best sci-fi TV shows 2026

Star City Season 1 Episode 4, “Dark Forest,” delivers one of the series’ most emotionally resonant chapters as the consequences of fame, secrecy, and loyalty begin taking a toll on its characters. Anastasia struggles under the weight of becoming a Soviet icon, while Irina moves deeper into the world of espionage and Valya’s secrets threaten those closest to him. Our review explores why this thoughtful, character-driven episode proves the real battlefield of the Cold War is the human heart.

Pixel art illustration inspired by Star City Season 1 Episode 3, created in the style of a gritty 1980s and 1990s anime visual novel. Soviet cosmonauts, intelligence officers, and scientists stand against a backdrop of rockets, lunar installations, and Cold War symbolism. A stern male figure and a female Soviet officer dominate the composition while mission control monitors mysterious transmissions, reflecting the episode's themes of espionage, betrayal, and political paranoia.

Entertainment

Star City Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Space Race’s Cold War Paranoia Reaches Escape Velocity

June 6, 2026

Star City Season 1 Episode 3, “Bad Dancer,” delivers the series’ biggest revelations yet as Cold War paranoia tightens its grip on the Soviet space program. Major secrets come to light, loyalties are questioned, and political pressure threatens both the lunar mission and the people behind it. Our review explores the episode’s shocking twists, standout performances, and why Star City is rapidly evolving into one of the most compelling espionage-driven science fiction dramas on television.

Pixel art illustration inspired by 1980s and 1990s PC Engine visual novels showing a Soviet female cosmonaut holding a CCCP helmet in the foreground, with a thoughtful rocket designer, mission control operators, Soviet propaganda artwork, and a moon rocket launching beneath a night sky. The image uses rich retro anime aesthetics and cinematic pixel-art detail.

Entertainment

Star City Episode 1 Review: Apple TV+’s Soviet Space Race Thriller Launches with a Powerful Premiere

May 30, 2026

Apple TV+’s Star City launches with a compelling premiere that shifts the alternate-history space race behind the Iron Curtain. Episode 1, “The Eyes,” combines Cold War paranoia, political intrigue, and ambitious world-building to create a tense and atmospheric introduction to the Soviet side of the For All Mankind universe. Read our full review to discover why this intelligent and visually impressive debut is one of the strongest science fiction television premieres of the year.

Pixel art illustration inspired by Star City Episode 2 in the style of a 1980s and 1990s PC Engine visual novel. A young Soviet female cosmonaut gazes solemnly into the distance while standing before a massive propaganda banner and Kremlin skyline. Military officials and a stern intelligence officer flank her, emphasizing themes of surveillance, duty, and sacrifice. The artwork uses gritty retro anime aesthetics, detailed pixel shading, and dramatic Cold War atmosphere.

Entertainment

Star City Season 1 Episode 2 Review: The Real Danger Isn’t Space, It’s Home

May 30, 2026

Star City Season 1 Episode 2, “A Bear on a Chain,” delivers a gripping blend of Cold War paranoia, political intrigue, and character drama. As lunar hero Anastasia Belikova returns home, she discovers that becoming the face of the Soviet space program comes with a terrifying cost. Our review explores the episode’s standout performances, escalating tension, and how Star City continues to carve out its own identity beyond For All Mankind.