If you're craving a TV show that throws logic out the window and embraces pure, unapologetic chaos, La Brea is your new obsession. This three-season sci-fi series, now streaming on Netflix, has become a sleeper hit for the platform—and for good reason. It's a wild ride that mixes prehistoric creatures, time-traveling conspiracies, and enough family drama to fuel a dozen soap operas.
Created by David Appelbaum, La Brea kicks off with a massive sinkhole swallowing a chunk of Los Angeles. Survivors, including the Harris family, find themselves transported to a primeval land where saber-toothed tigers and giant birds roam. But that's just the beginning. As the series unfolds, the sinkhole is revealed to be a portal to 10,000 BC, and the plot only gets crazier from there.
A Guilty Pleasure That Embraces Its Absurdity
Critics weren't kind to La Brea during its original NBC run, with one review calling it "everything I hate in network television science fiction." Yet the show defied the odds, lasting three seasons and building a loyal fanbase. What makes it so watchable? It's the sheer audacity. The series never apologizes for its ridiculousness—it leans into it. From a T. rex battling a stealth bomber to a villain from the future, La Brea is a throwback to the kind of syndicated sci-fi that thrived in the '90s, like Xena: Warrior Princess or Andromeda.
Each season cranks up the insanity. Season 1 introduces the prehistoric survival struggle. Season 2 brings in a group from the future who created the sinkhole to save humanity. By Season 3, dinosaurs from different eras are thrown into the mix. It's a mess, but a glorious one. The show prioritizes the Harris family's emotional journey above all else, making even the most outlandish twists feel grounded in character.
How 'La Brea' Survived—and Thrived—on Streaming
The show's path to Netflix wasn't smooth. After two seasons, NBC ordered a shortened six-episode third season ahead of the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, effectively ending the series. But unlike many canceled shows, La Brea got to conclude on its own terms—with a finale that includes a dinosaur vs. stealth bomber showdown. Appelbaum told SyFy Wire he has ideas for continuing the story, potentially with a new cast in 10,000 BC, but for now, the series wraps up in a satisfyingly bonkers way.
After its NBC run, La Brea found a second life on Peacock before landing on Netflix, where it's now a streaming hit. It's the perfect example of a show that works better in a binge format, where viewers can embrace the absurdity without waiting a week between episodes. If you're a fan of sci-fi franchises that expand their worlds, La Brea delivers that same sense of discovery, albeit with more dinosaurs.
Why You Should Give 'La Brea' a Chance
In an era of prestige TV, La Brea is a refreshing reminder that entertainment doesn't have to be highbrow to be enjoyable. It's a show that knows exactly what it is: a soapy, dinosaur-filled adventure with a heart. Whether you're in it for the family drama, the time-travel twists, or just to see a T. rex take on modern military hardware, La Brea delivers. And with all three seasons available on Netflix, it's the perfect binge for a lazy weekend.
So go ahead, embrace the guilty pleasure. La Brea is waiting, and it's gloriously ridiculous.
