Pilot Roundup, Week 8

Here's a look at the new shows for this week.

Friday Nights:

Grimm, 9 p.m. on NBC

Synopsis: This show has an interesting premise. It's about a cop who can see mythical creatures that walk the earth. He's called a Grimm, as in the fairy tale. The show essentially purports that the tales are true, but slightly different than they appear in books. The episode had some good humor — mostly thanks to Silas Weir Mitchell — but other than that there isn't a big hook for the show. It's a somewhat novel concept and interesting in tone. It feels like it's going for a "Supernatural" vibe, but the main characters aren't that compelling yet. It's a solid effort — which is saying something for NBC — but it's hard to tell if it will be anything more than a decent niche offering. I didn't like the second episode as well as the pilot, which makes me think the magic might be disappearing quickly.

Pilot Grade: B

Second Episode: C

Sunday Nights:

Hell on Wheels, 10 p.m. on AMC

Synopsis: This show is set in 1865, just after the close of the Civil War, and seems to focus on the building of a national rail line. It is a time period I am fascinated with, and it's an interesting look at a part of American history that many don't focus on. That being said, the pilot was wildly uneven. They started to unfold some of the mystery in the show — and it was funny to see two Hannibal Lecter film villains (Ted Levine from "Silence of the Lambs" and Tom Noonan from "Manhunter") in the same show. But there were parts of the show that were too slow and boring. This, to me, is often a problem with AMC shows. I'm fearing that this show may end up being a novel idea that's barely watchable.

Grade: C