Fall 2009 - Returning Shows

Returns Sep. 25 Fox execs admitted they canceled Sarah Connor instead of the similarly low-rated Dollhouse because they didn't want to piss off Whedon fans. The network still has budget concerns -- Whedon made the DVD-only 13th episode to prove he could save money. The second season, also 13 episodes, pursues Ballard's (Tahmoh Penikett) new involvement with the Dollhouse -- and Echo (Eliza Dushku); meanwhile co-star Fran Kranz promises "sexually dark stuff." Alexis Denisof (Buffy/Angel) joins the cast as an antagonist. Behind the scenes are new writers Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters (the creators of Reaper), a good fit. A new HD-oriented shooting process is expected to change the look of the show, making it more "present day."

Returns Sep. 17 After a strange season of convoluted conspiracies, hit-or-miss weird science, and slowly building ratings figures, Fringe wowed audiences with its season-ending glimpse at William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) and his alt-universe offices in the still-standing World Trade Center, and Walter (John Noble) at his son's grave. Now viewed as a ratings and critical success, and called by EW "the best new show of the year," Fringe has been picked up for a full season of 22 episodes. Season 2 opens with Olivia's return to this reality, as Peter (Joshua Jackson), unknowingly in a race against time with an ominous mobile force, pursues information about Olivia's blurred and perplexing experience. Meanwhile, Walter makes custard.

Returns Sep. 25 CBS's Friday-night ratings winner returns for a fifth season having weathered some fan anguish/anger over the storyline which killed off Jim Clancy (David Conrad) only to bring him back as a stranger, Sam Lucas. Well, Jim/Sam finally has his memories back, has remarried Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and has decided to study medicine. Also, people who know that Jim is in Sam's body will start to see him as Jim once again, which should be...weird. The season ended with pregnant Melinda learning that her son would possess psychic powers even greater than her own -- leading to rumors that the new season might at some point jump ahead five years to better exploit that development. Either way, new days in Grandview.

Returns Sep. 21 After enjoying a heady first season, only to stumble badly over go-nowhere plots in the second and third seasons, the new 18-to-20 episide fourth season may be make-or-break for Tim Kring's sprawling epic. Last season, Nathan tried to round them all up; now, in "Redemption," they're trying to live ordinary lives: Claire starts college, Hiro returns to Japan, etc. But they can't be ordinary, as symbolized by the sinister traveling carnival of people with special powers. Most of the news has related to expanding the already huge cast: Madeline Zima is Claire's quirky roommate; Rick Worthy (Simon from Battlestar) and Ernie Hudson are veteran cops; Robert Knepper is a new villain; and Ray Park has a story arc as well.

Returns Nov. 7 The prospect of this syndicated fantasy series seemed iffy, considering it looked like the return of Xena-type series without the sense of humor about itself. Despite some adaptation decay, causing annoyance among fans of Terry Goodkind's famous books on which the series is based, the writers and wide-eyed star Craig Horner managed to create something special, developing the central character of Richard Cypher beyond the cheesy sword-wielders of other fantasy series. In the 22-episode second series, Richard and Kahlan (Bridget Regan), now that Darken Rahl is defeated, want to pursue their relationship; but a new threat has entered the world, forcing Richard to deal with his potential future as a wizard.

Returns Sep. 25 Famously dropped by NBC only to be retrieved by CBS, Medium is poised to shift (gently) in some new directions. The 22-episode season 6 will first have to resolve the fifth-season cliffhanger, which found Allison (Patricia Arquette) undergoing an brain-tumor operation that seemed likely to strip her of her powers, only to suffer a coma-inducing stroke. Unsurprisingly, Allison recovers both physically and psychically, but her powers reemerge at first as a form of deja-vu that's supremely unhelpful to her work with the DA's office. Meanwhile, storylines will continue to evolve the abilities of daughters Ariel (Sofia Vassilieva), Bridgette (Maria Lark), and Marie (Madison and Miranda Carabello).

Returns Oct. 9 While the focus has been on Syfy's big-brand series, like Stargate Universe, Sanctuary has been quietly building an audience and a reputation, much like the webseries that it started out as. The series found more focus in the second half of its first year, and season 2 holds the possibility of deepening its still-very-CGI world. The Cabal's plan to incite humanity against the Abnormals, carries over into the new 13-episode season. Original creator Damian Kindler and director Martin Wood continue to be the main creative forces. A guest spot by Amanda Tapping's fellow Stargate alumnus Michael Shanks is slated. Agam Sarshi joins the cast. Tapping, meanwhile, has promised more much-needed character development.

Returns Sep. 25 The veteran series returns for a ninth season; its uncoupling from its longtime Thursday stablemate Supernatural is emblematic of the turning point Smallville faces. With new show-runners and an altered cast (Aaron Ashmore and Sam Witwer were both killed off in the finale), and Clark (Tom Welling) deciding to find his way as a hero by rejecting his human dimension, season 9 looks to be "Clark's darkest hour." (Literally as well: Clark gets a new dark costume with a silver S.) Callum Blue will portray "Major Zod," providing a glimpse at the villain's development; Brian Austin Green (late of Sarah Connor) will play Metallo. Oliver's (Justin Hartley) personal demons, increasingly exposed in season 8, will also be developed.

Returns Sep. 10 With the startling revelation that both the angels and Ruby had been playing Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) the whole season, paving the way for Sam to unwittingly open the last seal keeping Lucifer imprisoned, the Winchesters must now deal with the literally hellacious consequences of their actions. Season 5 (which, depending on who you talk to, may or may not be the last) deals with the rise of Lucifer, who manifests in physical form as Mark Pellegrino. Fan favorite Misha Collins (Castiel) comes back as a regular in 17 episodes, and Chuck the Prophet (Rob Benedict), Jo (Alona Tal), and Ellen (Samantha Ferris) also reappear. Oh, and Paris Hilton plays a demon that takes the form of Paris Hilton. Scary.