Season wrap up part 2: Newbies

This year saw some new shows with which I have already fallen in love.  Unsurprisingly, the creators of all three shows have decent pedigree: Fringe – JJ Abrams (Alias, Lost), Dollhouse – Joss Whedon (Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dr Horrible) and Parks and Recreation – Greg Daniels and Mike Schur (The Simpsons, The Office US).  Here’s a quick rundown of each show:

This was promised as an episodic show which had little follow-on story – Fox seemed to think this is what the masses want – but thankfully, the show evolved into something a little more complex and therefore, more interesting.  Sure, I don’t know really what’s behind all the weird shit that is going on but that doesn’t really matter.  It is less confusing than Lost but exciting and intriguing all the same.  Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), FBI special agent, is appointed to a special X-files type task force (ie fringe science) and in order to make sense of the various weird occurrences, she needs the help of loony scientist Walter Bishop (John Noble).  The show started with Walter voluntarily staying in a mental hospital (where he has been for some years since an accident in his lab caused the death of his assistant).  His son, Peter (Joshua Jackson), who has gotten himself into a spot of strife, is asked by the FBI to convince Walter to help them.  Peter has since stayed on hand to help manage Walter and generally support Olivia with her investigations.  The cast all work very well together and I am particularly thrilled to have Pacey Witter back on my TV on a weekly basis.  He’s all grown up now!  I am delighted that this was renewed – Fox have come through this year (see below).

Now, I am totally biased, I realise this.  But I have to say I think this show is awesome.  It took a couple of episodes for me to really get into it but I was really taken with the concept, the writing is of the usual high standards that Whedonites come to expect and the look of the show is glossy and slick.  Plus I have a total girl crush on Eliza Dushku who can kick serious ass.  I fully expected Fox to ditch this but we have been given a reprieve.  Let’s hope that the cut budget and new time slot don’t kill the show.  I cannot wait for the new season.

Parks and Recreation is a mockumentary comedy series which is not exactly the Office spinoff which was suggested but certainly is in the same vein – a documentary crew document a humdrum working environment, finding characters which are anything but.  The key to this show is Amy Poehler.  She is sensational as the peppy and optimistic but tragic Leslie Knope.  The first season was just 6 episodes so we will have to see how this develops over the length of a full season.