Sci-Fi News and Reviews

UPN: A Sci-Fi Look Back

With the final broadcasts of the WB and UPN network, I thought it might be a fitting tribute to look back at the Sci-Fi programming that these networks have given us. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a long list of science fiction shows for each of these networks. The list is so extensive that I am looking at each network separately.

Unlike the WB shows, only three ('Buffy', 'Roswell' and 'Jake 2.0') of the UPN shows ever made my viewing list. I guess I didn't have a UPN affiliate nearby in the late '90s. Still, here is the full list of UPN Sci-Fi programs, ranked in my order of preference, starting with the ones that I have actually watched. I painstakingly researched the rest of the shows, for your enjoyment (and my curiousity!).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2001-2003, UPN)
The best show on television (at the time) was resurrected by UPN for its sixth and seventh seasons. The 'Dark Willow' storyline was very well done. Nathan Fillion ('Captain Mal' on 'Firefly') was a capable villian in the final season. All in all, the show probably ended at the right time. However, that doesn't mean that I still do not wish that it was still on the air . Once again, one of the best shows ever to be created.

Jake 2.0 (2003)
Jake was a very solid show. Christopher Gorham played a young man who was infected with nanites. The nanites gave him 'Six Million Dollar Man' type abilities. And, you guessed it, he works for the government. A great example of a show that was cancelled too soon. Luckily, the SciFi Channel will be showing the series during the 2006-2007 season.

Roswell (2001-2002 UPN)
The final season of 'Roswell' aired on the UPN. As I stated in yesterday's post, during seasons two and three, members of the fanbase increasingly grew divided between those who had preferred the original 'Max and Liz love story' style (criticized by opponents as too soapy or melodramatic) versus those who preferred the newer, alien mythos, plotline (criticized by opponents as too dark or convoluted). Many tobasco bottles were sent to the network to get this third season on the air (tobasco was the favorite condiment of the Roswell aliens).

Haunted (2002)
Matthew Fox (now 'Jack' on 'Lost') starred in this short-lived story about a detective who could talk to dead people. This review from IMDB gave the show a very positive spin. Evidently, the SciFi Channel executives must agree, the show will be broadcast on the channel during the 2006-2007 season.

Legend (1995)
'Legend' starred Richard Dean Anderson ('MacGyver', 'Stargate SG-1') and John de Lancie ('Q' from 'Star Trek: TNG'). It is classified as a 'science-fiction western' and was aired in UPN's initial broadcast year. Anderson played Edward Pratt, a writer who created a popular western character called 'Nicodemus Legend'. He meets up with Bartok, a scientist played by de Lancie, who helps Pratt bring the 'Legend' character to life in order to help people throughout the West. Although this showed received some critical acclaim, it looks like UPN cancelled its entire lineup in 1995, except for 'Star Trek: Voyager'.

Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Voyager, or as I like to call it, 'The Janeway Edition', was not very good. Now, I am sure that there are many fans out there; but, I only followed the show for a few episodes. I am not the only critic, either. From the wiki article, another prominent critic of Voyager was Star Trek: TNG and Star Trek: DSN writer Ronald D. Moore, who felt the show failed to live up to its potential. Moore had been a co-executive producer of Voyager, but departed after a public falling-out with executive producer Brannon Braga.

Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
I know several people who enjoyed the Scott Bakula ('Quantum Leap') version of Star Trek. My resident Star Trek expert noted that if you took it as a standalone series (i.e. don't worry about continuity), it was quite good. However, many people were turned off by the final episode of Enterprise, entitled "These Are the Voyages..." It was one of the most heavily criticized episodes in the history of the franchise. The aforementioned expert called it '...One of the most horrific things ever put to celluloid'. Ouch! Brannon Braga ('Threshold' and 'Star Trek: Voyager') is held responsible for this debacle.

Mercy Point (1998-1999)
Mercy Point was a short-lived series that took place on a deep-space medical space station. Set in the mid-23rd century, the Mercy Point station catered to the medical needs of humans and aliens alike. The wiki article notes that '...the series benefited from complex characters and intriguing hints at the greater universe outside of the hospital's hull.' It is also noteworthy that the lead actor, Joe Morton, now plays the wonderful character 'Henry' on 'Eureka'.

Seven Days (1998-2001)
Seven Days had an interesting concept. The government has the ability to send someone back in time seven days in order to stop catastrophic events from occurring. It survived three seasons, possibly ceasing production due to problems between the lead actors.

Special Unit 2 (2001-2002)
This series focused on a top-secret Chicago police unit known as Special Unit 2. The unit is charged with the task to police the city's "Links", which are common monsters from folklore and mythology. It is notable for its star, Michael Landes, who was the original Jimmy Olsen in 'Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' (which, by the way, was much better than 'Smallville'). Special Unit 2 is another in the list of shows that the SciFi Channel has contracted to air during the 2006-2007 season.

Deadly Games (1995)
This show sounded fairly interesting, in a summer time-killer type of way. An engineer creates a video game to act out his feelings about people in his life who have treated him unfairly. However, an accident occurs, and the video game comes to life.

Nowhere Man (1995-1996)
Thomas Veil had his life erased in the span of a trip to the restroom. He spent a little over a season trying to protect the photograph that was his only link to getting his life back. This show was well received; so much so that the series was released on DVD in early 2006.

Secret Agent Man (2000)
It seems that every Sci-Fi show that debuted on UPN lasted one season. A young Grace Park ('Sharon' on 'Battlestar Galactica') can be seen on this show, though. The plot revolved around the adventures of a group of three spies, with all of the gizmos and gadgets you would expect. This one lasted all of twelve episodes.

The Sentinel (1996-99)
The Sentinal was never on my viewing list. If it was premiering this fall, I might set the TiVo to record it, though. The plot centers on an Army Ranger who develops hyper-acute senses several years after an assignment in the Peruvian jungle. The Sentinal helped protect the town of Cascade in the series, which ran for several seasons. The star of the show, Richard Burgi, is now a regular on 'Desperate Housewives'.

The Paranormal Borderline (1996)
Jonathan Frakes ('Star Trek:TNG') produced and hosted this show that explored unexplained phenomena. JF seems to be in to this area of inquiry, as he also hosted 'Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction' on FOX in 1997. Or, he just could be using his 'Star Trek' fame to get more work. We will be treated to another similar series this season in 'SCI FI Investigates', starring Rob Mariano of 'Survivor' ' fame.

The Twilight Zone (2002-2003)
In this revival of the classic show, Forrest Whitaker was the narrator. Other than that little tidbit, I don't know too much else about this show. If you are interested, the wikipedia article can be found here.

Wow. UPN was the king of one season Sci-Fi content. I am now officially exhausted! I hope that you enjoyed this two day retrospective on the shows of the WB and UPN networks.

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Posted by Fred on September 18, 2006 2:54 PM
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