Top 10 TV Shows of 2013

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/TopTVShows2013.jpg” image_width=”500″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Everyone generally agrees that we’re living right now in the Golden Age of Television. Turn on your TV and you’ll see “everyone” is probably right. From the traditional networks to basic and premium cable to Netflix, many of the very best stories we’re telling right now are happening on the television.

What follows are the top 10 TV shows I enjoyed this year, in roughly ascending order.

Since the TV calendar doesn’t follow the Roman calendar we use for everything else the shows I’m listing are split. Some ran in the Spring. Some are on right now. And some are in the middle of a run. But I enjoyed them all.

Read through the list, and add your own favorites in the comments!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]The Walking Dead[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]The Walking Dead almost didn’t make my list – 49% of me thinks this spot should go to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. But the fact is Amanda and I watch every episode of The Walking Dead as soon as we can. I talk about it every week with the StoryMen. I can’t get away from it.

The Walking Dead is the least even show on TV. Blame that on showrunners who last about as long as this week’s newly-introduced black character (cheap shot? This has gotten better this season…). Or maybe on the writers’ tension of sticking to the comic storyline while trying to do their own thing.

Either way: when this show is on, it’s on.

The last half of this current season that focused on Herschel and the Governor was just outstanding. And when the show isn’t on – say when it butchers Andrea’s character or doesn’t know how to use Michonne, you still get to watch zombies eat pepole. So, win win.

Season 4 has deviated the furthest from the comic storyline of any chunk to date. Here’s hoping the writers break free of Kirkman’s comic plot and start telling their own stories.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_padding_divider size=”35″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Walking-Dead.jpg” image_width=”450″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Brooklyn-Nine-Nine.jpg” image_width=”214″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]Brooklyn Nine-Nine[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]I was a bit leery of Brooklyn Nine-Nine at first because I’m one of the .02% of the US population who finds Andy Samberg hit-or-miss. But the first two episodes laid all my fears to rest, mainly because of the outstanding ensemble cast surrounding Samberg. Each of the other detectives is hilarious in their own right, and Terry Crews’ hair-trigger sergent is just outstanding. But it’s Andre Braugher’s by-the-numbers captain who pulls the show together. Braugher plays his Captain Holt so straight (ironically, Holt is gay), Samberg’s Peralta can go crazy and the show stays grounded.

It’s not the lack of competition that will ensure Brooklyn Nine-Nine seizes the Workplace Comedy throne vacated by The Office somewhere around season six.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is just flat-out fun, smart and funny.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]Sleepy Hollow[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Sleepy Hollow is a show that never should’ve made it onto network TV. The premise is (relatively) straightforward: Ichabod Crane is a British soldier who defected to the cause of freedom during the Revolutionary War. He decapitated a supernaturally strong horseman, and they both ended up in modern times.

As Crane attempts to adjust to life in the 21st century, he helps Lt. Abbie Mills deal with the supernatural effects of the Horseman’s resurrection. Oh, Crane is also married to a Salem witch, and he and his new partner are apparently the two witnesses of the book of Revelation.

This show is tons of fun. It’s crazy and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Which is good because it’s crazy. Did I already mention that?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Sleepy-Hollow.jpg” image_width=”214″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”right” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/The-Killing-Season-3.jpg” image_width=”205″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]The Killing[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Apparently the Internet had never heard of a cliff-hanger until the first season of The Killing. When the 13-episode season didn’t conclude by revealing Who Killed Rosie Larson, the web exploded with hate-tweets and e-anguish. The result was that season 2 didn’t get any love, despite the great acting, the moody, atmospheric settings and great who-dunnit twists and turns.

The Killing almost didn’t get renewed for a third season (actually, it got cancelled by AMC and then renewed, somehow). Nevertheless, season 3 reintroduced us to tortured detectives Linden and Holder as they attempt to solve a series of serial murders. Season 3 was easily the best season of a great show so far.

Whether you saw the first two seasons or not, you can dive into season three. All three seasons are streaming on Netflix right now!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]The Netflix Originals[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Sure, Netflix gave us Hemlock Grove. But the successes in this groundbreaking new model of TV – releasing an entire season of a show all at once, playing into the binge-watching model Netflix users have created for ourselves – far outweigh the failures. These three shows were an absolute joy to watch.

• Arrested Development Season 4 never should’ve happened. But after nearly a decade, the Bluth family reunited in a wild, wacky 10+ hour episode chopped up into bite-sized pieces. It’s different from the first three seasons, unquestionably. But it’s edgy, inventive and – just like the first three seasons – pushes the boundaries of what television can be.
• If The West Wing was Aaron Sorkin’s dream of what American politics could be, could accomplish, then House of Cards is David Fincher’s dark vision of how it actually is. Kevin Spacey plays Congressman Frank Underwood, whose one life goal is to acquire more power. Watching him do so, supported by an outstanding ensemble cast including Robin Wright, Corey Stoll and Kate Mara, is a delicious guilty pleasure.
• Orange is the New Black has an irresistible premise: a wealthy white yuppie is sentenced to 15 months in a women’s prison for acting as a drug mule during a post-collegiate lesbian phase. The show begins with a healthy amount of voyeuristic schadenfreude, but showrunner Jenji Kohan and lead actress Taylor Schiling deserve the credit for turning Piper Kerman into someone we root for even as we watch her grow. The show works by humanizing Piper’s fellow inmates and letting us be part of Piper’s own journey.

No firm word yet on when we’ll see more Arrested Development, but House of Cards and Orange is the New Black already have second seasons well-underway. Oh, and House of Cards is up for quite a few Emmys. Netflix, keep up the great work![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_padding_divider size=”35″][mk_gallery images=”8123,8124,8125″ column=”3″ height=”300″ frame_style=”simple”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]American Horror Story[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Every season of American Horror Story reinvents itself. The first season, “Murder House” focused on a haunted house. “Asylum” went completely insane with Nazi doctors, aliens, zombie-things, serial killers and more. The current season is called “Coven” and it’s all about witches.

Well. It’s sort of all about witches. It’s really all about power.

About growing old. About generational strife, race and gender. It’s plenty creepy, and has a lot to say about the complex evolution of the female identity in our culture. The actors – Jessica Lang, Angela Bassett, and Kathy Bates are just the tip of the iceberg – chew up the scenery like it’s made of sugar. Plus, given the way mothers are portrayed, we can’t help but wonder about creator Ryan Murphy’s own mommy issues.

In any case, if you like horror, you’ll like American Horror Story.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”35″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/American-Horror-Story.jpg” image_width=”200″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_padding_divider size=”35″][mk_gallery images=”8126,8127,8128″ column=”3″ height=”300″ frame_style=”simple”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]The Series Finales[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Several shows began their 2013 season knowing in advance it would be their last. This lets the writers create no-holds-barred seasons that embody the best of everything their shows were about. These three shows embody what it means to go out with a bang:

• Dexter‘s big finale was as controversial as the rest of the show. And while many didn’t like it, I thought the finale was a pitch-perfect ending even if the show itself suffered in the last few seasons.
• Breaking Bad is universally acclaimed as one of the great TV shows of all time. If you’ve seen an episode, you know why: the writing, acting, design, all of it is just amazing. This final season (or half-season depending on how you count) brought Walter White’s journey to a head. And while I thought the ending was a cop-out, it was emotionally satisfying. Either way, it’s a show worth watching. And since it’s all streaming on Netflix, what are you waiting for?
• How I Met Your Mother has spent nine years building to one fateful moment: Ted Mosby meeting the woman he fall in love with and marry. A couple of seasons have struggled a bit, and fans are starting to get a bit grumbly. But Season 9 is the final season, and since we found out last year that Ted meets the Mother at Barney and Robin’s wedding, the whole of this final season is taking place during the weekend of that wedding. I was initially worried, but I should’ve had faith in showrunners Carter & Bays. We get to meet the mother, and see her interactions with Ted. Plus, with plenty of flashbacks, the show is the best it’s ever been. If you need proof, watch the rhyming episode.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Mindy-Project.jpg” image_width=”200″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” title=”Click to check it out on Amazon!” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]The Mindy Project[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]How is The Mindy Project so funny? Certainly a lot of the credit goes to showrunner and star Mindy Kaling. She guides the show with the philosophy that her characters must ultimately be kind to each other, and this has led to a really sweet, funny show about people who frankly are sort of trainwrecks.

Mindy (Kaling) herself is a self-obsessed, insecure but very capable professional woman who’s convinced she’s living in a romantic comedy. Her main rival/love interest Danny (an amazing Chris Messina) brings just the right amount of cynicism to the show, and the remaining supporting cast – including a rotating cast of both boyfriends and nurses – ensure there’s never a dull moment around the office or anywhere else.

The Mindy Project is a quirky, off-beat sitcom with a lot of love at the heart of it.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]Person of Interest[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]I gave the first few episodes of Person of Interest a chance and they were okay, but a bit formulaic, so I dropped the show. But buzz kept building and I heard from several friends that it had become epic. So I powered through the first half of season one and sure enough, it kicked in.

Person of Interest builds a sprawling mythology and incorporates enough supporting characters that every episode can build on that mythology even if it’s only in little bits.  Season 2 was completely insane, and the new status quo it established is paying off huge dividends  in season 3. The mid-season finale was devastating and awesome and proves that Person of Interest isn’t afraid to take some big risks (especially for a network show).

Person of Interest is the best crime/procedural on TV.

Unfortunately, CBS still thinks it’s 1995, so you can’t find it on Netflix or Hulu. But it’s worth renting or finding the DVDs somewhere.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Person-of-Interest-poster1.jpg” image_width=”205″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][mk_padding_divider size=”35″][mk_image src=”http://jrforasteros.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Game-of-Thrones.jpg” image_width=”200″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_blank” caption_location=”outside-image” align=”center” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]Game of Thrones[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]If you’re not watching Game of Thrones, then last June when the internet suddenly exploded with posts about the “Red Wedding”, half your co-workers called in sick and the other half couldn’t form coherent sentences the next day, you probably wondered if you’d missed some sort of national tragedy.

Nope. You missed the penultimate episode of Season 3 of the craziest show on premium cable. HBO adapted George R. R. Martin’s yet-to-be-finished fantasy epic A Song of Ice and Fire to a 7-9 season long TV show. The first two seasons followed the first two books. Book 3 has been broken into Seasons 3 and 4, and the showrunners are trying to figure out what to do with books 4 and 5 (not to mention the books that aren’t written yet).

Game of Thrones has become (in)famous for creating a universe in which no one is safe.

Make Eddard Stark your main character. Make sure everyone loves him. Cast Sean Bean to play him. And then cut his head off. For real. That sends a strong message: don’t get too attached to anyone.

Game of Thrones is so fascinating because it doesn’t adhere to typical fantasy tropes – the main being that the good guys always win. The GoT universe is much more realistic cynical: bad guys usually win because they’re willing to break the rules.

Don’t be surprised as Season 4 begins next year to find another surprise: some of the villains you love to hate, you just start to love. And some of the heroes you were rooting for may become more villainous than you thought possible.

Game of Thrones is the TV show every fantasy nerd always wanted to see and never thought would really happen.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_divider style=”shadow_line” divider_width=”full_width” margin_top=”20″ margin_bottom=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3/4″][mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”false” color=”#0078ff” size=”30″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”right”]Arrow[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]I really was planning to hate-watch Arrow. I lothed Smallville, the CW’s last attempt at a superhero show (not counting that aborted Aquaman pilot that – shockingly – sank rather than swam). And Green Arrow’s always been a Batman rip-off. So when they announced Arrow, I didn’t have high hopes.

It took me a while to figure out if Arrow was trashy good, or actually good. And it’s actually  good.

Is some of the acting a little cheesy? Sure. But the plot has as many twists and turns as the best comic and the writers have a clear vision of where they’re taking the Hood/Arrow. Tons of the DC villains rogues gallery make an appearance, and the Green Arrow’s allies (Red Arrow, Speedy, etc) are there, just waiting to come into their own.

Arrow is the superhero show you’ve been waiting for. Better than Heroes ever was. Better than Smallville. Better than Lois & Clark. And better than pretty much every other show on television. Game of Thrones and Person of Interest are the only two other shows that are even close.

Arrow Season 1 is on Netflix. Get caught up now because Season 2 is upping the stakes like crazy.

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There you have it! My favorite TV shows of 2013! What did you love? What did I rate too high? Add ’em in the comments!

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