Escape Artists

The Arcade => Polling Place => Topic started by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 10:43:40 AM

Title: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 10:43:40 AM
There's no real order to it, Doctor Who is first only because it's oldest (well, oldest still on TV). I know I've left out your favorite, if I missed a really big one and can modify the poll I'll try to fix it. Some are more obscure than others. I only know about some of them because of random oddities (for example, going to a convention that used The Prisoner as the theme).

I think I broke it past 18 17 nevermind, I can only add one at a time options.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: fiveyearwinter on February 12, 2007, 12:43:52 PM
Holy crap, only half of all voters had positive emotions for Firefly?!


:: wears his brown coat proudly ::

Sorry I'm a bit of a fanatic.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 12:47:33 PM
Well, you have four votes. I loved Firefly, but it's hard to say that it's more deserving than all of Star Trek, or Babylon 5.

Firefly was really good, but it was also really short. Even with Serenity and the comics, we got a very brief flare-in-the-night-sky view of that universe. It was well fleshed out for what time they had, but... Anyway, Kaylee is apparently a new regular on Atlantis, which is good.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 12, 2007, 12:54:26 PM
Firefly is number 1 in my list of "shows I haven't seen that I need to buy on DVD and watch."   I'm not sure I've talked to anyone who saw it and didn't love it.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Alasdair5000 on February 12, 2007, 02:10:17 PM
   Interesting question.  I went for the following:

DOCTOR WHO-I grew up on it and love the thing to pieces.  I've really been enjoying the new show and whilst I think a lot of TORCHWOOD has been borderline unwatchable, I ended up sitting through the entire series and hoping desperately the second year will get better.

BABYLON 5-I was lucky enough to get the complete DVD set for Christmas and am about halfway through season 4 at the moment.  It's aged incredibly well, although oddly I find myself having less time for the stuff I loved the first time round (In particular the increasingly self-righteous Sheridan of season four) and a lot more time for the stuff I used to be less fond of (The first year is actually a really smart piece of set up as well as some good to solid stand alones and year three is some of the best apocalyptic space war SF I've ever seen)

FARSCAPE-Because no other series more consistently kicked stuff over and surprised its viewers.  From the fact that Crichton was effectively insane by the end of season one to the gleeful way they messed with viewers' expectations and standard SF tropes (Clones!  Morally flexible bad guys!  Cute spaceship babies!  Demented, gun encrusted spaceship babies!) this was arguably the most innovative and energetic show of its time.  It's also notable for having one of the only unplanned finales that worked, beautifully, in context with the series (The humour and love and resignation behind the line 'You and your timing' is riight up there with DR WHO's 'Just this once!  EVERYONE lives!' as one of the most poignant moments of TV I've ever seen).

FIREFLY-For many of the same reasons as FARSCAPE. Smart, bleak as all hell and incredibly funny.  FIREFLY also holds a great deal of fascination for me as a writer, not only due to the plotting but the way it finished and how the next couple of season's plotlines were folded into SERENITY.

Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Jane on February 12, 2007, 03:05:11 PM
Hey, where's SeaQuest on that list? That was my first SF love.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: JaredAxelrod on February 12, 2007, 04:27:34 PM
No Batman?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 08:35:20 PM
Added Seaquest and Batman. Hadn't hear of the former, for some reason blanked on the latter.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Bdoomed on February 12, 2007, 09:04:47 PM
Hmm well im too young really to have watched a few of these, and i dont watch much tv at all in the first place... but... Wheres Heroes???!!!!! >:(  Thats SF!  and one of the greatest shows of all time... next to 24 of course. :P
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 09:09:41 PM
My unofficial official barrier for entry is that they have to have finished their first season. Which is why Eureka's there and Heros isn't.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Swamp on February 12, 2007, 09:11:36 PM
Wheres Heroes???!!!!! >:(  Thats SF!  and one of the greatest shows of all time... next to 24 of course. :P

Yes and both shows are on at the same time.  Thank goodness for VCR's and DVR's!
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: contra on February 12, 2007, 10:24:12 PM
I never caught Firefly on TV,  don't watch much.  I heard a movie was being made so I got the DVD's.  I'm sure if I had seen it that it would have been on this list.

so what I did votre for....

Doctor Who  = I watched itr in the 80's as a kid.  It rocked then.  I went out of my way to make sure I caught this on TV when it came back.  torchwood sucked IMO... but I had to watch it as it was Dr Who

Battlestar Galactica = I HATE Starbuck, and it almost may me not watch it.  I kept at it (my flatmate at hte time kept aquiring it), so I kept watching, and mostly Baltar kept me watching, to see where they would go with him.  I like it now; though I still have the irrational urge to turn it off whenever a Starbuck storyline/subplot starts.  I resist. 

Farscape = loved it from the start.  A++ would watch again.  My god the final ep (peacekeeper wars does not exist!!!! yes I'm one of them) made me scream at the TV.  When the announcer said that it really was the final ep... grrrr

The X-Files = I loved it in the begining and watched it as I grew up.  towards the end it was more out of loyalty that actually liking the show though...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 10:40:36 PM
Farscape = loved it from the start.  A++ would watch again.  My god the final ep (peacekeeper wars does not exist!!!! yes I'm one of them) made me scream at the TV.  When the announcer said that it really was the final ep... grrrr
Wait, wait, how can you not accept the Peacekeeper Wars as canon?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: contra on February 12, 2007, 11:07:52 PM
Meh.  more it was just crap compared to the rest...
there was only one good moment during the whole thing... (Johns and Harveys wormholes to the stars

I'm only not accepting it due to it sucking badly
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 12, 2007, 11:19:20 PM
How did it suck? I mean, it wasn't perhaps as quirky as the series, but it seemed a pretty good send-off, and honestly, who doesn't love a happy ending?

Plus, the pregnant Hynerian was worth the whole mini-series.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: contra on February 12, 2007, 11:40:47 PM
A lot of it felt forced.  though a large part of that was because the previous season ended on a cliffhanger, I'll admit that.  The happy ending was always going to happen. 

I probably disliked it because it was an ending too though... I was a bigfan... and I wanted it to increase above the crap of season 4... >_>  and I thought it would get back on track again; if it was given the chance.

The resolutions felt forced though; as there was no other way that peace could be done without threatening everyone in the universe... and as a method of keeping hte peace I dislike it as a core idea... but yeah it was so they would stop chasing himand such too...

I dunno.  I just didn't like it as much as the rest of the series... even season 4... but its my personal opinion... I'm tired I can't express myself well... I'm gonig to bed... up early and such for work. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: wakela on February 13, 2007, 02:01:11 AM
I'm assuming you mean the new Battlestar Galactica.

I have to admit that I did watch the old one religiously, though I was a kid.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 13, 2007, 02:29:49 AM
Eh, the other ones counted new and old, so it means both, even though there are differences in tone among the two.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 13, 2007, 07:05:08 PM
Any love for Lost?  I'm hopelessly addicted to that show and it's past the first season requirement. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 13, 2007, 07:07:44 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: contra on February 13, 2007, 07:19:07 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction?

*spoilers*


A group of scientists go to an island to investigate how to stop humanity destroying itself.  They do this by looking into remote viewing, margetism, climate control, zoology, and various other odd things. 
The island also does not show up on radar or satelite picvtures; and causes has a magnetic charge that had to be released every hour or so.  The only way off the island is to hear in a specific direction by sea nad not change course...

It is kinda sci fi....
but I've given up on it... It now annoys me...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 13, 2007, 07:31:02 PM
I watched a couple episodes in the first season, and it didn't seem to be. With the spoilers... Eh, I'm still not sure. I'll put it up, but if someone comes up with a good explanation of why it isn't I can take it down.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: FNH on February 13, 2007, 07:44:44 PM
The X-Files = I loved it in the begining and watched it as I grew up.  towards the end it was more out of loyalty that actually liking the show though...

I liked the early shows, before for the government cover-up rubbish.  I still get the creeps thinking about those creepy green bugs that didn't like the light, out in the woods, all alone ...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: SFEley on February 13, 2007, 08:25:41 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.

It has mysterious electromagnetic stations (possibly capable of destroying the world, though that's still unproven), black smoky chain things that seem to materialize and dematerialize, a kid with probable psychic abilities, a precognitive man, sequences of numbers that alter fate, and dreams and visions with demonstrated prophetic consequences.

What would you call it?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: JaredAxelrod on February 13, 2007, 09:13:23 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.

It has mysterious electromagnetic stations (possibly capable of destroying the world, though that's still unproven), black smoky chain things that seem to materialize and dematerialize, a kid with probable psychic abilities, a precognitive man, sequences of numbers that alter fate, and dreams and visions with demonstrated prophetic consequences.

What would you call it?

J.J. Abrams Works Out His Father Issues?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 13, 2007, 10:53:00 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.

It has mysterious electromagnetic stations (possibly capable of destroying the world, though that's still unproven), black smoky chain things that seem to materialize and dematerialize, a kid with probable psychic abilities, a precognitive man, sequences of numbers that alter fate, and dreams and visions with demonstrated prophetic consequences.

What would you call it?
That show my friends keep bitching has lost it's way?

On a serious note, I watched two episodes in the first season and didn't fall into it. I've never heard it billed as SF (or for that anything weird-science-y except for radios not working). Anyway, it's on the list now, in the prominent 23rd position.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Bdoomed on February 14, 2007, 02:42:34 AM
I watched much of the first season of lost on DVD at my friend's house... didn't click with me... i just couldnt care much about it.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Jonathan C. Gillespie on February 14, 2007, 01:11:33 PM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.

It has mysterious electromagnetic stations (possibly capable of destroying the world, though that's still unproven), black smoky chain things that seem to materialize and dematerialize, a kid with probable psychic abilities, a precognitive man, sequences of numbers that alter fate, and dreams and visions with demonstrated prophetic consequences.

What would you call it?

Another weekend at Cheech and Chong's.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Jonathan C. Gillespie on February 14, 2007, 01:14:33 PM
I'm pleased to see "Batman" getting it's due.  I assume we're referring to The Animated Series, which is some of the best television I've ever seen.

And I grew up with ST:TNG, have seen every episode, still love that show.  It was the right cast, with the right writers, and they ended it on a high note just before Rick Berman started getting burned out and pretentious.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: SFEley on February 14, 2007, 04:42:46 PM
I'm pleased to see "Batman" getting it's due.  I assume we're referring to The Animated Series, which is some of the best television I've ever seen.

I assumed most people were thinking of the old Adam West show from the 60s.  But I guess it doesn't really matter, as the poll's creator has chosen not to distinguish between versions of shows.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 14, 2007, 08:02:55 PM
Superman means all the Superman series in various incarnations, Batman means all the Batman series in various incarnations. I know there were big differences in quality between some of them, but if I started doing it by series, especially with ones like Star Trek or Superman or Batman... the poll would easily be closer to 100 options, which really isn't useful, or practical.

Yes, there is a difference between the new and old BS:G's. It's a pretty big difference in some ways. If you really feel strongly on the matter and don't want to vote for (insert incarnation of series) but loved (insert other incarnation of series), post about it down here, and explain why. Then vote for something else.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Brian Reilly on February 15, 2007, 06:30:34 PM
What about the 4400? I love that show.

I voted for B5- A fantastic epic story in a well-realised universe. I loved the idea of an ongoing story arc.
BSG- The new version. Tackles topics no other SF TV series will.
Doctor Who/Torchwood- Just plain well-written. Apart from some of Torchwood, but the good Torchwood episodes were very good.
Firefly- Best bunch of characters in TV SF. Joss Whedon knows how to create a group of characters that make you want to join them.

I would have voted for Star Trek, if it wasn't for the crapness of the recent shows. Of course, Doctor Who had its share of cheese, but that's well in the past. Star Trek hasn't been any good since DS9.

Oh, and Seaquest is a case study in how to take a fairly decent show, and completely ruin it with a few simple changes.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Russell Nash on February 16, 2007, 11:37:50 AM
Oh, and Seaquest is a case study in how to take a fairly decent show, and completely ruin it with a few simple changes.

I totally agree. I loved that show and then quickly hated everything to do with it.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Roney on February 17, 2007, 11:23:11 PM
As -- seemingly -- the only person to vote for Lost so far, I'm prepared to stand up and defend it.

If there's some flaw that bugs you, I'll have a go at justifying it.

This may require another thread...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: SFEley on February 17, 2007, 11:29:14 PM
As -- seemingly -- the only person to vote for Lost so far, I'm prepared to stand up and defend it.

If there's some flaw that bugs you, I'll have a go at justifying it.

The only real flaw that bugs me is that the first half of this season was ridiculously slow paced.  Too much time with only three main characters in the enemy base, which quickly became boringly mundane, and not nearly enough time spent on everybody else.

I haven't seen the last couple episodes since it started running again.  I'll get around to it...eventually.  My enthusiasm dropped with the pace.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Roney on February 18, 2007, 09:14:31 PM
The only real flaw that bugs me is that the first half of this season was ridiculously slow paced.  Too much time with only three main characters in the enemy base, which quickly became boringly mundane, and not nearly enough time spent on everybody else.

I'm inclined to blame some of that on the scheduling.  The first couple of episodes got by on sheer curiosity about how the Others actually live.  Their most important organization is a suburban book club?  Genius.  And it was great to get an explanation for season one's polar bears at last.

Then it did seriously slow down, but that's not uncommon for the first quarter of a season.  Being off our screens for, what, three months? has really intensified the feeling that it's stalled.  If it had continued at more normal intervals I think the slow start would have been easily forgotten.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 20, 2007, 09:08:53 PM
As -- seemingly -- the only person to vote for Lost so far, I'm prepared to stand up and defend it.

If there's some flaw that bugs you, I'll have a go at justifying it.

This may require another thread...

I couldn't figure out how to reset my vote otherwise Lost would be at the top of my list.  And I agree with you that the horrible scheduling of this show has added to the stalled feeling.  And watching it at 10pm sucks (no, I don't have TIVO). I think that if the last two episodes (the ones after the 3 month gap) had been aired before the break, it would've left everyone with a much better taste in their mouth.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on February 21, 2007, 04:07:20 AM
Dr. Who - the new stuff is funny, clever, exciting, and they manage to include the old villians

BSG - the new stuff is funny, clever, exciting, and they manage to include the old villians (is it plagerism if you steal from yourself?)  Best effects on TV - bloody seamless, makes me think there's a stable of spaceships out there.  This is what I call "true sci-fi" (bring it on, Mr. Resnick ;)), taking fantastic ideas, sometimes mixing them with current issues and divorcing them enough from now that it's very thought-provoking.

B5 - awesome complete story arc. Any story suffers after the climax, but B5 was pretty good all the way through.

Star Trek - let's be honest, it's the Lord of The Rings for TV sci-fi - sure it sucks lately, but that's the cooks, not the recipe.

I love Firefly (I watch the series about once a month), but it's too short.  Though there is some good fanfic - audio style at http://sonic.libsyn.com/

Heroes is too comic booky for me to be sci-fi and it just feels like it's been done before.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 21, 2007, 04:25:12 PM
Star Trek - let's be honest, it's the Lord of The Rings for TV sci-fi - sure it sucks lately, but that's the cooks, not the recipe.

What makes you call it the LOTR for TV?  I'm not trying to criticize, just curious.  I like the LOTR becomes it's one epic story that has a definite ending.  I enjoy some Star Trek, but like you said, the last few attempts have left a bad taste in my mouth (I hated Voyager, never did get a chance to watch Enterprise, which I almost regret). 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on February 21, 2007, 07:00:51 PM
When Tolkien wrote LOTR the only fantasy creatures were the ones from folklore and fairy tales.  Not only did he invent the fantasy genre as we know it today, he showed writers the beauty of having a completely realized world to play in.

I think Star Trek (the Original Series) is the same template - what sci-fi show doesn't have it's roots in the basic inventions of Star Trek- warp speed, phasers, teleporters, aliens as equals, etc. Certainly, there was Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon but I find those much more human-centric serial fiction.  Star Trek brought it to the one TV format.

As for Voyager and Enterprise - I'd say Voyager tried too hard to be a mash of The Original Series (with a crusty Doctor and a Vulcan confidant) and Next Gen (substitute Droid with hot Borg chick).  It left the first officer Chicotay (sp?) floating the breeze, and besides  Neelix was soooo annoying. 
Enterprise was just dopey and almost mean-spirited - not just the stories(the evil Vulcans are idiots), but also in the way it threw away anything associated to the original series, including the opening.  After Sept 2001, though, the Zinti story line showed some real promise - then it got dumb again.

Get the Originals on DVD or catch them on a sci fi channel - the really good ones still hold up fairly well (Amok Time, Journey to Babel, Balance of Terror, etc).
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 21, 2007, 07:37:55 PM
Ah, I see what you're saying.  It helped set the standard for sci-fi.  That's cool.  I liked what I saw of the original series, the Next Generation,  and a handful of the movies.  Even though I never really got into DS9, I respect that it was trying to do something different. 

Guess I'll stay away from the Enterprise series, though.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 21, 2007, 07:40:31 PM
I've never gotten all the hate for Voyager. It's my favorites of the star treks (although I'm currently working my way through TOS and liking it too). The characters felt a lot more developed and interesting than the yawnfest that was Enterprise, and I felt some of the episodes were pretty innovative. Particularly some of the ones with the Doctor (or it could just be I really loved that character :D).

I will confess being unable to get into either 24 or Lost. They just didn't gel with me. I think Lost's melodrama turned me off. (Yet, I'm a heroes addict. Go figure).

I miss Firefly with the passion of a thousand fiery suns. But I understand why they had to cancel it, Fox clearly needed more space for shows like "When Shoeboxes Attack, Part 200" and "Who Wants to be a Moronic, Braindead Reality Show Contestant?"

Not that I'm bitter, mind you.. ;)

Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Mfitz on February 21, 2007, 07:47:16 PM
I enjoy  Lost, but until we know how things will be resolved when they end the series it's sort of a one trick pony in my opinion, not equal to shows like Trek, that had impact on pop culture both inside and outside the Speculative fiction community. (Sorry I do like Firefly, and the DVD set got me through chemo, but there's just not enough of it for me to rank it as a "great" in the field.)

I think the jury is out on Lost until we know if  they stringing us along and making it up as they go (a'la Twin Peaks?), or is there really a coherent begining-middle-end plot arc? Is there really something huge and mysterious going on or will there be a mundane explanation?  If they come up with everyday explanations for everything that happens then the whole show is nothing but an extended Scoopy-Do episode with some grownup soap opera window dressing tossed it.  If they go the other way it might be one of the best SF shows ever.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 21, 2007, 08:28:51 PM
I think the love of the ST series is also dependent on when you saw them.  I saw TOS in reruns as a kid and loved it (actually, I know I saw at least part of one episode in its original airing, but I was only about 3 years old).  When TNG came out, I was almost done with college. When TNG was on, it was the ONLY notable SF on TV, and it was syndicated, so not everyone got to see it. At the time, we were so excited to see NEW ST on TV, watching it became a ritual.   DS9 came on before TNG ended and it was also good, and was also syndicated.  Voyager came on before DS9 ended, but it was on a network, so it had a more regular time slot.  However, by the time it arrived, some of the trappings were getting old.  Spock was such a strong character (the emotionless alien showing us what being human meant) that they copied him in every series - Data, Odo, Tuvok/7 of 9...Trulane became Q... etc...   
TNG tried to be a better version of TOS.  I think in many ways it succeeded because it had way more money (in later seasons) and let's face it - better actors.
DS9 just tried to be different by being on a station.
Voyager just tried to be different by taking the federation away.  IMHO, they started out well, but went downhill quickly after the first season.
I have seen very little of Enterprise, so I won't comment on it.
One thing all the series except TOS and TNG did that I think was a mistake, was to make them more serialized. 
B5 was serialized and brilliant because JMS knew where the whole story went before he started the first episode.  The later TS series weren't really like that. They had an implied order but it never looked liked the writers knew what they were going to do next season as a result of what was going on this season.


I am one of the people who learned to hate voyager.  The reason is that it started out well, with a good premise.  It had a group of very interesting characters (ok neelix was annoying at times), but around the end of the first full season, the plots started to get really dumb. I remember watching every episode, really loving it at first, then watching it go downhill until the "warp 10" episode (where the two characters go off and become lizards and have babies) and then thinking "Well, that's enough for me."  Once in while I would see it flipping channels and wonder if it ever got any better and ever time I'd watch a few minutes and decide that it hadn't.  I did sit and watch the whole finale and it seemed just as dumb and full of plot holes as most of the show had been.  I guess what makes me bitter is thinking how good the show *could* have been.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 21, 2007, 08:52:39 PM
I never did see the lizards episode but I've heard it was pretty bad. Still, overall I thought the series was excellent and I miss it. Maybe its because I happily overlook any technical glitches and plot holes unless they are too huge to ignore. :P And I loved the finale, also. Part of it is I've always been one to watch TV/movies/etc more for the emotional aspect of it then the technical, so that probably affects alot :P

I would take exception with the statement that Odo was a copy of Spock. I found him quite different. Odo could be brusque but it was brusqueness born of emotion rather than lack of emotion.  As for the other Vulcans, yeah, but I guess how different can Vulcans get from eachother? :P
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Mfitz on February 21, 2007, 08:58:57 PM
As for the other Vulcans, yeah, but I guess how different can Vulcans get from eachother? :P

Monolithic alien cultures is a major flaw in the Trek universe.  Where are the Vulcan jocks and Klingon interior decorators?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 21, 2007, 09:14:18 PM
I never did see the lizards episode but I've heard it was pretty bad. Still, overall I thought the series was excellent and I miss it. Maybe its because I happily overlook any technical glitches and plot holes unless they are too huge to ignore. :P And I loved the finale, also. Part of it is I've always been one to watch TV/movies/etc more for the emotional aspect of it then the technical, so that probably affects alot :P

I would take exception with the statement that Odo was a copy of Spock. I found him quite different. Odo could be brusque but it was brusqueness born of emotion rather than lack of emotion.  As for the other Vulcans, yeah, but I guess how different can Vulcans get from eachother? :P

Odo wasn't a copy exactly, it was just another version of the same thing. He wasn't emotionless but he was a loner - at first anyway.  His job was to show us what it was to be human by becoming more human.  I confess that I didn;t see all of DS9, not because I didn;t like it, but because my local station moved it all over the frickin' place. I did see the finale and I had the exact opposite response that I did from voyager's (Wow! I wish I had seen the whole series!)
Also, TOS wasn't about the characters. It was about telling a story that you couldn't get away with telling without changing the context to something otherworldly.  Sorry, I can't remember the names of individual episodes, but the episode with the men who were black one side and white on the other was about racism, for example.  Every week, they went to a new planet, had a new adventure and we were all wiser because of it.   The other series did less of that, but I doubt that would fly today anyway.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 21, 2007, 09:38:28 PM
Odo wasn't a copy exactly, it was just another version of the same thing. He wasn't emotionless but he was a loner - at first anyway.  His job was to show us what it was to be human by becoming more human.  I confess that I didn;t see all of DS9, not because I didn;t like it, but because my local station moved it all over the frickin' place. I did see the finale and I had the exact opposite response that I did from voyager's (Wow! I wish I had seen the whole series!)
Also, TOS wasn't about the characters. It was about telling a story that you couldn't get away with telling without changing the context to something otherworldly.  Sorry, I can't remember the names of individual episodes, but the episode with the men who were black one side and white on the other was about racism, for example.  Every week, they went to a new planet, had a new adventure and we were all wiser because of it.   The other series did less of that, but I doubt that would fly today anyway.

I can see what you're saying. I think that particular archetype goes beyond sci fi though.. the alienated individual who slowly becomes more human, etc, etc. And its a popular construct. People like it when that happens. I know I do.

And I know what you mean about TOS, im figuring that out for myself as I watch it (im about 2/3rds the way through season 1). The acting is iffy and of course the effects and makeup are laughable, but the plots frequently touch on all kinds of issues that are still relevant today. Good stuff.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 21, 2007, 09:47:04 PM
I think the jury is out on Lost until we know if  they stringing us along and making it up as they go (a'la Twin Peaks?), or is there really a coherent begining-middle-end plot arc? Is there really something huge and mysterious going on or will there be a mundane explanation?  If they come up with everyday explanations for everything that happens then the whole show is nothing but an extended Scoopy-Do episode with some grownup soap opera window dressing tossed it.  If they go the other way it might be one of the best SF shows ever.

I don't know.  Even though I felt completely ripped off by the way the X-Files ended I have no problem loving that series and rating it as one of my favorites.  Mulder is still easily one of my favorite characters in any medium.  So I've got no problem saying I love Lost now and I even rate it up with the X-Files.

And if the writers do in fact know where they're going (in general) that will make it all the better.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: SFEley on February 21, 2007, 10:04:23 PM
I am one of the people who learned to hate voyager.  The reason is that it started out well, with a good premise.  It had a group of very interesting characters (ok neelix was annoying at times), but around the end of the first full season, the plots started to get really dumb. I remember watching every episode, really loving it at first, then watching it go downhill until the "warp 10" episode (where the two characters go off and become lizards and have babies) and then thinking "Well, that's enough for me."

Heh.  I took a slightly different path: started watching Voyager, made it through the first few episodes, lost interest for whatever reason...  Then, a few years later, decided to give it another try.

Naturally, the episode I watched was that "Warp 10" episode you described.

No force on earth was going to make me watch the show again after that.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 21, 2007, 10:13:20 PM
Geez, you guys have almost convinced me to watch the Warp 10 episode just because it's soooooooo bad.  ;D
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 21, 2007, 10:55:48 PM
Geez, you guys have almost convinced me to watch the Warp 10 episode just because it's soooooooo bad.  ;D

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 21, 2007, 11:01:16 PM
Odo wasn't a copy exactly, it was just another version of the same thing. He wasn't emotionless but he was a loner - at first anyway.  His job was to show us what it was to be human by becoming more human.  I confess that I didn;t see all of DS9, not because I didn;t like it, but because my local station moved it all over the frickin' place. I did see the finale and I had the exact opposite response that I did from voyager's (Wow! I wish I had seen the whole series!)
Also, TOS wasn't about the characters. It was about telling a story that you couldn't get away with telling without changing the context to something otherworldly.  Sorry, I can't remember the names of individual episodes, but the episode with the men who were black one side and white on the other was about racism, for example.  Every week, they went to a new planet, had a new adventure and we were all wiser because of it.   The other series did less of that, but I doubt that would fly today anyway.

I can see what you're saying. I think that particular archetype goes beyond sci fi though.. the alienated individual who slowly becomes more human, etc, etc. And its a popular construct. People like it when that happens. I know I do.

And I know what you mean about TOS, im figuring that out for myself as I watch it (im about 2/3rds the way through season 1). The acting is iffy and of course the effects and makeup are laughable, but the plots frequently touch on all kinds of issues that are still relevant today. Good stuff.


So am I correct in concluding that you are watching Star Trek the original series for the first time?
Wow.
I envy you.

I haven't watched that on a regular basis in probably 15 years and even now, when I see an episode, I can still recite half the dialog.
For years, one of the local stations played reruns of it on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. I have heard it referred to as "Space Church"
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on February 21, 2007, 11:36:44 PM
(although I'm currently working my way through TOS and liking it too)
I warn you that the episode "Spock's Brain" (season 3)  is as bad as Voyager's "Warp 10".

Quote from: ClintMemo
Also, TOS wasn't about the characters.
That's not true - yes, there were episodes like Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (half black/half white) but there were also shows like Shore Leave, the aforementioned Amok Time.  It's the relationship between the Big Three that is a good part behind the longevity of the series.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 21, 2007, 11:54:51 PM
And I know what you mean about TOS, im figuring that out for myself as I watch it (im about 2/3rds the way through season 1). The acting is iffy and of course the effects and makeup are laughable, but the plots frequently touch on all kinds of issues that are still relevant today. Good stuff.
I'm guessing you've never seen a lot of the old Doctor Who's. Oh overturned trash can with a plunger, how I feared ye.

The Scifi channel had it from 4-6 every week day from when I was in 5th grade to about 7th. Though I'll never admit it to my parents, it was probably the biggest reason that I stopped playing the violin (the lessons were every Tuesday/Thursday from 3:30-5:20). I don't remember getting around to watching TNG (Good, so long as you threw out most the first season), Voyager(middling, some good episodes, but the Journalism/Warp 10 episodes... sigh) or DS:9 (Better than anything but TOS, especially the one about early SF mags) until early high school. I'm currently giving Enterprise a shot because Scifi is airing it in a four hour block Mondays, and so I'm withholding judgment until I see more.

Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure I talked my dad into getting me the VHS box set of the Star Wars trilogy (the original versions) because they shared the same first word.

Well, and the space ships shooting lasers on the cover.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 22, 2007, 12:23:14 AM
So am I correct in concluding that you are watching Star Trek the original series for the first time?
Wow.
I envy you.


Sure am. Itd just never had the opportunity before, and now that i have the whole first season readily at hand it makes it easier than tracking down reruns on tv :P

I'm guessing you've never seen a lot of the old Doctor Who's. Oh overturned trash can with a plunger, how I feared ye.


Nope, thats another show i've seen absolutely nothing of. :P Cheesy special effects i'm familiar with tho

/Red Dwarf and HHGTTG, anyone? ;)

Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 22, 2007, 12:41:40 AM
(although I'm currently working my way through TOS and liking it too)
I warn you that the episode "Spock's Brain" (season 3)  is as bad as Voyager's "Warp 10".

Quote from: ClintMemo
Also, TOS wasn't about the characters.
That's not true - yes, there were episodes like Let That Be Your Last Battlefield (half black/half white) but there were also shows like Shore Leave, the aforementioned Amok Time.  It's the relationship between the Big Three that is a good part behind the longevity of the series.

Sure, but the characters in TOS never evolved after the first few episodes.  You could watch the show in pretty much any order and it would make perfect sense - not true in TNG and beyond.  At the end of any episode, everythign is as it was.  That used to be required in TV shows since reruns were so important.
My theory about Spock's Brain is that it was that bad on purpose.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 22, 2007, 12:45:44 AM


Nope, thats another show i've seen absolutely nothing of. :P Cheesy special effects i'm familiar with tho

/Red Dwarf and HHGTTG, anyone? ;)



Would you like some toast? :P

I've never seen the HHGTTG TV show, but somewhere I have the BBC radio version mp3.
Douglas Adams was a genius.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 22, 2007, 05:55:49 AM
As for the other Vulcans, yeah, but I guess how different can Vulcans get from eachother? :P

Monolithic alien cultures is a major flaw in the Trek universe.  Where are the Vulcan jocks and Klingon interior decorators?

While there have as yet been no reported cases of Vulcan jockism, I am happy to report there is a thriving colony of Klingon interior designers on Kappa Omega III, though it is in a disturbingly bright pink and gold palette. It is situated about ten light-years from the Klingon home planet, just far enough away to escape the (translated roughly from the original Klingon) "[expletive] grays and greens with a few sharp things thrown on the walls because they all [expletive] think that someone's gonna break through the door and attack when they're on the pot. Personally, I would soOOOo rather redecorate than decapitate, but they all think that some [expletive] color and light will detract from their [expletive] (speaker uses air quotes here) warrior image. Honestly, I think they find a paintbrush on their doorstep more frightening than a Romulan Bird of Prey."

While the colony is not discussed on the Klingon home planet, vauge references in the historical records indicated that it was created over a half-millennium ago when the then-emperors' son was discovered repainting his room a mixture of pastel green and deep purple and using his bat'leth as a coat-hanger. Despite numerous attempts to rectify the situation and, it seems his death was faked, along with at least three hundred other Klingons of both sexes from the higher echelons of society.

In the centuries since, the term ghoSta' DoH, or sending away [for warrior training] has become synonymous with the often voluntary permanent exile to the colony. Several years ago a Federation shipping vessel made accidental contact with the colony and brought back a small contingent of Klingon interior decorators to Earth, where they have slowly been making a name for themselves and the... unique design traditions of their colony. Unfortunately that name is kitS' ch.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 22, 2007, 12:33:49 PM
Now that's funny!
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Mfitz on February 22, 2007, 01:15:12 PM
 :)

I getting flashes of a Klingon version of "Queer Eye for the Straigh Guy".
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: madjo on February 22, 2007, 02:28:15 PM
My unofficial official barrier for entry is that they have to have finished their first season. Which is why Eureka's there and Heros isn't.
Then what is Firefly doing there on the list? ;)
*runs and hides*
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 22, 2007, 02:40:07 PM
:)

I getting flashes of a Klingon version of "Queer Eye for the Straigh Guy".

That's _exactly_ what I was thinking :D Someone needs to do that and put it up on youtube :P

Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Mfitz on February 22, 2007, 02:52:17 PM
This is going out on a limb, but I'm going to say that Stargate is my pick for the best TV SF show.

-Dunks and hides-

Please note I didn't say it was the best SF ever produced, just that it was the best SF TV show.  I look to TV for entertainment and I think Stargate had the most consistant entertainment value.  The production values were good, without ever having SPFX over power other areas of the show. The the cannon plotline is convoluted to the extreme and often downright silly if you stopped to think about it, but the writing was clever, and the writers were obviously confortable and familiar with the characters (Unlike say, Enterprise where the writers seemed they had never heard of the Trek Universe).  The show has the right balance of humor and seriousness, but never takes it's self too seriously. There was great on screen cast chemistry, (something that just happens and can't be forced), and good casting of small character parts (I think second only to X-files in the genre).
 
All this makes great entertainment, it's just fun to watch the show, and it does what I want a TV show to do; take me away from the 9-5 grind of the real world.  
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on February 22, 2007, 03:34:48 PM
My unofficial official barrier for entry is that they have to have finished their first season. Which is why Eureka's there and Heros isn't.
Then what is Firefly doing there on the list? ;)
*runs and hides*
Technically, Firefly did finish the first season - being cancelled pretty much finishes the season.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on February 22, 2007, 03:39:29 PM
Quote from: Mfitz
This is going out on a limb, but I'm going to say that Stargate is my pick for the best TV SF show....
I'm not sure I would go that far, but it a good show and with the addition of Ben and Claudia (from Farscape) it became quite fun and enjoyable.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Alasdair5000 on February 22, 2007, 03:42:36 PM
This is going out on a limb, but I'm going to say that Stargate is my pick for the best TV SF show.

-Dunks and hides-

Please note I didn't say it was the best SF ever produced, just that it was the best SF TV show.  I look to TV for entertainment and I think Stargate had the most consistant entertainment value.  The production values were good, without ever having SPFX over power other areas of the show. The the cannon plotline is convoluted to the extreme and often downright silly if you stopped to think about it, but the writing was clever, and the writers were obviously confortable and familiar with the characters (Unlike say, Enterprise where the writers seemed they had never heard of the Trek Universe).  The show has the right balance of humor and seriousness, but never takes it's self too seriously. There was great on screen cast chemistry, (something that just happens and can't be forced), and good casting of small character parts (I think second only to X-files in the genre).
 
All this makes great entertainment, it's just fun to watch the show, and it does what I want a TV show to do; take me away from the 9-5 grind of the real world. 

   Damn right:)  I've got a great deal of time for STARGATE partially for the reasons you mention and partially because of the way the history accretes around the characters.  A friend of mine pointed out a little while back that the series is really about humanity's emergence as a galactic power, given that we start out as a bunch of schmucks wandering through a gate to Abydos and by the end of the 10th season we've made contact with dozens of races, are using reverse engineered alien tech, have an outpost in another GALAXY and have changed the balance of power in local space almost completely.  It's sort of the Federation element of STAR TREK mixed with the techno thriller and I really like that.

   Plus, ANY series which turns out a 200th episode quite as spectacular as STARGATE's deserves admiration:)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Startrekwiki on February 23, 2007, 12:57:42 AM
Admiration, SG-1 deserves,
but as a TV show, I liked it until two main characters were gotten ridden of. Dr. Daniel Jackson, and Colonel O'Neil. They were great characters and good actors (O'Neil is Richard Dean Aderson's character).

That's one of two primary ways to kill off a TV show:

Get rid of the favorite characters Or,
Too much cliff-hanging.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 23, 2007, 01:29:17 AM
Admiration, SG-1 deserves,
but as a TV show, I liked it until two main characters were gotten ridden of. Dr. Daniel Jackson, and Colonel O'Neil. They were great characters and good actors (O'Neil is Richard Dean Anderson's character).

Uh, Daniel's been back for a while now as a regular cast member, and O'Neil has been making pretty regular cameos.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Startrekwiki on February 23, 2007, 02:04:29 AM
Oh. Sorry... I guess they got some sense. But, I havn't seen much since O'Neil was kicked. Well, thanks for telling me. I'll start watching again, now.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 23, 2007, 02:43:32 AM
Yeah, Daniel died and Ascended, then he Descended. After that he Ascended again for a little bit, but it was really more of a day-trip to bitch about ancient policy rather than dying all over again. He was kind of an a human Ascension yo-yo for a bit there.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Startrekwiki on February 23, 2007, 03:59:55 AM
That's one thing that I missed that I probably would not have enjoyed seeing.  :-\
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Mfitz on February 23, 2007, 02:14:13 PM
O'Neil didn't get kicked out Anderson wanted to pull back from the show so he had time for other projects, and his family.  Sad as that is for the fans I think it's completely understandable after ten years of the sort of brutal schedule that goes with filming a TV show and the extra time/energy he had to put in as one of the producers.

Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Startrekwiki on February 23, 2007, 02:19:47 PM
I suppose that, in that light, it is quite reasonable. I would have surely done the same thing, in his place.
But they convinced him to come back.
Sorry. I've been fiddling with forum posting controls.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 27, 2007, 07:59:13 PM
Someone mentioned the X-Files a while back, so I thought I'd drop this in....
During the last couple of seasons, when it became obvious that they were getting drowned in their own ongoing story arc, I think they had an opportunity to continue the show with Dogget and Reyes, but they missed the boat.  What I think they should have done was to continue the series but with no overall story arc - let that go with Scully and Mulder - and just have self contained episodes with a set formula (for lack of a better term). Reyes was the believer and Dogget was the skeptic.  Each week, they would be presented with some weird crime that looked like something paranormal was going on. Sometimes there would be, sometimes there wouldn't be and sometimes it would leave it ambiguous, but you never knew until the final scene.  With good writing, acting, etc...they could have continued this for a long time. I mean, how long has CSI been on now and then generally have two crimes per episode and never leave Las Vegas.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on February 27, 2007, 08:11:50 PM
Overall, I actually thought Dogget was relatively interesting (Reyes never clicked with me all the way).  But I still think they should've either ended the Mulder/Scully show either at the end of season 8 or somewhere in the middle of season 7 -- when Mulder "finds" his sister (sorry, can't remember the episode name). I probably would've kept watching if they did the Dogget/Reyes show, though. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Talia on February 28, 2007, 03:43:24 PM
Someone mentioned the X-Files a while back, so I thought I'd drop this in....
During the last couple of seasons, when it became obvious that they were getting drowned in their own ongoing story arc, I think they had an opportunity to continue the show with Dogget and Reyes, but they missed the boat.  What I think they should have done was to continue the series but with no overall story arc - let that go with Scully and Mulder - and just have self contained episodes with a set formula (for lack of a better term). Reyes was the believer and Dogget was the skeptic.  Each week, they would be presented with some weird crime that looked like something paranormal was going on. Sometimes there would be, sometimes there wouldn't be and sometimes it would leave it ambiguous, but you never knew until the final scene.  With good writing, acting, etc...they could have continued this for a long time. I mean, how long has CSI been on now and then generally have two crimes per episode and never leave Las Vegas.

I don't know; IMHO part of the reason the xfiles was so wonderful was the characters of Mulder and Scully themselves and the particular chemistry they had. I don't think it could have been at all recaptured in a Dogget/Reyes team up (although I liked Dogget as well). I'm not sure if the continued loyalty of the rabid Xfiles fandom would be enough to let it continue :P (although I'll confess I probably would have watched it as well, for a little while anyway).
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Russell Nash on February 28, 2007, 07:42:14 PM
Someone mentioned the X-Files a while back, so I thought I'd drop this in....
During the last couple of seasons, when it became obvious that they were getting drowned in their own ongoing story arc, I think they had an opportunity to continue the show with Dogget and Reyes, but they missed the boat.  What I think they should have done was to continue the series but with no overall story arc - let that go with Scully and Mulder - and just have self contained episodes with a set formula (for lack of a better term). Reyes was the believer and Dogget was the skeptic.  Each week, they would be presented with some weird crime that looked like something paranormal was going on. Sometimes there would be, sometimes there wouldn't be and sometimes it would leave it ambiguous, but you never knew until the final scene.  With good writing, acting, etc...they could have continued this for a long time. I mean, how long has CSI been on now and then generally have two crimes per episode and never leave Las Vegas.

I don't know; IMHO part of the reason the xfiles was so wonderful was the characters of Mulder and Scully themselves and the particular chemistry they had. I don't think it could have been at all recaptured in a Dogget/Reyes team up (although I liked Dogget as well). I'm not sure if the continued loyalty of the rabid Xfiles fandom would be enough to let it continue :P (although I'll confess I probably would have watched it as well, for a little while anyway).

The X-files fans were so devote, that I think they would have given any new "couple" a few episodes to get in their groove. If the writers came up with a good hook, the show probably would have been able to continue.

The interesting thing about the show was that with all of it's popularity, it really didn't get copied. There wasn't really another choice. Before everyone points out how wrong that statement is, compare it to Law & Order. There were three L&O on the air at one time (or was it four) and then you also had three or four CSI shows.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 28, 2007, 08:55:43 PM
Someone mentioned the X-Files a while back, so I thought I'd drop this in....
During the last couple of seasons, when it became obvious that they were getting drowned in their own ongoing story arc, I think they had an opportunity to continue the show with Dogget and Reyes, but they missed the boat.  What I think they should have done was to continue the series but with no overall story arc - let that go with Scully and Mulder - and just have self contained episodes with a set formula (for lack of a better term). Reyes was the believer and Dogget was the skeptic.  Each week, they would be presented with some weird crime that looked like something paranormal was going on. Sometimes there would be, sometimes there wouldn't be and sometimes it would leave it ambiguous, but you never knew until the final scene.  With good writing, acting, etc...they could have continued this for a long time. I mean, how long has CSI been on now and then generally have two crimes per episode and never leave Las Vegas.

I don't know; IMHO part of the reason the xfiles was so wonderful was the characters of Mulder and Scully themselves and the particular chemistry they had. I don't think it could have been at all recaptured in a Dogget/Reyes team up (although I liked Dogget as well). I'm not sure if the continued loyalty of the rabid Xfiles fandom would be enough to let it continue :P (although I'll confess I probably would have watched it as well, for a little while anyway).

The X-files fans were so devote, that I think they would have given any new "couple" a few episodes to get in their groove. If the writers came up with a good hook, the show probably would have been able to continue.

The interesting thing about the show was that with all of it's popularity, it really didn't get copied. There wasn't really another choice. Before everyone points out how wrong that statement is, compare it to Law & Order. There were three L&O on the air at one time (or was it four) and then you also had three or four CSI shows.

The x-files never got franchised like CSI and L&O, but I remember there being several shows that tried to copy it and all of them getting canceled quickly. (Don't ask me to remember the titles.)  Isn't there one on sci-fi right now? 
I think the reason Fox never franchised it was that it was serialized - CSI and L&O are not, AFAIK.  Also, consider that CSI has been in the top 10 in the ratings ever week it has been shown.  I'll bet the X-Files only made it into the top 10 maybe a handful of times in it's entire existence - if ever.  I'm also not sure if Fox has a thing against franchising.  They could easily franchise "24."  You wouldn't even have to have it be fighting terrorists in another city.  The hook of 24 is the real-time aspect.  You could easily have 24 in a hospital emergency room, 24 in a firehouse, 24 in a police precinct. Hell, 24 at a 7/11 if you did t right.  :P
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Russell Nash on February 28, 2007, 09:31:08 PM
Someone mentioned the X-Files a while back, so I thought I'd drop this in....
During the last couple of seasons, when it became obvious that they were getting drowned in their own ongoing story arc, I think they had an opportunity to continue the show with Dogget and Reyes, but they missed the boat.  What I think they should have done was to continue the series but with no overall story arc - let that go with Scully and Mulder - and just have self contained episodes with a set formula (for lack of a better term). Reyes was the believer and Dogget was the skeptic.  Each week, they would be presented with some weird crime that looked like something paranormal was going on. Sometimes there would be, sometimes there wouldn't be and sometimes it would leave it ambiguous, but you never knew until the final scene.  With good writing, acting, etc...they could have continued this for a long time. I mean, how long has CSI been on now and then generally have two crimes per episode and never leave Las Vegas.

I don't know; IMHO part of the reason the xfiles was so wonderful was the characters of Mulder and Scully themselves and the particular chemistry they had. I don't think it could have been at all recaptured in a Dogget/Reyes team up (although I liked Dogget as well). I'm not sure if the continued loyalty of the rabid Xfiles fandom would be enough to let it continue :P (although I'll confess I probably would have watched it as well, for a little while anyway).

The X-files fans were so devote, that I think they would have given any new "couple" a few episodes to get in their groove. If the writers came up with a good hook, the show probably would have been able to continue.

The interesting thing about the show was that with all of it's popularity, it really didn't get copied. There wasn't really another choice. Before everyone points out how wrong that statement is, compare it to Law & Order. There were three L&O on the air at one time (or was it four) and then you also had three or four CSI shows.

The x-files never got franchised like CSI and L&O, but I remember there being several shows that tried to copy it and all of them getting canceled quickly. (Don't ask me to remember the titles.)  Isn't there one on sci-fi right now? 
I think the reason Fox never franchised it was that it was serialized - CSI and L&O are not, AFAIK.  Also, consider that CSI has been in the top 10 in the ratings ever week it has been shown.  I'll bet the X-Files only made it into the top 10 maybe a handful of times in it's entire existence - if ever.  I'm also not sure if Fox has a thing against franchising.  They could easily franchise "24."  You wouldn't even have to have it be fighting terrorists in another city.  The hook of 24 is the real-time aspect.  You could easily have 24 in a hospital emergency room, 24 in a firehouse, 24 in a police precinct. Hell, 24 at a 7/11 if you did t right.  :P


My examples weren't clear.

I was basically implying that L&O and CSI are the same type of show andall the other  crime shows on at the air at the same time. probably a total of ten shows or more all from the same mold.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on February 28, 2007, 11:36:35 PM
Yeah, I know what you mean - cookie cutter drama. Comedies are bad about that, too. It seems like all comedies have the wacky neighbor, for example.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on March 01, 2007, 12:18:23 PM
Yeah, I know what you mean - cookie cutter drama. Comedies are bad about that, too. It seems like all comedies have the wacky neighbor, for example.
Oh, I know. I totally hate it when Shakespeare kept shoving in that whole wise deus-ex-machina king/prince archetype into every fraking comedy he wrote. I could stand it in Much Ado About Nothing, and it was tolerable in The Merchant of Venice, but he totally ruined Measure for Measure* with it.

(*I know Measure for Measure is one of the problem plays and is only loosely a comedy.)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Roney on March 04, 2007, 06:49:22 PM
Missing option: "Space: Above and Beyond".  Just rewatching it again: still flawed, still excellent.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Roney on March 04, 2007, 07:50:57 PM
Missing option: Ultraviolet.  No, not that Ultraviolet.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultraviolet-Complete-2-Disc-Set/dp/B000053W5J/ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultraviolet-Complete-2-Disc-Set/dp/B000053W5J/)

Best.  Vampire.  Show.  Ever.  And I say that as a big fan of Buffy.

At only six one-hour episodes it's probably too short to count for the poll, but I had to put in a word for it.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on March 05, 2007, 04:57:23 PM
Missing option: "Space: Above and Beyond".  Just rewatching it again: still flawed, still excellent.

I liked that show a lot.  I can't believe it got canned after the first year.  I think about it a lot when I'm watching the new BSG.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Zathras on March 16, 2007, 02:35:49 AM
How about the "Planet of the Apes" TV series?   I loved it as a kid and now am watching it courtesy of NetFlix.  I find that it is a bit corny and seems to be like Kung Fu, only the citizens wear ape/chimp/orangutan masks.  I would say the movies were better but it is fun to revisit something after 23 years.     
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Planish on March 16, 2007, 03:39:30 AM
Merciful Heavens. My four choices were in the top five.
I must be getting ... mainstream.
Eeuw.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: DKT on March 16, 2007, 04:33:53 PM
I think if you're mainstream in this group you're probably still counter-culture/alternative at heart  ;)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Anarkey on March 16, 2007, 07:30:41 PM
Merciful Heavens. My four choices were in the top five.
I must be getting ... mainstream.
Eeuw.

We're talking television here.  The whole medium is mainstream.  That's the point of it. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on March 16, 2007, 07:38:13 PM
Merciful Heavens. My four choices were in the top five.
I must be getting ... mainstream.
Eeuw.

We're talking television here.  The whole medium is mainstream.  That's the point of it. 

I have a hard time seeing things like "The Venture Brothers" or "Drawn together" as mainstream.
Of course, I also remember when there was only 3 networks, 5 stations and shows used to advertise as being "In Color!"
TV has a lot more niche programs than it did way back when.  I think at some point, there will be so much variety of entertainment content that the idea of something being mainstream will be lost.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: lowky on March 19, 2007, 05:21:19 PM
There were some missing from that list I enjoyed.  I didn't vote for firefly, I enjoy it immensely but I never saw it til it was on DVD, so I don't think it qualifies for me.  A co-worker loaned it to a former roommate.  I voted for X-files, though I didn't like what many will call it's central theme--The big government conspiracy to cover up alien exisitance.  I liked episodes like the one about Flukeman, and the one that was based more or less on Tyson chicken.  The more out there stories, the better, some horror, some more sci-fi, all good.  I enjoyed V as a kid.  The old Buck Rogers.  Quantum Leap I enjoyed as it was a bit different in its premise, and the story ideas could just keep coming with it as a result.  What would have been icing on the cake for me though with X-files, is that if the aliens were really great old ones, they brought in the spun off Millenium as part of that.  How would Mulder and Scully fare as investigators in Call of Cthulhu settings.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Anarkey on March 20, 2007, 02:44:51 PM
I have a hard time seeing things like "The Venture Brothers" or "Drawn together" as mainstream.
Of course, I also remember when there was only 3 networks, 5 stations and shows used to advertise as being "In Color!"
TV has a lot more niche programs than it did way back when.  I think at some point, there will be so much variety of entertainment content that the idea of something being mainstream will be lost.

You may be right, television may continue to diversify more and more and there may be increasingly smaller niches of viewing, but I think, generally, that the people involved in the television industry are being dragged that way kicking and screaming, and they still prefer Superbowls and shows everyone talks about Monday morning.  I also think, economies of scalewise, that television is still for the masses and thus, designed to be mainstream.

I should note that I don't really care for television, by and large.  I watch, at most, two shows and that only since I got a dvr (in the last year).  I stopped watching shows in real time in about 2002, barring the occasional hockey game (which, btw, is a sport that's really struggling with television contracts because it doesn't get enough eyeballs), so I'm not particularly well-informed on the specifics of current television.  I just know that the medium is meant to go into every household and, by definition, that's not terribly alternative.

That said, you'll pry the episodes of Firefly on DVD out of my fingers when I'm dead, and not an instant before.  I pull out Babylon 5 roughly every three or four years and rewatch it (though I skim season 1).  OTOH, though I semi-currently watch BSG (I'm about three months behind), I never see myself re-watching it or purchasing it and sometimes it's exceptionally irritating.  I've nearly stopped watching it twice...no, three times.  I'm just not really invested in TV.  If the whole industry went away tomorrow, I wouldn't miss it.  I realize this is not normal, but it nonetheless is.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on March 20, 2007, 03:05:33 PM
I am often struck by the irony that there are more things on TV now that I should be enjoying but I watch less and less television.  If not for my Tivo, I might not watch any at all.  I think the advances in technology are driving the costs of doing television down, at least for the equipment needed. Not long ago, something like "Stranger Things" would have been impossible.  That being the case, it's easier to create niche programs.  Also, advertisers like niche programs as long as the niche is big enough. They have a much more consistent demographic to sell to.

As an aside, I wouldn't give up on Hockey on television just yet. My theory is that hockey and soccer both have the same problem - they suck on TV.  If you pull the camera back far enough to see what is going on, you loose all the detail.  If you zoom in close enough to see the player with the puck, you can't follow the action.  I predict that when HD takes over the US, hockey and soccer will start to increase in popularity as a TV sport.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Zathras on March 21, 2007, 10:49:30 PM
I just thought of another classic series, Time Tunnel. I think it was a mid 1960's show.  I loved how despite the fact that they had no control over where they travelling in time they ended always ended up in some historically significant event.  One episode took place on the Titanic right before it hit the iceberg, another took place on that fateful day at Pearl Harbor, another was in the future on the first trip to the moon.  The latter episode was entertaining because of the way the moon trip was portrayed:  three guys sitting hanging around in a stainless steel living room cruising through space.  I guess if they would've landed in the everyday past or future it the show wouldn't have had a point. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: SFEley on March 22, 2007, 01:26:06 AM
I just thought of another classic series, Time Tunnel. I think it was a mid 1960's show.  I loved how despite the fact that they had no control over where they travelling in time they ended always ended up in some historically significant event.

Doctor Who was like that as well in the first few seasons.  Yes, I'm still on my quest to watch them all through in order.  (I'm almost through the Troughton seasons now.)

When it first began, the intent was to make a children's educational series.  About half the earliest episodes were historicals, with the Doctor and company meeting Marco Polo and Emperor Nero and such.  I think I can understand why they were less popular and eventually abandoned, but I really enjoyed them.  Some of them -- in particular "The Romans" and "The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre" -- were among the best-written ones I've seen.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 22, 2007, 02:28:06 AM
Quote from: ClintMemo
My theory is that hockey and soccer both have the same problem - they suck on TV.
I can never pass this kind of comment, sorry.  It's not the sport, it's the audience.  I enjoy soccer very much on TV, and without knowing the teams I can pretty easily pick out English League play vs Italian or German League.  It's a shame that the understanding of the game is not cultivated in the US, and HDTV won't really help IMHO.  It's often said that it's because Football and Basketball are "quick hit" sports and Americans don't have the attention span - that's garbage - it's because, plain and simple, the grow up on those sports.  The only people I've met from the States who play soccer after high school are those that played on University teams. 

My 2 cents about TV - it's definitely on the way out.  Niche markets, cheap, easy production cost, and cheap, easy distribution through the internet (check out http://www.newvoyages.com/).  And, yes, they like Superbowl, etc. it's easy to sell the ad space.  But when a medium sized audience is considered a giant hit (think Desperate Housewives), you know the writing is on the wall.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on March 22, 2007, 12:07:43 PM
Quote from: ClintMemo
My theory is that hockey and soccer both have the same problem - they suck on TV.
I can never pass this kind of comment, sorry.  It's not the sport, it's the audience.  I enjoy soccer very much on TV, and without knowing the teams I can pretty easily pick out English League play vs Italian or German League.  It's a shame that the understanding of the game is not cultivated in the US, and HDTV won't really help IMHO.  It's often said that it's because Football and Basketball are "quick hit" sports and Americans don't have the attention span - that's garbage - it's because, plain and simple, the grow up on those sports.  The only people I've met from the States who play soccer after high school are those that played on University teams. 

My 2 cents about TV - it's definitely on the way out.  Niche markets, cheap, easy production cost, and cheap, easy distribution through the internet (check out http://www.newvoyages.com/).  And, yes, they like Superbowl, etc. it's easy to sell the ad space.  But when a medium sized audience is considered a giant hit (think Desperate Housewives), you know the writing is on the wall.

A few quick facts...
Baseball rules sports television in the summer.
(American) Football rules sports television on sundays in the fall.
But the sport most elementary and middle school kids are actually playing in organized leagues  (including my 9 year old daughter)  is......soccer. (That's why they are called "soccer moms"  :))   That's been true for at least ten years, probably longer.  When the kids get older, there are very few teams for them to play on.  For example, in the county where I leave, there are probably over a thousand kids up to age 12 playing soccer in leagues. But there are probably only about 50 playing in high school (age 13-18) because they only teams they can play on are the actual school teams.  All the other kids either give up sports all together or play something else.

back to my opinion...
(Disclaimer: I have grown to hate watching sports on T.V.  I wasn't always that way, but now it's on my list of things that life is too short to do. :P )
Soccer hasn't taken off here professionally because there are no big American stars, which only develop when they get on TV, which never get on TV because there are no big stars....it's a vicious circle.  I heard recently that the Los Angeles pro soccer team is buying a big star from England, so maybe that will change.
Basketball is also pretty popular here and the only difference between hockey and basketball is the ice.  :P   Hockey is just as fast paced as basketball but because the rink is bigger and the sport moves faster, it sucks on TV.
Baseball and American Football are incredibly boring most of the time because most of the time nothing is actually happening. Everyone is between plays.  (You could probably condense an entire game of either sport down to 30 minutes if you left out all the parts where players are just standing around.)  Fast paced they are not.

I'm willing to bet that you've seen "real" soccer games live, not just on TV.  You probably know the game.  You know what's going on that you aren't seeing on the screen.  You are an informed viewer. Most American adults know little or nothing about the game of soccer.  When they see soccer on TV they see either a guy on the screen kicking a ball around or a big pullback shot with a bunch of ants.  They have no idea what is happening.  I took my daughter to see a college soccer game last year.  Watching that was completely different that watching soccer on TV.  Maybe when all those tykes grow up, buy big screen TV's and want to watch sports, they'll look at soccer.  Who knows?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 22, 2007, 01:52:24 PM
It sounds to me like we agree. 
I've recently returned to Canada after living in Indianapolis for 3 years, and the soccer program there was HUGE.  I've coached my three kids soccer teams for years, and was pleased to see so much participation.  However, as much as the kids play, very few of their parents understood the game or had any interest about it.  Soccer was the filler sport - it's cheap, fairly safe and kept them fit for B-Ball or the "real" Football.  Exactly as you said, once they hit high school it was the school soccer team or pretty much nothing. So it's no surprise the kid's interest in the sport (even as a spectator) disappears.  I was part of a weekly pick-up game and 75-85% of all the players were foreign-born/raised or first-gen.

Having David Beckham play for the LA Galaxy is not going to help in the long run.  The man is more popular/well-known than Shaquille O'Neil, Peyton Manning, and A-Rod combined.  His jersey sales account for a large percentage Real Madrid's (his former club) merchandising. And there will be a bump (like when Pele playing in New York) in interest while he is here, but after he leaves, it will go back to moderate interest. 

Trying to keep it on the thread - anyone have a favourite sport scene from a sci-fi show?

For me it would be ST:Voyager, Capt Janeway playing 7 of 9 in some futuristic squash/raquetball thing, and 7 of 9 keeps saying stuff like "I'm so much better, it is pointless for you to play."  Then Janeway pulls off this amazing return and scores.  7 of 9 says "There is no way you did that on purpose."  And Janeway replies, "Actually, this is what I was thinking when I did it..."
Reminds me of that awesome feeling when I pull of an amazing play on the field that was totally intended.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: ClintMemo on March 22, 2007, 02:25:44 PM

Trying to keep it on the thread - anyone have a favourite sport scene from a sci-fi show?

Not from a show but from a book. There is a bit from one of the Mythadventure books where they play a game like gladitorial football with three teams on a three sided field.

Reminds me of that awesome feeling when I pull of an amazing play on the field that was totally intended.

Golf is that way.  Hitting a golf ball well is really hard.  But no matter how bad you are, every once in a while, you'll accidentally hit a really good shot, and that one shot is the one that will tempt you to come back and try playing again. I'm convinced that golf was invented by Satan.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: jrderego on March 22, 2007, 02:42:57 PM
It sounds to me like we agree. 
I've recently returned to Canada after living in Indianapolis for 3 years, and the soccer program there was HUGE.  I've coached my three kids soccer teams for years, and was pleased to see so much participation.  However, as much as the kids play, very few of their parents understood the game or had any interest about it.  Soccer was the filler sport - it's cheap, fairly safe and kept them fit for B-Ball or the "real" Football.  Exactly as you said, once they hit high school it was the school soccer team or pretty much nothing. So it's no surprise the kid's interest in the sport (even as a spectator) disappears.  I was part of a weekly pick-up game and 75-85% of all the players were foreign-born/raised or first-gen.

Having David Beckham play for the LA Galaxy is not going to help in the long run.  The man is more popular/well-known than Shaquille O'Neil, Peyton Manning, and A-Rod combined.  His jersey sales account for a large percentage Real Madrid's (his former club) merchandising. And there will be a bump (like when Pele playing in New York) in interest while he is here, but after he leaves, it will go back to moderate interest. 

Trying to keep it on the thread - anyone have a favourite sport scene from a sci-fi show?

For me it would be ST:Voyager, Capt Janeway playing 7 of 9 in some futuristic squash/raquetball thing, and 7 of 9 keeps saying stuff like "I'm so much better, it is pointless for you to play."  Then Janeway pulls off this amazing return and scores.  7 of 9 says "There is no way you did that on purpose."  And Janeway replies, "Actually, this is what I was thinking when I did it..."
Reminds me of that awesome feeling when I pull of an amazing play on the field that was totally intended.

I've been a pretty steady MLS watcher since their inaugural season. Go Revs! One of the best moves that MLS made to get ready for this year is to partner with the German footbal league who will teach the MLS guys how to position the camera, how to light the fiely properly, how to shoot from multiple angles, to better portray the game on television. We might even get to see a couple of good exhibition matches between the good German clubs and the US teams. I think having a high profile player like David Beckham on someone's roster will be a good start and might attract some better international players to the game here in the states. The first couple of years we drew mostly from South and Central America and out play was very much like what you'd see from the Argentine, Mexican, or Venezualan clubs (all of which you can see on Spanish Language Cable). But as more Europeans are drawn to MLS that will change. I don't know if it will draw more fans, but it will certainly make for better and more varied football play.

I still miss Walter Zenga.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 22, 2007, 03:04:33 PM
Quote from: Clintmemo
...will tempt you to come back and try playing again. I'm convinced that golf was invented by Satan.
LOL.  I agree - personally, I've been able to horribly fail consistantly enough that I am no longer tempted :)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Russell Nash on March 22, 2007, 03:08:54 PM
Having David Beckham play for the LA Galaxy is not going to help in the long run.  The man is more popular/well-known than Shaquille O'Neil, Peyton Manning, and A-Rod combined.  His jersey sales account for a large percentage Real Madrid's (his former club) merchandising. And there will be a bump (like when Pele playing in New York) in interest while he is here, but after he leaves, it will go back to moderate interest. 
I've been a pretty steady MLS watcher since their inaugural season. Go Revs! One of the best moves that MLS made to get ready for this year is to partner with the German footbal league who will teach the MLS guys how to position the camera, how to light the fiely properly, how to shoot from multiple angles, to better portray the game on television. We might even get to see a couple of good exhibition matches between the good German clubs and the US teams. I think having a high profile player like David Beckham on someone's roster will be a good start and might attract some better international players to the game here in the states. The first couple of years we drew mostly from South and Central America and out play was very much like what you'd see from the Argentine, Mexican, or Venezualan clubs (all of which you can see on Spanish Language Cable). But as more Europeans are drawn to MLS that will change. I don't know if it will draw more fans, but it will certainly make for better and more varied football play.

I have to throw in my two cents on this, because I have actually given my explaination on this to several of my German friends.

The MLS is priced like a professional sport, but it doesn't have the following. We follow as adults the sports we followed as kids. As kids we followed the sports our families followed. To break this cycle the MLS has to get as many butts as possible into the seats at the games. Once people see games live, they become interested in the team in general. As interest increases, demand for soccer on TV will increase. Once the games are on TV, more of the soccer league kids can see the games. This creates more interest in it just spirals up.

To get more butts in the seats the MLS needs to almost give the tickets away. Special deals to teams or families with kids on teams. Lower the ticket prices in general.

15 years ago I never heard of people crowding a minor league baseball game. They were played out in the middle of nowhere and no one went. Then in the Philadelphia area they moved in two teams, One in Trenton and one in Camden. These teams did well, because it was an affordable option to going to see the pros.

A soccer game needs to be cheaper to see than going to the zoo or maybe even a movie. Make it the place a father takes the kids on saturday afternoon, when mom wants a day off.

There are tons of kids playing soccer who want to follow a pro team. They just need to see the team.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 22, 2007, 03:16:27 PM
Quote from: jrderego
I've been a pretty steady MLS watcher...
Maybe we should start a new thread...
I remember Pele's arrival with the New York Cosmos (barely), and how that was heralded as the break through needed to bring soccer to America.  I remember hearing that for World Cup 98, when Freddy Adu joining the league, and now with Beckham.  I really think that ship has sailed.  Americans don't need soccer, so why should things change?  Look at the Women's League - that had everything going for it - untapped market (lots of young women), no completing male version (in the US), serious accomplishments in the world arena - then nothing.

Hopefully with some more talent and better production watching the matches will seem less like good College ball.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 22, 2007, 03:20:45 PM
Quote from: Russell Nash
...my explaination...
Preach on, brother!  I have the same opinion.  People will pay big money to see big talent - hence the bump for Pele and the already visble bump for Beckham.  People will not pay big money to see nobodies (or even regular money).  So if you want me to show up, make it cheap.  Once I'm hooked...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: lowky on March 22, 2007, 07:56:00 PM
Quote from: Russell Nash
...my explaination...
Preach on, brother!  I have the same opinion.  People will pay big money to see big talent - hence the bump for Pele and the already visble bump for Beckham.  People will not pay big money to see nobodies (or even regular money).  So if you want me to show up, make it cheap.  Once I'm hooked...

[agree] $40 family nights, including 4 tickets, souvenir(s) for kids and 4 dogs/soft drinks.  I remember when I played as a child going to see the Detroit Express and being excited about it, and wanting to go back.  I wish I still had the hand stitched souvenir ball signed by the entire team.  Now I don't even know if Detroit/Michigan even has a pro soccer team. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Ananzi on March 23, 2007, 11:58:51 PM
I'm kind of surprised no one's mentioned Dark Angel.
I thought the first season was really interesting,though the second and third were more  formulaic...

 And what about "Land of the Lost"? Or am I the only person here old enough to remember it?

 I'd vote for "Gary Seven" but I'm pretty sure that only aired in universe parallel to this one...
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: slic on March 24, 2007, 02:13:21 PM
Quote
I'd vote for "Gary Seven" but I'm pretty sure that only aired in universe parallel to this one...
Well, I think there was a reason the "Star Trek" pilot didn't materialize as a series in this universe - it was bad ;)

There is a 3rd season of Dark Angel?  I have the first two, and I've never seen a third - that would be cool.  It was a bit formulaic, as you say, but I enjoyed them none the less
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Roney on March 24, 2007, 10:50:03 PM
[snip: association football]

This thread is just funny to a foreigner.  Every other country in the world does soccer.  Therefore it must be a deep-rooted human need.  Therefore y'all will have to follow it eventually.  You will.

And I don't even like the damn game.

Are you enjoying the cricket world cup?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: lowky on March 26, 2007, 12:49:46 PM
bah with global warming, when then next ice age hits those of us that aren't frozen can enjoy a true sport.  Curling ftw!
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: CGFxColONeill on February 16, 2008, 08:19:05 PM
what only 6 votes for SG-1 and 5 for Andromeda
those are 2 of my favorites
that is confusing
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Darwinist on February 17, 2008, 01:29:38 AM
Is Lost Science Fiction? I've never heard it referred to as such.

I think it is at least a LITTLE sci-fi, and a little horror-ish.  There are some pretty weird things happening on the island:  time anomalies, odd science experiments in the Dharma hatches, smokey the monster, the weird whispering, the odd hallucinations (or are they real?).  I work with a person who doesn't like Lost that much because she thinks it is TOO sci-fi.   

(Oops...I didn't realized I was replying to such an old post until it was too late)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: stePH on February 17, 2008, 01:56:38 AM
A lot of it felt forced.  though a large part of that was because the previous season ended on a cliffhanger, I'll admit that.  The happy ending was always going to happen. 

I probably disliked it because it was an ending too though... I was a bigfan... and I wanted it to increase above the crap of season 4... >_>  and I thought it would get back on track again; if it was given the chance.

The resolutions felt forced though; as there was no other way that peace could be done without threatening everyone in the universe... and as a method of keeping hte peace I dislike it as a core idea... but yeah it was so they would stop chasing himand such too...

I dunno.  I just didn't like it as much as the rest of the series... even season 4... but its my personal opinion... I'm tired I can't express myself well... I'm gonig to bed... up early and such for work. 
The Farscape series finale was "Into the Lion's Den, part 2".  As far as I'm concerned, that was it, even if that does leave the third season an episode short.

My choices: Babylon 5, Doctor Who, Farscape and Battlestar Galactica (which is a completely original show that premiered this decade and is in no way based on any prior show by the same name  :P)  If I could pick more than four, The Prisoner would be there as well.  After that, maybe Star Trek too.

On a tangent (can't remember whether I've mentioned this on these boards or not) I've watched the first DVD of Firefly and I'm underwhelmed.  The concept and setting are interesting enough but I don't really like any of the characters.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on February 17, 2008, 04:10:26 AM

On a tangent (can't remember whether I've mentioned this on these boards or not) I've watched the first DVD of Firefly and I'm underwhelmed.  The concept and setting are interesting enough but I don't really like any of the characters.


Hmmm... I highly recommend going back in time, and mentally preparing yourself NOT to like it due to the amount of hype surrounding it.  I had fan after fan after fan telling me how great it was, and finally caved in and watched it.  I fully expected it to be over-rated, and not to make it past the pilot.  (That's what happened to me with both Farscape and Babylon 5, btw.)

Of course, I loved all fourteen episodes, and was really pissed to get to the end of the movie and have none left; but that's just me.  :)
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: eytanz on February 17, 2008, 09:07:26 AM
On a tangent (can't remember whether I've mentioned this on these boards or not) I've watched the first DVD of Firefly and I'm underwhelmed.  The concept and setting are interesting enough but I don't really like any of the characters.

Heh - that was sort of the inverse of my reaction. I was also underwhelmed, but for me, the part I did really like was the characters, while the Space Western concept and the setting failed to engage me.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: CammoBlammo on February 17, 2008, 11:12:55 AM
I'm normally pretty wary of anything with hype, but somehow I got sucked into getting Firefly. That's a pretty big thing for me, because it was never shown on free to air TV in Australia, and I can't really afford to pay for it. So going out and buying the boxed set was quite out of character. I guess I wanted to convince myself it was worth the $40, but I didn't need too much persuasion.

Anyhow, I absolutely loved it on at least two levels. First, the characters were fantastic and eminently believable. Second, I really dug the world that Joss Whedon built. I thought the synthesis of earth cultures was a nice touch, and the western thing wasn't a turn off at all.

Last thing---my favourite sci-fi show doesn't seem to have made it to the poll. How'd the OP forget Futurama?
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: gelee on February 19, 2008, 03:54:00 PM
I don't really get all the excitement about Firefly.  I've never seen the series, but I've never liked anything else Joss Wheadon has done, so didn't feel any need to seek it out.  I got through about 20 minutes of Serenity and changed the channel.  It just felt like a rip-off mish mash of Star Trek (all) and Star Wars (original trilogy).
Speaking of bad SF, I am a huge fan of MST3K.  Absolutely loved it.
I also had to scratch my head a bit at the absence of Futurama.  Maybe the best series that Groening and Cohen have made so far.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Alasdair5000 on February 19, 2008, 04:12:40 PM
YOU WATCHED IT!  YOU CAN'T UN WATCH IT!

God I love Futurama, fantastic show.
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Darwinist on February 19, 2008, 05:12:46 PM
I don't really get all the excitement about Firefly.  I've never seen the series, but I've never liked anything else Joss Wheadon has done, so didn't feel any need to seek it out.  I got through about 20 minutes of Serenity and changed the channel.  It just felt like a rip-off mish mash of Star Trek (all) and Star Wars (original trilogy).
Speaking of bad SF, I am a huge fan of MST3K.  Absolutely loved it.
I also had to scratch my head a bit at the absence of Futurama.  Maybe the best series that Groening and Cohen have made so far.

Wow, couldn't disagree with you more on Firefly. Loved the movie and series.  I think a lot of sci-fi is related or a derivative of what came before it, and it doesn't bother me that Firefly was that way. 

MST3K was awesome.  I have a bunch of homemade VHS tapes that I still watch once in a while.  I lived in the Twin Cities for a number of years and at first thought it was just locally broadcast because of the all the local references.  Who did you guys like better- Joel or Mike?

Love Futurama, too.... I had a hard time picking just five off the list. 
Title: Re: SF TV Series you've felt postive emotions for
Post by: Heradel on February 19, 2008, 05:48:29 PM
MST3K was awesome.  I have a bunch of homemade VHS tapes that I still watch once in a while.  I lived in the Twin Cities for a number of years and at first thought it was just locally broadcast because of the all the local references.  Who did you guys like better- Joel or Mike?
I'm pretty sure it's been mentioned somewhere around here before, but Cinematic Titanic (http://cinematictitanic.com/wpmu/index.php) has released it's first DVD and is working on the next few.