A ‘Battlestar’ worthy of its loyal fans

Ignoring the trend in Hollywood to recycle ‘70s TV shows as campy movie caricatures, the new Sci Fi Channel series “Battlestar Galactica” takes the title, the basic premise and a handful of character names from the short-lived ‘70s show and embarks in an entirely different direction.

The original program featured a nomadic space colony, led by the Galactica, looking for a new home on the mythical planet Earth. It was fairly silly but had a memorable one-season run on ABC in 1978-79, followed by an entirely forgettable lower-budgeted syndicated reincarnation, “Galactica 1980.”

Despite being an obvious “Star Wars” knockoff, “Battlestar” generated good ratings, but it was simply too expensive for series television. When Sci Fi aired a new four-hour miniseries in December 2003 bearing the “Battlestar Galactica” brand name and starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell, enough of the original series’ loyal fans tuned in to make it a hit, begetting the new series.

Relieved of the pilot’s usual burden of exposition, the premiere episode wastes no time in picking up where the miniseries (recently rebroadcast on NBC) left off. The colonies have been destroyed and Commander Adama (Olmos) and President Roslin (McDonnell) lead a convoy of space vessels populated by the last 50,000 human beings. They are pursued by the Cylons, vicious cybernetic robots who rebelled against and nearly extinguished their human creators. The Cylons have evolved into a breed who appear human and in some cases are programmed to believe they are human.

In the first of two episodes airing tonight, the crew of the Galactica has been awake for more than 130 hours as the fleet makes “jumps” -- instantaneous changes in location -- every 33 minutes to stay ahead of the Cylons. The Olympic Carrier, a passenger ship carrying 1,300 people -- and a cache of nukes -- is apparently left behind during one of the jumps. Once it is determined that Cylons may have infiltrated the Olympic, Adama and Roslin must deal with a serious ethical dilemma.

In tonight’s second episode, Lt. Sharon Valerii, a.k.a. Boomer, played by the very appealing Grace Park, discovers that she may have been responsible for the sabotage of the Galactica’s water supply. James Callis also makes his presence felt as the weaselly Gaius Baltar, a scientist and advisor to the president. After being seduced into helping the Cylons by the intoxicating Number Six (Tricia Helfer), Baltar carries on an internal dialogue with Six, who has literally gotten inside his head, while doling out dubious counsel to President Roslin.

One criticism of the new version by fans of the original was the change of gender for Starbuck and Boomer. Originally a sort of Han Solo lite, Starbuck has been transformed into a tough-talking young blond woman, now played by Katee Sackhoff. She is still Adama’s best pilot, but being a woman certainly changes the dynamic between her and the commander’s son, her flight partner and best friend, Apollo (Jamie Bamber).

In fact, all of the characters and relationships are deepened in the new show. Far more serious in tone, Sci Fi’s “BG” greatly improves upon the bad scripts and wooden acting of the original show (which, admittedly, is part of its charm for some people).

The show could use a little more humor, and that may come as supporting players step into more prominent roles, but the first several episodes bode well for a series that should eventually win over fans, old and new.

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‘Battlestar Galactica’

Where: Sci Fi Channel

When: 9 p.m.

Ratings: TV-PG V, L (may be unsuitable for young children with strong advisory for violence and language)

Jamie Bamber...Lee “Apollo” Adama

Mary McDonnell...President Laura Roslin

Edward James Olmos...Commander Adama

Executive producers David Eick, Ronald D. Moore. Writer Ronald D. Moore.