Battlestar Galactica by Glenn A. Larson evolved into a substantial franchise after the original series (of the same name) aired in 1978. Regardless of the medium, these stories always find their way back to the Twelve Colonies—a group of planets representing humanity during the Cylon War—as it is under attack. It is about the attackers the cylons, who want to exterminate the human race at any costand to that end, they destroy the colonies, except for a small group that manages to escape. Among the remaining spacecraft, only the Battlestar Galactica, which doubles as a warship and carrier, can offer shelter to the survivors in search of a mysterious new colony: Earth.

Yes. The techno-jargon used throughout is unadorned, and the awe evoked by such a futuristic setting is consciously undermined by pressing, practical concerns of survival. The very existence of the human race raises complex socio-political issues, with the constant appeal of religion making matters even more complicated. How do cybernetic alien races like the Cylons perceive divinity, and how does their concept of self develop in contrast to that of humans? Existential questions of a similar variety are raised throughout the Battlestar Galactica franchise.whose rich mythology is as compelling as its distinctive addition to the science fiction genre.

However, ordering Battlestar Galactica watches can be very confusing if you are new to the property. There are two main television series, a mini-series, two prequels, and other reimagined continuities (besides the novels and video games). So let's try to understand these entries in a way that will help you get the most out of Larson's beautiful, evocative creation.

You can Make 1978's Battlestar Galactica your starting point, but since the original series isn't required viewing, you can skip everything that precedes the 2003 reimagined miniseries. While there's some value in visiting the show after you're done with the fanfiction and companion entries, you're bound to encounter continuity differences that further complicate the timeline. In addition, the best starting point comes in the form of two prequels: the short-lived 2010 series Caprica and the web series Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome, which fit perfectly before the events of the 2003 miniseries. With that in mind, let's take a quick look at the definitive watch order for the franchise:

• Battlestar Galactica (1978) — The Original Series (Optional)

• Galaxy 1980 (1980) — spin-off for the 1978 series (optional)

• Caprica (2010) — Prequel to the 2003 miniseries

• Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome (2012) — prequel web series

• Battlestar Galactica (2003) — Reimagined miniseries

• Battlestar Galactica (2004) - Season 1

• Battlestar Galactica (2005) — Season 2 (up to episode 17)

• Battlestar Galactica: Razor (2007) - TV Movie (Extended Cut + Flashbacks)

• Battlestar Galactica (2005) - Season 2 (Episode 18 onwards)

• The Resistance (2006) — web series

• Battlestar Galactica (2006) - Season 3

• Battlestar Galactica (2008) — Season 4 (up to episode 11)

• Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy (2008) - 10-episode webisodes

• Battlestar Galactica (2008) - Season 4 (Episodes 12-15)

• The Plan (2009) — TV Movie

• Battlestar Galactica (2008) - Season 4 (Episode 16 onwards)

Yes, this is a a lot. However, the clock sequence won't seem so daunting once you're comfortable with the basic premise and knowledge. If nothing else, it will feel like an unforgettable adventure with thrilling highs and lows.

I won't spoil anything about the reimagined miniseries or other series entries in this continuity, but here are a few things you should know before committing to this watch order. The first break comes in the middle of season 2, with episode 17 — titled "The Captain's Hand" — delving into the bow of the Pegasus. This story is continued in "Battlestar Galactica: Razor", whose extended cut should be followed by deleted scenes called "Razor Flashbacks" (which are available to watch as webisodes). Another mid-season break worth explaining is The Plan, which tells the story of the first two seasons from the perspective of the Cylonsexplaining their motivations in depth, while adding more context to established habits.

We're almost done here, but in case you're interested in paperback novels written by Larson himself, be sure to check them out. I wouldn't recommend them for their quality, but they do offer a fun bit of insight into the preconceived notion of a room. Apart from this, there is also Richard Hatch (who played Captain Apollo Adama in the 1978 Battlestar Galactica series) book series, which attempts to revive and continue the original premise by focusing on a new human colony and the threat of another impending war. And before you ask, yes, there are comics too. Marvel Comics published a 23-issue series based on the original show, with artist Walt Simonson at the helm.

In terms of games, the franchise has spawned several tabletop games, among which I recommend 2008's Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game (which follows the reimagined 2003 miniseries and requires a minimum of three people for the strategy to work). Moving on to video games, there have been plenty of early Xbox and PlayStation titles released over the years, but the only entry here is 2017's Battlestar Galactica Deadlock, which uses a turn-based strategy to navigate the first Cylon War. Have fun!