BLOG Dealing with change with sci-fi for inspiration

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes! Blogger John Cooper copes with change all round by looking to his favourite shows

Change can come when you least expect it, good, bad, unwanted or indifferent - whether you like it or not change will happen. From the lovely new SFX website, Doctor Who's cheekbones and a zombie's average running speed, to a phone call from your landlord telling you he's moving back into his flat, and you've got three months to move out - yikes! Change is sent to try us and it's as much about the event itself as it is about how you cope with the fallout and your instinct to fight or flee.

Okay, we kind of knew Douglas Henshall was leaving, but for such a strong lead to be shot dead in the second episode was a shock to the system. Was it the end for the show? No, as it turned out. It was just the kick up the pants the show was in need of as the rest of the cast all tried to step up and stop a rampaging T-Rex with a small helicopter, while new hanger-on Danny Quinn's chin made a play for leadership.

DS9 was all about change. While there are more obvious examples in later seasons - four's arrival of Worf or the Dominion war in season six - DS9's remit for dramatic consequences (instead of just flying on to the next planet) was in evidence early on. This fine example of upheaval in season two, when non essential crew were evacuated from the station, created a situation with no easy resolution and not a reset button in sight.

It might have been a bit on the slow side, but I had a lot of time for SeaQuest, in particular Roy Scheider's Nathan Bridger and the attempt to take on weighty environmentally conscious 'what-if' stories. Series two gradually went into fantasy, then like a small child drawing a big explosion with chunky crayons, the whole show became all about action without caring to resemble anything even faintly recognisable. Michael Ironside was always watchable though.

SFX Magazine is the world's number one sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine published by Future PLC. Established in 1995, SFX Magazine prides itself on writing for its fans, welcoming geeks, collectors, and aficionados into its readership for over 25 years. Covering films, TV shows, books, comics, games, merch, and more, SFX Magazine is published every month. If you love it, chances are we do too and you'll find it in SFX.