Earth

Michael Hinman of SyFy Portal has run down more information essentially confirming that the next 22 episodes of Battlestar Galactica add up to season 4 being the last season. As Hinman reports:

I have a lot of respect for David Eick, and I really, really want to believe him. But it's a bit hard to do when it seems like every person I have been talking to is contradicting him....

In a nutshell, what we are hearing is that there's nothing stopping good DVD sales, decent ratings, good syndication packages or any combination of the above to keep BSG going in some form or another, similar to what we're already seeing with "Stargate SG-1." In fact, there's a chance that the show won't end at "Season 4" technically.

It looks like the fourth season will be split up like the previous three seasons were (no surprise there), and either be considered "halves" like they always have, or there's a chance that SciFi might call the second half of the season, the back-10 [episodes], "Season 5." This is similar to what "The Sopranos" did (although it's all considered a very long sixth season), and what "Lost" will do over the next couple years.

There are a lot of stories that can be told in the BSG universe, but they don't necessarily have to be told in context of the search for Earth. I have been assured by numerous people that when we reach the end of the 22 episodes, whether it's Episode 22 of the fourth season, or Episode 10 of the fifth season (or whatever variation is used, since two hours of that is the fall telemovie), the main arc of the series -- finding Earth and escaping the Cylons -- will be over.

Makes perfect sense to me.

Okay, this is wild speculation on my part, but I think I've figured it out. There will be another season, or a BSG mini-series after this season is done. But, it will take place on Earth. In fact, it will be called Battlestar Galactica 2009, and will feature hover bikes, a CG recreation of Wolfman Jack, and kids born on the Galactica called, The Super Scouts. The reason Edward James Olmos doesn't know about this secret plan of Moore and Eick's is because they plan to recast Adama, with either Gil Gerard or David Hasselhoff -- depending on how the contract talks work out. In either case, the cheese burger budget alone will be monumental.

Well, okay, that's probably not how it's going to happen....

But, if the upcoming Pegasus two parter does well in the ratings, and on DVD, clearly BSG will have a life after the series is over. So, it seems very likely future telemovies/DVD movies, or mini-series will happen. Firefly had one all too brief season, but since the show did so well on DVD, Universal had Joss Whedon make "Serenity". And this summer Babylon 5 returns with a direct to DVD film.

So, I wouldn't worry too much about the future of Battlestar Galactica.