For everyone who's wondering what to watch next or what's this show everyone's talking about and for everyone willing to read, I've prepared a little something about my 5 personal favorites from the genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction. Hope you enjoy reading!
1. Doctor Who (2005-)
What’s it all about? Main Character, known to everyone as The Doctor, is a Time Lord, an alien with the ability to regenerate, who travels through time in his blue box called the TARDIS (which happens to be a bigger in the inside time machine) alongside his many companions (friends), mostly people, visiting some of the most extraordinary planets and places throughout the history of time.
Why is is worth watching? The Doctor is one of the greatest characters on TV and his companions are people just like us who, thanks to their journeys with the Doctor, show their true potential and how important we all are. The story is quite genius (like it’s main character), moving but also very entertaining and funny.
Who’s playing? Current Doctor is played by Matt Smith and new(!) companion is Jenna Louise Coleman. But be sure not to miss the other two Doctors of the new series: Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, who are both absolutely brilliant, and so are their co-stars.
Memorable quote:
“When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it'll never end. But however hard you try you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever for one moment, accepts it”
2. Fringe (2008-)
What’s it all about? It’s probably the most crazy and genius story you’ve ever got a chance to see. Story about Fringe Division, a Joint Federal Task Force created by the FBI which includes Agent Olivia Dunham, mad scientist, whose imagination (and skills) know no limits, Dr. Walter Bishop and his beloved but estranged genius son Peter Bishop. Their job is to investigate the impossible cases related to “fringe science”, ranging from experiments on human and their minds’ abilities to possibility of two words colliding. And it’s just the beginning.
Why is it worth watching? Not every day you get to see the wonders of science, two worlds collision, shapeshifters, time travels and so many other incredible things as here. Plus, you get to watch one of the most talented cast on TV (No Emmy for John Noble is just the biggest mistake on these awards ever made) and the extraordinary story of family and love that means more than the distance between the words!
Who’s playing? Amazing cast including: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Lance Reddick, Seth Gabel, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown and guest starring (among a lot of others) Leonard Nimoy!
Memorable quote:
"Most of us experience life as a linear progression... ...but this is an illusion - because every day, life presents us with an array of choices... ...each choice leads to a new path. To go to work. To stay home. And each choice we take creates a new reality."
3. Merlin (2008-)
What’s it all about? Most of us have heard the story before. The story about King Arthur, wizard Merlin and The Knights Of The Roundtable, about magic, Excalibur and the forbidden love of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere. It’s the same story. Except not really. This one’s even better. It starts with Prince Arthur and his servant and young warlock Merlin. It’s the story of their friendship, of the kingdom where using magic is punished with death (thanks to the cruel king Uther), the story about making the history, creating Camelot we’ve read about, about fate and destiny and the heroes, those everyone can see and those behind the scenes.
Why is it worth watching? It’s not only the show about magic and kingdoms, but also about growing up to become legends and heroes. It’s about friendship and love. There’s a lot of humor and banter but also dark magic and betrayal. It’s moving and funny , and very entertaining!
Who’s playing? Another great cast which includes: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, Anthony Head (!), Richard Wilson and John Hurt as the voice of the dragon(!).
Memorable quotes:
“None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And none of us can escape it.”
“You're like two sides of the same coin”
“It is destiny, my love. Destiny and chicken” ;)
4. Once Upon A Time (2011-)
What’s it all about? The Evil Queen, called Regina, has cursed every single fairytale (and beyond!) character to live in our world, in Storybrooke, without their memories and the things they love the most. Their only hope lies with Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter Emma Swan who escaped the curse and now is the only person who can break it. The problem, however, is to make Emma believe it’s all true. And that’s just what her son Henry with book of fairy tales is trying to do. Meanwhile, every episode is a back story for our different characters. And the fairytales we see are not the same one we know.
Why is is worth watching? Because it’s amazing and quite epic story of secrets and sacrifice, heartbreak and wonder, and love, very much love. And the show that just makes you keep coming back for more.
Who’s playing? Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Jared S. Gilmore, Meghan Ory, Emilie de Ravin (!), Jamie Dornan and just brilliant Robert Carlyle.
Memorable quotes:
“I will always find you”
“Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing”
“Every magic comes with a price”
5. Supernatural (2005-)
What’s it all about? Two brothers, Dean and Sam, are searching for their missing father. In the meantime they hunt for monsters and save as many people as they can. In their Impala they travel throughout America encountering demons, spirits, shapeshifters, vampires and in time creatures so much more powerful than they could have ever imagined. And they become an important pieces in the biggest plan of the destruction of them all.
Why is it worth watching? When you’re watching the show you must prepare yourself to be heartbroken over and over again. That’s how much invested you’re gonna be in the story. But it’s so much more than that. You’re gonna love the funny banter between the brothers, the music(!), the stories and the episodes you’d never expect to see on TV. And above it all, I can’t imagine there being a TV series better at showing the bond between brothers and family and how family is not just blood.
Who’s playing? Very underestimated cast including: Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Jim Beaver, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and (season 4-) Misha Collins
Memorable quotes:
“I think he wants us to pick up where he left off. You know, saving people, hunting things. The family business”
„You’re my brother. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you”
"Driver picks the music, Shotgun shuts his cakehole" ;)
Those are my favorites. What's yours?
TV Shows Worth Watching - Top 5 - Fantasy/Science Fiction
21 Oct 2012
Cancelled Shows Doctor Who JK Once Upon A Time Supernatural
Sign Up for the SpoilerTV Newsletter where we talk all things TV!


Supernatural !!!!!!! :-) <3
ReplyDeleteAnd vampirediaries(if you can count it as an fantasy show)
<3 <3 <3 <3
Is this only for currently airing shows?
ReplyDeleteGreat article
ReplyDeleteMy 5 would be
LOST
Dark Skies
The X-Files
DEXTER
The Walking Dead
Haha, my top 5:
ReplyDeleteFringe
FRinge
FRInge
FRINge
FRINGE
My top 5:
ReplyDeleteFringe
The X-Files
Grimm
The Walking Dead
Lost
Not necessarily ;)
ReplyDeleteNice one;)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I've only watched LOST, but it was great;)
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great Sci Fi/Fantasy shows. Five is not enough. I would add Grimm and Revolution etc.... And have a separate horror for shows like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story etc... Another show I loved but is never mention is Wolf Lake. It was a show that came out before it's time.
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind, didn't you? These are my favorites current shows as well, I'll have to add Game of Thrones to it.
ReplyDeleteBTW, very nice descriptions of these shows, non of them are easy to explain, especially Doctor Who and Fringe.
I watch Once and Supernatural
ReplyDeleteThe Vampire Diaries
ReplyDeleteSupernaturalOnce Upon a Time
Merlin and Dr who dont even belong on tv, they are terrible, worst acting ive seen, effects look 10yrs old, storylines are even worse.
ReplyDeleteTop 5 should be.
Dexter
True Blood
Breaking bad
Walking dead
Game of thrones not in any order cuz its so hard to decide on such awesomeness
Great article! Interesting choice for Fringe's memorable quote; I didn't recognize it at first. :p My personal favourites include "If we are capable of being Gods, then it is our destiny to do so" and "Nature doesn't recognize good and evil; nature only recognizes balance and imbalance" and "Sometimes what we have is not the world we want, but we have our hearts and our imaginations to make the best of it."
ReplyDeleteAnyway, another reason to watch Fringe: the amazing interaction with the alternate universe. I haven't seen any other show deal with alternate versions of characters like this. It really shows the range of the cast's acting abilities, seeing them play two versions of a character and having them interact with each other. It's also written very well, as both of the versions make sense in their own way and show the consequences certain choices can make.
The only sci-fi/fantasy shows I watch are LOST, Fringe and Game Of Thrones, and I would recommend them all. If The Walking Dead and Person Of Interest count, those too. ;)
Dr. Who
ReplyDeleteFringe
ArrowSupernaturalStar Trek TNG
Buffy
Angel
I loved Lost until I lost respect for it and then began to actively dislike it, I never got into Smallville (too teen drama for me) and have never seen Once Upon a Time (seemed "Chick Flick" ish to me). I liked Vampire and monster movies until Twilight and then they all felt like a teen craze and ... meh ...
I LOVE Dr. Who and Fringe.
I suspect I am also going to love Arrow,
I loved Supernatural for a few years but it feels a little tired to me, now - sort of like how I felt when Pride and Prejudice wasn't enough and I read that awful "sequel". Sometimes a story is just done.
Merlin I record but have not watched last season yet (I tend to record seasons and watch them in their off season for all shows) but I like it a lot.
Good list - that was fun.
For not necessarily currently airing: Firefly, BSG, Legend of the Seeker, DS9 and Doctor Who. All leaders of their sub-genres.
ReplyDeleteI actually have a Top 4:
ReplyDeleteSupernatural
Game of Thrones
Battlestar Gallactica
The Walking Dead
After that I can only think of certain seasons that I liked,like the first seasons if Lost and Heroes,but not an entire series.
There is something wrong with this list... where is Continuum? Where is Arrow?
ReplyDeleteMy Top Five
ReplyDeleteSupernatural
Dr, Who
The River (Hate that it's gone)
Merlin (I love King Arthur stories)
Vampire Diaries (only because I like Joseph and Moonlight it no longer on)
Thanks. Great quotes! And I agree about the amazing interaction with the alternate universe. Definitely a reason to watch! I was just trying to keep it not so spoilery;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's so nice to see someone who loves the same things I do;) And yeah, the descriptions were a bit tricky:)
ReplyDeleteand what about
ReplyDeleteThe X-Files
Babylon 5
Stargate SG1
Stargate Atlantis
and all the Star Treks!
Great list, minus Supernatural, which frankly is....well horrible mess and propaganda of misogyny since s4.
ReplyDeleteFor me frankly its:
1) Fringe.
2) OUAT
3) Teen Wolf
4) Merlin
5)666th Park Avenue.
Yeah, because Breaking Bad and Dexter are filled with fantasy and science fiction!!
ReplyDeletedo you even know how to read? No wonder you can't respect an opinion or appreciate good tv shows.
Current faves for me:
ReplyDeleteFringe & Supernatural (by a wide margin)
Person of Interest
Elementary
Arrow (which just replaced Revolution in my top 5 after only two eps)
I gave the three other shows you mentioned a try since their premise sounded interesting, but they just didn't do it for me.
Past faves (in chronological order):
24
Stargate SG-1
Stargate Atlantis
The Killing
Awake (crying shame it had to end after only one season, lots of potential there)
This list was great! I especially loved the OUaT part. You should do this for other types of shows like comedies but that list should be 10 or like action shows so u can mention Nikita and then more people will watch that wonderful show and it won't get cancelled.
ReplyDeleteThought I would list some lesser known shows from the genre which people should check out
ReplyDeleteAlphas - Seems to be completely overlooked by the majority of the media and the Sci-Fi community but a really great show that gives people super powers but deals with them in a more realistic way. Also great team dynamics.
The Middleman - One season wonder, completely hilarious and amazing and I always recommend this because I think more people should watch it.
Wonderfalls/Dead Like Me/Pushing Daisies - The big three Bryan Fuller shows and if you want quirky imaginative often heartbreaking wonder these these are the shows for you.
The Fades - Creepiest show in recent years, sadly only got one season but really worth checking out. Not for people who are easily scared.
Caprica - Everyone loved BSG but seemed to forget to tune into this show and thus it was cancelled. After a slow start though this really started to show just how great it could be and the last episode offered a glimpse into how future events would have preceded and wow yes would have been as amazing as its parent show.
I'm thinking about it! And I'm definitely thinking about mentioning Nikita;)
ReplyDeleteI honestly haven't seen any of them. Yet;)
ReplyDeleteNo Game of Thrones? The Others take you!!
ReplyDeleteFringe has been number one since it began. I watched Supernatural until season 3 or 4,then I felt things were getting over done. Past favorites have been Stargate Atlantis and the original Star Trek series
ReplyDelete1-The Walking Dead
ReplyDelete2-Once Upon A Time
3-Buffy The Vampire Slayer
4-Supernatural (seasons 1-3)
5-Roswell
runners up-
6-Fringe
7-Star Trek
8-Angel
9-Teen Wolf
10-Stargate Universe
Haha;) I watch the show, but it's not one of the my favorites.
ReplyDelete;) One simply does not forget Mark Sheppard in SPN casting
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Watching all of them, except Fringe and Doctor Who ( not that I don,t like them, just never had time to watch them). I would add Grimm
they should have added "I shall destroy you're happiness if it is the last thing I do" to the once quotes!
ReplyDeleteYour missing out on some good sci-fi! Oh, and i forgot you must check out FARSCAPE!! Must!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for advice! I'm waiting for some free time to start watching:)
ReplyDeleteOh, Stargate! I miss SG-1 and Atlantis, I didn't like Universe. Great shows, fun to watch, same as Farscape!
ReplyDeleteMy first 1 is a show that its name starts with an "F" and ends with an "e"
ReplyDeleteill give you a star if you find it :P
wow my top five too...
ReplyDeleteMe too! can't even find Stargate on tv anymore,same for Farscape.What great shows,sigh!
ReplyDeleteThought so. :) You did a good job!
ReplyDeleteMy top 5 would be:
ReplyDeleteLOST
Pushing Daisies
Wonderfalls
Futurama
Supernatural
...if Supernatural had ended at Season 5. Seasons 6, 7, and 8 are making me re-evaluate whether it's still in my top 5 fanatasy/sci-fi shows of all time or if I like another show better overall. The Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Person of Interest (assuming it's sci-fi enough to count) could all potentially take its place.
Game of thrones
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I want to try Merlin...Is this show really worth it???
ReplyDeleteCurrent faves
1) OUAT (really this show is so amazing each week I litteraly can't wait for the next episode!)
2)Vampire diaries
3) Fringe
4) Game of throne
5) Continuum (I miss this show so much :( ) and Warehouse 13
Past faves
1)Buffy
2)Legend of the Seeker
3)Dark Angel
4) Angel
5) Dollhouse
Current:
ReplyDeleteGame of Thrones
The Walking Dead
Fringe
-
-
(much lower)
-
-
Grimm
Continuum
Honorable Mention:
Merlin
Past:
LOST
Carnivale
Battlestar Galactica
Farscape
Taken (mini-series)
Honorable Mention:
First Wave
The 4400
I liked the Middleman! XD
ReplyDeleteFunny show that surprised me, but I knew was cancelled as soon as I saw it ...
I may have to revisit the series and watch it in its entirety.....
I liked The Fades a lot too.
It had the best start of any new Sci-Fi series I have seen in a long time, but the last episode were lackluster for me. It still was nice to watch something original and creepy that dealt with a real story and not just gimmicky cliche characters!!
Definitely worth it! I like your list too;)
ReplyDelete1 The Vampire Diaries
ReplyDelete2 Fringe
3 Game of Thrones
4 Walking Dead / American Horror Story
5 Once Upon a Time
I don't really know Merlin, but out of curiosity, how much have you seen of Who? There are some individual episodes, I'll grant, which if they'd been my only exposure to the show, would have turned me off completely. On the whole, though, there have been simply phenomenal actors, terrific and imaginative stories, and in spite of a BBC budget, effects that get better all the time: compare the current season to an episode from 2005, and the difference is dramatic. (Compare it to episodes from 1963, and that's just a whole different kettle of fish!)
ReplyDeleteMind you, I think quality of special effects is one of the least important aspects of any show: good enough actors, writers, stories and characters can make up for lousy effects any day. Great effects can NOT make up for lousy acting/writing/story.
From the shows you list, it might just be that Doctor Who simply isn't your style, but it's hard to see how anyone who really knows Who could dismiss some of its best qualities so completely.
Love, love, LOVE Supernatural. It's one of my top two favorites on TV at the moment. It's so underappreciated, much like its cast, and you can't help but come back for more. I'd love to start on Fringe someday. I've heard great things, but I haven't found the time to watch it from the start.
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon A Time absolutely deserves to be on the top 5 list, but the rest... Um, no.
ReplyDeleteMy list would be:
1) The X-Files (because how can you not mention classics??? Seriously, so many shows still running are heavily influenced by it, Supernatural, Fringe, Haven, Warehouse 13, just to mention a few)
2) Once Upon A Time - not my all-time-favourite fantasy show yet, but time will tell. :D It really does appeal to all audiences, including genre fans and/or families with children. It's good fun, (plus the cast's so easy on the eyes) but it has just enough mystery, scheming and drama to keep you interested and curious.
3) Legend of the Seeker - I still love this show too much for my own good. It's the best fantasy show I've ever seen, and certainly the one I can call the ultimate eye candy - from the hot and talented cast, the spectacular special effects, the best slow-motion battle scenes and choreography you'll ever see on a TV show, the gorgeous costume designs, the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand...oh I miss this show so much...the stunningly beautiful soundtrack, the memorable quotes, the best OTP ever (Richard/Kahlan), etc etc... Just watch it and you'll see what I'm talking about. Personally, I like the second season even better, and frankly, watching OUAT has made me appreciate the villains on Legend of the Seeker even more.
If you like Once Upon A Time, then you'll probably enjoy this show a lot. A LOT.
4) Stargate SG-1 - another classic sci-fi show. Imo the last two seasons (9&10) were the best, especially with the addition of Claudia Black and Ben Browder. :) Yeah, I know, I know, again an unpopular opinion. But I just really liked the Cam/Sam and Daniel/Vala dynamics. :D
5) Sanctuary - while it had its flaws, I did enjoy it and it's a pity there'll be no more seasons. Plus, it had quite a nice pilot. Hunting monsters with a cool twist, and plenty of humour. Besides, Amanda Tapping did a great job as the leading female, and Jonathon Young was hilarious as a flirtatious vampire version of Nikola Tesla. :D
My top five. Supernatural, Merlin, Once Upon A Time.... and thats it...
ReplyDeleteYes, Buffy!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about Alphas. The characters within the show are much more down to earth even with them having one power for one individual. The show neatly balances the problems and benefits of characters having such powers and It's surely not like x-men or any other previous movies or shows like Heroes. Where those movies or shows get too involved in showing flaring and overpowering powers, this show does what Lou said it's more real, in the context of how they apply to everyday things and activities, plus the show does good job in explaining the stimulus of individual powers.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be worth mentioning that Dr. Who did not start in 2005 (just restarted), but that might be 'cos I'm English and old! The original series is well worth a look as well (there's quite a lot available) unless you are particularly invested in the quality of special effects in which case you should probably give it a miss at all costs
ReplyDeleteSo erm... Supernatural, Arrow, POI, Dr.Who, Haven - maybe, (probably forgotten something I love) in some order
Nice piece, thanks
Love it. Of those I watch supernatural, once upon a time and fringe and all are brilliant shows!
ReplyDeleteThe X-Files is next on my list after Fringe is over...Apparently is very close to its area of "expertise" and (as I was told) I don't know why I haven't given it a try yet...
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends has been begging me to try Sherlock.Apparently "it's Sherlock"(that was her main point!haha!)
I also need to begin watching OUAT again...Physics got in the way!
And finally Doctor WHO because my dashboard is constantly filled with Doctor gifs and I don't know what the hell is going on with that man!
Is Battlestar Galactica that good?I've heard others recommend it but to be honest I'm scared to try it 'cause it's too old!
ReplyDeleteI know it's sounds weird but having watched so many "nowadays" shows I find it hard to watch older shows,cause the technology and means stuff they use seem ancient!
I remember when I watched the pilot of CIA(I think CIA started like 10 years ago!)-OMG!-they found the killer through his footprint!The freaking footprint!That's like...the easiest thing ever!I could get a muddy footprint myself!-make it a little more complex than that!
My list:
ReplyDelete1. Fringe2. Avatar: The Last Airbender3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel4. The X-Files5. Doctor Who
Enjoy watching! ;)
ReplyDelete..all are good series but i swap merlin and put grimm in his place
ReplyDeletei actually read the Doctor Who quote with River's (Alex Kingston's) voice in my head. haha! Three of these are three of my favorite current shows :)
ReplyDeleteI watch all of these, but Supernatural is my favorite show. My top 5 are:
ReplyDelete1.Supernatural
2.The Vampire Diaries
3.Person of Interest
4.Grimm
5.Arrow
Past favorites:
1.Buffy
2.Angel
3.Roswell
4.X-Files
5.Firefly
The main plus for Caprica is it had James Marsters, and it was really picking up when cancelled.
ReplyDeleteok take those off and replace them with Supernatural and American horror story.
ReplyDeleteI also have seen a lot of Dr who and to me, its still one of the worst shows on tv.
Definately give Merlin a try. It's got a wondeful rapport between the actors portraylng Merlin and Arthur. At times the show is brilliant funny and both actors excel in the humor of it all. but other times, the show is ripe with drama and they do a fine job in that aspect as well. I only stumbled on the show during SY-FY reruns in it's 4th season, but have sense caught the previous 3 years on DVD. Great show all around - and takes us on the journey to watch both Merlin and Arthur grow in power and character.
ReplyDeleteSanctuary on SYFY is what got me to start watching science fiction again. I like Fringe okay and because Anna Torv is hot.
ReplyDeleteMerlin. Merlin. Merlin :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said about Legend Of The Seeker (even if I'm not really a Richard/Kahlan fan :p)! It seems silly but in reality it's one of the best show ever!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean (that it seems silly at first sight). Maybe it's because the script follows the path 'new mission>adventure>mission accomplished' and there's usually a happy ending. But the characters are complex and multilayered, and the issues raised are universal and relatable.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the best shows ever! ♥ I still hope (against hope) that it will get more seasons...
P.S.: Cara/Kahlan fan then, I take it? :D
My top 5:Stargate
ReplyDeleteThe x FilesDoctor whoStargate Atlantis
Sanctuary
My top 5:
ReplyDelete1. Stargate
2. The x Files
3. Doctor who ( With River Song!)
4. Stargate Atlantis
5. Sanctuary
Doctor Who
ReplyDeleteSupernatural
Fringe
Community
HIMYM
My top 5:
ReplyDelete1. Haven
2. Once Upon a Time
3. Grimm
4. Game of Thrones
5. Fringe