The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows for Non-Sci-Fi Viewers

As they say, opposites attract. Such is the case with my husband and me. I love old musicals, Hitchcock-ian thrillers, and historical dramas. My husband loves science fiction. I admit than in the days of dating and early marriage, I attempted to watch his Star Wars and Star Trek shows but gave up the pretense several years ago. That has not stopped my dear husband from trying to interest me in sci-fi and he is beginning to succeed... I have discovered a few shows softened me up for the "real" stuff in Sci Fi.

Eureka

This is probably the best show for non-science fiction fans to cut their teeth on. I stumbled on this by accident when trying to tape a show for my husband on the Sci-Fi channel. Now most diehard sci-fi fans will tell you this is not true to the genre but it is a good gateway show for those of us who are not into sci-fi.

Colin Ferguson stars as Jack Carter, the town sheriff of a small, private community called Eureka. It is a haven of geniuses who work for the government, testing unbelievable advances in technology. He works closely with Allison Blake, played by Salli Richardson, a national security agent who monitors the town's top secret inventions. Each episode is fraught with mystery, drama, and, thanks to bumbling lab assistant, Fargo, plenty of comedy. The show is set in present day USA so it is grounded enough for those who hate space shows but there is still enough of the unexplained to give the show an edge.

"Eureka," the first season, is now available on DVD. The third season is slated to begin in the summer of 2008 on the Sci Fi channel.

http://www.scifi.com/eureka/about/

The 4400

I love a good mystery and that is what "The 4400" brought to science fiction television. This show is more action-oriented than "Eureka" and leaves you with a good cliffhanger at the end of each episode. Much in the vein of "Lost", "The 4400" also has a story thread that has lasted through all four seasons. There is an amazing ensemble cast who portray their characters extremely well.

Over the past several decades exactly 4400 people went missing for no apparent reason. Then one day they all returned with no explanation as to where they had been. They also had not changed in appearance or age, even those taken from the earth in the 1940's. Each returned with a special ability and federal agents Diana Skouris and Tom Baldwin are charged with the duty of protecting the 4400, arresting them as needed and keeping a general eye on their activities.

"The 4400" seasons 1-3 are available on DVD and season 4 is available for pre-order with a release date of May 6, 2008. A petition is circulating among fans in hopes of a 5^th season.

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/

Dead Like Me

All right, so this is not true sci-fi but it does embrace paranormal themes. This ensemble cast was led by Ellen Muth as the newly departed and latest installment in the "undead." Muth as Georgia Lass, navigates life as a teenaged grim reaper tasked with reaping other souls. Her cohorts are a motley bunch consisting of head reaper Rube, dizzy ex-movie starlet Daisy, drug-addicted Mason, and tough as nails cop Roxy.

The show's tagline is "life after life." Georgia Lass is a typical college drop-out who is unhappy with her life. Then one day her life as she knows it ends, thanks to a falling toilet seat from the Space Station Mir. Now she has the daunting and distasteful task of reaping the souls of the people about to perish. But while performing her "undead" tasks, she also has to learn to live and work in the real world. In order to support herself, Georgia has to take clerical work at a temp agency and deal with a cavity-sweet boss, Delores Herbig, played by Christine Willes.

"Dead Like Me" seasons one and two are available on DVD. There is another "Dead Like Me" season in post-production. Air dates are available yet.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348913/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1079444/

After enjoying these shows, I now find myself more willing to watch Star Trek (The Next Generation or Deep Space Nine only though!) But shhh...don't tell my husband yet!