Candace Havens has seen the pilots for quite a few of the upcoming shows appearing this fall and will be talking about them tomorrow here on LE. As I was getting her post ready, she mentioned two shows that are part of the CW’s midseason that caught my attention.
First of all, I have to say that the CW is probably one of my favorite networks out there right now, simply because of all their paranormal programming. I mean, for a network that is not an obvious genre station (ie Science Channel, SyFy, Chiller, etc), they have a ton of paranormal/fantasy shows. There’s Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Beauty and the Beast, and who can forget the one show I try to never miss, Arrow. But they’re coming out with two more – The 100 and Star-Crossed – and these are not just any paranormal flicks…they are science fiction/dystopian teenage dramas, something there’s not a lot of right now.
Before I continue, I think I need to clarify what I’m thinking. Especially after talking with Jesse about this. *grin* I’m not talking about science fiction and all it’s subgenres (time travel, alternate history/universe, etc), but science fiction at it’s core, or what I like to think of as it’s core. I’m talking about fiction taking place in, or involving those from, space. When I think of science fiction television, I think about Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Firefly, Farscape, and the various Star Trek franchises. Those shows where all the characters are not human or humans with mutated genes or science experiments. Granted, many may consider the science experiment angle to be a part of the core of science fiction, but the biggest factor in my opinion are the aliens. Science Fiction, true and undiluted science fiction, should have aliens. Say whatever you want, but unless there’s aliens, I have a tendency to lump everything else in with fantasy.
But I digress…the point I’m trying to get to is that ever since Twilight went psychotic, there has been a surge of paranormal programming (yes, I’m aware there was some before Twilight, but not like this); but the one thing there hasn’t been is science fiction – not on a teenage/family friendly level or involving aliens.
Yes, there’s been Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, V, Heroes, Dollhouse and Fringe in the last few years, but they are of a whole different type than I’m talking about. I’m talking about those science fiction shows you can have on the television and it doesn’t matter who is in the room. There are shows out there that are appropriate for the entire family – Eureka, Warehouse 13, Sanctuary – but which one of those has aliens? And more importantly, how many of those shows are still on and not on SyFy (of which has also succumb to the plague of reality television)? None of them. What was the last alien-centric science fiction television show that you can remember? How long ago was it on?
How many of us remember Roswell?
They are human/alien hybrids, sent here to complete their destiny. Their counterparts have already perished in a war of attrition, thus one day, they will return to their home planet and save their race.
Roswell only lasted for three seasons, but since then there hasn’t been any other alien-based science fiction family dramas. At least none that I can think of or have done well enough to last longer than a few episodes. Nothing that has hit mainstream media or the major networks at least. Thankfully, the CW is going to be changing that this fall.
As part of their mid-season line-up, the CW will be premiering The 100 and Star-Crossed. Two science fiction shows that not only involve aliens, but from what I can tell of the trailers, should be family friendly as well. The one that really caught my eye was Star-Crossed.
Aliens with a Romeo & Juliet spin? I’m loving the idea, especially if it can be done right, and after seeing the trailer above, I’m anxious to check out Star-Crossed. Considering the CW has been able to pull off anything scifi or paranormal lately, my expectations are probably a little higher than they are for some of the other paranormal shows appearing this fall.
The other new show that looks promising is The 100, which seems to be part of the latest trend of dystopian YA but in a more science fiction setting. The television series is based off of Kass Morgan’s debut novel, The 100, which doesn’t release until September 3rd, but the premise really intrigues me and I’m curious to see where it goes.
No one has set foot on Earth in centuries — until now.
Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth’s radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents — considered expendable by society — are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life…or it could be a suicide mission.
CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she’s haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor’s son, came to Earth for the girl he loves — but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.
Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind’s last hope.
If you want to catch a glimpse of the story, you can read the first seven chapters on August 6th. Strangely enough, while I like science fiction, I have a hard time getting into dystopian novels, so I will be one of the few (or many) waiting for January to see The 100. But waiting I will be. I mean, doesn’t the trailer below not make this look like something that could be awesome?
So what do you think? Are you as intrigued with Star-Crossed and The 100 as I am? Have you been bemoaning the fact that there hasn’t been any science fiction that involved aliens on television – something you could share with your entire family? Are there any new shows coming this fall that you’re looking forward to? What shows are you looking forward to returning this fall?
