Friday, March 31, 2006

Tahmoh autographed photo & S3 countdown

Here is an autographed photo of Tahmoh from the miniseries. It's an unreleased promotional photo that's fun to see.


Don't forget "Epiphanies" will air tonight at 2am. Some good angsty Helo moments.

Also with Season 3 of Galactica so far off, I've brought back the countdown at left. I'm assuming a premiere date of October 6th (first Friday in October), but that's not been confirmed. So roughly 189 days to go!

New Ron Moore Interview

Ron Moore spoke with Yahoo!VideoGames about the Battlestar Galactica video game, his reimagining of the series and his hopes for the show.

Hollywood Byte #12: The Man Behind Battlestar Galactica

"We want to continue to surprise the audience and subvert expectations every which way we go," said Moore, who doesn't want Battlestar to fall back into being just another TV show. "It's something different and something special. Some day it's going to be over and we're all going to want to look back and say that was a special work."

The cliffhanger ending on March 10 changed everything. So what's next? "It's life under the cylon occupation to begin with, and it ain't pretty," said Moore.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Possible SAG strike would affect BSG

As the rumors are circulating widely of a threatened Screen Actor's Guild strike, here are some articles detailing the situation. The SAG is currently in contract negotions for made-for-cable shows, including "Monk," "The Closer," "The Shield," "Battlestar Galactica," "Wildfire" and "Nip/Tuck."

SAG Members Approve Strike Authorization (Backstage.com)

SAG Members Authorize Strike Against Cable Producers (TV Week)

SAG Clashes With Cable Producers as Strike Vote Moves Forward (LA Times)

Producers rag on SAG: Perturbed filmmakers strike back (Variety)

Of course, just because a strike has been authorized doesn't mean one will be called. In any case, with Battlestar not due to return until October some lee-way room seems to be built in.

Not sure how this might affect BSG either, but the British Columbia actor's guild (Union of British Columbia Performers) is also in the midst of contract renegotiations.

No Resolution in B.C. Actor Talks (Backstage.com)

Writers Discuss Helo/Sharon

If you haven't yet listened to the BSG writer's podcast I mentioned earlier, it's worth checking out. It's a very interesting listen behind-the-scenes. Hearing plot lines unfold organically in conversation is unexpectedly thrilling (at least to me, heh). But it's also intriguing to hear about plotlines not pursued and of terrible ideas thankfully abandoned.

Saliently for this site, the writers spend much of the last third of the podcast discussing Helo and Sharon. Does Helo get congual visits? Should Sharon be let out of her cell? How would she be controlled if free?

Download it here. (right-click, save)

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Pics from Trapped Ashes and of Tahmoh's costars

According to Fangoria, the picture below is "a shot of actress Amelia (SPECIES III) Cooke from director Monte Hellman’s decidedly Gothic-looking “Girlfriend” segment." Cooke is the "girlfriend" in question, part of a love triangle between Tahmoh's character "Leo" and Tygh Runyan's "Stanley."


Your guess is as good as mine as to whether that's Tahmoh or Tygh. If you're wondering what Amelia and Tygh look like, here you go:


Amelia Cooke


Tygh Runyan

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Fangoria #252: Trapped Ashes coverage

I managed to look at a copy of Fangoria #252, on newsstands now, which features a one page article on the upcoming horror flick, Trapped Ashes. No pictures of Tahmoh or Tahmoh's episode, "The Girlfriend", but the film's writer, Dennis Bartok, did make some interesting comments about it:

"It's set in Hollywood in 1957. It's the hardest to summarize, though. It's about a love triangle between a soon to be famous director (Tygh Runyan), a young screenwriter (Tahmoh Penikett) who writes nasty little B-movies and a beautiful, mysterious and sinister woman (Amelia Cooke). It's one episode that when people have read the script they say it really haunts their dreams."
I guess that's a good thing... The article mentions that post-production is expected to be done in May. So perhaps the film will be ready for a summer premiere.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Update on Trapped Ashes

Fangoria recently posted an update on Tahmoh's horror film, Trapped Ashes. The film is now in post-production with effects and sound being added in. An early screening of the movie has created some positive buzz:

It doesn’t feel like a modern horror film,” TOOLBOX MURDERS screenwriter Adam Gierasch reports to Fango of an early TRAPPED ASHES screening he attended last week. “It feels like something that was done in the late 1960s, when a studio hired a group of great directors to do a horror movie, they took a bunch of LSD and came up with something really weird and trippy that sort of resembles a ‘horror’ movie, but is not like anything you’ve ever seen!
Fango’s Weekend of Horrors convention, to be held June 2-4 in Burbank, CA will feature a sneak peek of the film, as Bartok and company will be in attendance to screen clips and discuss the anthology.

It sounds like the film is on track for a fall theatrical release.

FANGORIA #252 on newsstands now apparently has more Trapped Ashes coverage.

Read more about Trapped Ashes here and here.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

A look inside the writer's room & fan questions answered

In a flurry of posting, Ron Moore has updated his Battlestar blog three times today. His first post addresses his reaction to appearing at the annual Game Developers' Conference in San Jose. In his second post, he answers a slew of fan questions about Galactica and gives tantalizing hints about Season 3.

The final update highlights the arrival of a new podcast giving fans an inside look into the writer's room as they crafted Season 2 episodes "Scar" and "Sacrifice."

Read the Q & A (no Helo questions this time).

Listen to the writer's room podcast.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Tahmoh's interview in the April/May BSG magazine

The Battlestar Galactica Official Magazine #4 Yearbook Issue (on newstands starting March 28th) features interviews with the entire cast, including one with Tahmoh. Much familiar ground is covered in the six-page spread, but new tidbits emerge about how he prepares for his role and his scenes with Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos.

With tremendous thanks to saturn92103, here is the Tahmoh interview early!


Friday, March 24, 2006

New header to celebrate site's 1st anniversary

I created "All about Tahmoh Penikett" on March 13, 2005 (after "Hand of God," but before "Colonial Day" for those keeping track). Now a year and 55,000 visitors later, I'm happy the site is still going strong while we wait for season 3 to premiere in October.

If you've been visiting for a while, you might remember the oh-so-momentous switch from 2 to 3 columns or the introduction of the poll--innovations I felt equal to accomplishing. But to celebrate the site's one year anniversary, I needed help from other fans and proposed a contest to design a new header for the site, hosted by bstg_icontest.

There were nearly a dozen terrific entries, which you can see here. After a flurry of voting, the winner and designer of the site's beautiful new header was the talented wav.

For your viewing pleasure, here are the two runners up:

by realtanala

by shadowserenity

I hope everyone enjoys the new header and continues to enjoy visiting the site!

As always I love to hear your feedback. You can comment on this post or you can email me.

TV Guide raves about Battlestar

TV Guide critic Matt Roush answered a fan question today about "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" (was it all a dream? short answer, no), but in browsing past columns, I came across his rave review of the finale, which I hadn't seen before.

First off, that audacious Galactica finale, with President Roslyn conceding the election after dabbling in fraud, only to be replaced by a debauched fraud in Baltar. A terrific, if controversial, twist in jumping forward a year, with our human heroes settling on the none-too-plush New Caprica, having been lulled into false security (at least the Baltar contingent) by the Cylon retreat. I imagine next season we'll get a number of flashbacks to fill in the gaps in the Cylon and human worlds, the better to explain how the humans got in such a fine mess that they're now nearly defenseless from the new Cylon occupation of a planet that now looks like a gulag.

Next season it's going to feel like a brand-new Galactica, a daring reinvention (not unlike reviving and improving the original show's premise) that promises only to deepen and darken the best adult sci-fi drama of my lifetime.
For more great discussion of the finale, see his response to another fan letter about the time-jump.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Photos of Tahmoh from Gatecon 2005

The event was more than six months ago, but new photos keep surfacing of Tahmoh's appearance at Gatecon in Vancouver. Here's my favorite (by Arbron):


Three other pics of Tahmoh by Arbron here.

See the rest of Arbron's BSG Gatecon pics over at Flickr.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Ron Moore's Q & A at Grand Slam

On March 12th, Galactica executive producer and writer Ron Moore spoke at Creation Entertainment’s Grand Slam Scifi Summit convention. Sam's Sister from the Pegasus Galaxy Forums was there. She wrote up a lengthy report and even scored an interview with Moore after the event.

Ron Moore - Convention notes and photos

Ron Moore - Interview
Spoilers for next season appear sporadically, though none specifically Helo-related.

The Great Link links to another report from Grand Slam that's worth checking out. Moore had this to say about the October premiere:
Fans really weren't so upset about the season finale as they were about the late start for the next season: October. "That was a network decision," Moore said, which he supports — "instead of rushing us back on the air in July like we did last season. To take a little more time in the production phase... And also build a little more anticipation."

Season 2.5 DVDs to arrive in September?

According to TV Guide columnist, Michael Ausiello, the second half of BSG S2 (including the 90 minute extended cut of "Pegasus") should be available in early September.

Question: Will the entire second season of Battlestar Galactica be released on DVD before the third season premieres in October? — Marilyn

Ausiello: Yes. I'm not sure of the exact street date, but I hear it'll be in stores by early September.
Should be enough time to catch people up before the October premiere.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Poll Results: Lay Down Your Burdens, Pt 1

Before part two of the season finale aired, the poll asked what would happen to Helo in the second half. I don't think anyone could have guessed precisely what did happen, though the majority was confident that "he'd escape with everyone else and things would go to hell."

Of course, what with the waiting 18 hours for the cylons to attack, Helo probably had time to "wonder what he'd have to do to finally get OFF of Caprica."

The more comic-minded voted that Helo "would decide to frak the cute redhead (Anders's friend) this time around."

The rest of the results:

Monday, March 20, 2006

Battlestar Galactica's Mission Statement

Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonell both said that Battlestar's "mission statement" written by Ron Moore is what convinced them to do the show. It was inadvertently (or, rather, without Moore's knowledge) stapled to their copies of the miniseries script.

I was wondering what the statement said and luckily was able to find a copy thanks to BattlestarGalactica.com. It wasn't quite what I expected. Here are some excerpts:

Battlestar Galactica: Naturalistic Science Fiction
or Taking the Opera out of Space Opera

Our goal is nothing less than the reinvention of the science fiction television series. We take as a given the idea that the traditional space opera, with its stock characters, techno-double-talk, bumpy-headed aliens, thespian histrionics, and empty heroics has run its course and a new approach is required. That approach is to introduce realism into what has heretofore been an aggressively unrealistic genre.

Call it " Naturalistic Science Fiction."

Story

We will eschew the usual stories about parallel universes, time-travel, mind-control, evil twins, God-like powers and all the other clichés of the genre. Our show is first and foremost a drama. It is about people. Real people that the audience can identify with and become engaged in. It is not a show about hardware or bizarre alien cultures. It is a show about us. It is an allegory for our own society, our own people and it should be immediately recognizable to any member of the audience.

Character

This is perhaps, the biggest departure from the science fiction norm. We do not have "the cocky guy" "the fast-talker" "the brain" "the wacky alien sidekick" or any of the other usual characters who populate a space series. Our characters are living, breathing people with all the emotional complexity and contradictions present in quality dramas like "The West Wing" or "The Sopranos." In this way, we hope to challenge our audience in ways that other genre pieces do not. We want the audience to connect with the characters of Galactica as people. Our characters are not super-heroes. They are not an elite. They are everyday people caught up in a enormous cataclysm and trying to survive it as best they can.

They are you and me.
Most of the statement concerns itself with the visual style of the show and its production, however.

Read the full mission statement.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

See the teaser for Season Three of Galactica

Saddened by the lack of new Galactica until October? Well Sci-fi has posted the last two minutes of "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" and the S3 teaser to their Battlestar frontpage.

This of course also helps out fans whose Tivos cut off the last two minutes of the show.


The voiceover by Six really helps set the tone and build excitement for the third season, which starts filming in three weeks.

[At the moment, the last two minutes and teaser are only available by clicking on the banner at the upper right of the sci-fi page.]

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Tahmoh to attend the Official BSG Convention

Tahmoh signed on Wednesday as one of the guests for the Official BSG convention hosted by Creation Entertainment this August in Burbank.

Sat. & Sun. August 26-27, 2006
Burbank, California

Jamie Bamber and James Callis are currently also scheduled to appear.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Poll Results: When will Helo learn the truth about Hera?

After episode 218, "Downloaded," the poll asked when will Helo and Sharon discover their child is still alive. A quarter of people thought it'd be before the end of Season 2, though that didn't prove to be true.

A fifth think that they'll learn about Hera at the beginning of Season 2, but the majority (35%) thinks it'll be the end of the third season. 13% think it won't happen until Season 4 or beyond and 7% think they'll never find out.

Of course, in retrospect, the phrasing was a bit vague as "the truth about Hera" could be all manner of things. Helo and Sharon could easily discover Hera was still alive without knowing where she is or who is caring for her... sounds like a new poll for the coming months.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

High-res pics of Tahmoh and Katee from Comic Con

It seems appropriate that the week of "All about Tahmoh Penikett"'s one year anniversary Dark Thoughts released nearly a dozen high resolution pictures of Tahmoh.

They're from Comic Con 2005 and the Sci-fi after party.

See the pics of just Tahmoh.

See the pics with Katee.

See Tahmoh with the rest of the cast at the Con.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Tahmoh to attend London Expo 2006

Tahmoh has been newly announced as a guest at the London Movie Comic Media Expo at ExCel London on May 27 & 28th.


At the moment, Tahmoh is the only BSG guest. See the full star guest list.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Ron Moore speaks about BSG Season 3

Now Playing Magazine has posted the second part of its interview with Ron Moore (first part is here). He doesn't go into much detail, but he does say what original BSG plotlines he's still considering remaking.

Moore’s What ifs: The Return of Starbuck, Ship of Lights, and More

For a charming encounter with Ron Moore over the weekend, go read Wil Wheaton's post about Day 3 of Grand Slam 2006.

Did any of you go to Grand Slam? Know someone who did? I'd love to find out what Moore said in his half hour talk. Please email me any info or links you have (or comment on this post).

BSG cast at the Paley Festival after-party

To complete the Paley Festival coverage I compiled previously, you simply must watch this silly series of cast interviews conducted by G4TV after the Paley Festival honoring Battlestar Galactica.


The cast was obviously having a good time and gave far less serious reactions to the show. Fun to watch.

See the video over at G4tv.com.

Monday, March 13, 2006

TV Guide critic comments on BSG's October premiere

For those of you worried about BSG not returning until October, TV Guide critic Matt Roush had some reassuring words:

Question: It was recently announced that the next season of Battlestar Galactica would begin in October, and not in July as expected, thus leaving fans with a seven-month wait. What is your reaction to this decision, and why do you think this decision was made? The announcement has also given birth to rumors that they are moving the premiere to October because they are considering moving Battlestar to NBC's fall lineup. Though there is no truth to the rumors yet, it worries me because part of what makes Battlestar great is that it deals with a number of controversial issues and depicts violence and sex in raw and honest ways. I wouldn't want to see any of this "dialed down" in order to meet network standards. Do you think a move to NBC is likely, and what would be the implications for the series and the network if this happened? — Beth

Matt Roush: First off, a move to NBC is neither likely nor probable, at least from where I sit. Still, NBC might find itself in a position to air some Galactica repeats in the interim, maybe this summer, as a cross-promotional stunt (we all know Galactica is better than almost anything on NBC's current lineup). But please don't ask me to analyze the scheduling practices of cable networks, be it Sci Fi, USA, FX, TNT, HBO or any of them. They run their original series in the oddest of patterns, and it's not unusual to have to wait months or almost a year between seasons. Sci Fi has spoiled us lately with a steady diet of Stargate and Galactica episodes spaced out in winter and summer runs.

But I'm figuring that this summer, Sci Fi will use the Stargate lead-in to launch a new series franchise, saving Galactica for fall, since it has already proven itself more than capable of drawing a healthy and loyal audience during the regular season. Seven months is a long wait, but no longer than we wait between seasons of great FX shows, not to mention HBO. But not only would Galactica's move to NBC be a disaster creatively, because we all know how gutless the networks' execs can be (witness: The Book of Daniel), but Galactica's ratings, though perfectly fine by cable standards, would likely suffer by network expectations. Any move that would make Galactica look less than a triumph is not acceptable.

Hints about Galactica's third season

For those eager to know more about BSG Season 3, two brief new items should interest you. The first features general spoilers about the show's direction next season.

Sci-fi Wire: Moore Talks Galactica Finale

In addition to the obvious real-life parallels with Iraq, Moore said: "It gives us a chance to upend a lot of expectations about what the show is. I mean, ... a lot of people look at the show and say, 'Well, are the Cylons Al-Qaeda and the Colonials are ... us?' And I've always said that's not really true, and the politics of the show kind of shift back and forth. ... It's about trying to upset expectations and about trying to make you think about issues and ideas from a different perspective."
Read the rest of the article.

Maureen Ryan's Chicago Tribune "Watcher" blog shared these tidbits:
"Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, writers for the show, let me know that the show’s writing staff has mapped out the first eight episodes of next season, and “many are being written now” (the show resumes production in Vancouver in April). “We still have to see how they play together,” Thompson said by e-mail, “and whether we’ll have the money to pull them off. They’re … ambitious. Ron [Moore]’s writing the first two.”

Thompson added that Michael Taylor, a writer for “The Dead Zone” and “Star Trek: Voyager” has joined the “Battlestar Galactica” writing staff.

By the way, you can be sure that I will press Thompson and Weddle for waaaay more info when Season 3 begins ... in October! No, scratch that. I can't wait that long. I'm going to harass them well before that. I'm betting they won't talk much about what's going to happen in Season 3, but we should be able to rehash Season 2 in exhaustive detail. Send in questions if you have any."

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Videoblog spoofs Sex, Lies and Videotape

In a highly unusual look behind the scenes, the most recent videoblog parodies the 1989 film Sex, Lies and Videotape. It awkward, hilarious and very silly.

20: Sex, Lies and a Videoblog
Though if Starbuck turns out to be pregnant with Anders' baby next season I guess we'll never know the truth, lol.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

IGN interviews Grace Park

Grace Park speaks about being cast as Boomer, the challenges of playing Sharon, working with Tahmoh and her acting method in a new interview with IGN Filmforce.

IGN interviews Grace Park

IGNFF: Is it fun having two different love interests on the show?

PARK: Hell yeah! It's like, "Oh, who am I making out with today?!" Tahmoh [Tahmoh Penikett, "Helo"] calls me the Cylon hussy. And Aaron [Aaron Douglas, "Chief Tyrol"] just calls me the Cylon slut.

IGNFF: How do you work yourself up for big explosive scenes, like when you smashed your head into the window of your jail cell?

PARK: That was the one that I was resisting. I was thinking, I don't know what they're going to do, because I'm not going to do that. With that, luckily we had a great stunt double that stepped in for me for the hit itself. But what was different with that scene was that I had put the more heavy substitution, the more method stuff, sort of on the shelf.

And that one I was doing a bit more improv with Tahmoh. And it came really improvisationally. And thank goodness Tahmoh was really into it, because the scene started and I refused to get heavy at first. I was looking at him and making goofy faces through the glass. And he just kept staring at me, and his eyes were watery, and it got me right away, every time.
Read the rest of the interview.

Now Playing Magazine interviews Ron Moore

Now Playing spoke with BSG executive producer and writer Ron Moore in the aftermath of the season finale. Hear what Moore is envisioning for season 3:

Galactica Producer Talks Season Three

"Have showrunner Ron Moore and his writing staff ruined Galactica with the seemingly extreme changes to the show’s dynamic that took place in tonight’s finale?

Or does this episode simply augur even bigger and better things to come for the hit series? Now Playing spoke to Moore recently about the season finale, as well as where the denizens of the Galactica universe will find themselves in season three."

"Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" Reactions

New poll at right. What'd you think of the finale? Was it awesome? Are you nervous? Was it terrible? How excited are you that Helo got promoted and isn't fat?

----------> Vote now!

Friday's excellent episode reairs Monday at 11pm ET.


See more pictures of Helo in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" over at Northern Lights.

Download Ron Moore's podcast. Sci-fi is also offering a new "enhanced" podcast for those with video iPods:

"Battlestar Galactica now offers an Enhanced Podcast to its podcast subscribers. The new-and-improved podcast features chapter stops (no more beeps at the commercial breaks) and bonus images from each episode. To use the enhanced podcast, users will need to have the most recent version of iTunes and an iPod with a color screen."
Watch the AOL behind the scenes special for cast commentary on the finale.

For anyone in the Pasadena area this weekend, Ron Moore just announced on his blog:
"I'll be appearing over at the Grand Slam Creation Con at the Pasadena Convention Center on Sunday March 12 at 12:30pm. I think they gave me a half hour, so I'll just open it to Q & A and take as many questions as I can.

See you there
."
Sounds like a great opportunity to try and find out about season three!

Friday, March 10, 2006

90-minute Battlestar Season 2 Finale airs tonight

"Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 2" airs tonight at 10/9c on Sci-fi. It promises to be a doozy, so be sure to tune in!


Critics are falling all over themselves to praise the finale. Here are a few of the dozens of articles praising Battlestar. All are somewhat spoilery:

Now Playing Magazine

"Plot-wise, showrunner Ron Moore and his team continue to chart new territory that other genre shows, or even most A-list dramatic television series for that matter, dare not enter."
Newsday: Battlestar goes out with a wallop
"Moore’s story is so intricately developed, it’s jammed with long-lived plot tentacles and socio-cultural undertones. Newbies can savor the thrill ride anyway. Docu-style filming imparts a wind-in-your-hair immediacy, and the performances bristle with urgency, all flesh-and-blood aroused.

If the show’s humans have no time to waste, neither does Moore. His every scene provokes not just adrenaline but thought."
Scripps Howard: Battlestar Galactica sets stage for next season
"Battlestar Galactica proves it's almost too big for the small screen as it takes viewers on an epic-making 90-minute season finale....

Nothing else on TV compares to
Battlestar. It is an epic with unexpected twists. The surprises in the season finale are woven together to make this episode feel like a book you can't put down."

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Ron Moore posts new Q & A to his blog

Over at scifi.com, BSG executive producer and writer Ron Moore answered some fan questions.

"My question concerns Sharon's pregnancy. We know Helo is the father. Is Sharon the mother? That is, did Hera come from Sharon's egg, or were the eggs implanted in her from a human source? If so, isn't she just a surrogate womb and the Cylons don't really reproduce at all? Therefore the baby would still be totally human. If not, then how the heck did they manage to make her fertile, as female humans are *born* with all their eggs."

My assumption has been that the Cylons created Sharon's eggs and presumably the eggs for all Cylon females. This could change, obviously, but the idea was that the Cylons were attempting to create a virtually perfect replica of the human form, right down to the reproductive system, but that they had been unable to actually reproduce on their own.
Read the rest.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Design a header for "All about Tahmoh Penikett"

Next week marks the one year anniversary of this site and I'd like to celebrate that with a new header. The moderators behind the excellent BSTG Icontest (the premier Battlestar Galactica icon challenge community) have graciously allowed me to run the contest on their site.

For all the details, follow the link below:


Special Challenge - All about Tahmoh Penikett header

Submit early and submit often, as many as you like -- no limit. I can't wait to see what you guys can come up with!

The deadline for the header challenge will be Wednesday, March 15, 10 PM EST.

BSG Season 3 premiere... in October?

Now Playing Magazine is reporting that the third season of Battlestar Galactica won't premiere until October:

"October 2006 is the date, which means we’ll be going seven long months without new Galactica."
*weeps softly*

Helo reacts to the news:


Couldn't they have waited to announce this news for one more day? It's 50,000th visitor day! Grr...

ETA: The sad news is confirmed by Gateworld.

"All about Tahmoh Penikett" logs its 50,000th visitor

And that's unique visitors -- just in time for the site's one year anniversary next week!

And now a happy Tahmoh photo to celebrate:


Tonight I'll be posting details about a contest to design a header image for the site. So stay tuned!

New videoblog outtakes

A pretty funny outtake reel for David Eick's videoblogs has been posted to scifi.com.

19: Scenes from the videoblog floor.
Go check it out. Not spoilery for the finale.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Paley Festival Battlestar Panel Link Roundup

Battlestar was honored on Friday at The 23rd Annual William S. Paley Television Festival presented by The Museum Of Television & Radio. Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sackhoff, Grace Park, James Callis, Ron Moore and David Eick were all in attendance.


Official pictures of the event thanks to ravenclawdrew.

Battlestar cast Q & A's by Kristin at E!Online.

Grace Park had this to say about Helo and Sharon in Season 3 in her interview:

"She'll have a different connection with God and then with Helo and I'm not sure what their relationship is gonna be like exactly, but I don't want it to be a perfect relationship. It never is gonna be, but I would like to see a growth with her and Helo, each of them, on their own. Not necessarily together."
Excellent recaps of the panel by bijoux and by _eb.

IGN report on the panel.

Partial transcript thanks to iF Magazine.

Audio recording of the panel.

Press photos of the stars, thanks to BSG Media. More at Daily Celeb.

Candid photos of the cast talking to the press, thanks to oxymoronassoc.

Monday, March 06, 2006

"Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1" Reactions

New poll at right. What will happen to Helo in Part 2 of "Lay Down your Burdens"? He'll save the day? He'll wonder what he has to do to finally get OFF of Caprica? He'll escape with everyone else and things will go to hell? He'll shower?

----------> Vote now!

Friday's excellent episode reairs tonight at 11pm ET.


See pictures of Helo in "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1" over at Northern Lights.

Download Ron Moore's podcast.

Watch the AOL behind the scenes special for cast commentary and a preview of next week. Including special commentary from Tahmoh!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Tahmoh speaks about "Lay Down Your Burdens, Pt 1"

AOL's exclusive cast commentary for tonight's episode contains a brief segment with Tahmoh, in which he talks about his relationship with Sharon.


Watch the clip!

Friday, March 03, 2006

"Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1" airs tonight!

It's part one of the "mind-bending" season two finale and it's on tonight at 10/9c on Sci-fi. Be sure to watch. Now some Helo to get you motivated:


Watch the preview.

Download Ron Moore's podcast.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

"Battlestar ends its second season in stellar style"

Maureen Ryan from the Chicago Tribune lavishly praised BSG's two-part season finale, "Lay Down Your Burdens," in a new article today.

"'Battlestar' ends its second season in stellar style"

When it comes to what to watch this weekend, one program stands out:

“Battlestar Galactica,” 9 p.m. Friday, Sci Fi: When he spoke to the Tribune in January, “Battlestar Galactica” executive producer Ron Moore promised that the show’s two-part second-season finale would have “some pretty major changes in how we do business. It’s really going to catch people off guard.” He wasn’t kidding.

There are some mind-bending plot twists in “Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1 and Part 2” (the second installment airs March 10), but what’s most impressive about both episodes is how they gracefully manage to convey a sense of elegiac foreboding. The direction, the cinematography, the empathic and original music, the acting and the stories all combine to create a kind of suspenseful poetry, and make the case that, right now, “Battlestar Galactica” is the best show on television.

To top all that off, the revelations that unfold at the end of the 90-minute March 10 episode are truly out of this world.
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New BSG novel: The Cylon's Secret

This prequel novel by sci-fi author Craig Shaw Gardner (see his bibliography) will explore the backstories of three of Galactica's crew. Now it'd be really interesting to find out about Helo's backstory, though I imagine the novel probably focuses on the older crew like Adama and Tigh.

According to the author's blog, the manuscript is done:

"With something as suspenseful and tightly written as GALACTICA, I was a bit worried that I'd step on some taboo that I didn't even realize existed. So I was pleasantly surprised when the folks from the show let me know they had only one small problem with the manuscript (it had to do with the Cylons, natch) which I was able to correct by changing one word! So the manuscript is finished. Done, I tell you! Wending its way through the publishing process."
Amazon has it scheduled for release this August:


Thanks to Andrew at The CIC for this discovery. See his original post.