A common complaint among nerds is the dearth of sci-fi shows on TV, especially on the main networks. Even worse, when they do get good shows, they are promptly canceled (see “Firefly”). The networks have recently announced which shows they are renewing, and gave a preview of new shows for the fall. For us nerds, the news is mixed.
“Fringe” (Fox) has been renewed for a final season, which is a relief given rumors of pending cancelation based on low viewer numbers. My DVR still has about a month’s worth of Fringe episodes waiting to be viewed, so I can’t speculate on the direction the final season will take. But I am glad both that it was renewed and that it will be wrapping up. I feel like it is starting to become less focused, and suffer from the “Lost” syndrome where every answer creates 2 more questions to needlessly complicate an interesting premise. This season has been especially confusing for me, because there are now essentially 4 versions of each character (2 dimensions in each of 2 timelines), and it is hard to keep them all straight.
Terra Nova (Fox) and Alcatraz (Fox) have both been canceled. I never watched Terra Nova, but some are saying that this move is reminiscent of Firefly, with Fox axing the show before really giving it a chance. And too bad about Alcatraz. I have a few episodes saved up on the DVR also; it seemed really promising with an interesting premise and great actors.
But never fear, fans of JJ Abrams! In the fall, we can expect a new show from him, teaming with “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau to bring us “Revolution” on NBC. Check out the trailer here: http://www.nbc.com/revolution/ Something has happened to make all electricity on Earth no longer function. The show is set 15 years after the blackout, when some secrets are starting to come to light about what exactly happened, and if it can be undone. I will definitely be giving this one a shot. Mostly lesser-known actors, including Giancarlo Esposito (Sydney Glass from “Once Upon a Time”), who looks great in this. And who could resist a quasi-dystopian setting with a girl in a leather jacket shooting arrows? Ha.
Also, cable network TNT will be bringing back “Falling Skies” this summer for a second season. I watched a few episodes last year and thought it was pretty good, but not enough to watch religiously. But I’d watch just about anything with Noah Wyle and Will Patton. If alien invasions and paying exorbitant cable bills are your thing, definitely check it out.
Fantasy fans have a little more to cheer about. “Grimm” (NBC) has been renewed, as well as “Once Upon a Time” (ABC), which was my absolute favorite show this season. I just watched the season finale, and I can’t wait to see the changes that will be coming to Storybrooke this fall. Some highlights from the finale: some Huntsman action, true love breaking curses, and Rumplestiltskin doing what he does best. If you haven’t seen this show yet, you really need to. Great actors, decent special effects, and wonderful characters that expand on the traditional fairy tales. It even feels a little like “Lost” in every episode there are interspersed flashbacks to the characters’ previous lives in the fairy tale realm, which have bearing on the current storyline taking place in Storybrooke.
Speaking of exorbitant cable bills, “Game of Thrones” season two (based on A Clash of Kings) is currently airing on HBO. Although I am not watching the show, I am trying to keep ahead of it in my readings so I won’t have any surprises ruined by gabbing friends or spoiler headlines. Maybe this time around Joffrey will get what he deserves…
Jedi by Knight 