Product Description

The $25 Million Breakaway Hit Returnsto DVD in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound! DVD Exclusive - Extended MidseasonCliffhanger Episode PegasusOver 10 Hours of Bonus Content!System Requirements:Running Time: 190 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 025192983320 Manufacturer No: 29833

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #750 in DVD
• Brand: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAIN.
• Released on: 2006-09-19
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Formats: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .60 pounds
• Running time: 521 minutes

Amazon.com
Battlestar Galactica's season 2.5 (i.e., the final 10 episodes of the second season, plus an extended version of episode 10) picks up where season 2.0 (the first 10 episodes) left off: Galactica's giddy reunion with the Pegasus had taken a sour turn when Admiral Cain (Michelle Forbes) went back on her word to Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and decided to integrate the crews, moving Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) to Pegasus. The animosity, combined with an attack on Sharon (Grace Park), threatens to derail a golden opportunity for the fleet to strike the Cylons where they'll hurt, and stay hurt--their resurrection ship.

In many ways, Sharon is the central character. The attack lands Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) and the Chief (Aaron Douglas) in hot water; her impending baby remains the subject of heated debate among president Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), Commander Adama, and others; and a rebellious movement determined to force Galactica to give up the Cylon ends up threatening both Apollo and Starbuck and putting further strain on their already-shaky relationship. Dr. Baltar (James Callis) becomes even more intertwined with the Cylons when he discovers another version of Number Six (Tricia Helfer) on the Pegasus, but is also in line to take over the presidency as Roslin's cancer reaches a critical stage. Battlestar Galactica's inexorable dramatic arc sagged in a couple episodes during this run, but the terrific two-part season finale involving a presidential election, a glimmer of hope for humanity, and some unexpected turns of events makes for a thrilling springboard to season 3. Battlestar is often called the best sci-fi show on television, but that seems like damning it with faint praise; it's the best drama on television.

In addition to the 10 episodes, the three-DVD set has an extended version of the last episode of season 2.0, "Pegasus"; the extra 15 minutes include a longer conversation in which Cain reveals her plans to Adama. That episode has a commentary track by executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, Moore's podcast commentaries are on every other episode, Eick's "video blogs" serve as casual featurettes on series production, and there are numerous deleted scenes. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Starts off BAD, finishes Good.
The 2.5 series starts off horrible. The first two episodes were so bad I almost stopped watching the series thinking that it "jumped the shark". However I hung in there and by the end of the 3 discs you are delivered into a whole new outlook on the series. So far this set was the weakest out of all the others, but with that being said this series is better than 99.99% of all the stuff on TV even at its worst. So you should buy it and enjoy.

Brilliance in Manifest

Science-fiction has never reached this level of perfection until now. Acting, writing, production values, all climaxing to the absolute panicle in television viewing. If you do not have this complete series in your collection you will forever regret it.

Battlestar Galactica Season 2.5
As I live in New Zealand, we got a full - version Season 2.0 which has the entire Season 2 episodes (both the U.S. 2.0 and U.S. 2.5 combined.) But our full 2.0 version comes without the deleted scenes of 2.5, only those of the U.S 2.0; or the first half of season 2.0 from our perspective, and only the regular, unextended version of the episode "Pegasus". So, from the New Zealand fan perspective, Battlestar Galactica 2.5 is really not essential to the casual fan; but is certainly essential to the completist or very dedicated fan who wants all original material. The release is high quality. The acting and storylines of this new Battlestar Galactica (all of its' Seasons, spinoffs and material) is always slick and tense. Early Season 2.0 saw the stabilisation of the power struggle between Commander Adama and President Roslin which began late in Season 1, and the reuniting of the scattered fleet after the shattering impact of the Cylon assasination attempt upon Commander Adama (the Season 1 cliffhanger event) and subsequent allout Cylon attack and boarding of Galactica by the Cylon fleet in the opening episodes. Season 2.5 opens with a strong and united Colonial fleet and Galactica firmly but fairly under the Adama-Roslin rule. All that changes in the opening 10 minutes of the first episode when the Battlestar Pegasus turns up. The three - part opening sees a deadly power - struggle between both Battlestars for the title of Fleet Commander and a magnificent three on two mothership confrontation between Galactica and Pegasus vs two Cylon Baseships and their ominous Resurrection Ship. The assasination of Admiral Kain by the Cylons is all that settles the internal power struggle, clearly cementing Adama as Fleet Commander. After this volatile period, the fleet settles into a comparatively quiet time from external threats, having attained the plateau of relative safety with the destruction of Resurrection, and addition of the fearsome dreadnaught, like a big bully, a second Battlestar - Pegasus to the fleet. You get the feeling that the Cylons are possibly scared to tangle with the Pegasus. The only time they do of their picking, they used a trap; luring the Pegasus away from the relative safety of the fleet and Galactica, three Baseships were involved and they had the element of surprise in the episode "The Captains' Hand". The post - Admiral Cain colonial fleet saw Season 2.5 undertake episodes about internal struggles and issues, and an everchanging leadership of Pegasus. Ultimately, Adama Snr appoints his son, Lee Adama (Apollo) who had already made it as high as "Major", as Commander of Pegasus. The final phase of the series leads into a third powerstruggle for Season 2 - a presidential election between the encumbant, Laura Roslin, and her Vice - President, Dr. Gaius Baltar. This Baltar wins on a single issue - he promises permanant settlement of the Colonial Fleet on the newly discovered planet of New Caprica. This single event fundamentally alters the shape of the series, setting up for an almost telegraphed "I told you so" cliffhanger of Season 2 of the almost inevitable Cylon discovery and full scale invasion of New Caprica. After a brief standoff with the two Battlestars, caught very much unprepared, the Battlestars and small contingent of the ships of the fleet that remained in orbit with them jump away, leaving the vast majority of ships and people helplessly caught on the surface to be humbled under Cylon invasion and control after President Baltar surrenders. These catacalysmic events critically shape early Season 3, which of course begins on the surface of New Caprica with Colnel Tigh in charge of the resistance forces, and Baltar a mere puppet ruler under Cylon control, while Adamas Snr and Jnr prepare to retake New Caprica with the two Battlestars. The consequences of this scenerio unfolding fundamentally changes the whole series post - New Caprica. This is a cliffhanger with far more far - reaching consequences then the Season 1 cliffhanger. This single event is probably the biggest series landmark next to the destruction of the colonies in the Pilot Episode; for both the Humans and Cylons alike. The deleted scenes are actually very worthwhile, containing some cool scenes - unlike most deleted scenes in films and series which are obvious as to why they were cut. The main attraction for a New Zealand or other overseas buyer is the extended version of the episode "Pegasus". While this episode sadly doesn't contain any significant new material, this version features subtly extended scenes making a less rushed feel to the interactions in certain parts of the episode. Overall, Battlestar Galactica 2.5 is really not essential to the casual fan in New Zealand, as we have the aforementioned Season 2.0 which covers most of Season 2; but is certainly essential to the completist or very dedicated New Zealand fan who wants all original material. But to any American fan it is a vital part of the series, and both neccessary and worthwhile. Season 2 has one other significant spinoff: Razor - (the untold story of Battlestar Pegasus - which is highly recommended.)