Posted on 06/05/2016 9:02:29 AM PDT by EveningStar
It's odd to think that, once upon a time, a TV show set in space -- one that declared, in its opening narration, as the cosmos being the "final frontier" -- was considered the pop-cultural equivalent of an unwanted party-crasher. Yes, a concept like Star Trek was both of its time and clearly ahead of it; history has more than vindicated Gene Roddenberry's notion of boldly going where no man had gone before. But given the number of top-notch shows set in the far reaches of the galaxy and that used genre for pulpy and profound purposes over the last 30 or so years, it seems crazy to think that one of the most groundbreaking SF series was a network pariah and a ratings dud. Today, there's an entire cable network devoted to this kind of programming. You can't turn on your TV/Roku/cut-cord viewing device without bumping into spaceships, alien invasion and wonky sci-fi food-for-thought.
Science fiction has been around in one form or another since the early-ish days of television, both here and abroad, and its legacy now looms larger than ever. So what better time to count down the 40 best sci-fi TV shows of all time? From anime classics to outer-space soap operas, spooky British anthology shows to worst-case-scenario postapocalyptic dramas, primetime pop hits to obscure but beloved cult classics, here are our choices for the best the television genre has to offer -- submitted, for your approval.
(Excerpt) Read more at rollingstone.com ...
Babylon 5’s genius was the long planned plot arc. The compliant telepath learning the truth and overthrowing the corps. The throw-away Centauri ambassador to emperor. The Narn outcast struggling for their freedom leading them to both political and personal redemption.
The Babylon 5 books actually bring a lot of light to the Psi Corps. And the merging of unaccountable bureaucracy with overarching goals and literal mindwashing is a horror only hinted at in the show.
Babylon 5s Psi Corps the Horrifying Implications
http://hubpages.com/literature/Babylon-5s-Psi-Corps-the-Horrifying-Implications
It seemed like every episode they ran into one of their group who was famous and or powerful in whatever dimension they were currently in.
The show was effectively over when Davies left the series.
The mystery kills the reasoning.
If it is so darn dangerous outside, you tell everyone up front and demonstrate obviously so that they are compliant with rules and work harder to support the threat.
And when there are only a few known humans left, you don’t kill them unless there is literally no other choice.
Playing up the drama is at the expense of the logic.
3rd Rock from the Sun.
I really enjoyed the newer “The Outer Limits” TV series.....
Angel probably counted as modern fantasy but was good. The season 6 of post-apocalyptic fantasy would have been amazing, far better than “Dominion”.
Quark is not listed. That’s nuts best show ever.
Crusade - the B5 spin off - was never allowed to develop, running only 13 shows - It was meant to be a tie in to episodes of B5 that were never filmed only planned.
Trope? Using images or story in a new and different way to create an artistic effect? It was a bit campy but that could have changed had the series been given the go for more seasons rather than the rushed almost canceled at birth first season.
Jay Dyer does great film analysis with a bend for looking at how shows fit into society as a psyop or for predictive programming.
Here is his analysis of The Prisoner:
https://jaysanalysis.com/2015/07/05/numbered-man-an-analysis-of-the-prisoner-1967/
Jay Dyer also is one of my favorite people to listen to on how the world really works. Lots of podcasts available on youtube or his website jaysanalysis.com
Over the years a lot of good actors have played Dr. Who, my personal favorites are Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, Peter Davison and Paul McGann.
B5r is number one! Nothing touches it, cerainly not the exteremely campy original Star Trek. Battle Star Glactica is just terrible with almost every show depending on an audience attracted to TV psudo-sex.
Doctor Who is second - except for the current doctor who is just bad along with the writing.
The alien in a bubble that feeds on forgiveness. The alien wizard who speaks in mysterious cryptic phrases, she was more than a wife.
From Wiki...
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science-fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979 and 1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film,[1] before the series aired. The film and series were developed by Glen A. Larson and Leslie Stevens, based on the character Buck Rogers created in 1928 by Philip Francis Nowlan that had previously been featured in comic strips, novellas, a serial film, and on television and radio.[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Rogers_in_the_25th_Century_%28TV_series%29
Looks like Farscape missed the cut. It ran for several seasons, had a few movies, and a spin-off.
http://www.netflix.com/title/70136110
Outcasts (Brit) was good, but only lasted one season.
Primeval (Brit/Canadian) was good for fun watching.
Aaron Stone (Disney) and Sarah Jane Adventures (Brit — Doctor Who spin-off) were good for older kids (and youthful adults).
Haven
Mutant X
Special Unit 2
Tremors, The Series and the movies
V, the original movies/mini-series
The individual character arcs are outstanding. When thrust into the spotlight, some rise to the occasion others wither under it's glare. Throw away events from the first and second season become major issues in later seasons.
B5 is the closest experience to reading a good series of novels that was ever created independently for TV.
Star Trek Continues even today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSFHGyLYQ-c
“Come Not Between the Dragons”
Where is Buck Rogers and BSG? Maybe scrolled through too fast?
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