Sci Fi TV Recommendations

[kirk55555]

Ok, I don't know how this will turn out, but I'm losing my mind trying to find a new TV show. I need some sci fi TV recommendations. Preferably star trek/space opera-ish, but at the very least futuristic or connected to off world stuff (like how Stargate was set in the present, but still had aliens and stuff like that). Basically, I want space things involved, not Sci Fi that's dystopian (like Revolution) or earth based vaguely sci fi (like X-Files), or has nothing to do with outer space (Fringe, Continuum, Sense 8, etc). Also, no hard Sci Fi. I like other types of sci fi, but space sci fi is what I have a desire for right now. For reference,

Some shows I've seen and liked in this category:
Star Trek (all series)
Firefly
Farscape (Seasons 1 and 3 liked, season 2 disliked and season 4 dropped half way through)
Stargate SG-1
Doctor Who (classic and NuWho)
Dark Matter

Shows I disliked:
Battlestar Galactica reboot
Andromeda
The Expanse (I haven't seen a second of it, but I know enough that I'm putting it here to stop it being recommended)
Red Dwarf (I couldn't get past the first 4 minutes of the first episode)
V (and all "secret aliens invading" shows)

I figure this is probably futile, since just my list basically uses up all the obvious stuff. But I've spent days in kind of a "TV limbo", wanting a specific type of show but not being able to find one. So, any suggestions could be something I don't know about/hadn't thought about and could help. Both ongoing or completed shows are fine.

I can be a bit picky about nerdy stuff so I've tried to stay away from recommendation topics, but at this point I'm weirdly desperate for a new show of this type, and would consider pretty much anything.

 

[Forbin]

If you liked Dark Matter, you should like Killjoys.
And yes, The Expanse, dammit.

 

[Relayer1]

I got nothing. I must have started on a couple of dozen genre shows or more in the last decade and absolutely nothing has stuck. Most recently I've bailed on Dark Matter and Timeless. Who could be the next to go.

Maybe it's me, but there just doesn't seem to be anything. I've not seen The Expanse and will try it out. You obviously won't.

Theres a new Star Trek show coming !



P.S. I assume you've done Babylon 5 ?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Have you tried Stargate Universe? It's not perfect, the characters can be annoying and I could do without the military vs civilians garbage (baggage from BSG?). However, it presents worlds and situations that makes space a weird, alien, dangerous place. I liked it for what it did do well and for trying something outside of the box.

 

[psCargile]

Sorry, we no longer carry that product. May we interest you in the superhero genre? It's all the rage.

 

[Sto-Vo-Kory]

Have you tried Babylon 5?

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

The Expanse (I haven't seen a second of it, but I know enough that I'm putting it here to stop it being recommended)

I'd recommend giving it a go. It's a bit like Marmite as we Brits say -- you either love it or hate it.

Red Dwarf (I couldn't get past the first 4 minutes of the first episode)

Try starting with a later season, the first isn't that great.

Also Babylon 5, the Babylon 5 TV movies and Crusade (its aborted spin off).

Blasts from the past: Blakes 7, Space:1999, UFO, Star Cops -- which might all be hard to get hold of.

There's also Stargate Atlantis, which had its fair share of mouldy cheese.

It's the superhero genre stuff on TV that's doing my head in -- particularly the DC series -- Arrow and so on. I wish I could summon the willpower to stop watching them.

 

[JD]

You've pretty much hit all of the ones I know best.
I did watch a few episodes of Space: 1999 on Hulu before it went paid only and I enjoyed them, but since our tastes seem to be almost completely opposite, I'm thinking you'd probably hate it, Kirk.

 

[kirk55555]

If you liked Dark Matter, you should like Killjoys.
And yes, The Expanse, dammit.

I always forget about Killjoys. It never seems to get even the moderate amount of attention that Dark Matter gets. I'll probably check out the first few episodes at least. As for The Expanse, its just not for me. Its too "hard" sci fi for me, and I've heard that the characters aren't very compelling (and I think the characters on a show are one of the most important elements).

Theres a new Star Trek show coming !

Yeah, and I can't wait . But, that's in Fall, and I'd like something to watch now.

P.S. I assume you've done Babylon 5 ?

Yep, and I love it. I should have put it on the list

Sorry, we no longer carry that product. May we interest you in the superhero genre? It's all the rage.

I love superhero stuff, but there is more than enough of that for me to watch (and I do, all the CW shows and Agents of SHIELD).

Have you tried Stargate Universe? It's not perfect, the characters can be annoying and I could do without the military vs civilians garbage (baggage from BSG?). However, it presents worlds and situations that makes space a weird, alien, dangerous place. I liked it for what it did do well and for trying something outside of the box.

I got turned off when I tuned into a random episode, it was Military vs Civilians and the Civilians were not just the bad guys but being very obnoxious about it. It also doesn't really have any of the elements I liked about SG-1. Still, I think its only two seasons, so its probably worth a look at least.

Try starting with a later season, the first isn't that great.

I think it might just be the British Humor. Sometimes I like british humor, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but I think Red dwarf might be the kind of British Humor that just doesn't resonate well with me.

Also Babylon 5, the Babylon 5 TV movies and Crusade (its aborted spin off).

Like I said above, I've seen it, love it, but forgot to list it I also liked the movies (except Legend of the Rangers) and thought that Crusade was very good, considering the things that were working against it.

Blasts from the past: Blakes 7, Space:1999, UFO, Star Cops -- which might all be hard to get hold of.

I've heard of Blake's 7 but never really looked into it, I might do that now. Star Cops also seems interesting, and its certainly not a time sink.

There's also Stargate Atlantis, which had its fair share of mouldy cheese.

I have a hard time with Atlantis. I got the first two seasonson DVD cheap, but I got stuck part way through the second season. I like most of the cast but something about it makes it hard to get through for me.

 

[Relayer1]

I think it might just be the British Humor. Sometimes I like british humor, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but I think Red dwarf might be the kind of British Humor that just doesn't resonate well with me.

I've heard of Blake's 7 but never really looked into it, I might do that now.

The thing is about Red Dwarf is that it's really not funny - it's kind of likeable slapstick sci-fi, but I don't believe I've ever laughed at it.

Blake's 7 ? It makes old Doctor Who look like a cinematic epic. It sets a new low for production values, but the writing is pretty good.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I got turned off when I tuned into a random episode, it was Military vs Civilians and the Civilians were not just the bad guys but being very obnoxious about it. It also doesn't really have any of the elements I liked about SG-1. Still, I think its only two seasons, so its probably worth a look at least.

I didn't realize I submitted that post, I was debating because I wasn't sure you'd care for it.

Unfortunately, when it comes to space opera stuff there isn't much to choose against. All of us fans pretty much know the list: Star Trek, Babylon 5, Farscape, etc. I never really watched much but maybe Space: Above and Beyond? But I think it's focused on just humans vs some alien race.

Blake's 7 is missing aliens but it's definitely ship based and has lots of space sheanigans, somewhat like Firefly but more emphasis on the resistance. Unfortunately it's not easy to come by in the US without importing/downloading. Like 1999 and UFO and so on some of it comes down to how much you like 70s style sci-fi.

 

[Relayer1]

Like 1999 and UFO and so on some of it comes down to how much you like 70s style sci-fi.

Unlike Blake's 7 which is well written and looks like crap, UFO and Space 1999 still look great but the writing is ridiculous.

If only they'd got Gerry Anderson to make Blake's 7...

 

[Mr Awe]

I know you crossed this off your list, but you should really check out The Expanse. Absolutely awesome show. I wasn't sure that I'd like it based on the previews and it took me 2 episodes to be hooked. Still wasn't sure after the first episode, but partway through the 2nd, I knew I was hooked. I recently just caught up with the first season so I'd be ready for the 2nd!

Great space action. Great story telling. Great characters. And, an interesting mystery to boot. Based on what you say you're looking for, you should like this series. It is a bit dark in places and a bit gory. I'd say check out a couple of episodes before you decide. I needed two. You say that you know, but you really don't. You're just eliminating a choice out of hand.

Mr Awe

 

[kirk55555]

Blake's 7 is missing aliens but it's definitely ship based and has lots of space sheanigans, somewhat like Firefly but more emphasis on the resistance. Unfortunately it's not easy to come by in the US without importing/downloading. Like 1999 and UFO and so on some of it comes down to how much you like 70s style sci-fi.

It seems interesting, and I like Firefly so aliens aren't always required. As for finding it, let's just say that if a show is hard to find legally, and the rights holders can't be bothered to do a simple youtube search, I don't feel bad about watching things on youtube. That said, I just finished the first episode, and it was pretty good. Not much space stuff, but I assume that's coming. The style and production values were good enough for me.

Blake's 7 ? It makes old Doctor Who look like a cinematic epic. It sets a new low for production values, but the writing is pretty good.

I can handle low production values if I like the story(I like Classic who, and low production values haven't ruined any story I've watched, at least for me).

I know you crossed this off your list, but you should really check out The Expanse. Absolutely awesome show. I wasn't sure that I'd like it based on the previews and it took me 2 episodes to be hooked. Still wasn't sure after the first episode, but partway through the 2nd, I knew I was hooked. I recently just caught up with the first season so I'd be ready for the 2nd!

Great space action. Great story telling. Great characters. And, an interesting mystery to boot. Based on what you say you're looking for, you should like this series. It is a bit dark in places and a bit gory. I'd say check out a couple of episodes before you decide. I needed two. You say that you know, but you really don't. You're just eliminating a choice out of hand.

Mr Awe

I'm not saying its bad, but its not for me. I hate hard sci fi, and The Expanse doesn't even have interstellar travel. Its also hardly a space show (at least the type I'm looking for). It all takes place between earth, mars and the asteroid belt, which is not something I'd be interested in even if it wasn't hard sci fi. Its also space opera-ish, its a show about a detective solving a crime. All of that, plus the fact that even positive reviews I've read say the characters are weak, just make the show something I wouldn't want to see. So, no, I'm not eliminating it "out of hand", I have good reasons and I don't intend to argue about it. I'm not saying its a bad show, its just not for me.

 

[JD]

If you're open to anime, I know of a few. I've only seen a handful of episodes, but Cowboy Bebop is great.

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I only watched the first episode of Heroic Age, but I enjoyed it and I probably would have continued if I didn't lose access to Hulu.

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[kirk55555]

If you're open to anime, I know of a few. I've only seen a handful of episodes, but Cowboy Bebop is great.

I like anime, but I just got done spending most of December and January basically binging on anime. None of it Sci Fi actually (well, except for a few episodes of one show I tried a few weeks ago but didn't end up liking), but I'm a bit burned out (catching up with Dragon Ball Super is about all the anime I feel like watching at the moment). I tried to watch Cowboy Bebop once, a few years ago. It didn't hook me enough to go past episode one.

 

[cylkoth]

You've pretty much hit all of the ones I know best.
I did watch a few episodes of Space: 1999 on Hulu before it went paid only and I enjoyed them

The free stuff featured on Hulu has been shifted over to Yahoo View. You can watch Space 1999 there, with ads of course. I don't believe there's an app for Y-View available on streaming boxes, so you'll have to use a laptop or PC.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

^ I only found about it a couple of days ago and you can't even access it from a tablet.

 

[Hyperspace05]

The Expanse Watch episodes 1-4 before you dismiss it.

I like everything on your 'like' list, and I love the Expanse. Dark Matter and the Expanse are my two favorite shows at the moment - Although they are quite different from each other.

Anyways, you'd probably like Killjoys, it is very much in the same style as Dark Matter. (some have even speculated they are set in the same universe)

 

[JD]

Kirk, you mentioned the reboot Battlestar Galactica, but have you ever tried the original? I've seen a few episodes and it is cheesy, but it's also pretty fun. It's pretty much the complete opposite of RDM's version.