We hope your DVRs are ready for a workout! Here are 16 television shows premiering this week, from Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28.
Last week was just playtime. This is it. These are the big leagues. Finally, after months of waiting, most of our favorite shows are back this week, 17 to be exact (including Downton Abbey, which premiered in the U.K. yesterday, September 21.)
Sure, there have been clips from Comic-Con, interviews with the show runners and extended trailers, but nothing can satiate the desire of a fan who was left with a cliffhanger (or tantalizing tease) of last season.
While this is the week you will most likely settle into your television watching routine, be sure to keep a little time open – there are a few more shows set to premiere over the next month.
‘Downton Abbey’ (ITV)
Sunday, September 21, 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. EST
The wait between Christmas of last year and September has been particularly agonising for fans of period drama Downton Abbey, but it is finally coming to its end this week. At least for our friends across the pond, the Crawley family, and everyone tangled up in their lives, will be gracing our screens once more — and we can scarcely wait for their return. When we left them last, Bates’ involvement in Green’s death was discovered by Mrs. Hughes and Mary, Edith had her baby and decided to leave her with a farming family nearby, and Mary was still being courted by both Lord Gillingham and Charles Blake.
The plot threads set up throughout the fourth season seem tipped to come to a head during this, and if the trailer is anything to go by, our premiere episode should start it off with a bang. We know that there’ll be a fire ravaging the halls of Downton fairly early on, but what else is in store for us? Will we finally find out Baxter’s deep, dark secret? Will Anna learn just what Bates did to the man that raped her? What schemes and manipulations will Thomas put into motion during the course of the season? And just who will Mary choose from her potential suitors? (This writer is still rooting for Charles Blake, despite what any spoilers may suggest.) It’s hard to believe that with only eight episodes they’ll be able to fit everything in, but Downton always manages to weave satisfying drama throughout their seasons that leave us perched on the edge of our seats, and unable to talk of anything but during the weeks its on air. And also drinking obscene amounts of tea, because when in Rome…
’Gotham’ (Fox)
Monday, September 22, 8:00 p.m.
Gotham is one of the most anticipated shows of the season, and after seeing the pilot we definitely understand why. Filled with amazing characters and gripping story arcs, we’re already attached to Gordon and afraid of Fish Mooney, so we’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season will bring.
‘The Voice’ (NBC)
September 22, 8:00 p.m.
The Voice kicks off its seventh season this month with some brand new coaches. Old favorites Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will welcome Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams into the fold, and the newbies will have to prove they have what it takes to fight for their favorite contestants and build a winning team. Both Gwen and Pharrell have clearly seen their share of success in the music business, and will undoubtedly have lots of helpful tips for their contestants. Ever since Usher broke Adam and Blake’s reign of terror last year, when his contestant Josh Kaufman won the season 6 title, the competition has been blown wide open, and Gwen or Pharrell could very well take home a win in their very first season.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (CBS)
September 22, 8:00 p.m.
Last year was a season of ups and downs on The Big Bang Theory. Penny stressed Leonard out by quitting her job to pursue acting, but when this brave decision backfired, the on-again, off-again pair decided to finally put a ring on it! Meanwhile, Raj finally landed a steady girlfriend, while Howard and Bernadette were relieved and confused to find that Stewart (now minus one comicbook store) was the perfect nurse for Mrs. Wolowitz.
As for Sheldon, his elation at the discovery of a new element threw his self-esteem into turmoil, when his crowning achievement turned out to be an accident – though he did discover that kissing Amy wasn’t all that bad. But distraught at the changes heralded by Leonard and Penny’s engagement, Sheldon decided to hit the rails, and take a journey of self discovery – solo.
So what’s next? Well, it looks like Sheldon’s ride-about will be coming to an end as season 8 begins, and Sheldon may have more explaining to do (hello, Amy!) than he anticipated. Howard will find the relationship between his mom and Stewart unexpectedly stressful, and Penny’s decision to take a break from acting to make a little money may cause tension in more than one of her relationships.
Yes, it looks like Raj will be the happy one. It’s totally weird.
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