Strap yourselves in. This fall is going to be busy with new and returning sci-fi shows for your viewing enjoyment! Here’s a breakdown for you to set your DVR by with show descriptions, trailers, and U.S. premiere dates. (Organized in alphabetical order)
SHOW – PREMIERE DATE – NETWORK – TIME
Big Bang Theory – September 23, Thursday on CBS at 8/7C
Caprica – October 5, Tuesday on SyFy at 9/8C CORRECTION: 10/9C
Chuck – September 20, Monday on NBC at 8/7C
The Event – September 20, Monday on NBC at 9/8C
Fringe – September 23, Thursday on FOX at 9/8C
Human Target – October 1, Friday on FOX at 8/7C UPDATED: November 17, Wednesdays on FOX at8/7 C.
No Ordinary Family – September 28, Tuesday on ABC at 8/7C
Sanctuary – October 15, Friday on SYFY at 10/9C
Smallville – September 24, Friday on CW at 8/7C
Stargate: Universe – September 28, Tuesday on SYFY at 9/8C
Star Wars: Clone Wars (2 part premiere with back to back episodes)- September 17, Friday on Cartoon Network at 9/8C
Supernatural – September 24, Friday on CW at 9/8 C
EDIT: The Walking Dead was unintentionally left off the digest. It premieres its six-episode first season on AMC on October 31, 2010 at 10/9C. See the trailer here.
A few shows that got the jump on premiere week are The Vampire Diaries, The Venture Bros, and Sci Fi Science. Both Vampire Diaries and Venture Bros premiered last week and Sci Fi Science even earlier at top of this month. Here are their regular time slots.
SHOW – DAY OF WEEK – NETWORK – TIME
Sci Fi Science – Wednesdays on Science Channel at 10/9C
Vampire Diaries – Thursdays on The CW at 8/7C
Venture Bros – Sundays on Adult Swim at 11:30/10:30C
Shows to make a midseason appearance include ABC’s alien remake V and NBC’s The Cape. V should premiere sometime in November. No date has been set for The Cape yet.
Now back to the thick of it. Can’t remember what happened last season or don’t recall what this new show is about? Read on for short summaries:
Big Bang Theory
Tagline: Smart Is The New Sexy.
Show website: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_bang_theory/
Big Bang moves to a new night so make sure you are ready for the move to Thursdays. After the Leonard/ Penny lovefest cracked under the pressure of “I love you”, will Leonard (Johnny Galecki) ever get over Penny (Kaley Cuoco)? Can you believe that there is a perfect match on this earth for Sheldon (Jim Parsons)? Here’s the synopsis for the premiere episode, “The Robotic Manipulation”:
Penny finds herself along for the ride on Sheldon’s first date ever; while Wolowitz finds a new use for a robotic arm.
Big Bang Theory Season 3 Recap
See a extended look back at The Big Bang Theory here
Caprica
Tagline: The end of humanity has a beginning…
Show website: www.syfy.com/caprica/
This prequel series to Battlestar Galactica focuses on two families, the Graystones and the Adamas. We saw in the first half of the freshman season how these advanced avatars became cylons from the pain of human death and inability of loved ones to let go.
Quick Recap: Last we saw of the first cylon model, U-87 installed with the Zoe Graystone (Alessandra Torresani) avatar, it had broken out of Graystone Industries and was intent to get to Gemenon to fulfill her destiny with the STO, but it runs through a roadblock and its fate is unknown.
Amanda Graystone’s (Paula Malcomson) mental state deteriorates and she is poised to leap from a bridge after finding out that her husband, Daniel (Eric Stoltz), had stolen the chip for the U-87 and that the break-in incurred the deaths of two men.
Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) finally finds his daughter’s avatar in the virtual New Cap City, but she wants him to stop following her and kills his avatar, preventing him from returning to the game.
Caprica: New Revelations Promo
Caprica Sneak Peek “Unvanquished”
See more promos for Caprica here.
Chuck
Tagline: Not Shaken…Just Nerd
Show website: http://www.nbc.com/chuck/
Season four of NBC’s Chuck has so many fantastic guest stars, you won’t want to miss a single episode! The search for Chuck’s mother (played by Linda Hamilton) is front and center this season. Here’s the summary for the premiere episode, “Chuck vs the Anniversary”:
Chuck begins a search for his mother, which he must keep a secret from the CIA and his sister – Linda Hamilton guest stars as Mary Bartowski – Dolph Lundgren, Harry Dean Stanton, and Olivia Munn also guest star.
Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Morgan (Joshua Gomez) go on a rogue globe-spanning mission to find Chuck’s mom. Meanwhile, Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey (Adam Baldwin) follow a trail to Russia as they investigate the mysterious Volkoff Industries and its operative, Marco (guest star Dolph Lundgren). Back at home, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) delivers big news to her family. Bonita Friedericy also stars as General Beckman.
Chuck Season Four Promo
Behind the Scenes with Chuck, Morgan, Sarah, and Dolph Lundgren
The Event (new series)
Tagline:What is the Event?
Show website: http://www.nbc.com/the-event/
This new mysterious conspiracy drama has been teasing us for weeks now. Could this show fill Lost’s shoes as the next great mystery? Here is the pilot episode’s summary:
The series premieres with a conspiracy of both national and global proportions – Sean Walker (Jason Ritter), stumbles into a national conspiracy after his girlfriend Leila (Sarah Roemer) mysteriously disappears from a Caribbean cruise. Elsewhere, President Elias Martinez (Blair Underwood) is scheduled to announce the release of a group of detainees led by Sophia Maguire (Laura Innes) — despite the disapproval of his Director of National Intelligence, Blake Sterling (Željko Ivanek). Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. Scott Patterson, Ian Anthony Dale, Clifton Collins, Jr., Taylor Cole, Lisa Vidal and Bill Smitrovich also star in the ensemble drama. Tony Todd, Lauren Stamile, Julia Campbell, Gonzalo Menendez, Joseph C. Phillips, Casey Siemaszko, Omid Abtahi, Angel Desai, Wynn Everett, Michael Cummings, Lorena Segura York, and Wes Ramsey guest star. Directed by: Jeffrey Reiner
The Event: Sneak Peek
Check out more about The Event here.
Fringe
Tagline: Imagine the Impossibilities
Show website: http://www.fox.com/fringe
After their trip “over there” to retrieve Peter who was taken back over by the Walternate (alternate Walter who is the Secretary of Defense there), Peter (Joshua Jackson) and Walter (John Noble) try to resume their lives while unknowingly working alongside with the alternate Olivia.
Quick recap: As we saw from the season two closer, Olivia (Anna Torv) was left trapped in the alternate universe. The device Walternate said could heal both universes was a lie. Peter was the key to its function – to destroy the other Side. William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) sacrifices himself in order to get Peter, Walter, and who they think is Olivia back to their universe. In Bell’s last moments, he confesses that it was Walter himself who had Bell remove parts of Walter’s brain. Peter had finally kissed Olivia. Will he fall for the alternate Olivia aka Bolivia?
Fringe Season Three Teaser
Confused? Maybe this will help:
Fringe Featurette – Alternating Universes
Human Target
Tagline: He’s a guardian, not an angel.
Show website: http://www.fox.com/humantarget/
The show based on the DC comic of the same name returns with the addition of two female roles to balance out the male-dominated cast. Indira Varma (Luther, Torchwood) and Janet Montgomery (My Idiot Brother, Entourage) join the cast this season. The action doesn’t stop on Human Target.
The show stars Mark Valley as Christopher Chance, his business partner, Winston (Chi McBride), and jack-of-all-trades Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley). Chance assumes the identity of someone close to whoever they are hired to protect in order to identify and neutralize the threat. Check out this synopsis for the season premiere and for the show in general below.
Human Target Second Season Premiere Episode “Ilsa Pucci” – After rescuing Winston, Chance vows to retire as a bodyguard rather than further put his friends at risk. However, Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma), a billionaire philanthropist, asks for his help after the death of her husband, and a mysterious thief from Winston’s past is involved. Guest stars: Tim Omundson (Psych) and Tahmoh Penikett (Dollhouse)
Quick recap: We find how Chance changed from being a hired gun to a hired protector – the Katherine Walters (Amy Acker) job and how her death changed the trajectory of his life. Winston was nabbed by Chance’s former employer (Armand Assante), who seeks a book that disappeared during the Walters job.
Human Target: Rewind of Season 1
Human Target: Sneak Peek
Click here for more on Indira Varma and Janet Montgomery.
No Ordinary Family (new series)
Tagline: A typical family has special abilities.
Show website: http://abc.go.com/shows/no-ordinary-family
New to the sci-fi television series line-up is ABC’s No Ordinary Family, a light-hearted, family-friendly superhero show. Check out the show description and teaser below:
The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary. After 16 years of marriage, Jim (Michael Chiklis, “The Shield,” “Fantastic Four”) feels disconnected from his workaholic wife, Stephanie (Julie Benz, “Dexter”), and two teenage children, Daphne (Kay Panabaker, “Summerland”) and JJ (Jimmy Bennett, “Star Trek”). To encourage family bonding time, Jim decides the family will join Stephanie on her business trip to South America. When their plane crashes into the Amazon River, they barely enjoy a moment to celebrate their survival before returning to the grind of everyday life. But they will soon realize that their lives have been forever changed. Each member of the family starts to show signs of new, unique and distinct super powers. Will their newfound abilities finally bring them together or push them further apart?
Hint: If you miss the premiere, the pilot will air again on Friday, October 1 from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET.
No Ordinary Family Teaser Promo
Sanctuary
Tagline: Protectors of the unknown
Show’s website: www.syfy.com/sanctuary/
Amanda Tapping’s series Sanctuary is back for a third season with an episode, entitled “Kali Part 3“, that concludes the Kali arc at the close of last season and rescues us from the cliffhanger ending.
Quick recap of the ending of season two: Will had been chosen as host by a telepathic spider connected to Kali aka Big Bertha, an abnormal with world-destroying power. The spider was taken from Will, leaving him to die. Even though Magnus (Amanda Tapping) and the rest of the team are trying to get a handle on the situation, Will continuously tries to connect with Kali again to stop her from using her power to destroy for the person who stole the spider. There was a very bizarre dance sequence in the finale for Will and he escapes Sanctuary custody. The other heads of the Sanctuary network try to assume control from Magnus because she lied about Big Bertha’s destruction.
Sanctuary Season Three Teaser
Smallville
Tagline: The Final Season of Superman’s Beginnings
Show website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville
This is the last season of the Smallville story. Don’t be sad! This season promises to be the best of them all with returning guest stars like John Schneider, Michael Shanks, Laura Vandervoort, Alan Ritchson, John Glover and James Marsters. From the promos, we can see the iconic Superman suit so the question remains. Will we finally get to see Superman fly?
The CW opens its tenth and final season with an episode called Lazarus. Check out the synopsis and brand new season ten promo below.
Smallville Season Ten Premiere Episode “Lazarus” Synopsis
The season premiere picks up where the finale left off. Lois finds Clark’s lifeless body and removes the blue kryptonite enabling him to heal himself. Lois sneaks away before Clark fully awakens in order to protect his secret. Chloe is desperate to find Oliver, so she turns to an unlikely source for answers. Jonathan returns to the Kent Farm with a message for Clark, and Tess awakens in a LuthorCorp lab.
New Smallville Season 10 Promo
Stargate: Universe
Tagline: The only mission is survival.
Show’s website: http://www.syfy.com/universe/index.php
SGU fans, this is a change up in scheduling. SyFy has moved SGU to Tuesday nights from its previous post of Friday nights. This Battlestar-esque series puts a darker spin on the Stargate franchise and delivers this unlikely band of survivors into deep space.
Quick Recap: The season finale of season one left us with an enemy alien force trying to take over the Destiny. The cliffhanger left us not knowing whether Lt. Scott and Lt. Greer made it back safely inside the ship, Kiva and Col. Telford have been shot, Eli and an injured Chloe are stuck in unexplored sections of the ship, a shootout in the infirmary left Lt. Johansen and others injured or dead, and the Lucian soldiers about to kill all of our men and women in uniform.
SGU Promo
Last Few Minutes of SGU’s Season One Closer
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Show website: http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/
Clone Wars begins its new season with back to back episodes for a two-part premiere with “Clone Cadets” and “ARC Troopers”. This series will bring cinematic story-telling and thrilling animation to your television screens! Check out this animated series’ show description and promo below and don’t miss the links for extra content.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Three Summary
The war wears on, and the Republic is pushed to its breaking point. Support for the Jedi Knights and their noble cause comes in the form of valiant clone troopers – steadfast defenders of peace and justice, even as the Jedi falter and the mighty Republic begins to crumble. Joined by familiar faces and confronted with deadly new threats, these everyman heroes lead the charge into a transformative new season of Clone Wars adventures – where alliances will be tested, truths will be questioned and galaxy-changing secrets will be uncovered to shake the very foundations of the Star Wars universe.
Check out a behind the scenes featurette here.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated Series – Season Three Trailer
Check out sneak peeks of the season premiere here.
Supernatural
Tagline: The end begins.
Show website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural
The season closer and conclusion of Eric Kripke’s five season story arc brought many a fan to tears several times, but the Winchester boys did it. They prevented Lucifer from destroying the world. So, what now? Sam is stuck in the Cage (or so Dean thought) with Lucifer and the Michael-possessed Adam along with him. Dean hangs up his leather jacket, puts the Impala under a tarp, and retires? Not if you know this show well enough!
Quick recap: Dean reluctantly agrees to Sam’s plan to say ‘yes’ to become Lucifer’s vessel in order to trap him back into the Cage. Sam makes Dean promise not to try to get him out of the Cage once he’s in and tells Dean to go live an “apple pie” life with Lisa. Sam is overpowered by Lucifer.
In the showdown scene between Lucifer and Michael, Bobby and Castiel were killed by Lucifer (Bobby’s neck was snapped, Cas was… exploded). Lucifer beats down Dean, but Sam finally emerges and triggers the Cage to be opened and leaps into it, dragging the Michael-possessed Adam along with. Cas and Bobby were brought back to life once Lucifer is back in the Cage. Dean and Bobby go their separate ways and Dean goes to Lisa like he promised Sam. In the last scene of the season closer, we see that outside Lisa and Dean’s place is someone very familiar – Sam!
Synopsis for “Exile on Main Street”
It’s a year later and Dean (Jensen Ackles) has given up hunting and is living with Lisa (guest star Cindy Sampson) and her son Ben (guest star Nicholas Elia). Mysteriously freed from his cage in hell, Sam (Jared Padalecki) finds Dean and tells him he needs to rejoin the fight and introduces Dean to a world—a family—he never even knew existed: the Campbells, his mother’s family, lead by none other than their Grandfather Samuel (Mitch Pileggi).
Supernatural Season Six Promo
Supernatural Season Six Promo
And there you have it! The Fall 2010 television season ripe for the viewing.
