026 wasn’t nearly as dramatic as the leap forward that happened between 1986 and 2006.
There Hasn’t Been Anything Quite Like Battlestar Galactica Since The Show Ended
When looking for the best science fiction series set in space from the 21st century, it’s hard to beat Battlestar Galactica. The Expanse is the strongest competitor, often considered its successor, and is a fantastic show on its own merits.
The science fiction landscape is mostly defined by franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and the newer show The Orville.
The original Battlestar Galactica had a lasting impact on science fiction television. You can clearly see its influence in shows like The Expanse and the newer Star Trek series, such as Discovery and Picard. It really established a standard for the genre, and Adama and his crew helped define how science fiction TV is made.
Despite numerous attempts, no science fiction series has surpassed the original Battlestar Galactica. Reboots haven’t succeeded, likely because the show remains so strong and doesn’t require a remake. This demonstrates how well Battlestar Galactica has stood the test of time, and how it will likely continue to do so. As the characters famously say, “So say we all.”
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Stephen Colbert Jokes This Could Be Next Job After Late Show Canceled
- Is XRP ETF the New Stock Market Rockstar? Find Out Why Everyone’s Obsessed!
- 7 Home Alone Moments That Still Make No Sense (And #2 Is a Plot Hole)
- All 6 Takopi’s Original Sin Episodes, Ranked
- Neverness to Everness ‘Co-Ex Test’ sign-ups now available
- 10 Great Netflix Dramas That Nobody Talks About
- 10 Movies That Were Secretly Sequels
- 32 Kids Movies From The ’90s I Still Like Despite Being Kind Of Terrible
2026-01-30 17:22