By
It may seem as if the Fall TV season only just began, but the traditionally twist-filled November Sweeps period is upon us already, starting Thursday, Oct. 29 and running through Wednesday, Nov. 25.
What buzzy storylines do Castle, NCIS, The Vampire Diaries, Gotham and The Blacklist have on tap for the quarterly ratings grab? How will Quantico, Nashville, Grimm and other favorites heat up your screen before winter hits?
Here are some of the spoilers, but see more.
Castle
Courtesy of ABC
Nov. 9, “Cool Boys”: With Beckett away at a work function, Castle gets swept up in a caper involving Detective Slaughter (returning guest star Adam Baldwin) – some bro time that affords Rick a chance to vent about his muddled marriage. “What we tried to do was have a bit of the ‘guy’ conversation about what’s happening, but put that perspective on its head,” says co-showrunner Alexi Hawley. And partly due to gruff Slaughter’s unexpected insights, “It ends up being a positive conversation.”
Nov. 16, “The Last Seduction”:All My Children alum Lindsay Price andRescue Me‘s Andrea Roth are on hand for a “very fun episode” centered on Rick and Kate’s first wedding anniversary, says co-showrunner Terence Paul Winter. “But how do you celebrate when you’re having this weird ‘time out’? Well, they find a way.” Also: Ryan and Espo attend therapy!
Nov. 23, “Mr. & Mrs. Castle”: The fall finale, per its title, is a nod to Brangelina’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith — namely, “the fun of the conflict in that relationship in the movie,” says Hawley. On what note will it leave fans heading into a three-month hiatus? “We’re not leaving you with a cliffhanger,” says Hawley, “but the promise of what it will be like when we come back.”
Nashville
Courtesy of ABC
Nov. 11, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”: Rayna’s concern over Deacon going into business with Frank, an old friend from AA, causes strife between the lovers.
Nov. 18, “Unguarded Moments”:Family life — including Rayna’s desire to turn down the record deal Sony is offering Maddie — distracts her from her work with Highway 65’s biggest artist: Markus. Gunnar’s new lady, Erin, is a thorn in Scarlett’s side while on tour.
Nov. 25: No new episode
NCIS
Courtesy of CBS
Nov. 3, “16 Years”: The murder of a retired Navy Lt. Commander forces Ducky to reveal his participation in a “secret society” that solves cold cases. Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) guest-stars.
Nov. 10, “Saviors”: In the course of a rescue in the Sudan, DiNozzo reunites with Dr. Jeanne Benoit (played by Scottie Thompson). “There aren’t many, but she is one ‘that got away,'” says showrunner Gary Glasberg, “so that takes us into all kinds of Tony DiNozzo folklore that we haven’t touched on in ages.” Joel Grestch reprises his role as Special Agent Stan Burley, while Jon Cryer’s Dr. Taft returns “when Gibbs hits a surprising hurdle in his recovery.”
Nov. 17, “Day in Court”: Salli Richardson returns as lawyer Carrie Clark for “a twisty-turny legal mystery,” says Glasberg. “Parallel to that in a really significant way, we learn disturbing things about Bishop’s personal life.” Cue Jamie Bamber as Ellie’s husband, Jake.
Nov. 24, “Blood Brothers”: While Gibbs & Co. tackle a “Saving Private Ryan-type” mission, Bishop spends Thanksgiving back home with her mom (Bionic Woman‘s Lindsay Wagner).
Quantico
Nov. 1, “God”: Miranda uses an unorthodox means of teaching the NATs surveillance: “She assigns them herself and her family,” executive producer Joshua Safran tells TVLine. But it may not go exactly as she hopes “Surveillance is opening a window into a room you’re not supposed to see into,” he continues, adding that the theme encompasses “all stories, present and future, in that episode.”
Nov. 8, “Go”: The recruits undergo their first physical, practical and written exams. “That episode has very specific twist to it, which is [that] an exercise goes awry, and the question arises about whether what’s happening is real or if it’s just another part of the test,” Safran says.
Nov. 15, Title TBD: “More than one of our major stories comes to a close,” Safran teases.
Nov. 22: No new episode