Anyone miss how scifi shows used to be?

[Werewolf]

No, old scifi sucks.
The whole one episode, one story sucks.
Get more BSG type scifi where its a long and continued storyline, where pretty much every episode continues said storyline.

You mean like Babylon 5, from nearly 20years ago now, where a very minor bit in one episode could turn out to be the turning point of a major storyline a season later


Seriously though, I miss when we had sci-fi shows that were actual sci-fi, at the moment there is a real dearth of any sci-fi that puts any emphasis on the science part of it.
Everything seems to be either fantasy with sparkly vampires, or tech is bad type stuff.

I suspect the main reason we don't see much of it at the moment is that the TV execs who authorise the shows are very wary of anything that isn't proven to work, and basically don't give many series time to actually get started, and that start is key for sci-fi, much more so than for most of the current fantasy stuff, as with science fiction you have to not only introduce the characters, but the setting.
It doesn't help that several of the biggest science fiction series in recent years have been utter dross that probably only got made because they had a couple of big names as executive directors (Falling Skies was awful, and I've got a high tolerance for bad sci-fi).

Add that to the higher cost of doing a decent sci-fi with a reasonable size cast, sets that aren't generic offices/flats/houses/shops (IE the sort of set where you can easily get the props from either the studios standard prop department, or by going shopping on the high street), and then the special effects and it's scary for the TV executives to look at doing, especially if you're starting with something that doesn't already have an established fan base (IE a book adaptation)

 

[ElectroBlaster]

Esp if they used the pumped up amiga to do the special effects (like they used the amiga for in s1 and s2)

I used to be so proud to own an Amiga and always boasted about B5! It was great

 

[El_Watcher]

sets that aren't generic offices/flats/houses/shops (IE the sort of set where you can easily get the props from either the studios standard prop department, or by going shopping on the high street), and then the special effects

But that is the thing, I don't believe these costs are prohibiting it. Sanctuary is made with 90% CGI, so their location and prop costs are minimal.

 

[FARGO]

Another vote for the X Files - probably because I like the early 90's "vibe".

While I disagree that the overall story arc detracts from the show I don't beleive they did themselves any favours with the "silly" episodes. There is a stark contrast between the serious episodes and the goofy ones.

Mulder and Scully are still my favourite on screen characters - the way they develop throughout the series is fantastic IMO

 

[Pumpkinstew]

These things go in cycles. Part of the problem is that BSG was so successful that execs take one look at a TV show concept with spaceships in and think 'Expensive, won't be as good as BSG.'
Science Fiction needn't have space ships of course.
I'd be quite keen to see an anthology show of miniseries or pilots in the mould of the Outer Limits given a shake. It would give writers the chance to throw some ideas around without committing to a full 12-14 episodes.

 

[Shamikebab]

But that is the thing, I don't believe these costs are prohibiting it. Sanctuary is made with 90% CGI, so their location and prop costs are minimal.

The thing is the CGI generally looks a bit ****. V suffered from that and Once Upon a Time (which I'm really enjoying) has some really low quality green screening.

 

[ElectroBlaster]

I would watch another series of Outer Limits

Anyone remember an episode where all the teenagers started mutating and all ended with the sun doing something weird. It all turned out that aliens did it so humans would not die out. Cant remember if it was an outer limits episode so im off to find it in google.

EDIT: Found it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Spheres_(The_Outer_Limits)

 

[Squark]

I miss Babylon 5, the best sci-fi show imo.

 

[Destination]

Wish they had not cancelled blood and chrome, it could have been excellent war time pre-BSG, hard hitting, lots of mess, but the budget likely isn't there.

 

[davethe11]

I guess we're talking about US sci-fi (that's what I watch mostly anyway). There does seem to be a bit of a void at the mo, but I think it's a cyclic thing - it's times like this when a promising concept with a good team behind it could come out of the blue and survive more than half a season. Shows need to hit the ground running these days, otherwise they are doomed. For me the problem is that there are too many shows now of mediocre quality, and they just saturate the market and dilute the viewing figures for the potentially excellent shows. TV networks seem to have got into this 'hedge your bets' attitude, but are shooting themselves in the foot. But the next TNG, B5, X-files, Stargate, BSG etc.. is hopefully right around the corner.

 

[TheOtherOption]

It's a shame that there are just so many run of the mill shows about as it would as davethe11 says just leave fewer and fewer people to watch the good stuff enough for it to succeed - too many cooks etc!

I know that when something is truly good people will tune in and it'll succeed but getting there just isn't as quick as it used to be - if you look at how many shows are available to watch across the US networks these days it's a wonder anything gets off the ground! Annoyingly it's the stupid weight loss and singing/dancing ones which pull in the numbers

 

[Newbie007]

B5 is the definition of Epic Sci Fi. BSG isn't fit to lick the boots of it.

 

[davethe11]

B5 is the definition of Epic Sci Fi. BSG isn't fit to lick the boots of it.

ooh big words!

I loved B5 and I loved BSG, did you watch much of BSG?

 

[Shamikebab]

I struggled to get into B5, I've been told it gets better after the first series but I really struggled with the first.

 

[davethe11]

It definitely gets better when Sheridan joins the show (Boxleitner), seasons 2,3, and 4 were epic. Season 5 stuttered a little as they all thought the show was cancelled after 4 years. Heard some interesting rumours why Michael O'Hare left the show after the first season, apparently he wasn't very popular with the other cast members, particularly the actresses. Had to post a vid of the season 3 opening credits, truly epic:

**Spolier Alert: don't watch if you are watching the show at the mo for the first time!**

 

[Efour]

I agree B5 is 10000 better than BSG ever dreamed it was.

Reason being i remember the original BSG. Whilst the new one did have some good moments i never really liked the characters much.

 

[bluDawg]

stargate universe was great.. until they canned it

I know

 

[Shamikebab]

Did Universe get a lot better then? I watched the first 6 but it was just terrible, really crap plots and characters. Atlantis was much better.

 

[Dave85]

I love Sanctuary. We really need another Stargate and Star Trek. sci fi has been declining since both went off air. Only fringe and sanctuary and eureka are keeping my interest.

 

[Efour]

Did Universe get a lot better then? I watched the first 6 but it was just terrible, really crap plots and characters. Atlantis was much better.

yes and no... nothing ever really happened. They got boarded by Lucian alliance, they met some "boring" aliens, probed the chick, changed her a bit then proceeded to get chased by Drones for well the rest of the series... lol

There wasn't a compelling storyline to keep it together - i think if it had made it to 3 series it would have actually got good. So much potential wasted by crappy American generic characters.