It’s not a surprise that plenty of sci-fi TV shows take some time to reach masterpiece status, with many still finding their footing in season 1. Today, many sci-fi series are canceled too soon, never getting the chance to reach their full potential. Luckily, these shows had the opportunity to get stronger with each installment, transforming into compelling and interrogative explorations of the genre that stand the test of time.

Some of the best underrated sci-fi TV shows get off to a rocky start, requiring the audience to stick with them to get to the brilliance of the later seasons. It can seem like a chore to get through the slow starts of these series, as the first installments are often bogged down by exposition and clunky world-building, but once the stage is set, the stories become too propulsive to miss out on.

The 100 (2014–2020)

Today, the sci-fi genre is oversaturated with post-apocalyptic TV shows, as this is a niche of the genre that will always appeal to audiences, as it examines human nature in extreme circumstances. However, in 2014, The 100 differentiated itself from other teen dramas by grappling with the serious themes and plot points of life after the end of the world.

Following Clarke (Eliza Taylor), the leader of a group of young adults sent to Earth to determine if the planet is livable once again, The 100 sees its characters attempt to rebuild society, survive, and come face-to-face with the survivors who have different ideologies. In season 1, the show sets the stage for what’s to come, but the best parts of The 100 are missing.

The 100 took some big swings as the show progressed, with time jumps and shocking deaths, but this was what kept us on the edge of our seats. Later in the show, Clarke comes into herself and begins to understand what kind of leader she wants to be, and the series moves past the post-apocalyptic formula, touching upon bigger questions about the nature of humanity.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)

Every Star Trek TV show faces the same challenge of carving out an original place for itself within the iconography and legacy of the franchise. Star Trek: The Next Generation initially seemed like it was going to fail in these respects. TNG season 1 is widely regarded as the weakest season of the series by far, with season 2 also flagging compared to the rest of the show.

One of the main reasons why TNG season 1 is so flawed is that it was trying to capture the magic of The Original Series instead of finding its own voice. Due to this, the writing in season 1 is markedly worse, and the episodic stories aren’t compelling or interesting in terms of character and plot, often coming off as dated.

Out of every live-action Star Trek TV show, Star Trek: The Next Generation stands out because it climbed its way back from this lackluster first installment and became one of the best additions to the franchise. Digging into more serialized storylines and allowing its stellar ensemble cast to shine, the series helped set the tone for the next phase of the Star Trek universe, influencing modern projects.

Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)

Every Marvel TV show brings something new to the expanse canon of the franchise, but Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. might be the most accessible of the company’s TV efforts. However, this wasn’t clear in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, which doesn’t have the same thrilling tone and emotional urgency as the rest of the series.

It would later become clear that the series was dropping hints and using subtle foreshadowing in season 1 to set the stage for shocking plot twists and exciting supernatural and sci-fi developments. However, when you’re in the thick of watching the first installment, it feels as if there are a lot of miscellaneous episodes to sit through.

When viewed holistically, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1 isn’t that much worse than the rest of the show, but it hardly portends how effective the narrative would become both emotionally and in terms of action. While the superhero elements are a part of the fabric of the show, even audiences who don’t typically watch these projects will find something to enjoy in the series.

Doctor Who (2005–Present)

Though there are many iterations of Doctor Who, the first season of the modern era got off to a nostalgic but imperfect start. Christopher Eccleston’s turn as the Ninth Doctor is one of the most underrated versions of the titular character, and this is likely because the 2005 season of Doctor Who comes off as more dated in both the visual effects and storylines.

This isn’t helped by the fact that David Tennant assumed the role in season 2, and his take on the Doctor is considered the definitive version. Doctor Who is arguably the greatest sci-fi show of all time, and this is apparent not only because of the series’ longevity, but because it’s been able to tackle so many serious, interrogative themes without losing its sense of adventure and fun.

It will be interesting to see where the next few seasons of Doctor Who take the show, as there have been major changes to the structure and tone of the series since 2005. However, the modern seasons of Doctor Who and their most iconic episodes wouldn’t have been possible without the Ninth Doctor, even if these installments aren’t as rewatchable.

Fringe (2008–2013)

When Fringe first premiered, it was immediately bogged down by comparisons to other sci-fi and supernatural procedural TV shows. Most often described as an X-Files copycat, Fringe leaned too heavily on the episodic side of its story in season 1, which only prevented Fringe from being recognized as an original project with a unique perspective that would come through as the show progressed.

For fans of sci-fi, one of the best parts of any TV show is discovering the lore of a story, and as Fringe dug into these details, it soared as a series. While the crime element of the show helped Fringe establish itself and its characters, letting these storylines fade and accepting its fate as a bizarre and thrilling series was the best thing that happened to Fringe.

Of course, there are parts of Fringe season 1 that helped set the tone for the overarching plots, like the tension between Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter (Joshua Jackson). However, nothing could’ve prepared audiences for the depth of emotional investment that Fringe would spark in the remaining seasons, making it impossible to stop watching the show.

Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Widely considered the sci-fi TV show that formally established and perfected the space opera genre, Babylon 5 is a classic addition to the world of science fiction that more audiences should be aware of. While longtime sci-fi fans understand the legacy and impact of Babylon 5​​​​​, the project transcends genre barriers and appeals to viewers of all kinds.

One of the ways that Babylon 5 differentiated itself from traditional genre fare of the time was that it had a long, over-arching plot that spanned seasons, not just episodes. However, this ambitious concept isn’t immediately clear in season 1. While the series is still interesting and lays the groundwork for a sweeping narrative, the world it presents takes some getting used to.

However, it makes sense that Babylon 5 would have to get off to a slower start, considering the fact that the writers and creators knew where they wanted to take the series from the beginning. Compared to modern shows, Babylon 5 has a slower, more deliberate pace, especially in season 1, but this ultimately was a positive choice for the show.

The Expanse (2015–2022)

The Expanse faced challenges throughout its run, as it was canceled by Syfy after season 3, but revived on Prime Video for the last three seasons. Based on the sweeping epic sci-fi novel series by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse might be set in space and grapple with fictional technology, but its drama will appeal to audiences of all kinds.

The Expanse is a masterpiece sci-fi show because it walks a fine line between genres, imbuing the story with elements of political thrillers, social commentary, and interpersonal dramas. However, all of this narrative complexity doesn’t initially come through in The Expanse season 1. With so much to communicate to the audience in such a short amount of time, the premiere installment isn’t always easy to understand.

However, audiences will stick with The Expanse because it anchors itself in reality through the well-developed characters and the promise of many exciting plot developments to come. As far as modern sci-fi goes, there are few shows that have aged as well as The Expanse, which captures the imaginations of every new audience member who discovers it.