Comedy:
Neighbors– This canceled-too-soon series about your average family moving to a neighborhood that turns out to be a cover for an alien community took some time to find its footing. By then it was too late, no one was watching. It’s a shame because the series was funny and interesting. It was a learning experience on both the alien side and the human side.
3rd Rock From the Sun- There’s no denying that this series was hysterical and heartwarming and unique. It was what Neighbors strived to be (and maybe could have been with more time). Plus, mini-Joseph Gordon Levitt! Enough said.
Aliens Among Us:
Smallville- Most people think of Superman as a superhero story, but the truth is, Clark Kent is an alien from another planet. Although that reality is not explored as extensively as it might be (it never really talks about the culture and life of Krypton in a substantial non-end-of-the-world sort of way).
The Event- This show could not decide what it wanted to be. A couple separated by circumstance? A show of political and moral uncertainty? A mystery sci-fi serial? It tried to be all those things and more, which is the reason the tone never quite found its mark. What supposed to be the heart of the show, separated couple Sean and Leila, was never grounded enough. They were separated before we even got to know them, why should we care about how their relationship pans out? Meanwhile, the story with the captive aliens and their hidden among us counterparts could have been interesting but it was only a sidetone in all the other conspiracies and complications.
Star-Crossed- More classic CW fare, this series picks up some years after an alien ship crash-lands on earth. Not unsurprisingly, humanity does not handle it well, creating massive distrust and dislike between the two species. So when they finally take steps toward integration (specifically, in the school system), things are tense and dangerous. The idea wasn’t a terrible one, but in truth, the cast was a miss. Aimee Teagarden is sweet and soft-spoken, not a powerful leader. She doesn’t inspire, not her classmates, and not the viewers. Matt Lanter isn’t much better. Sometimes the CW does a fantastic job with its casting (like Gossip Girl for the most part) and sometimes it struggles (like with The Carrie Diaries). In this case, the casting made the rest of the show struggle to be taken seriously.
Defiance– This show is set in a future after a group of aliens from the distant Votan system are now living on Earth, side by side with humans, though the relationship is uncomfortable at best. Sometimes the show gets a little too mystical and out there, but where it really shines is in its exploration of the various alien races and how they interact with each other and with the humans in Defiance. I wouldn’t put this at the top of my list, but it has its moments.
There are obviously tons more shows with aliens (especially if you consider cartoons, which I intentionally ignored) but here are the ones that first come to mind.
Which type of alien show do you prefer?
Which show is your favorite?
SHARE:
