SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I think this is an okay list there are a few more I would add like "Firefly" and maybe "Torchwood"


http://www.denofgeek.us/tv/sci-fi-sho...

I used to love Dark Angel when I was a kid! Life on Mars was brilliant and I also enjoyed Seven Days. Never got past the first series of Farscape though.

I would add The Outer limits to that list and this weird show called Freaky Links which sadly only lasted one series.

None of them are available on Netflix at least according to the article...seriously, who buys DVDs these days? Someone? Not me. Especially if I've never seen the show.

Most of them I've never heard of, but they read like the same list of tropes that have been playing out in SF TV for 20 years: advanced alien race comes to earth; accidental time travel; zombies; emergency colonization of new world...etc.

Life on Mars I did see. Good show, but only very marginally SF because there's a lot of ambiguity as to how, or if actual time travel is involved (or is it only a dream?). At its heart it is a period piece crime drama.

Farscape I watched only to have something to sneer at. It was ridiculous and ridiculously bad. One step up from a kid's cartoon (Scorpius? Really?)

Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles...tried to watch it and didn't see anything to like.

Micah,

I agree about Farscape -- ridiculous. Some of those characters (costumes/looks) had to be borrowed from Cirque du Soleil.

Micah wrote: "Life on Mars I did see. Good show, but only very marginally SF because there's a lot of ambiguity as to how, or if actual time travel is involved (or is it only a dream?). At its heart it is a period piece crime drama."

The US version of Life on Mars was definitely SF. (view spoiler)[At the end it turns out it was a dream he was having during suspended animation on a manned mission to Mars. (hide spoiler)]

Sapphire and Steel with David McCallum and Joanna Lumley really deserves a remake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqah0...

I agree, firefly was a great show, and if by more love you mean it should have gone on for more seasons, I'm with you! But in terms of fan appreciation, I think it certainly gets a lot of love already.

A few on that list that I haven't encountered, though I have to say, Real Humans, when I caught a couple of episodes that were aired at stupid times here in Australia, had a lot going for it. I remember enjoying Dark Angel as well, and for completely different reasons. The incredible variety you can get between SF projects is always great to me.

I'll be looking up some of the others.

I'll join in on the Firefly love. Great series.

Micah wrote: "None of them are available on Netflix at least according to the article...seriously, who buys DVDs these days? Someone? Not me. Especially if I've never seen the show.

Most of them I've never hear..."
very derogative comments, don't like something , ok, but sneer at others liking them, not nice

Micah wrote: "None of them are available on Netflix at least according to the article...seriously, who buys DVDs these days? Someone? Not me. Especially if I've never seen the show.

Most of them I've never hear..."

I have to say, it doesn't sound like you care for sci-fi very much with comments like this, "Most of them I've never heard of, but they read like the same list of tropes that have been playing out in SF TV for 20 years: advanced alien race comes to earth; accidental time travel; zombies; emergency colonization of new world...etc."

I can see why people might not like Farscape, I on the other hand quite liked it for a few reasons. One, the characters were 3 dimensional. At some point all of them strayed from the path for the greater good in favor of their own personal gain. This is something you won't find in Star Trek Next Generation for example. Two, I'll take a well done muppet over a crappy CGI alien any day. Three, there were some really good episodes in there specifically one in the first season where the main character gets left behind for a few months and I quite liked the romance between the main characters.

I loved Firefly, but I would have to disagree about the love. I don't think any show gets more love than that one.

Finally, I think the problem with the list was that it wasn't mentioned if the show was brought to conclusion or not. I don't really want to pick up a show that I know was canceled before it got anywhere. It's kind of like picking up a book you know is missing the last few chapters.

M.R. wrote: "firefly was a great show"

Firefly still is great and is still a show.

Russell wrote: "Micah wrote: "None of them are available on Netflix at least according to the article...seriously, who buys DVDs these days? Someone? Not me. Especially if I've never seen the show.

Most of them I..."
I fully agree with you. I liked farscape pure fantasy, liked firefly more sci fi, loved dark angel.
In the current batch of tv series I find them lacking in story but over the top with graphics.
Grimm isn't bad; csi cyber watchable, just. But nothing to stand up to star trek type shows. it would be nice to see some real sc fi tv series again!!

CSI: Cyber is watchable? That's like saying cod liver oil is "palatable."

Of the new shows, I like Killjoys quite a lot. It has nicely deep worldbuilding, interesting characters and fun dialogue.

Micah wrote: "None of them are available on Netflix at least according to the article...seriously, who buys DVDs these days? Someone? Not me. Especially if I've never seen the show.

Most of them I've never hear..."

Actually, while Farscape was certainly ridiculous, and while it had a very low budget that you had to overlook, it was at times a seriously good show. The first season was weak, but ended strongly, the second season had its moments, but the third season was just incredible. As a complete season, I think it's the best non-comedy space-SF I've seen, except for the first season of the new Battlestar.

The character work was really excellent (for instance, yes, I agree, when I first saw Scorpius I was exasperated by how ludicrous he was as a character; but despite the name and the gimp mask, he evolves into (or rather is revealed as) one of SF's greatest villains/antiheroes), the plotting was very clever and fearless, the writing was witty. So yes, they had australian accents and the make-up and costuming were sometimes terribly cheap, and some episodes really were piss-poor. But overall? Sneering at it reflects worse on you than on the show.

Trike wrote: "CSI: Cyber is watchable? That's like saying cod liver oil is "palatable."

Of the new shows, I like Killjoys quite a lot. It has nicely deep worldbuilding, interesting characters and fun dialogue."

well watchable after a few wines and late at night, doesn't take any thinking , haven't tried killjoy one of those shows we poor Australians are baned from I think.

Personally, I love Farscape. Is it a bit silly sometimes? Sure, but you can't really say Star Trek wasn't a bit silly sometimes - especially the original series. Oi vey!

But, regardless, it's one of my all-time favorites. Scorpius is an awesome character, and even better as Harvey. *grin*


Was also a fan of Earth 2 and Seven Days - though, of the two, I'd rank Seven Days higher. (At least I remember it more clearly, anyway.)

I was starting to get into the Sarah Connor Chronicles, after a rough start, but just as things were getting interesting it got the axe. Typical.

I treasure Farscape, and I used to hurry home from school to watch it when it was in its first British airing, as a teenage time-fantasy fan. I can be slightly more critical of some aspects as an adult - and I do mean constructive criticism, not silly flaming - but I still enjoy it very much.

There's nothing genuinely bad about it, and if you watched it just to sneer at it, Micah, that says a hell of a lot more about who you are as a person than it does about the quality of the show, just as Wastrel has already told you. It also gives away the fact that you can't have been particularly steady in said watching if you disliked it before giving it a proper chance, so you would have missed a lot of what makes it as good as it is beneath the surface.

Farscape is very much one of those shows that, on the surface and at a very shallow level, might seem clichéd and/or potentially ludicrous at times, what with Muppet Rygel, but once you really allow yourself to absorb the greater narrative and the very character-driven feel of the show, proves itself to be far more nuanced and with better, more in-depth views on the nature of humanity, personhood, loss and other hard choices than many people give it credit for.

I've not really watched much of anything else on the rest of the list, though I did begin with Life on Mars, especially as the place where Sam's car crash was filmed is on my way home from Manchester city centre and a foot chase in the pilot episode also takes place in alleys near where I first lived in Manchester, after leaving home for the first time, and I like seeing places I know and love. I quite like the first few episodes, but that's as far as I got with it; I can't recall why. I do have the free DVDs that a friend collected from newspapers for me, so someday I may go back to it - if I can grit my teeth against Gene's '70s attitude without breaking them. (It helps that I've met and been hugged by the actor who plays him, and I know he's a total sweetie underneath and very talented!)

Did anybody else like the British version of being human? Not really sc fi but still good.

I must admit to having to buy the dvd of the Farscape movie that finished the series, very good.

Kateb wrote: "Did anybody else like the British version of being human? Not really sc fi but still good."

I did, though I bailed when the majority of the main characters left.

Tried the US version, but didn't make it through the first season.


I'll add Babylon 5 to the list of shows I don't think get enough love.

Yes to bailing when the characters mostly all left, yes to Babylon 5 and Yes to not liking the US version of the show.
Are there any current Tv series running that people like?

Bring back FRINGE, or at least show reruns somewhere! Same for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the modern version).

Tracey wrote, "I used to love Dark Angel when I was a kid!

Me too!

In The Flesh doesn't really sound like SF to me... but OK.

One SF short series that I really liked was Black Mirror, which is available on Netflix. Very good, a series of 6 near future, plausible SF vignettes set in the same world, but not really related to each other as far as story. I loved it and wish that there was more.

Michel wrote: "Bring back FRINGE, or at least show reruns somewhere! Same for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the modern version)."

yes , yes. I missed lots of episodes for both shows and I would love to see the whole thing re done and complete.

Firefly, while discussed in this forum, didn't get enough "love" when it was on. Neither did the movie, Serendipity. Or, was it Serenity? Whatever, still a good series and a good movie.

Battlestar Galatica was also a great series. Although, I thought that at the end of it, it got a little carried away with itself. I may never forgive them for killing off Starbuck. Much better than the 1st go around for it in the 60's.

I can't really think of any sci-fi shows currently on that wow me. I know Orphan Black gets a lot of love, but I've only seen the first season so far, and though I give Tatiana Maslany many kudos for her performance, the story itself was a bit meh for me.

I was a fan of Fringe while it was on, even the 4th (I think) season which went off the rails a bit - but I thought it wrapped up well.

I did want to give Defiance a chance, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Anyone know if it's any good?

I loved Farscape (even if kind of campy!), Smallville, Star Trek TNG and Battlestar Galactica (the new one).

Tried to watch the US version of Being Human and didn't like it. Also wasn't so in love with Dark Angel, Life on Mars or Forever but really didn't watch much of them.. sometimes if they don't grab me right away, I'm out.

New stuff: Tried watching the first episode of Dark Matters last night and thought it was pretty good. Downloaded the first episode of Killjoys so will be interesting to try it out.

I'm always looking to find a new Sci-Fi or Fantasy show that can "suck me in" as is my favorite genre

Kateb wrote: "Michel wrote: "Bring back FRINGE, or at least show reruns somewhere! Same for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the modern version)."

yes , yes. I missed lots of episodes for both shows and I would love to s..."

Fringe is on Netflix.

Humans on AMC is terrific. The best rendition of the android story I've ever seen. I think only two episodes have been shown so far.

As I mentioned, Killjoys is good fun, a lively popcorn show.

The Last Ship is more enjoyable that I ever expected it to be. It has issues, but overall I like it enough to watch every week.

I don't really like Defiance and have bailed out of it. Haven't heard anything about the tie-in video game in quite some time, so I don't know if that's still a thing. Nor do I like Dark Matter, which I just find tedious. I gave up after three episodes. Dominion is just straight-up stupid, with zero redeeming qualities. I can't even believe that's still being made. Must be cheap.

...hmm, I guess I don't like shows that start with "D".

Trike wrote: "Humans on AMC is terrific. The best rendition of the android story I've ever seen. I think only two episodes have been shown so far.

As I mentioned, Killjoys is good fun, a lively popcorn show.

T..."

I agree with you about Humans, Trike. I think it's the best show of the summer.

You don't watch Farscape for super-realistic aliens. You enjoy the muppets because of what they can do with a puppet. Rigel is such a selfish brat at times, yet he delivers some of the strongest wisdom to the crew. The Pilot is so touching, but the puppetmasters are able to portray an incredible amount of emotion with just his eyes.

What makes it interesting is how the personality of the characters evolve over the season. Creighton shows up in this new universe so innocent and bright-eyed, but after getting beat down, abused, manipulated, hunted, and whatever else, he ends the series hiding PTSD from the whole journey.

Chiana shows up with the maturity of a child, refusing to conform to the order on the ship, doing what she wants, etc., but about a season and a half in, she's become part of the crew and even reverses her role, playing parent to bratty Jool.

I think this is a show you'd watch as you might the Labyrinth or the Dark Crystal. You don't take it too serious, but find you're surprised with it by the end.

Richard wrote: "Kateb wrote: "Michel wrote: "Bring back FRINGE, or at least show reruns somewhere! Same for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the modern version)."

yes , yes. I missed lots of episodes for both shows and I w..."

Australian Netflix or American? Also to Ali, the British version of being human is fantastic but the American one was not.

Daniel wrote: "I would add like "Firefly"

Firefly gets plenty of love.

I loved Farscape. It's not perfect, but neither are other shows.
I loved the stories, and the characters.
I wish there was more. Some characters had more to them.

Give some love to "Cleopatra 2525" it lasted a whole 2 seasons but it was enjoyable then and whenever I see it in syndication. Royalties must have been high because I haven't seen it in a while.

I liked Alien Nation back in the eighties. I haven't watched it since then so I don't know if it holds up.
As far as current stuff: Black Mirror and Orphan Black.
I have to say though, a show that although it was extremely popular, very few people who I think would really like it have watched it (that I know at least). That would be LOST. It really is a great sci-fi show. Even if the last season isn't everything it could have been.

They have full version episodes on YouTube. I just joined today and I'm not sure of the rule on posting links.

Oh, Chuck. I liked Alien Nation too.

I have been watching all the seasons of all the Star Trek series available on Netflix. I'm ending with Voyager and it really has been an excellent series.

Black Mirror (BBC) is a great series, too. I recommend it to everyone who likes horror, fantasy and scifi.

I second Black Mirror. It 's brilliant and thought provoking.

Repeating some, some are new to these lists:

Forever
Alien Nation
Highlander
Falling Skies
Chuck

My friends don't like Killjoys but to me it has been a surprise. The world building is getting more interesting. The last three episodes were quite awesome and I can't wait for season 2.

Greg wrote: "Give some love to "Cleopatra 2525" it lasted a whole 2 seasons but it was enjoyable then and whenever I see it in syndication. Royalties must have been high because I haven't seen it in a while."

Ha! That was a fun show. Like Xena level stuff. :)

Kateb wrote: "very derogative comments, don't like something , ok, but sneer at others liking them, not nice..."

Uh...really? Where did I ever sneer "at others"? I said I sneered at one show and was unimpressed by the description of the other shows. How is my opinion derogatory? You like what you like and I do the same.

IMO, SF is supposed to be a genre of challenging ideas, new ideas, strange and experimental ideas. All that is EXACTLY the opposite of the mentality that TV and Movie execs operate in. New, weird, challenging, experimental equal risk in their eyes. They want safe profits. Tried and true formulas. So we see the same things repeated over and over and over and over.

Russell wrote: "I have to say, it doesn't sound like you care for sci-fi very much..."

I read and write SF exclusively. Say rather that I love the genre too much to put up with what is passed off on the viewing public as SF on TV and in movies. There are a lot of SF shows I've been OK with watching for mindless entertainment or amusement, but only a very, very small handful of shows/movies that are actually good. In my opinion, to my tastes. This is all totally subjective. I'm hyper critical, I know that. It would make life more enjoyable, I often think, if I were more easily amused.

Wastrel wrote: "Sneering at it reflects worse on you than on the show."

Why? Because my opinions are less valid than other peoples? Honestly, the only negativity in my comments was directed at the lack of quality (as judged by me) and originality shown by TV productions in general and SF in particular.

I never said it was invalid for others to like any of those shows.

Tria wrote: "It also gives away the fact that you can't have been particularly steady in said watching if you disliked it before giving it a proper chance, so you would have missed a lot of what makes it as good as it is beneath the surface..."

On the contrary, I watched it all. I also sneered at Star Trek's original series. Seering is a form of entertainment. It was a "love to hate" thing for both of those shows. Or rather, a celebration of cheapness as defined by Frank Zappa. You're all taking this far too seriously. Good thing I never said anything about Star Wars or GoT here...oops.

I probably would have loved Farscape if I had seen it as a kid. But I'm not a kid. And I didn't see it as a kid.

Micah wrote: "Tria wrote: "It also gives away the fact that you can't have been particularly steady in said watching if you disliked it before giving it a proper chance, so you would have missed a lot of what ma..."
IMO, Star Trek TOS doesn't hold up. Some of the stories
are timeless and the cast gives it staying power, but the sets and costumes are extremely dated at this point.

I discovered Lost In Space a couple years ago, and once the creators decided it was basically the Dr. Smith/Will Robinson/Robot show, it becomes zany enough where the dated aspects work well today.

My list of shows to look for is growing. Embarrassed to admit I've never seen Firefly. What about Eureka and Warehouse 13? I think both are on US Netflix. No serious ideas but fun to watch.

Michel wrote: "Bring back FRINGE, or at least show reruns somewhere! Same for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the modern version)."

Loved Fringe. Miss my weekly dose of Walterisms.

LOVE FARSCAPE. But to each their own. And yep. Have it on DVD. It is currently streaming on Netflix.

Micah wrote: "Tria wrote: "It also gives away the fact that you can't have been particularly steady in said watching if you disliked it before giving it a proper chance, so you would have missed a lot of what ma..."

I came to Farscape as an adult and loved it for what it was. Fun entertainment. I also loved that they did end the show properly.

Personally I have no issue with your opinions because you did not insult anyone. I do think that you should apologize to everybody because their opinion is so much more important than yours and that must be right because they said so. I also think you should apologize right after Hell freezes over.

For shows that could use love, Space 1999 and UFO were great. Typical British shows of the time, low budget and great stories. Of course The Invaders shows my age and it was fun.

The second version of Battlestar Galactica was great, but the ending was not so much. It ran out of juice and was ended just at the right time.

Babylon 5 was a real gem.