No more Firefly - what next?

[mafisto]

My wife and I finished the Firefly season last week, and after desperately watching every extra, commentary and episode twice... we had to admit it's finally over. We'll buy the box set (didn't know about the commentaries until disc 3) but now we're finding ourselves searching out other excellent shows.

So, in a futile attempt to fill the Firefly-sized hole in my life, I've been ordering other TV series from Netflix. Alias came up as a recommended pick, and seemed to have a decent premise. Then I watched the first few episodes and just... well, it's disappointing. I've been so spoiled by off-beat TV that I had forgotten how flat and dull mainstream programming is. Nothing against Alias fans, but I currently consider the show to be utterly inferior to Whedon's creations.

So, I'm curious - what other shows come highly recommended? I'd rather not waste dozens of hours trying to find a series that works for me, so let me know what shows you're passionate about (and are available on DVD).

Just a note: I've gone through everything available for Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama, Angel and Buffy thus far. Now start recommending!

 

[JoeGKushner]

How about some anime via Cowboy Bebop?

Farscape?

Babylon 5?

The Shield?

24?

Dead Like Me?

Oz?

 

[Cthulhudrew]

My wife and I finished the Firefly season last week, and after desperately watching every extra, commentary and episode twice... we had to admit it's finally over. We'll buy the box set (didn't know about the commentaries until disc 3) but now we're finding ourselves searching out other excellent shows.

You probably already know this, but if not- you've only got 8 more months to wait for the big screen "Serenity". April, 2005! Woohoo!

 

[Pielorinho]

I'm watching Stargate now. I was watching the Season Two premiere on Monday night, thinking during a shipboard battle sequence, "Hey, this isn't half bad!"

Then I remembered War Stories, and thought, "Oh yeah. Yeah, it is."

So, the bad news: I've not found any other SF show that'll hold a candle to Firefly. But I have heard good things about Babylon 5 (I stopped watching it midway through the first season, apparently a mistake).
Daniel

 

[VorpalBunny]

I'm watching Stargate now. I was watching the But I have heard good things about Babylon 5 (I stopped watching it midway through the first season, apparently a mistake).
Daniel

Yeah, it was. The last half of Season 1 sets the stage for the other 4 and a half seasons. Season 2 picks up steam, season 3 is great, season 4 is MIND BLOWING and season 5 - well, the last half is pretty good.

Heartily recommended.

I'd also suggest Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Stargate: SG1.

 

[Umbran]

I will second the suggestion of Farscape, and Dead Like Me.

Babylon 5 is also very good, if slightly less quirky. B5 isn't off-beat, but it proves that on-beat is not necessarily bad.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Babylon 5, seasons 1-4 are the best Sci-Fi TV EVAR!!!! One problem is that the show was written as a five season arc. Then in Season 4 they are positive the show is done after the season wraps. So JMS reworks it so that both major storylines that drive the show are wrapped up at the end of season 4. Then the show is renewed. Damn executives! So Season 4 is a bit rushed, but still amazing. Season 5 is great, but not as good as the first four as it lacks the punch of the first four as it's side stories that would have taken place behind the main storylines that were wrapped up in Season 4.

 

[Aaron2]

You probably already know this, but if not- you've only got 8 more months to wait for the big screen "Serenity". April, 2005!

They totally have to change the name. If I went to a movie called "Serenity", I'd expect two hours of puppies and beaches.


Aaron

 

[Pielorinho]

You realize that if Joss Whedon makes a movie with puppies and beaches, you'll have canine/ocean nightmares for years to come, don't you?

Which is a good thing.
Daniel

 

[RangerWickett]

I loved Babylon 5 at the time. The writing is great, albeit heavily laden with recurring themes and extended metaphors that can feel a bit cloying toward the end. The acting of the guest stars is almost uniformly mediocre, and even just 5 years later the special effects and sets seem horrible to me. But the writing is good, and the music is excellent, considering it's all digital. Higher production values would've made this show a classic, but as it is, it's just great.

Farscape, however, is phenomenally good.