scifi post

[timetobegin]

It seems that there is a higher rate of sci-fi shows airing over the Summer (winter for southern hemisphere folk), and more often than not they are only 13 episodes long.

At the moment we have Defiance, Oprhan Black, Warehouse 13, Continuum.... with more starting up soon. (Haven!) Scifi also tends to go hand in hand with the shorter fantasy seasons too (Game of thrones! Teen Wolf!)

(please not their MIGHT be spoilers for the latest episodes in the comment)

<B>Which current sci-fi shows do you watch?</b> <B>Why are there no shows with spaceships?</b> <B>Does the 13 episode (or less) format suit scifi shows?</b> <B>Favourite cancelled scifi shows</b> <B>Why do you think big networks seem to be doing more scifi than syfy?</b> <B>Any sci-fi tropes or formats you don't like?</b>

of course pick and choose which questions you answer!

Comments

[calystarose]

Which current sci-fi shows do you watch? Continuum, Defiance, Doctor Who, Falling Skies, Grimm, Haven, Once Upon A Time, Primeval: New World, Teen Wolf, True Blood, Warehouse 13 and plan to watch SHIELD and Almost Human. (I included the fantasy shows too because I'm indecisive)
Why are there no shows with spaceships? Because SyFy is a coward and the regular networks are too. But I hold out hope for Steven DeKnight's Incursion.
Does the 13 episode (or less) format suit scifi shows? I think it works well as it allows the shows to focus on serial plots without having networks insist on filler eps.
Favourite cancelled scifi shows Max Headroom, FarScape, Babylon 5 (I mean, I know it technically ended right, but still), Alphas, Dark Angel, Firefly, Earth 2, Wonderfalls, Star Gate, Star Gate: Atlantis
Why do you think big networks seem to be doing more scifi than syfy? I don't think they are really. SyFy is having some moderate success, as are other cable channels (Falling Skies & True Blood, etc) which is why scifi is getting another chance on the major networks in the coming season. But I don't hold out a lot of hope for major network scifi shows. Scifi seems to require more of a commitment than most standard networks want to give. Honestly, Fringe lasting as long as it did is practically a miracle. Especially given the network it was on.
Any sci-fi tropes or formats you don't like? I'm just real super tired of scifi being all about white guys. White women is a small improvement, but man I want some more people of color (not as aliens) to lead shows.

[timetobegin]

:D yay fantasy shows.

ahaha I think syfy shouldn't be so..cowardly. Its sad that they can't seem to get more than 1 or 2 shows off at a time. plus while w13 and haven are scifi- they aren't really expensive scifi. :(

I thought about including wonderfalls but i wasn't sureee. SO GOOD.

I think scifi as a genre in particular should be more careful about including more diversity. I mean all genres should, but scifi in particular.

[calystarose]

Scifi is, imo, meant to be the kind of fiction that is on the bleeding edge of diversity in all areas. Diversity in thought, in plot, in characters and so forth. Plus it's where I live and I want nice things. :)

I adore Wonderfalls and all the ridic characters in it. :)

[colls]

OMG Max Headroom!!
When I see that actor in anything else (Eureka and Orphan Black come to mind) I always think of Max Headroom.

[calystarose]

Matt Frewer will always be Edison Carter/Max Headroom to me too! :) And Amanda Payes will always be Theodora Jones. That was my first really intensely fannish show. I thought about it all the time and wrote mary sue fic in my head putting me in the show. It was amazing. And is horrifyingly still relevant.

[malicat]

You have no idea how badly I want Incursion to happen!

[calystarose]

Yes! SDK has BLOWN me away with his writing with Spartacus. He showed the entire world that you can have a multi-ethnic cast and queer people and still have an amazing show. He showed us men who are as manly as men can get, who speak in poetry and would do anything and everything for love. *sniffles* And for him to be able to bring that skill to a scifi setting with a lead female character? I NEED IT.

[malicat]

I'd follow him to whatever new project he has anyway but his new show sounds really good on top of that. I just don't understand why STARZ hasn't picked it up yet. Spartacus was a success for them and I think it's safe to assume that a lot of the Sparty fans would be interested in SDK's new show then!

[calystarose]

I expect their primary concern is financial. Spartacus was able to save lots of money by basically being a green screen show. I think they're going for a more realistic feel to Incursion which means shooting outdoors and building sets. Plus explosions.