This is the final installment in the series 4 easy ways to introduce Sci-Fi to your friends. So far we have seen that Books, Video Games and Movies are great ways to spike some interest into Sci-Fi. In this post I will discuss the last option (and my favorite) in this series: binge-watching TV Shows.
Binge-watching has become extremely popular with the rise of digital streaming. But what is binge-watching exactly?
Binge-watching is when you’re able to watch multiple episodes at your own time without any annoying commercials. Binge-watching is not something new, it has been around already with people buying DVDs of their favorite shows.
Now, it’s true there are many TV Shows to choose from, and surprisingly this time I’m going away from the traditional recommendations like the Star Trek series and the X-Files. Not that they’re not good, of course, they are, it’s just that I think most people have watched them at some point. Instead, I will recommend some equally good shows to watch. Here they are:
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Fringe (Sci-Fi Mystery)
Fringe follows Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson), and Walter Bishop (John Noble) who are members of the fictional Fringe Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, based in Boston (US), under the supervision of Homeland Security.
The team uses fringe science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate a series of unusual happenings, which are related to mysteries surrounding a parallel universe.
The story is well thought and gets you engaged till the end. The show ran from 2008 to 2013 and had 5 seasons. Find the complete series or Season 1 to watch!
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Supernatural (Sci-Fi Horror)
Supernatural follows the two brothers as Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) who due to circumstances took the decision to become hunters following their father’s footsteps. They hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings.
It’s quite amazing how they have managed this show: the stories are engaging even though sometimes to tend to be very ridiculous and they pay attention to fans (which has paid off). The series has become very popular and has now many books in stores based on the series. The series is still running now at season 12 and the stories get crazier by the minute. Find the first season to watch!
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Stargate SG1 (Sci-Fi Military)
Stargate SG1 is based on the idea of an alien Einstein Rosen bridge device (the Stargate) that enables nearly instantaneous travel across the cosmos. The franchise began with the film “Stargate”, released on October 28, 1994.
The concept is very intriguing as a military team travels through the Stargate to unknown worlds facing challenges and threats. The series ran from 1997 to 2007 in 10 seasons. Season 10 finalizes with the film “The Ark of Truth”. Find Season 1 to watch!
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Arrow (Sci-Fi Superhero)
Arrow is based on the DC comic book character Green Arrow. The story is about billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), who, five years after being stranded on a hostile island, returns home to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante (initially called “The Hood” whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrow.
The story is very engaging during the first and second seasons. Due to the success of the show, it paved pay to the other superhero shows like The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl sharing the same universe (The Arrowverse). The series is still running now at season 5. Find Season 1 & Season 2 to watch!
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The Expanse (Sci-Fi Space)
The Expanse is based on a series of novels by James S. A. Corey and set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System. It follows United Nations executive Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), police detective Josephus Miller (Thomas Jane), and ship’s officer Jim Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew as they investigate a conspiracy that threatens peace in the system and the survival of humanity.
The story is very intriguing and the visuals look great. Unlike the other recommended shows with twenty-something episodes each season, this one has 10 episodes the first season and a 13-episode second season. The show was renewed for a 13-episode third season to air in 2018. Find Season 1 to watch!
These mentions bring some personal fond memories but of course, there are more that people will enjoy. Here are some honorable mentions: Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Farscape, Firefly, The Stand (90s version), 12 Monkeys, The Twilight Zone, Dark Matter, Killjoys, Sliders, Almost Human, Limitless, Orphan Black, Black Mirror, and Time After Time (to name a few).
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Happy binge-Watching!
What did you think about the above recommendations? Do you have a few of your own for Sci-Fi beginners? Will you consider binge-watching TV Shows? After going through all the 4 ways to introduce Sci-Fi (Books, Video Games, Movies, or TV Shows) which method do you prefer the most?
Feel free to leave your comments. I would love to hear from you.
I am going to show how old I am by saying that I used to binge watch sci fi shows on VHS. I would sit and watch episode after episode of Star Trek Deep Space Nine with my brother. I don’t know why but I never really got tired of it.
I haven’t watched a sci fi show in years now. It’s about time that I did. I will have to check out your suggestions.
Thanks,
Owain
Hi Owain,
Maybe its time to upgrade and get the DVD collection of DS9?
When you do let me know which you watched and what you think of it?
Thanks for stopping by.
Love to binge watch, its great when you don’t need to wait a week for the next show. Arrow has been my one up to now. I also enjoyed binge watching Luke Cage, Netflix series of the Marvel character. I hope they bring another one out soon.
Great article and some good recommendations, fringe might be one to try.
Hi Dean,
Thanks for your comments. If you like the Marvel Netflix series, the Defenders are coming soon (including Luke Cage as one of the Defenders).
My friends already know my interest in Scifi and have been sorted into fellow aficionados (or not) for a long time now.
I was aware of all these shows but never gave The Fringe or The Expanse a try. Based on your review I’ll have to fit them in. Supernatural struck me as well written but it never caught my interest.
Both Arrow and The Flash have been favorites!
Hi ChazzBrown,
Happy to meet another sci-fi fan! So Cool. Keep spreading the word!!!
Thanks for taking time to read my post. I appreciate it very much.
Best wishes!
Hi Dira,
I love this post. I especially love you featuring my favorite show on now, Supernatural, I watched it since Season 1. I am a big Sci-Fi fan. I love X-Files, Twilight Zone, and Outer Limits. I am more classic person. Thank you for the post.
Hi Reggie,
Nice to meet you. I am glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
I watch Supernatural for years and I will definitely suggest my brother to watch the first season of it. Even though my favorite character Crowley did not start playing back then I am sure he will love it.
Hi Furkan,
That’s great! Thanks for your comments.
Hello Dira,
Binge-watching seems like a great way to enjoy some quality sci-fi and at the same time to introduce it to your friends.
I can immediately tell you which one is my favorite – Supernatural.
I just love it. It is horrific and the story is great.
What I like about it is the fact that it never gets cheesy.
I started watching The Arrow but It just didn’t grab me and I left it.
When it comes to the methods you describe to introduce sci-fi to my friends, I’d go with movies and tv shows.
I am an avid reader but I can’t force myself to like sci-fi on a book.
Lately, I started reading Dan Simmons’s Hyperion which is considered to be one of the best sci-fi books of the past century. I read about 100 pages and I left it. It is just not my cup of tea.
Long live the movies and the tv shows! 🙂
Hi Asen,
I totally understand. You didn’t say anyting about Video Games so I’m assuming you’re not a fan? Nonetheless you are not wrong: Movies and TV shows are the 2 easiest methods. Let’s get more people into sci-fi!