Saturday, April 5, 2008

Battlestar Galactica and the History of the World

They're back! Huzzah!

With the return of Battlestar Galactica (SciFi, Fridays @ 10), there is lots of wild speculation on the Internets about the identity of the final Cylon (I predict Gaeta). While this question is certainly among the most pressing for this season, I am more concerned with another: What is the chronology of the series in terms of world history?

Pete thinks that the 13th colony landed on Earth long ago (perhaps during antiquity, which would explain the similarities between the Lords of Kobol and Greek/Roman religion), and that when the fleet reaches Earth, they will encounter either our present or the near future. This makes sense, as does his observation that the philosophy of the Twelve Colonies emphasizes the cyclical nature of events, so we should expect the fleet's arrival at Earth to precipitate a second scattering a la the exodus from Kobol. I have to admit that these are good points and plausible predictions.

Still, I am crossing my fingers for a more historically complicated resolution.

For example, perhaps the whole story takes place millions of years in the past. The 13th colony perished in an inhospitable climate and the fleet will encounter lots of dinosaurs, but no people. Far-fetched? Maybe, but who wouldn't want to see Starbuck take on a squadron of pterodactyls?

Alternately, perhaps the series is set hundreds of years in the future. The 13th colony (us) has eliminated itself through nuclear war, global warming, and a parallel attempt to create robot minions. The fleet with either settle down or pick up some 13th colony survivors and head back out into the galaxy.

Of course, my fondest hope is for a surprise, and I'm sure the writers will come through on that account.

Battlestar Last Supper via.

No comments: