"Battlestar" Down to Earth

Recently, the UN had a session discussion the popular Sci-Fi series Battlestar Galactica, a revival of a series from the 70's about a fleet of human ships driven off the 12 colonies (all named after the 12 signs of the western zodiac) by a race of human created "organic" robots, the Cylons.



Personally, I'm an avid fan of the series, having only recently discovered it this past winter. I can understand why it's recieved such praise as both a drama and a science fiction series. However, even I find it strange that the series has grabbed the attention of the United Nations. What is it about Battlestar that's captivated the leaders of the free world?

According to Sci-Fi, the show's primary broadcaster on which the series's fifth and final season is airing, the show raises discussion over "human rights, children and armed conflict, terrorism, human rights and reconciliation and dialogue among civilizations and faith."

At first glance, you'd wonder how all these themes can appear in the realm of "nerddom", but there is an abundance of examples of many of these themes.

(Warning: SPOILERS!)

For instance, the controversy of whether the Cylon models (the Cylons engineered to be nearly human) should be treated humanely appears constantly throughout the series, such as the treatment of the Eights, and more specifically Boomer/Athena, the legitamency of the many Cylon/Human children fostered, and how the enemies of humanity should be treated, even when its clear that they were never truly our foes.

It's clear that many of these themes appear in Battlestar and make this more than just your run-of-the-mill space opera. A lot lies under the surface of this dynamic, addictive chase through space, and if it's good enough for the UN, it's good enough for me.