Last week I offered up my long-standing, updated list of best SF movies of the 2010s (and all-time) for the end of 2015. Now my equally long-standing and highly updated list of the top 25 SF TV shows of all time. This list has gone for years in some cases without any additions at all, but we are really in a golden age of SF TV now. It has more changes this year than ever, and of course space opera is in it!
Best 25 live-action SF TV shows or mini-series of all time(no pure fantasy!):
1. The Expanse(2015)-Normally I don't add shows to the list this quickly, but having read the novel, I feel the show is headed in the right direction in all aspects of production.
2. The Man in the High Castle(2015-)- Again, this one is only one season through(renewed already for a second), and I already love the tone and similarity to the novel. Much sooner than I usually add a show to this list.
3. STNG(1987-1994)- Still the best combination of all the elements that make ST great. It maintained the much of the topicality of TOS while adding more sophisticated drama and technical superiority.
4. TOS(1966-1969)- This show is a classic because of stories that can be watched repeatedly with the viewer coming away with something each time. The best paced, most adventurous ST show of all. Re-mastered edition helps this show keep pace with other SF that has followed the original, and made it even better!
5. Twilight Zone(1959-1964)- ST's greatest competition as a show with deeper meaning, though it was not strictly SF. The acting is terrific, atmosphere eerie, and stories top notch. Serling is one of the greatest teleplay writers that ever lived, and the dialogue is dense and satisfying for multiple viewings even decades later.
6. Outer Limits(1964-1965)- The purest SF show in history. Explored scientific extrapolation in a very mature way for it's time and medium, and it always showed the advancement as it related to humanity. Actually more mature in it's scientific view than the new OL despite having a "monster" appear in each teaser.
7. Black Mirror(2011-)Black Mirror is a British television anthology series that features speculative fiction with dark and sometimes satirical themes that examine modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies. A third season will be aired in 2016.
8. Sense8-(2015-)The plot revolves around eight strangers from different parts of the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. The show aims to explore subjects that its writers feel have historically not been emphasized in most science fiction shows to date, such as politics, identity, sexuality, gender and religion.
9. STDS9(1993-1999)- The black sheep of the ST family, but also the most complex dramatically and politically. Only scatter shot comedies, a mediocre 2nd season, and a somewhat disappointing final season keep this one from ranking higher. Best seasons: 4-6...as good a 3 year span as ANY show.
10. Masters of Science Fiction(2007)-This could have been the greatest anthology ever. Six episodes started off with stories by Heinlein, Ellison, and Sheckley! I place it at number 10, but only because I have to grade it incomplete. What a shame.
11. Lost(2004-2010)-While not as spellbinding as early seasons, this maddening show became even more SF themed in later seasons. Disappointing ending to the series though.
12. Fringe(2008-2013)- Enjoyed this immensely as it became more detailed in its own mythos. Humorous, scary, and clever.
13. Person of Interest(2008-2016)-Not outwardly an obvious SF show, this one postulates some near future computer tech with questions of ethics morality, and transparency and it touches on the singularity.
14. Arrow(2012-)-The best TV based superhero show yet(except for season 1 of Heroes).
15. Daredevil(2014-)- Set the pattern for other streaming shows to follow of it's genre. Terrific characters and stories.
16. Jessica Jones(2015-)- Violent and dark, but engrossing.
17. Childhood's End(2015) Relatively faithful for a TV adaptation, this mini-series visualizes Arthur C. Clarke's vision in definitive fashion.
18. Doctor Who(2005-)- A fun romp (often a little too silly) punctuated with some dark moments that continues the best traditions of the original series and melds it with 21st century sensibilities.
19. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy(1981)- While not nearly as good as the book, this still has enough satirical laughs for a dozen regular TV shows. Everyone should see this at least once.
20. Twilight Zone(1985-1989))- This show lacked the same consistent human commentary of the first, but contained so many excellent episodes I have to rank it here. Won numerous industry and genre creative awards.
21. New Outer Limits(1995-2002)- More paranoiac cautionary tales than the first show, but also great acting, clever episodes about contemporary scientific advances, and episodes with a lot of emotional impact. The 2nd best SF show that began life in the 90s.
22. Heroes(2006-2010)-Engrossing first season and I probably would have ranked it ahead of Lost at that point. What followed was decent but you could simply have season 1 and it would rank highly.
23. Babylon 5(1994-1998)- Instant mythology and good intentions but imperfect execution. Still one of the better attempts at space opera ever.
24. Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009)-Mainly on the strength of its first 1 1/2 seasons and its contribution to the genre on TV the last few years. I wish it would have been an adventure show with drama rather than a nihilistic soap opera with incidental SF themes. Blood and Chrome is closer to how I'd have made the show.
25. H+(2011-?) Before Sense8, Daredevil, etc was the web-series H+. A rare series that tackled the implications of the accelerating information technologies. Unconventional, non-linear and..unfinished, supposedly a 2nd series is being made. I'm leaving it at number 25 till I find out if that's so.
Best 25 live-action SF TV shows or mini-series of all time(no pure fantasy!):
1. The Expanse(2015)-Normally I don't add shows to the list this quickly, but having read the novel, I feel the show is headed in the right direction in all aspects of production.
2. The Man in the High Castle(2015-)- Again, this one is only one season through(renewed already for a second), and I already love the tone and similarity to the novel. Much sooner than I usually add a show to this list.
3. STNG(1987-1994)- Still the best combination of all the elements that make ST great. It maintained the much of the topicality of TOS while adding more sophisticated drama and technical superiority.
4. TOS(1966-1969)- This show is a classic because of stories that can be watched repeatedly with the viewer coming away with something each time. The best paced, most adventurous ST show of all. Re-mastered edition helps this show keep pace with other SF that has followed the original, and made it even better!
5. Twilight Zone(1959-1964)- ST's greatest competition as a show with deeper meaning, though it was not strictly SF. The acting is terrific, atmosphere eerie, and stories top notch. Serling is one of the greatest teleplay writers that ever lived, and the dialogue is dense and satisfying for multiple viewings even decades later.
6. Outer Limits(1964-1965)- The purest SF show in history. Explored scientific extrapolation in a very mature way for it's time and medium, and it always showed the advancement as it related to humanity. Actually more mature in it's scientific view than the new OL despite having a "monster" appear in each teaser.
7. Black Mirror(2011-)Black Mirror is a British television anthology series that features speculative fiction with dark and sometimes satirical themes that examine modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies. A third season will be aired in 2016.
8. Sense8-(2015-)The plot revolves around eight strangers from different parts of the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. The show aims to explore subjects that its writers feel have historically not been emphasized in most science fiction shows to date, such as politics, identity, sexuality, gender and religion.
9. STDS9(1993-1999)- The black sheep of the ST family, but also the most complex dramatically and politically. Only scatter shot comedies, a mediocre 2nd season, and a somewhat disappointing final season keep this one from ranking higher. Best seasons: 4-6...as good a 3 year span as ANY show.
10. Masters of Science Fiction(2007)-This could have been the greatest anthology ever. Six episodes started off with stories by Heinlein, Ellison, and Sheckley! I place it at number 10, but only because I have to grade it incomplete. What a shame.
11. Lost(2004-2010)-While not as spellbinding as early seasons, this maddening show became even more SF themed in later seasons. Disappointing ending to the series though.
12. Fringe(2008-2013)- Enjoyed this immensely as it became more detailed in its own mythos. Humorous, scary, and clever.
13. Person of Interest(2008-2016)-Not outwardly an obvious SF show, this one postulates some near future computer tech with questions of ethics morality, and transparency and it touches on the singularity.
14. Arrow(2012-)-The best TV based superhero show yet(except for season 1 of Heroes).
15. Daredevil(2014-)- Set the pattern for other streaming shows to follow of it's genre. Terrific characters and stories.
16. Jessica Jones(2015-)- Violent and dark, but engrossing.
17. Childhood's End(2015) Relatively faithful for a TV adaptation, this mini-series visualizes Arthur C. Clarke's vision in definitive fashion.
18. Doctor Who(2005-)- A fun romp (often a little too silly) punctuated with some dark moments that continues the best traditions of the original series and melds it with 21st century sensibilities.
19. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy(1981)- While not nearly as good as the book, this still has enough satirical laughs for a dozen regular TV shows. Everyone should see this at least once.
20. Twilight Zone(1985-1989))- This show lacked the same consistent human commentary of the first, but contained so many excellent episodes I have to rank it here. Won numerous industry and genre creative awards.
21. New Outer Limits(1995-2002)- More paranoiac cautionary tales than the first show, but also great acting, clever episodes about contemporary scientific advances, and episodes with a lot of emotional impact. The 2nd best SF show that began life in the 90s.
22. Heroes(2006-2010)-Engrossing first season and I probably would have ranked it ahead of Lost at that point. What followed was decent but you could simply have season 1 and it would rank highly.
23. Babylon 5(1994-1998)- Instant mythology and good intentions but imperfect execution. Still one of the better attempts at space opera ever.
24. Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009)-Mainly on the strength of its first 1 1/2 seasons and its contribution to the genre on TV the last few years. I wish it would have been an adventure show with drama rather than a nihilistic soap opera with incidental SF themes. Blood and Chrome is closer to how I'd have made the show.
25. H+(2011-?) Before Sense8, Daredevil, etc was the web-series H+. A rare series that tackled the implications of the accelerating information technologies. Unconventional, non-linear and..unfinished, supposedly a 2nd series is being made. I'm leaving it at number 25 till I find out if that's so.
