This is the age of “peak TV,” a term evocative of the mountains of shows under which we now are buried. According to one recent account, 409 original scripted series aired, streamed or came through the cable in 2015. There is nothing I can do about that.
A professional with years of training, I have come to your rescue, to help you tunnel out, to get on top of it, to take its measure and to get out alive. I will be your guide, indicating new shows that seem familiar, some that look alike, a few that might be the start of a new species. You might want to take notes.
Debuted earlier this week
“The Shannara Chronicles” (MTV, Tuesdays). High-gloss, post-apocalyptic supernatural adventure series, developed by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough (“Into the Badlands”) from Terry Brooks’ novels. Owes something to “Lord of the Rings,” but don’t we all? As the Frodo of the piece, Austin Butler freshens the neo-medieval air with goofball breeziness.
“Killing Fields” (Discovery, Tuesdays). More of that true-crime serial stuff as a Louisiana police detective comes out of retirement to try to close the case that got away, with producers Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana your name-brand guarantors of quality. Sold as being in “real time,” more properly “recent time.” But real time is coming.