Hannibal

Network - NBC
Genre - crime, drama, thriller, prequel
My rating - 4 stars out of 5

It's another prequel series, they seem to be popular at the moment.  Also popular at the moment are shows with more than your average amount of blood and gore.  Hannibal definitely doesn't shy away from this format.  So much so that the show was in fact pulled from one regional channel due to it's violent content.

Characters are well written and the story line keeps you guessing.  I'm only 4 episodes in but I will be interested to see how the season develops.  Interestingly should the series get renewed then all seasons will only consist of 13 episodes, unlucky for some.

UPDATE - I got slightly further into the season and sad to say I lost interest.  I still haven't managed to finish the season and it's now January 2014.  I'm not sure where it all went sour for me, I just didn't find the storyline compelling enough to compete with some of the other stuff out there vying for my time.

The Following

Network - Fox (US) Sky (UK)
Genre - drama, crime, thriller
My rating - 4 stars out of 5

I hadn't heard positive things about this show. Mostly that it should have just been a movie not a series. I agree to some extent, in that it would have made a good film but story development really does have the pace of television.

Unfortunately, and as with many shows of this genre, you are left wondering where the FBI manages to find such unintelligent agents who are really slow on the uptake. I think this is as a result of the storyline being somewhat predictable in places.

Worth a watch.  Oh and it's been renewed for a second series...

Bates Motel

Network - A&E (US) Universal (UK)
Genre - drama, thriller, prequel
My rating - 4 stars out of 5

The prequel series to the well known movie that needs no introduction...
I'm 4 episodes in to season 1 and so far I'm quite impressed. The storyline is fast paced and there is plenty to hold your attention. There are some well thought out twists that mostly haven't been at all predictable.
I'm giving this only 4 stars for now as it's still in it's infancy and I fear it could go end up going either way for me.

So far there had been some award worthy acting from the main characters playing really well developed characters. Let's hope it continues...

Revolution

Network - NBC (US) Sky1 (UK)
Genre - Drama, Action, Adventure, Sci Fi
My rating - 2 out of 5 stars

After just one episode I expected to be hooked, unable to wait for the next installment.  I expected a programme of epic proportions much like its predecessor, Fringe.  I was disappointed.

It's all a bit stilted and samey (as a lot of other shows in this genre). Personally I have not rushed to watch any further episodes however, I will at my leisure and should I find that the acting and storyline improves then I may revise my rating.  Although I don't hold out much hope from my first experience, I do keep reminding myself, "but it's J. J. Abrams!".  Is that enough to pull it back?

Nashville - as if you didn't know already!

Network - ABC (USA) - More4 (UK)
Genre - Drama
My rating - 4.5 stars out of 5

I think we all know this show is good by now don't we?  If you don't or haven't heard of it then, seriously, what rock have you been living under for the past 6 months?!

I like the way this show is different from other shows on tv, and not just other shows that are on right now, I mean that have been made, ever.  Yes ok, it has the same storylines as other shows that are about relationships and love and sex and blah blah blah, but with this show it's also about MUSICIANS rather than doctors or lawyers.

As someone who is not a pop/country or rock star I haven't a clue whether the way the show portrays the world of music is correct or if it is grossly dramatised, but it is keeping me tuned in each week.