Since the year is coming to an end, I’ve decided to go back and figure out my top 10 shows of the past calendar year. I probably watched over 100 different TV series this past year, so there was a lot to choose from. My main criteria was that each show that made my list had to be something I really looked forward to each week, and something I primarily watched live when it aired, or that same night.
Warning, some of the details may reveal spoilers or other plot points of the season
Here’s my list, in alphabetical order (it was hard enough to just pick 10!):
Breaking Bad (AMC, Season 4)
Breaking Bad just keeps getting better. It is not afraid to completely shake things up or kill off characters. This past season was so tense and exciting with Walt and Jesse under the constant watching eye of Gus. You never knew who was loyal to whom, and if Walt and Jesse would go through with the plan to eliminate Gus. All leading up to an amazing season finale. I can’t wait for next year’s finale season.
Doctor Who (BBC America, Series 6)
I love companions Amy and Rory, and Matt Smith’s Doctor. This season we also got a lot of great River Song reveals and back-story. The writers did an excellent job working this back into the mythology first established in “Silence in the Library” years earlier. I can’t wait for this year’s Christmas episode.
Happy Endings (ABC, Seasons 1 & 2)
What initially started as a summer burn-off show, Happy Endings has turned into on of my favorite Wednesday night comedies. Despite the fact that ABC aired the initial episodes completely out of order, fans like myself quickly saw how smart and fun this show was. Each week I couldn’t wait for he nxt two episodes. I am so glad that ABC realized the gem that they had and picked this show up. It hasn’t lost a beat in the second season.
The Middle (ABC, Season 3)
The Middle continues to be one of my favorite sitcoms. The ever-optimistic Sue and slacker son Axl are really the stars of the show for me. There is no shortage of laughs each week when the Heck family is on my TV … (whispers) TV!
Parks and Recreation (NBC, Season 3 & 4)
Season 3 of Parks and Recreation didn’t even start until January of this year. All of the episodes had already been filmed by the time the season even started. However, what we got was the best season this show has ever had. April and Andy getting married was a stroke of genius–those two are hilarious together. Throw Ron Swanson into the mix and you’ve got a trio of comedy gold. The series has also been pretty consistently funny into the current fourth season.
Raising Hope (FOX, Season 2)
Raising Hope continues to be one of my favorite sitcoms. This season has given us some hilarious episodes, such as Jimmy discovering that he was a musical prodigy as a child, or Jimmy competing with a 13-year-old for Sabrina. No matter what happens, the Chance family always seems to find the bright side to every situation. In the first season, the only downside for me was that the stuff with Maw Maw got a little too gross at times. However, in this second season, they have really found the right balance for this character.
Sons of Anarchy (FX, Season 4)
After that third season in Ireland, Sons needed a big comeback, and they really did that this year. It was an explosive and tense season, and I couldn’t wait for each week’s new episode. Though we didn’t ultimately get the death of Clay that I and many others wanted, it was a fun ride all season. I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out next season.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (Starz, Season 2)
With this season being a prequel, you would think there would be no suprises–but you would be totally wrong. This season, just like the first, was packed with loads of action, tense drama and surprise, gruesome, deaths. They did a great job of filling in some of the blanks from the original series, but also giving us enough mystery to keep us guessing until the end. It will be interesting to see next season how things play out once we return to “present” times, with a new actor in the title role.
Strike Back (Cinemax, Season 1 US/2 UK)
I had really enjoyed the original UK season of the series, so I was glad to hear it was coming to Cinemax for an all new season. This season was more of a collection of 2-week buddy action films. Often over-the-top and campy, it was always an explosive fun ride. In addition to a new story every two weeks, there was an interesting overriding arc across the season. I’m looking forward to the next season.
The Walking Dead (AMC, Season 2)
I have heard some complaints that this season was too slow or not as good as the first, due to a lower budget and less zombies. However, I didn’t see that at all. Each week they kept me captivated, and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. I was one of those totally shocked to see Sophia walk out of the barn in the mid-season finale–such a great moment!
My two big surprises of the new season were Revenge and American Horror Story. I wasn’t a fan of either of these when I first started watching them. I thought the first was a bit too soapy, and the latter way too odd. However, as I watched more, I grew to really enjoy them, and looked forward to the continuing mysteries each week.
How does my list match up with your favorite shows from this past calendar year?
