What's to watch in S&S/SciFi these days?

[Mark CMG]

Seems to me there is a dearth of swords and sorcery and science fiction themed television at present, or at least a lack of fervor regarding whatever is on worth watching. Please enlighten me if you know otherwise.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The BBC original Being Human is quite well done. The SyFy version has its strengths, but I don't think its as good. However, it is improving. The premise is sort of Three's Company for the supernatural set, but more angsty, more subtle, and more of a drama/dark comedy.

Survivors from BBC is very well done, but I don't know if its still in production or if its just in a lull. Its the story of normal people who survive a super-flu.

Another excellent series in the same limbo is the BBC's Apparitions. Its the story of a British Catholic priest/exorcist who has been targeted by Satan.

Primeval is a nice sci-fi action show from the BBC in which two-2ay time portals keep opening at random, allowing critters from the past and future run amok in present-day England. They're not afraid to kill off main characters, which is both a blessing and a curse. It keeps you guessing, for one, but if your fave gets killed off, its a bummer.

I'm still enjoying Dr. Who and Torchwood- again, both BBC shows.

From THIS side of the pond, The Walking Dead is one of the best takes on zombie apocalypse I've ever seen.

Warehouse 13 on SyFy is an amusing comedic sci-fi version of shows like Friday the 13th: the Series.

 

[Stumblewyk]

It's on the air currently, but HBO is in the end-stages of production of A Game of Thrones, based on the book of the same name by George R. R. Martin.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Fringe has really picked up this season.

On the S&S side, Merlin isn't bad. Game of Thrones figures to be excellent.

That said, unless you count vampires it's true there's not a lot of good genre TV right now.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I loved the first season. It's definitely rated "R" though. Lots of blood and, er... um... other things.

 

[Aldern Foxglove]

I would second being Human, its excellent, while I am happy the U.S version is getting better I would recommend watching the original which is brilliant ongoing and in season 3 now. I'll add that Primeval is ITV not BBC - not my cup of tea, but my dad likes it, lots of dinosaurs.

I would add The Almighty Johnsons which is a Newzealand show about the Norse gods living in Newzealand, its only 1 episode in, but a very promising beginning. Some googlefu ought to be able to turn up a place you can watch it easy enough.

There is also a newly started BBC series called Outcasts, about humanity colonizing a new planet after some disaster on earth, one episode in and it was alright, a bit too much exposition for me and I prefer fantasy to Scifi so probably will not keep watching. But I think it has potential if Scifi is for you.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'll add that Primeval is ITV not BBC - not my cup of tea, but my dad likes it, lots of dinosaurs.

The only 2 channels I've seen air it are BBC America and SyFy, and BBC America had it first. That's all I can say.

 

[Aldern Foxglove]

Ah, BBC America shows a fair bit of stuff from other U.K channels.

I should also add Misfits, which is an excellent Superhero show, about a group of not very heroic teenagers doing community service who get super powers. Its Channel 4 show.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It just occurred to me that BBC America is doing a marathon of Being Human on Feb 19th, leading up to the premiere of the new season.

 

[catsclaw227]

The BBC original Being Human is quite well done. The SyFy version has its strengths, but I don't think its as good. However, it is improving. The premise is sort of Three's Company for the supernatural set, but more angsty, more subtle, and more of a drama/dark comedy.

I am starting to like the SyFy version - finally - it is keeping my attention.

... but HBO is in the end-stages of production of A Game of Thrones, based on the book of the same name by George R. R. Martin.

And HBO rarely misses. They must trust that this will really draw even non-genre audiences. The trailers are awesome.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand. I loved the first season. It's definitely rated "R" though. Lots of blood and, er... um... other things.

And the new series - in a sad turn, put together because Andy Whitfield (sp?) had cancer - is a prequel. Same style, same substance. i.e good adult blood and sex and violence.

I love it so far.