[Updated 9/13/15]
[For a blast from the past, check out:
[For a blast from the past, check out:
[For 2015 feature film
highlights, check out:
Daytime excitement continued through the night. Like the inaugural year in 2014, DC
Entertainment put on a grand show for fans.
Ian Somerhalder emceed the superhero panels. Last year's emcee and star of
"Arrow," Stephen Amell, stole the stage by appearing the
Arrow himself, in a newly tweaked costume for season 4. The costume has more of an 'armored' look,
more in line with the Green Arrow outfit in the comics The show that catapulted CW into superhero
stratosphere is still going strong after three years. Next up was "The Flash." The highest-rated CW show will return for a
sophomore year. I was awestruck last
year by the premiere and am psyched to see it continue this fall. Another show premiering last year that
got renewed was "Gotham." Cast and crew from the shows appeared on their
respective panel, talking about their characters and developments for the
upcoming season.
If Marvel has the Avengers on the movie front, CW will showcase a
superhero ensemble show with "Legends of Tomorrow." Rip Hunter, a
time-traveler who has seen the future, assembles a legendary team consisting of
an eclectic mix or heroes and anti-heroes - Dr. Martin Stein (the other half of
Firestorm), Atom, White Canary (resurrected from Black Canary), Jay Jackson, Hawkgirl,
Hawkman, Heat Wave and Captain Cold.
Several of them have appeared in either "Arrow" or "The
Flash"). It would be interesting to
see how the stories might intertwine in the CW multi-verse. In its debut, the team's first order of
business is to stop Vandall Savage, a 6,000-year old immortal, from dominating
the world.
Last but not least, the highly anticipated new show,
"Supergirl" soared with a lovely pilot.
"Supergirl" (CBS; October 26, 2015)
Making
a show about Supergirl carries an inherent challenge, which is how to create
stories that do away with her famous cousin, Superman/Kal-El. The show's solution is to mention him as a
distant background story and have him appear in a shadow as an acknowledgement
of his existence. But this is clearly a
Supergirl/Kara Zor-El story.
Right
before Krypton imploded, 12-year old Kara was sent to Earth following baby
Kal-El's pod to help care for him in the
new planet. The explosion sent Kara's
pod off course and had her trapped in the Phantom Zone for years. By the time she arrived, Kal-El has grown up
and no longer needs her care. He placed
her with a scientist family, the Danvers, so that she could grow up with a
normal childhood as he did.
Kara
did, along with her adopted sister, Alex.
For as long as she could remember, Kara has always tried her best to
suppress her superpowers and blended in as an ordinary girl, if not socially
awkward and quirky. Now 24, Kara works
as a personal assistant for a media mogul, a Devil-Wears-Prada figure like. A completely unassuming life, having a
demanding boss and dealing with a crush from a colleague and crushing on a new
co-worker, James Olsen (the Jimmy Olsen from the Daily Planet).
When
Alex's plane is in danger of crashing, Kara makes a major life-saving decision (an
outstanding action sequence) and shows her true color to the world. A mysterious female hero is born and
capturing the interest of the public and the media.
Melissa
Benoist is adorably on point with the scenes following her emergence as an
involuntary, yet enthusiastic newly minted superhero. There are supporters and doubters in her
inner circle. Riddled with doubt and
enthusiasm, Kara is both strong and exposed. With an honest desire to help
people, she's learning to utilize her powers and embrace her higher purpose in
life.
Kara's
life becomes more complicated when her movement is tracked by DEO (Department
of Extra-Normal Operations), an organization that keeps tabs on
extraterrestrial forces. At the same
time, an enemy that followed her from the Phantom Zone, made himself
known. And he's not alone. Kara will
have her hands full in no time.
If
"Arrow" is dark and gritty and "The Flash" flashy and light
(although not without dramatic moments),
"Supergirl" is a league of its own, brimming with bright optimism and mirth, featuring a big-hearted superhero that emanates innocent charm and wholesome
goodness. Somehow, the cheery, comedy aspect works.
The
year of "The Flash" went fast and fabulous. I hope "Supergirl" will fly high
and I look forward to it being on my weekly viewing schedule.
***
"Blindspot" (NBC; September 21, 2015)
Stepping out of superhero central, I was pretty enthralled with
"Blind Spot," a primetime pilot of mystery, crime procedural drama
and action.
The opening scene is nothing short of intriguing. A naked amnesiac found inside of a duffle bag
in the middle of Times Square. Her whole
body is covered in fresh tattoos, including a tattoo of a name of an FBI agent
on her back. Mind erased, her body is full of clues. Images, numbers, symbols and words as puzzle
pieces that would help the FBI to map their steps to solve crimes, or perhaps
lead them to something bigger.
What makes it the more intriguing is the mysterious woman herself. Naturally looking and feeling lost, scared
and vulnerable, it's quickly revealed through a series of incidents that Jane
Doe is a force to be reckoned with. Strong,
sharp, determined with surprising capabilities that would make her a treasured
asset to the agency. Her burgeoning connection
to the FBI agent in question merits further exploration. A glimpse of her backstory ends the pilot on
a curious note that would make you wanting more.
There's a lot to be explored and discovered here, which should earn
"Blindspot" a regular viewing spot.
Hopefully the show can maintain the intrigue and momentum by balancing crime-of-the-week
episodes with its underlying mystery.
***
Another show I'm excited about is "Limitless" (CBS, September 22, 2015). The story revolves around one man who gains the full capacity of his brain and extends his capabilities beyond imagination. Yep, it's based on the thrilling "Limitless" movie (what would it be like to become the perfect version of ourselves?) in 2011 and co-produced by its star, Bradley Cooper.
It's going to be an amazing autumn!
Another show I'm excited about is "Limitless" (CBS, September 22, 2015). The story revolves around one man who gains the full capacity of his brain and extends his capabilities beyond imagination. Yep, it's based on the thrilling "Limitless" movie (what would it be like to become the perfect version of ourselves?) in 2011 and co-produced by its star, Bradley Cooper.
It's going to be an amazing autumn!
http://www.sdentertainer.com/tv/from-comic-con-2015-preview-of-fall-tv-pilots/
[click to enlarge pictures]
[click to enlarge pictures]
