Since we moved to Vermont and movie theaters are pretty inaccessible- we have become major serialized TV watchers. TV is not what it used to be and many of the shows now on HBO, Showtime or Netflix have the best directing and acting Hollywood has to offer. I read a story in USA today a couple of months ago and then heard a similar one on NPR about a noted critic who has written a book about what he calls “the golden age of television”. His premise is that since The Sopranos came on the air fifteen or so years ago, TV has been revolutionized and in many ways has more consistent quality than films (he is talking about premium, serialized commercial free TV). I’m not sure I fully agree with that, but I see his point, and we are constantly mesmerized by the quality of what is being produced on the small screen. So, I have been thinking for awhile (Vermont does that to you) about doing an overview rating of these premium TV series. The list below is only what I consider to be the highest quality and is not all inclusive (I have not really watched some of what may be very high quality shows such as The Wire, Nurse Jackie, Breaking Bad or Mad Men enough to fairly evaluate). So- here’s a list of my “must-see TV”.
Stu’s Reviews
A++:
The Newsroom- just finished 2nd season on HBO. Jeff Daniels in the role of a lifetime as a right wing liberal news anchor on a CNN type network. Great cast. Unbelievable writing. Best show on TV.
Homeland- in midst of season three on Showtime. Clair Danes, Damian Lewis, Mandy Patimkin and F. Murray Abraham make this CIA- confused terrorist drama riveting.
A+:
Boss- Kelsey Grammar in a career altering role as the complex, corrupt and all powerful mayor of Chicago. Two seasons on STARZ.
House of Cards- The amazing Kevin Spacey tales to the small screen as a classic southern senator in this Washington bashing drama complete two seasons on Netflix.
Treme- Three seasons down on HBO, with a cast of somewhat unknowns and cameos by a who’s who of New ‘Awlins royalty, captures the angst, joy, food and music of post Katrina with great accuracy and detail- following the lives of six disparate and fascinating main charters. Very underrated.
United states of Tara- ran for six seasons on Showtime and then cancelled, this show was too exotic and out there for the masses. The always great Toni Collette delivers the performance of a lifetime as a multiple personally with up to eight alters. The portrayal of a family living in this chaos is both majestic and tragic. John Corbett is a revelation as her husband. I loved this show and could not stop watching.
A:
Boardwalk Empire- Steve Buscemi as the mob boss of prohibition era Atlantic City is spellbinding. Great attention to historical detail with amazing cast and captivating story lines. In third season on HBO.
Games of Thrones- completed second season on HBO- medieval dram derived from cult book series with cast of thousands. Only show in history to knock off the leading man in first season. Great cinematography for small screen and wonderfully engaging characters.
True Blood- just completed sixth season on HBO; also from cult book series. Have made vampires ultra chic. Was best show on TV for a number of years, with fantastic ensemble cast and a kick in the ass at every turn,- but gotten a little out of hand in last two seasons; may be running its course.
Shameless- William H. Macy…enough said. Brilliant as the alcoholic and narcissistic head of an almost homeless family in Chicago. Emmy Rossum is his oldest daughter- an opera singer turned absolute vixen..who does not want to cuddle with her. Finished third season on Showtime. Can’t wait for fourth in January. This show is utterly outrageous.
Dexter- Michael Hall as the most endearing serial killer in history. This how just completed its eighth and final season on Showtime. An amazing run for the subject material. Very good cast and excellent writing, the show kept you one edge for eight years but ran out of gas at the very end.
A-:
House of Lies- Don Cheadle plays the most cunning adman of all time; spin is his middle name,; with team of four whose chemistry is non paralleled. This show can be very funny and very touching at the same time, and moves quicker than the speed of light. These people are never at a loss for words. Kristen Bell is excellent as his protégé/ unrequited love interest and his two sidekicks are worm the price of admission. A bit on the surreal side- it has completed two seasons on Showtime.
Weeds: Mary Louise Parker starred for eight season as the housewife from southern California who becomes a major pot dealer and lives a life of constant drama. Started out as a don’t miss show- but faded as time went by. Really great cast featuring Kevin Nealon and the very scene stealing Justin Kirk as her lovelorn bother in law. Very entertaining a for long, long time.
Spartacus- three season on STARZ…guilty pleasures ,,,surreal hot sex and almost animated violence. Lost interest midway through third season.
New shows:
Orange is the New Black- first season Netflix. Women in prison comedy- drama by creator of weeds, highly entertaining. Great characters.
Masters of Sex- three shows into first season on Showtime, details story of sex research pioneers Masters and Johnson. What a period piece. Sharp writing and wonderful cast. Not too sexy, but stimulating. Historically accurate.
Foyles War: Six season on Netflix, very unusual British BBC drama features the extraordinary Michael Kitchen as a coastal England police superintendent during World War Two. The show starts in 1939 and follows the plot trough the war. He may be the most admirable character ever to be on a TV show. We love this show- but you have to like slow.
Sherlock Holmes- this two season BBC series updates the classic tales to modern times with a flair with stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson. Eagerly awaiting third season. Very British, very cool.
