2013 TV Winter Preview

Now at the midseason point, I'll be trying out these three new TV shows.



Continuum on SyFy (Mondays @ 8PM): 4 episodes in already, this show promises to be my favorite of the three.  It starts in the year 2077 when terrorists are about to be executed.  However, just before the trigger is pulled, the terrorists launch a device that sends them back into time.  A cop named Kiera is caught in this time vortex, and she goes with the terrorists back to 2012.

Most of the story happens in our present (funny how it always seems to work out like that), but there are plenty of special effects to keep it interesting.  Each of the characters is richly portrayed.  Kiera wants to go back to her husband and child in the future, but at the same time, she feels duty-bound to stop the terrorists from whatever they're trying to do.

Also, the terrorists may not be completely bad.  Their desire is to overthrow the evil corporations that run the government (in 2077), though unfortunately they have to kill innocent people along the way.

Another one of those not-quite-so-black-and-white sci-fi shows, this is really good science fiction--the stuff you usually only read in books.

And the timeline continuum?  So far, it appears that the laws are "correct" in that there are no paradoxes or alternative timelines.  Though it remains to be seen if the writers will stick to these rules.  I can't wait to see the remaining 6 episodes of this first season.

If you want to watch from the beginning, there does not appear to be any way to stream for free.  But SyFy will run a marathon on Feb. 24 showing the first 6 episodes.  That would be your best bet to catch up.

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The Following on FOX (Mondays @ 9 PM): 3 episodes in ... The first episode was shockingly good, and also very disturbing.  Kevin Bacon plays Ryan Hardy, an ex-FBI agent who is called in to go after a serial killer who just escaped from prison.  However, the serial killer has a grand plan.  He's recruited several followers who will do his bidding, much like a cult.  And this cult really wants to make Ryan Hardy suffer.

The whole premise could be interesting, but I have a couple of concerns.  The first being that the second episode was kind of boring, and it felt a lot like 24 -- especially the parts that show what's going on with the bad guys.  The second concern is the whole idea of relying on shocking scenes -- how gross can we make this?  Or what does the audience least expect here?

The third episode seemed to bring back the interest, and we'll see where this show goes.  Will it tell an awesome well-planned-out story?  Or will it just be another 24 with annoying plot twists and silly camera shots?

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Zero Hour on ABC (starting Feb. 14): This show looks interesting ... a blend of action, sci-fi, and maybe a little religion-y stuff.  Plus, it has that ER guy.  I wonder if there will be one clock to rule them all!

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Returning shows on my list:

The Neighbors (this show has picked up immensely--some episodes are very funny)
The Office (hit or miss, but some episodes are hilarious--will Michael come back for the finale?)
Person of Interest (still going strong)
Once Upon a Time (interesting, but feels like they're stretching--Mulan?  Really?)
The Simpsons (though, I'm getting fed up with the DVR and FOX's inability to show the show at its actually scheduled time and not start 2 minutes early and end 2 minutes late)

Touch (returning Feb 8--the coincidences are getting on my nerves, but I'll keep trying)
The Walking Dead (returning Feb 10--can you hear me girly scream?)
Psych (returning Feb 27--does Dad live or die?  Not sure, but the formula's changed, and I like the old formula better)
Grimm (returning Mar 8--I'm really enjoying where they're going, well ... except for I really don't want to see the almost-wife making it with the boss man)
Revolution (returning Mar 25--it has its moments)
Doctor Who (returning end of March--I'm looking forward to see how they explain the new companion, though I'm still reeling from the stupid way of losing Amy and Rory)