Where to go from BSG?

mrapbp · 07-08-2008, 12:43 PM

Hi all,

I am looking to take a break from my cop based gritty dramas (have watched all The Wire series and am on series 4 of The Shield) which I have loved but am looking for something a little different.

I watched all of the BSG a while back and remembered how much I loved Sci Fi and havent watched much lately so am looking for some recommendations. (loved BSG by the way, entertaining escapism, gritty and very strong character development and tightly written).

Looking for something of a similar nature so well written, not too 'light' (if you know what I mean, really dont want a comedy in space.....!) but also as is the nature of Sci Fi I would like something that is entertaining and fun.

So what do you recon?

PS - inbetween cop shows I have been watching Supernatural which was a nice change of pace.

Cheers!

TylerDurden · 07-08-2008, 12:48 PM

If you haven't already seen it, I'd say Babylon 5, its a old series now and some of the special effects haven't aged well, however its got a great 'story arc', season one is slow, but it gets much better in later seasons. Its got the best 'character development' in any Sci Fi show on TV I've ever seen

T800 · 07-08-2008, 1:42 PM

I don't think there a lot of good current Sci-Fi out there.
'Supernatural', 'Smallville' and 'Lost' are the only shows I can think of that are 'not from this world' but nothing space based.
I enjoyed 'Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles' a lot more than I was expecting to.

I can highly recommend 'Rescue Me' and 'Dexter' if you haven't already seen them.

Matt · 07-08-2008, 3:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

If you haven't already seen it, I'd say Babylon 5, its a old series now and some of the special effects haven't aged well, however its got a great 'story arc', season one is slow, but it gets much better in later seasons. Its got the best 'character development' in any Sci Fi show on TV I've ever seen

Got to agree there. S1 is pretty ropey with some dodgy acting and it seems like its just a DS9 rip off but it laids the foundations for a brilliant 2-3-4 seasons. Season 5 suffers in that the main story line kinda gets tied up. It was supposed to be a 5 year story but the`execs were going to can it so they squeezed it into 4. only to find out that they had got the 5th.

The relationship between Londo and G'Kar is superb, bitter enemies but strangly friends.

Razor · 07-08-2008, 3:53 PM

Sci-fi wise I quiet like SG-1 and Atlantis.

Nebby · 07-08-2008, 4:03 PM

Why not give Jericho a spin (not sci-fi), or the UK vampire series Ultraviolet.

I'd also recommend OZ; again, it's not sci-fi but it is good.

mrapbp · 07-08-2008, 4:33 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, I am really looking for Sci Fi stuff or fantasy type as I know there are plenty of other 'normal' series worth watching.

I have always been intrigued by Stargate Atlantis and seems to have been reasonably well received.

What about things like Angel and Buffy etc?

Iain- · 07-08-2008, 4:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Sci-fi wise I quiet like SG-1 and Atlantis.

S1 - S3 of SG-1 are the best.

Starburst · 07-08-2008, 6:30 PM

How about Dead Like Me, very imaginative yet strong characters. Two seasons on DVD and a movie in the works.

red_flash · 07-08-2008, 8:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Thanks for the suggestions, I am really looking for Sci Fi stuff or fantasy type as I know there are plenty of other 'normal' series worth watching.

I have always been intrigued by Stargate Atlantis and seems to have been reasonably well received.

What about things like Angel and Buffy etc?

Save you time don't bother with Stargate Atlantis especially since you ask for something "not too light". Atlantis is a second rate Stargate so if you're going to consider it go for Stargate SG 1 instead ... Although really Stargate is a bit light weight as well. Don't get me wrong it's a good show but not great.

I would definitely have recommend both Angel and Buffy both are very good shows. By the way the title character of Angel starts off in Buffy so you may want to watch the first three series of Buffy before starting Angel. Also recommended from the creator of both Buffy and Angel is Firefly which is a superb show. If you go with Firefly there's a big screen movie that follows on after the TV series called Serenity (not to be confused with the Firefly TV pilot also called Serenity).

I would also recommend Babylon 5 as a great show. The first season may seem hard going setting the foundation for the series but it's truly worth sticking with. Every year just gets better and better culminating with an awesome third and forth series that really pays off the viewer for sticking with it.

Farscape is another superb sci-fi show that I can't recommend enough. Amazing production values that only improve as the years go , well written, a terrific cast, great drama, sometimes quirky, sometimes funny. It has the perfect blend and as the show goes on it gets much darker. Farscape is definitely a fun show but also having many layers.

Space above and Beyond
Charlie Jade
The X Files
Jeremiah (only the first season is available on DVD)
Dark Angel (probably only worth watching the superb first series)

Quote:

I enjoyed 'Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles' a lot more than I was expecting to.

I can highly recommend 'Rescue Me' and 'Dexter' if you haven't already seen them.

all seconded

T800 · 08-08-2008, 7:12 AM

I would also agree with 'Dead like Me' and 'The X-Files'

NewMan · 08-08-2008, 7:46 AM

Another vote for Babylon 5 here. As said before, first season is good, but slow, but every little detail paves the way for MASSIVE storylines in future seasons. Seasons 3 & 4 being some of the most entertaining tv I've ever seen.

Also, someone mentioned the amazing, unforgettable but ultimately short-lived Space: Above and Beyond. This was incredible (in fact, I'm re-watching it at the moment, and it hasn't lost any of it's appeal since the first time I saw it 10 years ago or more), and should be witnessed by everyone as an example of how to make good sci-fi. It's a shame some idiot network execs decided to axe it, but I have to say, the writers went out in style!

Razor · 08-08-2008, 9:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T800

I would also agree with 'Dead like Me' and 'The X-Files'

X-Files is superb. 10/10

pmc · 08-08-2008, 11:09 AM

Lost

mrapbp · 08-08-2008, 11:15 AM

I have always heard really good things about Babylon 5, would it suffer from being a bit dated now though?

Also I somehow managed to only ever see about 2 episodes of the X-files (criminal I know!) same question for that I guess, would it still stand up?

mrapbp · 08-08-2008, 11:18 AM

Now thats something I have seen all of.

First series was some of the best TV I have ever seen, the rest got worse and worse to the point where I wasnt that fussed about watching the last series!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

Lost

Razor · 08-08-2008, 11:20 AM

mrapbp - Have you seen any of the Star Treks? The next Generation, Voyager and the last two seasons of Enterprise are all good.

mrapbp · 08-08-2008, 11:30 AM

Seen quite a few of the star treks and most of voyager. Loved voyager!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

mrapbp - Have you seen any of the Star Treks? The next Generation, Voyager and the last two seasons of Enterprise are all good.

TylerDurden · 08-08-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

I have always heard really good things about Babylon 5, would it suffer from being a bit dated now though?

Now really, as its more about characters and story rather than special effects, etc You've got to stick with it until at least the end of S2. By that time you'll either love it or hate it

T800 · 08-08-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Also I somehow managed to only ever see about 2 episodes of the X-files (criminal I know!) same question for that I guess, would it still stand up?

My sister and I watched all 9 seasons (and the film too) years ago and it still held up well.

-Ad- · 08-08-2008, 1:10 PM

SG1 and atlantis are both awesome. The end of series 1 of atlantis was thrilling !!!

Nearly finished S3 of BSG then 4 and can't wait.

After that probably dexter or jericho.

SteveAWOL · 08-08-2008, 2:39 PM

Another vote here for Babylon 5. I've been reacquainting myself with the show since it was added to Virgin TVOD and whilst the first season took a while to get going I'm once again hooked on the massive story arc- bit like The Wire in fact!

DS9, SG-1, Buffy, Angel, X-Files and Firefly are probably my all time favourite sci-fi shows, though X-Files hasn't aged quite as well as the rest for me. Sarah Connor and Heroes are the best I've seen, aside from BSG, recently.

Nematon · 08-08-2008, 3:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveAWOL

Another vote here for Babylon 5. I've been reacquainting myself with the show since it was added to Virgin TVOD and whilst the first season took a while to get going I'm once again hooked on the massive story arc- bit like The Wire in fact!

DS9, SG-1, Buffy, Angel, X-Files and Firefly are probably my all time favourite sci-fi shows, though X-Files hasn't aged quite as well as the rest for me. Sarah Connor and Heroes are the best I've seen, aside from BSG, recently.

I would always recommend Babylon 5 as a true sci-fi classic.
Although I think it has aged badly with regards to some of the dialogue - which is very cheesy when compared to the likes of BSG.

BSG does show many similarities (grittyness, strong characters, fantastic music, awesome visuals)

If you can get past the cheesy dialogue between the Earthforce characters in Babylon 5 - you will love it.

Aside from that I heartily recommend Farscape (despite the muppets) and Firefly.

Razor · 08-08-2008, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrapbp

Seen quite a few of the star treks and most of voyager. Loved voyager!

I have started rewatching some of the voyager episodes. An excellent show which hasnt aged at all. The 4:3 aspect ratio and poor quality is a bit of a downer but you soon get used to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by T800

My sister and I watched all 9 seasons (and the film too) years ago and it still held up well.

There are actually 10 seasons of the x-files.

T800 · 08-08-2008, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

There are actually 10 seasons of the x-files.

You sure?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...Files_episodes

Iain- · 09-08-2008, 1:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

...........

There are actually 10 seasons of the x-files.

Quite a few seem to think there were only 7 series.

Rasczak · 09-08-2008, 5:08 AM

Quote:

Babylon 5

I enjoyed this series in it's day - but re-visiting some of the episodes now and it is awful. If you are after gritty drama this is not it.

mrapbp · 09-08-2008, 6:21 AM

I am actually after something that isnt especially gritty tbh (have a look at the original post).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

I enjoyed this series in it's day - but re-visiting some of the episodes now and it is awful. If you are after gritty drama this is not it.

Rasczak · 09-08-2008, 6:59 AM

Oh I see - sorry I read it as you were looking for something of a similar nature to BSG, i.e. well written, not too 'light' and entertaining. If so Babylon 5 is certainly not it IMHO.

mrapbp · 09-08-2008, 7:25 AM

I guess what I was trying to say was that I was looking for something entertaining but still well written with that fantasy edge. So not a comedy set in space but something with some substance without being overly gritty (like the series I have been watching - the wire etc etc).

Although I love the gritty drama I fancied something with a little more escapism. BSG was the best example I could think of that fits the bill!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Oh I see - sorry I read it as you were looking for something of a similar nature to BSG, i.e. well written, not too 'light' and entertaining. If so Babylon 5 is certainly not it IMHO.