Fall 2014 Television Preview: Bring In The Superheroes

Adam Reynoso ’15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

As the end of May sweeps approaches and with the big summer hiatus right around the corner, networks are beginning to pick up their new shows for next year. It’s always interesting to see what genres are taking over the television landscape, and it appears that comic books are what’s in demand. With these series set to premiere next fall, it’s not a guarantee that they will all be around this time next year. But until then, here are the top five pilots to be on the lookout for.

5. Emerald City (NBC)

Ordered back in January, Emerald City bypassed the normal pilot stage with a 10-episode straight-to-series order. While no cast has been announced, the series is based on a book series that reimagines the classic tale of Oz as land torn apart by battles with 20-year old Dorothy Gale in the middle and a new take on the wizard. Even with little to no information on the city, it’ll be interesting to see where the network takes the show and what kind of approach they will do with the 10 episodes. It has a chance to have a tighter-knit story and with 14 books, enough source material to go off of. And with Once Upon a Time‘s recent venture to Oz, there is definitely interest and buzz for the land of Oz.

4. Agent Carter (ABC)

Another series that bypassed the usual pilot process, ABC announced they were moving forward with an Agent Carter series and expanding the Marvel universe even further. With a One-Shot already made, it has only made fans want more of the character after her debut in the first Captain America film. The series will take place in the 60’s, showing the beginnings of S.H.I.E.L.D and also showing what happened to Agent Peggy Carter after the disappearance of Steve Rogers. It’s unclear which other characters will be involved, but one might expect a Howard Stark to pop up at some point. And with all of the events going on in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, it’ll be interesting to see how those events impact the world of Agent Carter and if any of those storylines will be explored as well.

 3. Selfie (ABC)

This comedy is bringing Amy Pond (well Karen Gillan actually) back to TV screens, this time on our side of the pond. The comedy focuses on Gillan’s character, a woman obsessed with social media who’s trying to rebrand herself after an embarrassing video goes viral. With “selfies” and social media consuming so much of everyday life, it’s a chance to make fun of the situations that are more common nowadays. And, she’s going to be using an American accent, so even more reason to check out the show staring the Scottish redhead and former Doctor Who companion.

 2. Constantine (NBC)

Following the comic book trend, NBC ordered Constantine, based on the Hellblazer comics. It’s been getting a lot of positive buzz by those who have seen it and it’s been said to be closer to the comics then the Keanu Reeves movie. The  three minute trailer shows off the dark vibe and the subtle comedic elements as well. If the series continues to show as much as the trailer, it could be another success for this DC character.

1.  The Flash (CW)

Originally planned as a backdoor pilot at the end of the current season of The CW’s other DC property, Arrow, the character instead got his very own pilot. Barry Allen, played by Grant Gustin, was introduced in the episode “The Scientist” in Arrow.  Gustin played the character as a nerdy, humble little fanboy, who was really in Starling City to meet his hero, The Arrow. At the end of his second episode, he was struck by lightning and said to still be in a coma. With the success of his two episodes and Arrow, The Flash has the potential to finally bring the character to life in a fun, super powered way. While Arrow has taken a realistic, gritty approach to the comic book world, producers have already promised to make this series a world with superpowers, strange, new villains, and of course, the occasional crossover between the shows. And the suit looks pretty neat as well.