Lower Decks

Now that the first decade of the millennium is coming to a close, it’s a great time to reflect back on the TV shows that helped make it so memorable. Lower Decks (which began as the original Section 31.com) may have its origins in the 1990s, but the 2000s were its unquestionable most interesting. I’ve been privileged to be here throughout them, and to be writing for the site for most of it in some capacity. Long-time visitors will know that it used to focus exclusively on the Star Trek franchise, but began branching out once Lower Decks itself was incorporated. Many a spirited discussion has occurred at the Observation Lounge message board over the years, and I’ve enjoyed writing a regular series of reviews since the relaunch in the fall of 2008. The following contains my own version of the ten best shows from the decade.

1. Lost (2004-2010) The series that redefined television, arrived like a rocket in the fall of 2004 and promptly destroyed all expectations not only for genre programming, but character and serial storytelling. So consistently challenging subsequent seasons took fans on a rollercoaster love-hate relationship that actually managed to be repaired by the fourth season, so that it’s about as popular as it’s ever been, heading into a final season in the new year.

2. Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005) The only Star Trek series in the modern era to be cancelled before seven seasons (falling three short, even), ‘Enterprise’ arrived with much hope but ended up being a major reason why the franchise needed the big reboot this year. While a vast majority of fans ended up hating it, especially its logic-defying final episode featuring Riker and Troi from ‘The Next Generation’ in co-starring roles, I was always fascinated with it, calling it my second favorite Trek, after ‘Deep Space Nine.’

3. Heroes (2006-present) After ‘Lost’ debuted, everyone was expecting the TV landscape to begin a significant shift into a similar template, and while that’s increasingly happened, especially this season, the first and best response was the wildly popular first season of ‘Heroes.’ It took me a while to become a fan, but once I did, I become one of the biggest, which I remain to this day.

4. Futurama (1999-present) The rare animated series that can be taken with absolute seriousness, ‘Futurama’ was Matt Groening’s much-hyped second creation (long before ‘Family Guy’ spawned an almost-complete Sunday night block on Fox), hampered by bad scheduling for a handful of seasons, eventually cancelled, helped launch Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, returned with a series of DVD movies, and then recently announced as making its return as a TV show. An incredible story no matter how you consider it.

5. Fringe (2008-present) J.J. Abrams didn’t just help create ‘Lost,’ but it certainly didn’t hurt his career, so when he got around to doing a new genre series, it became another instant-spectacle. I’ve been reviewing this one since its inception. Similar to Abrams’ ‘Alias,’ ‘Fringe’ has been brilliantly developing its arc for two seasons now while also maintaining a pace casual viewers can appreciate.

6. Defying Gravity (2009) The jury may still be out as to whether or not this international production is actually over after a brief run in the fall, but I was riveted throughout the series, regardless of how many episodes there are. The upcoming DVD release will hold a proud place in my collection.

7. Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda (2000-2005) From the vault of the legendary creator of Star Trek came the show that was eventually derided as a glorified vehicle for former ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’ star Kevin Sorbo. I was, however, a fan throughout the series, which managed to keep things interesting and relevant throughout cast and creator and situation changes over its five year run.

8. Dark Angel (2000-2002) Everyone may be buzzing about ‘Avatar’ now, but James Cameron’s first contribution to pop culture was this alternative to Joss Whedon’s Buffy-verse, which introduced the world to Jessica Alba. Another short-run series (which is basically par for the genre course, especially if you’re broadcast on Fox), it’s easy to catch up with.

9. Life on Mars (2008-2009) Another innovative take on genre TV was this American adaptation of the British show that featured, ostensibly, a cop who was displaced from the present to the 1970s. Featuring a terrific cast and a premise that was fully explored, it might not have lasted long, but it was certainly a memorable ride.

10. Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009) Perhaps the show that, after ‘Lost,’ defined the decade, and a given for any objective consideration of the ten best, I had to include it even if I wasn’t one of its biggest fans. I could more appreciate the work done on ‘Galactica’ than any number of other shows you might expect to find, from ‘Farscape’ to the Stargate franchise.

Honorable mention:

Earth: Final Conflict (1997-2003) It’s best year, for me, was already over (the second season) before the decade started, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the third and fourth seasons, as well as the fifth (to a slightly lesser degree), it’s hard to say that this was a show that could for its run in the decade rival the shows in the top ten. As with many of the other shows mentioned, not exactly something a lot of people have a lot of pleasant memories of, but ‘V’ is basically telling the same story. You can either watch the original ‘V’ shows from two decades ago, or revisit this series for a previous version. Me, I’d go with this one.