Buzz
While I might be alone in this sentiment, the recently concluded Disney+ series, Andor, has rekindled a spark of passion for the Star Wars universe that had been dimmed by a series of competent yet somewhat hollow movies and miniseries. Although the franchise doesn’t always need profound messages to succeed (sometimes epic space battles suffice), Star Wars had started to feel more like a product than a story with depth. By exploring the early days of the galactic rebellion and focusing on characters with intricate and unexpected motivations, Andor has managed to feel more essential and thought-provoking.
Of course, Andor isn’t the first series to tackle themes of individualism, community, and the balance between government overreach and revolutionary risks. These shows, featuring (mostly) space-bound rebels and revolutionaries, offer complete narratives with clear beginnings, middles, and ends—though they might not be as concise as Andor’s twelve-episode season.
The Expanse (2015 – 2022)
Set in a not-too-distant future, The Expanse (based on the book series by James S.A. Corey) envisions a bustling solar system where humanity has brought along all its age-old problems. Earth remains the cultural and historical hub, while Mars colonists, having adapted to a harsh environment, have achieved technological and military dominance. Greed, fear, and shortsightedness make conflict almost inevitable, but the series reveals a surprising optimism. James Holden and Naomi Nagata (Steven Strait and Dominique Tipper) lead the diverse crew of the Rocinante, whose presence and good intentions often lead to significant impacts on unfolding events. Like Star Wars, The Expanse embraces a gritty, lived-in aesthetic.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Battlestar Galactica (2003 – 2009)
Similar to how The Expanse blends Star Trek-like optimism with a rougher, Andor-inspired setting, Galactica infuses its war-torn universe with profound philosophical themes. The Cylons, sentient machines that revolt against humanity, are driven partly by their evolving religious beliefs. With humanity reduced to a mere fraction of its former population, the series delves into existential dilemmas while maintaining a stark reminder of their fragile existence aboard aging spacecraft. The narrative explores how the oppressed can become oppressors, and while the focus remains on human characters, the show avoids definitively siding with either faction’s moral stance.
Where to stream: Peacock
Killjoys (2015 – 2019)
Beginning as a lively action series about space bounty hunters (known as “Killjoys”), the show evolves into a story with unexpected depth across its five seasons. The central trio (Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore, and Luke Macfarlane), as licensed Killjoys, are bound to political neutrality. While this initially thrusts them into thrilling conflicts, their growing bonds with an exploited community reveal the consequences of unchecked greed and the pitfalls of neutrality in the face of oppression. Despite a modest budget, the series delivers compelling storytelling and notable queer representation, a rarity in the sci-fi genre.
Where to stream: SyFy, Fubo
Space: 1999 (1975 – 1977)
While not overtly political, Space: 1999 offers a philosophical depth that aligns with the fallen-kingdom themes often seen in Star Wars. Set in the future of 1999(!), the series depicts humanity using the moon as a nuclear waste dump. A catastrophic explosion dislodges the moon from its orbit, sending it hurtling through space along with the inhabitants of Moonrise Alpha, the facility overseeing the waste. Stranded, the crew faces survival challenges, internal conflicts, and the haunting realization that returning home is impossible. The show explores the formation of a new society and leadership struggles, with its first season standing out as a thoughtful gem in the sci-fi genre, despite its unconventional premise.
Where to stream: Peacock, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Shout Factory TV, Fubo, Crackle, Redbox, Pluto TV, Plex, Freevee, Vudu
Farscape (1999 – 2004)
Though more fantastical in its visuals than Andor, Farscape remains a tale of rebellion against tyranny. Ben Browder stars as John Crichton, an astronaut thrust through a wormhole into a distant galaxy. He finds himself caught between Moya, a hijacked prison ship, and the Peacekeepers, a militaristic regime. The diverse crew, including dissidents and criminals, unintentionally becomes the heart of resistance against oppression. With creature designs by The Jim Henson Company, the series boasts a unique aesthetic, blending dark storytelling with a whimsical, almost Muppet-like charm.
Where to stream: Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto, Shout Factory TV, Plex, Freevee
Blake’s 7 (1978 – 1981)
Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas), a political dissident, seizes a second chance after being captured by the oppressive Terran Federation. When his prison transport responds to a distress signal, Blake and fellow convicts commandeer an advanced spacecraft, renaming it “Liberator.” Driven by his fervent ideals, Blake persuades the crew that their only hope for peace lies in dismantling the Federation. Over its four seasons, the series undergoes dramatic shifts, including changes in leadership, creating a sense of unpredictability and culminating in a dark, unforgettable finale.
Where to stream: Britbox
Babylon 5 (1993 – 1998)
J. Michael Straczynski’s Babylon 5 was a groundbreaking space opera, mature and ambitious despite its budgetary constraints. Ahead of its time, the series adopted a serialized storytelling format long before it became mainstream. Set on a diplomatic space station managed by the Earth Alliance, the show explores the fragile peace among diverse alien species. Early seasons focus on preparations for an impending war with a mysterious alien threat, while later seasons delve into the Earth government’s growing authoritarianism, using the war as a pretext to suppress freedoms. Eventually, the station’s inhabitants find themselves isolated and independent, fighting for survival.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Firefly (2002)
With a lighter tone than most dystopian sci-fi, Firefly follows a crew of mercenaries led by Mal Reynolds and Zoe Washburne (Nathan Fillion and Gina Torres), former soldiers disillusioned after losing a war for independence against a conformist regime. The crew navigates a life of semi-legal activities while evading law enforcement. Though the series was short-lived and didn’t fully explore its central conflict, the follow-up film, Serenity (2005), forces the crew to confront the oppressive government’s true horrors while protecting one of their own.
Where to stream: Hulu
Snowpiercer (2020 – )
A reimagining of Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 masterpiece, Snowpiercer depicts humanity’s last survivors aboard a never-ending train, traversing a frozen, uninhabitable Earth. The train, far from a utopia, starkly divides its passengers by class: the affluent enjoy opulence at the front, while the impoverished endure harsh conditions at the rear, performing grueling labor. While the series initially struggled to match the incisive social commentary of the film, it eventually carved its own path by exploring the complexities of revolution. After the oppressed triumph over the elite, the story delves into the challenges of governance, revealing how the thirst for vengeance can perpetuate cycles of oppression, turning former victims into new oppressors.
Where to stream: TNT
The Prisoner (1967 – 1968)
The Prisoner stands out for creating one of television’s most vivid dystopias, set in a vibrant, mod-inspired village that masks its sinister nature. Patrick McGoohan stars as Number Six, a former government agent who resigns over ethical concerns and is subsequently abducted to a secluded, inescapable community known as “The Village.” While its residents, identified only by numbers, enjoy modern comforts, Number Six sees through the facade, recognizing it as a gilded prison. The series, with its surreal and psychedelic tone, builds toward a mind-bending conclusion, offering a powerful critique of consumerism and conformity that remains unmatched in television history.
Where to stream: The Roku Channel, Tubi, Fubo, Redbox, Crackle, Pluto, Shout Factory TV, Plex, Freevee
