This is my list of recent sci-fi masterpieces. They are packed with genius and beautiful banana waffles:
The Expanse
This show is the grittiest, most down to earth in space opera I've ever seen. The complicated politics remind me of early seasons of Game of Thrones (when I cared), and get subverted by the arrival of The Protomolecule, which adds a beautiful dollop of WTF. Takes a little bit to get into, but the characters grew on me. Based on a book based on a RPG game series run by one half of the writing team (the other half was a player). Well motivated characters and the show runner Naren Shankar doesn't drop the ball at the finish line... he keeps in it in case they adapt the final 3 books in the series.
I found this show much more compelling and interesting than anything coming out of Disney.
Raised by Wolves
This show is just flat out banana pancakes. It's awesome and weird and every time you think you have it figured, it goes and does something batshit. I loved both seasons, although my jaw was often on the floor. Is it good? I have no idea, but I found it enthralling. Insanely good production values, androids, symbolism, and people turning into trees.
What's not to like?
Apparently a lot, as it's been cancelled. We'll never see an ending, so you may not want to get invested. I'd say it's still bonkers enough to be worth a watch. Nobody else has quite pushed the limits like this show.
Severance
My outie would love this show. So would my innie. It's eerie and unsettling and despite being far out, feels painfully relevant. Anyone who's worked for a mega corporation and experienced Waffle Wednesday won't want to miss this. Directed with aplomb by Ben Stiller; I'd expected it to be more comedic, and while there are (darkly) funny moments, this is no Zoolander. It's sharp and smart and sizzling good. Watch it. You'll never look at a waffle the same way again.
Apple is offering the first episode free to watch.
Devs
Some people find this show pretentious, and that may be so, but it's still the most stylishly directed TV show of the last decade. You feel a certain clinical detachment with staging, which at times is almost Kubrickian / play like. The story is fun, the mood eerie, the acting solid. There's one moment I profoundly disliked, which made me detest one character in particular; I'm not sure I fully understand the point the writers were trying to make. But it did make me ponder.
Tales from the Loop
Meditative, moody sci-fi, akin to Devs. Douses viewers with overwhelming melancholia and the infinite sadness of existence. But also beautiful. It's like the android says. Worth a watch. Jodi Foster directed the sublime finale.
Westworld (Seasons 1 and 2)
This show started out with a real bang, has some great twists, and then flies off a cliff in season 3. The staging, music, acting and effects, which had been top notch, got shaky. Season 4 has got some interesting ideas bubbling, but who knows if it will gel in the end? First season is still worth a watch. You can stop there, or proceed to a more problematic season 2 (but still solid, with some great scenes).
The Mandalorian
It's the Spaghetti Western's Man with No Name in Space. It's the most radical reinvention of the Star Wars formula, heavily relying on Westerns for inspiration. The original Star Wars also referenced Westerns, but never to this degree. It's understated yet over the top. The effects are cinematic; Jon Favreau innovated a video wall that lets actors see the imaginary world they're in, rather than a great big field of green screen. Check out the reflections in Mando's armour. Baby Yoda is the cutest piece of merchandise placement this millennium (so far).
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| The Volume video screen wall uses the Unreal video game engine with real time updates. Probably the greatest effects innovation since... computer graphics? Green screen? |
The making of video is to be seen to be believed:
My advice? Don't watch Book of Boba Fett or Kenobi. They look great but the characters are lacking.
