Fall television preview

DEXTER/SHOWTIME
   Serial killers are always the guys who you least expect. That’s the case with Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall). Returning for a fourth season of an already somewhat played out story line, Dexter is gearing up to take on fatherhood. Played out as it may be, we still tune in for the hour of suspense. Will he ever get caught? Only when the show gets cancelled. Dexter premieres Sunday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.

SUPERNATURAL/THE CW
   Lucifer rising from Hell, the coming apocalypse, angels killing angels and that’s just the season premiere. On Supernatural, brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) have had their hands full the past five seasons fighting demons, witches and everything paranormal in between. This season, the brothers must deal with the fallout from their mistakes (particularly releasing the devil on Earth.) Working together will save the world, but falling apart will mean the end. Supernatural airs Thursdays at 9 p.m.

SONS OF ANARCHY/FX
   Now beginning its second season, Sons of Anarchy is a modern day Hamlet with guns and motorcycles. The show revolves around Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller (Charlie Hunnam), a young vice president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. Jax must deal with his overbearing mother and stepfather/club president. But after the birth of his son, Jax is starting to grow tired of the club’s increasing tendency towards lawlessness and violence. This season focuses on a new threat to the club when white separatists move into town intent on taking over. Sons of Anarchy airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit/nbc
   With so many crime dramas out there, people are overloaded on the raspy-voiced, thick-skinned detective. Benson and Stabler, played by Emmy Award Winner Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni, have perfected the good cop/bad cop game to the point where they can even switch off on who’s who. Now in its eleventh season, “SVU” promises even more disturbing crimes. Law and Order: SVU premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 9 p.m.

COMMUNITY/NBC
   Joel McHale plays a lawyer who must return to college when his bachelor’s degree is deemed invalid. He enrolls at Greendale Community College and forms a study group with a host of quirky characters. Students range from a former high school football star (Donald Glover) to a divorcee who’s trying to prove her own self worth (Yvette Nicole Brown). NBC is hoping the show will fit in among other Thursday night oddballs, The Office, Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock. Community premieres Thursday, Sept. 17 at 9:30 p.m.

FLASH FORWARD/ABC
   What if you were able to see a brief glimpse of your future and it scared you?  Flash Forward shows the entire  world falling unconscious. In those minutes, everyone gets a glimpse of their own future. Now a detective (Joseph Fiennes) must put the pieces together and try to figure out why this phenomenon has occurred. Regular people are forever changed by what they’ve seen, and must figure out how they can change a future they are afraid to accept. Flash Forward premieres Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m.

GOSSIP GIRL/THE CW
   We all miss The O.C. Our hearts broke when Ryan held Marissa on the side of the road, sputtering out her last words and the montage that played in the background. Josh Schwartz, creator of The O.C., has hit another home run with Gossip Girl, possibly even more salacious than those beach bums from six years ago. The Upper East Siders are gearing up to start college, which promises even more sex, drugs and intrigue than last season. Gossip Girl airs Mondays at 9 p.m.

GLEE/FOX
   High school is difficult and uncomfortable enough, but it’s a lot harder when singing in front of the entire school. Glee is about a high school glee club resurrected by a timid Spanish teacher (Matthew Morrison). With a group of misfits and the star football player, he tries to boost their self-esteem and keep the program afloat. The rival cheerleading coach (Jane Lynch) is also watching them, fearing her funding may be cut if the new club becomes popular. The cast performs feature songs by Journey, Kanye West and other popular musicians. Glee airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m.