Paranormal Pick of the Week: Supernatural Season 9 Premiere

It's quite a busy week for season and series premieres, but I'm kicking old-school for the choice of Paranormal Pick of the Week to keep it to our roots of sibling goodness of the Winchester brothers (& co.) who return in their ninth season. That's right. Ninth season. 



Supernatural ~ Season 9 Premiere
Tuesday October 8, 2013 on CHCH and The CW
~and~
Friday October 11, 2013 on 7pm on M3

Here is a little bit about Season 9 (fair warning: it may contain spoilers!):

"Dean (Jensen Ackles) is frantic after Sam (Jared Padalecki) collapses and the doctor tells Dean his brother won’t make it. Desperate, Dean sends out an all-points bulletin via prayer to every angel in the area, asking them to help his brother. In exchange, Dean owes that angel a favour. Numerous angry angels race to find and kill Dean, but one, Ezekiel (guest star Tahmoh Penikett, Man of Steel), gets to him first. Meanwhile, Sam fights for his life and must face some familiar demons to do so. Castiel (Misha Collins) struggles to survive without powers."

Also Awesome

• The Tomorrow People Series Premiere Wednesday October 9, 2013 at 7pm on CTV and 9pm on The CW.  I'm really looking forward to this one, and even though it's a redux of a 70's show it also sounds a lot like Alphas. But, if it's awesome - I don't care what it reminds me of!
• Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Series Premiere Thursday October 10, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on CityTV and ABC.   I haven't watched Once Upon A Time before but I think I'm going to jump down the rabbit hole and check out this spin-off series.
• The Walking Dead Season 4 Premiere Sunday October 13, 2013 at 9pm/8pm C on AMC. I think we're all looking forward to the return of our favourite zombie series.  After a harrowing Season 3 I'm a little scared at where they could even go this year.

Paranormal Picks of the Week: Series Premieres of The Originals and Witches of East End

This week is when we start to see The CW roll out it's TV season including the new series The Originals which was picked up by CHCH (Thank you CHCH!). I would have loved to include The Vampire Diaries as a double bill night of vampire awesomeness with our pick of the week, but the Canadian airing on CTV Two doesn't happen until Sundays at 8pm.  If you happen to get The CW, you can watch them back to back. On a happier note, we will be getting Beauty and the Beast a day early, it's second season begins this Sunday Oct 6, 2013 on Showcase. 

It was too hard to choose which (or witch) show to be this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week with this week so I decided to included both new series of The Originals and Witches of East End which we just recently found out will be airing on Lifetime Canada.  Have a blessed TV Week!

The Originals - Series Premiere
Thursday Oct 3, 2013 at 9pm on CHCH and The CW *

Here is a little bit about The Originals: "An offshoot of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals centers on the Mikaelson siblings, otherwise known as the world’s original vampires: Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and Rebekah (Claire Holt).

The Original Vampire family pledge to remain together, but now their bonds of family are broken and Klaus reacts to an anonymous tip that someone is plotting against the family in the place they helped build, New Orleans."

*Please note it's regular timeslot is Tuesday at 8pm on both CHCH and The CW starting next Tuesday October 8, 2013.

Witches Of East End ~ Series Premiere
Sunday October 6, 2013 at 10pm ET/7pm PT on Lifetime Canada

Series Description: Based on Melissa de la Cruz’s best-selling novel, Witches of East End follows Joanna Beauchamp (Julia Ormond) and her two adult daughters Freya (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) and Ingrid (Rachel Boston) whom, unbeknownst to them, are their family’s next generation of witches. Leading ordinary modern day lives in Long Island’s secluded seaside town of East Haven, when Freya becomes engaged to a wealthy newcomer, a series of events forces Joanna to admit to her daughters they are powerful and immortal witches.


Also Awesome

• Vampire Diaries Season 5 Premiere Sunday October 6, 2013 at 8pm on CTV Two (also airs Thursday Oct 3, 2013 at 8pm on The CW); it will be interesting to see how the show fairs in this timeslot 3 days after it's US airing and also how things go now that a portion of the cast will be on the spin off series The Originals.  I'm looking forward to some old school Vampire Diaries craziness myself.
• Beauty and the Beast Season 2 Premiere Sunday October 6, 2013 at 8pm on Showcase (also airs Monday Oct 7, 2013 at 9pm on The CW).  This was definitely one of the happy surprizes of 2012 and I always looked forward to the show.  If you haven't watched it yet you can see the whole thing online over at Showcase.ca (or see my spoiler-free episode list here).
• Arrow Season 1 Recap Wednesday October 2, 2013 at 8pm on CTV and The CW; although season 2 of Arrow doesn't start back up until next week we can all take a refresher course with this Season 1 recap episode.

Paranormal Pick of the Week: Defiance Season 1 Finale

It feels like summer is just starting, but with that it's time to start wrapping up some of our shows. This week we have the final episode of Defiance Season 1 on Monday July 8, 2013. But don't worry Defiance fans, it won't be the final episode as the show has been confirmed for Season 2. But this week we are looking at the season 1 finale, which is this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week:

Defiance ~ Series 1 Finale
Monday July 8, 2013 at 10pm on Showcase

Series Description: "Set in the near future, Defiance introduces an exotically transformed planet Earth, its landscapes permanently altered following the sudden – and tumultuous – arrival of seven unique alien races. In this somewhat unknown and unpredictable landscape, the richly diverse, newly formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully. Each week, viewers will follow an immersive character drama set in the boom-town of Defiance, which sits atop the ruins of St. Louis, MO, while in the game, players will adventure in the new frontier of the San Francisco Bay area. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story."

Also Awesome

• Cult - Final 2 Episodes air on The CW Friday July 12, 2013. The Cult burn offs have been a bit all over the place, with 2 episodes airing on Fridays on The CW but only 1 episode airing weekly on CTV2 on Sundays (and new episodes haven't shown up online on CTV.ca or on iTunes so watch 'em live if you can!).
• Fun films on Space! Sharknado airs Friday July 12, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space and Atlantic Rim airs Saturday July 13, 2013 at 10:15pm ET on Space. How can you resist a film called Sharknado? I know I can't! I'm looking forward to both of these.
• Nightmare Factory Monday July 8, 2013 from 9 - 11pm ET on Space, it shows "An inside look at the world of Hollywood special effects and the company paving the way, KNB Effects."
• Derren Brown: Fear and Faith Tuesday July 9, 2013 at 9pm and 10pm ET on Space, which is a 2-Part event that looks at "what happens when people have the experience of fear removed through the use of a powerful new drug. Brown is a master in the art of psychological manipulation." in Part I and look at "the psychology of religious belief, performs a satanic rite, and attempts to give an atheist a religious conversion." in Part 2.

June 2013 Paranormal TV New and Returning Air Dates

The Cast of Teen Wolf (Image Source)

It's getting hot out there and it looks like it will on the screen too! With June just around the corner it's time to look at the sizzling and scary shows hitting out small screens this summer. We also have a bit of a bittersweet turn this summer with several of our cancelled shows have being 'burned off' with there remaining unaired episodes coming to us this month including both Cult and 666 Park Avenue.

But let's look at the sweet before the sour; summer means the return of fan favourites from Teen Wolf to True Blood as well as series premieres like Under the Dome. If non-fiction is your thing, we have a new season of Paranormal Witness as well as the new competition/game show Exit. It's a little bit of everything this June!

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Teen Wolf ~ Season 3 Premiere
Monday June 3, 2013 at 10pm on MuchMusic

Genre: Paranormal/Werewolves

Summer means Teen Wolf to me. It only started 2 years ago back in 2011, but I loved it then and looked forward to Season 2 immensely in 2012. The show it mysterious, crazy, funny and even manages some sweet romance in along with the awkward coming-of-age and coming-of-werewolf-ness. The show is so zany and mysterious, I found it hard to get details on the season without getting spoilers and I don't want to accidentally find out anything on this one. If you want to go into potential spoiler-land, you can check out this description of Teen Wolf Season 3.

Teen Wolf is an American show that's a werewolf-centric supernatural drama based on the 1985 film of the same name. The cast of season 3 includes series regulars Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O'Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden plus a few new faces. Season 3 will be 24 episodes (up from season 1 and 2 orders of 12-episodes), however I suspect we will get 12 episodes in Summer 2013 and the rest at a later time (mostly speculation derived from the back that in iTunes you can buy a seasons pass for "Part I" of Season 3 for the same amount as previous seasons). Either way, I'm happy we will be seen LOTS of Teen Wolf!

Find out more about Teen Wolf at Much Music.com.



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Paranormal Witness ~ Season 3 Premiere
Wednesday June 5, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space

Genre: Non-Fiction Paranormal

I was a late-comer to loving Paranormal Witness. When it first debuted it felt a little shlocky to me and a little to in the vein of Unsolved Mysteries. BUT, in Season 2 that all changed it and it became one of my favourite shows to watch every week with the spooky story, chilling reenactment and the bravery of the witnesses to shared their first hand accounts of the paranormal. The show is also very respectful of the experiences, which also really won me over and now I'm really looking forward to more.

Here is what we can look forward to in Season 3 of Paranormal Witness: "Mixing first-hand testimony with dramatic re-enactments, PARANORMAL WITNESS recreates uncanny experiences that defy explanation. In the season premiere, “The Long Island Terror,” a firefighter’s widow unwittingly buys the former home of devil-worshippers, and does battle with a demon to save her daughters’ lives."

If you are a fan of the show and want to get updates from people whose stories have been shared in previous seasons, SyFy has a "Life After Paranormals" section on their website with a fair number of updates. I love that they've included this so we can see how people are doing and get even more about their experiences.

The episode order for season 3 of Paranormal Witness is a whopping 20 episodes (up from 12 in Season 2 and 6 in Season 1); which means we could easily be scared throughout the entire summer!

See more about Paranormal Witness at Space.ca.



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Being Human UK ~ Season 5 Premiere
Saturday June 8, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space

Genre: Paranormal

I'm thrilled to hear we will be getting the fifth and final season of Being Human (UK) this summer. It feels like it's been so long since I was up in arms about Season 4 that I think I've finally mellowed out (and that season was good, I just... had quite a reaction to it). It's been a really long and emotional journey through the seasons over the years, and although I'll be sad to see it go I am very happy we will see how it will end.

Here is a little be about how the fifth and final season of Being Human (UK) begins: "In the premiere episode, “The Trinity,” when Tom (Socha) and Alex (Bracken) decide to set him free, Hal’s (Molony) wracked by uncertainty…can he control his bloodlust? Things also get complicated with the return of Mr. Rook (Steven Robertson, LUTHER), the shady figure whose government department protects the world from supernaturals. Having been fired from the café, Hal and Tom find new employment at the Barry Grand Hotel, home to poisonous pensioner Captain Hatch (Phil Davis, Fast Girls). Unknown to the trio, his decrepit exterior hides an ancient evil that threatens not only their friendship but also the entire world."

Being Human (UK) is a British supernatural drama and it's fifth and final season (series) will have 6 episodes.

See more about Being Human (UK) at Space.ca.



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True Blood ~ Season 6
Sunday June 16, 2013 at 9pm ET/MT on HBOCanada

Genre: Paranormal/Vampires

Easily one of the most popular, racy, crazy and loved of the vampire shows out there, this series looks like it will still be delivering the goods again and again. I'm a few seasons behind on True Blood, and it's one that feels so much more fun to be spoiler-free so I'm not going to include a season description here but you can read one over at the HBO Canada website.

True Blood is an American series based on the The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris. Season 6 will have 10 episodes (down from it's usual 12), and stars series regulars Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley and Alexander Skarsgård.

See more about True Blood at HBO Canada.



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EXIT host Curt Doussett

Exit ~ Series Premiere
Wednesday June 12, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space

Genre: Non-Fiction/Competition

Although not paranormal, this show sounds like it gets the brain going and is challenging to boot! I think I'll be checking Exit out.

Here is a series description of Exit: "In each episode of EXIT, four teams of two contestants battle to escape a series of four rooms which are each more challenging than the last. The winning team must beat the clock while solving rapid-fire brain games and navigating a bevy of terrifyingly entertaining puzzles in order to be the only team to truly exit and win the $10,000 prize."

Exit is an American game show hosted by Curt Doussett and it's premiere season is scheduled for 6 episode. Exit is based on the Japanese show "Dero!".

See more about at Exit at the shows official website.



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Under the Dome ~ Series Premiere
Monday June 24, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on Global

Genre: Science Fiction

A new science fiction show in the summer? I'm thrilled! Especially as we lost Alphas from the roster and this one is based on a Stephen King novel that's the size of a small town! How could they fit it into 13 eps and a bubble? Less than a month until we find out how!

Here is a description of Under the Dome:"Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, Under the Dome is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome."

Under the Dome is an American science fiction series based on the novel Under the Dome by Stephen King. The premiere season scheduled for 13 episodes and the cast includes Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Colin Ford, Natalie Martinez, Alexander Koch, Britt Robertson, Nicholas Strong, Jolene Purdy, Aisha Hinds and Dean Norris.

See more about at Under the Dome at GlobalTV.com.



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Cancelled Shows Finishing Their Freshman Run

The 2012-2013 TV season had many casualties, and most of them had abrupt stops during the year and if you are curious to our thoughts you can check out the latest episode of Hexed for our 2012-13 Scorecard. Although it's sad to see them go, it is nice that we will get to see how many of them ended in the summer burn-off's listed below.

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Zero Hour ~Remaining Episodes begin:
Saturday June 15, 2013 at 8pm on ABC

The conspiracy thriller of Zero Hour didn't quite work for me, as it seemed to fall into a pattern after just 2 episodes as well as swaying in a very religious direction. But I'm really glad the remaining episodes will air, and I hope they give some interest and closure to the story.

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666 Park Avenue~ Remaining 4 Episodes begin:
Saturday June 22, 2013 at 9pm on ABC

666 Park Avenue was a slow-burn and a bit of a sleeper hit, it took me a fair amount of episodes to get hooked but once I was, I really was. It's been a long time since they cliff-hangered us, but I'm thrilled to see the final 4 episodes will air and I will definitely be tuning in!



Cult ~ Remaining episodes begin:
Friday June 28, 2013 on The CW from 8pm - 10pm (2 hour block)

Cult being cancelled was the biggest disappointment for me this year. I'll admit to being wary of it in the first few minutes of the very first episode, but when I realized they were *suppose* to be a bit out there I was totally hooked. The crazy-meta references, great cast (Matt Davis and Robert Knepper totally rocked the house) and bizarre, rabbit-hole(s) story line always left me wanting more. I'm thrilled The CW will be airing the final episodes of the season, and I hope a Canadian broadcaster does as well! I'll keep ya posted.

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Do No Harm ~ Remaining episodes begin:
Saturday June 29, 2013 at 10pm on NBC

Do No Harm will probably be known for the quickest cancellation of the year. I had to really work to see both episodes that air, and although this Jekyll and Hyde story was easily the most disturbing of the cancelled shows it has some great acting and phenomenal tension.

That's it for June! I'll update the post if any new shows pop up. Be sure to check out Ep 134 of Hexed where Suzie and I do our 2012-13 TV Scorecard for new shows that hit the small screen.

From Pilot to Pick Up: The 2013/14 TV Season Firms Up

Image Source

It's May which means it's now the time that we start to see the 2013-14 TV seasons as The Big 5 US stations are in announcing their schedules mode. Now, here in Canada we won't know until later on where the shows will lands on the Canadian channels but at least it gives us the go ahead on knowing which shows have gone from Pilot to Pick Up.

We are right in the midst of announcements, and has individual channel schedules for Fox and NBC, and then picks up news for The CW, ABC, and CBS.  If you are visually-inclined, check out TV Line's Slideshow for New Fall TV here.  And now, on to the pick ups!

Fox

• Sleepy Hollow is confirmed as added to Fox's schedule for Mondays at 9pm.
• Fox also snuck in another "genre" show with J.J. Abrams' Almost Human, which is described as "An action-packed buddy cop show set in the near future when all LAPD officers are partnered with highly evolved human-like androids.", this one is from FOX and stars Karl Urban, Michael Ealy, Lili Taylor, Minka Kelly, Michael Irby, Mackenzie and Mekia Cox. Almost Human is on Fox's schedule for late fall Mondays at 8pm.

NBC

• Believe gets picked up and casting fills out with Johnny Sequoyah, Jake McLaughlin, Kyle MacLachlan, Delroy Lindo, Jamie Chung, Sienna Guillory and Arian Moayed. Believe lands on the NBC line up on Sunday nights at 9pm.
• Also on NBC are lots of schedule changes, including moving Revolution from Mondays to Wednesday and putting Grimm BACK to Friday Nights where it will share a home with the previously confirmed new series Dracula starring Johnathan Rhys-Meyers.

The CW

• Star-Crossed (previously known as Oxygen) although it has a new title, it's been added to The CW's line up, I'm really looking forward to this one as it's described as "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl (Friday Night Lights' Aimee Teegarden) and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."
• The Tomorrow People is going ahead on The CW, this is based on the UK series from the 70's following people with extraordinary powers.
• The 100 (previously referred to as The Hundred), follows a set of delinquents sent to each to see if re-population is possible 97 years after destruction of civilization and has the a-okay by The CW to go to series.
• Also, The Originals were previously announced as getting the series order.

ABC

• Joss Whedon's Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been confirmed and a teaser trailer came out on the weekend and ERUPTED all over the place.
• Mind Games (previously known as Influence) also has the go ahead on ABC, this one stars Steve Zahn and Christian Slater and follows 2 brothers who use the real science of human motivation and manipulation.
• Resurrection (previously The Returned) has also has the go ahead on ABC, this is the one that asks the question "What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day's gone by? The lives of the people of Arcadia are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return. Based on a novel by Jason Mott.".
• Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (previously known as simply Wonderland) looks like it's moving forward but that it will be a limited run bridge. I have to admit, I'm surprized at that.

CBS

• Intelligence, starring Josh Holloway and Michael Rady and described as "Centers on U.S. Cyber Command, a unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift: a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum." and has been picked up by CBS.

Shows NOT going ahead: sadly, Delirium is not being picked up by Fox.


As you can see we've already had several title changes and slight modifications, which is a good reminder that these shows are still in development, and clearly information may change about them at any time! But we are keeping our eye out for them and many more shows that will pop up for next season!

You can see the ones we have our eye on from the mammoth list (Big 5 as well as Specialty Channels) and the discussion Suzie and I had on titles with a paranormal, science fiction, fantasy or superhero angle, plus a few that sounded so awesome we couldn't leave it out. A few here and there it's hard to hone in on the genre, but these are all shows that have been confirmed to have gone from pilot to pick up, and that we will be following.

Paranormal Pick of the Week: Finale Week Bonanza

Let's stay on target, shall we?

When there are 5, count them 5, season finales in one week how on earth could we play favourites and pick only one? On top of that, each an every one of them has been renewed. In the spirit of inclusivity, we are going to pick them all. Without further adieu, here are the 5 finales this week in chronological order and this weeks official Paranormal Picks of the Week are:



Arrow ~ Season 1 Finale
Wednesday May 15, 2013 at 7pm ET on CTV



Supernatural ~ Season 8 Finale
Wednesday May 15, 2013 at 9pm on CHCH



Vampire Diaries ~ Season 4 Finale
Thursday May 16, 2013 at 8pm ET on CTV



Beauty and the Beast ~ Season 1 Finale
Thursday May 16, 2013 at 9pm on Showcase



Doctor Who ~ Season 7B Finale
Saturday May 18, 2013 at 8pm on Space



Also Awesome

• In the Flesh Series Premiere Saturday May 11, 2013 on Space at 10pm, and it runs 1h 15 min so set your tapes/PVRs/Tivo's accordingly. I'm so excited for this 3-parter zombie series! Thrilled we get to see it on Space.
• Doctor Who Season 7 Marathon Saturday May 11, 2013 on Space starting at 8am (and that's Season 7A and 7B) in countdown to the finale at 8pm. Feeling behind on the details of The Doctor? You can catch up on the weekend in one fell swoop with this all-day long marathon. Now that's timey-wimey!

Beauty and the Beast Picked Up for Second Season

Images Source: Showcase.ca

It's party time for Beauty and the Beasters! The CW has announced that Beauty and the Beast has been renewed for a second season. I'm SO HAPPY! I've enjoyed watching Beauty and the Beast so much the season, it's nice to have an exciting and romantic series that has sweetness and heart. Plus, the chemistry between Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan is insane. I can't wait for more!

Here is more about the season 2 order of Beauty and the Beast from a media release: "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, starring Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan, was this year’s People’s Choice Award winner for Favorite New Drama, and HART OF DIXIE, starring Rachel Bilson, is one of The CW’s top performers on digital platforms, behind only THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

All three of these series see big lifts in Live+7 Day delayed viewing versus Live + Same Day, with THE VAMPIRE DIARIES jumping 52% increase among adults 18-34 and a 56% gain among women 18-34 once all time-shifted viewing is included. HART OF DIXIE averages a 53% increase among adults 18-34 and a 61% gain among women 18-34, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST seeing a 43% jump in adults 18-34 and a 45% bump in women 18-34 from the overnight Live+SD to Live+7."

I don't actually understand what those stats mean, but it sounds like an increase which is a good thing. I'll admit I'm surprized to hear that both The Originals (Vampire Diaries spin-off) is going ahead and Beauty and the Beast is renewed, but I'll take it! I think they will do some schedule shuffling come the fall, but wherever they land I'll be checking them out. I hope Showcase picks it up for Season 2, it's been great for us Canadians to be able to watch Beauty and the Beast on Showcase and online at the Showcase site.

Vampire Diaries Spin Off Series The Originals Confirmed for 2013-14 Season

Photo Credit (The CW): The Vampire Diaries -- "The Originals"

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Gillies as Elijah and Joseph Morgan as Klaus

Image Number: VD420d_0852b2.jpg -- Photo: Skip Bolen/The CW 

© 2013 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

Good news for Vampire Diaries fans who want MORE! The CW has announced that the spin off series The Originals is confirmed for series order.  I'll admit that I've been avoiding most of the details about the possible series after hearing that their would be a 'back door pilot' implanted in this season on The Vampire Diaries, but now that it's finally aired (April 25, 2013) it feels okay to dive in.  Turns out that it was a really good idea as the idea for the series looks very different that I expected; and it looks pretty cool.

Here is more about The Originals from a media release:  “As soon as we saw last night’s episode of ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ we knew we wanted more of ‘The Originals’ – Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson have done a fantastic job with ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ which is as fast-paced and well-written as ever, and Julie has created an equally compelling world for ‘The Originals,’” said Pedowitz. “We’re also very excited to bring back ‘Beauty And The Beast’ and ‘Hart of Dixie’ for next season – both series continue to be creatively strong and compelling, and their fans are incredibly passionate. I’m very happy to have all three series on the schedule for next season.”

Need a refresher on what The Originals will be like? Here are several series descriptions from our Paranormally Inclined Possible Pilots post from back in February: 

•  Description: "The series enters on the Original family of vampires, as Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago — and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel."
  
• Kinda spoiler-y Description: "This planted pilot, airing as an April episode of The Vampire Diaries, Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, a supernatural melting pot that he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel"
  
• A VERY SPOILERY Description: "A spinoff of the CW's The Vampire Diaries revolving around the Original family in New Orleans. In the episode, Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, a town he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis). Elijah, intent on helping his self-destructive brother find redemption, must side with Marcel's enemies in order to keep Klaus in line."

Cult Pulled from Schedule

You may have noticed that Cult hasn't been on recently, neither last Friday on The CW or this week on the Tuesday Canadian airing time slot on CTV 2. I was hopeful we'd get at least one more episode, but it looks like that isn't the case. Although no official word on The CW site, the news is out in multiple sources that Cult is being pulled from the schedule. First week had the night change, and now it looks like we will be left hanging on the vision for the rest of the season.

I'm saddened by this news as Cult was one of my favourite new shows this year, with it's interesting story, great characters who came alive from the fantastic set of actors cast in the show and a bizarre meta-within-meta element that always kept me guessing. But, at least we we got more episode than Zero Hour and Do No Harm which were pulled after even fewer episodes. The mid-season shows with February starts had a really low survival rate this year.

It's tough times for new shows out there.

Paranormally-Inclined 2013-14 TV Pilots ~ The Big 5 US Networks

Hear Suzie and Shannon discuss these shows on Episode 131 of Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural.

It's February which means it's the time to pour over listings of possible pilots for next years fall seasons. It's amazing to see the trends of sereis over time, as well as what shows make it from pilot to the actual fall schedule (see our post on last years lists), or winter - shows like Cult and Zero Hour just premiere in the past few weeks.

This time around we have a fair amount of dystopic and post-apocalyptic, and a few more romantic series too along with some heavy hitters like S.H.I.E.L.D and the Vampire Diaries spin off. Not too much fantasy this year, which is also interesting. Here's a look at the shows that fall under the Hexed umbrella of Paranormal, Fantasy, SciFi, Superhero and ...well... a few extra ones that we might like just for fun.

Due to the fact that there are SO MANY SHOWS, I'm going to split this into 2 posts, with this list being from the big 5 US networks of The CW, Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC. The specialty channel shows I'll put separately (see here), only because the chance of us specialty-programming isn't as likely up here in Canada are less than the Big 5.

Without further adieu...

Paranormal
Or at least hopefully/possibly paranormally-inclined

The Sixth Gun
Description: "Based on the best-selling Oni Press graphic novel, this supernatural Western follows the story of six mythical guns, each with its own other-worldly powers."
Description: "Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the supernatural western examines six mythical guns that each have their own otherworldly powers"
Genre: Paranormal/Western
Source: Based on graphic novel
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: This one sounds awesome, it's not often you see supernatural/western as a mash-up and the few times I have see it be done it's been amazing. I'm got my eye on this one!

The Tomorrow People
Description: "Based on the U.K. series created by Roger Price, the drama tells the story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil."
Description: "In the vein of X-Men and Heroes, it’s the story of several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, possessing special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil. Based upon the original UK series created by Roger Price."
Description: "Adapted from the 1970s UK series, it follows several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution, all possessing special powers including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together they work to defeat the forces of evil."
Cast includes Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino and Peyton List
Genre: Paranormal/Science Fiction
Source: Based on the 70's UK Series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: I'm always going to be interested shows that explore people with special powers like telepathy and teleportation so this hits high on my curiousity list. The only thing that holds back over-the-moon enthusiasm is it sounds a lot like Alphas which aired the past 2 summers and then was cancelled. But, that means there is room on the TV map for it too. Yes, I am a glass-half-full person!

Sleepy Hollow
Description: "A modern-day supernatural thriller based on the legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Description: "Described as a modern–day supernatural thriller based on The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow, it follows Ichabod Crane as he partners with Sleepy Hollow’s local female sheriff to solve the mysteries of a town ravaged by the battle between good and evil."
Description: "A modern-day supernatural thriller based on the legend of the titular Westchester Country, N.Y. town."
Cast includes Orlando Jones, Nicole Beharie and Katia Winter.
Genre: Paranormal/Horror
Source: Based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Channel: Fox

Shannon's take: Oddly, I think I would be MORE interested in this one if it was historically set given last years take-out-of-period show Elementary, but it will all be about who/what is the determination of good and evil. If it's supernaturally-inclined then I'm in. If it's more horror and procedural, than not likely for me.

Gothica
Description: "A sexy gothic soap set in the present day that weaves together a mythology that incorporates the legends of Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein and Dorian Gray, among others."
Casting includes: Chris Egan (Dorian Gray), Tom Ellis (Victor Frankenstein)
Genre: Paranormal/Soap Opera/Drama
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: Wow. This is ambitious, and I think the success will all be depending on the tone. I love the exploration of classic horror stories, I hope they go beyond the surface of the easy-to-pick-out the different characters and legends, but then again it *is* a soap. Wait, if it's a soap there needs to be romance... hmmm. I'm intrigued. Very intrigued. This one is gutsy, so I'm cheering for it to succeed.

The Originals
Description: "The series enters on the Original family of vampires, as Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans — a town he helped build centuries ago — and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel."
Kinda spoiler-y Description: "This planted pilot, airing as an April episode of The Vampire Diaries, Klaus returns to the French Quarter of New Orleans, a supernatural melting pot that he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel"
A VERY SPOILERY Description: "A spinoff of the CW's The Vampire Diaries revolving around the Original family in New Orleans. In the episode, Klaus returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, a town he helped build centuries ago, and is reunited with his diabolical former protégé Marcel (Charles Michael Davis). Elijah, intent on helping his self-destructive brother find redemption, must side with Marcel's enemies in order to keep Klaus in line."
Genre: Paranormal/Vampire/Historical
Source: Based on The Vampire Diaries TV Series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: I have mixed feelings about this Vampire Diaries spin-off. In one way, I admire that The CW is catering to their audience and creating a show just for them, but on the other hand there is something about it that bugs me. Also the notion of it leads to huge potential spoilers around The Vampire Diaries this season, which are getting to be near-impossible to avoid.

The Returned
Description: "What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day's gone by? The lives of the people of Arcadia are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return. Based on a novel by Jason Mott."
Description: "The potential series asks the provocative question, “What happens when the people you have mourned and buried suddenly appear on your doorstep as if not a day’s gone by? The lives of the people of Aurora are forever changed when their deceased loved ones return.”"
Genre: Paranormal/Drama/Possibly Horror
Source: Based on a novel
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: I think this one will likely not be a show for me, as I have a feeling it will be a faith-exploration. It's too early to say, it depends if it skews horror direction vs message-y vs something else entirely. We'll have to wait and see!

Believe
Description: "An unlikely relationship develops between a young girl named Bo with a gift and a man named Tate (Jake McLaughlin) sprung from prison who has been tasked with protecting her from the evil elements that hunt her power."
Genre: Little hard to tell, looks like Paranormal OR SciFi
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: This is another one that it's hard to even tell the genre of it, and I'm guessing it's paranormal or scifi if it has a 'young girl with a gift'. Man, did they HAVE to call her Bo? Don't they watch Lost Girl? Anyway, I'll be curious to hear more, because there isn't enough to go on. How 'young' is the girl? Teen? Younger? Who is the audience? What's her power? And what/who is the 'evil elements'? Are they human? Lots of questions on this one.

Second Sight
Description: "Based on the U.K. by series of the same name by Paula Milne, thegothic psychological thriller revolves around a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious. He discovers that catching the killer depends as much on insight as eyesight."
Description: "A gothic psychological thriller about a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious. He discovers that catching the killer depends as much on insight as eyesight. Based on UK series."
Description: "Based on the British crime drama, the gothic psychological thriller follows a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes him to hallucinate about subjects in his subconscious. He soon learns that catching killers depends as much on insight as eyesight."
Cast includes: Jason Lee and Kim Dickens
Genre: Paranormal/Procedural/Mystery
Source: Based on UK Series
Channel: CBS

Shannon's take: I'm not a procedural fan, so this one won't likely be for me. Good casting though, and promising premise and starting point.


Fantasy

Wonderland
Description: "The modern-set follow-up to Lewis Carroll's Alice revolves around Clara, whose life took an unexplained turn for the worse seven years ago. A mysterious stranger tells her there may be an explanation after all ... that lies in the fantastical world of Wonderland."
Description: "Set in the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland, Wonderland is set in modern times and centers on Alice and a new character, Clara. Seven years ago, Clara’s life took an unexplained turn for the worse, and a mysterious stranger tells her there may be an explanation after all… an explanation that lies in the fantastical world of Wonderland. To revive her dreams and get her life back on track, Clara must wage war against Wonderland’s reigning Queen, the woman we once knew as Alice."
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: Interesting premise, and I like the world of Alice in Wonderland so I'm curious about this one. It's also interesting to note the trending in TV where the protagonist is not who we would normally see as the main character of a story (Merlin is another example). Need to see more! And it's oddly the only fantasy I see, but we have more and more dystopic and post apocalyptic in the mix ahead.

Science Fiction

Oxygen
Description: "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl (Friday Night Lights' Aimee Teegarden) and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."
Description: "Passion and politics threaten the peace and an epic romance ignites between a human girl and an alien boy when he and eight others of his kind (The Orion 9) are integrated into a suburban high school ten years after they and hundreds of others landed on Earth and were immediately consigned to an internment camp where they’ve been imprisoned ever since."

Cast includes Aimee Teegarden.
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: Oh.... this so sounds like Alien Nation meets Roswell. Of course that means I'm IN. Can't wait to hear more.

The Hundred
Description: "Ninety-seven years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, a spaceship housing the lone human survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to investigate the possibility of re-colonizing the planet. Based on the forthcoming The Hundred book series (initial two-book order), written by Kass Morgan and published by Little, Brown."
Description: "Based on upcoming Alloy books written by Kass Morgan, the project is set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization. A spaceship housing the lone human survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth to investigate the possibility of re-colonizing the planet."
Cast includes: Henry Ian Cusick
Genre: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic
Source: Based on forthcoming book series
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: When I hear about this one, I keep having to get over the oddity of a show being based on a 'forthcoming series'. That just feels odd, but maybe it will be some of tie in to the show or influenced by, or who knows. Putting that aside, the idea is totally enough to get me interested because I would LOVE to see more science fiction on TV and starting with juvenile delinquents to investigate anything is a wild premise.

Delirium
Description: "Based on best-selling trilogy about a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. With 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, Lena Holoway does the unthinkable: she falls in love."
Description: "The series is set in a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. With 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, Lena Holoway does the unthinkable: she falls in love. Based on Lauren Oliver’s book trilogy."
Description: "Based on a bestselling trilogy about a world where love is deemed illegal and is able to be eradicated with a special procedure. But with 95 days to go until her scheduled treatment, lead character Lena Holoway does the unthinkable and falls in love."
Cast includes Emma Roberts, Billy Campbell, Gregg Sulkin and Corey Reynolds.
Genre: Romance/Dystopic/Science Fiction
Source: Based on book trilogy by Lauren Oliver
Channel: Fox

Shannon's take: I'm very curious about this one, and how it will read on the small screen. I'm a fan of dystopic which has been making lots of waves recently, so getting to see a dystopic series will be very cool. I'm not a fan of love being eradicated though, so I hope there is some kind of rebellion against that. I really need to read this book series! Even if just to avoid spoilers about the show!

The Selection
Description: "Set 300 years in the future, the drama is an epic romance centering on a working-class young woman chosen by lottery to participate in a competition with 25 other women for the Royal Prince's hand to become the nation's next queen. Balancing her loyalty to family, true love and the kingdom, she must attempt to remain true to herself as she navigates the cutthroat competition and palace intrigue, all while a budding rebellion threatens to topple the crown. Based book by Kiera Cass."
Description: "Getting a pilot order for the second year in a row, the project, based on Kiera Cass’ book series, is an epic romance set 300 years in the future. In it, a poor young woman is chosen by lottery to participate in a competition to become the next queen of a war-torn nation at a crossroads."
Cast includes: Sean Patrick Thomas and Peta Sergeant
Genre: Future-Historical/Science Fiction/Romance
Source: based on the Kiera Cass novel
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: This one is a carry-over from last year, and honestly I don't really dig the premise at ALL. Feels like being forced into a pageant for getting to be a wife. In the FUTURE. Sigh. A lot will depend on the message/tone that they go with.

Intelligence
Description: "Centers on U.S. Cyber Command, a unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift: a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum." Cast includes Josh Holloway and Michael Rady.
Genre: Science Fiction/Spy
Channel: CBS

Shannon's take: This sounds interesting, although I have know idea what accessing the entire electromagnetic spectrum would do for someone, and how it affects the character and their surroundings. Is it voluntary? Are they a tool? Are they a super-spy? Etc... So many questions.  The only thing I'm a little gr-rr about it I'll probably confuse people because I talk a lot about the awesome 2006-2007 Canadian series of the same name!

Superhero

S.H.I.E.L.D.
Description: "Based on Marvel Comics' secret intelligence organization that has appeared in countless titles including Iron Man, Captain America and The Ultimates since being introduced in the 1960s. The military law-enforcement agency's moniker stands for Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistic Directorate, which also has evolved over time in the comics."
Description: "Based on a peacekeeping group found in both the Marvel comic book and feature film universes, including the 2012 movie The Avengers"
Description: "The adventures of the agents of a covert, quasi-military peace-keeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. (or the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), which was featured in last summer’s Avengers movie."
Cast includes Ming-Na, Clark Gregg, Brett Dalton, Elizabeth Henstridge, Ian De Caestecker and Chloe Bennet.
Genre: Superhero/Science Fiction
Source: Marvel Comics
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: It's a Joss Whedon and Superheroes. Of course this is a YES.

Not Paranormal/SciFi/Fantasy
But could be close enough, and is interest-piquing

Influence
Description: "Provocative workplace ensemble centered on the complicated relationship between two brothers (Steve Zahn) who head a unique agency designed to attack their clients’ problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation."
Description: "Provocative workplace ensemble centers on relationship between two brothers — a bipolar genius in human psychology and a slick ex-con — who head a unique agency designed to solve their clients’ problems using the real science of human motivation and manipulation. In addition to helping clients, agency staff sometimes use their skills to manipulate each another."
Genre: Drama - although possibly Science-centric or SciFi
Channel: ABC

Shannon's take: I'm going out on a limb including this one, it's possible it could be a straight-up drama with no paranormal or scifi-y stuff at all but even so the premise sounds interesting and kind of reminds me of Lie To Me. The understanding the motivation part is the part that sounds cool, although I'm not interested in manipulation at all.

Blink
Description: "A warm, quirky, humorous drama about a family whose lives are forever changed, for better and worse, when the patriarch has a car crash resulting in a coma-like syndrome where he cannot speak or move, but can see and hear all. His narration and fantasy sequences emanating from his mind provide context and a wry counterpoint to the stories and conflicts of the family and his own situation."
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Possibly Paranormal and/or Fantasy
Channel: The CW

Shannon's take: Another one that I'm going out on a limb to include, but given that it's primarily noted as a comedy it will all be about if you find it funny. My track record with comedies is awful, so chances are it's not a Shannon show.

Girlfriend in a Coma
Description: "After almost two decades, a 34-year-old woman wakes up from a coma to find out she has a 17-year-old daughter from a pregnancy she was unaware of when her life was put on hold. Based on a book by Douglas Coupland." Cast includes Christina Ricci, Miranda Cosgrove and Daniel Stern.
Genre: Comedy/Possibly Paranormal
Source: based on novel by Douglas Copeland
Channel: NBC

Shannon's take: For me Christina Ricci being in the series and the Douglas Copeland connection are the pulls over anything else. And the title reminds me of a song, even though it's super morbid and oddly it's not our only coma-show that's on the slate! Who knew?

What shows are you interested in checking out of these possible pilots?

Looking for details on ALL the 2013-14 TV Pilots? Check out these awesome posts over at The Hollywood Reporter, TV Line and Deadline.