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2 TV ENCORE By Meagan Sylvester TV Media M uch like the notorious Illuminati — a secret soci- ety alleged to have mastermind- ed world events and other fateful conspiracies — a prestigious group of underground guardians will once again take to the small screen following a successful, action-packed trilogy that first appeared on TNT nearly a decade ago. Working from their headquar- ters located beneath the Metropolitan Public Library in New York City, a group of hired "librarians" works tirelessly to protect the unknowing world from supernatural threats and mystical (but dangerous) relics, all while recovering other power- ful artifacts and safeguarding them from misguided hands. "The Librarians," set to air Sunday, Dec. 7, on TNT, is repris- ing its franchise following a decade-long hiatus from the world of nerdy, action-packed adventure. Luckily for fans of the made-for-television movie series that first debuted in 2004, the leading role will be played by its original front man, Noah Wyle ("ER," "Falling Skies"). The vivacious combination of action, adventure, history and treasure has led some critics to liken the series to other popular movie franchises, including Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones and Dan Brown's internationally acclaimed novel "The Da Vinci Code." Since the series' original installment, the quick-witted but Graybeals Carpet 2 x 3" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" Harrison- Metzger 2 x 2" On the Cover tenacious Flynn Carsen (Wyle) has taken on more than one can handle as the organization's top librarian. In order to keep each daunting task at bay, Flynn has recruited four professionals from around the globe to defend the library's precious artifacts from magical elements that threaten its very existence. But that's not to say Flynn's new partners-in- protection are welcomed by the perpetual, longtime scholar. First in the newly assembled team is Rebecca Romijn ("X- Men," 2000, "Ugly Betty") as Eve Baird, a highly skilled and "tough-as-nails" soldier who puts her military background to good use by protecting the underground society, but who finds herself confounded when it comes to the world of magic. "I get invited to work at the library and I don't know why — I don't necessarily want the job," Romijn said of her character dur- ing an interview with the "Daily Quirk." "I've received this myste- rious invitation to be the guard- ian of the library, but Noah Wyle's character doesn't want me around." According to early reviews, the debut episode — "The Crown of King Arthur" — promises to exude high tensions between Carsen and his new protector, Baird, but in order to save their colleagues, the two opposing egos must join forces to combat a ruthless killer who won't stop until every librarian is dead. While executive producer John Rogers has admitted the show is not the "smartest, darkest, deep- est or the most heart-churning show on television," according to a recent interview with StarPulse. com, it does accomplish its over- arching intention: to be fun for the fans of yesteryear and for new viewers looking to stray away from sensational television. In fact, the show prides itself on avoiding the sort of entertain- ment that competes with contro- versial issues and increasingly dark content to attract viewers. One stark difference between "The Librarians" and other popu- lar programming is its use of comic relief, Rogers said in early November. "I think that some- times going dark is the easy way to go because there's this craving for legitimacy that a lot of the time genre shows have," the longtime executive producer said of the entertainment industry. "And for me, I want to have fun when I'm sitting down and watching the show, so why not make it that way? Why not use that fun to have your different adventures?" Rogers says that while the show is scripted, the cast has been creative with some impromptu acting to foster more Action-packed movie trilogy takes to TNT organic characters, making film- ing a little more interactive between the actors and writers. By keeping up with this tradition, Rogers hopes audiences will not only relate to the characters, but also like them on a personal level as well. This kind of fun-loving TV genre has proven to be a success in the past, as the first install- ment, "The Librarian: Quest for the Spear," ranked as basic cable's No. 1 movie of the year back in 2004. But its success wasn't limited to the first film, as the second installment, "The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines," premiered as the No. 1 original movie sequel of all time on basic cable, while also placing among the year's top five telecasts. Success contin- ued in 2008 when "The Librarian: Curse of Judas Chalice" pre- miered to more than 5.7 million viewers on TNT. While the show doesn't take itself too seriously, fans of the early series will be able to pick up where they left off when "The Librarians" airs on Sunday, Dec. 7, on TNT. Noah Wyle as seen in "The Librarians" D&J Liquors 3 x 2" Animal Shop 2 x 2" Corner of 4th & Market ~ Downtown Logansport 574-737-8374 Pear Tree Gallery Needing something framed by Christmas? We do rush orders! MAROCCO-RANS FUNERAL CHAPEL 119 E. Market St. | Logansport, IN • 574.753.6282 www.ransfuneralhomes.com Offering compassionate services during your most diffi cult time of need. • Funeral & Cremation Services • • Preplanning Options • Monument Sales •

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