AirLockAlpha.com

If I could jump in a time machine to find out if putting the pilot of a television show on DVD almost a year before it premieres was a good idea, I definitely would do it. Because as much as I was anticipating how "Battlestar Galactica" was going to end, I'm even more intrigued on how SciFi Channel's marketing strategy for "Caprica" is going to play out.

Tuesday, the network, which will soon become Syfy, gave fans an early look at the BSG prequel, teasing us over material we have been waiting to see, and getting us primed for a highly-anticipated launch.

I had the chance to read the script for this pilot back when they were casting the show, and while I thought it was a little slow-moving and blurry from a story standpoint, the characters were rather intriguing, as was the world of "Caprica" they created.

Director Jeffrey Reiner had a tough task on his hands. Not only did he have to put the script written by Ronald D. Moore and Remi Aubuchon on film, but he also had to find the balance between the gritty documentary-style created by Michael Rymer for "Battlestar Galactica" and what will obviously be a more story-driven drama that creates "Caprica."

What we end up with is a very stylized look at a society nearly 60 years before the end of "Battlestar Galactica," where technology is far more advanced (thanks to the technological regression that happened after the Cylons revolted), and a mesh of styles probably more common in the 1960s. The overall look actually has an almost washed, monochromatic feel, as if we were watching something fresh from the 1960s, actually creating a strong classical look I liked a lot.

The idea, of course, is that times before the Cylons were simpler and cleaner. Yes, racism exists and the youthful desire of independence is the strongest its ever been, but no one is worrying too much about being obliterated in war. Instead, they can worry about religion, because isn't that where many wars start anyway?

Like good dramatic operas, "Caprica" focuses on two families -- one highly affluent -- the Graystones -- and one not so wealthy, the Adamas. Led by Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz), who would become credited as the creator of the Cylons, it seems the real brains in his family comes from his daughter Zoe (Alessandra Toreson), a teenager trying to get out from under the shadow of her father, and whose ideals are being influenced significantly by a boy she loves and a leader in her school that no one would suspect.

The Adamas are actually known as "Adams" through most of the pilot as a way to cloud their Tauron roots. Joseph Adama, who was talked about in "Battlestar Galactica" is played by Esai Morales, late of "Jericho" on CBS, who suddenly is left raising his young son, William, alone, thanks to a tragedy involving the Graystones.

This tragedy brings the two families together, the grieving fathers Daniel and Joseph, and how each of them are trying to use the other to restore what they lost.

It's been almost a year since Airlock Alpha first reported that some people involved in "Caprica" were worried about "Caprica" suffering from having its pilot released alone, months ahead of a series, and I can see why. While "Caprica" is a great launching point for a series, it's not the self-contained story that the "Battlestar Galactica" miniseries was. While it will have viewers wanting more, the trick will be whether or not that demand will withstand the test of time.

Seriously, although filming is about to start on the series itself, it's likely we won't see any more "Caprica" until Summer 2010, and that could be a fatal mistake in a world where so many other things are fighting for our attention.

But I hope it's not a mistake, because "Caprica" is strong, and as long as we as an audience get properly introduced into this alternative world (a problem that plagued "Kings" on NBC), this could be a show that while it might not be a signature program like its "Battlestar" predecessor, will be a strong member of the overall "Battlestar" legacy.

There are a number of special features, which are pretty much standard on most other DVDs, including deleted scenes and commentary (this from Reiner, Moore and fellow executive producer David Eick). The "Caprica" DVD has two other interesting special features, however, including one that is not even listed on the packaging. Yes, there are video blogs, which can be mostly found online, but there's also an added bonus of an episode of "Ghost Hunters." So if you have yet to see that show, here's your chance.

What Worked

When I read the script, the part I was worried about the most was the inclusion of an early form of Cylon. For some reason, I kept thinking back to the early Terminators shown in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," and was ready to cover my eyes.

However, the Cylon we get in "Caprica" is amazing. Obviously a prototype to the ones from the 1978 series, based on the "Battlestar" timeline, this Cylon is obviously clunky, but also amazing. The special effects used in showing this machine is phenomenal, and I guess is one of the benefits of not having to spend so much money on space battles.

In fact, I think you can say that this Cylon almost steals the show. I have gone back to watch a few different parts of "Caprica," and the ones I keep watching the most are the ones that include this machine. It doesn't beat out the story and the characters, but this Cylon is definitely as powerful as a character as any skin job that will come after it.

What Didn't Work

I understand NBC Universal wanting to make sure the "not rated" label on the box was justified, and give buyers of the DVD something they would never see on TV. But I could really have done without all the bare breasts and the lesbian makeout scenes.

Not that I have anything against those two aspects, but it seemed that these scenes were almost stock, and were inserted more than once (the same scenes ... the same breasts, the same lesbians making out) every time we entered this virtual world that becomes an important setting for the pilot.

I understand that there is lawlessness and so-called "sin" in this virtual world, but if you insist on showing nudity and sex, at least give us something different each time we come in. It was reminiscent of "Spider-Man 2" when every appearance of Dr. Octavius in his mutated form had to be preceded by the same "Jurassic Park" like rumbling and minor earth tremors.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Caprica" stars Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson, Alessandra Toreson and Polly Walker. It was written by Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Jeffrey Reiner.

It will be released in both video stores and on iTunes April 21.