Entertainment
How Battlestar Galactica Used American Paranoia To Turn The Series Into A Classic
By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
Battlestar Galactica is the most successful reboot of a series in history. The change from the horrible Galactica 1980 with its reliance on stock footage and annoying characters to the dark, grim tone of Ronald D. Moore’s reboot was a hit.
It also helped that the more mature series was able to tap directly into the state of American politics of the early 2000’s and managed to turn the Cylons into an obvious metaphor for the rampant paranoia that reshaped society. Episode 6, “Litmus” is when the subtle metaphor was delivered to the audience with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer as the colonists trade freedom for safety and security.
The Paranoia Of Battlestar Galactica’s Skinjob Cylons
Following the water-tank sabotage in Episode 2, “Water,” and a Cylon suicide bombing by a copy of Number Five (Matthew Bennett), Commander William Adama (Edward James Olmos) orders Sergeant Hadrian (Jill Teed, a guest star on every 90’s/00’s sci-fi series) to launch an investigation that, at her urging, is an independent tribunal. The news that the Cylons can now appear in human form can’t be kept a secret any longer. President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) makes the announcement to the Colonial Fleet, hoping that while it’s going to stoke paranoia, it will ultimately lead to the capture of any more Number Two and Number Five models hiding in plain sight.
Roslin’s announcement is a large, neon sign that might as well point directly to the Bush administration’s actions after 9/11, when, in an effort to protect the public, the TSA was created as an extra layer of security at all airports, and a large, nationwide campaign was set up asking for civilians to share tips with the FBI on anything strange and suspicious they see. Countless shows and films tapped into the political movement of the time to either show how its punishing citizens, or is a necessary evil. It’s a complex question, how can you protect a society without informing them of a very real danger, but then again, that danger may or may not actually be there, and if anyone can be a Cylon, isn’t that setting up a witch hunt?
Battlestar Galactica Showed There Are No Easy Answers
Hadrian’s tribunal comes across as a witch hunt in-universe, but to the viewer, we know how close she came to finding out the truth. Focusing on a hanger hatch that was found open, which led to a room with a dead marine and the missing explosive cache, Hadrian questions Chief T yrol (Aaron Douglas), who tries to turn the security failure back on her, when Hadrian lays a verbal reverse-UNO and says the real security concern is Boomer (Grace Park). Unknown to her, Hadrian is able to piece the entire puzzle together, from Tyrol and Boomer’s relationship to the pilot’s true nature as a Cylon.
Adama shutting down the Tribunal and declaring it a witch hunt is both satisfying, as Tyrol and Boomer are sympathetic characters, and horrifying since Hadrian was on the cusp of putting Boomer, an actual Cylon, away. Instead, Hadrian’s the one arrested, and Socinus, a low-ranked specialist on the flight deck, takes the fall for the hatch being opened. Tyrol argues that his friend is covering for him, and comes clean about the relationship with Boomer, but Adama forces the Chief to leave with the consequences of his actions.
“Litmus” was written by Jeff Vlaming, a name you might not know, but he wrote for The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., NCIS, Xena, Stargate Universe, The X-Files, Fringe, and even more sci-fi hits during his long career. It’s a testament to his skill that Battlestar Galactica’s sixth episode wasn’t subtle at all in what it was really about, but managed to leave open the question of which path, Hadrian’s or Adama’s, was the correct one to take. It comes down to the viewer’s personal politics and philosophy, but as with most of the questions that the series raises, there’s no easy answer.
Entertainment
Tons of Fitbits are on sale ahead of Prime Day
Best early Prime Day Fitbit deals at a glance:
Amazon’s Prime Day sales event is right around the corner (I can’t believe it’s that time of year again!), and I’m genuinely shocked by the deals we’re seeing this early in the game.
Usually, Amazon doesn’t put Fitbits on sale until the very last minute, and then they’re gone. (And some years, they don’t go on sale at all.) But right now, we’re seeing all-time lows on select Fitbit models, including the Charge 6.
Here are the best early Prime Day Fitbit deals you can shop right now:
Best deal overall
$99.95
at Amazon
$159.95
Save $60.00
Why we like it
The Fitbit Charge 6 isn’t the newest Fitbit on the market, but it still has (almost) everything you’d need in a smart wearable. (I say almost because the Fitbit Charge 6 doesn’t have an altimeter, but if you’re not a trail runner, this probably isn’t a deal breaker.)
The Charge 6 tracks your calories, steps, sleep, heart rate, and more. It also has built-in GPS, 40+ exercise modes, a seven-day battery life, and includes a three-month Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) membership. Once the three months are up, you’ll need to either cancel or renew for $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.
Mashable Trend Report
Right now, you can get the Fitbit Charge 6 for $99.95 at Amazon. This is the lowest price we’ve tracked on this model since its release in 2023.
Best runner-up deal
Why we like it
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, the Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale for $149.95. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen (it was $104.96 in April 2024), but it’s still a pretty good deal.
Unlike the Charge 6, the Versa 4 has an altimeter and Bluetooth wrist calling. So, if you’re looking for a wearable that acts more like a smartwatch, the Versa 4 might be the better buy. That said, it doesn’t have the more “serious” health sensor that the Charge 6 does (e.g., ECG and EDA).
The Versa 4 also comes with three months of Google Health Premium.
Best budget deal
$79.95
at Walmart
$89.95
Save $10
Why we like it
If you’re just looking for something that’s affordable and efficient, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is your best option at $79.95.
It’s a no-frills fitness tracker that’ll give you the basic features you need to stay on top of your health. It can track your heart rate, steps, and stress levels. (It also offers menstrual health tracking, which is nice.)
You’ll also get 10 full days of battery life and, like the other models mentioned above, three free months of Google Health Premium.
Entertainment
20+ book deals Im sending to the group chat before Prime Day even begins
Table of Contents
The best early Prime Day book deals at a glance:
It’s nearly Amazon Prime Day, which officially runs from June 23 through 26, but if you don’t feel like waiting, there’s already plenty of live deals to shop.
Besides offering three free months of both Kindle Unlimited and Audible to new subscribers, Amazon also has some pretty great discounts on books themselves. I’m not usually one to recommend purchasing physical books via Amazon (support local book stores!), but it’s pretty hard to pass up a 50% price drop on a book you’ve had on your TBR.
Amazon Editors just dropped the 20 best books of 2026 (so far) — find out what made the list
I’m tracking some of the best deals on physical books and e-books at Amazon ahead of the official Prime Day kick off, but remember to check back for more once things start ramping up.
Best early Prime Day hardcover book deal
$14.67
at Amazon
$30
Save $15.33
with on-page coupon
Why we like it
Named one of the best books of 2026 so far by Amazon Book Editors, Crux is an “exhilarating, tender novel about an unlikely friendship forged through a shared love of rock climbing,” according to Amazon Editor Abby Abell. Thanks to an on-page coupon at Amazon, you can add the hardcover version to your home library for less than half its usual cost.
More hardcover book deals
Best early Prime Day paperback book deal
$7.50
at Amazon
$19.95
Save $12.45
Why we like it
A classic trope of two abducted girls, only one returns and one doesn’t, The Girl Who Was Taken is a psychological thriller by Charlie Donlea where nothing is as it seems. Typically around $20, you can pick up the paperback version for only $7.50 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day. That’s just a few cents away from its lowest price ever.
Mashable Deals
More paperback book deals
Best early Prime Day Kindle book deal
$2.99
at Amazon
$18.99
Save $16.00
Why we like it
I highly recommend grabbing this twisty psychological thriller from internationally best-selling author Steve Cavanagh while the Kindle version is only $2.99. Kill For Me Kill For You follows two women seeking revenge against the men who killed their daughters. Over drinks one night, they decide to swap murders, but things don’t go exactly as planned.
More Kindle book deals
Entertainment
Red Drink for Juneteenth
Amber Mayfield Hewett loves a good party. Not “good” in the sense that there were enough chairs and everyone liked the dip (though a killer dip and a place to sit definitely don’t hurt). To Amber, a good party is one where everyone in the room feels like they belong — no one feels like a plus-one or wonders if they should’ve stayed home. “In my early twenties, I was living in Harlem and working as an assistant at a TV network,” she explains in her new book, Your Turn to Host. “I loved going out, exploring the restaurant scene and private clubs… But something always felt missing. Even though I was surrounded by people all the time, I felt lonely.”
So, Amber started her own supper club, hosting dinners as a way to create community. “The first dinner was 24 people — roommates, co-workers, people I’d met out in the city,” she says. “Everyone walked in as strangers, but as the night went on, they were laughing and swapping stories like old friends.” Her supper club has since grown into a full-time career, and as of this week, a book — a guide to hosting meaningful gatherings of all kinds: Friendsgiving potlucks, Sunday suppers, and of course, cookouts.
“At the core, cookouts are a way for your village to come together,” Amber explains. “I keep an open-door policy for kids and friends of friends. And to me, cookouts are synonymous with freedom because of the holidays typically celebrated with them, including Juneteenth.” In her book, Amber offers a full guide for a Juneteenth cookout — everything from grilling tips to lawn games, as well as her own recipe for traditional Red Drink. “On Juneteenth, it’s customary to serve red foods and beverages,” she says. “Red is a symbol of the profound sacrifice and resilience of African American people.” Amber’s recipe starts with a classic sorrel-syrup base (“You can use the same technique to make other syrups, like lavender or elderflower”) and is spiked with a cup of rum. “You can easily omit the booze if you prefer a non-alcoholic version,” she adds. “The drink is delicious and refreshing on its own.” Here’s how to make it…
Red Drink
Serves 15
From Your Turn to Host by Amber Mayfield Hewett
Sorrel Syrup:
4 cups (1 L) water
1 1/2 cups (300 g) sugar
1 cup (1 1/2 oz/40 g) cut and sifted dried hibiscus flowers
2 cinnamon sticks
Punch:
2 (2 L) bottles club soda
1 cup (240 ml) dark rum
Juice of 2 large lemons
Ice cubes
4 lemons, sliced into wheels and seeded, for garnish
Make the syrup: In a medium pot, combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Add the hibiscus flowers and cinnamon sticks, and stir until the flowers start to soften. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is deep red in color and infused with a floral flavor (about 20 minutes). Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid; discard the solids. Let the syrup cool completely before using or storing (about 30 minutes). The sorrel syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Make the punch: In a large punch bowl, stir together the club soda, 1 cup (240 ml) of the sorrel syrup, rum, and lemon juice to combine. (Amber notes: “If you’re skipping the rum, and want a little more flavor, you can add a splash of lemonade or a berry-flavored sparkling water.”) Serve with ice and garnish with lemon wheels.
Big thanks to Amber for sharing this recipe with us! You can find TONS of party recipes and hosting tips in her book and newsletter.
P.S. Five easy party foods, and a monochromatic fruit salad.
(Top photo by Xiana Gutierrez. Excerpted from Your Turn to Host by Amber Mayfield Hewett, published by Artisan Books. Copyright © 2026.)
Reports: Myles Garrett's revised deal includes $37M guaranteed in '26
Report: Chiefs, T Wanya Morris exploring trade options
