Summary
The best episode ofBattlestar Galacticagave the sci-fi series its own version of a long-running trope in theStar Trekfranchise. The 21st-century take onBattlestar Galacticawas a game-changer for the sci-fi genre on TV, with the tense character drama elevating the massive spaceship battles. In many ways,Battlestar Galacticafelt like a deliberate attempt to build off the genre bedrock developed by franchises likeStar Trek.Battlestar Galacticaeven borrows some specific elements fromStar Trek.
In many ways,Battlestar GalacticaandStar Trekshare a common DNA(and several stars)in their approximation of military class and organization applied to space exploration. This also served as the perfect means to introduce a reoccurring element intoStar Trekthat has appeared in several shows and movies. It’s also an idea that was used to great effect inBattlestar Galactica, amplifying the in-universe fame of one of the show’s best single moments. Here’s howBattlestar Galacticareplicated a fan-favorite trope fromStar Trek.
8 Battlestar Galactica Spinoffs Explained
Despite being canceled in 1979, Battlestar Galactica has inspired a sci-fi franchise encompassing comics, video games, novels, and these TV spinoffs.
Battlestar Galactica’s “Exodus” Gave Captain Adama His Own Signature Maneuver
The Adama Maneuver Is One Of The Best Parts OfBattlestar Galactica
The Adama Maneuver used inBattlestar Galacticaseason 3’s “Exodus” two-partergave the Edward James Olmos character his own version of the classicStar Trektrope. In “Exodus,” Adama leads the crew of the Galactica in a dangerous attempt to provide support for their ground forces on New Caprica. To do this, they have to use the FTL-drive to perform a perilous teleport into the atmosphere of the planet. Entering free-fall, the battlestar can deploy several fighters mid-descent before teleporting back into space.
The maneuver does serious damage to the Galactica but proves to be a crucial turning point in the battle and a key moment in the humans escaping the Cylon’s grasp.The move is later declared to be the “Adama Maneuver,“immortalizing Adama in-universe with his own personal technique.Battlestar Galactica’sAdama Maneuver remains one of the best moments in sci-fi television, and it’s fun to see the moment also celebrated within the universe of the show. It also gives Adama a clear connection to a long-standing tradition from another big sci-fi franchise.
Star Trek’s Long History Of Captains Having Signature Maneuvers Explained
Several Generations OfStar TrekCaptains Have Gotten Moves Named After Them
Star Trek’s captains have a long history of developing signature movesnamed after them, going all the way back toStar Trek: The Original Series. In “The Corbomite Maneuver,” Kirk showcased an aptitude for improvising convincing bluffs against enemy commanders, a move that became synonymous with the Enterprise captain.Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “The Battle” saw Picard use the warp drive to create an illusion of his ship, tricking the pursuing enemy Ferengi vessel and earning the maneuver the nickname the “Picard Maneuver.”
Picard’s long-time friend and ally Riker also developed multiple techniques that were eventually known as “Riker Maneuver,” with one of them being a crucial move inStar Trek: Insurrectionwhere he uses the ship to draw in nearby unstable gasses. After collecting enough, Riker ordered the gasses to let loose toward the enemy ships attacking them, causing their blasts to ignite the unseen gas cloud and destroy themselves in the ensuing explosion.It’s a fun way to create connective tissue between the different eras of the showand indicates how the accomplishments of one generation can impact the next.
Battlestar Galactica’s Upcoming Reboot Can’t Repeat The 2004 Show’s Greatest Trick
The upcoming Battlestar Galactica reboot will need to not just recreate the biggest change the 2004 series brought to TV sci-fi.
The Adama Maneuver Is Better Than Any Signature Move From Star Trek
The Adama Manuver’s Cool Visual & Unique Challenge Make It A Highlight OfBattlestar Galactica
While all named maneuvers fromStar Trekare interesting, none of them are as cool or dramatic as the Adama Maneuver. The Adama Maneuver came with the inherently cool visuals of seeing the Battlestar dropping through the sky,providingBattlestar Galacticawith one of the show’s best visuals. The technique also has a compelling edge to it because of the inherent danger associated with the move. While Kirk’s signature bluff or Picard’s tricky warp-engine move could have gone disastrously if they’d been called out, the Adama Maneuver is a technique that leaves the Battlestar severely damaged even as it works.
It fits better into the more grounded approach that the entire show took to sci-fi, showing the kind of grounded real-world ramifications that would impact a spaceship materializing and falling through a planet’s atmosphere. It’s a thrilling beat withinBattlestar Galacticathat plays into the tension of the surrounding battle and increases the stakes of the conflict, but also plays a key role in turning around one of the show’s most dramatic battles.Battlestar Galacticalearned from past sci-fi shows likeStar Trek, but made the genre their own through moments like the Adama Maneuver.
Battlestar Galactica
Cast
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2004. The plot follows the crew of the aging Battlestar Galactica as they protect a small fleet of human survivors from the renewed threat of the Cylons, in a quest to find the mythical 13th colony, Earth.
