The Shape of Things to Come

Welcome to the blog of an unemployed recent law school grad (Anybody need a legislative assistant or law clerk? Anybody?) who suddenly finds myself with the time to do something I've wanted to do for a while now. Share my love for (and opinions about) TV with the masses...or the few people who actually happen upon this blog.

At this point, you're probably wondering what could possibly make this blog different enough that you would want to read it when there are so many options out there. I hope to try to answer that right about now.

Presenting...my list of the top five things that excite me about this coming Fall TV season.

5. Community
Premieres: Thursday, September 17 at 9:30/8:30c on NBC

The premise: Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a lawyer whose license has been suspended since the discovery that his undergrad degree was less than legitimate, must go to community college if he hopes to avoid complete disbarment. Continuing in his not-so-honest habits, Jeff exaggerates his Spanish ability and forms a study group in an attempt to get a date with one of his classmates. The misfits that form his study group become a new support network for Jeff and each other, giving Jeff "a second chance at an honest life."

Why it's exciting: Mostly I'm excited about Community because I'm a fan of Joel McHale. From The Soup to his turn as "damn polygamist" Harold Hundin on the brilliant but short-lived Pushing Daisies, McHale always gives an entertaining performance. I generally stay away from all shows law-related because the inaccuracies make me irrationally angry. Since it's safe to say that Jeff won't be practicing law again anytime soon, I'm willing to give this show a shot. If Community can achieve the emotional realism of a show like How I Met Your Mother (and make me laugh, of course), I'll be in TV Heaven.

4. FlashForward
Premieres: Thursday, September 24 at 8/7c on ABC

The premise: All at once, everyone on Earth blacks out for a little over two minutes. During that time, people see visions of six months in the future. When the blackout is over, everyone must deal with the carnage that resulted from the blackout (cars crash and airplanes fall out of the sky) and the implications of the future that they've seen.

Why it's exciting: When I first saw the advertising campaign for FlashForward covertly inserted in the commercial breaks for an episode of Lost this past spring, I was skeptical. The advertisements were only seconds long and simply asked the viewer "What did you see?" I later learned the meaning behind these advertisements, and curiosity about the concept of the show overcame any annoyance with advertising choices. Add in some wonderful actors like Domenic Monaghan (of Lord of the Rings and Lost fame) and Sonya Walger (Lost's Penny...as opposed to Big Bang Theory's Penny...or Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog's Penny, or...), and this is a show I definitely want to check out. Has ABC found a possible replacement for Lost? Here's hoping. Epic genre series make for great (and addictive) TV viewing.

3. V
Premieres: Tuesday, November 3 at 8/7c on ABC

The premise: V is based on the 1980's mini-series of the same name. Aliens, known as "Visitors," have arrived on Earth, promising change, hope, and cures for many of our most debilitating medical conditions. Most of mankind is grateful and happy the Visitors have arrived, but there is a group of people who believe the Visitors are on Earth for a more nefarious purpose.

Why it's exciting: Yet another epic genre series from ABC with a cast of genre veterans makes my list. For now, I'm happy to overlook the potential political message of the show (entertainment reporters have noted that the description of the Visitors sounds strangely close to the Obama administration) precisely because it's a chance to see more epic genre on network TV. The cast is exciting for any fan of genre. Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell plays FBI agent Erica Evans, and Firefly alums Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk also have significant roles.

2. How I Met Your Mother
Premieres: Monday, September 21 at 8/7c on CBS

The premise: HIMYM focuses on the importance of the small moments in a person's life as the narrative follows Ted, an architect (now architecture professor), on the journey that led to his meeting the mother of his children. In chronicling the adventures of Ted and his four closest friends as they live their lives in New York City, the show also focuses on the struggles of identity that characterize those years between graduating from college and truly being "grown up."

Why it's exciting: Just this picture alone had me laughing hysterically when I first saw it. I figure if even an episode still photo can have me laughing, this upcoming season will not disappoint. I can't wait to find out what Craig Thomas and Carter Bays and the rest of the HIMYM team have in store for us come September. What I especially love about HIMYM is how it so perfectly captures the experience of someone in their mid-20's to early 30's. From giving up your first car, to your best friend's wedding, to post-graduation unemployment, HIMYM hits all the emotional notes exactly.

1. Dollhouse
Premieres: Friday, September 25 at 9/8c on FOX

The premise: Dollhouse addresses what people "need," issues of identity, and the consequences of technology run amok. The Dollhouse is an organization with the technology to erase a person's memories and personality and replace them with a completely different personality. They use this technology to create "Actives" that they rent out to rich and powerful clients with the promise of complete privacy and the most "real" human interaction the client has ever experienced. Actives are wiped of all memory of an engagement, but the technology isn't perfect. Echo (Eliza Dushku) is one such Active, and her memory and personality have not been wiped away as cleanly as the Dollhouse staff might like.

Why it's exciting: I was absolutely blown away when I bought my Dollhouse Season 1 DVD set last month (a little "I survived the bar exam!" present to myself) and saw "Epitaph One," that elusive "lost episode" of the series. No episode of television has left me feeling like this since Lost's "The Constant," which, as I'm sure I will drill into your head repeatedly, is my absolute favorite episode of TV...ever. The Dollhouse "Powers That Be," including the mighty Joss Whedon himself, have stated that "Epitaph One" will definitely inform Season 2's direction. What else can I say? I love dystopian future stories!

So, now you have a sense of my taste in TV and the shows I may be blogging about in the coming months. Stay tuned for a few "classic" recaps of my all-time favorite episodes before the new season starts. Until then, hope you're enjoying catching up on all those shows you didn't have time to watch during the regular season. I do believe I have an episode of Leverage to watch myself!