A Spiritual Guide to the 2008-2009 TV Season

Eli Stone

When Eli Stone (Jonny Lee Miller) hit the small screen in the eponymous TV show's first season, he was dazed by musical visions - based on such songs as George Michael's "Faith" - and how they altered his high-powered lawyer existence. As Stone began working pro bono for the underdog and reacting to his visions in public, colleagues wondered if he'd lost his mind. While he and his spiritual guru Dr. Chen (James Saito) pondered whether he was a prophet or having visions because of a brain aneurysm.

Season 1 might have ended with the aneurysm's removal but the prophet question and musical visions will remain on the table in Season 2.

"Eli Stone" will air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, starting Oct. 14 on ABC.

Fringe

While "The X-Files" hit the silver screen this summer, the thriller drama "Fringe" is being a called a new millennium version of the original series. In the pilot, FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) investigates an international flight landing at the Boston Logan Airport without any sign of life. Dunham needs the help of Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble), an institutionalized genius. This leads her to request the assistance of his estranged son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson). The series is expected to follow the unlikely trio as they explore the imaginable and unimaginable, like this flight being a part of a bigger and even more shocking case.

"Fringe" will premiere Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and move to its regular time slot Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT the next week on FOX.

Ghost Whisperer

The character Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt) - inspired by the efforts of medium James Van Praagh and spirits communicator Mary Ann Winkowski - will be back as the intermediary of ghosts and those they haunt. A major component of the series is its definition of the afterlife being two places: the "Light Side" and "Dark Side." So, while Gordon is surrounded by the spiritual element of other people's lives, her personal life is coming into a deeper focus. Gordon's relationship scenarios to look out for include the ones with her father Paul Eastman, friend Delia Banks (Camryn Manheim) and husband Jim Clancy (David Conrad).

"Ghost Whisperer" will return on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, starting Oct. 3 on CBS.

Heroes

"In every Hero, there could be a Villain" is among the taglines for the new season of "Heroes." The next chapter in the epic drama will emphasize the Villains, while giving the account of regular people realizing they have amazing powers. The theatrics surround the actions these Heroes take with abilities such as flying, indestructibility, immense strength, manipulate time, hear others' thoughts and absorb others' powers. Basically, the likes of a politician, cheerleader, nurse, police detective and single mother will continue to follow their destiny to save the world. The ultimate question remains: How will they do so?

"Heroes" will come back Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with a two-hour season premiere on Sept. 22.

Pushing Daisies

Pie maker Ned (Lee Pace) will return with his hidden talent of making dead fruits and humans ripe again. Ned and private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) investigate mysterious deaths as the former can bring victims back to life with the first touch. After a short while Ned returns them to the afterlife with a second touch, so another person doesn't die. While the initial impetus was to collect large reward fees, Ned's childhood sweetheart Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Anna Friel), joins the team and motivates them to use his skills for good rather than money.

As Ned and Chuck journey through the obstacle of not being able to touch each other, the questions remain: Why was Ned given this power, and what is he ultimately expected to do?

"Pushing Daisies" will air new episodes Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT starting Oct. 1 on ABC.

The Mentalist

Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) has a keen sense of examination. The former faux psychic medium serves as an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation with an impressive track record in clearing cases. While Jane's paranormal abilities were false, his razor sharp observation skills are not. Bureau colleagues such as senior agent Teresa Lisbon (Robin Tunney) critique Jane's lack of protocol and boundaries, as well as his theatrics. However, there are those that revere his charisma and talent in solving cases.

The series is executive produced by Bruno Heller, who was behind the grandiose series "Rome."

"The Mentalist" will premiere Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, starting Sept. 23.

Big Love

The Henricksons, a modern polygamist family with a secret existence in suburbia Utah, are coming back. Bill (Bill Paxton) will continue juggling between wives Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nicki (Chloe Sevigny) and Margene (Ginnifer Goodwin); his Home Plus superstores; and the fundamentalist Juniper Hill compound he left as a child. Situations to look out for in the new season include the Henricksons' new gambling business, Weber Gaming, and the role it has in their faith. Also, how does the arrest of Juniper Hill prophet and father-in-law Roman Grant (Harry Dean Stanton) effect the family? And now that neighbors know that Henricksons are polygamists, could life be significantly altered in the three-house home?

"Big Love" is currently in production and will return to HBO in January 2009.

Kings

"Kings" is a new drama that retells the biblical David and Goliath story in a contemporary fashion. Set in another world, the series follows soldier David Shepard (Christopher Egan) as he defies orders and crosses enemy lines to save his Gilboa countrymen - including King Silas Benjamin's (Ian McShane) son Jack Benjamin (Sebastian Stan). As David's life changes, themes such as greed and power, war and romance and forbidden loves and secret alliances surround the landscape. Symbolism surrounds the Gilboa flag's divine butterfly, the Goliath tank and capital city Shiloh being untarnished by time or waste.

The prospective epic series was conceived by executive producer Michael Green while he was working on another saga called "Heroes."

"Kings" will premiere on NBC in early 2009.

Lost

The Season 4 finale of "Lost" revealed how the Oceanic Six made it off the supernatural tropical island. Yet the questions continued. Will they return to the island? What happened to those who didn't make it off the island? Why did Jack (Matthew Fox) guide the rest of the group to lie when they were "saved"? What does Jack believe now? Where did Locke's (Terry O'Quinn) beliefs lead him, and how did he die? Will Sun (Yunjin Kim) and Jin (Daniel Dae Kim) be reunited, and if so, how? Is Claire (Emilie de Ravin) alive on the island, in the afterlife, or another world? Who is really behind the Dharma Initiative?

While these questions barely scratch the surface, their answers (and many others) probably won't be answered fully until the series' end in 2010.

In the meantime, "Lost" will return to ABC in early 2009.

Honorable Mentions - Caprica and Reaper

The prequel to "Battlestar Galactica," "Caprica," is set 50 years earlier. Rival families the Graystones and the Adamas are in the forefront, tied together by a tragedy. Ultimately, their developing struggle in a society with extensive technology will direct the fate of the 12 colonies. The Chicago Tribune recently reported that executives will decide in September whether to make "Caprica" a 2009 series. If they don't, it is likely to air as a TV movie later this year.

"Caprica's" fate on the Sci-Fi Channel is still to be determined, while Sky One has secured the U.K. rights.

Then the dramedy "Reaper," following the devil's bounty hunter Sam (Bret Harrison), and of course Satan (Ray Wise) will be back. However, network execs aren't exactly sure when.

"Reaper" could return to The CW in late 2008 or early 2009.

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