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La-La—Galactica's "Hand of God"

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Author	Topic: La-La—Galactica's "Hand of God"

sean Standard Userer	So, in another discussion La_La_Land said that there's a distinct possibility that there will be a cd release of music from season one of Battlestar Galactica (2005) [which has also been thanfully green lit for a second season]. I just finished watching what I believe is an unaired episode (supposed to air in two weeks) called "The Hand of God." And I have to say, this episode has an incredible score: the asteroid assault action music is brilliant and better than anything from the miniseries; also, the full fledged performance of Adama's theme (father and son) makes its way into the action: it's like Afro Celt Sound System collides head-on with a barrage of heavy and fast-paced military styled percussion (it's a real treat! and the resolution song after that is very nice). Bear McCarthy is scoring the show and he's doing a very impressive job at it. La_La, will the awesome score for "Hand of God" be on the new Galactica cd? It would be a real shame to leave this one out! NP: Battlestar Galactica (miniseries) - Richard Gibbs ***/*** [Message edited by sean on 02-14-2005]
posted 02-14-2005 01:40 PM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	Ya know, I picked Gibbs' "Battlestar Galactica" CD as the worse release from last year. I found a copy in a used bin for $5.99 and when I listened to it, it left me totally cold. It just sounded like a lot of percussion and droning. Perhaps I should re-examine it again as everyone else seems to love it. I just thought it was boring. James
posted 02-14-2005 02:38 PM PT (US)

Lancelot Standard Userer	To be fair, the music does suit the image on screen more than it stands as a separate experience. However, once the connection is made, I think the album becomes a better listen.
posted 02-14-2005 04:28 PM PT (US)

BMikeJ Standard Userer	Agreed. And it just isn't fair to compare this music to Stu Phillips' work. This show is a completely different animal and that style of music would not be appropriate.
posted 02-14-2005 04:48 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	James, have you watched the miniseries? If not, check it out! The music will make sense once you connect it with the images. I have to say, I have no concept as to what the original Battlestar Galactica is or was like, but the new series is incredible, IMO: the acting and characters are top notch (the relationship between Baltar and Number Six is amusing, even hilarious at times, as is Baltar's character on his own [something Ronald D. Moore points on the miniseries commentary track as a complete surprise with the actor who plays Baltar: humour was never part of the writing, but came out in the actor's performance]; and the father / son relationship between Lee Adama and his dad [sort of like Kirk and David in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]) is nice and continuing, and the outer space sequences are original and fun, as is the inventive music. You guys have to see the "Hand of God" episode: that score is just wicked; I hope it gets frackin' (HAHA! bbbbbbaaaaaaaad!) released by La La Land Records!
posted 02-14-2005 07:39 PM PT (US)

JeffBond Standard Userer	The score DOES work quite well in the show but I have to say it's disappointing that this seems to be the way ALL scoring seems to be going--Celtic wailing, ehrus, duduks and percussion, the whole Middle Eastern/World Music vibe. Nothing wrong with it on an individual basis but I hear it so often now that my first reaction is to roll my eyes at it--this type of koto drumming was used plenty in Babylon 5 so it's not even an entirely original approach for a space show.
posted 02-15-2005 10:20 AM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Ya' don't say, eh Jeff? I totally see your point. But outside of the odd time that I tune into Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica is about all the space I'm willing to watch, much less tv in general; so, for some, this kind of scoring is something new and cool (I never could stand Babylon 5)—you're right, it's very effective on the show.
posted 02-15-2005 11:26 AM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	To be honest, I've never seen the show. I don't get SciFi on my cable and I've only read about the changes from the original show on reviews of the Mini-series. I am rather selective about my TV viewing as I hate getting involved with a show only to have some idiots cancel it before it finds its audience. And I'm not the type that watches EVERY Science Fiction show on TV either. Never got into Star Trek on TV, nor Farscape, nor Babylon 5, nor Andromeda, etc. I've recently gotten into some HBO shows via DVD. I loved season one of Carnivale and am currently enjoying Deadwood. Otherwise I only watch Lost, Alias, Arrested Development and Desperate Housewives. And when I can remember, Justice League Unlimited on Cartoon Network. James
posted 02-15-2005 12:42 PM PT (US)

James Standard Userer	Hmm, I suppose you mean Bear McCreary? He scored a short film that my screenwriting teacher directed, A Good Lie. The music in that was pretty cool, if I remember correctly...I'll have to check this show out.
posted 02-15-2005 01:13 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Sorry, I thought it was McCarthy. My mistake, his name flashes by so quickly at the end of every epidsode. James: Ronald D. Moore, who worked on and developed, and wrote Carnivale, also did the same for Battlestar Galactica. Rent the miniseries, you'll probably enjoy it; I also find his commentary track very interesting on that DVD [juggling Carnivale and Galactica at the same time is a funny story he tells] (like his and Brannon Braga's entertaining and informative writers' commentary track on Star Trek: Generations). Galactica shows on the Space Channel here in Canada, and the day after it appears on Sci-Fi in the U.S.—so Saturday instead of Friday.
posted 02-15-2005 01:48 PM PT (US)

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