Bayana’s Fall 2016 Watchlist

It’s about that time again! While there was plenty to watch and rewatch this summer, the return of Fall television is something I’ve been looking forward to since the season finales in the Spring. There were so many rude cliffhangers (I’m looking at you, Jane the Virgin, in particular) coupled with the announcements that some of our shows will be coming back later than expected. While there is no Doctor Who or Scandal this Fall, I have a feeling the shows I’m looking forward to will more than make up their absence. Here are the shows I’m looking forward to watching, though of course, I may pick up some more on the way.

Agents of SHIELD (ABC) – September 20th

Agents of SHIELD just keeps getting better and better. The last season not only explored Inhumans and Hive, but did it in a way that kept the show grounded in it’s origins as a spy show. After the events of the finale, Daisy has left SHIELD and feeling guilty after everything that has happened is doing acts of good with her powers. Coulson and Mack are after her, though it’s not clear whether it’s because SHIELD sees her as a threat or if it’s just to make sure she’s safe. At the same time, it was dropped in the finale that there is a new Director. While we’re still not sure of the events that happened for Coulson to willingly step down (though maybe it was the council established in Season 2), we do know Jason O’Mara will be taking up the role of the new Director. Not only that, but we’re getting Ghost Rider this season! While it’s still not clear who the Big Bad will be – and how do you top Hive? – this season looks like it’s going to be just as good as the last, and even better if the show keeps on this trajectory. My more minor hopes are that Fitzsimmons are never apart ever again, and that we see more of Mack and Yoyo.

How To Get Away With Murder (ABC) – September 22nd

Again, the end of season 2 of HTGAWM left me with the simple question of how? How will they continue to get away with everything they’re doing? The Keating 5 is super sloppy at times and more and more people keep being brought into the murder cult (last season was Asher, Nate, and Oliver). While Annalise was able to get off by framing Caleb for the murders of his parents and his aunt, there is now the issue of his being dead. While it looked like Caleb killed himself after hearing on the news that everything was place on him (and while it’s not completely clear whether he actually did it), it’s always possible that his death was really murder that was meant to look like suicide. And it he didn’t really kill his parents, who did? I’m curious to see if they’ll just leave the case alone now that they’ve pinned it on Caleb, or if things will spin more and more out of control now that he’s dead and Frank’s gone. The show also didn’t leave us with one possible murder, but TWO. Only seconds after meeting his father, Wes witnesses him get shot in the head by a sniper. We still don’t know who did it (part of me says Frank), but it will undoubtedly have repercussions for Wes.

Quantico (ABC) – September 25th

The first season of Quantico started to lose it’s steam as it got to the finale. While I like interesting modes of storytelling like the flashback and forward the show utilizes, I think that possibly the flashbacks should be used less often unless they reveal something important to the current events. That being said, it’s already been confirmed that the writers are sticking with this model, so hopefully they’ll be able to do it better. I also think 22 episodes of trying to figure out who the terrorist was took too long of a time, and that some of those episodes felt a lot like filler, but again, it’s possible that the writers could tighten the writing and deliver a great season 2. Alex has now moved onto the CIA after being let go from the FBI, so it will be interesting to see how that goes. I’m hoping we don’t have to deal with everyone hating her again. While I understand the point of having her on the opposite side of everyone and being right every time, I really do think that these people need to just get on her side (since she’s always right in the end). Anyway, I’m excited, though cautious, to see what they do next in the show, and will be tuning in.

Marvel’s Luke Cage (Netflix) – September 30th

I’m so excited to binge-watch Luke Cage. Not only were Daredevil and Jessica Jones great, but my father is a huge Luke Cage fan so despite my not having read his comics, I’m so ready for the show to come out. Marvel and Netflix are producing great shows that feel more like 13 hour long movies. Not to mention the fact that the majority of the cast are black actors. I was already down for Luke Cage when I heard it was coming out, but the trailer has me over here drumming my fingers on the table waiting not-so-patiently for the season to drop.

Jane the Virgin (CW) – October 17th

So first of all, WTF was that finale??? I got into Jane the Virgin after season 2 was already a few episodes in so once I’d finished season 1, I was able to immediately go into the next season without having to dwell for MONTHS on what would (spoilers) happen to baby Mateo. But now that I’m caught up with everyone else, I have been agonizing the whole summer over (spoilers) the fate of Michael. Gina Rodriguez posted a picture on Instagram with Brett Dier in Michael’s cop uniform, which could either be confirmation that he’s alright or just a flashback or something, furthering Jane the Virgin’s goal of playing with our emotions. I’m also worried about Petra (which I never thought I would ever say). Her arc in Season 2 was super interesting and while she still has issues, the show does a good job of reminding us that those issues usually boil down to her mother Magda, who somehow manages to be the worst in a show that has crime lords running around with other people’s faces. And speaking of other people’s faces, it’s clear that Magda’s plan to replace Petra with Anezka is a twisted way to get the daughter she always wanted and to most likely further the original end goal of getting all of Rafael’s money. There are so many moving parts in this show, that I’m anxious to see what happens next. Will Luisa finally get out of Rose’s grasp? Will Xo finally grow up? Will Jane be a virgin no longer? SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (Netflix) – November 25th

Gilmore Girls is coming back! The news has been out for a while now, but we’re going back to Stars Hollow in November and I’m so excited about it. While I’m still trying to decide if I’ll have time to rewatch the previous seasons (possibly skipping season 7 for reasons you understand) I’m so ready to catch up with Lorelai, Rory, and friends and am super happy Netflix was so helpful by releasing it the day after Thanksgiving. Looks like I know how I’m spending my holiday weekend!

Fall is pretty light for me, mostly because of the postponing of some of the shows I watch to the Spring. While I was initially sad about it, I realized that the hiatus will give me more time to rewatch shows like Broadchurch, Doctor Who, and Scandal before the new seasons come out. I also have Orphan Black, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, and the new Shondaland series Still Star-Crossed to look forward to.

What shows will you be watching? Any more to recommend?

*Honorable Mention: Doctor Who Christmas Special because it’s the next new Doctor Who episode we’re getting 🙁