Battlestar Bros.

Battlestar Bros.

By Matt Ledger, Pat FitzGerald-Fleck, Mike DrewTV & Film
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Battlestar Bros. episodes

  • Episode 71: Daybreak

    http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB071.mp3

    “I think it’s my last one.”

    • This time on BSG, the writers find the time to sneak in one last set of flashbacks, but not to explain WHAT THE FRAK Kara Thrace is. All while maybe misunderstanding the show’s central thesis?
    • In our analysis, Pat ranks the finale’s flashbacks.
    • Matt finds that he prefers politics to space battles.
    • Mike still frakkin’ loves Battlestar Galactica.

      • We’re skipping the “observations and links of note” section this time. Instead, I’ve got some Thank Yous to hand out, and we’ve got a little bit of a victory lap to take:

      • First, thanks to my Very Best Boys, the other two-thirds of our Toasterlovin’ Triumvirate, Mike Drew and Patrick Fitzgerald-Fleck:
        • Pat has (as far as I know) never edited a podcast before, but he KILLED IT on every episode of Battlestar Bros. He made Mike and I sound as good as we could, given the content of what we said. He also bought us these fantastic mugs bearing the BSB logo to celebrate our final recording. I will likely be using mine directly after I finish writing this post.
        • Mike is the only reason we watched this frakkin’ show in the first place, and I’m so very glad we did. We recorded our final episode about three weeks ago, and I’ve been missing the Galactica crew something fierce. But I miss our bi-weekly bullshit sessions about them even more. None of this would’ve happened without Mike’s love of Galactica.
        • Next, thanks to our fantastic guest hosts, Joe Drew and Anna Miura. Both of them were a delight to have on throughout our run, and each added something different to our weekly conversations.
        • Third, and this is much belated but they still deserve it so whatever, thanks to the many people who put their hearts into creating Galactica in the first place. Without the show, there’s no Battlestar Bros.
        • And finally, thanks to you all, the people who have listened to each (or any) episode. As a person who listens to FAR TOO MANY podcasts, I appreciate that a person only has so much time to spend listening to other people’s opinions about a fifteen-year-old television show. The fact that so many of you came along on this ride with us is pretty astonishing, and we don’t take it for granted.
        • One last link, because I can’t help myself: If you want to see our final rundown of episode and season ratings, that Google Sheet still lives here.
        • As always (and for the last time), our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

          • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

          You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

          Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

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        • Episode 70: Islanded in a Stream of Stars

          http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB070.mp3

          We’ve got time for just one last toast to Galactica, before we head into the series finale.

          • This time on BSG, Adama questions everything, Helo pleads for his daughter’s life, and Roslin, Athena, and Caprica Six return to the Opera House.
          • In our analysis, Matt’s of mixed mind about meeting more Sixes.
          • Pat has also had it up to here with prophecy.
          • Mike thinks Gaius just wants to be a bitch.

            • Some observations and links of note:

            • Here’s that Alan Shepard quote Mike was referring to … Adama had apparently not considered this.
            • Listen, Battlestar writers, you can’t just have Admiral Adama have a breakdown every episode. Edward James Olmos’s tears have lost their effectiveness.
            • We’re almost done with Galactica, and you’re going to need another show to watch. Because we reference it in this episode, I can recommend you watch Boston Legal! If you like the Bill-Saul bromance, you’ll love Denny Crane and Alan Shore.
            • This is all we know about how resurrection works. And it’s … honestly not a lot?
            • Warning for a TV Tropes link here, but Baltar most definitely represents the omnidisciplinary scientist trope. Here, he uses his powers for good? Evil? Or just Gaius Baltar?
            • I almost checked out before explaining what Cleganebowl is. But don’t worry, Mike; I’ve got your back.
            • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

              • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

              You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

              Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

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            • Episode 69: Someone to Watch Over Me

              http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB069.mp3

              What do you do after you’ve fulfilled your purpose? Do you carry on and create a new identity? Or do you sink into drudgery and despair?

              • This time on BSG, Starbuck takes piano lessons, the Chief makes a huge mistake, and Boomer breaks Athena’s world.
              • In our analysis, Mike is the most epic college student who ever existed.
              • Pat really thinks Starbuck’s father should’ve been Daniel.
              • Matt hates that the writers twisted the knife on Helo and Athena.

                • Some observations and links of note:

                • I imagine Starbuck feels slightly like this, after having “fulfilled” her special destiny.
                • Do a CTRL + F search for Daniel in this Jammer’s Review, if you want to dive deep into the “Starbuck’s father is Daniel” theory. I kind of love that the theory was so prevalent back in the day (including among Pat and Mike).
                • It seems like Pat is wrong and you CAN play All Along the Watchtower yourself on the piano, without accompaniment? Feel free to to give it a try and report back.
                • If you’re as intrigued by the ethics of Cylon capital punishment as we are, you might like Law and the Multiverse (which isn’t BSG-specific, but plays in the same space).
                • Please direct all your Cally-related letters to Patrick, thank you.
                • Rape by deception is a thing, by the way. Poor Helo and Athena.
                • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                  • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                  You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                  Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                  0 min
                • Episode 68: Deadlock

                  http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB068.mp3

                  Did you know Cylon babies have built-in emotional WiFi? Well, now you do.

                  • This time on BSG, Ellen Tigh kills a baby, Gaius (inexplicably) gets guns, and Admiral Adama stares at Galactica a lot.
                  • In our analysis, Matt’s boggled by this episode’s sudden regressions.
                  • Mike questions whether Six should have been allowed to have a child in the first place.
                  • Pat feels Saul’s love fill the room.

                    • Some observations and links of note:

                    • So if you try to Google “BSG Deadlock” you get a million hits about a semi-recent video game. I have no idea whether it’s good; Pat might be able to tell you?
                    • If you Google “BSG incest,” however, you get info about this episode right away. So that’s a neat shortcut.
                    • Admiral Adama, in this episode.
                    • I was sort of riffing on this A.V. Club review when talking about how strange it is to see Cylons posting pictures on the memorial wall that started because THE CYLONS NUKED HUMANITY. Lots of layers to that one.
                    • This episode’s deleted scenes still don’t explain how Gaius ended up with those guns.
                    • This is one of our five lowest-rated episodes, with not much Galactica left to watch. Hopefully things get better from here …
                    • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                      • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                      You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                      Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                      0 min
                    • Episode 67: The Plan

                      http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB067.mp3

                      Let us save you some time: There wasn’t one.

                      • This time on BSG, amidst re-used footage and dull answers to many of Galactica‘s outstanding questions, two Brother Cavils learn conflicting lessons about love.
                      • In our analysis, Mike explains Edward James Olmos’s false promises.
                      • Matt has a slightly better time than he expected.
                      • Pat would not recommend you watch The Plan.

                        • Some observations and links of note:

                        • Let me be the first to apologize to Mr. Olmos for Mike’s familiarity. In the interest of fairness, here’s a picture of a long-haired Mike Drew with the man himself (which must be from 2008, dear Gods):
                        • Here are those sales stats we talked about in the podcast. Let’s just say, The Plan was less than successful (in more than one sense).
                        • Why even train at high altitudes, you might ask? Here’s a breakdown from Active.com (which is not a site I thought we’d link to on Battlestar Bros.).
                        • Were you surprised at the amount of nudity in The Plan? Either way, Pat’s right that most of it was unnecessary.
                        • At least Ronald Moore was willing to admit that there was no plan. But then, why title this movie this way? It’s such a bizarre choice, setting the movie up to fail before anyone has begun watching it.
                        • “This is teal.” We don’t deserve Doral, y’all.
                        • I can’t find any evidence that we were introduced to “Team Doctor Simon” before this, but I swear Anders says something about killing him in the series. If any of y’all remember, back me up. And if not, well that’s fine, too.
                        • Giana WAS there the whole time! Eagle-eyed viewers will remember her from the miniseries.
                        • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                          • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                          You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                          Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

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                        • Episode 66: No Exit

                          http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB066.mp3

                          If you’ve been waiting for answers about the Final Five, this is the episode for you.

                          • This time on BSG, Cavil proves that even old men can act like petulant children, Adama reinstates Chief Tyrol, and Anders spouts some suspiciously Hybrid-like nonsense.
                          • In our analysis, guest host Joe celebrates the return of his favorite character.
                          • Pat details his painstakingly assembled, thirteen-point Cylon timeline.
                          • Matt enjoys that this data dump has real stakes.
                          • Mike questions whether anyone ACTUALLY has free will.

                            • Some observations and links of note:

                            • Because I know you’re curious: the Battlestar Wiki page for this episode. It is BY FAR the most dense Battlestar Wiki page we’ve seen.
                            • Here’re some details on the original No Exit, which at least partly inspired the Ellen-Cavil-Boomer conversations at the heart of this episode.
                            • It’s not just me. According to “science,” technosexuality is bound to pop up as robots get more life-like. In short, there HAD to be Hera-like children on Kobol.
                            • I feel like Pat catching this episode’s reference to Head Six and Head Baltar is kind of cheating? It whizzed straight by the rest of us. It also MIGHT make some things make more sense later.
                            • Colonel Tigh’s personal timeline breaks the Cylon mumbo-jumbo dumped on us in this episode, but it seems like it might be the only big piece that doesn’t fit? That’s pretty good, all things considered.
                            • Daniel is such a big cop-out, and everyone who is angry about his existence is right (including me and Joe).
                            • Listen, we all love John Hodgman. I highly recommend listening to the Judge John Hodgman podcast (it’s super fun). But he didn’t fit in this “super-serious” episode.
                            • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                              • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                              You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                              Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                              0 min
                            • Episode 65: Blood on the Scales

                              http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB065.mp3

                              The revolution failed. But things are still going to change within the Colonial(?) Fleet.

                              • This time on BSG, Gaeta’s idealism and Roslin’s wrath end the revolution, leaving Galactica about back where she started.
                              • In our analysis, Mike thinks the Basestar would wreck Galactica.
                              • Pat appreciates Zarek’s consistency.
                              • Matt loves that Gaius is finally self-aware.

                                • Some observations and links of note:

                                • The BSG sub-reddit has info on whether Galactica could take down a Basestar. And it seems like the consensus is that Galactica is stronger? Sorry, Mike.
                                • Don’t tell anyone, but I found Tom Zarek’s secret revolutionary playbook.
                                • Mike’s right to give Richard Hatch a shout-out in this, his final episode. That man loved Galactica, and it was great that he got to be a part of this version.
                                • Roslin, essentially, while talking to Zarek aboard the Basestar.
                                • Enjoy some proof of how wrong Mike is about restaurants shaped like food.
                                • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                                  • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                                  You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                                  Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                                  0 min
                                • Episode 64: The Oath

                                  http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB064.mp3

                                  “No forgiveness, no amnesty.” Except, y’know, when there is. Because Adama’s a softie.

                                  • This time on BSG, the Gaeta-Zarek revolution begins, testing each and every person aboard Galactica.
                                  • In our analysis, Matt admires the episode’s many smart callbacks.
                                  • Mike mourns Private Jaffee.
                                  • Pat takes stock of Gaeta’s motivation.

                                    • Some observations and links of note:

                                    • Yeah, I guess Jake Gyllenhaal’s gonna play Mysterio in the next Spider-Man movie. Why Mike felt the need to tell you here, I have no idea.
                                    • Laird! We were so happy to see you come back, and so sad to see Tom Zarek beat you with a wrench.
                                    • Racetrack! We … know nothing about you! Or at least, that’s my argument.
                                    • Gaeta’s reaction, essentially, when Kara calls.
                                    • Seelix MIGHT need to watch this movie (and maybe needs to chill).
                                    • I could list so many more Galactica B- and C-Listers (along with related tangents and info) in this episode’s show notes, but I’ll spare you. If I missed your fave, I’m sorry! (And feel free to yell at me in the comments.)
                                    • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                                      • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                                      You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                                      Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                                      0 min
                                    • Episode 63: A Disquiet Follows My Soul

                                      http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB063.mp3

                                      We wanted Roslin to take a day off, but not like this. Not like this.

                                      • This time on BSG, Gaeta can’t get no relief, the Chief needs a drink, and the Adama-Roslin administration decides to stay in bed for the day.
                                      • In our analysis, Pat’s not into Saul and Six.
                                      • Matt understands Lee’s desire to soft-sell.
                                      • Mike sees the Anti-Cylon faction’s point, but doesn’t understand Gaeta’s actions.

                                        • Some observations and links of note:

                                        • Come on, writers. Did you really have to drag Cally through the mud AGAIN?
                                        • What even is a “half-kick”? Kara, your one-liners need some work.
                                        • This is the first Ron Moore-directed episode, and it has some pretty unique shots and cuts (including those lingering toothbrushing scenes).
                                        • If the Cylons become full Colonial citizens, do they get to vote in the next Presidential election? These are the questions I have.
                                        • Not a cliffhanger? NOT A CLIFFHANGER??? To me, the prospect of Roslin and Adama giving up is more frightening than finding a nuked Earth.
                                        • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                                          • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                                          You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                                          Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                                          0 min
                                        • Episode 62: The Face of the Enemy

                                          http://traffic.libsyn.com/battlestarbros/BSB062.mp3

                                          We have met the enemy, and he is Sharon.

                                          • This time on BSG, we learn a lot about Felix Gaeta, including some things even he didn’t know.
                                          • In our analysis, Mike can’t bring himself to care.
                                          • Pat doesn’t understand why Gaeta’s alive.
                                          • Matt thinks the Eights are actually defective.

                                            • Some observations and links of note:

                                            • As promised, the Jammer’s Review for these webisodes. Which I disagree with!
                                            • Which flavor of Eight is your favorite, Sweet or Hard?
                                            • Pat’s right; there’s no mention of Gaeta’s sexuality or relationship with Hoshi in the next TV episode. Which is a bummer, because that was a cool inclusion!
                                            • As always, our intro/outro song is I Love Battlestar Galactica by Jonathan Mann. You can find a link to his Patreon here. Jonathan creates a song a day, which seems bananas to me, but he’s been doing it successfully for a while.

                                              • New to the show? Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI’s (you can’t make me spell it the other way, I’ll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.

                                              You can find the show on Twitter as @BattlestarBros. You can find Pat as @Th3Hypn0Toad and Matt as @mat_ledge. Mike doesn’t Tweet, which might be for the best.

                                              Battlestar Bros. is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://battlestarbros.wordpress.com/

                                              0 min

                                            About Battlestar Bros.

                                            From the publisher's feed

                                            Battlestar Bros. is a mostly-loving review of SCI-FI's (you can't make me spell it the other way, I'll fight you) greatest show, Battlestar Galactica. Join Pat, Mike, and Matt as they journey from Caprica to Earth, making observations both salient and snarky along the way.