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BSG Prep Open Conversation ✨ (Patreon)

Published:
2025-04-08 00:10:05
Imported:
2026-08

Content

Hey everyone! I'm finally gearing up to dive into Battlestar Galactica and wanted to open up a little spoiler-free discussion here. I've seen a few of you mention that there's something I should watch before diving into the main series, and I thought it'd be helpful to have all of that insight in one place to keep things straight in my mind. So! If you've seen BSG and have thoughts, tips, or tricks for a first-timer. Drop them below! Just please be sure to keep it spoiler-free so I can go in fresh 😊Looking forward to sharing this next journey with you all!

Comments

Farbod

BSG Watching Order: 1. The Miniseries (2003) This is the pilot episode that introduces the reimagined version of the series. 2. Season 1 Follows the events immediately after the miniseries. 3. Season 2 (up to episode 17) Continue the story from season 1. 4. Razor (TV Movie) This movie is set during the events of season 2 and provides an extended cut with flashbacks. 5. Season 2 (episode 18 onward) Finish watching season 2 after watching the Razor movie. 6. The Resistance (Webisodes) (Optional) A 10-episode web series that bridges seasons 2 and 3. 7. Season 3 Continue the story from season 2. 8. Season 4 (up to episode 11) Continue the story from season 3. 9. The Face of the Enemy (Webisodes) (Optional) A 10-part web series that follows a character between seasons 4.0 and 4.5. 10. Season 4 (episodes 12-15) Continue the story from season 4. 11. The Plan (TV Movie) This movie follows the events of the miniseries and seasons 1 and 2 from a different perspective. 12. Season 4 (episodes 16 onward) Finish watching season 4.

Mcdongerz

Start with the "TV Mini Series" - it's essentially 2 'movie-length' episodes that set the scene for the whole show. There's nothing else you really need to watch at all to get into it, the show will explain everything as you go through - the setting, the world, the lore etc. Just remember it's a (THE!) sci-fi series and get immersed into the world as you watch - half the fun is the theories as you go along! I wish I could go back and watch this for the first time, it's a true sci-fi epic.

KJ

The 2 part mini series is essential. Each part is about double the length of a regular episode. You don't need any knowledge of the 1970s show as the early 2000s version was a reimagining.

KJ

Also the show has an annoying habit of blitzing through a preview of the episode in most opening credits, so my advice is to look away. Also avoid any dvd cover art if you can 😂

T5ler1

I can't tell you how excited I am for you to watch this show. I can't formulate a lot of advice while avoiding any sense of a spoiler but what I can say is other reactors have definitely cried, and cheered, been disappointed, and amazed. Every reactor seems to have their own hangups and feelings about the shows central themes and everyone seems to love different characters. It will definitely be a ride. Based on your reactions to other things, I eagerly await your feelings on a show to show basis. Your well thought out analysis will be clutch here. Cheers and enjoy.

JoshGrobansDryMouth

This might be a bit too convoluted although I can appreciate the thoroughness. Mini series followed by the full tv series is probably what most people experienced

Farbod

Its really not that convoluted. The movies are a must watch. The webisodes can be ignored. I just included them to give the option.

Chris

Two comments: 1. I think it adds to the show if you view it through the lens of the mid-aughts war on terror--it was pretty clearly a (very well done) commentary. 2. My two cents, probably contrary to some other comments you might get, is to enjoy, but NOT get too wrapped up in the mystery box/theories elements of the show. To be fair, I think that's true of all mystery box shows... so without commenting on the resolution of this particular one, I've learned it's way better to just appreciate the journey without investing myself in the eventual resolution. It's TV, after all, and with a few limited exceptions, they're writing for their lives a season at a time.

KJ

I'd watch Razor much later on as there's a scene in it that relates to something significant that happens end of Season 3, going into Season 4. 'The Plan' also doesn't really add much, but that's my opinion.

Farbod

That "spoiler" is ridiculously minor and it fits much better immediately after s2e17. Otherwise you are going to forget a lot of the callbacks and details. The writers have recommended watchers do it here.

Tim C

The "preview" is part of the show. It was included in the original broadcast, and is curated by the writers to intentionally "prime" the viewer. It's typically just a few seconds long, purposefully edited, and shouldn't be skipped. It's not a "spoiler". It's the start of the show.

Chris

Oh boy. Good luck! At least everyone could agree that the miniseries is mandatory lol

Marty McGee

BSG is definitely on my top 5 shows of all time list. As basically everyone has already said, the 2 part (some streaming services break it into 4 parts) mini-series is essential to start off with. Otherwise S1E1 will make little sense. Some people complain about the little teasers in the opening credits of each show. They really aren't spoilers. It's akin to watching a movie trailer. Though even less so because there's no audio other than the theme music and each image is on screen for only a second or shorter. But if you choose to not watch that part that's fine too. As far as the companion movies and webisodes, you really don't need to worry about them for a while so you can make a decision later. Razor is very good and I would recommend watching that when you get to it. The Plan and the webisodes are really completely optional. OMG so excited for this journey! So few reactors watch this show.

Anna Kyruin

I have a lot of love for BSG. I can't say I agree with all the writing choices, but some parts are peak science fiction, overall it's a top tier series. As everyone else has said, the miniseries is mandatory and essentially season 0 of the series. You'll be missing a ton of context without it.

Raztaban

In the first couple of seasons the show tends to do this bizarre segment after the titles, which shows snippets of what you're about to watch backed by some drums, look away! There's a few episodes that have slightly different versions - I've found that i've gone out of sync with reactors before (not a framerate issue). You may want to have more frequent cli[s to help sync up

Tim C

The "preview" is part of the show. It was included in the original broadcast, and is curated by the writers to intentionally "prime" the viewer. It's typically just a few seconds long, purposefully edited, and shouldn't be skipped. It's not a "spoiler". It's the start of the show.

M1 Maz

Just popping in to say, after reading about everyone's excitement in these comments, that I'm so hyped to actually start watching this series for the first time alongside you!! Also, btw, the miniseries and the main show are both available on Prime for free with a membership so don't pay for them unnecessarily :)

Ron A

yes, 2 part miniseries is mandatory, you will come into the show lacking HUGE parts of lore. its kinda like a movie before the series.(maybe some streaming services have the miniseries as part of the main show.. dont know)

Tim C

Another thing to keep in mind as you begin BSG is that there are a handful of episodes that have extended versions - none of which are found on a streaming service to my knowledge. They are only available on the BluRays. Some are only a few minutes longer, but others are up to 15 minutes longer or more if I recall. I would imagine from a reactor's perspective, it makes sense to go with the version the majority of your audience has access to. But I think most fans would consider the extended versions preferable. If you don't have a preference yourself, it might be worthy of a poll to see what everyone thinks.

Joe

Very excited and BSG is one of my favorites. For what it is worth, I learned that not paying attention to the “preview” increased my enjoyment of the show. It may have been intended, but I really wish they didn’t use that approach.

KJ

I think most will agree with me on this one.

SweetSummit

I watched the series before watching the miniseries and was super super confused. :D And when I watched the miniseries it all made sense. But I'd definitely start with that. Given your love for Mass Effect I think you will love BSG too. It's really the height of science fiction mixed with realism.

Doug Bilodeau

This series may be the best introduction to the great actor Edward James Olmos. His character is the center of gravity of the story. His interaction with the equally great Mary McDonnell is amazing. Olmos insisted that his rough and rugged face should be shown as is without any attempt to soften his features by tricks of lighting or focus. There are many close-up shots of his face which give weight to his character and every scene he appears in. There are great performances by other actors, but Olmos and McDonnell are the "grownups" who raise the story to a higher level, well above what is usually found in the sci-fi genre.

Brian Leonard

Unlike others, I am not overly fond of this show. It was good to watch once, but I do not have much interest in a re-watch. I'll start out with you, but will probably drop off later except for a few select episodes.

McShades

Amazon Prime streaming service has the extended episodes

McShades

The two-part miniseries is the beginning of the story, so you do need to watch it before you start season 1 of Battlestar Galactica. There is a prequel to Battlestar Galactica called "Caprica" but it's up to you if you want to watch it before Battlestar Galactica, it's not necessary but it does explain some things before going into BSG. Caprica only lasted 1 season, some fans like it, others didn't. It does have some minor spoilers for some of the character surprises in BSG, so it's up to you. There is also a DVD movie they made in the middle of BSG called "Razor", it fits in between Season 2 Episodes 17 & 18, highly recommend watching this between those episodes. Amazon Prime streaming has the extended version of the episodes. I can't wait for you to start watching this series. IMO some of the best acting in any Sci-Fi show. Also, when you start season 1, the opening sequence of each episode will show preview bits of the episode you're going to watch, I think they did this as a throwback to the Original Battlestar Galactica back in 1978 where they did that also. If you don't want the mini spoilers best to look away when you start to hear the drums, once the drums end then you can look back. The webisodes are completely optional.

McShades

Have to agree with Farbod, the spoiler is really minor and it's worth watching Razor after season 2 episode 17.

Cory Stanish

I'm pretty excited, I haven't re-watched this show since it was actually on the air. It will be nice to watch it without a forced 4-month midseason break in Season 2 and a SEVEN MONTH midseason break in the middle of season 4 (there was a Hollywood writers' strike that year) I do hope that Buffy and The Expanse are still going to be in the running for next time a new series reaction is due!

Tim C

It looks like a few of them maybe, but not all. Especially as you get to the end of the series, some of the BluRay cuts are 10-20 minutes longer than what's on Amazon. I'm assuming those are the broadcast lengths.

kaliwali

wow this is super thorough and thought out! I really appreciate this!

kaliwali

Ooo awesome they are on Prime! I'm also reaaally excited to begin this journey and so cool that's it's also going to be your first watch as well! ✨

kaliwali

Oh for sure! I'm hoping to watch The Expanse and Buffy at some point definitely!

David

BSG!? Action stations! Action stations!

Sythurizm

The previews/spoilers(matter of opinion) at the start of each episode are similar to movie teasers. They're meant to get you excited by giving you glimpses of what's to come. Sometimes they give away small, and occasionally large, plot points in the episode. Like movie teasers it's a personal choice whether to avoid them or not. I recommend watching the first one or two as you get there and then deciding.

Russell Rutigliano

As others have said… if you can I’d highly recommend trying to watch the longer versions of certain episodes BUT it does cause issues with other folks not being able to be synced up cause they prob don’t have access to the longer versions of certain episodes. I honestly think you should watch the preview bit at the start of each ep. As someone said it’s meant to get you excited for the episode AND it’s not really spoilery (You decide after watching one of them) cause they are just flashing images out of context.