God Help Us, Sharknado 2 Is Upon Us: This Week’s Sci-Fi Television
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Remember how Sharknado was a thing last year? It was perhaps the most high-profile yet of Syfy’s abundant array of cheesy original movies such as Stonados and Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark. That classic piece of cinema starred Beverly Hills 90210 (the first one) alum Ian Ziering and Tara Reid as…well, let’s face it, their characters really aren’t important. It’s basically just Ian Ziering and Tara Reid fighting a tornado full of sharks. If you think that sounds preposterous, then Sharknado probably isn’t for you.
And sure, Syfy has been getting a lot of good press lately — from us, among others — for seemingly turning over a new leaf and greenlighting exciting sci-fi projects such as Ascension and The Expanse. But the Powers That Be clearly don’t want you Sharknado fans out there to think you’re being abandoned. No, dear friends, Syfy still has something for lovers of one dangerous thing being mashed up with another, unrelated dangerous thing. For proof, you need look no further than this week’s Sharknado 2: The Second One, which premieres on Syfy this Wednesday night at 9/8c. Once again, Ziering and Reid are teaming up to save the world from projectile sharks being flung about by high winds, but this time they’re trying to protect New York City instead of L.A. So it’s totally different.
(BTW, if Sharknado 2 actually isn’t ludicrous enough for your tastes, be sure to tune in Saturday night for Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda.)
TUESDAY
Face Off (Syfy, 9/8c) — “American Gangster”
The artists are given the task of creating over-the-top makeups for crime bosses from the world of Dick Tracy.
The Wil Wheaton Project (Syfy, 10/9c) — “Wil Master: Axis of Wheaton”
Wil takes on Comic-Con 2014.
WEDNESDAY
Extant (CBS, 9/8c) — “Shelter”
After Sparks attempts to quarantine Molly, she and her family seek refuge on a remote island with her estranged father, Quinn. When the agency closes in on their whereabouts, Ethan is exposed to grave danger. Meanwhile, Yasumoto experiments with a strange and deadly substance.
THURSDAY
Defiance (Syfy, 8/7c) — “If You Could See Through My Eyes”
Datak is framed for a bizarre murder, while Irisa learns more about her true destiny.
MythBusters (Discovery, 9/8c) — “Road Rage”
The MythBusters test three car crimes straight from Hollywood: the cliff top push, the two-wheel wipeout, and finally the Corvette barrel roll from Wanted.
SATURDAY
Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda (Syfy, 9/8c)
In this new Roger Corman movie, the child of Sharktopus goes toe-to-toe with the latest science experiment ‘Pteracuda’ — half Pteradactyl, half Barracuda — in a battle for monster supremacy.
SUNDAY
Falling Skies (TNT, 10/9c) — “Saturday Night Massacre”
Lexi emerges more powerful and ruthless than ever. Tom and the 2nd Mass must work together with the Volm to hold off the invading Espheni forces in what becomes the bloodiest battle of the series.
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC, 10/9c) — “1984”
In the Season 1 finale, Gordon and Joe prepare to ship the Giant, but a suspicious defect calls their partnership into question. Meanwhile, Cameron takes her future into her own hands.
The Last Ship (TNT, 9/8c) — “SOS”
After picking up a distress call near Jamaica, Chandler and a small team stage a rescue attempt. But a surprise attack leaves Chandler and Tex stranded at sea. Slattery and the crew search desperately to find their lost at sea Captain and his comrade, hoping to do so before their enemies beat them to it.
The Leftovers (HBO, 10/9c) — “Guest”
Nora goes to New York for the second annual Departure Related Occupations and Practices conference, but discovers that someone else has her ID badge, so she searches the convention as a ‘Guest,’ and has encounters with a salesman, an author and a rogue attendee.
The Lottery (Lifetime, 10/9c) — “Greater Good”
Vanessa, Darius and President Westwood deal with a hostage crisis; Alison and James make a strange discovery after testing Kyle; the world reacts to the news about the lottery; the government prepares to open testing centers.
Manhattan (WGN, 10/9c) — “The Prisoner’s Dilemma”
Frank’s attempt to save his team brings serious consequences; the scientists’ wives find creative ways to survive life on The Hill.
Masters of Sex (Showtime, 10/9c) — “Dirty Jobs”
Johnson tries to cover when she and Masters are seen by Langham leaving a hotel together after an evening tryst. Later, Masters attempts to bring Johnson aboard as his assistant at his new post; and Betty tries to conceal her infertility from Gene, over Masters’ objections.
The Strain (FX, 10/9c) — “It’s Not for Everyone”
Jim makes a startling confession. Meanwhile, Ansel takes desperate measures to protect his family.
