Copyright Screen Rant
While the sci-fi genre may conjure up images of spaceships and intergalactic adventures, there are many fantastic sci-fi TV series that are set on Earth or in more imaginative locations. There is virtually limitless potential for sci-fi, with shows as varied as The Expanse and Black Mirror both making their mark on the genre. That said, settings can make or break a show. An essential part of building a world for the screen is giving it a sense of place, and the best sci-fi TV shows of all time are often immediately recognizable for their settings. Sometimes, a location can act as a character in its own right, like in the case of Lost's mysterious island, while a good setting can ground even the most mindbending sci-fi TV shows. The UK Primeval The UK tends to embrace eccentricity, which gives sci-fi TV shows set there a very different tone to some of the more cinematic series in the genre. Even galaxy-hopping TV shows like Doctor Who regularly return to the UK to explore its culture and quirks, and many of the best British sci-fi TV shows of all time emphasize the British setting while changing a detail. Primeval is one of these, as the story takes place in a version of the UK that occasionally sees portals opening up to let prehistoric creatures through. 14 years later, the special effects do not hold up today, which only adds to the series' charm, and Primeval often resembles an alternative version of Jurassic Park, in which dinosaurs and other animals pop up to cause havoc all over the country. The Solar System The Expanse Many excellent sci-fi TV shows take place on other planets, in universes that include fictionalized versions of Earth. That said, what sets The Expanse apart is its attention to scientific detail. The Expanse is set in our own universe, in a future during which humanity has colonized the Solar System, but without the light-speed travel seen in many other sci-fi TV shows. Many astrophysicists have praised The Expanse's accuracy, and this gives the show a unique feeling, especially in moments of danger that make use of G-force. Even the political tension is treated with realism, as the conflict between the factions living on Earth, Mars, and the Asteroid Belt grows, and this is thanks to its truly believable setting. Serenity Firefly A staple trope in the sci-fi genre is that of the enormous planet-sized spaceship, which allows for a large ensemble cast and characters who have lived in the same place for years and never met. However, the spaceship Serenity feels much cozier and is treated like another character in the show. This gives Firefly a warm tone that many major sci-fi TV shows lack. Serenity might not be the most powerful mode of transportation, but she has become one of the most iconic TV spaceships of all time for bringing Western genre aesthetics to sci-fi. While the characters regularly leave the ship, Serenity feels like the home that they return to at the end of the episode, bringing Firefly viewers with them. Vulcan Star Trek Franchise Of all the iconic sci-fi TV show characters, Mr. Spock made his mark on the sci-fi genre for decades, and so it makes sense that his home planet is one of the best-realized locations in Star Trek. The planet Vulcan is a hot, arid desert world, home to the logical and highly self-controlled Vulcan people, whose culture is explored throughout Star Trek. While Star Trek visits new worlds in virtually every episode, it regularly returns to Vulcan, building up our understanding of the culture and of Mr. Spock. Vulcan is an instantly recognizable location, and more than just a novelty or background planet. It is key to the crew growing to understand different customs and philosophies, representing Star Trek's moral compass. The TARDIS Doctor Who The TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is the mysterious vessel through which The Doctor travels through time and space. It is one of the most fascinating parts of Doctor Who, and changes constantly, yet remains the anchor point for the entire series. The TARDIS has multiple rooms, unlimited potential, and is one of the most recognizable images in the sci-fi genre. Due to a malfunction that prevents the vessel from changing shape, the old police telephone box exterior remains mostly the same in every season of Doctor Who. On the other hand, the interior can often change dramatically with every new incarnation of The Doctor, and has included a swimming pool, a vast library, multiple bedrooms, and even an art gallery. The Upside Down Stranger Things Stranger Things' Upside Down is an alternate dimension with a difference. While the concept of alternate dimensions is not new to the sci-fi genre, Stranger Things introduces a fantasy twist that sets it apart. Many key aspects of the TV show's world are heavily influenced by the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop game, including the terrifying creatures living in the Upside Down. The Upside Down is home to the Demogorgon, which has earned a place as one of the most terrifying sci-fi TV show monsters of all time. The cold and desolate alternative version of the world we know is distinctive on its own, but the record-breaking budget for Stranger Things has ensured that The Upside Down is one of the best sci-fi locations of all time. Babylon 5 Babylon 5 The Babylon 5 space station is a five-mile structure that serves as a neutral spot for politicians and ambassadors for different species in the galaxy. This unusual purpose and its potential for trouble make Babylon 5 one of the best and most interesting locations in sci-fi. Standout episodes like "Day of the Dead" show that it is open even to the world of the dead. Babylon 5 is often more politically complex than Game of Thrones, and each episode was meticulously planned. The immense diplomatic hub was central to the individual episodes as well as the wider story, and felt like a real city. This meant that when Babylon 5 was under threat, the danger and implications to everyone living on board felt tangible. Westworld Westworld Westworld is a sci-fi masterpiece in many ways, but one of the best and most unusual elements of the show is its location. The series blends the sci-fi and Western genres, creating an atmosphere that is unlike any other. Its story is set in a Wild West-themed amusement park populated by android hosts, who are not always aware of their non-human status. The setting often resembles a classic Western TV show, with its saloon bars and ranches, but the disturbing laboratory scenes act as a great contrast. While Westworld dropped in quality over the later seasons, the first is often regarded as one of the best first seasons in sci-fi, and its introduction to the theme park setting is a major reason why. San Junipero Black Mirror Black Mirror is arguably one of the most disturbing series of all time, and it's a TV show that perfectly blends sci-fi and horror. As viewers came to expect this dark tone, the episode "San Junipero" came as a surprise, as it is one of the few episodes with a happy ending. The episode is centered around virtual reality. San Junipero is a virtual reality program for people to enter after their deaths, giving them digital immortality. When Yorkie and Kelly meet while testing out the program, they must decide whether to live forever in San Junipero as their younger selves or die a real death. Unlike most virtual realities, San Jumipero is presented as a paradise, making it a standout Black Mirror episode.
