summer series roundup

Summer is officially here. They’re still coming but there’s more than enough new shows to keep one occupied, though as far as good shows that’s another story. Orphan Black (currently on VOD) and Hannibal, both not quite midseason not quite summer have been the faves so far but a few more on the horizon that hold some promise.

The Bridge* (FX) – A body is found beneath a bridge that links Texas and Mexico and there the mystery begins, rumor has it this could be good.
Broadchurch* (BBCA) – A British whodunit, I might tune in to see if the detective can figure it out.
Camp* (NBC) – Rachel Griffiths as the camp lead is the only thing that makes me think this dramedy about summer camp is worth a look, and even that might not be enough.
Crossing Lines (NBC) – It’s like an international Criminal Minds, if you like that sort of thing, so far mildly entertaining though not revolutionary.
Devious Maids (Life) – Stereotypical yes, in both its Latina and rich white folk roles, but the greater issue is it’s not interesting.
Family Tree (HBO) – Documentary style comedy on a channel I don’t really get.
The Fosters (ABCFam) – Another family with drama, this time it’s a mix of biological, adopted, and foster kids, plus the parents are lesbians, but it doesn’t make the drama any more fresh.
The Goodwin Games (Fox) – Too bad this sort of funny show of estranged siblings, Scott Foley, Becki Newton, and TJ Miller, reunited to jump through hoops in their father’s will won’t stick around.
Graceland (USA) – Agents from various divisions share a beach house, oh and work undercover, what you might expect from USA for good and for bad.
Hannibal (NBC) – A creepy good time looking at practicing psychologist and psycho who “helps” by hurting his friend and patient, an FBI profiler.
How to Live with Your Parents (ABC) – Sarah Chalke, Elizabeth Perkins, and Brad Garrett lead what turned out to be a not quite funny family comedy.
In the Flesh (BBCA) – What happens when formerly Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferers aka zombies are reintegrated into society, this three part season gives us an interesting look.
King & Maxwell (TNT) – Rebecca Romijn and Jon Tenny (Fritz from the Closer) are former Secret Service agents now in the PI world, and you know solve cases in a not revolutionary way.
Low Winter Sun* (AMC) – Detectives attempt the perfect murder, perhaps.
Maron (IFC) – Comedian Marc Maron does comedy on another channel I don’t really get.
Mistresses (ABC) – Ok they’re not all exactly mistresses but these four women get into some complicated sexual situations and it’s not quite bad enough to be good.
Motive (ABC) – Canadian import where we know who committed the crime and find out with the detectives why, though we may not care.
Orange is the New Black* (Netflix) – What happens when your average gal’s mistake gets you locked in the joint, worth a look.
Orphan Black (BBCA) – A woman finds out she’s one of many clones, and let’s just say there’s a lot of drama and a fantastic performance by Tatiana Maslay as various people, and then pretending to be other people, can’t wait for season two.
Primeval: The New World (Syfy) – I can only assume this is somewhat like the original Primeval, which I’ve also never seen.
Ray Donovan (Show) – A new quality drama with Liev Schrieber, too bad I won’t pay for Showtime.
Rectify (Sund) – A slow but engaging look at a man returning to life outside of prison, though I didn’t make it past the first one.
Rogue (DirTV) – Thandie Newton is undercover, no DirecTV for me.
Save Me (NBC) – Anne Heche keeps her crazy image alive by playing a woman who hears God.
Siberia* (NBC) – A scripted version of a reality show gone awry, can’t say I’m that intrigued by the stranded folks.
Sinbad (Syfy) – I tried, but this series with a mix of Arabian nights and magical foes didn’t land for me.
Twisted (ABCFam) – Like much of the network drama it’s teens with drama, this one involves at least two murders, but who is the culprit?
Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous (MTV) – A dude who wants to make his own reality show about himself is as annoying as you might think.
Under the Dome (CBS) – It didn’t completely suck me in at the pilot when the small town is suddenly cut off, I’ll keep in for a bit to see how the Stephen King story reveals.
The White Queen* (Starz) – The latest fantastical book series come to television, let the scheming begin.