Series suggestions: Felicity, LOST, Alias...?

July 2, 2006 10:56 AM

Recently I've become a devoted fan of J.J. Abrams' works. Felicity, Lost and Alias used to fill in my evenings perfectly. But now - during the summer break - I find myself watching something I do not even want to watch. Could you recommend some similar directors or series which are made with the same level of professionalism one can find in the series mentioned above?
posted by vitaly friedman to media & arts (38 comments total)

The first 4-5 seasons of The West Wing ought to do it. Quite well done.
posted by Hildago at 10:58 AM on July 2, 2006

In that vein, Sports Night will also fit the bill. It's not in the hourlong drama format, but the performances and the writing were just so extraordinary.
posted by ninjew at 11:04 AM on July 2, 2006

Veronica Mars. The premise sounds silly, but it's actually a very good show. The first season is available on dvd.
posted by amarynth at 11:27 AM on July 2, 2006

Second for Veronica Mars, and if you're looking for something Alias like and can get past the pseudo-science premise (my boyfriend couldn't) I really enjoy Dark Angel. Its a little older, and maybe a lot cheesy, but I enjoyed it a lot, 1st and 2nd seasons are on DVD.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 11:31 AM on July 2, 2006

Second Veronica Mars.

It's so great. Don't let the fact that it's on UPN scare you.
posted by SoftRain at 11:32 AM on July 2, 2006

Deadwood, The Sopranos, Rome, I Claudius, and Upstairs Downstairs. 24 doesn't have the same attention to detail, but it's complex and fun.
posted by grumblebee at 11:46 AM on July 2, 2006

Is there something specific about the Abrams shows that you're looking for? Aside from the always adorable Greg Grunberg, Felicity doesn't seem to have much in common with Alias and Lost.

The reason that I recommended VM is that it's kind of a (more realistic) cross between Felicity and Alias, with the relationshippy drama of Felicity and the fun spy stuff of Alias (including a father-daughter duo, a cute computer geek, tasers, and occasional wigs). It doesn't have any of the sci-fi aspect of Alias, though.

Anyway, if it's just good writing/good acting you're looking for, you might want to check out The Sopranos or Deadwood. For fun action, the first few seasons of 24 were great.

There's a thread here with people recommended tv shows on dvd (and I pimp the same shows I did here).
posted by amarynth at 11:48 AM on July 2, 2006

I second West Wing and Sportsnight. Also, Joss Whedon's shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly.
posted by brundlefly at 12:02 PM on July 2, 2006

Get your hands on Deadwood.

Though I have an affinity to ancient Rome docu-dramas (I, Claudius being the best), I couldn't get into HBO's Rome. On the other hand, I normally can't stand Westerns, yet I loved Deadwood.

The first couple of seasons of Dark Angel are very engaging, but I lost interest after season 2. Same with 24. I think the novelty wore off in both cases.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:10 PM on July 2, 2006

24. Obvious but had to be mentioned.
posted by tcobretti at 1:09 PM on July 2, 2006

This is a little far afield, but "tinker tailor soldier spy" and "Smiley's people" combined are 12 hours of gritty, low-key british spy tv that, in their own way, are as engaging as Lost and Alias. Yes, they sound mind numbingly boring, but in my opinion they are awesome. There aren't many shows that get a 9.1 rating on IMDB.com.
posted by craniac at 1:34 PM on July 2, 2006

On the brilliant but cancelled tip, try Freaks & Geeks, Undeclared, and Wonderfalls.
posted by schoolgirl report at 1:38 PM on July 2, 2006

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (now on DVD in its entirety) is another smart show about a martial-arts ass-kicking hottie with a mystical backstory going back centuries, but it's much better than Alias.
posted by bingo at 2:07 PM on July 2, 2006

The TV series adaptation of Luc Besson's "La Femme Nikita" had so many features that "Alias" later echoed, I suspect Abrams was a fan. It was low-budget but slick-looking, quick-paced and quirky, with many twists. Started slowly, and the opaqueness of Peta Wilson's lead is very different from Jennifer Garner's lip-quivering, but she grows on you, and most of the other characters are quite intriguing. All in all, engrossing and good fun. (Amazon info)
posted by rob511 at 2:09 PM on July 2, 2006

Dr Who!
posted by A189Nut at 2:12 PM on July 2, 2006

Veronica Mars, Battlestar Galactica, Deadwood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Rome, Deadwood, Carnivale, and Firefly.
posted by xyzzy at 2:24 PM on July 2, 2006

HBO shows seem to have the best production value, although LOST is pretty ridiculous in that respect. I would suggest renting the first disc of the first season of Deadwood. You'll either love the show or never get pass the rampant cussing.
posted by ztdavis at 2:32 PM on July 2, 2006

SIX FEET UNDER
posted by nonmerci at 2:37 PM on July 2, 2006

Earlier seasons of Gilmore Girls. West Wing, Sports Night, for sure. What about older shows? I'm thinking Sisters, but it's been a long time since I've seen that one...
posted by dpx.mfx at 2:41 PM on July 2, 2006

Six Feet Under is as good as TV gets.
posted by davebush at 2:54 PM on July 2, 2006

Definately Freaks and Geeks. Probably the most authentic "adolescent" tv-drama-show in TV history. Shame it only lasted a single, glorious season. But the last episode ended it perfectly, all things considered.

Dr. Who is freakishly awesome, but probably not what you're looking for.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:01 PM on July 2, 2006

I also second Wonderfalls. Even briefer run (?) than Firefly, but very very witty and charming. Created by one of the writers from Buffy, I believe. Has a certain supernatural element, but not action-oritented in the way that Whedon's shows are.
posted by brundlefly at 3:15 PM on July 2, 2006

Not that I would put Lost in the same category as The Wire (opinion, of course), but I will recommend The Wire to anyone looking for tv series suggestions.

You'll regret not having watched it sooner.
posted by dorisfromregopark at 3:38 PM on July 2, 2006

It's not quite in that league, but I enjoy Gray's Anatomy. I'll second La Femme Nikita (good call!) and Firefly (sui generis.) And obviously West Wing and the HBO shows mentioned. And while we're talking about HBO, Sex and the City is very good, if you're into that sort of thing. If you like Felicity, I assume you watched Party of Five? The first couple of years were good.

A word of warning: Dark Angel is really, really bad. I watched it for Jessica Alba back in the day, but it's really just awful. :-) YMMV.
posted by callmejay at 3:47 PM on July 2, 2006

Twin Peaks? Never watched it myself, but friends who love Lost always talk about how great it was.
posted by jtfowl0 at 3:59 PM on July 2, 2006

West Wing is an excellent suggestion, if you haven't seen it. Very meticulously created television, great acting, writing - and one of the funniest dramas I've ever seen.

I was a Joss Whedon fan before I'd ever seen Lost, so I'm biased, but Buffy and Angel and especially Firefly are all extremely well made action shows which suddenly go all profound and incrediably touching on you, but still funny. I haven't seen Wonderfalls, but I've wanted to ever since I hear Minear was involved (he also wrote heavily for Firefly).

But if you like science ficton or action, the new Battlestar Galactica is a more intricate show than Whedon's creations and (I think) is a better made show (in terms of acting, dialogue, plotting, cinematography) than Lost, as much as I have enjoyed Lost (which can be more addictive, due to the mystery). It's on par with West Wing, but is more epic.

The new Doctor Who is brilliant, but of an entirely different tone to anything discussed, except maybe the Joss Whedon shows. More like Buffy in tone, than Firefly or Angel - it has a real sharp and constant sense of humour. It is, after all, a show written with children in mind as well as adults and can do fart jokes in the same series as it discusses a Time War which eradicated whole peoples; it's also just about one of the best shows I've ever seen in my life.
posted by jb at 4:14 PM on July 2, 2006

Veronica Mars. Seriously. But you have to start with season 1 (on DVD now). I think season 2 will be out on DVD in August, before season 3 starts up. (And watching a whole season in one or two sittings is not the least bit tedious. It's the kind of show that hooks you and holds you all the way through.)
posted by lilybeane at 6:53 PM on July 2, 2006

The vastly underrated Big Love.

You'll watch the first few episodes, shrug a bit, and wonder what the fuss is about. When you get to that point, don't stop watching. Because if you give it time, you'll be hooked.

If Chloë Sevigny doesn't win an Emmy for her role in this series, I will be devastated.

Seriously, though, there's really good writing, stellar acting, and lots and lots of plot. And attractive women, if you like that sort of thing. I want to look like Jeanne Tripplehorn when I'm that age.

Oh, and it's funny, too.
posted by anjamu at 9:36 PM on July 2, 2006

Seconding (or thirding) Battlestar Galactica. The pilot was a darn good action/adventure, which I watched in one sitting (3 hours) because I couldn't stop. I have not been disappointed with the series. Great writing, interesting choices, and excellent acting make it my current favorite.

PS: I was an Alias fan, too.
posted by shifafa at 10:35 PM on July 2, 2006

If you like medical stuff you might enjoy House. They're rerunning the first season on USA while the second season gets rerun on Fox. I've also always been partial to Monk, and a new season of that is about to start up. (You don't need much backstory to either of those shows most of the time.)

Watch Galactica but the second season finale is maddening. As in, I'm not going to watch the third season.
posted by kindall at 11:19 PM on July 2, 2006

xyzzy's list is nigh-perfect. The Sopranos and Deadwood are among the small handful of the finest-by-a-mile shows ever made for American television, with Deadwood my #1 pick at this point. If you're an Abrams fan Buffy will knock your socks off but I'm a bit confused; Abrams isn't in Whedon's league in my mind, not even close.

Twin Peaks is irritating and mannered but if you want absolutely nothing from it it's a watershed moment in TV history.

Might I recommend a British miniseries that - on the right days - nudges all other filmed entertainments, in my mind? I'm serious:

The Singing Detective.

Skip the American film version and go straight for the BBC production. Michael Gambon gives, as one critic puts it, 'The Jupiter Symphony of screen performances.' No shit! It's six episodes long; if you're feeling ambitious watch it in an afternoon. You'll never be impressed by pop-surrealist drama again. The crowning achievement of the grand complicated man of British TV drama, Dennis Potter. And it's fucking hilarious bottom to top while it makes you cry your guts out.
posted by waxbanks at 6:20 AM on July 3, 2006

FWIW: I find The West Wing tiresome in the extreme, but no question its dialogue is almost peerless. I prefer NYPD Blue for workplace drama - Milch is the dark lord of American TV - but it's easy to see why people like TWW. If that's your cup of tea, Sports Night might be preferable. Lower stakes, fresher feel.

Carnivale is a huge disappointment but it had more potential than almost any other series mentioned. It's just so desolate and slow-moving as to overgo its symbolic vibrancy with...sludge.
posted by waxbanks at 6:22 AM on July 3, 2006

Lastly: Wonderfalls is funny and offbeat and hits all the right notes, but too short and will blueball you a little bit.

What about The X-Files? Before it became obvious that the whole thing was a sham it was riveting, and it owes a lot to Twin Peaks production-values-wise.
posted by waxbanks at 6:25 AM on July 3, 2006

Seconds to Veronica Mars, West Wing and Battlestar Galactica.

And I can't believe no one mentioned Dead Like Me. Definitely ranks among my favorite TV shows of all time. Highly recommended.
posted by Eldritch at 6:52 AM on July 3, 2006

Can’t believe nobody’s mentioned The 4400 or even Taken, both quite watchable, I’d guess, if Lost has you going.
posted by dpcoffin at 11:56 AM on July 3, 2006

Not a lot of love for House...I'm a huge fan. Very intelligent show. Two episodes each night on FOX this summer.
posted by apple scruff at 3:52 PM on July 3, 2006

I've recently become very interested in the serial TV format (by which I mean a show, like Lost, that favours one long narrative over discrete episodes).

I just watched all 5 seasons of Six Feet Under in the space of three weeks. It's a bit high on the melodrama, and takes itself too seriously, but it's still the best TV show I've ever seen.

I'm onto season two of Deadwood right now. I seem to be alone, but I don't find the profanity at all conspicuous. (They do say 'fuck' and 'cocksucker' a lot, but I'm too involved to pay it much mind). It's as good as everyone says.

The first season of Twin Peaks was excellent. After that it was spotty. And Fire Walk With Me is more a display of lynch's sexual fantasies than any kind of satisfying cap to the series.

I hadn't even thought of the X-Files, but waxbanks is right. The first several seasons were excellent, and are well-worth revisiting.

Freaks and Geeks is my most re-watched dvd set.
posted by scarylarry at 4:01 PM on July 3, 2006

Veronica Mars, House, Big Love, Bones. The West Wing is great too, but, these four are relatively new shows.
posted by jeversol at 5:18 PM on July 4, 2006