The best 13 Battlestar Galactica episodes (and the 3 worst ones)
Worst Battlestar Galactica episodes
Now, just because BSG has an ensemble of absolutely amazing episodes, it doesn’t mean there are no bad episodes. Trust me, there are. We just… ignore them. Until now.
Let’s take a slight detour and peek at the three episodes that missed the mark. Think of them as those quirky cousins of the BSG episodes above – we acknowledge them, chuckle a bit and facepalm, and then lovingly move on.
1. “Black Market” (Season 2)
In a series packed with Cylon confrontations, space battles, and political drama, we suddenly find ourselves in a space version of a crime drama in this episode. Not the fun kind of investigation either. We see Lee Adama putting on his detective hat and navigating the dark alleys of the fleet’s underground trade.
While the episode does try to add depth and some more layers to the story by showing that nothing is just black or white when it comes to the survivors’ morality, it kind of feels like taking a pit stop in the middle of a road trip full of momentum. Like, sure, the scenic view is interesting, but isn’t there a main highway we should be getting back to?
2. “The Woman King” (Season 3)
“The Woman King” dives deep into the prejudice aboard Galactica, putting Helo front and center. In a world where survival is of the utmost importance, it’s surprising to find that deeply settled biases still exist and affect the fleet. Through Helo’s interactions with a suspicious doctor, the episode shows the bigotry some people still harbor, even when humanity’s very existence is at stake.
What makes this episode stand out like a sore thumb is how it attempts to challenge our perceptions. Though, plot-wise, this episode does feel like more of a detour than a main journey stop. To its credit, “The Woman King” does try to add depth to the tapestry of Galactica’s universe, but it does not pack the punch that other episodes do.
3. “Torn” (Season 3)
“Torn” is a pivotal episode from Battlestar Galactica‘s third season that deals with allegiances and their dilemmas. The spotlight shines mainly on Baltar and his interactions with the Cylons, and much like being served a side dish when you just want the main course, the angle of the episode didn’t vibe well with a lot of viewers. Also, sprinkling in a mysterious sickness that spreads throughout the fleet turns this side dish into a stew of confusion and unease. Sorry about the food metaphors, I haven’t had lunch yet.
The episode and its shifting narratives feel like a roller coaster, but not in a good way. Somewhat thrilling, sure, but it leaves you a tad dizzy by the end.
Next. All Battlestar Galactica seasons ranked from worst to best. dark
And so, our journey through the highs and hiccups of Battlestar Galactica comes to an end. Whether you nod in agreement with or raise an eyebrow in dissent, there’s no denying one simple fact: the tremendous impact BSG has left on the sci-fi universe.
From intense drama that makes you sweat in anticipation to philosophical issues, BSG set a gold standard for storytelling. Whether you’re revisiting the series or just diving in, always remember: shows like Battlestar Galactica don’t come around every day.
So say we all!