I've never had such a tough time narrowing my list down to ten. The upside to that is that my next ten favorite shows this year is stronger than ever. On a given day, any of these couldn't cracked my top ten instead pof one of the shows that did.
Top 10
Next Top 10 (11-20)
The “20's Not Enough” 10 (21-30)
The “Somehow Not in my top 30” 10. (31-40)
Everything Else
Worst 10
Wish I Watched
Last Year
11. Game of Thrones (Season 5)
Favorite Episode: Hardhome
I've heard a lot of people saying that this was a weaker season of the show. The Emmys don't agree*. I don't either. Game of Thrones is one of the more consistent shows around. It's all building to something bigger. Moments like the white walker battle in Hardhome, which matches up to the best action sequences in any movie, brought winter ever closer.
*And I reiterate, the Emmys are not the best gauge of quality. It's still worth noting.
12. Brooklyn Nine Nine (Seasons 2 & 3)
Favorite Episode: Yipee Kayak
In hindsight, 4th was way too high last year. This show had settled nicely though. It's hard to even pick a favorite episode. This has a deep ensemble of people you don't see used well in other things (Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti) as well as those who really can't be used poorly (Terry Crews, Andre Braugher). If nothing else, they get bonus points this year for bringing in Nick Offerman as Andre Braugher's ex (Proving that they got me letters). Now if FOX would just give up on that stupid four act commercial structure that kills the momentum.
13. The Middle (Seasons 6 & 7)
Favorite Episode: Halloween VI: Tick Tock Dead
I hope you're noticing a pattern by now. The shows on the outside of my top ten may not have signature moments, but they sure don't have bad ones either. Coming off the Disney World high last year, the Hecks take a small dip. This fall has been so good though as Sue adapts to college. I wish they could've found more to do with Lyndon Smith as her roommate.
14. Last Week Tonight
Favorite Episode: Church
John Oliver is a genius. That's all that needs to be said about that. Of all the topics he covered this year, the investigation into Televangelists that resulted in the creation of his own church (Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption) was the peak.
15. Mad Men(Season 7)
Favorite Episode: The Milk and Honey Route
How is this even possible? My only explanation is that seven episodes was too few. That said, Mad Men ended as good as ever. Don coming up with “If I Could Teach the World to Sing”, Betty's solemn acceptance of her cancer diagnosis, Peggy walking down the hall's of McCann Erickson, hungover, cigarette in mouth, tentacle porn in hand. So many wonderful moments in the swan song for this all time classic drama.
16. Fresh Off the Boat (Seasons 1 & 2)
Favorite Episode: Very Superstitious
What a great debut season and a half. It's nice seeing Randall Park get this opportunity, but Constance Wu is the breakout star. She's the Jane Kaczmarek of this. ABC's development team is second to none when it comes to making family comedies for nearly a decade now.
17. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
Favorite Episode: Kimmy Goes Outside!
I'll fully admit that this probably fell some just because it was on so long ago. Tina Fey and Robert Carlock prove that 30 Rock was no fluke. Ellie Kemper is phenomenal and Tituss Burgess is a discovery. I can't wait to see what a second season will look like developed specifically by Netflix, not NBC.
18. Rectify (Season 3)
Favorite Episode: The Future
I loved the brief first season of this. It was my #7 favorite show in 2013. I didn't get to season 2 in enough time to make last year's list. I devoured seasons 2 and 3 in a matter of a couple days. The only reason it's not higher is that I can't separate the episodes of the two seasons in my head. Regardless, there is no show like it on TV. The story of Daniel Holden readjusting to the world after being falsely [perhaps?] imprisoned for nearly 20 years is a mood piece. It's driven more by character and reflection than by plot. I can't recommend this little-seen Sundance show enough.
19. Girls (Season 4)
Favorite Episode: Sit-In
Girls was completely hampered by the structure of the season this year. It had so many great moments, like any time Hannah was in a writing workshop in Iowa or the fantastic Sit-in episode. With half the season devoted to Hannah in the Midwest, there wasn't enough time to get a rhythm once everyone was back in New York. I still love how frustrating and funny all these characters can be.
20. Transparent (Season 2)
Favorite Episode: Man on the Land
This sneaks into my top 20 both because the season premiere so late and because I barely got Amazon Prime in enough time to watch it. I had to make sure it got here though because it's a remarkable show. It's a little hard to separate the two seasons because I watched them in such a blur. Season one I would've looked to fit in my top ten in 2014. Season two was more ambitious. The flashbacks added unexpected depth, and much like last year's "Best New Girl", the getaway in "Man on the Land" was the most powerful episode. I simply hated the kids too much throughout the season. I know the show isn't about being likable, but this was too much. Great performances all around though.
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