Spring 2010 Sci Fi TV Preview
The second half of the 2009-10 season will kick-off in January with the return of the shows that debuted in Fall along with several entries make a late-season bow. Following is the list of the six Science Fiction and Fantasy shows currently scheduled to premiere/return in the Winter/Spring 2010 Season (all times are EST). These are listed in order of their Debut/Return date and the links are to the entries for each show at TV.com. Also included are the dates (that we know about so far) when the Fall shows will return from their Winter hiatuses. Check back on a regular basis for updates to show entries and/or premiere/return dates.
See also our Fall 2009 Science Fiction and Fantasy Television Preview page for the shows the bowed during the first half of the season.
Chuck
Returns: January 10th
Where to Find it: NBC, Monday 8 PM
What is it: Chuck returns for his third season and earlier than expected. Originally slated for March return, the spy-nerd gets a two-hour premiere on Sunday January 10th before moving back to his usual timeslot on Mondays at 8 PM.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: Chuck barely escaped the executioner last season, but Subway-chomping fans managed to get a message through to NBC executives. This show is always worth a look for some light-hearted fun.
Human Target
Debuts: January 17th
Where to Find it: FOX, Wednesday 9 PM
What is it: Like the DC comic books series this is based on, this show will follow Christopher Chance who places himself in the line of fire for people in trouble, thus becoming the “human target”. This series will premiere on Sunday, January 17th after the NFL playoff game then it will take up its regular Wednesday timeslot later in the week.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: This one gets a plum, post-American Idol timeslot to help build up an audience. Chi McBride will be a regular, so that will make it worth checking out, though no word on whether Rick Springfield will be stopping by for a visit (he played the same character in ABC’s failed attempt at this property in the 90’s).
Caprica
Debuts: January 22nd
Where to Find it: SyFy, Friday 10 PM
What is it: The long-delayed prequel to Battlestar Galactica finally takes off! This series takes place 58 years prior to the events in BSG and follows the family rivalry between the Adamas and the Graystones that eventually leads to the creation of the Cylons.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: The pilot, which is currently available on DVD, was excellent so I’m hoping the ongoing series keeps up the same level of quality.
Lost
Returns: February 2nd
Where to Find it: ABC, Tuesday 9 PM
What is it: Moving to yet another night, Lost returns for its sixth and final season. Early word is that the flash-foward and time travel episodes are over now and that Season 6 will follow an entirely new format. There’s also rumors that, after successfully nuking the island in the fifth season finale, the last season will show us what would have happened if flight 815 had never crashed.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: About this time last year, I had pretty high expectations for the final episodes of Battlestar Galactica, and those were dashed pretty hard. We can only hope that Lost will not disappoint as well.
Past Life
Debuts: February 11th
Where to Find it: FOX, Thursday 9 PM
What is it: This series, based on the book The Reincarnationist by M.J. Rose, follows two “past life detectives” who try to determine if the events affecting certain people in the present world are the result of the past lives they lived.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: The prospects for this one are looking grim already. Not only does it have a somewhat far-fetched premised, but FOX has cut back the episode order from thirteen to seven and scheduled it into the timeslot that’s currently killing Fringe (Thursdays 9 PM).
Day One
Debuts: tbd
Where to Find it: NBC, tbd
What is it: The Earth suffers from what looks like a devastating meteorite shower, but may actually be an alien attack. The infrastructure of society across the planet is destroyed and a small group of survivors tries to carry on as best they can.
Johny Jay’s Thoughts: Another one with less that hopeful prospects. The trailer for the show that leaked out on the Internet last year looked promising, but NBC has already cut back their commitment on this one from a thirteen episode “limited series” run to a four episode mini-series two hour movie. And it hasn’t received a place on the schedule yet, though it’s allegedly supposed to take up Heroes‘ timeslot when that show wraps in Spring.
Shows Returning from Their Winter Hiatus:
Dollhouse (FOX): Returns December 4th and airs two-hour blocks during December then returns to single episodes in January when the series finale will air on January 22nd.
Fringe (FOX): Returns with a “lost” episode on Monday January 11th then resumes its second season in its usual timeslot on January 14th. Fringe then goes on a second hiatus starting after February 4th (when Past Life will borrow its timeslot) before returning with new episodes on April 1st.
Vampire Diaries (CW): Returns with new episodes January 14th January 21st.
Supernatural (CW): Returns with new episodes January 21st.
Heroes (NBC): Returns with new episodes January 4th. Since this is a shortened season, the finale will air on February 8th.
FlashForward (ABC): Returns March 4th March 18th, which is a longer than expected delay, but it will air straight through without interruptions.
Smallville (CW): Returns with new episodes January 22nd January 29th.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS): Returns with new episodes January 8th.
Medium (CBS): Returns with new episodes January 8th.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon Network): Returns with new episodes January 1st.
Stargate: Universe (SyFy): Estimated to return in January April.
Sanctuary (SyFy): Returns with new episodes January 8th.
Legend of the Seeker (Syndicated): Returns with new episodes January 9th.
V (ABC): Returns March 30th, which is a considerable wait, but fans should be glad its returning at all after the ratings drop-off it experienced.
Shows Cancelled in Fall:
Eastwick (ABC)
Dollhouse (FOX)
