TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
By Shawn O'Donnell

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I'll start this narration by making a clear point: I want Battlestar Galactica brought back the right way. I think that is the view shared by most, if not all the fans of the show.

Having said that, some may ask, "Right way?"

The thought and notion in some minds could very possibly be: "Anyway is the right way." Actually, if that were the case, things would be a whole lot simpler, a whole lot easier and Battlestar Galactica would have found it's way to the screen a long time ago.

There is a right way and a wrong way to proceed. I'll give you a very clear cut example of that precept. In 1977, Paramount Pictures began shooting a new Star Trek production: Star Trek, Phase II.

Guess what?

Production shut down for a day!

The studio regained its senses and filming began in earnest again with the original crew & concepts in place. That project became Star Trek: The Motion Picture, followed by the success of the reinvigorated Star Trek franchise.

Paramount recognized that icons, like Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Dr. McCoy (the late DeForest Kelley), and other members of the original cast could NOT be replaced. They were integral parts of the show, its history, and its future.

I'll draw a parallel with Battlestar Galactica in the present day. Various people are trying to bring the show back. There are some producers out there that want to forget about the original cast that we all know and love. There are those producers that want to throw away the original concepts and themes that shaped the dynamic of the show and submit what we know to the "cookie cutter" formula of "what's currently cool"... or not, for that matter.

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There are those producers that want to ignore the wishes of the fans, who don't care what they think and don't care about them. There are those producers that want to "re-invent" the show." There are those Producers whom have made it a mission to mislead and talk down to the fans.

There is a right way and a wrong way to this most definitely! For the fans to get what they really want & deserve after all these yahrens of waiting, they must speak out. They must let THE POWERS THAT BE know with letters, with emails... Constantly reinforcing over and over again that they will not accept something that is far less than what it can be.

The choice is clear.

Make yourself a living part of the revival. Get involved and let your thoughts and feelings be made known.

The Truth: We can all have back the wonderful characters & concepts, plus a franchise that will last well into the 21^st century.

The Consequences: If this turns into just another "cookie cutter" project for producers that have no faith in the show or the fans, then we'll simply see those same producers making a few quick bucks. And they'll go on to another formulatic project in order to make yet a few more bucks.

Oh, and Battlestar Galactica? It'll be gone forever.

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