One can go with a new or returning show here, and it can be from any point in the year. Some channels, like AMC and FX, have abbreviated seasons for their shows, unlike network television, which spreads their seasons out from fall to spring. It doesn't matter here, as you can go with a network or cable show here. You can present several choices as well, just be sure to back them up. I'll be doing Best New Show, Worst Show, and maybe a few other categories. I was thinking about waiting on this, but seeing how most shows have either wrapped altogether for 2013, or are on holiday hiatus, I figured I'd get this started now. Here we go.
Breaking Bad:I'm sure this will top many a year end list, both among critics and us here as Wrestlezone as well. It almost disgusts me that a show receives such universal praise, but here, it's deservedly so. I've never seen a show before, ever, where I've wondered "Where did the hour go?", and have anticipated the next installment so darn much. From the confrontation between Walt and Hank in Hank's garage to start the season to Walt's "confession", it seemed Walt would turn on anyone who got in his way. That's why I loved, even though Hank would have taken him in, how Walt begged for Hank's life at the hands of Jack, Todd, and their merry band of Nazi's. It was simply gut-wrenching to watch as Todd, sweet as he could be, simply waltzed up to Andrea's door, said "nothing personal", and shot her in the back of the head in front of Jesse, to inform him that things could indeed get worse. It was also crushing to see Walt allowing everyone to believe he had killed Hank, including his son, and their final conversation where Flynn told Walt to 'die' and 'go to hell.' The show went from a good man who made bad choices in order to save his family, only to realize he liked the power so darn much that he destroyed his family in the process. Further, it was nearly flawless in its execution of doing so, especially in the final 8 episodes that encompassed 2013. Walt became so easy to despise, yet there was that part of me that yearned for him to somehow make things right, and he did the best he could in the finale. Speaking of which, it couldn't have ended much better. Jesse was the only character(other then Holly) that I cared about their survival, so it was nice to see the nod from Walt to Jesse and Jesse go free. Lydia was the right choice for the Rycin, both because she was having him killed, and it ensured that his meth died with him. As good a season of TV as I can remember, and certainly, a great final one.
Justified: It's hard to believe we're headed into Season 5, as the years of my favorite TV show have simply flown by. In retrospect, it's hard to believe that Boyd Crowder was supposed to die in the Pilot, because Walton Goggins has been almost if not as crucial as Timothy Olyphant's Raylan Givens in the show's success. Some of the best scenes from any season has been the dialogue between the two, and it didn't disapoint this season. Raylan found himself saving Boyd's life on two seperate occasions, in Kin and Outlaw, yet they found themselves on opposite ends of the hunt for Drew Thompson, which was the biggest storyline arc for the season. This season proved no different, as the scene in Boyd's truck in the season finale Ghosts, where they both essentially accuse the other of being the 'bad guy' is more excellent dialogue and banter between the two. Boyd's storyline arcs were given almost as much time as Raylan's, and I found it wise that they kept the two apart until episode 5, as it felt big when they finally did meet up. The questions of " Who is Drew Thompson? "( is he the drug-running murderer from 30 years ago, or the lawman he's been since?) and Who killed Billy St. Cyr? ( Yes, Billy picked up the snake after Boyd warned him not to, but Boyd had made sure this one had poison, unlike the previous ones his sister had milked.) If you don't know what I'm talking about, start watching now(or January 7th, when it returns for Season 5), because it was one of the best shows of 2013, and Season 4 was its best to date, I felt. The dialogue was excellent, the drama palpable, and Raylan pulling the trigger is still as much fun as it was 4 years ago. The season ended ominously, with Boyd despondent over Ava's incaceration despite Wynn Duffy(the brilliant Jere Burns) arrival to inform him that he was getting half the heroin distribution in Kentucky. The other half was Raylan drinking a beer at his family home while staring ominously at its three gravestones, two of them now occupied, the other his. Raylan's life has never suggested a happy ending for him, either, but there isn't one on TV I'm hoping for more. If you can't tell by my signature, I'm a fan.
How I Met Your Mother: I wanted to get a comedy in here, but HIMYM has earned its spot. It's final season has been its best thusfar, because its rare to find a show that becomes so focused so quickly. The inherent problem with a show such as this is that the mother isn't going to be found until the last season, so while previous seasons have been funny, they've also been superfluous in that you knew Ted was going to go on many dates and have relationships with women who wouldn't be the mother, making them hard to invest in. The show has been smart to shift its focus to Barney and Robin, making their wedding the focal point of the entire season, and also the place where Ted meets his future bride. It's been funny, it's been genuine, and the friendships between the characters feels real, probably because they are at this point. HIMYM has hit its stride in a way that it's been hard at times for me to DVR it or watch it ON Demand the next day, as it occupies a spot opposite Raw. Still, the wait until Tuesday evening has been worth it, as the show really hasn't missed in anything it's done this year.
These have been my 3 favorites, although if I had to go with one, it would be Breaking Bad. Each episode was brilliant with heart-stopping endings throughout, including the finale. The few questions it left unasnwered were nothing compared to how it delivered, and that's as good a season of a drama as I've seen in some time.
Your turn! What was the best show of 2013 for you, and why? Any honorable mentions?
Breaking Bad:I'm sure this will top many a year end list, both among critics and us here as Wrestlezone as well. It almost disgusts me that a show receives such universal praise, but here, it's deservedly so. I've never seen a show before, ever, where I've wondered "Where did the hour go?", and have anticipated the next installment so darn much. From the confrontation between Walt and Hank in Hank's garage to start the season to Walt's "confession", it seemed Walt would turn on anyone who got in his way. That's why I loved, even though Hank would have taken him in, how Walt begged for Hank's life at the hands of Jack, Todd, and their merry band of Nazi's. It was simply gut-wrenching to watch as Todd, sweet as he could be, simply waltzed up to Andrea's door, said "nothing personal", and shot her in the back of the head in front of Jesse, to inform him that things could indeed get worse. It was also crushing to see Walt allowing everyone to believe he had killed Hank, including his son, and their final conversation where Flynn told Walt to 'die' and 'go to hell.' The show went from a good man who made bad choices in order to save his family, only to realize he liked the power so darn much that he destroyed his family in the process. Further, it was nearly flawless in its execution of doing so, especially in the final 8 episodes that encompassed 2013. Walt became so easy to despise, yet there was that part of me that yearned for him to somehow make things right, and he did the best he could in the finale. Speaking of which, it couldn't have ended much better. Jesse was the only character(other then Holly) that I cared about their survival, so it was nice to see the nod from Walt to Jesse and Jesse go free. Lydia was the right choice for the Rycin, both because she was having him killed, and it ensured that his meth died with him. As good a season of TV as I can remember, and certainly, a great final one.
Justified: It's hard to believe we're headed into Season 5, as the years of my favorite TV show have simply flown by. In retrospect, it's hard to believe that Boyd Crowder was supposed to die in the Pilot, because Walton Goggins has been almost if not as crucial as Timothy Olyphant's Raylan Givens in the show's success. Some of the best scenes from any season has been the dialogue between the two, and it didn't disapoint this season. Raylan found himself saving Boyd's life on two seperate occasions, in Kin and Outlaw, yet they found themselves on opposite ends of the hunt for Drew Thompson, which was the biggest storyline arc for the season. This season proved no different, as the scene in Boyd's truck in the season finale Ghosts, where they both essentially accuse the other of being the 'bad guy' is more excellent dialogue and banter between the two. Boyd's storyline arcs were given almost as much time as Raylan's, and I found it wise that they kept the two apart until episode 5, as it felt big when they finally did meet up. The questions of " Who is Drew Thompson? "( is he the drug-running murderer from 30 years ago, or the lawman he's been since?) and Who killed Billy St. Cyr? ( Yes, Billy picked up the snake after Boyd warned him not to, but Boyd had made sure this one had poison, unlike the previous ones his sister had milked.) If you don't know what I'm talking about, start watching now(or January 7th, when it returns for Season 5), because it was one of the best shows of 2013, and Season 4 was its best to date, I felt. The dialogue was excellent, the drama palpable, and Raylan pulling the trigger is still as much fun as it was 4 years ago. The season ended ominously, with Boyd despondent over Ava's incaceration despite Wynn Duffy(the brilliant Jere Burns) arrival to inform him that he was getting half the heroin distribution in Kentucky. The other half was Raylan drinking a beer at his family home while staring ominously at its three gravestones, two of them now occupied, the other his. Raylan's life has never suggested a happy ending for him, either, but there isn't one on TV I'm hoping for more. If you can't tell by my signature, I'm a fan.
How I Met Your Mother: I wanted to get a comedy in here, but HIMYM has earned its spot. It's final season has been its best thusfar, because its rare to find a show that becomes so focused so quickly. The inherent problem with a show such as this is that the mother isn't going to be found until the last season, so while previous seasons have been funny, they've also been superfluous in that you knew Ted was going to go on many dates and have relationships with women who wouldn't be the mother, making them hard to invest in. The show has been smart to shift its focus to Barney and Robin, making their wedding the focal point of the entire season, and also the place where Ted meets his future bride. It's been funny, it's been genuine, and the friendships between the characters feels real, probably because they are at this point. HIMYM has hit its stride in a way that it's been hard at times for me to DVR it or watch it ON Demand the next day, as it occupies a spot opposite Raw. Still, the wait until Tuesday evening has been worth it, as the show really hasn't missed in anything it's done this year.
These have been my 3 favorites, although if I had to go with one, it would be Breaking Bad. Each episode was brilliant with heart-stopping endings throughout, including the finale. The few questions it left unasnwered were nothing compared to how it delivered, and that's as good a season of a drama as I've seen in some time.
Your turn! What was the best show of 2013 for you, and why? Any honorable mentions?
