A demon hunter, a virgin, and a bad judge are ready (or not?) for prime time
By JESSE PAPINEAU | September 10, 2014
BACKSTORY The cast of 'Gotham.' |
Every autumn, we all struggle to return to our normal routines. Whether it’s going back to school, dieting again, or actually working a full five-day week, resuming the grind can be difficult. However, one routine that’s never hard to fall back into — because, if you’re like me, you never got out of it — is plopping down on the couch and taking in some of the new television season’s offerings. This year we have what’s become the standard smattering of new shows: comic book adaptations, murder mysteries, Scandal clones, and soon-to-be-cancelled NBC comedies. Let’s get to it!
Pulp fictions
Gotham | FOX | Mondays @ 8 [premieres September 22] | When Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. proved last year that superheroes could work on the small screen — and within a small budget — Fox decided it was time to take a get in the game by taking a chance on the Caped Crusader. Marketed as a Batman prequel, Gotham seems more like the origin story of future Commissioner Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), who begins the series by investigating the murder of young Bruce Wayne’s parents with his partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue). The show introduces us to a slew of recognizable Batman villains in their early years including Catwoman, the Riddler, and the Penguin, plus season one big bad Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith). The producers have also stated that the Joker will be a major part of the show, but have been cagey about who is playing him — keep an eye out for hints and clues as they’re sure to drop them throughout the first season.
The Flash | CW | Tuesdays @ 8 [premieres October 7] | This highly anticipated spinoff of the CW’s well-regarded Arrow stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, a forensic investigator who gets struck by lightning after a particle accelerator explodes, leaving him with superhuman speed. As other “metahumans” begin popping up following the explosion, Allen becomes the Flash, vowing to use his speed to help protect Central City. Gustin’s Allen was well-received by fans after being introduced in the second half of Arrow’s last season, so expect more crossovers and Easter eggs to come. And this show should last as it’s produced by David Nutter, known in the industry as the “pilot whisperer” for his amazing track record of getting pilots ordered to series; The Flash is the 20th debut episode he’s directed.
Constantine | NBC | Friday @ 10 [premieres October 24] | Following the modest successes of the genre shows Hannibal and Grimm, NBC is taking another chance here with Constantine, an adaptation that will reportedly be more faithful to the DC Comics source material Hellblazer than the 2005 film that starred Keanu Reeves. Welsh newcomer Matt Ryan stars as the titular John Constantine, a con man and demon hunter who defends the world against “dark forces from beyond,” alongside the show’s most recognizable face, Lost’s Harold Perrineau, who plays Manny, an angel who guides John through his supernatural quest. At least give the pilot a shot, as it was directed by Game of Thrones vet Neil Marshall, the man responsible for two of the series’ most action-packed, visually stunning episodes.
