Sci-Fi News and Reviews

My Midseason TV Rankings

I have been dutifully watching all of the new Sci-Fi offering this season. I thought it was time to review the season so far and compare it to my initial impressions that I offered up at the start of the season.

Here is my list, ranked from worst to first. I included my initial ranking (designated by "IR#") in the list. I think you are going to be surprised by the changes!

• #8 - Bionic Woman (IR#7) - I am just not clicking with this show. As TVGuide's Matt Roush said, "...the new Bionic Woman feels like what Alias would have been if there had been no talent involved on either side of the camera, or in the writing room." Harsh... but true. I still record the show, but it is among the last that I actually watch.
• #7 - Journeyman (IR#6)- I did like the pilot. I also really like how they are working toward an explanation for Dan's time travelling. Still, I really don't connect with any of the characters. There is nothing really wrong with the show, yet I still do not feel compelled to watch it. It's just a 'C' show - it gets a passing grade, but it's not doing anything extra.
• #6 - Pushing Daisies (IR#4) - I used the word "delightful" in my initial review of the pilot episode. However, I also noted that the writers would have "...a tough task of taking this concept and stretching it to last the whole season." Although I still love the narration, I am a little bit bored. "Pushing Daisies" is in no danger of falling off of my TiVo, but I have to be in the right mood to enjoy it.
• #5 - Heroes (IR#3)- Surprise! I am tempted to change this ranking, based on the last episode. Tim Kring himself admitted that this season was not up to standards - and, as the lead creative talent for the show, he should know. I am still ticked that they are repeating powers! I am fairly sure that "Heroes" will recover, but for now, it's overall ranking stands.
• #4 - Reaper (IR#2)- This show still makes me laugh. I really do like the show, but it is starting to suffer a bit from direction issues. We are clearly in a monster-of-the-week mode, with a little failed romance on the side. A little movement is needed to maintain the high quality of the show.
• #3 - Moonlight (IR#8)- I am shocked. What started as one of the worst pilots of the season has evolved into a fairly compelling drama. The "Coraline" storyline is progressing well. More importantly, the lead characters have developed a good on-screen chemistry that makes the scenes flow. In my initial review, I said "I think there is a chance that this show matures...eventually". It did.
• #2 - Chuck (IR#5)- They fixed Adam Baldwin! In the first few episodes, "Casey" was quippy, but the quips frequently fell flat. Not anymore! In addition, the writers have moved the story along, working with the maturation of Chuck and Morgan in a light, yet interesting way. I find that "Chuck" is the first show that I want to watch each week.
• #1 - Supernatural (IR#1)- "Supernatural" still has it. I was a little leary at the introduction of "Ruby" (the female demon who is helping the guys), but I think it was done well. There are several interesting storylines in place (Gordon's vendetta against Sam, Dean's one year of life, demons that want to follow Sam) and they all seem to be balanced. "Supernatural" has retained it's spot as my favorite show. However, I think a show with a plan, like this one, may suffer due to the writer's strike. I hope that the number of episodes for the season is not reduced, because I think the storyline would suffer greatly.

Now, even though I have Supernatural as my Number 1, I recognize that it is not as compelling as last year (to this point, at least). None of the shows are classics. Sure, several of the shows have great potential and many will be very good for several seasons. But, it sure would be nice to see great again. I think my best bet is "Supernatural", or to wait for the return "Battlestar Galactica" and "Lost".

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Posted by Fred on November 15, 2007 11:30 AM
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