Have you ever sat down and watched your favourite science fiction drama or fantasy televisions series, and gotten so caught up in the narrative, that you actually find yourself loving these characters? I think it’s a reasonably accurate statement to say that those who invest in scifi do so wholeheartedly; they attach themselves emotionally with their protagonists (and sometimes antagonists), and we decide, as fans, that we instantly know how their stories should go, how the characters should develop… It’s probably partly where some writers get their start; we start gazing towards the end of the story… And we find our own plots for...

A few years ago, I wrote an article entitled ‘Why Stargate Universe Is Destined To Flop‘.  I was right, it did.  But not for the reasons I predicted. Stargate Universe was actually a pretty decent show.  I’d go so far to say a very good show.  I didn’t think it would be.  I predicted it being a slightly darker Atlantis, when it actual fact, it was much, much darker. Therein lay part of the problem. Stargate Universe was simply too dark for the Stargate franchise.  SG-1 and Atlantis were quirky shows, full of humour and heroic characters who saved the day.  Universe told the story of humans; flawed,...

It’s September 2012.  Over the last twelve years, I’ve lost count of how many sci-fi shows have flopped and been cancelled; how many sci-fi movies have proved to be massive disappointments. Is the future bleak? I don’t think so. Yes, we’ve got endless remakes on the cards.  Reboots of Spider-Man and Total Recall are on their way, and most of the highly-anticipated films are sequels.  But, while a lot of Hollywood focuses on massive profit margins and established brand names, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic. Cloud Atlas, for one, is on its way.  The Wachowskis are back, with an adaptation of David...

Which dirty sci-fi characters would mud-wrestle you for a wad of cash, if needs demanded it?  Sci-fi is full of duplicitous, scheming criminal masterminds, but just who would make the top 5?  Let’s find out. 1. Jayne Cobb (Firefly) If you ain’t paying him to talk pretty, then he’s probably figuring out some clumsy way of betraying you, and running off with all your cash. This guy’s more financially-driven than a Ferengi, and would shoot his own mother for some cash. A classic ruffian, Firefly shows Jayne being turned to Mal’s side with the promise of some extra cash (and a private room!), before going on...

Sci-Fi has changed. Over the past fifty years, the topics and settings that capture the imaginations of viewers and readers everywhere have shifted. Where Star Trek once captivated millions, now the going boldly through outer space routine appears to have been worn out. The transformation has led modern science fiction series to feature elements of futuristic technologies and discoveries, but set in modern day. Take Falling Skies, probably about as genuinely sci-fi in terms of aliens as you can get on mainstream television today, yet still set in a world we can recognise and understand. Why is that? Do we connect more readily with characters...