We can’t discuss everything during our podcast (although we certainly tried in our early efforts!). Here, in no particular order, are four Sci-Fi television shows that we rarely, if ever, discuss on the podcast… but are probably worth a look.
Stargate Universe (SyFy / Space) Last fall brought us the latest offering in the Stargate franchise– what if a group of humans were stuck on a huge spaceship created by The Ancients that is flying through the universe? Well, you might think that the group of military officers, scientists, and civilians would immediately get along and start working together to survive and figure out how to stop the out of control ship. That is what they would have done on “Gilligan’s Island,” isn’t it? Well here is the twist: the characters in this show are portrayed with realistic ambitions and emotions, so they quickly begin to develop factions out to make grabs at power. If you have liked any of the Stargate series in the past, you are probably already watching this show. If you haven’t watched it yet, tune in to watch the political infighting among Colonel Young, Dr. Rush, and Camille Wray. The first couple shows failed to sell me on why I should care about the characters, but the latest episode really did a good job focusing on the three “leaders” on the ship and set the stage for a great battle for power.
Survivors (BBC & BBC America) This show is a remake of a BBC series from 1975, also called “Survivors.” The premise is pretty simple: a horrible flu-like virus wipes out over 99% of the population, and we follow a handful of survivors as they try to make their way in a world without leadership, infrastructure, and a dwindling food supply.
Survivors is a short series. Seasons One and Two had six episodes each. Seasons One and Two have played on BBC, and BBC America just finished showing Season One. If you have Xfinity (Comcast) cable, you can watch most of Season One OnDemand.
What I really liked about “Survivors” was the simple take on how people would act if there were suddenly no rules. Some turn into thugs. Some become leaders. Others just find themselves allying with those who appear to give them the best shot at living another day. Each episode over the first season slowly reveals a little more about each of the main characters, rather than throw it all in your face up front. Oh yeah, there is a government conspiracy angle that eventually starts to flesh itself out by the end of Season One. Check out this show– hopefully, like me, you will find yourself wanting another season!
Fringe (Fox) I think that I am the only Sci-Guy who watches this show. Sci-Guy-Jim always asks me to sell him on watching it. I usually fail miserably. So I will try for a final time… “Fringe” is a show which takes more than a little bit from “The X-Files” and chronicles the efforts by an FBI task force to figure out why all sorts of odd scientific phenomenon have been taking place. It’s all part of “The Pattern” we were told early on in the series, and somehow relates to an impending invasion from a parallel Earth. Season One struck me as having some of the best dialog in episodic sci-fi. John Noble plays Dr. Walter Bishop with a blend of arrogance, genius, and childlike innocence, and it is a rare show that didn’t make me chuckle at something he says or does. Season Two has really focused on the impending invasion, and seems to be more focused on serious stories that further the overall arch involving the parallel Earth.
Fox recently announced there will be a Season Three, with a full order of 20 episodes. Part of me is surprised, since I first thought the increased focus on “The Pattern” was an attempt to wrap up the series by the end of this year. But how many sci-fi shows make a third season these days? Check out “Fringe.”
Dr. Who (BBC & BBC America) Forget a third season… how about thirty? “Dr. Who” first appeared on BBC back in 1963. The first episodes I remember watching had Tom Baker as The Doctor. Fast forward to 2010 and we have the eleventh Doctor, played by Matt Smith. This season just premiered on BBC, and haven’t made it to BBC America yet. But on April 17, 2010 we should be able to watch our favorite Timelord travel through time and space in his TARDIS. His latest companion is played by Karen Gillan, and the two definitely seem to have a youthful chemistry between them.
By US standards, the special effects are nothing to get excited about. But “Dr. Who” is all about the stories, and every season the writers manage to turn in some amazing work. I’m really looking forward to watching the new episodes.
There you are. Take your pick, or watch all four!
By Sci-Guy-Mike
April 4th, 2010 - 9:43 pm
Alright…alright…I need to start watching Fringe.
April 5th, 2010 - 11:53 am
Doctor Who – this premiered on Saturday over here and it’s a really great introduction to the new Doctor. It has a solid if not Earth shattering A-plot, but the episode uses its extra running time (about 20 minutes) to introduce our new Doctor – it’s clearly the start of the new era, but without forgetting any of the series’ past. And Smith is quite excellent. He does certain things in a similar way to Tennant (particularly the humour) and rather than distances himself from Tennant he’s building on that character – his Doctor seems older and less tormented, but still with terrific energy.
Stargate Universe – I’ve been watching the Stargate series since about ’98/99 and while I think they’ve done a great job at getting the absolute most out of their scenarios repetition was setting in, and a third series would require a clean break, and from what I’ve seen so far they’ve made a positive stride forward in doing something that little bit different, but still connected to the previous series. I don’t think they’ve completely nailed it so far, but with SG-1 in particular, the writers proved to be very good at setting up little plot points and world building that pay off later on. Optimistic about where it’s going next.
Survivors – there were a few teething problems in early episodes but now they’re removed from the day to day practicalities of surviving in such a world, and are concerntrating more on character it’s improved considerably.
I don’t watch Fringe, but the other ‘most X-Files alike’ show on the air right now is Supernatural. From fairly humble (read: not that great) beginnings, it’s turned into a show that really balances on going mythology with one off episodes that are often hilarious. It’s about two brothers who are ‘demon hunters’ – a fairly open ended definition that allows stories drawing in all kinds of urban myths and evil creatures. Currently they’re fighting to avert the apocalypse – in the biblical sense.
December 1st, 2010 - 8:38 am
The 1st show of the new series, broadcast on Saturday, featured a kissogram, a naked Doctor along with a “sexed up” Tardis.During the unique 65-minute episode, The Eleventh Hour, in which Physician Who had 20 minutes to save Earth from aliens recognized as the Atraxi, his new companion, Amy Pond, was revealed as a kissogram dressed in a skimpy policeman’s outfit, complete with mini-skirt and handcuffs. In one scene, Amy, played by the actress Karen Gillan, told the Doctor that her kissogram repertoire also included nuns and nurses’ outfits. Uncover out additional at Sci Fi Fan.