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With the television season's holiday break approaching quickly; I thought I'd take a look at the genre shows that we've been watching this season.

I normally watch every genre show, but there are a few I just can't watch anymore. I'll mention those below.

So now, without further adieu, is my look at the season, night by night.

Monday

Monday brings us "Heroes." The show's ratings on NBC are just a shadow of what they have been in the past, and many people who tune in do so more out of habit and hope of improvement.

Season 4 brings us the fifth volume of the story, "Redemption." I haven't really seen anything in this season that speaks to the volume's name. It's been the same thing as previous volumes: The cast trying to get on with their regular lives. After four seasons, they should realize that's no longer possible.

The only really intriguing story revolves around our latest cast member, Samuel, played by Robert Knepper. He makes the show worth seeing. It's taken several episodes, but we finally have a glimpse of his story.

I think he's a wonderful villain, and I look forward to each and every one of his scenes.

Tuesday

The series "V" appears to be a worthy successor to the original. Most shows that try to drag things out, giving you question after question, with no answers. "V" hits you with answers to questions you haven't even asked yet.

A good number of their viewers know the "V" story, and the producers know this. In the pilot they quickly got the reveal of the true nature of the Visitors out of the way. And in the last few episodes have been setting up their own story.

The only problem is I think this show is doomed. If we are lucky, we'll get all of the original 13-episode order. It had a great premiere, but each episode since has lost viewers. The decision by ABC to air four episodes as a mini-event has left people confused.

I have read more than one comment on the Internet where people didn't know it was an ongoing series.

Plus I think this show is going to suffer from the same problem as "Jericho" - it will lose a significant portion of its audience due to the long hiatus.

Enjoy this one while you can. As good as it is, I don't see it lasting to a second season.

Wednesday

"Eastwick" has come and gone. ABC declined to pick the back nine, and it hasn't been on the schedule the last couple of weeks. Why is it that vampires seem to have staying power, but witches can never make it?

The big problem with "Eastwick" was they showed 30-plus women acting like teenagers. It held no real interest to me. I think the only audience that would have enjoyed it was in bed when the show aired.

If you missed this show, you didn't miss anything.

Thursday

Thursdays bring us several shows. The only night with more shows is Friday.

"The Vampire Diaries" air on The CW, and is targeted toward their young girl demo. I know I'm certainly not in their demo. I watched the first episode, and didn't find anything spectacular about it. I started watching the second one, and the teen drama caused me to turn it off 15 minutes in.

All the episodes aired so far this season await viewing on my TiVo.

The show is doing well for The CW, and it has already received a back nine order. As long as the girls are crazy about this Twilight-lite show, expect a second season.

The CW also brings us "Supernatural." Last season this was must-see TV for me. This year I still have to watch it live, but it's lost its luster. They have been running a lot of humorous episodes, which I can understand giving they have had to save budget money for the apocalypse. They normally do humor great, but I guess so many at one time are a little off-putting. I'm ready for the main storyline to step up again.

The producers have a five-year plan for the series, and they are in their fifth year, battling Lucifer. I hope the show ends this season. If you beat the devil, what can you do for an encore?

ABC's series "FlashForward" also airs Thursdays, and while it had a great pilot, it's suffering from trying to be like "Lost." It's throwing plenty of questions at us, but they don't get enough follow up. On "Lost" it worked, because we became engaged with the characters. On this show, I can't even say I like any of the characters. And one storyline I wish they would drop is the FBI agent and his wife. Please, does anyone care?

The show got a back-nine from ABC, which guaranteed we'd get to the "FlashForward" date. My only fear for this show is they had a great idea that fills a first season, but do they have a story for the next.

"Fringe" is in its sophomore season, and it feels like something is missing. The show isn't as shocking, and worst of all, it's immediately forgettable. I can't recall an episode an hour after watching it. I enjoy it when it's on, but after that, nothing. I do like a show that I can think about later.

Its ratings have slipped from last year, due mostly to being moved to the most cutthroat night of television. Fox seems to have faith in it, and it's likely to see another season if it doesn't slip further.

Friday

CBS brings us two genre shows, "Ghost Whisperer" and "Medium." I have stopped watching them both, and really can't comment on them. They appear to be doing well for CBS, and I have no doubt they will continue.

"Smallville" relocated to Fridays this season, and has continued to show Clark Kent progress to Superman. Only instead of the red and blue, he's in black, and instead of being called Superman, he's called The Blur. Trust me, its progress.

They have also moved forward on the Clark & Lois relationship, and at times it's very reminiscent of the Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher "Lois and Clark" series. The only real negative I have is they have downplayed the character of Chloe.

"Smallville" has taken a huge ratings hit due to its move to Friday. I would say it places the series in jeopardy of not being renewed. That would depend on how The CW's new pilots turn out this coming spring.

"Dollhouse" has continued the improvements it showed from the end of the last season. They have had some great stories, but unfortunately I think the weak link of this show is Eliza Dushku. Compared to the other performers on the show, she just doesn't seem to have the range to play this character.

And it's a shame, because this show has a great concept. But it might be a concept too high for television.

Fox recently announced they were not giving "Dollhouse" a back-nine order. They also say that doesn't mean they have made a final decision about the show. But let's face it. The show will complete airing original episodes in January, and the show won't be in the network's mind when preparing their schedule for next season. It's unofficially dead.

"Stargate: Universe" is the latest installment in the Stargate franchise airing on Syfy. But it's a different take on the concept. As the show keeps telling us, they are the wrong people in the wrong place. The producers have put a group of people in a situation they are not trained to handle.

And I love it.

I also like the slow development the show is taking. They know they have an audience and a network's support, so they can take their time. I hope to see it go on for many seasons.

"Sanctuary" also airs on Syfy, and stars Amanda Tapping as Helen Magnus. The show took a chance by killing off the popular character Ashley, and replacing her with a totally unlikeable character Kate.

I agree with the masses on this one: I don't like Kate. And the producers know we don't like her, and feel they can make us like her. Good luck with that.

I enjoy this one, but its another one of those shows I can't really recall shortly after I watch it.

Syndication

"Legend of the Seeker" has started its second season with a bang. The Seeker has a new quest, and has added a new woman to the cast to increase the sexual tension.

I enjoyed the episodes aired so far, and like where the story is going. If you are a fan of swords and sorcery fantasy fiction, you really need to check this out.

Beware, if you are a fan of the Sword of Truth book series, it's an adaptation, and doesn't necessarily follow the books.

Development Watch

It's been slow on the development front. The only item I have to add is that Denis Leary's production company Apostle Films has acquired the rights to the film "Gattaca," which they intend to develop as a futuristic cop show.