62 votes

Great shows with interesting premises?

I was just thinking how many of the TV shows I've been loving recently have a really cool premise about the world (or, at least, the characters world).

From - People that enter this town are unable to leave (all roads lead back to town), get hunted by monster-people at night

Silo - 10,000 people live in a silo. Their history has been erased, they know nothing of the outside world.

Severance - People can disconnect their 'work-self' from their 'non-work' self via a mysterious company.

The Leftovers - Two percent of the worlds population vanish instantly.

The Devils Hour - It's hard to not give anything away in this one but the premise at the very start is a woman wakes up at 3:33AM every single day. Has a timelooping premise later on

What are some of your favorite shows in the same vein (interesting premise)?

109 comments

  1. [7]
    elight
    Link
    I'm astonished that no one has mentioned DARK. It's a German series. It's extremely character driven; the people are complicated. And the story is... well... .complicated too. I can't tell you...

    I'm astonished that no one has mentioned DARK. It's a German series. It's extremely character driven; the people are complicated. And the story is... well... .complicated too. I can't tell you really much of anything about it other than that it's an onion with many layers.

    Really, just watch the first episode. If you enjoy that, you'll love what comes later.

    32 votes
    1. [3]
      Tannhauser
      Link Parent
      I love love love DARK, but I feel the first few episodes are a bit different than what the show really is (and weaker than the later episodes), so I would recommend to anyone to watch at least...

      I love love love DARK, but I feel the first few episodes are a bit different than what the show really is (and weaker than the later episodes), so I would recommend to anyone to watch at least until the end of episode two (or really 1.5 or 1.6).

      4 votes
      1. elight
        Link Parent
        Weaker? Huh! They seemed more about establishing the characters and the relationships, sure. And then there was that foreboding throughout. I loved that! Besides, that first episode began with...

        Weaker? Huh! They seemed more about establishing the characters and the relationships, sure. And then there was that foreboding throughout. I loved that!

        Besides, that first episode began with something heavy

        2 votes
      2. Eji1700
        Link Parent
        Good to hear. I've heard dark is astounding many times, and started a few times and just kinda...lost my attention.

        Good to hear. I've heard dark is astounding many times, and started a few times and just kinda...lost my attention.

        2 votes
    2. [3]
      Wafik
      Link Parent
      Dark is one of the best shows I have ever watched but I assume it is less popular since it is dubbed into English, which people like my wife refuse to engage with.

      Dark is one of the best shows I have ever watched but I assume it is less popular since it is dubbed into English, which people like my wife refuse to engage with.

      4 votes
      1. Tannhauser
        Link Parent
        Does she not do subs? I feel it's a lot better to watch in German than dubbed.

        Does she not do subs? I feel it's a lot better to watch in German than dubbed.

        6 votes
      2. elight
        Link Parent
        Dubbed? I watched it subtitled. This is the way.

        Dubbed? I watched it subtitled. This is the way.

        6 votes
  2. [13]
    Inanimate
    (edited )
    Link
    One of my favorites is Person of Interest. A former CIA agent, "John Reese", is recruited by a mysterious recluse, "Finch", to stop crimes before they happen. He is given only one piece of...

    One of my favorites is Person of Interest. A former CIA agent, "John Reese", is recruited by a mysterious recluse, "Finch", to stop crimes before they happen. He is given only one piece of information: the SSN of a single person involved in the crime. It's soon revealed (as in, within the first episode, so this still counts as the premise!) that the mysterious recluse receives his information from what he calls The Machine - a supercomputer AI that can predict premeditated crimes before they happen - and built a backdoor to provide him the SSN, but nothing more, in order to stop these crimes.

    There's many mysteries nested within this basic premise, and the show's premise evolves from season to season, becoming an extremely interesting, both high-brow and action-packed exploration of the effect super-AI would have on our world, and how the government and individuals would grapple with creating such AI. It's really good, and I can't recommend it enough!

    It does start as a relatively basic "procedural with a twist'", but personally, I found it compelling from the start, with better-than-expected cinematography and action. However, it really hits its stride about halfway through the first season, if I recall, so it's a show that rewards some patience.

    Extreme spoilers on later seasons, for those who want to see if its worth it In later seasons, other parties try to hijack the Machine for their own ends. The question of whether the Machine is sentient begins to be asked. And eventually, a competitor to the Machine - "Samaritan" - is created, which operates by a tyrannical and far more heavy-handed "ends justify the means" approach. This leads to a secret war between those loyal to the Machine, and those serving Samaritan. The show is ultimately about the delicate balance between privacy and protection, surveillance and safety, etc.
    24 votes
    1. [5]
      Pilot
      Link Parent
      Person of Interest is why I maintain that Jonathan Nolan is the better of the brothers. A TV show so far ahead of its time that worked great as a primetime network monster of the week but that was...

      Person of Interest is why I maintain that Jonathan Nolan is the better of the brothers. A TV show so far ahead of its time that worked great as a primetime network monster of the week but that was still able to dive deep into complicated and abstract topics, ask a lot of its audience, and payoff in huge ways. Sadly, the later seasons of Westworld are what happens when you take down all the guard rails.

      9 votes
      1. [2]
        Adys
        Link Parent
        Absolutely! Though I disagree with you on Westworld. I think Westworld is the ultimate realisation of what Jonathan Nolan wanted to do with POI. The later seasons are radically different from the...

        Absolutely!
        Though I disagree with you on Westworld. I think Westworld is the ultimate realisation of what Jonathan Nolan wanted to do with POI. The later seasons are radically different from the first of course and it is a different premise but it still comes back to the ethics and implications of AI, especially humanlike AI.

        Edit: my thoughts were here: https://tildes.net/~tv/775/recommendation_person_of_interest_2011_2016

        3 votes
        1. Pilot
          Link Parent
          I appreciated the high concept of Westworld's later season, I just think it was missing the compelling TV portion whereas the first two seasons maintained enough of the mystery box and cohesive...

          I appreciated the high concept of Westworld's later season, I just think it was missing the compelling TV portion whereas the first two seasons maintained enough of the mystery box and cohesive story to be accessible. Admittedly it's difficult because Season 1 of Westworld is a perfect season of television and it's very difficult to maintain that.

          1 vote
      2. [2]
        bret
        Link Parent
        As a huge fan of Christopher Nolan films, I'm surprised I didn't know he had a brother! Definitely checking out Person of Interest next

        As a huge fan of Christopher Nolan films, I'm surprised I didn't know he had a brother! Definitely checking out Person of Interest next

        3 votes
        1. Pilot
          Link Parent
          You should watch Memento (if you haven't), which they worked on together and is sort of foundational for each brother. They each used the success of that movie to do different things and I think...

          You should watch Memento (if you haven't), which they worked on together and is sort of foundational for each brother. They each used the success of that movie to do different things and I think it's remarkable. Not for nothing, Jonathan wrote for many of Chris's films as well, including the Batmans.

          2 votes
    2. [3]
      Adys
      Link Parent
      Person of Interest is the best show I have ever watched. Years ago it got me to reshape my career and move into AI. I even shared some of that on Tildes at the time. Now I have it to thank for...

      Person of Interest is the best show I have ever watched.
      Years ago it got me to reshape my career and move into AI. I even shared some of that on Tildes at the time.
      Now I have it to thank for where I am :)

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        Inanimate
        Link Parent
        Seriously up there for me, yes! At least in my top 5, and it's a go-to recommendation of mine. That's cool that it inspired you to such a degree!

        Seriously up there for me, yes! At least in my top 5, and it's a go-to recommendation of mine. That's cool that it inspired you to such a degree!

    3. [4]
      Protected
      Link Parent
      I really enjoyed it back in the day but I lost interest after season... 3, I think? I don't remember very well but I think I felt like it lost steam.

      I really enjoyed it back in the day but I lost interest after season... 3, I think? I don't remember very well but I think I felt like it lost steam.

      3 votes
      1. [3]
        Inanimate
        Link Parent
        Interesting, I really felt like the later seasons were the best of the show! Someday I'll rewatch it and maybe I'll see what you meant. : )

        Interesting, I really felt like the later seasons were the best of the show! Someday I'll rewatch it and maybe I'll see what you meant. : )

        3 votes
        1. [2]
          Protected
          Link Parent
          It's hard to explain but I'm a novelty oriented person, so I can lose interest when stories feel like they're spinning their own wheels and nothing is really surprising anymore? There's a...

          It's hard to explain but I'm a novelty oriented person, so I can lose interest when stories feel like they're spinning their own wheels and nothing is really surprising anymore? There's a difference between plot points that make me think "wow, that's unexpected/creative" and "yeah, that's a solid plot and this is good action but I've had enough of it."

          1 vote
          1. Inanimate
            Link Parent
            Ah, that make sense. Yeah, sometimes there’s certainly a few episodes in a row “exploring the new status quo” or whatnot, and I could see that getting old.

            Ah, that make sense. Yeah, sometimes there’s certainly a few episodes in a row “exploring the new status quo” or whatnot, and I could see that getting old.

  3. [2]
    CannibalisticApple
    Link
    Fringe is my first thought. It's about a government/federal team that investigates criminal cases that involve fringe science, so basically sci-fi criminals operating in the modern world. While...

    Fringe is my first thought. It's about a government/federal team that investigates criminal cases that involve fringe science, so basically sci-fi criminals operating in the modern world. While they investigate cases, I see that as more of a setup for the overarching plot, which involves the existence of another universe.

    21 votes
    1. Mendanbar
      Link Parent
      Came here for this one. Fringe is great nearly all the way through, and I think the conclusion of it ranks right up there with Breaking Bad as one of the best finales I've ever seen.

      Came here for this one. Fringe is great nearly all the way through, and I think the conclusion of it ranks right up there with Breaking Bad as one of the best finales I've ever seen.

      1 vote
  4. [7]
    canekicker
    Link
    Taking the "the characters world" aspect of your prompt and taking some big liberties with it. Doesn't quite fit but I feel each of these shows provides an interesting perspective and world view...

    Taking the "the characters world" aspect of your prompt and taking some big liberties with it. Doesn't quite fit but I feel each of these shows provides an interesting perspective and world view

    Reservation Dogs - ostensibly a coming of age story about native kids on a reservation but it's an absolutely beautiful show that explores the world of native culture that non-natives probably don't understand

    Ramy - modern comedy about young Muslim American finding his way in the world. Deeply funny and really hits, especially if you're raised in any religious tradition

    Shogun - based on the theme of this post, it's a bit of a stretch but it's a brilliant show that just envelops you in feudal Japan

    Succession - the world , in this case, is the ultra wealthy and their power games

    A couple I want to mention as ones with very myopic but fascinating world perspectives

    How to with John Wilson - Bizarre documentary/commentary series about John Wilson's life experiences/philosophies through the lens of weird NYC. Not for everyone but if you like the oddness of someone like Nathan Fielder, this will be up your alley

    Mr Robot - definitely has dystopian/techno-anarchist world views but so much of it is the perspective of the main character who you quickly learn is an unreliable narrator due to his litany of mental health issues

    21 votes
    1. datavoid
      Link Parent
      Mr. Robot is my favourite show that I have never been able to rewatch. If I think about it too hard, it still heavily affects me ~5 years later.

      Mr. Robot is my favourite show that I have never been able to rewatch. If I think about it too hard, it still heavily affects me ~5 years later.

      6 votes
    2. [3]
      artvandelay
      Link Parent
      While I haven't been able to get into Succession, I'll give a +1 here for Shogun. It's loosely based on real life events and really embeds you into the conflicts within Japan around that time...

      While I haven't been able to get into Succession, I'll give a +1 here for Shogun. It's loosely based on real life events and really embeds you into the conflicts within Japan around that time period. It's no surprise that Shogun was one of the most streamed shows when it first dropped.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        boxer_dogs_dance
        Link Parent
        It's also a book that I have read several times. I didn't just enjoy it, I went back to it.

        It's also a book that I have read several times. I didn't just enjoy it, I went back to it.

        2 votes
        1. artvandelay
          Link Parent
          I've been meaning to read the book myself. I've heard the show is pretty faithful to the book so I can only assume tje book is really good too. I'm currently slowly going through Bullet Train by...

          I've been meaning to read the book myself. I've heard the show is pretty faithful to the book so I can only assume tje book is really good too. I'm currently slowly going through Bullet Train by Kotaro Osaka since I loved the movie. I guess I'll add Shogun to my list afterwards haha.

          2 votes
    3. [2]
      zipf_slaw
      Link Parent
      Be aware, this one will throw out curve balls at the drop of a hat, so don't have any sensitive viewers in the area.

      How to with John Wilson -

      Be aware, this one will throw out curve balls at the drop of a hat, so don't have any sensitive viewers in the area.

      2 votes
      1. Nny
        Link Parent
        Yeah it's get insanely deep for what is ultimately something that is very silly. I've only seen the first season but by the end of it definitely got to be all "Oh. OH. oh..." But also those curve...

        Yeah it's get insanely deep for what is ultimately something that is very silly. I've only seen the first season but by the end of it definitely got to be all "Oh. OH. oh..."

        But also those curve balls add so much to the hilarity. For instance, I knew I was going to love the show in the first episode when he posited the question "Do you think mankind is going to make a comeback?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFFEKBWAC8 (and of course how curve ball it gets after that lol)

        1 vote
  5. [11]
    balooga
    Link
    The Good Place — A woman dies and wakes up in a strange little utopia that isn't exactly heaven. The Prisoner — A British former secret agent is held prisoner in a mysterious coastal village...
    • The Good Place — A woman dies and wakes up in a strange little utopia that isn't exactly heaven.
    • The Prisoner — A British former secret agent is held prisoner in a mysterious coastal village resort where his captors try to find out why he abruptly resigned from his job.
    • Avenue 5 — The crew of a space cruise ship filled with tourists must try to keep everyone calm after their ship gets thrown off course and ends up needing three years to return to Earth.
    19 votes
    1. [6]
      first-must-burn
      Link Parent
      Avenue 5 reminded me of Farscape. A great older sci fi series about an astronaut who ends up lost in space on a living ship (that's all in the pilot). Henson Studios (think the Muppets) is...

      Avenue 5 reminded me of Farscape. A great older sci fi series about an astronaut who ends up lost in space on a living ship (that's all in the pilot). Henson Studios (think the Muppets) is involved, so think Star Trek meets the Puppets, but with a great cast of characters and a lot of heart.

      11 votes
      1. [3]
        chocobean
        Link Parent
        Oh oh oh I LOVE Farscape. Some of the quotes and story beats live rent free in my head forever now. It's such a great mix of almost wacky space Muppets and sudden emotional seriousness -- I...

        Oh oh oh I LOVE Farscape. Some of the quotes and story beats live rent free in my head forever now. It's such a great mix of almost wacky space Muppets and sudden emotional seriousness -- I thought I wouldn't hate it but within a few episodes I ceased to think of the characters as puppets. They're proper people. Some of those backstories are pretty dark though eh

        Fair warning. The series doesn't exactly end.

        6 votes
        1. [2]
          first-must-burn
          Link Parent

          There was a legend about how Sebatians once had a god called Tankebrue. Six worlds prayed to her. They built her temples, conquered worlds, and yet one day, she still went off and destroyed all six worlds. And when the last warrior was dying, he said, "We gave you everything; why did you destroy us?" And she looked down upon him and she whispered, "Because I can."
          ~ Aeryn Sun, from Farscape, "Prayer"

          4 votes
          1. chocobean
            Link Parent
            And also FarScape:

            And also FarScape:

            Rygel: Help! Help! A mad Delvian exhibitionist is-is forcing herself on me, visually!

            4 votes
      2. [2]
        balooga
        Link Parent
        It's actually very similar in premise to Aniara, which is one of the bleakest sci-fi movies I've ever seen. Avenue 5 is a (dark) comedy though, whereas Aniara is very much not. Both very good, in...

        It's actually very similar in premise to Aniara, which is one of the bleakest sci-fi movies I've ever seen. Avenue 5 is a (dark) comedy though, whereas Aniara is very much not. Both very good, in completely different ways.

        I should add that Season 1 of Avenue 5 is terrific. There was also a Season 2, which you can skip. IIRC the studio burned to the ground between seasons, and they did the best they could.

        5 votes
        1. Requirement
          Link Parent
          Season 2 was... fine. Never reached the heights of season 1, sadly. It's such a great premise and Season one was really hitting its stride. It's a shame that they didn't get the opportunity (and...

          Season 2 was... fine. Never reached the heights of season 1, sadly.

          It's such a great premise and Season one was really hitting its stride. It's a shame that they didn't get the opportunity (and fumbled the opportunity they were given) to continue it on.

    2. Wafik
      Link Parent
      The Good Place was fantastic! If you haven't already, you should check out A Man on the Inside. Same creator as The Good Place and with Ted Danson.

      The Good Place was fantastic! If you haven't already, you should check out A Man on the Inside. Same creator as The Good Place and with Ted Danson.

      7 votes
    3. [3]
      NoblePath
      Link Parent
      Came here to say the Prisoner. 30 years before Lost and twice as smart.

      Came here to say the Prisoner. 30 years before Lost and twice as smart.

      5 votes
      1. [2]
        ShamedSalmon
        Link Parent
        Definitely agreed! It's worth mentioning that what makes the show all the more interesting is that its creators have historically disagreed with each other over whether or not it was a...

        Definitely agreed! It's worth mentioning that what makes the show all the more interesting is that its creators have historically disagreed with each other over whether or not it was a continuation of the popular spy series, Secret Agent (originally called Danger Man in the UK), with arguments ranging from "no, it's its own creative venture" to "yes, but we had to avoid royalties."

        For people at the time though, rather than getting a fourth season of Secret Agent, they instead received rumors of the series' abandonment and, well, this.

        It was a new series, with many of the same writers and actors, with the same central star playing a spy, only he has just quit his job for reasons that neither we the audience nor his captors seem to know, serving as an excellent hook for fans of Secret Agent.


        Side Note 1: The last two episodes of Secret Agent would eventually air right around the time that The Prisoner was wrapping up.

        Side Note 2: If only Number 6 had known that it was Smitty Werbenjägermanjensen all along...


        6e seeing you.

        3 votes
        1. blivet
          Link Parent
          I love the conclusion. Apparently at the time viewers were so enraged that McGoohan went into hiding, but anything more straightforward would have been a disappointment, really. And given what had...

          I love the conclusion. Apparently at the time viewers were so enraged that McGoohan went into hiding, but anything more straightforward would have been a disappointment, really. And given what had come before, what did people honestly expect? The whole thing was at a minimum borderline surreal the entire time.

          1 vote
  6. TumblingTurquoise
    Link
    Barry - a hitman decides to become an actor. It’s a great dark comedy that gets better and better with each episode.

    Barry - a hitman decides to become an actor. It’s a great dark comedy that gets better and better with each episode.

    14 votes
  7. [13]
    moocow1452
    Link
    There was a whole string of these in the wake of LOST, the granddaddy of all of the high concept mystery box shows. The one that sticks out in my head was probably Flashforward, where everyone on...

    There was a whole string of these in the wake of LOST, the granddaddy of all of the high concept mystery box shows. The one that sticks out in my head was probably Flashforward, where everyone on earth blacks out for about half a minute and come back with a vision of what they were doing a year or so later. There was also Heroes, which followed a bunch of people getting superpowers after a "global eclipse," and was sort of like X-Men on TV, until it got renewed with no plans how to follow up, and then it became X-Men on TV.

    11 votes
    1. [5]
      chocobean
      Link Parent
      Heroes was fun first season then it went very fast downhills

      Heroes was fun first season then it went very fast downhills

      8 votes
      1. [4]
        moocow1452
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        On rewatch, a lot of Season 1 doesn't really hold up because when you know what it's all building to, the journey isn't really that fun. Even more so when the writers were given so many times to...

        On rewatch, a lot of Season 1 doesn't really hold up because when you know what it's all building to, the journey isn't really that fun. Even more so when the writers were given so many times to right the ship, and even got a continuation reboot, but still went back to the exact same playbook and tropes every single time.

        5 votes
        1. [3]
          chocobean
          Link Parent
          Yeah such a shame. That whole school of writing, of throwing "cool ideas" out a week at a time, sprinting full speed in a different direction a week, without an end to run towards, from LOST to...

          Yeah such a shame. That whole school of writing, of throwing "cool ideas" out a week at a time, sprinting full speed in a different direction a week, without an end to run towards, from LOST to Battle Star Galactica and Game of Thrones. Ruins shows. Why haven't they learned in twenty years of ruining shows?

          5 votes
          1. [2]
            balooga
            Link Parent
            I’m with you, but I don’t think Game of Thrones belongs in that list. They had an end to run toward, in the George R.R. Martin novels, which they presumed would finish before the show. It was only...

            I’m with you, but I don’t think Game of Thrones belongs in that list. They had an end to run toward, in the George R.R. Martin novels, which they presumed would finish before the show. It was only when the show outpaced its source material that it ran into serious problems.

            Is this the part of the thread where I complain about the absolutely squandering of Westworld post season 1?

            5 votes
            1. chocobean
              Link Parent
              judging by how much they deviated from what was already there, it seemed more like they were running away from source material. (I'll never stop being angry about Dany "forgetting" she has dragons...

              judging by how much they deviated from what was already there, it seemed more like they were running away from source material. (I'll never stop being angry about Dany "forgetting" she has dragons -- her babies that she nursed and her only kin left in the world)

              4 votes
    2. [2]
      CannibalisticApple
      Link Parent
      Never saw it, but little warning about Flashforward: pretty sure it ended on a cliffhanger. Which is part of why I never watched it. Saw a recap episode randomly while channel surfing, and when...

      Never saw it, but little warning about Flashforward: pretty sure it ended on a cliffhanger. Which is part of why I never watched it. Saw a recap episode randomly while channel surfing, and when looking into it later found out it got canceled after one season. Such a shame given how cool the premise was.

      5 votes
      1. semsevfor
        Link Parent
        Yeah it ends on a massive cliffhanger because they had a 5 year plan for the show and we're only given one season. It was such a good show, I was so disappointed when they canned it.

        Yeah it ends on a massive cliffhanger because they had a 5 year plan for the show and we're only given one season. It was such a good show, I was so disappointed when they canned it.

        4 votes
    3. [5]
      Dr_Amazing
      Link Parent
      I watched so many of these. I likes Flash Forward enough to read the book it's based on (almost completely different plot outside of the main idea). "The Event" was amazing in that about halfway...

      I watched so many of these. I likes Flash Forward enough to read the book it's based on (almost completely different plot outside of the main idea).

      "The Event" was amazing in that about halfway though each episode you'd be saying "this is dumb why am I even watching this?" Then something would happen at the end that would convince me to give it one more episode.

      2 votes
      1. [4]
        Mendanbar
        Link Parent
        I also remember one where all electronics stopped working? I think I watched at least a few episodes of that one. The market was fairly saturated at the time.

        I watched so many of these.

        I also remember one where all electronics stopped working? I think I watched at least a few episodes of that one. The market was fairly saturated at the time.

        1. [3]
          Requirement
          Link Parent
          Revolution? The one where all the electronics stopped working but we were still making stylish henley shirts?

          Revolution? The one where all the electronics stopped working but we were still making stylish henley shirts?

          1 vote
          1. [2]
            Mendanbar
            Link Parent
            Yeah, that's the one! Looks like they made 2 seasons. I might have to circle back to it.

            Yeah, that's the one! Looks like they made 2 seasons. I might have to circle back to it.

            1. Sapholia
              Link Parent
              I seem to remember it ended without a conclusion (though looking into it, there are some comics that finish the story, apparently). Personally I thought the show was decent in parts and ridiculous...

              I seem to remember it ended without a conclusion (though looking into it, there are some comics that finish the story, apparently). Personally I thought the show was decent in parts and ridiculous in others. The part I liked best was when two very mismatched characters had to reluctantly work together; think, like, teenage girl and disgraced head of the enemy militia. I was endlessly amused by it and thought they needed their own buddy cop spinoff, but then some things amuse me far beyond what they deserve, sometimes.

              1 vote
  8. [7]
    joshbuddy
    Link
    I always loved the premise of Death Note. I think I can't really get behind an interesting premise unless I think they manage to stick the landing, and Death Note's ending is fairly satisfying.

    I always loved the premise of Death Note. I think I can't really get behind an interesting premise unless I think they manage to stick the landing, and Death Note's ending is fairly satisfying.

    9 votes
    1. [6]
      Dr_Amazing
      Link Parent
      I was never a fan of the anime ending. It does the thing a lot of anime does where there was a point that probably should have been the ending, then they introduce a bunch of new characters and...

      I was never a fan of the anime ending. It does the thing a lot of anime does where there was a point that probably should have been the ending, then they introduce a bunch of new characters and give it 10 more episodes.

      I think the live action movie pulled it off much better.

      1 vote
      1. CannibalisticApple
        Link Parent
        I preferred the manga ending myself. The way Ryuk writes Light's name, and Light just freaks out... And then that little narrative monologue about death gave me chills. It all just emphasizes that...

        I preferred the manga ending myself. The way Ryuk writes Light's name, and Light just freaks out... And then that little narrative monologue about death gave me chills. It all just emphasizes that at the end of the day, Light was as human as anyone else.

        3 votes
      2. [2]
        sparksbet
        Link Parent
        Worth noting that Death Note has quite a lot of live action adaptations, so you might want to specify which one you mean (though I assume you're probably referring to the American one from 2017).

        Worth noting that Death Note has quite a lot of live action adaptations, so you might want to specify which one you mean (though I assume you're probably referring to the American one from 2017).

        1 vote
        1. Dr_Amazing
          Link Parent
          It was a live action Japanese film. I believe it was the 2006 one.

          It was a live action Japanese film. I believe it was the 2006 one.

          1 vote
      3. [2]
        joshbuddy
        Link Parent
        Yeah, I totally get the anime ending went on slightly too long, but all in all, it was an okay ending. I clearly need to go watch the live action movie though. But when I think about shows like...

        Yeah, I totally get the anime ending went on slightly too long, but all in all, it was an okay ending. I clearly need to go watch the live action movie though.

        But when I think about shows like Westworld and Game of Thrones, however cool the initial world might seem, the ending is the thing that sticks in my mind, and its just so awful it completely spoils any goodwill I had towards the series to start with.

        1 vote
        1. CannibalisticApple
          Link Parent
          I think that's the sticking point for most of the series mentioned on this post so far. A lot of TV shows don't seem to end at the right point. They either get canceled too early and end with a...

          I think that's the sticking point for most of the series mentioned on this post so far. A lot of TV shows don't seem to end at the right point. They either get canceled too early and end with a lot of unresolved plot threads, or they stretch on too long. It seems rare to find a TV show that has a truly satisfying ending.

          3 votes
  9. [5]
    unkz
    Link
    Manifest — a plane full of people disappears, only to reappear years later. Snowpiercer — the world freezes over and the only survivors live on an endlessly looping train that circumnavigates the...

    Manifest — a plane full of people disappears, only to reappear years later.

    Snowpiercer — the world freezes over and the only survivors live on an endlessly looping train that circumnavigates the globe. Interesting class dynamics and societal evolution.

    Russian Doll — a time loop with a twist which I guess I can’t give away. Really fun though.

    Travellers — humans today are being replaced with indistinguishable agents from the future trying to manipulate our present to ensure their reality never occurs.

    The Platform — people are stuck in a sort of silo. Every day food on a platform comes down from above. How much food you get depends on what the people above leave behind.

    9 votes
    1. [4]
      first-must-burn
      Link Parent
      Second vote for Russian Doll. The main character is delightfully sassy. I also liked Travellers at the beginning, but after a while (can't remember how much) it seemed to lose its way.

      Second vote for Russian Doll. The main character is delightfully sassy.

      I also liked Travellers at the beginning, but after a while (can't remember how much) it seemed to lose its way.

      9 votes
      1. ThrowdoBaggins
        Link Parent
        I think I felt the same, and was stubbornly continuing to watch it, but it got better again and personally I was really happy with the finale. One episode that has stuck with me for a long time...

        I also liked Travellers at the beginning, but after a while (can't remember how much) it seemed to lose its way

        I think I felt the same, and was stubbornly continuing to watch it, but it got better again and personally I was really happy with the finale.

        One episode that has stuck with me for a long time was the skydiver loop, and I won’t say more, but I absolutely loved how they approached that whole concept.

        I think I might pop this one on my re-watch list!

        1 vote
      2. [2]
        RoyalHenOil
        Link Parent
        I recommend watching Travellers all the way through, if you are ever inclined to give it another shot. It wraps up beautifully.

        I recommend watching Travellers all the way through, if you are ever inclined to give it another shot. It wraps up beautifully.

        1 vote
        1. first-must-burn
          Link Parent
          Thanks! I will put it on my list for my alleged spare time ;)

          Thanks! I will put it on my list for my alleged spare time ;)

  10. DynamoSunshirt
    Link
    Severance: what if work you and home you were completely separate?

    Severance: what if work you and home you were completely separate?

    9 votes
  11. [6]
    smoontjes
    Link
    Counterpart was incredible and my first thought upon reading this post. I'd highly recommend going in blind! The less you know, the better - but I can say that it's with J. K. Simmons and takes...

    Counterpart was incredible and my first thought upon reading this post. I'd highly recommend going in blind! The less you know, the better - but I can say that it's with J. K. Simmons and takes place in Berlin during the cold war.

    Black Mirror is filled with interesting sci-fi premises, most often dystopic.

    Chernobyl is about the 1986 nuclear catastrophe and is just so extremely well made that it should be in at least the top 10 of all time.

    Westworld was great and I'm one of the few that liked it the whole way through. It's true though - season one is one of the best seasons of tv of all time.

    The Queen's Gambit is set in the 1960's and is about a woman who tries to make it in the world of chess. Sounds boring and I'm not into chess in any way but it was extremely gripping. Anya-Taylor Joy is in the lead role.

    Maniac in which Jonah Hill and Emma Stone participate in a trial for a new drug. Also Sonoya Mizuno who is lesser known but she is so good.

    Lessons in Chemistry is set in the 1950's and is about a woman navigating the booming TV industry - Brie Larson stars.

    Pachinko is about a Korean family's journey through life, spanning four generations! Super well made.

    9 votes
    1. fefellama
      Link Parent
      Damn I just realized Black Mirror is the perfect answer to this question. The entire show is just a bunch of different premises. Some are okay, some are good, others are incredible. If you don't...

      Damn I just realized Black Mirror is the perfect answer to this question. The entire show is just a bunch of different premises. Some are okay, some are good, others are incredible. If you don't like the premise of the episode you're watching, go to the next one and chances are you'll like it more. Some of the episodes are goofy or ridiculous, but others can be pretty mind-bendy and really make you think about the future of tech and society.

      Highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it, but unlike most other shows, you don't need to start at the beginning. Look at the descriptions of various episodes and find one that sounds interesting to you and then start there. They're like mini movies.

      Some of my favorites if anyone is interested but doesn't know where to start: USS Callister, Black Museum, Men Against Fire, Hang the DJ, Nosedive, White Christmas, and Beyond the Sea.

      3 votes
    2. th0mcat
      Link Parent
      Seconding Counterpart. It was buried on Starz, absolutely deserved some hardware and a much larger audience, J.K. Simmons absolutely killed it, cannot recommend it hard enough

      Seconding Counterpart.

      It was buried on Starz, absolutely deserved some hardware and a much larger audience, J.K. Simmons absolutely killed it, cannot recommend it hard enough

      2 votes
    3. [2]
      bret
      Link Parent
      Just wanted to let you know I checked out Counterpart because of this post and so far it is absolutely fantastic (just finished s01 ep09).

      Just wanted to let you know I checked out Counterpart because of this post and so far it is absolutely fantastic (just finished s01 ep09).

      1 vote
      1. smoontjes
        Link Parent
        Yes!! Glad you like it ^^

        Yes!! Glad you like it ^^

    4. Mendanbar
      Link Parent
      I really liked this whole show, but the whole series could have been trash and I'd still rewatch to see Emma Stone as a drunken elf ranger.

      Maniac in which Jonah Hill and Emma Stone participate in a trial for a new drug. Also Sonoya Mizuno who is lesser known but she is so good.

      I really liked this whole show, but the whole series could have been trash and I'd still rewatch to see Emma Stone as a drunken elf ranger.

  12. [4]
    Mendanbar
    Link
    OK, I'll jump in and recommend Orphan Black. Neat premise (Clones), and the ongoing story is pretty good. But honestly the best part is how Tatiana Maslany manages to juggle all of her characters...

    OK, I'll jump in and recommend Orphan Black. Neat premise (Clones), and the ongoing story is pretty good. But honestly the best part is how Tatiana Maslany manages to juggle all of her characters and absolutely chew scenes with each one.

    9 votes
    1. [2]
      ahatlikethat
      Link Parent
      Absolutely. You'd think it would be gimmicky and distracting but she is so good you totally forget the characters are all one actor.

      Absolutely. You'd think it would be gimmicky and distracting but she is so good you totally forget the characters are all one actor.

      3 votes
      1. balooga
        Link Parent
        I think that’s another show that had a great first season and then completely lost me after that. I agree casting Tatiana Maslany was lightning in a bottle. She was wonderful to watch in every...

        I think that’s another show that had a great first season and then completely lost me after that. I agree casting Tatiana Maslany was lightning in a bottle. She was wonderful to watch in every role and I don’t think there’s another actor alive who could pull it off as well as she did.

        5 votes
    2. Sapholia
      Link Parent
      Agreed! The best was when she played one character who was pretending to be another one, but it's all fantastic.

      Agreed! The best was when she played one character who was pretending to be another one, but it's all fantastic.

      1 vote
  13. [3]
    first-must-burn
    Link
    Two that come to mind on Netflix: The OA - very trippy altered reality stuff. I only watched the first season. I can't really say more without giving it away, but I really enjoyed it. It also...

    Two that come to mind on Netflix:

    The OA - very trippy altered reality stuff. I only watched the first season. I can't really say more without giving it away, but I really enjoyed it. It also sources a favorite quote:

    The biggest mistake I made was believing that if I cast a beautiful net, I'd catch only beautiful things.
    ~ The OA

    Alice in Borderland - people in Japan get pulled into a game that incentivizes them to kill each other. Originally in Japanese and dubbed/subbed for English. I only watched the first season, but the way it worked out was pretty interesting.

    5 votes
    1. Bearsnbirds
      Link Parent
      Caveat - The OA is totally awesome, and probably one of the most intriguing shows I've ever watched. BUT. They canceled it after the second season on a very very big cliffhanger so it will forever...

      Caveat - The OA is totally awesome, and probably one of the most intriguing shows I've ever watched. BUT. They canceled it after the second season on a very very big cliffhanger so it will forever be unsatisfying.

      2 votes
    2. Fog
      Link Parent
      I will second Alice in Borderlands. It borders on camp given the inconsistent quality of acting—one example is a scientist, a minor character, who overthinks a deadly life-or-death challenge with...

      I will second Alice in Borderlands. It borders on camp given the inconsistent quality of acting—one example is a scientist, a minor character, who overthinks a deadly life-or-death challenge with exaggerated facial expressions and a rambling inner monologue—but never falls into parody.

      The main characters are well written and the action sequences are exciting. I was disappointed with how the second season ended on a massive cliffhanger calling into question the very reality the story had been building up.

      2 votes
  14. boxer_dogs_dance
    Link
    This is not science fiction or fantasy. Giri Haji is about two brothers, a police officer and a gangster/mobster. The show is well done and their relationship is complicated.

    This is not science fiction or fantasy.

    Giri Haji is about two brothers, a police officer and a gangster/mobster. The show is well done and their relationship is complicated.

    5 votes
  15. [7]
    Dr_Amazing
    Link
    I've got two I want to talk about but sadly I dont remember the title of either of them. The first was basically groundhogs day. A cop is framed for murder. There's all this planted evidence...

    I've got two I want to talk about but sadly I dont remember the title of either of them.

    The first was basically groundhogs day. A cop is framed for murder. There's all this planted evidence against him, his girlfriend gets killed, then he wakes up and it's the same day. He slowly is able to use his previous knowledge to figure out what's happening and it's really satisfying when he goes from completely clueless to running circles around the people framing him.

    The second was also a cop. A detective who's in a car accident where a family member dies. He sort of lives in two realities, one where his son dies and one where his wife did and swaps between them each day. He's still solving crimes and things he learns in one reality sometimes provide clues to the case hes solving in the other one.
    It's a bit ambiguous if he's insane or actually jumping between timelines.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      moocow1452
      Link Parent
      I think I know these shows: Number 1 is probably Daybreak, I don't know that much about this show because there were a lot of supernatural cop shows at that time. Felt like a season replacement...

      I think I know these shows:

      • Number 1 is probably Daybreak, I don't know that much about this show because there were a lot of supernatural cop shows at that time. Felt like a season replacement from what advertisment I saw.
      • Number 2 is Awake, it was cancelled at the end of season 1, with no real resolution one on any of the main beats. The show has the unique issue of the whole thing being a dream being textually supported, so I'm not sure they could have landed the ship on that one.
      • Number 3 is The Lost Room , and I am so upset that no one threw money at this for any sort of revival. I'd take comic continuations or audio drama or some other setting with a similar tone and weird artifacts that the powers don't really match up with the mundane use, but use some sort of internal logic.
      7 votes
      1. Dr_Amazing
        Link Parent
        Wow 3 for 3. Closest thing I can think of to The Lost Room was Warehouse 13. It's basically about the big warehouse from the end of Indiana Jones where crazy magical stuff gets stored. Most...

        Wow 3 for 3.

        Closest thing I can think of to The Lost Room was Warehouse 13. It's basically about the big warehouse from the end of Indiana Jones where crazy magical stuff gets stored. Most episodes are about the agents going somewhere strange things are happening and trying to figure out what magic artifact is causing it and how it works.

        2 votes
    2. [3]
      Dr_Amazing
      Link Parent
      One more: A man gets a magic key that opens any door but it always leads to this one random hotel room. There's all these other objects from the room that have various magic properties and a whole...

      One more:

      A man gets a magic key that opens any door but it always leads to this one random hotel room. There's all these other objects from the room that have various magic properties and a whole society of people trying to gather and use them.

      4 votes
      1. [2]
        honzabe
        Link Parent
        The Lost Room?
        3 votes
        1. patience_limited
          Link Parent
          That was absolutely amazing, and as much as it could have been a much longer series (the artifacts!), I think it ended perfectly. Seems the writers haven't had successes with anything else, though.

          That was absolutely amazing, and as much as it could have been a much longer series (the artifacts!), I think it ended perfectly. Seems the writers haven't had successes with anything else, though.

          2 votes
  16. [2]
    sonaxaton
    Link
    I'm watching Station 11 at the moment and I think it'd be exactly what you're looking for.

    I'm watching Station 11 at the moment and I think it'd be exactly what you're looking for.

    4 votes
    1. Requirement
      Link Parent
      Station 11 is hands down one of my favorite shows of all time. OP if you are into Silo and Severance, I feel like Station 11 will be in your groove. I don't know if going in completely blind is...

      Station 11 is hands down one of my favorite shows of all time. OP if you are into Silo and Severance, I feel like Station 11 will be in your groove. I don't know if going in completely blind is necessary so: 20 years after a global pandemic, the show follows several of the survivors as they continue to live, interact, and find meaning in their endeavors. It also explores some of the early days of the outbreak, following a number of the survivors' journeys to survival. A deeply character driven show with absolutely stunning performances by pretty much every member of the cast and an engaging story. It's only one season and they manage to tell a complete story in that one season, no cliffhangers - a rarity these days!

      3 votes
  17. honzabe
    Link
    Thanks for the excellent question, I found a lot of things here that look extremely interesting and I had never heard of them. Can I mention a few that are not originally in English? El Ministerio...

    Thanks for the excellent question, I found a lot of things here that look extremely interesting and I had never heard of them.

    Can I mention a few that are not originally in English?

    El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Ministry of Time) - a Spanish series about a secret government agency tasked with protecting Spain’s history by traveling through time to prevent changes to key historical events. The agency’s team, comprising characters from different eras, works together to solve cases while navigating cultural and personal conflicts. Funny, sometimes a bit sad, and you learn a thing or two about Spanish history. The first season is great, but then it goes slightly downhill, probably because one of the actors left and they had to rewrite the plot.

    Vida perfecta (Perfect Life) - another Spanish series. A neurotic and controlling woman gets high after her boyfriend breaks up with her (mainly to prove she can be "wild") and has unprotected sex with a mentally disabled man. The ensuing pregnancy turns her life upside down. A comedy, but a realistic one, not a sitcom - sometimes I get a bit tired of unrealistic plots about secret agents having to save humanity before midnight - this series is real, about people like me.

    4 votes
  18. xk3
    Link
    Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017): What if the line between reality and the supernatural was as thin as the fog that blankets a small town? Alias (2001-2006) was dreamt up by J.J. Abrams while working...
    • Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017): What if the line between reality and the supernatural was as thin as the fog that blankets a small town?
    • Alias (2001-2006) was dreamt up by J.J. Abrams while working on Felicity. What if the lie you thought you knew was just the tip of a much deeper truth?
    • The Rehearsal (2022-). What if you could simulate real-life scenarios to perfection, preparing for every possible outcome?
    • Xavier: Renegade Angel (2007-2009). What if a half-man, half-animal sought enlightenment?
    3 votes
  19. [4]
    NoblePath
    Link
    A couple more to mention: 1899, made by the same people as Dark iirc, sadly cancelled after one season, but still worth the watch imo. The X-Files. I don’t know how this holds up, but it is a...

    A couple more to mention:

    1899, made by the same people as Dark iirc, sadly cancelled after one season, but still worth the watch imo.

    The X-Files. I don’t know how this holds up, but it is a wicked cool premise. Side note, if I had more time, energy, and inclination I would research and write about the shift of “conspiracy” people from being primarily “left” to primarily “right.” They used to call my kind of person “crunchy,” I was into preserving ecosystems, legalizing weed, racial and gender equality, etc. etc., and also rabid para-political researcher. JFK was, after all, a left-wing champion. Somewhere after the X-files the narrative focus shifted, and the conspiracy folks were Alex Jones, Bannon types, later Q-anon (which might have begun life as the lark of a kindred spirit). Anyway, the X-Files and the Simpsons and movies were the only reason I kept a TV around in those days.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Requirement
      Link Parent
      We're getting off topic here but, man, 9/11 really changed everything (and the Oklahoma Federal Building and Ruby Ridge and Waco). Watching a lot of formerly left leaning people turn into weird...

      We're getting off topic here but, man, 9/11 really changed everything (and the Oklahoma Federal Building and Ruby Ridge and Waco). Watching a lot of formerly left leaning people turn into weird right-wing Alex Jones believers then Q-anoners over the last 20 years has been fascinating and horrifying.

      3 votes
      1. boxer_dogs_dance
        Link Parent
        We don't have complete information about who is behind the propaganda but it has definitely changed things.

        We don't have complete information about who is behind the propaganda but it has definitely changed things.

        1 vote
    2. LookAtTheName
      Link Parent
      Fuck Paul Furber and Ron Watkins.

      later Q-anon (which might have begun life as the lark of a kindred spirit).

      Fuck Paul Furber and Ron Watkins.

      1 vote
  20. lou
    (edited )
    Link
    A forgotten department on the 1990s FBI to investigate every weird shit under the Sun? Yeah The X-Files has a very interesting premise. A competent, non-violent, highly ethical police detective...

    A forgotten department on the 1990s FBI to investigate every weird shit under the Sun? Yeah The X-Files has a very interesting premise.

    A competent, non-violent, highly ethical police detective who cares for the victims while showing respect and sometimes even compassion for the criminals? That probably shouldn't feel so interesting and unique, but that's another matter. I'm talking about Columbo.

    3 votes
  21. [3]
    Foreigner
    Link
    If you're not averse to animation I recommend the following shows: Pantheon: What if you could upload people's brains to the cloud and make living supercomputers without the physical limitations...

    If you're not averse to animation I recommend the following shows:

    Pantheon: What if you could upload people's brains to the cloud and make living supercomputers without the physical limitations of the human body? This show gave me a slight existential crisis, I loved it.

    Scavengers Reign: The passengers of a cargo spaceship get stranded on a truly alien planet and each has to find a way to survive. This show is a visual feast, with interesting characters and a great story.

    Bojack Horseman: A Hollywood hasbeen tries and fails over and over to get his shit together, but you can't help but keep rooting for him. The characters navigate some very difficult topics, and it can be depressing as hell sometimes, but it's quite poignant and funny overall.

    Tuca and Bertie: Two housemates with different personalities who live together and have to face struggles many women go through in the modern age.

    Fired on Mars: A guy gets fired from his job on Mars and gets trapped on the planet. I liked this less than the others listed here but still found it interesting.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Mendanbar
      Link Parent
      Seconding Scavengers Reign. I didn't have any expectations going in, but it turned out to be so good. I love how the art style has a sort of Aeon Flux inspired feel to it while not ever crossing...

      Seconding Scavengers Reign. I didn't have any expectations going in, but it turned out to be so good. I love how the art style has a sort of Aeon Flux inspired feel to it while not ever crossing the line into full avant-garde. The first season manages to come to a pretty good conclusion too, with a slight teaser for what a season 2 might bring. It sort of looks like a second season is unlikely, though.

      2 votes
      1. Foreigner
        Link Parent
        Yeah I would love a second season and am pretty bummed to hear there may not be more, but I am ok with where it ended. Fingers crossed though, you never know!

        Yeah I would love a second season and am pretty bummed to hear there may not be more, but I am ok with where it ended. Fingers crossed though, you never know!

        1 vote
  22. FrozenPinguin
    Link
    Sense8: 8 strangers suddenly develop a strange mental awareness of each other. As they explore this connection, they realise they can share emotions, thoughts, and even skills. Through the support...

    Sense8: 8 strangers suddenly develop a strange mental awareness of each other. As they explore this connection, they realise they can share emotions, thoughts, and even skills.
    Through the support of the other 7, they start tackling personal challenges, but they also come to the attention of a shadowy organisation that works to suppress people with the same power they have.

    Made by Wachowskis, the show has conceptional issues (8 main characters is too much, no matter how you slice it) but for me this was Wachowskis at their best since the glory days of Matrix

    3 votes
  23. [4]
    crulife
    Link
    Frieren -- In a D&D -like fantasy world, what happens after the heroes finish their most important quest? What does it mean for an elf to live 100 times longer than her compatriots? How does...

    Frieren -- In a D&D -like fantasy world, what happens after the heroes finish their most important quest? What does it mean for an elf to live 100 times longer than her compatriots? How does passage of time change things overall? Also some autism and badass magic fights.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      chocobean
      Link Parent
      Well if we're gonna recommend S tier anime, I should point out Frieren hasn't finished yet. And will also throw in another not yet completed series: Delicious In Dungeon: what happens if an...

      Well if we're gonna recommend S tier anime, I should point out Frieren hasn't finished yet.

      And will also throw in another not yet completed series:

      Delicious In Dungeon: what happens if an adventuring party (Tall Man, Halfling, Elf, Dwarf) want to go deeper in the dungeon without having to go back to surface for supplies, and so they decide to cook up monsters to eat?

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        sparksbet
        Link Parent
        God I can't wait for Dungeon Meshi's second season. Having read the manga, it's hilarious how much there is left to happen that radically changes the story!

        God I can't wait for Dungeon Meshi's second season. Having read the manga, it's hilarious how much there is left to happen that radically changes the story!

        2 votes
        1. chocobean
          Link Parent
          we've been spoiled by some amazing storytelling from Japan in recent years. This year's DAN DA DAN is already shooting way up on my GOAT list

          we've been spoiled by some amazing storytelling from Japan in recent years. This year's DAN DA DAN is already shooting way up on my GOAT list

  24. turmacar
    Link
    For All Mankind is pretty fantastic. "Russia landed on the moon first, so the Space Race accelerates" is the premise. Nicely has a small time skip between seasons which gives them the space to not...

    For All Mankind is pretty fantastic.

    "Russia landed on the moon first, so the Space Race accelerates" is the premise.

    Nicely has a small time skip between seasons which gives them the space to not stagnate story wise.

    2 votes
  25. brubby
    (edited )
    Link
    Dark Matter (2024) : A physicist is abducted into an alternate version of his life and he tries to return to prevent an alternate version of himself from taking over his family.

    Dark Matter (2024) : A physicist is abducted into an alternate version of his life and he tries to return to prevent an alternate version of himself from taking over his family.

    2 votes