In this week’s Sci-Fi TV we prepare for this Sunday’s season finale of "Game of Thrones" (and look forward to season three), get a first look at Michonne from The Walking Dead season three and check out a new trailer for True Blood. All that plus more, including casting news for Mockingbird Lane, Fringe off-network details and the latest on Doctor Who and Falling Skies plus the latest images and video previews.
GENRE TV NEWS
Game of Thrones season finale this Sunday + Season three character list revealed
"Game of Thrones" showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss talked to EW about next season’s plans and here’s a rundown of the new characters that will show up for the third season:
– Mance Rayder: We’ve heard about him all season. A former member of the Night’s Watch who became the “King Beyond the Wall,” the leader of the Wildlings.
– Daario Naharis: A confident and seductive warrior.
– Jojen Reed; Meera Reed: A teenage brother and sister duo with special insights.
– Edmure Tully: A brash young member of the Tully family.
– Ser Brynden Tully (The Blackfish): Catelyn Stark’s uncle.
– Lady Selyse Florent: Stannis Baratheon’s wife.
– Shireen: Stannis’ daughter.
– Olenna Redwyne (The Queen of Thorns): Margaery Tyrell’s sharp-witted grandmother.
– Beric Dondarrion: A skilled knight who is the leader of the outlaw group Brotherhood Without Banners.
– Thoros of Myr: A red priest who follows the same religion as Melisandre.
– Tormund Giantsbane: A Wildling raider.
Benioff added that a few other characters will also show up next season. As previously announced, the third and fourth seasons will be focused around George R.R. Martin’s third "Song of Ice and Fire" novel "A Storm of Swords". The second season finale of "Game of Thrones" airs this Sunday and HBO has announced that "Valar Morghulis" will run an extra 10 minutes. Check out some images and a preview for the episode below.
Promotional stills for episode 2×10 – "Valar Morghulis" [more at InsideTV | EW]
Preview for "Valar Morghulis" [HBO]
The Walking Dead: First Look at Michonne and a new photo
AMC has unveiled the first official photo of actress Danai Gurira as the fan-favorite character Michonne, whom will be featured in season three of the hit drama "The Walking Dead":
First look at Danai Gurira as Michonne [InsideTV | EW]
"The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman spoke to EW about the character making the transition from the comics to the small screen:
"The essence of the character—her personality, her motives, everything that makes Michonne Michonne—remains intact from the comics," says Kirkman "But like a lot of things on the show, there will be little tweaks and differences here and there. We saw that her introduction is slightly different from how it was in the comic, and her interaction with Andrea is really going to be a really cool addition to the character that I think will get television viewers up to speed, and they’ll get to know her a lot faster than comic book readers did."
"The Walking Dead" returns with new episodes this fall. And for those of you who still haven’t seen the series, or just wish to re-watch it from the beginning, AMC has announced a The Walking Dead Season 3 Preview Weekend on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8. Beginning at 11:30AM each day, the two-day event will feature a marathon of all 19 episodes of the hit series’ first two seasons culminating with a "Talking Dead" live primetime special on Sunday, July 9 at 9PM hosted by Chris Hardwick and a never-before-seen black and white version of the pilot episode at 10PM [via AMCTV]:
"The special version of the series’ first episode was created specifically for fans of The Walking Dead, as it holds true to the original black and white comic book, written by Robert Kirkman."
The marathon will also feature a look at the season three sets, cast members and producer interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and sit-down interviews with the cast and more.
Promotional still for season three [SpoilerTV]
True Blood Season Five: New trailer + Early episode descriptions
HBO has released a new trailer for the upcoming fifth season of the hit Vampire drama "True Blood". Watch it below:
Season five trailer #2 [YouTube]
Meanwhile, HBO has released descriptions and titles for the season’s first three episodes including the season premiere "Turn! Turn! Turn!":
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) struggle with the aftermath of Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) shooting, while also cleaning up after Debbie Pelt. Meanwhile, Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), cleaning up a mess of their own, are visited by the Vampire Authority, one of whom is Nora (Lucy Griffiths), a woman from Eric’s past. In search of the missing Marcus, Alcide’s (Joe Manganiello) werewolf pack comes after Sam (Sam Trammell). With Bill away, Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) enjoys her new freedom by partying with local college kids; Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is visited by the recently turned Rev. Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian); Terry’s (Todd Lowe) PTSD is reignited by Patrick Devins (Scott Foley), an old Iraq War buddy; and Alcide turns up at Sookie’s to warn her about the recently resurfaced Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare).
Here are the descriptions for episodes two and three of the new season:
"Authority Always Wins" Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
At the Vampire Authority headquarters in New Orleans, Bill and Eric meet Salome (Valentina Cervi) and become acquainted with the Authority’s interrogation techniques. Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) recalls her human life as the madam of the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco, and her first encounter with Eric. Werewolves J.D. (Louis Herthum) and Rikki (Kelly Overton) pay tribute to Marcus, but Alciderefuses to participate or take his rightful place as the new packmaster. Martha Bozeman (Dale Dickey) shows up wanting to see her granddaughter, causing conflict for Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar). Fearing Russell’s return, Sookie procures a home-protection system; Arlene (Carrie Preston) tries to get to the bottom of Terry’s erratic behavior; Steve Newlin stops by with an offer for Jessica; and Jason feels the brunt of hiswomanizing ways. Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann."Whatever I Am, You Made Me" Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Bill and Eric barter for their lives with the Authority Chancellors and their leader, Roman (Christopher Meloni). Salome and Roman enlist a new ally in the face of Russell’s return. Sookie goes to Fangtasia to ask for help from Pam, who is still caught up in her memories of Eric and the strange murders at the Comstock Brothel. Andy’s dalliance with Holly (Lauren Bowles) comes back to bite him in the butt; later, he’s visited by Gordon (Steve Rankin) and Barbara Pelt (Linda Purl), who are searching for Debbie. Jason bumps into an old high school teacher, but their reunion brings up conflicting feelings. Written byRaelle Tucker; directed by David Petrarca.
In other news, HBO has announced that co-executive producer Mark Hudis will succeed Alan Ball as showrunner if the show gets renewed for a sixth season. And if spoilers are your thing, head on over to TVGuide.com and EW for news on two "True Blood" characters.
Season five poster [STYD]
Eddie Munster cast in Bryan Fuller’s Mockingbird Lane
Cook in "Spy Kids in 4D"
Bryan Fuller’s "The Munsters" reboot "Mockingbird Lane" has cast its Eddie Munster. Deadline reports that Mason Cook will play the character, joining previously cast Eddie Izzard (Grandpa) and Charity Wakefield (Marilyn). Fuller wrote the pilot and is overseeing the project, while Bryan Singer is directing the pilot. Here’s the description of the series courtesy NBC:
From writer-executive producer Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies," "Heroes"), THE MUNSTERS is an imaginative reinvention of "The Munsters" as a visually spectacular one-hour drama from Universal Television. Bryan Singer ("X-Men: First Class," "House") is the director of the pilot and an executive producer; John Wirth ("Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles") also is an executive producer.
"Mockingbird Lane" is in development to be on NBC’s midseason 2013 schedule.
Syfy cancels Sanctuary
After four seasons and 59 episodes, Syfy has confirmed that they’ve canceled "Sanctuary". The network released the following statement:
“We’re honored to have been part of this incredible series. In addition to garnering unmatched devotion by fans worldwide, Sanctuary was a bona fide trailblazer, setting new standards with its highly innovative production techniques – including pioneering green screen and RED camera technology – and Emmy-nominated visual effects,” said Mark Stern, president, Syfy original content and co-head, UCP.
Star Amanda Tapping wrote the following message on her Twitter page: "To all the fans of @SanctuarySeries we love and adore you. Thank you for the love and support. Now to the long dark tea time of my soul. :( " The 13-episode fourth season, which concluded this past December, averaged 1.26M viewers.
American Horror Story season two details
"American Horror Story" co-creator Ryan Murphy revealed details about the upcoming second season of the FX horror series, including the decision to move the story from a haunted house to an insane asylum [via Vulture]:
"It’s set in an institution for the criminally insane that Jessica Lange’s character runs, which is a really, really, really fun thing to do because you can write all these people locked up in it… What makes someone sane or insane? Sometimes the people you think are insane are actually the most sane of all. It’s fun to write about people who society throws away."
Murphy also revealed the time-period for the new season…the sixties:
"I haven’t said this publicly, but the new season is set in the sixties and Chloë Sevigny, for example, plays a character who was put in an asylum because she was a woman who likes sex, so her husband sends her away. At the time, you were able to put people away for that. Another character is institutionalized for being a lesbian. To me, there’s nothing more scary than somebody coming to you and saying they’re going to take you away and put you in a mad house and you have no legal rights and there you shall stay till the end of your days. That is a real horror."
The idea of doing the second season at an insane asylum was actually Murphy’s intention from the beginning if the show was lucky enough to get picked up, and he says FX was supportive of the idea:
I actually had the idea first. I knew the first season was about a very contemporary haunted house, and I knew the second season was gonna be — if we were lucky enough to be picked up — about an insane asylum done in a very different way. I pitched it in the very beginning, and FX said, “Good. We hope the first season works ‘cause we love the second season.” I even know what the third season would be. There are very, very many different kinds of haunted houses in our culture. And there are a lot of different social topics that you can weave through that sort of prism.
Check out the rest of Vulture’s interview with Murphy at this link. "American Horror Story" returns this fall.
SCIENCE channel picks up off-network rights to Fringe + Anna Torv talks season five
The SCIENCE channel has announced that they’ve picked up the off-network syndication rights to the Fox series "Fringe". The agreement with producer Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution covers the rights to the four existing seasons of the series as well as the upcoming fifth, and final, season. "Fringe" will begin airing on SCIENCE in the fourth quarter of 2012:
“FRINGE is the kind of smart, lean-forward programming that our viewers gravitate toward. The combination of compelling characters and excellent science-themed storytelling make this franchise a huge addition for our network,” said Debbie Myers, General Manager and Executive Vice President of SCIENCE. “We’re going to deepen the audience experience with FRINGE by giving them more of the access to the writers and creative process than ever. We’re also going to work with our cadre of leading experts to explore the real-world science that provides the foundation for these completely engrossing narratives.”
Looking towards season five, producers Jeff Pinker and J.H. Wyman gave a tease to SFX Magazine about what fans can expect to see in the fifth season [SPOILERS]:
SFX: Will the season look like the fascist Observer-led future of 2036 glimpsed in the season four episode "Letters Of Transit"?
"Yeah, I think it’s safe to say you will [see that],” says Wyman. “Part of our storytelling is about reveals and re-contextualizing what you think you know and what you’ve seen and putting it in a different mind frame for the viewer. It’s good to say that future is important to our storytelling but it’s not the be-all and end-all. The critical question is always why do we do flashbacks or flash-forwards and for us there is always a reason. Does ‘Letters Of Transit’ have further implications? It does. You need to understand what it is, or was, in order to fully grasp the thematic things we want to tell this year."
Check out an interview with star Anna Torv ("Olivia") at TVLine. "Fringe" returns with new episodes this fall on Fox, Friday’s at 9PM.
Watch the Doctor Who mini-episode "Good as Gold" + Steven Moffat addresses cancellation rumors
BBC has put out a three-minute mini-episode of "Doctor Who" titled "Good as Gold" starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan and featuring the return of the Weeping Angels. The mini came about as the winning entry in the Doctor Who Script-to-Screen competition [via BBC One]:
Back in January, BBC Learning in collaboration with Blue Peter announced this year’s Script to Screen competition. Launched by the Doctor himself, the challenge was simple. Schoolchildren aged 9-11 should write a short Olympics-themed script full of the usual Doctor Who ingredients including humour, drama and a touch of magic!
There was a huge response to the competition and Doctor Who’s Executive Producer, Caroline Skinner, praised the quality of the entries, saying: ‘We loved reading all of the scripts from schools across the UK and the standard of entries was truly outstanding. It was a difficult, but a tremendously fun task to choose a winner and it was just brilliant to see so many children being creative in developing an adventure for the Doctor. We hope all fans enjoy this special one-off mini episode!’
Watch the episode below [YouTube]:
In other news, showrunner Steven Moffat brushed off recent rumors that BBC may cancel "Doctor Who" [via Blastr]:
"It’s a huge money-spinner. It’s doing better than ever abroad—the global number of people watching Doctor Who has just gone up and up and up. It was the most downloaded show on American iTunes last year, so [there’s] not a chance of the BBC giving up on Doctor Who."
Moffat also, again, discussed the decision to split the seventh season into two parts:
"We’re just splitting it over Christmas, we’re making the same number of episodes as usual. We delayed it a few months to start it later in the year, that’s all that’s happened."
And in casting news, Doctor Who TV reports [via Den of Geek] that Jenna-Louise Coleman has begun shooting her first scenes as the Doctor’s new companion. As previously announced, her character will be unveiled during the "Doctor Who" Christmas special.
Falling Skies season two episode titles and descriptions
The second season of "Falling Skies" premieres in two weeks (Sunday, June 17) and TNT ha s released official episode descriptions for the complete 10-episode second season [via KSiteTV]:
Season Premiere Part 1: “World’s Apart” – Sunday, June 17, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The season two premiere begins three months after Tom Mason agreed to go with the alien invaders. Weaver is still in command of the 2nd Mass, while Anne continues to serve as medic. They have seen many battles and are a much leaner unit now. Pope has taken command of the Berserkers, a renegade group within the 2nd Mass that Weaver doesn’t fully trust. When Tom suddenly returns, he is faced with doubt about his loyalties to the group. Meanwhile, Hal and Ben continue to drift apart as Ben challenges his older brother’s authority.
Season Premiere Part 2: “Shall We Gather at the River” – Sunday, June 17, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
Tom is still haunted by memories of his time with the aliens and begins to wonder if they did something to his mind. Pope, who is in charge of questioning Tom, plants seeds of doubt about him among the group. Meanwhile, Ben’s hatred for skitters grows, and the 2nd Mass scouts locate an old bridge that will help them cross the river to safety ahead of an impending attack.
“Compass” – Sunday, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Sunday, June 24, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The 2nd Mass moves into an airport hanger, but the drafty conditions cause Anne to grow concerned about the group’s health. Meanwhile, the Berserkers hatch a plan to get rid of Tom. And while dealing with a loss of one of its own, the 2nd Mass receives a promise of hope from a mysterious visitor.
”Young Bloods” – Sunday, July 1, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
While on patrol together, Ben and Hal try to help a young boy and wind up having their bikes stolen. The hunt to recover them leads them to the discovery of something much bigger. Also, Matt is put in danger, and Weaver is reunited with a family member.
“Love and Other Acts of Courage” – Sunday, July 8, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
A familiar face returns to the 2nd Mass, but his intentions remain unknown. Meanwhile, a skitter is captured and brought back to the camp as a prisoner. And Hal bonds with Maggie as she begins to open up about her past.
“Homecoming” – Sunday, July 15, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Hal stumbles across bodies of de-harnessed kids and finds someone from his past. Tom and Anne grow closer. And Weaver’s health deteriorates just as Tom discovers he may have been keeping important matters from the group in order to protect them.
”Molon Labe” – Sunday, July 22, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Ben is placed in harm’s way by someone who he thought he could trust. Tom captures another hostage. Weaver offers Matt a job to lift his spirits and make him feel useful. And when members of the 2nd Mass are trapped in the basement of a building, the situation takes a turn for the worst when they find themselves faced with a new enemy.
“Death March” – Sunday, August 5, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The 2nd Mass pushes on to Charleston, but some are still grieving the group’s recent losses. Weaver learns more about Tector’s background before the invasion. And Matt begins to bond with a harnessed girl who was found recently.
“The Price of Greatness” – Sunday, August 12, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
The 2nd Mass meets new faces, while Tom comes across his former mentor and professor Arthur Manchester (guest star Terry O’Quinn). But it’s difficult to know whom to trust. Maggie begins to realize that Pope may not be sticking with the group very long. And Tector embraces his military past
Season Finale: “A More Perfect Union” – Sunday, August 19, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT)
When skitters approach the newly combined resistance force, the groups’ interaction surprises everyone. Meanwhile, Tom finds out life-changing news just as the 2nd Mass comes face-to-face with their most dangerous threat to date. Terry O’Quinn guest-stars.
PREVIEW Videos & Images
Continuum
Promo for episode 1×02 – "Fast Times" [YouTube]
Defiance
"The Making of Defiance" [YouTube]
Eureka
Promo for episode 5×07 – "Ex-Machina" [YouTube]
Lost
Damon Lindelof defends the series finale [The Verge]
Revolution
New preview [YouTube]
Warehouse 13
Season four promo [YouTube]
TV BITES
- "Alf" creator Paul Fusco says he wants to bring the 80s NBC sci-fi sitcom back and is currently pitching film studios: "There have been movies out there of characters that I didn’t think were on the same parallel as ALF that got movies made, so I think it’s time. I think it could be a home run on a lot of levels." [THR]
- A new sci-fi comedy series called "Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds" is currently filming in Canada. The series "follows a group of clear humans in a clouded new world. The tether that binds our Earth with a parallel demonic dimension has collapse creating a brand new reality for both humans and demons leaving most beings with altered memories. The magical bind has shifted reality and only a small group of "clear" humans remember the past. In order to save the world, they band together to unravel the mystery behind the shift and battle to take down the mystical forces that have doomed their world." [SpoilerTV]
- Park Entertainment is in the process of finding a home for a television series based on the 1992 film "The Lawnmower Man". David Titcher ("The Librarian") wrote the pilot for the project. [Moviehole]
- Bruce Miller, the new showrunner for Syfy’s "Alphas" — taking over from season one’s Ira Steven Behr — discussed the upcoming second season of the show: "The character of Hicks [Warren Christie] is going to be in a relationship that we reveal this year, sleeping with the boss’s daughter. Which is very complicated, considering that he used to be dating someone else on the team, the character of Nina."… [SFX.co.uk]
- …Check out a roundup for the season’s first eight episodes over at Alphas TV.
- Stephen Mangan has confirmed that BBC Three has canceled the short-lived series "Dirk Gently". [Stephen Mangan | Twitter via Den of Geek]
- Production has begun on the second season of the NBC series "Grimm". [via SpoilerTV]
- Writer-director Sean Durkin and producer Roy Lee are in the process of writing a story for a planned 10-episode series based on the 1973 horror classic "The Exorcist". The idea behind the series is to focus on the family leading up to the possession through the post-exorcism. Durkin says he hopes to shop the show around to networks beginning next month. [Vulture]
- The Canadian sci-fi series "Continuum" — which stars Star Trek’s Rachel Nichols — got off to a strong start in its debut on Showcase, drawing 900,000 total viewers and becoming the highest single episode ever on Showcase. [via YourEntNow]
CASTING BITES
- Seth Gabel ("Lincoln") will not be back next season as a series regular on "Fringe", but the actor could make a guest appearnce or more during the show’s final 13 episodes. [TVLine]
- Check out casting calls for two new recurring characters for "The Walking Dead" season three. [SpoilerTV, (2)]
- "Grimm" executive producer David Greenwalt says his dream guest star for season two would be Bill Shatner, playing who you ask: "God only knows…Himself most likely!" [TVLine]
- Tina Majorino has landed a recurring role on the upcoming fifth season of "True Blood". She’ll play a member of the Vampire Authority’s support staff. She’ll first appear in episode 3, scheduled to air June 24. [TVLine]
- James Frain has joined the cast of "Grimm" season two. He’ll play the brother of Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) and the role is described as a recurring guest star. [From Inside The Box | Zap2It]
Follow Russ on his blog: Your Entertainment Now and on Twitter: Twitter.com/YourEntNow.
walking dead rules..great show
Yeesh, not much interesting going on apart from “Fringe”, and “The Walking Dead”. I’ll have to check out “Continuum”.
And Harry Ballz will be interested to know former “Smallville” Lois Lane actress Erica Durance is starring in a new show (non-sci-fi) called “Saving Hope”. :-)
Walking Dead reminds me of Heroes — great season 1, and then a very weak season 2. Season 1 had some very good scifi elements to it, while season two reminded me of Zombies meets Petticoat Junction…WTF?
Really looking forward to Falling Skies Season 2, which starts just after Game of Thrones end, so no early summer depression for me. :-)
Sanctuary was interesting…but frankly, I found it confusing at times…
I don’t care for the cable nets’ predilection to make 10 [or fewer] episodes of a series per year [Falling Skies, Walking Dead, VEEP among others]….Welcome news that WD’s season order was for 16.
As far as Lindelof moving back to TV, I hope he breaks his slump. The move is probably a good move. Of his 3 movies, only Trek was successful even though the plot was riddled with huge gaps in logic, now with Prometheus getting some starkly [Battleship] bad reviews, Cowboys and Aliens a total bomb, and Season 6 of Lost being generally…well…lost.
Most of the geek sites and reviewers seem to be looking too hard for an excuse to like Prometheus and coming up with faint praise…
Kudos to Fox for finally coming through and doing the right thing with the low rated but high quality Fringe.
I’m not gonna jump on the ‘ why are we doing re-makes ‘ thing that we do sometimes, because this actually might be good. Who am I to discourage somebody’s project? Especially if they see it so strongly. But why not do Wild Wild West ( what happened to that, Ron Moore? ) , or something new?
Must admit as I watched Men in Black 3 last week I had an aching for what Assignment: Earth could have been. From the fights on the rocket gantry to the high tech gadgets ( including their own little pen shaped silver device) I thought many times of what Gary Seven could be. They did the period stuff pretty well too. I’m convinced now it would have to be done in that time period. Alas. But maybe still.
Damon Lindelof defending Lost finale only confirmed to me that he & Carlton Cuse didn’t have a “real” plan for the whole series.
Lost finale was the WORST TV finale that I’ve ever seen. I was planning to rewatch the entire 6 seasons of Lost after the end of the finale. But instead, they gave us that crappy finale & I just didn’t care to rewatch the series, there was no point.
Anyway, “The Walking Dead” and the final season of “Fringe” are enough for me now, until CBS made its mind & greenlit a new Star Trek series.
@15. If Walking Dead season 3 is another 16 hours of Zombies meets Ma and Pa Kettle, count me out.
@7. The final season and episode of Lost really blew it for what was until that time perhaps the greatest scifi series since TOS. It was like the Clinton Presidency, but then like the Monika Lewinski thing at the end ruined it all. And I’m still pissed off on what they did to John Locke’s character — UNFORGIVABLE!
@7. Did you ever check out the Galactica remake? I was skeptical before I watched it but by the time I had finished watching it for the first time through (I think I’m on my 4th time watching the series now) it had taken Star Trek’s #1 spot for me.
@9. MJ – June 2, 2012
“@7. The final season and episode of Lost really blew it for what was until that time perhaps the greatest scifi series since TOS. It was like the Clinton Presidency, but then like the Monika Lewinski thing at the end ruined it all. And I’m still pissed off on what they did to John Locke’s character — UNFORGIVABLE!”
Absolutely, Lock was my favorite character in Lost, after the brilliant performance by Terry O’Quinn in season one episode “Walkabout “, I just loved that character. To have him end the way he did in the later season was just terrible & stupid.
Yeah, I hated the way they handled Locke in the later seasons too.
The thing with “Lost” is, the writers didn’t always know where they were taking things. It started out as fantasy, but then they added in timetravel, and flashsideways, and a lot of unnecessary scientific explanations. The show should have stayed within the bounds of fantasy and not try to be sci-fi like “Star Trek”. By the end, the show had become convoluted with too many storylines. Kind of like “The X-Files” in that show’s later seasons with its governement conspiracy and mythology storylines.
Also, there’s one thing coming out this summer I’m really looking forward to and am bummed it happens so late in the summer. The Olympics. I guess if you polled people I’d be in the minority on that. Story of my life.
ALF! Yes! Finally, a return to serious science fiction on TV.
@14 You’d be surprised I think to know how many of us are looking forward to the London Olympics. I’ll be interested to see if Michael Phelps can rebound given his struggles since Bejing.
#10
Written by Damon Lindelof.
Just saying.
Gotta hear Michonne’s voice soon so I can stop imagining her sounding like KINdrah mon, de AH-ther vamPIEer SLAYer mon.
@17. Sure, but how many Big Series Ending Seasons in tv history ever were ever done right to please the fans….answer: not many.
TNG’s “All Good Things…” is one of the rare finales that not only was well done, but is generally considered one of the best episodes of the series.
But that is the exception.
The only other good series finale was DS9’s “What You Leave Behind”.
Hmm…
Finales that most of the respective fanbases liked:
Battlestar Galactica (2004 version)
M*A*S*H
The Fugitive
Newhart
ST:TNG
La Femme Nikita (original series)
FIrefly (technically, the movie Serenity, but that was well-received)
So, those are a few off the top of my head. Finales that were generally reviled:
ST: Enterprise
Lost
The Sopranos
Seinfeld
“The X-Files” had a crappy finale too. The whole season nine sucked.
“Voyager” finale “Endgame” wasn’t great etiher. I think the writers were trying to duplicate the success of “All Good Things…”. Came off as poorly contrived instead.
Best TV finales in my opinion:
TNG: “All Good Things”
DS9: “What You Leave Behind”.
BSG: “Daybreak”
Babylon 5: “Sleeping in Light”
Think about all the series that never had an ending at all:
Lost in Space
Time Tunnell
Run Buddy Run
Run For Your Life
Coronet Blue
Branded
The Invaders
Twin Peaks
Defying Gravity
Sarrah Conner Chronicles
I’m dating myself of course. Many folks probably don’t even remember half of those.
Of course, back in the sixties the networks did not necessarily want a series to have a finale because they thought it would impact syndication.
The Fugitive was a rarity in those days because they actually wrapped things up.
I’m very hesitant to start watching new series with a complicated story arc because of the likelihood of cancellation before resolution.
Peter Weller had an interesting series that I can’t recall the name of. Something about a crew in a shuttle flight when the Earth is destroyed. An mysterious force gives them a chance to prevent the disaster by sending them back several years before.
BTW – I loved the Lost finale.
Regards.
I think Newhart had the best finale. It didn’t just break the fourth wall. It broke through another dimension—to Bob Newhart’s resume!
@24. lostrod – June 2, 2012
“Peter Weller had an interesting series that I can’t recall the name of. Something about a crew in a shuttle flight when the Earth is destroyed. An mysterious force gives them a chance to prevent the disaster by sending them back several years before.”
That was Odyssey 5, which has one of the best 10 minutes in a TV pilot.
You can add to your list “Nowhereman”, a Bruce Greenwood series back in the 90s
@21. I guess to each his own, because I would have used Battlestar Gatactica and Mash as two examples of not final good seasons/episodes. BSG copped out similar to Lost with some of the characters being like observant angels in the end.
And the MASH finale lacked the humor of the series…it was way too serious…it was like the MASH version of TMP.
@23. I did not like the Babylon five final season — I thought the arc of the series was not timed very well — they should have made the victor over the Shadows the final part of the series, and done a lot more in the middle of the series with the war with the Shadows — a missed opportunity in my book.
When I look back at those Irwin Allen sci-fi shows — Lost In Space, Time Tunnel, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Land Of The Giants — I am amazed any of them lasted beyond half a season.
28. MJ
I’m one of those who thought the MASH finale was excellent. I think they were more interested in making a memorable finale as opposed to offering up another “familiar” episode. I also don’t think there could have been any way for these characters (or the actors) to say good-bye with much laughter. And I think MASH’s loyal following knew the end was going to be bittersweet, no matter what. I don’t think it was a version of TMP because with MASH we really cared about the characters. I’m not sure that was true of TMP.
Just my 2c of course…
I wish the BBC would stop letting children write Doctor Who. At least this one makes more sense than last year’s, with the Ood and Einstein, but if the sonic screwdriver could kill Angels, then you would think that the Doctor would have used that trick before.
Yeah thought that was odd too and though it apparently wasn’t killed I thought he would just now try it for the first time? Also though I guess maybe the timeline is just changed…The Doctor previously carried that same olympic torch in “Fear Her” (though the episode wasn’t that great).
@27 MJ
I thought the “observant angels” ( or superior lifeforms or whatever they were) angle worked quite well and was kind of evident throughout all of BSG – after my third viewing of the series. Just my opinion though – I suppose it didn’t make a definitive conclusion but I like it that way. Look at Stargate Universe. It was cancelled and they didn’t go ahead a just wrap it up and get home – they left it wide open.
I guess some people like it wrapped up and others don’t.
I suppose there is also a big difference to hurriedly wrapping up stuff and changing the actual theme of the issues throughout, to wrapping up things that were already in mind.
I am not sure that made a lot of sense now
@ 2 RDR
Erica Durance has been reemployed? Bloody hell. She probably “hopes” to be “saving” her amazing acting career! LOL
I really must check out this “Continuum” malarky.
Defiance sounds intriguing. It seems to have like-minded people dedicated to completing their vision–so that’s a positive. The only thing they need to be careful of, I think, is the balance between the TV storyline and the MMO storyline.
You may have a core fanbase for each version who may not be fans of the other. I would caution not to get caught up, over complicating things. Make sure everything matches up. Simplicity usually works best, at least with the management part.
Any news on Haven? Season 3 must soon be ready to go.
All I saw was “Walking Dead” (yay!!!), some other stuff, “Doctor Who” mini-episode (nice), some other stuff and “The Exorcist” being made into a miniseries (WTF?!?). And some other stuff….
I guess as I get older, my interests get narrower and narrower…. ;-p
Seriously; can’t wait for more Walking Dead. Easily my favorite show on the air (even if on hiatus). Going to really try to get Bob Kirkman’s autograph at Comic Con this year….
Doctor Who hasn’t really been quite the same for me since Tennant left, but it’s still OK (if a bit too “Harry Potterish” these last two years).
And The Exorcist as a miniseries? The original is possibly the most perfect horror film ever made. There is absolutely ZERO need for this. But if it’s overseen by William Peter Blatty himself? I might have to take a peek anyway (just hope it’s not on HBO or any premium channel that I don’t get….). An opportunity to delve deeper into the aftermath of the exorcism might be interesting…
# 37
To edit: I’d read on another sight that William P. Blatty (The Exorcist) was going to be involved in the new 10 part series as well. It didn’t list him in the column, but that was my understanding. If he’s NOT involved? Then I may have to pass. I’ll wait for previews to start pouring in before I decide….
Other than what I listed before, there just isn’t a lot on TV right now that gets me interested (besides Sherlock and Walking Dead; both of which have somewhat limited runs). I also REALLY love “Mad Men”, but that’s not really sci-fi or horror, so I don’t list it. ;-)
# 9 MJ
You did see the last episode of last season, didn’t you?
If so, then you should know it’s not going to be more of the same.
And actually, I rather liked the farmhouse setting (you knew going in it wasn’t permanent). It was a good opportunity to add some interesting characters (Herschel for one), and I like how it lulled a few of them into a false sense of security (which is utterly SHATTERED by the last episode of season 2…). The ‘breather’ of a temporary refuge also allowed the conflict between Rick and Shane to reach a great dramatic boiling point.
I’ll admit, there were times (in the beginning of season 2) where it seemed a bit slower than expected, but IMO it really kicked it into high gear by the end of the season.
Your “Ma and Pa Kettle” remark had me scratching my head, MJ.
I wonder if you weren’t watching the wrong channel by mistake, because those last three or four episodes of season 2 utterly kicked ass, and were (IMO) as good/better than anything in season one.
@38. Sebastian S. – June 2, 2012
“Other than what I listed before, there just isn’t a lot on TV right now that gets me interested (besides Sherlock and Walking Dead; both of which have somewhat limited runs). I also REALLY love “Mad Men”, but that’s not really sci-fi or horror, so I don’t list it. ;-)”
Same here, I can count the number of shows that I’m excited about on one hand, “The Walking Dead”, “Alphas”, “Fringe”. That is about it.
Almost every show that I was watching the past couple years didn’t go beyond its first season, shows like
“Awake”, “The River”, “Terra Nova”, “Flashforward”, “The Event” , “V” and one non sci-fi series “Rubicon” .
And the good ones like “BSG”, “Lost”, “24” finished their runs & nothing like it came after that.
“Terra Nova” was a massive disappointment. That show had tremendous potential, but was brought down by crap writing, and boring characters.
#2. Red Dead Ryan “Saving Hope”
With Durance in the show, they should call it “No Hope”!
#42.
You’re right! I think the show is going to get cancelled!
Another title could be “False Hope”!
And when the show does get canned, whever someone asks “What about Erica Durance? What is she going to do now?”
The reply will be “Nothing. She’s “Hope-lessly untalented!”
whever=whenever
DAMN TYPOS!!!
@41. Red Dead Ryan – June 2, 2012
“Terra Nova” was a massive disappointment. That show had tremendous potential, but was brought down by crap writing, and boring characters”
Agree, the characters were boring & the story didn’t go anywhere most of the season, but I still think the writers could have improved the show if they were given a second season.
Somehow it was similar to “The Event” which has the same issues, but I think this the case of most televisions series at their beginning. The first season is usually not good or even bad, but given time, the shows usually improve in the subsequent seasons
Problems with “Terra Nova” included the huge budget and Brannon Braga as a writer.
Nothing against Braga, but he is a poor writer. But I think he’s probably a much better producer. Somebody else should have written the scripts for TN.
Brannon Braga produced “Threshold” back in 2005 & I loved that show, but as usual, it got axed after only 13 episodes!
IMO “Terra Nova” mega budget never showed on the screen, the dinosaurs CGIs were not that outstanding.
#47.
I think a lot of the money spent went towards the location shoot and sets.
The CGI was obviously cheap. But I guess CGI dinosaurs are easier to do on the big screen because movies allow for more time to properly develop them with the detail needed to hold up to scrutiny.
#48
Too bad that after “Jurassic Park” movies, no one else made a big budget dinosaurs movie.
@39. I confess that I bailed after about episode 6 this past season. Sounds like I should go back and watch the final four. Still have them available to watch in my iTunes account.