Streaming Sci Fi TV: Tracking down sci fi and fantasy shows of interest on the streaming services. Note that streaming availability can change with little to no notice.
What Is It?
The twelve colonies had been at war with the robotic Cylons that they had created as servants, but an armistice has kept the peace for 40 years. However, the Cylons unleash a surprise attack which wipes out the majority of the human population as well as their ability to retaliate. The aging Battlestar: Galactica is the only warship to survive, and it must lead a fleet containing the remaining refugees of the human race to the legendary thirteenth colony Earth.
Aired: The Sci Fi Channel, 2003-09, 4 Seasons Totaling 76 Episodes plus a Two-Part Mini-Series
Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park
Developed By: Ronald D. Moore
Why Watch It?
This series offered a complete reboot of the campy 1978 space opera and it went for a much darker tone as it focused on how the humans were in a desperate struggle for survival and had to face many hard choices as they fled from the robotic Cylons that wanted to destroy them. It worked in themes that related to the contemporary political environment at the time it was produced, and the show was not afraid to push the boundaries with some of its stories. Unlike the original, which was more of a space fantasy, the new BSG went the hard sci fi route, though it did mix in some mysticism to its stories. It also delivered a notable set of characters brought to life by a first-rate cast.
The show started out as a two-part mini-series that carried into an ongoing series that would continue for four seasons. The ending has become somewhat notorious, and the fourth season in general was the show’s weakest. But the journey to that point had many strong moments, and BSG has since been considered a sci fi TV classic and a must-watch genre entry. (You can read more about the show at this link.)
Where Is It Streaming?
This series disappeared from streaming for a while, but it will be available again on May 1st. Paramount+ has acquired the property which includes the mini-series, the four seasons of the ongoing series, and the movie The Plan. In addition, the prequel series Caprica, which ran for one season, will start streaming on Paramount+ along with the BSG entries. Not included in this are Battlestar Galactica: Razor and Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome, and there is no word on whether they will be joining the streamer at some point in the future. In addition to streaming on Paramount+, the mini-series, the ongoing series, and The Plan will be available to stream for free (with ads) on Pluto TV, which is owned by Paramount. My understanding is that those will be on demand, but it is possible they will join Pluto TV’s live-streaming sci fi channel. I will verify this with an update on Friday. But in any case, the reboot series will be available again, though these shows tend to move around on a regular basis, so you may want to take this opportunity to give it a look.
Read about more sci fi and fantasy TV shows available for streaming at this link.
Keep up with the status of all the current sci fi and fantasy shows as well as news and updates on new and upcoming shows at CancelledSciFi.com.
Cancellation Watch: Status updates and breaking news on renewals and cancellations
Sci Fi TV Highlights: Listings for the upcoming week along with the latest sci fi TV news and trailers.
Sci Fi TV Production Report: News on which sci fi TV shows are moving into production.
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