Over the last few years, television has shifted from being a Fall Premiere Event where all the shows began, and summer was the time for re-runs. That system is no more, as many networks, both network and cable, now have three premiere seasons — Fall, Winter and Summer. JUSTIFIED, for example, will start in January or February of 2014; LONGMIRE will start in May or June. This makes it a lot more fun for television addicts like me to have new and exciting programming all year round.
However, this fall has some amazing programming, and so far? The networks are delivering.
I’m behind … which isn’t a surprise because I have a book due in two weeks. But I’ll catch up!
So what have I seen, what am I most looking forward to, and what new shows do I plan to watch?
WHAT I’VE SEEN SO FAR
Like I said, I’m behind … I’ve only watched two of the premieres. The rest I’ve recorded on DVR or they’re waiting in my iTunes account.
CASTLE
I love Nathan Fillion (FIREFLY R.I.P.) and so I’ve been watching this show from the beginning. It’s been mostly spot-on with character, dialogue and mysteries. They had a learning curve and some cringe-worthy forensic hiccups, but overall, the characters make the show and the writing is outstanding. Season 4 was a dud — the show lost a lot of the witty humor and the continuing storyline with the whole conspiracy and Beckett’s mother’s murder and Castle’s secrets, just did not work — but Season 5? They made up for it. Best season so far. And the season 6 premiere? OMG, it’s just as good. LOVED it. From the opening to the close, it’s pitch perfect and I’m hugely excited about this season. They kept everything that was great about the show and then raised the stakes.
BONES
As long-time readers of MSW know, I came to this show late and watched six seasons that had already been out. I had a problem starting this show because while I knew I’d like it, I’m also a fan of Kathy Reichs. But I managed to separate the books from the show and it works for me now.
I loved BONES until Season 6 when they screwed up the characters and their relationship. Where CASTLE put Kate and Rick together at the best possible time, building on years of sexual tension but not drawing it out too long, then letting them work through the secrecy and then being exposed, and all the conflict organic to their relationship … the writers of BONES screwed up everything. Booth and Brennan should have been together by the end of Season 5, or at least the beginning of season 6. They dragged it on too long, then Emily Deschanel got pregnant and the writers said, “Let’s write in the pregnancy” and the characters acted out of character, then had their courtship off the screen, going from Brennan telling Booth she’s pregnant to them living together at the beginning of Season 7. We didn’t get the honeymoon period. If they hadn’t waited so long the pregnancy could still have been unplanned and it still would have worked; it would have worked better! Then Season 7 was blah, and Season 8 was okay … at least it wasn’t as bad as 6 and 7. Now 9? The season opener was great. I haven’t seen the second episode, but I feel like we’re getting back to the right story rhythm, and the characters are in character, and the writing is tight. I hope they 1) keep it up and 2) resolve the Pelant storyline quickly because while it started out good, it’s gotten … boring.
And, yep, those are the only 2 shows I’ve seen so far.
IN THE QUE – Continuing shows
I have NCIS, NCIS:LA, Luther, Person of Interest, L&O: SVU, and Haven all recorded waiting for me to have time to watch. I was disappointed with last season’s NCIS and I really hope that they get back on the ball … even without Cote de Paolo (Ziva). NCIS:LA has never been a favorite of mine, but they have great blocking and action, and I like to watch to analysis the fight scenes and shoot outs. And I like Marty Deeks ๐ … LUTHER is a no brainer. I’ve been waiting for this show FOREVER and have all four episodes on iTunes. I’ll be having a marathon very soon! HAVEN is another favorite, and I generally marathon that show, too. Last season? I waited until they were all recorded then watched two episodes a night until I was done. POI is a huge favorite of mine … I watched season one on Netflix, season two on iTunes (late, because they didn’t have it available until the summer) and now have the first episode of Season 3 downloaded. Can Not Wait. I might even buy season one to watch again, I love this show so much!
Oh, and New Girl. See, I watch comedies, too! I watch New Girl with my older daughters. Maybe a bit inappropriate, but they’re 19 and 17 and we all love it.
IN THE QUE — New Shows
I have AGENTS OF SHIELD recorded, and I’ll be watching it with my boys. We’ll start it this weekend — I think I’ll like it, but it’s always great to have a show I can watch with my youngest son. (He’s 9 and I’m re-watching all of WAREHOUSE 13 with him now, since I own the first four seasons! He loves it, and I love it because he’s eager to do his homework so we can watch the show together before dinner.)
WAITING
There are several shows that have yet to premiere:
GLEE – September 26
SUPERNATURAL – October 8
ARROW – October 9
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN – October 9
* THE WALKING DEAD – October 13
WHITE COLLAR – October 17
GRIMM — October 25
Of the above shows, I’m most looking forward to GRIMM. I love that show, love the actors, love the direction, and am so glad that after a rocky beginning, it was continued. And I’ve liked WHITE COLLAR from the beginning, even though I didn’t want to. Anne Rice loves it to, she said so at Thrillerfest, so I’m in good company. I had mixed feelings about ARROW, but I’ll watch it again. There’s good and bad there. SUPERNATURAL had such a bad season 6 and 7, but 8 was much better so I am looking forward to what happens after the Great Fall of Angels …
I liked AHS season one much more than AHS: Asylum; however, AHS: Coven looks to be right back on target with a great, creepy show. And it has Kathy Bates. Need I say more?
* This is contingent on me catching up on Season 3 which I haven’t finished yet. This show gives me nightmares, even though I love it. So I have to take it in small doses. Which is really odd because I don’t usually freak out by scary movies and tv! Kudos to the writers and actors and make-up people!
DEBATING — New Shows
I’m debating several shows. Usually when someone recommends something to me, someone who knows what I like, I watch, I’m hooked. And as you can tell, I already have a shitload of television in my que. It’s going to get full. And I rarely watch more than one show a night … except when I can’t sleep. Which, I’ll admit, is often.
BUT, that said, I’m considering THE MICHAEL J FOX SHOW because I love Michael J. Fox. I’m also thinking about SLEEPY HOLLOW, but I was skeptical and then forgot to record it. I’m not going to buy it without strong recommendations. Maybe it’ll be available on Netflix. I’ve heard good things about THE BLACKLIST, a show I didn’t even know about and the premiere already passed.
But the thing is, I already have FIFTEEN shows Iโm watching this fall. Thatโs like 2 hours of television a night โฆ well, an hour and a half because I donโt have commercials โบ How can I fit anything in?
And dammit, when is SHERLOCK going to be back?
What about you? What show are you most looking forward to the return (or have seen already) and are their any new shows youโre going to try?
Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly three dozen romantic thrillers and mysteries, including the Lucy Kincaid series and the Max Revere series. She lives in Northern California with her husband, five children, and assorted pets.
Allison, your tv posts are my favorites! <3
Let's talk! I have to agree with you about Castle! I was actually surprised about how strong it was. I hadn't liked an episode like that in a looong time! It was AMAZING! I felt much more strength in it than I felt in Bones! Good for them! I also want the Pelant story to just get done with! Geesh!
NCIS and NCIS:LA. I hope the girl who'll replace Ziva brings in new blood and give NCIS something that's been missing. As for NCIS:LA, I've always liked it more than NCIS, and… I've been wondering, they've talked about something major going down for Kensi and Deek, and since Daniela Ruah is pregnant in real life, I'm wondering if they'll have one on the way on the show, too! ๐
I didn't get to watch Criminal Minds, which premiered tonight, and it's my favorite show currently on TV, so, I'm excited about that. I'm excited about this season. Also looking forward to GRIMM, which has become one of my favorite shows!!!
With that, I really can't wait for Chicago Fire — which is NBC's dearest — and such a nice show, and Hawaii Five-0, that is FINALLY adding another girl lead and breaking from the traditional 1960s format! I really can't believe I love a remake this much, but I do.
But the show I'm actually most excited about is Canadian (I love me my Canadians!) LOST GIRL, which I think airs in the US on SyFy, which premieres in December. I watched the whole thing the summer, and it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. The kind of show I watched five minutes and I knew I wanted in my life forever. It's so, so, soooo good. I just can't wait for it and I miss it every day! <3
Oh, and as for Sleepy Hollow, it's pretty much the only new show we're interested in watching here, and it's surprisingly good. It's a big WTF, but the chemistry between the leads is really good, the main guy is ADORABLE and so funny and the show doesn't take itself too seriously. I don't know if you're gonna like it, but we think it's enjoyable. ๐
We agree about 80% of the time! LOL.
My problem with NCIS:LA is that while it’s exciting and they have different types of plot points, I don’t think the delivery is strong. The acting is off. The dialogue is forced. As far as a pregnancy … Kenzie can’t do most of what she does and be pregnant, and she would be TSTL to consistent go out in the field once she’s past the mid-point in her pregnancy. (I know, female cops CAN work up until delivery if it’s safe for them to do so, but honestly, it’s not smart when you’re in a dangerous job. For you or the baby.) I’ll have to see … again, I’m compelled to watch it, but I don’t know why. NCIS was the BEST until the last season.
I didn’t hear about LOST GIRL until Season 2, and it wasn’t available on Netflix or iTunes, so I didn’t invest the time. Maybe when it’s all over … I watched ANGEL on DVD when all five seasons were done. Got the entire show at a discount at Costco!
I’ve always meant to watch CHICAGO FIRE and never did.
Yeah, SLEEPY HOLLOW is still on my maybe list …
This is great. I also loved the Castle premiere. The new job twist really adds something fresh. I am hoping this season of Bones will be better than the last. I really thought that show for a while was one of the best ones out there.
I’m totally with you. I don’t think Kate will stay in DC, but what I love, love, love about the show is that she didn’t sacrifice her dreams to get married. Because marriage is about supporting your spouse, not changing them. She needs to realize on her own that maybe the DC job wasn’t her true desire. But she has to take it to do it, otherwise she’ll always regret it and eventually resent Castle. It was the BEST thing they could do.
I love these TV posts you do, always finding an undiscovered nugget. I had completely missed Justified until you raved about it several months ago.
I’ve recorded Blacklist but haven’t watched yet. But I’m really looking forward to Sherlock. It cannot get her soon enough. Apparently the UK premier isn’t until after the 1st of the year so it’s going to be awhile.
It wasn’t that long ago that it was hard to find a few good shows to watch. Now there are too many, and the culling process becomes painful. We’ve still got about 20 hours of summer shows to finish up, and the fall shows are here.
I’m glad you discovered JUSTIFIED! I have just loved that show from the very beginning, and I’m hugely excited about what I’ve heard for Season 5. Can NOT wait.
It’s just not fair that we had to wait three months for LUTHER after the UK premiere and will probably have to wait three months for SHERLOCK. Just. Not. Fair.
I still have a couple episodes of LONGMIRE to watch. I have them marked to save on my DVR so no one accidentally deletes them, but otherwise I’m caught up! Except, you know, for all these new shows …
I was really looking forward to Sleepy Hollow despite it being on Fox which usually doesn’t support this type of show and they disappear quickly. Good production values and acting, but after 2 episodes I’m not really invested. Will continue to watch for a couple more episodes.
I love Luther too and got my parents hooked on it.
See — I’m waiting for the jury to come back on SH, and most say what you say — quality show but meh.
re: LUTHER, you can blame my cousin Ginny. She’s the one who hooked me up with the show!
We (U.K) haven’t started Sherlock yet – and no screen date has been announced for us as yet.
Love NCIS – we are a season behind you. Can’t wait for Ziva to go now we know she is leaving but looks like we are going to have a made up romance between her and Tony before she finally leaves *sigh* . . I think it is good for a show to mix things up with new characters now and again. I do find the female characters to be weakly written in this show. I was ready to scream if I heard Director Shepard say to Jethro ‘do you remember Paris/Serbia/Italy’ one more time. Arghhh! Was thrilled when she was killed off ๐ Do love Abby though – her character has always been consistent.
I’ve always liked Ziva, but I agree about Shepard. She annoyed me to no end.
I love your TV posts too. I keep finding new shows with your help, Allison. ๐
Love JUSTIFIED and can’t wait for it to come back. I’m interested in HOSTAGES and where that is going and even though THE BLACKLIST feels like a ripoff from SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, I love Spader so I will watch.
Hmm, well I’m not a fan of the movie SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (the book was soooo much better) but I like the story. I’ve had numerous people tell me to watch THE BLACKLIST … after they saw it. I didn’t even hear about it, which means their marketing people didn’t do a good job because I’m like the #1 television watcher in the country (LOL.) BUT I don’t watch commercials. They have to get me another way — email, online ads, something to at least get me to THINK about it.
I haven’t seen a television commercial in 10 years except when my kids are watching Nickelodeon (and it’s all kid related) or while I’m watching sporting events (beer, cars, insurance. Hmm, is that a theme?)
count me amount those that love these type posts. ๐
I can’t wait to hear what you think of NCIS and LA. I don’t think NCIS redeemed the 4-month time jump, but time will tell. LA annoyed me with the torture Sam and Deeks, but then they are well enough to go save the day. I need a little reality in my fiction. I am also one of those people that will watch Chris O’Donnell read the cereal box, so I give that show a LOT of latitude.
When I looked this weekend, iTunes had the premiere of Sleepy Hollow as a free download. You might want to go back and see if that is still the case.
Barbie – CM was great last night. They are still on track and it just keeps getting better.
Allison – I do blame you for getting me hooked on Grimm. I’m behind a season, but really enjoyed season 1.
Thanks for the SH tidbit … I’ll check it out. Yeah, I got you hooked on GRIMM, but you’re the one who told me POI was on iTunes!
The Castle premiere was amazing. I am so excited to see where they takes things this season. Kate can’t possibly keep the DC job, can she? How will they keep the NYC crew busy if they do.
I am also excited for AHS:Coven. They last two each had such good ideas and casting. But this year the casting just took another leap forward. And who doesn’t love a voodoo/witch storyline.
The final show I will mention here is Hostages. I am a huge Toni Collette fan, so I mainly watched for her. I was worried that with the over abundance of advertising that I had seen everything. But then, there was a twist right at the end of episode one, so I am hooked.
Okay, damn, I was thinking about Hostages … I don’t need, want, need, want … another show! Argh!
re: CASTLE I read/heard/dreamt that there would be four episodes with her in DC. That works for me!
I’m worried, in the back of my mind, that Castle will jump the shark this season. LOVED the premier so I’m remaining hopeful!
**Sleepy Hollow was better than I anticipated. Haven’t seen this week’s yet, but the premier was pretty good. It’s a different spin on things and the “fish out of water” (Colonial hero dealing with modern world) is a good angle if not overdone.
Agents of SHIELD was just tongue-in-cheek enough we’ll be back for more.
**NCIS. My love for Gibbs knows no bounds. The sexual tension between Ziva and Tony has been there for some time now. I’m curious as to how they will play out her exit.
**Lost Girl. I’ll send you my DVDs of the first two seasons. I’m asking for the 3rd season for Christmas, as it comes out in November. LOL LOVE this series!!! New shows start in January, I think.
**Haven. OMG! You must watch it. Now!
**Broadchurch. This was a BBCA show that ended last night. David Tenant stars as a burned-out detective dealing with a child murder in a small coastal town. It’s dark with twists and lots of suspense, though I had the killer figured out before the climax. It was worth the watch.
**Waiting on Sherlock tonight. (CBS version not English version with Cumberbach–though waiting for it, too!)
**POI. Have it DVR’d. Haven’t watched it yet. I think I’m going to like the new cast members.
Disappointments:
**The Bridge. I started out enjoying this one. Gave up on it though. Not sure why. It just didn’t grab me.
**There was another one but can’t think of it off the top of my head.
I don’t watch ELEMENTARY, I’m only waiting for Benedict Cumberbatch. ๐
YOU’RE the one who hooked me on THE BRIDGE. I’ll admit, I’m a couple episodes behind, but I love the complexity of the show and the two main characters. And even the asshole reporter.
I know, it’s all my fault! ๐ I still have The Bridge set up on DVR, I just haven’t watched it in awhile. Other things seemed more pressing. I’ll have to go back and catch up now. ๐
Wow!!! So many programs, so here goes. Blacklist, Person of Interest, Chicago Fire (maybe), Sleepy Hollow, Shield, Criminal Intent, Elementary, White Collar,and Grimm. I used to be fan of Bluebloods, but I lost interest last year. Maybe it will be better this year. I still have two episodes of Unforgettable to watch and the NBC show that starred Donald Sutherland. So many shows
And how could I forget Kerry Washington in Scandal.
Love this post! I’ve been curious to see what you thought of the Castle and NCIS premieres! I really liked Castle I hope Kate makes it back to NY. I was kinda disappointed with NCIS. I didn’t like the jumping ahead 4 months and didn’t explain things very well…. I need to catch up on Bones I’m 2 seasons behind. I’m gonna watch the first 2 eps of Sleepy Hollow this weekend I’ve heard good things from friends. Tonight is the 2hr Greys Anatomy premiere. I’ve been looking forward to this all summer!! I can’t wait for Scandal next week and White Collar. And one day I’m gonna get around to Justified and Longmire. We need more hours in a day!!
Allison –
SHIELD was pretty good. When you get to the end, the thing with Lola (you’ll know what I mean when you see it) is an homage to the comics. Just FYI.
Other than that, my wife and I watched the show after it just because we liked the tv spot during SHIELD. It’s called THE GOLDBERGS, and it was absolutely hysterical. It was like THE WONDER YEARS, but for my generation (early teens in the 80s…I’m 39 now).
We’re also looking forward to ELEMENTARY, because we love the banter and relationship between Holmes and Watson, but also because we were in London and saw them filming this season in Trafalgar. It was a neat experience.
Happy viewing!
I am in a dilema. Right now I am trying to save money for a number of things, so when I stay in the town where I work I do not have access to a television. When I do get home there is a good chance the shows I want to watch.. NCIS, NCIS- LA, POI, and Sherlock (CBS) … or check out Blacklist, Agents of Shields…. will be erased from the DVR (grrrr!). So do I spend the money and get them from Itunes or set a Netflix.
I love the blogs where you talk about the shows, it helps me keep up with what is out there.
Okay, when the shows are in mid-season, I’ll let you know what I think is worth spending the money on. I’ve only bought POI, Castle and Bones on iTunes. Everything else is on DVR.
Oh, I bought LUTHER too, and will buy SHERLOCK. NOT the CBS version called ELEMENTARY. I saw a couple episodes, and it’s fine, but it’s not MY Sherlock.
My favorite show is HOMELAND. Love the actors. Amazing cast, especially Claire Danes.
I need to watch it from the beginning.
You will LOVE Blacklist!!!