TV Watch: Returning Favorites Fall 2013

At the beginning of every new television season, there’s always plenty of buzz and excitement for the new shows, and sometimes we forget to pay tribute to our old faithfuls. In my opinion, we live in the second golden age of television, because there are just so many good shows. After a long summer hiatus, we often forget what our friends were up to when we last saw them. Don’t fret, I’ve done the homework on a handful of favorites.
Blue Bloods – September 26th. Only people who like to stay home on Friday nights love this show, which I do – I’ll own it! Plus I love Donnie Wahlberg. When we left the Ryans last year, they were still reeling from the murder of Jamie’s partner. Jamie’s new partner is a rookie fresh out of the academy, and a woman. Big brother Danny finally has a new partner, also a woman, so the Ryan brothers are both challenged by their new work environments. They’re also none too pleased with their sister Erin, who’s had to let a cop killer go due to Danny’s lack of evidence. Daddy Frank (the ageless Tom Selleck) has problems of his own, dealing with the aftermath of the events at the Bitterman Projects.
Castle – September 23rd. Last season Beckett looked to be heading to Washington DC for a big new job, when Castle surprisingly popped the question! Everyone thought that these two getting together would be the kiss of death, ala Moonlighting, but they were wrong. However, marriage is a whole other ballgame. Will she say yes? Will she stay? Will she go? The season opens months after the proposal, so we should have our answers.
Glee – September 26th. Sadly, this is probably the season’s most anticipated return, primarily due to curiosity about how the show handles the loss of Finn. Fans will have to wait three weeks to find out. The first two episodes are homages to the Beatles. This had apparently been in the works for quite some time. In the third episode, the audience and the Glee gang learn of Finn’s passing, although the cause of death won’t be revealed. I think this is a good move, since the actor’s real life situation was so different from that of the character. The episode will be about grief. I’ve also read that Lea Michele (Rachel) will not appear in the episode until the last scene, performing a song that I’m sure will break our hearts all over again.
The Good Wife – September 29th. One of my favorites!!! This show has it all: sex, politics, legal drama, corporate backstabbing and humor! After Peter won the Governor’s election, Alicia became the First Lady of Illinois, so she knew she’d have to stay away from Will. What’s a lady, who’s torn between duty and lust, to do? Jump ship, of course! Alicia decided to join Cary in forming a new law firm and taking a handful of very profitable clients with her. Can Lockhart Gardner, finally in the black, survive? Can Will’s heart withstand Alicia’s betrayal? How will this affect Diane’s decision regarding the judgeship and her proposal to the Marlboro Man? And Kalinda? She ain’t gonna be happy about being left behind! I’m eager to see how Peter handles his victory. Is he really a changed man? Or will he be drunk with power and go looking for sex in all the wrong places? I cannot wait! FYI, rumored returning guest stars this season are: Nathan Lane, Gary Cole, Mathew Perry, America Ferrera and Michael J. Fox.
Grey’s Anatomy – September 26th. This is bad, I know, but I bailed on Grey’s last year. I was upset when they killed Lexie, because I was waiting for a big romantic reunion with Mark. Then they killed off Mark. Done. The first episode of the season picks up right where the show left off last spring. I will probably watch the first show, because I want to see McDreamy introducing their new son to Meredith. Goosebumps as I type this! Apparently Dr. Webber’s life was in question at season’s end, and this will be settled rather quickly (and I’m not hearing happy things). The Callie and Arizona drama will continue (loudly), as too will the Owen and Christina break-up repercussions.
Homeland – September 29th. I don’t watch this one, but after catching up on Scandal, I’m going try. Last season, Brody’s car blew up at Langley, resulting in mass casualties. Believing he’d been set up, Carrie helped him flee the country. Carrie is left explaining the situation to a Senate committee, but she’s off her meds (and apparently crazy). Brody does return after a few shows, but he’s drastically different – altered. The focus this season is going to be on the personal cost these agents have to pay to do what they do.
Modern Family – September 25th. For me, the funniest show on TV. This year Cam and Mitchell ponder whether or not they should get married, since gay marriage is now legal in California. Claire is adjusting to working for her father, while Phil takes on more of the responsibly for running the household (which will be hilarious). Cam has a new job teaching at the high school, where Manny and Luke now attend with Alex. To add to the fun, Cam is also the school’s new football coach! Bring it on.
Nashville – September 25th. I adore Deacon, but was disappointed by what the writers did to him last season. Getting back together with Rayna seemed like a mistake (I would’ve made the audience suffer a little longer). Then to have him fall off the wagon after fifteen years? No. Both Deacon and Rayna survive the accident, but their relationship doesn’t. Rayna turns to a music executive while Deacon tries to get his act together. In the wake of her mother’s death, Juliette begins yet another romance. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s up with Rayna’s sister and Lamar’s company and how it’ll all affect Teddy as Mayor. Perhaps Rayna should have stuck it out with Teddy after all?
Parenthood –September 26th. This show kills me, it really does, and even the previews make me cry. Thank you NBC for believing in this show and ordering a full season! Gratefully, Kristina is in remission and reentering politics, this time as a candidate. Plot twist – she’ll be running against Bob Little, her former boss and the politician Amber was once involved with. This proves to be a wrinkle in Amber’s new engagement to Ryan. Jasmine and Crosby will welcome a daughter. Joel and Julia’s marriage hits a major rocky patch. Finally, we have Sarah, who has yet another new job (as a building super?), focusing on work, instead of her love life. That won’t last for long, because guess who shows up on her doorstep? Hank (Ray Romano)! Oh Yeah. What would this show be without Sarah drama?
Revenge – September 29th. Producers are promising that this season will be more like season one. The Initiative is gone. Last season ended with Emily’s admission to Jack that she was really Amanda. Jack is not a happy boy and spoilers are very evasive about the status of Jack and Emily’s relationship. Episode one opens with a flash forward to Emily’s wedding (to whom?), where she’s shot. Then it’s back to the present (which is five months after the last episode). Aidan is still in the picture, but not involved with Emily. Ashley’s gone after episode one. We’ll find out if Charlotte’s still pregnant with Declan’s baby, and how Declan’s death has changed her. Victoria’s long-lost son Patrick is a part of the Grayson family, seemingly without any resentment toward the mother who gave him up. That can’t last for long. How does this affect Daniel? We’ll also see a newer and freer Nolan, after his false imprisonment ends. Seems to me that everyone has just cause for revenge.
Scandal – October 3rd. Scandal is so talked and written about that I really feel left out. I’m committed to watching this season. Olivia Pope, who supposedly can save anyone from a scandal, was having an affair with the married President of the United States, Fitzgerald Grant. Are you kidding me? How was I not watching this? Well, they were outed as a couple at season’s end and the immediate fallout is dealt with in episode one. Then in episode two, show creator Shonda Rhimes drops a hell of a bombshell that will shock everyone. That’s pretty much all I got, because Ms. Rhimes is notorious for keeping her secrets. But there is this – the romance between Olivia and Fitz is not over!
Which shows are you excited about returning? What do you hope happens? Have you ever gotten so mad at a show that you quit watching? Do you ever feel like you’ve missed the boat on a show that everyone’s talking about?