PopMatters reviews the Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.0 DVD

PopMatters reviews the Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.0 DVD:

Having long ago shrugged off the tired and often laughable clichés associated with science fiction programming Battlestar Galactica stands firmly amongst the select few shows on television whose proclamations of greatness are actually merited. With an ardent fan base consisting of cultural tastemakers, critics and the general public championing its cause Battlestar Galactica has defied classification and set new standards for how quality television is defined. Whilst it may forever be lumped under the genre of science fiction — and suffer the ignominious dismissal of such labeling — Battlestar Galactica has undeniably advanced and changed the landscape of dramatic television…

…A running joke associated with Battlestar Galactica has always been that it’s the perfect science fiction show for people who hate science fiction. Clearly Battlestar Galactica fulfills its sci-fi obligations with explorations into the struggle between man and machine, the post-apocalyptic odyssey of space and the interminable quest to locate a permanent and stable home. Yet, by not relying on the usual tropes associated with the genre — namely fancy gadgets and dazzling but ultimately hollow special effects — the show’s creators are continually forced to mine the depths of their imaginations to tell the absorbing stories of this hobbled fleet and its rag-tag crew.