By Patrick Morey, News Correspondent
The beginning of the new year ushers in the commencement of the winter television season —packed with both new episodes of returning hit shows that fans have been anxiously awaiting and auspicious new shows that will undoubtedly win devotees of their own. For those who simply do not have the time or energy to sift through the endless waves of new content premiering in the coming weeks, here is a quick rundown of the most anticipated shows for which viewers should indubitably make time.
“Community” (NBC, Thursdays at 8 p.m.)
The return of executive producer Dan Harmon, who was fired in early 2012 by Sony Pictures Television as showrunner over disagreements about the show’s future, is strikingly evident very early on in this show’s fifth season. After a subpar season, Sony rightfully granted Harmon control of his show once more, bringing back the brilliant writing that once placed “Community” among TV’s best comedies. This season begins as a semi-reboot three years after the previous set of episodes, as Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) returns to Greendale Community College to investigate a potential lawsuit against the school that could save his legal career. When he discovers his alma mater and the life of his former friends’ lives are in shambles, Jeff has a change of heart and returns to the college as a teacher, vowing to help rejuvenate Greendale to its former, frolicsome glory.
“Downton Abbey” (PBS, Sundays at 9 p.m.)
Whether the melodrama occurs with the nobility upstairs in Downton Abbey or the servants downstairs, this British soap opera is poised to present its best season yet. British newspaper The Telegraph reported that the eight episodes planned for this hit drama’s fourth season premiered in the United Kingdom last fall to a record audience of 11.8 million viewers – a sign that its American fans have a lot to look forward to. The new season picks up six months after the death of Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), heir to the Crawley family estate, who perished in a car crash hours after the birth of his son, George. “Downton Abbey” will, as always, juggle many plotlines and relationships revolving around the lives of the nobility and housekeepers on the Crawley estate, yet a couple important points to focus on will be how Mary (Michelle Dockery), George’s mother, adjusts after the death of her son and to whom Matthew’s birthright will be allocated.
“The Following” (FOX, Premiering Jan. 19, Sundays at 10 p.m.)
In a genre where shows fervently attempt to crack cases in the allotted hour, Fox’s crime drama satisfyingly departs from that norm to thoroughly develop plot and characters, both good and evil. About to begin its second season, “The Following” centers around detective Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon), who plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse with his nemesis Joe Carroll (James Purefoy). Carroll, a professor-turned-murderer, escapes from prison to seek revenge against both Hardy and Hardy’s ex-girlfriend, Claire (Natalie Zea), who also happens to be Carroll’s ex-wife. On his quest to catch the killer once again, Hardy encounters a radical cult willing to kill and die in order to serve Carroll’s manifesto. Season one ended with Hardy’s life in peril and the apparent death of Carroll. Bearing the title “Resurrection,” however, the first episode of season two hints that anything may happen.
“Girls” (HBO, Sundays at 10 p.m.)
If “Sex and the City” were to have a little sister (an honest, down-to-Earth, much smarter sister), it would most definitely be “Girls.” HBO has come to be known for outstanding original programming, and this wildly popular show is no exception. This comedy-drama follows the experiences and relationships of Hannah (played by co-creator Lena Dunham), a 20-something woman living in New York City, and her friends. Though it elicits laughter, the show draws on the real-life experiences of Dunham in order to address a wide array of topics facing young women trying to find their way in life. These topics touch upon relatively trivial moments, like a Q-tip lodged too deep in an ear, relationship problems as well as deeply significant matters like abortion, drug use and sexuality. Season three premiered this past Sunday with two new episodes, which focused on Hannah’s renewed relationship with past flame Adam and her blossoming literary career.
“Helix” (SyFy, Fridays at 10 p.m.)
Known primarily for campy, low-budget yet entertaining movies such as “Sharknado” and “Sharktopus,” the SyFy network has also been producing original cult shows for the past 15 years. The science-fiction thriller “Helix” is the channel’s latest effort, and based on the quality of its two most recent episodes, it looks as though it’ll be around for a while. When a mysterious virus befalls an Arctic research base, Dr. Alan Farragut (Billy Campbell) leads a team of scientists from the Center of Disease Control to investigate the outbreak. The team encounters the dangers of the virus firsthand, yet quickly realizes that enigmatic origins of the pathogen may contain secrets far more treacherous than the disease itself.
“House of Cards” (available on Netflix, Feb. 14)
Netflix revolutionized the online streaming industry by introducing original content such as “Orange is the New Black” and a reboot of “Arrested Development,” yet neither has been as critically acclaimed as political drama-thriller “House of Cards.” The show, which centers around the conniving Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), is worthy of binge watching. Underwood throws all morals out the window to accomplish his political goals, including manipulating the young, ambitious reporter Zoe (Kate Mara) to spin the death of a third-grader and therefore end a teachers’ strike. He even resorts to cold-blooded murder when gubernatorial candidate Peter Russo (Corey Stoll) refuses to play along with Underwood’s plan to become vice president, again proving that Underwood will do anything to grasp and maintain control, no matter how morally reprehensible the act may be. In the upcoming season, Underwood is set to become vice president, fostering plenty of opportunities for more nefarious behavior that will bring him one step closer to his ultimate goal of becoming president of the United States.
