Loonatic's Favorite Post-Apocalypse TV Series
1. Jeremiah (2002-2004)
Fifteen years before, a strange disease culled every adult all across the world. The children were left to fend for themselves, reverting to schoolyard politics and living off the remains of the old world. Although many wander the country, Jeremiah clings a sense of purpose and hope in his father's last mention of a safe place called Valhalla Sector. But he never seems to get anywhere until one day he's approached by scout for a hidden community with significant resources. Suddenly entangled with the local warlord and the scout, he's only saved by the quick wit of his new friend Kurdy. Recruited as scouts, Jeremiah and Kurdy are tasked with finding new resources and allies, but more than anything to investigate rumors that the disease that changed everything might again rear its ugly head.
I haven't seen every episode of this series, but I've liked what I've seen. The character opposites played by Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner end up working pretty close to a buddy cop routine, with Jeremiah's thoughtful, big-picture thinking well-paired with Kurdy's pragmatic side. And though I love the Mad Max over-the-top style of post-apocalypse, in Jeremiah we get it a little more toned down. A lot of these post-apocalypse films/series have the feel of a terrible road trip, but this actually is the kind of road trip I'd actually want to be on. Something a little more focused on unraveling secrets and making connections, and a little less like a humorless slog through a hellscape. Which is nice!
2. The Stand (1994)
All across America, ordinary days and ordinary lives are about to be shattered by a mistake in a military laboratory. An unnaturally deadly virus escapes, infecting widely and overcoming every feeble attempt to contain or counter its effects. Only a few prove immune to the disease, helpless to stop it from killing friends, families, and civilization itself. Left all alone in this world of the dead, those who remain dream strange dreams. Some are called to a kind old woman in Nebraska, but others feel the pull of a dark man promising a restoration of order in this new world. As the survivors start to find each other, their choices and relationships end up deciding the fate of the future.
Fifteen years before, a strange disease culled every adult all across the world. The children were left to fend for themselves, reverting to schoolyard politics and living off the remains of the old world. Although many wander the country, Jeremiah clings a sense of purpose and hope in his father's last mention of a safe place called Valhalla Sector. But he never seems to get anywhere until one day he's approached by scout for a hidden community with significant resources. Suddenly entangled with the local warlord and the scout, he's only saved by the quick wit of his new friend Kurdy. Recruited as scouts, Jeremiah and Kurdy are tasked with finding new resources and allies, but more than anything to investigate rumors that the disease that changed everything might again rear its ugly head.
I haven't seen every episode of this series, but I've liked what I've seen. The character opposites played by Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner end up working pretty close to a buddy cop routine, with Jeremiah's thoughtful, big-picture thinking well-paired with Kurdy's pragmatic side. And though I love the Mad Max over-the-top style of post-apocalypse, in Jeremiah we get it a little more toned down. A lot of these post-apocalypse films/series have the feel of a terrible road trip, but this actually is the kind of road trip I'd actually want to be on. Something a little more focused on unraveling secrets and making connections, and a little less like a humorless slog through a hellscape. Which is nice!
2. The Stand (1994)
All across America, ordinary days and ordinary lives are about to be shattered by a mistake in a military laboratory. An unnaturally deadly virus escapes, infecting widely and overcoming every feeble attempt to contain or counter its effects. Only a few prove immune to the disease, helpless to stop it from killing friends, families, and civilization itself. Left all alone in this world of the dead, those who remain dream strange dreams. Some are called to a kind old woman in Nebraska, but others feel the pull of a dark man promising a restoration of order in this new world. As the survivors start to find each other, their choices and relationships end up deciding the fate of the future.
All right technically this is a mini-series, but close enough. Like the book it's based on, The Stand mini-series is an excellent portrait of a apocalypse by pandemic. It may not have all the exacting detail of the novel, but it does carry the story easily from the ordinary into the extraordinary. I saw this before reading the book, and I think the casting for this was fairly close to what I imagine when turning the pages. In particular, my favorites here are Gary Sinise, Molly Ringwald, Jamey Sheridan, Matt Frewer, Rob Lowe, and Adam Storke. Heck, there are lot of uncredited small parts which decent star power, including Ed Harris, Kathy Bates, Sam Raimi, and Stephen King. With Stephen King films being remade right and left these days, it's no surprise that The Stand is also primed for a reboot as an online series in 2020. I'm already intrigued by the casting choices so far, and I hope a longer series will give the character more room to really develop, but I do still enjoy this adaptation.
3. Into the Badlands (2015-2019)
In a post-apocalyptic future, the Barons control the lands with their "clipper" warriors. Chief among Baron Quinn's clippers is Sunny, an unparalleled fighter with fist and blade. But being a seasoned killer takes its toll, and Sunny's doubts grow with the arrival of a unusual young man and an ensuing tide of feudal machinations. Between the Baron's family, rival ruler the Widow, and untold dangers thriving at the edge of the known world, one wrong move can end everything. But with the few people Sunny cherishes threatened and the future far from certain, the warrior will have to use all his strength, speed, and cunning to emerge on the other side.
I haven't finished watching this series, but Into the Badlands is a fascinating addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. It's a bit of a strange combination of ideas, featuring a post-apocalyptic setting, medieval sensibilities revolving around feudal societies and warrior codes, and heaping helping of top-shelf martial arts filming. I don't know what the fight choreography budget was, but it paid off in spades in delivering likely the best wuxia-style work I've seen in a TV series. It doesn't seem like it should work, but it's so different than the rest of the genre that it earns its place on that difference alone. It is also a visual feast in terms of production, with eye-catching sets, costumes, props, and design, which reminds me of another favorite for a different list Emerald City. I'm not sure where it's going yet or when it'll jump the shark, but at this point I'm ready to digest some more episodes of this dramatic fight saga.
4. Jericho (2006-2008)
In the quiet little community of Jericho, Kansas, small town life has been slowly eroding. Most of those who remain are just scraping a living, reluctantly tied by family, and looking for the next opportunity to leave for bigger and better things. But things change mightily when they spy a mushroom cloud on the horizon and contact to the outside world is lost. Not knowing what happened, who is to blame, or what is to happen next, the people of Jericho have to band together and work on securing food, electricity, and security against the unknown. But while most people are worried about the vast mystery of what is happening around the world, a few begin to realize that many threats and intrigues lie within.
As a post-apocalypse series, this one is much more in line with Alas Babylon than hard-core death and motorcycle gangs. What I find most interesting about this series is that is reads more like a mystery/thriller, that perhaps the scariest part after something horrible happens is that no one knows what really happened. Who dropped the bombs? Is there still a government, is normal life still happening elsewhere? And what does the future look like? Small town relationships and secrets are given greater significance in such a backdrop, as they can either strengthen or rip apart this fragile community. What most post-apocalyptic fiction misses is the fact that humans may be able to survive alone, but that to really thrive they need each other. Subdued, likeable characters assume new roles in their town's fortunes, and tight plotting ensures that you keep wondering what will happen next.
3. Into the Badlands (2015-2019)
In a post-apocalyptic future, the Barons control the lands with their "clipper" warriors. Chief among Baron Quinn's clippers is Sunny, an unparalleled fighter with fist and blade. But being a seasoned killer takes its toll, and Sunny's doubts grow with the arrival of a unusual young man and an ensuing tide of feudal machinations. Between the Baron's family, rival ruler the Widow, and untold dangers thriving at the edge of the known world, one wrong move can end everything. But with the few people Sunny cherishes threatened and the future far from certain, the warrior will have to use all his strength, speed, and cunning to emerge on the other side.
I haven't finished watching this series, but Into the Badlands is a fascinating addition to the post-apocalyptic genre. It's a bit of a strange combination of ideas, featuring a post-apocalyptic setting, medieval sensibilities revolving around feudal societies and warrior codes, and heaping helping of top-shelf martial arts filming. I don't know what the fight choreography budget was, but it paid off in spades in delivering likely the best wuxia-style work I've seen in a TV series. It doesn't seem like it should work, but it's so different than the rest of the genre that it earns its place on that difference alone. It is also a visual feast in terms of production, with eye-catching sets, costumes, props, and design, which reminds me of another favorite for a different list Emerald City. I'm not sure where it's going yet or when it'll jump the shark, but at this point I'm ready to digest some more episodes of this dramatic fight saga.
4. Jericho (2006-2008)
In the quiet little community of Jericho, Kansas, small town life has been slowly eroding. Most of those who remain are just scraping a living, reluctantly tied by family, and looking for the next opportunity to leave for bigger and better things. But things change mightily when they spy a mushroom cloud on the horizon and contact to the outside world is lost. Not knowing what happened, who is to blame, or what is to happen next, the people of Jericho have to band together and work on securing food, electricity, and security against the unknown. But while most people are worried about the vast mystery of what is happening around the world, a few begin to realize that many threats and intrigues lie within.
As a post-apocalypse series, this one is much more in line with Alas Babylon than hard-core death and motorcycle gangs. What I find most interesting about this series is that is reads more like a mystery/thriller, that perhaps the scariest part after something horrible happens is that no one knows what really happened. Who dropped the bombs? Is there still a government, is normal life still happening elsewhere? And what does the future look like? Small town relationships and secrets are given greater significance in such a backdrop, as they can either strengthen or rip apart this fragile community. What most post-apocalyptic fiction misses is the fact that humans may be able to survive alone, but that to really thrive they need each other. Subdued, likeable characters assume new roles in their town's fortunes, and tight plotting ensures that you keep wondering what will happen next.
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