By David Seaman | Echo
Let's be honest: there's a lot of junk on TV right now. Busy schedules control us, and enjoying a good television show is a luxury. What we're watching shouldn't be a total waste of time. Here are some returning shows and midseason offerings for February and March that are suitable substitutes for studying.
House of Cards-returns Feb. 27 to Netflix. The third season of the landmark Netflix political drama returns with 13 episodes. Kevin Spacey plays Frank Underwood, a U.S. politician with wildcard morality. His wife Claire (Robin Wright) is just as scheming, and together they reveal to viewers the seedy underbelly of D.C. politics. This excellent show has brilliant writing, top-notch acting and an intense story that glues you to the screen. It's best when watched all in one sitting, so carve out a day and binge-watch this sucker. You won't regret it.
Vikings-returned Feb. 19 on History Channel. The most expensive History Channel show ever created returned for its third season with plenty of Nordic action and sweeping icy landscapes. Historical Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok continues his raids of France and England with his family and band of warriors. What's fascinating about the series, besides the impressive battles, is how the series looks at Nordic mythology in comparison with burgeoning Christian belief.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.-returns March 3 to ABC. The fill-in show "Agent Carter," which ran for 8 episodes between "S.H.I.E.L.D."'s hiatus from January to February, was so well-done and compelling that it's a shame it didn't get a long season. "Carter" had bar none the best writing and acting out of the current superhero shows. But "S.H.I.E.L.D." has improved greatly in those departments as well since its rocky first season. Marvel has done a great job fleshing out characters in superhero shows dealing with non-superhumans. Now they have a protagonist with powers, and it's exciting to see how this all connects to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Walking Dead-returned Feb. 8 on AMC. The horror comic-based zombie apocalypse show returned to stellar ratings this month. The second half of the fifth season follows Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors as they continue to wander deserted Georgia in search of a safe haven. As the show continuously points out, it's the living, not the dead, that people need to look out for.
Better Call Saul-premiered Feb. 8 on AMC. As good as "Breaking Bad"? That's what some critics say of this prequel, which follows slimy but lovable lawyer Saul Goodman seven years before the events of Walter White. Fan favorites from "Bad" pop up along with intriguing new characters in this enjoyable spin-off.
Secrets and Lies-premieres March 1 on ABC. If you watched the Oscars Sunday you couldn't miss the commercials for this upcoming drama. Imagine "Gone Girl," except with a missing child and actor Ryan Phillippe. "Secrets" is based on the Australian TV series of the same name, which begs the question: will this continue the trend of inferior American shows based off foreign projects, or will it transcend its origins and create an intriguing, dramatic story arc?
American Crime-premieres March 5 on ABC. "American Crime" and "Secrets and Lies" dominated the Oscar commercial broadcast, meaning ABC is serious about these two series. Boasting Academy Award winning screenwriter John Ridley and a stellar cast that includes Felicity Huffman and Timothy Hutton, the story follows a racially charged murder and the subsequent trial. The anthology series looks to examine crime in the U.S. and the criminal justice system through the eyes of victims and family members.
