In 2003, the Syfy Channel aired the mini-series for a cult phenomenon that would take the science-fiction television circuit forever. Battelstar Galactica, the re-imagined series debuted much to the skepticism of fans of the original, 1970s series of the same name. There is a reason the new series is so often referred to as “the re-imagined” version. The script, the advances in technology and the re-imagining of the entire universe was nothing like the original 1970s television series starring Dirk Benedict and Richard Hatch as “Starbuck” and “Apollo.”

The writers of the re-imagined series took a huge risk when they replaced fan-favorite good time boy “Starbuck” with a trash-talking, cigar smoking, trouble-making female viper pilot named Kara “Starbuck” Thrace, portrayed by Katee Sackhoff.

To make matters even scarier for potential fans, the relationship between Starbuck and Apollo, portrayed by English actor, Jamie Bamber, was questionable from the very start, with obvious romantic undertones existing between them. Once the show debuted, however, there was no doubt that Sackhoff was born to play the role, and Bamber countered her character perfectly.

The series debuted with a stellar cast, including Edward James Olmos as Captain William Adama, Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul Tigh, James Callis as Dr. Gaius Baltar, Tricia Helfer as Caprica Six and Mary MacDonell as school teacher-turned President Laura Roslin. Kicking off with the retirement of an old Battlestar called the Galactica, the Twelve Colonies of humanity find themselves scattered refugees in space when their robotic enemy, the Cylon, returns unexpectedly and wipes out their system with full-scale nuclear war.

As humanity flees through space with their Cylon enemy hot on their trail, it is soon discovered that the Cylons are now indistinguishable from the humans, and anyone within the fleet could be a Cylon. During the six years the series aired on the Syfy network, the humans quested boldly for a mythical thirteenth colony called Earth. The Cylons rivaled them for discovery of this planet, until eventually human and Cylon were left with no choice but to make peace and combine their efforts to ensure the survival of both species.

Exploring issues of faith, war, prejudice, humanity and more, Battlestar Galactica endured with a huge cult following during its six year run, amassing millions of viewers for the airing of each new episode. Despite frustrations from viewers that no matter how many episodes aired, the plot never seemed to get closer to the truth, the series finale drew in over 2.4 million viewers. The series stand-alone prequel, Caprica, which is scheduled to air in January 2010 promises to be equally engrossing, having already reeled me in with compelling characters, situations and back story for the re-imagined series. Even as it is over, it will likely be a long time before another science fiction series as compelling and realistic as Battlestar Galactica.