Which Sci-Fi Series Should I Watch Next?

Which one should I watch next?

  • Battlestar Galactica

    Votes: 4 19.0%

  • Farscape

    Votes: 3 14.3%

  • Babylon 5

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • Whatever you can see through Downtown's window

    Votes: 7 33.3%
  • Total voters
    21
_random_

_random_

Jewel Runner
Joined
Feb 18, 2008
Messages
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Location
Behind the man behind the throne
Having discovered the joys of Netflix instant watch and Firefly last spring and gained a significant influx of free time, I've decided to take up another sci-fi series. I watched the pilots for Farscape and Battlestar Galactica (2003) and was impressed by both, and I've also heard very good things about Babylon 5. I'd like to watch all of them eventually, but I'd like to stick to one at a time. Since many here are very familiar with recent televised science fiction, I figured I'd leave it in your hands which one I watch first.
 
Man....

So hard, but I'd go in this order. Babylon 5, Farscape, then Battlestar Galactica. Not because that is the order they are best in or anything, but that's the order they came in as far as being made and aired.
 
I think VRWCAgents suggestion is a good as any. I would also add recommend Earth 2 from 1994. A great series which ended after one season. Far too soon. It's basically a less schizophrenic and more down to earth version(ironic considering the location) of Lost. Very character driven.
 
I can't comment on Babylon 5. Haven't seen it :)

Personally, I would go for Battlestar Galactica. Ignoring the pilot, the first season is a really solid watch, and the entire series after that is enjoyable, barring the very love it or hate it final season.

Farscape needs to be watched, regardless. The first season is a bit all over the place, but it eventually finds it's feet and becomes an utterly fantastic sci-fi series. Scorpious has to be one of my favourite villains :D
 
It depends what type of show you like. B5 and Farscape are closely tied with each other but I would have to chose Farscape as it manages to get some good moments of political drama in the later episodes while never taking itself to seriously. You can't go wrong with either.

If you do chose to watch B5, be warned, the entire first season is a bit iffy. Pull through it and you get to the very nice second season. The acting is still a bit suspect throughout the whole show though. One advantage to B5 is that if you have Netflix and a TIVO, the entire series is on instant download where I believe only the first season of Farscape is on instant download.

Scorpious has to be one of my favourite villains
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True, very true.

I would actualy avoid Battlestar Galactica. It starts off so well, then suffers from the Lost Syndrome where it is clear the writers have no clue where it is going and are forced to invent some BS to fill out the rest of the season while going off on a very, very strange tangent with some poorly handled mystical mumbo-jumbo that they never bother to really explain.
 
I loved Farscape, and Chiana back in the day ;)
 
Blow off both and watch Sherlock instead. SO worth it! :thumbsup:
 
Ajidica said:
It depends what type of show you like. B5 and Farscape are closely tied with each other but I would have to chose Farscape as it manages to get some good moments of political drama in the later episodes while never taking itself to seriously. You can't go wrong with either.

If you do chose to watch B5, be warned, the entire first season is a bit iffy. Pull through it and you get to the very nice second season. The acting is still a bit suspect throughout the whole show though. One advantage to B5 is that if you have Netflix and a TIVO, the entire series is on instant download where I believe only the first season of Farscape is on instant download.


True, very true.

I would actualy avoid Battlestar Galactica. It starts off so well, then suffers from the Lost Syndrome where it is clear the writers have no clue where it is going and are forced to invent some BS to fill out the rest of the season while going off on a very, very strange tangent with some poorly handled mystical mumbo-jumbo that they never bother to really explain.
Click to expand...

I have seen all of these series, and echo Ajidica's verdict here. The first three seasons of BSG was a good ride, but at the end of the third season they lost the plot and never really regained it going into the fourth and final season.

I would rate B5 up on writing and scope, particularily season 2 to 4. Some epic spacebattles that has not been made before or after for television. Where Farscape lack in scope and writing they more than gain it back in a tight and good cast of main characters. Start with Farscape, then B5 and if you're ready for it go on to BSG.
 
I'd go with Babylon 5.
The CGI looks dated in this day and age, but the plot and writing are excellent for the most part.
Season one is relatively weak but should be watched because it set's up a lot of important plot-lines, season 5 can safely be ignored.
 
GoodSarmatian said:
I'd go with Babylon 5.
The CGI looks dated in this day and age, but the plot and writing are excellent for the most part.
Click to expand...

They used Amigas for the special effects! That is more or less the extent of my knowledge of that programme (I did see a few episodes when it began, but I didn't find it very interesting - especially compared to Star Trek: Next Generation, which was really getting into its stride at that time).
 
Battlestar Galactica is a little like LOST in space (if you'll excuse that abysmal pun), in my opinion; the creators have given you the material to see that they can pull a plot twist whenever they feel like it, with little to no foreshadowing. If that kind of thing frustrates you, avoid it.
 
LightSpectra said:
Battlestar Galactica is a little like LOST in space (if you'll excuse that abysmal pun), in my opinion; the creators have given you the material to see that they can pull a plot twist whenever they feel like it, with little to no foreshadowing. If that kind of thing frustrates you, avoid it.
Click to expand...

That's one of the weak points of BSG. It was a very good show overall, but there were also some very bad episodes and storylines, and it was clear that the writers were making things up on the go.
I like plot twists, but I don't want them to come completely out of lelft field. I want subtle foreshadowing that doesn't beat you over the head but becomes obvious in hindsight. This was done masterfully in Babylon 5. The complete plot wasbasically written before they began shoting, and -apart from the improvised fifth season- it shows.
 
If you are up for it, how about the hallmark productions of Dune, Children of Dune and Dune Messiah?

it is a miniseries but I believe the combined runtime is around 10 hours. Except for all the hillarious hats that seem to be everywhere it is quite true to the books.

On the other hand there is always the joy of discovering Dr Who;)
 
I'm watching BSG with my friend, we've given nicknames for most of the character (minor spoilers):

Anders - Dane Cook (the resemblance is uncanny)
Tom Zarek - Lex Luthor
Col. Tigh - John McCain
Mrs. Tigh - Lady Macbeth
Adm. Cain - Patton
Cally - Dental school
No. 1 - Robohitler
No. 3 - Xena
Every metal Cylon - Calculon
 
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