Dramas, comedy return to answer climactic questions

By Patrick Pastrana

This summer, TV’s lineup will include popular returning shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Dexter.” Lesser known but equally amazing shows are also making a comeback: “The Newsroom” and “Wilfred.”

Wilfred

“Wilfred” on the FX Network returned June 20. Starring Elijah Wood and Jason Gann, “Wilfred” is a comedy about an unemployed man named Ryan. After attempting to overdose, Ryan meets a dog named Wilfred.

In Ryan’s eyes, Wilfred is a man inside a dog costume, but to everyone else he’s a normal dog. The first two seasons were successful and hilarious, and I expect this third season to be even better. Although I think this is a very funny show, there are episodes that I feel are unnecessary toward the main story, as if it were a filler episode. I would recommend “Wilfred” to college students interested in a refreshing comedy.

Dexter

One of Showtime’s most popular shows, “Dexter,” began its eighth season June 30. The dark-toned show focuses on the life of Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst who spends his spare time discretely murdering serial killers.

He chooses his victims based on a moral code. Every season, Dexter gets closer to being caught as the “Bay Harbor Butcher.” He is an amazing tactician, but his luck could be running out. I do think it’s a great show, but catching up to the eighth season will take quite a lot of time. The first few seasons are surprisingly slow, so it may or may not be worth it for others.

The Newsroom

“The Newsroom” is starting its second season July 14 and I expect it to be greater than the first season because of the real-life stories they can use.

This HBO series is historical fiction because it follows the lives of a fictional anchor and crew of a newsroom who report big stories from the last few years. The pilot episode reported on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico back in 2010. This show has amazing writing, actors and story direction.

Breaking Bad

One of the most popular shows on television, “Breaking Bad,” will return to AMC Aug. 11. Viewers are definitely upset this will be its sixth and final season.

The series follows the life of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who produces methamphetamine to make money for his cancer treatment. Even though there were a few uneventful episodes in the last season, I still highly recommend this show because of its brilliantly thought-out writing.