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Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

#1
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2/13/08 at 4:01pm
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Looks like Universal can't get their act together. First, Season 1 is released as a full set. Then, Season 2 is split into half sets. Then, we get Season 3 as a full season set. Now, Season 4 is being split into half sets.

I'd like to know what the hell does Universal think its doing. If they think that by releasing a partial set of Battlestar Galactica that they're going to repaiur the damage done to fans of this show, then they're seriously mistaken. Step by step, Universal has pushed back the release of the Season 4 broadcast farther and farther and now it seems that instead of fans paying $60 for a season set, now Universal is going to shaft fans once again at the rate of $50 for Season 4.0 and $50 for Season 4.5.

This is why I'm dumping the BG DVD sets that I currently have. Why should we, as fans of these, continue to support Universal, when they continue, disloyally, to shaft fans in the process by overcharging for these sets.

Battlestar Galactica DVD news: Rumors About Battlestar Galactica - Season 4.0 | TVShowsOnDVD.com
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#2
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2/13/08 at 4:27pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

To be fair, if they are splitting up the season into two half-seasons to be aired very far apart, then it makes sense not to wait until the entire season is completed to release the DVDs.

But this move doesn't surprise me one bit, and I somewhat expected it. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened with current TV shows. HBO did it with Sex and the City.
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#3
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2/13/08 at 6:26pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Talmadge
I'd like to know what the hell does Universal think its doing. If they think that by releasing a partial set of Battlestar Galactica that they're going to repaiur the damage done to fans of this show, then they're seriously mistaken.

Damage has been done to the fans? My God, the horror!
They're round, they're shiny...
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#4
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2/13/08 at 7:11pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Actually, this move really doesn't surprise me at all since the show did get shut down by the writer's strike after all. You really should shift the blame from Universal to the writers who went on strike for 3 months and caused this crap to happen.......and keep your discs.
Recently watched- The Iron Giant, The Invasion(2007), 88 Minutes, Redbelt, Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, Salem's Lot(2004), Monsters Vs Aliens[BD], The Car(1977)
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#5
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2/13/08 at 7:26pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

It's really not the fault of the writers. If the studios weren't so far bent on the refusal to pay the writers for the material they create. Battlestar Galactica started to grow on me, but their attitude toward the series and to fans who had followed the series, they had stretched the gap between season 2 and season 3 was 9 months and even longer between season 3 and season 4.

Not to mention the fact that Universal decided to break up the distribution of the series and break the sets in half.

Universal has such a hard time in keeping the Battlestar Galactica series on schedule that they feel the need to shaft fans of the series.

How many of you would rather pay $100 for the fourth season, broken in half or pay $60 for a single season set with all of the episodes?

If Universal had started the season in the Fall of 2007 like they should have and not have waited until now, there's a huge possibility that they could have kept the season going and released the fourth season set near the of the this year.

I don't about you guys, but I'd rather pay the $60 rather than paying $100 for the season. Like I said, it wasn't the writers that caused this, as usual, it's always the studios shafting the fans ... no wonder fans of the series are upset over this fact and that the second half of the last season won't see broadcast until mid-2009.
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#6
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2/13/08 at 7:35pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

So why, exactly, does Universal feel it's appropriate to charge 83% of the price of a full season for 50% of a season?? Granted there are some base costs of publishing a set of DVD's, but this is absurd. Maybe $35-40 could be justified. I guess I'll be waiting until these hit the clearance bins.
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#7
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2/13/08 at 7:54pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
Actually, this move really doesn't surprise me at all since the show did get shut down by the writer's strike after all.
Except that nearly every other (if not every other) show won't release Season x- Part One and they'll have the full season released. Not to mention that Universal was thinking about having the Sci-Fi Channel split the season in half when way before the strike. There was no other reason for that other than a plan to sell the S4 set in two pieces and double their money.

Universal just knows that they can bleed sci-fi fans and while they'll bitch and moan, the dedicated will still buy both.
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#8
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2/13/08 at 11:32pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Actually, you can bet your behind I won't be buying it ... Universal is the only studio to release half season sets and it's a screwed up business model. I don't see Season 4 gaining in ratings but I do suspect that Universal will end up losing ratings on the series.

What I would do is spread the word and have everybody boycott the first half of season 4 and just download the episodes online ... here you have a studio who doesn't reward the loyalty that fans of their produved shows show to a series and instead just say "who cares. we can continue to shaft BG fans and charge twice the money and the morons will pay it."
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#9
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2/13/08 at 11:48pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

As I pointed out earlier, HBO has done it with Sex and the City when it was a current show and their was a huge gap in the middle of its final season. FOX did it with the seocnd and third seasons of Lost in Space.

Considering the gap in airing the episodes, it's just not that big a deal. The price might be a little high, but if you're paying MSRP, you're crazy anyway.
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#10
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2/14/08 at 5:04am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Ultimately, the episodes will look the same regardless of how they're packaged. It's down to the individual consumer to decide whether the price they can obtain half a season for is acceptable to them or not, and if stock doesn't sell the retailers will soon get the message and discount accordingly.

"There's no point in being grown-up if you can't be childish sometimes" - The Doctor.

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#11
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2/14/08 at 5:23am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

There were several indications before the strike that the final 10 episodes of the series might be held until 2009 for broadcast. The writers strike was just the excuse Universal and SciFi needed to decide to split the season. Separate DVD releases is just a consequence of that decision.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

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#12
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2/14/08 at 8:33am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Again, patience is in order. Skip Universal's piecemeal releases and just wait for the full series set sometime late next year. By then it will be in Blu-ray (the format war is all over but the Toshiba tears) and you'll have that much more pleasure seeing the whole thing again in HD. And you won't be supporting greed taking advantage of the desire for instant gratification.
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#13
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2/14/08 at 10:57am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

This specific split makes perfect sense to me. The last half of season 4 should technically be season 5 since it's probobaly airing next year. Just get a marker, cross off the 4.5 of the box set and put a 5.
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#14
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2/14/08 at 11:41am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollywoodaholic
Again, patience is in order. Skip Universal's piecemeal releases and just wait for the full series set sometime late next year. By then it will be in Blu-ray...
There's no way that Universal will release S1, S2, S2.5, S3, S4 and S4.5 in less than two years on Blu Ray. They haven't even given up on HD DVD yet to even begin any Blu Ray releases (let alone big ticket catalog titles).
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#15
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2/14/08 at 2:13pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by njoberheim
This specific split makes perfect sense to me. The last half of season 4 should technically be season 5 since it's probobaly airing next year. Just get a marker, cross off the 4.5 of the box set and put a 5.

You only have to cross off the "4." since the 5 is already there.
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#16
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2/14/08 at 3:14pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

I for one am happy I don't have to wait until the end of 2009 for the entire release.
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#17
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2/19/08 at 6:00am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
There's no way that Universal will release S1, S2, S2.5, S3, S4 and S4.5 in less than two years on Blu Ray. They haven't even given up on HD DVD yet to even begin any Blu Ray releases (let alone big ticket catalog titles).

I didn't even have time to prepare a polite, non-monetary online wager ...

DVDFILE.com

... HD-DVD is officially dead as of today, and if you don't think Universal won't be pumping out Blu-ray product by the end of summer or early fall (including previous seasons of BG), well, you haven't been paying attention.
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#18
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2/19/08 at 8:48am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by nolesrule
As I pointed out earlier, HBO has done it with Sex and the City when it was a current show and their was a huge gap in the middle of its final season. FOX did it with the seocnd and third seasons of Lost in Space.

Considering the gap in airing the episodes, it's just not that big a deal. The price might be a little high, but if you're paying MSRP, you're crazy anyway.

Paramount with some of their vintage shows...Streets of San Francisco, Untouchable...

Ya know, it occurs to me that is Universal/Sci Fi had renamed the seasons (ie. Season "2.5" = Season 3, Season 3 = Season 4, Season 4.0 = Season 5, Season 4.5 = Season 6), they would have gotten A LOT more mileage out of the show. They just want the show which brings them good press on the air as long as possible. Which is fine...just rename accordingly.
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#19
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2/19/08 at 10:11am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollywoodaholic
I didn't even have time to prepare a polite, non-monetary online wager ...

DVDFILE.com

... HD-DVD is officially dead as of today, and if you don't think Universal won't be pumping out Blu-ray product by the end of summer or early fall (including previous seasons of BG), well, you haven't been paying attention.
Yes, I'm well aware that now they've discontinued but when I posted that, they hadn't officially announced that yet (although it was obviously coming). I also have no doubt that Universal will have Blu Ray product out within the next few months.

However, you said that the series set will be out "sometime late next year" on Blu Ray. To do that, they need to have SIX releases in the next 22 months or one release in less than every four months. And since they won't have BR releases for at least a couple of months, they'll need to have six releases in about 18 months or one release every three months. If you think either of those sceanrios are going to happen, you haven't been paying attention.
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#20
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2/19/08 at 10:35am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
Universal will ... need to have SIX releases in the next 22 months or one release in less than every four months. And since they won't have BR releases for at least a couple of months, they'll need to have six releases in about 18 months or one release every three months.

Here's the news that Universal is switching to Blu-Ray.

Site News DVD news: Universal abandons HD DVD; switches to Blu-ray Disc | TVShowsOnDVD.com

And no, they don't have to follow that release pattern. Once the entire series is in the can and has aired, there will be a priority to have that available on BR within a year to capitalize on fan interest while it's still hot. That's the way the Universal marketing machine works (when it's working). I don't know why I'm bothering to debate this, but you were the one to first give me bollocks when I suggested Universal would be on board with Blu-Ray soon enough.
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#21
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2/19/08 at 10:40am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

I know that Universal is switching to Blu Ray and never said that they wouldn't. I'm saying that they won't release six sets in less than two years.
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#22
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2/19/08 at 1:02pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
You'll be waiting alot longer than next Christmas for Universal to release a Blu Ray disc.

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Okay, I'm done.
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#23
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2/19/08 at 2:16pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

I will gladly admit that I was wrong when I said that in another thread. However, that quote is from Decmber 31 before Warner Brothers went Blu Ray exclusive and essentially ended the format war. So don't try to twist something from six weeks ago, when the format war was a whole different ballgame, and try to use the quote like I said it today.

Since you seem to miss it, I'll say it again- I know that Universal is going to release Blu Ray discs. What I am saying, and you're conveniently not addressing, is that Universal is not going to release six expensive in less than 22 months.
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#24
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2/19/08 at 3:28pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

We'll see BG on Blu Ray, but the three seasons (or soon-to-be three seasons) on DVD won't all come out this year. BG is ending next year, and Universal will want to spread out its BG product as long as possible. I expect maybe season 1 on BluRay this year. That's it.


I don't have time enough to watch all these DVDs!

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#25
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2/20/08 at 10:08am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Katherine_K
I for one am happy I don't have to wait until the end of 2009 for the entire release.

Katherine, I couldn't agree with you more. BSG is the perfect example where the longer the void between seasons, the less momentum one has in getting into the show. I've decided to forgo (as painful as it may be) watching season 4 until I could get the whole series in one big beatiful package and restart the show from episode one all over again. It is such a wonderful show and to broadcast this great long movie in parts this way is a shame. And again, TV on DVD is definitely changing the way people watch television today - the marketers need to keep up. If you want people to tune in week after week and watch your commercials, then make sure you produce enough episodes to allow your customer to watch the show week after week. If not, don't bother going thru TV world and just sell the product on DVD.

Suffice it to say, I didn't bother buying the season sets especially when I saw the 2.0 and 2.5 phenomenon appear. I'll wait until the complete product is available and then buy. And that's the reason I never buy new shows still in production. Older shows with a beginning and end is different. New shows - why bother unless you need to catch up on a series.

That's all he wrote.
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#26
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2/20/08 at 12:37pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe*A
Katherine, I couldn't agree with you more. BSG is the perfect example where the longer the void between seasons, the less momentum one has in getting into the show.

That's how they get people to buy the DVDs. Gotta rewatch everything right before the start of the next season so it flows.
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#27
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2/21/08 at 6:13pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

I don't like the split but ultimately all that matters to me is having one of the best shows I've ever seen on DVD, even if it costs me $100 instead of $60. I understand your frustration but to deprive yourself of BSG in some protest that Universal will never be impacted by seems silly.

If you want to get angry about the split of the original broadcasts, well that's something we can all get behind.

You want to upgrade again?!!

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#28
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2/24/08 at 7:53pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_C
If you want to get angry about the split of the original broadcasts, well that's something we can all get behind.

I might have agreed with you pre-writers strike, and I'm well aware that splitting the season was discussed pre-writers strike but I think you have to remember that everyone in the buisness knew the strike was coming so they were planning for it.

Production doesn't start up again until April and they would have to have a pretty significant split to get those last ten polished as it is now. I'd rather the show's ending be well done rather than done quickly.
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#29
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10/15/08 at 11:19am
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Well...it looks like Universal is giving the shaft again in regards to this series.

Season 4.0 has been announced, and the price will be approximately $40.00. One of the "extras" included with this set is the stand alone movie, "Razor". From reading the specs, this is the EXACT same disc that was previously available by itself.

I think I will wait and pick up this set at a used store at a much cheaper price.
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#30
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10/15/08 at 12:36pm
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Re: Battlestar Galactica Fans Shafted Again: DVD Series Affected

Tell me about it. The price is Season 4 is the same price they had on Season 2.0 and 2.5. Not to mention the fact that the cover box artwork sucks. Again, the cover art reflects the main characters of BSG but not the direction. I love the UK asrtwork better:

DVD Times - Battlestar Galactica Season 4 (R2) in October

I still won't be buying this crap ... maybe when they decide to bring out a non gimmicked, non-limited version, priced reasonably version of the complete series ... but knowing UNiversal, they'll charge $399 for thge darned thing wrapped in a silver embossed 3-d version that speaks to you "Resistance is Futile."
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