Revolution

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

With more than 20 million viewers for the pilot episode, “Revolution” has had a good start. Fifteen years after all electricity and power of any kind shuts down in the world, a young woman named Charlie is in search for her long-lost uncle whose relative claims he knows the reason for the power shutting down. Director J.J. Abrams, the mastermind behind “Revolution,” is immediately able to draw in the viewers due to his previous success with shows such as “Lost” and “Fringe.” “Revolution” seeks to continue Abrams’ success, but because his storytelling provides plenty of twists, turns and confusion, it may lose some viewers. Ideas like “Revolution” that explore the “what would happen if?” scenario are interesting and intriguing, but putting it into a storyline takes serious thought let alone risk — but risk can equal reward.

Parenthood

★ ★  ½ ★ ★ 

In today’s culture, viewers do not want the "one big happy family" as they did in previous generations because they want something to relate to their lives. Much of what happens in “Parenthood” can be related to life due to the variety of family dynamics. There are four or five stories with different backgrounds happening in a one-hour episode every week, with each story as good as the last. It strongly portrays how problems and decisions separate families but also how love and forgiveness binds them back together. In the first episode of season four, when Haddie says goodbye to her parents at the airport, the look in her eyes shows how hard it is to leave what you love behind to start life as an adult. Not just parents, but college and high school students, can relate to this.

666 Park Avenue

Preview

When it comes to contemporary horror, the genre seems more like suspense. As for American horror, it is a reason to add explicit content. “666 Park Avenue,” beginning Sept. 27, is about a couple who go from being financially unstable to having just about everything they desire as they become the new apartment managers of "The Drake" in the wealthy part of New York City. The owners of the apartment make it seem heavenly, but residents are unaware that their signature is a deal with the devil. When the managers discover the building’s supernatural abilities and powers, they realize there is more to their situation. It is very obvious from the trailers, reviews and cast interviews that this is about seduction, temptation, and the mysteries of the spiritual realm. It is a decent description of T.V. trash and it is questionable if it will pass the fall trial considering there are other shows currently airing that have a similar topic.

The Walking Dead

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Zombie cinema in today’s culture are filled with blood and gore, but have weak storylines about the survivors. “The Walking Dead” is not one of these. The show takes place at two new locations: an abandoned prison and a militia-run town named Woodbury. New characters are introduced and others meet up again after being split up. Much is expected from this season of the show considering the more than 4 million views of the trailer on YouTube and its constant praise by the entertainment industry. It is undeniable that the show is graphic when it comes to slaying the risen dead, but when that is not happening, the story of the survivors is compelling. It truly teaches how one can change for better or worse, even when all seems lost.