BSGcast: Season 4.5 DVD Box-Set Review
It’s taken quite a while to pour over the hours and hours of featurettes, commentaries, videoBlogs, deleted scenes and of course, Extended Episodes on this, the final DVD Box-Set we’ll ever see for Battlestar Galactica. Not to mention getting it signed by President Laura Roslin herself. And at last, we announce the winner of the Mary McDonnell signed Season 4.5 set, along with our thoughts on the DVDs themselves.
Hot on the heels of this baby is our review of The Plan, along with details on how you can win dinner with Admiral Adama!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Hey all!
Is anyone going to get the Blu-ray box set? I was thinking about getting it, but since “The Plan” is not included I was going to wait unitl they make a COMPLETE set. I also heard that Gaeta’s web episodes between 4.0 and 4.5 weren’t going to be included in the set. Is that accurate?
Ok guys. Everyone go out and BUY “The Plan” when it comes out. According to this article, Edward James Olmos has plans for MORE BSG movies if it sells well. lol http://io9.com/5322385/olmos-the-plan-wont-be-the-last-bsg-movie
Did anyone else go to the Music of BSG concerts in San Diego?
July 31st, 2009 at 7:13 am
Complete series must be selling well, the Blue Ray sold out the first day at the two best buys I went to and at deep discount.com where it seem a lot of people are ordering from. When it comes to videos you can’t win. I’m sure there will be a completed – complete version with the new movie(s). Then some other video format will come out to replace blue ray and you’ll have to start all over again. But I think it is important that people go out and buy BSG now to show the studios there is a market for more BSG and give them a monitary incentive to make more movies (and other smart serialized shows) for us. I’m buying the complete series this week when it is back in stock and I’ll buy the plan when it comes out. And a helpful hint: if your store is out BSG buy torchwood: Children of Earth as a filler to keep you occupied until they get BSG back in stock. They came out the same day and didn’t want to go home empty handed.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:13 am
I purchased the full blu-ray set. I love the extended episodes. For me, they add so much texture to an already amazing season.
By the way: all along — since the beginning — there were hints and direct answers to Head Six being an “Angel of God”. In season 4, “Razor”, and sections of Season 3, Kara Thrace’s path was noted as well (”on the wings of an angel”… or some such note). Why can’t people wrap their heads around the fact that “Galactica” steered away from sci-fi predictabilities and presented us with a different resolution than what TV has programmed for us in the last 50 years? It was not aliens or scientific means in how Galactica ended… it was religion (God): what 85% of our world believes in. I’m an atheist and I get it.
The only things “sci-fi” about “Galactica” were the settings. Everything else was related to our own realities. Sure, the writers/RDM probably did a fair amount of retconning… but — re-watching the show again (I’m more addicted to this than I was with the original “Trek”) I see a clearer meaning in the show’s themes, characters, and paths. It’s a bit of a re-telling of “Exodus”… with God’s hand leading the way out.
ON ANOTHER NOTE: I really miss you guys (Nat and Matt). I check the sites out frequently… but there are not many updates. I know you’re busy (I’m a filmmaker as well) but I look forward to your videos/commentary. It’s better than most televised entertainment/review shows. Please keep posting… even if it’s small stuff!
July 31st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
@JJ Agreed! We’ll buy “The Plan” and wait for a complete Blu-Ray set… but if EJO keeps making movies, that may never actually happen
@Pavlov’s God: Good recommendation for Torchwood… we’ve been looking forward to catching up on that for months!
@ Mr.NiceGaius: Thanks for the kind words about BSGcast! We do a lot more posting in the BSGcast off-season over at http://YourGeekNews.com … we’re doing G.I.Joe and have some pretty nasty things to say so far!
~Matt
August 1st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Hey all! Just want to let everyone know that I have a rough draft for my very own version of Daybreak (I and II) available for viewing. Comments and suggestions are welcome!
http://www.filefront.com/14173181/Daybreak-PI-Rough-Draft.pdf/
http://www.filefront.com/14173191/Daybreak-PII-Rough-Draft.pdf/
It’s a little rough at this point of course, so I welcome suggestions. Also note that I kept a lot of the elements from the origional Daybreak, but I wrote a completely alternate last third and made it tie in with the previous two hours. So just be advised that it takes a while for the story to become radically different than what you saw.
August 1st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
First off, glad to see you guys are still with us, and hopefully surviving the BSG Withdrawal better than most of us.
Second of all, let me know if you got the e-mail I promised to send you guys when you were at MegaCon. I sent a second one to see if you got it, but I haven’t heard any response back about it. BTW, new update with the comic series, I have begun reworking some of the story, rearranging some of the story “episodes” per comic “season”, and I plan on using more of TOS than I originally planned.
Of course, when it comes to the Season 4.5 Boxset, a few fans I know about are a little ticked off because it doesn’t include “The Face of the Enemy” webisodes. I believe that Universal is saving it for the DVD release of “The Plan”. Maybe you guys can let us know what you think about the lacking of the webisodes.
Right now, I’m rewatching “Scattered” which was the first episode of the RIS BSG I ever watched. In fact, when I first saw it, I saw Boomer and then when I saw Athena (aka “Caprica Sharon”, as Grace Park called her), I thought they were twins. Then when Starbuck said she was a Cylon, I was like, “What? That woman’s a Cylon? How?” Man, if I knew then what I know now, eh? Figured that’d be a bit of an amusing anecdote about the first time I saw the show.
Anyways, hope things continue to go well with you two. Take it easy! Can’t wait for Capricast.
August 1st, 2009 at 9:28 pm
BTW, got a lame BSG joke for you. Definitely applies to events before Season 4.0. Here it is:
How many human Cylons does it take to screw in a light bulb?
None. They get a Centurion to do it.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
Sweet, great to see you guys are back at work showing the BSG love. Can’t wait to see your reviews of the DVD/s.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
The only problem with the Dvd set is no webisodes. I know that there is no point, but they should release them with the plan because they explain so much, especially with the pen thing they talk about in the mutiny episodes involving Gaeta and the death orders.
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
CB2001, I loved your joke, it was a nice one
I would love to buy the entire set but untill they will sell it with hebrew subtitles here in Israel I won’t buy it . Damn, I really want a copy of that amazing show in my library
They didn’t get an Emmy nomination for best drama but at least they earned the award for top program of the year at the Television Critics Association awards ceremony. They deserve so much more respect…
August 2nd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
My DVDs came yesterday, but I have been too busy to sit down with them yet. I think I will just hit the features and extended episodes until I can do a proper marathon w/ box-o-tissues!
It is bad enough that the show is over, but I miss checking in with Matt + Nat every week. YGN is nice, but just not the same.
August 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
BSG just was announced Programm of the year by the Television Critics Association.
CHEERS
August 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am
The BSG 4.5 dvd set is terrific. The extended cut of Disquiet kind of lagged on, but the scene of Adama ripping Figursky a new one was worth waiting for. Islanded’s extended cut was the best in my opinion of the extendeds, because of the amount of story and detail that was put back in, including that great scene of Helo getting completely hammered drunk before confronting Adama. Though without a doubt, my favorite extra was the extended cut of Daybreak commentary with RDM, Eick, and the emmy nominated Rymer. Towards the end of the commentary when RDM was trying to hold back the tears, I couldn’t. I’ve heard alot of series finale commentaries, but never one with such emotion.
But it’s not over yet is it? We’ve still got The Plan this October.
Matt & Nat: Can’t wait for your review. It’s been too long without seeing you two discuss BSG. Your Geek News is great and all. But good to hear there are still a few BSG related videos to go.
PEACE
August 8th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I So Miss you guys. Matt and Natt you are the best!
I have been stopping by once in awhile to see if there has been any movement on the BSG Cast site. I guess I haven’t got over BSG not being on anymore. I always looked forward to your reviews and the reviews and optinions of fellow BSG fans as series went on.
I deffently looking forward to seeing your review on BSG’s 4.5; I’ve been so busy this month I haven’t purchased it yet. I was wondering is there a date on when Caprica hits TV in the new year? as the Space Channel isn’t the same without anyone saying Frak on it.
Anyways until then I’ll have to drop by and check out your other site I’ve never visited it before and I look forward to seeing your take on the GI Joe movie. Best wishes to you both,
August 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I just finished all the special features on the 4.5 DVDs. I look forward to hearing what you two think. I enjoyed all the extenteded episodes, and the deleted scenes were great. It makes me just want to see The Plan even more.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Thanks, Gilad. I’m glad you like the joke.
August 15th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Hay Mat & Nat have you the new planed big screen BSG Movie the one that has nothing to do with Ron D Moore version, is being Directed Bryan Singer of X-Man 1 & 2, Could this mean that it might be good??
I’m Confused!!!
August 15th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I don’t like the idea of a BSG movie without Ron and withput the cast… don’t like it at all.
August 15th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Gilad- I agree. But before the RIS, there was the original series. That is owned by Glen A. Larson. Since he holds the film rights to the show, the odds of an RIS big screen feature may not be likely. This is probably the closest thing to a big screen version of Galactica in any way, since the original pilot of the original series, we may get.
August 16th, 2009 at 8:41 am
The news of the Singer-led Galactica movie has upset me… for several reasons. First, if it’s a re-boot it’s a really bad idea. It would be like M. Night Shyamalan redoing “The Dark Knight” a month after Nolan made his version based on the Schumaker’s Batman. Not a good idea (I HATED the original BSG… and it’s also what keeps potential new viewers from seeing Moore’s version — it’s so damn cornball, even back when I saw it when it originally aired).
Secondly, Singer has proved himself to me to be a weak storyteller/filmmaker. X1 and — especially — X2 were great… but “Superman Returns”, “Apt Pupil”, and “Valkyrie” were really weak solely because of the director (Valkyrie would have been better if the tone was darker, so I don’t blame the writing). Even “Usual Suspects” never garnered praise from me (the ending does not make up for the rest of the film’s weaknesses).
Finally, and most obviously, whoever is behind pushing this new BSG is actually giving Moore/Eick/Olmos/Rhymer/us the big middle finger. Ignoring the critical praise and attention to artistic talent (as well as genre defining), they want to IMMEDIATELY re-do it (the BSG body still has a heartbeat). Any version of this god-forsaken movie would sully the name of BSG and any recommendations from us fans to new viewers of Moore’s version would not be followed up.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I guess the words “All this has happened before & will happen again” can’t be truer now!!
August 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I am just as surprised as the rest of you are when i heard about this new BSG movie. Sure it would be great to see more Battlestar Galactica but without the new cast or the new story I feel (no I know) that this movie is going to disappoint the huge majority of BSG (reimaged) fans. Where all the fans of the first BSG will most likely love it, wait, are any of them still alive? I mean Singer is in my opinion a pretty good director (I am being optimist) and with a good script can turn out a great movie. But I must agree with just about everything Mr. NiceGaius says about how this feels to us BSG fans: It does seem like they are giving us the middle figure and if this movie blows it will ruin the new BSG for the next five years.
However, if this movie does well at the box office, it could draw in many people to BSG, even if the movie is not set in the reimaged universe. It could pull a Star Trek. I just hope that Mat and Nat have more information on this because this news is in a word disturbing on a fan level.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hay did anyone know this is actually Singer’s second crack at BSG. He and Tom De Santo had developed a TV sequel to the original series and were just months away from filming the backdoor pilot before the attacks on America on September 11, 2001 happened. SCI FI grew nervous and the project fell apart. Of course later SCI FI later pick it agin with Ron D Moore and became the show we all love! Funny how thing could of being.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hey all!
Caprica news. Patton Oswalt joins Caprica in a reoccuring role as a Jon Stewart-esque kinda character. NERD-GASM!!
http://io9.com/5338753/here-it-is-capricas-moment-of-zen-from-patton-oswalt
August 17th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Roger-Yeah, I knew about it.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
An amusing little update on a family/”Caprica” related thing: Someone just lent my mother a copy of “Caprica”, to which she e-mailed me, asking me about it. I gave her the heads up on what was in it, and that it was more drama than sci-fi, even more so unlike Galactica which was an even balance of drama and sci-fi.
August 18th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Hey all!
More NERD-GASM!!!! James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) also joins up on Caprica as a “dangerous terrorist leader”
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/08/18/exclusive-caprica-snags-james-marsters/
August 18th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Ya better relax JJ ure going 2 give ure self a NERD-ATCKED!!!
August 21st, 2009 at 8:53 pm
BTW, Matt and Nat: Are you ever going to get the MegaCon BSG panel footage up?
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Ok here is a little bit of random geek news. Peter Jackson says he is going to Executive produce a new movie that comes out in 2012 (if we are still alive by then of course.)
What is this movie? Well I almost did not believe this when I heard it but it is going to be a Halo Movie. I know they said they were making one before and never did, but just watch this link on youtube and beleive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsaVEHdXqs4
I KNOW! Weird huh? Well I know this was nothing to do with BSG but it is still geek news and I just figured since they meantioned comic-con in the description, I might as well get the word out.
Oh and about James Marsters being on Caprica. I see it as a smart move towards getting more of a fan base, since (lets just say it) most people watched Buffy for Spike. Now he is going to be on Caprica, that will draw in more females in the fan base. A very smart move really.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
LOL & JJ there is really no hope for you
Anyway this is also BSG non-related, but since Petter Jackson has being brought up has has anyone seen the trailer 4 Peter Jackson’s next film “The Lovely Bones” its based on a book by Alice Sebold, it centres on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family and her killer from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. It looks amazing, it really makes me want to read the book. I really hope you guys do a review of it when it comes out at the end of the year.
For those who have not seen the trailer yet here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jCxPDzoikk
The Geeks have speiled over to BSG-cast
August 30th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Well, after a few weeks to watch and absorb this set I guess it’s time for some comments. This series set such an incredible standard and, overall, Season 4.5 didn’t disappoint me. In most ways, the season is perfect and 4.5 gave as fitting an end as we could have expected. There are those who liked the ending and those that didn’t. Probably my only lingering issue was the lack of an explanation of Kara’s death, return from the dead and final disappearance. Don’t get me wrong. It still tore my heart in two when she up and vanished…but I would have loved a little more story there. Part of me was happy she found closure while another part of me wanted more of that closure to be explained.
The DVD set is full of extras and special features that rock as well. The deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and the extended versions of several episodes were awesome. I particularly enjoyed EJO’s commentary on “Islanded In A Stream of Stars.” Of course we have the staple David Eick video blogs and even Bear McCreary gets a long overdue extra concerning his composing. Probably the most impactful piece of extra that I saw was the video they shot of the first cast read through of the finale. To see the actors breaking down in tears and to know that we were going to witness something so special was just a really emotional moment for me personally.
I have to say that at first, I wasn’t pleased with the extended episodes as I felt they didn’t offer a whole lot more than the edited versions. Then I watched them again and suddenly I was in a state of reversal. The extended version of Daybreak in totality was fantastic. The few extra scenes were well placed and added to my overall enjoyment of the series. The extended scenes give just enough “oomph” to get you thinking like we all did 2 seasons ago. I started realizing that I didn’t really want this series wrapped up and presented to my brain with a nice pretty bow on it. I wanted to think about it and I needed to have some questions left for my heart and my brain to decipher? Who was Starbuck… REALLY? Where do we go from here? What if, 150,000years later, this HAS all happened before and it will again?
August 30th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Well, I guess I have to say something important in order for me to get in the running for that box set of 4.5 and now that it is signed by Mary McDonnell I will have to try my best because Mary is quite the inspiration for me. Battlestar Galactica season 4.5. Well, let me first say that I was expecting ALOT out of this season and it delivered for the most part. I must say I was pleased when Battlestar Galactica got a satisfying ending, which in Minnesota most of the fans I talked to thought was highly unlikely. In fact most Minnesota fans thought that not only would the ending be terrible it would be full of character death. Although the second part I would have been ok with. When the episode was done I was full of questions just like 99% of the people who watched it were. For example what was Starbuck?
This question is being asked from just about every fan who watched the series and I agree with Adam up to a point on which things should be open for us to think about. But, Starbuck’s disappearance in Maelstrom and in the Final of Daybreak, were so important to explain and so mysterious that when RDM didn’t explain them, I felt disappointed. I could not understand how RDM could not explain at least a little on what happened to Starbuck. I agree with Mat and Nat if Starbuck was show in New York with some of her angel buddies I would have been ok with it. Not satisfied mind you, but I would have moved on.
That plot and the episode Deadlock were the low points of the series. And deadlock i didn’t like because nothing got accomplished at all. And with so few episodes left I found that very annoying. But watching it on DVD is better because I know how the series ending will be satisfying but I still have trouble getting over it how much filler that episode was when it could have helped explain Starbuck’s disappearance.
Now after reading this comment you may think I have only bad things to say about 4.5 but I am only pointing out what I think are the flaws in a virtually flawless series. I loved just about every episode and if the boxed set is as good as Adam says it is I have a feeling I will enjoy the series even more.
If I had highlight my favorite part of 4.5? Well I guess it would have to be “Someone to watch over me” a very powerful episode with music that will make you want to cry your eyes out.
September 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Hi Matt and Nat…when’s your 4.5 review coming? I’m anxious to hear you guys’ take on it.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:47 am
fraking hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sooooooo up set. the Australian 4.5 dvd set had none of that extra stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!
October 31st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I am weeping with joy right now!
October 31st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Good for you Connor Dino , great comments
Matt & Nat, I really love the BSGcast reviews, specially this one, being the last of the series.
I’m looking forward for the Plan review (haven’t seen it yet, the DVD is on the way).
By the way,
1) Good luck Anastasia on the Reporter At Sea Contest!!!
2) What happend to yourgeeknews site? It changed to a blip.tv site….
October 31st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hey Gilad! We actually had a catastrophic meltdown at our webhost on the YourGeekNews.com site… so I had to point it over to Blip while I rebuild the whole thing. Yikes!
~M@
October 31st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
First, congrats Connor. I feel a little robbed because of course I think my post was awesome…Just kidding, seriously congrats. Enjoy that signed box set.
Now then…bring on the Capricast!
October 31st, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Congrats, Connor on winning the Season 4.5 Boxset signed by Mary. That is a true BSG Collector’s item.
Hey Matt and Nat, what’s your opinion on the lack of “The Face of the Enemy” from the box set? Do you feel we’re missing probably the most important storyline about Gaeta or do you think the boxset is okay without it? If so or no, why?
I’m really interested to get your response on that.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Congrats Connor!
Awesome review guys! This review may have convinced me want to go out out and get 4.5. I might actually bite my lip and just spring for the blu-ray full super-duper set. Its about $175 on amazon right now.
I so want to see the featurette on BSG music. I Bear McCreary’s music. I gave my violin instructor a sample CD of the music. She loved it so now she is trying to write up some sheet music and we are going to practice some in the coming weeks. Im so excited!!
FYI: Katee Sackhoff is going to guest star on The Big Bang Theory. So WATCH IT! oh, Follow link for a video. Quite hilarious! I have the previous version of that toaster.
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/big-bang-theory-katee-sackhoff.html
Can’t wait to see your all’s review of THE PLAN.
December 25th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Hello,thanks for this fantastic blogg, i really find many interesting things on it and i really loved the design of the blogg. I found it on google. I also want to wish you a happy new year.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
See the latest Movies Online Free at Fly75.com
January 31st, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Some worth while posts on here and a load of usefull info. If you get bored, visit me and come and take a look at my efforts available at sandiegowebdesign-seo.com and give me a comment.