Spring 2018 TV Recommendations
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IMAGEs rights belong to: FOX, THE CW, WARNER BROTHERS, HBO, AND HULU
While winter is usually spent finishing up shows that premiered during the fall, spring is becoming a great time to look out for new television premieres. Recently many networks have been debuting great new shows in the spring that didn't make it into their fall line-up, and many of the streaming sites it seems have been releasing some of their best content during this time. So, if your fall shows are wrapping up, and you are looking for new things to watch heading into summer, I thought I'd give you my personal list of what I'll be tuning into this spring. As I stated in my fall tv recommendations post, I am not a film critic or a television expert, and I recognize that there will definitely be other great programs out there to watch that I am not listing here. But, I feel I can only recommend shows I myself have watched, and I can't watch them all. So with out further ado, here is my list of shows I'm most excited for (shows will be listed in the order they premiere):
New Shows:
Good Girls
Premieres: Monday, February 26 at 10:00pm on NBC
Plot
Here is the official summary from NBC:
When three suburban moms get tired of trying to make ends meet, they decide it's time to stick up for themselves by robbing the local grocery store. But when the manager catches a glimpse of one of them and the loot is far more than they expected, it doesn't take long for the three best friends to realize the perfect getaway will be harder than they think. From Executive Producer Jenna Bans ("Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," "The Family") comes this comedy-infused drama that mixes a little "Thelma & Louise" with a bit of "Breaking Bad."
Why I’m excited
This show just seems like it will be a lot of fun. It almost feels like a sitcom follow up to Big Little Lies, showing a new side to the culture of being a mom, and striving to provide for your family. The cast is also great, and I'm excited to see Retta in this new type of role.
Life Sentence
Premieres: Wednesday, March 7 at 9:00pm on The CW
Plot
Here is the official summary from The CW:
Stella has spent the last eight years living like she was dying (because she was). But when she finds out that her cancer has been cured, she is suddenly forced to face the long-term consequences of the “live in the moment” decisions she made. With a real future suddenly in front of her, Stella’s cinematic life snaps into reality, and instead of living like she’s dying, she will have to learn to live like she’s living, and help her family and friends do the same.
Watch the trailer below:
Why I’m excited
I have a soft spot for Lucy Hale from watching her on Pretty Little Liars, and so I'm excited to see here in a leading role. This show also caught my interest because of the story. We have all seen at least one movie or TV show with the plot of someone getting sick, and feeling like they need to do all of the things they haven't before they die. And I like that this show takes that idea and turns it on it's head a bit by showing what would happen in the aftermath if that person then found out they were fine. I'm interested to see where this show will go, because while I like the plot, I'm not sure how long that story idea can last, but I'm excited to find out!
Splitting Up Together
Premieres: Tuesday, March 27 at 9:30pm on ABC
Plot
Here is the official summary from ABC:
From executive producers Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Kapnek ("Suburgatory"), Jeff Kleeman ("Little Big Shots") and Dean Holland ("Parks and Recreation") comes "Splitting Up Together," the story of Lena (Jenna Fischer, "The Office") and Martin (Oliver Hudson, "Scream Queens"), whose marriage is reignited by their divorce.
Watch the trailer below:
Why I’m excited
I will admit I'm mainly excited for this because I love Jenna Fischer, but the story also looks like it will be sweet and fun. As with Life Sentence, I'm not sure exactly how they will continue this show's story past a first season. But, many other shows with a similar problem have turned out great, so I will be interested to see if this show is up to the challenge.
The Crossing
Premieres: Monday, April 2 at 10:00pm on ABC
Plot
Here is the official summary from ABC:
Jude Ellis (Steve Zahn) is the Sheriff of Port Canaan, a small fishing town on the Oregon coast. Having relocated from Oakland to escape a strained marriage and a dark past as a big city cop, his goal is to build a quiet new life for himself and for, eventually, his young son. But those plans for a quiet life change instantly when 47 refugees from a war-torn country wash up on his beach seeking asylum. Because the country they're from is America… and the war they're fleeing is 180 years in the future. As the Feds set out to uncover the truth behind the mysterious migration, Jude will launch an investigation of his own with the help of his loyal Sheriff's Deputy, and Port Canaan native, Nestor Rosario (Rick Gomez).
Watch the trailer below:
Why I’m excited
When I first saw the trailer for this show, it immediately reminded me of Lost, both in the tone and story. I am very excited to have another thriller/mystery to watch, because I feel like a lot of the ones that have been released recently have not been too great. This is the first one I've been really excited to check out in a while, and looks like it will be one that may just last.
Returning Shows:
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Premieres: Friday March 30 on Netflix
Going into: Season 2
Plot
Based on the popular series of books by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the adventures of the Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sonny. After losing their parents in a tragic fire that also destroys their home, they are put in the care of the illusive Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris). Olaf is a struggling actor, who wants to gain access to the Baudelaire's enormous fortune, and will do anything to do so. After many instances of the Baudelaires trying to prove to their oblivious social worker that Count Olaf is not a suitable guardian (and him not taking them seriously), they are finally put in the care of yet another guardian they do not know. But they can not escape Count Olaf, who may have been more involved with their parents than they realized. With each new guardian they get placed with, the Baudelaires find out more and more about their parents, and the secrets they were keeping. The first season follows the Baudelaire children as they are shuffled from place to place, with Count Olaf never far behind, each time messing up their chances of finding a family by appearing as various characters.
Watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
If you loved this series of books growing up, I would highly recommend this series. They keep the same tone as the books, and all of the little quirks that make them so fun, such as defining words, and constantly warning everyone to look away because the story is so glum. And if you haven't read the books, you should still tune in, because the show does a great job of adapting them well, but still making their own mark on the story. The sets and costuming, especially for Count Olaf's various costumes are amazing, and the child actors they chose to play the Baudelaires do an awesome job. If you are new to the story, I can understand how it might come across as a show for children, (and it is great for kids), but there are so many clever themes and humor in the show that it is great for adults as well.
Where to Catch Up
Netflix
For Returning Viewers
Netflix just recently released the trailer for season two, which you can watch below! And let me know your thoughts on the first season below. Did you read the books, and do you think the show did a good job of adapting them? Did you maybe like the Jim Carey movie version better? Are you interested to see where the Baudelaires end up next if you haven't read the books? Let me know in the comments!
New Girl
Premieres: Tuesday April 10 at 9:30pm on Fox
Going into: Season 7
Plot
After breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Jessica Day (Zoey Deschanel) must find a new place to live, and some new roommates. She ends up taking the last spot in an apartment with three best friends, Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris). While the guys are reluctant at first to have a female roommate, the four soon become close friends. The show follows them and Jess's friend Cece (Hannah Simone) as they try to navigate life in their late twenties.
Watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
If you like Friends or How I Met Your Mother, this show is very similar, but is actually a little more unique in the fact that it's cast is so diverse. It is funny, and light hearted, and covers many topics that the previously mentioned sitcoms did not, which makes it a welcome addition to the 20 somethings figuring it out sitcom. New Girl is also good at being episodic, while also having many over arching storylines that revolve around more than just relationships. Jess is such a quirky and unique lead character, and while the rest of the cast is also a main focus, she really is the star, and it's nice to see a female lead in such a popular show. It is also super easy to binge watch, so you definitely have time to catch up to be able to watch the final season live!
Where You Can Catch Up
The entire show can be found on Netflix, or if you just need to catch up on last season that is also on Hulu.
For Returning Viewers
This is it, it's the final season. If you haven't heard yet, this final season will be a short seven episode farewell, and will hopefully nicely wrap up everyone's stories. You can watch a teaser trailer for the final season below. And also let me know what you think below. Are you happy Jess and Nick are back together? Are you excited to see Schmidt and Cece become parents? Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
The Originals
Premieres: Friday April 20 at 9:00pm on the CW
Going into: Season 5
Plot
The Originals is a spin off of the popular supernatural drama, The Vampire Diaries. The show follows a family of vampire siblings known as The Originals. Said to be the first humans to ever be turned into vampires, they are known to be the oldest and most fearsome creatures of the night, and essentially un-killable. After spending thousands of years together, the three remaining Original siblings, Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Rebekah (Claire Holt), and Elijah (Daniel Gillies) have loved and hated each other in equal parts. But, when Klaus finds out that a group of New Orlean witches may have in fact found a way to destroy him, his siblings must band together to help protect their family and their legacy. To do this, they must team up with one of Klaus's oldest friends, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) who has taken over the supernatural realm of New Orleans as their "King", and who has his own agenda in taking down the New Orlean's witch coven.
You can watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
I'm going to start this by answering an obvious question: Do you have to have watched The Vampire Diaries to watch this show? My answer is absolutely not, but, it will give you a completely different perspective on the characters if you do. However, whether you have seen The Vampire Diaries or not, this show has a lot to offer to the supernatural genre. Unlike it's parent show, The Originals focuses more on the culture of supernatural creatures, and more specifically on New Orleans itself, rather than teen drama and high school. It has an amazing ability to really use the city to it's advantage, and tell rich stories based on it's history. The show is also unique in that it took the villains of The Vampire Diaries, and made them the heroes of their own story. A pretty cool concept for a spin off. Not to mention it is just as fast paced, and unpredictable as TVD, so you are always coming back for more.
Where You Can Catch Up
The entire show can be found on Netflix, and limited episodes can be found on The CW website.
For Returning Viewers
Unfortunately this will be the final season for the beloved Vampire Diaries world. But, the good news is that the creators had plenty of warning that this would be the final season, so they were able to plan ahead, and have the show go out with a bang. They have already announced there will be quite a few familiar faces from Mystic Falls appearing this year, and that we will get a satisfying ending to this beloved universe. Check out the season five trailer below. And I also want to hear your thoughts! Do you hope Klaus and Caroline finally get together? Are you excited to see Hope as a teenager? What do you think the final evil will be for The Originals to face? Let me know in the comments!
Westworld
Premieres:Sunday April 22 9:00 pm on HBO
Going into: Season 2
Plot
Westworld is based on the 1973 film of the same name. It takes place in a futuristic world where technology has become so advanced, a man named Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) has been able to make completely life like robots. The land of Westworld is a theme park that people can go to to escape their own reality. In the park they can kill the robots, go on adventures with them, and more, all without the ramifications of the real world. But when the robots begin malfunctioning, and developing thoughts of their own, the team at Westworld must figure out how to fix them before they reach full human consciousness, and begin to fight back. The show follows the lives of people with in the park, and who work for it, such as Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) and The Man in Black (Ed Harris), and some of the robots such as Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) and Teddy (James Marsden).
You can watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
I thought that Westworld sounded very strange until I actually watched the first episode, and understood what it was doing. While the concept of watching people in a theme park with life like robots sounds odd, it is so much more than that. The show looks at how we as a society deal with our problems, and the ideas of right and wrong. The robots do eventually begin to gain conciseness over the course of the show, so is it okay to continue to use them for our amusement in a theme park? What constitutes the rights of being human? Not to mention the show delves into the politics of the park itself, by showing the back end of it. The lives and careers of the scientists who make the robots is also explored, and it is a very interesting contrast to watching the lives of those inside the park. And, being an HBO show, it naturally has some big name actors, stunning sets and costuming, and great writing.
Where You Can Catch Up
The entire show can be found on HBO.
For Returning Viewers
The second season is finally almost here! You can check out the newly released trailer for it below. And I want to hear your thoughts. What do you think will happen now that the robots are free? Where do you think that Maeve is going to end up? Let me know in the comments!
The 100
Premieres: Tuesday April 24 at 9:00pm on the CW
Going into: Season 5
Plot
The 100 takes place in a future distopia where the Earth has been destroyed by a nuclear war. The only survivors were the crew on a scientific expedition space craft called The Ark. It has been a hundred years since the war, and being unable to return to Earth, The Ark's inhabitants are beginning to run out of food and oxygen. So in a desperate attempt to see if the Earth may be livable again, they send down 100 prisoners as a test, with the hopes that they survive and prove they can return. However, these prisoners are all under the age of 18, so when they land on Earth no longer under a government or supervision, they abandon their mission and form their own society. But they soon discover that they may not have in fact been the only ones to survive the bombs, and begin to realize that they will have to work together to survive on this new planet. The show stars Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco, Thomas McDonell, Eli Goree, Bob Morley, Isaiah Washington, Henry Ian Cusick, Lindsey Morgan, and Ricky Whittle.
You can watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
The 100 is a show that I believe has never gotten the recognition it deserves. What may appear as The Hunger Games for TV, is actually a fascinating look at our humanity, and how we make difficult decisions. The 100 is special in a few ways. The first thing that I love about it is that since it takes place so far into the future, and the characters' main focus is just to survive, there is never any mention of anyone's race, gender, religion, or sexuality. Everyone is treated equally when it comes to those topics, and people are only really judged by their abilities and choices. It is very refreshing to watch a show where no one has to "come out" or be looked down on because of a quality they can't change. The second thing I love about it, is it's ability to really make you think about the situations it presents. For example, there is a situation in the second season where the main character Clark must decide between setting off a bomb that will save a handful of her people, but will kill another large group of people she barely knows. However if she does not set it off, her friends will die. Is it right to condemn the second, group, which has more lives to at stake just because Clark does not know them? How do you make a right decision, when no matter what you do lives will be lost? It is these kinds of situations the show presents that make it so intriguing to watch.
Where You Can Catch Up
The entire show can be found on Netflix, and limited episodes can be found on The CW website.
For Returning Viewers
I am so excited to see where this new season goes. While we don't have much information or an official trailer yet, a great teaser was released at Comic Con this year that you can watch below. And let me know your thoughts. Do you think Bellamy and the others survived on their makeshift space craft? Why haven't those who were in the bunker emerged yet? Can't wait to hear what you think in the comments!
The Handmaids Tale
Premieres: Wednesday April 25 on Hulu
Going into: Season 2
Plot
The Handmaids Tale is based off the book by Margaret Atwood, and set in a futuristic distopia where it is has become almost impossible for people to conceive children. In an effort to provide high society families with children, women who are still able to conceive are trained to become handmaids. This requires them to sleep with the husbands of wealthy couples until they get pregnant. Then once they have the child, it becomes part of that family, and the handmaid is sent to a new family to begin the process over again. The story centers around one of these handmaids named Offred (Elisabeth Moss), as she tries to survive in this new society, and find her daughter who was taken from her. In this new world, women have no rights, cannot have jobs, and people have reverted back to almost biblical times beliefs. Offred must learn to blend in long enough to find her daughter, and make her escape to safety.
You can watch the trailer for Season 1 below:
Why You Should Watch It
There is so much I could say about this show. It is thought-provoking, thrilling, haunting, and entertaining all in one. The costuming and sets are incredible, and Elisabeth Moss's performance is outstanding. Yes, we have seen a lot of future dystopia stories brought to the screen lately, but none of them have resonated with me quite like this one. In a time when women's rights are so much at the forefront of the news, it is both terrifying to see how women are treated in this world, but also does not feature much that has not happened to women at some point in history. I greatly urge you to check this one out, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Where You Can Catch Up
The entire show can be found on Hulu.
For Returning Viewers
I have not read the book, so I'm not sure how far into it the first season went, and how much liberty the show will take going forward. However, I am so excited for the second season, and I hope it will get picked up for third. The trailer for season two was recently released, and you can check it out below. And let me know your predictions! Do you think June will be reunited with her husband and daughter? Let me know in the comments!
And now I want to hear about the shows you are excited to see this spring! Let me know which shows I missed in the comments below, I'm always looking for new reccomendations!
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