I refer to myself as a second-generation sci-fi geek, which implies I grew up on the genre, both books and media. But unlike most people’s, my gateway drugs were neither Star Wars nor Star Trek. In this post, I run through ALL the space opera shows that stuck with me.
The Dark Ages (aka late 1990s)
I must have been nine or ten when my mum got her hands on VHS tapes of LEXX.
Wikipedia describes it as: a cult-classic, surreal Canadian-German science fiction series that originally aired from 1997 to 2002. Often described as a bizarre, dark, and highly imaginative space opera, the show follows a crew of misfit characters who accidentally steal the most destructive weapon in two universes: a living, Manhattan-sized insect-ship named the Lexx.
Iykyk. I can’t remember much of the plot, only that it left a big mark on my young, underdeveloped psyche—so if you ever wondered what’s wrong with me, you can probably blame Lexx.
The spice of life
In my early teens, I saw the SyFy channel’s miniseries adaptation of Dune, which was my introduction to Herbert’s work. I was obsessed and encouraged to read the book. Also, my mum kept talking about how, as a child, I was “just like Alia,” the creepy old-lady-child. So it’s surprising I made it to my 30s undiagnosed. “Even your names are similar.”
I later watched Children Of Dune but it hasn’t stuck with me as much.
Blackjack and hookers
I watched a fair bit of the SyFy channel in my teens, but to be honest, I can’t recall most of it. Futurama was another exception. Although I haven’t binged any seasons beginning to end until I started living with my now-husband in… 2010s? We share many fond memories. And quotes.
And then I wrote my own space opera with Blackjack and hookers.
No, seriously. Much of Galaxy Grifter is set on an inhabited, mafia-ridden asteroid called Blackjack, which has a brothel called The Bend. Read at your own risk.
Living under a rock
I’m actually really embarrassed about this, but I didn’t watch Firefly or Cowboy Bebop until after I’d written the first draft of Galaxy Grifter and started looking for comps (comparable books or movies). That would’ve been around 2019. I don’t even know how it’s possible, other than… they weren’t popular when they first came out, and I just generally watched very little TV after 2006. But when I did watch them… it felt like I’d reunited with a long-lost friend. Like I already knew them and they knew me. Like they’re the same colour as my nihilistic little soul.
Shows I didn’t get into
There are many good shows that I simply haven’t watched for the aforementioned reasons, but there are some I actually tried and failed to watch.
Star Trek: I could tell you it’s because it’s too righteous for me. But the truth is, I can’t remember the plot of a single episode or film, so the storytelling just doesn’t gel with how my brain works. It could also be my preference for faster pacing… But then I really love Tolkien, so go figure.
Farscape: I’m kind of sad about this because it’s half-Australian and has a lot of AU and Kiwi actors. It also had a lot of cool worldbuilding, but… in the words of literary agents, “I didn’t connect.”
Modern days
An early draft of Galaxy Grifter contained a joke about how, thousands of years into the future, Foundation had only just been made into a watchable series. Well… Apple TV proved me wrong!
And my, was it worth the wait. I think it’s the best present-day sci-fi show, and not only because of Lee Pace (although I have sung the Cleons many an ode). The storytelling is just that good. The twists are just that shocking.
The Expanse: Once again, I started watching it as a comp and my flabbers were ghasted by how similar the noir vibe of the opening episodes was to Galaxy Grifter. And then relieved when the rest of the story went in a completely different direction. (Although today, the Expanse and I share a publisher, not just the noir vibe—I have zero chill about this).
I liked the first season so much that I had to go read the book… and I just never returned to watch the rest. Miller is a mood, if you ignore that he’s an old man obsessed with a 19-year-old. Holden annoyed the living daylights out of me because he’s a walking, talking PR crisis (and I used to work in PR, so I got professional anxiety). I do plan to watch (and maybe read?) the next installments though. So, watch this… s p a c e !
Murderbot: I love Murderbot and find it very relatable. But more in an “I’m thoroughly entertained” kind of way rather than an “I’m obsessed, can I shout at you for two hours about it?” kind of way. You know?
Star Wars
I’ve only watched three shows in the Star Wars universe. So far (excluding the feature films, obviously).
The Mandalorian: It was entertaining to watch with my kid, but the storytelling wasn’t that great. Although my husband says it improves in season… 3? I haven’t seen it yet. But I do own a Grogu toy and a Razor Crest T-shirt. Sometimes the merch is better than the actual thing.
The Bad Batch: It was entertaining to watch with my kid AND had great storytelling.
Skeleton Crew: Probably my favourite of the three. I would have killed to see this as a kid. The worldbuilding feels original (even though it’s a franchise), I’m intrigued by Jude Law’s character, and it’s finally got a bit of disability rep. I want more!
Honourable mention
Resident Alien is technically NOT a space opera. It’s a small-town mystery solved by an alien who wants to destroy Earth. BUT it’s too good to leave out. Again, it’s one of the best contemporary sci-fi shows I’ve laid my eyeballs on. And while I love Tudyk, if more sci-fi adventures feature “ordinary” women like Asta, D’arcy, and Liv (the deputy), it might just heal me.
That sums it up, I think. Do we share any favourites? (And if we do, have you read GG??). Or are there any other shows you think I absolutely must watch? Feel free to shout at me about them for two hours.
In the meantime, here are some reading recs:
