Penfold_X's Fandom Journal

The networks have made their final renewal/cancellation decisions. I'm most surprised about the cancellation of Almost Human. While it turned out not to be my favorite of the new shows, it had solid ratings for its network and timeslot. And it wasn't a case of FOX clearing the decks--less well-performing shows, including Glee and The Mindy Project were renewed. Maybe it was the cost of the programs, with its enormous effects budget and set dressing needs? For what it's worth, though it had a rough start, I thought it settled in well to its niche by the end of its half-season run.

I suspect I have the typical fan reaction to Agents of SHIELD: meh. ( click for spoilers )

The Tomorrow People was similarly disappointing. Like SHIELD the cast seemed to be hired entirely for their looks and ( click for spoilers ) I'm not crying into my popcorn that there won't be a second season, especially if its cancellation is what made room for CW's mid-season replacement, apocalyptic drama, The Messengers.

At least all of my hopes--and then some--were fulfilled by Sleepy Hollow; it's campy fun and so much more! There's a great friendship at the heart of the show, and as original-asteria notes:( click for spoilers )

Hostages, on the other hand, holds the dubious honor of being the first series I dumped from my DVR; all of the characters were so shrill and unlikable, I only hung on for four episodes before bailing out (the thirteen episode commitment made it unlikely the producers would kill both the 'heroes' and the 'villains' in a massive explosion during the fifth). Dracula quickly followed; the visual tone of the show was so dark, it was difficult at times to see what was going on (unclear whether this was an intentional attempt to hide how terrible the scripts were).

Of the four mid-season shows I was interested in, three are gone, but fortunately The 100 was the survivor. I never actually gave Intelligence or Believe a chance (too little time), but I watched both The 100 and Star-Crossed. Though both feature a lot of attractive young people in the mandatory love triangles, but The 100 makes much more of its premise. The book the series is based on, published less than a year ago, is clearly intended to be a Hunger Games knock-off, and the promotion for the show has definitely played up those aspects. And the kids on the planet do engage in some Lord of the Flies-style shenanigans, but pleasingly, the program continues to track events on the space station, where the adults (especially members and former members of the government) are engaged in all manner of schemes and there is a significant divide between the government class/security forces and the working class that keep the station together. Although there's a lot of terrible teenage decision making and merely mediocre young acting, I tune in each week anxious to see what happens next.