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.

The Lost Theory of Purgatory

Exploration of a popular fan theory in regards to the characters of the ABC drama Lost and how it continued to be debated through the years despite being debunked by the producers.

The Odyssey of Desmond Hume

Exploration of Desmond Hume from the ABC drama Lost and how the character reflects both Homer’s The Odyssey as well as Joseph Campbell and the “Hero’s Journey.”

The Office and Philosophy

Exploration of the book The Office and Philosophy: Scenes from the Unexamined Life and the NBC sitcom The Office, with emphasis on the nature of manager Michael Scott.

The Origins of Dexter Morgan and Bruce Wayne

Comparison of the “origin stories” of Dexter Morgan and Bruce Wayne, as well as other similarities between the title character of the Showtime drama and Batman.

The Walking Dead and Philosophy

Exploration of the book The Walking Dead and Philosophy, with an emphasis on how the AMC drama reflects the concepts of philosophical zombies and existentialism.

Twin Peaks and the Second Golden Age of Television

Review of the short-lived classic television series created by David Lynch about a murdered teenage girl in a small, tranquil Washington community that is more than it seems.

Veronica Mars: A Tale of Two Cities

Review of the second season of the teen-sleuth drama that explores an intentional deadly bus crash and the economic divisions within the town of Neptune, California, that it unearths.

White Collar and Catch Me If You Can

Exploration of the similarities between Neal Caffrey of the USA Network drama White Collar and Frank Abagnale Jr. from the book-turned-film Catch Me If You Can.

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