Sometimes a Great Notion

Last night was the beginning of the end. The first of the final 10 episodes of Battlestar Galactica aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. Now, I could fill this post with spoilers galore, but I'll try to restrain myself. Many questions were indeed answered, but, of course, in such a way that the answers only lead to more questions. We probably all have the Lost playbook to thank for that little strategy. So, all in all, I'm probably left with more questions after watching this episode than I did before.

As a note, I just finished watching the previous season (or is it the same season, just the episodes that aired last Spring?) about an hour before I watched the new episode last night. I know, I was lax at getting around to it. That was kind of a bummer for me, because I dislike spoilers. But I've been seeing commercials for the new episodes everywhere and they mention that these pilgrims of the cosmos finally made it to Earth. So, I knew that was the big reveal/cliffhanger before I had even seen the episode that contained that incident. But, again, that was my fault and I only have myself to blame. I know that out there one of you BSG faithfuls is weeping for me. But I'm all caught up now! Hooray!

Sigh, soon Battlestar will be all over. Then what will we do? I suppose some lucky guy with a heap of disposable income can buy a Raptor and live out his BSG fantasies for years to come. But for the rest of us poor slobs, all we can do is say goodbye. It seems like I've been saying goodbye a lot this TV season. Last fall The Shield ended. As great as BSG is, I have to say that The Shield is definitely my favorite show. And now it's gone. Hopefully Battlestar will end on a happier, more optimistic note. The series finale of The Shield made me feel like I was watching my best friends slowly die in front of me. It was painful, it was horrifying, and it was great. Somehow, though, I wouldn't be suprised if BSG ended on a complete downer. You think otherwise? Well, then I'd ask you to rewatch how it all began with the miniseries, or, as I like to call it, "the most depressing three hours of television." If everyone dies in the beginning, would it be such a stretch for everyone to die in the end?

Nine episodes left.