The Best of Science Fiction: Then and Now

I'm a closet sci-fi fan. I openly admit that I love all things science fiction. I love the creativity of the genre but I also love how it is used to exhibit morals rather than preach them. I appreciate that much of it has a message of hope; hope for a better world and hope for a better human race. I like that it teaches tolerance by forcing us to see that even among various races, we are not all that different.

Because I love science fiction, I can find something that I like in almost every show. However, there are some shows that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are my picks for the best science fiction show classics.

Star Trek: The Original Series,

Star Trek: The Next Generation,

Deep Space Nine,

Babylon 5,

The Twilight Zone,

The Outer Limits,

X-Files, and

Stargate SG1.

The original Star Trek was groundbreaking in many ways. It mixed races, genders, and cultures. It explored mankind's foibles and strengths. Its successors followed, adding their own unique twist into the this magic formula.

Babylon 5, more than any other sci-fi show, exhibited that different species and races shared many of the same dreams. It also focused on mankind's courage and willingness to fight any kind of wrongdoing for the betterment of all.

The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits challenged our minds; questioned our perceptions of right and wrong; and forced us to examine our lives from different points of view.

The X-Files challenged everything the audience thought they knew about life, real monsters, and the great unknown.It handle conspiracy theories and secret organizations and groups who thought themselves above everyone else.

Stargate proved that, united together, all things are possible. It also proved than humans have talent for overcoming any obstacle and achieving any established goal.

All of the above had outstanding casts, each perfectly suited for the characters they represented. Mixed with excellent writing, spot on special effects, and amazing sets, they established a high bar for the future shows that had to follow.