2025 Sci-Fi TV Recap - The Best Shows from Pluribus to Foundation

2025 has been absolutely insane for sci-fi on TV. Some shows made me laugh, some made me question humanity, and some kept me up way too late. I’ve watched almost everything worth seeing, and wow… what a year. There’s chaos, beauty, and sheer brilliance out there. Here’s my messy, fan-first take on the highlights.

Pluribus

Vince Gilligan strikes again. Pluribus is this post-apocalyptic black comedy where most of humanity merges into a hive mind, but Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) is immune from this 'join' + other 12. I loved that tension. One moment that cracked me up was when the hive abandoned her and only interacted via drone; it was so awkward and funny, all at once.

The show nails that mix of scary and funny, with cinematography and atmosphere that scream Gilligan’s style. Every frame, every tiny detail, feels deliberate. It’s really sad that season 2 will drop not next year but in 2027 "maybe." Tomorrow is the finale; I can’t wait to see the ending of season 1, but I also don’t want it to end!

Beyond my personal take, Pluribus has already made a massive impact. As of November 23, 2025, it became AppleTV’s most successful new drama debut, surpassing Severance Season 2 and topping charts in over 20 countries. Critics love it, with a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score praising the writing, direction, and Rhea Seehorn’s lead performance, though audience reactions are more divided at 78% due to the show’s slow-burn pacing. AppleTV’s early confidence, approving a two-season order before the premiere, and the strong launch numbers—6.4 million hours watched in the first week in the U.S.—cement its status as one of 2025’s biggest sci-fi hits. The Gilligan–Seehorn reunion, high-concept premise, and controlled marketing all contributed to the series’ rapid rise.

Silo Season 2

Silo Season 2 was an intense ride from start to finish. The tension never let up, the mysteries kept piling on, and the finale left me both thrilled and anxious for what’s next. Juliette and Bernard’s cliffhanger, the deadly Safeguard Procedure, and the secrets of the silos all combined to make this season a nonstop thrill. I loved how the show balanced high-stakes action with character moments that actually made me care. By the end, I was hooked, already thinking about Season 3 and all the questions it will finally answer. Some fans say it was slow, but I didn’t feel that way. It was good, just not quite as strong as Season 1.

Andor Season 2

I didn’t watch the whole thing, but from what I saw, this season finally makes Cassian Andor a real rebel. Diego Luna kills it, subtle, intense, believable. Stellan Skarsgård adds this heavy, grounding presence that makes every scene tense.

The politics, the sacrifices, the spy stuff, it’s all deeply satisfying. I kept pausing on certain frames because the visuals were gorgeous. By the finale, I felt emotionally spent. This show proves Star Wars can be more than explosions.

Alien: Earth

Alien: Earth gave me the weirdest mix of feelings. I loved it, and I hated it at the same time. Some episodes were fantastic; others felt rushed. And the finale? They went for shock over closure, which left the season feeling… messy.

Still, the atmosphere, the tension, and the new alien life forms were incredible. Some episodes made my stomach twist (like episode 5); others just made me shake my head. It’s frustrating, but I couldn’t stop watching. There’s brilliance here, even if it’s uneven.

Cassandra

A 1970s smart home wakes up after fifty years, and the AI, Cassandra, is terrifying. The family dynamics, the period details, the slow creeping tension, it all works.

It’s bold and perfectly crafted. Horror can be smart, funny, and disturbing at the same time, and Cassandra proves that.

Black Mirror Season 7

Charlie Brooker still knows how to cut deep. Season seven juggles a huge cast, and every episode hits in its own way. I especially loved episode seven, “Infinity and Beyond”, and Cristin Miloti was incredible.

The “USS Callister: Into Infinity” continuation .. I would watch that as a full show in a heartbeat.

Severance Season 2

Every episode of Severance felt like a perfectly plated meal. The story, the reveals, the suspense, they nailed it. Mark discovering truths about his wife, the “overtime contingency”, the psychological twists… all of it worked.

This season was exhausting in the best way. Every reveal hit, every plot twist made me pause and think. Smart, thrilling, and deeply satisfying.

Foundation Season 3

This season might be my favorite of the three. Epic visuals, epic story, epic everything. Jared Harris is the perfect Hari Seldon, and the "Mule twist" kept me thinking long after I watched.

Some episodes dragged a little, but the stakes, scale, and intelligence pulled me right back in. Foundation reminded me why I love sci-fi: big, bold ideas handled with care, skill, and quality.

Murderbot

This show is pure fun. Alexander Skarsgård as the deadpan robot is perfect. Murderbot secretly loves humans but hates them at the same time, and I laughed more than I expected. The humor is sharp, the adventure is real, and the emotional beats sneak up on you.

The only issue I have is that the episodes are too short! I also made a review on the season; you can see it here: Mordurbot season review.

Dead City Season 2

Dead City Season 2 was a rollercoaster for me. I think the season is genuinely really good, especially the last three episodes, and it gives us some of the best Negan moments in the entire franchise. At the same time, some characters drove me crazy, Herschel is incredibly annoying, and Maggie’s constant grudge against Negan felt unrealistic. I found the minor characters like Bruegel, the Dama, and the young historian far more interesting than the leads.

The show has its highs and lows. I loved the creative "science stuff," like the NYC factions fighting over methane and the ship explosion, and I really enjoyed Kim Coates’ performance. But some moments fell flat, and the pacing can drag with too much talking. Negan feels a bit broken this season, losing the edge that made him a beast, while some fight scenes and political moves felt off.

Overall, I think the season is much stronger than the first and even surpasses other spinoffs like Daryl Dixon, especially when binged. The conflict between "Old Negan" and "New Negan" kept me hooked, and the show’s creative world-building still makes it worth watching, even with its flaws.

Daryl Dixon Season 3

Daryl Dixon Season 3 surprised me in a really good way. It feels cinematic, brutal, and packed with standout action, especially that massive episode 4 fight, which honestly gave me Game of Thrones vibes. The cinematography and bloody takedowns feel almost John Wick-level, and I really liked how we finally get deeper into Daryl’s head through flashbacks. At the same time, it still has issues. Keeping the story stuck in Europe can feel dragged out, and sometimes Daryl works better as a supporting character than the main focus. Still, I think this season is a great reset, much stronger than Season 2, and if the show keeps delivering like this, I’d happily watch even more, though it’s sad the next season will be the last.

The Eternaut

Buenos Aires, deadly snow, aliens everywhere. I really cared about the characters, they felt real. The story never slows down. I kept asking myself, “Could I survive this?” and “Who can I trust?” It’s exciting, nonstop, and feels very real..

What a Year for Sci-Fi

Looking back on 2025, wow… the year was just crazy for sci-fi on TV. Some shows made me happy, some made me think way too hard about humanity, and some kept me up way too late. Pluribus had me hooked with its hive-mind chaos, Silo kept me on the edge, and Foundation just blew my mind.

The stuff we got this year was all over the place—thrillers that made my heart race, characters I actually cared about, and worlds that felt totally new but also familiar. Sure, some episodes dragged or split opinions, but overall, the creativity and sheer boldness made it a year to remember. 2025 reminded me why I love sci-fi: it’s messy, exciting, and full of surprises. I’m already hyped for 2026, if it’s anything like this, we’re in for a wild ride.