Prophets of Science Fiction

Review

Common Sense Media says

Intriguing docuseries connects science fiction with fact.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this science-oriented docuseries occasionally features spooky or frightening images to go with the fantastical ideas created by the sci-fi authors profiled. However, the information presented provides a tactile, informative glimpse at how the work of great science fiction creators has influenced and predicted the evolution of science fact over the past century. Each episode offers worthwhile exploration of not just classic sci-fi authors, but modern advancements in a variety of scientific disciplines.

  • Positive messages3
    The series uses the work of legendary sci-fi creators to connect real science and science fiction; through such explorations, the show places a strong value on how science and engineering have strong real-world value that both draws its inspiration from and contributes ideas to science fiction.
  • Positive role models3
    Though the behaviors of the creators profiled on the series are occasionally questionable, each author's gifts shine through in the exploration of the ideas within their work, creating strong creative role models for younger viewers.
  • Violence2
    Though there is little physical violence, the imagery used during some of the interview segments displays occasional borderline gore, for example an image of the Frankenstein monster that is a grisly assembly of body parts.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

Executive produced by legendary sci-fi filmmaker Ridley Scott, PROPHETS OF SCIENCE FICTION looks back at some of the iconic figures of sci-fi over the past two centuries, from Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein, widely considered the first science fiction novel) to Philip K. Dick (who wrote the book on which Blade Runner was based). Each author's greatest works are examined with an eye toward how the science fictional concepts they introduced have evolved over time into science fact.

Is it any good?

 

Prophets of Science Fiction pulls off a pretty remarkable feat. It takes the works of long-dead science fiction authors and examinations of the latest scientific wonders, mashes them together, and manages to make the whole far more engaging than its parts. Frankly, there are moments when the show amazes -- there are literary antecedents for so many of today's very real scientific developments that it's hard not to imagine authors like Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, and Philip K. Dick as prophets in the truest sense of the word.

By fusing the evolution behind some of sci-fi's true classics with an exploration of the real science that has emerged in the wake of them, Prophets of Science Fiction offers true insight into the power of literature to inspire, and the power of science to revolutionize our world and culture.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how reading fits into a healthy media diet. What books written by the authors featured on the show sound most interesting, and why?

  • What did you learn from this show? What was most surprising about how sci-fi novels have influenced real science fact?

This review was written by Matt Springer

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Matt Springer
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:SCIENCE
Genre:Educational
This review was written by Matt Springer
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More great science series
For kids who love science and science fiction
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Prophets of Science Fiction?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it