Naturalistic science fiction
In Theory...
Naturalistic Science Fiction (NSF) is a realistic take on the SF genre, avoiding typical SF cliches, utilizing visual and artistic elements from such dramas as The Sorpranos and The West Wing.
In Practice...
For BSG this means that characters are viewed as normal, every-day people. There will be no characters that are simply the "smoking chauvinist", "loyal soldier", "heroic lead", "spiritual commander", "whiz-kid genius", or "sexy doctor".
Technology is far enough advanced for star travel to be possible (see: FTL travel) and plausible yet every other aspect of Colonial technology is humbly realisitic. Instead of Star Trek matter-energy conversion tech, ships run on a limited solid fuel known as tylium; phaser weapons and photon torpedoes are replaced with pistols, bullets and nuclear bombs; and other unrealistic SF deus ex machina are replaced with technology more in-line with what's seen in modern life.
There are no "planet-of-the-week" episodes. A majority of BSG's episodes primarily focus on internal fleet survival issues (see: Water, Bastille Day, and The Hand of God). There will be an absence of aliens, a la Joss Whedon's Firefly, for planets will be mostly uninhabitable and lifeless (with sound, scientific reasoning).
BSG avoids the thematic elements found in Star Wars and episodic storytelling, using a documentary feel for the series and tribal music.
Related Articles
Galactica2003.net's Reprint of RDM's Take on Naturalistic SF