Grading 41 network fall 2013 shows: From first to worst

What are the best new shows of the fall 2013-14 season?

Let's rephrase that for this Must-See/Must Avoid list: What look to be the most intriguing, most noteworthy, most watchable new shows of the fall season, on Fox, NBC, The CW, ABC and CBS?

Ah, that's easier, right? Let's get some basics in order before we proceed here. Foremost, what you are about to read is based entirely on fleeting first impressions largely gleaned from trailers. It may be outrageously wrong — what seems at first glance good could be awful, and what seems awful at first glance could be just fine.

That's the peril with first impressions, except that come this fall, viewers — you — will be asked to make a whole bunch of viewing decisions based on nothing more than a network song and a prayer — and trailer. And with an increasingly crowded landscape — nearly 40 new broadcast network fall and midseason shows alone — the value of first impressions is greater than ever.

So here's the plan. I will rank these newcomers based on nothing more than a hunch, born of years — a lifetime, in fact — of tube-watching. You too can feel free to make your own hunches, too, though space and time here limit me from posting all of the trailers. Here's a final thought: I reserve the "right" — there is such a "right," right? — to change my opinion when I see the full episode later this summer, for review in Newsday.

Hey, there may be a whole bunch of pleasant surprises this fall, rendering my "first impression" list wrong and irrelevant. I hope so: TV surprises are nice. Predictable TV is a waste. So, networks, prove me wrong (or in those instances where the show looks good) right.

What does the fall season look like? You've heard it's buzz-free and you've heard correctly.

Here are two general impressions I've come away with:

Meanwhile, Here's how to read my scores:

To the list!

Premise: Bad doctors try to expunge the memories of one Alice, who recounts her trip down a rabbit hole where she sees odd stuff and falls in love with mysterious/handsome Cyrus .?.?.

Dis: On paper, nothing seems amiss. Malkovich is a smart guy and no hack — surely he's not getting himself into standard network drivel, right? This could be an interesting NBC show. Of course, I could be wrong. Badly. But it does have the pedigree.

Like: Well, certainly James Spader in the lead; he's channeling some Hannibal Lecter, some Robert California, and even some Alan Shore here. As always, riveting.

Grade: 74  

Dis: Another cop with take-justice-into-his-own-hands style. 'Scuse me while I stifle a yawn.

Premise: Three brothers — one of whom happens to be Geoff Stults — enlist and cause a whole lot of craziness.

Dis: Awful, awful, awful. But the title is marvelous, no?