Summer Sci-Fi Viewer’s Guide (2014)

The regular broadcast season may be done for the year, but the hits go on all summer long! This summer season brings some favorites back to the small screen, while new sci-fi and fantasy shows get ready for their big debuts.

At the top of that list is Extant. CBS is taking the plunge into hard science fiction with the new series, which stars Halle Berry as an astronaut who has brought back an incredible secret from space. But first we’ll see a transformed Las Vegas in the new Syfy fantasy series Dominion. Together with the second season of Defiance, Syfy will own Thursday nights on our DVR.

There’s plenty more Orphan Black as we roll into the summer, and TNT’s sci-fi hit Falling Skies returns in June with its fourth season. And if you can hold out till August, there’s a T.A.R.D.I.S. with your name on it!

Here’s the day-by-day schedule for genre programming this summer in the United States. (In other countries, check your local listings to find the premiere dates.)

EXTANT
CBS, 9/8c (Premieres July 9)

NEW SERIES: Halle Berry stars as astronaut Molly Woods, who returns from a year alone in space and works to re-acclimate to life with her husband and (artificial) son. But when Molly learns that she is impossibly pregnant, a mystery of cosmic proportions begins to unfold.

Extant has a very cool premise and could turn out to be one of the most intriguing new shows of 2014. We’ll be there on premiere night!

DEFIANCE
Syfy, 8/7c (Premieres June 19)

Last year’s hit returns for its second seeason, with the Earth Republic having assumed control of the frontier town of Defiance. There’s a new mayor in town (Mayor Pottinger, played by James Murray), and Nolan traverses the badlands in search of his missing daughter, Irisa. Elsewhere, Amanda takes on a new role in Defiance while searching for her sister.

Defiance had a solid start last year, and Season Two could prove to be its break-out season. Count us in for another 13 episodes.

DOMINION
Syfy, 9/8c (Premieres June 19)

NEW SERIES: If you saw the 2010 feature film Legion, now it’s a television series. It’s 25 years after an angelic war ravaged the earth, and now powerful human families and warrior angels vie for control in the city of Vega (formerly Las Vegas). With the archangels Michael and Gabriel still at war, a human soldier learns that he may be fated to be the savior of humankind.

It’s an intriguing fantasy drama with a promising cast (including Buffy‘s Anthony Head), and we’re looking forward to checking it out when it premieres behind the new season of Defiance.

CONTINUUM
Syfy, 10/9c (Now Airing)

It’s been a time-twisting, mind-bending season as Kiera Cameron negotiates the Freelancers, Liber8, Dillon and the Vancouver PD, and two dueling Alec Sadlers. Is the rise of corporate powers and the future that she knows an inevitability? If she can reshape the future … does she even want to?

Season Three has had some great episodes, and five hours remain here in the States. Continuum is still going strong.

DOCTOR WHO
BBC America (Returns in August)

It feels like an impossibly long wait, but Season Eight finally arrives at the end of the summer! Peter Capaldi takes over the role of the Doctor, with Jenna Coleman returning as Clara — and a few new faces along for the ride. The series is said to be taking a bit of a darker turn with Capaldi’s Doctor.

Toss in a robotic dog and we’ve got ourselves a show! To say that we’re stoked for the show’s return would be a major understatement.

ORPHAN BLACK
BBC America, 8/7c (Now Airing)

Desperately searching for her daughter, Sarah and her clone sisters face a new challenge when they learn that one of their own is one of those behind the Neolution project. Desperate to find her daughter Kira, Sarah sparks an all out war against the ruthless pro-clone, Rachel. Meanwhile Cosima struggles with her failing health, while Alison falls into guilt and despair over her role in the death of her friend.

Orphan Black is one of the coolest genre shows on cable, and only three episodes remain this season.

GAME OF THRONES
HBO, 9/8c (Now Airing)

Just two episodes remain for the incredible fourth season of television’s best fantasy series. How will it end? Will the Stark sisters be reunited? Will Tyrion’s life be spared? Will the Mountain meet his maker? (If you’ve read the book, don’t tell us!)

Game of Thrones remains one of the best shows on television, and Season Four has been no exception. HBO has already renewed it for two more years, with producers projecting seven seasons in total. We’re not so sure that George R.R. Martin’s fantasy epic can be squeezed into just 70 hours.

FALLING SKIES
TNT, 10/9c (Premieres June 22)

The 2nd Mass and the Volm dealt a significant blow to the invading Espheni forces at the end of last season, only to have our alien allies try to relocate the humans to South America. But the 2nd Mass remains on their home turf, with the war sure to escalate. Meanwhile, Tom and Anne’s daughter has rapidly aged, and seems to have extraordinary abilities.

Season Three was a significant step forward for the show, amping up the sci-fi elements. While there is talk of Season Four moving toward more character development, from the looks of this trailer that won’t be at the expense of aliens, tech, and explosions. Get ready for a new season of Falling Skies!

Which shows will you be checking out?