Discover a list of unsung gems of sci-fi and fantasy, including The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Odyssey 5, Spaced, Erik the Viking, John Carter, Centaurworld, and Wendell & Wild. Dive into the beauty and cancellation of Dark Crystal, the cult following of Spaced, the appreciation of film adaptations, the themes in Centaur World, and the frustrations working on Wendell & Wild.
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Quick takeaways
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance showcases impressive puppetry and world-building, leaving viewers satisfied with its first season.
Odyssey 5 explores the theme of artificial intelligence through nuanced discussions and a cliffhanger ending, making audiences ponder its implications.
Spaced is a light-hearted UK comedy series that combines geek culture with relatable situations, providing an outlet for fans to inject their favorite references into everyday life.
John Carter, despite being considered a financial failure, offers imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and a nostalgic connection to the original books, highlighting the endurance and value of overlooked films.
Deep dives
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The podcast episode discusses the Netflix series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, which is a prequel to the 1982 film. It explores the thriving Gelfling culture and their slow realization of the malevolent Skexies. The show is praised for its impressive puppetry and beautiful world-building. While some viewers wanted more seasons, others argue that the first season serves as a satisfying stopping point in the story.
Odyssey 5
The podcast episode highlights the TV show Odyssey 5, which follows a group of astronauts sent back in time to prevent Earth's destruction. The show delves into the theme of artificial intelligence and features nuanced discussions around its implications. The unresolved cliffhanger leaves audiences questioning the true nature of AI. Despite being cancelled after one season, the show is praised for its interesting exploration of post-9/11 themes and its impact on early 2000s sci-fi.
Spaced
Discussed in the podcast, Spaced is a UK comedy series created by Simon Pegg. It follows the lives of Tim and his roommate in mundane situations, interspersed with their imaginative fantasies inspired by geek culture. The show is described as light-hearted and relatable, providing an outlet for geeks to inject their favorite references into everyday life. Its emphasis on community and acceptance adds to its appeal.
John Carter
The episode features a discussion on the film John Carter, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' forerunner to science fiction books. It explores the adventures of a civil war veteran transported to Mars and his interactions with various alien species. Despite being considered a financial failure, fans praise its imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and nostalgic connection to the original books. John Carter highlights the endurance and value of overlooked films.
Centaur World
Centaur World, an animated series on Netflix, centers around a war horse named Horse who finds herself in a magical world of centaurs. The show tackles themes of trauma, community, and personal growth. Its unique combination of over-the-top humor, sincerity, and dark undertones captivates viewers. The musical aspect and catchy songs contribute to the show's charm and resonance.
Wendell and Wild
The podcast episode interviews a crew member who worked on the stop motion film Wendell and Wild. Directed by Henry Selick and starring Key and Peele, the movie features the journey of two demonic protagonists trying to reclaim their rightful place in the underworld. Despite not receiving widespread attention, the film is praised by those who worked on it for its visual style, comedic sensibilities, and compelling storytelling.
Creativity and Risks
All the movies and shows discussed in the podcast episode have in common the willingness to take creative risks. These projects may not have achieved commercial success, but they exemplify the imaginative possibilities of the fantasy genre. The episode encourages viewers to embrace unique and lesser-known works that break the mold of mainstream media.
The writers’ and actors’ strikes have disrupted the pipeline of new shows and movies. We’re going to run out of new stuff to watch soon. Our listeners can help with that. They want you know about their favorite unsung gems of sci-fi and fantasy. Some of them were cult hits. Others underperformed at the box office or in the ratings. Maybe it’s time to give them a chance.
In this episode, we hear about The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Odyssey 5, Spaced, Erik the Viking, John Carter, Centaurworld and Wendell & Wild. Our guests also recommend The 13th Warrior, Jerimiah, Babylon 5, and the Syfy mini-series Alice.
