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"Battlestar Galactica: The Final Battle"
By Richard Hatch, Battlestar Galactica's "Apollo"
April 10, 2002


Richard Hatch, "Apollo" from Battlestar Galactica. Do we lay down everything we believe in and allow the Sci-Fi Channel to have their way with one of the most beloved and underrated shows of all time? Or do we stand up and collectively shout from the rooftops? NO! We will not go quietly into the night. The answer is clear and even now reverberating powerfully throughout the world: we will never give up on what millions of fans from around the world have been patiently waiting for twenty four Yahren, and that is the re-emergence and long awaited return of the original story, characters and themes of the one and only Battlestar Galactica and its rag tag fleet!

The big question is, "Why?" Why are we going through this once again? How many times must we throw off the shackles of fear, threat and intimidation and cast our fate to the wind? How many times have we communicated from our hearts what we most love about Battlestar Galactica, why it touched us so profoundly some twenty-four years ago and why we refuse to see one more Sci-Fi Classic decimated by a few executives who seemingly do not care about what the fans (who pay their bills and provide them with a job) want to see?

For the past several years, fans have collectively made their voices heard from one side of the world to the other about the fact that they appreciate the Sci-Fi Channel's interest and desire in finally bringing Battlestar Galactica back to the screen, but are not interested in watching a "re-imagined" story without the characters that they have been aching to catch up with. They have communicated this message over and over in the clearest possible terms.


What can you do?

Fans are able to communicate their wishes and hopes for the new Battlestar Galactica series to the Sci-Fi Channel directly via's contact information section. and numerous other fan sites/groups -- and individual fans -- remain committed to seeing a new Battlestar Galactica show which continues the adventures of the original cast, characters, themes and concepts, plus adding a new generation to the mix, too. Not a "re-imagined" series, nor one which merely honors the show in name only. (A compelling April 5, 2002 article on the subject is available here.)

Is it too little to ask to give they what they're rooting to see? Isn't success based on SERVING the marketplace? Well, THE FANS are the market place. They are all ages, from all generations and backgrounds and cultures, and they were inspired by the Sci-Fi Channel's willingness to create a channel that not only brought Battlestar Galactica back to them, but also provided them with the opportunity to share their passion with now succeeding generations of dedicated fans. And now, these new young fans, together with their parents and their parent's parents, are patiently awaiting the return of the original Battlestar Galactica characters and stories they have all fallen in love with over the past twenty-four years. Does the Sci-Fi Channel really want to disappoint them by giving them something they don't recognize or care about?

Members of the original cast of Battlestar Galactica.A Classic is not just another remake, it's a show that the audience has taken to their heart. They care deeply about the original characters and theme of the story and they want to find out what has transpired since they last visited the Battlestar Galactica universe. And now, they are all finally standing together, mobilized by the Sci-Fi Channel's apparent attempt to recreate their beloved show into one of its own imagining without the elements that they care most about. What must the fans do to get some attention?!? Does the Sci-Fi Channel want to lose them? The powers that be want their money, time and energy, and yet they don't care to listen or pay attention to what's most important to them. It seems that no one really cares or values them - the customers... So, if the message is "go away, you don't matter," maybe they will. How can they support the Sci-Fi Channel when it has no desire to support them?

The Sci-Fi Channel possibly thinks that the existing fans don't really count and that it is going to discover and access a whole new group of younger fans out there who will make the reinvented enterprise successful. However, the results of the polls taken all over the world speak loud and clear: the majority of the marketplace and new fans it wants to reach are already established! They are also bonded to the original show, characters and themes, and need to be pleased if it is to succeed. And I don't need to tell the Sci-Fi Channel this, because their own polls have confirmed it! They're professionals and it's their business but unfortunately we sometimes get so wrapped up in wanting to do something new that we end up destroying the very thing worth saving. Battlestar Galactica was about family and generations of Humans struggling together to survive against all odds, just like its fans.

And that is why the many generations of fans today feel such a common bond between them. They all share a common vision - including their love of quality Science Fiction - and want to preserve the integrity of their beloved Sci-Fi classics and support the revival of their favorite shows, including Battlestar Galactica. I do not think they will not go quietly into the night and allow someone to possibly ruin what could be the beginning of a major Sci-Fi franchise that would rival all others. They will shout from the mountain-tops! They will speak to anyone who will listen. The message will go out to the world that the Sci-Fi Channel really doesn't care about those who are its bread and butter. If that is what the powers that be desire, then so be it! Countless millions of dollars of revenue, free advertising and mass fan support that could have ignited a new Battlestar Galactica series to great economic and artistic success will now be lost. The Titanic was big and grand, but unfortunately, they didn't listen either...

To be or not to be, that is the question - whether to have the courage, insight, strength and heart to give the core audience what they truly deserve and desire or to risk losing what could have been the Sci-Fi Channel's greatest success. The decision, as always, is theirs to make. I hope they do remember that while they may still own Battlestar Galactica, it truly belongs to the fans, who have believed in and supported this wonderful story for twenty four years.

Keep the faith!

Richard Hatch


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