It's kind of hard to step in and write a preview about a show ahead of a pilot that just about everyone who might be reading this has, well, already seen.

In fact, I almost didn't write a preview on Syfy's latest offering, "Caprica." But hey, this is a prequel series to "Battlestar Galactica," and if you haven't seen this show yet -- or if you are itching to see it again -- then you need to tune in to Syfy tonight beginning at 9 p.m. ET

There has been a lot of turmoil behind the scenes of "Caprica." And I don't mean about the last year. The idea for this series came when Remi Aubuchon -- who has had short stints on shows like "24" on Fox and "Summerland" (an early break-through role for Zac Efron -- pitched an idea for a sort of series involving the enslavement of robots to NBC Universal.

The studio liked the idea, but felt there was room for a marriage of sorts. NBCU connected Aubuchon with Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, who were working on "Battlestar Galactica" at the time, and thought this story would make a great pilot script -- with some major modifications, of course -- for a "Battlestar Galatica" prequel set some 50 years before the critically acclaimed series.

Yet, even with a finished pilot script. the then SciFi Channel wasn't totally sold on the project. It sat on a shelf for a couple years, that is until this little thing called the Writers Guild of America strike happened. I have to say, as much as people would've preferred not to have a strike, some amazing things came from it. I can name two right off the top of my head: "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" and the pilot for "Caprica."

With the strike in full-force, and a script already completed and waiting to shoot, SciFi commissioned a pilot for "Caprica." The show was quickly cast, and dailies were impressing the suits as a plan was hatched to air "Caprica" as a back-door pilot similar to what was done with "Battlestar Galactica" in 2003.

But that idea didn't play too well. Sources told Airlock Alpha at the time they were not pleased with the idea, because "Caprica" would struggle to stand alone. It was so serialized that the pilot could not be a self-contained event like "Battlestar" had in its miniseries, and that once people saw one episode, they would need at least the next two or more to stay interested in the series. Otherwise, it would become forgotten and lost.

SciFi decided against airing it as a backdoor pilot, but instead ordered a first season and offered the pilot on DVD.

That was months ago, and since then, the newly named Syfy has gone even further, putting the entire pilot online.

So that is what's airing more or less Friday on Syfy, with some minor changes and a promise of a "super-tease" for the rest of the season. Because of that, I am not sure what I can tell you about "Caprica" you don't already know.

Except there are some things you don't know. One of the cool things about being in the media is that we sometimes get an advance look at shows, and Syfy offered the next two episodes of "Caprica" to media outlets like us.

Even if you were a bit ho-hum about the pilot of "Caprica," you need to watch it, because you have to prepare yourself for what's coming.

What Worked

The world of Caprica is beautifully shown in the pilot, but that will look more like a dry test run compared to where we pick up everything. Even though the homes of the Graystones and the Adamas move from beautiful location spots to a soundstage, you wouldn't even know. And there is no skimping on outdoor shoots.

A great scene coming up after the pilot involves Willie (Sina Najafi) and his uncle, Sam (Sasha Roiz) checking out the streets of Caprica City. We get this anachronistic look meshing styles from our own past with the high technology that goes beyond even what we see in "Battlestar Galactica." But we also see something that carries over from the source series: powerful and deep character development.

Say what you want about "Battlestar," whether you loved the space battles, the music, or what-not. The series was all about characters and humanity. And "Caprica" doesn't even miss a step.

Also, while there are many aspects of Caprican society that look familiar to what we have today, more than once we're reminded of how alien it is. Especially when it comes to the personal lives of Sam Adama and Clarice Willow (Polly Walker).

Yes, you will see a very strained relationship, as expected, between Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) and Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz), but the scene stealer -- at least in these first few episodes -- is Paula Malcomson as Amanda Graystone. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say she handles the grief of the loss of her daughter in a very unique and unexpected way. One that will create serious repercussions for several of our characters from that point on.

Finding room for a character that is not supposed to be around was a tough challenge, but taking one last page from "Battlestar Galactica" that can save money and our sanity at the same time, the producers give us Alessandra Torresani far more than we realize, not just in her cool virtual world, but in the real world of Caprica as well. It works far better than I thought it would when we were first told about this decision on how to use Torresani during a set tour of "Caprica" in Vancouver late last year. And I'm sure you'll like it.

And if you thought there was no room for surprises in a prequel series, you're wrong. You're dead wrong.

I can't say much about it, but let's just say there is a twist coming up, possibly around mid-season or slightly later, that will make your chin hit the floor. I mean, a huge twist. One that involves a death you will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever see coming. Even with this hint here, you won't see it coming.

It's a secret that is so big, that it makes the Final Cylon debate and speculation nothing more than a trivia question on "Jeopardy!"

You are lost on what I'm talking about right now, but bookmark this preview. When this incident occurs (and you'll know it when it happens), come back here and say, "Wow! Mike told me so!"

Oh, it's ingenious by the way. And makes me more excited for the start of "Caprica" than ever.

What Didn't Work

"Caprica" already has serialized drama going against it. Not from me -- I love this stuff. But from viewers in general, who may or may not like the pace and decide to do something else on Friday nights.

It's sad that will happen, but I don't think there is anything the writers and producers can do about it. It's a fact of life, and one we hope won't have too detrimental of an effect on the viewership base.

Also, Syfy has already had 1.5 million viewers to the same episode it's airing Friday night. So don't expect record-breaking ratings for the premiere. But feel rest assured that Syfy has already figured that out, and the show won't live or die on its premiere ratings.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Caprica" stars Esai Morales, Eric Stoltz, Paula Malcomson, Polly Walker, Alessandra Torresani and Sasha Roiz. It's written by Ronald D. Moore and Remi Aubuchon and directed by Jeffrey Reiner.

"Caprica" airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Syfy.