Battlestar Galactica is very gritty and dark. One of the characters has breast cancer and suffers the effects from cancer treatments. Just a warning in case that type of thing bothers you. Very worth skimming any of the political stuff for the very flawed characters.

I agree with the Vampire Diaries assessment. It is worth slogging through the teen angst. Love Damon! After a while Caroline won me over too.

Happy watching!