The women of Battlestar Galactica are...

...POWERFUL.
...SEXY.
...COMPLEX.
...BADASS.

One of the things I love most about this show (besides the epic themes, intimate struggles, stunning realism, gripping human drama, thoroughly absorbing atmosphere, great special effects, and pure addictiveness) is its abundance of strong female characters. As in the X-Men comics in their 80s prime (another of my obsessions, way back when), the coolest members of this troupe are the women.

While Commander Adama and Dr. Baltar are (IMO) the only REALLY cool, interesting, standout men on the show, there are tons of girls who I just can't get enough of. President Laura Roslin, Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, and sexy cylon Number Six all do top-notch, obsession-worthy work. Katee Sackhoff, in particular, is quite the live wire. A dynamic and spontaneous performer in a role well-suited to her talents, Sackhoff is compulsively watchable, whether she's piloting raptors or harboring deep-seated guilt over the death of her lover (for all you heathens who don't watch, she plays Starbuck, the coolest fighter pilot this side of Han Solo). Mary McDonnell brings a grace and quiet intensity to President Roslin, making her at once soft and strong; her balancing act of strength and vulnerability is thrilling to watch. And in the realm of blonde bombshell cyborgs, Tricia Helfer puts Jeri Ryan to shame. Helfer is so effortlessly sexy and in control as the cylon siren Number Six that I often wish I were a straight guy (like most "Galactica" fans) and could appreciate her sensual glory on another level. Grace Park, as Boomer, is my least favorite of the female principals, but her season one arc is quite tricky and well played, and her character a thrilling enigma, so she's really worth a shout out, too... as are Cally, Dualla, and the rest of the supporting girls.

Here's to all the great women of sci-fi, with the Galactica girls at the top of the list. And where was Starbuck during Nathaniel's Action Heroine Blogathon??? Why was I not watching this show back then??? I hope someone else wrote her up. Because SHE ROCKS.