So, remember my "Season-Ender Roundup" post back in May? Well, it's currently my all-time, most-viewed post, currently sitting at 211 views. Totally unexpected, but still completely awesome. Thanks, guys!
Anyways, I thought it'd be fun to do something similar but as a pre-season thing, looking at what's coming this season for the shows I'm watching this fall. Only this time, in addition to the usual suspects (Agents of SHIELD, The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow), I've included Star Wars Rebels, Luke Cage, and Supergirl. So it's bigger, better, and...bigger.
So let's get to it.
(P.S. This will replace The Five Bits this week, since it took me longer to put together than expected. Here are a few of the stories I was planning to report on.)
1. Agents of SHIELD, Season 4
Premiere Date: September 20
What to Expect: A new time slot means a darker and edgier tone for SHIELD's fourth and hopefully not final season. Season 3 ended with a new status quo for the story and the characters: Daisy's gone rogue, there's a new director for the now public SHIELD, and Dr. Radcliffe is working on some LMDs (Life Model Decoys). Ghost Rider will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, and hopefully we can expect not one, but two film tie-ins this year: Doctor Strange and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.
Am I Excited?: Oh yeah. Season 3 was another great year for the show, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Season 4 can do to continue the series' streak. I'm also happy that the series is taking an apparent break from the Inhuman storyline and focusing on some of the other interesting wrinkles in the Marvel universe. Like, you know, Ghost Rider.
Hopes and Dreams: If this indeed ends up being SHIELD's final season, I hope that the writers tie up loose threads and lend some finality to the series. I'd hate it if we were left with a never-to-be-continued cliff-hanger. Luckily, this is just a rumour until an official confirmation from Marvel or ABC.
2. Star Wars Rebels, Season 3
Premiere Date: September 24
What to Expect: After the events of last season's finale, Ezra's going to be flirting with the Dark Side of the Force a lot more. What could possibly go wrong? Also, Grand Admiral Thrawn will come crashing into the new Star Wars canon, Kanan and Ezra will get their rematch against Darth Maul, and some more Mandalorians. And I think we'll get some Rogue One connections too. Maybe Saw Gererra?
Am I Excited? Yep. Rebels has pretty much reached the level of quality The Clone Wars was at when it hit its stride. The series is doing a great job at telling its own story while embracing the possibilities that come with being an animated series set in the Star Wars galaxy, and I'm excited to see what stories Filoni and company have to tell this season.
Hopes and Dreams: As I mentioned before, I'd love to see some sort of tie-in with Rogue One (The series' timeline has to be pretty close to those events by now, right?). As much as I love what the animated serieses have done with Maul, I'm starting to hope they wrap up his story soon, before I get tired of seeing him constantly make a comeback. But make it a good ending.
3. Luke Cage, Season 1
Premiere Date: September 30
What to Expect: More Marvel/Netflix awesomeness, I suppose. Mike Colter is back as Luke Cage. Rosario Dawson is back as Claire Temple. The setting shifts from Hell's Kitchen to Harlem, as Cage sets out to protect the streets from Cottonmouth, a villainous nightclub owner. We'll get MCU introductions to Misty Knight and Diamondback, and Daredevil's Turk Barrett is making a comeback. Love that guy. Also, probably more set-up for The Defenders.
Am I Excited?: Yeah. Marvel and Netflix have been hitting home runs thus far, and I doubt they're going to stop here. I love exploring the grittier and more down-to-earth corners of the MCU, and it looks like we're getting more of that. Also, I find any bit involving someone trying to punch/shoot Cage,only to find he has unbreakable skin, immensely entertaining. Even though early reviews are very positive, I'm a bit nervous that the series will end up being a bit too much like the first season of Daredevil, given the similar premise. If Luke Cage turns out really great anyways, it won't matter that much to me,I guess.
Hopes and Dreams: I just want more "unbreakable skin" gags. Like the bottle joke in Jessica Jones. Is that too much to ask? IS IT?!
4. The Flash, Season 3
Premiere Date: October 4
What to Expect: Barry's decision to hop back in time and save his mother at the end of last season's finale creates an alternate timeline where everything is seemingly quite hunky-dory for Barry. But, as always, there's a downside to this new reality. To summarize, Flashpoint! In terms of villains, to name a few, we'll get Doctor Alchemy, Savitar (another speedster), Mirror Master, The Top, Metallo, Magenta, and apparently more Killer Frost.
Am I Excited?: Sure am. Mostly because of Flashpoint, though. I'm really interested in seeing how this universe is altered by Barry's actions, and not just on The Flash, but on Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl too. But after Zoom proved to be quite disappointing as last season's villain, I hope Doctor Alchemy and Savitar can step up to the plate and hit a grand slam.
Hopes and Dreams: If we're getting another speedster villain this season in Savitar, I really don't want another "Barry wants to get faster" storyline. It's been worn out.
5. Arrow, Season 5
Premiere Date: October 5
What to Expect: With only Oliver and Felicity left on Team Arrow, the two decide to recruit several young vigilantes to their cause, including Curtis, to fight crime lord Tobias Church. Meanwhile, in the final run of flashbacks, Oliver finally finds himself in Russia, where he takes on the Bratva. Oh, and Dolph Lundgren's in there somewhere too.
Am I Excited?: Uh...no. No, not really. Look, even though the back half of Season 4 was mostly...not good, I still believe Arrow can straighten itself out if it really makes the effort to. Season 5 looks like it will tell a much smaller-scale story, which is great, but nothing else has really gotten me pumped for this season or made me go "Wow! That sounds awesome!" The previous seasons have done that, and the three other DC shows have done that for me with their upcoming seasons as well. Arrow hasn't.
Hopes and Dreams: I think I've mentioned something along these lines before, but if Arrow can get me as thrilled for Wednesday nights like it did during the first two seasons, I'll be happy. Oh, and bring back Deathstroke. He has promises to keep!
6. Supergirl, Season 2
Premiere Date: October 10
What to Expect: We finally get to see Superman! And by see, I don’t mean just his boots or faintly in the distance. No, we actually get to see him in action. The series’ move to the CW will also allow Supergirl to crossover into the other CW DC shows, including a musical one with The Flash. It sounds crazy. So crazy…it just might work. I’m pretty sure we’ll also find out who was in the pod at the end of last season. Does anyone really care about that?
Am I Excited?: Sort of. The first season was alright. Not great, not terrible, but enjoyable. I love the characters and the show’s optimistic feeling, and I’m hoping those two strengths are made even better this season. And, yeah, the idea of seeing Supergirl alongside Green Arrow and the Waverider crew in addition to the Flash is supremely exciting.
Hopes and Dreams: I hope Superman isn’t just a one-off guest role. I don’t want him to appear so often that he steals Kara’s thunder, but it’d be fun to have him in a recurring role. I could hope for less romantic melodrama too, but with it on the CW now I have a feeling it’s not going anywhere.
7. Legends of Tomorrow, Season 2 
Premiere Date: October 13
What to Expect: After defeating Vandal Savage and the Time Lords Masters, the crew of the Waverider join forces with the Justice Society of America to take on the Legion of Doom: Damian Darhk, Reverse-Flash, Malcolm Merlyn and Captain Cold. An older version of Vixen and Commander Steel will join the crew, and I guess we can expect some more time travel hijinks. And who doesn’t love time travel hijinks?
Am I excited?: Yes! After Agents of SHIELD, this is the new season I’m looking forward to the most. The first season was far from perfect, but I still had oodles of fun watching it, and this season looks to be improving on the first. There’s no more Hawks, and more deep-diving into the zanier corners of the DC universe. Also, the promise of seeing four of the CWverse’s best villains together is enough to get me pumped. Now, if they could only improve their nonsensical time travel logic.
Hopes and Dreams: Improve those time travel rules! That is all.
Noah
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