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What if we could have a more advanced space travel? What if we could transport ourselves through time? What if communication with aliens was a daily reality and supernatural forces from other dimensions found their way to our planet? Science fiction TV shows—same as science fiction books before them—answer these questions to satiate our curiosity. 

Science fiction, or sci-fi for short, is a vast genre that combines various separate genres: time travel, space exploration, extraterrestrial life, supernatural activity, parallel universes, sentient machines and technologies, and many more. One thing they all have in common is that they try to imagine how life would have been if a certain concept, most frequently related to science and technology, would have existed. 

The first space TV show aired as far back as 1950. It was called Space Patrol and was initially targeted at children. But soon the adventures of its main character Commander-in-Chief Buzz Corry and his sidekick Cadet Happy gathered a considerable adult audience. The show continued to run for five consecutive years and often ranked in the top 10 Saturday shows. 

Of course, modern science fiction TV shows have come a long way, and today’s series look nothing like 80s or even 90s sci-fi shows. We have compiled a list of some of the best sci-fi series from various decades. Which ones have you already seen? Do you agree with our rating?

#1

Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Star Trek: The Next Generation

1987 | First-run syndication | Seasons: 7

Shows about space have always enjoyed large popularity among the audience, and we have quite a few on our list, Star Trek being one of them. Even if you have never watched a single episode of this show, you have definitely heard about it. It is one of the largest franchises that includes both feature films and television series that last anywhere from one to as many as seven seasons. Star Trek: The Next Generation is the third installment in the TV series. It is set one century after the original series and follows the adventures of an all-new crew aboard the iconic starship Enterprise.

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Mad Dragon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am watching it right now! Pluto TV has an entire Star Trek TNG channel that you can watch for free without signing up or making a user name.

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#2

The X-Files

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The X-Files 

1993 | Fox | Seasons: 11

Not all paranormal activities turn into a nice journey through space. Sometimes they end up as a crime scene requiring investigation. If this is a storyline you could get behind, you should definitely watch The X-Files. When agent Fox Mulder starts suspecting the involvement of extraterrestrial forces in several cases, he is partnered with a medical doctor, Dana Scully, who is supposed to check the scientific credibility of his discoveries. Working together on many improbable cases, Mulder and Scully come to unravel an even bigger conspiracy. The X-Files is rightfully considered a classic among alien TV shows, and this probably explains why it remains popular among viewers even after it was closed.

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Turt_Le
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "monster of the week" type episodes are my favourite. Finale of the original was a bit of a let down. I liked the continuation but didn't love it as much as the first few original seasons

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#3

Doctor Who

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Doctor Who

2005 | BBC One | Seasons: 13

Doctor Who is one of, if not the most long-running TV shows in Britain. The first episode of the original installment was aired in 1963, and the show ran continuously until 1989 when it was closed down. However in 2005 it was brought back to life and very soon became a global sensation. Same as the original, the revived series tells the story of an alien Time Lord, who goes by the name of The Doctor, has two hearts and regenerates with a completely different appearance after each cycle. Together with his companions, he travels in a blue police box with the sole purpose of helping those in distress. If you need protection, he will find you on any planet, in any century, because time is actually not linear, it’s wibbly wobbly, timey wimey… stuff.

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ArodTheHorrible
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The concept itself is pretty awesome, and the various actors that play Dr Who execute it brilliantly. Must see!

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#5

Star Trek

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Star Trek

1966 | NBC | Seasons: 3

Another entry from the Star Trek franchise on our list, this one laid the foundation for the future popularity of the show. After the show expanded into multiple films and series, the 1966 edition received the name of Star Trek: The Original Series. Together with the classic cast of the first crew, we embark on a journey around the Milky Way, as they explore new worlds and civilizations.

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#6

Stranger Things

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Stranger Things

2016 | Netflix | Seasons: 4

If you are in search of a show that will cater to your ’80s childhood nostalgia, pay homage to Stephen King novels, include an evil corporation conducting experiments on humans, and open up a whole other dimension housing an unspeakable monster, seek no more. Stranger Things checks off every item on that list and delivers magnificently on all of them. A fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana wakes up from its perpetual slumber when a number of inexplicable events start to happen. What first seemed to be a pretty obvious missing child case soon turns into a quest involving paranormal activity and monsters from another world. Stranger Things is often called one of the best series on Netflix for its formidable storytelling and character development.

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#7

Battlestar Galactica (2004)

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Battlestar Galactica

2004 | Sci-Fi | Seasons: 4

In 2004, American screenwriter and producer Ronald D. Moore revived a popular ’70s military sci-fi TV show Battlestar Galactica, with the new series following the general premise of the original. In the distant future, a human civilization living on a group of planets, known as The Twelve Colonies, were attacked and almost destroyed by a race of android robots. The very few survivors fled the Colonies. Led by the only remaining military spaceship, Battlestar Galactica, they embark on a journey to find the legendary thirteenth colony, also sometimes called Earth.

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Zophra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So dark by the middle of the seasons and the ending was really unsatistiyingly weird.

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#8

Black Mirror

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Black Mirror

2011 | Netflix | Seasons: 5

The problems of modern society and culture have been the subject of many works of fiction, but Black Mirror manages to have a fresh take on it. This anthology TV show is set in dystopian societies of the near future, and each episode is a social commentary on one of the common traits of contemporary culture. While having a recurring theme, Black Mirror doesn’t have a common arc developing throughout a season. Each episode is a standalone story and can be watched in any order. This is great if you don’t have enough time and watch the show with big pauses between episodes.

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#9

The Twilight Zone

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The classic series. Watched most of them when I was a kid. Had incredible writers and it influenced a lot of other shows that came later.

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#12

Lost

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Lost

2004 | ABC | Seasons: 6

Lost starts off as a modern Robinson Crusoe story. A commercial jet airliner crashes on its route from Sydney to Los Angeles, and its passengers find themselves on an island in the Pacific Ocean. As the unsuspecting audience expects to see a story of survival, a fight for resources, and rivalry for leadership, the equally unsuspecting characters realize that there is more to the island than first catches the eye. Very soon it becomes clear that the island is inhabited by mysterious supernatural forces, and the struggle for survival becomes even more difficult. During its lifetime, Lost often received appreciation from critics. It was also one of the most expensive TV shows, due to a large ensemble cast and filming on location in Hawaii.

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Melissa Spencer
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't do it! Forst few seasons were great, then it went off the rails and it ended terribly.

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#15

Westworld

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Westworld 

2016 | HBO | Seasons: 4

Just a few decades from now, a large American corporation builds several theme parks, including one based on the American Wild West, suitably called Westworld. The main attractions of this park are biochemical robots known as hosts. Indistinguishable from humans, these robots are designed to engage in any act of violence or sexual behavior the visitors require of them in their pursuit of the Wild West experience. Hosts, who can’t feel pain or emotions, get their memories wiped after finishing their work with each guest. Until one day a new update is implemented, and some of the hosts start remembering their past traumatic experiences…

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this show so far. It definitely makes you work for it, though.

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#16

The Expanse

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The Expanse 

2015 | Syfy | Seasons: 6

The Expanse is an adaptation of a series of novels by James S.A. Corey. Several centuries from the present, the human race has moved beyond the limits of planet Earth and has colonized the entire Solar System. The fragile peace—which in reality is more of a cold war—is held together by three powers: the United Nations of Earth and Luna, the Martian Congressional Republic, and the Outer Planet Alliance. A UN executive, a police detective, a spaceship officer, and his crew never expected to uncover, let alone find themselves in the center of a conspiracy that endangers whatever peaceful existence is still left, but now they have to navigate through it, while also dealing with an existential crisis caused by the discovery of previously unseen alien technology.

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#18

Babylon 5

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Wvr 23Ph
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should be waaaay higher on this list. Without B5 modern tv series wouldn't exist and we'd still have episodical stories every week.

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#20

Counterpart

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This series only two seasons but was one of the best shows I've ever seen. The single episodes were was good, if not better, than most of the moves out now. JK Simmons is a GOD.

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#22

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

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Shelby Moonheart
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The movie script was by Douglas Adams. It was a little different than the book but still good.

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#23

Stargate SG-1

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Loved this show! The characters and their relationships were just a fun and interesting as all the aliens and weird adventures. I agree that it went on WAY too long, though.

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#24

Torchwood

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Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic show, though the first two seasons were my favourite because I find some story arcs a bit too drawn out later on.

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#27

The Umbrella Academy

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Darian Starfrog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A modern classic.. has its flaws.. and ya wanna smack characters sometimes..but the brain food.. nyum nyums

#31

Russian Doll

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Marisol L. Banks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one needs to be higher. It was sooooo good and thought provoking. And the actress playing Nadia was a riot. This one can easily be binged.

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#33

Sliders

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sliders was a great idea with a great cast that was thoroughly screwed up by lazy, coked-up TV executives who asked writers for scripts that got progressively more stupid. Once Arturo left the show, it really went downhill for me.

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#36

Star Trek: Enterprise

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Chucky Cheezburger
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think one may have gotten alot of hate when it first came on, but it seems to have gained acceptance with time.

#37

Stargate Atlantis

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WordWeaver
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never had the punch of the original series. Would still watch it though because I like the tech and the backstory.

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#39

The 4400

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Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I stumbled across a secondhand copy of this at an op shop and thought $4 was okay to take a punt on, and was very impressed.

#40

The Prisoner

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the best TV series ever, even thought it's more like a mini-series. Very much like a modern-day Allegory Play. The nameless hero fights for freedom and individuality against the oppressive society, aka "The Village."

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#42

V

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Darian Starfrog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh! This! Wow! Mumwouldnt let me watch it.. but shape-shifting reptiles in top government jobs!? My kinda show!

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#44

The Twilight Zone

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#50

Cowboy Bebop

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mulk
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The anime is awesome (beware, it's old fashioned... because it's old ^^ ). forget about the tv show with real actor.

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#52

DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow

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#54

Blake's 7

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Hill Branda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a brilliant show--filmed a shoe-string budget. Despite the horrible effects (and they are laughably horrible) and costumes, the brilliant actors and wonderful dialogue made it incredibly fun to watch. Kerr Avon is one of the best characters in SciFi TV.

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#56

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

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Sabs
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so upset at the ending they teased a super intense cliffhanger in hopes of another season but got cut off!

#59

Battlestar Galactica (1978)

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Michelle Thiel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, this was "must see TV" for my family. We even had the action figures. I've never watched the new version, because I feared they would mess up my happy childhood memories of it. Silly, I know.

#60

Planet Of The Apes

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#61

Travelers

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Marisol L. Banks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m glad to see this one here. Recommended viewing. The characters’ storylines outside of the science fiction aspect really added to the enjoyment.

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#63

Loki

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Darian Starfrog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A show about loki, that's not about loki, they castrated my boy.. it's terrible!

#64

Sense8

Sense8

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Marisol L. Banks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was way better than I expected, but it’s not for kids. Lots of “sexy times” featured. But it was an engaging, good looking cast with a very compelling story and a satisfying conclusion.

#69

Aeon Flux

Aeon Flux

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Wvr 23Ph
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quirky and daring, from the times when MTV had good stuff on and was willing to take risks, not just serve the muck it does today.

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#73

Astro Boy

Astro Boy

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Darian Starfrog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved this as a little human.. never been a better adaption as the original series

#76

Space: 1999

Space: 1999

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WordWeaver
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so old school based on a really dumb premise yet had good characters and some good stories.

#78

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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#80

War Of The Worlds

War Of The Worlds

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Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have only seen the most recent version of this and I really liked it. My dad said the original wasn't as good because they changed the time period and stuff.

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#82

V: The Final Battle

V: The Final Battle

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#85

Dark

Dark

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Marisol L. Banks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not an easy viewing, but worth the payoff. Watch it in its original language with subtitles on so you’re not distracted by the dubbing. It’s multi-layered and complicated, but holy Moses what a story. You’ll be thinking about it even after it’s finished.

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#87

Archive 81

Archive 81

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Darian Starfrog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww man.. why was it canceled though.. truly a great show! Done perfect!

#88

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return

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#91

Timeless

Timeless

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Devon Rains
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First! So good. The conspiracy got a little carried away in later eps but I loved the time travel. It was an up to date, intelligent version of The Time Tunnel!

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#93

Foundation

Foundation

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#94

The Silent Sea

The Silent Sea

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#97

Millennium

Millennium

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Devon Rains
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First! Amazing series. One of my obsessions and my first exposure to a really intense online community. Absolutely amazing.

#100

Into The Night

Into The Night

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