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FINISHED - #1 REVEALED || Allstar's Best Of
Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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Quote:
Originally posted by Allstar
Not that I think anyone still cares but I'm back and will be finishing this hopefully either way.
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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TV COMEDIES
#15 - Inside Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is by no doubt 2015's it girl and biggest breakout star and that's despite her show having already been on for years. However, if you have seen the third season of 'Inside Amy Schumer' it's really not hard to understand why she suddenly blew up so big and became that girl everyone wanted to be or loved to hate on.
In her show, Amy combined witty and funny sketches with feminist causes and a lot of social commentary better than many other people do. Her unapologetic nature perfectly fits her themes and thus an entire episode dedicated to "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer" arguing about whether or not she's pretty enough to be successful on tv is not only hilarious but brings up strong points that feel poignant, important and most of all very current. Amy's ability to transform many of those witty sketches into legit viral moments feels both like a commentary on web culture in itsef and like a proof of her awareness how to build a strong brand image as well.
2015 was the year of Amy Schumer and for once there's actually something behind it. 'Inside Amy Schumer' is worth a look for everyone and if you're too lazy to check out an entire season or a show you can never do wrong with Milk Milk Lemonade or watching Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Patricia Arquette ruminating on their last ****able days.
Best Episodes: "Last F*ckable Day"; "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer"; "Babies & Bustiers"; "80s Ladies"
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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#14 - Louie
It's sad to often have to observe how many consistently great shows are being taken for granted and start receiving less attention as time goes by despite the quality not dwindling one bit.
'Louie' has once been praised and lauded as "rebellious", "fresh and exciting", "experimential" or "radiant and vibrant".
Indeed, 'Louie' did a lot of things that had never quite been done before on tv and title-actor/comedian Louie C.K. uses every half-hour to express himself thematically in the strangest ways. More often than not he hits the nail on the head and his untested, risk-taking approaches often result in several extremely interesting and special moments that are so great because of how rare and exclusive they feel.
Yet, despite the comedy's fifth season maintaining its continuity only few people were actually talking about it. "Untitled" is undoubtedly the weirdest, seemingly non-sensical hour of tv you could have stumbled upon in 2015 and this makes it also one of the most intriguing ones there were. And that's just one out of many other episodes that continued to expand and elaborate on Louie's world views while being told in experimental, new ways.
Maybe it was hard for C.K. to follow up what was more than just a brilliant and exceptional (fourth) season. Maybe he was aware of that and having such pressure lying on his shoulders could be the reason a lot of this season felt underwhelming in comparison to the previous two.
However, I'm here to remind you: Most of the time "Louie" wasn't just as strong as ever but also as dicey and that still deserves just as much recognition.
Best Episodes: "A La Carte"; "Bobby's House"; "Untitled"; "The Road Pt. 2"
2014 - #14 (Drama)
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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#13 - Silicon Valley
Even in its first season 'Silicon Valley' was one of the better shows of the year because it managed so perfectly to illustrate the current state of business (technology) without ever indulging in self-seriousness or complexity despite its subject matter. A lot of its comedic style wouldn't work if it wasn't for the great performances of its cast but one should give credit where it's due and not forget to applaud the just as important and probably even more prolific team behind the scenes that includes writers and creators who helmed the strong first seasons of classic series such as 'The Office'.
'Silicon Valley's second season managed to improve (albeit only slightly) by building on what has been done before and turning this tech-comedy into a tighter and sometimes even more tense plot structure that followed a more realistic turn of events. The show's characters had to struggle with all the burdens that come when you put your fate into the greedy hands of the Valley -- proving yourself to Venture Capital corporations, being tricked by the corrupt capitalists absorbed by jealousy and hate and constantly outrunning the competition who seems to be more financially stable than you but less creative (a value less and less appreciated).
At one and the same time, 'Silicon Valley' became a weird, warped and funny satire; one that analysed the strengths of healthy friendships under the lense of corrupt enterprises and financial consequences. And thanks to its comic nature and light attitude it remained a hilariously entertaining watch even when the hopes and lives of its protagonist crumbling down suggested a much darker tone.
Best Episodes: "Runaway Devaluation"; "White Hat/Black Hat"; "Binding Arbitration"; "Two Days Of The Condor"
2014 - #9
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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#12 - Community
Sure, it may be true that 'Community's first three seasons (especially the second and third) are unparalleled and unmatched by later efforts in terms of sheer creative spirit, comedic force and meta-references to the world of film and tv. However, even though the later ones had their ups and downs, 'Community' managed to do something that most other shows utterly fail to do - it was able to reinvent itself anew exactly three times.
The first one happened when show-runner and creator Harmon was axed after three years from the show and left. Consequently, 'Community' went through the worst streak of episodes it had. He returned for the fifth season to bring the show back to its (almost) glory days, aware of past mistakes that happened during his absence and instead of shying away from them Harmon confidently built them into the show and created a new 'Community'; one that was less light and easy-going but a bit more complex and mature.
Finally, despite the show's disastrous ratings Yahoo! picked it up for one last season and the shift in medium also resulted in an even heavier shift in tone. Harmon captured something he knew was already gone and it was marvelous to see things unfold in a deliberate nostalgic manner that more than ever took on the quest of portraying the inescapable evolution of life. People grow apart and move on while life gives and takes opportunities and will put you in a place you didn't think you'd ever end up in. What's important is to know how to cope with it and make the best out of things.
This was made clear the most through Jeff Winger - the one person who always tried to escape his fate at the Community College that has grown so dear to our hearts. And he might just be the one whose real home is exactly where he didn't think it would be and this realization is a hard one to grapple with especially when at the same time you have to let the rest of your friends go who are all already moving on. It's tough, this battle of life and you only ever realize things have changed when it's too late and this leaves us with a bittersweet taste of nostalgia, sentimentality and a growing sense of realism. This last season perfectly captured all that but also reminded us not to forget the little things and still take your time to find joy and laughter in the little things. After all life can't just be serious.
'Community' took on more mature and serious questions according to the tone of its final season and thus stuck to its image of taking on meta-themes stronger than you will observe anywhere else on tv. Everyone got their perfect ending in a brilliant last run of episodes that include a final paintball battle, a hilarious mockumentary-style wedding and a heartbreaking finale that was amongst the best of all-time. The laughs were still there and their rarity made them all the more precious. 'Community' concluded on a high note and got this far when no one thought it would even get a third season. Who's to say #sixseasonsandamovie can't happen after all?
Best Episodes:"Basic RV Repair And Palmistry"; "Modern Espionage"; "Wedding Videography"; "Emotional Consequences Of Broadcast Television"
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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#11 - Fresh Off The Boat
For whatever reason it seems that the only thing you can really still count on when it comes to network tv is to deliver good sitcoms. Well, one of network's very best shows right now is simultaneously one of the most traditional sitcoms but in a way still subverting -- 'Fresh Off The Boat'.
'Boat' follows the typical storytelling pattern of sitcoms in a very ordinary way but not so typical is the fact that the show revolves around a family of Asian immigrants in the 90s who have already integrated themselves into American culture and its way of living but none the less still thrive and function in a different way. 'Fresh off the Boat' makes a great case for diversity and brings up many angles that are so different from what other shows period do all while still being about nothing else than the traditonal themes we have gotten so used to -- family, growing up, marriage and the juggling of all these things at once. It excels at its accurate, funny and fascinating portrayal of the USA as a melting pot. In addition, the great Constance Wu and Randall Park have created the most beautiful depiction of a conflict-free, functional marriage on tv since 'Friday Night Light's Eric and Tami Taylor
'Fresh off the Boat' is one of the best new shows of 2015 and one of the best on network. It's different and diverse yet couldn't feel more familiar and that's exactly why it has become such a deserved success.
Best Episode: "Showdown At The Golden Saddle"; "Boy II Man"; "The Fall Ball"; "Huangsgiving"; "The Real Santa"
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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TV DRAMAS
#15 - The Knick
With dwindling ratings and lead actor Clive Owen's protagonist 'Dr. John Thackery' being gone for good, period medical drama 'The Knick' may very well be over as well. But damn, did it go out on a high note.
One of the strongest new shows of last year, albeit underrated and not getting as much attention as it deserved, one would have hoped that in the midst of such a great year in tv 'The Knick' could have gained momentum and truly be appreciated as it should be but sadly that wasn't the case.
It's one of the rarest of shows - the kind that proves tv doesn't have to purely be a writer's medium but can also be cinematic for a whole hour every week. It comes as no surprise that the show is helmed by one of cinema's most audacious and experimential directors - Steven Soderbergh - who himself also directed every single episode of the show. He's known for constructing scenes of situations and by framing or different camera movements understands how to make them about someone who wasn't even the center of attention and knows how to effieciently elevate them thematically with a sort of surprise effect and he continued doing this on his show as well.
As amazing as its direction is, ironically, 'The Knick's weakest link remains its writing.
So despite all the masterful cooperation of dazzling and cold visuals, an electrifying and modern score (one of the best out there; undescribably great and can invoke goosebumps and icy chills, check it out) and accomplished performances, some of the otherwise interesting themes remain somewhat underdeveloped and untreated when they don't have to be.
'The Knick' is a determined show with a high aim but it often takes on too many things and consequently cuts back on quality or depth for some of them. There are feminist perspectives, a high amount of religious backgrounds, social structures, a very strong ark on racism with a black doctor who's trying to make it in a business solely run by white men (this is the 1900s), drug addiction, medical future, and so on and so on. It's too much for a show to handle whose powers lie in knowing how to present a story and topics rather than deciding what should be presented.
If 'The Knick' is truly done, it ended as strong as possible with an exceptionally great finale and while it might not have concluded every individual's story at least it did so with its protagonist. And we all know that sometimes a little openness gives more closure than a definite ending leaving no room for self-imagination.
Hopefully, though, other shows paid attention to this one's strengths and try to adapt it -- maybe then 'The Knick' can leave a much more important mark in the landscape of tv and follow the likes of (the much superior) 'The Sopranos' or 'Mad Men' as a show that was able to prove direction is just as important and necessary on tv.
If that won't be the case, then at least 'The Knick' will always go down as the show with the most bizarre, gross and coolest surgeries (Thackery operating himself on drugs, lobotomies, an opened brain, operating on someone's eyes close-up) that on their own have made the show more than a worthwile and exciting watch.
Best Episodes: "You're No Rose"; "Whiplash"; "Williams And Walker"; "This Is All We Are"
2014 - #16
#14 - Homeland
Just like I hoped and said in my review last year, what 'Homeland' really needed to properly start over with a clean slate wasn't only to get rid of Brody but moving the show's action to a different location because its familiarity started to turn into dangerous predictability despite some thrilling sequences.
Fortunately, in its fifth season, 'Homeland' did just that and told a much slower and quieter story set up in the German capital Berlin. Where the show used to drag unnecessary twists out of its hair for pure shock effect, this year it seemed to be more interested in observing most of its great characters and examine them closer than ever before.
Take for instance the strong episode "Superpowers" which understandably frustrated many viewers as it saw bi-polar protagonist Carrie Mathison go off her meds once again because she thinks she functions better this way. There's a certain truth to her being able to detect things she wouldn't if she was emotionally stable and restricted to medical treatments but what really elevates the episode is just how dedicated and willing it is to embrace the show's repetetive elements in a cynic tone -- and thus showing just how representative not only her disorder but also her motives really are. Carrie's bipolarity will, of course, always be a part of her and consequently it will always remain a crucial kernel of the show that can't be dismissed. 'Homeland' deals with a complex and sensitive subject matter better than almost any other show out right now and if it's frustrating the audience it's only a testimony to how well they're conjuring up the emotions attached to disorders such as bipolarity. She's undeniably one of the most influential characters of modern tv.
Of course this was only one single episode that was hardly representative of the rest of the season. Especially refreshing was to see 'Homeland' shift away from its image of the good all-American heroes and the evil world of Islam and adopt more complex, ambiguous views on the world of politics and terrorism that were closer to reality than they had been ever before thanks to not shying away from letting every single character in the show find out about the darkest sides of themselves, as well. Miranda Otto (a great addition to the cast) made for a strong villain whose unpredictable actions out of desperation made her arguably even more dangerous. Mandy Patinkin and especially Claire Danes still give two of the best performances on tv sharing a chemistry that is as vital to the show as anything and their tremendous turns this year were particularly important as the feud their respective protagonists were in could have easily been overblown but instead introduced an expansion on how terror will always follow Carrie even when she's actually devoted to escape.
Five years in and 'Homeland' was able to not only deliver a season dipped in an increasingly grim and serious tone but also find new topics to talk about that were more modern and current to real life situations. Its slower approach resulted in some strong character studies that finally weren't always interrupted for sheer action spectacles. 'Homeland' still has to figure out its new pacing because there were several strange interruptions that could have been avoided. However, it seems as sure as 'Homeland' is getting closer to its end it's also getting closer to understanding what makes it so great.
Best Episodes: "The Tradition Of Hospitality"; "Why Is This Night Different?"; "The Litvinov Ruse"; "Our Man In Damascus"
2014 - #23
#13 - Better Call Saul
'Better Call Saul', the highly anticipated 'Breaking Bad' spin-off about lawyer for the criminals Saul Goodman had very big shoes to fill. Of course it doesn't quite hit the highs of its predecessor (or successor if you want) but surprisingly it's still extremely good and manages to find new things to talk about in the same bleak universe. In a way, 'Better Call Saul' even benefits from the fact its universe and characters had already been established even before its premiere. Although, that's not to say you have to go into this show having watched 'Breaking Bad', but you will definitely enjoy it more.
Aside from a few pandering fan-service moments, 'Better Call Saul' quickly overcomes its procedural case-of-the-week storytelling to move onto much bigger things. From self-actualization it turns into an examination of a man's identity; the disparity between his self-image and the reality and his disability to understand how he's perceived. It became a show that smartly and excitingly made us witness a man falling down into the deepest pits of self-pity and depression because the rest of the world put a stamp on him and decided he's a bad man no matter how hard he would try to prove everyone else otherwise.
In a great finale though, came that turning point when Saul himself finally realizes this and then puts on that costume everyone else has already sewn for him - that of a corrupt, greedy lawyer who only takes on cases for guilty criminals and never plays by the rules. It's a marvelous moment and albeit we knew it had to come (seeing as 'Breaking Bad' is set after these events) the showrunners still managed to keep us as an audience on our toes and hope that maybe, just maybe, Saul will somehow decide to embrace the good inside himself despite everyone else's pressure.
'Better Call Saul' is as good of a spin-off as possible to a show that has been labeled one of the best of all-time. It took that show's most interesting side-character and made a show about him that in true BB-sense remained a character study of moral ambiguity and incremental change into the blurred lines of crime. However, at the same time 'Saul' also feels a little like its own thing thanks to Bob Odenkirk's strong performance and Vince Gilligan's stronger Tarantino-esque directing style.
It's not as strong as the show that created it but it also really doesn't have to be.
Best Episodes: "Hero"; “Five-O”; “Pimento”: “Marco”
#12 - Les Revenants
Four years long was the wait for my favorite show of 2011 to finally return. Was it worth it?
By far the best international tv series of the year (as far as I know), French supernatural drama 'Les Revenants' still maintained all of its mysteriousness and grimness that made it so strong to begin with.
However, even if it was an amazing season it couldn't quite captivate me as much as it used to and that's not only because the novelty effect has worn off by now.
Every episode tells a chapter out of the life of a selected person which makes for some fresh storytelling every week but also slows down the already pretty slow pacing and momentum of the show in general. A lof ot 'Les Revenants' appeal stems from its ability to make its audience resonate with the characters emotionally despite an unrelatable premise but focusing on so many new characters and trying to make us invest in people we'd never seen before without properly introducing them didn't work out as intended and the fact that most of them didn't have direct connections with each other often put a stop to the pacing of a show which is already known for slow plot progression to begin with.
However, 'Les Revenants' is still one of the very best shows of the year. It's a dark, gritty, creepy & eerie French zombie drama and yes it's every bit as special and different as this sounds to you. It touches on a variety of different horror genres but never treads into clichéd territory. While there is a huge mystery anchoring the show's center, 'Les Revenants' isn't much concerned with answering all of its questions and is pretty straight-forward about it. Yes, we get developments and progression but the beauty of this drama lies much more in the unspoken, almost metaphorical:
'Les Reventants' is an analysis of how hard it is to deal with death, how people cope with it differently or just fail to do so to begin with. It perfectly depicts how tough it is to communicate with people when confronted with situations of uncertainty, trouble and depression even though those are the moments in life where speaking out and breaking the silence could tie the knot of frustration for good. It captures the increasingly dreadful and tedious zeitgeist of a generation where depression and anxiety triggered by past events we haven't gotten closure to are becoming increasingly alarming by the minute.
'Les Revenants' embodies this feeling perfectly in many ways. Its visuals play with lighting and it maintains a consistently grey/blue-ish color palette but at all times the cinematography is nothing short of stunning. This drama finds something alluring and beautiful in the dark depression no matter how grotesque it may be and expresses that visually. Its story unfolding slowly but surely is a great tool to further enhance the show's themes and feeling I just elaborated on because as long as it takes there is an ultimate destination - closure.
Finally, it all builds up into several climactic, extremely emotional moments and just like the feeling of wanting to scream but being too weak to do so, the show quietly moves on until it rips open the knots of frustration and breaks the silence - and whenever the quiet 'Les Revenants' does this it's one of the most special and loudest things there are.
Best Episodes: "The Tradition Of Hospitality"; "Why Is This Night Different?"; "The Litvinov Ruse"; "Our Man In Damascus"
#11 - Hannibal
Despite a variety of Hannibal stories being told on all kinds of medium, even tv, NBC's 'Hannibal' continued to stand out amongst all of them and may very well even be stronger than the rest.
After a slow and solid procedural first season 'Hannibal' really became this uniquely dark and distinctive show it is known for in its second season when it broke through its original convenient walls of structure and formula and started entering untreated territory.
Now, 'Hannibal' is probably the most psychologically twisted show of 2015. Every single character is analysed deeply and has his or her own individual problems to cope with. The show of the tone is so grotesque yet beautiful that an entire hour of tv that is usually nothing else but a therapy lesson can feel like one of the most exciting things you have ever watched.
Its third season got off to a good start although it was clearly overshadowed by the strengths of what came before. Lecter escaping to Europe resulted in a change of scenery that while welcome also put a halt to the show's momentum in a way and that's even though the show is hardly interested in story development to begin with.
However, mid-season 'Hannibal' found its previous footing or to be more precise, it built on this foundation to become something even richer, darker and more disturbing than it had been before.
Episode after episode drilled into even deeper layers of matters that range from specific themes like sexuality and gender roles to more general motifs such as love and mental frustration.
'Hannibal' is filled with a variety of characters that are all so different yet share the same destiny of being held back by their own psychologically unexplored nature and most of all the show wants nothing else but to get to the core of why these people feel the way they feel.
No matter how distinct or unique those characters might seem, though, this also says something about how maybe humanity today has more in common than a lot like to admit and maybe that's because those similarities lie in the darkest corners of us whose existence we'd rather deny. Yet, at the same time, and I can not stress this enough, 'Hannibal' is able to present these bleak themes as just one side of the coin and depicts just as well that hope is but a breath away. A big breath.
The fate of the show is unknown though it doesn't look good at all. Thankfully, the finale really does serve as a beautiful, enticing ending to tv's most interesting relationship between Hannibal and Will Graham who elevated and anchored the show with their interactions and whose nature is so distinct it's hard to really put in words other than fascinating, provocative and compelling.
'Hannibal's finale showed that even the darkest, murkiest things should be explored for there might lie something alluring and strangely beautiful in them. The show used the opposition of antagonist Hannibal and protagonist Will Graham to depict two counterparts that somehow exist as one and can't truly exist without the other even if at least one of them rather not. In the final hour this statement was fully confronted in a bang and after every big bang there's silence.
In an age where 'Full House' and 'Twin Peaks' can come back, and a relatively unkown cult show like 'Black Mirror' can get picked up why not the darkly twisted 'Hannibal', as well? If the silence in the end only represents the show's thematical nature or also its ultimate fate is something only the future will tell.
Best Episodes: "Dolce"; "...And The Woman Clothed In The Sun"; "...And The Beast From The Sea"; "The Wrath Of The Lamb"
2014 - #9
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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So I was really, really unsure about the ranking of this batch so instead of assigning positions here's just an unranked #10 - #6, in no particular order.
UnREAL
Let's admit it: We all love the juicy, over-dramatic nature of unscripted reality shows even though we all know a lot of its drama is clearly staged, don't we? Here's 'UnREAL', this year's most innovative new show by Shapiro, an ex-producer of the show 'The Bachelor' -- a show that depicts the dashy, sassy behind-the-scenes action of a show just like the one 'The Bachelor' is. Naturally, this means that 'UnREAL' is incredibly entertaining and twisted fun. Not so sure, however, is that 'UnREAL' is also one of the most gruesome and darkest depictions of the true reality of reality tv.
It rips down the curtains of reality tv and considering Shapiro really worked in it it's probably scary how much of what happens on this show is accurate.
'UnREAL' shows how much producers pressure their candidates to bring out their big guns and they will do anything and everything to have these individuals stand out. If switching the pills of a single mother who suffers from anxiety is not enough then you bring in her ex-husband who's been abusive to her in the past to further push the boundaries. It means asking people to lie about their sexuality and about their lives to bring in the ratings all in the name for ~love. What makes this all the more tragic is that most of the participators are really naive enough to think they will find their true love on this television show and their naivety is why it makes it so easy to exploit their weaknesses and past so brazenly.
The show is held together by something that's even more unique and rare as the creativity and distinctiveness of 'UnREAL's premise -- not one, but two female anti-heroes. Shiri Appleby (who I have always loved since the underrated teen-angst alien drama 'Roswell') is a revelation as the show's lead who's an amoral disaster zone and an expert at manipulating people even when she's fending off a nervous breakdown herself. She might be the best tv character of the year and if she's not that she's by far the best new character to have been introduced.
And then there's the terrific Constance Zimmer who's won a Critics Choice Award for her performance and if you think that Shiri is amoral you haven't dealt with her boss yet. Someone so amoral almost with the energy of a dictator who makes her co-star look like Bambi in comparison.
Together they make a destructive team that is perfect for the success of their show but are anything than a true match for the best in their respective lives. Seeing how self-destructive they are, however, makes it even more fun and brings yet another note of realism to the depiction of women on tv this show excels at.
Along with all the social criticism, the underlying psychology and pure entertainment 'UnREAL' provides there's even more behind it. It perfectly shows what tv makes to people and what it makes out of people but also explores the nature of mental illnesses like depression and how hard it is to deal with it using its lead Shiri to anchor the show in all of its themes all the more.
'UnREAL' is an ingenious, dark and satirical soap with so many twists that's so much fun it'll be a marvel for any audience. However, there lies so much truth and sadness and reality in it that also makes this show a case for being one of the very, very best of the year. It's a testimony for peak tv and that not all truly amazing shows have to feel pompous and prestige. Next season will see a black bachelor in the show's center. Isn't it sad that a scripted show about a Bachelor-like series embraces diversity before the real thing does? I have no doubt 'UnREAL' is lying in perfect hands and it seems they know just perfectly how to introduce new but important themes daringly to tv before anyone else does.
Best Episodes: “Return”; "Relapse"; "None"; “Savior"; "Future"
Rectify
It seems a miracle that even in this diverse age of tv a show like 'Rectify' even exists. Sadly, it seems like no one's watching it even though it's now been one of the very best shows for three consecutive years. With every season it's able to reveal new layers of humanity and human behavior despite its premise being so extremely distinct. Yet, the fact that the show is centered about the later life of a man being released from death row where he spent the last ~20 years (thus also most of his young adulthood), might be the particular reason it is this thematically rich.
Now in its third season, with a last fourth one on its way, 'Rectify' has moved far beyond its initial premise and at this point it's easy to tell that was their plan all along. What makes it all the more remarkable is that the show does so much while still keepings its premise somewhere in the background but always clear enough in its field of vision so that every movement and every bit of writing feels completely organic and natural. 'Rectify' isn't only about its protagonist anymore and has transformed from a show with a very minimalistic approach to one that tackles so many questions but somehow still with the same strong and precise focus as before.
Daniel, this meditative drama's protagonist, is on a quest to rediscover and redefine himself. It must be a tough mission for someone who's being confronted and met with prejudice and hate, who has to deal with ambiguity and people that wouldn't believe him he's innocent no matter how clear the evidence. It must be even tougher for someone who was let loose on a world that has drastically changed in the last 20 years - arguably more radical and faster than in any other period - to find his position in it.
It's fascinating to see Daniel find out about himself and his place in the world because it's almost like we are watching a young child discover both the beauty and grimness of our planet for the first time. He's able to enjoy the smaller things, just like we should, and at times he's still surprised at how bold and aggressive or ugly other people's behavior can be. After three years, however, he finally seems to have a goal and vision of how he imagines his future life and in the extremely emotional and affecting last two episodes set everything up for him to start anew.
'Rectify' is able to achieve the hardest of things -- it can tell a rich, versatile and morally ambiguous story from multiple perspectives while still making us relate to all sides at all times and transmitting a deep knowledge and understanding of everyone's feelings and motives in the show no matter how different they turn out to be.
As much as the show is about Daniel's journey to self-discovery, it's also a show that has transcended this theme of a second chance at life onto its other characters, all of which ironically are just as stuck and struggle just as much finding a purpose in life and it almost seems like the show wants us to find ourselves in it as well.
'Rectify's biggest achievement and probably the main reason why it's such an emotional, intense but also beautiful and easily relatable watch is how it's ultimately a series that can make its so complex and multi-layered, realistic portrayal of life also come off as incredibly simple and ordinary:
'The Source' concludes with a rapturously warm and heartbreaking road trip for Daniel and his mother, but their poolside exchange in the penultimate episode just as moving in its simplicity and sums up the beauty of 'Rectify' better than anything:
“I wouldn’t mind seeing the ocean again, Mother.” “Why not.”
Best Episdodes: "Thrill Ride"; "Girl Jesus"; "The Future"; "The Source"
2014 - #8
Show Me A Hero
David Simon who is most notably known for having created, run, written and directed HBO's 'The Wire' which is universally praised as the best show of all time came back to grace 2015 with that year's best miniseries. Frankly, if it had more than just three two-part episodes you would probably see 'Show Me A Hero' much higher on this list, although it seems a little unfair to be comparing it to shows that have been consistently great for a longer time, so here it is.
'Show Me A Hero' is a drama about the city Yonkers that went through some drastic changes in the 90s when its white middle-class neighborhoods aggressively demonstrated against the federally mandated public housing development to provide more housings for lower-class citizens.
A lot of tensions arise and it's both scary and affecting how courageously Simon is willing to depict the brutal mood of these events that feels almost timeless or actually even timelier than ever before.
Yonkers (at least the 90's version of it) is a city entrenched in racism full of people who assume that these new built homes will destroy their town and run it further down the drain of poverty just because the people who are going to live in the new homes will primarily be minorities.
'Show Me A Hero' tells this vital story wonderfully and poignantly by shining a light on every perspective of this modern-day civil rights protest: It focuses on a handful of different minorities on the edge of poverty and makes us care and root for all of them. Some end up fitting the stereotypes that are so recklessly bestowed upon them and result in tragedies. Others' lives are held back by the system and the hate of their neighbors even though they have limitless potential and could have been successful people had they been given the opportunities of someone more privileged and luckier. Then there are those who succeed in this sad fight and are allowed to enjoy their glorious victory finally having fought prejudice and proven themselves to be as worthy as anyone else.
'Show Me A Hero' also focuses on those who oppose this movement - although only slightly - and then most importantly on two people who end up fighting for justice: There's a woman so strongly and expertly played by Catherine Keener who at first opposes the new houses like everyone else but slowly starts realizing how filled by void, empty hate she is and how meaningless that rage is and then joins the other side. Then there's Yonkers' off-and-on president who realized before anyone else the unevitable direction of the future and knows what is really just to fight for. He's played by one of our generation's best actors, Oscar Isaac, who in this six hour series gives his best performance to date and makes the show worthwhile by his own already.
It turns out the hero isn't really the series' protagonist although he comes closest. He's much more someone who has seen the realism of the future and stood up for that progression.
What David Simon really wants to say is that we're all the heroes of our own lives and every historic victory is filled with a huge number of individual heroes who fight their own battles in between a big war and who deserve just as much respect for it as anyone else does. He's careful not to overstate his message once and this detailed finesse and deep understanding makes 'Show Me A Hero' arguably the most important show of the year and if it's not that it's still one of the best.
It shows how American politics has been and is most likely going to continue to always be driven by two polar opposites - anger and hope. It also feels to me, that with this story of an ultimate victory, Simon says that maybe hope will be a little stronger than the other and that's a comforting thought, isn't it? Amidst all the politics though lies a drama that is much more about life and family and more so politics' power to influence both even when it sometimes shouldn't.
Best Episodes: All 3
Mr. Robot
'Mr. Robot' is undeniably this year's most talked about new it-show about a young hacker who grapples with his own mental illness and plans a scheme no smaller than bringing down the world's evil mogul and its economy. It's as much of a Fight Club-homage as it sounds like - twists, flaws and everything - but in other ways it's also very much its own thing.
Rami Malek gives a strong performance as the show's lead and has been given the complicated task of making us root for a self-destructive, pessimistic drug junkie who doesn't even know who he is himself half of the time. He's marvelous at it and the show uses this to introduce the story tool of an unreliable narrator that is usually associated with literature to trick the audience on the way and let these tricks stand metaphorically for the deception and manipulation driven by global enterprises through modern technology. It's actually quite refreshing to have a show acknowledge the always underlying, dominating presence of the internet like this.
'Mr. Robot' is an incredibly modern series. Diverse in its casting, clean-cut, dark and electrifying in its score and great cinematography but most of all thematically as its representative of today's growing number of conspiracies, fear of surveillance and lack of privacy but also characterizes the mental state that defines today's society. All of this is being packed into a more than thrilling ride with some of the biggest and shocking twists of the year. There are problems with this show, just like there are problems with its predecessor 'Fight Club', but it's held together by such a masterful direction and cast that most of it doesn't matter. Ultimately, 'Mr. Robot' is nothing short of exciting - its existence and its content.
Best Episodes: "eps1.5br4ve-trave1er.asf"; "eps1.7wh1ter0se.m4v"; "eps1.8m1rr0r1ng.qt"
Game of Thrones
I doubt that at this point 'Game of Thrones' really needs much introduction or elaboration anymore considering it's not just today's most global and arguably most successful show but also one whose critical acclaim and reception can live up to its name.
Its fifth season had a lot of backlash for being "too slow" or lacking "big events" in early episodes and particularly one scene was deemed "too much". Personally, I disagree with all of these statements and living in Germany have also noticed that almost all of those reactions originated from Americans. I have expressed many of my general feelings about the show in last year's review so I would like to address these two points in particular.
There's always going to be some contrast to how polarizing and sexualized American media is and how prude and traditional the majority of its citizens are and this contradictory behavior often latches onto other things as well. 'Game of Thrones' has always been blatantly brutal and scandalous in its depiction of sex, violence and nudity and a lot of this epic medieval drama's appeal stems exactly from that extreme realism. To ignore a handful of rape scenes in the entire show's history and then only deem one in particular that isn't even graphic as "too much" feels a little too much from the Americans for my taste.
However, I also want to address the season's slow pacing that has been unjustly criticized by some:
This was the first season that had to deal with a lack of book sources.
To deal with that, particularly the first four episodes were used to re-shuffle and re-arrange all the characters and their stories so that they would fit better into the medium of tv as well as the season's structural build-up. 'Game of Thrones' often has to deal with the unhealthy expectation (for which it is partly guilty of itself) that an episode will end on an ambiguous note or a shocking cliffhanger. Many of these have made for some of the best tv moments of all time but expectations like these can't always be met and the incredibly self-aware showrunners know that which is precisely why they finally tried to numb those expectations by setting up a season that was daring enough to end on a few calm and reassuring notes. In a world as brutal and hopeless as the one of Westeros this shouldn't be deemed a weakness but should be embraced as strength because it was executed perfectly and introduces a new side to the show that before felt more exclusive and rare.
Finally, considering the last three episodes can arguably be called the show's biggest ones yet I feel supported in my statement that the first part of the season had to be slower and serve as a build-up in order for what was to follow to impact accordingly.
After five consistently strong years, 'Game of Thrones' has definitely proved itself to be one of the very best shows of all time and I really don't embrace a show lightly in this top tier of series. An experienced and strong ensemble cast that with Mad Men's ending is the best on tv right now backs up all of the show's witty, smart and complex but sharp writing. 'Thrones' continues to deliver some of the strongest dialogues, several of the biggest, flashiest tv moments ever - of emotional, shocking or tragic nature - and a production that remains unparalleled. Frankly, the show itself remains unparalleled and has established itself as a must watch for series connoisseurs and the public alike.
Best Episodes: “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”; “The Gift”; "Hardhome"; "The Dance Of Dragons"; “Mother’s Mercy”
2014 - #7
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#5 - Fargo
FX's drama 'Fargo' proved the strengths of the new-found miniseries anthology drama as in its second season it grew beyond the movie that spawned it and delivered a run of episodes so very strong about the constraints and values of Midwestern America, the rise of corporates, family hierarchies and the capricious course of life.
For a second year in a row, 'Fargo' continues to be the most acclaimed show of the year and there are many reasons why it rightfully claims this prestigious title. Personally, I enjoyed the first season's more epic and lively set-up as much as I loved this season's love for detail and overall perfectly calibrated and crafted writing, set-up and cinematography. With 'Fargo' everything sits and everything works and at this point there's no doubt that if it continues exactly like this (which I think it will) it will claim a more than deserving spot amongst the rest of the best shows of all time.
Take for instance its pitch-perfect finale 'Palindrome' which served as a calm ending - after its most thrilling and tense episode 'The Castle' - both opposing and resembling the season's premiere. It was a mirror that showed every character having gone forward but in a way still being stuck in the same lifestyle as before because if 'Fargo' does anything it's showing that life never goes as planned. It wants to prove that there's a sort of random, odd variable in life and its run that can never be accounted for and is the trigger for so many actions that result in a chain of events. Yet, 'Fargo' also shows that all this randomness and unexplainability stem from actions and events that do make sense and have a reason. It's just that we rarely draw a connection to them ourselves. To depict such a contradictory notion as complementary is genius.
This is most wonderfully visualized not only by the constant presence of an extraterrestrial form but in the finale even somewhat explained by a seemingly random picture language the sheriff invents because he wants everyone to be able to understand each other. Thinking about it more closely, however, a universal language and the notion of perfect communication is far from confusing.
Ultimately, in line with the sarcasm and bleak, dark humor that dominates 'Fargo', all the bad things happening in its world could have easily been avoided had there simply been no misunderstandings.
In the end, Peggy elaborates her actions in a heartbreaking scene. She doesn't fit into the static world of Middle America and painfully aches to escape it for an exciting, unpredictable life. Yet, Peggy struggles to break free from the expectations everyone around her has and ultimately fails because she's a woman too modern for the traditional, prudish world and time she has been born in.
It's a tragic fate but an easily relatable desire that makes us sympathize with her although police officer Lou (who she is talking to) doesn't hear any of that. The words he's hearing sound irrational, illogical because he's part of this world she's trying so desperately to escape. These two people are having the same conversation but hear completely different things and this misunderstanding makes the already tragic situation even more painful because it suggests that a better outcome and a better world are right in our vision but we don't fully (want to) grasp the power of listening and understanding to get there.
Thus, 'Fargo' was as exceptional and brilliant as last year, more so even. It was more narratively, thematically and visually complex but just as easy to follow as the first season. As I stated before, the true strength lies in being able to present complexity as easy-going and simple so that it doesn't come off as conceived, contrived or deliberately pretentious and that's what this drama excels at.
'Fargo' depicts a morally ambiguous, diverse world in which evil is a result of arbitrariness and selfish motivation -- never a pure black and white thing. Yet (so far at least) the show has still insisted that only those who act out of good intentions all the time will be those rewarded with their own version of a happy ending. Precisely this connection between both seasons proves why 'Fargo' is the first miniseries to understand how to use the anthology format for its own benefit to build on what's been done before and spawn an even more well-crafted season (although slightly less fun) than the previous one.
Best Episodes: "Rhinoceros"; "Loplop"; "The Castle"; "Palindrome"
2014 - #6
#4 - The Leftovers
2014's undeniably most polarizing show, 'The Leftovers' initiated countless debates on whether it was that ingenious and deep show its nihilistic tone suggested or whether it just drowned in a pointless atmosphere of depression and self-seriousness for no particular reason and without much thought put behind it.
Personally, 'The Leftovers' felt much like style over substance as in that its tone suggested more complexity and interpretation than was really intended to be there by the writers. There were some outstanding episodes - most notably 'Guest' -, however, the biggest part of that season couldn't live up to its potential. I elaborated on that last year already yet the worst must have been the show's tendency to spoon-feed its audience and explain everything instead of leaving room for interpretation which even further made this drama feel like it wanted to come off as prestigious and deep through tone rather than content.
'The Leftovers' second season however got off to a fresh start by taking many smart risks: It ditched last season's worst characters and relocated all the ones left in the show to a new town where most of the season was set this time. It also adapted a much needed ligher tone. Sure, 'The Leftovers' is arguably still the most depressing show existing right now but it doesn't feel self-serious, pretentious or too much delivery of pointless bleakness anymore as the way it's been filmed this time around as well as the whole tone suggest that there's also another side to life - one that is more hopeful and positive. So when tragic events happened this time they didn't feel contrived for the sake of it and streaks of depression didn't just feel more realistic but also weren't overwhelming anymore because they had a contrast to work against.
Moreover, the show's scope in terms of its mystery premise was minimized drastically. This time around it was clear they weren't interested in answering any of the overlying questions of why exactly 2% of the world's population had disappeared but instead introduced smaller questions we knew they would be able to answer by the end of the season (which they did) which made for an overall much more satisfying watch. That is not to say that big riddles and question marks that dominate 'The Leftover's tone so much were ditched completely. It's just that those were easily identifiable as something provocative to pressure questions and force us as an audience to make up our own mind about situations -- dealing with grief, our ability to overcome it and heal but also the captivity of belief and faith, religion and cults -- but never once spoon-fed us an answer. One of this year's best episodes 'International Assassin' was this show's very own 'Join the Club' (The Sopranos) as in that the show's protagonist took on a journey through his mind to deal with his own struggles and find closure. It was also the show and co-creator Damon Lindelof embracing his past of 'Lost' more than ever before. What's so great about that one is that you could interpret it in a million ways: Is the show finally admitting a supernatural power or is it simply explaining everything as a man's own mental battle that for outsiders will continue to look irrational? The answer is entirely up to you.
Simply put, 'The Leftovers' second season captured the perfect essence of the potential it's always shown and transformed into something unique and risk-taking. It brought up subject matters that were provoking yet inspirational through turning characters of opposite natures against each other whose contradictory beliefs we still sympathized with. This left the show not just bringing up complex issues that concern all of us but also introduced a highly ambiguous note that explains life's overall lack of closure and answers. All of it was wrapped up into a tighter show, stronger performances (Regina King elevates everything she's in) and even more emotional scenes thanks to its generally lighter nature. Its final season will by no doubt continue to be as mind-puzzling and controversial as the previous two but hopefully it will also be able to still capture this one's strengths and built on them.
Best Episodes: "Axis Mundi"; "No Room At The Inn"; "Lens"; "International Assassin"; "Ten Thirteen"; "I Live Here Now"
2014 - #30
#3 - The Americans
Silent spy drama set during the cold war 'The Americans' proved to be on track towards becoming one of the greatest series of our time thanks to a second season that turned an already great show into something extraordinary and truly accomplished. Its third season sealed the deal as it continued to portray both the complex moral and highly emotional circle of the Jennings family.
'The Americans' pushed for even tougher revelations and greatly dark emotional twists when a character learns about the secret lives of two people as spies and nothing could ever be the same. It's a situation so far away from the reality of our lives and so unrelatable yet the show's calm and quiet nature revels in an atmosphere of realism that provides us with an understanding of the character's otherwise somewhat extraterrestrial lives. Yet, as a drama it also treats topics that we do have to deal with and is as poignant and effective at that as possible - whether that includes casting the morally ambiguous shadows of patriotism and politics into each episode, or depicting the question of national identity and belonging that dominates many people's thinking especially in today's age more than ever before.
Its pitch-perfect cast comes together to enhance and exploit the show's patience by adapting a very subtle way of acting that goes hand in hand with a stark and well-calibrated cinematography that isn't showy or visually dazzling for the sake of it. It's hard to imagine that without Keri Russel and Matthew Rhys, 'The Americans' would be able to deal with such a variety of themes from personal, intimate ones to global matters and organically combine them without forcing it.
With its third season the writers and showrunners have continued to craft 'The Americans' into a show about the miracle and the price of loyalty and carried on a complicated yet cohesive vision that intertwines family devotion and the shatter of beliefs in a darkly twisted downward spiral of deeply affecting emotions. I'm confident that the writers know their endgame and have set it up with this season so there's no reason to believe that the next one won't be one of the most compelling and intense series of the next year as well.
Best Episodes: “Walter Taffet”; “Do Mail Robots Dream Of Electric Sheep?”; "Stingers";
2014 - #3
#2 - Transparent
For a second year in a row, 'Transparent' remained a striking and well-crafted television series; one where the direction stands out because it's so vivid but also one that combines strong writing and lively performances to push its investigation on so many subjects such as gender identity and roles, sexuality, family and the American culture even further.
While the first season heavily focused on how each family member coped with their father becoming their mother Maura and how they finally came to terms with it, this one took on a larger scope in which both Maura's story as well as everyone else's was more about past and present struggles to grapple conforming to societal norms.
'Transparent' is both thematically more distinctive than its peers yet at the same time also richer and versatile. More than anything the show wants to depict its characters journeys to self-awareness; both understanding who they are and who they want to be but also coming to terms with it. It does so most representatively by first taking a look on how every member functions in a family - as a son, a brother, a sister, a mother or a father - because knowing yourself means first and foremost understanding your past and where you come from. Including several flashbacks of how the ancestors of the Pfefferman family migrated to the USA emphasized this in a smart and innovative way and once more underlined how the past influences the future thanks to direct ties to present events in the show.
It also does so by taking a look at how everyone functions outside of their family - in social environments, groups and situations that are typically unfamiliar to them. As a result we watch these different individuals blossom and grow or completely falling apart. It's the natural process of life that the show wraps into an immensely satisfying season with some of the most emotional, tragic and beautiful moments of the year.
This year it's been less about Maura struggling with her own sexuality but that's only because she's already went through exploring her desires and motivations and found out who she is and wants to be.
Ironically - or not - everyone around her struggled confronting themselves more than ever before, however.
Although the Pfeffermans are only a single individual family, 'Transparent' never loses sight of the big picture and not once fails to depict its themes and revelations as topics that are all part of something bigger and more universal. It's that rare show that sucks you in thanks to an observation through an intimate, personal and emotional lens of even the most unlikeable characters but keeps you hooked because it also works towards a grander scheme - that is how enormously difficult it is to live as our truest selves even though it's the final destination to real happiness.
Overall, this season has been nothing but exceptional in thought and execution and continues to surprise as well as captivate me with its vision of life that manages to explore the downsides of it but never fails to see a reason and beauty in everything.
Best Episodes: "Kina Hora"; "Mee-Maw"; "Oscillate"; "Man On The Land"; "Grey Green Brown And Copper"
2014 - #1
#1 - Mad Men
On the top spot we have yet another show that is about the tough quest of finding oneself although 'Mad Men' does this entirely differently and isn't as much interested in relating this journey to its audience even though one could still do that. Last year, I complained about how 'Mad Men' has been forgotten in the previous two years, both by audiences and critics alike, despite it still being top-notch for the biggest part. It's that exemplary show whose lead every series should be following and with it having ended there's no real show left anymore that seems to be putting a thought and meaning into everything - framing, costume choice, colors, dialogue, soundtrack. Basically everything you can see or hear on 'Mad Men' has a deeper meaning to it that can be interpreted in many ways.
That's the marvel of this drama centered mostly in the 60s that has dealt with everything - from political movements and historical changes such as feminist waves, civil rights or the shift in labor over to personal subject matters important to an individual where the show was particularly interested in self-identity.
Despite polarizing opinions about its previous two seasons 'Mad Men' did the impossible and took everything home with its last run of episodes. It accomplished a level of strength, depth, complexity and cohesiveness that was otherwise only truly present in its earlier seasons and the reason for why it's become one of the most praised and acclaimed shows of all time.
In its final episodes 'Mad Men' not only provided just the right amount of closure for all of its wonderful and multi-dimensional characters in a sequence of events that felt organic, but also achieved explaining the question that has bothered the show's iconic anti-hero Don Draper from the beginning: Who is he and why is it so hard for him to be happy?
The answer is both tragic and satisfying. We may receive love from everyone around us but sadly and oddly enough it's more complicated for some to accept this love; to recognize it for what it is, take it in and feel the power it has, once received.
Ultimately, the final season was a summation of everything 'Mad Men' ever wanted to be and still managed to raise its psychological stakes through a storytelling sensibility that paid off in the final episodes. It depicted Don Draper's dissolution and rebirth in a brilliant finale that was quintessential 'Mad Men': cryptic but poignant and powerfully arresting at that.
I am more than ecstatic that 'Mad Men' didn't just conclude on an extremely high note but that its accomplishments were also rightfully recognized and it's went on to become the second-most acclaimed show of the year just right after 'Fargo' - and that's after having been on air for more than eight years now. It's a true testament to the show's unparalleled consistency and coherent vision from start to finish that will no doubt not only make for an even more insightful rewatch in time but also ensures that it's now cemented as a historic tv show that lives up to its hype. It's the end of an era and with it we not only leave behind tv's strongest ensemble of character actors and its most beautiful portrayal of the 60s but in line with 'Mad Men's fable for nostalgia we also leave behind something of inexplicable meaning and importance that resonates and enfolds best when experiencing it over time.
I will certainly miss 'Mad Men' but there's no point in crying after a show so fascinating and intriguing that's proved its worthiness until the very end. Goodbye.
Best Episodes: "Time & Life"; "Lost Horizon"; "The Milk And Honey Route"; "Person To Person"
2014 - #2
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Community
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
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I just started watching The Knick awhile ago, and it's quite good. It can be quite graphic though. Love Mr. Robot, Rami's acting is great. Game of Thrones is brilliant like always. Mad Men is a very deserved #1. I've been meaning to watch Transparent for a long time so I'll get onto it while I've still got time off.
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TV COMEDIES
#10 - Please Like Me
'Please Like Me' is one of tv's most hidden treasures set around a group of friends that sit on the wider edge of society and feel more like outsiders than people who belong. Its lovely charm springs from exactly that source and in the show's third and best season yet, 'Please Like Me' has polished its flaws and turned them into descriptive features that define the show's uniqueness more than the elements it has always been strong in. After all, nobody is perfect and this comedy illustrates perfectly that no one should want to be.
'Please Like Me' celebrates the small, intimate and seemingly ordinary moments in life more than anything for it's aware that these are the memories we will look back upon and wonder where time has gone. Its beautiful melancholy and quirky, impulsive flavor cooperate to craft a show about the life of an openly out and confident gay boy and his friends and family. Whether they're dealing with an abortion, clinical depression, suicide or something strange like eating your own pet chicken, 'Please Like Me' never indulges in a dramatic tone but is instead tinged in a light, humorous and spontaneous spirit that is able to create more than just a few moments of real emotions; meaning that sadness is always accompanied by a shade of hope and love doesn't always go without a bit of fear as well.
It's become a wonderful series about this odd group of people in a stellar third season as the realization of life's ordinariness was only accompanied by even more rare moments for its characters that we as an audience treasure because we grasp the emotional impact and future importance of these scenes even if it is one that only unfolds in time.
'Please Like Me' might be about the ups and downs of people who will always find a way back to each other, but it's also an ode to the beauty that can be found in life if you stop for a minute and enjoy all of its smaller things.
Best Episodes: "Eggplant"; "Natural Spring Water"; "Coq Au Vin"; "Pancakes With Faces"; "Christmas Trifle"
2014 - #11
#9 - Jane The Virgin
'Jane the Virgin' is a testimony to the diversity of peak tv but also proves that network channels can still compete with the big guns of cable drama - they just have to be brave enough to dare something new. As a funny and warm soap opera-ish drama 'Jane' embraces all elements of telenovela but puts a witty and smart twist on it with a reliable narrator who will most surely always make you laugh and realize how self-aware the show is about what it parodies: Increasingly complicated plots, far-fetched turns of events and over-exaggerated drama defines its origins yet 'Jane the Virgin' uses all of these to construct one of the most heartfelt and clever shows on air right now that dishes out on topics television isn't ordinarily used to such as immigration and generational bonds inside families.
Its second season wasn't quite as strong or witty as its first one but it wasn't much worse either. "Chapter Twenty-Five" is an excellent episode that used time-jumps as both a narrative tool to fasten the plot that had been in imminent danger of becoming stale, but also served the psychological function of stirring up the emotions related to raising a child and the contradictory realization that comes with it of how nerve-wrecking and long a singular moment can feel but how time in life exponentially flies by too fast.
This is 'Jane the Virgin' at its best. A show that wears its heart on its sleeves and is completely upfront and unapologetic about its overly emotional tendencies. It's a dangerous move that can easily derail the show and make it fall apart in a minute - and granted I have feared that very often. But for now 'Jane' has maintained its consistency and remains one of the warmest and most enjoyable shows that wouldn't work without Gina Rodriguez in its center who is able to take on more layers and complexities that come along with her new role as a mother and anchor this role in the show's essence: its desire to combine humor and drama into one twisted, ridiculous but simultaneously real look on friendship, love and most importantly family.
Best Episodes: "Chapter Twenty"; "Chapter Twenty-Two"; "Chapter Twenty-Three"; "Chapter Twenty-Five"; "Chapter Twenty-Eight"
2014 - #6
#8 - Parks & Recreation
It was always going to be hard and emotional to say goodbye to Pawnee and its citizens but because its previous two seasons had lost a sense of purpose and drifted through a lot of lumpy episodes I feared it might not be an essential one anymore. Fortunately, a time jump into 2017 'Parks & Rec' re-energized the comedy back to life and helped it to gloriously re-capture the wittiness and charm of the show's very best days.
Particularly special about 'Parks & Rec's final season is how its time jump allowed a refocus of events and purpose.
Instead of having to continue to follow all the characters that have grown so dear to our hearts on their daily lives seeking change, pretty much all of them had already reached that point in life where they could proudly and confidently say they have accomplished what they always wanted to. Thanks to that refocus and the establishment of everyone's future lives, the show's writers managed to construct 'Park & Rec's final season in a much more interesting and fresh way that should (and hopefully will) be embraced by more shows in future.
We were given a season in which every individual episode felt like a closing chapter and a goodbye to someone or something - a funny side character we have come to care about, a town that feels like our home or main characters that are like friends to us by now. And with every closing chapter we are one step closer to the show's ultimate end but also better prepared for it.
It's always hard to say goodbye but 'Parks & Rec' heartily dedicated enough time and episodes to all of its individuals that said process was made easier for us. All the small, little finales in which we had already waved farewell built up both narratively and emotionally to culminate in the actual final episode that instead served much more as an epilogue and where everyone's lives are going to head in future. As a consequence of the season's unique structure we were bombarded with big emotions and cheers that did justice to the series' legacy.
Staying true to its comedy premise, 'Parks & Recreation' decided to go out with full closure and leaving everyone in a happy place which I'm more than grateful for. I mean, does anyone who loves waffles as much as Leslie Knope not deserve their happy end?
Best Episodes: “Leslie And Ron”; "Donna And Joe"; "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"; "Two Funerals"; "One Last Ride"
2014 - #8
#7 - Girls
'Girls' remains one of the most underrated shows by the online community who prefers to hate on Lena Dunham because of outside statements she makes or solely judge her and consequently the quality of her show by her outlandish looks. Joke's on them because critics and avid watchers of this show have been able to experience not only the development of 'Girls' four central characters, but simultaneously witnessed how Dunham herself has matured and improved as a writer and director of her own show tightening it up into something stronger and more valuable than ever.
The result is this half-hour comedy's best season yet which finally realized that 'Girls' might be more determined and realistic as a show centered about how four girls' friendships slowly dissolve as they grow up, rather than sticking to tv's usual patterns of expectations and force a relationship between people where it just doesn't feel right anymore. All four of the girls are finally moving on and going their own ways and while they haven't split up in a fight (though there were brilliantly executed climaxes), it's become clear that all of them will have to let go of each other at one point.
It doesn't mean they can't stay friends in the original sense of it but the show realizes that it doesn't feel organic anymore for them to be spending as much time together and the consequence was a more focused, fixated look on the girls' respective lives and developments.
Moreover, this season of 'Girls' also experimented far more with different storytelling patterns and turned into something more daring and brave than before.
"Sit-In" and "Ask Me My Name" in particular introduce interesting ways of telling Hannah's story and mirror the show's own development from turning into a much more adult show than it used to be. Her time away from NYC in Iowa woke up a realization in Hannah that triggered her to finally (!) become a new form of herself that takes control of every aspect of her life and at least tries to get things in order -- whatever this means for a woman as selfish and chaotic as Hannah.
Subsequently, this season of 'Girls' wasn't just its best yet but in addition also a truthful and essential expansion of its characters' lives into unforeseen but important directions.
Tied up by a string of a variety of emotions in intricate but also simple scenes, 'Girls' was even able to provide a deeply passionate watch on top of everything else.
Best Episodes: "Sit-In"; "Ask Me My Name"; "Tad & Loreen & Avi & Shanaz"; "Home Birth"
2014 - #4
#6 - Review
‘Review’ is yet another hidden treasure of television that goes completely unnoticed by the public although at least critics acknowledge the perfection of this one. No other show on television so perfectly captures the essence of bleak and dark hilarity as ‘Review’s protagonist Forrest MacNeil “reviews life” and destroys his own (and those of others) in the process because of a matchless devotion to his job that is inexplicable and becomes increasingly less understandable to us as an audience when Forrest only sees himself dealing with even more dangerous situations.
It’s great tv that shouldn’t work since it’s almost cringe-worthy to observe Forrest’s desperation, his intent to cover up things as if they wouldn’t hurt or damage him and the denial over his job being source of everything that has gone wrong in his life recently. Whether it's the divorce of his wife, the destruction of (both of) his homes in a fire or even more life-threatening situations I won’t spoil, Forrest’s delusions and false hopes keep pushing him deeper into a vicious circle of self-destruction.
We shouldn’t have fun watching a considerably nice and good man destroy his life on account of a far too ridiculous and - let's face it - superfluous profession but we do. It's a devious circle of voyeurism and glee that makes every episode such an entertaining ride. What new absurd and foolish task will he take on this week and how is he going to embarrass himself this time?
What's also fascinating about 'Review' is how it explores both modern media's corruption and the columns of greed its success has been built on. Audiences love to watch other people struggling to deal with their lives and 'Review' reflects how to make money out of someone else's agony perfectly.
It all culminates in a wonderfully ridiculous streak of reviews about events that are so strange, bizarre and increasingly dangerous that it's hard to imagine they can ever be topped. Yet, I wouldn't doubt the power of the cynical and sarcastic message of the show to strike us once again next time.
Best Episodes: "William Tell, Grant A Wish, Rowboat"; "Murder, Magic 8 Ball, Procrastination"; "Happiness, Pillow Fight, Imaginary Friend"; "Conspiracy Theory"
2014 - #7
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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#5 – Broad City
Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson share a kind of chemistry that one can’t force – it’s genuine, instinctive, real and most importantly essential to ‘Broad City’s appeal. It’s such a perfect comedy because more than anything else these two young women don’t want their show to be anything else other than funny and luckily they succeed: It’s more than hilarious. Not once is this comedy sold as a drama or tries to raise forced feuds to prove a point. If a subject matter is somehow touched on or a discussion initiated afterwards, it’s only because their respective episodes or sketches say something underlying about specific themes, not because it was Abbi’s or Ilana’s intention to allude to anything. It's so free of any self-seriousness or infused importance that even the audience is infected by the show's liberating carelessness.
That’s precisely why ‘Broad City’ is such an enjoyment. It’s just a simple but extremely humorous comedy because not only do both share the same humor but they also have different ways of execution and expression that once again reveals a flawless complementary power. It’s a marvel to see them try out new things every episode that (almost) always work out like a naked karaoke session, a Missy Elliot tribute or a thrilling chase scene. They share a novel but focused vision that provides this show with more spirit and soul than almost anything else on tv.
‘Broad City’ is ultimately a show about the weird wonders and miracles of (female) friendship and it’s also its most accurate and refreshing depiction of a conflict-free friendship at that. The weird sense of humor and loud laughs are just an added bonus to the phenomenon of Ilana’s and Abbi’s outstanding cooperation.
Best Episodes: "Knockoffs"; "The Matrix"; "Coat Check"; "St. Mark’s”
2014 - #3
#4 - Master of None
'Master of None' aired relatively at the end of the year but instantly catapulted itself into the top tier of 2015's shows thanks to Aziz Ansari's smart, loud, brave and most importantly representative voice.
We have several shows that serve as a platform for their creators and writers to express themselves and 'Master of None' was arguably the best. One of the reasons for that is most definitely Aziz' fresh perspective on a variety of unique and distinct themes.
In one episode 'Master of None' can be a critical look on the USA as a melting pot that has spawned a new generation growing up in the westernized and modernized culture of America and is identifying itself with it while the cultural traditions of their ancestors and their parents seem outlandish to them.
Another episode deals with the revelation of how little we're aware of our parents' previous lives and how socially selective we interact with them because we deal with them as "only" our parents but tend to forget that they're individuals with interests and desires as much as we are. Yet another episode is a simple love story entirely set up in one apartment over the course of six months while the next one deals with the ramifications of gentrification and the positive feelings associated with liberty.
'Master of None' embraces so many genres all at once that it's turned the show into one of the most diverse related to which topics it brings up but also in the way they're dealt with and executed. If 'Transparent' was 2014's final surprise, 'Master of None' is 2015's. All the more surprising is that thanks to its more episodical nature it truly feels like this show can do and say anything and so far it has.
'Master of None's well-crafted and unique execution is simply just exciting and impressive but it's just as charming and intimate all the same.
Best Episodes: "Parents"; "Indians On TV"; "Nashville"; "Mornings"; "Finale"
#3 – Veep
Four years in a row now has 'Veep' dominated the comedy landscape of television and it's probably reached the point where it can be called one of the funniest but also smartest ones of our time. Having more jokes per minute than any other show on air (~4.28/min to be precise) and politicians stating it's also the most accurate depiction of behind-the-scenes politics proves this.
This season, 'Veep's Selina Meyer finally became president (although only by pure accident) and saw herself confronted with a double-task: Dealing with the duties and obligations of being the most powerful person in the world but simultaneously having to convince the people of the USA to re-elect her during the upcoming elections. Of course the team backing her up was no less incompetent than before but obviously her misery is our pleasure.
I didn't enjoy this season quite as much as last one that still takes the slight edge because of stronger creativity throughout the whole season. However, whenever 'Veep' did venture into untreated, exciting territory and took on all of its creative potential we were indeed provided with some of its very best episodes yet - such as the half hour long courtroom episode 'Testimony' whose title should speak for itself. That's not to say that 'Veep' was much worse this year, though.
The little bit of inventiveness the show lacked, it made up all the more through hilarious jokes and an even bigger, more diverse glossary of abusive words. And of course, the perfect performance of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer is one for the history books (although the whole cast is pitch-perfect).
Best Episodes: "Data"; "Mommy Meyer"; "Testimony"; "Election Night"
2014 - #2
#2 - BoJack Horseman
Netflix' best shows are both comedies and one of them is the animal comedy set in Hollywoo (someone stole the 'D') centered on horse BoJack. Its first season wasn't particularly funny or complex although it was still a satisfying watch for the biggest part. With its second season though 'Bojack Horseman' joins the ranks of a few other shows that managed to transcend the constraints of its first season and transform into a show so different yet still so alike to its kernel that had proved its determination from the start.
On one level it's a show about learning to live with depression and anxiety but also about dealing with the past and confronting the ugliest parts of yourself. If this doesn't sound funny (which it shouldn't), 'BoJack' is never just sad or strange for the sake of it. It delves into the fears and regrets of all of its characters but at the same time achieves a healthy balance of bleakness and dark humor that never feels too much and makes for an important contrast.
As much as it's about the despair of individuals, it's also a bizarre satire of media and the entertainment industry and in that context tackles topics such as the static nature of television today or how rarely society pays attention to the stories of women even when talking about matters such as institutionalized sexism that concern them more than anyone else.
There's a harmony in the show's themes and intentions because both its individual and universal side aren't just introduced but have a complementary effect as say BoJack himself has been impacted by his career in tv and there's no denying that his career failure played a vital part in his recent despair.
'BoJack Horseman' smartly draws connections between these topics and presents a season that is one of 2015's very best. Gloomy, humorous and affectionate; it's one of the few genuine wonders of a television show that improves in all the right ways.
Best Episodes: “Brand New Couch”; “Hank After Dark”; “Let’s Find Out”; “Escape From L.A.”
2014 - #15
#1 - You're The Worst
2015 really was the year television finally figured out how to talk about mental illnesses and especially permanent ones. Yet, in a year as progressive and strong as this one, 'You're The Worst' managed to eclipse anything else and become the most accurate and realistic depiction of clinical depression in TV history.
How does someone who's so determined and obsessive over having control over every aspect of his life deal with the revelation that his girlfriend is suffering from clinical depression? It's hard to make him understand that it's not something he can simply fix or something that will eventually go away but rather a permanent state with ups and downs and 'You're The Worst' uses its two protagonists perfectly to not only lecture about a complicated subject matter but also explain its emotional impact and the consequences that always follow.
Its first season was amazing because it was a twisted rom-com focused on two morally questionable characters falling in love with each other that provided a huge entertainment factor but also said something true about the imperfection of people and the deceitful notion of romance Hollywood has planted in their minds.
Not only was 'You’re The Worst' able to replicate this magic and essence of the first season, it was able to capitalize on it and create an even richer story about how one ends up being “the worst” in the first place. It wasn't just a story about whether or not Gretchen and Jimmy are able to make a committed relationship work - though that question still always accompanied every episode -, it was also about Gretchen's infinite struggle with depression and her friends' and boyfriend's attempt to deal with it.
'You're the Worst' is the best comedy of the year because it accomplished to tell one of the most honest and compelling dark stories while serving as a reminder that laughing through our tears can sometimes be the most efficient and liberating way of standing up to life and its obstacles.
Best Episodes: "Born Dead"; "There Is Not Currently A Problem"; "LCD Soundsystem"; "The Heart Is A Dumb Dumb"
2014 - #5
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Member Since: 11/20/2010
Posts: 29,258
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TV COMEDIES
TV DRAMAS
Best Episodes:
- Mad Men - Person To Person
- You're the Worst - LCD Soundsystem
- The Leftovers - International Assassin
- The Americans - Stingers
- Mad Men - Lost Horizon
- Game of Thrones - Hardhome
- Fargo - The Castle
- Community - Emotional Consequences Of Broadcast Television
- Transparent - Man On The Land
- Hannibal - The Wrath of the Lamb
- The Leftovers - Lens
- UnREAL - Future
- BoJack Horseman - Escape from L.A.
- Mr. Robot - eps1.8_m1rr0r1ng.qt
- Veep - Testimony
- Girls - Sit-In
- Inside Amy Schumer - Twelve Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer
- Parks & Recreations - One Last Ride
- Better Call Saul – Five-O
- Orange Is The New Black - Trust No Bitch
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Member Since: 10/5/2009
Posts: 137,162
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Barely watch any TV (other than old reruns) but I just started Parks & Recreation recently and I'm enjoying it so far.
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