io9: I know you guys run into a bit of a conflict when you recreate your past loved ones mechanically, how does your character's reaction differ from Esai's?

ES: I'm not sure I should talk about this, as it involves spoilers.

io9: How would you describe Caprica to our readers (since they are very anxious to see it)?

ES: It's a show that takes place in the not-so-distant future, on a not-so-distant planet, that deals with a family struggling to stay together, class warfare, religion, and our never ending search for meaning in a world that over-values stimulation, consumerism, and facts.

4:45-5:45 / Ballroom 20

"SCREAM" Like a Girl

Spike loves women. And the coolest women on the planet are the ones who destroy aliens, defeat serial killers and battle evil villains with their superpowers! In honor of Spike's ScreamAwards 2008—the first and most important televised event that celebrates the genius creative talent behind the powerhouse Hollywood genres of comic books, science fiction, fantasy and horror—Spike brings you a candid discussion of these genres from the women they love, who are poised to rule the fanboy's universe! Moderator Kevin Smith (Clerks), the brilliant writer, director, and comic book genius hosts an all-female panel of actresses, artists, writers, directors, and producers, including Gale Ann Hurd (Terminator, Terminator 2), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Battlestar Galactica), Jaime King (The Spirit, Sin City), and Pia Guerra (Y: The Last Man), in a discussion about working in these genres from their unique point of view. Twenty lucky panel attendees will win tickets to the 2008 Scream Awards.

Caprica As Deep As Battlestar

Ronald D. Moore, co-creator of SCI FI Channel's upcoming backdoor pilot film Caprica, told SCI FI Wire that the Battlestar Galactica prequel will foreshadow events in that series while dealing with some of the same weighty issues.

"It's something that Adama [Edward James Olmos] said in the [Battlestar] miniseries, you know: 'You don't play god and then get to walk away from what you created,'" Moore said in an interview at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., on July 20. "And that's really the story of Caprica. We're going to watch them create this [Cylon race], and then wrestle with the ramifications of it. They're not even going to realize what they've created at first."

Though the show will be relatively planet-bound and take place in an urban reality not unlike our own, Moore said the SF-tinged story will nevertheless enable him to tackle serious issues in the same way as Battlestar.

"Well, we're still going to be dealing with things that are similar, in that there are still going to be issues of terrorism and security and how society should protect itself or not protect itself," Moore said. "You know, what is the line between civil liberties and protection of the homeland? We're still going to be dealing with a lot of those things, because they're going to be spiraling out of certain events that happen in the pilot. And, you know, but you're also dealing with ethical responsibilities. You're also dealing with things like, you know, what is a person? What does it mean to be a sentient being? Does that being have rights? What are you allowed to do to something that you've created out in a laboratory? ... Does it have a soul?"

A decision on when and how the TV movie will air is due later this year.

So what is in store for us this coming April when BSG returns to the air for its final season? Is Baltar Jesus? Does the Battlestar Galactica get destroyed? What year will it be when they arrive at Earth? We will have to wait to find out. In the meantime, check out this in depth preview of whats going to happen in Season 4.

When BSG returns to the air for its final season on April 4, 2008, it will mark almost one year since the last season finale. If you are like me you have probably forgotten some of the details of the show, but have no fear. Similar to BSG’s “The Story So Far” recaps, the Sci-Fi Channel plans to air two specials devoted to catching everyone up through the end of season 3. The shows, titled “Battlestar Galactica: The Phenomenon” and “Battlestar Galactica: Revisited” will air on March 28. Check out the following Season 4 preview:

In one week Sci Fi will broadcast the 2 hour Battlestar Galactica Movie titled Razor. It will mainly focus on the Pegasus and the back story regarding its captain Helena Cain. Watch for it on November 24. You can also read more about the movie and season 4 tid bits here. Here is the preview of the movie:

Recently the Sci-Fi Channel has being releasing bits of information about the upcoming final season, and we have detailed them below. Please note, there may be some minor spoilers, so please do not ready any further if you don’t want to know whats going on:

1. There has been mention of a new set design to replicate a new colonial ship, similar to the likes of the Demetrius.
2. Talk of a toaster rebellion: According to SyFyPortal.com, it seems that the Centurions will at one point develop their own free will and turn against their human-like brethren.
3. A cyclical theme similar to that of the Matrix, in which the defeat of the humans has already been repeated before in the past.

(more 4th season tibits to come)

A report by TVShowsonDVD stated that Universal is planning on releasing Battlestar Galactica Episodes in HD-DVD. The tentative date according to multiple sources is September 18. 2007, however nothing can be certain until a formal release date is announced by the Studio. Currently it looks like Season 1 will be the first to come out in the High Definition format. Currently Universal HD is broadcasting season 3 episodes in 1080i high definition. Take at look at their schedule and see if it is playing in your area.

The fourth upcoming season may be BSG’s last. Admiral Adama actor Edward James Olmos has reportedly stated that “as far as we know… this is the final season, so enjoy it”. Olmos made the comment to the Media site Iesb.net a few days ago. The fourth season of Battlestar Galactica is set to start in January 2008.

Adding to the speculation, Katie Sackoff who play Starbuck stated: “I think part of the problem is that it’s an expensive show,” she explained, “but we don’t have the viewership that a great show should get.”

So will this be end end of BSG? If so hopefully the producers can change the shows direction and end the series on a fulfilling note.

All I can say is that I saw this coming. There was already talk about Katie Sackoff leaving the show. Then there was the rumor that there would be a major loss towards the end of season 3.

Overall, this was a great episode, however it did leave us with many questions. Did Starbuck eject before her viper blew up? Was there really a cylon heavy raider, or was that just in her head? Why did they pick a cylon heavy raider instead of just a regular one? Was the heavy raider going to pick Starbuck up? Given her premonitions, and all the talk of her desitiny by Leobin, one could say that perhaps Starbuck was a cylon.

One things for sure, I doubt that this is going to be the last we are going to see of her. Rumor has it that her name has been removed from the credits in next weeks episode, however there is talk of her appearing in episodes in season four.

Another “pass on that” episode similar to the likes of Woman King, the 16th episode of the season starts out with fuel problem aboard a raptor. The issue is traced back to inefficient refining by one of the Tilliam processing ships. Poor working conditions, the class system, and other common man issues are addressed in this episode. Although there is no direct mention, it seems that Baltar is playing his cards right in order to get the fleet to be more sympathetic to his situation by spreading literature about his humble beginnings as a farmer. It seems that perhaps the writers of the show are trying to setup a possible exoneration, or dismissial of the charges of treason against Baltar. We also get a visit from the Six that is is Baltar’s mind. At the end of the scene, she tells Baltar that everything is going to be ok.

Overall, I thought this episode’s negatives outweighed its positives. I honestly didn’t feel sorry for the people refining the tilliam. If they didn’t do it, they would be unable to jump, and thus unable to run away from another Cylon attack. It was nice to see Baltar again, and to learn more about the cultural situation and class divisions, however I am still longing for an episode that will involve the Cylons, as it has been much overdue.

Comcast here in California is now offering BSG Season 3.0 and 3.5 Episodes via their On Demand service for FREE.  So far they have the following episodes: The Eye of Jupiter, Rapture, and Taking a Break From All Your Worries.  To view them go to On Demand, then click Top Picks and the episodes will be under the Battlestar Galactica link.  Currently they are only offering standard definition versions, hopefully in the future they will offer the episodes in High Definition.

In the recent episode of NBC’s “The Office” Dwight Schrute returned to his job wearing a Battlestar Galactica T-Shirt. Check out Dwight’s version of a cross between the show Lost and Battlestar Galactica, aptly named LOST BATTELSTAR.