More things like Star Trek?

Over the last few years my family and I have binged all of Star Trek, then moved on to Star Trek adjacent shows like The Orville and Stargate. At the moment we’re not really watching anything sci-fi. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for similar shows (or maybe some books) that fill the void left by Star Trek. In particular I really like the episodes that deal with interacting with other civilizations, diplomacy, and exploration more-so than say, an anomaly episode.

partial_accumen,

civilizations, diplomacy, and exploration

Babylon 5 - It has a bit of a slow start with the first season (just the 1990’s Trek shows), but it picks up about midway through season 1 and gets progressively better (higher stakes) until season 4. Season 5 is okay, and then there are series of movies, and recently even an animated show in the universe.

M500,

To add to this, they have been talking about remaking the show.

AngrilyEatingMuffins,
AngrilyEatingMuffins avatar

Is JMS involved?

M500,

If that’s the creator, then yeah. I’m pretty sure he is a major part of it if not the final say.

darthelmet,

So what you’re saying is, I should watch it now so I can complain when the remake isn’t as good. /s

ChaoticEntropy,
@ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk avatar

I mean, the Expanse is fantastic sci fi, both book and show. It’s not that Star Trek like though.

Kolanaki, (edited )
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

Babylon 5 and Farscape are great.

Babylon 5 is more like Trek with diplomacy and semi-realisitic plots, while Farscape leans a bit more toward Star Wars; fun, campy, weird at times but well-written.

You may also like Red Dwarf which is like the IT crowd, but in space.

darthsid,

Your last line has sold me on red dwarf 😂

Jarix, (edited )

Its very old, be prepared for some content that is not appropriate today.

Also if you do watch it. Kryten’s way of speaking is based on Robert Llewewllyns visit to vancouver canada and how he felt people in vancouver spoke, or at least thats the story i remember. Doesnt really factor into the show, i just thought it was an interesting choice given the distinct way Kryten speaks

sailingbythelee,

Kryten enunciates so precisely. His accent is easy to understand and a pleasure to listen to. British English has so many different accents that it is sometimes difficult to follow without subtitles.

darthsid,

Haha cheers for the heads up!

7of9,
@7of9@startrek.website avatar

Start with series 3, that’s where it was up to speed and you don’t miss much

Jarix,

You do miss out on how the show got better over time. It’s painful but its worth it for the overall enjoyment of the show.

Not trying to convince you though, just expressing a counter perspective for otthers on why it might be worth not skipping

surewhynotlem,

Farscape gets… weird

Tuttle,

Yass red dwarf!! Grew up watching the series on public television.

ShaunaTheDead,
ShaunaTheDead avatar

I found Farscape impossible to watch because of the main character. The show suffers because of the classic misogynistic writing where all the female characters are tripping over themselves to get noticed by the bland, aggressive, stupid, and overly cocky "average Joe" that was thrust into an unusual situation. It's extremely dated writing and as a woman, it really irritates me.

The rest of the show is great! But the main character just ruins it for me completely. Unfortunately that kind of writing is everywhere in older sci-fi. I started and gave up on Stargate: Atlantis for the same reason. I wish someone would release an edit with the more obnoxious parts removed because I can tell that I'm missing out on some great sci-fi but it's just unwatchable to me.

On the other hand you've got shows like ST:TNG, ST:DS9, Battlestar Galactica, even Lexx, where either women are treated with respect and not overly sexualized, or if they are sexualized then so are the men, and the men are kind, intelligent, and curteous, or if they're not then they're probably a villain.

machinin,

I always thought Farscape could be amazing if they rewrote it and got some good actors. The plot of good and the character development could be magnificent. It is such a great concept.

7of9,
@7of9@startrek.website avatar

That could be said of a lot of things … a great concept let down by lazy writing and poor casting. Yet these things get money thrown at them - great effects, lighting, locations, makeup, etc etc

7of9,
@7of9@startrek.website avatar

Mmm, I know exactly what you mean. I’m tired of limp lead characters who just tick the boxes of a target demographic to self-insert into.

The Expanse suffered a bit from that (the main guy had all the magnetism of limp celery) but was saved because every single other character was genuinely interesting. Farscape had a much smaller cast, so there was no escape!

Zathras,

This comment includes all the shows I would also recommend.

Babylon 5 came out about the same time as Star Trek DS9. The first season is sometimes hard to get through, but well worth it. The character development and storylines are mostly excellent as they grow and intersect throughout the show. Season 5 can take or leave.

Farscape is another one where some people are turned off by the Jim Henson puppetesque characters. Another older show but has some great storylines and character development.

Red Dwarf, older British Humor, silly.

Highly recommend giving Farscape and Bab5 a try.

trolololol,

What about star Trek books? There’s hundreds of them.

doctorn,
@doctorn@r.nf avatar

I liked the “Lost in Space” series, tbh… Exploring is key lost in space on alien planets.

blazeknave,

Stargate is most world exploration. The Expanse. Sliders.

pantyhosewimp,

So I’m totally taken in by the Chinese series Three Body. Technically it fits the description of “humans interacting with aliens” but nothing like Star Trek. Well, humans are united & at peace with each other but boy-howdy is it dark stuff when it comes to alien-human interaction. And it’s hard sci-fi. Like, the aliens will take centuries to get here.

trolololol,

I thought 3 body was a book, not tv series

SilverFlame,

Last I heard the Game of Thrones guys were adapting it into a series but I don’t think it’s out yet.

pantyhosewimp,

It is a book. China turned it into a faithful-to-the-book TV series in 2023. It is available in the USA on Amazon Prime Video.

pantyhosewimp,

I’ve been listening to The Fade. Sun trilogy audiobook by C J Cherryh.

The best way to describe it in Star Trek terms is if imagine that Kazon were hired by Romulans to act as mercenaries to fight the Federation. Except the Romulans are giant blobs. And the story is mainly told from the Kazon perspective.

squirrelwithnut,

The Expanse is the best sci-fi TV show in recent memory. Though it’s not really close to Star Trek.

Dagwood222,

“War Of The Wingmen” and “Ensign Flandry” by Poul Anderson. Anderson was the master of creating new worlds and alien races.

Olhonestjim,

If you like reading leftist utopian sci-fi, it doesn’t get much better than The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. It gets dark though!

cosmicrookie,
@cosmicrookie@lemmy.world avatar

If you like British comedy then Red Drarf was surprisingly good imo

Seasm0ke,

+1 for Red Dwarf. Cheesy in a great way

pglpm,
@pglpm@lemmy.ca avatar

The summary I just read sounds great, thanks for the tip!

Kvoth,

It’s not exactly like Star Trek to be sure, but it’s possible you might enjoy continuum. Definitely deals with moral issues, but it’s not space based, or as futuristic

Professorozone,

Good suggestion. I forgot about this show. It has a good ending.

Kvoth,

Very good, but it’s rough

Professorozone,

You’re right it was. But still good I think.

RampantParanoia2365,

Doctor Who is essentially Britain’s louder Star Trek.

ike_seblon,
@ike_seblon@mastodon.social avatar

@darthelmet

Blake's 7: 70s BBC, cheesy FX, some great acting and a largely unprincipled crew which is fun.

Space 1999: if you had enjoyed TOS more you would love this: outlandish 70s episodic antiphysics

Vagrant Queen: space opera SyFy show that's pretty funny. Some blood, one season

Andromeda: Season 1 is okay

Babylon 5 is the show you're looking for :)

CerealKiller01,

Andromeda really picks up in season 2. Not a amazing, but it’s very good.

ike_seblon,
@ike_seblon@mastodon.social avatar

@CerealKiller01 it does, but then it puts it back down before the season is done. I think Trance's tail left with most of the show's charm and remaining seasons had to consume Tyr's armspines for energy; by the time the armspines were depleted it was a pure scorn-watch for me. I finished it of course :)

Krististrasza,

Blake’s 7: 70s BBC, cheesy FX, some great acting and a largely unprincipled crew which is fun.

And one of the greatest villains ever.

spittingimage,
@spittingimage@lemmy.world avatar

I assume you mean Servalan/Sleer and not Avon? 😆

Krististrasza,

Of course.

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • sciencefiction@lemmy.world
  • kavyap
  • Durango
  • cisconetworking
  • mdbf
  • InstantRegret
  • DreamBathrooms
  • ngwrru68w68
  • magazineikmin
  • osvaldo12
  • Youngstown
  • ethstaker
  • slotface
  • rosin
  • thenastyranch
  • megavids
  • normalnudes
  • modclub
  • khanakhh
  • everett
  • tacticalgear
  • cubers
  • GTA5RPClips
  • anitta
  • Leos
  • tester
  • provamag3
  • JUstTest
  • lostlight
  • All magazines
    •