Air Date: November 17 at 8:00 on ABC

AS 100 DIPLOMATIC VISAS ARE BEING ISSUED TO THE NEW VISITORS — ANNA AS THE 1ST — ERICA STARTS TRACKING A DEATH THREAT WHILE PAIRED WITH A V OFFICER, ON ABC’S “V”

“A Bright New Day” — Chad reports from the Peace Ambassador Center as 100 diplomatic visas are being issued to the first wave of American Visitors, with Anna getting the 1st, but not everyone agrees with the decision. Meanwhile Erica has started tracking a death threat while paired with a V officer, as she actually has to protect the V’s, and Ryan starts reaching out to his old friends to build up opposition forces and help fight-off the V’s.

(ABC/MICHAEL COURTNEY) MORENA BACCARIN

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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.

V: The Series

We’re only a few episodes in but I’m into V for the long haul (which means waiting until Spring of 2010 for the second half of the season.) I’m enjoying the pace of the reveals, I like the characters a lot and I see Visitors everywhere I look. I think this show is so fitting for the climate we live in today, even more so than when the original was made. The idea of sleeper agents among us, living next door, ready to turn on us at any moment. No one is safe and I really feel that from Elizabeth Mitchell’s character. I’m also very intrigued by the idea of a priest as one of the story’s main heroes. Religion keeps cropping up in all of my favorite shows and that, I believe, is also a sign of the times. (ABC/JEFF PETRY) JOEL GRETSCH, ELIZABETH MITCHELL)

V gets an A

The Vampire Diaries

Damon Salvatore is the coolest, hottest villain on TV right now. His patented mixture of snark and smarm keeps me coming back week after week. It’s kind of like a modern, teen version of Dark Shadows, with Elena as Victoria Winters. I’m glad that Elena learned the truth this early in the run. She’s a bright girl and to drag it out any further would have been unbelievable. Now, how they’re going to keep a vampire story going in one town for a whole season without it getting ridiculous — that’s the big question.

The downside of this series is the teen angst portion. I can barely sit through another one of Jeremy’s pout-fests or the all-girl gossip sessions. I do like the town vampire hunting council and the fact that they’ve taken Damon under their wing. Last week’s unexpected murder of the visiting vamp was a solid stamp that this show is prepared to go for the jugular anytime they want to. (Photo: Guy D’Alema/The CW ©2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.)

The Vampire Diaries gets a B

Warehouse 13

Currently on hiatus, but renewed for a second season, this series was an early favorite. Yes, I know there are plot problems and it is formulaic, but the characters make up for the flaws. Pete and Myka have that perfect relationship where they compliment each other, filling in where the other lacks. Eddie McClintock gives Pete that goofy smile and that childlike sense of wonder — he’s a character I’d love to spend the day with. . . and can we spend it in the warehouse? Like a softer version of Friday the 13: The Series which cursed objects running amuck, there’s no end to the stories that could be written. Saul Rubinek steals the show each week as Artie and paired with Allison Scagliotti’s Claudia, he’s even better.

What would I like to see in the new season? A little more danger. We got some of that near the end of last season and it helps balance out the more humorous tone of the show. I also hope they stick with objects from actual historical characters. Poe was a great one. Now let’s see H.P. Lovecraft left behind.(Photo: Syfy)

Warehouse 13 gets a B

Come back later this week as I deliver grades to Supernatural, Fringe, Stargate Universe and more.

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Air Date:  November 10 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on ABC

Erica and Father Jack, having quickly determined they’re both against the arrival of the Visitors, suddenly find themselves being tracked by a “Seeker” from the V’s. Meanwhile Chad, thinking he blew it for 80 million viewers with his exclusive first interview with Anna, looks to pick himself up and so becomes more investigative in his next newscast; and Dale Maddox’s (Alan Tudyk) wife and law enforcement begin questioning Erica about his whereabouts.

(ABC/BOB D’AMICO)

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It all begins on November 7 with the first episode of V.

From the look of the graphic, it’s only written commentary, pop-up video style (I was hoping for audio). It appears that once you start typing in the box, the video pauses so you don’t have to hurry to finish your thought.

When they launch this Saturday, V: The Pilot will go live with feature commentary from “V” executive producers Scott Peters and Steve Pearlman.

If you want to add your thoughts, you need to log in to Facebook Connect. Here’s how ABC explains it:

To create and share their own fan commentary tracks, participants can go to ABC.com and log on using their Facebook account. As they view an episode in Commentary Mode, they can simultaneously add their own comments and read expert commentary, as well as see comments from their Facebook friends. Actions taken on ABC.com will be shared in the viewer’s Facebook stream, alerting friends to view the episode online and add their own comments.

Pretty cool, huh? It’s kind of like podcasting but with a visual! I can’t wait to try out this new gizmo. It goes live on November 7, and if you create a commentary track, come back here and tell us about it so we can check it out.

Photo courtesy of ABC.com

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This was actually the third time I’d seen the pilot and it still held up well. The characters are diverse and there’s someone everyone can relate to. Anna is the queen of all, and the special effects were stunning in spots. Best of all, they got right into it, giving us plenty of action and a few startling revelations before the hour ended. That’s a smart move. TV shows don’t have time for the gradual build anymore. It’s hit hard and run and V did that with panache.

The scene with the interview between Scott Wolf’s character and Anna is still a favorite, but maybe that’s because I’m a journalist who is often told what I can and can’t report on by press agents. (Imagine!)

I also think they did a great job dealing with the religious implications of such an event and with the tie-in to terrorism. Two subjects that fit our society even better than they did when the show first aired in 80’s. Does anyone else think the elder priest is a Visitor? Or maybe that’s too easy. You can read my full review that I wrote prior to the series launch right here.

If you’ve got V fever, I’ve got some links for you.

First, you can see the original series at TheWB.com. Next, join the Peace Ambassador Program to help spread the V love. Finally, check out the Visitor fan site.

I’m thinking that somewhere on the internet is a resistance site that’s hidden. Has anyone found one yet? Let me know if you do, or let me know about any interesting V site in the comments below.

Photo: ABC

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V: Pilot

Air date: November 3 at 8:00 on ABC.

An image of Anna (Morena Baccarin), the leader of the V’s, is projected worldwide as she speaks about everyone joining together and no longer being divided by country or separated by fear. She wants us all to unite, and is counting on a very important component of human nature — devotion.

At first considered a threat, the V’s quickly become a fascination and a link to things that lay just beyond our reach. For Tyler (Logan Huffman), a teenaged boy, the V’s are his ticket to being a part of something big and something that offers hope. To Chad (Scott Wolf), an egotistical news anchor who wants to further his career, his exclusive interview with Anna begins his desire to dominate the airwaves.

Father Jack (Joel Gretsch), a priest with questioning faith, is hesitant to believe in the Visitors’ righteousness and goes outside of the church in search of the truth. There are other dissidents who believe the Visitors aren’t who they say they are, including Ryan (Morris Chestnut), who is faced with a life-altering decision when the V’s show up. And to FBI Counter Terrorist Agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell), who discovers, while investigating a terrorist cell, what lurks beneath the alarmingly human exterior of the Visitors, resisting this new world has never been more important — and never has there been more at stake. This truly is the dawning of a new day.

“V” stars Elizabeth Mitchell as Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut as Ryan Nichols, Joel Gretsch as Father Jack, Lourdes Benedicto as Valerie, Logan Huffman as Tyler Evans, Laura Vandervoort as Lisa, with Morena Baccarin as Anna, and Scott Wolf as Chad Decker.

Guest starring in “Pilot” are Alan Tudyk as Dale Maddox, Jesse Wheeler as Brandon, Britt Irvin as Haley Gordon, David Richmond-Peck as Georgie, Christopher Shyer as Marcus, Scott Hylands as Father Travis and Stefan Arngrim as Roy.

(ABC/BOB D’AMICO)

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V premieres on November 3 on ABC. It will have a limited run then return with new episodes in the spring, after the Olympics.

V – ABC’s “V” stars Morena Baccarin as Anna. (ABC/BOB D’AMICO)

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Originally, the series was expected to run 13 episodes beginning right after the winter Olympics. Now NBC has changed the order, asking for a four hour miniseries which means some major reworking needs to be done on the plot. With two hours already in the can, the producers and writers are now left scrambling to create a satisfying ending with only two more hours on the clock. Not wanting to give up hope of an additional pick-up, they plan to write an ending that leaves room to grow should the mini do well.

All of this comes just days after ABC announced that they’re going to air four hours of the series “V” in November with a cliffhanger that won’t resolve until after the Olympics in March. Huh? The only upside is that they haven’t canceled their order for additional episodes — yet.

I guess a split season could work. Cable shows have been doing it for awhile but usually with more than four episodes packed up front. No matter how they spin it, it seems like a lack of confidence in both projects which is a shame. From everything I’ve seen of “V“, it looks like a winner. Certainly a winner for Fox, unfortunetly it’s on ABC.

NBC Photo: Mitchell Haaseth

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I’m tempted to stop typing right now. But Kripke is in his hot tub yelling, “I don’t hear typing!” so I guess I better keep at it.

My first day at Comic Con was a little less hectic than usual since I decided to stay in a hotel for the night. I even took one of those pedicabs to the convention center and it was a nice, relaxing way to start the day.

My first stop was the exhibit hall and incredibly, I could actually see the floor! There must have been some major panels going on upstairs because I had a chance to walk and even see some of the great booths. I made a beeline for my favorite booth – Warner Brothers to see if I could spot any sign of the Winchester Brothers and I found them — or as close as I was going to get since Jensen and Jared weren’t scheduled to be at the con. (I held out hope that they might surprise us, but alas, they didn’t.)

I did manage to snag one of those cool Vampire Diaries / Human Target bags. Looks like there was no Supernatural bag this year, or did I miss it? On the last day of the con, they did hand out buttons with Dean and an evil-looking Sam on a white background with the birds and inkblots behind them. They also handed out mini-posters for their new shows but I slapped my own hand to keep from taking them as I still have a pile of posters from last year that I haven’t touched.

BBC America had a popular booth with a life-sized Dalek, there was a Wolverine wax statue that looked like it might move any minute and Fox had a nice display of Futurama action figures. Fox gave away an autograph book that had postcards from their shows in the front and blank pages at the back for signing.

Bigger is better at Comic Con, so one studio brought in the actual Black Beauty from the new Green Hornet movie, another had the bumblebee Camaro and a 12 foot Transformer, all of which was dwarfed by an enormous machine from Avatar!

For those who like to interact with their exhibits, you could jump into an electric chair and take a virtual reality trip through your nightmares. You could be photographed stepping up to the Stargate or get a Village ID badge courtesy of  AMC’s The Prisoner.

And check out the lovely ladies from the V Recruitment Center. They were handing out pamphlets detailing how you can become part of the Vistors’ ambassador program, an item that is actually seen in the V pilot. As an added personal touch (which is so in tune with the series) instead of simply handing out V buttons, you had to allow the girls to pin it on your badge lanyard. I’ll bet that bit of up close and personal converted more than a few male con attendees into V fans.

Up next, I’ll talk about the V panel, also Fringe, Smallville, Supernatural and John Barrowman flirts with everyone on the Torchwood panel.

My photos are not the best, so visit Original Prop Blog for some great photos of the big props at the con. Visit TheWB.com for more photos of the Exhibit Hall.

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Yeah, right.

Stock the bomb shelters and get those bullshit detectors out of storage because come January 2010, The Visitors will have landed. It’s “V”, the reimagining of the 1980’s scifi series about pretty alien people with a very dark secret.

I got to watch a little bit of the series and now I’m even more excited to see this new show.

V has several things going for it right out of the gate. First, there’s name recognition. Even if you weren’t around to see the first incarnation, you’ve probably heard vague rumblings about it in the scifi community. Second, the plot is even more relevant today than it was back then. With the bad economy, the war, terrorism – aren’t we all struggling to find a little ray of hope out there? And then there’s the cast. Smart, I tell you.

V is loaded with familiar scifi faces that will have people tuning in just to see their favorites. Firefly’s Morena Baccarin is perfectly cast as the engaging leader of the alien advance guard. Alan Tudyk (Firefly and Dollhouse) plays an FBI agent partnered with Lost’s Elizabeth Mitchell. Mitchell is the show’s anchor and she handles it well.

For the fangirls, you’ve got the puppy-dog angst of Logan Huffman. He’s got a thing for a young alien girl played by Smallville’s Laura Vandervoort. The 4400’s Joel Gretsch plays Father Landry, a man left to deal with an ever increasing panicked congregation as people look to religion for answers after the invasion. A young priest isn’t usually the kind of character that has fans running to fic, but I think it’s going to happen when you see this guy on screen. There’s something about him that just makes me want to write pages and pages and I’ve only seen a few minutes of him on screen.

Scott Wolf is also in the series playing a news anchor and somewhere in there you’ll find a very grownup Barry from Land of the Giants, aka Stefan Arngrim.

Man, I wish we didn’t have to wait until midseason for this one. It looks exciting and new and perfect for Fox or SCI FI Channel. The question is, can something this unique last on a network like ABC.  I hope so.

Here’s a clip of V, coming to ABC next year. (Photo copyright: ABC)

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