Fri
Jan 27 2012 12:00pm
Introducing the Rewatch in One

I wonder if a few years ago, when Tor.com first launched, the folks who put the site together knew that rereads and rewatches would be such a big part of the experience. These rereads/views vary in length and depth of analysis, but what they have in common is that it’s fun to be reminded of why our favorite science fiction and fantasy stories hold esteemed places in our hearts.

The big stories, such as Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings, or the ever-popular Wheel of Time merit equally big and detailed discussions. But there are plenty of shorter works also deserving attention. Take Firefly, for example. In its original airing, it didn’t even make it an entire season, but it has established a serious and lasting fandom.

And that’s why I thought of the Rewatch in One: a series that looks at short-lived television shows (two seasons or less) or miniseries. One post/essay per show. Many of the shows I’ll be writing about could get the detailed attention of one post per episode, but I’m opting for a quicker and more varied approach. It won’t be an episode by episode recap; you can go to Wikipedia or IMDB for that. Instead I’ll provide a short refresher course for those who need it, and look at what made the series succeed or fail overall. I’ll also include a look at my favorite and least favorite episodes of each show.

First up will be The Prisoner, followed by The Adventure of Brisco County Jr, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Space: 1999 and other titles, with or without colons. Incidentally, I won’t be covering Firefly (though I love it) as it’s already been covered thoroughly at Tor.com.

Audience participation is definitely encouraged. I want to know what you loved and hated about the shows. And I am open to recommendations and requests. Anything you want me to cover? Just let me know.

Let’s start with The Prisoner!


Jason Henninger is a native of West Los Angeles. That’s kind of like going to film school, right? 

35 comments
Jeff R.
1. Jeff R.
Nominations: Carnivale, Max Headroom, Life on Mars (both versions, and possible Ashes to Ashes as well if 3 UK seasons is small enough to qualify), and Dollhouse
Jeff R.
2. Pangolin
Nice to see some of the little gems get their turn!
My husband adored Brisco, I will be sure to point him here when it's turn arrives. And keep my eye out for other favorites of one or both of us!
Jack Flynn
3. JackofMidworld
Dollhouse seconded, and, if you're taking suggestions, how about Middleman and Millenium? Definitley looking forward to the Kolchak rewatch (but I have to ask: are you thinking the original or the really REALLY short-lived remake from a couple of years ago?)
Jeff R.
4. mike-ptda
Rewatch is probably the number 1 reason I first revisited the Tor.com.

Fantastic that you are going to start Rewatch in One.

Thank you,

Mike
Chris Meadows
5. Robotech_Master
Manimal.
Automan.
Super Force.
Captain Power.
J.J. Starbuck (Ok, maybe it's not SF, but it sure was fun while it lasted.)

And there was some sort of show about a bunch of cowboys and outlaws who got zapped through time to the present day, but I can't remember the name of it.
Jeff R.
6. MJSS
I would love to see a Middleman article. Depending on how far out-of-genre you want to drift, something about I, Claudius could also be really neat.
Jeff R.
7. Rancho Unicorno
Might I also suggest Spaced? It isn't totally SFF, but it has heavy influences and references along with a just being a great show.

I too, would also enjoy a Middleman article - if only because I couldn't get past the second disk. Just wasn't my cup of Earl Grey.
Jeff R.
8. Rancho Unicorno
Also, might I suggest Avatar:TLA? We've got a season and change left on that one - a recap of the rest of the series might be enough to finally shut her down.
Rob Munnelly
9. RobMRobM
How about Heroes, seasons 1 and 2. (Seasons after that didn't really exist, did they?)
Jeff R.
10. AudreyG
I love rewatches/rereads so much that I even started my own ATLA one this year. Most of the time on this site I'm lurking on the WoT or TNG threads, and I'd definitely like to see more of them. My nominations:

The Lost Room (Sci Fi channel miniseries)
The 4400 (season 1 was a miniseries, and then it got expanded..)
Paranoia Agent (it aired in the U.S., if you're interested in anime)

...that's all I've got off the top of my head.
Theresa DeLucci
11. theresa_delucci
I like the idea of Carnivale. I've been meaning to watch Max Headroom and The Hunger series. (Which is now up on Netflix Instant. Bowie! Terrence Stamp!)
Jason Henninger
12. jasonhenninger
Wow...lots of great suggestions. Thanks everyone!

I've already got Manimal, Carnivale and Spaced on my radar for this series. I didn't know The Hunger was a series, and I never saw Middleman or a few others mentioned. I'll check them out. Thanks again everybody. Hope you enjoy the series!
Jeff R.
13. dwndrgn
The time travel one; Voyager! Loved that show!
Michael Burke
14. Ludon
If you'd want to do the worst - and it might be worth doing because you'd then have an absolute rock bottom to compare everything else to - consider looking at The Starlost. Take the worst episode of Star Trek, Lost In Space, Dr. Who or any other series and compare it to an episode of The Starlost. The worst of anything else would be better than that series. Even Galactica: 1980 was better.
Jeff R.
15. politeruin
Come on, people, what about Space: Above and Beyond?
Rowan Shepard
16. Rowanmdm3
I am also endorsing The Middleman. It passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, was funny, clean, geeky and entertaining. I LOVED that show, and then I read the comic and was impressed with how awesome it was, and how well it was adapted.

The only show I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet is The Gates. I occasionally wonder how they might have handled a second season.
Jeff R.
17. Barb in Maryland
Max Headroom! Please!!
I loved that show.
Jeff R.
18. Ruby in the UK
Millennium and Twin Peaks would be awesome!
Risha Jorgensen
19. RishaBree
I fourth Max Headroom! I also second The Gates, which was a heck of a lot better than the concept deserved. My beloved Misfits of Science. Charlie Jade. Tower Prep, slain so recently and undeservedly. Tin Man (SciFi Channel miniseries), Time Trax, and Eerie, Indiana. The Invisible Man. Brimstone.
Jeff R.
20. John C. Bunnell
Either or both of Birds of Prey and The Flash would be interesting candidates for this project; also, perhaps Greatest American Hero (if that one counts as a short enough run) and maybe The Pretender, although that one could be awkward -- it may have had too long a run to cover in a single entry yet too short a run to merit a more extended rewatch. Man From Atlantis may also be problematic for similar reasons, but strikes me as totally worth coverage in some form.
Jeff R.
21. Puff the Magic Commenter
Wonderfalls, please. (With the biggest picture of Caroline Dhavernas you can fit on the page.) That is all.

I'll be in my bunk.
Chris Meadows
22. Robotech_Master
Oh, and:

The Flash!

(You used to be able to watch it streaming on CBS's website but apparently they took it down.)
Jeff R.
23. a-j
American Gothic please.
Jeff R.
24. Dav
I would love to see a post about Wonderfalls. Short-lived and brilliant everyday fantasy.
Bruce Arthurs
25. Bruce-Arthurs
Nowhere Man. (1995-1996, starring Bruce Greenwood.)
Jeff R.
27. clebooks
I have very fond memories of Roar and American Gothic.
Kristen Templet
28. SF_Fangirl
Just read the Prisoner Rewatch. Might I suggest you provide some background about when the show aired and how many episodes it had. I've heard of The Prisoner, but never watched it. It still doesn't sound like my cup of tea. For people who are unfamiliar with the series you're rewatching , some background info might help them understand the context.
Jack Flynn
29. JackofMidworld
Oh, yeah, Roar was great!! Pre-Joker Heath Ledger!

Also, is it just me or are there a LOT of Fox shows popping up?
Jeff R.
30. mndrew
The Pretender; Special Unit 2; Nightman and The Middleman would be my recommendations. Those you listed all sound excellent as well.
Michael Burke
31. Ludon
The Pretender might qualify for a full rewatch if you count the two or three made for TV movies that continued the series.
Jeff R.
32. Yenvious
I'm prepared to be shouted down here, but I was really disapointed when they cancelled Kings on NBC... That and Dollhouse. Oh, you should do a rewatch of Dollhouse! Its like Firefly, only not at all. And maybe Carnival?
john mullen
33. johntheirishmongol
Let me go old school on you and add Time Tunnel and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Also, I think The Man from Uncle has enough scifi elements in it to count.

I can also go for a look at Wonderfalls.
Jack Flynn
34. JackofMidworld
Oh, jeez, how could I have forgotten Special Unit 2?!? (immediately flees Tor for Netflix)
Jeff R.
35. AriochRIP
Took 25 comments before getting to Nowhere Man. I second! Sometimes I think I may have dreamed that whole show.

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