New fall season of TV: Love it or hate it?

[tenten]

Just watched a couple of new episodes of TV. Not thrilled so far.

The Office episode was just ok. It was a little bit darker than usual. The old "Michael shoots himself in the foot" routine is getting a bit old.

Didn't have high hopes for Dollhouse and certainly it sucked as much as I expected it to.

I'm pretty excited about Dexter tonight though!

How do you like the new season so far?

[gt0163c]

I generally tend not to judge new tv shows/seasons until at least the third or so episode. For brand new shows, the pilot episode is always hard to judge as that episode has to introduce everything and everyone to the viewers so, especially with those shows which are not immediately given season orders, the pilot is more of a sales pitch than anything. The show is likely to change a reasonable amount while the cast and crew find their footing.
Similarly, returning shows have to restablish the premise, try to introduce new viewers to the characters and, in some cases, the world they're playing in. So, again the first episode or two can be less than stellar, especially for fans from previous seasons.

That said, here's my thoughts on some of the shows that I've watched so far:

Dollhouse: I loved the second half of the first season and like where they seem to be going with this second season. The Dr. Saunders/Whiskey storyline was amazing and powerful and the Topher dealing with the rats was hilarious. Echo melting down/remembering past imprints was interesting and powerful and full of scary foreshadowing about what the future holds. And Helo...um, Ballard, is still fighting a world he doesn't understand as best he can. Good stuff.

Bones: I wasn't thrilled with the season opener. Too much trying to force the relationship issue and wrap up loose threads from season finale...also trying to placate fans that hated that season finale episode. But, the second episode improved for the most part. They still have the problem that some of the writers don't quite get how to write Brennan's character in terms of her interactions with other people/social situations. But I think it's going to be a fun season.

Fringe: The season finale was amazing. The season opener picked up right where it left off and continued running full steam ahead. I haven't seen the second episode yet but am greatly looking forward to it. The exploration of the other dimension is fascinating. And any episode with a scene with Gene (the cow) is going to be good. Loved Gene in the party hat. But, poor Charlie.

Glee: I'm still undecided on this show. It's fun and can be funny. But the single-entendres and blatant sexual references may push this into the "just not for me" category. Love the comment about how the more times Rachel storms out of rehearsal the less effective it is from last week's episode.

Castle: Nathan Fillion is still having fun. The father/daughter interactions wonderful. It's a fun show of little consequence.

I haven't seen Flash Forward yet and am greatly looking forward to V, despite all the issues it's apparently been having.

[tenten]

I didn't realize so many Joss Whedon alums are out in the world making kick ass shows.

Nathan Fillion is awesome. I've got to check out his show as well.

I take back some of the mean things I said about Dollhouse. Apparently there's a special DVD-only episode that makes the whole show 1000% better. Have you seen it?

Echo melting down/remembering past imprints was interesting and powerful

Totally agree. I couldn't get into the first season because it was hard to stay interested in a character who changes every episode. Having Echo remember her imprints (and bits of her original self) will really improve the show for me. It will help me actually care about the characters.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by tenten

I didn't realize so many Joss Whedon alums are out in the world making kick ass shows.

Yes, and if you include the writers that came out of the Whedonverse, there's tons more.

Originally Posted by tenten

I take back some of the mean things I said about Dollhouse. Apparently there's a special DVD-only episode that makes the whole show 1000% better. Have you seen it?

Totally agree. I couldn't get into the first season because it was hard to stay interested in a character who changes every episode. Having Echo remember her imprints (and bits of her original self) will really improve the show for me. It will help me actually care about the characters.

I have seen the "lost episode". It is very, very good and does inform where the show is (most likely) going. I don't know that it redeems some of the early episodes (when the network wa still dictating more stand alone and actiony episodes), but it does give a better feel for some of the characters and for the world that's being explained. It also makes things like Topher's mental state seem more ominous and Claire and Boyd's interactions more interesting and a little bit chilling at times. Plus, Felicia Day's in that episode. What's not to love?

I do agree that Echo holding onto more of the personalities and being more of the same person every episode will help make her a more sympathic character.

[trustno1]

After buying the "only thing I need" (the converter box), oh, then the "only other thing I needed next" (the antennae), oh and then the "only other thing I needed next" (the amplified booster), oh, and then just rearranging the furniture and (TV/antennae such that it is close to a window and nothing electronic), oh, and (just running a new station scan every other day), and oh, (just locating each broadcast tower to align the stations with the most direct path), oh, and "just buying a DVD recorder so I can record digital programs), oh, and ("just cutting down a few trees in the yard blocking the digital signal"), oh, and (putting together the jigsaw puzzle of new times and stations the shows are on), and and,

hmmmmmm, sorry...what was the question again? I forgot....lol

[CheapZilla]

I'm missing out on all these shows. Ughh, I work full-time and taking 3 night courses at University. I do record a couple of shows and watch on the weekend.

[dogduoduo]

Well, Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill good. And i'm wacthing the new season of Desperate housewives and Gossip Girl.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by trustno1

After buying the "only thing I need"
hmmmmmm, sorry...what was the question again? I forgot....lol

That's the beauty of watching shows online (free and legally thanks to Hulu and their associated sites and the networks' sites). All that's needed is a computer and a not terribly fast (although not dial-up) internet connection.
I think, so far this tv season, I've only watched one or two episodes of tv shows on my television. Everything else I've watched online.

[hermione]

I'm loving all the new shows and episodes to try out. I'm not that picky - as long as a show is well acted, has a good plotline and isn't vulgar, I can enjoy it. My sister is pickier than me and we often have long "discussions" about what to watch .

That said:

I've seen 2 episodes of FlashFoward and really like it. The actors are good, I found it engaging from the start and at the end of the 2nd episode, I'm eager to see more.

I enjoyed the first 4 seasons of The Office, but am not liking Season 5 very much. As Tenten said, the whole Michael being Michael thing is getting old.

I really like Castle. Nathan Fillion is funny and I really like Beckett. His daughter is cute, the dialogue is smart and funny. I only started watching Season 1 a couple of months ago when it came on Hulu and it's become one of my favorites.

I'm enjoying Supernatural Season 5 very much, though I sort of miss the older seasons when it wasn't all Apocalypse stuff.

I'm happy enough just seeing Bones return and thought it was about time something started happening between the characters.

NCIS is great. Season 5 premiere started slow but picked up near the end and it keeps getting better.

We watch NCIS Los Angeles when we run out of other stuff to watch. I've seen 3 episodes and starting to get into it.

Glee is funny but borders on the obscene at times.

We enjoyed Dollhouse season premiere - it was nice seeing Jamie Bamber again.

I've seen 2 episodes of Mercy and think it's OK.

House is great as always!

Yeah, I watch a lot of TV. There isn't much to do around here and I'm so tired after working 10-12 hours that I don't feel much like reading these days.

[pinchy]

anyone else watch it's always sunny in philadelphia? that has to be the funniest show on tv right now