Superhero spin-off sure to light up small screen Caley Cuoco Sara Smith and Chuck Barney JOSS Whedon’s creations raised the bar for teen dramas (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), elevated science Bridal fiction (Firefly) and up-ended the horror formula (The Cabin in the Woods). Then he got hold of Marvel’s theory stable of superheroes and made them fun again. The Avengers, which ended up as BIG Bang Theory actress the third-biggest movie ever, intro- Kaley Cuoco is engaged duced millions to the sensibilities of after a whirlwind three- Hollywood’s most powerful nerd month romance. (besides J.J. Abrams). Cuoco has put an end to Now, that movie’s small-screen rumours that started spin-off arrives on American net- circulating earlier after she work TV in prime time — and will be stepped out sporting a huge fast-tracked to Australian screens diamond ring on her en- by Channel 7. gagement finger. But there are no vampires, space- She is to wed her tennis ships, zombies or Gwyneth Paltrow player beau Ryan Sweeting. in this show. There are no scares, ‘‘It’s only been three gross-outs or complex mythology. THE Avengers (from left): Black Widow months but she knows Ryan Also no excuses. (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris is the one. When you know, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. does carry Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris you know,’’ a friend close to over some favourite faces from The the star told Us magazine. Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Iron [ ] Avengers, including the steadfast Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and Hulk ‘‘ She’s never felt this Agent Hill (How I Met Your Mother way. She knows this is it.‘‘ actress Cobie Smulders), still strid- (Mark Ruffalo) The pair recently made ing confidently through the hall- their first public appearance ways of the Strategic Homeland projects, it’s the perfect set-up for ‘‘cosplay’’ — S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t a ‘‘I’m completely compelled by the together, stepping out as a Intervention Enforcement and the most promising new TV show of superhero show. idea of a world post-Avengers where couple on the red carpet at Logistics Division. the American fall season. Despite being network-pretty to things are out of control, and hu- the Emmy Awards. Cuoco ‘‘Welcome to Level Seven,’’ she Because Disney bought the rights the last drop, its heroes are all Jason mans are once again either eager to and tennis star Sweeting tells Agent Ward (Brett Dalton), to Marvel’s Avengers franchise Bourne and no Jar-Jar Binks. get ahold of, or are already in were first spotted together who has just been called up to the three years ago, Agents of The focus will be on characters possession of, things we aren’t at a horse ranch in big leagues. S.H.I.E.L.D. landed on the American who don’t possess stupendous really socially evolved to the point of Moorpark, California, at the He’s cocky and in over his head, ABC network. powers — the mortals, as Whedon dealing with.’’ beginning of August. but he grasps the agency’s mission: The Mouse House obviously sank says, ‘‘who didn’t get the hammer or Whedon, who co-wrote the pilot, is The 27-year-old actress is ‘‘We’re the line between the world some resources into the show, but the super soldier serum’’. on board to write and direct The currently filming new movie and the much weirder world.’’ sceptics wondered whether it was ‘‘The thing that appealed to me Avengers’ big-screen sequel, so it The Wedding Ringer, in And because the world witnessed possible to make a superhero series from the beginning was the idea isn’t clear how much involvement which she plays a bride the Avengers’ coming-out party, on a small-screen budget. that everybody matters, that the he will be able to have with the whose husband hires a now called the Battle of New York, This is no ‘‘cosplay’’ convention: people who get shunted to the side TV show. stranger as his best man. that line is constantly shifting. Samuel L. Jackson will not be in a giant epic can take the spot- But he pledges that the producing Before Cuoco met Sweet- Paired with the endearing self- showing up in an eye patch. light,’’ he said. team he has put in place will keep ing, she enjoyed a brief ro- awareness and cerebral nods to pop Luckily for ABC — and anyone ‘‘You know, the underdog, the things fresh and interesting on an mance with Man of Steel culture Whedon brings to his best who had to look up the word common man.’’ episode-to-episode basis. actor Henry Cavill. Drama’s back with fresh action Robert Rorke 6. Brody texts Abu Nazir (Navid Neghaban) while in a SEASON three of Home- meeting with Walden to land began on Ten last warn him about an assassin- night with Brody (Damian ation in the works. As Nazir Lewis) on the run and exits his vehicle, one of his Carrie (Claire Danes) in the men shows him the text hot seat and Saul (Mandy message as the Delta Force Patinkin) having to make team prepares to open fire. some very difficult decisions Nazir ducks back into his about her future. vehicle and successfully es- Bryan Cranston In case you’re late to this capes while two of his thrilling party, here are the lieutenants, including key moments from the first Abbas Ali, are slain. two seasons. 7. Brody invites Carrie to Return 1. CIA case officer Carrie have a drink at a hotel bar. Mathison bribes her way He admits he is on the outs into an Iraqi prison, where with his wife. They discuss one of her informants is how Carrie is hot on the trail of boss being held. As Carrie is spot- of Abu Nazir. Carrie is or- ted and dragged away by dered back to headquarters BRYAN Cranston is back to guards, the informant whis- but she goes to Brody’s hotel guest star as Ted’s boss on pers something into her ear: room, calling him a traitor How I Met Your Mother. an American prisoner has and a terrorist. Brody is The Breaking Bad star been turned into a terrorist. Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison and David Harewood as David Estes in Homeland apprehended by CIA goons will reprise his role as 2. Back in Washington, and removed. Hammond Druthers. Ted is DC, director of watches his activities 24/7, breakfast, Carrie slips up Walden (Jamey Sheridan) 8. Abu Nazir is killed by a played by series star Josh counterterrorism David including Brody’s sexual and mentions Brodys favor- asks Brody is he would SWAT team. The Brodys Radnor. It’s a real change of Estes (David Harewood) an- problems with his wife, ite brand of tea: Yorkshire consider being his running call it quits. pace for Cranston, who nounces that after a raid on Jessica (Morena Baccarin). Gold. Brody asks how she mate when he campaigns 9. Carrie and Brody attend plays teacher-turned-meth an al-Qa’ida compound, an 4. Crazy Carrie begins to knows the tea he drinks, and for the presidency. Later Walden’s memorial service. maker Walter White on eight-year POW Marine stalk Brody and they begin a accuses her of spying on on, journalist Roya They sneak away to make Breaking Bad. Sergeant Nicholas Brody disastrous affair. him. Carrie, knowing she’s Hammad (Zuleikha Robin- out. A bomb in Brody’s car The series, which won a has been rescued. After he passes a poly- been caught, elects to turn son) reveals herself to Brody kills 300 people, including best drama Emmy Award 3. Convinced that Brody is graph test, he takes Carrie the tables; she directly ac- as an ally of Abu Nazir. She Walden’s wife and son. last weekend, aired its the terrorist, Carrie hires on a trip out of town. She cuses Brody of being an relays an assignment: to Carrie drives Brody to much-anticipated season someone to help her con- directs him to a family cabin agent of al-Qa’ida. retrieve a list of potential Canada. Saul is promoted to finale on Sunday. How I Met duct surveillance. She bugs not far from DC. The next 5. At the beginning of attack targets from a safe in acting director and is re- Your Mother has just begun the Brody house and morning, while discussing season two, Vice-President Estes’ office. lieved to see Carrie is alive. its final season. Centralian Advocate, Tuesday, October 1, 2013 — 13