The DVR Awakens: A Fall 2015 Genre Show Guide

Earlier this week, whilst casually perusing TheFutonCritic.com Fall 2015 grid, I found an abnormally large number of Genre shows jumping out, sinking their claws into my ears, and shouting “Watch me ya bum! Watch me dammit!”

When I say there are a lot of offerings this season, I kid you not!! Hard to believe that 4 years ago, Genre shows were slim pickings at best, and maybe, just maybe, a few were worth getting excited about (like the Walking Dead, Dr. Who, American Horror Story, Grimm, and Once Upon a Time). The success of these shows, along with Spring offerings the following year, like Game of Thrones, seem to have awoken more than just the major networks realization of the infinite potential for the fantasy, science fiction, and horror genres. They are embracing it!

Having perused the trailers, there are some exciting and cooltastic shows which are going to ignite our TV, computer, and hand-held device screens with boundless wonder, macabre, intense drama, and imaginatively crafted visual storytelling over the next few months!!

So without further ado...


SUNDAYS
Once Upon a Time/Season 5/ABC/Premieres September 27th
A diamond in the rough show for me. The creative forces behind it spin golden threads on twisting classic fairy tales, both in fantasyland and throwing them into the modern world, as finely as Rumpelstiltskin himself...


The Simpsons/Season 27/Fox/Premieres September 27th
If i’m not mistaken, this is longest running scripted show in history. They still got it! Very happy we have another Treehouse of Horror episode this Halloween!
Honorable Mention: Check out Bob’s Burgers too! There was no video promo for this season, but that show is beyond hilarious!


Fear the Walking Dead/Season 1/AMC/Premiered August 23rd
This spin-off series chronicles societies collapse as the zombies outbreak occurs. Creatively a bold endeavor. Well worth watching!!

The Walking Dead/Season 5/AMC/Premieres October 11th
Last season Rick said “We are the Walking Dead.” The intensity of this show is not the zombies and gore, but the emotion and brutality of the human condition. This trailer shows that sanctuary is not necessarily safety...


Into the Badlands/Season 1/AMC/Premieres November 14
This show looks so badass...



The Leftovers/Season 2/HBO/Premieres October 4th
2% of the population disappears, what are you going to do? This season continues this brilliant concept of a show...


The Affair/Season 2/Showtime/Premieres October 4th
A murder mystery told from the different perspectives of each participant having an affair. The perspectives don’t necessarily match. Masterful storytelling...



MONDAYS
Castle/Season 8/ABC/Premieres September 21st
“Hey Cas,” you are most certainly asking, "why you featuring this show? It ain’t no Genre show.”
Good question random strangers. I am not a huge fan of this show, episodes tend to be more procedural than murder mystery for my tastes. However, it stars Nathan Fillon, and I’m a huge fan. In an ideal world, we would be on season 14 of Firefly...


Scorpion/Season 2/CBS/Premieres September 21st
Missed season 1 of this one. Looks like CBS’ version of Marvel’s Agents of Shield. Will be giving it a look-see. Looks entertaining...


Supergirl/Season 1/CBS/Premieres October 26th
Wha? CBS has a super hero show?! The procedural crime drama network doing a super hero show?! We all must be in the Bizzaro universe..


Blindspot/Season 1/NBC/Premieres September 21st
Reminds this geek of the Fifth Element in tone and style. That was a righteous movie! Gonna check this one out...


Gotham/Season 2/Fox/Premieres September 21st
Conceptually a brilliant show. Gotham before Batman. Gordon before he became commissioner. Super villains without a super hero to keep them in check. Stoked we get a 2nd season...


Minority Report/Season 1/Fox/Premieres September 21st
As a fan of the movie, I have high hopes for this one, and…um…for Fox’s demonstrated history of killing good Genre shows before they get their footing is a thing of the past...


X-Files/Season 10/Fox/Premiers January 24th/Airs Monday January 25th
There are 2 show reboots that are giving me a full-fledged geekgasm. This is one of them...


Lucifer/Season 1/Fox/Premiere unannounced
Hm. The devil gives a shit...


Fargo/Season 2/FX/Premieres October 12th
If you’ve seen the movie and/or watched season 1, I know your gonna be watching on Oct. 12th. If you haven’t, watch the movie and/or season 1. After you do, you'll be there for the season premiere. Trust me, you won’t have a choice. It is that good...


The Expanse/Season 1/SyFy/Premieres December 14th
SyFy has this history of producing either complete crap or some of the most phenomenal shows on TV (Farscape, Battlestar Galactica). This one promises to be the later...



TUESDAYS
The Muppets/Season 1/ABC/Premieres September 22nd
~~Insert bald, bearded geek guy flailing arms wildly above his head while running back and forth along the length of his house shouting: “YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!”~~


Marvel’s Agents of Shield/Season 3/ABC/Premieres September 29th
The Inhuman storyline had me geeking out, especially the later half of last season. Aching to see where they take this season...


Marvel’s Agent Carter/Season 2/ABC/Premiere unannounced
When you take the period piece element, underlying parallel of the Captain America radio show, the views of our late 1940’s culture, embed it in the Marvel Universe, you get one amazing show. Cannot wait for season 2...


Limitless/Season 1/CBS/Premieres September 22nd
"You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.” -Morpheus, The Matrix...


Flash/Season 2/CW/Premieres October 3rd
I must admit I missed season 1. After seeing this trailer, realized the show is different than my initial impression. Will be caught up by the 3rd...


From Dust Till Dawn/Season 2/El Rey/Premiered August 25th
Whoa! This is a series. The movie was kickass! Going to be checking this one out for sure!!


The Bastard Executioner/Season 1/FX/Premieres September 15th
I like my fantasy stories gritty, brutal, and realistic. This one seems it will not disappoint...


Manhattan/Season 2/WGN/Premieres October 13th
I totally did not know this one existed. A period drama about the building of the Atomic Bomb. Good thing the cable nets like us to catch up. Which we will. Which we will...



WEDNESDAYS
Arrow/Season 4/CW/Premieres October 7th
Neal McDonough taking up the role of the villain Damien Darhk has got this geek excited! Neal’s role as Robert Quarles in Justified was phenomenal! It will be a great season!!


Supernatural/Season 11/CW/Premieres October 11
Good to see the Winchester boys are still mucking up the underworld...


American Horror Story/Season 5/FX/Premieres October 7th
After last season’s masterpiece, you can count on us being busy on October 7th...



THURSDAYS
Heroes: Reborn/Season 5/NBC/Premieres September 24th
I had a full-on geekgasm when I learned they were bringing Heroes back. Straight up, Heroes’ initial run was not without it’s problems. There is no denying the bookend seasons (1st & 4th) were masterful in their storytelling. The reboot has got me quaking with excitement. Quaking!! The September 24th premiere is so close, yet so far away


Sleepy Hollow/Season 3/Fox/Premieres October 1st
Having a hard time grasping that Fox hasn’t released a promo for this season. Oh wait! It’s Fox :/
(video pending)

The Vampire Diaries/Season 7/CW/Premieres October 8th
In past seasons this show would layer different interconnecting storylines which merged into a climatic mid-season and season finalies. Hoping they keep it up this season...


The Originals/Season 3/CW/Premieres October 8th
Might finally be checking this show out this season. Looks more intense and much darker than Vampire Diaries...



FRIDAYS
Grimm/Season 5/NBC/Premieres October 30th
Another show I have lost track of over the last couple of years. Though I have many a friend (real and substantial, not imaginary…sheesh) whose opinions I trust calling me out for losing track of this one. Looks like some stuff went down over the last 2 years. Certainly won't be wasting any time catching up...


Reign/Season 3/CW/Premieres October 11th
I do not watch this show. However, it does have merit to mention here. It is one of the rare shows that is an historical period piece, more akin to the Tutors than Game of Thrones. I like storylines to be layered and full of intrigue, and this show has real history to draw from to pull that off!!


Continuum/Season 4/SyFy/Premieres September 11th
If you like time travel stories, and the consequences, or personal benefits (as in case of some of the characters), this show is well worth a look-see. Sad to hear it is on it’s final season, really enjoying the ride...


Z Nation/Season 2/SyFy/Premieres September 11th
This season features Washington State’s beautiful Palouse region for a backdrop in a gore-ridden, post-apocolyptic world...



SATURDAYS
Dr. Who/Season 9/BBCA/Premieres September 19th
I am a huge fan of this extraordinary show. “I want to kiss it to death.” Especially after that last scene in the trailer...


The Last Kingdom/Season 1/BBCA/Premieres October 10th
A historical period piece with the brutality and political intrigue of Game of Thrones. Count me in!


Da Vinci’s Demon’s/Season 3/STARZ/Premieres October 24th
I have not seen this one...yet. We just got STARZ. Hoping there will be some catch up weekends. If not, I’ll be watching this season anyway. It is rare for me to do that, very obsessive/compulsive about starting shows from the beginning. But that trailer hooked me, & good...


Ash vs Evil Dead/Season 1/STARZ/Premieres October 31st
Groovy!



UNANNOUNCED
The Returned/Season 2/Sundance/Premiere unannounced
The Sundance Channel gives this French take of the undead a second life...



Yep, that about wraps up fall 2015 Genre premieres. Happy to see the Major Nets creating more shows outside their typical safety zone of the procedural dramas and sitcoms.

As always, if you notice I overlooked or missed something (which is very likely, there was a lot of crap to sort through), post it in the comments. I'd really like to see it!

Looking ahead, the Winter/Spring 2016 offerings so far are promising to have as many (if not more) new and returning Genre shows heading our way. Some of them look outright mind-blowing!! Can’t wait to get my hands on that line up, and geek out on the trailers!!

As I bid y’all a fond farewell, leaving ya one more trailer for all you Trek Next Gen & X-Men fans out there. A series call Blunt Talk staring Patrick Stewart in a very non-traditional role. hehe...


Cheers!

One Well Rested DVR Ready For Some 2010 Winter/Spring Action!!!

It is just before Christmas, & I am sure most people are focused on last minute Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, what/how to cook the big dinner, & recovering (or bracing) themselves for the colossal chaos that is "going to see Santa." Most people. I've resolved long ago that I am not like most people. Me, I'm all about trying as many Holiday Winter Seasonal brews as I can before they disappear, and priming the DVR for Winter mid-season premieres (thanks to the awesome folks at the Futon Critic for staying on top of day by day changes the networks keep throwing out). Unlike the Fall 2009 season (where the majority of shows I enjoyed were clustered on Thursdays & Fridays), this Winter/Spring they are more spread out throughout the week...whew. There are a few shows I've been counting down the days for awhile now (most notably Lost), & a couple new ones (Caprica & Human Target) I hope are not only great , but score well w/ the Nielsens. What I will be avoiding (if I can help it) are the ever increasing number of cooking contest shows...soon they will outnumber all the crime of the week shows syndicated on cable. W/o further ado; I'm aiming my DVR cross-hairs at: On Sundays Not much going on this day. I might or might not resubscribe to Showtime in order to catch the 4th (& final) season of the Tudors (Showtime, returns 4/11). Then again, DVDs are much cheaper. Amazing Race (CBS, returns 2/14) is one of the few reality shows I enjoy...to watch, never ever to enter. TV is at its best when the racers get all cranky w/ one another. On Mondays Castle (ABC, returns 1/11) is a stand out amongst the crime of the week shows. Actually, they generally make fun of them...& just about everything else for that matter (including Nathan Fillion's Firefly days). The stick w/ this show is they focus more on the mystery (& twists that make mystery novels interesting) surrounding the crime, as opposed to the melodrama of those involved in solving the crime. A fun & entertaining hour. CHUCK!!! (NBC, returns 1/10 & 1/11) Chuck knows Kung-Fu, 'nuff said. My foremost thought on mid-season of Heroes (NBC, returns 1/4) is, WTF is NBC thinking?! They pull it in December, just to air only 6 episodes in January?! So far this season has maintained a consistency not seen since season 1. I am looking forward to the scraps of episodes that NBC so graciously is tossing us. Gregory House might be clean & sober, but he's still an ass...& really the personal Hell he puts his co-workers/"friends" through make for great stories week after week. Another thing I love about House (Fox, returns 1/25) is they are not afraid to push boundaries, and take it in unexpected directions. It is this creative daring which keeps me tuning in week after week. Secret Live of a Call Girl (Showtime, returns 1/25) A fun show (even if Billie Piper was pregnant throughout last season). Again I find myself debating to pick up Showtime or wait for the DVDs. On Tuesdays LOST!!! (ABC, returns 2/2) A bitter-sweet return. Looking forward to its return, & simultaneously bummed it is the last season. I've been avoiding any literature regarding this season, so I'm not sure what direction they're going to take. Just the way I want it. ABC has been sharing crack w/ NBC & Fox. Otherwise, why would they just air 4 eps of V (ABC, returns 3/30) in November, then put it on an almost 4 month hiatus. A freshman show even. So far, better than I expected. Not to mention we have yet to see a full-blown Lizard...that should be really cool. Since Farscape was canceled, I have been in this bad habit of underestimating SyFy's original programming. Didn't think too much of Warehouse 13 (SyFy, returns tbd)...case of the week but w/ relics...before it premiered. Surprisingly, I found myself really impressed w/ the creative slants they give the stories. I have no doubt the upcoming season will also be full of fun twists. Worth checking out. On Wednesdays I am simultaneously excited & very wary of Fox's latest incarnation of the Human Target (Fox, premieres 1/17 & 1/20). Excited 'cuz my impression/hope is the TV show is inspired by the Vertigo comic. Wary 'cuz it's on Fox. Still, they are pairing it w/ American Idol, a good sign the suits at Fox seem to like it. Stoked to finally watch new episodes of LEVERAGE!!! (TNT, returns 1/13). What makes this debut even better is Jeri Ryan (7-of-9 from ST: Voyager) is a new regular. Her "interview" episode from the mid-season's finale was one of the best eps of the series. It will be interesting to see how she mixes w/ the others...especially Parker (who, if you've seen the show, doesn't adjust very well to change, or people in general for that matter). I will admit for the 1st 3 seasons I paid little to no attention to Psyche (USA, returns 1/27). It was on after Monk, and I generally took the opportunity to bring the dog out & get the kids ready for bed. The 4th season, however, seems to be more scathing w/ their humor. What hooked me was when they made fun of the Mentalist, blatantly called it a rip-off. I laughed so hard, I cried. On Thursdays When Flash Forward (ABC, returns 3/4) premiered last fall, I was wary of the changes they made to Robert J. Sawyer's book (a great read, btw). Then, as the series progressed, I found myself liking it, a lot. They kept all Sawyer's key plot points, and added some great elements of their own. Now ABC is "retooling" it. Say what?! This March, I find myself again apprehensive, and petrified that ABC will destroy the soul of the show like they did when they "retooled" Six Degrees. As Survivor: Samoa progressed, I kept getting more and more concerned about upcoming season. Russell turned out to be the ultimate reality show anti-hero. The fact that he made it to the final three was astonishing, making for one of the best seasons ever. What can they possibly come up with to followup such a fantastic season? Answer: Survivor: Heroes vs. Villians (CBS, returns 2/11). It promises to be either totally an explosive season, or disappointingly anti-climatic. I'm banking on the former, there's some awesome Survivor all stars coming back. If you needed any more proof that Fox & NBC exec's are sharing crack, Fox is also throwing out meager scraps of a favorite show of mine. Only unlike NBC, we only get 5 new episodes of Fringe (Fox, returns 1/11 & 1/14). Come on Fox, first you move it away from lead out of House (where it got great ratings, btw), then you give us a mere month of eps?! What gives? Oh yes, I am bitter that Past Lives (Fox, premieres 2/11) is taking Fringe's spot, but I am simultaneously fascinated by the concept of a past life affecting the present concept, & very, very curious to see how/if they pull it off. You are not reading this. How can Vampire Diaries (CW, returns 1/21) be a guilty pleasure when it is not listed here? You blinked and assume you misread. Move along. Frist the Winchesters inadvertantly unleash an army of demons...d'OH! Then, at the end of last season, they are tricked (by the bad-ass Angels no less) into breaking the last seal & releasing Satan. Oh yeah, & at some point this season they're going to catch up w/ God. If you're at all familiar w/ Supernatural (CW, returns 1/21), you know this meeting is not going to be what you expect, and w/ their twisted sense of humor added into the mix. Project Runway (Lifetime, returns 1/14) I have to. I'm married & it is part of the compromise. I get to record Supernatural & Fringe on both TVs, while we watch the 6pm recording (gotta love satellite!!) of Project Runway. A heavy price, but so worth it. Except for the last few episodes, my thoughts the 1st half of Burn Notice's (USA, returns 1/21) 3rd season is: meh. It went from this kick-ass, fun show to formulated fluff. I'll record them to start with, but won't watch if the creativity & originality are still MIA. On Fridays Does NBC realize what they gave up w/ Medium (CBS, returns 1/8)? I've said it before, Medium is one of the best written shows currently on the air. They seemlessly blend Allison's psychic life, DA crime solving life, & her family life every week. To be honest, it is really the only CBS show we watch on Fridays. Is it just me, or has Dollhouse (Fox, ends 1/22) significantly improved in overall quality & intensity since Fox relinquished the creative reigns of the show. So far all the 2 hour episodes have kicked my ass. I just don't understand why networks insist on the boring old formula when dealing w/ established production teams w/ a history of critically & publicly acclaimed series under their belts. I shocked even myself when I found myself enjoying last season's Smallville (CW, returns 1/22). I found the dominate early season episodes focusing on the freak of the week & cheesy, farfetched uses of kryptonite were replaced w/ a strong serialized plot. Again, the first half of this season kicked my ass & didn't bother taking my name. Needless to say, the Zod storyline is amazing! With a couple exceptions, each episode was better than the previous. Add the unexpected mid-season cliffhanger twist to the mix, this old warhorse still has a lot of life in it. You know I got the pilot DVD of CAPRICA!!! (SyFy, premieres 1/22). Though a very different beast than Battlestar Galactica, one thing is for sure, the creators behind Caprica are staying true to their uncanny ability to take a story in an original & unpredictable direction. It has been a looooooong wait since watching the DVD. Actually feel I would have been better off not seeing it, 'cuz I've been going stir crazy waiting over the past 5 months w/ anticipation. Sanctuary (SyFy, thru 1/15) is another SyFy show which is not what you would might expect. It is a safe house for paranormals (aka monsters), giving them plenty of opportunities to add a creative slant to established lore. It is also a show not afraid to take creative risks (such as killing off one of the core characters earlier this season). With reoccuring appreances by Jack the Ripper & Dr. Tesla, how can you not enjoy this show? Probably the biggest surprise this 2009-2010 season is SG-U (SyFy, returns tbd). What I thought would be just another Stargate spinoff turned out to be so much more. It comes off as an actual show which just happens to have a Stargate in it. If that makes sense? Some of the plot twists they pull are really truly twisted...I'm thinking of that seen when Young spent the day w/ his wife here. If you've gotten bored w/ the Stargate franchise over the years, I highly recommend you check out SG-U. You'll find yourself pleasantly surprised with what you see. (updated 12/29 - I have learned that the 1st season was the 10 episodes aired...DVD drops 2-9-10!!! So it is not likely we'll see new episodes until next fall...summer if we're lucky. d'OH!) On Saturday Legend of the Seeker (Syndicated) This Sam Raimi produced series is what syndicated television is all about. Based on the Sword of Truth fantasy novel series, it is great entertainment...if you don't mind your shows w/ a bit of cheese. Demons (BBCA, premieres 1/2) The premise is based on Bram Stoker's Dracula. Looks really interesting. Just hope BBCA can air the series in order. That is all I could dig up, but I'm sure I missed a few (like I did w/ Defying Gravity last summer). Please feel free to share your favorites. As far as the Holiday activities go, I'm not a Scrooge. Dinner will be a buffet of apitizers, the shopping and wrapping are pretty much done, & we've survived the long 3hr wait to see Santa...thank goodness the kids are older now. Happy Holidays, & Happy Watching. Cheers! Kyle