As the Battlestar Galactica franchise is now 45 years old, it's no surprise that the number of storylines comprising the universe feel seemingly endless. Further, because there are so many of them, they tend to jump around in time between sequels, prequels, and spin-offs.

Not only does the franchise consist of shows that record its history and tales, but it also features books, comic books, and games that capture its stories in a new way. With so much to take in and remember, it’s easy to see how some fans struggle to keep up with where each smaller storyline plays into the bigger picture. Here's how it all shakes out.

RELATED: 'EVE Valkyrie' Casts 'Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff

The Battlestar Galactica franchise consists of the original 1978 television series, the 1980 sequel series, a couple films, a series of books, novels, comic books, a board game, and video games. Additionally, it gained a two-part miniseries in 2003, which quickly led to a weekly TV series that lasted until 2009.The prequel series to that show then aired in 2010.

Battlestar Galactica_1978 Original Series

Though all of these storylines follow a similar plot structure, their varying timelines alter the perspectives and characters of the world, and add to the greater conversation that the franchise explores. Given that the franchise is set in a vast and complicated universe, it benefits from having many storylines to help explain it. As is common with sci-fi stories, limiting the tale to a few hours or a few episodes just isn’t enough to do it justice.

Of course, it makes sense that a genre involving space and other worlds would need more time to explore all of its possibilities. While it may be clear what each installment adds to the greater story, the particular time periods and when they’re explained can complicate viewers’ understanding of the world. Knowing when and why things happen makes the main story more cohesive, and help viewers recognize how the plots of each piece of work tie together. Though there are obvious gaps between Battlestar Galactica storylines, and the timeline wasn’t created in chronological order, focusing on when each story actually would have happened is sure to enhance fans’ appreciation for the show. Here is an explanation of when these storylines would have actually taken place in the history of the universe.

The Franchise In Chronological Order

The order in which the franchise released each work doesn’t necessarily line up with the order that best reflects the historical timeline. Many new viewers should probably stick to watching the show in the order that it was released, to view it how it was meant to be and to avoid spoilers. However, it would benefit experienced fans to watch it in an order that best reflects the timeline.

Battlestar Galactica_Galactica 1980

To witness the order that makes the most sense and has the best fluidity, the best order to watch the series in, starts with Caprica, then Blood and Chrome, the miniseries and the first season. Next, begin the second season – but before watching the last three episodes, watch the Razor movie and the Razor Flashbacks web series, then finish season two. Next, watch The Resistance web series, then season three, and then season four. However, after the eleventh episode of the fourth season, watch The Face of The Enemy web series, then watch through the fifteenth episode of season four, and then watch The Plan movie, before finishing the fourth season.

Viewing the franchise in this order gives viewers a clear idea of how the stories in the timeline connect to each other and add to the greater story. This makes it easier for the audience to identify the key events throughout these stories that impact the universe that it’s set in.

The Major Timeline Events

Creation of The Cylons

Battlestar Galactica_Caprica

The main events that viewers see in these works of the franchise make up its history and help the universe make more sense. The timeline of Battlestar Galactica begins with the planet Kobol, where a cyborg race is created and takes over and results in the remaining humans of that planet. Some of these robots (the thirteenth tribe) head to other places. The humans settle in a small system of twelve planets, as the robot Cylons head to Earth and the Book of Pythia is written.

On Earth, these Cylons advance scientifically and reproductively. They repeat the process that they began on Kobol, which leads to humanoid robots and a powerful Cylon that overrun the planet. The five Cylon researchers find themselves among humans of the twelve planets and plan to warn the others of history repeating itself. They are unaware that the humans on these planets have already created their own form of Cylons, Centurions, which once more, results in a rebellion. The Thirteenth Tribe is eliminated.

Human & Cylon Conflict

The humans of the twelve colonies and these Centurions are at war for 12 years when the five researchers that escaped Earth intervene. With the Centurions focusing on creating humanoid Cylons, referred to as “skinjobs,” the five researchers use their interest in the research as leverage to convince them to end the war. In return, these researchers teach them the science they seek. Peace follows on the planets, yet these Cylons are still resentful toward humans. They exile themselves and create The Colony.

One of these bitter Cylons eventually takes action and banishes the researchers to different planets, wiping their memories and a few others, and re-establishing the feelings of hate that robot beings feel toward humans. While humans are preoccupied, a ruse is put into place to destroy the twelve planets. This leaves only a ship full of humans, called Galactica. The ship sets out in search of a lost human colony, which they suspect to be on Earth, but they are challenged by Cylons and skinjobs along the way, making it difficult for them to know who to trust. A few skinjobs are unaware of what they are, which is complicated further when a device is invented to help identify Cylons.

Humanity's Search For Earth

Battlestar Galactica_Galactica

From this point, the human and skinjob members of the group face many challenges from being exposed, to health problems, to being separated from each other. While the timeline becomes especially character driven at this point, we see how impactful these events are on such a small group of people with such a tall task. This is when they discover that they are not the last ship of humans, as they meet and merge with the members of The Pegasus. There is some resistance between the two groups as they attempt to merge.

Disputes in death and new leadership, which ultimately leads to them finding a new planet, which they name New Caprica. Unfortunately, the Cylons soon discover their new planet, and they must abandon it, which results in it quickly being taken over by their enemies. They wander space once again and the characters endure a whole new string of unfortunate events.

The Pegasus and Galactica attempt to reunite, and memories of the five researchers begin to resurface. Together again, the fleet soon discovers a series of clues and artifacts that help them locate Earth, but the Cylons also quickly learn of it. This forces them to give up on their pursuit of Earth. Soon after, four of the five Cylon researchers learn what they really are. Cylons attack again and when it seems all hope is lost, word arrives of Earth’s location.

Battlestar Galactica_Razor

The events lead to mixed responses and tension from everyone. Many humans turn against each other, while many Cylons do the same. A war breaks out between the Cylons and some of the rebels join forces with humans, allowing them to destroy the resurrection hub. This small group of humans and Cylons then discover Earth, only to find that it has been destroyed. Here the fifth Cylon of the final five is identified and all of their memories are restored, reminding them of the warning they originally set out to share. This leads to another battle that results in these groups being broken up again. Some land on Earth, some perish.

Finally, far in the future of the Battlestar Galactica universe, Earth resembles the planet that we’re familiar with and humanity runs it, though Cylons begin to make their way back. Even the historical remains on Earth suggest its beginning is credited to both humans and Cylons. This is mirrored by humanity’s reliance on technology, which highlights how history will repeat itself yet again, and reflects the theme of the entire franchise.

MORE: Space Battles Galore in 'Battlestar Galactica Online' Trailer