One of popular culture’s most beloved and influential genres,sci-fihas produced a number of the best television shows of all time. Dealing with futuristic and imaginative concepts in the vein of time travel, extra-terrestrial life, or artificial intelligence gone rogue, the best sci-fi shows leverage other genres in the vein of drama, horror, or comedy to produce a layered offering that makes use of a unique theoretical premise. Fromviolent science fiction shows laden with goreto underappreciated hidden treasures, there’s something for every brand of fan out there.
However, while a compelling central premise is as good a start as a show could hope for, maintaining consistent success across multiple seasons is another matter altogether. For everyscience fiction television showthat has produced a consistent level of excellence across multiple installments, there are two genre offerings that fell off in terms of quality after a promising first season. In any case, whether these debuts served as the foundations for a wildly successful show or simply ended up as a “what might have been” footnote, a number of science fiction television shows have produced a near-flawless first season.
Westworld
Cast
Westworld is a television series set in a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park where advanced android hosts cater to human guests' desires. The series explores the themes of artificial consciousness and human morality as the lines between reality and artificiality begin to blur.
A dystopian epic that channels elements of classic Westerns and science fiction,Westworldis one of television’s preeminent case studies in wasted potential. Depicting an alternate near future where android “hosts” are indistinguishable from real human beings and are used to populate period-themed amusement parks, the star-studded HBO offering’s first season is frequently lauded as one of the single finest seasons of television ever produced. It’s a shame the rest of the show couldn’t keep up that momentum.
Given the fall off in quality that is attributed to later seasons ofWestworldventuring beyond the parks, it’s hardly surprising that the show’s masterful debut outing is often overshadowed by the criticism directed at later installments. It’s a shame too.The superb standard of world-building and acting found inWestworld’s first season, all set against the backdrop of an intricately crafted and endlessly thrilling narrative, remains a benchmark of the genre.
Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon is set in the far future, at a time when a human’s consciousness can be stored in a device called a Stack and transferred into different bodies, allowing people who have the means to become functionally immortal. Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman and Anthony Mackie), the former member of a rebellion against Stack technology, is awakened and released from prison so that he can be employed by a wealthy man to solve the man’s own murder. The Netflix original series is based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan.
A visually arresting case study in cyberpunk television, Netflix’sAltered Carbonis set 360 years in the future in a reality where an individual is able to transfer their consciousness from one body to another. Leaning heavily on the influence of iconic science fiction offerings in the vein ofBlade Runner,the show’s first season stars Joel Kinnaman as Takeshi “Tak” Kovacs, as a former rebel reawakened to solve a murder. It’s a unique and compelling fusion of genres, especially in the first season.
AlthoughAltered Carbonwas canceledafter a second season that saw Marvel star Anthony Mackie take on the role of Kovac’s latest iteration, an abrupt conclusion does little to take away from the sterling quality of the show’s debut outing. The season features some legitimately jaw-dropping visuals. Fusing those elements to a mind-bending existential commentary to complement a compelling narrative and a gritty lead performance from Kinnaman,Altered Carbon’sfirst season rarely fails to leave fans wanting more.
Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2004. The plot follows the crew of the aging Battlestar Galactica as they protect a small fleet of human survivors from the renewed threat of the Cylons, in a quest to find the mythical 13th colony, Earth.
An epic reimagining of Glen A. Larson’s original series of the same name released at the height of television’s “golden age”,Battlestar Galacticais renowned as one of the finest science fiction shows of all time. The series debuted through a three-hour miniseries that was followed by four full seasons of television.Battlestar Galactica’s first season earned rave reviews and established the show as a name to watch.
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A first-rate cocktail of political drama and science fictionthat invites philosophical musing on the nature of life, religion, and other weighty existential topics,Battlestar Galactica’smaiden voyage never skips a beat. While the rest of the show remained impressive, the series' first season is a stand-out entry in the genre. Featuring some of thebest science fiction quotes imaginableand a compelling cast of diverse characters,Battlestar Galactica’sfirst season is a passionate love letter to science fiction’s most storied elements.
Lost
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest television shows of all time, ABC’sLostis one of the most influential sci-fi outings of the 21st century. Depicting the aftermath of a plane crash on a mysterious island in the South Pacific Ocean,Lostran for six seasons between 2004 and 2010. The show earned critical acclaim and countless award nominations along the way for the sterling quality of television on offer, especially in its inaugural season.
The first season ofLostwon six Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
The first season ofLostset the bar high for the five that would follow with a near flawless debut outing. It’s a glorious cocktail of science fiction and supernatural elements that grabs the viewer’s attention by the throat witha mystery that keeps them guessingand doesn’t let go until the credits roll. The show’s rich characters and engrossing narrative combine for an electric viewing experience,one that left fans instantly hooked and clamoring for more in short order.
Misfits
Misfits is a British comedy-drama sci-fi series that blends science fiction with dark comedy. It is centered around five young offenders who gain supernatural abilities after a bizarre electrical storm. Set during their community service, the show explores how each character deals with their newfound powers, shining a light on the darker sides of having special abilities.
A hidden gem of modern British television that helped launch the careers of stars like Iwan Rheon and Robert Sheehan, the sci-fi comedy-dramaMisfitsis a fantastic show. It follows the adventures of a group of colorful young offenders who obtain supernatural abilities after a mysterious electrical storm. While the show ran for five seasons and featured multiple iterations of the core cast, the E4 original never came close to replicating the success of the show’s first season.
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Leveraging the cast’s superb performances to maximum effect with a healthy dose of British humor,Misfits’band of superpowered undesirables proved to be the perfect group to carry the show’s first season to success. Sheehan particularly shines as the immortal Nathan Young. The character breathed life into one of British television’s most iconic faces courtesy of some of the most outrageous one-liners ever heard on television.
The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
The genre subversion to end all genre subversions, the first season of Amazon Prime’sThe Boysproved to be a line in the sand for all superhero adaptations moving forward. WhileThe Boysisn’t a strict sci-fi offering in the traditional sense, the show features genetically enhanced superhumans as a central premise. It’s a status quo that renders it more than worthy of inclusion when it comes to discussing flawless first seasons of science fiction shows.
A glorious superhero satirical with no equal,The Boys’first season unfolds as a self-aware cocktail of cynical social commentary and unabated gore. Introducing audiences to two of current popular culture’s most inimitable faces in Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher and Antony Starr’somnipotent superhero Homelander, the first season ripped up the playbook for what was acceptable to show on television with spectacular results. The first season received near universal critical acclaim, serving as the foundation for one of the most popular and influential shows of all time.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
Netflix’s flagship offering and a love letter to 1980s pop culture,Stranger Thingsis undoubtedly the streaming giant’s most celebrated and influential original show. A cocktail of various genres that channels the influence of virtually every seminal science fiction offering, the Duffer Brothers' hit show has received acclaim from fans and critics alike. It also shows no signs of slowing down as it gears up forits fifth and final season.
None of this would have been possible without a near-faultless debut season, a fact thatStranger Things’first outing wears like a badge of honor. Focusing on Will Byers' abduction while setting the stage for the explosive series of events that would follow in later seasons, the show’s debut installment proved to be a smash hit. Introducing fans to the show’s cadre of beloved characters against the backdrop of a thrilling story leveraging the best elements from science fiction and horror,Stranger Things’first season is as close to a flawless introduction as a television show could possibly hope for.
Black Mirror
Black Mirror is a dystopian anthology series that explores the unsettling and profound impact of modern technology on society. Premiering in 2011, it examines various scenarios where technological advancements intersect with human nature, creating thought-provoking narratives about contemporary and future issues.
One of television’s foremost anthology offerings,Black Mirroris widely regarded as one of the most impressive and influential television series of the 2010s. Revived by Netflix for the show’s third season in 2016 after originally airing on British network Channel 4,Black Mirrorhas produced six wildly successful series to date, with almost every episode telling a self-contained story of sci-fi horror. A seventh installment of the hit series set to follow in 2025.
[Black Mirror’s] veritable wildfire of success can be partially attributed to one of the most successful debut seasons for a science fiction-based offering in television history.
The show’s veritable wildfire of success can be partially attributed toone of the most successful debut seasons for a science fiction-based offering in television history. In particular,The National AnthemandThe Entire History of Youare frequently cited as two of thebest episodes thatBlack Mirrorhas ever produced. Both received rave reviews that culminated in an impressive Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 98% for the first season.
From - Season 1
One of television’s most consistently underappreciated offerings,Fromis contentiously the best science fiction show that you’ve never heard of. Led byLostalum Harold Perrineau in a career-best turn as Sheriff Boyd Stevens, the Epix sci-fi horror series centers around an American city that mysteriously imprisons anybody who enters. The inhabitants are subsequently plagued by terrifying supernatural creatures inhabiting the surrounding forest.
Critics cite Perrineau’s compelling lead performance along with [From’s] world-building and intricate narrative as notable highlights.
A front-runner for any sci-fi fan’s fall viewing, From’sdebut season set the bar high for future installments with a 96% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes.Critics cite Perrineau’s compelling lead performance along with the show’s world-buildingand intricate narrative as notable highlights. The rare science fiction offering that is legitimately frightening,From’ssuperb first season instantly captures the viewer’s attention and refuses to let go for an instant until the credits roll.
Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is an animated science fiction series that follows the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his impressionable grandson Morty Smith as they embark on perilous adventures across space and alternate dimensions. The show explores the impact of these exploits on Morty’s tumultuous family life and personal challenges.
While co-creator Justin Roiland’s ignominious fall from grace has arguably tarnished the reputation of the wider show,Rick and Mortyremains the current golden standard for the adult animated sitcom. WithSeason 8 of the hit science fiction comedyin the works,Rick and Mortyowes much of its lasting success to the show’s debut installment. That was a nearly flawless season of television that swiftly established the Adult Swim offering as one of the funniest shows out there.
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Rick and Morty’s season finales have delivered some of the show’s all-time best episodes, like season 7’s “Fear No Mort,” but they weren’t all great.
Earning an impressive approval rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, the unique visuals, zany characters, and sidesplitting gags that can be found inRick and Morty’sfirst season built the foundations that all future success for the show would be based upon. It’s a state of affairs that’s even acknowledged within the show itself, with self-referential gags that speak of the show’s need to fall back on its roots frequently utilized throughout later seasons. It’s one of the most impressive first seasons of anysci-figenre.
