“Heroes” is at long last dead, having finished its ultimately short reign this past season. NBC is stepping forward to pick up that superhero slack by introducing a new caped crusader as part of its upcoming Fall line-up, “The Cape”.

“From the visionary team of Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun comes an imaginative adventure about a dad who would do anything to protect his family.

Officer Vince Faraday was a good cop trying to clean up a corrupt city. Framed for murder and left for dead, he suddenly found himself separated from his wife and son and forced into hiding. Now, inspired by his son’s favorite comic book hero, he’s taking the law into his own hands, and playing a deadly game of chess with the powerful kingpin who framed him. With the hope of one day reuniting with his family, The Cape is sending a loud message to all criminals… run.” -NBC.com

Set to be a one-hour drama, this show already promises to be something interesting for primetime TV. But that doesn’t quite do justice to the show until you see the preview and know a few more of the details.

Like the reason he is called The Cape. It isn’t just because he was basing the name after his son’s favorite superhero, but because he is rescued by circus folk (stay with me) and given a special cape to help in his crusade.

The giver of the cape and our hero’s trainer is played by Keith David, who I will always remember first as the voice of Goliath on Disney’s “Gargoyles” cartoon.

Another pleasant surprise in the trailer was Summer Glau, the beloved River from “Firefly” and “Serenity” that looks to be teaming up with the new caped hero.

The cape itself reminds me at first glance of Spawn’s. It practically appears like a living thing that is able to grab objects right out of a villain’s hands, grab the villain himself, or shield the hero and potential victims from bullets and other dangers.

This is something we haven’t had much of on TV.

Sci fi, sure. I do love “V”. Supernatural, yes. You know how I love the show of the same name. But superheroes? Powers? “Heroes” was the only example that really had that in recent history. I for one think we need more than just one show coming in to take the place of “Heroes”, but it’s a hell of a start.

Why don’t I show you what I mean:

David Lyons is the actor playing Vince Faraday, The Cape, and is a relative newcomer with IMDB credits starting only in 2005. The preview shows promise, and so does he. I look forward to seeing how this series pans out.

Sadly, I already stumbled upon an online comment stating:

“It’s going to suck when the show is cancelled.”

I hate that the same thought has run through my head as well. Plenty of shows get cancelled on their own merits, but plenty still are lost to us that we wish we could get back even for one extra season. I’m sure I don’t even have to mention “Firefly”, and Summer also being in this new show makes me wary.

Not to say that the cast is cursed. Adam Baldwin is on “Chuck”, “Castle” is doing well for Nathan Fillion, and Morena Baccarin is the leader of the “V”. But you know what I mean.

I wanted to let you all know about “The Cape” now so that you will watch it in its infancy and make sure it gets the life it deserves.

If it sucks, leave it be, but if it is good, I do not want it to peter out for no reason. Let’s give this one a geek of a chance, shall we?

I have yet to discover the day and timeslot for this new series, but I will keep you updated.

In the meantime you can keep yourself posted as well at the NBC “The Cape” page.

Here’s hoping that this one manages to survive long enough for us to enjoy it.

~G³

Next week I will be looking back at the sad collection of true Sci Fi movies over the past decade, and the weirdest addition to date, “Splice”.

Thanks for tuning in.

Images taken from:
http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/20080807/300.glau.terminator.080708.jpg
http://www.nbc.com/the-cape/photos/gallery#item=123212
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/10/04/splice-brody-baby.jpg

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