Haven't seen the first two, as ever with your recommendations I'll give them a look
And yes, seriously. It's horses for courses - I am a massive geek - but what elevates BSG above all else, for me, is the subtext and allegory it employs. I've never seen anything like it.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:13, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Calm down.
It's a science fiction programme, not the fucking Iliad.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:19, Reply)

yeah science fiction can't have subtexts and allegories

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:20, Reply)

I t certainly can.
And in written form, very occasionally in a subtle and clever manner. On mainstream US television, however, I put it to you that such allusions etc have to be trowelled on with all the subtlety of a nuclear bomb to penetrate the mongoloid crania of the target audience.

'Eastenders in space' (c) R. Lyon 2011
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:40, Reply)

Whilst your argument holds some merit,
I put it to you that there are those who are more willing to look for such subtext and gain greater enjoyment from a programme through this patience, and there are those with mongoloid crania who are not.

'Sounds well bent' (c) M. Boyce 2011
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:45, Reply)

I agree with you both
but would point out that when subtext is barely subtext and allegory, then it's probably not subtle.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:46, Reply)

Counter-example: the batman series from the 60s
kids action show if you're a mongoloid, hilarious comedy if you aren't.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 11:03, Reply)

Your argument precludes the possibility that a sci-fi programme can be anything more than its stereotype

(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:21, Reply)

a sci-fi programme you
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:22, Reply)

Well it's certainly not the Iliad

( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:32, Reply)

It's not just scifi though.
It has strong political, religious and anthropological themes and looks hard at colonialism and who we are as a species.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:22, Reply)

Sounds well bent.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:35, Reply)

Not even Fireman Sam?

( Peej, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:19, Reply)

or Queer as Folk?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:20, Reply)

*moves aside, makes way*

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 31 Aug 2011, 10:21, Reply)