SFTV 101
SFTV 101: 1952 to 1980
For anyone interested in the history of science fiction, fantasy and horror on television, here is a list of episodes recommended as an introduction to the most significant series of the 50s, 60s and 70s. Feel free to use it to plan a video stream at an sf convention, a class on science fiction, or just a marathon to satisfy your own curiosity.
Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century
The Twilight Zone: ‘The Monsters are Due on Maple Street’, ‘Nightmare at 20,000 Feet’, ‘To Serve Man’.
Doctor Who: ‘The Pilot’ *
The Outer Limits: ‘The Zanti Misfits’
Jonny Quest: ‘The Robot Spy’
The Addams Family: ‘The Addams Family meets a Beatnik’
Lost in Space: ‘Island in the Sky’
Star Trek: ‘Balance of Terror’, ‘Errand of Mercy’
The Avengers: ‘Return of the Cybernauts’
The Prisoner: ‘The Chimes of Big Ben’, ‘Hammer Into Anvil’
Doomwatch: ‘The Plastic Eater’
The Night Gallery: Pilot episode
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons: ‘The Heart of New York’
Star Trek: The Animated Series: ‘Yesteryear’
UFO: ‘A Question of Priorities’
Kolchak, The Night Stalker: ‘Horror in the Heights’
Land of the Lost: ‘The Stranger’
The Six Million Dollar Man: ‘The Last Kamikaze’
The Survivors: ‘Law and Order’
Wonder Woman: ‘Spaced Out’
The Tomorrow People: ‘Hitler’s Last Secret’
Planet of the Apes: ‘The Trap’
Sapphire and Steel: ‘Assignment 1’, episode 1
The Incredible Hulk: ‘Married’
Battlestar Galactica: ‘Saga of a Star World’
The Omega Factor: ‘Visitations’
Salvage (pilot)
Blake’s 7: ‘Orac’
* Yes, I know that’s 2017, not 1960s - but the formula hasn’t changed. Substitute 'Genesis of the Daleks' or 'The Five Doctors' if you'd prefer Old Who.
Further Viewing:
Quatermass II
The War Game
Thunderbirds: ‘Terror In New York City’
The Time Tunnel: ‘The Last Patrol’
Search: ‘The Adonis File’
The Bionic Woman: ‘Doomsday is Tomorrow’
Mork and Mindy: ‘Mork vs the Necrotons’
Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions, particularly Grant Watson, Robert J. Sawyer, Ian Triffitt, David Alexander McDonald, Damien Magee, Chuck Rothman, Matthew Foster, Greg Cox and Tansy Rayner Roberts.