WriterJosh
Well-Known Member
My favorite kind of televised sci-fi has always been in the vein of shows like Star Trek, but to be honest, the bloom has come off the rose there. The basic setting is still my favorite, but the ideas behind it and the execution have left me behind.
Here's the structure I like: starship-based storytelling featuring a military or pseudo-military crew as principle characters, many of whom are on a personal journey of their own.
The remade Battlestar: Galactica is a good example of using that structure to good effect. To a degree (though I wasn't crazy about the lack of military unit structure) Firefly and Farscape also qualified. Babylon Five is another favorite, but mainly for its story arcs.
I've been looking for books in the sci-fi genre that also use this structure. The Honor Harrington books came pretty close, but I couldn't really get into the first book. I also think the Expanse series by James SA Corey might fall into that category.
I'm wondering if there's more, and what would be recommended.
Turn-off's include: a focus on just one character, especially if they start turning into a "Mary-Sue"; focus on planet-side action rather than the goings-on on board the ship, a focus on the marines to the exclusion of the shipboard crew, etc.
I also prefer "low-tech" approaches. TVTropes calls it "used future". I like that atmosphere. Star Trek is too clean and bright, and their starships are like floating hotels. However, if the story and characters are good, I can overlook that to a degree.
(note: Aliens are not a must. In fact, I almost prefer strictly human vs. human conflict. That said, if they're used to good effect aliens are fine.)
Here's the structure I like: starship-based storytelling featuring a military or pseudo-military crew as principle characters, many of whom are on a personal journey of their own.
The remade Battlestar: Galactica is a good example of using that structure to good effect. To a degree (though I wasn't crazy about the lack of military unit structure) Firefly and Farscape also qualified. Babylon Five is another favorite, but mainly for its story arcs.
I've been looking for books in the sci-fi genre that also use this structure. The Honor Harrington books came pretty close, but I couldn't really get into the first book. I also think the Expanse series by James SA Corey might fall into that category.
I'm wondering if there's more, and what would be recommended.
Turn-off's include: a focus on just one character, especially if they start turning into a "Mary-Sue"; focus on planet-side action rather than the goings-on on board the ship, a focus on the marines to the exclusion of the shipboard crew, etc.
I also prefer "low-tech" approaches. TVTropes calls it "used future". I like that atmosphere. Star Trek is too clean and bright, and their starships are like floating hotels. However, if the story and characters are good, I can overlook that to a degree.
(note: Aliens are not a must. In fact, I almost prefer strictly human vs. human conflict. That said, if they're used to good effect aliens are fine.)