Overwhelmed By Television

One of the reasons I was able to read so much last year was the dearth of Fall television. There were a few shows I watched, but not many. I found myself with a lot more time for reading simply because I wasn't spending every evening in front of the TV. It was an interesting change for me, as I'm usually following a lot of shows in real time. And it was nice while it lasted.

But then January started and with it came so many shows that I'm not sure where I'm going to find time to read. On the plus side, some of them are mini-series and will be ending soon.

I don't spend a lot of time talking about TV on this blog. It's a little weird. I actually spend as much time watching TV as I do reading (excepting this past Fall). But it's harder to talk about a story that you're in the middle of, so I write about it a lot less. Now seems like as good a time as any to take stock, though. Here's what's filling up my DVR this winter.

The Librarians. This actually started just before Christmas. I wasn't sure I was going to stick with it until I marathoned the episodes I'd missed while on vacation. It's exactly the sort of low-stakes, fun entertainment that's perfect at the beginning of the week. Plus I'll never get tired of looking at Christian Kane.

Galavant. Thankfully this one only last four weeks, so it won't be taking space up for long. But I'm already hoping that it gets picked up for a longer run. It's a hugely divisive show. People either love it or hate it. I'm in the camp that loves it. Cheesy, raunchy, ridiculous songs and plots. Galavant's lady-love is an inspired combination of tropes and I can't wait to see more from her. Plus I laughed for a solid minute at the joust scene, which is more than enough to convince me to stick with this show.

Gotham. I don't know what it is about Batman that keeps pulling me back. On the surface I don't like the idea of a rich vigilante doling out his own justice. And there aren't any actual super-powers, just a bunch of weirdos. But I can't seem to quit, and I'm really enjoying this take on Gotham and a young Jim Gordon. Probably more than I should be.

Sleepy Hollow. It's suffering the sophomore slump, but I still love this ridiculous show. You've probably already heard me rave about it and have written me off as crazy. I still think you should give it a fair chance.

Agent Carter. This mini-series is pushing back the return of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which is probably for the best. I am so excited to get more Peggy Carter, to watch a badass woman using men's assumptions against them in the 1940s, to enjoy spy hijinks and retro technology and everything else. It's a mini-series, but I can still hope that it becomes something more. It also has me excited for the other mini-series Marvel is planning.

Elementary. This airs on Thursday nights, but it has become a sort of grown-up stand in for Saturday morning cartoons. Kevin and I watch it over our eggs every week. It's a great, modern take on Sherlock Holmes, and Watson is finally carving out a life for herself outside of Holmes' influence. The addition of Kitty is my favorite thing about this season, which remains entertaining. Though I'm not sure they'll ever again recapture the magic that was the end of the first season.

Archer. I'd completely forgotten about this show until it showed up on our DVR. The last season wasn't great, but now that they've "unrebooted" who knows what will happen. It's easy enough to throw on after Elementary on Saturday mornings, so we'll probably keep watching it.

Parks and Rec. This is the final season, so I can't miss it. I'm excited and scared and I'll miss it terribly when it's gone. But then maybe I'll just make Kevin rewatch it from the beginning with me. I just hope everyone gets a happy ending, which seems like a pretty sure thing on a show like this.

Justified. Another show in it's final season, it seems like forever since I first started watching this. Timothy Olyphant is another man I could stare at forever (as long as he's wearing a cowboy hat). This season promises to be the final showdown between Raylan and Boyd, and I cannot wait to watch it play out. I just hope it's better than last season, which dragged a bit. But an end-goal and definite plot should solve those issues.

The Americans. This is slipping in, because it is coming back in January. Though probably not until after Galavant and The Librarians stop airing. Which will free up some time for me. Kevin thinks this show jumped the shark last season, but I still think it's going strong. I guess I'll be watching it by myself this year.

That's not even counting the return of Orphan Black and Game of Thrones later this Spring, Community at some point, and the premiere of Better Call Saul next month. But everything should thin out a little before then. In the meantime, I don't have high hopes for reading a ton this month. On the other hand, if I can get in the habit, this will give me tons of opportunity to spend some times on the exercise bike.