Supernatural Trailer – Win or Lose

The Vampire Diaries Trailer – Squeamish

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But before they go, here’s a quick look at where I stand with the current crop of futuristic, non-realistic, ghostly, ghastly, makes-you-wonder, shows on TV.

Read Part One here.

Dollhouse

What can I say about this one? I’d like to rename it Whedon’s Folly as I feel that the Joss-meister got too wrapped up in his own fantasy and forgot he had an audience to feed.

Dollhouse started off with an interesting concept, a kick-ass set and some great guest stars but even with Joss behind the wheel, this monster kept veering off course. The show was built around two kinds of episodes, the mythology and the fantasy of the week. The mythology was too complex to follow and the fantasies were aimed at men -  that worked wonders for my husband but left me cold. I quickly tired of sexy costume of the week storylines — like a weekly Halloween party at a frat house we had Eliza as a sexy nurse, as a sexy babysitter, as a sexy spy, and let’s not even talk about the dominatrix outfit.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind the fantasy sex play if there was some real angst and story to go with it. I simply never saw any except in the finale of last season.

I came into this season hoping for more. I heard about all the great guest stars and I thought they’d pull it off. They didn’t. Two weeks in, I stopped watching. The show is heading for cancellation and I want to miss it, but I won’t. (Cr: Carin Baer/FOX)

Fringe

Fringe is an example of how you properly balance mythology with monster of the week. They’ve been doing a great job handing out morsels of backstory along with juicy monster bits in every episode. I’ve been very pleased to see Peter (Joshua Jackson) step up and take a more proactive role, Walter (John Noble) still cracks me up and manages to make me misty when he slips into remorse and sadness. I like Olivia (Anna Torv) but she’s not why I tune in week after week.

What I didn’t like this season was the shapeshifter assassin storyline that ended in the demise of Charlie. There were plot holes and it all came off a little too neat and then bam, it’s over. Are the shapeshifters all gone? Did I miss something? I do like bowling alley guy and the unique way he has of making Olivia see what’s around her. I still dig Astrid and I hope she gets her own episode soon. She’s a smart cookie and I’d like to see her save Walter or Peter’s life.

The whole AU storyline is interesting, but I tune in for the monster of the week stories and they’ve been terrific this year. Season Two and Fringe is still going strong. The only thing I have to complain about is the 9:00 Thursday time slot, it’s killing my DVR and the ratings. (CR: Justin Stephens/FOX)

FlashForward

The fact that I like the monster of the week episodes on Fringe, will probably clue you in to the fact that I’ve given up on FlashForward. I watched the pilot of this series and found it really compelling, but two episodes in I walked away. I’m not a fan of shows that are all mythology based as was the case with Lost. There were too many stories, too many characters I didn’t care for and what about the kangaroo? Did they explain the kangaroo?

FlashForward is one of those shows that I know is well written, creatively directed and properly acted but I still don’t enjoy it. I’m glad other people do, because it is good TV, just not for me.

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Using the communications stones, Lt. Scott (BRIAN J. SMITH) and Camile Wray (MING-NA) use their time back on earth to visit those they’ve left behind. Camile returns home to spend time with her partner, trying her best to make the strange circumstance normal. Meanwhile, Lt. Scott learns a past relationship might not have ended as he thought.

Aboard Destiny, Dr. Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) supervises the exploration of new areas of the ship. Looking for resources to make their everyday lives easier, the crew stumbles upon a piece of Ancient technology that carries the promise of a way home. While somewhat familiar with the find, Dr. Rush can’t guarantee the safety of using it, bringing him and Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) to a standoff on what to do.

Pictured: (l-r) Ming-Na as Camile Wray, Reiko Aylesworth as Sharon — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Sanctuary: “Veritas”

- DIRECTED BY AMANDA TAPPING

Will (ROBIN DUNNE) goes up against the heads of the Sanctuary Network to defend Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) who is charged with a shocking murder. But as the evidence stacks up against her, even Will has trouble finding a way to convincingly defend her innocence.

Photos: Syfy

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Air Date: Friday, November 20 at 9:00 on Cartoon Network.

In pursuit of Poggle the Lesser, Jedi Master Luminara Unduli descends deep into the catacombs of Geonosis, where she uncovers an even greater threat to the galaxy.

When Luminara disappears while tracking the Geonosian warlord, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker lead a platoon of clone troopers in search of her. Following her trail, the heroes descend deep into the lair of the grotesque Geonosian queen – Karina the Great – where they discover that the hive is alive and teeming with undead defenders.

Though the episode finds Luminara confronted by agents of evil deep within the darkest bowels of Karina’s underground nest, actress Olivia d’Abo saw her character’s strength reflected by the grave nature of the circumstances. Rather than succumbing to despair, Luminara embodies the teachings of the Jedi Order even in desperate times. Despite her thoughtful and meditative nature, she is nonetheless a dedicated protector of peace and justice – and a formidable warrior when called to action. Faced with the potential escape of her quarry, she doesn’t hesitate to follow Poggle into the heart of darkness. Devoted to her noble cause even at the risk of life and limb, she is the quintessential Jedi Master – brave, strong, sage and selfless.

“Luminara is a Jedi, so she’s always going to have that ability to focus and remain calm,” says d’Abo “I’m thrilled to be playing a role that requires such wisdom and strength; it is really empowering.

Despite Luminara’s seemingly desperate plight, d’Abo relished the opportunity to tap into imagination and celebrate the creative spirit of the “galaxy far, far away.”

“The themes and characters in the [live-action] films have had such a major influence on me and everyone I know,” says d’Abo. “As a child, Star Wars allowed me to fall into another world that was more vivid, more defined, more authentic and so much more exciting. There’s nothing lightweight about the philosophy of the films, and I am finding that The Clone Wars series is just as timeless.”

Though perhaps best known for her role as Kevin Arnold’s older sister in TV’s The Wonder Years, d’Abo boasts a career that has included such iconic genre properties as Conan the Destroyer, Green Lantern: First Flight and Ultimate Avengers.

“I love science-fiction, the fantasy genre, and comic books,” she says. “They tend to stand the test of time because of their marvelous content; these kinds of projects will always capture people’s attention by providing far-away settings we’d like to escape to. I’ve been really lucky with all my roles and projects because I have an innate understanding of what they require. I just jump in and make them my own.”

Photo:
Jedi Master Luminara Unduli sets off in pursuit of Poggle the Lesser in “Legacy of Terror,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, November 20 on Cartoon Network. TM & © 2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Air Date: November 19 on The CW

SAM AND DEAN FACE OFF AGAINST LUCIFER

Sam (Jared Padalecki), Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Castiel (Misha Collins) track down the Colt and head off to find Lucifer (guest star Mark Pelligreno) to send him back to Hell.  It’s a hunters’ reunion when the crew joins forces with Bobby (Jim Beaver), Ellen (guest star Samantha Ferris) and Jo (guest star Alona Tal) for what could be their last night on Earth.  Phil Sgriccia directed the episode written by Ben Edlund (#510).

“Abandon All Hope” – Samantha Ferris as Ellen, Jensen Ackles as Dean, Jared Padalecki as Sam, Alona Tal as Jo Beth in SUPERNATURAL on The CW. Photo: David Gray/The CW ©2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Air Date: November 19 at 8:00 on The CW

STEFAN AND DAMON HAVE SOME NEW COMPETITION

After reading the journal left by one of the Gilbert ancestors, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is inspired to return to his hobby of sketching fantasy creatures, a talent he had abandoned when his parents died. Much to the surprise of their friends, Matt (Zach Roerig) and Caroline (Candice Accola) continue to hang out together. When Sheriff Forbes (guest star Marguerite MacIntyre) tells Damon (Ian Somerhalder) there has been another attack, he offers to track down the killer and learns a startling piece of information about the town’s founding families. Alaric (guest star Matt Davis) steps in to help during an awkward scene with Jeremy, Tyler (Michael Trevino) and Mayor Lockwood (guest star Rob Pralgo). Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) come to a new understanding, but everything changes when Elena accidentally makes a devastating discovery. Sara Canning and Katerina Graham also star. J. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec & Barbie Kligman (#109).
Photo: Quantrell Colbert/The CW ©2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Air Date: November 19 at 9:00 on Fox

When a peculiar abduction occurs in Boston, the Fringe team uncovers details of the mysterious man known as The Observer. While the bizarre case takes center stage, Walter, Peter and Astrid hit the lab to analyze unusual evidence and deal with Walter’s insatiable appetite for a milkshake in the all-new “August” episode of Fringe.

CR: Michael Courtney/FOX

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(Sound is a little fuzzy — sorry.)

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It’s not paranoia. It’s The Observer from Fringe and he’s been out and about, watching modern Americans going about their business — and no, I don’t just mean in the fictional sense.

As part of a plan to hawk this week’s revealing episode of Fringe, Fox has planted Observer lookalikes in major cities all over the US. If you see one, say hello and he’ll offer you a bottle of Tabasco sauce. They’ve also sent The Observer to watch Sunday Night Football and check out the kids on So You Think You Can Dance.

This giant Fringe version of Where’s Waldo may leave you feeling a little paranoid if you watch a lot of shows on Fox. Rumor has it that they’ve even included some sublimnal frames of the bald one as well as some longer, more easily spotted flashes throughout their other TV shows.

It’s all a huge game with the end goal of getting more viewers to tune in to the ratings challenged series (thanks to an unnecessary move to Thursday night.)

But Fringe execs Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman aren’t worried. On a conference call with reporters earlier today, they said that shows such as Lost, Alias and Fringe are designed to appeal to a specific niche audience and so they often fly below the ratings radar.

Says Pinkner, “These shows are like licorice and not everyone likes licorice.” But if you do enjoy the chewy treat, then you’re going to love what’s coming up on Fringe.

Fringe airs Thursday nights at 9:00 on Fox.

CR: Michael Courtney/FOX

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“Pensacola Lighthouse” – Pensacola, Florida

Head down south with the Ghost Hunters crew as they investigate the spooky Pensacola Lighthouse. Tales of a ghost-like woman lurking the halls have been passed down from generation to generation.

Brace yourself as TAPS searches for clues to explain creepy transparent figures, invisible fingers tapping guests on the head and light switches turning off and on by themselves. Tune in as the team reveals some of their most startling on-camera evidence yet!

**The photo is from an upcoming episode. Can you name the famous writer that may be haunting the house behind them?

Pictured: (l-r) Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson — Syfy Photo: Cheryl Senter

GHOST HUNTERS ACADEMY:

“The Honeymoon’s Over”

This week on Ghost Hunters Academy, Steve and Tango take the investigators-in-training down to North Carolina and put their skills to the test at the U.S.S. Carolina.

Their job will be to collect concrete evidence that will back up the chilling claims of doors slamming, people talking, and pots and pans banging when there’s no one else in the room. They’ll learn how to use more ghost hunting technology. But will their egos get in the way as they try to maneuver through the haunted ship maze?

Tune in to see if one of the students ends up walking the plank and kissing their dreams of becoming a Ghost Hunter goodbye.

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