Which is your favourite scifi TV show?
Which is your favourite scifi TV show?
For me, it would be The Expanse, and Dark
(I am hopping to get recommendations for some good scifi shows I haven't been introduced to from here)
Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis - got just the right amounts of science and fiction, drama and comedy, campiness and self-awareness, and is the reason I got interested in physics and programming. Undomesticated equines could not remove me from another rewatch.
Stargate was such huge part of my childhood! To this day I remember almost every episode of the original SG1. Atlantis ran on cable which we did not have, so the first time I saw it was later on in my adulthood. Sure, Star Wars, Star Trek, Expanse and BG are all great, but man, SG1 will always be my absolute fave.
Honorable mention goes to Farscape - what a ride that show was!
Yes! I loved Farscape, too, although I was able to only watch one season - but I'm planning to fix it soon. I just recently realized the reason I loved Guardians of the Galaxy so much, is because it reminded me of Farscape - mostly in costume design and team dynamics.
Another, modern show worth a mention, is Travelers, from the same creator as Stargate. Much more serious in tone, grim, even, but still extremely engaging.
I miss these series so much, and really wish they would've continued with SGU, but I think it was ill-fated due to the timing of the series. It was really getting it's legs in season 2.
Fringe, hands down. An amazing show from start to finish. I also have a soft spot for Warehouse 13, which leans more into the fantastical.
More recently, the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been great, and I'm also looking forward to seeing the second season of Severance.Fringe was great! Some of its episodes to felt like they leaned more towards fantasy than scifi, but it was good enough to make me finish the entire story in a couple of days. Never heard of Warhouse 13 before, will check it out!
Warehouse 13 and Eureka were similar, and had characters cross over.
Fringe! It was so interesting I watched it many years after it aired, still holds up today.
Fringe was absolutely amazing.. I can't remember how it ended, or if I even watched the end, but I loved everything it was about.
Basic answer: Firefly. Love it!
I do not really have a favorite. Star Trek DS9 was good. I do like Strange New Worlds, actually. And Silo is surprisingly good aswell. I don't know if that counts necessarily as scifi. But if you're able to check out Severance, you definitely should.
Eureka was pretty fun ... do not expect hardcore scifi. I also like the first season of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.
Have to agree on Eureka. It's really dumb, but super entertaining, and something I can watch over, and over, and over, and it never gets old.
Yeah ... it really didn't put the science in Sci-fi, but the comedy was there. I actually rewatched it not that long ago. It still holds up.
Did you ever see the librarians TV show, thought it had similar vibe to eureka but crossed with warehouse 13
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3663490/I liked warehouse 13, too. The Librarians was good, but for some reason I fell of of it. Not sure why. I may have to go back and watch it.
Yup. I’ve seen all of the Librarian movies (similarly goofy) the show, and warehouse 13. I liked them all.
The Expanse and Babylon 5. Those two were head and shoulders above anything else.
I think this is a hard question, if you put a gun to my head I would likely choose the 2000's version of Battlestar Galactica even though I don't necessarily feel great about the final episodes. Unless other mini-series that didn't become tv shows aired on the Sci-Fi channel count, then I'd probably pick Frank Herbert's Dune.
I'm definitely in the minority but i didn't like the 2000's version which crammed BG with Terminator. I prefer the original series and story in which the Cylons were a technological remnant of a reptilian race who vanished hundreds of years before they encountered the human race, possibly due to a software bug turning the machines against them. I feel they should have just created their own stories and characters instead.
Does Lost count here? That's my favorite, otherwise Farscape or Star Trek in general. I started watching the Expanse, it's really amazing, and I see why people like it, but I like the quirkiness of some of the other shows. Farscape is an extremely fun show to watch.
Since some mainline good stuff is already mentioned, I'll mention something not already said.
I enjoyed Travelers a lot. The budget constraints show at times, but it gets some very different and compelling overtones and images. The Director speaking from outside of time, one sentence at a time through different people about to die of natural causes... evocative stuff right there.
I liked Travelers but didn't see it through to the end. There was one episode where they kept getting killed so someone had to go back and reset time until they survived that was exceptional.
I really enjoyed Travelers as well. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed though, but overall a really good series.
Everything I was going to say has already been mentioned, some numerous times: The Expanse, Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5, Firefly, Farscape, Fringe, Altered Carbon season 1, Dark Matter, Killjoys, Twelve Monkeys.
So may I offer up Timeless and Warehouse 13? Both character-focussed and on the lighter side, but also dealing occasionally with some pretty deep character arcs. And they were just FUN (especially Warehouse 13).
Also, more recently I really enjoyed The Peripheral (though I would have preferred a proper ending, rather than the dangling threads we were left with - especially since, at the time, we didn't know if there would be a second season).
ETA: Oh, and I haven't seen any Star Wars shows mentioned besides Andor - which was admittedly fantastic. But my favourite Star Wars TV series are SW: Rebels and SW:The Clone Wars. The latter because it added so much depth to Anakin and Obi-Wan, along with many other characters, and also gave us great new characters like Ahsoka and Wrex. And Rebels holds a place in my heart - many of my favourite Star Wars characters come from that series (Hera, Kanan, Sabine... and Chopper!)
Babylon 5 is still one of my most favourite sci-fi series. There is a Babylon 5 animated movie being released soon, B5: The Road Home and i'm dying to see it.
Also Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, tonight is the first episode of season 2. It encapsulates what the original star trek felt like, and i like it.
I had no idea that there was an animated movie coming out; that is very interesting. I was looking forward to checking out the CW reboot before it got shelved.
Can't mention Warehouse 13 without Eureka - they had character cross overs. I liked The Peripheral, and even understood some of it...
Oh yes, Eureka was also great fun.
This is a bit too hard. So many shows I loved: Firefly, Fringe, BSG, Expanse, Killjoys, Dark Matter, Night Sky, Silo (only watched 3 episodes so far but read the books, and it’s everything I wanted), Stargate SG1, Stargate Universe, Person of Interest, Helix (S1, not idea WTF S2 even was about :D)
That’s already skipping stuff I liked, but didn’t love :D
BSG? I approve
o7
Killjoys is a super fun ride - and one of the rare shows that was allowed to FINISH its full story arc (opposed to getting canceled)!
Killjoys and Dark Matter were such guilty pleasures of mine. I know it's all the common sci-fi tropes, I know it's cheesy as hell at times, but it was the perfect show to just relax with in the evenings and have some fun.
I also do love Expanse but sometimes you just want something that doesn't take itself that seriously. I miss having sci-fi shows like that.
Good ratings and it was not canceled mid-way? Definitely going in my list of shows to watch
@isaiah loved KillJoys! I never got around to finjshing the last season. Might be time for a rewatch....
The expanse was fantastic. I also really enjoyed raised by wolves, I was bummed out when it was cancelled after 2 seasons, it was one of the more inventive sci fi shows.
Recently, The Expanse.
I've always had a soft spot for Farscape though. It was quite excellent.I've somehow never gotten around watching Farscape despite being into sci-fi for decades (have seen babylon 5, stargate, star treks, firefly, etc). Is it too late to watch it now, how did it age?
Can't recall seeing anything better than The Expanse in the last decade. Love, Death & Robots is great, but that's not a typical TV Show. Altered Carbon S01 was ok.
It used to be Trek in in general, DS9 specifically. But The Expanse has definitely taken over that spot in my heart. It's probably not fair though as I'm sure there's not a lot of differentiation in my memory of the novels from the show.
They did a really good job adapting the books. I often conflate the two as well. Only the big changes are the ones that I can remember are different, but most of the changes are subtle.
My favorite change is Drummer. Drummer on the TV show is amazing, but is a combination of characters from the books (mostly: Bull, Drummer, Michio), and those characters from the books were all individual great characters.
I've seen the show completely twice, and the first couple of seasons about four times. I've read through the books only once, but the books are just as memorable. I recommend it all for anyone.
Completely agree with all of this. I loved show-Drummer so much. Cara Gee did such an amazing job with her (as did the writers, obviously - but it was Cara that brought her to life).
In a similar vein, I also have to give kudos to Wes Chatham for taking a character (Amos) who, on the page, wasn't the easiest to like or even really know, and making him maybe the best damn character on TV. SO many layers.
I'm currently (finally!) reading the last book of the series. I love the books and the show.
Star Trek: TNG; Firefly
Hard for me to put the Expanse on there since the books were so much better, that watching the show always felt like a bit of a letdown.
everyone tells me the expanse is great, including in this thread! i don’t have a great way to watch it though. correct me if i’m misremembering, it’s on prime, right?
Yes, its on Amazon Prime.
It is an excellent use of your time.
@MishaMouse Just as a heads-up, the first few episodes are a little slow, since the writers need to do some worldbuilding to get all their ducks in order before kicking off the plot. The advice for new fans is generally to give it a chance through at least the first four episodes. If you still don't like it by then, it's probably not for you-- but hopefully, by then you'll be hooked just like the rest of us!
Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me!
Arrgghh!
Are you an Android user? If so, grab an app called "cloudstream" and install all the 3rd party repositories and you can watch anything you want in that app.
Fringe and The Expanse would probably be my all time favorites. Next on the list: 12 Monkeys, Travelers, and naturally three shows that never reached their conclusion - Westworld, Raised by Wolves and for sure I think 1899 would have been a favorite.
1899 was clearly ready to take us in a completely different direction - and it's an utter travesty that we won't get treated to that.
I know! That ending got me so hyped. I initially didn't care for 1899 because I'm not a huge fan of old timey, set at sea, whatever the fuck you'd call that type of genre. I had NO idea what it was about and once I realized I was hooked, and then of course the ending, potential space setting - right up my alley! But alas, another one bites the dust for the Netflix graveyard.
The expanse.
If they don't end up making seasons 7-9, or cover the material in some movies, I am going to be so freaking disappointed.
Tiamets wrath might just be my favorite sci-fi book ever.
I find it funny that I see Tiamat's Wrath as the weakest of the final three. I still think it is really good, but it still felt mainly like a bridge between Persepolis Rising and Leviathan Falls to me.
I really liked Persepolis Rising. I liked the down ending, but that could also be why many don't like it.
And then Leviathan Falls has a very good ending. It felt right. The main characters had their threads closed up in a way that shows their character. Holden goes a very Holden way. Alex finally chooses family over space. Amos is weirder than ever but acts as if it is completely normal.Actually now that I think of it while writing, I may be coming around. Tiamat's Wrath had the most badass Bobbie moments ever. While it still may not be my favorite book, anyone who read the book will know which Bobbie event would likely be one of the greatest sci-fi episodes ever.
I haven't seen the show but I've recently started reading The Expanse. I'm about halfway through the first book, Leviathan Wakes, and stuff is really starting to pick up. I've somehow not spoiled myself on it at all despite it being a hugely popular series and TV show so I'm really looking forward to the next like, 7 books.
You’re in for a great ride. The show is a slightly different tone and does some normal book-to-screen compression, conflation, and prioritization, but it’s extremely well done too.
It'll always be The X-Files.
Have you seen Fringe? Quite similar, and it still holds up.
Firefly! I adore the Wild West theme mixed with the sci-fi elements. Feels really unique, and it represents what the spacefaring future probably would look like to the average person. Like everyone else, I'm livid it only got one series, even after all these years.
(I even made a magazine for it: https://kbin.social/m/browncoats )
Dark, definitely. And Fringe!
I started to re-watch Fringe recently, and it still holds up. I stopped watching because of all the new stuff that's out there.
Steins;Gate :)
Oo that's a good answer. Great anime.
My overall "favorite" is the Expanse as a lot of you apparently agree, but TNG and DS9 have a place of their own.
I want to say that I really enjoyed the remake of Lost in Space, despite the serious "aimed at kids" vibe it has. I think it was a solid production with a lot of nice ideas, in execution if not in originality.
For All Mankind.
This is the first time I am hearing about this show, but it seem interesting..
I think it's really good. It's kinda slow, but if you are into NASA etc. I think you will really enjoy it.
I learned of this show recently and binged 3 seasons in a weekend.
It's alternate history, like Man in the High Castle, but for the space race cold war.
I really enjoyed The Expanse the most I think, but there is a special place in my nerd brain for Stargate, Farscape, and Altered Carbon.
I have such mixed feelings about Altered Carbon. The trilogy is one of my favorite sci-fi books and I had such high hopes when I first heard they were making a TV-series out of it.
And it was... complete disappointment and I hated everything about it.
I realize lot of people liked S1, and maybe my expectations were unrealistic - so I'm in minority here - but I really disliked the changes they made to the story (for no apparent reason) and I really disliked Joel Kinnaman as Kovacs.I am one of the people who liked the first season, but the later ones disappointed me. I haven't read the books though.
I really liked the first season, I hadn't read the books so don't know the differences. I thought the second season was rubbish though, didn't seem to have the same vibe at all.
Babylon 5 is my top pick. If you can get past the aging, low-budget visuals and corny dialogue, you will find a wonderfully crafted show. It can be hard to get into initially, but there is a huge payoff imo.
It is a very tough choice, but Deep Space 9 just can't ever seem to leave my top spot.
I'm partial to the big classics, like Star Trek, Doctor Who, that kind of thing, nothing particularly new or niche, but they are nice and cozy.
The Prisoner. No doubt about it. I taped that whole series on audio cassettes with a Radio Shack portable recorder in the 1970s. It's the ultimate cult show.
Sadly, it is mostly unknown to modern audiences. I cosplayed as The Prisoner for several years at a regional SF convention, and only one person recognized me - but from the Simpsons parody rather than the original show!
You are Number 6!
I couldn't agree more. One of the greatest TV series ever.
The Lazarus Project is good, and the new season starts soon.
Will check it out!
I liked Counterpart - J.K Simmons is brilliant in it, and the premise is really good.
Agreed!
Buffy is what I grew up with, and what I return to time and time again.
However - Sense8 and Fringe are very much close seconds if I was ranking.
I'm surprised no one's mentioned Lost in Space on Netflix. It's a fantastic show about the wonders and dangers of space exploration with great acting, amazing effects and follows a well-constructed story. Only 3 seasons and ends on a lovely little scene.
On top of a lot of suggestions already here, I really dug Altered Carbon Season 1. Season 2 is good, but Season 1 really slammed it out of the park for me.
Agreed! I adored the first season of Altered Carbon. As you say, season 2 was still good, but in comparison to the first season it felt like a bit of a let down.
It's got to be Star Trek (Next Generation/Deep Space Nine/Early Voyager too) and Battlestar Galactica. I've tried watching The Expanse several times and I have no idea why I can't get into it - everyone recommends it!
Have you watched Star Trek: Strange New Worlds? Season 2 just started and it feels like a return to the golden age of Trek instead of the gritty overly dramatic direction Discovery and Picard went.
I haven't! Unfortunately it seems to only be available on paramount+ here and it's not one of the streaming platforms I sub to. I did get very tired of the gritty, dark take on Star Trek. I was purely watching for the Utopian ideals originally but I'll give almost anything with a Star Trek label a chance.
There was this old miniseries directed by Steven Spielberg called Taken on the scifi channel. Another one I loved was The Lost Room.
Fringe, Continuum, BSG, Firefly, TNG, and SG1 are by far the best there was to offer. I rewatch Continuum atleast once a year at this point.
New shows: Silo and Peripheral are fantastic.
Babylon 5. Babylon 5. Babylon 5.
Stop what you're doing and watch Babylon 5. There's nothing else like it, except DS9 lol. The CGI is terrible but you get used to it. The plot, the writing, the characters, the world building... It's just unparalleled even today.
Star Trek: The Next Generation and Firefly. Good stories, good character development, and an easy suspension of disbelief!
I've seen lots of great suggestions, but lots of repetition.
My recommendation is Foundation (2021), I've really enjoyed it.
I think it helped that it'd been so long since reading the series, or I might have been snobbish.
But yeah, the show is great.
In general Star Trek, especially Deep Space 9. IMO that show had the perfect mix between story arcs and one-off episodes. It also had one of the best villains of all time in Gul Dukat.
Recently I really enjoyed Andor and The Peripheral. Season 1 of Westworld was also incredible (too bad the quality dropped off in seasons 2 and 3, haven't seen season 4).
Firefly. Especially the second season.