Are there no good Dark Fiction programmes out there?

[vrolok]

Ever since Buffy, Mulder and Scully have left our screens, there has not been a quality ghost or vampire in sight and what has filled the gapping hole that these shows have left? FBI Dramas, Cop Dramas and Medical Dramas. Yawn!!! Where are Chris Carter and Joss Whedon? Have they been lured away by the glamour and glitz of the Silver Screen and if so who are their replacements?

Is there a quality dark fiction series out there at the moment?

The only two that are showing any promise of late are Supernatural (Two brothers searching for their ghost hunter father and encountering ghostly goings on along the way.) and Threshold (The world?s elite minds covertly saving humans from the attack of an alien virus.)

These two shows are still in their first season and as far as I am concerned a show cannot become a classic in its first season!! For Buffy, it did not achieve perfection until its second outing, when Spike drove his car through the sign for Sunny Dale. Even X Files, although, it had me hooked from the first couple of episodes it did not achieve greatness until the episode titled ?Humbug? in season two.

Is there a show that we at Spinetinglers have missed? Tell us about it!!!

[AlmostBruce]

There is a definite hole left behind by X-FILES and BUFFY. Carter and Whedon are rare commodities. There is however a show that has challenged my imagination and has become one of my favorites. Despite its growing popularity (which often can be an indication of mediocrity) the series LOST has kept my attention.
The dark elements are subtle. On the surface, it can seem like a supernatural soap?maybe even a cross between SCOOBY DOO and GILLIGAN?S ISLAND. However, the character development and the general writing carry the story in ways that is rare in television. There is no tidy closure with each episode and there are countless clues and literary allusions. This results in something quite rare for the average television viewer: thought.
The dark elements are there. The true agenda of the main characters is constantly turning and there is true suspense about what each one is willing to do. (Just the body count is enough to keep you wondering who will survive the next episode.)  But behind that is the force of the island itself and the supernatural/natural power that is barely held at bay. Just the four-toed foot from a long forgotten titanic statue of the season finale is enough to stir up my interest. (For someone unfamiliar with the series it is an absolute must to rent the first season and get caught up with the second season as well. To jump in during the upcoming third season would be merely confusing.)
Granted, LOST is decorated with pop facets, but the underlying thread of the plot promises great things. For the wanderer who is lamenting the loss of Mulder and Summers, I recommend LOST.

[helix]

Have to agree with you re Lost - watching an episode now - excellent - as you say it's the undertow of possibilities and darker references which I love.

Also really liking Prison Break at the moment - quite dark in it's own way - again it's the underlying relationships and possibilities that entice me in

[Jordan]

]I have to admit, but I really like the show "Medium"  Kelsey Grammer (formerly Frasier star produces this show.
Patricia Arquette, the main character is a terrific actress. Her character Allison dreams of dark events such as a murder but has to assist the Prosecutor and police catch and prosecute a killer using conventional methods.  She is such a good actress and is able to make the fictional episodes believable. Most episodes deal with dark fiction. Has anyone else watched this show? [/b[/color]]

[Jordan]

Dark Fiction -- I would say the 24 hour News network 
I can only watch a few minutes a day because dark fiction manipulating
reality is too scary   

[Tristan]

not a fan of lost...watched the first seaon of prison break but haven't seen any of the new season...am watching heroes now...intersting concept

"The series tells the story of several people who "thought they were like everyone else... until they woke with incredible abilities" such as telepathy, time travel and flight. These people soon realize they have a role in preventing a catastrophe and saving mankind."

[Peter]

I've pretty much given up hope of seeing quality dark fantasy/horror on television.  There just aren't enough people in Hollywood (and other major production centers) who appreciate a good chilling tale.

-Pete

[Tristan]

yeah i've pretty much given up as well...there's too much crap on these days...no imagination...i know the money's there so that's not the problem...maybe they're making too much money with all the reality show on the airwaves that they've given up on any original ideas

[theresa]

We had a show over here called Afterlife which was quite popular, about a medium who kept seeing dead people and solving cases but I really wish that they would make a decent vampire series again. There's so much room in the market for it at the moment.

[Jordan]

Unfortunately, Reality Shows and Television Game shows
seem to have taken creativity out of television.
Both are real money makers.

[Jordan]

Has anyone watched the show "Six Feet Under"

The show was very dark psychological fiction.
It is actually one of those rare incidents of creative work on television.
It was extremely creative and tapped into the dark areas of the human condition.
The only thing I didn't like was that every character was dealing with dark issues and
over time the show became sort of depressing.

[theresa]

I did watch it briefly but couldnt get into it to be honest. Im watching Dracula at the moment on BBc1. I taped it earlier and its quite good seeing as there's not a lot of decent dark programmes on out there.

[Jordan]

Yeah, without atleast one character that is grounded, it is difficult to get into.
Dracula is excellent. We do need more dark fiction. There is a large audience out there
looking for refreshing dark fiction.

[Tristan]

yeah i've seen 6 feet as well...there were a couple of annoying characters on the show thats why i stopped watching...and i agree as well all the charactes were really screwed up...being constantly surrounded by death might do that to you though...i did was the series finale and thought it ended well

[Jordan]

Does anyone remember the TV show, " Profiler? "
The main character was Sam ( an FBI serial killer profiler) and she could see the dark
aspects of serial killers. ( see into their minds) She was also being stalked fy a sociopath
obsessed with her by the name of Jack.
It is not on anymore but it was a good show.