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Favorite Five Speculative Fiction TV Shows

You know, in writing this topic, I’m realizing I’m a bit of a fair weather fan when it comes to TV shows because I hardly ever see them through to the end, haha. I love entertainment in all it’s forms and I do, perhaps, watch a little bit too much tv. Right now we’re experiencing a great surge of speculative stories the small(er) screen, from everything like Stranger Things to various superhero series to shows like Siren (a show my husband is obsessed with for some reason…). Whatever your flavor, there’s something out there for you. It’s a great time to be a fan of spec fic! Honestly, there are ton of shows I could have picked for this one, it’s really tough to narrow down!

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer

At first I didn’t want to watch the Buffy tv show because I loved the movie so much and I didn’t realize it was the same person behind both entities. So I didn’t start watching Buffy until it was almost over, but once I dipped my toe in, I was hooked. I love the writing, the dialogue is great, and I love all the call backs to things from earlier in the series. There are also some really great stand out episodes of Buffy. I love the musical episode, I don’t care what anyone says. Yes, there are some issues, it’s not a perfect show imo, but it was SO MUCH FUN. And clever. And it will forever be one of my favorites.

• Forever Knight (ok, but also Moonlight and Blood Ties–I have a TYPE)

Forever Knight was a Canadian tv series that aired in the early-mid 90’s. It centered around an 800 year old vampire turned modern police detective. Vampires solving mysteries! Why is this my thing?! I don’t know but I love it and honestly can not get enough. This used to be me and my cousin’s favorite show…we were kind of obsessed actually. (Staying up all night, driving around until sun-up pretending we had to get home before dawn type of obsessed lol). Honestly, it probably would feel a little dated now, and near the end they were definitely spinning their wheels with the writing not knowing what direction to take the show until it was cancelled after three seasons. Also, I am maybe still bitter about the end, but it’s still one of my favorites. I think there must have been tie-in novels? I vaguely remember reading a Forever Knight book at one point (unless that was some kind of fever dream, which is always possible).

• Doctor Who

This may be my most controversial pick only because I have to admit that I only really watched Matt Smith’s tenure as the Doctor. It’s another show that I came late to and I started watching when Matt was having his turn and so I just love his Doctor. And I actually love a lot of the story lines during that time. I even love Clara (sorry not sorry). I thoroughly enjoyed those episodes and I think there are some really lovely ones among them. I just love all the craziness and how every episode you never know where you’re going to end up or what kind of journey you’ll be going on.

• Red Dwarf

Ok, so Red Dwarf has had quite a few series throughout the years and I admit I have not seen them all. But I can clearly remember the first time I remember seeing Red Dwarf. I was in middle school and I used to have a 12″ black and white TV in my bedroom and I used to stay up super late on Saturdays watching tv. I fell asleep one Saturday and woke up to Red Dwarf playing on public television at something like 2am. After that I used to stay up that late every Saturday just to watch it. I mean, what’s not to love about Red Dwarf? Some of the early episodes are some of the most clever television I’ve ever seen, even to this day. Also, I highly identify with Cat. 😀

• Black Mirror

Oh man, I LOVE Black Mirror. So many great episodes exploring different repercussions of the way we can/do use technology. There are a few episodes that miss with me but overall it’s more hits and several amazing episodes. “San Junipero” is one of my favorite episodes of tv ever. “Nosedive” really struck me because it’s soooo near future and I could totally see something like this coming to pass. That’s what makes this show so scary and thought-provoking.

Well, those are my picks for this week! What are some of your favorite speculative fiction tv shows? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!