Bryan Fuller’s Aborted Syfy Pilot High Moon Airs Tonight: This Week’s TV Picks

Based on John Christopher's "The Lotus Caves."

By David Wharton | Updated

This article is more than 2 years old

We were definitely intrigued when we first heard that Bryan Fuller was developing a Syfy pilot called High Moon. Fuller is a talented bloke whose resume includes Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and NBC’s surprisingly effective Hannibal. High Moon is set, well, on the moon, in a future where various Earth corporations have established lunar mining colonies. The pilot was based on John Christopher’s 1969 YA novel The Lotus Caves, which saw a pair of young boys discovering a cave full of exotic life beneath the moon’s surface. In the clip up top, it looks like that same sort of mystery would have been kicked off by a pair of convicts indentured into service of one of the mining corporations.

Alas, Syfy decided earlier this year to pass on the series. The good news is that we will at least get to see the pilot, which is airing tonight as a TV movie. I’ll be interested to see if it can even remotely stand alone as a self-contained story, since the whole point of a pilot is to set up an ongoing narrative. Still, High Moon should be worth a watch as a curious footnote in Syfy’s history…and hopefully it’ll be the only one of Syfy’s promising development slate that dies on the vine.

High Moon premieres at 9/8c on Syfy.

MONDAY

Under the Dome (CBS, 10/9c) — “Turn”

A new threat from the Dome puts the residents of Chester’s Mill at risk of being crushed to death. Meanwhile, Melanie’s health continues to deteriorate as the fate of the egg remains unknown.

TUESDAY

Face Off (Syfy, 9/8c) — “Serpent Soldiers”

The artists create snake-inspired supersoldiers who would fit into the world of G.I. Joe.

WEDNESDAY

Extant (CBS, 10/9c) — “Ascension (Season Finale)”

Season 1 ends with Molly returning to space to redirect the Seraphim away from Earth and protect the world from the deadly spores. Meanwhile, John discovers that Odin’s plan puts Ethan in danger.

FRIDAY

Hack My Brain (Science, 8/7c)

What if you could make your mind better, faster and stronger starting right now? Science Channel is searching for answers by taking the idea of brain games to a whole new level in the three-hour special Hack My Brain. Join host, adventurer and entrepreneur Todd Sampson as he works to take his brain from ‘average joe’ to ‘memory champion’ to escape artist in just a few months, and invites viewers at home to test their mental prowess right along with him.

Z Nation (Syfy, 10/9c) — “Fracking Zombies”

In New Jersey, the survivors run out of fuel and embark on a dangerous mission to replenish their supply. Meanwhile, Cassandra’s past comes back to haunt her.

SATURDAY

Doctor Who (BBC America, 9/8c) — “Time Heist”

The Doctor attempts to break into the most dangerous bank in the Cosmos.

Intruders (BBC America, 10/9c) — “The Shepherds and the Fox”

Madison’s instincts gain strength as she begins to make sense of Marcus’ memories; Jack gets a terrifying confession out of Gary; Richard comes face-to-face with Marcus.

Outlander (Starz, 9/8c) — “The Wedding”

Claire enters into a forced marriage with Jamie, but soon begins to experience deeper feelings for him.

SUNDAY

The Lottery (Lifetime, 10/9c) — “Mr. Torino”

Vanessa confronts Darius about his plans and surprises him by trying to subvert them. Meanwhile, Allison and Kyle meet the MayTwos and learn they are funded by a powerful sponsor who can help rescue Elvis; and the president learns about Gabrielle’s deal with Perry and confronts her about her motives.

Manhattan (WGN, 10/9c) — “Spooky Action at a Distance”

Frank and Charlie hatch a plan.

Masters of Sex (Showtime, 10/9c) — “One for the Money, Two for the Show”

A television crew arrives to document Masters and Johnson’s work.

The Strain (FX, 10/9c) — “The Third Rail”

Zack risks his safety for Mariela. Meanwhile, Eph, Fet and Nora search for the Master’s lair.