Diverging From The Sacred Timeline
Loki is the latest series on Disney+, diving into time travel, alternate worlds and all manner of time-bending madness. If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Loki on Disney+.
Legion
Similarities – Good Twists & Cerebrally Charged Story
Legion is a challenging sci-fi series that exists somewhere within the weird space of the X-Men universe. It’s also one of the more unusual and visually stunning shows you’re likely to see in quite some time. When you’ve watched Legion, you’ll know why this is on the list, especially given some of the twists during the latter periods of the show. The story here revolves around a super mutant named David Haller. This troubled young man spends his time institutionalized after being diagnosed as schizophrenic. What follows is an unforgettable journey as David tries to make sense of what’s happening and why he’s there. The show has three seasons and ends conclusively too, making for a solid watch that’s very much recommended. You can read our thoughts on Legion in our full season reviews here!
Travelers
Similarities – Sci-Fi & Story
At first glance you’d be forgiven for writing off Travelers as another generic sci-fi show. After all, a collection of people coming together to try to stop the world from total annihilation is hardly the most original of ideas. Where Travelers stands out though, is the unique way it manages to weave its unique premise through a well written plot and believable, complex characters. The story takes place 100’s of years from now, as surviving humans discover how to send their consciousness back through time into people of the 21st century. Desperate to change the fateful path of humanity, Travelers combines mystery, action and tension to great effect. The show does well to conclude its three season run too with an epic finale that does just about enough to conclude this tale on a high. However, it also leaves the door open for a possible reboot further down the line. You can read our thoughts on Travelers in our full season review here!
The Umbrella Academy
Similarities – Quirky Characters & Timeline Jumps
The Umbrella Academy is really the full package. While it may not have the same level of gore and explicit violence as other hero entries on this list, it does have a great ensemble of characters and some excellent action. The Umbrella Academy actually takes the time to flesh out every character and gives them a compelling arc. The action sequences are well shot and the simple story surrounding this misfit group of child-heroes teaming up to save the world is as engrossing as it is watchable. It’s also one of the better examples of a show outdoing itself in the second season. You can read our thoughts on The Umbrella Academy in our full season review here!
Counterpart
Similarities – Parallel Worlds
The interesting thing with Counterpart is just how normalized its sci-fi elements are. Here, we’re dealing with parallel worlds, and in particular one that’s accessible via a pathway guarded by government authorities. At the centre of this lies Howard Silk who inadvertently winds up entangled in a big cover up and face to face with his doppelganger from a parallel reality. Trouble is brewing though, leading Howard and his double to trade places and grapple with a plot line involving powerful forces intent on disrupting the natural flow of both worlds. This is a smartly written thriller and although only running for 2 seasons, does well to add a slightly different flavour to its parallel worlds idea. You can read our thoughts on Counterpart in our full season reviews here!
Helstrom
Similarities – Superheroes & Dark Drama
Helstrom is a well written, interesting series that, at the time of writing anyway, has no involvement with the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it is an enthralling watch nonetheless and definitely full of some dark and tense segments. This 10 episode series revolves around two siblings, Daimon and Ana Helstrom, who happen to be the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer. Together, they’re tasked with tracking down the worst of humanity – each with their attitude and skills. While it is perhaps a little bloated at times, and could have been condensed down to 6 or 8 episodes, this one remains an enjoyable watch nonetheless.
The Ministry Of Time
Similarities – Secret Agency Controlling Time Travel
Spanish drama The Ministry Of Time is a real hidden gem. Each episode is around 70 minutes long and revolves around a secret society operating in Madrid. With a headquarters housing portals to numerous different time periods through history, it’s left up to a warrior from the 16th Century, the first female university student from the 19th Century and a paramedic from the 21st Century to protect the timeline. Together, this trio are thrust into a dangerous world where villains threaten to change Spanish history forever. Everything from the Armada to important aristocrats are explored across these chapters, and with three seasons to get through, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. You can read our thoughts on The Ministry Of Time in our full season reviews here!
12 Monkeys
Similarities – Story & Complicated Time Travel
When it comes to under-rated sci-fi, 12 Monkeys must be near the top of the list. This incredibly thrilling show completely surpasses its big screen brother to produce something really special – and criminally overlooked. The story itself is relatively unchanged from the film. In the future, a virus has absolutely ravaged humanity and a lone time traveler jumps back to stop a plague from wiping out Earth. While this sounds simple in theory, 12 Monkeys quickly adds layers of depth to rival that seen in Dark. After an enjoyable and relatively predictable first season, 12 Monkeys changes the game by introducing a shadowy group called the Army of the 12 Monkeys. They too seem desperate to change the past but to what end? What ensues from here is an incredible journey, one of the best sci-fi series ever produced and one that finishes with a spine-chilling conclusion. You can read our thoughts on 12 Monkeys in our full season reviews here!
11.22.63
Similarities – Changing The Timeline
8 part mini-series 11.22.63, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, is an impressively crafted time-travel thriller. With an inspired James Franco in the driving seat, this is a must-watch for sure. The story begins in present day America with high school teacher Jake Epping. By chance, he discovers a portal leading to the past in a diner he frequents, run by his friend Al. After a brief introduction to the way this portal works, Jake is thrown head over heels into 1960’s America where he decides to try and stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy and change the future. With Jake continuing to invest more and more time in the past, he finds himself striking up unlikely friendships, especially with confident Sadie Dunhill. Smartly written and undeniably tense, 11.22.63 is well worth a watch. You can read our thoughts on 11.22.63 in our full season review here!
Doctor Who
Back in 23 November 1963 a mad man in a police box appeared and changed sci-fi forever. Since then, Doctor Who has gone on to become the longest-running sci-fi show worldwide and quite possibly the longest running non-soap opera too. Of course, the show did take an extended hiatus back in the 90’s before being revitalized again. While Classic Who is much slower and more dialogue-driven, Russell T Davies brought Doctor Who back in 2005 for a modern audience, with more action and thrills. Peak Doctor Who in the modern era would argue that seasons 4-6 are where the show is at its all-time high. For those unaware, the series revolves around the last Time Lord known as The Doctor. He travels around the universe in his TARDIS, a time machine that’s bigger on the inside. With a variety of companions that come and go, The Doctor embarks on a variety of different adventures with an array of formidable foes and unforgettable monsters along the way. You can read our thoughts on Doctor Who in our full season reviews here!
WandaVision
Marvel’s first foray onto the small screen is still arguably the strongest. Our central protagonist here is Wanda, whom we’re introduced to in a black and white sitcom with Vision. How? What happened? Is this an alternate universe? How is Vision still alive? And is there someone pulling the strings? It’s here where WandaVision excels the most, keeping its cards close to its chest and unwilling to show what’s really going on. It’s not until the middle of the show where the direction shifts slightly, giving more clues and answers to what’s been happening. While we’re drip-fed tantalizing bites of exposition, the show also uses its episodic format to pay homage to sitcoms of old. WandaVision is a unique hybrid of superhero and sitcom that’s unlikely to be replicated any time soon. You can read our thoughts on WandaVision in our full season review here! So there we have it, our 10 TV show picks to keep you busy after watching Loki on Disney+. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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