Weeks 9-10: Cult TV (Isaac)

Wilcox and Lavery (2002) identify 9 defining characteristics of ‘quality TV’ – can you apply any of these to other television series that you have viewed recently? Are there any other characteristics that you could add to their list?

When looking at the 9 characteristics of quality television, and cult television programs in particular, one of my all-time favorite shows comes to mind: Battlestar Galactica (2004). I can't think of many other show that maintain such a high quality as Battlestar Galactica.

1. Quality TV has a pedigree.

Though only on for four seasons, Battlestar gained critical acclaim. Time magazine named in the best show of 2005, and went on to add it to their 100 best tv shows of all-time list.

"“Battlestar Galactica,” refreshingly, is as real as science fiction gets." (The New Yorker,2006)

"You can look at this saga any way you want—as political drama, religious debate, psychological suspenser, sci-fi adventure, deep metaphor or just plain fun—and it's scintillating from every angle." (Newsday, 2005)

2. Quality shows must undergo a noble struggle against profit-mongering networks and non-appreciative audiences.

 Battlestar Galactica was originally planned for 5 seasons, but was cut down to 4 and canceled due to low audience numbers. 

3. Quality TV tends to have a large ensemble cast

4. Quality TV has a memory

The song "All Along the Watchtower" is used throughout seasons 3 and 4, though can only be heard by four of the characters. The use of this song creates a connection between the characters, who are all part of the Final 5. Later in season 4 (ep. Crossroads, Part II) it's revealed that one of the character's was a musician in a past life, and actually wrote the song.

Further on they discover that the notes in the song actually hold the secret to Earth's location.

Additionally, lyrics from the song were included in the dialogue of one episode.

Saul Tigh: "I know, I know. I can't quite understand it myself. There's too much confusion."

Saul Tigh (to self, after Adama exits): "There must be some kinda way out of here."

Tory Foster (while washing her hands): "I can't get no relief."

 

5 Quality TV creates a new genre by mixing old ones

"In addition to the space opera and first contact, BSG activates both hard and soft sf.  The turn towards harder sf, and away from the traditional adventure focus of the space opera, can be seen in the concentration and explanation of technological devices throughout the episode, even if they remain mostly secondary to the plot.  Soft, or social, sf can be seen in the concentration of contemporary political and social issues discussed on the show, from abortion to population control, the death penalty and treatment of prisoners, to the unionization of mine workers, which is a carry over from Ron D. Moore’s days on the Star Trek franchise, which has always had a history of using the show to address such issues." (Stephen, 2012)

6. Quality TV seems to be literary and writer-based

 Battlestar contains many religious and mythological references throughout, such as Mormonism, Hinduism, and the Greek Zodiac. It has also been suggested that the basic plot outline is based upon Virgil's Aeneid, a Roman epic poem. (Higgins, 2009) 

Also, the swearing in of President Roslin mimicked that of the famous image of Lyndon Johnson being sworn in aboard Air Force One. 

7. Quality TV is self-conscious

Chief Tyrol’s pro-union speech in “Lay Down Your Burdens” is a partial paraphrase of Mario Savio’s 1964 speech at the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. (Frarrier, 2011)

The song "All Along the Watchtower", by Bob Dylan, is claimed to be written by one of the characters in a past life. During the epilogue of the finale, Jimi Hendrix's famous cover version can be heard playing from a radio.

8. The subject matter of quality TV tends towards the controversial.

 Battlestar deals with serious issues such as, the war on terror, suicide bombings, religious fundamentalists, cults, racism, and torture. The UK newspaper The Guardian stated: "Battlestar Galactica is the only award-winning drama that dares tackle the war on terror" (Martin, 2007).

9. Quality TV aspires towards realism.

"a ripping sci-fi allegory of the war on terror, complete with religious fundamentalists (here, genocidal robots called Cylons), sleeper cells, civil-liberties crackdowns and even a prisoner-torture scandal." (Poniewozik, 2005)

References:

http://tv.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/arts/television/04gala.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1350095907-sbqU7ZqxSg9KHiNyZMcHAA

http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/#battlestar-galactica-2

http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/The_Music#cite_note-2

http://www.16-9.dk/2012-06/side11_inenglish.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2009/feb/24/classics-classics

http://www.neatorama.com/2011/11/30/11-facts-you-might-not-know-about-battlestar-galactica/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jan/13/tvandradio.broadcasting

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1141640,00.html