As much as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE B5 (Babylon 5) (in fact, it's my 3rd favorite sci-fi series of all time after Orphan Black & Heroes), a series much closer to Battlestar Galactica (&, I would argue just about as good) was Space, Above and Beyond.

It was also about a dark & violent all-out war between humans & a non-human species. Like BSG (Battlestar Galactica), it had a very dark, serious tone. (Although it could be VERY dark & serious, I would argue that B5's general tone was lighter & more comedic.)

Unfortunately, Space, Above and Beyond was prematurely cancelled after only 2? seasons. Luckily, the creators saw it coming & created a 2-hr. finale just in case. After the show was cancelled, they were still able to wrap it up by airing the pre-made finale. So, we were not left hanging, as we so often are when great shows aren't allowed to go the full distance.

Although I think B5 was the better series, anyone who is looking for something similar to BSG should DEFINITELY check out Space, Above and Beyond. 👍

Oh, & I would also VERY HIGHLY recommend the serious series The Expanse, as well as the more space opera & fun series Dark Matter. They are another 2 of my all-time favorite series. For those who love dark, mirror-universe plotlines (as on Star Trek), Dark Matter has one of those, too. Long may both the Rocinante & the Raza fly. 😊

I agree with most of what you said, & the finale left a bad taste in my mouth, too. Having said that, by avoiding Caprica & Blood and Chrome, you missed some great TV, just as you would have if you hadn't watched Battlestar Galactica, itself. I highly recommend that you check them out! 👍

There were definitely big problems with Battlestar Galactica. It had some whopping big holes. & the final episodes were a serious mess. It was particularly frustrating that, after promising we would get the answers we were waiting for, the final episodes not only DIDN'T answer them, but, instead, left us with new, even bigger questions. To be honest, the finale left a bad taste in my mouth. &, just recently, I read that the creators left some of the biggest questions unanswered ON PURPOSE! That REALLY erks me.

Having said that, it was still one of the best sci-fi shows in the history of TV. To say that people should not watch past "33" is not only totally wrongheaded, but cheats anyone who would listen out of some of TV's finest characters, episodes, story arcs, writing, acting, special effects, & suspenseful moments. In fact, the reason the holes & unanswered questions are so irritating is precisely because the show was SO GOOD. If it hadn't been such a good show, the problems wouldn't have been so irritating & frustrating.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

P.S.: Why is it that BOTH versions of Battlestar Galactica became such a mess when they finally reached Earth? 🤷

Unless you're calling the War Doctor "Nine" & who others call Nine "Ten" (which, numerically, is more accurate & correct), OF COURSE Ten knew she would be there; they met when he's NINE! 🤷