NOTE: This review is based off of the DVD release of Caprica, There are some changes made in the broadcast version
Caprica is the prequel to the 2003 remake of Battlestar Galactica. For the readers sake I will not explain what Battlestar Galactica is in this review, but will shelve that for the BSG reviews. Caprica is set 58 years before the events of the mother show and details the two families that play a major role in the creation of the Cylons. These two families are:
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| Joseph Adama and Daniel Graystone |
- The Graystone family, a wealthy aristocratic family in which the patriarch, Daniel is the scientist that not only made the Cylons but the Holoband technology that is responsible for the events of the series.
- The Adam[a]s, a Tauron family that lives on Caprica and has dealings with the Tauron mob, The Ha'la'tha.
Caprica continues to showcase Ron Moore's mission of turning regular television into works of art. Everything is carefully planned. From the choice of characters and their actors, to the entire look and feel of the enviroment around you it is a visual masterpiece.
And that is just the looks
The writing leaves nothing to be desired. every line can be important and be a driving force in something to come in the future. It is all by design. se/prequel shows usually are not up to par as far as quality compared to its mother show, Caprica however does not follow that suit. The simple thing to keep in mind is that Caprica is somewhat different from Battlestar Galactica. It is made to be a different kind of dark, not as intensely dark but has themes that makes it its own brand.
Caprica is desinged to answer questions about the Cylons origin as well as answer fan questions pertaining to the Cylon's creation, how they were treated, and how they became to believe in the One True God.
The show is religious
The people of the twelve colonies for the most part polytheistic. The gods and goddesses refelect those of ancient Rome and Greece. Enter, the STO. The Soldiers of the One (STO) are introduced in the pilot as a revolutionary religious movement that have a belief in a singular loving god, it is the purpose of the STO to bring the word and teachings of the One True God to the people with force, believing there there is no room for people who think differently.
Battlestar walked a fine line when they started becoming heavily religious but in the end payed off. Caprica continues that story with an STO member, Zoe Graystone being killed by her [also STO] boyfriend Ben Stark. Zoe created a Vworld avatar of herself that was designed for a purpose and ended up being her back up, and exact copy of her with memories, personality, (and a debated topic) her soul. Zoe-A is transferred into one of her father's cylons as a way of bringing her into the real world.
A Social commentary you say? Why Yes!
The show also serves as a social commentary for our current society and how we interact with each other. From religion, to technology, to race relations, Caprica starts to cover a lot of ground.
Race relations seems to be the #2 idea that the creators seem to want to cover. The pilot introduces us to two very different cultures. The Caprican's, a wealthy colony that is the leader of business and enterprise. And Taurons, a poorer working class race of people are seen as bottom of the barrel class of society. They are often referred to as "Dirt-eaters".
This is perhaps my new #1 performance from Eric Stoltz (Daniel Graystone) just below that would of course be The Butterfly Effect
The Breakdown:
And that is just the looks
The writing leaves nothing to be desired. every line can be important and be a driving force in something to come in the future. It is all by design. se/prequel shows usually are not up to par as far as quality compared to its mother show, Caprica however does not follow that suit. The simple thing to keep in mind is that Caprica is somewhat different from Battlestar Galactica. It is made to be a different kind of dark, not as intensely dark but has themes that makes it its own brand.
Caprica is desinged to answer questions about the Cylons origin as well as answer fan questions pertaining to the Cylon's creation, how they were treated, and how they became to believe in the One True God.
The show is religious
The people of the twelve colonies for the most part polytheistic. The gods and goddesses refelect those of ancient Rome and Greece. Enter, the STO. The Soldiers of the One (STO) are introduced in the pilot as a revolutionary religious movement that have a belief in a singular loving god, it is the purpose of the STO to bring the word and teachings of the One True God to the people with force, believing there there is no room for people who think differently.
Battlestar walked a fine line when they started becoming heavily religious but in the end payed off. Caprica continues that story with an STO member, Zoe Graystone being killed by her [also STO] boyfriend Ben Stark. Zoe created a Vworld avatar of herself that was designed for a purpose and ended up being her back up, and exact copy of her with memories, personality, (and a debated topic) her soul. Zoe-A is transferred into one of her father's cylons as a way of bringing her into the real world.
A Social commentary you say? Why Yes!
The show also serves as a social commentary for our current society and how we interact with each other. From religion, to technology, to race relations, Caprica starts to cover a lot of ground.
Race relations seems to be the #2 idea that the creators seem to want to cover. The pilot introduces us to two very different cultures. The Caprican's, a wealthy colony that is the leader of business and enterprise. And Taurons, a poorer working class race of people are seen as bottom of the barrel class of society. They are often referred to as "Dirt-eaters".
This is perhaps my new #1 performance from Eric Stoltz (Daniel Graystone) just below that would of course be The Butterfly Effect
The Breakdown:
What I Loved: The show is dense, I mean REALLY dense. It's not a flippy, fun Sci Fi drama that you can laugh and not take seriously. The cinematography was well done, each family/ race had a certain coloration to it. The story is very solid. and it is a great start to the Battlestar saga.
What I didn't like: As much as the show tries to seperate itself from its predecessor, to get the full grasp of the show and some of the important parts it stresses you have to have some knowledge of Battlestar Galactica.
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