The series most directly inspired by 9/11, and also the best. It depicts the efforts of an FBI agent to infiltrate an al Qaeda-affiliated cell in Los Angeles. Although it buys into some of the hype about AQ's supposed menace, it stands out for its attempt to depict both Islamic terrorism, as well as 'moderate' Islam, on their own terms, and emphasizes the differences between them.

A society that has grown decadent is devastated in a surprise attack, and the survivors find themselves in a desperate battle against religious fanatics who have infiltrated their own ranks. Despite the SF trappings, BSG is saturated with 9/11-related themes, although it's also much more than that, being both terrific SF and drama as well. It's one of the truly great series of all time.

An outstanding stand-alone film, 'Razor' should be viewed as it was originally shown - between Seasons 3 and 4, although it is actually set chronologically in the middle of Season 2. It focuses on the saga of Battlestar Pegasus, and we are also treated to tantalizing flashbacks to the First Cylon War, more than 40 years earlier.

The last half of season 4 consists of some of the worst episodes of the entire series, but I still found the conclusion satisfying, if far from perfect. Again, the 9/11 allegory is nowhere visible here.

It bodes well for the prequel spinoff of BSG that in the opening episode, it returns to its roots. A cell of monotheists, led by the daughter of a prominent scientist, carries out a bombing which kills the sister of future William Adama. Their grief brings the two fathers together in a scheme which will have grave implications. At last the producers are returning to the ideas which made BSG great.

It lacks the depth of the other series on this list, but "24" is definitely the most fun! Jack Bauer will stop at nothing to save America from the terrorist du jour. Critics question its ethics, but the complex moral dilemmas faced by the characters in each episode cause it to transcend the comic book level. This first season acts as an overture to the themes and tropes of later seasons.

This is the best season of '24' in my opinion, focusing on a plot to release a deadly virus into the U.S. As with all seasons of '24,' it's the little aside moments that make it truly stand out.

Although they are not the primary villains of Season 5, Chechen terrorists crop up as one tendril of a particularly convoluted plot-line.

I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed by this TV movie. '24' was intended to be a series, not a movie, and this proved it.