Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Thought this might be fun and spark some interesting debate. As there have been too many sci-fi shows to count over the years I'm going to set the limit to your favourite five, so choose wisely .

Mine have to be:
1. Firefly (amazingly well written, you'd never know it was by the same person behind Buffy and Angel - not my fav shows at all).
2. Babylon 5.
3. Battlestar Galactica (the recent remake version).
4. Space Above & Beyond.
5. Sliders.

1. Stargate SG-1
2. Stargate Atlantis
3. Star Trek TNG
4. Star Trek Voyager
5. Star Trek Enterprise

I'm very close-minded about these things.

Flint the time Detective.

Exarch_Nektel wrote:I'm very close-minded about these things.

lawl

I'm almost afraid to say that I thought DS9 was the best. *cowers* Although, I'll agree that Enterprise was good--at least better than people generally give it credit for.

Firefly was also really good if a bit full of itself at times.

Manchu wrote:

Exarch_Nektel wrote:I'm very close-minded about these things.

lawl

I'm almost afraid to say that I thought DS9 was the best. *cowers* Although, I'll agree that Enterprise was good--at least better than people generally give it credit for.

Firefly was also really good if a bit full of itself at times.

I haven't seen enough of DS9 to judge it. I can never seem to find it on TV.

"Babylon 5"
Babylon anyday because its one of the most well thought out storylines I've ever seen, from start to finish they had a plan of where they were going unlike star trek, which although I love, didn't think of the big picture until the later series (eg DeepSpace9 Dominion Wars)

"Stargate"
To me it seems novel, its fun, action packed with charactors you have to love. I thought the idea that what we thought was myth was actually true (Egyptians for example) was a good idea. The only thing I hate about SG-1 is the typical "save the day in an hour" theme that they always seem to use

Exarch_Nektel wrote:I haven't seen enough of DS9 to judge it. I can never seem to find it on TV.

Networks have never been timeslot-friendly with DS9. It was neat to see a Star Trek where the characters had to stay put and deal with whatever came to them (including what was basically a sci-fi version of the Holocaust that had recently ended on the nearest planet) rather than bumping into things as they went along without a care otherwise.

Babylon 5. It was designed to be an epic from the get go.

Battlestar Galactica (new version) seasons 1-2 only. Stop there and its great. Go to seaon 3 and you want to burn you underwear and join the Cult of Barney

Star Trek-Original Series. Crazy Grandpa that started it all.

Robotech. "This is the lasty battle, for BreeTai." Enough said.

Outer Limits. Anthology but man it was boss (old black and white one)


*Note these are based on the following: The Wife procured the Firefly series for anniversary present for moi based on recommendations from this board. Only saw about five episodes on a Sci Fi Channel marathon. Looking forward to it. Views may change once see.

Frazzled wrote:*Note these are based on the following: The Wife procured the Firefly series for anniversary present for moi based on recommendations from this board. Only saw about five episodes on a Sci Fi Channel marathon. Looking forward to it. Views may change once see.

I doubt you'll like it any less when you see it complete even if Wheedon can be annoyingly preachy about feminism and bad fathers (for him: all fathers). But the characterization overcomes these minor flaws. You really should go ahead and buy Serenity now. You'll be dying to watch it right after you finish the show. Also, fav episode: "Objects in Space." I look forward to hearing your opinion.

Mine would run something like this:

1) Stargate SG1 (but not season 9, as that sucked more than a black hole, though season 10 was a little better).

2) Battlestar Galactica (new version). I've not seen season 4 yet and season 3 was a little dull and "for the love of god, be quiet woman president person, I don't care about you! Show me more robots shooting people!", but you just have to love the space sequences. Though why the cylons have not invented kinetic weapons that can't be deflected by a flak screen I don't know...

3) Firefly. I agree with the preachy comments, but it is still good. Just a shame that they did not continue it as a series.

4) Star Trek Enterprise - the Federation doing everything for the first time and learning as it goes. Plus you don't have magic technology that does everything for you like in "later" settings.

5) Star Trek Voyager - I like it because they always seem to be shooting or being shot at by something. Though unfortunately Nelix does not get enough stray rounds/photon torps for my liking... Again, it is different from the other Star Trek shows because they are off doing new things and charting new places and generally making things up as they go along, as in Enterprise.

Manchu wrote:

Frazzled wrote:*Note these are based on the following: The Wife procured the Firefly series for anniversary present for moi based on recommendations from this board. Only saw about five episodes on a Sci Fi Channel marathon. Looking forward to it. Views may change once see.

I doubt you'll like it any less when you see it complete even if Wheedon can be annoyingly preachy about feminism and bad fathers (for him: all fathers). But the characterization overcomes these minor flaws. You really should go ahead and buy Serenity now. You'll be dying to watch it right after you finish the show. Also, fav episode: "Objects in Space." I look forward to hearing your opinion.

I really like Serenity actually. The word use style is choice. "I aim to misbehave."

Yes!

SilverMK2 wrote:Mine would run something like this:

1) Stargate SG1 (but not season 9, as that sucked more than a black hole, though season 10 was a little better).

I agree. they should have stopped after season 8. It had the perfect ending, and they already had another show going already.

Exarch_Nektel wrote:I agree. they should have stopped after season 8. It had the perfect ending, and they already had another show going already.

I didn't really read up or watch the news before I watched season 9 and was sitting there for about 3 episodes going "Erm... Did the Farscape DVD's melt onto my SG boxed set in the shop or something?" before I went online and found out what the hell was going on.

I was not particularly impressed to say the least and totaly agree that it should have ended at season 8. I've not seen more than about 2 episodes of Atlantis, but I might pick it up some time if I see it in the bargin section. Seemed mildly OK at any rate, as far as anything can be when you see a couple of random episodes from a season.

The Clangers.

SilverMK2 wrote:

Exarch_Nektel wrote:I agree. they should have stopped after season 8. It had the perfect ending, and they already had another show going already.

I didn't really read up or watch the news before I watched season 9 and was sitting there for about 3 episodes going "Erm... Did the Farscape DVD's melt onto my SG boxed set in the shop or something?" before I went online and found out what the hell was going on.

I was not particularly impressed to say the least and totaly agree that it should have ended at season 8. I've not seen more than about 2 episodes of Atlantis, but I might pick it up some time if I see it in the bargin section. Seemed mildly OK at any rate, as far as anything can be when you see a couple of random episodes from a season.

Atlantis is pretty good, but I liked SG1 better.

Manchu wrote:
I'm almost afraid to say that I thought DS9 was the best. *cowers*

My person view on DS9 was that it was only mildly entertaining, enough to get you through eating your dinner and nothing more. When they did the dominion wars however I found it to be very well done, an intelligent storyline that lead somewhere and really good spaceship battles as well. Just my humble opinion.

Won't diss anyone for liking DS9 though


Atlantis was just an excuse to spin off an alternative franchise and to let them do all the crazy stuff that SG1 wouldn't do. Frankly I thought it was entertaining to have some random things to storylines and was good fun

Mine would be,

1. Farscape - love the characters, stories and just the feel of the series. Have never forgiven Sci-fi for cancelling it due to budget concerns and then commisioning Atlantis not long after.

2. Babylon 5 - series 1-4 are possibly the best Sci-fi I've ever seen, after that it kinda goes down hill, five was passable, but Crusade and the awful Legend of the Rangers let the side down a bit.

3 - Star Trek DS9 - JMS is convinced its a rip off of his intial pitch for B5, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But its still one hell of a show that kept me entralled from start to end. Especially the build up to and then the storyline through-out the Dominion War.

4 - Battlestar Galatica (new) - yeah some folks hated the ending, I loved it and the show all the way through. Ok it was probably for the best they ended it, but it was a really good watch on the way.

5 - Sliders - I'd agree Wannabe on droping in Sliders, I love all that 'what if' stuff, and this show was full of it.

I've probably forgotten something, but at the moment that is pretty much my top five.

In no particular order (because I can't decide, I like them all for varying reasons)...

Futurama
Star Trek TOS
Babylon 5
Farscape
Captain Scarlett (60's Version)
Doctor Who (Old and New Series)
Star Trek TOS
Thunderbirds
Firefly/Serenity
Sliders (Season 1 only)

Next Generation and Robotech

Considering my love for all things Sci-Fi, the television shows do very little for me. Either they have been produced by the Sci-Fi Channel, or are lacking in quality. I just find it really hard to get into shows like Sliders and anything Stargate. Now don't get me wrong, I've tried, but the years of my youth were filled with shows like SeaQuest: DSV, and Earth 2 so maybe I don't have the best perspective on these shows.

1. Firefly : Minute per minute its the best series imo but then again there's not many episodes unfortunately. This kind of character atmosphere and attention is always a welcome aspect to sci-fi stories and it reminded me of the original Star Wars quite a bit for some reason (definite plus mind you).

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation : Best overall cast, characters, and story of the Star Trek franchise.

3. Futurama : Great comedy series and just a quality piece of TV entertainment.

4. X-Files : Loved this when it was on the air; cigarette smoking man, Dana, Scully, crazy monsters/aliens/conspiracies; great stuff.

5. Babylon 5: I haven't seen this in a while but back in the day I was hooked.


Dishonorable Mention:

Lexx. Anyone remember this show? It was friggin nuts but I still liked it in a weird way.

Cane wrote:1. Firefly : Minute per minute its the best series imo but then again there's not many episodes unfortunately. This kind of character atmosphere and attention is always a welcome aspect to sci-fi stories and it reminded me of the original Star Wars quite a bit for some reason (definite plus mind you).

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation : Best overall cast, characters, and story of the Star Trek franchise.

3. Futurama : Great comedy series and just a quality piece of TV entertainment.

4. X-Files : Loved this when it was on the air; cigarette smoking man, Dana, Scully, crazy monsters/aliens/conspiracies; great stuff.

5. Babylon 5: I haven't seen this in a while but back in the day I was hooked.


Dishonorable Mention:

Lexx. Anyone remember this show? It was friggin nuts but I still liked it in a weird way.

Yeah I forgot to add X-Files, shame on me although I liked it more when it didn't deal with the overall conspiracy. The Stand alone episodes are my favorite.

Also, yeah Lexx, I liked it as well. Weird but fun to watch because it was so damned unpredictable.

Morathi's Darkest Sin wrote:5 - Sliders - I'd agree Wannabe on droping in Sliders, I love all that 'what if' stuff, and this show was full of it.

Yeah I loved that show. Especially liked the episode when they finally came back to the correct reality, but they couldn't be certain, the only way they would know is if the lead character's home gate still squeked. They went and opened it and it didn't, so they 'jumped' to the next reality. A few seconds later a handy man comes out the house and the parents thank him for oiling the gate. Doh!
Oh, another good one was where dinosaurs hadn't become extinct and humans had also evolved. Dinos were an endangered species living in nature reserves.
Pretty sure after season one there was a plot that carried through about a sentient virus they cam across in one reality and it followed them across other realities too. Can't remember much else, other then the virus turned people's eyes into green compound eyes like an insects.

Plus it had John Rhys-Davis. Legend!

Not a sentient virus IIRC. Highly technolgically advanced Killer Apes that looked like a race of Black and white film Phantom of the Operas.

I think I remember the apes. Damn it's been so long since I've seen it. Must watch it again soon (if I can find it on dvd).

Suprised no one has commented on Space Above and Beyond tho.

Sorry but that series made my butt itch. US Marines don't act like that. Pilots don't act as ground troops.

I guess it might not have been an accurate depection of the military, but I really liked it. I liked that it wasn't all upbeat, it had a darker edge. Especially the last episode, I guess they knew the show was axed at that point (for those that haven't seen it all barring two of the main characters are killed off).
Also I really liked the Hammerhead space craft as well as the Chid. Would be nice to see a remake in the vein of Battlestar, the 'power armoured' Chid would rock.

Only thing I remember is SeaQuest

Talking Dolphins

feth Darwin, it's all about the Schneider!

I liked Sea Quest, but its version of a 'Wesley Crusher' got on my nerves. Quantum Leap, now there was another good sci-fi show, especially the episode he jumped into the body of Lee Harvey Oswold, that was well written and actually quite harrowing at times.