‘Timeless’
Who: A history scholar, Lucy (Abigail Spencer); a solider, Wyatt (Matt Lanter; and a programmer/pilot, Rufus (Malcolm Barrett).
When: From the present to various points in history.
How: A government agency’s top secret time machine.
Why: To stop a man who wants to change history.
Where: NBC starting October 2016.
What: Even though Timeless is such a cliché time travel show, following every convention of the genre, it was still entertaining. The show’s strength largely derived from strong characters. Although it brought nothing new, it was still fun seeing these characters interact with historical figures. They decided to throw in a weird conspiracy plot which did not make a lot of sense, but it at least gave the show a plot for at least the first season.
Its fate: It has yet to be announced whether Timeless was renewed for another season.
‘Time After Time’
Who: H.G. Wells (Freddie Stroma), yes that H.G. Wells, who wrote The Time Machine.
When: From 1893 to 2017.
How: H.G. Wells time machine, the one that the upon which novel that he has yet to write is based.
Why: H.G. Wells chases Jack the Ripper to the present.
Where: ABC in March 2017.
What: Time After Time is based on a novel from the 1970s, which was adapted into a movie the same year the book was published. It was a cute gimmick having Wells adjust to the present but there was little more to Time After Time. It is only notable for making H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper attractive, but also inappropriately romanticizing Jack the Ripper’s murders.
Its fate: Time After Time was cancelled after its fifth episode. There are three episodes that have not been aired. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
‘Making History’
Who: A janitor, Dan (Adam Pally), at a university and a history professor, Chris (Yassir Lester).
When: From the present to various points in the past, especially to the American Revolution.
How: A duffle bag.
Why: At first for Dan to visit his girlfriend Deborah (Leighton Meester) who lives in 1775.
Where: Fox starting March 2017.
What: There is little context for Making History’s presence. It is just an addition to Fox’s comedy slate. Similar to Time Traveling Bong, Making History satirizes various social and political aspects of the various times to which the characters travel. Making History still has a lot of room to explore, not including every point of history. It has yet to describe the duffle bag’s past and explore whether it can travel to the future.
Its fate: It has yet to be announced whether Making History was renewed for another season.
Overview
There is really no connection between the presence of all of these shows. This is somewhat strange considering all the memes and jokes regarding time travel’s interference with the 2016 election, 2016 in general, and the 2017 Oscar mix-up. In fact the shows that premiered in late 2016 or early 2017 were all announced in the earlier half of 2016. So this all just seems like a coincidence or more likely a forecasted trend that all the networks wanted to pursue.
Thankfully, these six shows were different enough to be entertaining in their own ways and appeal to a variety of demographics. Some provided self-contained storylines, others have long lasting potential, and then there is Time After Time. At least Doctor Who is back now to bring some much needed consistency to this genre, Game of Thrones may soon return to this again, and The Flash also dedicated some time to time travel this season. There is so much possibility in the use time travel that, probably for the good, this genre will likely not disappear. We will have to get a time machine to find out.
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