Fall TV Shows: What You Should be Watching

Midterms week was rough. Lets be real. Between the long hours spent in the library and the food points spent on black coffee or Red Bull, you’re bound to have raccoon eyes and hair that’s definitely seen better days. Well, here’s my advice—put on your comfy Pink sweatpants, that ubiquitous Duke blue sweater, and get into bed. For those of you that don’t have a television set, the laptop will have to do. Once in bed, devote at least three hours to watching mindless TV. The only justifiable interruption? Opening the door to put your pin into the delivery guy’s food points-reader cell phone. Not sure what to watch? Well, now that TV addicts (like myself) have had a couple of weeks to weigh the pros and cons of the new Fall TV shows, we can officially give you feedback—here’s what you should be watching:
 
1.    Revenge
Starring: Emily VanCamp, Madeleine Stowe, James Tupper, Joshua Bowman
Revenge is Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl. Set in the wealthy summer holiday town of the Hamptons, Emily Thorne is a new addition to the seemingly perfect society. However, she has an ulterior motive—to get revenge on the members of the affluent society for conspiring to convict her father of a terrorist attack. Now that her father has died and left her a significant fortune, Emily weaves her way into the hearts and minds of the Hampton elite, focusing specifically on “Queen Victoria of the Hamptons,” and her family.
 

 
I like this show. Each episode is focused on Emily’s plan for revenge on one person who was involved in her father’s conspiracy, whilst continuing to infiltrate Victoria’s family through her (incredibly good-looking) son. If you liked Desperate Housewives’ hidden scandals among seemingly perfect neighbors and Gossip Girl’s infatuation with society’s elite, you’re sure to like Revenge. Episodes can be found on Hulu and abc.com. Oh, and for all you Gossip Girl fans, we also get to see Connor Paolo (Serena’s brother, Eric) play a very different role, which is pretty fun!
 
2.    Hart of Dixie
Starring: Rachel Bilson, Jaime King, Scott Porter, Wilson Bethel
If you read my previous article (http://www.hercampus.com/school/duke/rachel-bilsons-fall-trends) you know that I’m slightly obsessed with Rachel Bilson—and it mostly has to do with how awesome she was as Summer on The O.C. Her role as Zoe Hart in this new CW series is her first regular post-O.C. TV role, and boy have I missed her. True to the CW’s style, the people in Hart of Dixie are gorgeous (my money’s on the newbie neighbor Wade who looks amazing without a shirt on btw) and the fashion is impeccable. Quick witted and full of great one-liners, Bilson is the highlight of the show. Episodes can be found on the CW website.
 

 
The show is based on Doctor Zoe Hart’s move to Alabama to work in a practice left to her by her (unknown until now) biological father. After losing out on a heart fellowship at a prominent New York hospital, Hart is forced to move to Alabama to improve her bedside manner (think Christina from Greys). Unfortunately, she only owns half of the practice—Brick Breeland, who is dead set on getting rid of her so he can own the whole practice, owns the other half. Zoe’s only friends are the ex-football star-turned Mayor, Lavon Hayes (who, if you want my honest opinion had a “thing” with Brick’s daughter, Lemon—you saw it here first!), and bad boy neighbor Wade Kinsella. Lemon (yes, she wears a lot of yellow, it’s weird) is engaged to George Tucker, an all round good guy, and the town’s prominent attorney.
 
3.    The Lying Game
Starring: Alexandra Chando, Blair Redford, Andy Buckley, Helen Slater
Okay, I’ll admit it—I am obsessed with Pretty Little Liars, and if you are too (come on, we all want to know who “A” really is!), then you’ll love The Lying Game. Based on the novels by the same author as Pretty Little Liars, this plot line is centered around twins, Emma and Sutton, who have been separated their entire lives (The Parent Trap flashback). Sutton, who was adopted by wealthy and caring parents, the Mercer’s, is obsessed with finding their biological mother. She travels to LA to follow the leads she has on their mother, and leaves Emma to take her place as “Sutton.” This leads to difficulties when Emma begins to settle down in the family, appreciating what it’s like to be a part of a real family for the first time.
 

 
I am in love with Ethan. Seriously. He play’s Emma’s love interest in the show, and while he was awful in 90210 (his previous gig), he really shines in The Lying Game. While the acting is questionable and the plot lines are predictable, who doesn’t love a good mindless show? I would definitely recommend this to PLL fans—you’ll be hooked by episode 3, guaranteed. Episodes can be found on Hulu.
 
So, it’s TV time! Snuggle up with some chocolate milk, turn the lights off, and enjoy these shows!
 
Photo Sources:
http://offcolortv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/the-lying-game-still1.jpg
http://tv.blogs.starnewsonline.com/files/2011/05/revengemain.jpg
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