Sci-Friday: Go Watch
Welcome to Sci-Friday, an amazing weekly celebration of science fiction literature, film, and overall creative brilliance. This collective endeavor to share science fiction recommendations each week has garnered a consistent following; I will link to some other writers worth checking out at the end.
For this week’s piece, I want to give you some strong recommendations for stuff to watch right now.
One thing that gets me excited about sci-fi is the sense of wonder that consumes me whenever I watch, read, or listen to the genre. Here are some shows that have blown my hair back a bit during recent rides, and one or two that nearly ripped my face off.
The Peripheral
If you’ve talked to me about sci-fi in the last month, you’ve heard me talk about this show. It’s a face-ripper for sure.
This is the first science fiction show I’ve ever heard of that focuses on Appalachia, an area of the US I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many times. I have friends and colleagues (in jiu jitsu) who live there, and I know the area and culture well.
Now, I have not yet read William Gibson’s 2014 novel upon which this show is based, so I can’t speak to the fidelity with the book, but I can speak to how much fun this show has been for me and Alley, my partner. We loved this show.
Jonathan Nolan is the showrunner. His brother, Chris, is among the greatest filmmakers of all time, at least in the view of anyone smart or handsome. Jonathan has worked on two shows I really enjoyed: Person of Interest and Westworld, both of which explore AI in novel and innovative ways. He also wrote Interstellar, easily one of the best sci-fi films of all time.
At the heart of this near-future story, we meet a young woman named Flynne who is trying to make ends meet. Flynne is a gaming prodigy, and when her brother, Burton, gives her a new headset to wear, we learn that this is no simple VR experience. In fact, Flynne is controlling a humanoid avatar, really moving around somewhere else.
At the risk of spoiling any of the surprises, I’m going to shut up now about the plot. Let me just add: the cast does not disappoint, and the layering and grayness of the characters brings a lot to the show.
Unfortunately, the WGA strike seems to have killed off a potential season 2, at least for now. While I’d love a season 2, I really enjoyed the ideas and concepts presented in season 1, and the performances were excellent.
You can watch it on Amazon Prime today.
Raised by Wolves
Another really good sci-fi show; another legendary producer: Ridley Scott.
Scott belongs in the same conversation as Nolan, having directed some of the greatest sci-fi films ever, and plenty of great movies outside of that genre, like Black Hawk Down and Gladiator. Still, his sci-fi contributions really stand out, and the world would be a lot worse without Alien, Blade Runner, The Martian, or Prometheus.
Raised by Wolves takes place sometime in the 22nd century, where Earth has fallen victim to a cataclysmic religious war. In a desperate gambit to keep the human race alive, two androids named Mother and Father are tasked with escorting 12 human embryos to Keppler-22b, and Mother's body is equipped with a special biosphere that allows her to gestate the embryos and bring them to term.
After a ten-year journey, Mother and Father take care of the embryos and ensure that they develop properly. After nine months of gestating, the children are born. Meanwhile, Mom and Pop have built a shelter and started growing some edible food on this hostile world.
Now, I really don’t want to tell you much more here. If you’re a fan of Ridley Scott, you know this show will go pretty deep into existential questions. Let me just say that the underlying storytelling and mythos did not disappoint me.
The visuals are beautiful, another Scott trademark. The cast is fantastic. And, like The Peripheral, it looks like the show has just finished running its course.
Severance
This is the second time I’ve recommended this show. And, unlike the other two shows I mentioned, Severance has not yet been canceled!
Here’s what I wrote last time:
Severance speaks to a world that is alarmingly close in many ways. The premise seems simple: what if you could have no memory of your work hours, and vice-versa? Work “you” and non-work “you” would have two completely different sets of memories, and the continuum of experience would make it seem as though you never went into the office for non-work “you.”
While Raised by Wolves takes us more than a century forward, Severance is much closer to today. The themes are extremely thought-provoking and heavy. This is the sort of show that will make you lose a little bit of sleep because you’re still turning some of those weighty questions over in your mind. It is that type of show.
The worldbuilding is delightful and unique. Think Being John Malkovich meets Office Space, but with Ben from Parks and Rec (Adam Scott), and with a very dark twist. Dark sci-fi will always hold a special place in my heart, not because I have a cold, black heart, but because I believe some of the greatest contributions science fiction has made to humanity is through the cautionary tale.
This tale is well told.
You can watch Severance on Apple TV, and—yes, Virginia, there is going to be a season 2.
Thanks for allowing me to opine on some of the shows I’ve enjoyed! I hope these bring you as much thought-provoking joy as they brought me.
If you’re interested in reading some recommendations about sci-fi to watch, read, or otherwise check out, I highly recommend taking a look at what these folks are up to today.
writes . He does a lot of really clever artwork to go along with his writing. He and I initiated Sci-Friday together a few moons back. is my BJJ black belt brother from another mother. Check out his shenanigans and unique thoughts. has nailed it every week with recommendations, and he and I have enjoyed working on some collaborative stuff. is taking this week off from Sci-Friday, but she is a true fan of the genre and has provided some excellent feedback and recommendations so far. had the idea for , and I’ve loved participating in every one of those so far. has found interesting links between science fiction and mental health, her specialty.Shouts to
, , , , , , , , , , , , and , all a part of my extended family nowadays. Thank you all for participating and contributing some great stuff!If you want to go back and check out some of my previous sci-fi recommendations, here are Sci-Fi Writers Who Contributed to Science, how important Transformers: The Movie (1986) was for me, Time Travel Paradoxes, Five Great Sci-Fi Reads, Five Dystopian Future Films, Five Sci-Fi Comedies, Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Films, and my Favorite Sci-Fi Shows ever.
Have you seen any of these shows? Let’s talk about them in the comments!
If I live to be a hundred I will never forgive Prime for dropping the Peripheral, ever!
I’m a few episodes into The Periphery and totally hooked. I love the balance they’ve managed to strike between changed / unchanged in the near future. Curious to read the novel. Thank you for the other recommendations.