Welcome to the KHYRON.NET Sci-Fi Showdown Awards!

It has been a summer season that could be described only as ridiculously entertaining. The Sci-Fi Channel's Sci-Fi Friday has more than lived up to my claim that it is the greatest three, consecutive hours of television, ever.

In my Sci-Fi Showdown, I have watched all three shows (Stargate Sg-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica) with critical intent; my final goal was to choose the show I felt was the better of three. Over the past 11 weeks, I have chosen a weekly victor, granting it a Showdown point. Now that all three shows have now aired their summer season finale, it is time to not only declare the Showdown Winner, but to also give credit to the actors and actresses that I felt performed exemplarily.

Now, without further adieu, here are the results for Khyron's Sci-Fi Showdown, Summer Season '05...

(Key: SG1= Stargate Sg-1, SGA=Stargate Atlantis, BSG=Battlestar Galactica)

Best Actor (Leading Role): Jamie Bamber (BSG)
This was a tough call, as both Bamber and Olmos were excellent this season. The win goes to Bamber because of his emotional performance following the near fatal shooting of his father (Olmos) in the beginning of the season. He has proven to be capable and likeable lead.
Runner-Ups: Edward James Olmos (BSG), Ben Browder (SG1), Joe Flanigan (SGA)

Best Actress (Leading Role): Mary McDonnell (BSG)
Playing the role of a female president, Mary McDonnell has developed greatly in this season. The character mixes a personal fight with cancer and the external demands of governing the remnants of humanity. McDonnell's interactions with Edward Olmos rank among the most dramatic and touching in the series.
Runner-Ups: Katee Sackhoff (BSG), Amanda Tapping (SG1)

Best Actor (Supporting Role): James Callis (BSG)
James Callis stole every scene he was featured in, perhaps making his part debatably a lead role. His character, Dr. Gaius Baltar, is neurotic to the extreme, and Callis expertly crafted him into what became my favorite character on Battlestar Galactica.
Runner-Ups: Michael Hogan (BSG), David Hewlett (SGA), Aaron Douglas (BSG)

Best Actress (Supporting Role): Grace Park (BSG)
Following her unpredictable betrayal to end the first season, Grace Park (character "Boomer") has continued to play the beleaguered soul of the cast. Torn between loyalties and at the center of a viscous love triangle, Grace has had much opportunity to shine--and shine she has. Probably the most abused character on BSG, she draws a great deal of sympathy from me, despite the fact she is a cyborg.
Runner-Ups: Kandyse McClure (BSG), Torri Higginson (SGA), Tricia Helfer (BSG)

Best Episode: "Pegasus" (BSG)
What else can I say about "Pegasus" that I didn't in the Week 11 Showdown? It was joyous, dramatic, intense, horrifying, and brutal, all in one 60 minute time slot. As far as finales go, BSG has proven to be quite adept--the cliff-hanger that it ended on has left me counting the seconds until the Winter season in January.
Runner-Ups: Beachhead (SG1), Intruder (SGA)

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for:

The Winner of the Sci-Fi Showdown is (surprise, surprise!) Battlestar Galactica.

With a total of 6 Showdown points (three times that of the 2-2 Stargate tie), Battlestar Galactica is the clear winner of the season. Its complexity, strong cast, strong writing, and excellent effects create what is surely destined to become one of the crowning achievements of science fiction television. Zipping through the first part of its second season, I feel this show has the potential for many more to come, and here's hoping that it will. Although the Stargate franchise will always have a special place in my heart, Battlestar Galactica works on such a higher level that I think sometimes they can't even be compared.

Thus concludes the Summer Season Sci-Fi Showdown. It was a Battlestar Blowout, with all awards being dominated by this very fine show. The Showdown will now be taking a break until the Winter season in January. I would like to thank everyone for their support and for keeping up with the Showdown.

"So say we all."

~Mike