Forsaken Stars

If you read Forsaken Stars, then chances are you’re a lover of science-fiction, horror and/or fantasy. So you’re also probably watching these shows, but if you’re not, then clear some things on your schedule, because You Are Missing Out! I’ll give you you some spoilers about the opening episodes of this current season to whet you’re appetite, but then you’re on your own!

1. Supernatural. The CW Friday 9pm Pacific Time. Yep, it’s still good, and it’s still at the top of my list. Brothers Sam and Dean have a few things to work out in this, their seventh season, including tracking down some Cthulu-type Leviathans that threaten to take over and/or destroy the world. Fan favorite Misha Collins is no longer a series regular, but even long dead minor characters have come back to guest as ghosts or undead, so anything is possible! (By the way, you can catch Misha on the web in Divine: The Series. And no it’s not about the drag queen. And his blog therandomact.org)

2. Fringe. NBC Friday 9pm Pacific Time. What? That show is still on? Yeah, and you better get off your ass and catch it on hulu.com or fox.com because it’s on at the same time as Supernatural. It’s perpetually on the goddamned “bubble,” and a show this good, well, that’s just not right. Peter managed to heal the two realities by creating a bridge, but the cost was his own existence. The gang doesn’t remember him, but Olivia occasionally gets these flashes. Now with a bridge, the folks from the two realities can work together to solve the stranger and stranger cases that are Fringe Division’s specialty!

3. Haven. SyFy (Schedule at SyFy.com, also showing on hulu.com) While it’s cooled a bit from its first season, Haven is still like taking a weekend trip to Maine and basking in the crisp, bone-chilly air of a Stephen King story slamming into an X-Files episode. There’s something intriguing about Emily Rose as Audrey Parker/Lucy Ripley(?) an FBI agent that has come to town to help “the Troubled.” The whole cast is likeable: Lucas Bryant as Nathan Wuornos, that guy that can’t feel anything but Audrey’s touch; Eric Balfour as the roguish Duke Crocker, smuggler and bar owner who has a thing for Audrey but is constantly looking over his shoulder for the guy with a circular maze tattoo that will be responsible for his death. The brothers who publish the Haven Herald, Vince (Richard Donat) and Dave (John Dusworth) Teagues, bring a touch of whimsey and authenticity to the show. Stephen McHattie as the Preacher Ed Driscoll is a driven character that likes to keep you guessing. Is he a good guy, a bad guy, misinformed or misunderstood? New to the cast is the “cleaner” Dwight, played by WWEs Edge (Adam Copeland). But dammit no one is safe! So love them while they’re onscreen, just don’t hold on too tightly.

4. American Horror Story. FX Wednesday 10pm (Visit FX.com for more) Remember a couple weeks ago I posted a list of the Movies That Will Scare the Shit Out of You? Well, this show is Television That Will Scare the Shit Out of You! It may also horribly depress and/or sicken you depending on the episode or scene, so try not to watch it completely alone or before bed. I wasn’t a big fan of Dylan McDermott until now, and he I think he was born to play Ben Harmon, a cheating husband who moves his family across the country to start a new life–unfortunately they end up in LA’s notorious Murderhouse! Every episode is fraught with tension and chills and authentic American tragedy. If you’re a horror fan, run, don’t walk to catch this show! Oh, and lots of great content on their page at fx.com and more great photos like this one at their facebook page!

5. Once Upon A Time. ABC 8pm Pacific Time (Visit abc.com for full episodes and more info) I’m sure you’ve heard all the buzz. This one’s already been renewed for a second season! Sure, it might be a rip off of DCs Fables, but before Fables, ABC broadcasted a short-lived sitcom called The Charmings, so let’s not quibble. This show is good, and it’s production values are high, and the folks on both sides of the camera are talented. Lana Parilla as the Evil Queen/Regina seems to draw rage from me she’s so good at being evil, (seriously, I may have to invest in some teeth grinding guards for when she’s on screen) and I’m already rooting for Jennifer Morrison’s Emma Swan and Jared Gilmore’s Henry to fight the good fight. Ginnifer Goodwin is of course delightful as Snow White/Schoolteacher Mary Margaret. She’s so nice, in fact, she’s responsible for a set of exclusive behind-the-scenes portraits of the cast and crew at the show page! And how jazzed was I, when dastardly Robert Carlyle of SGU fame popped up as none other than Rumpelstiltskin himself!  SGU fans KNOW what perfect casting that is!

Other Shows of Note:

Grimm. NBC. Friday 9pm Pacific Time. What’s with all these genre shows on at the same time! Argh! Anyway, you can catch the pilot on hulu.com or nbc.com It just started, so I think it will take a few episodes for the show to find its legs, but it’s essentially a cross between Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the backdrop of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. So while it’s somewhat similar in content to Once Upon A Time, its vastly different in concept. From show’s About page: “Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, “Turn The Beat Around”) discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as “Grimms,” charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.” His aunt kicked serious ass as a Grimm, but now she’s dying and her power of “creature sight” is passing to Nick. He’s got a human partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, “Lincoln Heights”), and by the end of the first episode, he has a mythological partner, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell, “Prison Break”), a reformed Grimm creature. Oh, and ladies may want to note that Sasha Roiz–Sam Adama in Caprica–plays Captain Renard.

Paranormal Witness. SyFy (Schedule at SyFy.com, also showing on hulu.com) Creepy, biography/documentary/re-enactment style show that talks to real folks about their paranormal experiences. We’re talking ghosts, werewolves, psychics, UFOs, possession, and the actors in the re-enactments are pretty damned good at the re-enacting. Check it out!

Teen Wolf. MTV MTV.com Okay, I admit it, I don’t watch The Vampire Diaries–yet–but I have been watching Teen Wolf, and it’s as solid a werewolf/teen drama as anything I’ve seen on the big screen. A good looking cast, great effects, and twists that knot your gut, it’s definitely worth a look.

What shows do you think I missed? What shows do you think I should be watching?

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