Top 5, In order of preference WITH justification:
Babylon 5 - first coherent multi-season plotline. A novel in TV form with interesting, 3-dimensional characters who all developed during the series run. Proved that Sci-fi could be intelligent as well as entertaining.
Lost - took what B5 did and really ran with it. Although it was too hard to follow week-to-week on TV, watching the whole series back-to-back on DVD was MUCH better and despite what the majority of people thought I really liked the ending.
Stargate SG-1 (up to end of Season 8) - again, a series that concentrated on characters and ongoing development rather than visual effects. SG1 demonstrated that sci-fi could contain humour and drame without making it look silly. Took its time to get into its stride but once it got there it made it count.
Star Trek (TOS and TNG ONLY) - Well, it's Trek, innit?? It has its flaws and these days pales in comparison to some series out there, but it's still the Original Sci-fi Series that started it all. I'll watch them any time, but don't sit me in front of DS9, Voyager or Enterprise - they're not Trek.
Firefly - Again, characters that live and breathe behind that screen and that you start to care about before they get wrenched viciously away.
Babylon 5 - first coherent multi-season plotline. A novel in TV form with interesting, 3-dimensional characters who all developed during the series run. Proved that Sci-fi could be intelligent as well as entertaining.
Lost - took what B5 did and really ran with it. Although it was too hard to follow week-to-week on TV, watching the whole series back-to-back on DVD was MUCH better and despite what the majority of people thought I really liked the ending.
Stargate SG-1 (up to end of Season 8) - again, a series that concentrated on characters and ongoing development rather than visual effects. SG1 demonstrated that sci-fi could contain humour and drame without making it look silly. Took its time to get into its stride but once it got there it made it count.
Star Trek (TOS and TNG ONLY) - Well, it's Trek, innit?? It has its flaws and these days pales in comparison to some series out there, but it's still the Original Sci-fi Series that started it all. I'll watch them any time, but don't sit me in front of DS9, Voyager or Enterprise - they're not Trek.
Firefly - Again, characters that live and breathe behind that screen and that you start to care about before they get wrenched viciously away.