Dan Bollinger AKA: BSGDan on the Dominion's Galactica BBoard. Email: bollingerj@worldnet.att.net Location: Columbia, South Carolina Member Since: 7/13/2000

The Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Co-President Shawn O'Donnell "BGR" (bgresurrection_1999@yahoo.com) recently spoke with Dan Bollinger, BSGDan on the Dominion's Galactica BBoard. He is very active in the efforts to revive the show. Dan was also the first to spread the word about writing revival letters supporting BSG, by coming up with the first "Letter Day", on March 25, 1999.

BGR: What are you're first memories of Battlestar Galactica...in the sense of what did you think when you first saw the show?

DB: I suppose my first memories are of how great everything looked. The ships, the uniforms, those flight helmets, the Cylons...you name it. It was just the coolest looking show ever. Of course, I was only nine at the time, so I was centered on the visual aspects.

BGR: After all this time, has you're opinion of the show changed?

DB: Most definitely. When I was younger, I was drawn to the visuals. Now, as an adult, I see the depth in the show that had escaped me as a child. I think that is a common occurrence with the fans of the show. Those that were young when it premiered have been able to view it differently with age. To me, Galactica is a better show now than it was in 1978.

BGR: Do you have a favorite character or characters and why?

DB: I don't know if I have a favorite character. In reality there are only a few to choose from, but they were all so richly diverse. As a kid, I would've automatically said Starbuck or Apollo. Today, I would probably say either Starbuck or Baltar. They really, in my mind, are the ones that set the tone of the series. But, like I said, I just don't know for sure.

BGR: Is there a favorite episode or episodes for you...again, why?

DB: Typically, my favorite is "The Hand of God" because it was an all-out action episode that featured excellent writing. It also demonstrated how far the series had come in it's first season. After the pilot, the show was on pretty shaky ground. It wasn't until "The Living Legend" that it started to hit its stride. By "The Hand of God", it was right where it needed to be. I hate the fact that it's the last episode, but at least it ended with an excellent one (unlike the original Star Trek with "Turnabout Intruder").

BGR: Nearly 21 years after the show went off the air, why do you think the revival furor is so strong?

DB: Many of the shows original fans have gone through a process of rediscovery concerning Galactica. To many, like myself, viewing the show in the years since it's premiere has changed the way it is now perceived. It's like watching an entirely different program.

Battlestar Galactica was truly something special that should've been given the chance to endure. Many fans want to see the same chance given to it that Paramount gave to Star Trek-the chance to live again. Another reason is the fact that first-run syndication (thanks to the success of Star Trek: The Next Generation) has created a very favorable climate for science fiction programming. Unfortunately, the shows that are currently offered are rather lacking in quality. With the recent loss of shows like Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the landscape has become rather barren.

Having rediscovered Galactica through reruns on the various stations worldwide, fans feel like a new version would greatly fill the void hat currently exists in sci-fi programming. Shows like Andromeda just can't hold a candle to Battlestar Galactica.

BGR: From a personal standpoint, when did you get motivated to participate in the revival?

DB: Actually, I was on the way to work. It's about a hour-long drive, so I found myself thinking about Galactica. During that time, I tried thinking of ways to get the word out about the revival. It was then that I decided to spread the word about "Letter Day", which originally was March 25, 1999. I spent the following day at the computer doing searches for web sites dedicated to Galactica. I left messages on all of them asking for support. Not everyone replied, but most did. It was through those searches that I discovered places like the Dominion's Galactica BBoard where I'm known as BSGDan). Through boards like that one, I have been introduced to many people that share my love for all things Galactica. So far, it's been an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.

BGR: Of course, we all know what Richard Hatch and the various web masters (of BSG sites) have done to promote this...what, in you're opinion, can and should the fans be doing?

DB: Well, first and foremost, the fans need to be more vocal. We know that there are legions of Battlestar fans out there, so why is it that only a handful are active in voicing their opinions to Universal? I understand that not every fan is on the net, but I do think there should be larger presence than what we are currently seeing. Heck, just compare the number of people registered at BattlestarFanClub.com with those that on the various BBoards. That number is alarmingly low. We need to find a way to get those people more involved.

We need to get lurkers to actually take the time to make a statement. Finally, we need to inspire more people to participate in the monthly mailings. In order for this revival to succeed, the fans need to stop taking the "let someone else do it" attitude. For Galactica to return, Universal will need to hear from all of us on a regular basis.

BGR: What is you're opinion of the claims, etc., made from the Glen Larson side of things?

DB: I don't hold a very favorable opinion of Mr. Larson or his statements concerning Battlestar Galactica. Mr. Larson has shown absolute contempt for everything that the fans hold sacred about the show. He seems to think that he can produce something full of cheap CGI effects, and the fans will just line up to see it because it has BSG stamped on it. Yes, effects can be very cool, but effects alone will not be able to carry the load. Fans are more interested in the human elements. We want the return of the original cast and themes. Why Mr. Larson is against this idea is a complete mystery to me.

BGR: Obviously, there are two different paths to the revival...what is the difference, in you're opinion?

DB: By now, everyone knows what the two camps are offering...Mr. Hatch wants a return to the original cast and themes, while Mr. Larson wants Walking Vipers and a Battlestar Atlantis. He also says that he wants Commander Cain and the Pegasus as well.

Anytime something comes back in a form that is different from the original, you run the risk of alienating the fan base. Everyone agrees that the Star Trek would not been successful had it returned in a way that was different from it's original form. The film "needed" William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelly in order to be successful. If they hadn't been in it as their original characters, Star Trek wouldn't be what it is today. Glen Larson has already tampered with the formula for success once before (Galactica: 1980)...doesn't he learn from his mistakes?

DB: In my opinion, the future looks very promising. Some may call me overly optimistic, but I do believe that it will return sometime soon. I don't know if it will be in the form of a movie, series, or a series of telefilms, but it will happen. My bet is that the Sci-Fi Channel will be the ultimate player in its revival. The success of their recent "Dune" miniseries will probably give them the confidence to greenlight Richard Hatch's project. Hopefully, that will lead to a new series. Of course, I would love to see it on the big screen, but television is the better medium for it.

Besides, I would much rather wait one week (as opposed to two or three years) for the next installment. Battlestar Galactica is that rare occurrence in television. How many other shows lasted only one season, yet still gain new fans on a consistent basis? I can't think of another series that continues to have the impact on its viewers that Galactica has. It truly is amazing. Like I said earlier, the fans that were around when it originally aired are seeing it in a totally new light.

The stories are now the focus, not the effects. Those original viewers now have families of their own, and they are passing their love of the show down to their children (Al de Lachica and Paula Kennedy are great examples of this). There are people that are just now discovering Galactica through reruns on the Sci-Fi Channel, Space, and other stations throughout the world. These new fans are being drawn to Galactica because of the stories, rather than the effects. Let's face it...it would be hard for new fans to be impressed by the effects alone, when you consider how much more advanced things look today. No, it's the stories and the characters that keep people interested. That's why it will be a mistake to replace that particular element in any revival. Effects will no doubt be better than anything seen before, but without the characters (played by the original actors), it won't mean anything. I believe that-in the end-the fans will be given the revival that we've been waiting for. The efforts of the last four or five years will not have been in vain. Battlestar Galactica is coming back, and I think it will be a real testament to the power of the fan when it does.

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