Steven Strait in The Expanse in front of red, green, and gold background
Few shows have left as significant a mark on sci-fi television as 2004’s reimagined Battlestar Galactica reboot, with the series inspiring shows like The Expanse. Battlestar's gritty, realistic tone and deeply human storytelling set a new standard for the genre. It was revolutionary in its portrayal of hard-hitting realism, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity. It pushed the boundaries of what modern audiences expected from science fiction.
✕ Remove Ads The Colonial Fleet in BSG used nuclear warheads sparingly, a constant reminder of their devastating power. Similarly, The Expanse followed suit, highlighting the destructive capabilities of nukes against civilian and military targets alike. The infamous battle of the Donnager in the early season 1 episode “CQB” highlighted this approach, as Martian gunships fired barrages of kinetic rounds, shredding their enemies.
By moving away from external alien threats, both Galactica and The Expanse brought the focus inward, asking hard questions about humanity’s own capacity for destruction and redemption. Too often, sci-fi series place the blame on outsiders, but both shows resisted the temptation, to great effect. 4 Battlestar Galactica’s Politics Inspired The Expanse's Drama Power Struggles And Moral Ambiguity Took Center Stage In Both Shows Battlestar Galactica excelled at weaving political intrigue into its narrative. From President Laura Roslin’s struggles to maintain democracy to Commander Adama’s pragmatic militarism, the show explored the complex dynamics of leadership.
Both Battlestar Galactica and The Expanse also highlighted the importance of a solid ensemble cast to bring the characters to life, and it's no surprise actors from both shows have gone on to become fixtures in the sci-fi genre. Galactica's Katee Sackhoff is perhaps the most notable, with a massive role in the Star Wars franchise as Bo-Katan Kryze.
✕ Remove Ads The Expanse borrowed this tonal complexity, crafting a universe rife with tension. Whether following the political drama on Earth, social unrest in the Belt, or the horrors of war, the show never shied away from gritty realism. However, it balanced its serious tone with select moments of levity and hope, mirroring Galactica’s optimism amidst chaos.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
10 Ways Battlestar Galactica Changed Star Trek's Sci-Fi FormulaKatee Sackhoff as Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica and William Shatner as Kirk in Star Trek
Read more »
Battlestar Galactica's Finale Would Have Been Less Controversial If It Released Just 1 Year LaterStarbuck saying a tearful goodbye to Lee in Battlestar Galactica finale
Read more »
Mind-Blowing Battlestar Galactica Language Theory Completely Changes How You Watch The ShowThe promo photo for Battlestar Galactica season 3 shows the characters posing for a picture.
Read more »
All 6 Battlestar Galactica Characters Who Became CAG During The ShowBattlestar Galactica space fight header
Read more »
10 Battlestar Galactica Characters And Their Star Trek CounterpartsAlise Herndon is a college student, small business owner, animal lover, and crafting enthusiast. She writes fanfiction and games in her spare time.
Read more »
Battlestar Galactica's Gaius Baltar Became One Of Sci-Fi's Greatest Characters, Then Star Trek Wasted The Same ActorGaius Baltar from Battlestar Galactica looking behind him with mouth slightly open
Read more »