Here we go again, my favourite week of Thursday Movie Picks, the Television Edition week which gives me an opportunity to put to use my extensive knowledge of TV shows. This week’s theme though is a difficult one, because again, there is always the chance to list all well known shows *cough* Marvel *cough* but where’s the fun in doing that!? Here are four less known television shows that feature various characters with awesome super powers.
1. MISFITS, 2009-2013
If anyone can do it, the British can because oh boy, for three seasons this was my favourite thing on TV during those years and it still remains one of my all time favourites. Granted, the last two seasons weren’t as strong but that was because the young actors cast as the leads in Misfits went on to do other things. Anyway, the show features five teenagers who are charged with community service and get struck by mysterious lighting that causes them all, except one, to have super powers. Some good, some bad, these characters adjust to their newly found powers while one of them desperately tries to find his. Filled with British humour and great acting, Misfits is a perfect alternative for all those Marvel shows on Netflix.
2. FRINGE, 2008-2013
I feel like Fringe was on TV during those great years of television for me, when I was literally watching everything because I had time and energy to do so. Featuring Anna Torv (who has an absent Estonian father by the way) and the handsome Joshua Jackson, Fringe tackles many powers and abilities through the topic of fringe science. And even thought the series, as it progressed, became more and more weird, it was also interesting. Plus, John Noble as Walter Bishop is so much fun to witness that he is no doubt one of the biggest reasons Fringe was so great.
3. TRU CALLING, 2003-2005
Last time when I recommended TV shows I mentioned Dollhouse, which made me remember Tru Calling and I was so happy when I realised I could recommend that show this week. Eliza Dushku stars as an university graduate, who takes on a job at the morgue, when she discovers that she is able to repeat the same day over and over again to save those who died too soon. Featuring this weird little power, Tru Calling was the first sci-fi show I remember loving to bits and I was so devastated when it was cancelled! Also, Matt Bomer is in it, so I mean, what’s not to love!? Plus, there’s also Zach Galifianakis in a role that suits him too perfectly.
4. ALPHAS, 2011-2012
This show is about alphas, a term the show uses to describe people with extraordinary skills such as heightened hearing and super strength. It isn’t the best show out there, but it’s a very nice example how one could do super powers in a less Marvel way. It features a diverse cast and is one of those less talked about sci-fi shows that is actually quite fun. With only two seasons it’s not a big commitment either so I recommend trying it, maybe it’ll be as enjoyable for you as it was for me.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
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I’ve only seen clips of Misfits, which seemed pretty decent. I knew a lot of people that loved Fringe though. It frequently popped up on “Why the fuck are the Emmys snubbing this?” lists. lol
Misfits deserves some attention, like it is definitely one of those hidden gems of TV and it’s hilarious! Oh and the first few seasons of Fringe for sure deserved some awards, like, it was solid for so long and even with going a bit off the rails due to the plot developing further from reality, I still think it opened up our minds to new type of TV.
I’m going to have trouble this week I think finding any shows that I watch listed. I’m not much of a series TV watcher anymore and never was a big superhero fan. I’ve heard of all four of these but haven’t watched a single episode of any. My nephew LOVED Fringe though but it was on the wrong night for me to ever take it up.
I reached back some ways to come up with three that I occasionally watched one of which has gotten a reboot that I haven’t seen yet.
The Tick (1994-1996)-Ridiculously amusing animated series about a somewhat thick superhero clad in a bright blue costume along with his moth costume wearing sidekick Arthur, who has a wry, patient attitude with his often lunk-headed compatriot fights the bad guys in “The City”. They blunder about but still somehow manage to say the day. What else is there to say about a superhero whose call to arms is “SPOON!”
The Flash (1990-1991)-When Barry Allen (John Wesley Shipp), a forensic police scientist, suffers a freak accident being struck by lightning and covered in chemicals at the same time a chain reaction occurs giving him super human powers and the ability to move at the speed of sound. While learning how to control his new found powers a calamity occurs which sets him on the path to be the protector of the good people of Central City. Short-lived series had a nice sense of humor mixed in with its action sequences.
The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983)-After a chance encounter with aliens in the desert late at night where he is gifted with a magical red suit high school teacher Ralph Hinkley (William Katt) along with fellow witness FBI man Bill Maxwell (Robert Culp) attempt to fight crime using the suit’s powers. A couple of problems present themselves right away, Ralph and Bill are a silk and sandpaper match and even more troubling the pair have lost the instructions for the suit so they have to puzzle out how it works as they go along leading to trouble and a lot of bruises for Ralph. Engagingly played by Katt & Culp along with Connie Sellecca as Ralph’s girlfriend Pam.
I’ve heard of two of these and both are reboots because not only is The Flash back on TV, The Tick has also had some reboots I think, one in 2001 and the other in 2016? The last one seems to be still happening or had a very short life span but who knows when they’ll start rebooting it again.
I thought I watched pretty much all the series about superheroes and super powers but I was wrong. I haven’t seen any of these. Fringe has been on my watchlist forever, though.
Really? So well then my work is done.. that’s exactly what I set myself out to do, recommend something that might have stayed under the radar. Let me know if you watch something and whether you like it or not. 🙂
I have seen the show Tru Calling but only in name alone. The concept you describe makes me want to seek it out.
It was pretty great! I loved it and I have rewatched it as well! 😉
Great pick! Mind dropping a follow to http://www.tvandcity.com ? We’re a new site trying to gain some traction.
Thanks! Cool, I’ll drop by to take a look!
Flash…..wooommmmm
Ma fav
ahh Misfits!!! I miss that show! I also only liked the first couple of seasons, but it was just so amazing!
I know, it was the star power of the original cast that made the show so special.
Arrrrrmastan Misfitsi! No nii kuradi hea huumor.
Jaaa!! Tahaks midagi uut ja sarnast kohe ja praegu! 😀
Ongi, noh! 😀
I haven’t seen any of these but Fringe sounds good and so does Tru Calling….very cool premise
Tru Calling is great.. man, I wish it had a bit of a longer life.
Misfits – “causes them all, except one, to have super powers” – didn’t they all have superpowers, just that the one didn’t know what it was until the later episodes.
I actually did watch Tru Calling when it was on air back in the 2000’s
Yeah, all did have super powers but I was avoiding spoilers since his super power revealed itself in the last episode of the first season! 😀
Nice picks! I love and miss Fringe so much. That was such a damn good show!
It was… Joshua Jackson needs to be back on TV NOW!