BACK IN SEASON
Buzzy dramas primed for winter returns
T’S time for TV’s annual rite of winter: the midseason returns of those popular network dramas which took an extended break over the holidays — airing reruns in place of original episodes for the past month or so.
Now that the second half of the TV season is gearing up, that means series including “How to Get Away with Murder” and “This Is Us” — both of which left fans with dramatic cliffhangers — are back in business with new episodes. Whether they answer some questions — or, as is often the case, muddy their plot waters even further — remains to be seen.
But at least they’re back. Here’s a guide to when these shows are returning — and where we left off late last fall.
“THIS IS US” (10 p.m. Tuesday on NBC)
Where we left off: The fall’s breakout series left viewers with several wtf? moments in its last original episode (Dec. 6). William (Ron Cephas Jones) revealed that he had a lover, Jesse (Denis O’Hare), with whom he reunited (and introduced to his shocked extended family). Meanwhile, Kate (Chrissy Metz) and Toby (Chris Sullivan) — who had broken up — were reunited on Christmas via Toby’s surprise visit — just before he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. ( Note: Tuesday’s episode was moved to 10 p.m. to accommodate President Obama’s farewell speech.)
“THE VAMPIRE DIARIES” (8 p.m. Friday on The CW)
Where we left off: The CW veteran, which will end its eightseason run in March featured a typically frenetic fall finale (Dec. 9), as Stefan (Paul Wesley) spent his last day as a free vampire celebrating Christmas Eve with Caroline (Candice King). We also learned, through flashbacks, that Stefan has a romantic history (circa 1917) with Caroline and Alaric’s (Matthew Davis) nanny. #Vampires!
“GREY’S ANATOMY” (8 p.m. Jan. 26 on ABC)
Where we left off: Among the highlights of the show’s fall finale (Nov. 17): the collapse of an apartment building; Karev (Justin Chambers) taking a two-year prison plea deal; and Nathan (Martin Henderson) learning that Hunt (Kevin McKidd) had been married before Amelia (Caterina Scorsone).
“HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER” (10 p.m. Jan. 26 on ABC)
Where we left off: We finally found out who was #Underthesheet in the show’s Nov. 17 fall finale: Wes (Alfred Enoch), who was killed in the raging fire that consumed Annalise’s (Viola Davis) house — albeit before the fire started. And now Annalise — gasp! — faces arson and murder charges.
“SUITS” (10 p.m. Jan. 25 on USA)
Where we left off: In the show’s Sept. 14 fall finale, Jessica (Gina Torres) quit Pearson Specter Litt — this time for good — and Mike (Patrick J. Adams) adjusted to life after prison while mulling an offer from Harvey (Gabriel Macht) to return to the firm. We’re guessing all eyes will be on the winter premiere for other reasons — now that series co-star Meghan Markle (Rachel) is dating Prince Harry.