10 Sci-Fi Dramas That Will Make You Roll Your Eyes

Over time, the science fiction genre has undergone numerous transformations. In the 1950s, viewers were preoccupied with the fear of aliens taking over Earth, whereas today they are enthralled by tales of alternate realities and hidden government agendas. However, what ties these TV shows together is the common theme that there exists something beyond our understanding.

In many cases, when it comes to this genre, there are numerous themes and elements available for exploration. Yet, surprisingly often, TV shows seem to rely on familiar cliches instead. Although sticking with traditional storylines may help some productions appeal to a wider audience, certain aspects make certain science fiction dramas challenging to watch enjoyably.

The Book of Boba Fett

On Earth, humans are fortunate to experience various types of landscapes – from sprawling deserts to expansive green pastures. Yet, should they leap across borders, they might find themselves encompassed by oceans and seas. In many science fiction series, however, the planets seem to have a single landscape type.

Where to Stream The Book of Boba FettIMDb ScoreRT Score
Disney+7.2/1066%

The series The Book of Boba Fett takes fans to the arid world of Tatooine, reminiscent of Jakku in other parts of the Star Wars universe. On the other hand, Hoth resembles Ilum as it’s entirely covered with ice. Although there are diverse planets in the Star Wars galaxy, many have similar ecosystems. Interestingly, this isn’t exclusive to the Star Wars franchise. In the movies of Guardians of the Galaxy, you’ll find snow-covered planets like Contraxia, rainy ones such as Morag, and forests akin to Endor in Berhert.

Scavengers Reign

In this captivating animated show titled “Scavengers Reign”, we follow a band of astronauts who find themselves stranded on an unfamiliar alien planet called Vesta. Sadly, this world is riddled with fresh dangers such as alien flora and fauna, life cycles, but somehow, the characters manage to navigate due to what seems like ongoing gravity on this new celestial body.

Where to Stream Scavengers ReignIMDb ScoreRT Score
Max8.6/10100%

In most science fiction dramas, you’ll notice a common element: the presence of gravity similar to Earth’s, which helps keep the story moving without causing too much perplexity. Although watching characters float everywhere wouldn’t make for an engaging spectacle, it amuses many viewers that humans can still find familiar comfort in the pull of gravity on nearly every alien planet. This suggests that these extraterrestrial worlds may not be so dissimilar from our own Earth, after all.

Manifest

Initially launched in 2018, “Manifest” gained instant acclaim for its captivating narrative, drawing comparisons with popular sci-fi series like Lost. The story revolves around a set of passengers aboard Montego Air Flight 828 who mysteriously vanished during their flight, only to reappear five years later. Their subsequent challenge is to readjust to society while unraveling the truth behind their mysterious disappearance.

Where to Stream ManifestIMDb ScoreRT Score
Netflix7.0/1072%

Despite the passengers finding themselves five years ahead, Manifest doesn’t portray this altered reality as particularly appealing. While some viewers find solace in the concept of alternate realities due to their ability to spark feelings of wonder and optimism, the grim futures depicted in series like The Terminator and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow tend to make the exploration of multiple alternate timelines and realities seem more distressing than necessary.

Andor

It’s likely that fans recognize that one issue preventing us from surviving on other planets is the unsuitability of their atmosphere for our breathing needs. However, many sci-fi dramas seem to overlook this detail and propose instead that alien worlds retain an ideal balance of oxygen and nitrogen. The series Andor demonstrates this tendency well, as it portrays the main character traversing numerous planets, such as Ferrix and Aldhani, without encountering any breathing difficulties.

Where to Stream AndorIMDb ScoreRT Score
Disney+8.4/1096%

Regardless of the harsh, desolate planets Cassian visits, he appears unfazed. It’s understandable that viewers are required to set aside some real-world considerations and simply immerse themselves in the on-screen action. However, if one ponders the human respiratory system too deeply, shows such as Andor may appear strikingly unrealistic.

Star Trek: Lower Decks

In real life, as people journey from one location on Earth to another, they often need to pass through a sequence of inspections to prevent the introduction of harmful food or animal products that might disrupt another nation’s ecosystem. Contrastingly, in television series like Star Trek, the crew can roam freely throughout the solar system without any protective measures. This includes visits to potentially dangerous planets such as Qo’nos, where they seemingly disregard the risks of intense volcanic activity on their skin and respiratory systems.

Where to Stream Star Trek: Lower DecksIMDb ScoreRT Score
Paramount+7.8/1091%

As a passionate Star Trek fan, I’ve often found myself questioning an apparent oversight within this expansive universe. Given the constant exploration of uncharted territories by our growing crew, one might expect them to don protective helmets for such journeys. Yet, these interstellar comrades continue to traverse the cosmos in the same light shirts and snug pants that their predecessors favored.

The Expanse

The Expanse, acclaimed for its scientifically plausible depiction of space travel, notably emphasizes gravity effects on characters and atmospheric variations. Yet, despite its sophistication, it shares the same peculiar errors prevalent in other space dramas regarding combat sequences.

Where to Stream The ExpanseIMDb ScoreRT Score
Amazon Prime Video8.5/1095%

In this series, there’s always a constant barrage of intense explosions and gunfire – something that wouldn’t happen in space due to the lack of oxygen for ignition. Although explosions do take place in space, they tend to emit radiation rather than flames. Even in iconic sagas like Star Wars, where explosions in space are a recurring theme, this misconception is still prevalent.

Better Than Us

In simpler terms, the Russian sci-fi series titled “Better Than Us” follows Arisa, an artificial intelligence android who seeks to eliminate her human owner and escape from unscrupulous corporations aiming to buy her. The show explores potential dangers of AI assuming even routine tasks, leaving many viewers pondering why AI robots often display ethical shortcomings.

Where to Stream Better Than UsIMDb ScoreRT Score
Netflix7.3/10100%

In various science fiction series, androids like those in Humans are often portrayed as malicious killing machines. Contrastingly, in reality, many corporations strive to utilize AI for beneficial purposes such as cancer detection or providing companionship to lonely individuals. However, cautionary tales like HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Skynet from The Terminator franchise serve as reminders of the potential dangers of AI that exceeds human intelligence or even causes global catastrophe. Regrettably, for every Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, there’s an AI with sinister intentions lurking around the corner.

Stargate SG-1

When space travelers reach foreign planets, they frequently encounter numerous disparities. Consequently, the team must swiftly adjust to their novel environment and become accustomed to the alterations in customs that abound. Frequently, technology undergoes significant change on an extraterrestrial planet, yet remarkably, the characters manage to operate all of the cosmic computers.

Where to Stream Stargate SG-1IMDb ScoreRT Score
Amazon Prime Video8.4/1089%

The series frequently depicts its characters accessing alien computers to rescue another civilization, but it seldom clarifies how the crew possesses this knowledge. Instead, it seems to presume that these systems function similarly to Earth’s. This is amusing considering that even Sparky, a computer from Babylon 5, has a human interface, implying future technology still employs today’s models. So, one can chuckle at the idea that on certain planets, aliens might be using an outdated version of Windows.

The 100

In many parts of the world, individuals move between countries and find themselves surrounded by numerous distinct languages. Even within certain societies, people might communicate using a mix of tongue clicks and other non-verbal sounds, rendering traditional words unnecessary at times. However, it’s intriguing to notice that in most contemporary science fiction series, everyone seems to converse in the same language, which certainly makes communication easier.

Where to Stream The 100IMDb ScoreRT Score
Netflix7.5/1093%

In “The 100,” it appears that the show suggests all the new inhabitants hail from various parts of the world, yet their accents and speech indicate they’re based in America. This leads one to think that the series has somehow eliminated any linguistic obstacles among its characters, making communication effortless. Shows like “Star Trek” attempt to address such peculiarities by incorporating universal translators, but it seems far-fetched for viewers to assume a tiny group could fluently speak and comprehend every language in the galaxy.

The Walking Dead

In many science fiction series, zombies are central characters, often stemming from some type of virus. However, these shows don’t always delve deeper into the specifics, instead focusing on the consequences rather than the cause. For instance, one of the most popular sci-fi shows of the 2010s, “The Walking Dead,” hinted at a contained virus as the reason for the zombie apocalypse, but didn’t explain how it spread. It wasn’t until the spin-off series, “The Walking Dead: World Beyond,” that viewers learned why the outbreak occurred.

Where to Stream The Walking DeadIMDb ScoreRT Score
Disney+8.1/1079%

Shows as complex as “The Last of Us” don’t delve into the reasons behind the apocalyptic events they portray. The audience is only informed that an outbreak occurred, but the reasoning stops there. In reality, overpopulation might have been a factor, and nature may have reacted by correcting itself. It appears that no matter how deeply fans investigate these shows’ backstories, they won’t uncover the true reasons for such massive apocalypses.

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2025-04-21 05:17