There weren’t any new series premieres on the big four last week and I was going to just skip a scorecard. But then I thought now might be a good time to catch up with our “Subscribes” and “Keep an Eye Ons” to see how things are faring.
As a rule, I watch at least 2 episodes of a positively-reviewed series before forming a final opinion. There’s only so many hours in a day and by then the closet lemons have started to stink, or conversely, a show with a shaky pilot starts to find its footing. An added bonus, the networks will often help you make the live or die decision by canceling a series or ordering a full season.
The “Kill and Bury” shows remain as such, but here’s how I’m feeling on the so-so new series a few weeks in.
Limitless (CBS)
As expected, Limitless has chosen to walk the familiar road of case-of-the-week buddy-cop crime procedural (also known as the COTWBCCP), and its becoming apparent that the show’s writers aren’t quite up to the task of creating challenges that rise to the mental capacity of their protagonist. For a man who is made genius by taking a pill, he doesn’t seem all that more capable than your typical TV sleuth.
But, as was the case with the pilot, Limitless continues to make use of a confident sense of style and a je ne sais quoi that elevates that puts it a cut above the rest. It’s not great, but it’s better than many, and since I finally shed Castle from my TV roster I have a little bandwidth for a weekly whodunit.
Updated status: Still watching, but a few episodes behind.
Network action: Full season order
The Muppets (ABC)
The pilot was rough, and the second episode wasn’t much better. But by episode 3 the show seemed to find its pacing and land some jokes. The cameos were used judiciously, and the ensemble dynamic buzzed. It’s not a safe bet at this point, but at least now we have an idea of what The Muppets could be if the writers can get it there.
Updated status: I’m not exactly optimistic, but I’m rotting for this show
Network action: Full season order (updated 10/29/15)
Heroes Reborn (NBC)
Do you ever open a bag of chips, intending to have a quick snack before dinner, only to find yourself 30 minutes later holding an empty bag in your grease- and shame-covered fingers?
That’s Heroes Reborn, a plate of useless, salty nonsense. You know there’s better things out there, but here you are and you can’t help yourself.
I have no doubt that when the miniseries ends, I’ll regret having spent so many hours with these baffling, 2-dimensional characters and their nonsensical plots. Yet here I am.
Updated status: Bumbling along
Network Action: Nothing beyond limited-run series
The Player (NBC)
Veteran TV critic Ken Tucker recently described The Player as “the best of the worst new shows.” I completely agree.
Player is not a good show, but it’s also not a terrible way to check out and waste an hour.
Updated status: I have 3 episodes in my Hulu queue, and I intend to watch them
Network action: Episode order trimmed to 9
Quantico (ABC)
Quantico is the perfect example of why it takes two episode to spot a dud. The pilot wasn’t great, but the next week was an exercise in rapidly escalating implausibility, replete with an ambiguous love polygon of intersecting romances.
Updated status: Step off the ride before it makes you sick
Network Action: Full season order
Grandfathered/The Grinder (Fox)
The fox duo continue to be my picks of the season, with later episodes making good strides at rounding out their casts and solidifying their narratives. I’m still worried about their longevity, particularly in the case of Grandfathered, but both shows are impressively consistent, which is high praise in the modern era of broadcast television.
Updated Status: Mostly sunny skies
Network Action: Full season orders
Code Black (CBS)
I lied, sometimes I don’t make it to episode 2. Try as I might, I have zero energy for another minute of this series. My apologies to Mr. Guzman.
Updated Status: Retroactive kill and bury
Network Action: Additional scripts ordered, not yet full season
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW)
It was unprecedented when I watched the premiere of CEG (a CW show? As if!) so I was in completely uncharted waters when I ventured out for the second episode. That risk was rewarded, as Rachel Bloom’s Frankenstein’s Monster of a show is still one of the most ineffably entertaining, maddeningly unique enigmas on television.
Updated Status: Crazy like a fox
Network Action: Additional scripts ordered
Wood's Stock 