The peace is shattered when Cylon human-replicas, aided by the unwitting treason of brilliant scientist Gaius Baltar (James Callis), execute a nuclear blitzkrieg. In a matter of hours, billions die, the colonial military grid is hacked, and the Twelve Colonies cease to exist. Part 2: The Birth of the Fleet

With roughly 50,000 survivors in a ragtag fleet, the Galactica sets out in search of the mythical planet Earth. Why the DVD-Rip Generation Loved It

Because it was originally released on DVD with high-quality surround sound, the digital copies (rips) maintained the intended cinematic feel of the special effects and the haunting score by Richard Gibbs . 5. Why the Mini-Series Holds Up Today