Summer is fine. It’s the season of re-watches. Of catch-ups. Of Cat Deeley. But even with all the changes the medium has undergone over the last couple of decades, fall is still the best time to be a TV fan. We’re about to embark on the first of several premiere-heavy weeks, and the only emotion that can match our giddiness is ice cold fear that we won’t be able to keep up with it all.
The 2015 crop of pilots isn’t too promising. We’ll be lucky to get a regular timeslot or two out of it. But who cares, when so many old friends are returning? This week’s Fan Video Friday post is a tribute to the shows we’ve missed so thoroughly all summer and can’t wait to have back in front of our faces. Happy watching.
–Sage
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – How to Get Away With Murder
Sage: Like most things Lana Del Rey does, this cover is ridiculous and lacking in subtlety, which makes it an excellent choice for fan-vidding a soap-y melodrama like How To Get Away With Murder. The freshman season of the Shondaland legal thriller held back nothing…except most of the answers and all of Annaliese Keating’s motivations. I’m eager to see where Season 2 takes Professor Keating and her little murder minions, once the Lila Stangard case is put to bed.
Edit: this cover is actually by Lorde, but all opinions about Lana Del Ray still stand.
“Latch” – Jane the Virgin
Kim: No offense to Brett Dier’s Michael (he just wants a Feeling Award, you guys), but I am FIRMLY on board the S.S. Jafael and have been from the very beginning. Yes, they’ve had their issues (mainly stemming from Rafael’s insecurities and fucked up family). Yes, they have different value systems and come from different worlds. The odds are stacked against them, quite frankly, and their relationship will ALWAYS be hard work. But there’s no denying that when these two find themselves on the same page…magic happens. Much like Jane, I see the sparkles whenever these two share the screen. “Now I’ve got you in my space, I won’t let go of you. Got you shackled in my embrace, I’m latching on to you…”
“Worth It” – Flash and Arrow
Sage: WHEW, am I glad we picked a Flarrow ladies tribute video. Because I am not speaking to Stephen Amell right now.
Titular comic book heroes mostly come straight out of the text; it’s the development of compatriots and especially love interests that set a truly great superhero show apart from the just okay. The Flash and Arrow aren’t above criticism for how their female characters fit into the world around them (see: Season 1 Laurel and 2/3 of Season 1 Iris), but overall these ladies are serving up intelligence, sarcasm, and courage, and handily carrying their own storylines. P.S. I will always ship Barry and Felicity AND Barry and Caitlin a little bit, and nothing you do can stop me.
“Love Me Like You Do” – Nashville
Kim: In last week’s installment, we spotlighted the tortured OTP of Deacon and Rayna. However, the reason I tune into Nashville every week is Juliette Barnes. We’ve made it no secret that she’s our favorite. I hate hate hated what they did to her at the end of last season (Super crazy postpartum depression pushing her marriage to the brink of destruction? Be a little more original, show.) so I am super curious how they are going to right Juliette’s path now that Hayden is back on the show full time. Less Crazy Lady and more Bad Ass Country Diva, please and thank you.
“You and I” – The Mindy Project
Sage: OKAY, this video isn’t the newest Mindy and Danny video on the YouTubes. But think of it as capturing a particular moment in time, the hesitation right before the sparring partners figure not just that they’re crazy about each other but that it might be time to act on it, instead of boo-hooing about past loves gone wrong. Also, it’s to one of the greatest ballads in the One Direction discography and the Secret Santa hug hits right at Zayn’s legendary high note. Multi-sensory bliss.
“XO” – Sleepy Hollow
Kim: OH MY GOD I HAVE MISSED THESE TWO IDIOT FACES.
Season Two of Sleepy Hollow may have had its rough patches (HA) creatively but what never wavered was the fact that Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie are beautiful and that Abbie and Ichabod have all the eye sex and UST a viewer could want. We have a lot of changes coming in Season Three…a new showrunner, dead weight cut loose (bye Katrina and Henremy, we won’t miss you), and NOT dead weight cut loose (WHY FRANK WHY I DON’T UNDERSTAND). But one thing will remain steadfast, no matter what: Ichabbie’s devotion to each other. Witness represent.
Also…for those of you who still care (and plenty of you do, judging by Twitter) a recap of “Tempus Fugit” IS coming your way next week. I promise.
“My Heart is Open” – Scandal
Kim: We are KNOWN haters of Olitz here (who likes Fitz? WHO? Explain yourself.), so naturally the season finale reduced us to quivering blobs of RAGE. We’re not worried though. This is Scandal, after all, so we KNOW that Fitz and Olivia’s happiness will only last a few episodes at most. Until then, we shall console ourselves with videos like this one.
Yes, I realize that Jake has had his fair share of fuck-ups when it comes to Liv. Both of her man options have viewed her as a pawn in a game at SOME point, so really, she’s better off alone. Basically, I’m on #TeamOliviaKicksAssAndRulesTheWorld. SPEAKING OF, how is there not a Scandal vid to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”? It’s a PERFECT montage song for all these power hungry animals.
“Love Without Tragedy” – Empire
Sage: First of all, There are certainly not enough Empire fan videos out there, and people much more talented than me should get on that. Secondly, Lucious Lyon is fingernails down the chalkboard of my soul and I am ready for him to die of whatever he has this season so that my precious Lyon brothers and their mama bear can be left to rule the music industry themselves. (HE THREW JAMAL IN THE TRASH. Also: he cannot sing for shit.) I marathoned this show in a frenzy over two days this summer, and was left with “Drip Drop” on a perpetual loop in my head and a strong investment in the relationship between Cookie Lyon and her favorite son. I am prepared for Empire to go next-level Dynasty this season. And I’ll be the first person out of my seat if Taraji’s name gets called at the Emmys this Sunday. You better ask about her.
“Golden Leaves” – Agents of SHIELD
Kim: When I started my SHIELD binge post-SDCC, I was warned I was in for a hell of a lot of pain when it came to FitzSimmons. That was an understatement. I had heard that something horrible happened to them in the season one finale…but I honestly had no idea JUST how horrible those scenes at the bottom of the sea would be. And then…AND THEN the angst of season two. Poor mentally and emotionally broken Fitz talking to Simmons in his head. Simmons taking undercover assignments because she couldn’t bear to be around Fitz. The pain of them being put back together and NOT CLICKING LIKE THEY ONCE DID. The way they got to know each other again. The way Fitz worked up the courage to ask her out and the way she said yes. Oh. AND THE WAY SOME BLOB ATE SIMMONS RIGHT AFTER IT HAPPENED.
I hate you Joss Whedon. Bring on Season Three.
“Uptown Funk” – Agent Carter
Sage: Don’t believe her, just watch.
Agent Carter Season 2 isn’t getting a fall premiere, so I supposed including Peggy on this list is just a tad cruel. But I’m still overjoyed that we’re getting her back at all, and I tip my hat to Marvel’s ties with ABC and Disney for keeping this mission afloat. Peggy and Jarvis are taking LA this time around, and we could all use a little ’40s noir realness in our lives.
“Ends of the Earth” – The 100
Kim: You know that we’ll never pass up the chance to spotlight one of Kerry’s FABULOUS videos. There are so many things I love about this one, from the contrast of the very gentle song vs. the brutality of The 100 to the fact that we first time we SEE Bellamy in this is when he grabs Clarke’s hand as she falls into the pit. (Timing it PERFECTLY with the beat kicking in? Stop it, Kerry, you’re too much.)
We don’t get season three until early 2016, so that leaves you plenty of time to binge seasons one and two on Netflix. Do yourself a favor and watch, okay?
“Let’s Be Crazy” – Castle
Sage: It’s been on forever, but how can I get sick of two people who are this cute? I cannot and will not, please don’t even think it.
I get that there are people who only watch TV to be challenged, and certainly Castle isn’t the show to do that. But there’s room on the schedule for a procedural that’s accessible, meta, sexy, and silly, with two immensely likable leads and a neverending supply of themed cases dreamed up just to get those leads into costume. It should be noted that I think of Caskett as one of my fun, not demoralizing ships, but I did get a little teary at the mini-montage of Rick and Kate saying the same thing at the exact same time. I’m not made of stone.
What show’s returns are you looking forward to this fall? Let us know in the comments; extra points if you’ve got a fan video recommendation to go with your pick!
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