Science Fiction. SF. Sci-fi. Skiffy. Crickets Fucking.

In my formative years, I looked forward to Saturdays, because Doctor Who came on PBS in the afternoons, and ST:TNG came on in the evenings. I don't own any show DVDs, and for most things I've watched, I'm not one of those nerds who can remember episode titles and quote from episodes on anything (Doctor Who might be an exception).

Shows that I enjoyed the most/would watch again? I'd go with Doctor Who (the new series is fantastic), ST: TNG and DS9, B5 (seasons 2-4), Quantum Leap, Sliders (before Sci-Fi killed it), and probably more I can't think of now. I'd also add Life on Mars, which I just finished watching, although it was less sci-fi and more police drama.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The original series of Doctor Who ran from 1963-1989 (with a TV movie in 1996). The new series started in 2005; the 3rd season is currently airing on the BBC. If you've never seen Who before, the new series is a great place to start. It keeps up the continuity of the old series (since the Doctor can "regenerate" when he's near death, it's easy to replace the actors over the years), but since the program had been off the air for so long, they've made it very friendly to new viewers. Sure, you won't get the nostalgia of the classic enemies the Doctor encounters, and you won't get the small references to the old series, but it's massively popular in the UK right now.

Torchwood is set in the same universe as Doctor Who, but other than that it's not closely related. The show is much more geared towards an adult audience, to the point where it seems like they just threw in swearing and explicit sex scenes just to be gratuitous. Really the only reason I watched it after the first few episodes was because I wanted to follow the main character, Capt. Jack Harkness (spun off from Doctor Who). He left Who at the end of the first season, did the first season of Torchwood, then rejoined Who at the end of the 3rd season (and he's going back to Torchwood for the second season). Torchwood had a few standout episodes, but I wouldn't rank it amongst my favorite shows.

On a different topic, it's a shame that the sci-fi/comedy genre hasn't caught on in the US. Shows like Red Dwarf or Hyperdrive, light on plot, certainly, but a nice change of pace from ordinary sitcoms. 3rd Rock from the Sun is the only sci-fi/sitcom I can think of in recent memory that lasted.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by HightopNinja

Right now, I've been really involved in watching Doctor Who. The 2007 season was incredibly good. It got to the point where each episode's writing got better and better.

The only bad thing I can see, is that Kylie Minogue will be in the Xmas episode this year..but, I'll pass judgement when the time comes. Also, do try and check out any Doctor Who staring John Pertwee..my absolute favorite Doctor.

I thought the 2007 season was up and down quality-wise. "Utopia" is perhaps my favorite episode of the new series thus far, and I loved John Simm, but "Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks" was just dreadful. As for Kylie Minogue, Billie Piper did ok as a companion, so I don't see how another pop star (who's got acting experience) could do any worse. The fans seem more concerned about Catherine Tate coming back as a full time companion next year. Not being British, I'm not familiar with her work, but she seemed somewhat shrill to be tagging along with the Doctor all the time.

Jon Pertwee was the Doctor I saw the most growing up (<3 Bessie), but I'm partial to the 5th or 7th Doctors myself.

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