by Casey-Leigh Hethers

Created on: July 13, 2010   Last Updated: December 17, 2011

Sci-fi - or science fiction - is the genre that shows something reality-based television series never can. It alludes to settings of escapism and fantasy, allowing the viewer to set aside worries of everyday life and lose themselves in the show and its characters. Many sci-fi shows remain viewer favourites long after the last episode has aired, while others fade quickly into obscurity.

Star Trek

Star Trek first arrived on screen in the late 1960's with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy heading the cast. It became a cult favourite and spawned continuations, sequels, spin-offs and movies. Its success and popularity can still be seen over four decades since it first began. The Star Trek (2009) took us back to the early days of Kirk, Spock and other members of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It confirmed its place in sci-fi history and the legacy of Star Trek continues to engage its audience as it has done in all of the past few decades from the original to the spin-offs including Star Trek: The Next Generation with Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Doctor Who

Another show that originated in the 1960's, preceding Star Trek by a few years, is Doctor Who - the British television show loved by different generations. Returning with a new series in 2005, the show was already on its ninth Doctor and very few (if any) shows can claim to have eleven actors taking on the title role with credibility. This, however, is where its success lies because built into the background of the show is the "regeneration" aspect and when an actor can no longer continue with the leading role, the writers have a way to change the dynamic of the show. Each of the eleven actors who have starred as the Doctor have brought their own quirks and eccentricities to the Doctor, which mean the pace of the show never falters despite the change in its leading face.

Firefly

Firefly introduced itself to viewers as a "space western", something of an odd concept that had never been seen before. Joss Whedon fans were full of critical acclaim for his newest creation and critics later jumped on the bandwagon but audiences were let down by network executives who cancelled the show. Audiences were treated to a follow-up movie (Serenity) that tied up some loose ends but continued to leave the door open for any future opportunities. Definitely complex, the show takes on a deeper approach from its anti-corporate ways and the social backgrounds of its characters. Its concepts, rich in human flaws and corporate

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