22 Episodes and done for "Battlestar Galactica"?

By Karl Schneider     February 28, 2007
Source: SyFy Portal

According to Syfyportal, if SciFi Channel increases the fourth season order of Battlestar Galactica from 13 to 22 episodes, the extra 8 episodes will be used to end the series.

"If you're a fan, you don't want to see any more than 13 episodes," the source said. "Questions are going back and forth on whether or not [SciFi Channel] will pick the show up again. It's not a decision you make at the last minute because obviously [the network] will want to allow the show to wrap up."

SciFi Channel gave the green light for another season earlier this month, ordering "at least" 13 episodes. There was some speculation that this was only a partial order, with producer David Weddle telling SyFy Portal soon after the announcement that the network was still trying to decide whether it would order 13 episodes or 22.

"Not every show gets an opportunity like this," the source said. "The 'Battlestar' story could have ended right then and there at the end of the fourth [season], but having these episodes in their hip pocket, [SciFi Channel] can let the show end on the producers' terms."

You can read Syfyportal's full article over here.


KJ's Take:  It makes sense.  Let the season play out, if ratings are strong enough, let it go, if not, order another 8 episodes and let the producers know to wrap everything up.  I suppose it's a rather classy way to kill off a hit series, if such a thing is possible.