The essential episodes of Battlestar Galactica
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Battlestar Galactica — each pick states its reason.
- 01
The crew of Galactica is exhausted after 237 consecutive jumps in intervals of 33 minutes and 132.25 hour without sleep to escape from the Cylons. When Galactica is contacted by the Olympic Carrier, a vessel with more than 1,300 persons, Commander William Adama and are advised that there is a traitor on board. However, Dr. Gaius Baltar convinces both leaders that the Olympic Carrier is a menace to the refugee fleet led by Galactica.
- 02
Galactica stumbles upon Kobol, the long-lost home world of humanity that the 13 Tribes came from, which legend says holds the only clues to the location of Earth. Roslin convinces Starbuck to steal the captured Cylon raider and return to Cylon-occupied Caprica with it to retrieve a religious artifact that will unlock the secrets on Kobol.
- 03
Infuriated that Roslin usurped his command by ordering Starbuck to steal the captured Raider, Adama decides that his only option is to storm Colonial One with marines and terminate her presidency. Starbuck reaches Caprica and finds the Arrow of Apollo in a museum, but she has to go through a copy of Number Six to get it.
- 04
While Commander Adama tries to join Roslin's team on Kobol, Dr. Baltar's Number Six tells him he's crazy.
- 05
Gallactica meets Pegasus, and Adama's command is threatened when the captain of Pegasus outranks him. A joyous celebration turns sour at some of the secrets emerging out of the differences of the two crews, and Baltar meets a familiar Cylon prisoner aboard Pegasus.
- 06
The struggle between Adama and Cain is temporarily put on hold while the two Battlestars combine forces for an assault on the Cylon Resurrection Ship. Apollo faces a momentous decision. Dr. Baltar takes an interest in Gina, the Cylon prisoner.
- 07
Two of Pegasus' raptors go missing after a suspicious distress call. President Roslin must make a decision on abortion that could hurt her political career.
- 08
The Cylon baby is finally born, leading to some political decisions being made. Meanwhile, the Cylons on Caprica contemplate life and humans when they meet up with a certain human from a previous episode. This story explores the Cylon world.
- 09
The group on Caprica is under fire by the Cylons, but suddenly they stop. When Baltar wins the vote, Roslin considers stealing the election because she believes he is a Cylon collaborator.
- 10
Coincidences creates new alliances aboard Galactica. The identities of the final five are revealed.
- 11
D'Anna demands that the four Cylons in the fleet be sent to the basestar. Only Tory goes, while the remaining three are suddenly drawn to Kara's Viper by the music. The route to Earth is finally found.
- 12
The Fleet refuses to cooperate with Cylon engineers and Adama decides to put and end to it. He sends the Quorum a message stating that unless they wish to join Zarek in the cell, they get their people in line. However, Gaeta is already freed Zarek with the help of other would-be-revolutionists. They allow Zarek to leave Galactica on a raptor. He lands on Colonial One and enters a gathering of the Quorum. Meanwhile, Anders gets ambushed and captured. At the CIC, Gaeta cleverly manipulates everyone else until the time is at hand for the revolution to begin.
- 13
Roslin is on board a raptor en route to the Rebel Cylon Base Star, but Gaeta has ordered to engage and destroy it. The marines have used a stun grenade on Adama and Tigh. Roslin manages to get a wireless transmission out for everyone to hear and learn what Gaeta has done. She and the others barely make it to the Base Star, where she convinces Tory and the other Cylons to use the Fleet as a cover in order to prevent Gaeta from attacking it. She also believes that Adama will be able to save the rest of the Final Four.
- 14
Eighteen months ago: Saul poisons Ellen, who then finds herself downloaded into a new body aboard a Cylon Base Star, with a single Centaurion keeping watch over her. After the initial shock, she has a revelation as she remembers things she had forgotten. Present Day: Dr. Cottle is operating on Anders, who has a bullet lodged in his brain. Anders starts to remember things he had forgotten.
- 15
A stripped down Galactica attacks the Cylon's Colony ship in the hopes of rescuing Hera. The meaning of the shared dream in the Opera House on Kobol is revealed. Sam Anders is moved in his Hybrid tank to the CIC in the hopes that he will be able to assist the combatants.
Shows like Battlestar Galactica
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Science-Fiction·WarThe essential episodes of Space: Above and Beyond1995–1996·FOXIn this cult fan favorite, it's the year 2063.
- 02Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of Arrow2012–2020·The CWAfter a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific.
- 03Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of The Flash2014–2023·The CW
After a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. - 04Drama·Science-Fiction·ActionThe essential episodes of Fringe2008–2013·FOX
When an international flight lands at Boston's Logan Airport and the passengers and crew have all died grisly deaths, FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is called in to investigate. - 05Drama·Science-Fiction·AdventureThe essential episodes of Doctor Who2005–2022·BBC One
Adventures across time and space with the time travelling alien and companions. - 06Drama·Science-Fiction·ThrillerThe essential episodes of Black Mirror2011–presentOver the last ten years, technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives before we've had time to stop and question it.
