(Squee! We, Frolic, have a thing for novellas. A BIG thing. In the second of an ongoing series, we bring you a piece from author Donna Grant, whose novella Dragon Night launches with our friends at 1001 Dark Nights on Tuesday, October 9.)
I often get asked when my love of paranormal/fantasy began. I honestly don’t know. It seems to have just always been there, a part of me. I can’t name a particular book/movie/TV show where my fascination developed. I like to joke that in a past life I was part of such a world.
My love of the paranormal doesn’t end with the many book series I write. I’m also an admitted TV addict. Here are a few that I watch and re-watch again and again.
This three season series had absolutely everything a paranormal addict could want, including links to classic literature (Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll, Dorian Gray, Van Helsing). My two favorite characters have to be Vanessa Ives played by the amazing Ava Green and Ethan Chandler played by Josh Hartnett.
Vanessa might be quiet, but she a force unto herself. She is in constant battle with relentless forces from the underworld. Then there’s Ethan. He, of course, plays the brash American who is hiding quite a big secret. He detests violence and has uncanny marksmanship, but you’d never find a more loyal friend. Together these two solidify the series, leaving you on the edge of your seat with every episode. I hate that the series ended so soon, but it was written to be a short series, and, somehow, it works perfectly. Did I mention it’s set in 1800s Victorian England?!
Anyone that knows me knows I love this show. I’ve watched from the very first episode — which I’m not afraid to admit scared the hell out of me. But I was hooked immediately. I loved the interaction between the brothers Dean and Sam. The pop culture references, the music, that sarcastic comments, and the family bond make this show one that can’t be missed!
I rarely run across anyone who hasn’t watched at least some of this series. I’ve watched the seasons that are out more times than I should probably admit. I mean, they have DRAGONS! The story arc is phenomenal and the writing is amazing. And yes, it’s true that some of my favorite characters always die, but I won’t stop watching. The love stories are heartbreaking and riveting! Winter has come, my lovelies!
I get some laughs when I tell others about this show. The truth is, it’s really, really good. It was actually my daughter that got me into it. I caught the tail end of an episode in season three. And within days I had binged from the beginning until I’d caught up with her and we could watch together. Yes, it’s a teenage drama, but to me, it’s much more than that. It’s a drama, family/friendship show, love story, and good overcoming evil in one surprisingly artful package. It has a little of everything. Some of my favorite characters you aren’t sure if you should like or not. And those are the best kinds!
Seriously, where do you start with this? Set in the 1980s, I get to relive so many childhood memories through the clothing, music, and sayings. The writing is second to none. I’m always left with my heart in my throat wondering how the group of characters will get out of whatever fix they’ve found themselves in. There is a sweet love story in there as well that has you rooting for the couple. And then there’s Steve – the character everyone hates in season 1 but falls in love with in season 2.
How can you have a list of supernatural shows and not have Doctor Who on it? I’ve been watching for years (my favorite Doctor is still David Tennant). You never know where the Doctor is going to take us. And part of the fun is when he regenerates and we get a new Doctor!
Each Doctor brings something different to the show. Some episodes are lighthearted, some scary (the library one. Or Blink. Just go watch Blink. Oh. My. Gawd.), some have you in tears within just a few minutes into it, but the one thing you will always get is a story that every little thing, however small, all circles back around. The details matter, because you discover that every episode of that series has one or more things or people connecting it. Sometimes for good. Sometimes for evil. But the Doctor always comes through in the end!
I could go on and on talking about my other favorites like The X-Files, Buffy, Warehouse 13, Fringe, Haven, Merlin, Hercules (even Xena), Torchwood and Highlander (I love Scotland. As if I would leave Highlander off).
The thing about paranormal/fantasy is that there are no boxes you have to stay in as a writer. You’re only confined to the limits of your imagination. For me, it’s not just being plunged into a world that looks normal but is far from it, but it’s also to see what the writers will come up with that’s new and different. From weapons to magic to creatures, I’ll always eagerly tune into a supernatural show.
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