10 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Wasted Incredible Premises

This show from the 00's that borrowed themes of The Bermuda Triangle and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, managed to kick off proceedings in engaging enough fashion. The premise saw the return of 4400 missing persons, all who were abducted from different periods across time, but return with no memory of what has occurred to them and without ageing a day.

Adding even more interest to this premise was the fact that some of the returned humans had returned with special powers. The idea of different members of the 4400 using their powers for negative reasons, combined with the increased fears and reactions of modern society towards the returned humans, was extremely exciting and explored well in the shortened first season.

Unfortunately, like our previous entry, the show moved too quickly and dug itself a hole it couldn't get out of. The final reveal of the first season unveiled that the humans had not been abducted by aliens as expected, but were instead taken by mankind of the future. Revealing the mystery so early in the show's run proved a dud move, the audience having little reason to stick around as the narrative possibilities dried up.

While the show remained critically praised throughout its tenure, the show was cancelled after four steady but not spectacular seasons and declining ratings throughout. The show was by no means terrible, but considering its outstanding premise it couldn't help but feel like a bit of a let down.