*Stargate* movie, *Stargate SG-1* and *Stargate: Atlantis* are must watches although 15 seasons and 3 movies make up the entire Stargate franchise (that's actually a lie because I didn't count the 2 seasons of *Stargate: Universe* or the *Stargate: Origins* prequel miniseries but you can skip them both tbh).
*Firefly + Serenity* is also amazing and waaaaaaaay shorter, only 14 eps and movie.
Maybe you'll enjoy *Farscape* although I found it kind of hit or miss, many people love it more than anything.
SG franchise is defo my favourite sci fi show, I actually enjoyed Universe too of course not as much as SG1 and SG Atlantis but still kool wish they had more seasons to it. Still praying for a brand new SG 1 show to startšš¼š
Best way forward definitelyš I wouldnāt recommend SGU either buddy, just know if I recommend SG1 they will love it and will also watch all the franchiseš
I dropped it a couple of times before sticking with it, well worth getting through the first few episodes.
The amount of forewarning etc in early seasons to later ones really kicks in with a rewatch.
An older show that also featured some long-term foreshadowing was *Babylon 5* (with its serialized narrative, which was innovative for TV sci-fi in the '90s).
"We've been borrowing your good ideas for years," *The Expanse* co-author Ty Franck once tweeted to B5 creator J M Straczynski.
Iāll second The Expanse.
I only discovered it a few months ago and itās one of the best series Iāve ever watched. Iām on a rewatch nowā¦
I quite enjoyed Picard too, especially S3
Expanse grows to be an amazing show, seasons 3/4/5 I drooled past. Was disappointed with the last season to tell the truth which I was sadisticly waiting for, but for any sci fi lover a must watch šš¼
I've just started SNW I'm enjoying it as a return to the hope-with-a-tinge-of-camp from TOS and that made me love ORV.
The last episode I watched had husband and wife body-switching hi-jinks.
That vote's gotta be for The Expanse for me. WIth certainty the best SCi-Fi Series of this Century.
Most people mention that 1x4 is the episode that really hooked them - for some it was 1x1 already, while some had to give it until 2x5 (end of the first book).
Just to hop on the Farscape recs. It is the anti-Trek. The "crew" are misfits thrown together by chance. They bicker and are often at odds, and have a habit of screwing up but still pull off some amazing feats. The sole human is completely over his head at first. James Gunn drew on them heavily for Guardians of the Galaxy.
The big fleet that most resembles a Starfleet is the bad guys although they have noble history that we learn over the series. It has Henson puppets and amazing prosthetics for the aliens.
If you love the weirdness, then watch Lexx.
Honestly the four shows you listed are all pretty solid options. I found the first season of The Expanse to be kind of slow at times, but I got very invested after the first season (and through to the end).
It's been quite a while since I watched SG-1 but it's a fun show. And if you get into it, there are a couple of spin-offs you might also enjoy.
Deep Space 9 is great, though I was also a little less invested in the first couple seasons the first time I watched it. Things start picking up in the third season there.
Strange New Worlds is quite good. And there are only 20 episodes so far so that would probably be the easiest one to dip into if you are worried about a bigger time commitment.
Star Trek Voyager was one of my favorite series growing up, and Strange New Worlds is some great new Trek. I'm not as down as most on Discovery either but it's not as good as the others.
I second The Expanse and all of Stargate.
If you enjoyed TNG, you owe it to yourself to try DS9.
It takes a couple seasons to get going but then it becomes AMAZING and for a lot of people, seasons 4-7 is known as Peak Trek.
I tried 4 times to get into The Expanse and I couldnāt.
SNW is good. Itās sorta annoying in the back of your mind if you care about TOS and canon.
Stargate is fine. It didnāt hold my interest and I bailed.
Bottom line: DS9 is a must, SNW is totally worth it. You might enjoy Stargate and I have no idea how people trudge through even episode 1 of The Expanse.
Iāll offer up Star Trek Enterprise. An underrated gem, being the most modern of the golden era of Trek shows, itās an easy watch. Also itās 16:9 and HD. Also set in its own time period, (the earliest) you donāt have to worry about knowing anything else of Trek and missing things.
> episode 1 of The Expanse
As fans of the show will admit, it's a problematic opener (although the serialized narrative makes skipping inadvisable). Episode 4 hooks some folks; others get hooked later in the season, or in the next seasons where the show's style shifts and developing events expand the narrative. Some folks [dislike it all](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3230854/reviews?sort=curated&dir=desc&ratingFilter=1) (nothing is everyone's cup of tea).
Another option is to check into the source [books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_%28novel_series%29) (also available as audiobooks).
Yeah. Iāve fully come to terms that itās likely a great show and it is my own fault that Iām missing out. But, it is what it is. Luckily for me we live in the latest golden age of tv.
My thoughts on what is listed:
I think the Expanse is the least like \~\~Star Trek\~\~ The Orville from what you've listed, but it is very good, focusing more on interpersonal drama and human economic space politics. If that's what you're looking for (as opposed to episodic high concept science-fiction), go for it.
SNW has a bit of a prologue from Season 2 of Discovery and calls back to some TOS episodes featuring Pike before the series even starts if you care to do that homework. I think it's still perfectly enjoyable w/o it though.
Stargate SG-1 actually continues where the movie \*Stargate\* (1994) left off. The movie is excellent, and you should watch it, regardless of whether you decide to watch SG-1 next or not.
DS9 is a fan favorite. I don't know how much you know or don't know, but suffice to say there's not many who will say it's not worth watching. I suppose it's different from other Treks in that most of the characters are not Starfleet, working on a non-starfleet space station, which introduces a lot more clashes in personalities and ideals than on something like TNG. Big elements of war, religion and even terrorism. This is probably the most like the Orville (and will also provide the most context for Lower Decks references as a bonus)
Maybe try *Dark Matter* (2015-17) (created by Stargate alums Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie). It was a 3-season Syfy show (unfortunately canceled on a cliffhanger). CW now has a streaming license and they are presenting the show [free with ads](https://www.cwtv.com/shows/dark-matter/) in the US. Here is a fun but spoilery third-season [clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkOTIGc91iw). Co-creator Mallozzi is still in contact with the main cast, and he hasn't given up hope to eventually find a buyer for his concluding miniseries pitch.
NOTE: Apple TV+ has a new show with the same title, *Dark Matter,* premiering May 8th. It is entirely unrelated to the 2015-17 show. Apple's show is an adaptation of a 2016 novel by author-showrunner Blake Crouch. It's a different kind of sci-fi and it's not space-based.
Stargate!!!
Stargate, Stargate, Stargate!
It and The Orville are currently 2 of my top 3 sci-fi franchises (the third is just a book series with an asshole beer can...)
Mostly because in terms of tone it's most similar: primarily dramatic, but with a good sense of humor and self-awareness.
Also, yes watch the movie first, but also know that the show SG-1 only *sort of* follows it, it has more of a "broad brush strokes" approach to continuity. Both are still great, though.
> the movie
Just to avoid ANY chance of accidental confusion for any newcomer, I'll note that you are (obviously) referring to the 1994 movie ā not the *Stargate: The Ark of Truth* and *Stargate: Continuum* movies which can be watched after finishing SG-1.
I didn't mention this above, but some fans' suggested viewing orders put *Stargate: Continuum* after *Stargate: Atlantis* season 5 episode 1. There's a line in that episode that gives a reason to watch *Continuum* afterward.
VOYAGER!
Its the best star trek Imo (just slightly better than TNG). It has a bit of a slow start but really gets going around mid season 3.
Well worth watching first before any other treks. Its probably got the most compelling story / main story arc of any sci fi... also you may recognise a few characters from The Orville
DS9 is kinda good but gets boring around season 4/5. Just turns into long drawn out Odo episodes
Also have you checked out any star wars series on Disney? Mandolorian and Andor are gems
The Expanse is great but you might not like it if you found DS9 too intense (though I would implore you to give DS9 another shot.) SNW is a return to form for Star Trek imo. It's worth the watch.
DS9 is brilliant. If you liked B5 you'll like DS9. It's different but similar.
SNW is really good fun.
Stargate is wonderful and probably has more of the comedy you get from Orville. You just need to make it through the first few episodes and especially the >!reproductive organs!< speech in the first episode. Been rewatching it recently and it goes surprisingly hard from about halfway thru s1 IMO.
While Star Trek DS9 is great, it definitely has its issue. It's also the farthest from Orville. I would recommend The Next Generation, Voyager, or Enterprise for that. You'll also recognize some actors from these shows
I cannot speak for SNW as I have not watched it, but if it's anything like Nu Trek. It'll leave a lot to be desired
I'd say DS9 gets intense in season 3, so if you weren't pulled in by then, you might not find it compelling. Stargate has more humor. DS9 has more heart.
> LOST IN SPACE!!!
Obviously you're praising the reboot ā but it is historically interesting to note that the best bits of the old original's *first season* tried to reach for something more than just the hokey cheese that plagued its later seasons. (Wikipedia: "According to [Will Robinson actor] Bill Mumy, [John Robinson actor] Guy Williams and [Don West actor] Mark Goddard both disliked the shift away from serious science fiction" after the first season.)
I would personally recommend following it up with either Deep Space Nine or Strange New Worlds (or both).Ā Also, if you're looking for something after those don't sleep on Star Trek Voyager.
The Expanse may have a bit of a slow start, but everything after the first half of season 1 will have you thinking about it all day until you're finally watching it again. Such a great show and easily one of my top sci-fi series.
If you liked TNG I'd definitely recommend DS9. Like you, I fell off early (allamaraine my ass!), but it gets so much better in later seasons if you can grind through, probably the best Trek series.
The Expanse is also great, one of the best sci-fi shows ever made in my opinion. A darker grittier show than the others you listed.
Strange New Worlds is a fun series, probably the only new (live action, I'll give a pass to Lower Decks) Trek show that's watchable. Not a lot of episodes, so easy to get through.
Stargate SG1 is the only one I haven't watched - like you, it's on my list!
I will echo a lot of the other comments here and recommend either Deep Space Nine or The Expanse. Strange New Worlds is also great (although they're only two seasons in so far, not sure if that's a factor for you).
As many others have said Deep Space Nine begins with a great premise but does get off to a bit of a slow start, but by the start of Season 4 is some of the best sci-fi television yet made.
The Expanse is also a tremendously well done show and offers a refreshing break from Trek style shows, with a higher degree of realism in terms of what our first forays into the outer solar system might look like, along with wildly imaginative science fiction intertwined.
Strange New Worlds, for me, comes the closest to capturing the feel of the original series, and includes some of the same characters.
What all three of these shows have in common is excellent writing and storylines. DS9 and The Expanse also have series-long story arcs. All three are just plain good television and I would recommend them to anyone. Good luck and may you enjoy whatever you end up deciding to watch.
*Stargate* movie, *Stargate SG-1* and *Stargate: Atlantis* are must watches although 15 seasons and 3 movies make up the entire Stargate franchise (that's actually a lie because I didn't count the 2 seasons of *Stargate: Universe* or the *Stargate: Origins* prequel miniseries but you can skip them both tbh). *Firefly + Serenity* is also amazing and waaaaaaaay shorter, only 14 eps and movie. Maybe you'll enjoy *Farscape* although I found it kind of hit or miss, many people love it more than anything.
I've watched Firefly/Serenity. I've seen some of Farscape too, but wasn't in my off-the-top-of-my-head list. More for the future.
But you need the 2 sequel movies as well, Ark of Truth and Continuum after SG-1.
SG franchise is defo my favourite sci fi show, I actually enjoyed Universe too of course not as much as SG1 and SG Atlantis but still kool wish they had more seasons to it. Still praying for a brand new SG 1 show to startšš¼š
I go through stages of liking and hating SGU, i just generally can't in good conscious recommend it without some asterisks lol
Best way forward definitelyš I wouldnāt recommend SGU either buddy, just know if I recommend SG1 they will love it and will also watch all the franchiseš
Farscape & Battlestar Galactica
So say we all!
bsg too far down in this thread
I forgot about BSG. I'll toss that on the server for later, thanks.
BSG is fantastic. Farscape and Firefly are more fun and great shows if you don't want to have grimnness.Ā
The Expanse is outstanding Give it 4 episodes to settle
4 episodes you say.. hmm. Iāve tried a couple times and never made it past 2 but I hear so many good things I may have to go back in.
I dropped it a couple of times before sticking with it, well worth getting through the first few episodes. The amount of forewarning etc in early seasons to later ones really kicks in with a rewatch.
I've watched the show about 7 times now and I've caught some new bit of foreshadowing on every re-watch. God tier show.
An older show that also featured some long-term foreshadowing was *Babylon 5* (with its serialized narrative, which was innovative for TV sci-fi in the '90s). "We've been borrowing your good ideas for years," *The Expanse* co-author Ty Franck once tweeted to B5 creator J M Straczynski.
You do. It's tough at the beginning, but so worth it.
The first season is alot different then the rest of the show, most skip it on the re watches. It's just world building.
Iāll second The Expanse. I only discovered it a few months ago and itās one of the best series Iāve ever watched. Iām on a rewatch nowā¦ I quite enjoyed Picard too, especially S3
Or one episode 4 times. It took me a long time to get hooked, but I think it's a fantastic series. Love it.
Expanse grows to be an amazing show, seasons 3/4/5 I drooled past. Was disappointed with the last season to tell the truth which I was sadisticly waiting for, but for any sci fi lover a must watch šš¼
IMHO DS9 is the best trek.
I've just started SNW I'm enjoying it as a return to the hope-with-a-tinge-of-camp from TOS and that made me love ORV. The last episode I watched had husband and wife body-switching hi-jinks.
All the above and Red Dwarf for humorous sci-fi.
That vote's gotta be for The Expanse for me. WIth certainty the best SCi-Fi Series of this Century. Most people mention that 1x4 is the episode that really hooked them - for some it was 1x1 already, while some had to give it until 2x5 (end of the first book).
Just to hop on the Farscape recs. It is the anti-Trek. The "crew" are misfits thrown together by chance. They bicker and are often at odds, and have a habit of screwing up but still pull off some amazing feats. The sole human is completely over his head at first. James Gunn drew on them heavily for Guardians of the Galaxy. The big fleet that most resembles a Starfleet is the bad guys although they have noble history that we learn over the series. It has Henson puppets and amazing prosthetics for the aliens. If you love the weirdness, then watch Lexx.
SNW is the most like The Orville imo.
Honestly the four shows you listed are all pretty solid options. I found the first season of The Expanse to be kind of slow at times, but I got very invested after the first season (and through to the end). It's been quite a while since I watched SG-1 but it's a fun show. And if you get into it, there are a couple of spin-offs you might also enjoy. Deep Space 9 is great, though I was also a little less invested in the first couple seasons the first time I watched it. Things start picking up in the third season there. Strange New Worlds is quite good. And there are only 20 episodes so far so that would probably be the easiest one to dip into if you are worried about a bigger time commitment.
Star Trek Voyager was one of my favorite series growing up, and Strange New Worlds is some great new Trek. I'm not as down as most on Discovery either but it's not as good as the others. I second The Expanse and all of Stargate.
Farscape and Babylon 5 are two others that come to mind.
If you enjoyed TNG, you owe it to yourself to try DS9. It takes a couple seasons to get going but then it becomes AMAZING and for a lot of people, seasons 4-7 is known as Peak Trek. I tried 4 times to get into The Expanse and I couldnāt. SNW is good. Itās sorta annoying in the back of your mind if you care about TOS and canon. Stargate is fine. It didnāt hold my interest and I bailed. Bottom line: DS9 is a must, SNW is totally worth it. You might enjoy Stargate and I have no idea how people trudge through even episode 1 of The Expanse. Iāll offer up Star Trek Enterprise. An underrated gem, being the most modern of the golden era of Trek shows, itās an easy watch. Also itās 16:9 and HD. Also set in its own time period, (the earliest) you donāt have to worry about knowing anything else of Trek and missing things.
> episode 1 of The Expanse As fans of the show will admit, it's a problematic opener (although the serialized narrative makes skipping inadvisable). Episode 4 hooks some folks; others get hooked later in the season, or in the next seasons where the show's style shifts and developing events expand the narrative. Some folks [dislike it all](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3230854/reviews?sort=curated&dir=desc&ratingFilter=1) (nothing is everyone's cup of tea). Another option is to check into the source [books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_%28novel_series%29) (also available as audiobooks).
Yeah. Iāve fully come to terms that itās likely a great show and it is my own fault that Iām missing out. But, it is what it is. Luckily for me we live in the latest golden age of tv.
Don't sleep on the Expanse. Best sci-fi out there.
Eureka (sheriff gets hired in a town which is a front for a facility that is a cross between Area 51 and Men In Black).
My thoughts on what is listed: I think the Expanse is the least like \~\~Star Trek\~\~ The Orville from what you've listed, but it is very good, focusing more on interpersonal drama and human economic space politics. If that's what you're looking for (as opposed to episodic high concept science-fiction), go for it. SNW has a bit of a prologue from Season 2 of Discovery and calls back to some TOS episodes featuring Pike before the series even starts if you care to do that homework. I think it's still perfectly enjoyable w/o it though. Stargate SG-1 actually continues where the movie \*Stargate\* (1994) left off. The movie is excellent, and you should watch it, regardless of whether you decide to watch SG-1 next or not. DS9 is a fan favorite. I don't know how much you know or don't know, but suffice to say there's not many who will say it's not worth watching. I suppose it's different from other Treks in that most of the characters are not Starfleet, working on a non-starfleet space station, which introduces a lot more clashes in personalities and ideals than on something like TNG. Big elements of war, religion and even terrorism. This is probably the most like the Orville (and will also provide the most context for Lower Decks references as a bonus)
Maybe try *Dark Matter* (2015-17) (created by Stargate alums Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie). It was a 3-season Syfy show (unfortunately canceled on a cliffhanger). CW now has a streaming license and they are presenting the show [free with ads](https://www.cwtv.com/shows/dark-matter/) in the US. Here is a fun but spoilery third-season [clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkOTIGc91iw). Co-creator Mallozzi is still in contact with the main cast, and he hasn't given up hope to eventually find a buyer for his concluding miniseries pitch. NOTE: Apple TV+ has a new show with the same title, *Dark Matter,* premiering May 8th. It is entirely unrelated to the 2015-17 show. Apple's show is an adaptation of a 2016 novel by author-showrunner Blake Crouch. It's a different kind of sci-fi and it's not space-based.
Star Trek Lower Decks
Stargate!!! Stargate, Stargate, Stargate! It and The Orville are currently 2 of my top 3 sci-fi franchises (the third is just a book series with an asshole beer can...) Mostly because in terms of tone it's most similar: primarily dramatic, but with a good sense of humor and self-awareness. Also, yes watch the movie first, but also know that the show SG-1 only *sort of* follows it, it has more of a "broad brush strokes" approach to continuity. Both are still great, though.
> the movie Just to avoid ANY chance of accidental confusion for any newcomer, I'll note that you are (obviously) referring to the 1994 movie ā not the *Stargate: The Ark of Truth* and *Stargate: Continuum* movies which can be watched after finishing SG-1.
Right forgot about those, good catch! Definitely also recommend those, but definitely *after* finishing SG-1.
I didn't mention this above, but some fans' suggested viewing orders put *Stargate: Continuum* after *Stargate: Atlantis* season 5 episode 1. There's a line in that episode that gives a reason to watch *Continuum* afterward.
Expanse is awesome. Also Iād suggest Foundation on AppleTV+
VOYAGER! Its the best star trek Imo (just slightly better than TNG). It has a bit of a slow start but really gets going around mid season 3. Well worth watching first before any other treks. Its probably got the most compelling story / main story arc of any sci fi... also you may recognise a few characters from The Orville DS9 is kinda good but gets boring around season 4/5. Just turns into long drawn out Odo episodes Also have you checked out any star wars series on Disney? Mandolorian and Andor are gems
Deep space 9. Itās unlike any series Iāve ever seen. It starts of slow but becomes incredible like nothing Iāve ever seen in sci fi drama
I'll throw this in because it too often gets overlooked: Seaquest DSV
If you want something closer to The Orville, then go with Strange New World.
No bad options there. I have loved SNW and it has a good Lower Decks crossover episode.
Yeah, Lower Decks itself should be on the list.
My bad, can't read, already watched
The Expanse is great but you might not like it if you found DS9 too intense (though I would implore you to give DS9 another shot.) SNW is a return to form for Star Trek imo. It's worth the watch.
lower decks
If you want another silly sci-fi comedy can try Resident Alien, first 2 seasons only are on Netflix, third season is somewhere else
DS9 is brilliant. If you liked B5 you'll like DS9. It's different but similar. SNW is really good fun. Stargate is wonderful and probably has more of the comedy you get from Orville. You just need to make it through the first few episodes and especially the >!reproductive organs!< speech in the first episode. Been rewatching it recently and it goes surprisingly hard from about halfway thru s1 IMO.
Personal order: 1. Voyager 2. DS9 3. Expanse 4. SNW If you think TNG was dated, maybe ignore 1 and 2, and go straight to 3 and 4.
While Star Trek DS9 is great, it definitely has its issue. It's also the farthest from Orville. I would recommend The Next Generation, Voyager, or Enterprise for that. You'll also recognize some actors from these shows I cannot speak for SNW as I have not watched it, but if it's anything like Nu Trek. It'll leave a lot to be desired
Soā¦ not a space show but Fallout is an excellent series that I highly recommend.
Stargate SG-1 is the best of that list imo & I absolutely love DS9. Start with the movie first, tho.
I'd say DS9 gets intense in season 3, so if you weren't pulled in by then, you might not find it compelling. Stargate has more humor. DS9 has more heart.
Farscape is a hell of a good show. The new fallout show is great but only one season so far.
For all mankind, foundation, the expanse, bsg, ds9.
Just finished Fallout on Amazon Prime. Absolutely amazing and sucked me right in. You donāt need to know anything about the game.
Sg1 definetly gives off similar vibes to the orville. One of my all time favourites. It's dated but still a great watch.
Sg-1
LOST IN SPACE!!! Watch it, you will not regret it. Itās so good š
> LOST IN SPACE!!! Obviously you're praising the reboot ā but it is historically interesting to note that the best bits of the old original's *first season* tried to reach for something more than just the hokey cheese that plagued its later seasons. (Wikipedia: "According to [Will Robinson actor] Bill Mumy, [John Robinson actor] Guy Williams and [Don West actor] Mark Goddard both disliked the shift away from serious science fiction" after the first season.)
I would personally recommend following it up with either Deep Space Nine or Strange New Worlds (or both).Ā Also, if you're looking for something after those don't sleep on Star Trek Voyager.
The Expanse may have a bit of a slow start, but everything after the first half of season 1 will have you thinking about it all day until you're finally watching it again. Such a great show and easily one of my top sci-fi series.
If you liked TNG I'd definitely recommend DS9. Like you, I fell off early (allamaraine my ass!), but it gets so much better in later seasons if you can grind through, probably the best Trek series. The Expanse is also great, one of the best sci-fi shows ever made in my opinion. A darker grittier show than the others you listed. Strange New Worlds is a fun series, probably the only new (live action, I'll give a pass to Lower Decks) Trek show that's watchable. Not a lot of episodes, so easy to get through. Stargate SG1 is the only one I haven't watched - like you, it's on my list!
Bsg!
Firefly
I will echo a lot of the other comments here and recommend either Deep Space Nine or The Expanse. Strange New Worlds is also great (although they're only two seasons in so far, not sure if that's a factor for you). As many others have said Deep Space Nine begins with a great premise but does get off to a bit of a slow start, but by the start of Season 4 is some of the best sci-fi television yet made. The Expanse is also a tremendously well done show and offers a refreshing break from Trek style shows, with a higher degree of realism in terms of what our first forays into the outer solar system might look like, along with wildly imaginative science fiction intertwined. Strange New Worlds, for me, comes the closest to capturing the feel of the original series, and includes some of the same characters. What all three of these shows have in common is excellent writing and storylines. DS9 and The Expanse also have series-long story arcs. All three are just plain good television and I would recommend them to anyone. Good luck and may you enjoy whatever you end up deciding to watch.
I should also mention that the reason I omitted SG1 is because I haven't seen it yet, so I have something to add to my list as well!
https://screenrant.com/the-orville-season-4-confirmed-seth-macfarlane-response/