Reboot or Not to Reboot? That is the Question.

By starrymag | December 13, 2016

By: Gladys Luna

 

Who hasn´t found themselves caught wondering once in a while what would have happened if some of our favorite TV shows would not have come to an end so soon? Well, worry not because Netflix has seemed to have been sharing the same feeling as us and decided to dig deep into the storehouse of memories bringing back some of our favorite tv shows of all time.

So friends, fasten your seatbelts and let´s ride down the memory lane on Netflix´s latest reboots that still manage to keep us sitting on the edge of our seats with every episode even long after they´re gone. Let´s roll!

Back on 2011 Netflix made the decision, for the very first time, to take responsibility on the revival of one of the audience most claimed and successful tv shows called: Arrested Development. Little did we know with this seemingly small step more shows will be added to the still ongoing list making our fan hearts bounce up and down on the hopes that maybe our favorite TV shows may have another chance as well. For now, here´s a glimpse of the recently rebooted tv shows:

 

 

1. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

Arrested Development is a multi-awarded American sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz set in Newport Beach, CA and tells the story of the fictional and dysfunctional Bluth family.

The show was originally aired back in November 2^nd, 2003 to February 10^th, 2006 on Fox and after three seasons and a total of 53 episodes were released, the show was finally canceled due to low ratings – leaving their fans heart-broken and wanting for more. Luckily, in 2011 Netflix announced that they will be releasing new episodes bringing hope to the audience that waited patiently until finally in 2013. The fourth season of the show was released streaming a total number of fifteen episodes on its May 26^th, 2013 debut and left with the promise of coming back in 2017 with another spicy season. The members of the cast are: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, David Cross and Jeffrey Tambor among others. The show is narrated by Ron Howard, who also works as one of the producers of the show.

Pros: Long and eagerly expected by the fans, the show was quite successful for Netflix as well as it served its purpose to put an end to the agony of losing it in the first place. Also, it paved the way for more shows to be added and come full circle by the streaming channel.

Cons: It is being claimed that regardless of the attempts, the season presented by Netflix seemed to have a lack of the humor and some elements that were so characteristic of the show that made it the success it initially was. Apparently, the efforts to make up for the lost time only caused to overflow the show with situations that slightly sidetracked the story from the original version

 

2. THE KILLING

The Killing is a crime drama tv show set on Seattle, Washington and based on the Danish TV series called “Forbrydelsen” (The Crime) created by Søren Sveistrup. The network AMC presented the first episode of the American version on April 3^rd, 2011 and was developed by Veena Sud. After two seasons the show was canceled in 2012, but after a negotiation with Netflix and Fox Television Studios (that was responsible for the production of the same from the very beginning) another season was released as the final season with another cancelation came on September 2013. Two months later, on November 2013, Netflix requested another season of the show in order to give it a proper closure. On August 1^st, 2014 the final and fourth season of the series made up of six episodes was released on Netflix

The show follows the story of personally and professionally daily basis of the homicide detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) as they struggle between a complicated work and even more troubled lives.

Among the cast of the show is Mireille Enos, Joel Kinnaman, Billy Campbell, Michelle Forbes, Brent Sexton and Katie Findlay just to name a few.

Pros: As a fan of the show myself, I must say that this was one of those that kept me hanging by a thread with every episode delivered. It was the kind of show that makes you step in the shoes of the characters yourself and drive you crazy while creating the most unexpected and insane hypothesis only to be proven wrong when you foolishly thought you were close to unraveling the mystery.

Cons: Regardless of its great and enthralling commencement, it was very clear the series went down the hill right from the beginning of Season Three that showed the struggle to keep the show alive when there was no longer a worth story to tell. Still, it was given a shot, which quickly was proved wrong and the reason of the series were canceled for a second time.

Although it was very much appreciated, the “well-intentioned” decision of Netflix to put it under its protection and give it another push was the series only grasping at straws by the time Season Four arrived.

 

3. FULLER HOUSE

Fuller House is an American sitcom set on San Francisco, California introduced by Netflix as a spin-off of the prior and original show called Full House created by Jeff Franklin that aired from September 22^nd, 1987 to May 23^rd, 1995 with a total of eight seasons and 192 episodes on the ABC Network.

The aforementioned spin-off revolves around the life of veterinarian DJ Tanner-Fuller (Candace Cameron Bure), Danny Tanner´s (Bob Saget) oldest daughter and how she manages to keep moving forward after becoming a widow and having to support and raise her three sons on her own. Quickly included in the picture are her younger sister Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) and her lifetime best friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber). Most of the cast are reprising their roles except for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Bob Saget, John Stamos (also producer of the show), Lori Loughlin and Dave Coulier who used to be the regular cast in Full House are now to be seen in random guest appearances. New members are added to the cast as: Michael Campion, Elias Harger, Dashiell & Fox Messitt, Soni Nicole Bringas, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Scott Weinger, etc.

In the beginning, Netflix ordered a total of thirteen episodes that were released on February 26, 2016. After the more than very well welcomed reception of the audience, the show was renewed for another season made up by another thirteen episodes as was announced earlier this year on March 2^nd. On May 5^th, 2016 the new season production began. The second season was released on December 9^th, 2016.

Pros: The camaraderie and old chemistry between the cast remains untouched and is very much undeniable, which provides bonus points to the show. The addition of members to the cast is a breath of fresh air to this second round that seemed to immediately fall into the new pace of the show. Private jokes and the use of pieces a memories of the original show bring a nostalgic sense that keeps reminding us why we loved it in the first place

Cons: Despite the comments above-mentioned there are some holes that need to be filled in. Although it is barely perceptible, there are some forced jokes and interactions that still have to be worked out.

 

4. GILMORE GIRLS

Gilmore Girls is a comedy-drama tv show originally premiered on The WB on October 5th, 2000 that as created by Amy Sherman-Palladino. It tells the story of the single mother Lorelai Gilmore played by the ever enchanting Lauren Graham and her daughter Lorelai (Rory) played by the lovely Alexis Bledel. The story takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut leading into the lives of the above-mentioned characters and their day-to-day issues regarding family, friends, relationships, love and their attempts to achieve happiness and success in every aspect of their lives. After six seasons, the showed was moved to The CW for another season that premiered on September 26th, 2006 before being finally canceled. The last episode of season seven was aired on May 15th, 2007.

It wasn´t until nine years later that Netflix decided to take a chance on the show announcing earlier this year on January 29th that the show will be returning as a mini-series titled, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life that premiered on November 25th, 2016. The series is made up of only four episodes, each representing a season of the year as in: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.

The former cast returned and reprised their roles including Melissa McCarthy whose participation was yet to be defined when the revival of the series was announced. Thankfully, it was on The Ellen DeGeneres show where she confirmed her participation on the new season.

Pros: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life might be seen as an endeavor to properly give the show the so much needed closure that was not entirely achieved back when the series originally ended since the actual creator and writer of the show was no longer part of it. This is an opportunity to lead the series into the path that it was formerly meant to take.

Cons: Long after the show was ended, we were finally able to taste what it is to have a bite of it again and may not be ready to let it go yet. Still, no confirmation on if there´ll be more to come although the ending of the mini-series was left on a cliffhanger.

 

It seems like Netflix has unintentionally become a kind of a savior to an unsatisfied or harmed fandom by bringing justice to the “defenseless” of TV shows that were gone too soon. Thankfully, we are finally getting the answers to the undying questions these series left behind!