Sci-Fi This Week: Killjoys Finale, Fear the Walking Dead Premieres

This summer has brought a healthy crop of new science fiction and fantasy shows, and one of our favorites has been Syfy’s Killjoys — stylish, with interesting characters chasing warrants in a well-drawn world. The first season of the show wraps up this Friday, as Dutch and her team face the storm that is coming to the Quad.

There’s also one last new series to kick off before the summer is over: Fear the Walking Dead is about to begin its story Sunday night over on AMC. It is the first spin-off for the basic cable juggernaut (which returns for its sixth season in October), set in Los Angeles in the earliest days of the viral outbreak that will transform the planet and change human existence.

Fear will roll out with a 6-episode first season and has already been renewed for 2016. Expect Season One to end around the time when Rick Grimes awoke from his coma in the first episode of The Walking Dead, several weeks or months into the apocalypse.

Here’s your schedule for this week in sci-fi television:

EXTANT
CBS, 10/9c
“The Other Side.” As Molly succumbs to the virus, long forgotten memories surface. Also, Julie is confronted with hard choices and the Hybrids seek revenge.

DOMINION
Syfy, 10/9c
“Lay Thee Before Kings.” With the New Delphi army on their trail, Alex finds somewhere he can nurse Noma; Michael and Gabriel try to escape captivity; Claire calls for a parlay; David puts a plan into motion.

DEFIANCE
Syfy, 8/7c
“The Awakening.” Nolan, Amanda and Irisa search for a way to stop Kindzi from transporting more Omec to Earth; Datak tries to escape from an Omec compound; Stahma asks for forgiveness.

KILLJOYS
Syfy, 9/8c – SEASON FINALE!
“Escape Velocity.” Tensions boil over when the Company arrests a friend; peace in the Quad hangs in the balance; the Killjoys must choose a side.

DARK MATTER
Syfy, 10/9c
“Episode 11.” After losing one of their own, the captive crew plot to retake the ship from a group of ruthless mercenaries bent on delivering them to the Galactic Authority so that they can collect the sizeable bounties on their heads. Their only hope rests with their youngest member, and an unexpected surprise.

FEAR THE WALKING DEAD
AMC, 9/8c – SERIES PREMIERE!
“Pilot.” A highly dysfunctional blended family is forced together when they realize a reported virus is actually the onset of the undead apocalypse.

FALLING SKIES
TNT, 10/9c
“Reunion.” Tom gains a powerful new weapon against the Espheni. Ben puts his life on the line to extract enemy plans. Pope discovers that Tom is alive, and launches a final attack. Meanwhile, the 2nd Mass must reassess their situation when an unexpected visitor appears.

What are YOUR top picks for this week?