Spring TV Preview: Your Catch-Up Guide
FlashForwardReturned March 18, airing Thursdays at 8 PM on ABC
The story: Most of the world's world’s inhabitants blacked out for 137 seconds and were given a brief glimpse of their futures on April 29, 2010.
Where we left off: Although there are too many players to recap what they were all up to, FBI agent Benford (Joseph Fiennes) was relieved of his duties after he followed a lead to Hong Kong against direct orders. Agents Noh (John Cho) and Hawk (Christine Woods) were pursuing leads based on their own personal flash forwards, as were Doctors Bryce Varley (Zachary Knighton) and Olivia Benford (Sonya Walger), agent Benford's wife. Scientists Lloyd Simcoe (Jack Davenport) and Simon (Dominic Monaghan) argued over how much of the truth of the blackout they probably caused to reveal during a press conference. After Lloyd goes against the plan, he is kidnapped while in the process of moving his autistic son to another hospital.
What's (probably) coming: The FBI agents will continue their investigation into the global event that caused the blackout and the flash forwards and any ties it might have had to a similar event that happened in 1991 in Somalia, along with the search for the one person they know didn't black out. James Callis (Battlestar Galactica's Gaius Baltar) joins the cast as well. Fingers crossed it will keep up with the give-and-take of mysteries and answers well enough to feed the needs of Lost fans once that show goes off the air.
Breaking BadReturns March 21, Sundays at 10 PM on AMC
The story: Walter H. White (2-time Emmy® Award winner Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher pays for his cancer treatments by manufacturing crystal meth with the aid of former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul)
Where we left off: While Walter was recovering from brain surgery, his wife Skyler (Anna Gunn)--her suspicions piqued by a sedative-induced comment from Walter over a possible second cell phone--has uncovered his web of lies, though not the full truth.
What's (probably) coming: A serious turn of events, and the plot line, happens for our high school chemistry teacher when his wife Skyler discovers his secret life. Plus Bob Odenkirk returns as lawyer Saul Goodman, providing a full season's worth of comic relief.
The United States of TaraReturns March 22, Mondays at 10:30 PM on Showtime
The story: Tara Gregor (Emmy® Award winner Toni Collette) lives with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which results in the appearance of several eccentric alternate personalities: Wild and flirty teenaged "T;" 1950s Betty Crocker housewife Alice; Vietnam vet Buck; and the newest: Shoshana, a mysterious character with a diet soda addiction who thinks she's a psychologist.
Where we left off: After taking a break from her medication last season to learn more about the origins of her disease, a few past personalities return. The more she tried to put the puzzle of her disorder together, the more her family's world fell to pieces.
What's (probably) coming: Tara's husband Max (John Corbett) and their two teenaged children, Kate (Brie Larson) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist), try to lead as "normal" a life as possible, something that continues to elude them all, given they never know who's waiting for them at home. And just maybe Tara's newest alter ego, Shoshana can offer them all a little guidance.
Dancing with the Stars
Returns March 22, Mondays at 8 PM on ABC
Break out the dance shoes and twirly skirts as this year's crop of celebrities and professional dancers compete. Celebrity contestants this year include Buzz Aldrin, recent Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek, Shannen Doherty, and Kate Gosselin.
Saving GraceReturns March 29, Mondays at 10 PM on TNT
The story: Jaded Oklahoma City detective Grace (Holly Hunter) lives hard and plays harder, while an angel (Leon Rippy) tries to get her to redeem her life.
Where we left off: Earl led Grace to a young drug user named Neely (Yaani King), setting her on a new mission as she tries to understand why her last-chance angel has led her to the young woman who shares Earl as a last chance savior.
What's (probably) coming: The fourth and final season will see Grace and Neely struggling to figure out how and why they're connected. Grace will continue to deal with survivor's guilt and trying to keep Neely out of trouble. With enough warning on the show's cancellation, the writer's should be able to wrap everything up.
VReturns March 30, Tuesdays at 10 PM on ABC
The story: Based on the 1980s miniseries, Earth is contacted by extra-terrestrials appearing over several major cities across the world. The Visitors or V as they come to be called, claim to benevolent but some groups of humans have doubts to their true intentions and start a resistance as the Visitors further integrate themselves into human society.
Where we left off: Only four episodes into this freshman show, which last aired in November 2009, the V are granted full diplomatic visas to the United States and Anna (Morena Baccarin) receives the first. FBI Agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Father Jack Landry (Joel Gretsch) try to identify who might have been involved in the warehouse killings. Her partner Dale Maddox (Alan Tudyk), a V sent on an earlier mission, survived the shootings and is healing onboard the mothership. After a series of threats are waged against the Visitors, Erica is assigned to a protection detail, even as her son Tyler (Logan Huffman) becomes closer with the Vs.
What's (probably) coming: Look for a showdown between Erica, leader of the resistance, and Anna--and tension-filled action leading up to it. Along with answers, the birth of a human-alien hybrid, and lots of throwbacks to the original series including more glimpses of the lizard skin and a scene involving an unhinged-jaw and a guinea pig.
FringeReturns April 1, Thursdays at 9 PM on Fox
The story: FBI Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) is paired with scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his son Peter (Joshua Jackson) to investigate unexplained phenomena often related to Walter's former research and experiments in Fringe science.
Where we left off: Olivia's powers were turned back on, after a trip to the facility Dr. Bishop had experimented on her and other children many years earlier, allowing her to detect artifacts from the parallel world. Our last shot: Olivia realizing Peter showed the same aura as all the other items from the other side.
What's (probably) coming: A face-to-face confrontation between former partners Walter and William Bell (guest star Leonard Nimoy) as they fight for their respective sides of the alternate worlds. Peter and Olivia 'shippers should look for their relationship to develop, but no hints in which direction it will take now that Olivia knows the truth behind Peter's origins.
Top Chef MastersReturns April 7, Wednesdays at 11 PM on Bravo
The second season offers a few changes, including the addition of Gail Simmons as judge and only four preliminary rounds instead of last season's six. This will give viewers more time with the contestants, including: David Burke, Rick Tramonto, and returning wanna-be chefs Rick Moonen and Wylie Dufresne. Hank Azaria, Matt Groening, Andrew Zimmerman, and the cast of Modern Family are among the guest judges on tap for the season's sessions of good eating.
GleeReturns April 13, Tuesdays at 9 PM on Fox
Where we left off: Will (Matthew Morrison) and Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig) had broken up. Emma (Jayma Mays) and Ken (Patrick Gallagher) hadn't gotten married. And then there was that long-awaited kiss between Will and Emma in the hallway. That doesn't even cover the baby daddy drama between Quinn (Dianna Agron), Finn (Cory Monteith), and Puck (Mark Salling) and the New Directions' win at sectionals.
What's (probably) coming: We know this for sure: Neil Patrick Harris in a Joss Whedon directed episode. The return of Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes. A 10-song Madonna extravaganza. More smartass quips from Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and her new nemesis, the school's badminton coach played by guest star Molly Shannon. Oh yeah--and lots of music, as the New Directions sing and dance their way to regional finals. Starting on April 20, the sing-tastic show takes on Lost as they share a time slot.
Here's a look at other notable shows returning* over the next couple months:Nurse Jackie, March 22, Mondays at 10 PM on Showtime
10 Things I Hate About You, March 29, Mondays at 8 PM on ABC Family
Law & Order: Criminal Intent, March 30, Tuesdays at 10 PM on USA
In Plain Sight, March 31, Wednesdays at 10 PM on USA
Bones, April 1, Thursdays at 8 PM on Fox
Wife Swap, April 2, Fridays at 8 PM on ABC
Merlin, April 2, Fridays at 10 PM on SyFy
The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, April 7, Wednesdays at 10 PM on MTV
The Tudors, April 11, Sundays at 9 PM on Showtime
Army Wives, April 11, Sundays at 10 PM on Lifetime
Doctor Who, April 17, Saturdays at 9 PM on BBC America
Party Down, April 23, Fridays at 10 PM on Starz
Food Party, April 27, Tuesdays at 10 PM on IFC
The Hills, April 27, Tuesdays at 10 PM on MTV
Friday Night Lights, April 28, Wednesdays at 10 PM on NBC
*Please note, all times and dates are subject to change. Be sure to check your local listings.
Tell us, what shows are you most looking forward to? --Jill Corddry
iPad Keyboard on March 23, 2010 at 04:42 AM
I am waiting for flash forward show. This show will be freaking amazing. Read the book, of course it was great except for the last third, which just pretty much befuddled me...And I understand LOST!!!!! But this show really could be the next LOST, which I need, badly!
morjana on March 24, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Stargate Universe returns with the first of ten new episodes on Friday, April 2 at 9pm on Syfy (US) with 'Space.'
View a trailer for the second half of the season at: http://sgu.mgm.com/
怀淰＠＾过厾 on August 17, 2010 at 06:40 PM
I am waiting for flash forward show. This show will be freaking amazing. Read the book, of course it was great except for the last third, which just pretty much befuddled me...And I understand LOST!!!!! But this show really could be the next LOST, which I need, badly!
sensations on October 21, 2010 at 11:51 PM
He loaded us into his station wagon and we were off to his famous Hobcaw Barony for dinner. We sat and talked in the great living room where many notables and statesmen, including Roosevelt and Churchill, have sat and taken their cues.