Caprica (2009–2010) User Reviews

Caprica: Swing And A Hit, But Game Called Early

[anderbilt · 8/10 · 9 April 2011]

I'd like to ask some questions - 1. Can anyone outdo me in expressing appreciation for Caprica, its actors, writers and producers? Maybe but probably not.

2. Should the final two episodes have been treated to a more leisurely five or six episode arc? Probably, but it's moot.

3. What was SYFY thinking? I don't know.

I'm not here to speculate on whether SYFY is trying to ease out of the SYFY business altogether, and a court case could be made for that on the circumstantial evidence. I'm here to give my sincerest thanks and appreciation to the writers, creators, producers, and most of all the excellent cast of "Caprica." I can't tell you if the best criticism is found in the piles and piles of autopsies and inquests that come in the wake of an early finish; I can tell you that my own heart and mind were attracted to the show and moved by its plot and progress.

I found this show to be a wonderful effort to flesh out the already-familiar universe of Battlestar Galactica, and the overarching question of whether what has happened before will indeed happen again.

A lot of what is found in the science fiction genre is Dr Who-ish hokey or at best a rehash of the space-cowboy melodrama of Star Wars or Star Trek. THIS show, Caprica, went to the cutting edge of the unconventional Battlestar Galactica and pushed that edge out just a little bit more.

How few shows ever manage that. Thanks, you are missed and appreciated.

A great prequel to 'Battlestar Galactica' which was cancelled too soon

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 5 June 2019]

This series is set on the planet Caprica fifty eight years before the events depicted in the opening of 'Battlestar Galactica'; it shows just how the Cylons came to be sentient artificial lifeforms with their own faith.

Over the course of the series several intertwining plot strands are followed; primarily centred of two families; the Graystones and the Adamas. Dr Daniel Graystone is a cyber-engineer; he is responsible for the creation of virtual reality equipment and his latest project is the creation of cybernetic soldiers, cylons, for the Caprican military. He hand his wife Amanda lose their fifteen year old daughter in a terrorist attack carried out by a militant member of a minority monotheistic faith; the Soldiers of the One (STO); they have no idea that she is a believer. Joseph Adama loses his wife and daughter in the same incident. While Zoe may be dead she still exists in the virtual V-World as she created an avatar that is not a mere facsimile but a sentient being.

Over the course of the series we see the lengths Daniel will go to in order to try to get his daughter back, even in virtual form and Joseph seeking revenge. This will involve risking everything they hold dear and compromising their normal morality. Meanwhile Zoe explores her new existence both in the V-World and in the body of one of her father's new Cylons. We are also shown how the STO, under Sister Clarice Willow, are planning something that, using Zoe's creation, will bring on something referred to as 'Apotheosis'.

Having really enjoyed the rebooted 'Battlestar Galactica' I was a little nervous that this wouldn't be as good... I need not have worried. While this is a very different series it is still impressive; so much so that once I'd started the main series I had to watch several episodes each day! The creators did a great job creating a world that is similar to our own in many ways but has its own mythologies and technology. The cast does a great job bringing their characters to life; notably Eric Stoltz, as Daniel Graystone; Esai Morales as Joseph Adama; Polly Walker as Sister Clarice and Alessandra Torresani as Zoe. The special effects, both in the real world and the V-world are impressive. The series built up to a great finale... the only problem was that it was meant to be a season finale; we are even treated to hints at what is to come in a second season which was never made. It is a real shame the series was cancelled without being given a proper ending as there were many questions unanswered. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of hard sci-fi; especially if you enjoyed 'Battlestar Galactica'.

Pleasantly Surprised

[killblue · 8/10 · 16 December 2009]

I must admit, I was one of the skeptics who prematurely judged this show before relatively any information was disseminated about it. I determined that it was going to be a cheap spin-off guided by Ronald D. Moore wielding the retcon-wand.

I was wrong!

The pilot leaves an excellent impression upon the viewers. The accessibility is marvelous! Of course, seasoned BSG veterans will find themselves immersed in the plot, which is focused on the development of the Cylons before the first War. (58 years before the events of the BSG pilot). The pilot also allows for newcomers, clearly presenting its plot and ideas in the first part of the episode.

Don't be mistaken: "Caprica" is not BSG. We are presented with an immersive, cerebral drama dotted by provocative, daring, and controversial ideas.

The casting maintains BSG's standards; Stoltz and Morales are simply astounding. Morales' portrayal of Joseph Adama, inspired by Olmos' portrayal of William, gives a wonderful glimpse of William's heroic father. Stoltz's portrayal of Dr. Graystone provokes a lot of thinking and questions.

If the quality of the pilot is any indication of what's yet to come, RDM and the creative team are set to continue BSG's legacy of first-rate television programming with another masterfully created television masterpiece.

Modern day sci-fi

[rkersting · 9/10 · 21 February 2010]

Good show.

The basic background is that humanity is at a crossroads. There is a set of moral dilemmas that are being faced. Mankind has made a number of technological breakthroughs, but is mankind mature enough to deal with the its new toys? There is moral decadence in a virtual world. There are religious fanatics who are willing to kill to get attention. I predict (based on the BSG background) that there will be an issue with Cylons and slavery. In addition to this, there are all the other problems that we humans bring upon ourselves.

This show is not BSG -- at least not as far as mankind being on the run from a ruthless problem that was ultimately of their own making. There are not a lot of shoot-em-up or space-based special effects either - at least not in the first few episodes I have seen so far.

What it does have are very good stories, characters, and themes. It also has good performances from the actors. They can make a culture which is similar to modern-day society, but alien at the same time be completely believable. Like BSG, this show is about humanity - our strengths, weaknesses, potential, and flaws. It may seem a little odd that a human society on a different set of worlds has neckties, antique cars, and chicken. But those things are really more to create a semi-familiar background than anything else. Anyone who gets stuck on those details is really missing the point. Whether you are from a mafia-style culture or an affluent and high-tech culture, humans and human nature aren't that different 150,000 years ago in a high-tech past than what we see in the world today. Wonder if the writers are trying to tell us something.

Everything that didn't work in Battlestar Galactica at play in Caprica

[Dimme · 20 April 2009]

I was totally blown away by Battlestar Galactica. When the show premiered in 2003, I didn't see it. I thought I would hate it. Boy was I Wrong. The 2003 mini-series is absolutely brilliant. What followed a year later was totally mind blowing: a full season where every single episode was stunningly beautifully executed with a strong story line and an intriguing and mysterious story arch. I was hooked.

Sadly Battlestar stumbled in season two, and lost its way in season 3. Efforts to bring it back to what worked early on only half way succeeded, and with ample opportunity to end the series as a self contained story, the final chapter seemed hurried and slapped on, undermining and belittling the strong origins of the show. Battlestar was consistently more brilliant than not all the way to the end, but it became apparent that the show wasn't planned to go anywhere from the start, and that the need to spring surprises on the viewer was more adhered to that to tell an overall story. It de-evolved into episodic TV, and I thin we as an audience have tired of such an out dated concept. The Cylon plan proved to be anything but a plan.

Now comes the pilot of Caprica, a show that has been in the rumor mill for years, and been greatly anticipated by the fans of Battlestar. But the downer final act of Battlestar renders the storyline of Caprica moot from the start -- what happened some 50 odd years before Battlestar began doesn't really matter anymore, does it? And Caprica struggles form the start. These characters seem bored and uninteresting to us. They seem to be more maneuvered into action by their surrounding than by their own motivations or personalities. Nowhere to be seen is the urgency that pulled us in from the start in Battlestar. It's hard to get overly curious about the secret teenage virtual underground, and it's hard to understand where these teenagers conjure up the notion of a monotheistic God. It's even harder to understand Adama's rationale for letting himself be played by Greystone and the sudden realization of the error of his ways comes after a confrontation with a VR-representation of his recently deceased daughter that neither is convincing nor is in any way credible in relation to how Caprica technology is depicted.

The show definitely have the look and feel of Battlestar on a budget, with noticeably less impressive special effects and production values. And it doesn't help that Greystones villa looks suspiciously like Baltars, only filmed at slightly different angles.

Pretty good ... but gets bogged down in Religion and Culture

[Vic_max · 6/10 · 4 January 2011]

This series took a while to develop - I didn't know what the framework was for several episodes. Other BSG fans I know got bored and quit watching. That's unfortunate - there's a brilliant sci-fi idea and storyline here.

However, the series goes way overboard on all the religion and cultural stuff. It's interesting to a point - but then we need to get back to sci-fi material and/or sci-fi related plot development. This is probably the biggest problem with the show.

The characters, on the other hand, are very well acted. If they had right scripts, the combo would easily reach the heights that BattleStar Galactica did.

All in all, this is pretty good series with a lot of potential. If it picks up the pace and focuses more on it's sci-fi underpinnings, it would gain a bigger and more satisfied audience.

Wonderfully smart and complex.

[suzy q123 · 10/10 · 20 April 2009]

I have to say, as a BSG fan I wasn't exactly sure what I'd think of this show. I saw it on the big screen at the Arclight cinema tonight (as part of the Paley Center screenings), and the cast and film makers spoke after-wards. Ron Moore said they 'wanted to make a clean break from Battlestar, and do something different, and that yes they would lose some fans but hopefully they'd gain others".

Even without their talk, I am now a fan of the new show. But here's what I thought of the film.

I loved it. It was really very good. I guess I'm a true sci-fi (or 'syfy' - do I really have to type that?) geek, because I'd totally watch this as a series. It has a strong and rich story, and kept my interest.

It starts with a small group of teenagers plotting something, which to me was the weakest part and a bit confusing. The actor playing "Ben" should have given us more of a glimpse into his intense beliefs. The actress playing "Zoe" seemed a little posy, but she was playing a teenager (and I'm sure I won't be the only one who thought "Zoe" was a cylon at first, perils of being a BSG geek). If they're hoping these will be the new Bamber/Helfer/Park, they may want to rethink it. Surprisingly, it was the adults that captured the audiences attention.

Eric Stoltz gives a stellar performance as Daniel Greystone, a man so haunted by his family tragedy that he jumps at the first chance of getting out of his grief and doesn't let go. He does a chilling and enthralling job of conveying his character's sly knowledge of the inner world of computers and people, especially in a scene in which he spins a web for the young teenage friend of his daughters, traps her, then dismisses and releases her. No sign at all of the 'serial killer' he played on Gray's Anatomy, really impressive acting.

Equally as strong though not in it nearly as much is Paula Malcomson as his wife Amanda Greystone. She is just as smart and well written and beautifully played as Stoltz's part, and I completely believed that they are a couple, and a couple that have been together forever and have a strong relationship, something rarely seen these days. I look forward to seeing what happens with this family, and hope they give her as much to do as Roslin in BSG- she is strong and smart and when she lashes out at her kid, you cringe, it's really great. Not to mention her eyes, which could hold magical powers, that's how intense they are. The scene where she takes on the government agent- very short scene, but beautifully played- really gives you an idea of her power.

The other part of the show that did not work 100% for me were the scenes with Esai Morales, and the mafia type clan of his. He does a good job overall, but I did not believe in this mobs power, nor intimidated by their threats. I found myself wishing that this whole story line was a bit more mysterious and hard to figure out; the way it is presented is almost an homage to the Godfather, they kind of hit you over the head with it a bit. But given time, I can see how this will develop into an interesting 'Upstairs/downstairs' kind of thing, with the poor minorities (Morales et al) versus the rich folk who rule the planet (Stolz et al). And to be honest, I did enjoy it when he spoke to his son about the origin of their name- that was a very well played scene.

Note to BSG fans, the boy playing 'Willy Adama' doesn't really look much like Olmos, but he's just a kid. Whether or not he'll be featured any more than he was in this film, who knows? I sure couldn't tell. But it didn't bother me, because he wasn't as interesting as everything else going on around him.

Polly Walker plays 'Sister Clarice', and she's chilling and odd in every scene she's in. I'm not sure where she'll go or who she'll end up with, but I was very impressed with her acting. In this film she was sort of on the side, but obviously being set up to play a very important part later on. She was nothing like her character in "Rome", something I always find impressive in actors.

One nice surprise- the music is actually better and less obvious than BSG, even though it's the same guy doing it, Bear McCreary. It has a haunting and unusual approach that took me by surprise, I'd buy this score if I had the chance.

As to the 'panel discussion' after the show, it was hosted by Seth Green. Ron Moore was very smart and articulate, David Eick was cracking wise (much like his video diaries), Esai Morales told a long story about how he was cast, and Eric Stoltz was very funny and didn't really answer the questions ( but I've always had a thing for him). Paula Malcomson was tough (she took Seth Green to task for mistakenly saying she was on '24'), and the girls who played Zooey and Lacey were both darling. Grace Park and Tricia Helfer were there as well, answering questions about how they did the scenes acting with themselves on BSG. Overall a very interesting and wonderful evening.

I'm giving the show a 9 out of 10, and very much looking forward to watching it all unfold.

NOTE: I just watched this a second time and really hope they explore what the HOLOBAND was originally made for. I have no idea what that may be, but it holds a great deal of fascination to me.

Great Cast, Strong Foundation, Lacking Substance

[panaceamedia · 7/10 · 29 October 2022]

Caprica, pronounced with a small i sound and not an e sound like Paprika (or have I been saying Paprika wrong my whole life?), loosely takes place in the home planet of the Battlestar Galactica crew, 50ish years before the cylons demanded retribution for decades of suffering from verbal abuse, constantly referred to as the "N" word for Robots, and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use this word on IMDB: toasters.

Perhaps I would have scored this higher if they had a second season, so they could better connect how we get from point A to the world of BG. I was rarely bored with the engaging acting and artistic shots, but I was frequently hoping for more.

The overall plot was slow moving as the show instead mostly focused on the examination of a few families. The main character (Zoe) is often ignored and becomes less important as the show goes on, and there is not enough to care too much about many of the other character arcs which are less arcs and more circular, obviously, since their world is doomed as we know. So, even the weird preaching in the final episode, where it seems the writers are speaking to the viewers about the importance of big government (eyeroll), doesn't hold meat since that system collapsed in a generation or two and also sounded weird coming from a teenage robot girl.

Other issues include an unsolved death and lack of resolution for several characters including one who has a nickname and is pretty important but ignored in the finale.

Overall, this feels more like a CW show at times and not the precursor to a powerful sci-fi show, but I would have tuned into a second season since a successful framework was firmly in place - they just needed to do more with it.

Fascinating, detailed, and thought provoking. Loved it!

[aelias-2 · 9/10 · 23 January 2010]

To all the haters out there: condemning a TV series with one episode is like judging an entire book after reading the first few pages. That being said, I was a huge fan of BSG, thought it was some of the best TV drama (not just sci-fi) on the air. But it was time for it to end and the story to move on. I liked the BSG epilogue "The Plan", but it raised as many new questions as it answered, so I eagerly anticipated "Caprica" and I was not disappointed.

I was hoping it would not try to be another BSG, and I was pleased that "Caprica" is something different, and I personally found the story exciting, in a different way than blazing space battles, explosions and sci-fi special effects (don't get me wrong, I like that stuff too). Eric Stolz and Esai Morales give solid performances, and Alessandra was just wonderful. I can't wait until next week.

Not what some are expecting...

[cyclone259 · 7/10 · 26 April 2009]

Just as the new BSG wasn't what fans of the original series were expecting, Caprica may not deliver what fans of the new BSG were expecting (for the most part). It is a very interesting, if not somewhat self-involved show, or at least the pilot is.

If you're looking for the big CGI thrills of the (new) BSG, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you liked the drama, you'll probably find something you like and maybe even identify with.

The storyline does examine on how the Cylons were developed, why Adama hates them and the origins of a monotheistic society. The writers also manage to tackle humans 'playing God(s)' and the creation or re-creation of 'human' life. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

I found it to plod along in some parts and too preachy in others, but all in all it was promising. A small part of me wishes (or hopes) there might be some minor inklings of BSG in there (aside from the back story I mentioned), but that would probably convolute the storyline too much. Like BSG, I'll have to wait and see if Caprica grows on me, but it's way too early to tell.

It would really easy to chalk this up as a failure if you compare it to the previous series, but I'm willing to give it a chance. Overall, I thought it was interesting enough to make me see how the actual series is before 'throwing in the (proverbial) towel'.

UPDATE: I've thrown-in the proverbial towel. It just couldn't hold my attention. It's not because I was comparing it to BSG either. I'd held a lot of hope for it and the acting was good, but the pace was way too slow for my tastes. If I'm not mistaken, at the time I'm posting this update, I think Caprica has been canceled, so apparently I'm not the only one.

Not by your command.

[PollyLobster · 4/10 · 1 August 2010]

It took me a couple of episodes to really get excited about Battlestar Galactica. When I finished watching all I could find, including webisodes and extended episodes, I was hooked and wanted more. Enter Caprica. A show which was going to show me the birth of Cylons. Just my thing. I watched the pilot and it was eight kinds of not awesome. I found myself having to sit through grueling childhood trauma stories of William Adama and the story about an angry teenager, whose virtual representation is inserted into the Cylon prototype. Which essentially gives us a robot with issues. The premise of BSG has always been that the Cylons were sentient and were thus able to rebel. I had never imagined that their starting point (this time around) was going to be teen angst.

Caprica sports a fine cast, who deliver good acting performances. It is just a major fault of the show that the writing of the characters is boring. The sense of urgency in which the characters of BSG developed and evolved is gone. The only sense of urgency in Caprica is that there is a deadline for a delivery of robots. True, it is a family drama which should depict the birth of the modern Cylons but as far as family dramas go, it is not all that interesting. It hooks itself to the trend of throwing little pieces of the original in, to give it a connection both with the re-imagined series and the original one, such as "by your command" and "so say we all" but the way it is done, makes it seem to grasp at connectivity instead of focusing on developing a story which is interesting to follow.

Nine episodes in, I can only hope that the show will take a turn for the better and start giving us some story lines which will once again enthrall and captivate the audience. If it succeeds in doing so, it will still suffer from the curse of having a 9 episode long introduction to interesting events, which frankly isn't good enough.

If you enjoy a decent 'hard sci-fi' check this out

[burns_stuart · 9/10 · 10 May 2012]

After watching the rebooted Battlestar Galactica series I looked for something to fill the void and gave the series Caprica a go. Although I really enjoyed BSG, Caprica is also a really engaging story with brilliant acting.

If you are looking for a repeat of BSG then you will be disappointed. This series is completely different in tone, style and approach to the BSG universe. Instead of traveling space and battling Cylons you get a prequel series showing the development of cylons and a lead up to the 1st Cylon War/Apocalypse. This context of the show is set on the earth- like planet of Caprica instead of being set the ship/fleet of Galactica and the series Caprica is stronger as a result of this.

Eric Stoltz's acting is nothing short of superb. He portrays a father facing his demons and balancing the responsibilities of fatherhood and a demanding worklife. The special effects and props are well done, and add to the believability of a living breathing world and culture.

I don't know what else to say other than this show is worth checking out on itunes or DVD/Bluray if you are into well done hard sci-fi TV shows. This show is quite underrated and it is a shame that the show did not last longer than one season.

A show which started with such promise but ultimately fizzed away

[scottsulway · 7/10 · 30 September 2015]

I'm a fan of Battlestar Galactica and was excited to hear about a prequel show. Watching the pilot, one is instantly transported into a vibrant world that the shows creators should be congratulated for producing. The depth of character development is truly outstanding and the acting is excellent. However all too soon the show starts to slow down and becomes rather dull at times. Now I understand that you can not have it all, but I felt that ultimately less time should have been spent on some of the character development and used to quicken up the pace of the show. Around the middle of the series it seemed like the writers were in two different minds about where to go with the show, this showed with some of the random tangents and characters that came and went. By the final act I had gone from an emphatic viewer, caring for the cast to someone who just wanted the series to be over and wrap up. The series is indeed well made and has an excellent cast, really could have developed into something more, but as the ratings showed, it is probably best left as it is, cancelled.

Has potential but walk around the plot holes

[backflipboy · 5/10 · 5 May 2009]

Being a fan of both the original and rebooted versions of Battlestar Galactica, I was intrigued by how this spin off would tie in with the new version of BSG.

The concept was relatively strong, but if it ends up as a series, I fear a lot of soap operatic story lines. The biggest problem will be the time frame between this tele-movie and the events of the new Battlestar.

Suspend your disbelief to accept only 58 years to go from a prototype cybernetic life form (Cylon) to Cylons that look like humans plus have a war within the first 18 years of the development of the first Cylon then a 40 year gap till the decimation of the human race - based around the set up in the new Battlestar series.

I found the Adams (Adama) side of the story to be distracting compared to the Graystone side. It felt like the Adamas were thrown in to link this movie to the Battlestar series - most prominent in the last 10 minutes.

I am crossing my fingers that should this end up being a series that whoever gets to write for it figures out a way to make it all gel together in a plausible way.

Excellent thought provoking but short lived

[amesmonde · 18 September 2013]

A CEO computer expert's daughter is killed in a terrorist attack however he finds that she has found a way to live on in a virtual world which in turn assists him with his military defence contract. In addition, the bombing causes a string of events which impacts on the terrorist organisation and its victims.

Carpica is a fairly complex series, part drama, part sci-fi with many threads and subtext. Those expecting Battlestar Glactica (BSG) with its struggle for survival may be disappointed, it's grounded in an urban environments rather than in space and although a prequel spin-off and in the same universe it covers mainly a society that's running out of control, intoxicated by success. It's a good production with spats of action. For BSG fans it does give an insight and link into some BSG history.

Carpica's themes focus on social observations, mirroring contemporary issues, culture, beliefs and so on. It includes adolescent issues, corruption, misspent youth, time spent in virtual reality's, technological advancements, its benefits and pitfalls to name a few.

Like BSG it creates a rich plausible environment, in this case Caprica City which immerses the viewer. In places it's reminiscent of The Thirteenth Floor (1999) and The Matrix (1999). There's mergers and accusations. On display are conglomerates, corporations, chat shows, the media's impact and control- naturally this comes hand in hand with 30s style mobsters and shady dealings. There's bombing and assassinations, Carpica City reflects our own world.

The ethereal music compliments the series perfectly, the effects however are a mixed bag but serve their purpose. There are many meaty characters, interesting dynamics, arcs and thought provoking issues. The relationship with Joseph Adama played excellently by Esai Morales and his son are reminiscent of Goodfellas. The Bladrunner-like aspects of love relationships with the virtual Zoe Graystone are interesting. The acting is excellent from the leads, Eric Stoltz as Daniel Graystone is partially notable.

It's a treat to see the original Cylon unit from both the original BSG and the re-imagining in action. While the closing episode feels slightly rushed (possibly to it not being renewed) plots are all tied up and it nestles nicely as a prequel to both Blood and Chrome and BSG the series.

Overall a cracking yet sadly short live series which offers plenty food for thought.

story telling at its best well almost anyway

[dangermous · 8/10 · 25 February 2010]

This is real character and story driven drama at a level that shames most of what we see on TV at the mo.

I was impressed right from the start. Don't be put off if your not a sci fi nut (like me...) This could be happening on earth, the fact that its in another galaxy just makes the show more interesting. there are no space ships or laser guns (None yet anyway) So far I've seen up to s01 e04 and I'm gripped and wondering whats going to happen next as there are so many possibilities.

The cast play there roles with pasion. Eric stoltz is especially strong.

This show really stands alone well, it doesn't matter if you watched BSG or not, in fact they are quite different. I've read some negative reviews from sci fi geeks who expected less drama and more aliens and ray guns etc but I would say ignore them.

This is a really positive start to a show. Lets hope they don't cann it after 1 or 2 seasons like they normally do with good shows these days.

nowhere near BSG

[bmmutlu · 6/10 · 6 February 2011]

I was a fan of BSG, enjoyed and loved watching all seasons and episodes...

I think BSG raised the bar to a very high point... not only as a science fiction but also character analysis, life analysis and everything..

I was expecting similar from Caprica but nothing comparable.. Still I am watching and somehow enjoying but not same taste as BSG... let me tell you the why in my aspects: - BSG had greater and bigger Cast; here there is no Adama, Roslin, Number6 or Tigh.. - BSG was more into life with more deeper analysis... - BSG had more mystery and questions in all aspects, including sci - fiction, technology, story itself, spying each other, surprises from the very first episode.. - Character analysis were much deeper in BSG

so if you call it Caprica so you shall give expectations...

this one has also good players. especially D,Graystone and his wife are stars.. Adama is just average... but it is because his script.. Zoe is just boring for me... Nobody knows even herself doesn't know what she wants and meaningless actions as a childish character with all such powers and importance in the movie... but Lacy is very good performing...

Caprica couldn't show that stunning spirit yet... i don't know why...

i gave 6 but some episodes might get 7 maximum...

Fraking amazing

[katkoot-kate · 8/10 · 29 September 2009]

I loved it, having been a fan of the original series, I have always wondered what the back story would be - it didn't fail to delight me. I also love the fact that apart from Eric Stoltz I didn't recognise one person - this is refreshing, much like BSG. It has introduced me to a whole wealth of new talent - can't wait for the series to start airing. Well done to Ronald D. Moore and team - excellent job. The special effects, dialogue and acting were all spot on, and I felt emotionally tied up in the storyline. I know there are purists out there that will probably disagree with my assessment, but I felt that Caprica was far superior to most of the Sci-Fi stuff produced in the last decade.

Bizarre Disconnects

[croetoan · 6/10 · 28 February 2016]

This was a better stand-alone series than it was a prequel.

I thought the first two seasons of Battlestar Galactica were great, and I was immensely pleased with the shift presented in Caprica. Instead of an action-packed, space-warring, post-apocalyptic survival series; we are given a stylish business and crime science fiction drama. That vision was excellently conceived and adequately executed. The plot was interesting, and the subplots contributed to a pleasantly complicated picture.

It all fell apart, however, in the areas where they tried to hard to connect it to Battlestar Galactica. They didn't need to make the "Adams" family that particular family. They did it for the connection to Battlestar Galactica, and it actually undermines (or replaces) what we knew of them in BSG. We didn't need to see the first use of every BSG phrase - Cylon (okay maybe that one was permissible), Toaster, and Skin Job (this one, in fact, shouldn't have been around until BSG). The final episode was the worst in this regard. It gives a contradictory account to many of the factual (and major) elements of BSG. The origins of _______ are contradicted, and the whole god thing (which was, admittedly, bewildering in BSG) is undermined and redirected in the final episode. I'm sure they were hoping for a full second season, but I think we were spared a disaster when the show was canceled. Had they kept going, they looked on track to make everything worse.

Man oh man what could have been...

[drew_atreides · 9/10 · 22 November 2011]

...i just got finished watching the final episode of CAPRICA.

The SyFy Channel continues to make decisions that mystify. How does a show of this quality not get 6 seasons and a movie?

This show explored intelligent, fascinating concepts and ideas and it always did it in a manner that was fresh and original. No matter what you felt you knew would happen, it always managed to take a slight turn right at the climax and go someplace you didn't expect.

There were no insignificant characters. The writers managed to take seemingly throwaway characters (like Tamara) and not only gave them purpose, but also developed each and everyone into something darned compelling and, dare i say it? Cool.

A quality show that was deeper and more innovative then it had any right to be. I certainly regret that it didn't continue past a single season.

Daytime Soap Opera with Religious and Sci Fi Themes

[mgjk · 6/10 · 5 February 2010]

A computer genius, a master of virtual reality, working on military contracts, living in a society of faster-than-light space travel has one of the most exceptional breakthroughs of the modern age. He's about to engage in some very risky experimental work with exceptionally precious data, yet for some reason, he doesn't keep backups.

Now we're taken on a journey where he tries to learn the secret of the data he lost. A journey I just have no interest in.

When you break the rules in sci-fi, the audience loses the ability to suspend disbelief and it all just turns into a lot of crap.

The show plays like a soap opera wrapped loosely around a sci-fi environment.

Plot lines jump quickly from family to family. Each family has its own musical theme like any daytime soap opera. There are slow, cliffhanger dialogs in all of the threads, this seems to continue until plot lines cross and some big episode cliffhanger appears at the end.

Still, the acting, back-story writing and special effects are miles better than the average soap, so I have to say that it's got some potential, but if they don't tone down the plot jumping and the sappy musical themes, I will lose interest very quickly.

It's a shame, it seems like a good cast.

A Truly Boring Prequel

[pete1-2 · 3/10 · 10 May 2009]

As a huge fan of only the first 2 seasons of BSG and the stand alone feature BSG Razor I was hoping that this release would return the franchise to its original glory days. Usually I have no problem with science fiction that is mostly dialog driven as opposed to a visual bonanza of special effects. If the script is tight with some original ideas delivered by good actors one can create a profound film with little CGI money spent. This prequel has none of those aforementioned requirements going for it. The virtual reality world created by the terrorist teenagers was both ridiculous & unbelievable. This scene was simply put there to raise the release rating to Restricted. Not that teens don't love virtual reality mosh pits filled with sex & violence & heavy dance music. Its the part about those same teens having the intellectual depth & reason or political & religious passion as to create such futuristic software or become suicide bombers that perplexes me. These kids are definitely not from this planet. The movie plays out like a soap opera with only the last 10 minutes being slightly interesting. The scene with Eric Stolz giving his cyborg a devine conscienceness via the student firmware upgrade was amusing if not entertaining. But this old concept was far better portrayed & much more believable in the brilliant, classic original "Frankenstein" with Boris Karloff. Caprica rips off its only interesting idea from an old Hollywood horror film. No surprise there! Overall this movie was bland & unoriginal & cheap looking, using recycled CGI of Caprica from BSG. I doubt I'll be watching this space soap when it premieres on the Sci-Fi channel. Unless of course I happen to be suffering from a bad bout of insomnia at which time this show would definitely be the cure. Zzzzzzzz

Was so good

[chaosrachel-95190 · 10/10 · 3 September 2019]

I loved the show when it premiered and still have no idea why Syfy cancelled it to this day but they cancel everything syfyish on there channel now so.... If you want to revisit battlestar galactic and you're a huge fan then I'm sure you'll love this. Its a bit different but its set before BSG1 so there are going to be a bit of different settings. Still the plot, acting, and visuals are outstanding and it's a shame it was cancelled. You can watch it on Amazon Prime currently.

So Far, Lacks Key Ingredient That Made BSG Great

[flowwrnglr · 7/10 · 26 April 2009]

This initial installment of "Caprica" boasts intriguing social themes, fascinating plot developments, stunning visuals, exceptional actors, and of course, a compelling back (front?) story for "Battlestar Galactica" fans. Those of us who were entranced by "Battlestar" expected no less from the development team.

However, the story thus far lacks the critical ingredient that made BSG -- most long-running, long-lasting, highly acclaimed series -- a truly great experience for the audience: a family. This is somewhat ironic, in that the premise revolves around the intersection in Fates of two "great families", the Graystones and the Adamas. So far, the only character with the sort of compelling depth and electrifying screen presence delivered in BSG by, e.g., Olmos as Adama or McDonnell as Roslin, is that of Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz). He is morally compromised, but potentially tragic/heroic (or, at least, interesting). The character of Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) seems not as clearly developed, not in line with the impressions of the character presented in "Battlestar", and not on a clear trajectory to mesh with that later vision in tone or intensity. The character of Joseph Adama's son, who represents the genesis of one of the greatest and strongest characters of BSG, seems petulant and essentially unaffected by his family tragedy; much the same could be said of Joseph Adama. The character of Zoe Graystone is, so far, eminently unlikeable.

If Daniel and Joseph are destined to become allies, the series has a chance at forming the kernel of a group of characters we can get behind, identify with, and care about -- but the potential for exciting, dramatic plots (already somewhat unclear) will suffer. If they are to be enemies, the reverse is true: who will we care about? Viewers may not continue to tune in, simply to be hit over the head with important yet heavy-handed social allegory (e.g., cylon centurions = religious extremists; Tauron = Mexico; disaffected teenagers = disaffected teenagers). We must hope the producers were using this pilot to intrigue us and to introduce the intrigue, and that they will quickly return to the guiding principle that made BSG one of the greatest experiences ever on screen -- it's the characters, stupid.

Boring Prequel to Battlestar Galactica

[Cypherdude · 4/10 · 26 April 2009]

I was expecting a lot better from the Battlestar Galactica franchise. Very boring prequel to the main series. After the first 30 minutes, I was waiting for it to end. The characters do a lot of talking about religion, computers, programming, retribution, etc... There are gangsters, mafia types, who carry out hits. However, Caprica doesn't have the action of the original series to offset the slower parts.

Let me give you some helpful advice when viewing movies: As a general rule, if there is a lot of excessive exploitive titillation, then you know the movie will be a dud. Caprica has lots of this. The director/writer usually attempts to compensate for his poor abilities by throwing in a few naked bodies. It never works and all it does is demean the (very) young actresses involved and I feel sorry for them. Directors/writers who do this should be banned from the business.

If you want to be bored for an hour and a half, by all means, rent Caprica. There's (free) porn on the 'Net if you really want to see naked bodies. Otherwise, move along, nothing to see here.