I came across this article the other day…
10 Shows To Check Out If You Loved Dark Matter
It’s an interesting list and got me to thinking: What would I recommend?
Well, since you (didn’t) ask…
#10. Trigun
A wild space western focusing on the adventures of Vash the Stampede, a notoriously destructive outlaw, and the two insurance agents tasked with minimizing the damage he causes. It’s no secret that I drew inspiration for Dark Matter from several anime, and this fun, action-driven title was tops among them.
#9. Red Dwarf
Though more of an out and out comedy, Red Dwarf does offer Dark Matter parallels in its premise, fish out of water set-up, and its adorably atyptical android.
#8. The Mandalorian
I mean, sure, there’s some definite tonal and thematic similarities in a series that echoes the fun and adventure of the original films.
#7. The Orville
Speaking of fun, how great is it that a network demonstrates confidence in a comedic far-future series? I love sci-fi with humor and its a running element in most all my work.
#6. Stargate: Atlantis
And nowhere is this more evident than in my pre-Dark Matter scripts – like, say, Atlantis for instance. As I’ve stated in many an interview, I love humor because it acts as a shorthand, allowing audiences to quickly connect with characters.
#5. Blake’s 7
This one is, perhaps, the most obvious in that we follow the seven member criminal crew of the galaxy’s most wanted ship. Bad guys DO have more fun.
#4. Stargate: SG-1
Yes, this the show on which I honed my writerly talents and gave rise to my love of several of the themes that recur through much of my work: redemption, friendship, and family.
#3. Firefly
Many a fan of both shows have drawn complimentary comparisons between them. I’ll take it!
#2. Farscape
Maybe not as gloriously bananas as Farscape (although episodes like All the Time in the World do come close), but Dark Matter definitely shares similarities in its colorful crew and occasionally out-there future tech and stories.
#1. Cowboy Bebop
From tone to themes to Dark Matter’s FIVE as a live action distance cousin of Radical Edward, there are plenty of inspirational parallels here. If you haven’t done so already, check it out!
So, are there any shows I missed that you would include on the list?
So glad you came across that list 🙂
Also, I like your list.
Nice you mention Blakes 7….
I really need to sit down and watch Blake’s 7. I’ve seen bits and pieces over the years but never actually tried to watch it properly. I was firmly into Doctor Who when it was airing and I’m pretty sure Blake’s 7 was shown on TV in Australia but I never watched it. Maybe I was too young and I wasn’t allowed!
I’ve seen everything else on your list except the anime. I have Cowboy Bebob somewhere. I should give that another try as well!
Great shows, and a couple for me to check out.
My beloved 17 year old Harry cat passed away during dental surgery today. Poor old man. He was very spoiled and loved. Dammit.
Maggie,
Condolences on Harry’s passing. 17 years is a wonderfully long life for a cat but it’s never enough, especially when they become such beloved family members.
Thank you. He was a good cat, a pretty cat.
This might seem like a stretch but bare with me. Wynonna Earp. With Firefly on your list you have a “western in space”. I give you a western with demons. The heroes of WE are a colorful “crew” like DM and while there’s a good vs evil there’s also this theme that everyone is just trying to do their best even though they’ve screwed up and make bad choices sometimes. WE has some kick ass female characters like DM, and lgbtq characters (though introduces much earlier and more than DM). And of course witty dialog. So not in space, and not futurist, I still think people who like DM will find similarities in the things that drew them to DM. Like myself, it was more about the characters and story than whether or not it was in space.
Interesting list! I haven’t watched a few of them, so I’ll put those on my list. There are so many good shows out there now. When I was growing up we had three channels and no DVR/VCR. Times have changed. Now my son/hubby are playing with VR sets. Who would have predicted all of this? If we are cursed with the plague, at least we have good entertainment.
I was surprised you put Orville on there. I love the show but I didn’t know if you’d seen it.
Maggiemayday: {{{hugs}}}
Like the ScreenRant article, I would recommend Killjoys, which shares a lot of themes with Dark Matter, including the importance of intentional family.
Was surprised to see Red Dwarf on this list, it’s not often you hear about it in NA.