I have to say that this season has really started to restore my faith in TV. For years now I've been watching the steady encroachment of "reality" schlock as it eats away at the schedules of all the networks, but I think we're finally seeing a return of good drama. Personally, I think that Lost and Firefly are primarily responsible for this upswing (though the big excitement over Battlestar Galactica deserves a big nod as well). Basically, Lost proved that drama TV could get big ratings and Firefly proved that a well-made genre show could garner an audience even when totally mishandled by the network that gave it birth. This is really the Season of Sci-Fi. I am usually interested in perhaps three shows in a new season, and have to look to DVDs of old series to get my genre fix for the rest of the week. This year, no worries. The only problem is that I have no idea which shows will be good, bad, or indifferent. So this blog will sort of be my attempt to put the fantastical shows into perspective by giving my views on the new stuff as they come on. I'll certainly veer away from Sci-Fi, but be aware that most of what I like has at least an element of the fantastic. Now, to start we have Prison Break, which premiered a couple weeks ago. The first episode of this series was amazing. It really captivated me, and I was blown away by the main character's intelligence, planning, and forethought. However, it all sort of fell apart after that. We've been watching him play catch-up ever since and for whatever reason that is just not holding my attention as well as the pilot did. I'll probably watch a few more episodes, but I don't hold out high hopes for this series. Then, last night, we saw the premiere of Bones. I was anxiously awaiting this if for no other reason than the return of Angel's David Boreanaz to the small screen. So far, the series itself is fairly pedestrian. There is the romanticized crime procedural, the wacky friends, the antagonistically flirtatious opposites-attract couple, and of course the gore (though most of it is a bit more dry than the stuff we see every week on shows like CSI). Ordinarily, this would be a take it or leave it situation for me. However, the chemistry between Boreanaz and lead actress Emily Deschanel is just cool enough that it might keep me interested. The second item on the agenda last night was the new WB horror-drama Supernatural. This story of two twentysomething, monster-hunting brothers is a concept that was old when the kids had a great dane along for the ride. However, I have to say that the show is sort of winning me over. The dialog is funny and clever, the effects are excellent, and the characters are interesting enough to warrant a second look. Most of all, however, the pilot actually managed to creep me out a bit. Being a big horror fan from way back, there are very few movies that actually scare me any more. High marks to Supernatural for pulling it off (if only to a lesser degree). So, my tally so far is: Prison Break - We'll see Bones - Looking forward to the next ep, but so far, not dying to see it. When I can't stand to wait a week then it will have arrived. and Supernatural - I am probably along for the ride with this one, as long as they can deliver in upcoming episodes (and as long as the plot continues to thicken). That's all for now, but there will be more opinion to follow (and maybe a wrap-up at the end of the season or as the individual shows get cancelled, whichever comes first). Hope I didn't bore you too much. :D Hurdy gur, -Marc