This document is ©2005, Mark Fornale. All rights reserved.
A lot of people criticized the original BSG for being too clichéd or too G rated but ignored the fact that BSG was a dark premise that could have been far better than it was. It was produced in the 1970s where censorship rules were stricter than they are today.
Bryan Singer and Tom DeSanto set out to revive BSG and return it to its dark roots. Unfortunately it was cancelled when it was so close to being filmed. David Eick with Ron Moore took control of the project and went for the re-imagining course instead.
Let us compare and contrast and look at the similarities between Singer/DeSanto and Moore. Note -- The Adama/Orin references meant that Singer and DeSanto kept re-tweaking the character back and forth from Adama to Orin.
Singer & DeSanto -- Darker, grittier than the original series and not family friendly nor a kiddie flick.
Moore -- Darker, grittier than the original series and not family friendly nor a kiddie flick.
Singer & DeSanto -- Human Cylons infiltrating the Colonials. Anyone could be a Cylon.
Moore -- Human Cylons infiltrating the Colonials. Anyone could be a Cylon.
Singer & DeSanto -- Newly advanced CGI Cylon Centurions that would have been featured in action sequences.
Moore -- Newly advanced CGI Cylon Centurions that were only featured in two scenes and basically stood in the background and did nothing. (Damn you Sci-Fi. I wanted to see them in action.)
Singer & DeSanto -- Kept the origins of the Cylons intact but gave them a new semi Borg-like / X-Files black oil motive due to a Cylon Civil War. However, that story arc would have most likely ended by the finale of the first season, so the Cylons could have reverted back to their old ways.
Moore -- Didn't bother to watch the entire TOS, therefore couldn't understand the Cylon's origins nor motives (by just watching the short version of the pilot) so he re-imagined them to be machines turning on their makers.
Singer & DeSanto -- Female President Mara, and always at odds with Commander Adama/Orin.
Moore -- Female President Roslin, and always at odds with Commander Adama.
Singer & DeSanto -- Galactica to be decommissioned because the Cylons had not been heard from in over 20 years.
Moore -- Galactica to be decommissioned because the Cylons had not been heard from in over 40 years.
Singer & DeSanto -- (Dr Wilker ?) unintentionally betrayed the colonies.
Moore -- Dr Baltar unintentionally betrayed the colonies.
Singer & DeSanto -- Starbuck, a manic depressive drunk, breaks free from his slump and becomes a hero upon the Cylon attack.
Moore -- Tigh, a manic depressive drunk, breaks free from his slump and becomes a hero upon the Cylon attack.
Singer & DeSanto -- The Cylons return and ambush New Kobol with the new advanced Cylon Raiders and Missiles from the Basestar in a scene that could have been compared to such films as Armageddon or Deep Impact. Also newly enhanced Centurions would later launch a ground assault.
Moore -- The Cylons return and ambush Kobol except no Cylons are seen (Damn that Sci-Fi's tight budget) so instead the viewers are treated to mushroom clouds in the background and a semi-spectacular scene at Baltar's apartment. Also the Holocaust and destruction of the fleet was dialogue driven.
Singer & DeSanto -- Space battle Scenes -- Traditional Science Fiction with fast moving ships and sounds that would make your surround sound speakers roar.
Moore -- Realistic Science Fiction Experiment with semi/slow moving ships and no sound surround is necessary because there are little to no sounds (for realism purposes.)
Singer & DeSanto -- After the Cylon ambush, Commander Adama/Orin and President Mara decides to begin the quest to Earth based on faith.
Moore -- After the Cylon ambush. Commander Adama and President Roslin decides to begin the quest to Earth based on a lie.
Singer & DeSanto -- A surprise ending with a twist. Apollo, Adama's Son/Orin's Father is a Cylon.
Moore -- A surprise ending with a twist. Sharon Boomer is a Cylon.
Singer & DeSanto -- TOS original cast members were practically knocking down his door for a role (including Jane Seymour.) However, only Dirk Benedict and Herb Jefferson would have been featured and the surprise cameo of Richard Hatch at the end.
Moore -- Every TOS cast member declined any roles that were offered to them.
Singer & DeSanto -- Pilot that was intended to be an updated semi-continuation, fix the flaws and extend the original series.
Moore -- Pilot that was intended to update the story, fix the flaws and bury the original series.
Singer & DeSanto -- was going for a darker traditional Science Fiction Epic feel.
Moore -- was going for a darker docudrama and reality TV feel.
Singer & DeSanto -- Targeted Audience -- 18 to 40.
Moore --Targeted Audiance -- 18 to 40.
In my opinion it does appear that a lot of miniseries groundwork was laid out by Singer/DeSanto until the production was derailed by Sci-Fi and David Eick.