As you have probably already noticed, Netflix is getting into the business of bringing shows with cult followings back from the grave. First they made a deal to bring back the hilarious Arrested Development, then got into talks to save FOX’s Terra Nova and ABC’s The River (though both have fallen through). Now, they are in talks to save CBS’s much loved post-apocalyptic drama, Jericho. With it seeming more and more that Netflix is sci-fi fan’s best chance at seeing some great shows return to TV, I though I would give them a hand. Here is a list of the top shows that Netflix should look at reviving (after Jericho of course). Reed Hastings, if you’re reading this, take note!
1. Firefly (FOX, 2002)
Obviously this gets top spot! Everyone who has watched this show loves it (if they don’t they are wrong) and its fanbase has exploded in size since it finished it’s too-short run on TV. The show also averaged around close to a 3 on the Nielson scale when it aired which by today’s standards it actually pretty decent (close to what Nathan Fillion’s Castle gets). Joss Whedon has become a household name with the amazing success of The Avengers too and has said that he would love to one day return to the ‘Verse. But when would this show take place? Before the pilot? That could work. Between the series and film, Serenity? There is good amount of time between the two that a series could be set in. It could be set after the movie but some fans may not be happy with Firefly returning without a few special characters. One more option would be to forget the movie ever happened and just continue the show the way Joss originally intended. I’d be up for any of them, I just want Firefly back! If you haven’t seen this show yet, drop what you are doing and go watch it (DVD, Netflix etc.)! It will become an instant favorite!
2. Stargate Universe (Syfy, 2009-2011)
Cancelled prematurely by Syfy and recently nominated for 8 Constellation Awards, SGU was really finding its voice and becoming a truly great show when it ended. Yes, I’ll admit the first season was pretty rocky, full of highs and lows (mostly lows) for the show but its second season was exceptional. And of course, they ended it (along with the franchise) on a cliffhanger! It deserves much better and damn it, I want to know what happened to Eli! Yes, there is some pretty great fan fiction out there to end the show but I really want to see the show ended the way that its creators intended. This IS possible, as David Hewlett (Dr. Rodney McKay of Stargate Atlantis) bought much of the sets so its really all a matter of getting the cast and crew back together. Netflix, make this happen, even if its just a mini-series or movie!
3. Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome (Syfy, ????)
This one is a bit different as it hasn’t even aired yet. And it may not. Despite an awesome, kick-ass trailer being leaked and making many aware of Blood and Chrome in the first place, Syfy decided to demote the show to a web-series, which now may not even happen. Blood and Chrome would focus on a young Will Adama during the first Cylon war which sounds awesome! Not sure why Syfy is so afraid of going with this (budget reasons? worried it might fail like Caprica did?) but I’m sure it would be a success like the reimagined Battlestar Galactica was. If Syfy won’t take a chance on this, I think Netflix should!
4. The 4400 (USA, 2004-2007)
Originally a USA mini-series, The 4400 rated well enough that it was brought back as a full series. It followed two government agents assigned to investigate the reappearance of a group of 4400 missing people who suddenly reappear all at once. These people are soon found to have an extra neurotransmitter in their brains called “promicin” giving them each unique and extraordinary abilities. It was a very creative show that unfortunately fell victim to the writer’s strike years ago. If you have seen Heroes, you’ll notice how much The 4400 influenced it. Unfortunately, the final episode ended with a major cliffhanger that angered quite a few fans. Several novels have been released since, giving fans some sort of closure, but I’d much prefer a final season or even a movie to end it right.
5. Threshold (CBS, 2005-2006)
I always get a lot of flak for this one but whatever. Though this show is not well known, Threshold was my favorite show when it aired years ago. It starred Carla Cugino, Star Trek alum Brent Spiner and everyone’s favorite imp, Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones). It followed Cugino’s character, a contingency analyst called into action after our first contact with a UFO. The show was a whole new take on the classic alien invasion, featuring a virus that infects a human and makes them a slave to alien directives to infect others. It lasted only 13 episodes and there were plans for a three year run – where the name would change after each season from Threshold to Foothold to Stranglehold – signifying each stage in their defense plan as the infection spreads worldwide. If you want a short, quality series to marathon, I suggest checking out Threshold.
Honorable Mentions:
- Caprica
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
- Star Trek Enterprise/ a new Trek series
- Dollhouse
- Stargate Atlantis (there’s still more story to tell)
I’d love to hear what you think about these shows and what your own top five is in the comments section below.
-Tom
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