The lineup of freshman dramas is hitting its midseason mark, and these shows have had enough time to find their respective footing. Which ones are worth tuning in? Find out below:
New TV Dramas
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The Blacklist
NBC, Mondays at 10PM
Synopsis: Government agent-turned-criminal mastermind Raymond “Red” Reddington (James Spader) has eluded capture for decades. But he suddenly surrenders to the FBI with an offer to help catch international terrorists under the condition that he speaks only to Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone), a young FBI profiler who's only just graduated from Quantico.
What we think so far: Ehhh. There’s some promise here, but at the end of the day it’s just another procedural. The first couple of episodes posed some intriguing questions – why did Red turn himself in? Why is he “obsessed” with Agent Keen? – that should sustain this show for a little while. As can the fact that this is very much The James Spader Show and we love us some Spader. But the other characters, including Elizabeth, are no match for Red, and that could get very boring very quickly.
Whether we'll keep watching: For now . . .
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Sleepy Hollow
Fox, Mondays at 9PM
Synopsis: Ichabod Crane is resurrected and pulled 250 years through time to stop the headless horseman and prevent the impending apocalypse. To do so, he teams up with Lt. Abbie Mills, who had her own supernatural experiences as a child.
What we think so far: This show is BONKERS. It takes a standard crime of the week procedural, adds a layer of serialized narrative, then throws in time travel, mythology, the Book of Revelation, the American Revolution and some witchcraft for good measure. We love it. The chemistry between Ichabod and Abbie is great, and the horror sequences are genuinely spooky. It has a few kinks to work out, but so far we’re having a lot of fun watching this one.
Whether we'll keep watching: The headless horseman couldn’t keep us away.
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Ironside
NBC, Wednesdays at 10PM
Synopsis: Two years ago, Detective Robert Ironside (Blair Underwood) was paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty. Though confined to a wheelchair, he and his hand-picked team of detectives work together to solve the toughest crimes in NYC and pursue justice by any means necessary.
What we think so far: This remake of a 1960s show is as uninspired as the original. The fact that Ironside is in a wheelchair should provide the show with an interesting hook, but it doesn’t. It just feels like another generic procedural featuring another arrogant jerk.
Whether we'll keep watching: Yawn. Pass.
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Hostages
CBS, Mondays at 10PM
Synopsis: The night before prominent surgeon Ellen Sanders (Toni Collette) is due to operate on the US president, her family is taken hostage by a team led by a rogue FBI agent (Dylan McDermott). To save her family, she must assassinate the President during surgery.
What we think so far: The premise suggests a domestic 24-like show, but the pilot was unimpressive, and there’s no indication that Hostages will be anywhere as intriguing/uncomfortable watch as that show was. It’s competent enough, but very one note. And how they could sustain the premise beyond one season is a mystery.
Whether we'll keep watching: We’re fond of Toni Collette (and Dylan McDermott is nice to look at) so we’ll reserve some space in the DVR for a few episodes.
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Betrayal
ABC, Sundays at 10PM
Synopsis: Sara Hanley, a married photographer, begins a passionate affair with Jack McAllister, a lawyer for a powerful family. Complicating matters further, Sara’s husband is the prosecutor in a high profile murder trial, while Jack serves as the defendant’s lawyer.
What we think so far: We love trashy soap operas, but this one is disappointingly tepid at best. The characters are meh – and, particularly egregious in a show about a love affair, the leads don’t have much chemistry. And the whole murder trial-intersecting lives storyline just doesn’t work.
Whether we'll keep watching: Nah, but we will be watching Unfaithful to get the taste of this dud out of our mouths.
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
ABC, Tuesdays at 8PM
Synopsis: Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from Marvel’s feature films (Iron Man, The Avengers), as he assembles a small, highly select group of agents for the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division). Together they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary.
What we think so far: We’re not sure the world needs a Marvel TV show, but we’re willing to go along for the ride if Joss Whedon is at the wheel. The plotting needs some work but the characters are starting to fill out. It has a lot of potential, but given the sheer amount of money being thrown at this show, it should be better.
Whether we'll keep watching: It gets a bit better with each episode so we’ll stick with it for a little while.
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Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
ABC, Thursdays at 8PM
Synopsis: In Victorian England, the young and beautiful Alice tells a tale of a strange new land that exists on the other side of a rabbit hole. This take on Lewis Carroll’s classic will take place in the same universe as Once Upon a Time and include crossover episodes.
What we think so far: The overstuffed pilot teetered between cheesiness and a darker sensibility. It’s been compared to Return to Oz but is far less terrifying. (Sidebar: How was that ever considered a children’s movie?!) Sophie Lowe is brilliant as Alice, and the supporting cast is strong as well. There are some flaws, but it’s much more focused than its parent series and it’s great at building a foreboding atmosphere.
Whether we'll keep watching: We’re suckers for anything with “Victorian England” and “Lewis Carroll” in its description. Besides, it’s a limited run series so we’re willing to follow Alice down the rabbit hole.
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The Originals
CW, Tuesdays at 8PM
Synopsis: This Vampire Diaries spin-off focuses on the world’s original vampires, the Mikaelson siblings: Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah. When Klaus hears of a plot against him, he returns to New Orleans, a city he helped build, and reunites with his charismatic but diabolical protégé, Marcel.
What we think so far: Vampires, werewolves and witches, oh my! This show is so on trend…five years ago. It’s understandable why the CW wanted to spin-off its biggest success, but there is nothing original about this series. There are the makings of a good show here, but we just can’t be bothered. Not right now, anyway.
Whether we'll keep watching: We only have so much room in our rotation for vampires, but we’ll catch it On Demand every now and then.
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The Tomorrow People
CW, Wednesdays at 10PM
Synopsis: This remake of a British series tells the story of a group of young people who possess special powers, including teleportation and telepathy, as a result of the next stage of evolution. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil.
What we think so far: There is no shortage of superhero-ish TV shows, but the pilot demonstrated an unexpected amount of promise. It’s fairly derivative (not just of its source material) but the action was well-paced and both the writing and performances were competent. It’s enough to make us give it a chance and watch it develop.
Whether we'll keep watching: Sure, it’s nice to look at and looks to be a bit of fun.
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Reign
CW, Thursdays at 9PM
Synopsis: Reign chronicles the life of Mary, Queen of Scots as she arrives at King Henry’s court as a 15-year-old to secure Scotland’s alliance with France. Betrothed to Prince Francis, Mary discovers her engagement is not as assured as she’d thought, and there are those in the palace who wish to sabotage her marriage and threaten her life.
What we think so far: Finally! Something to replace The Tudors-sized hole in our hearts. The CW has created an amalgam of low-brow, high school tawdriness with high-brow historical drama, which is reason alone to tune in. (Actually, that should be “historical” – if you thought Sleepy Hollow is taking liberties with history, wait until you see this.) And who doesn’t like a hunky Nostradamus?
Whether we'll keep watching: It’s silly fun; we can spare some room on the DVR for this.
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Dracula
NBC, Fridays at 10PM
Synopsis: In the late 19th century, Dracula arrives in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who claims that he wants to bring modern science – in particular wireless electricity – to Victorian society. In reality, he is planning vengeance on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier.
What we think so far: We know what you’re thinking: “Another vampire show? Really?” But this one is different, because Dracula is the O.G. It has a few problems – it doesn’t seem to know what kind of show it wants to be and it’s a bit lacking on the horror front – but it’s an interesting take on the classic tale. Though Bram Stoker purists should probably stay away.
Whether we'll keep watching: Yes, it’s a limited run series so it’s a small commitment. If nothing else, Jonathan Rhys Myers is very, very pretty (despite the questionable facial hair and horrendous American accent).
