In Medias Res

All Great Literary Epics have used this form of narrative.

Such as The Odyssey of Homer,which tells the story of the wanderings of the hero Odysseus.
The Anenid of Aeneas
Beowulf
Star Wars
and
BattleStar Galactica

Yes, Battlestar Galactica.

Not the campy BG of the 70's , but a new Grittier, Darker, more "real" BG. This is a whole new drama based on the original series. A space opera not only filled with adventure and spiffy special effects, but also politics, religion, ethics, struggle, overcoming insurmountable odds.

The series has aquired many awards and I encourage everyone to watch a few eposiods. I'm sure you'll be finding yourself capativated.