Almost Human
Premieres: Monday, Nov. 4 at 8/7c, Fox.
A futuristic twist of the crime drama genre, Almost Human portrays the experiences of two LAPD officers, one of which is a highly evolved human android. The year is 2048, robots and humans team up to fight crime. Detective John Kennex (Karl Urban), however, is not entirely on board with this idea, but, by law, is required to have a mechanical partner. So, the LAPD issues him a new partner, Dorian (Michael Eely). Unlike other androids, Dorian actually has the capacity to feel emotions, which adds an interesting element to this series as viewers follow Dorian and Kennex’s friendship while solving L.A.’s most heinous crimes. Cinematically, Almost Human looks as if it should be on the big screen, not your TV screen. The action scenes and special effects look top-dollar, which they should be if the creators truly promise to bring the future to life, and the plots seem complex enough to keep you interested, but not confused. If you were a fan of Fringe and saddened by its finale, then Almost Human should meet your science fiction needs.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 24 at 8/7c, ABC.
Surprise, surprise. Another superhero themed show, including even more — you guessed it! — superheroes. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. takes place within Marvel’s comic book character universe. The premise behind this show is the fictional organization called S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), headed by Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg). Basically, Coulson pools together a team of talented, special agents to handle cases involving superhuman individuals. Judging from the trailer, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s special effects are mediocre at best, and overall the show lacks Joss Whedon’s usual endearing humor. Rather, it comes off as cheesy and cheap. But, if you do appreciate Marvel’s movie franchise, then perhaps you will appreciate SHIELD as well, since it goes into more details about Marvel’s vast array of super powered characters. As for the rest of us who have not fully seen Avengers or other Marvel movies, I guess we will spend our time watching something else more worthwhile.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 17 at 8/7c, Fox.
The executive producers of Parks & Recreation bring another series about the not-so-ordinary lives of Brooklyn police officers, starring the quirky, comedic taste of Andy Samberg. Samburg plays Jake Peralta, an immature, offbeat detective who constantly bashes heads with his rigid, no-nonsense boss (Andre Braugher). Brooklyn’s police force seem to be a group of misfit idiots, finding themselves in hilarious and awkward situations while trying to solve crime. Brooklyn Nine-Nine seems hilarious and has the same type of funny flavor just like its forerunners, The Office and Parks & Rec. But, will it live up to the hype of its popular predecessors? Not sure, but this viewer remains cautiously optimistic.
Dracula
Premieres: Friday, Oct. 25 at 10/9c, NBC
Yes, just what we need. More demonic vampires. If Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Buffy, and True Blood didn’t cure your gross vampire obsession, then maybe Daniel Knauf’s Dracula will. Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyer as Bram Stoker’s original bloodsucker, this show promises a fresh adaptation of the classic. Set in London, Count Dracula poses as an American entrepreneur who wants to bring modern science into the Victorian era. However, Dracula’s medicinal efforts are all a guise. He really just wants to enact revenge against those who have wronged him centuries ago. Unfortunately, love gets in the way of Dracula’s vengeance: he falls for Mina Murray who supposedly is a reincarnation of his dead wife. With steampunkish undertones, this show is visually stunning as far as cinema, costumes, makeup, and overall ambience goes. Yet, it looks very similar to The Tudors, another risque show in which Rhys Meyer was the leading man. Plus, can someone who played a baby-faced Henry VIII really deliver us a truly scary, potent Dracula? Doubtful. Perhaps as a short film Dracula might dazzle us, but as a series? Probably boring. If you are looking for something truly dazzling, try reading Bram Stoker’s original masterpiece.