Welcome to the second set of pitches. Show from #-C were compiled in the first article, which is linked below. Again, thank you to everyone who helped with the pitches. To keep the articles shorter and more readable, all pitches were edited for length, clarity, and grammar. Nominations were also limited to 3 per show with a couple very popular shows having more. I am truly sorry if your nomination is not in here. Know that I appreciate your time and pitches. Making the choice of what went in was difficult. After all sections are posted, I will include a link to the original spreadsheet so you can read them all in their unedited entirety.
Pitches - Part A
2 seasons, 18 episodes
Netflix
Dark is a sci-fi TV series that centers on four families in the town of Winden, Germany, and how their relationships to themselves and each other are both dependent on and affected by time travel. Jonas, the teenage son of one of the families, must move back and forth through time in 33 year cycles in an attempt to change the fate of his father and the world. But can you really change the past, or were you why it happened? Dark is an intensely cerebral series with a dark German aesthetic different from most of the other fare that you’ve watched. (That Which Dreams)
2 seasons, 42 episodes
This is the show that gave Jessica Alba her start. Dark Angel is a sci-fi show that focuses on Max, a genetically enhanced super soldier, who escapes the government lab she was a prisoner in along with others like her. Now in post apocalyptic Seattle, Max works with tech savvy investigative reporter Logan and uses her abilities to battle the agents hunting her while also searching for her brothers and sisters who also escaped. It’s a very rompy sci-fi show with action and heart and even the appearance of a young Jensen Ackles. This short lived but well-written show remains a cult classic even almost 20 years later. (The North Remembers)
2 seasons, 20 episodes
This is the show that introduced me to Dylan McDermott. LAPD Lieutenant Carter Shaw runs a covert police unit whose officers go deep undercover to take down criminals from the inside. Members of Carter’s tight-knit crew include Ty Curtis, a recently married cop who tries his best to keep his dark profession from spilling into his new married life, Dean Bendis, a mix of street savvy charm and unpredictability who is so convincing while undercover his own colleagues genuinely question whether or not he’s dirty, and Jaimie Allen, the new recruit who isn’t who she seems. Given the nature of their assignments, each member is confronted with the struggles that come from loving two lives and the toll that playing a drug dealer or a killer or a thief takes on them. They often wonder which parts of those aliases are just a cover or really them. With gritty drama, fast action, and likeable characters, this short lived show is a must watch. (The North Remembers)
3 seasons, 39 episodes
Netflix
Six people wake up on a spaceship with no memory of anything before the time they woke up. Stuck together on the ship with an android that seemingly can’t offer answers to their immediate burning questions about who they are and why they don’t remember, these strangers must band together to figure out their pasts or, more accurately, decide if they even want to do so. That is the main set-up of Dark Matter, a space opera that ran on SyFy for three seasons and was cancelled well before its time (and on a rather mean cliffhanger to boot. Even so: WATCH IT!). Don’t let the cheap, campy feel of the show fool you. The marvelous writing, intricate yet cohesive plotting, and the amazing performances by this brilliantly talented cast transcend any budgetary shortcomings the show may have had. At its core, Dark Matter explores themes about humanity, asks questions about what actually makes us human, addresses the “nature vs nurture” debate, tackles the notion of redemption and forgiveness, and constantly refuses to shy away from difficult existential questions while never forgetting to embrace its identity of being a small sci-fi show and have fun with it. (Folie-lex)
3 seasons, 36 episodes
Amazon Prime, HBO
Few shows have better dialogue than Deadwood. It's the closest anything on television has ever come to being Shakesperean, with multiple long thought out exchanges between characters in the small frontier town of Deadwood. Every character has a rich enough story to tell a multiple novel series, and showrunner David Milch knows how to utilise them well. Particularly in the case of Ian McShane’s Al Swearengen, who is one of the all-time great TV villains. The show also drew on the mythology of the wild west featuring its own interpretations of historical figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, but populated Deadwood with its own brilliant creations, responsible for boosting the career of actors like Timothy Olyphant and more. Cancelled after three seasons on HBO but recently brought back for a wrap-up movie that works both as an epilogue and a sequel with characters reprising their roles, Deadwood offers a slightly different experience to any television show that you’ve ever seen before. It’s a dirty show, not afraid to show blood and gore and coming up with some of the best insults on television in the process, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Milo)
131 episodes
Crunchyroll
You’ve heard of the franchise and while many people brush it off with “it’s just a show of guys yelling like they’re constipated,” I can assure you DBS is much, much more. While each season tells a serialized, open and closed story, it showcases the dynamics between characters in a way the original show didn’t, which adds a sense of genuine fun interactions. Even comedic filler episodes are just as entertaining as the episodes with action and fighting. Such episodes involve Goku and Vegeta humorously doing chores in exchange for special training by a god or Goku and his wife babysitting their granddaughter only to reveal that Piccolo knows far more about child care than they do. (The North Remembers)
1 season, 13 episodes
Sony Crackle
TV shows get canceled. It sucks but after the initial sting, I move on. Five years later though and I still mourn Enlisted, the best comedy I’ve seen. Enlisted centers around the Hill brothers - Pete, Derrick, and Randy - as they follow in their father’s footsteps and join the military. Pete is the gung-ho supersoldier, Derrick is the snarky slacker, and Randy...well, he’s the dim but sweet, heart of the show. After punching a superior, Pete gets busted down to Rear D at Fort McGee. Even worse, he’s now in command of his brothers and a group of lovable “Bad News Bears” misfits. As Pete goes from leading raids against insurgents to finding lost dogs, he ultimately discovers what he’s been missing the whole time is family. Enlisted is a perfect mix of laughs, bromance, and heart. Keith David is amazing as Sergeant Major Cody and often steals the comedy scenes, but the show also tackles tough topics like PTSD. As a bonus, the final episode is a brilliant piece of closure and one of my favorite episodes of all time, drama or comedy. Now that it is finally streaming, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind comedy. (Dahne)
1 season, 13 episodes
NBC, Hulu
The Enemy Within is the type of drama that keeps one on the edge of one’s seat with every episode. It is action packed, keeping one’s interest throughout each episode. The writing and storyline is exceptional! The chemistry between Jennifer Carpenter and Morris Chestnut is palpable and there was so much more to their stories that should have time to be explored. Each of the cast members bring a sense of realism to their roles. A moment in the finale reveals that the deception is bigger than expected, so obviously, there is much more to the story which should be explored! (Karen)
I want to BE Erica Shepherd! The plotline is intense, the characters totally believable, and if you’re a mom, you have to watch! I can’t give away more. Just watch! (Robin)
This show has it all. From excellent writing to phenomenal acting to fast paced suspense...it leaves you wanting more. (Shiri)
3 seasons, 36 episodes
Amazon Prime
300 years in the future, earth has colonized the moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt. There's a lot of friction between all of the colonies and war is brewing. Just one spark can ignite the conflict and change everything. Then someone adds alien tech in the mix to start a war...but no one knows where it came from or why it’s happening. (Michelle)
2 seasons, 20 episodes
Hulu
William Friedkin’s The Exorcist is one of the scariest and best horror movies ever made, and Fox’s two season long series that deals with a different case of supernatural mysteries is one of the hidden gems of network television. It boasts fantastic scares that rival the best around but also well thought out, rich storytelling. The plot is simple, making use of the partnership between Father Tomas Ortega, a progressive leader of a suburban Chicago parish, and Marcus Brennan, an old-school Vatican soldier. It pits them against evil in all its forms with fantastic results. Alfonso Herrera and Ben Daniels star with roles for Geena Davis and John Cho that really help make the case that this show is one of the best horror shows around, taking The Exorcist in a new way that feels faithful to the source material. Even if it is a short-lived slow burner, it is a ride that’s every bit worth taking. Its second season is even stronger, and by the end, you’ll be mourning its cancellation with the rest of us. (Milo)
5 seasons, 52 episodes
It’s a show about survival and endurance. Many years after aliens have invaded Earth, Professor Tom Manson joins the resistance against the invaders to find his missing son, who was abducted by them. While Tom’s search for his son is the main plot, the show is very much an ensemble that depicts the lives of the freedom fighters and their relationships with one another. The secondary characters become as interesting as the protagonist since the show goes in depth into their history and backgrounds. More also is the mystery of the aliens, who don’t actually appear until much later in the series and the suspense of their reveal is half of what makes the show. The effects are superb for a basic cable show and the action and grounded stories balance well. (The North Remembers)
4 seasons, 90 episodes
Amazon Prime
This show really put the then Sci-Fi Channel (today SyFy) on the map. If you're a fan of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, you'll be right at home since this show was a major inspiration to James Gunn. After accidentally opening a wormhole during a test flight, Commander John Crichton is flung across the galaxy, ending up in a battle between the military Peacekeepers and a group of prisoners hijacking their prison ship, a living bio-mechanoid ship named Moya. Brought on board, Crichton soon finds himself on the run together with the strange alien crew. Filmed in Australia, it was the complete opposite of most sci-fi that was available at the dawn of the new millennium. It becomes heavily serialized after an initial grace period, mixing drama, action, tragedy and off-beat Aussie humor delivered by flawed, interesting characters. Jim Henson's Creature Shop used all their knowledge to build fantastic creations that, despite being puppets and animatronic robots, feel like fully realized cast members. Taking full advantage of its two lead’s insane chemistry, Farscape includes one of the most epic TV romances on a sci-fi show. It's wild, anarchic, and will change your life if you let it. (Jon XVI)
1 season, 26 episodes
Hulu
Somewhere near Netflix's Greenhouse Academy sits Hulu’s endearing dramedy about a time traveling, ballerina princess who finds herself transported to present day Paris. Jessica Lord’s Princess Lena grows to love the modern world, especially her new friends and ballet school classmates. Meanwhile, her bumbling yet kindhearted boyfriend Henri tries to evade time-catchers and searches for a way to bring Lena back to the past. The primary charm though is watching Lena’s new relationships develop. Eubha Akilade is a scene stealer as Ines, Lena’s practical roommate-turned-best friend. Rory J Saper’s Max definitely makes more hearts than just Lena’s flutter. Hijinks and rivalries ensue, all of which keep the show clipping along. While ballet is a large part of the story, it’s by no means the only type of dance or activity that the students get involved in. An underground hip hop dance group factors in as well. The show steers clear of sudsy drama, but it’s still satisfying to watch the characters overcome their individual hurdles. It never gets too serious though, because here come that trio of cloak-wearing time-catchers set on kidnapping. Find Me In Paris falls squarely into the bread pudding genre of TV shows, perfect to relax with. (Ellys)
1 season, 22 episodes
CW Seed
What would you do if you could live forever? New York City medical examiner Dr. Henry Morgan has done a lot over 235 years, yet he views this gift as a curse. In 1814, after defying a captain’s order to let the crew throw an ill slave overboard, he finds himself immortal. He chooses to live his life in seclusion, with all but Abe, his elderly roommate, unaware of the truth about him. When a fatal subway crash that kills him and 15 others leads Detective Jo Martinez to him, he finds his life changing…forever. If you like stories about history, family, friendship, and learning how to live life again, Forever is for you. The characters are very well-drawn, the stories are well researched, and the special effects, set, and costume designs are truly believable. The plot contains a little of everything: mystery, suspense, romance, even comedy. The only objection is that it is an one-season show, with the network leaving fans on a cliffhanger and with many unanswered questions that arise during the season. Still, Forever is a show which you should certainly check out. (Gator Fan)
This show is fascinating, entertaining, and thought-provoking in its content with great chemistry between the ensemble cast. It has romance, intrigue, and puts your crime-solving skills to the test. The flashbacks of the main character, the immortal Henry Morgan (played with dazzling finesse by Ioan Gruffudd), are insightful and entertaining, as well. They also provide a little real history mixed in with the fantasized story. Plus, Ioan is so good-looking and Alana de la Garza's Jo Martinez is so beautiful. What a Jenry ship! (Georgia)
An immortal Ioan Gruffydd solves crimes as a modern day Quincy with the help of his octogenarian adopted son and a police detective until a 2000 year old fellow immortal finds him and starts a deadly game of cat and mouse. (Andy)
3 seasons, 18 episodes
Netflix
If you're looking for historical drama that almost has it all, then look no further! Netflix's Discovery Canada series, Frontier, offers a diverse cast of characters of both local and international talent, while having brutality similar to Game of Thrones but with the romance and historical nuance of Outlander and a twinge of an adventurous spirit like Pirates of the Caribbean. It's a revenge story centered around a half Irish, half Cree man named Declan Harp amidst the ruthless plights of the North American fur trade of the late 1700's along with his arch nemesis, the scrupulous Lord Benton, who heads up the Hudson Bay Company at Fort James. The series also has a great cast led by none other than Aquaman's Jason Momoa! The cinematography is unique and it has some rather well-choreographed battle sequences. It currently finished its third season last fall, but the third season ends in such a way, where it could serve as an "ok" place to end the series, should it not come back. One really good reason to give it try anyways is because it does offer diverse characters with a lot of intersectionality, often not seen in historical dramas. (Darthlocke)
7 seasons, 124 episodes
Comedy Central, Hulu
Created by the man who made the Simpsons and known as one of the first ‘saved from cancellation’ shows, Phillip J. Fry is cryogenically frozen and awakens in the year 3000 where cars fly, aliens coexist with people, and things like the wheel and garbage are obsolete. Fry adjusts to future life while working for a delivery company run by his elderly decedent alongside an alien cyclops and a criminal robot. While it may be a sci-fi show with humor and a lot of references and jabs to pop culture, the show has episodes that are tender and emotionally powerful like the episode where Leela’s origins are revealed or the one where Fry finds his fossilized dog. (The North Remembers)
3 seasons, 65 episodes
YouTube
This short lived but well written series that Disney considered too dark showcases teamwork, trust, and overcoming prejudice. In ancient Scotland, a time where superstition and the sword ruled, humans formed an alliance with a race of winged creatures who protected each other. Betrayed by the humans, the gargoyles were cursed and frozen in stone. A thousand years later, the spell is eventually broken and Goliath and his clan awaken in modern day Manhattan. Teaming up with a human detective, the gargoyles struggle to adapt to the modern era while defending New York from criminals, sorcerers, and even other gargoyles. Three seasons long, with one being a non-canon series that fans still hate to this day, this show proved Disney wasn’t all sunshine and that they could do grim and gritty as well. (The North Remembers)
1 season, 8 episodes
HBO Go
Loosely based on her diaries, Gentleman Jack is a fictional account of the female industrialist Anne Lister. The series chronicles her array of love interests, including the wealthy and charming Ann Walker, while also delving into her interest in the coal mining industry of 1830's Yorkshire, England and how it affects her immediate family. It's a wonderful British period piece like no other, breaking the mold by boldly showcasing lesbian relationships, mental illness, obsession, alcoholism, and sexual abuse. Plus, its lead protagonist occasionally breaks the fourth wall! Surrane Jones is such a delight to watch, as a beautifully flawed person trying to navigate the delicate and unfair constants 19th century England commands. If you've been waiting for a period piece to finally explore the less represented, this might be exactly what you are looking for! (Darthlocke)
1 season, 20 episodes
CBS All Access
God Friended Me is charming. It has a charming cast and charming friend suggestions, but it is through that lens that it has complex discussions on topics your mama told you not to bring up in polite company, like religion, sexual identity, race, class, substance abuse, and forgiveness. If everyone could debate heavy topics with as much grace and respect that this show does, the world, and especially, politics would be more productive. At the center is Miles, an atheist podcaster who lost his mother to a drunk driver and is estranged from his preacher father. He gets a friend request from someone calling themselves God. At first convinced it is a hoax, he is led to help a suicidal man and then a reporter. Each week he is given a new friend request, many of which tie together as the story progresses. All the while, he works with the reporter and his best friend, a computer genius, to track down who is behind the God account. Balancing the cases, the sci-fi mystery, and the drama of a family rediscovering each other, God Friended Me will lift you up and make you think. (Dahne)
2 seasons, 23 episodes
NBC, Netflix
This dramedy is perfect, if you are looking for a fun way to relax while still being entertained. Two seasons tell the drama-filled story of three struggling suburban moms, as the friends find themselves caught up in the mafia world. It wickedly funny to watch them as they keep making wrong choices for the right reasons. It is also full of heartfelt moments. (Alice)
Good Girls is a show that you might not expect to find on network television. Maybe that's why it earned a season 3 for doing so well on Netflix. The story of three women who turn to crime in their desperation, it keeps you on the edge of your seat and always guessing. It is audacious and smart in the way that it allows its main characters to be unapologetic antiheroes. There is no black and white, only shades of gray. The writing is tight and they don't keep you hanging like other shows. They wrapped up season 2 without a cliffhanger, but left the door slightly ajar. The chemistry between the actors is also fabulous. You're left to feel that these three women have been friends forever; the wonderful Christina Hendricks, Retta, and Mae Whitman. This show has it all: friendship, family, love, sex, strong women, problematic men, murder and more! (Claire)
1 season, 13 episodes (counting this summer’s episodes)
ABC, Hulu
Grand Hotel is a scandalous summer drama filled with mystery, romance, lies and a host of complicated family drama. The conclusion of the pilot episode sealed the deal for me and I knew immediately that this show was going to be a favorite of mine! Santiago Mendoza is the owner of a lavish hotel in Miami Beach where he, his wife Gigi, and all of their children live. The mysterious disappearance of a young woman connected to the hotel, a few budding romances, and a nuisance of a local entertainer drive this thrilling plot forward each week. Everyone involved has juicy secrets they are trying to keep hidden as others work just as hard to unravel them. The writing is suspenseful and twisty and the acting is fabulously on point for this series. I can’t imagine a more perfect cast! Roselyn Sanchez is an amazingly talented actress whom I adore and whose character, I believe, is largely misunderstood. Not everything is as it seems at the Riviera Grand and you’ll find yourself checking in for more each week. (Jessica)
Juicy. Sexy. (Edward)
2 seasons, 41 episodes
Disney Now, Hulu
Think Gravity Falls is just for kids? Then you're sorely mistaken and are missing out on one the greatest shows. Combining the mythos of The X-Files with the quirky characters of, well, a kid’s show, Gravity Falls is an insanely creative animated cartoon. Follow the Pines twins, Dipper and Mabel, as they embark on a summer vacation at their great uncle’s tourist trap/home, The Mystery Shack. Only nothing is what it seems, not even their uncle. Dipper is convinced that there are hidden mysteries abound. Mabel, on the other hand, just wants to have a fun summer and fawn over cute boys. (She’s a lot better than she sounds, also being fiercely loyal and morally good throughout.) They run into other adorable characters and some truly scary scenes. This show pushes the boundaries on what we should consider appropriate for kids, all the while enriching their imaginations and creative abilities. With seamless animation and excellent serialization in later episodes, this show has widespread appeal for any type of TV watcher. Rich characters and larger than life villains, combined with slick mythologies, make this the perfect time to join the Pines family on their quest to figure out what’s what. (LauraLoo)
6 seasons, 123 episodes
Amazon Prime
Nick Burkhart is a detective who discovers he is a Grimm - a race of ancient warriors with the ability to see the beings you hear about in stories hiding in plain sight among humans. With his new powers, Nick fights against the mythical creatures of legend while keeping his city safe and realizing his destiny. Initially he struggles to keep his two worlds separate, but over the course of the show that changes as he brings the people in his life into the fold. Created by the people behind Buffy and Angel, Grimm is an amazing series with its own mythology and series long arcs. While shows like Fringe are more science fiction, Grimm is a fantasy counterpart. The characters are fun and memorable but the show really does well in making sure not everyone is squeaky clean. The labels of good and evil are not so easily defined. Even the best people can do horrific things and the perceived bad guys can do something righteous. (The North Remembers)
