With the start of the fall season comes the returns and premieres of new and old shows. One popular show that is returning for its second season is ABC’s “Designated Survivor.” This drama features Tom Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the “designated survivor” during the State of the Union Address, who is forced to take on the role of Commander in Chief after the President and his cabinet perish in an attack.

This season starts a year after the premiere last year; the plot continues in real time. Last season’s finale left viewers with Lloyd, the bomber of the Capitol, escaping authorities with a mole in the Capitol, among other drama, so there is high anticipation for how the first episode of Season Two will address these unresolved issues. The show seems to be getting mostly positive reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes average audience score of 78%.

CBS also introduced a new show, a spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory,” called “Young Sheldon.” This show follows the main character from “The Big Bang Theory,” Sheldon, in his childhood; this incredibly smart nine-year-old is living in Texas and struggles with dealing with his family.

The first episode introduces the viewer to Sheldon and his family, as well as his struggles with going into ninth grade at only nine years old. “Young Sheldon” doesn’t seem to be getting the most positive responses from critics, as IMDb gives the show an approval average of only 6.3/10, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a higher 74%.

ABC also introduced the world to a new show this year, “The Good Doctor.” Similar to “The Office,” it is an American remake of a show from another country; “The Good Doctor” was a popular medical drama in South Korea that had one breakout season in 2013.

The premise of the show features a very talented and very young doctor, Shaun Murphy, starting at a new, prestigious hospital, where he has trouble connecting with others due to his autism and savant syndrome. The show is incredibly popular, with 97% of Google users liking the show, and IMDb average review scores of 8.6/10. Even though only two episodes have aired, the show has already been given a full season run due to viewers’ response.

Senior Shea Donovan said, “Every Monday night, I watch the ‘Good Doctor.’ It’s very inspiring because the doctor has autism, but he’s very functional. My cousin has special needs, and it’s representative of the many talents that people with special needs possess.”

“This Is Us,” NBC’s newest hit drama, premiered last fall and was renewed for a second season following overwhelmingly positive responses from viewers. The show follows husband and wife Jack and Rebecca Pearson and their triplets, Kate, Kevin, and Randall. The show is set in both the 1980s and 1990s, when the triplets were kids, and in the present day with the triplets as adults. “This Is Us” delves into Jack and Rebecca’s rocky marriage, Kate’s struggles with her weight, Randall’s anxiety, and Kevin’s acting career, as well as all of the children’s relationships with each other and their parents.

Senior Annie Ryan said, “‘This Is Us’ is such a great show because it’s so different. The relationships and issues are so real and raw that you can really connect with the characters and can relate to their lives.”