The final season of Battlestar begins tonight and I find myself, unsurprisingly, with a mix of delight and sadness. It’s very difficult knowing that there are only 20 more episodes and I feel compelled to savor them like the remaining portion of an exquisitely prepared gourmet meal. There is part of me that never wants to watch it, just as John Irving is saving Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend for his deathbed. It would be nice if one day when they announce that a comet is about to smash into the Earth and kill off humanity, I can pull season 4 from my library, lock my door and watch the last season with a bottle of scotch and a pack of cigarettes and guarantee that I go out on a high note.

But of course I will watch the premiere tonight. And I won’t even wait for the DVR to record some channel skipping lead time, I’ll begin at 10 sharp because I am ravenous for it.

I noticed that the full episode is already available for viewing on the Battlestar site but my ravenousness has limits. I need a dark room and a big screen to properly enjoy any good drama.