10.30.2009

Fall 2009 TV Season Recap



The new season of television is now two months in, and it's time to discuss some of the best new shows, old shows that are stronger than ever, and shows that should be put out to pasture sooner rather than later. Hit the jump for the rest of the post.





Best New Show of the Season


Community

This seems like a show that is really polarizing for some people. IGN has ranked the last three episodes at 6 out of 10 or worse, while other critics have been raving about it. For my money, this show keeps getting funnier and it actually has lots of heart too. Focusing on the unique cast of misfits, and led brilliantly by Joel McHale (who knew this guy could act so well?) and anchored by the hyesterical Danny Pudi. Plus, it features John Oliver who is always funny, and Dr. Ken Jeong, and the core love story is actually interesting and realistic. Which is all you really need out a show like this anyway.




NCIS: Los Angeles
Runner-up

Honestly, every year there is always that one show that you can't help liking despite the fact that you really shouldn't. And yet, I can honestly say that I have yet to see an episode of NCIS:LA that I have not enjoyed. Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J (doing his best stuff since "Any Given Sunday") work terrifically together, and the rest of the ensemble are fantastic. There isn't a weak link in the show as far as the regular cast goes, with my only big complaint being that the mysteries so far haven't been compelling for the most part, as the best case involved rogue Navy SEALS and drug dealers. Everything else? I honestly don't remember. Not a good sign for a procedural, but with this cast it hasn't been a huge problem.

Best Returning Show of the Season

Castle

A show that I started watching solely because of Nathan Fillion, one of my favorite actors because of his work in Firefly, and now I'm hooked on the show because of the strength of the entire cast and the chemistry between Fillion and Stana Katic (who plays Detective Beckett) is really fun to watch. I keep waiting for the show to jump to the next level, which I think is going to happen sooner rather than later. They seem to be racheting the sexual tension up lately, which means that something will happen between Castle and Beckett, and when it does it will either make or break the show. Until then, I'm definitely along for the ride.


NCIS
Runner-Up
Not too surprising, but I have to say that it was really close between this and House. House would have taken it based on the premiere and the episode with James Earl Jones but two episodes out of 6 don't match up with how consistent NCIS has been this season. Plus, shifting the focus to Tony and Ziva for a couple episodes has really helped bump this show to the next level.

Show That Needs To Be Put Out to Pasture



Heroes

Sadly, this show is better than it was last season by far, but when compared to the first two seasons it's terrible. At this point they've neutered Peter Petrelli, the best character on the show, and shoved Ali Larter too far down our throats. Add in the fact that there are so many different versions of Sylar that the great character we started with is a distant memory, and that is a recipe for disaster. At the very least, Robert Knaepper and the rest of the carnival characters have been great and are carrying the show so far. Here's hoping they cut some of the fat and focus on Peter, Noah, Claire, Parkman, and Ando taking on the carnival.








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