The 7 best sci-fi/fantasy TV episodes of 2023

4. Warrior, "A Window of F*cking Opportunity" (Max)

Warrior is a martial arts drama set in the city of San Francisco in the aftermath of the Civil War, where Chinese gangs called tongs waged war on each other in the midst of huge social upheavel. It doesn't quite fit the mold of "sci-fi/fantasy," but I'm including it here for a few reasons: 1) historical action may not be sci-fi or fantasy but it's sort of a second cousin; 2) Warrior is a terrific show that didn't get nearly enough attention when it was on, and; 3) Max canceled Warrior after this most recent third season; I'm still upset about it and I'm making it your problem.

"A Window of F*cking Opportunity" is the season 3 finale of Warrior. Lead character Ah Sahm (the splendid Andrew Koji) comes to a personal crossroads and finds himself fighting his long-time friends in one of the most spectacular close-quarters action scenes the show has yet produced. And that's saying a lot because Warrior pulls off eye-popping fight sequences. As with Invincible, you may come for the violence, but you'll stay for the in-depth character work and richly realized historical setting.

Warrior began life on Cinemax, where it ran for two seasons. Then Max picked it up for a third. In the new year, those three seasons will be available to watch on Netflix. I don't have any illusions that a listicle about TV can help revive a series, but considering how much I've loved Warrior, I feel I have to try. If anyone who reads this is inspired to check out Warrior on either Max or Netflix, maybe that'll be the view that convinces Netflix to give it a new home once again.