Battlestar Galactica
One of the best sci-fi series since a loooong time. It has a deep metaphysical/philosophical current running throughout the entire series – not so clear initially, but grows on you, and continues to amaze you as it unfolds. The destiny of man, the origin of humankind, the recurring plight of humanity, the cyclical nature of everything, the nature of life, God, and cosmic dharma (what they call “The Plan”), i.e. how the Universe has it’s own grand plan.
On a side note, this is yet another film which uses a Vedic chant (the other is The Matrix trilogy). Each episode starts with the Gayathri Mantra — but subtle, I didn’t realize it until into a few episodes. Also has probably the best rendering of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watch Tower”, taking it to an all new spiritual/existential level. The Passacaglia (and also the Sonatica) – I’m not much into Western classical to know what is a Passacaglia, but every time I hear this score (and recollect the scene it is used in)… it’s absolutely poetic.
Other notables: finally we have a sci-fi series where when ships or people get banged up, they really get banged up (they don’t look brand new on the next episode, they have there scars and bruises). Creative also is how the typical special effects were very muted (explosions were almost silent for example), sort of conveying the despair of being the last remnants of humanity, travelling, in space, sustained by hope, in search of a place called Earth.
Sound Tracks
The best movie sound tracks ever. Bear McCreary is a genius. In its original context, in the film, it’s pretty moving.
Passacaglia – Bear McCreary
All Along the Watchtower – Bear McCreary
Violence & Variations – Bear McCreary