Following up on last week’s reviews, here are some more new (and a few returning) series for all you viewers out there, with a week of premiere recaps that are a bit more sci-fi action and a little less female-driven sitcom.
PERSON OF INTEREST
Premise: Mr. Finch (Michael Emerson), mysterious billionaire and genius, develops a computer program that predicts the people involved in future violent crimes. To put the program to use, Finch hires John Reese (Jim Caviezel), a former CIA agent with a tormented past. His job? To find these people, stop these crimes and keep the peace.
Rapid Reaction: With favorable reviews and an intriguing idea (though admittedly, one that seems like a not-so-slight rip-off of Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report”), Person of Interest instantly demands viewer attention. Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) and Michael Emerson (“Lost”) pin their characters to a T, with Caviezel mastering his George-Clooney-esque smirks and Emerson tackling squirrely mannerisms with a limping gait. If you can get past the slight implausibility regarding the technology, then get ready to perch on the edge of your seat and watch Caviezel chase down numbered people trying to decide whether they need to be protected or hunted.
Verdict: Definitely has a few seasons in its future. Person of Interest is in the game for the long run, but only time will tell if people buy into the premise, cave to the suspense-filled chases and cryptic clues, and solidify a promising future for the series.
On CBS Thursdays at 7 p.m.
THE BIG BANG THEORY
Premise: Roommates Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) with fellow California Institute of Technology friends sift through the awkwardness of social interaction with the help of their next door neighbor, aspiring actress, current waitress Penny (Kaley Cuoco).
Rapid Reaction: Quirky sitcom about physics scientists living next door to a wannabe actress from Nebraska? Insta-win. The show effortlessly mixes geeky references, classic rom-com awkwardness, crazy fun and wild times with friends. The ever-logical and socially inept Sheldon, sweet and shy Raj, horny Momma’s-boy Howard and down-to-earth nerd Leonard combatted by the blonde, emotional Penny creates a tenuous balance between beauty and the geek. Ever hip and funny, this show provides 20-plus minutes of pure nerdtastic joy.
Verdict: With its quirky characters winning the hearts of both viewers, and plenty of new peripheral characters keeping the show fresh well into its 5th season, it does not look like The Big Bang Theory is leaving anytime soon; in fact, Parsons just picked up his second Emmy in two years for his lovable portrayal of Sheldon Cooper. So catch up on some old-school Star Trek, revisit that high school physics book and tune in for some laughs.
On CBS Thusrdays at 6 p.m.
TERRA NOVA
Premise: When life on earth is threatened by depleting oxygen levels, the population is slowly being offloaded through a rift in the space-time continuum to the dinosaur-filled prehistoric earth named “Terra Nova.”
Rapid Reaction: Odd crossover of a Battlestar Galactica world of humans without a home and dinosaur-terrain of “Jurassic Park’ with a dash of “Land of the Lost,” which comes with a cheesiness that is unavoidable when integrating humans and dinosaurs. Playing up the drama, Terra Nova aims for sci-fi operatic drama and skims well past a fine line dividing classic and corny. Overacted scenes, contrived storylines, sweeping orchestral soundtracks and not-too-hot CGI dinosaurs do not help Terra Nova’s cause, but it is that same cliché and corn that add to the superficial kind of enjoyment the show gives.
Verdict: Only time will tell. The overdone qualities may wear on viewers or may pull them into the world of Terra Nova even more. If you don’t think too much about the overdone atmosphere, you may be in for an action-packed, dinosaur-filled adventure.
On Fox Mondays at 6 p.m.
FRINGE
Premise: Following FBI “Fringe” division, lead member and former FBI-agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) investigates anomalies and mysterious crimes connected to a parallel universe.
Rapid Reaction: With everything from vampires to killer moths, Fringe is the ultimate sci-fi/fantasy dream. Returning after three very successful seasons, this season picks up at a point where two alternate universes have been bridged in order to prevent the complete destruction of one or the other. The acting is superb, and the plot creates palpable suspense and tension throughout the episode. There is never a moment of complete disclosure and the show seems to be veiled in a permanent shroud of questions unanswered. Many would assume this leads to frustration and a demand for explanations, but the show manages to provide enough closure and evolution while still maintaining its mystery. As Dunham says in the season premiere, “sometimes answers [just] lead to more questions.”
Verdict: Successful before and successful again, Fringe has a long, captivating life ahead of it. Using key elements from past season’s storylines and building upon them to create a stronger serial plotline, Fringe succeeds where many other crime dramas fail: keeping focus on the basis of the show itself and not getting lost in trivial subplots.
On Fox Fridays at 7pm.
