Recommended Current Sci-Fi Shows

[Iscin]

I could go on forever and ever about shows past that are classics and I think many here can do the same. So instead let's discuss among ourselves what new ones have the most promise and we enjoy the most.
So I'll start with three key shows and rating them with numbers that are based on comparisons to other stuff on TV: Fringe, Stargate Universe and Sanctuary.

Brief summaries follow:

Fringe

From JJ Abrams and his team at Bad Robot, this show was rather slow to start but is now in its second season and frankly doing pretty well. It is all about sciences that are theoretically possible, if just a bit absurd. It's structure of investigating strange events can get a bit repetitive and it hasn't shaken out of it by season two where we have an alternate universe and a danger of total destruction but then is that a bad thing? Shows like Star Trek and Stagate have depended on transporting to the location of a distress call or going through a wormhole to explore a strange new world. Sci-fi needs structure and Fringe provides that whilst slapping you with a yet another crazy thing without resorting to bogus technobabble (ala Voyager >.>). Even if you think you already know the answers give this show a try and I think you will find yourself enjoying it an awful lot.

Fresh show rating: 5/5

Stargate Universe

This show is relatively new and I am still unsure as to how it will pan out fully but so far it has been a successful BSG clone whilst keeping the Stargate spirit. Yes that might sound bad but personally I loved the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, some of Ronald D. Moore's best work (the head writer of DS9). Stranded on a ship many many galaxies away, no air, no power, no water etc. etc. this first season promises to be one life threatening situation after another with heavy drama that the usually light hearted Stargate writers are doing a good job with so far.

Fresh show rating: 4/5

FlashForward Added by Daryn

The concept of the entire world blacking out and then seeing six months into the future is an intriguing one. The show starts off really intense and then begins to layer on the exposition. I'm rather enjoying its intertwining characters and events.

Fresh show rating: 5/5

So there you go, check them out and be sure to add your own recommendations to this thread and if you rate them remember to rate them compared to other new shows, not the classics. Oh and also keep an eye out for Caprica, the prequel to Battlestar Galactica, the pilot was brilliant and personally I can't wait for more!

Caprica

The newest show co-created by executive producer and writer Ronald D. Moore whose most notable other works include Star Trek Deep Space Nine and the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series. Caprica combines a family saga, typical science fiction motifs and intensely dramatic storytelling all into one package. A single act of terrorism leads the two families Graystones and Adamas down paths that will lead to setting of the stage for Battlestar Galactica. If you are familiar with Moore's work so far then I should not have to say anything more on this show, it is one of the best currently airing.

Fresh show rating: 5/5

[Daryn]

I'm going to add FlashForward to this list. The concept of the entire world blacking out and then seeing six months into the future is an intriguing one. The show starts off really intense and then begins to layer on the exposition. I'm rather enjoying its intertwining characters and events.

Fresh show rating: 5/5

[Iscin]

I'm going to add FlashForward to this list. The concept of the entire world blacking out and then seeing six months into the future is an intriguing one. The show starts off really intense and then begins to layer on the exposition. I'm rather enjoying its intertwining characters and events.

Fresh show rating: 5/5

I have in fact already been recommended to this show but I have not seen it yet, I will add it to the list.

[Iscin]

I hate to double post however I fear this short but useful list is going to fade away soon enough. Can I request that one of the admins/mods pin this?

[Psion]

Hmmmm, not much in the sci-fi department that's on going at the moment. Eureka ended in the same manner it always did; they can end it with that season if they wanted to.

[Iscin]

Hmmmm, not much in the sci-fi department that's on going at the moment. Eureka ended in the same manner it always did; they can end it with that season if they wanted to.

Oh don't worry, I intend to keep this thread updated and have sequels. The point is to list the best of the currently airing sci-fi shows for people who haven't seen them yet or don't know their sci-fi too well ^.=.^

[Psion]

Oh don't worry, I intend to keep this thread updated and have sequels. The point is to list the best of the currently airing sci-fi shows for people who haven't seen them yet or don't know their sci-fi too well ^.=.^

Oh yes, but the problem I have with suggesting Eureka is that there's no really indication that it's "current." This is the second season now where the writers have tried to "kill off" the series by not giving us a hook to come back next season.

[Iscin]

Oh yes, but the problem I have with suggesting Eureka is that there's no really indication that it's "current." This is the second season now where the writers have tried to "kill off" the series by not giving us a hook to come back next season.

Ahem. I don't watch that show, I don't consider recommending it like I don't Warehouse whatevernumberhere .

[Psion]

Ahem. I don't watch that show, I don't consider recommending it like I don't Warehouse whatevernumberhere .

Hey, that is actually pretty good. Ignoring the fact the warehouse is just full of deus ex machina devices waiting to be unleashed, it's not bad. Not entirely original, but not bad.

[Iscin]

Hey, that is actually pretty good. Ignoring the fact the warehouse is just full of deus ex machina devices waiting to be unleashed, it's not bad. Not entirely original, but not bad.

I suppose... if you can type up something similar we already have up on the list and give it a fresh show rating I will add it to the list.

[Fenryx]

Do they still have a Dr. Who show over at the BBC or is that not worth watching anymore?

[Iscin]

Do they still have a Dr. Who show over at the BBC or is that not worth watching anymore?

That show is technically a "childrens show" (always has been) and if I were to add that I might as well include Invader Zim and others :3
But yes there is still a version of it in existence but they haven't had a full series (what Americans call a "season") this year.

[OdinAshcroft]

That show is technically a "childrens show" (always has been) and if I were to add that I might as well include Invader Zim and others :3
But yes there is still a version of it in existence but they haven't had a full series (what Americans call a "season") this year.

Well, not a series of episodes, sure,but it had been more like what Torchwood did with its "Season 3", where it seems more like a mini-series of longer but fewer episodes, leading into the end of the Tenth Doctor's run and the beginning of the new one (I'm pretty much caught up to Planet of the Dead, so, just waiting for either Dreamland or the Waters of Mars). Just thought I'd add that

[Iscin]

Well, not a series of episodes, sure,but it had been more like what Torchwood did with its "Season 3", where it seems more like a mini-series of longer but fewer episodes, leading into the end of the Tenth Doctor's run and the beginning of the new one (I'm pretty much caught up to Planet of the Dead, so, just waiting for either Dreamland or the Waters of Mars). Just thought I'd add that

They are called "specials" broadcasted during holidays, but regardless this thread is for shows people might not normally know about. Oh and personally I think the new Doctor Who is horribly written (though a lot of the old was too) so I don't really want to add it to this list and anyway a series isn't airing right now again unlike the ones that ARE in the list.

[Fenryx]

I know it started out as a kiddie show but I ask you, what children's program has a scantily clad amazon walking around for a portion of a season like what happened in Tom Baker's long run of the show.

[Iscin]

I know it started out as a kiddie show but I ask you, what children's program has a scantily clad amazon walking around for a portion of a season like what happened in Tom Baker's long run of the show.

-In a funny accent- Welcome to Ingland! Please take your complimentary cup of tea and buttered crrrumpet =o.=.q=

[Fenryx]

Eh, Tom Baker was my entry into Dr. Who what can I say?

[Iscin]

Caprica will be starting soon, will anyone else here be watching it I wonder?

[Daryn]

The first episode has aired here but I haven't had the chance yet to see it yet. I know Caprica is a prequel to BSG, so I think I can get into it without having watched BSG yet. So I'll be watching, that's for sure.

[Iscin]

The first episode has aired here but I haven't had the chance yet to see it yet. I know Caprica is a prequel to BSG, so I think I can get into it without having watched BSG yet. So I'll be watching, that's for sure.

Do you mean the feature long pilot episode? Yeah that has been out for almost six months now I think.

[Daryn]

Do you mean the feature long pilot episode? Yeah that has been out for almost six months now I think.

No, I mean the first episode of the season. It aired in the US and Canada already. I'll be watching that tonight I think.

[Iscin]

By the way Daryn I checked, that pilot is the same one that aired six months back XD. The first episode I want to watch airs next week.

[Iscin]

Saw the second episode of Caprica, absolutely love it! I will add it to the list now

[Daryn]

Got the second episode of Caprica recorded. Going to sit down and watch it tonight. I think I'll need to watch BSG after all this is done. So far, seeing how the Cylons originated was a real treat!

[Fenryx]

I've not hear much good about this. But then again it's a prequel series to the current re imagining of BG which I refuse to watch.

[Iscin]

Caprica is turning out really well so far, I'm really getting into it now ^.=.^

@Fenryx: I do hope your reason for not getting into the new BSG is not because you think the original was great. I watched the original as a kid myself, it was a poor one season made show just to cash in on the popularity of Star Wars and they didn't have the money to continue it; in short: IT SUCKED! Ron D. Moore is the head writer/executive of the new BSG content and he is the guy who made Star Trek badass in DS9 so you can already tell which one I prefer.

[Fenryx]

I actually have the boxed set on DVD for the original BSG. What does that tell you?

[Iscin]

I actually have the boxed set on DVD for the original BSG. What does that tell you?

That you're a hopeless fanboy that will hate everything with no thought or reason? XD

[Daryn]

Even if you prefer the original series like a lot of people do, I do have to say that this new series has surprised me. I think it's going to lead to a lot of people like myself who haven't watched the new BSG series to look that up as well.

Spoiler

I really like the way the Zoey/Cylon is portrayed, showing both the human avatar as well as the Cylon.

[Iscin]

Even if you prefer the original series like a lot of people do, I do have to say that this new series has surprised me. I think it's going to lead to a lot of people like myself who haven't watched the new BSG series to look that up as well.

Spoiler

I really like the way the Zoey/Cylon is portrayed, showing both the human avatar as well as the Cylon.

@Daryn: Trust me, as someone who did watch the original BSG before the new one I have some insight. The miniseries is a bit crap but the main series once you are into it (especially season two and three) are just... amazing. There is a reason the legendary Gene Roddenberry chose Moore to help carry on the legacy of Star Trek starting with TNG and he brought all of his skills to far more gritty effect in the new BSG (which is of course now concluded). I would highly recommend any sci-fi fan to give it at least a fair hearing, it is no Dune remake or the like believe me. Moore researched the original Mormon beliefs that were used in part of the original BSG's mythos and plays on religions, politics, and terrorism all mixed up in a very well balanced and fantastically performed sci-fi universe.

Wrapping up: Few people realise that the original first season of the "reimagined" BSG was the production of companies from the US, UK and Canada with actors and talents from all three whilst being fuelled by imaginations nurtured from the 80s/90s 'Trek. It is VERY special among current generation sci-fi and I find all this negativity towards it from old fans of the original to be frankly closed minded and a little retarded. Of course it is not going to be for everyone and its hard drama can be too much for some but please DO NOT discard it.