Television Characters That Can't Be Killed

Writers pride themselves in creating loveable and memorable characters for audiences, and it's particularly important when it comes to television, because it's the characters that audiences keep coming back to watch each week. But there's more than one way to convince viewers to tune in and, and writers love nothing more than to place beloved characters in mortal danger to really keep audiences enthralled during an episode, on in anticipation for the next one.

The recent True Blood finale provides an excellent example of this, with the fate of arguably the show’s most popular vampire, Eric, played by Alexander Skarsgard, being left up in the air until the shows next season after he burst into flames on top of the mountain in the Swiss Alps. The discussion of the shows finale could have easily been about Warlow's sudden but inevitable transformation into the season's big villain, or Billith's transgression back to Bill, or that intriguing six month flash into the future, but no, fans, especially the female ones, were most concerned about the fate of their beloved Eric. And of course, the one question on everyone's lips until the show return in nine months is, 'is Eric really dead?' 

The obvious answer to that question would be evident to the most casual television viewer, which is, of course not. Not only is Eric a main character of True Blood, but he is an integral member of the shows forever running love saga, him being one of Sookie's many potential suitors, of which he is the most liked by viewers. For the writers to kill him off would unleash the most furious fan backlash a television show has ever seen, and the show would undoubtedly lose a substantial amount of viewers because of it.

The fact is in television, like most storytelling, there are some characters that just can't be killed. Some for the reason above, but mostly, characters that are integral to a shows plot, the 'main' ones, can't be killed because the show is about them, and it wouldn't be the same show without them. Shows that share their titles with the main lead are the most obvious ones. Dexter, Castle, Bones and Nikita are all shows in which the lead can't die (unless it's at the very end). And I don't recall House, Veronica Mars, or Buffy dying either (okay so Buffy died twice, but she came back because she couldn't stay dead! There wouldn't be a show without her.) And then there are shows in which there are one or more main characters who are so closely linked with the premise that there would be no show without them. There would be no Revenge without Emily, no Supernatural without Sam and Dean etc.

And then there are those characters like Eric, whose name's not in the title, and who the show could easily go on without, despite fan backlash. But writers understand the importance of keeping audiences both entertained and happy, and that means that there are some characters that just can't and won't be killed, and why Eric will most definitely survive to see True Blood's seventh season (SPOILER: True Blood producer Brian Buckner has confirmed this). And here's some other cherished television characters that are never going to suffer that fate because of how much they are loved by audiences:

Richard Harrow (Boardwalk Empire):

Since the shocking death of Jimmy Darmody on the period drama series that depicts the prohibition era in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Richard Harrow, a disfigured war veteran, has cemented his position as a fan favourite character. Despite the amount of violence that usually surrounds him, and the horrors he endured during his time in the war, Harrow is portrayed as a very childlike character, who is still discovering the world for the first time (or possibly again after the war) and it's a fascinating journey for audiences to watch. While Harrow is a simple and innocent man that knows nothing more than the hand life has dealt him, he's not one to ask for sympathy, and that, ironically, is what makes him such a sympathetic character for audiences. His temperament, sense of dress, and all the other ways in which he is presented make him a beautifully haunting character. Harrow is also an expert gunman, which not only comes in handy for those characters lucky enough to be his allies, but also strikes fear in his enemies. Any scene with him and a gun in it is fraught with tension because of his calm demeanour in wielding a weapon, and his shooting abilities not only ensure his livelihood on the show, but in the hearts of audiences as well.

Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad):

As Breaking Bad heads towards its final episode, fans of the show have been speculating wildly as to how things will end for science teacher turned drug lord Walter White. Just as importantly is how the characters around Walt, his family, and his ex-partner in crime Jesse, will be effected by the fallout that is undoubtedly going to befall him, and whether or not they'll be partially responsible for it, or just get caught in the crossfire. For the entire run of Breaking Bad Jesse has again and again suffered greatly because of Walt's actions, which has taken a significant emotional toll on his character. He has become the series' most sympathetic figure, a young man out of his depth who wants desperately to repent for his past sins. So for many fans, Jesse's death at the end of the series would simply be unjustifiable. He's been the moral centre for a show whose main protagonist has progressively turned into an antagonist, so if there's one thing fans want from the end of Breaking Bad, it's a happy ending for Jesse (or at least one that doesn't involve him dying).

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones):

It's probably stupid to say that characters in Game of Thrones can't be killed, considering that the author of the fantasy book series the show is based off, George R.R. Martin, has become infamous for killing off prominent characters in shocking and unexpected ways, but I'm going to anyway. The reason Daenerys can't be killed off is that, and note I have not read the books, Game of Thrones is essentially her story. While majority of the characters are centralised on a singular continent, albeit a large one containing many kingdoms, Daenerys has spent three seasons separated from them in her attempts to return there. She’s crossed oceans, married the leader of a savage tribe, freed slave people and is the mother of dragons, who believes her rightful place is atop the throne in King's Landing. It's debatable whether or not she will succeed, but general storytelling practices tells us that so much time wouldn't be spent on a character and her journey unless it was for a reason. So Daenerys will eventually get to King's Landing, and hopefully fight for the thrown, and that's precisely why she cannot die.

Nolan Ross (Revenge):

Nolan is the smart, sarcastic and level-headed sidekick that anyone who's trying to exact large amounts of revenge on people, in this case the rich and powerful, needs. For Revenge, Nolan provides a much needed dose of humour into the Hamptons. Dramas like Revenge have a tendency to take themselves incredibly seriously, which can make for painful or hilarious viewing depending on your taste. Regardless, Nolan has that unique self-referential wit that stops the show from veering into the melodramatic too often, and audiences can't help but relate and understand the snarky comments he makes about the rich socialites he ostracises himself from. This in turn demonstrates his role as the moral compass of the show, sharing the highlife status, but distancing himself from it and trying to use his money and power for good. While he is an integral part of Emily's revenge plans, he's always questioning her motives, ensuring that her fiery temperament doesn't get the best of her by reminding her she's fighting to avenge the injustice her father was served. His strong emotional ties with Emily also form the show’s most meaningful (and pretty much only platonic) relationship, which make him an indispensable character that fans couldn't stand to lose.

Daryl Dixon (The Walking Dead):

It's difficult to say that a character in a show about the zombie apocalypse won't die, but again, I'm going to anyway. The Walking Dead prides itself on the grittiness it's genre can present on television, and killing major characters throughout its run has been a recurring, if not constant, occurrence. The show also prides itself on its characters, those who are fighting to survive in a dying world, and who better to represent that then a very American 'everyman'. While he was portrayed as a low-life, self-serving southerner in the shows first season, after the departure of his antagonising brother Merle from the group, The Walking Dead showcased Daryl’s transformation. His skills as a hunter and tracker make him an important member of the group, and while initially seeming untrusting, Daryl has warmed to the others, and as he did so, the audiences warmed to him. Now he's arguably the most competent character on the show, with Rick suffering a prolonged mental breakdown, but he's far too humble to try and lead the others, but rather content on being the man everyone turns to for help. And of course he has to retain he's masculinity while doing this, so there's a lot of crossbows, really aggressive glaring and an occasional wise-crack to round out this lovable character. To be honest, Daryl can't die on The Walking Dead, because if he did, everyone else would soon follow.

So do you agree with my picks? Are these characters just too valuable to their respective shows, and more importantly, their fans, to die? Or do you think they're just as expendable as any other character? And do you have any characters you love so much that the show they're in would be forever ruined if they died?

Peter Capaldi Set To Play The Twelfth Doctor

Since it was announced that Matt Smith was set to depart from the lead role in the British science-fiction series Doctor Who at the beginning of June, rumours have been rife, as they constantly are whenever it comes to casting a new Doctor, as to which actor will have the honour of playing the Time Lord next.

A live television event was broadcast on BBC One titled Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor yesterday, revealing the identity of the next actor set to play the Doctor. The one-off event featured interviews with two of the Doctor's previous incarnations, Peter Davidson (the fifth) and Colin Baker (the sixth), as well as the Doctor's current portrayer, Matt Smith, and head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat. It was then revealed that Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, 55, will play the twelfth Doctor.

Capaldi is probably best known for his work on the British television comedy series The Thick of It, in which he played Malcolm Tucker, a foul-mouthed spin-doctor working for the government. He's no stranger to the Doctor Who universe either, having already appeared in the fourth series episode 'The Fires of Pompeii' back in 2008 playing an Italian sculptor/merchant named Lucius Caecilius. He also featured in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood: Children of Earth as John Frobisher, the permanent secretary to the home office.

Capaldi is set to first appear as the Doctor in the upcoming 2013 Christmas special, which will see Smith's incarnation regenerate into Capaldi's new Doctor in the episode. He will join actress Jenna Coleman on the show, who currently plays the Doctor's travelling companion Clara Oswald.

As a fan of the show I'm happy with the choice, but I'm remaining cautiously optimistic. I honestly never thought I'd see the day where I recognised an actor that would be announced as the next Doctor. Since the shows return in 2005, I hadn't heard of any of the three actors each of the times they were revealed to be taking over the role. I assumed that a rather unknown British acting personality would always be chosen (as to not have a previous role define them), and while I wouldn't call Capaldi well-known worldwide (I didn't know his name before today), his face is a familiar one, and I  have seen him in quite a few things. It's his role as partial antagonist John Frobisher in Torchwood: Children of Earth really excites me in regards to his acting ability, and I hope that he is able to bring the same amount of emotion to the Doctor.

I very much applaud the decision to cast an older Doctor as well. At 55, Capaldi is as old as William Hartnell, who played the first Doctor when in began in 1963, and was in the role for three years until 1966. Since the shows return each of the actors playing the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith, were aged 41, 34, and 27, respectively, when they started in the role. While youth is generally associated with a fresh face, I think the producers have made a bold and respectable decision is casting someone much older. The new series has often been accused of glamorising the Doctor's looks, as well as his romances, all in an attempt to skew to a younger demographic and start to branch out to American audiences. Choosing an older Doctor doesn't necessary mean they are trying to change anything about the show, it just demonstrates that they aren't being subservient to what the new fans might want in a younger Doctor. If anything, fans getting what they want doesn't usually equate to good television, so bring on an older Doctor who will have to rely on more than good looks and charm to captivate audiences attention.

What makes Capaldi an even more appealing choice to play the Doctor is that he is a long-time fan of the show. During the television event in which he was named Matt Smith's predecessor, Capaldi was interviewed and it was revealed that in the 1970's he persistently sent the BBC a barrage of letters asking for details about how Doctor Who was made, information of upcoming episodes and memorabilia, he even nominated himself to be the secretary of the official Doctor Who fan club. Below is a clipping from Radio Times' February 1974 issue in which a then fifteen year old Capaldi praises an article the magazine wrote about Doctor Who. That's not to say actors who don't know the show all that well don't deserve to play him, but it is exciting knowing that Capaldi has extensive knowledge of the show and the characters history. This will no doubt allow him to bring a little extra something to the role, which is exciting for other long-time fans.

All this being said, it must be remembered that a new face doesn't mean a better show. In my opinion the seventh series of Doctor Who was plagued by some very problematic creative and production issues. It saw Moffatt and the other writers take a more episodic approach to storytelling for the series, and while this created memorable stand-alone episodes, overall the episodes tended to lack depth. Airing of the show continued to spread out the seasons thirteen episodes, so that five episodes aired throughout September of 2012, and the remaining eight episodes aired from March to May 2013. The decision to split up the series has lead to an inconsistently between the two lots of episodes, and this makes it difficult for Doctor Who to gain any momentum. Series seven also saw the departure of beloved husband-and-wife companions Rory Williams and Amy Pond. Just as when a Doctor departs, fans are just as passionate when his traveling sidekicks leave the show. The pair were replaced by Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald midway through the season, and she is yet to leave a lasting impression as a companion, mostly being used as a plot device by writers rather than being developed as a character.

Peter Capaldi taking the reigns as the titular Doctor will not necessarily solve these problems, but Doctor Who has the unique opportunity, as it does every time the Doctor regenerates, to change the show along with him. Whether or not this will happen remains to be seen, but I look forward to what the show has in store for fans of Doctor Who.

World War Z Movie Review

When an unknown virus spreads across the world turning people into zombies, Gerry Lane (Brad Bitt), his wife Karin (Mireille Enos), and their two daughters Rachel (Abigail Hargrove) and Constance (Sterling Jerins) barely make it out of Philadelphia alive when the city is overrun by the infected. They are aided by Thierry Umutoni (Fana Mokoena), the UN Deputy Secretary-General, and Gerry's former boss, and taken to a U.S. Navy vessel off the coast of New York City, where a team of analysts and military personnel is analysing the scope of the worldwide outbreak. When there, Umutoni asks Gerry to help investigate the virus and assist virologist, Dr. Andrew Fassbach (Elyes Gabel), find the outbreak's source, because of his expertise as a former UN investigator.
Under duress for his family's safety, Gerry reluctantly agrees to fly to Camp Humphreys, a military base in South Korea where the word "zombie" was supposedly first used in reference to the outbreak.

From the very beginning the film is action packed and suspenseful, showcasing brilliant scenes of mass chaos and destruction. If the film wasn't in the middle of a suspenseful action sequence, the plot was moving just as fast with Gerry Lane doing plenty of globe trotting throughout the films 116min in order to find the origin of the virus and a possible cure. Although some of the situations Lane's character finds himself facing are borderline absurd, as are the zombies abilities at times, you're willing to maintain your suspension of disbelief for the entertaining action sequences. Similarly, the film starts to get slightly repetitive when characters continue to make the same mistakes again and again when faced with the zombies, but again they are forgivable.

The film also doesn't seem to define itself to a particular genre of apocalyptic film, with cities in chaos, military action, and scientific investigation all playing major parts in the film. Some my argue that this gives the film a lack of cohesiveness, but the tone always remains intact, and having the different aspects played out ensures that the film never gets stale.

While all this was done extremely well, it's safe to say it leaves the film with little room to do much else. If your after the thinking man's zombie apocalypse this movie isn't it. There's no time left for the development of the characters and their relationships, let alone time for a discussion of philosophical ideologies among them.

The ending is very sentimental and a little anti-climatic considering some of the more exciting scenes that preceded it, but it does it's job in providing a satisfying conclusion to the movie.

Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable action film, with great pacing and plenty of suspense thrown in to keep the majority entertained.

Rating: 4/5

True Blood 6.2 Review: The Sun

True Blood got back to basics this week, while still managing to intrigue with new characters and deepening plotlines. Arlene finally called Sookie up on not being at work (when has she ever been there, ever?), but of course she is Sookie and she can't even make it to Merlotte's before literally stumbling into supernatural beings, this one being a  Halfling fairy hybrid like herself named Ben. He's been injured by a vampire and despite her willingness to move past the supernatural and to stop inviting handsome stranger's into her house, she does so anyway because she's Sookie. When he recovers she tells him about the safe place for faeries, the faerie safehouse/ club. She starts to take him there, but when he reads her find and hears the name Bill, she senses gather, and she returns home, directing him the rest of the way, alone. Of course, because it's Sookie, when she returns home she is yet again confronted with the supernatural in Jason bearing their faerie grandfather Naill, who, as it turns out, is not actually Warlow. He tells them that he's there to kill Warlow and that there's a power in their bloodline that allows them to create an orb of light that can kill any vampire it touches, but that Sookie can only ever use it as a last resort because it would drain her fae powers completely. While the verdict is still out on what role Naill will really play for the course of the season, Rutger Hauer is an enigmatic actor, and having him as a parental figure towards Sookie and Jason made both characters a little more tolerable because they were finally being given some strong direction.

Meanwhile Eric was forced to take charge of the Governor Burnell situation after the incident at Fangtasia in which Tara was shot with a very painful to vampires UV light bullet. Pam made it abundantly clear that there were more humans then vampires, and that with weapons like that maybe they should be afraid. Eric was not going to stand by and watch this happen, so hilariously disguised man meant to be discussing a bill about the extinction of the whooping crane with the Governer. Eric tries to glamour him, but they've made contacts that prevent you from being glamoured (wow, who knew humans could actually do stuff?), and Eric is about to be taken away by armed guards when he flies away. Later on  Eric flies up to the room of the Governor's daughter after she has taken off her contacts, and glamours her to let him in. Clichéd, but effective.

Over at Bill's he has an episode in which he can see and feel various vampires being tortured by humans now that they have no rights in Louisiana, and falls into a comatose like state, much to Jessica's dismay. While comatose he has a vision of Lillith who tells him he proved himself worthy as he won the battle for her blood. He asks if he is God to which Lilith says that no he is not god just as she is not god although some will come to worship him as a god just as they do Lilith herself but there is no god but god. Meanwhile, in an attempt to wake Bill from his coma Jessica orders a blonde meal on wheels, and while it initially doesn't seem to rouse him, before the woman can leave Bill opens his mouth and siphons her blood through the air from her mouth. Back in the vision Lilith then tells Bill to trust what he knows and trust what he sees, and when the time comes he will know exactly what to do and she then disappears and he wakes from the coma. The TV in Bill's office turns on as he does so, and Jessica returns at the noise. On the television is a news report highlighting one of the tortured vampires Bill experienced previously, and Jessica exclaims that he can see the future. At that moment Bill has another vision. He sees Jessica, Tara, Eric, Pam, Nora and other vampires standing in what looks like a gas chamber before the roof opens revealing the sun, which precedes to burn all of the vampires.

At Merlotte's Sam is approached by a woman who openly addresses him as a shifter. He takes her to his back office where she introduces herself as Nicole Wright, co founder of the Vampire Unity Society and tells Sam she wants to help Sam come out as a shifter to the world. Sam obviously objects to the idea but Nicole tries to convince him that once humans are done with vampires they'll come after shifter's next and the only way to win would be if all supernatural beings came out publicly in a unified front. Sam is still not interested and she leaves. Later on Sam returns home where Lafayette has being looking after Emma. Martha, Alcide, and Danielle show up asking for Emma now that Luna is dead, but Sam refuses to giver her to them. A fight ensues and the wolfs beat up Sam and Lafayette before taking a screaming Emma. All the while Nicole and three of her friends watch from the bushes filming the incident.

An a very intriguing episodes with majority of the plots moving forward swiftly and some even unexpectedly, I hope there's more episode like this to come.

Rating 4/5

The Veronica Mars Kickstarter Movie Starts Filiming

Often after a cult television show finishes airing (usually due to cancellation) there's always talk of a continuation in some shape or form, mostly by the fans who aren't ready to give up on their favourite show just yet, but occasionally the creators/ writers/ actors themselves express interest in keeping the show going. Buffy, Angel & Charmed all got to continue on in comic book form. Firefly got a film, Serenity (although for Whedon fans that'll never be enough). Arrested Development continued online. And even 24 is returning to television in 2014 after being off the air for three years.

However, for all these success stories it's actually very rare for this to happen. Or at least it seemed that way until about a month ago, when Rob Thomas, creator of cult hit Veronica Mars started a Kickstarter campaign to bring back his beloved heroine for a feature length film. Below is the video that Rob Thomas, Ms. Veronica Mars herself Kristen Bell, and other actors from the show Enrico Colantoni, Ryan Hansen, and Jason Dohring appeared in to promote the campaign:

It's safe to say that before this Kickstarter wasn't very well known, but basically it's an online company that provides the tools to raise funds for creative projects via crowd funding through its website. When the campaign started on March 13th of this year Thomas hoped to raise 2 million dollars for the film and this was done within ten hours. By the  time the campaign closed on the 12th of April, rasing $5,702,153 from 91,585 backers. The campaign broke several Kickstarter records in the process, including the fastest project to reach first $1 million, then $2 million; the highest minimal pledging goal achieved; and the largest successful film project on Kickstarter and the most backers on a single Kickstarter project. I myself donated $100 and I personally cannot only wait for the movie to come out, but also for all the great gifts I get for helping to fund the project, inckuding a limited edition movie t-shirt, poster and a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack of the movie that includes the documentary on the making of the film.

It's been just over two months since the campaign ended, and having, as a backer of the film, been kept up-to-date with what's been going on with the pre-production (including casting info, scouting locations etc.) of the film I'm excited to say that the film went into actual production today and the movie has begun filming!

While the reaction to the Kickstarter fad the Veronica Mars Movie undoubtedly started has been mixed (Who is Kickstarter really for?, Why do celebrities need money for backing), it's undeniably an exciting time for not only the future of television, but for the creation of all media in general, and I'm very excited to see what this new era of crowd funding will continue to do in the future.

True Blood 6.1 Review: Who Are You, Really?

True Blood has always worked best when its characters are all involved in the plot, and picking up from where last season left off, with the Authority destroyed and Bill's downing of Lillith's blood, provided an action-packed and exciting beginning to the new season. Sookie and the others fled from a crumbling authority, trying as fast as they could to get away from 'Billith', and it was all very suspenseful, until, at least, the group stopped to get their bearings and Jason's new-found and over-the-top hatred for vampires ruined the dynamic.

I love that Bill was able to summon Jessica, and while we didn't really learn anything new about what happened to Bill, the episode was an interesting springboard for the rest of the season. Sookie is ready to stay away from vampires for good, and while viewers have heard that before, her ability to stake Bill, and to rescind her invitation to her house from Eric (quite unexpected), shows she's serious (although I doubt this will last long, she always pulled back in, and she should be, otherwise I imagine her characters story lines would be quite boring). Eric and Nora plan to stop 'Billith' someone, and while Nora has yet to be developed as a character it will be good for the show to have a new dynamic to follow. Similarly, Pam and Tara will have to work on their growing relationship, and while I'm not really interested in them as a couple their link to what is likely to be the larger storyline this season, vampire oppressive Louisiana governor Burrel, in this episode was good. After Jason's aforementioned complaining, he tried to hitchhike back to Bon Temps, unfortunately it was with the vampire that killed his parents Warlow, and while it was obvious, it's good to know the character's finally in play and a big threat, considering he was Lillith's protégé as Nora revealed.

All this aside, True Blood still managed to fit in several unrelated story lines for characters that no one really cares about. Sam and Emma escaped the Authority collapsing, but Luna dies saving her daughters life, so we'll have to wait and see where caring for Emma takes Sam this season. Alcide became pack master and if it wasn't for the poor excuse for poor, it wouldn't have been interesting at all. And in what is already likely to be the worst storyline for the entire season, Andy is having difficulty taken care of his triplets born by fairy. It was just like watching a bad sitcom. But at least, unlike previously bad story lines from True Blood, this one seems to be progressing at a much faster pace, considering that by the end of the episode Andy's baby's were grown up enough to talk.

A solid start to the season, but I'm hesitant that by the end of the episode True Blood has already placed its characters into separate story lines away from one another, and I'm afraid we won't get to see the great dynamic experienced at the beginning of the episode for some time.

Rating: 3.5/5

A Look at The CW's New Dramas (2013-2014)

Reign

The CW's Pitch: Hidden between the lines of the history books is the story of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. Queen of Scotland since she was six days old, the teenage Mary is already a headstrong monarch - beautiful, passionate, and poised at the very beginning of her tumultuous rise to power. Arriving in France with four close friends as her ladies-in-waiting, Mary has been sent to secure Scotland’s strategic alliance by formalizing her arranged engagement to the French king's dashing son, Prince Francis. But the match isn't signed and sealed: it depends more on politics, religion and secret agendas than affairs of the heart. Prince Francis is intrigued by the fiery Scot, but like most young men, he resists the idea of settling down into marriage, especially when he has a history with a lady of the court and his own point of view on the wisdom of an alliance with Scotland. Still, an attraction between Mary and Francis is ignited. Further complicating things is Bash, Francis' roguish half-brother, who has a history of his own - despite his illegitimate birth, Bash is his father's favorite. And now that Bash has caught Mary's eye, a royal triangle may be forming. While at French Court, fierce foes and dark forces conspire to sabotage Mary’s marriage to Francis and even threaten her life, until a mysterious shrouded guide becomes her ally. With danger and sexual intrigue around every dark castle corner, Mary rallies her ladies-in-waiting and steels herself, ready to rule the new land and balance the demands of her country and her heart.

My Thoughts: While it remains to be seen how historically accurate the series plans to be, the romantic, political, and supernatural elements of the show make it look quite intriguing. I might watch.

Star-Crossed

The CW's Pitch: When Emery was 6 years old, an alien spacecraft crash-landed in her small town. Whether they came in peace or with more sinister intentions didn’t matter: a fierce battle erupted as humans fought for control over their new rivals, an alien species called the Atrians. In the midst of the conflict, Roman, a 6-year-old Atrian boy, found his way to a shed behind Emery’s house, where she protected him from harm, bringing him food, comfort – and friendship. In their brief time together, Emery and Roman forged a deep bond, but the authorities wasted no time tracking Roman down and capturing him in a violent confrontation. Emery has grown up believing that Roman was killed that day. Ten years later, the Atrians have been acclimated to life on Earth, but they are interned in a heavily-guarded camp known as the Sector to keep them separate from humans. Now, for the first time, a group of Atrian teens will enroll in a suburban human high school, with the goal of testing the feasibility of human/alien integration. The eyes of the nation and the whole world are fixed on this historical social experiment, an endeavor fraught with suspicion and fear. In the mayhem of the first day, Emery is amazed to learn that Roman was not killed by the authorities and is, in fact, one of the Atrian students. Their childhood bond is quickly rekindled – in a school and a society that distrusts everything about the Atrians, Emery and Roman have found each other again. However, their relationship is threatened by the small-mindedness of their respective communities and the political agendas of people in power. While the world around them rages with anger and prejudice, their bond becomes increasingly strong and increasingly dangerous. As an epic Romeo and Juliet romance unfolds, a violent encounter between Roman’s father and Emery’s father occurs in the Sector. Can Roman and Emery’s love – and peace between the species – survive?

My Thoughts: The themes the show expresses are very unsubtle, and the romantic relationship between the two leads, as well as the tension between the humans and the aliens has all been done before. I won't be watching.

The 100

The CW's Pitch: Ninety-seven years ago, nuclear Armageddon decimated planet Earth, destroying civilization. The only survivors were the 400 inhabitants of 12 international space stations that were in orbit at the time. Three generations have been born in space, the survivors now number 4,000, and resources are running out on their dying "Ark" - the 12 stations now linked together and repurposed to keep the survivors alive. Draconian measures including capital punishment and population control are the order of the day, as the leaders of the Ark take ruthless steps to ensure their future, including secretly exiling a group of 100 juvenile prisoners to the Earth's surface to test whether it's habitable. For the first time in nearly a century, humans have returned to planet Earth. Among the 100 exiles are Clarke, the bright teenage daughter of the Ark's chief medical officer; Wells, son of the Ark’s Chancellor; the daredevil Finn; and the brother/sister duo Bellamy and Octavia, whose illegal sibling status has always led them to flaunt the rules. Technologically blind to what’s happening on the planet below them, the Ark’s leaders - Clarke’s widowed mother, Abby; the Chancellor, Jaha; and his shadowy second in command, Kane - are faced with difficult decisions about life, death and the continued existence of the human race. For the 100 young people on Earth, however, the alien planet they’ve never known is a mysterious realm that can be magical one moment and lethal the next. With the survival of the human race entirely in their hands, THE 100 must find a way to transcend their differences, unite and forge a new path on a wildly changed Earth that’s primitive, intense and teeming with the unknown.

My Thoughts: It will be interesting to see where this goes after the pilot. but a large cast, and enough plots should keep it interesting. I'll be watching.

The Originals:

The CW's Pitch: Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy and hunger for power have torn the Original Family apart. When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans. Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the werewolf Hayley has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history, and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie. Tensions between the town’s supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protégé is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his – the power, the city and his family. While they wait to see if their sister Rebekah will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by The Originals once again.

My Thoughts: The feud between the two leads could be interesting, and with the witch and family subplot could have enough to keep it going. I'll be watching.

The Tomorrow People:

The CW's Pitch: They are the next evolutionary leap of mankind, a generation of humans born with paranormal abilities — the Tomorrow People. Stephen Jameson stands at the crossroads between the world we know and the shifting world of the future. Up until a year ago, Stephen was a “normal” teenager — until he began hearing voices and teleporting in his sleep, never knowing where he might wake up. Now, Stephen’s issues have gone far beyond the usual teenage angst, and he is beginning to question his sanity. In desperation, Stephen decides to listen to one of the voices in his head, and it leads him to his first encounter with the Tomorrow People — John, Cara and Russell — a genetically advanced race with the abilities of telekinesis, teleportation and telepathic communication. The Tomorrow People are being hunted down by a paramilitary group of scientists known as Ultra. Led by Dr. Jedikiah Price, Ultra sees the Tomorrow People as a very real existential threat from a rival species, and the outcast group has been forced to hide out in an abandoned subway station just beneath the surface of the human world. Trading in secrets, Jedikiah offers Stephen the chance for a normal life with his family and best friend, Astrid, if he will help in the struggle to isolate and eradicate the Tomorrow People. On the other hand, Cara, John and Russell offer Stephen a different type of family and a home where he truly belongs. Unwilling to turn his back on humanity or the world of the Tomorrow People, Stephen sets out on his own path — a journey that could take him into the shadowy past to uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious disappearance, or into an unknown future with The Tomorrow People.

My Thoughts: The premise is worn, but a serialised show like this always has potential. I might watch.