Sci-Fi Television Lists
I recently encountered an interesting list of the top 50 Science Fiction themed TV shows of all time at IGN. It is not a new list, but it got me to thinking about what my favorite ones would beāand how limited my TV viewing has been in this, one of my favorite genres. Some of the shows would fit into a āguilty pleasureā or āfond memories of childhood list.ā Shows mostly from the seventies and eighties like: āThe Six Million Dollar Man,ā āThe Battle of the Planets,ā āBuck Rodgers,ā āV,ā and "Robotech." There are some truly great shows here too, though. So, here are two lists of 15. The top 15 I have to seek out, and my 15 Favorite Sci-Fi Shows so far:
Top 15
15. āThe Invadersā (1967-68)
I have vivid memories of the few episodes I saw as a kid. The idea of an infiltration going unnoticed, and the desperation of a man trying to reveal the conspiracy is rich and has been tapped often since. The āgive-awayā here of the unbendable pinkies was a fun idea.
14. āThe Wild, Wild Westā (1965-69)
Goes beyond childhood fond memory as it still works for me today. Almost steam-punk.
13. āThe Outer Limitsā (1963-65)
Not quite as good as number 3 on my list, but the same basic show.
12. āQuantum Leapā (1989-93)
Sometimes a bit too melodramatic, and more about people than concepts than most Sci-fi. Still one of the best series of television ever.
11. āMillenniumā (1996-99)
The X Files gone even darker and more foreboding. Not for the faint of heart. Boasting on of my single favorite episodes of television ever produced.
10. āFringeā (2008-13)
Still working through this one, but the best true offspring of a show like The X Files.
9. āStar Trek: Deep Space Nineā (1993-99)
Also working through this one currently. For Trek, it is unusually concerned with conflict, politics, and religion.
8. āStar Trekā (1966-69)
One of the most influential TV shows, science fiction concepts, and religions (letās face it, it is) of our age.
7. āLife on Marsā (2006-7) Season 1 Season 2
One of the more original TV concepts ever.
6. āFireflyā (2002)
Science Fiction meets Western with class and great writing.
5. āStar Trek: The Next Generationā (1987-94)
Still my favorite of the Treks. (But I do need to see more.)
4. āLostā (2004-10)
Some felt that it lost its way towards the end, but I love the mystery.
3. āThe Twilight Zoneā (1959-64)
The best example of Science Fiction used to sneak real messages into the cultural conversation.
2. āThe X Filesā (1993-2002)
This is where this genre began to explore and be open to the unexplainable as an acceptable topic to explore.
1. āDoctor Whoā (1963-current)
Itās been around forever (and enough to have some examples of the worst of Science Fiction television as well) and has a concept broad enough to explore anything the writers feel like tackling.
Need to See:
āThe Prisonerā
āStar Trek: The Animated Seriesā
āRed Dwarfā
āAdventures of Briscoe County, Jr.ā
āBabylon 5ā
āStar Trek: Voyagerā
āStargate SG1ā
āRoswellā
āFarscapeā
āFuturamaā
āThe Lone Gunmenā
āStar Trek: Enterpriseā
āBattlestar Galactica (2004)ā
āEurekaā
āTorchwoodā
Top 15
15. āThe Invadersā (1967-68)
I have vivid memories of the few episodes I saw as a kid. The idea of an infiltration going unnoticed, and the desperation of a man trying to reveal the conspiracy is rich and has been tapped often since. The āgive-awayā here of the unbendable pinkies was a fun idea.
14. āThe Wild, Wild Westā (1965-69)
Goes beyond childhood fond memory as it still works for me today. Almost steam-punk.
13. āThe Outer Limitsā (1963-65)
Not quite as good as number 3 on my list, but the same basic show.
12. āQuantum Leapā (1989-93)
Sometimes a bit too melodramatic, and more about people than concepts than most Sci-fi. Still one of the best series of television ever.
11. āMillenniumā (1996-99)
The X Files gone even darker and more foreboding. Not for the faint of heart. Boasting on of my single favorite episodes of television ever produced.
10. āFringeā (2008-13)
Still working through this one, but the best true offspring of a show like The X Files.
9. āStar Trek: Deep Space Nineā (1993-99)
Also working through this one currently. For Trek, it is unusually concerned with conflict, politics, and religion.
8. āStar Trekā (1966-69)
One of the most influential TV shows, science fiction concepts, and religions (letās face it, it is) of our age.
7. āLife on Marsā (2006-7) Season 1 Season 2
One of the more original TV concepts ever.
6. āFireflyā (2002)
Science Fiction meets Western with class and great writing.
5. āStar Trek: The Next Generationā (1987-94)
Still my favorite of the Treks. (But I do need to see more.)
4. āLostā (2004-10)
Some felt that it lost its way towards the end, but I love the mystery.
3. āThe Twilight Zoneā (1959-64)
The best example of Science Fiction used to sneak real messages into the cultural conversation.
2. āThe X Filesā (1993-2002)
This is where this genre began to explore and be open to the unexplainable as an acceptable topic to explore.
1. āDoctor Whoā (1963-current)
Itās been around forever (and enough to have some examples of the worst of Science Fiction television as well) and has a concept broad enough to explore anything the writers feel like tackling.
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