Fall means three things: pumpkin spice fills the air, school is back in session for most people and our favorite television shows make a triumphant return to the airwaves.

Between Netflix, Hulu and actual primetime TV time, our screens have the capability to be filled with the many, many glorious shows airing, be it currently or soon - no matter the channel or viewing option you utilize. To help you narrow down your search, here are my top 5 on my ‘what am I watching’ TV show list and why they are on my radar– in no particular order.

Once Upon A Time – Okay. Yes. I’ll admit it. It is a little chick-flicky in nature at times but the imagination the creators of the show and execs over at ABC used to take all the fairytales - be they the Disney-variants many of us grew up on or something closer to what The Grimm Brothers might have imagined - provides for some interesting stories, character clashes and possibilities. After watching the season six premiere the other night on Hulu, I’m curious as to what they have in mind for this season. It may seem like Jennifer Morrison’s character (Emma) may be on the way out already but don’t discount her yet. She was a show building character and the journey, especially the last season or two, has been centralized around her. Her character’s current dilemma compounded with the growing possibility of Lara Parrilla’s character (Regina) stepping up into a Savior-esque role could provide for some interesting external and internal conflicts. Season six is definitely on my ‘to-watch- list.

Supernatural - Oh, The Winchesters! Fall just wouldn’t be the same for me if these boys weren’t playing out their roads to destruction and redemption on the screen. Season twelve is definitely a curious one and the show hasn’t even premiered. If you watched the finale episode of last season (S. 11), you all know precisely what I mean. The show has had some rocky years as of late but it feels like it might be on the verge of really hitting its stride once again. With the set up they provided in the finale of last season, season twelve is sure to be full of promise. Be on the lookout when the show airs this month on The CW.

NCIS – I admit, I have to play a little catch up as I missed the premiere episode of the new season the other night. But without Anthony, the original crew is down to just a few people – which leaves a lot of curiosity and concern for the future of the show. I grew up with the likes of CSI and NCIS on the air and have seen almost every episode to date. Oh the heartache as yet another fan favorite evaporates from the cast! I’ll be watching this season, on CBS, to see if the show is still worth following beyond the departure of Michael Weatherly (Anthony DiNozzo) or not. Least they still have McGee and Abbs…

Bull – He might have left NCIS but Michael Weatherly has not totally disappeared off the TV screen. He is the lead in a new show titled Bull, that - in a very smart move by the network execs - airs right after NCIS. The show follows Weatherly as a psychiatrist type of role who endeavors to almost manipulate the jurors that are tasked with finding his clients guilty or innocent by using his knowledge of people and their histories through how he tells his clients to act, dress, talk, etc. It’s an interesting premise and one that bears following over the next few weeks to see if the show has any chance of holding up.

And a special, be on the look out midseason entry!

Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders – The agents of the Behavioral Analysis Unit are expanding their operations. Frankly, it’s about time and with the departure of Shemar Moore, Thomas Gibson and several others from the original season over the years, the original component of the series just isn’t the same. It’s time to see how the department can apply their abilities to international crimes. Gary Sinise (of Forest Gump and CSI: NY fame, among his many other credits) teams up with a slew of relatively unknown (to this writer) actors to bring us this new team on new turf. I’ve got some catching up to do as the first episode aired way back in March of this year but with the acting chops of Sinise behind the show it’s definitely worth taking the time to do. Be watching as the next part of the B.A.U International Division hits the screens again after the first of the year in 2017.

What shows have your interest, readers? Why? What shows that are coming back that you wish would just go away? Why? Let me know in the comments or Tweet me at @jrsmith06 and I may just include your name and comments in a follow up article later on.

Until next time!