The Heartbreak of Geek Television

The news that NBC will not air the final episode of my favorite show The Cape (it’s going online only) has reminded me of the dilemma of being a fan of sci-fi television in the US. It’s not easy. Whereas the UK will air a sci-fi TV show with a beginning, middle, and an end (like the BBC mini-series Jekyll), most scifi TV shows in the US are created with an open-ended storyline. Every geek has had the experience: you fall in love with a great, thought-provoking, well-crafted science-fiction series with a story that keeps you running back every week to see it unfold. Then just when it’s getting good, the show is unceremoniously canceled after one or two seasons or even less. Now I feel a little wary whenever I see a new sci-fi show, like a guy on a first date after a series of bad break-ups. I want to put my heart into it, but part of me is holding back so I don’t get hurt again. I find myself examining the show, not just for what it is, but whether it seems like it will stay on the air. I admit, I haven’t been able to get into V for that reason. What I’ve seen is good, but I didn’t think it was a strong enough show to survive. Of course, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy – if we don’t watch the show because we think it will get canceled, then the show gets poor ratings and gets canceled.

Am I the only one? Do you feel reluctant to get into a new sci-fi show for fear of it getting canceled? Let us know in the comments.