You’ve binge-watched season one and regularly checked online to find out when the next season would drop. If the series aired in the Dark Ages before streaming, you refused to make plans if it meant missing an episode. Will they renew your favorite show? You anxiously wait. Finally, news. Unfortunately, it’s bad. For some reason, the Powers That Be have canceled the series.
It’s happened to us all, and it stinks. Heck, I even wrote the networks sometimes. Here, in no particular order, are eight of my favorite series that only aired a few seasons.
- Firefly (2002-2003) I watched Joss Whedon’s BtVS, so this was a no-brainer addition to my list of shows to watch. Cowboys in space? Shiny! My favorite character, hands down, was River Tam, played by Summer Glau. Thanks to the movie Serenity, fans had closure, so better than the fate of most of my favorites. I had a tee with a line from the theme song emblazoned on the front and still quote this series. “I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.” Anyone? How about, “I aim to misbehave.”
- Alien Nation (1989-1999) I loved the 1988 movie of the same name starring James Caan and Mandy Patinkin, so the tv series elicited happy squeals. Aliens crash land on earth after escaping from slavery and become immigrants in the U.S. I’m always impressed when actors must perform in tons of makeup and prosthetics. Eric Pierpoint, the actor portraying the alien officer paired with a human partner, was convincing and amazing as George Francisco.
- Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) I just happened to come across this series about the misfits of William McKinley High and ended up enjoying it so much. Stars Linda Cardellini and James Franco went on to act in some of my favorite movies. The interactions between the three geeks, Bill, Sam and Neal were relatable and hilarious, and smart girl, Lindsay’s commentaries, were brill.
- Wonderfalls (2004) Quirky characters abound! Be still, my heart. Jaye, the main character, works at a souvenir shop at Niagara Falls. Surreal shenanigans occur when talking toys assign Jaye missions. Jaye could be a moody, unpleasant person. Flawed main characters fascinate me.
- Terra Nova (2011) The plots and fascinating premise of time traveling to our dinosaur past to escape the 2149 dying Earth kept me watching this terrific series.
- Almost Human (2013-2014) reminded me of the movie, I, Robot, starring Will Smith. A human cop is paired with an android partner. I’d liked Karl Urban, who played Eomer from LotR movies and Bones from the ST movies, so much in this and wish this series had lasted longer.
- The Dresden Files (2007-2008) Harry Dresden, the main character played by Paul Blackthorne, is a wizard and investigator. I’ve read all the books in the series by Jim Butcher and thought the television series was well done. I especially looked forward to scenes with Terrance Mann as Bob, an old spirit trapped in his own skull.
- Dark Matter (2015-2017) A crew awakes on a spaceship with no memories. They designate themselves as numbers One through Six in the order that they awoke from stasis. Though the plot twists constantly surprised me, they were believable. I loved Zoie Palmer’s character, Lauren Lewis, on Lost Girl, so I was very excited when I found out she was in this playing, of all things, an android. The gifted actor nailed the role.
How about you? Which too-short series weighs heavily on your mind? Did you sign a petition to bring it back?