Top 10 TV Shows of 2014

#1 True Detective

Probably the most talked about TV show of the year, HBO’s new anthology series True Detective debuted with a mesmerizing, haunting, and lyrical style that championed strong, scary, and engrossing characters inside a story that kept us guessing and theorizing in insanely intricate ways all the way to the finale. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were perfectly matched as Louisiana detectives Rust Cohle and Martin Hart, respectively, who follow the trail of a serial killer that may or may not have ties to a broader organization over the course of 17 years. Told with alternating flashbacks throughout the 10-episode run, the long-winded, metaphysical speeches by McConnaughey and the hardheadedness of Harrelson paved the way for some outstanding scenes that made this way more than just a standard procedural, but something more akin to a finely crafted 10-hour film.

Director Cary Fukunaga deftly handled creator/showrunner Nic Pizzolatto’s material, creating many a memorable moment, including a breathtaking 6-minute single take shot take in its fourth episode. The characters are deeply flawed, leaving no one safe or innocent, which made way for a beautifully crafted mystery that never revealed itself until it was all said and done. Intense, violent, and one of the most suspenseful shows ever made (seriously, I was on edge from Sunday to Sunday), True Detective made a hell of a splash, which will make it exceptionally hard for the much-anticipated second season. If it’s anything like this, though, we anticipate another awe-inspiring, nail-biting experience.

#2 Game of Thrones

The fourth season of HBO’s award-winning series took on the second half of George R.R. Martin’s epic “A Storm of Swords” novel, which is commonly referred to as the best of the “A Song of Ice & Fire” series. If last season left you seething for revenge, particularly after the events of the “Red Wedding” then season four likely satiated your bloodlust. The death of some much-loathed (and loved) characters brought forth new conflicts and resolutions in the land of Westeros. The internal conflicts matched with some violent throwdowns and epic battles made season four the biggest of the show so far and proved once again why it’s one of the best shows on television.

Jon Snow’s (Kit Harington) journey with the Knight’s Watch took him to new heights, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) found betrayal and vengeance, Sansa and Lord Baelish form a strange bond under even stranger circumstances, Daenerys learns more about being a ruler as her dragons grow more and more out of control, The Hound and Brienne redefine hand-to-hand combat, and Pedro Pascall makes a bloody impact as Lord Oberyn Martell in his visit to King’s Landing. There’s much, much more, but for those still catching up I’ll keep it cryptic. Rest assured, it’s got all the brute force, venomous confrontations, and mystical elements that make this the finest fantasy adaptation ever put to film. Anyone else ready for April 2015 to get here?

#3 Fargo

by Chris Bumbray

Here’s a show that nobody really expected anything from. I mean, a Fargo TV series? Didn’t the networks try the same thing about a decade ago? How could the sensibilities of the Coen Brothers ever be properly translated to the small screen? Ah, but one thing we didn’t count on was the ingenuity of show runner Noah Hawley. Working with the FX Network, Fargo, along with True Detective, proves just how good the idea of a limited series can be, with the ten-episode first season of Fargo being a darkly funny roller-coaster ride that’s among the best things to hit any screen this year. The writing was ingenious, and the direction of each episode was flawless. The same thing goes for the amazing cast, with Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Platt, Bob Odenkirk and Colin Hanks all delivering exceptional performances. In the end though, this was newcomer Allison Tolman’s show, with her Deputy Molly Solverson making her an instant star, and the year’s most intriguing new heroine.

#4 House of Cards

Netflix’s House of Cards went into its second season with a lot to live up to. The brilliantly-scripted, expertly-acted, and deftly-directed series set a tremendous standard with its first season that seemed near impossible to recapture for its sophomore effort, but they managed to pull it off in spades. Kevin Spacey embodies his role as Frank Underwood to perfection, a ruthless politician who is matched in wits only by his wife, Claire, played with calculating intensity by Robin Wright. Together, the duo wield their power plays over Washington, using manipulation, coercion, blackmail, and in some cases, murder, to advance their careers. It’s an ugly game, but orchestrated so beautifully that you sometimes wonder if they’re truly evil or just exerting a necessary evil for the greater good.

Season 2 found Underwood as Vice President, doing everything he can to oust the current President, while squaring off against one of his advisers, Raymond Tusk, played by character actor Gerald McRaney. There’s plenty of intrigue, shock, and suspense throughout this season, which leaves the door wide open for an even bigger and nastier run in the third (and presumably last) season, as Frank faces his biggest challenge yet, while still trying to bury every literal and figurative body he leaves in his wake. Brilliant stuff.

#5 Sons of Anarchy

After seven seasons, Kurt Sutter’s biker drama Sons of Anarchy went on its final ride and closed the book on SAMCRO and its conflicted leader, Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam). As with any show entering its final season, Sons of Anarchy had a lot of hurdles to clear in resolving all the various threads that were left blowing in the breeze. Although it felt like the show took on a very different path after the exit of Ron Perlman’s Clay, who provided much of the tension between Jax and the show’s deadly matriarch, Gemma (the real shining star of the series, as portrayed by Katey Sagal), there was still plenty of shocking twists and violent showdowns that helped define the show, notorious for not pulling punches, almost just for the sake of it.

While I may not have been satisfied with the turn of events that led to the final moments of the show, there’s no denying that this season rallied hard in its last few episodes, which were wrought with emotion and shock, building on the tragic road that’s been built from the very origins of the series. There were a lot of ups and downs with this series, but overall it was a hell of a ride, even if one that suffered from some unnecessary detours and breakdowns along the way. Ultimately, it was the right time for the show to meet Mr. Mayhem, but that doesn’t mean we won’t miss it.

#6 Louie

Louis C.K.’s comedy show on FX is nothing short of brilliant. It’s not enough that his stand up is so hilarious and on-the-nose, but his self-titled show takes it to a whole other level. Featuring a bevy of great co-stars, Louis tackles the fictional everyday life of the comedian in a way that immerses you in his world and takes you deep into the relationships, oddities, and comedic wisdom he’s so well-known for and season 4 is his most successful yet.

This season saw some great guest stars, including Charles Grodin, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Yvonne Strahovski, Victor Garber, Edward Burns, Ellen Burstyn, Jeremy Renner, F. Murray Abraham, and the always great Pamela Adlon. Louis never shies away from the uncomfortable and/or controversial and that makes it all the better. From buying a vibrator to bedding a model to romancing a neighbor to confronting drug use and his own childhood, Louie is much more than a standard half hour of laughs. Louie is a commentary on life; the good, the bad, and the hilarious. There’s a lot of funny shows out there, but there are very few that will make you think as much as they make you laugh and for that Louie is the king.

#7 Arrow

by Alex Maidy

Clearly there are three types of comic book shows on television right now. You have the expansion of the big screen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), the prequel (Gotham), or the reinvention. Arrow falls squarely into that final category as it is not a mere adaptation of the DC Comics character but an attempt to create it’s own mythology while still respecting the source material. Showcasing a huge number of heroes and villains from the DC Comics vault, Arrow manages to be a fresh take on a lesser superhero and possibly one of the most entertaining hours on network television. Don’t let the fact it airs on The CW fool you. This is not a show for children.

Arrow, unlike the equally entertaining and much lighter The Flash, is a dark and brooding tale right out of Christopher Nolan’s DARK KNIGHT universe but with a slightly pulpier tone. Show creator Greg Berlanti has taken the series to another level this year with season two concluding with the blockbuster show-off with Slade Wilson leading into the first half of season three and the introduction of Ra’s Al Ghul. ARROW has had a few stumbles with pacing this season but it clearly is the benchmark other comic book adaptations should strive for.

#8 The Walking Dead

At this point, you’re either “all in” or “checked out” with The Walking Dead. That said, the ratings would dictate that it’s more of the latter. As a fan of the comics, I’ve made my peace with the differences in translation and accepted this as an almost alternate reality version of the source material. And, I’m strangely cool with that. With the addition of fan-favorite characters not seen in the comics becoming a mainstay (well, until they’re picked off anyway), there’s plenty to immerse yourself in without feeling cheated out of your favorite comic book moments. Season four had a rocky road, but soared with some truly epic confrontations, including the final return of the Governor and the showdown that many were waiting for. Pulling no punches, the show reminded us of it’s bloody brutality just when we started to get bored with the internal politics.

With the prison behind them and the group shattered, there was more room to get to know individual characters a little better. Although some of these character moments seemed to drag on, the tension mounted and the unpredictable hung in the air once again, making the show as watchable as ever. The cast feels embedded in what they’re doing, with Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes evolving into a deadly leader (rather than a righteous one), Daryl becoming the moral compass, Carol the matriarch, and Carl a lot less annoying as he grows. This season also featured one of the more shocking moments in “The Grove” which has Carol forced to make a decision that left many conflicted, which is part of what makes The Walking Dead such a mesmerizing watch (when it isn’t dragging ass).

#9 The Knick

by Chris Bumbray

If the The Knick was on HBO, I bet everyone would be calling it an instant-classic. Never one to take the easy road in anything, Steven Soderbergh, who directed the entire first season (and is returning to do the second) opted instead to run his period medical drama on the fledgling Cinemax (also home to the surprisingly good Banshee). Set in 1900, and detailing the day-to-day operations of New York Knickerbocker Hospital, The Knick is a harsh show, taking an unflinching look at the era’s racial and sexual attitudes, and also boasting primitive operations and medical techniques that make this a gorier show than The Walking Dead.

More than anything, this is a brilliant showcase for star Clive Owen, who has the best role of his career as the driven, tortured and debaucherous Doctor William Thackery. When the pilot episode features your hero injecting cocaine into his penis, you know you’re in for something unconventional. Sure enough, this is not the easiest show on the list to watch, but it is one of the most rewarding. I should also single out the music by Cliff Martinez, which is the best score to hit any medium this year, with it being reminiscent of Tangerine Dream and far from the type of musical accompaniment you’d expect on a period drama. As I’m fond of telling people, The Knick is like an American, nightmare version of Downton Abbey. It’s a must-see but it does require a strong stomach and some patience.

#10 Orange is the New Black

Netflix’s “girls-in-prison” dramedy returned with a second season this year and once again captured the compelling, creepy, scary, and hilarious moments that ensue inside a women’s prison. Taylor Schilling leads the cast into the journey, providing a top notch performance as a privileged woman amongst underprivileged inmates. Her fish-out-of-water tale swims perfectly amongst the tales of the other inmates, an outstanding cast of talented actresses that bring to life each character’s individual plight with raw, funny, and engaging performances. This season saw the introduction of a new threat to the stability of the women’s world with Lorraine Toussaint’s “Vee” who threatens Kate Mulgrew’s Russian cook “Red” into a kind of turf war that puts many lives and relationships in jeopardy.

There are so many great interweaving stories here, all of them jumping back in time to show the moments that led up to their eventual arrests, making their struggle that much more interesting. There’s room for the male characters as well, with Nick Sandow and Michael Harney supplying the majority of the conflict as prison counselors trying to mediate the all-female environment (and let’s not forget Pablo Schreiber’s “Pornstache”). What makes this show stand out above the rest is that you become so invested in each character and you can’t help but root for most of them in one way or another, despite the fact that they’re all criminals. Their stories and how they react to the environment they’re in is like being transported to another world (and one you’d never want to visit in real life).