Carrie remembered stuff! Leslie was elected! Sheldon took Amy’s hand! Gloria is pregnant! Nucky whacked Jimmy! Victoria Grayson’s plane blew up! Dexter…oh, Dexter!
The fall TV season is officially here, which means we can all breathe a sigh of relief and pull ourselves up from the cliff-hanging precipice. Sure, there’s a bunch of new TV shows across the dial champing at the bit for your attention. But we want to focus on your returning old favorites.
What’s next on Scandal—will we find out who Quinn is? Will Emily track down her mother on Revenge? How will Captain Cragen deal with that dead hooker in his bed on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? And just what will the gang at Greendale get up to on Community without Dan Harmon at the helm?
To refresh your memory after the long, hot summer, The Daily Beast has a guide to the good and bad times of last season and a peek into what’s coming next this fall.
Parenthood (NBC; Tuesdays at 10 p.m.; returns Sept. 11)
Where We Left Off: You’ll be forgiven for not remembering, since Parenthood wrapped its season way back in February. Crosby (Dax Shepard) and Jasmine (Joy Bryant) finally tied the knot; Adam (Peter Krause) and Crosby decided to keep the Luncheonette open; Mark (Jason Ritter) proposed to Sarah (Lauren Graham), even though the two were at odds about whether they wanted to have children. Elsewhere, after the heartbreak of not getting the baby they meant to adopt, Julia (Erika Christensen) and Joel (Sam Jaeger) instead adopted a five-year-old Latino boy, Victor (Xolo Mariduena).
Where We Pick Up: The entire Braverman clan prepares for the departure of Haddie (Sarah Ramos), who is heading off to Cornell. Sarah and Mark are happily engaged, and Sarah stumbles onto a job working for a curmudgeonly photographer (Ray Romano). Amber (Mae Whitman) is now working with her uncles at the Luncheonette, while Drew (Miles Heizer), now a high school senior, is ecstatic about the return of Amy (Skyler Day) from camp, but the course of (young) love never did run smooth. Kristina (Monica Potter) and Adam consider getting a dog for Max (Max Burkholder), while one of the Bravermans faces a—SPOILER ALERT—potential medical crisis. Prepare to cry. A lot.
Sons of Anarchy (FX; Tuesdays at 10 p.m.; returns Sept. 11)
Where We Left Off: Clay (Ron Perlman) screwed up in more ways than one—killing Piney (William Lucking), lying to Gemma (Katey Sagal), trying to have Tara (Maggie Schiff) killed—and he paid for it. Opie (Ryan Hurst) tried to kill him, and when that didn’t work, Jax (Charlie Hunnam) kicked Clay off SAMCRO’s presidential throne. Just as Jax thought he was getting what he most wants—to leave SAMCRO and move away with Tara and his sons—he got dragged back in when Romeo (Danny Trejo) delivered the bombshell that he’s working with the CIA, and Jax has no choice to but to take care of everyone’s cartel problem. Believing he was retaliating for the hit against Clay, Tig (Kim Coates) killed the daughter of black gang leader Damon Pope.
Where We Pick Up: Jax may not want to be the man, but he is. Clay gets out of the hospital and has to continue dealing with the aftermath of his actions and his increasing arthritic pain. Gemma has moved on with Nero, a pimp played by Jimmy Smits who calls himself “a companionator.” Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau) shows up in Charming seeking revenge for the death of his daughter. Poor, poor Tig.
Glee (Fox; Thursdays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 13)
Where We Left Off: Graduation day for Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Puckerman (Mark Salling), Santana (Naya Rivera), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Quinn (Dianna Agron), and Mike Chang (Harry Shum). Where are they all headed? Mike got into Joffrey Dance Company in Chicago. On the heels of her YouTube superstardom, Mercedes is moving to Los Angeles, where Puckerman also hopes to expand his pool-cleaning business. Santana gets into college on a cheerleading scholarship but wants to throw that away to pursue her artistic dreams. Quinn, who missed a whole lot of school being pregnant and later paralyzed, managed to get into Yale anyway. Kurt didn’t get into NYADA and Finn didn’t get into acting school, leaving Rachel as the only person whose Big Apple dreams came true. Finn decided not to marry Rachel so that she can go for it and enlisted in the Army instead. In a shocking development, Brittany flunked senior year.
Where We Pick Up: Rachel is in New York pursing her dreams. She and Finn officially break up and an older student (Dean Geyer) romances her. Don’t cry too much for Finn, though. He’s going to meet a new lady. But Rachel’s road to Broadway is not all fun and games, as she can’t stand her dance instructor, played by Kate Hudson. With Kurt and Mercedes gone from the choir room, Blaine (Darren Criss) and Sam (Chord Overstreet) become buddies. Sue (Jane Lynch) becomes a mom, and several new students are introduced.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO; Sundays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 16)
Where We Left Off: Jimmy (Michael Pitt) helped Nucky (Steve Buscemi) clean up a big mess by killing Neary (Robert Clohessy) and staging it as a suicide but that wasn’t enough for Nucky to forgive his betrayal. Nucky killed Jimmy, proving he is not half a gangster at all, breaking viewer hearts everywhere. Margaret (Kelly Macdonald) married Nucky so she can’t be forced to testify against him and so that her children will continue to be looked after. Agent Van Alden (Michael Shannon) is on the run for murder. And, thanks to Jimmy, Chalky (Michael Kenneth Williams) got revenge on the Klansmen who shot up his warehouse.
Where We Pick Up: It’s early 1923, a year after Nucky shot Jimmy, his surrogate son. Atlantic City has become more violent, more competitive, and Nucky is having trouble sleeping at night over what he did to Jimmy. Margaret and Nucky are married but maybe not so happily. Two new additions to the boardwalk: a new gangster Gyp Rosetti (Bobby Cannavale) and Department of Justice agent Gaston Means (Stephen Root).
Parks and Recreation (NBC; Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.; returns Sept. 20)
Where We Left Off: After a showdown with Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd), Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) was named the winner of the city council election, the first time a woman had achieved such a role in Pawnee. Bobby’s campaign manager Jennifer Barkley (Kathryn Hahn) offered Ben (Adam Scott) a position in Washington, D.C., and Leslie urges him to take the job, giving him a miniature Washington Monument as a token of support. April (Aubrey Plaza) pushed Andy (Chris Pratt) to consider a job on the Pawnee police force, and Ron (Nick Offerman) decided to remain in his current job in the Parks department.
Where We Pick Up: Leslie visits Ben in Washington, and meets a slew of real-life politicos in the process—including John McCain, Barbara Boxer, and Olympia Snowe. Andy tags along with Leslie on her trip to the Beltway so that he can be reunited with his wife, April, who—as Ben’s assistant—went with him when he took the gig. And did we mention that Ron Swanson gets a new love interest and that she’s played by Lucy Lawless? Well, we just did.
Castle (ABC; Mondays at 10 p.m.; returns Sept. 24)
Where We Left Off: Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) FINALLY came clean to one another about their true feelings, and not only passionately kissed, but also ended up in bed together before the season ended. Elsewhere, Beckett resigned from the police force and nearly apprehended the man who shot her back in Season 3, but almost died in the process… while said man, Cole Maddox (Tahmoh Penikett), who is connected to Kate’s mother’s murder from years ago, met up with the mysterious “Mr. Smith,” thus revealing a larger conspiracy afoot.
Where We Pick Up: Just a few hours after Castle and Beckett tumbled into bed together, though this new couple will have to deal with some reevaluation about their relationship in the light of day… and whether or not they want to go public with the fact that they’re now together. As for the matter of Beckett’s resignation, look for Kate to be back on the force within the first few episodes of the season.
Hawaii Five-O (CBS; Mondays at 10 p.m., returns Sept. 24)
Where We Left Off: Bye Chief Fryer (Tom Sizemore), who was killed by bank robber who blew up police headquarters. The whole thing led back to imprisoned dirty cop Frank Delano (William Baldwin) who wanted Chin Ho (Daniel Dae Kim) to pay for not being in jail himself. Delano forced Chin Ho to choose between saving his wife (Reiko Aylesworth) or Kono (Grace Park). Of course, Chin Ho chose his wife, Malia, but found her near death anyway as Kono got pushed over the side of a boat and was last seen flailing in the Pacific. Joe (Terry O’Quinn) disappeared after leading Steve McGarret (Alex O’Loughlin) to … wait for it ... his not-so-dead mother!
Where We Pick Up: The action begins merely seconds after Shelburne opened the door and Steve uttered, “Mom?” These are not sunny days for Chin Ho who will begin the season a broken man. Danny’s (Scott Caan) is still dealing with his ex-wife’s plans to move his daughter to Las Vegas.
New Girl (Fox; Tuesdays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 25)
Where We Left Off: Nick (Jake Johnson) decided to move in with Caroline (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) and out of the loft, though his roommates were less than pleased. In moving, however, Nick couldn’t come to terms with the finality of his decision and ended up stranding himself, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris) in the desert. Cece (Hannah Simone) and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) came to their rescue, though when Jess pretended to lose her car keys, they all spent the night in the desert. Schmidt tried to “White Fang” Cece (by letting her go), but Cece didn’t fall for it and the two seemed to have broken up. Nick ultimately moved back into the loft before the season ended.
Where We Pick Up: Schmidt celebrates the removal of his penis cast with a party, where he will run into former flame Cece and Parker Posey’s “shot girl.” Jess loses her job after budget cuts at her school, and finds herself in a state of emotional freefall and experimentation, with Josh Gad and David Walton playing potential new beaus for Jess. Plus, is that old guy hanging out at Nick’s bar (Justified’s Raymond Barry) really “Old Nick” from the future?
Modern Family (ABC; Wednesdays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 26)
Where We Left Off: Somebody’s pregnant! And her name starts with a “G.” Second-time fatherhood was not to be this time for Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) but the family is getting an addition anyway. High school graduate Haley (Sarah Hyland) announced she was going to move in with Dylan (Reid Ewing) and attend community college but little Luke (Nolan Gould) spoiled the plan by telling Dylan he would miss his sister. Haley decided instead to go to college. Jay (Ed O’Neill) went Little Miss Sunshine on us and danced ballet with his granddaughter Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) at her recital to ease her nerves.
Where We Pick Up: Jay seeks therapy to deal with his anxiety over becoming a father again. Gloria (Sofia Vergara) insists on wearing her usual clothes, despite her baby bump. Manny (Rico Rodriguez) is rightfully worried that he will have to parent his sibling.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC; Wednesdays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 26)
Where We Left Off: The Special Victims Unit team was investigating the murder of a teenage prostitute at the bachelor party of the police commissioner’s son—and an escalating and apparently vicious battle between two Manhattan escort services—when things took a turn for the seriously strange as Captain Cragen (Dan Florek) was knocked unconscious and woke up to discover blood on his hands … and the corpse of a prostitute in bed next to him.
Where We Pick Up: The discovery of that dead hooker’s body in Cragen’s bed will complicate things, not just for Cragen, but for Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) as well, given that her trust in the captain is now shaken by this situation. Elsewhere, look for Adam Baldwin to join the cast as an interim captain—whose appointment leads to friction within the SVU team—and Paget Brewster as a DA investigator handling the case against Cragen, while other guest stars this season will include Roger Bart, Anna Chlumsky, and Raul Esparza.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC; Thursdays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 27)
Where We Left Off: Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) perished in the plane crash, but not before saying goodbye to her ex-boyfriend Mark (Eric Dane), who suffered a cardiac tamponade and almost died, but was luckily saved by timely surgery performed by a distraught Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina (Sandra Oh). Teddy (Kim Raver) decided to turn down the Army Medical Command offer and stay at Seattle Grace, but Owen (Kevin McKidd) then fired her in an effort to get her to take the job and move on with her life.
Where We Pick Up: There’s a time jump of a few months when the action picks up, though viewers will get to see just what unfolded in the forest. Derek (Patrick Dempsey) will have to deal with his own physical limitations after his hand injury in the plane crash that killed Lexie. And there’s lots of change afoot, apparently: not everyone is back at Seattle Grace, and those who survived the crash—particularly Meredith and Cristina—might have changed significantly in the last few months. Also: will Mark survive, given that Dane is only on board this season for two episodes? Hmmm.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS; Thursdays at 8 p.m.; returns Sept. 27)
Where We Left Off: Sheldon (Jim Parsons) held Amy’s (Mayim Bialik) hand! Didn’t think you could get so excited about such a tiny romantic development, did you? In the sweetest finale ever, Howard (Simon Helberg) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) hurried up and got married before he fulfilled his life-long (not really) dream of going to space. The rest of the gang supported Bernadette as they watched Howard launch into space and that’s when the sweet handholding began. Bernadette reached out for Raj’s(Kunal Nayyar); Penny (Kaley Cuoco) grabbed Leonard’s (Johnny Galecki); and you already know what Sheldon did with whom.
Where We Pick Up: Howard’s still in space, where he is being bullied by other astronauts and can still hear his mother yelling. Penny and Leonard are coming to terms with his unexpected marriage proposal. Raj is lonely without Howard. Sheldon and Amy are trying to figure out what’s next since handholding was not part of their 31-page Relationship Agreement.
Scandal (ABC; Thursdays at 10 p.m.; returns Sept. 27)
Where We Left Off: Among the zillion plot threads kicked up in the finale: Journalist Gideon Wallace (Brendan Hines) was murdered by the VP’s chief of staff, Billy Chambers (Matt Letscher), which led to a revelation that Pope & Associates staffer Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes) wasn’t who she appeared to be and that Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) has known her true identity for some time. First lady Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) saved her husband, Fitz (Tony Goldwyn), and his presidency when she lied to the press, claiming to be the woman in the leaked sex tape. Olivia turned in her White House badge, indicating that she was done with Fitz and with the White House.
Where We Pick Up: The solution to last season’s biggest mystery—who is Quinn Perkins?—will be revealed in the second season opener. Olivia will cross paths with Fitz again, even after she betrayed him and left him reeling, but she will also have to deal with Mellie, as well as the first lady’s fake pregnancy. Meanwhile, the bond of trust between Fitz and Cyrus (Jeff Perry)—who was secretly involved in the death of former White House intern Amanda Tanner (Liza Weil)—has been shattered.
Fringe (Fox; Fridays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 28)
Where We Left Off: Observer September (Michael Cerveris) was trapped by the villainous Jessica Holt (Rebecca Mader) and then shot; Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) then used her telekinetic abilities to shoot Holt. Later, she and Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) faced off against a deranged William Bell (Leonard Nimoy), who had already taken Walter (John Noble) prisoner. In a dangerous gambit, Walter shot Olivia in the head, knowing that her Cortexiphan-derived abilities would heal her wound and enable her to stop Bell’s tabula rasa-like plan for transforming the world into a new “Eden.” Olivia survived the shooting and the team took down Bell, with Astrid (Jasika Nicole) surviving her own gunshot wound the episode prior. Olivia told Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) that she was pregnant (with Henrietta, their child glimpsed in the future timeline of “Letters of Transit”). September appeared to Walter and told him, “They are coming.”
Where We Pick Up: The final 13 episodes of Fringe will be set in the dystopian future of 2036, a timeline where the Observers have taken over the planet and crushed humanity beneath their tyrannical rule, one glimpsed in the aforementioned “Letters of Transit” last season. Georgina Haig will reprise her role as Henrietta “Etta” Bishop, the adult daughter of Peter and Olivia, and questions raised within “Letters of Transit”—such as why Peter, Astrid, and Walter were trapped in amber—will be answered as the Fringe team attempts to save the universe one final time.
Once Upon a Time (ABC; Sundays at 8 p.m.; returns Sept. 30)
Where We Left Off: In order to save the life of her son, Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) went to Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle) for help, and he in turn sent her on a quest to the caves below Storybrooke, where she battled Maleficent’s dragon form and located a bejeweled egg containing a potion of true love that Mr. Gold (a.k.a. Rumpelstiltskin) had secured years before. Mr. Gold, however, had other ideas, and tricked both Emma and Regina (Lana Parilla), taking the potion for himself. Henry died at the hospital, but was revived by true love’s kiss from his mother, which also broke the curse keeping the residents of Storybrooke both unable to leave the town and unaware of their true fairy tale selves. Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) and Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) reunited. In order to be reunited with his lost love, Belle (Emilie de Ravin), Mr. Gold spilled the true love potion into a well, which brought magic back to Storybrooke.
Where We Pick Up: For one, everyone remembers everything from their other lives before they were cursed and forced to remain in Storybrooke, Maine, which means both jubilation and heartbreak. Second, Mr. Gold’s actions in the season finale now mean that magic exists within this world, a turn of events that makes the town’s resident Evil Queen, Regina, very happy indeed. New fairy tale characters being introduced in Season 2 will include Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk), Captain Hook, and others, while audiences will learn Prince Charming’s real name, the fairy tale world identity of Dr. Whale, and the identity of Henry’s dad.
The Good Wife (CBS; Sundays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 30)
Where We Left Off: The dream team of Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) and Patti Nyholm (Martha Plimpton) set out to destroy the firm, and stole one of their major clients in the process. Will (Josh Charles), still suspended, remained unable to practice law, while Lockhart/Gardner was in trouble, with a balloon payment due on the offices. Jackie Florrick (Mary Beth Piel) had suffered a stroke but her condition might actually be worse than originally thought, given her erratic behavior. Peter Florrick (Chris Noth) and the kids moved back into their old house and invited Alicia (Julianna Margulies) to stay, a decision she pondered outside on the welcome mat. Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) learned that her vicious husband had tracked her down and decided not to run, but instead pulled up a chair, cocked a gun, and waited for the inevitable … a knock at the door.
Where We Pick Up: Lockhart/Gardner is in serious financial trouble (read: bankruptcy), and Will—newly returned to practicing the law after his suspension—and Diane (Christine Baranski) must contend with a court-appointed trustee (Nathan Lane) poking around the firm and the very real threat of downsizing entire departments. The road to the gubernatorial election for Peter will be paved with questions about how much to involve the kids and Alicia, who will have to contend with a nosy reporter. Plus, Kalinda will have to deal with the return of her violent husband Nick (Marc Warren)… and whether he wants to kiss or kill her.
Revenge (ABC; Sundays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 30)
Where We Left Off: Emily (Emily VanCamp) broke up with Daniel Grayson (Joshua Bowman) and later faced down the mysterious White-Haired Man (James Morrison), who appeared to have played a role in the murder of her father and who is employed by the Americon Initiative, a terrorist organization. They engaged in a brutal fight, but Emily let him live, and saved Nolan (Gabriel Mann), whom he had taken prisoner. Amanda (Margarita Levieva) returned to the Hamptons and to Jack Porter (Nick Weschler), revealing that she is pregnant and claiming that he is the father. Charlotte Grayson (Christa B. Allen) swallowed a ton of pills, but was found by Conrad (Henry Czerny). Victoria (Madeleine Stowe), Lydia (Amber Valletta), and several other material witnesses to crimes committed by Conrad Grayson and the Americon Initiative appeared to board a plane bound for Washington, D.C., which then exploded in mid-air. Emily and Nolan discovered evidence that proves that Emily’s mother is still alive… and Victoria was aware of her existence.
Where We Pick Up: Eight weeks have passed since the show’s explosive season finale, which put not just one but three characters in mortal jeopardy. Did Lydia survive the fiery plane crash? Was Victoria even aboard the plane? Did Charlotte survive her suicide attempt? All this, plus Emily will have to deal with the knowledge that her assumed-to-be-dead mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is still very much alive… and may herself be connected to the mysterious terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of so many already.
Dexter (Showtime; Sundays at 9 p.m.; returns Sept. 30)
Where We Left Off: Dexter, the jig is up, sweetie. Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) caught Dexter (Michael C. Hall) in the act, plunging a knife into Travis (Colin Hanks). This, after Deb discovered in therapy that she is in (gross) love with her brother (they are not blood-related but still!). What’s love got to do with it now, Lieutenant? Deb, you might say, is in a pickle.
Where We Pick Up: Right then and there, with Travis still on the slab, Deb confronts Dexter and it will surely make your stomach hurt. But if only Deb were Dexter’s sole problem. Creepy Louis Greene (Josh Cook) is more obsessed with Dexter than ever. And LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) makes some connections to the Bay Harbor Butcher investigation from the first season that only spells even more trouble for Dexter.
Homeland (Showtime; Sundays at 10 p.m.; returns Sept. 30)
Where We Left Off: Brody (Damian Lewis) was ready to blow up the vice president and his bunker with the help of sniper Tom Walker (Chris Walker). But Carrie (Claire Danes), who figured it out but couldn’t get anyone at the CIA to listen to her, convinced Brody’s daughter to call her daddy up and tell him to stop and that worked. Walker then called Abu Nazir (Navid Negahban) for Brody who convinces the big boss that he can better exact revenge on the United States for its war crimes from a high political perch. Abu Nazir agreed, and Brody, in turn, killed Walker. Carrie underwent shock treatment for her bi-polar condition, which dredged up memories of Brody muttering the name of Abu Nazir’s son while having nightmares.
Where We Pick Up: Some time has passed when the season opens and Carrie is more stable, though she’s lost her confidence because she still believes she was wrong about Brody. Will she ever remember the important revelation that came to her as she went under and begin to suspect Brody again? Their cat-and-mouse game will definitely continue to be a central point. No longer interested in terrorism, Brody begins his new plan of attack against the country he believes betrayed him, causing him tremendous anxiety. Brody’s wife, Jessica, (Morena Baccarin) however, likes her new life in the D.C. limelight.
Raising Hope (Fox; Tuesdays at 8 p.m.; returns Oct. 2)
Where We Left Off: Hope’s momma died again! But not before she revealed she was alive and fought the Chances for custody of her precious Princess Beyonce—Hope to us. The court actually sided with the murderous Lucy (Bijou Phillips) who had plans to take the little cutie to Tibet. Though he adores Sabrina (Shannon Woodward), Jimmy (Lucas Neff) decided he’d go to Tibet with Lucy because he couldn’t stand the thought of being separated from his baby girl. Even though she got what she wanted, Lucy’s psycho self took over. She tried to kill Sabrina but got hit by a bus driven by Jason Lee (Get the My Name Is Earl joke?). So there went Lucy again and the Chances got their hope back.
Where We Pick Up: Now that we know Sabrina comes from a wealthy family she has shunned, it’s time to meet her mother and what better time to do than at her grandmother’s funeral? Hello Melanie Griffith who plays Sabrina’s mom, the narcissist Tamara. Griffith’s real-life mom, Tippi Hedren, plays Grandma. There are all kinds of stipulations in the will, which could lead to a more serious commitment between Jimmy and Sabrina, who are still going steady and strong.
Gossip Girl (CW; Mondays at 9 p.m.; returns Oct. 8)
Where We Left Off: Dan or Chuck? Of course, Blair (Leighton Meester) chose Chuck (Ed Westwick) but Chuck first rejected her and then, we think, he was all into it. Chair is back! We hope so anyway because life wasn’t kind to Chuck when Bart (Robert John Burke) showed up alive and everything and took Bart Industries away from him. Lily (Kelly Rutherford) found herself in a polygamous jam—but chose to dump Rufus (Matthew Settle) and go back to the husband she thought had died. Dan (Penn Badgley) found himself all Lonely Boy again, enlisted Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) to help him take down the East Side tabloid-style, and left with her to Italy. Serena (Blake Lively) was all coked out.
Where We Pick Up: This is it! The last 10 episodes! Dan returns to the Upper East Side all dark and stuff—the journey from Lonely Boy to Bad Boy. Serena will have a new love interest and, no, it’s not a white powdery substance. Nate is running The Spectator solo. And Chuck and Blair are figuring out how to be in a relationship. XOXO.
The Vampire Diaries (CW; Thursdays at 8 p.m.; returns October 11)
Where We Left Off: Alaric (Matt Davis) seemingly murdered Klaus (Joseph Morgan), but not before Bonnie (Kat Graham) had switched his body with that of Tyler (Michael Trevino), leaving Klaus’ essence inhabiting Tyler’s physical form. Elena (Nina Dobrev) chose Stefan (Paul Wesley) over Damon (Ian Somerhalder), and called Damon to tell him of her decision. Returning to Mystic Falls, the truck containing Matt (Zach Roerig) and Elena plunged off of the Wickery Bridge as they attempted to escape Rebekah (Claire Holt), leading Elena to sacrifice her life in order to save Matt’s, urging Stefan to save him instead. Alaric died in Damon’s arms after a momentous battle, and Damon realized that if Alaric was dead, so was Elena. But this is The Vampire Diaries, after all, so Elena—who had received a transfusion of vampire blood in order to stop the internal bleeding in her head the week before—opened her eyes, having been transformed at the moment of her death into a vampire.
Where We Pick Up: Just a few hours after the events of the season finale, with Elena transitioning to becoming a “new” vampire. Elena and her friends will have to face the end of high school and what lies beyond. With Rebekah’s actions directly leading to Elena’s “death” and transformation, it’s possible that Elena’s brother Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) might be looking for some revenge against Rebekah, while Matt will have to deal with the fact that he was at the wheel when the truck went over the bridge. Bonnie, meanwhile, joins forces with others to try to find a magic spell that can save Elena before her transition is complete. And Caroline (Candice Accola) gets cozy with Tyler in the woods, unaware that she’s actually making out with Klaus… and also gets in some sort of car accident?
The Walking Dead (AMC; Sundays at 9 p.m.; returns Oct. 14)
Where We Left Off: When it comes to zombie fighting, there is no democracy! Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) has had enough of being second-guessed and he is a full-on dictator now after killing Shane (Jon Bernthal). Shane wasn’t happy being dead so he became a zombie and Rick’s son, Carl, (Chandler Riggs) killed him again. Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) carrying Rick’s second child—or is it Shane’s?—was not happy with any of these developments. A herd of zombies bore down on Hershel’s (Scott Wilson) farm and by the end of the human-zombie showdown, Jimmy (James Allen McCune) and Patricia (Jane McNeil), were dead, Andrea was on the run by herself but rescued by a mystery figure in the woods, and a structure that looks like a prison emerged on the horizon.
Where We Pick Up: Several months have passed and the group has been moving from place to place until they come upon the prison and take it over. But they discover they are not the prison’s only dwellers. Rick is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of killing Shane, and Lori is also consumed by guilt, which does not bode well for their marriage. Maggie (Lauren Cohen) and Glenn (Steven Yeun) are still a couple. David Morrissey joins the cast as Phillip, who runs the prison and doesn’t appear to be a good guy.
Suburgatory (ABC; Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.; returns October 17)
Where We Left Off: Lisa (Allie Grant) discovered that it was her brother Ryan (Parker Young) and not her who was adopted. Dallas (Cheryl Hines) realized she was alone after Dahlia (Carly Chaikin) decided to spend Mother’s Day with her dad by taking their annual trip to Israel. Tessa (Jane Levy) finally met her maternal grandmother, which presented a potential reunion with her errant mother and, more importantly, with her beloved New York City.
Where We Pick Up: A few months will have passed since the end of Season 1. Tessa will eventually meet her mother, Alex (Malin Akerman), though that might take a while. Eden (Alicia Silverstone) has given birth to her baby—which means Noah (Alan Tudyk) and Jill (Gillian Vigman) are now parents again though Jill is on a book tour—and moved on from Chatswin. And there might just be a full-blown romance developing between George (Jeremy Sisto) and Dallas. Plus, meet Dallas’ life-coach, played by Archer’s H. Jon Benjamin!
American Horror Story: Asylum (FX; Wednesdays at 10 p.m., returns Oct. 17)
Where We Left Off: The Harmons are all dead and are now the Friendly Ghosts of the lovely Victorian Murder House working with other benevolent spirits to keep others from suffering the pain we all experienced after they moved in. Tate (Evan Peters) lost Violet (Taissa Farmiga), confessed his sins to Ben (Dylan McDermott), and remained isolated from everyone else in Murder House. Candace (Jessica Lange) raised Tate and Vivien’s (Connie Britton) rape baby and didn’t seem particularly perturbed when he went all homicidal on his nanny.
Where We Pick Up: In a completely new setting with the Harmons, Rubber Man and all their spirit pals tucked away at Murder House. The new story is set in 1964 and takes place at Briarcliff Manor, a Catholic institution for the criminally insane. Several of the first season’s actors return in different roles. Jessica Lange plays Sister Jude who runs the joint; Evan Peters plays Kit, a prisoner who tried to escape; Sarah Paulson is one of the residents; and Zachary Quinto is a psychiatrist. Joining them are Chloe Sevigny as a sex addict inmate, Joseph Fiennes as a priest, and Adam Levine and Jenna Dewan Tatum playing newlyweds.
Community (NBC; Fridays at 8:30 p.m.; returns Oct. 19)
Where We Left Off: Distressed after Troy (Donald Glover) moved out of the apartment, Abed (Danny Pudi) was consumed by his “Evil Abed” persona and he set out to recreate the “darkest timeline,” before being saved by a moving courtroom speech from Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) and reconciling with Britta (Gillian Jacobs). After Subway pulled out of the Greendale cafeteria, Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) and Pierce (Chevy Chase) opened their own sandwich shop. Jeff attempted to track down his long-lost father. Star-Burns (Dino Stamatopoulos) was revealed to be alive, having faked his own death, while Chang (Ken Jeong) was seen living in the air ducts of Greendale rival City College, where he overheard a plot to destroy the community college. The Dreamatorium was taken apart, though Abed constructed a miniature version inside his blanket fort. And, oh, creator Dan Harmon and executive producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan left the show.
Where We Pick Up: The fictional Greendale gang is all back, with David Guarascio and Moses Port now serving as showrunners/executive producers for the post-Dan Harmon era of Community. While details are still scarce, here’s what we do know: Malcolm McDowell is set to play Greendale history teacher Professor Cornwallis, while Little Britain’s Matt Lucas and Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer will guest star in an episode about the rabid Inspector Spacetime fandom.
Touch (Fox; Fridays at 8 p.m.; returns Oct. 26)
Where We Left Off: Teller’s Amelia Sequence—the pattern of numbers he named after one of his former child patients and that Jake (David Mazouz) also sees—has turned into an ongoing story arc.
After looking for the girl at the same facility where Jake (David Mazouz) has been staying, Teller (Danny Glover) was found dead. Clea (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) then discovered AsterCorp is studying Jake’s abilities and has ties to Teller’s work with Amelia, who is supposed to be dead. When that company tries to take custody of Jake away from Martin (Kiefer Sutherland), Martin and Jake run away to California with Clea’s help. In Los Angeles, they meet Amelia’s mother (Maria Bello) who has been looking for her daughter for three years using the numbers as clues.
Where We Pick Up: Martin and Jake join forces with Lucy Robbins, Amelia’s mother, to find her, after Martin offers her proof that the girl had been in the same facility with Jake just weeks earlier and is not dead as she was told.
