Harlan Ellison Interviews Ronald D. Moore on Why "Battlestar Galactica" is So Damn Good

Ronald D. Moore of “Battlestar Galactica” fame.

Ronald D. Moore of “Battlestar Galactica” fame.

The cast of “Battlestar Galactica.”

The cast of “Battlestar Galactica.”

The women of “Battlestar”: (from left to right) Lucy Lawless, Grace Park, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackoff, and Tricia Helfer.

The women of “Battlestar” : (from left to right) Lucy Lawless, Grace Park, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackoff, and Tricia Helfer.

The men of “Battlestar”: (from left to right) Tahmoh Penikett, James Callis, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Bamber, and Michael Hogan.

The men of “Battlestar” : (from left to right) Tahmoh Penikett, James Callis, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Bamber, and Michael Hogan.

Jamie Bamber (Apollo), Katee Sackoff (Starbuck) and James Callis (Dr. Gaius Baltar).

Jamie Bamber (Apollo), Katee Sackoff (Starbuck) and James Callis (Dr. Gaius Baltar).

Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama) and Mary McDonnell (President Laura Roslin).

Edward James Olmos (Admiral Adama) and Mary McDonnell (President Laura Roslin).

Jamie Bamber and Richard Hatch (left), who played Apollo in the original “Battlestar Galactica” and now plays Tom Zarek, a former terrorist turned politician.

Jamie Bamber and Richard Hatch (left), who played Apollo in the original “Battlestar Galactica” and now plays Tom Zarek, a former terrorist turned politician.

The romance between Sharon (Grace Park) and Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) in Season 1 was a story arc that Moore designed to run entire year.

The romance between Sharon (Grace Park) and Helo (Tahmoh Penikett) in Season 1 was a story arc that Moore designed to run entire year.

The religious conflict between humans and Cylons, embodied by the romance between Dr. Baltar (James Callis) and Number Six (Tricia Helfer) is one of the dominant themes of the series.

The religious conflict between humans and Cylons, embodied by the romance between Dr. Baltar (James Callis) and Number Six (Tricia Helfer) is one of the dominant themes of the series.