Techy/Sci-Fi TV to Check Out Now

This post comes at a strange time. I write this in December, just days before the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Vietnam (trailer here, as if you haven’t seen it). However, we’re at the end of the semester and we realize that most of you won’t be reading this until 2016. So while, personally, I am thrilled about the latest addition to what was THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT HAPPEN DURING MY CHILDHOOD, “2016-You” has already seen The Force Awakens. So we won’t be discussing that…

That said, there are a few techy/sci-fi television series that I have to recommend to you. Some have been out for awhile and others are just around the corner. If you have any additional suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

1. Mr. Robot—This is the show that everyone says finally got it right when it comes to both the behind-the-scenes technology and the culture of computer/network hacking. Eliot is a 20-something kid who is a coding genius but utterly socially-incompetent who finds himself in a pickle: should he help an Anonymous-type group of “hacktivists” who want him to help take down the largest multi-national in the world—a corporation that also happens to be the bread & butter client at the cybersecurity firm where he works? The show focuses as much on the humanity of its characters as the technology, and the pacing is spot-on. It’s on the USA Network (of all places) and is currently in production on Season 2. Check it out:
   
2. The Leftovers—I guess The Leftovers is about as sci-fi as LOST was, which makes sense, since the show runner is one of the LOST creators, Damon Lindelof. So imagine if they could have made LOST on HBO. I’ll give you a second… Yes, it’s really that good. The story begins in post-cataclysm upstate New York, 3 years after 2% of the entire world’s population has mysteriously vanished. As with LOST and Mr. Robot, the show’s focus is on the relationships among its characters in the midst of an incredibly difficult situation. There is no “normal” anymore, and it’s unclear to everyone “what’s next”. Should we linger on the past? How do we move forward? How to deal with unimaginable loss? The third and final season was just given the OK by HBO. Here’s a peek:
   
3. The Expanse—I haven’t seen this one yet, but I have the first four episodes on a drive just waiting. (I decided to check it out after reading this review.) The show is on the SyFy Network, which means that if it’s any good, it will be canceled soon. I’m going to give it a shot while I can. The story takes place some 200 years in the future and mankind has not only survived the effects of climate change, but expanded its presence throughout the solar system. There are three main societies: those who still inhabit the earth, a colonist group living under a dome on Mars, and the downtrodden miner culture that occupies the area beyond the asteroid belt. War looms, and then something horrible happens… That’s all I know, but the reviews are pretty great. The trailer follows:
   

Now these are my “runners-up” for 2016. Meaning: they are intriguing to me, but I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet:

• Dr. Who, Season 10—Season 9 trailer here and Season 10 preview here.
• Humans—Looks pretty cool. Very positive reviews here.
• Wayward Pines—I saw the first season. Liked it, but a little campy. Season 2 is in production. Trailer and reviews.

Again, if you have any suggestions or thoughts, please leave them in the comments below. And I hope you and yours will have (or have had) a wonderful holiday!