The time has come to pack up our summer things and get down to business. Fall TV business. Yes, folks, that cotton-candy flavoured time of year has arrived, promising the return of your favourites, the arrival of newbies we can’t get enough of, and the desperate urge to avoid all things Revolution.
Let’s bitch it out…
Fall 2013 brings with it a host of fresh content – both new shows and returning favourites. Here’s the list of what we’re watching, along with when they start up:
Sleepy Hollow S1
Courtesy of FOX
What is it? A modern re-telling of Ichabod Crane and his pursuit of the villainous headless horseman. The keyword is “modern” as this tale takes place in the modern day with some key flashbacks to get us caught up.
Who does it star? Ummm…do you know British star Tom Mison? What about Nicole Beharie? You’re more likely to recognize the supporting cast: John Cho, Orlando Jones and Clancy Brown all appear early on
Why do you care? It’s one of the many new shows by people who once worked on Fringe (specifically Kurtzman and Orci) and it’s campy looking fun!
When does it start? Monday, Sept 16 at 9pm EST (FOX)
Who’s covering it? couchpotato
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hFg9qS_u3w
Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. S1
Courtesy of ABC
What is it? A weekly serial detailing the lives of the regular schmoes who live in the world of high flying Marvel superheroes. The story takes place after the events of The Avengers and although we’ll likely see a few super hero cameos throughout S1, don’t expect Iron Man, Captain America or Thor to make weekly appearances
Who does it star? Clark Gregg will reprise his deceased character, Agent Coulson (expect the details surrounding his resurrection to be a major recurring storyline). ER vet Ming Na and a bunch of newbies round out the cast
Why do you care? Because everything Marvel touches turns out to be pretty darn entertaining. Plus Joss Whedon had a hand in developing the series, with brother Jed and sister-in-law Maurissa Tanchareon (Dollhouse) taking on daily showrunner duties
When does it start? Tuesday, Sept 24 at 8pm EST (ABC)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
Revenge S3
Courtesy of ABC
What’s new? After suffering through a pretty terrible sophomore slump, the ABC Sunday sudser brings us back to the Hamptons. Last year’s finale included the death of one of the show’s more annoying characters, Declan (Connor Paolo) and sent Aiden (Barry Sloane) on the run. The new promos suggest a mix of traditional soap elements (a wedding!), along with the show’s trademark flashforward/tragedy, which appears to be protagonist Emily (Emily Van Camp) getting shot!
Who does it star? Everyone returns (minus dead Declan), plus former Smallville heartthrob Justin Hartley shows up as evil Victoria’s (Madeleine Stowe) first-born son. Expect his appearance to go down well with everyone
Why do you care? Because after everything that went wrong with S2, don’t you want to see if the new showrunner can pull off a return to form? Plus it’s the best Sunday night drinking game show around: REVENGE!
When does it start? Sunday, Sept 29 at 9pm EST (ABC)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
Courtesy of The CW
What’s new? We spent last season chasing the cure in order to stake and silence immortal vamp Silas. Instead in the finale we learned that Stefan (Paul Wesley) is actually Silas’ doppelganger – a twist revealed 2.5 seconds before Stefan was locked in a safe and dumped in the ocean. S5 will pick up with Silas impersonating Stefan as the Mystic Falls gang heads off to college.
Who does it star? Everyone returns (minus Klaus who’s being spun-off). That includes Bonnie (Kat Graham) who you may have hoped would be gone because she accidentally offed herself, but alas no <le sigh>
Why do you care? Because teen shows that make the transition to college are always awkward, so why not add vampires to that? Also, Katharine (Nina Dobrev) as a bitchy human? That’ll be tons of fun
When does it start? Thursday, Oct 3 at 9pm EST (The CW)
Who’s covering it? thedude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s78OWIESJCc
Courtesy of The CW
What’s it about? After being brutally rebuffed by Caroline for the upteenth time, Klaus (Joseph Morgan) packs his bags to play deadbeat baby daddy to Hayley’s (Phoebe Tonkin) preggers werewolf. Oh…and since he’s kicking around, he might as well take over New Orleans while he’s there
Who does it star? Basically all of the Originals, but this is all about launching Morgan’s Klaus as the anti-hero of his own show with his former protege, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), acting as antagonist. Look for back-up from Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt)
Why do you care? The Originals will live or die based on how much people care for Klaus’ brand of lovable gruffness. If you like him, this is likely must-see. If you don’t like him, this might be too much
When does it start? Thursday, Oct 3 at 9pm EST (The CW), moves to Tuesdays at 8pm Oct 8
Who’s covering it? thedude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTKj52BUEeU
Scandal S3
Courtesy of ABC
What’s new? Defiance is dead, the mole has been exposed and S2 ended on a huge cliffhanger when the man behind B613 turned out to be Olivia’s (Kerry Washington) dad, Rowan (Joe Morton). We’re guessing that the reason he leaked the scandalous news that his daughter was having an affair with Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) will be one of the new season’s big mysteries…and we can’t wait to find out more
Who does it star? Everyone returns, plus some interesting guest stars like Lisa Kudrow (?!), Dead Like Me‘s Cynthia Stevenson and Private Practice‘s Paul Adelstein
Why do you care? Because Scandal is the fastest growing network television show. And because – let’s be honest – if you don’t watch, you’ll be completely excluded from all of the juicy watercooler gossip on Friday mornings. And isn’t it just easier to gently mock the fact that Olivia Pope’s wardrobe only comes in white, black and grey than try to resist?
When does it start? Thursday, Oct 3 at 9pm EST (ABC)
Who’s covering it? couchpotato
Arrow S2
Courtesy of The CW
What’s new? S1 ended with the mass destruction of the Glades and the deaths of Malcolm (John Barrowman) and Tommy (Colin Donnell), so S2 will definitely explore the fall-out. Don’t expect the hot and heavy relationship between Oliver (Stephen Ammell) and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) to last, though the gadgets, island flashbacks and snappy banter should continue
Who does it star? Everybody is back (including Manu Bennett’s Slade, who is now a series regular). That means, in true Arrow fashion, it’s all about the guest stars. Show killer Summer Glau recurs as Isabel Rochev, True Blood‘s Kevin Alejandro and Michael Jai White will appear as villains. The other notable newcomer is Cathy Lotz, who will take on the all-important Black Canary (a character we expected Laurel to debut)
Why do you care? Arrow was arguably one of the bigger surprises of last year: a fully fleshed out superhero TV show featuring break-out stars Ammell and Emily Bett Rickards. Can the show keep up the momentum in its second season?
When does it start? Wedsnesday, Oct 9 at 8pm EST (The CW)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
American Horror Story: Coven (S3)
Courtesy of FX
What’s it about? The FX anthology series returns for its third outing to tell the story of a coven of witches who come together when they face persecution. Jessica Lange is the matriarch, Sarah Paulson is her daughter and series regulars Frances Conroy, Lily Rabe and Evan Peters also return. Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett play real life characters Delphine LaLaurie (a socialite and serial killer) and Marie Laveau (a voodoo practitioner).
Who does it star? A solid majority of the Ryan Murphy are on board for a third outing: the aforementioned series stewards are joined by S1 costars Taissa Farmiga, Dennis O’Hare, and Alexandra Breckinridge. Throw in Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sibide and Patti LuPone and S3 is looking more star powered than any before it
Why do you care? That cast! Lange has been the show’s heavyweight since S1 and the addition of Bates and Bassett promises to launch this show into a whole new realm. Love or hate some of the challenging S2 storylines, there was plenty to discuss in its treatment of female sexuality. Expect S3 to continue that dialogue
When does it start? Wedsnesday, Oct 9 at 10pm EST (FX)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkPwDPt4JOA
Courtesy of AMC
What’s new? The end of S3 saw the conflict between the prison and the citizens of Woodbury come to a climax and long-suffering idiot Andrea (Laurie Holden) die at the hands of a zombified Milton (Dallas Roberts). Now that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the others are reunited with Tyrese (Chad L. Coleman), will the show begin to develop more storylines from the graphic novel?
Who does it star? Everyone returns (except Andrea – yay!). When we say everyone that includes David Morrissey’s The Governor, though hopefully with fewer slasher movie villain characteristics
Why do you care? Well…the ratings suggest that everyone already cares. The Walking Dead is the biggest show on TV, pulling in higher numbers in the coveted 18-49 demograph than any other show. So yeah…it’s safe to say you’re already watching
When does it start? Sunday, Oct 13 at 9pm EST (FX)
Who’s covering it? TVAngie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ee3VhXVwE
Awkward. S3 Pt. 2
Courtesy of MTV
What’s new? When last we saw Jenna (Ashley Rickards), she was cheating on her boyfriend Matty (Beau Mirchoff) with frustrating new heartthrob Collin (Nolan Funk). Expect a break-up and sh*t to hit the fan when the truth comes out
Who does it star? Everyone returns
Why do you care? This second half of the third season is the end of the road for series creator Lauren Inungerich, who will leave the show before the start of its fourth season. Will things manage to come back around after a third season that’s been up and down so far?
When does it start? Tuesday, Oct 22 at 10:30pm EST (MTV)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
Grimm S3
Courtesy of NBC
What’s new? The show ended on a cliffhanger with Nick (David Giuntoli) zombified by Baron Samedi (Reg E. Cathey), en route to Europe with Eric Renard (James Frain). None of his friends know, so presumably we’re in Buffy S3 mode and the Scoobies will have to step in to protect Portland from things that go bump in the night. At least we can look forward to Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and Rosalee (Bree Turner) tying the knot
Who does it star? Everyone returns. And look for a mini Angel reunion between showrunner David Greenwait and guest star Alexis Denisof, who is set to play Renard’s cunning cousin Viktor
Why do you care? NBC’s scheduling of the show was complete crap last year, but the show still managed to hang onto its loyal audience despite months off the air and two different nights/timeslots. This suggests that people like what they see…when they can actually find it
When does it start? Friday, Oct 25 at 9pm EST (NBC)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
Almost Human S1
Courtesy of FOX
What’s it about? A new take on an old tale, Almost Human is the tale of two cops in the near future: one human and one android. There’s a certain amount of mythology (the cop lost his partner in some kind of shady developmen)t, but for the most part this will be a procedural take on the mismatched buddy-cop genre with a sci-fi twist.
Who does it star? Genre lover Karl Urban (Star Trek, Dredd) comprises one half of the duo, while Michael Ealy plays his android partner. Lily Taylor is their boss which is a casting decisions that makes no sense
Why do you care? Come for the JJ Abrams connection and stay for the state of the art special effects. While the series may or may not bring anything new to the table in terms of storytelling capabilities, the visual design of this near future world looks remarkable
When does it start? Monday, Nov 4 at 8pm EST (FOX)
Who’s covering it? cinephilactic
www.youtube.com/watch?v=48mu4aT0sAU
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On top of all of this, we’ll also bring you (series) finale coverage of Under The Dome (Sept 16), Dexter (Sept 22), Broadchurch &The Bridge (Sept 25), Breaking Bad (Sept 29) and The White Queen (Oct 19).
That’s it for us. What are you watching and will you watch with us?
AHS: Coven looks so cool. And I love Arrow. I also look forward to watch Stephen Amell’s cousin on the Tomorrow People. Can we just call The CW the “Amell Network”? LOL
“Show killer Summer Glau recurs”…Buahaahahha! I am looking forward to S2, well the parts I’ll be able to see due to work.
AHS S3 had me at Bassett and Bates coming on. Plus it’s got stuff I’m interested in more than than the first 2 seasons.
No news on OUAT?
Alas I don’t have another season of OUAT in me. I may check in on it from time to time to see how the Peter Pan/Ariel stuff comes together, but S2 was just a colossal disappointment. Plus there’s too much other good TV on Sundays to focus on
Love the name BTW!