The mystery of the shared dreams of Earth is finally solved in Battlestar Galactica #9, and, to be honest, it’s disappointing. The explanation works in the sense that it accounts for most things, but it does not live up to the preceding buildup. The answer is one that has shown up before in science fiction, so it is not unprecedented and even has a decent pedigree, but it’s a marriage of two inherently unsatisfying tropes, leaving this reader suspecting that the tale only ended because it was time for it to end, not because the story really got its full play.
There might later be some fallout from the interpersonal tensions that happened as the dreamers and the non-dreamers clashed over the identity of the planet. In that sense, the arc might be redeemed. It might even shine, depending on what happens in the future. As it is, on its own, it is a lackluster entry in the catalog.
Razak is, as before, enjoying the grand views of space and being evidently delighted at the chance to draw so many different spaceships while being mildly only mildly interested in the human characters. Read to enjoy the space-scenery. It’s lovely.
[edited to remove spoilers. J. G.]
Much of this story’s possible value hinges on what comes next. If it’s forgotten and this really is all there is, then it’s pretty much a washout. If it allows for further character development and plays out in a larger arc–then it might be brilliant. We’ll see.
