Science fiction has produced a huge amount of content, but TV shows within the genre haven’t always gotten the recognition they deserve. This has been true for years, going back to when sci-fi was still building its audience and wasn’t as popular as other types of shows. As a result, discussions about the best sci-fi series often focus on well-known hits like Stranger Things, shows connected to franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars, or series that were popular at a specific time, such as Westworld or The Expanse. Often, the truly deserving shows get left out of the conversation, remembered mainly by dedicated fans.
There are a few shows that never quite got the recognition they deserved, and one in particular always puzzled me. Despite running for several seasons, being genuinely fun to watch, receiving good reviews, and even having a great finale, it’s rarely mentioned when people talk about science fiction. It’s surprising how underrated it remains.
Killjoys Understands What Makes a Great Sci-Fi Show
If you enjoyed Firefly, you might like Killjoys, as the two shows are often compared for their similar feel. Killjoys, which began in 2015, centers around three bounty hunters – Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), Johnny Jaqobis (Aaron Ashmore), and D’avin Jaqobis (Luke Macfarlane) – who work for a company that hunts down criminals throughout a star system called the Quad. Initially, the show feels like a typical series with standalone missions and exciting space chases. But the story quickly becomes more complex as political intrigue, hidden secrets, and larger dangers emerge.
What really impressed me about the show is its ability to be thoroughly entertaining without feeling empty or superficial. Often, we equate quality with seriousness, assuming a show – particularly in sci-fi – needs to be dark and complicated to be worthwhile. Killjoys avoids that completely. It’s consistently fun and action-packed, but it never compromises on good storytelling. Over five seasons, the show maintains a strong pace, with each mission usually contributing to the overall plot and a clear sense of development. You never feel like you’re watching filler episodes, even when the main story arc takes its time.
It’s true, the show isn’t flawless. It’s really hard to keep everything consistent throughout a long series. A common issue with sci-fi is that the story world gets so complex, it starts to overshadow the characters and what originally made the show interesting. That’s something Killjoys struggles with a bit after Season 3 – it gets unnecessarily complicated. The show moves beyond just being about bounty hunters and dives into power plays and politics. However, it manages to stay grounded because it always keeps the focus on the three main characters and their relationships.
A large part of what makes this show so good is the fantastic connection between the three main characters, Dutch, John, and D’avin. While other sci-fi shows might have flashier visuals or more complex settings, few manage to create a group you genuinely care about. Even when an episode isn’t perfect, you remain engaged because of the strong bond between the characters, which enhances the overall experience. This dynamic keeps the story grounded and relatable, even as the show’s world expands. Ultimately, Killjoys remains true to its heart – a story about three people navigating survival, protecting loved ones, and facing the consequences of their actions.
Looking back at sci-fi shows that followed, this one stands out for how consistently good it remained. It’s easy for shows to start strong and then fall apart, but this series knew what story it wanted to tell and stuck to it. It finished feeling like the same show it started as, which is something sci-fi fans really appreciate – and it’s surprisingly uncommon.
Why Is Killjoys So Forgotten?
It’s always puzzled me that not many people seem to remember Killjoys. Looking back, the main reason is likely that it just didn’t get the same attention as other sci-fi shows at the time. It launched when there was already a lot of competition in the genre, going up against shows like Black Mirror and Stranger Things which were generating much more excitement with their unique ideas and cultural impact. Being a Canadian show on Syfy also meant it faced an uphill battle to reach a wider audience compared to some of its competitors.
The show’s success might have been affected by its balance of intricate plotlines and ease of understanding. While critics generally liked it, some felt the story wasn’t original enough, drawing comparisons to other science fiction shows. During its first season, reviewers pointed out that the core idea and the show’s setting felt too similar to existing space operas. Essentially, the show didn’t break new ground. This is somewhat ironic, because it aired at a time when audiences were really drawn to complex narratives that encouraged theorizing and discussion. Even though Killjoys aimed for complexity, it didn’t quite reach the level that viewers were looking for.
The show didn’t truly break new ground, and that’s why it had a hard time gaining traction. Viewers usually prefer shows that are innovative, provocative, or visually stunning, rather than ones that are just well-made. I believe Killjoys was released at the wrong time. If it had premiered now, when many viewers are tired of complicated shows and are looking for something lighthearted and enjoyable, it likely would have been much more successful.
Killjoys is available to watch on Prime Video.
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2026-06-01 22:41