by Tony Ortega

Most people who know me know that I will watch most live action comic book TV shows that come out. Sometimes these shows are fantastic and sometimes they do a horrible job of translating the characters from print to the small screen. I have to say that this season has been one of my favorites so far (and I would like to throw in some others as well that you may not be familiar with.)

BTW – Spoiler free article here folks.

The Flash – The breakout show of the season

I was initially hesitant to watch The Flash as its first sojourn onto the small screen was pretty deplorable (sorry John Wesley Shipp). However, it has become my favorite show this season. While deviating somewhat from the comic, the best thing about The Flash for me is how relatable the characters are. Here’s Barry Allen who is this skinny nerdy guy who was struck by lightning, chemicals and a particle accelerator and can now move at super speed. What makes Barry so compelling is that he is plagued with self-doubt about his ability to do good in the world. That resonates with me so much (and I am sure with so many others). He is not just some guy who was struck by lightning. Also, thanks to the rest of the characters on the show, Barry is able to work through his feelings of inferiority and kick ass. The supporting cast is pretty amazing. You have star struck Iris West, who runs a blog about The Flash; Caitlin, Cisco and Dr. Wells – Barry’s main support team; and Joe West, played by the incomparable Jesse L. Martin. Add compelling storylines and Easter eggs for the comic book aficionado and you have the best show this season.

Definitely an A+.

Gotham – The show I didn’t want to like but did

So picture it, Gotham city before Bruce Wayne became Batman. Yeah, didn’t attract my attention that much because Gotham City is Batman. However, this show demonstrates how a city shapes a person. I hesitantly watched it and was amazed by the brilliant acting; particularly by Jada Pinkett Smith (Fish Mooney), Robin Lord Taylor (The Penguin), Ben McKenzie (Jim Gordon), and Camren Bicondova (Selina Kyle). The compelling storyline of the corruption of Gotham city really lays the groundwork for Bruce’s eventual metamorphosis into Batman. Every week I want to find an excuse to stop watching the show, and with the exception of the Renee Montoya/Barbara Kean lesbian romance, I can’t find one week after week.

I would give Gotham an A-.

Constantine – The show I wanted to like and kind of do but might get cancelled

John Constantine: Hellblazer, sorcerer, bastard, chain smoking and man whore. None of these elements are really being played up on the show. They have essentially neutered John sexually. With regards to his magic, he is still a bad ass though. Supporting characters from the comics are on the show but something seems to be missing and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I feel that writers need to lean more heavily on the comic book (the Vertigo series, not the current atrocity DC Comics is publishing) to save this show from cancellation. The best thing about the show is the casting of Matt Ryan as John Constantine. I have missed him since the short lived series Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. He really gets Constantine despite the bad writing.

I would give this show a C.

Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – The show that got way better in its sophomore season

The sophomore season of AoS has improved exponentially. The writers have tapped into the rich history of S.H.I.E.L.D. (probably more so because of Agent Carter premiering soon) and added much more diversity to the cast. Skye is no longer just a hacker but a kick ass in her own right. Bobbie Morse (aka Mockingbird) adds an element to the show that was sorely needed – a beautiful woman who is relatable and can kick some ass. Ward is on the run from S.H.I.E.L.D. and they have not undone his Hydra brainwashing, which I like from a storyline perspective but not so much from a character perspective. Fitz and Simmons are definitely more interesting this season, particularly with Fitz’s current bout of expressive aphasia. Tripp and Mac are great agents. Hunter is definitely the comic relief of the group and add to the mix is sordid past with one of the agents makes for a very intriguing hour. May continues to be boring as hell but you can’t win them all.

I definitely give AoS an A.

Doctor Who – The show I have always loved and now can’t stand

Yes, I am a diehard Matt Smith fan and having Peter Capaldi as the new doctor frightened me as he had some pretty big bowties to fill. While I love Capaldi’s acting, I hate how his doctor is being written; so smug and pompous. They tried that before with Colin Baker and it didn’t work. It’s not working for me now. The breakout star of the season was Jenna Coleman as Clara. For me, she kept the show and this new unrelatable doctor, on track. The Missy storyline had me on the edge of my seat the whole season and I was not able to guess who she was until the big reveal. I also loved the addition of Danny Pink.

So I will give this season of Doctor Who a B-.

Arrow, Once Upon A Time, and The Walking Dead – The shows that are consistently good

Arrow has yet to disappoint me in the three seasons that it has been on. Not even the deaths that occur on the show bother me as they are well written into the storyline and make sense. They consistently add new characters and keep the show fresh. The ways the characters are written are also very relatable. Yes, I have a thing for relatable characters if I am going to invest 20+ hours a season into the show. Once Upon A Time’s current storyline with Elsa from Frozen makes this Frozen fanatic very happy. The acting may not be great but the storylines are always consistently good. The Walking Dead, do I really need to say anything about this show.

So Arrow- A+, Once Upon A Tim – A -, and The Walking Dead – A+.

Haven – The show that no one talks about and should

Imagine a town where everyone is troubled. No, not the psychological type but the metahuman type. People who can suck the oxygen out of the room, make dancing bears appear out of nowhere, feel any type of body sensations, being a magnet for bullets and so on; that’s the town of Haven. Add to the mix doppelgangers and portals to other dimensions as well as a town full of mystery and intrigue, great show. Just what are the troubles and why do they date back to the appearance of Mara/Lucy/Audrey – played by the incredible Emily Rose. I imagine more people are watching this show than not since it’s on its fifth season but no one talks about it. If you haven’t watched it, they are on Netflix. Do yourself a favor and watch.

I give Haven an A.

Supernatural and Grimm – The shows I don’t watch.

Sorry, no opinion or grade.

 

What shows did you watch this season? Do you agree or disagree with the grades? Tell us more in the comments section.