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What are some good space & ocean-based TV shows?

Well, if I'd know. I'd say, the series was expensive at the time. I mean, today it looks all a bit campy (a faucet as part of a console, a pencil-sharpener as something, the Commander uses, etc.) but it still was expensive. Another reason was: well, Germany is not that big in all things Sci-Fi. After Space Patrol, there was no real competition in that wheelhouse. We helped finance the later seasons of Primeval, LEXX had some german funding and actors, but Orion was the only, real bonafide german sci-fi- show. And the media back in the day hated it. Some newspaper even called it "Faschistoid".
I don't mind low budget if the producers know how to cheat and make it look like they have a budget. However, when it's obviously low budget, I just can't. :lol: Primeevil, Lexx, Space Patrol, I can't get into this stuff. When I was a kid and as an adult, I generally look for more polished decent-budgeted professional productions. I did try to watch Space Precinct which I watched as a kid. I got 6 episodes in, but I don't know if I'll continue watching, I kept thinking to myself, "I'd rather watch 90's Trek." If you want to watch the show, it's on The Roku Channel, you can watch it for free.
 
For you, what was the appeal of this series? :)

The Last Ship is a mix of Star Trek's ship-based adventure and exploration, Contagion's globe-spanning story and pandemic themes, the post-apocalyptic setting of zombie stories, a dash of The West Wing's (mostly) sunny picture of Americans and the American Way, the popcorn action movie thrills and logic of the Mission: Impossible movies, and the military triumphalism of Michael Bay movies (he's an executive producer), minus his noxious stereotypes.

Each season tells a distinct story in a different part of the world, the action is exciting and varied, the writing is generally strong (and particularly shines in developing minor characters, far more than Voyager or Enterprise ever did), and the cast is first-rate. It's emotionally gripping and entertaining as hell. As I said, the latter two seasons, while worthwhile for completists, aren't as strong, and the finale was a bit of a weird dud. But, the first three seasons are great.


Seaquest is the only ocean based sci fi show I know of. Are there other water-based Sci Fi shows?

While not containing any outright fantasy elements (i.e., no aliens or zombies or anything), the first two seasons of The Last Ship heavily focus on developing a cure/vaccine for a lethal virus (science), and, though the answers aren't found in a five-minute stretch like they are on, say, a Voyager episode, the speed and efficiency with which the scientists accomplish their discoveries isn't exactly realistic (fiction). So, it's sort of sci-fi in the way the Mission: Impossible movies and their outlandish gadgets are.
 
Space: Above and Beyond was a pretty solid 90's Sci-Fi/War show. Only the one season and it ends on a cliffhanger though.
Probably intended as a cliffhanger, but it works fine as just a downbeat ending. That was a series that started off terribly and was mediocre for much of its run, but got very good indeed by the end.
 
How would you describe the overall production vibes and tone of the show? I've enjoyed British movies, but I don't think there's been a single British show that's actually grabbed my attention, except for Mr. Bean. :lol:

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN WATCHING, BUT HAVEN'T YET SEEN DOCTOR WHO:

When the show was restarted in 2005, it was given much better effects and overall production quality than the classic run. The tone was also changed for contemporary audiences. If you've already seen episodes and didn't like them then you probably won't. If you want an introduction to give you an idea what the rest of the series is like, I'd recommend two episodes from the David Tenant era, but first off you should at least be aware of how the Doctor regenerates into new bodies and that his ship the TARDIS can travel through space and time and has a special bond with the doctor that is never really fully explained. You should also be aware that the Doctor almost always travels with one or more Earth "companions" who serve the plot device of requiring the Doctor to explain everything. Here are the suggested eps:

Blink, an episode that hardly features the Doctor, is considered one of the best. Originally written as a filler episode (either because the budget for the planned episode got cut or Tenant couldn't make the filming schedule for some reason), the low budget actually forced the best out of everyone. Really suspenseful episode and it serves as a good intro to the Doctor because he's introduced here as a stranger to the "normal" people who are in most of the episode.

Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead: Great intro to DW two or three parters which hark back to the original days of the series when episodes were half an hour long and stories took place over 4, 6, and up to 12 episodes. This episode introduces the character River Song who becomes a recurring character. It is considered by many to be a very good episode. It was nominated for a Hugo back in the day.

If you don't like those then don't bother with any others because it is not going to get better or different. If you do like them, I'd suggest going back to the beginning of the current episodes or skipping to the first Matt Smith episode, which introduces a new companion Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan whom you may know from the MCU or other movies. Her love interest is Rory, played by Arthur Darvill who also did some work in the CW Arrow-verse.
 
I've not personally seen it, but I've heard good things about "Odyssey 5"


I really liked Odyssey 5, but very little of it takes place in space. I believe it's just the first part of the first episode. Everything else takes place on Earth.

Also be warned that it was cancelled after one season, and the storyline does not have a resolution (and ends on a cliffhanger).
 
I don't mind low budget if the producers know how to cheat and make it look like they have a budget. However, when it's obviously low budget, I just can't. :lol: Primeevil, Lexx, Space Patrol, I can't get into this stuff. When I was a kid and as an adult, I generally look for more polished decent-budgeted professional productions. I did try to watch Space Precinct which I watched as a kid. I got 6 episodes in, but I don't know if I'll continue watching, I kept thinking to myself, "I'd rather watch 90's Trek." If you want to watch the show, it's on The Roku Channel, you can watch it for free.
I think, you should give Orion a chance. Might be down your alley - or it might not. ^^

By the way, did you watch "The man of Atlantis", back in the day?
 
Space Patrol - the German Star Trek, only with Plastic Cups, Bathroom parts and ice-cream-scoops. Like I said, you should give it a chance, it's only seven episodes long. ^^
And the Man from Atlantis was a show with Patrick Duffy, I think, before he played Bobby Ewing. It's about a guy, who can swim really fast and no one knows, who he is - he might be from Atlantis, he might be an alien... it's quite a cool show.
 
Space: Above and Beyond

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Legend of the Galactic Heroes

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Multiple television series and movie series.
The television series from the 80s/90s has 110 episodes, another series has 52 episodes. It's a commitment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_Galactic_Heroes


Space Rangers

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Ocean Girl. '90s Australian series set on an underwater research station near the Great Barrier Reef in the then near future.
 
Seconding Babylon 5, possibly my favorite sci-fi show of them all. Some of the CGI looks a bit dated today, but the writing is great, and most of the acting, too. B5 pioneered arc-based storytelling, with some plotlines that are set up in season 2 getting resolved in season 4. The first 4 seasons are excellent, if a bit rushed, especially the 4th. The showrunner J. Michael Straczynski always intended it to go over 5 seasons, but when it was threatened with cancellation he decided to condense the storyline. By the time they'd shot most of the 4th season, they were greenlit for a 5th, and it shows because after the intense 3rd and 4th seasons, the 5th feels a bit like an add-on.

There's a spinoff called Crusade, but sadly it was canceled after half a season (13 episodes) and no resolution. The Shadows who were defeated in Babylon 5 took vengeance on humanity and infected Earth with a plague that's killing humanity. The Excalibur is a ship sent to scour the galaxy for a cure.

I also second the Stargate franchise, the BSG remake, Doctor Who, Andromeda, and Farscape.
 
Ocean Girl. '90s Australian series set on an underwater research station near the Great Barrier Reef in the then near future.

Wasn't there an australien show about some aliens, that came to our planet, just to go surfing, or something like that? I vaguely remember hearing about that.

Seconding Babylon 5, possibly my favorite sci-fi show of them all. Some of the CGI looks a bit dated today, but the writing is great, and most of the acting, too. B5 pioneered arc-based storytelling, with some plotlines that are set up in season 2 getting resolved in season 4. The first 4 seasons are excellent, if a bit rushed, especially the 4th. The showrunner J. Michael Straczynski always intended it to go over 5 seasons, but when it was threatened with cancellation he decided to condense the storyline. By the time they'd shot most of the 4th season, they were greenlit for a 5th, and it shows because after the intense 3rd and 4th seasons, the 5th feels a bit like an add-on.

There's a spinoff called Crusade, but sadly it was canceled after half a season (13 episodes) and no resolution. The Shadows who were defeated in Babylon 5 took vengeance on humanity and infected Earth with a plague that's killing humanity. The Excalibur is a ship sent to scour the galaxy for a cure.

I also second the Stargate franchise, the BSG remake, Doctor Who, Andromeda, and Farscape.

Bab 5 was always amazing and I concur, that season 5 feels a bit tacked on - but I'm still a bit angry, that, whoever was in charge back in the day, said "Nö, let's cancel Crusade". Stupid, idiotic decision.
Same goes for the decision to cancel "Dark Angel", to be fair.
 
It was mentioned already, but yes, The Expanse. Really liked that one. And for ocean based, Black Sails was wonderful.
 
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