Science Fiction: Greatest TV Shows Part III

[Snarf Zagyg]

I would vehemently argue for a single exception to rule #1, also known as the Dexter Rule, for it prevents The OA from being mentioned here - or, indeed, in any other of these lists. First, because The OA is easily better than anything in these lists (I should probably add something IMO, IMHO, and MP-NDP to this just to be on the safe side). Second, because, technically speaking, the show is complete - it's just that not all of it has been filmed.
I suggest the rule is to be called the Brit Marling (And Zal Batmanglij) Exception To The Dexter Rule For Reasons That Otherwise None Of These Lists Can Ever Include Mention Of The OA Rule, or, for short, the BM(AZB)ETTDRFRTONOTLCEIMOTOAR rule.

As far as I’m concerned, the expanse is “finished”. It had a known ending (it wasn’t suddenly cancelled), it wrapped up the main season story points,etc.

Just because the world continues doesn’t mean it doesn’t close up main plot points and end.

To me this rule is more for things like firefly that are suddenly cancelled before anything could be resolved

When the OP was written, the Expanse was still airing.

The point of the first rule for the show to have lasted a full season (so no Firefly), and for it to be "complete" (not still airing).

So yes, The Expanse qualifies, as would the OA. Both of them are excellent shows, both definitely honorable mention ... but I'd have to remove a show. Maybe Fringe?

 

[Ryujin]

When the OP was written, the Expanse was still airing.

The point of the first rule for the show to have lasted a full season (so no Firefly), and for it to be "complete" (not still airing).

So yes, The Expanse qualifies, as would the OA. Both of them are excellent shows, both definitely honorable mention ... but I'd have to remove a show. Maybe Fringe?

You'll remove "Fringe" over the dead body of my other dimensional twin!

 

[payn]

As far as I’m concerned, the expanse is “finished”. It had a known ending (it wasn’t suddenly cancelled), it wrapped up the main season story points,etc.

Just because the world continues doesn’t mean it doesn’t close up main plot points and end.

To me this rule is more for things like firefly that are suddenly cancelled before anything could be resolved

At the time of original posting, The Expanse was not finished in any sense.

Edit: Doh

 

[trappedslider]

I liked Space: Above and Beyond, even though it was mostly military porn. It had some Wing Commander vibes.

"In space, no one can hear you scream — unless it's the battle cry of the United States Marines!” — Sgt. Maj. Frank Bougus

I'm gonna be honest and say that I would be interested in a reboot or would relaunch be better? ( own it on DvD)

They lost me when they switched to the other brother.

Killing off John Rhys-Davies' character was the turning point for me. There were still good episodes after that, but it was not the same without his attitude.

They lost me at first after Fix stopped airing it then when Sci-fi tried the whole alter-lizard people war thing. If they went back to the roots of Mel's plan of "for want of a nail" Earth I'd be interested in a remake/reboot. That show and Harry Turtledove got me into Alternate History which got me to pick up the GRUPS IW setting book. Along with inspiring my screen name.

 

[Cadence]

If revisiting, is Andor eligible? Or is that like too mini-series? Or does it break some other rules?

 

[The Soloist]

Nervermind. I just saw the 'complete' requirement.

 

[Zaukrie]

How is Dr who complete? I hate this rule so much, and don't get it.

 

[payn]

How is Dr who complete? I hate this rule so much, and don't get it.

Im not entirely sure either. If I had to guess, its the separation of old who and nu who. With old who being "complete". Though some might argue each Doctor's completed series is a complete series.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

How is Dr who complete? I hate this rule so much, and don't get it.

I scream into the void ... DOES ANYONE READ WHAT I WRITE?
And the void smugly responds, as it always does ... HA HA! No.

So in the OP, I wrote as follows for the rules (I will bold the important bits for this question)-

1. The show must be complete, and have lasted at least one full season. In other words, no matter how much you like The Expanse or Stranger Things they are just not eligible. This also means no miniseries (not a "season") and not beloved shows that have been cancelled prior to airing a full season. That means you, Firefly. Please note, however, pace no. 5, below, that if a show has been around forever (with "forever" being defined as at least 10 years) in multiple incarnations (Doctor Who) or multiple series (Star Trek), it is eligible.

2. It must be in English. There is, in fact, a surprising amount of good, non-English science fiction TV out there. But you have to narrow the field somewhat. This is the El Ministerio del Tiempo corollary. This does allow shows from the UK and Canada on this particular list. I'm relaxing this criteria only because I feel I am sufficiently informed about these shows- although I am sure someone will point out something I missed. Probably from Australia.

3. It must be a drama, or a dramedy (mainly a drama). This is not because you can’t have a science fiction comedy- I just don’t want to cross the streams. This is the Futurama/MST3k paradox.

5. The show will be judged from all episodes holistically, but sticking the landing matters. Most importantly, if a sci-fi show constitutes a whole “canon,” or "shared universe," then the various shows will get lumped together as one. If, on the other hand, a show has been rebooted (BSG, Lost in Space), then the reboots count separately. Call this the Star Trek Rule.

6. Unlike the other top 10 lists, science fiction is about ideas- and often (but not always) the future. Which means that shows will be given a slight nudge for being ahead of their time- or, if you prefer, they will not be docked because the special effects could not keep pace with the ideas. This is the Inviolable Law of the BBC Using a Telephone as a Spaceship.

7. If the show is on my other top 10 list, then it is ineligible. In other words, I don't have to make the call on "Is Buffy sci fi?"

9. I have to have watched the show. Are the entirety of the Stargate shows good? Perhaps! I just don't know because I haven't seen them.

10. No animation. Everything from Futurama to Cowboy Bebop could be on this list, but including animation (and, especially, anime) would make this too unwieldy.

11. Science fiction should be given as wide as possible of a definition; if in doubt, it should be science fiction. However, shows like Game of Thrones are probably better as "fantasy" so I'll leave it at that. You can apply your own definition.


To answer your question (and the companion comment by @payn ) ... Dr. Who is "complete" per Rule 1 (it's been around "forever" as in more than 10 years) and I am judging the entire Whoniverse, while giving extra credit for the early stuff.

See? It's MATH!

Also- @Cadence ... I'd have to seriously think about what the Top 10 would look like now. A lot of shows finished that were still being made when I posted this list, and a lot of other shows started and completed that would need to be considered (which means I'd have to think about Andor, which finished, but not Severance, which hasn't).

 

[The Soloist]

Complete series with at least one full season, that I enjoyed:

• The Expanse
• Battlestar Galactica 2003
• Stargate SG-1
• Babylon 5
• Andor.