Tonight, the LA Times teamed with Sci Fi to host a screening of Battlestar Galactica's midseason finale and -- holy frak  -- I can, without hesitation, tell you that this is the finest episode of the season so far. Maybe even the finest episode of the series. Of course, I cannot spoil the hour for you. I, along with a theater full of others, raised my right hand and solemnly swore to executive producer Ron Moore that I wouldn't. But I will tell you that this is, in many ways, the episode you've been waiting for for a very long time. I mean, really. 

Speaking of a long time, I'm sure you're all aware that after this Friday, the show will go on hiatus and an air date for the final 11 hours has not yet been announced by Sci Fi. But according to a reliable source, the network does hope to roll them out before the end of the year [Update: According to the Sci Fi network, a decision regarding the second half of the season has not yet been finalized. Early 2009 is a possibility]. The cast is currently shooting the series finale and tonight Tricia Helfer told us that when Edward James Olmos (pictured above left with co-stars Jamie Bamber and Katee Sackhoff) and Aaron Douglas finished reading that last script, they both cried. She, on the other hand, felt as if someone had punched her in the gut. Mary McDonnell (pictured below left), however, had a different experience. She said it felt like a shot of adrenaline: "I got so very excited, and I'll tell you why, because it started to resonate for me. I went backwards and began to see all of the episodes through the lens of knowing [how it all ends] and -- look, I have goosebumps now -- I was blown away by knowing what was said at the beginning and where you will all find yourselves [at the end]. I just think it's phenomenal."

After the screening, I got to spend some quality one-on-one time with Mary, so stay tuned for much more from her after you see Friday's finale! We shall discuss.

Comments

I'm eagerly anticipating the mid-season finale as are many
others. Sounds like it is an
exciting episode. Can't wait.
Although I feel the past several episodes have been a
little short on action and a
little long on verbal skills,
I'm hoping the season builds
to a satisfying end. So many
times in the past I feel that
writers have lost their vision
for a story and dropped the
ball as a series wore on.
Battlestar could be one of the
all time great sci-fi shows
if they play their cards right. I'm keeping my fingers
crossed....

Doug | Jun 12, 2008 7:15:19 AM | #

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I CANT WAIT

P | Jun 12, 2008 1:26:26 PM | #

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I can't wait, either. I got goosebumps just reading Mary's comments. :-)

Sue | Jun 12, 2008 1:36:56 PM | #

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MWM on TVGuide.com said that Moore told him, at the same event, that final episodes will be back January 2009 at the earliest. His headline "No New Battlestar Till 2009"

Who got the right scoop?

BRIAN | Jun 12, 2008 1:45:02 PM | #

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Mitovich's source is Ron Moore. My source is a network person. Who's more reliable? I don't know. I will do more digging.

korbi_ghosh | Jun 12, 2008 2:07:38 PM | #

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I bet Roslin, Starbuck, and D'anna Frak Cylon-Style! Red spine and all!

Frakking Psyched! | Jun 12, 2008 2:25:57 PM | #

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Helo is the last Cylon

jp313131 | Jun 12, 2008 2:40:27 PM | #

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I've read the spoilers, and what an ending

Todd | Jun 13, 2008 8:18:33 AM | #

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WWK is reporting first quarter next year from SciFi channel president when BSG resumes programming of the final episodes. Did you get to see and catch up with K at the event? You guys have a great job to be able to watch TV and report about it.

David | Jun 13, 2008 10:56:24 AM | #

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yes, i got to catch up with Jen (who was representing WWK that night)! it was a very nice reunion. btw, though sci fi isn't confirming, it's looking like early 2009 is most likely.

korbi_ghosh | Jun 13, 2008 11:40:07 AM | #

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Thanks for your report on the screening and for your earlier interview with Jamie Bamber. Would love it if you ever can do an indepth interview with Mary McDonnell! She's always been great, but especially phenomenal this season. Roslin's journey of the heart to embracing her humanity and love with Adama in the last episode was so moving. The Roslin/Adama love story is one of the best crafted and acted on tv. Their reunion scene was incredible and I hope you got to ask Mary about it, and her thoughts on Laura, and Roslin/Adama. Look forward to more from you about MM. She and Laura Roslin have lots of fans out here!

airlock | Jun 13, 2008 12:56:45 PM | #

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I was at the screening too. If you thought the episode where they escaped New Caprica was god... you ain't seen nothing yet.

The last shot is so beautiful, haunting and... not to ruin anything... but that is one motherfrackin' clifhanger.

m | Jun 13, 2008 1:35:34 PM | #

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I can't wait...I have tried really hard not to read any spoilers at all. Can't wait to experience this episode!

Fresh | Jun 13, 2008 2:13:19 PM | #

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FINALLY, someone who actually reports on Battlestar when everyone else seems to have given up! I love you Korbi! I saw the finale this afternoon on scifi.com and it was frakkin awesome! Can't wait for 2009. Rock on Korbi!

pookie | Jun 13, 2008 10:11:19 PM | #

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Holy frak. NOW what happens to the show!? That ending was one of the last things you'd have expected. The whole episode was a real nail-biter and my wife and I were on the edge of our seats the whole hour through. Riveting. PLEASE bring BSG season 4.5 online ASAP in 2009, like, say in January? because a lot of us fans were PO'd at having to wait until April of this year for season 4.0 ... we want our show on again.

Isa | Jun 14, 2008 6:35:01 AM | #

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i think adama's dead brother is the final cylon.

matty | Jun 14, 2008 7:19:16 PM | #

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so does that meen this script is just normal now compared to other television drama since its so great. remember "THIS IS THE BEST THING ON TV" i wonder if they still show that line from a writer on a website that no one reads.

dont come back | Jun 15, 2008 7:31:09 PM | #

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what are you talking about, dont come back? u DONT make any sense.

Mel | Jun 15, 2008 10:34:10 PM | #

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OK Korbi, so "Revelations" *has* been shown ... how's about we discuss what happened? Wonderful review and absolutely incredible episode. The whole lot of us on AOL's BSG message board were blown away by the mid-season cliffhanger. A pity the remainder of the season has to wait until sometime in '09 to air but it will be well worth the wait if they are anywhere near as good as this episode.

Isa | Jun 17, 2008 4:31:40 PM | #

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Isa, check out my chat with Mary McDonnell, which I posted yesterday:
http://blog.zap2it.com/korbitv/2008/06/battlestar-tk.html

korbi_ghosh | Jun 17, 2008 5:34:51 PM | #

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so why do some websites have episode 11 up but most don't (as in torrents)? did it air or not last friday?
we really have to wait another 6 months for the second half of the season?

frakked | Jun 26, 2008 2:45:57 PM | #

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