Television Archives

Television has transformed itself from its early beginnings as a “vast wasteland” into one of the dominant narrative devices of contemporary times. The best shows are a form of modern day literature that are not only gripping and entertaining but serve as windows into the outside world. It doesn’t matter whether it’s great writing or character development, a psychological study or social critique, television has it all. From 2008 until 2013, alterna-tv.com critiqued some of the best series from the time period, and many of those articles have been collected on Geek Frontiers.

Community Offers a Real World Education

Review of the television comedy that follows a group of students at Greendale Community College who receive everyday life lessons rather than a formal education.

Could Sheldon Cooper Be Batman?

Exploration of Sheldon Cooper’s comment on the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory that he “could be Batman,” using Scott Beatty’s The Batman Handbook as a reference.

Ellery Queen: Classic 1970s Detective Noir

Review of the NBC “whodunit” detective series that follows the adventures of mystery writer Ellery Queen and his police inspector father in 1940s New York City.

Firefly and the Struggle of the Human Spirit

Review of the Joss Whedon sci-fi television series Firefly and film Serenity that feature damaged characters trying to make a living on the outskirts of space.

Fringe and the Harvard Psychedelic Club

Comparison of Walter Bishop and William Bell from the sci-fi television drama Fringe with Timothy Leary and three of his 1960s colleagues from the real-world Harvard Psychedelic Club.

Fringe and the Parallel DC Universe

Examination of the DC Comics series of graphic novels based on the television drama Fringe and how they offer insight into the psyche, motivations, and personal storylines of the characters.

Fringe: Season Four

Review of the fourth season of the FOX series, in which the show brings its narrative full circle by re-visiting the major themes it established in prior seasons and bringing a sense of closure.

Fringe: Season One

Review of the first season of the FOX drama that follows a small FBI task force investigating strange phenomenon on the edge of fringe science, as well as the resulting consequences.

Fringe: Season Three

Review of the third season of the FOX series, in which the show further distances itself from science fiction dramas of the past as it continues to explore a competing parallel universe.

Fringe: Season Two

Review of the second season of the FOX drama, in which both the show’s characters and overarching mythology involving a parallel universe at war with our own are further fleshed out.

Grimm: A Supernatural Crime Drama

Review of the NBC fantasy series about a Portland police detective who discovers that not only are fairy tales real but that he alone must stop the evil entities contained within.

Leverage: A New Mission Impossible

Review of the TNT television drama about a group of former criminals who assist the victims of corporate crimes through the use of elaborate cons and subterfuge.

Lost and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

A comparison of the ABC drama Lost and WB/UPN series Buffy the Vampire Slayer that details similarities between the two shows, including the island on Lost and the Hellmouth in Buffy.

Once Upon the Here and Now

Review of the ABC drama Once Upon a Time, in which classic fairy tale characters of old are trapped in a small town in Maine called Storybook at the hand of the Evil Queen.

Person of Interest and the Twenty-First Century

Review of the CBS drama about a secret government surveillance system and two vigilante crusaders attempting to prevent crimes before they take place.

Rubicon: A 1970s-Style Conspiracy Thriller

Review of the single-season AMC drama Rubicon and its connection to such classic conspiracy thrillers of the 1970s as Three Days of the Condor and All the President’s Men.

Sherlock: A Holmesian Masterpiece

Review of the British drama that follows the exploits of a modern day Sherlock Holmes and John Watson while remaining faithful to the original classic narratives of old.

Survival Techniques for The Walking Dead

Exploration of various ways to prepare for zombie uprising like the one witnessed on the AMC drama The Walking Dead, including special training and transportation needs.

Television Conmen and the Yellow Kid

Examination of real life conman Joseph “The Yellow Kid” Weil and those found on television, including Neal Caffrey from White Collar and the team on Leverage.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Review of the FOX sci-fi drama based on the popular film series, emphasizing the show’s realistic characterizations as well as comparisons to The X-Files and short-lived Firefly.

The Big Bang Theory and Personal Robots

Exploration of contemporary robotic technology, as well as the personal robot needs of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory and David Freeman of Discover magazine.

The Big Bang Theory and Star Trek

Exploration of the influence that Star Trek has on the main characters of the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory, and its use as a source of wisdom and inspiration in guiding their own lives.

The Big Bang Theory: Revenge of the Geeks

Review of the CBS comedy about a group of brilliant geek scientists and their Nebraska-born female next door neighbor as they make their way through their inherently different worlds.

The Lost Theory of Atlantis

Exploration of the similarities between the island on the ABC drama Lost and that of the mythical civilizations of Atlantis and Lemuria, one of the many theories proposed by fans.

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