TOP 5 #4: Science-Fiction TV SERIES

TOP FIVE #4: TOP 5 SCIENCE-FICTION TV SERIES

When you look back at the entire history of television, you’re literally looking at over 60 years of programming, in dozens of formats and genres. But the one that concerns us here today is Science-Fiction (“Sci-Fi”), a genre that has existed almost as long as the medium (longer in terms of film). How do you condense it down to a top 5 list? Well, it’s not easy, but let’s try anyway. So here are my top 5 Sci-Fi TV series:

 Honorable mention: Firefly (2002-2003)

 5. Red Dwarf (1988-1999, 2009- )

An oddball choice, I know, but in all honesty, this hybrid of comedy and science-fiction is truly astounding, if not only for its longevity. Apparently, the creators had a lot of trouble selling a “space sitcom”, but I for one am glad they were eventually successful. I would also argue that it’s because the show maintains a science-fiction presence that it actually works. They’ve tackled such concepts as: having to defend the way you live your life, or be erased from all existence; a parallel universe where everything is the same except women are the dominant sex; and a planet being formed out of a person’s own psyche. Heady stuff, considering the number of pratfalls there are per episode. Look for an all new series (the 10th!) coming out in 2012.

 4. Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009)

For the longest time, people told me I HAD to watch this show, that it was the best science-fiction ever produced, etc. And for the longest time, I resisted, as I am prone to do when everyone tells me I HAVE to do something. But then it went on sale on iTunes, and I finally relented. And it was worth it. I do have to admit, the storytelling, the reality of the universe, and all other production elements, are truly fantastic. In all honesty, I’m not even 4 episodes into the 3rd season, and I STILL put it this far up the list. The other truly amazing thing about this series was the producers’ willingness to take risks, to kill off beloved characters without hesitation, to take the dark route rather than the forced Hollywood happy ending. The only reason this series isn’t higher is one reason: THERE’S ALMOST NEVER A HAPPY MOMENT! I MEAN CUT THESE GUYS A BREAK EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE!

 3. Quantum Leap (1988-1993)

Another fantastic if unconventional entry on this list, but I simply adore this series. For those not familiar with it, it stars Scott Bakula as quantum physicist Dr. Sam Beckett, who in the pilot activates his time travel experiment prematurely, and is whisked back to the 1950s, awaking inside the aura of an Air Force pilot, suffering from partial amnesia. Are you still with me? Anyway, guided by a hologram of his best

friend, Al (Dean Stockwell) projected back from the present (1999), Sam jumps from one person’s life to the next, hoping that by changing something for the better will earn him the chance to “leap” home. Beyond that simple premise, the rest of the series is a constant shift in genre, tone, you name it. From week to week, Sam could be anyone, anything, anywhere (at least, from 1953 forward), creating a show where anything was possible (and often funny as hell). In my opinion, there has never been a better-crafted lead character for an audience to identify with.

 2. The Star Trek Franchise (1966-2005)

I know it’s a cop-out to lump five distinct series together, but if I didn’t, this list would be mostly Star Trek series. This is definitely the sci-fi show I’ve followed the longest – I can remember watching episodes like “Mirror, Mirror” (Original Series) with my parents when I was four years old. From that point on, I’ve been hooked. Let me be clear: I am not the type of fan who spends hours debating technobabble or goes to his job wearing Spock ears. I am the type of fan who will watch Trek, discuss plot and character, and at the most, attend a convention in NORMAL clothes. That’s it. I will also go on record as stating that my favorite of the 5 series is Deep Space Nine. I know most fans my age will cite The Next Generation as their favorite, but I think DS9 had the best scope, the best characters, the best story-lines (the Dominion War arc was legendary!), the best scripts, and everything else that contributed to an “everyday” 24th century world.

1.The Twilight Zone (1959-1964, 1985-1989, 2002-2003)

It really is hard to classify this show as full-fledged science fiction, as there are many episodes within its three incarnations that delve into fantasy, comedy, and the supernatural. But I feel that the main thrust was towards metaphysics and philosophy, as well as a study of human nature, which is definitely the territory of sci-fi. Rod Serling was a master storyteller, and the original series was unlike anything else on television at the time, not only for the ideas tackled, but the way they were shot, the sharp and stylized visuals that have become its trademark, the incredible use of music, light and shadow to evoke mood, and some of the finest performances ever captured on film (see Burgess Meredith in “Time Enough at Last” or Joe Mantell in “Nervous Man in a Four Dollar Room”). True, not every episode holds up over time – some of them are truly dated, but many of them still have resonance and evoke strong emotions in a viewer, myself included. I can honestly say the show has inspired much of my writing. The later incarnations couldn’t ever capture the flavor or the power of the original series, but they did have their moments. For its ability to withstand the test of time, and because of the debt modern science-fiction owes to it, the Twilight Zone is…

THE BEST SCIENCE-FICTION TV SERIES EVER!

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