Fall TV 2019: Where our favorite returning shows left off
Ziva's back on 'NCIS'! 'The Walking Dead,' 'This Is Us' and others to deliver more drama
So where were we?
It has been a while since were we in the company of our favorite shows and memories can get a little fuzzy — especially at a time when we’re being bombarded by programming on a continual basis.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this refresher course covering a few of the bigger drama series and most stunning cliffhangers. Included: A quick look at what these shows have in store this fall:
“The Good Doctor” (ABC)
Where we left off: Romance was in the air as Shaun (Freddie Highmore) mustered the courage to ask Carly (Jasika Nicole) out to dinner. Meanwhile, Glassman (Richard Schiff), now cancer-free, took a big leap of faith and asked Debbie (Shelia Kelly) to marry him. Also, Dr. Han was dismissed.
What’s next: In the Season 3 opener (10 p.m., Sept. 23) Shaun follows what he believes was a disastrous date with Carly with a proposal for a radical surgery to save a newly married woman’s life. Also, after Dr. Lim (Christina Chang), the new surgical chief, announces that residents can lead surgeries, Dr. Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) and Dr. Park (Will Yun Lee) compete for the chance to operate on an elderly patient who has been diagnosed with cancer.
“NCIS” (CBS)
Where we left off: Mossad operative Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), presumed to have been killed in a bomb explosion, made a surprise return in the Season 16 finale to warn Gibbs (Mark Harmon) that his life was in danger.
What’s next: The fan favorite continues her surprise encore in the Season 17 opener (8 p.m., Sept. 24). Gibbs questions why Ziva remained underground for years while being presumed dead by family and friends, and what led to her return. The threat, apparently, is very real. But the good news is that Ziva will appear in multiple episodes this season — reportedly as many as four.
“This Is Us” (NBC)
Where we left off: Season 3 ended with a mysterious flash-forward in which an elderly Rebecca (Mandy Moore) appeared to be on her deathbed. Meanwhile, Kate (Chrissy Metz) was nowhere to be seen and future Kevin (Justin Hartley) apparently has a son.
What’s next: Unfortunately, producers won’t deal with that future scene right away — they’ve got narrative to fill in. But NBC has teased that “Something big is coming” in the Season 4 opener. Also several new cast members are coming too, including Jennifer Morrison , Omar Epps and M. Night Shyamalan (9 p.m., Sept. 24).
“Empire” (Fox)
Where we left off: Lucious Terrence Howard) decided to skip town in an effort to avoid the Feds and wanted Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) to come with him. But she told him she slept with Damon and they broke up with Lucious going on the lam. Off screen, scandal-plagued Jussie Smollett was dumped from the show.
What’s next: As the sixth and final season begins (9 p.m., Sept. 24) Lucious remains on the run. Meanwhile, Cookie focuses on her brand outside of Empire, which now includes a daytime talk show and a community center. Andre (Trai Byers), currently sitting on the Empire throne, is confronted by several people who now want to get in on the company, and Hakeem (Bryshere Y. Gray) sets his sights on the lead role in the first “Empire” movie.
“New Amsterdam” (NBC)
Where we left off: An ambulance bringing Max (Ryan Eggold), Dr. Bloom (Janet Montgomery), Dr. Sharpe (Freema Agymen), Max’s critically ill wife (Lisa O’Hare) and their newborn daughter to the hospital was involved in a horrific crash.
What’s next: The Season 2 premiere (10 p.m. Sept. 24) jumps ahead three months to find Max working to find a new normal post-crash. Flashbacks will reveal what happened in the aftermath of the accident and there reportedly is more than one fatality.
“Chicago Fire” (NBC)
Where we left off: The Season 7 cliffhanger saw members of Firehouse 51 trapped in a mattress factory blaze as a boiler was about to blow.
What’s next: Season 8 (9 p.m., Sept. 25) picks right up with the action with Chief Wallce Boden (Eamonn Walker), Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) and Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh) in serious peril. Also, Alberto Rosende (“Shadowhunters”) joins the cast as a new firefighter.
“Chicago P.D.” (NBC)
Where we left off: Corrupt police superintendent and mayor-elect Brian Kelton (John C. McGinley) was shot dead. But who killed him?
What’s next: In the premiere (10 p.m., Sept. 25), Voight (Jason Beghe) comes under heavy suspicion because of his grudge against Kelton. Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) are eager to prove his innocence, but the more evidence they gather, the closer they come to doing the opposite. Also, Paul Adelstein joins the cast as the interim superintendent.
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
Where we left off: Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Richard (James Pickens Jr.) and Alex (Justin Chambers) were fired from Grey Sloan for their involvement in an insurance fraud she committed to save a child. Meredith finally declared her love for Andrew (Giacomo Gianniotti).
What’s next: The Season 16 opener (8 p.m., Sept. 26) has the fired trio dealing with the consequences. After disappearing in the fog, Jackson (Jesse Williams) helps a man in a dangerous situation, as his relationship with Maggie (Kelly McCreary) comes to a new crossroad. Meanwhile, Tom (Greg Germann) gets new responsibilities at the hospital that throw the doctors for a loop.
“Hawaii Five-0” (CBS)
Where we left off: Season 10 ended with an armed woman opening fire inside Five-0 headquarters. But who took the brunt of the attack?
What’s next: In the new season opener (8 p.m., Sept. 27), viewers will find out who took a bullet and, per the ominous-sounding episode log line, Five-0 will say “goodbye to one of their own.”
“The Walking Dead” (AMC)
Where we left off: The Kingdom fell and a brutal winter claimed the lives of several characters, including Enid, Tara and Henry.
What’s next: Season 10 (9 p.m., Oct. 6) picks up a few months later. It’s now spring. The collected communities are still dealing with the fallout of Alpha’s horrific display of power, reluctantly respecting the new borderlines being imposed on them while organizing a militia-style force in preparation for a possible battle with the Whisperers. Further down the line, prepare to bid farewell to Michonne (Danai Gurira), who is set to leave the show.
“Riverdale” (The CW)
Where we left off: The Season 3 finale was packed with mysteries, the biggest of which was a time jump to spring break that had Archie (KJ Apa), Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) covered in blood and burning their clothes in a big bonfire in the woods.
What’s next: The Season 4 opener (8 p.m., Oct. 9) will be a stand-alone episode featuring an emotional tribute to the late Luke Perry, who played Archie’s father Fred. Perry died in March after suffering a stroke. His “Beverly Hills, 90210” co-star, Shannen Doherty, makes a special appearance. Following the episode, the series shifts into senior year at Riverdale High.
“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” (Amazon Prime)
Where we left off: The CIA analyst-turned-operative (John Krasinski) thwarted an international terrorist threat on American soil, killing the Middle Eastern terrorist, but saving his son from harm.
What’s next: No longer a desk jockey, Jack investigates illegal arms sales in Venezuela, leading him to unravel an ominous new conspiracy with possible roots in Moscow, where Jack’s former boss (Wendell Pierce) is stationed. Michael Kelly and Noomi Rapace join the cast. Season 2 drops Nov. 1.
“The Crown” (Netflix)
Where we left off: The Profumo Affair rocked British politics. Also, after acknowledging and dealing with fissures in their marriage, Philip swore fealty to Elizabeth. In 1964, the royal couple welcomed another child — Prince Edward.
What’s next: Season 3, which drops on Nov. 17, jumps ahead to cover the rest of the ‘60s and up to 1977. Olivia Coleman and Tobias Menzies portray the older Elizabeth and Philip, taking over for Claire Foy and Matt Smith.