Written by: Kevin Berge
In 2016, we saw the birth of a grand terrible leader as well as the rise of Cersei Lannister. (Image Courtesy of: hbo.com)
2016 was a solid year for television though the industry is still looking to replace the hole left by the end of classics such as Breaking Bad and Mad Men with no absolute standouts that will change the business going forward.
The closest is Game of Thrones which remains a powerful product every year even with two seasons now that didn't wholly grab audiences the way the show did at its beginning.
Other contenders are coming out of the woodwork with fascinating first acts including Westworld and Stranger Things that had social media buzzing. These shows could be the start of a new direction for TV.
The following list is purely the ten TV seasons that affected me the most this year in order that I felt they showed the most consistent quality. I will include my initial grade on all shows I reviewed though my opinions have changed with time on multiple shows.
The closest is Game of Thrones which remains a powerful product every year even with two seasons now that didn't wholly grab audiences the way the show did at its beginning.
Other contenders are coming out of the woodwork with fascinating first acts including Westworld and Stranger Things that had social media buzzing. These shows could be the start of a new direction for TV.
The following list is purely the ten TV seasons that affected me the most this year in order that I felt they showed the most consistent quality. I will include my initial grade on all shows I reviewed though my opinions have changed with time on multiple shows.
Best of 2016: Films | Acting Performances | WWE Matches
TV Shows I Have Not Seen That May Have Been Included: People v. OJ Simpson, Fargo, The Night Manager, Better Call Saul, Penny Dreadful, The Crown.
***Note: There will be no spoilers on any shows on this list, but any review links for a season past its first will contain spoilers.***
TV Shows I Have Not Seen That May Have Been Included: People v. OJ Simpson, Fargo, The Night Manager, Better Call Saul, Penny Dreadful, The Crown.
***Note: There will be no spoilers on any shows on this list, but any review links for a season past its first will contain spoilers.***
Let us burn our dead in dramatic giant fires. That will make us feel better. (Image Courtesy of: amc.com)
Honorable Mentions
The Walking Dead Season 6 (I have not reviewed this series yet but plan to)
I have always wanted to love The Walking Dead more than I do, but I have certainly had my moments of intense investment. Beyond poorly devised swerves and cliffhangers, season six is one of the series' best complete seasons with suspense and a culmination of growing pride.
The Flash Season 2 - Initial Grade: B
The second season of The Flash did not quite hit the heights of the first season, but it was still one of the best shows to watch week to week on The CW with many twists and turns and strong performances particularly from Grant Gustin who has grown into the role.
The Walking Dead Season 6 (I have not reviewed this series yet but plan to)
I have always wanted to love The Walking Dead more than I do, but I have certainly had my moments of intense investment. Beyond poorly devised swerves and cliffhangers, season six is one of the series' best complete seasons with suspense and a culmination of growing pride.
The Flash Season 2 - Initial Grade: B
The second season of The Flash did not quite hit the heights of the first season, but it was still one of the best shows to watch week to week on The CW with many twists and turns and strong performances particularly from Grant Gustin who has grown into the role.
In 2017, find someone who looks at you like every woman looks at Luke Cage. (Image Courtesy of: cheatsheet.com)
10. Luke Cage Season 1 - Initial Grade: B+
Style is rarely a driving force in superhero stories which often rely on action to be compelling. Luke Cage though is a special animal of a series that lives and breathes style to the point that it was easy to ignore a somewhat underwhelming main arc.
Mike Colter proved a powerhouse performer well worthy of a mantle atop Marvel's Netflix universe, and the actor he worked with were all compelling in their own right. This is an opening season that shows potential for fantastic results down the line.
Style is rarely a driving force in superhero stories which often rely on action to be compelling. Luke Cage though is a special animal of a series that lives and breathes style to the point that it was easy to ignore a somewhat underwhelming main arc.
Mike Colter proved a powerhouse performer well worthy of a mantle atop Marvel's Netflix universe, and the actor he worked with were all compelling in their own right. This is an opening season that shows potential for fantastic results down the line.
Still waiting for Daredevil: The Lawyer Days where Matt Murdock actually handles some real cases. (Image Courtesy of: comingsoon.net)
9. Daredevil Season 2 (I have not reviewed the second season yet)
Netflix and Marvel have a special hero on their hands with Daredevil, and they have no qualms about using him liberally. The second season of Daredevil did not quite match the first, but it was still strong with compelling characters and brutality.
If not for a final act that goes off the rails, this could have been the best season from Marvel yet on Netflix. Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, and Jon Bernthal all brought their best to the table, and it made this compelling TV.
Netflix and Marvel have a special hero on their hands with Daredevil, and they have no qualms about using him liberally. The second season of Daredevil did not quite match the first, but it was still strong with compelling characters and brutality.
If not for a final act that goes off the rails, this could have been the best season from Marvel yet on Netflix. Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, and Jon Bernthal all brought their best to the table, and it made this compelling TV.
House of Cards got so much more tame when it became more realistic than the actual 2016 presidential election. (Image Courtesy of: independent.co.uk)
8. House of Cards Season 4 (I have not reviewed this series yet)
House of Cards is political drama, but it also can verge satire. Its extreme view of the American political system is intriguing and eye-catching at its best. At times though, it goes too far and relies on its exceptional leads, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, to carry it.
The fourth season of House of Cards pulled back, and it benefitted from that tighter focus, getting extremely focused on the election trail. Spacey and Wright dominated the screen, and the writing matched up to their work.
House of Cards is political drama, but it also can verge satire. Its extreme view of the American political system is intriguing and eye-catching at its best. At times though, it goes too far and relies on its exceptional leads, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, to carry it.
The fourth season of House of Cards pulled back, and it benefitted from that tighter focus, getting extremely focused on the election trail. Spacey and Wright dominated the screen, and the writing matched up to their work.
Also, find something to stare at with this intensity... because it must be quite interesting. (Image Courtesy of: usanetwork.com)
7. Mr. Robot Season 2 - Initial Grade: B+
Sam Esmail knows what he had in Mr. Robot, a grounds for experimentation and truly unique storytelling. Season two could not quite match up to its predecessor, but it did not disappoint those with patience for its tricks and twists.
Still anchored by the powerhouse duo of Rami Malek and Christian Slater, you will hardly find anything on television quite bold enough to match Mr. Robot in its sophomore season even if it still grasps at greatness without ever gaining a firm grip.
Sam Esmail knows what he had in Mr. Robot, a grounds for experimentation and truly unique storytelling. Season two could not quite match up to its predecessor, but it did not disappoint those with patience for its tricks and twists.
Still anchored by the powerhouse duo of Rami Malek and Christian Slater, you will hardly find anything on television quite bold enough to match Mr. Robot in its sophomore season even if it still grasps at greatness without ever gaining a firm grip.
On the bright side, if it all falls apart, the apocalypse is gonna be real cool for those who survive. (Image Courtesy of: cwtv.com)
6. The 100 Season 3 - Initial Grade: B+
No network has been more willing to evolve past its image as of late than The CW which has a host of strong shows on its docket, yet The 100 still stands out most strongly, in its most brutal and elegant moments.
Science fiction is at its best when everything feels apart of that world, and the third season of The 100 completely inhabited its foundations, pushing at an alarming speed toward shocks, horrors, and even triumphs as small as they were.
No network has been more willing to evolve past its image as of late than The CW which has a host of strong shows on its docket, yet The 100 still stands out most strongly, in its most brutal and elegant moments.
Science fiction is at its best when everything feels apart of that world, and the third season of The 100 completely inhabited its foundations, pushing at an alarming speed toward shocks, horrors, and even triumphs as small as they were.
Can't wait for the TV series that is just entirely watching people watch things on their phones. (Image Courtesy of: fxnetworks.com)
5. Atlanta Season 1 (I have not yet reviewed this series but will soon)
The last TV series I watched this year also ended up being the most surprising as Atlanta is the type comedy that sneaks up on you. It is not riotously funny, but it is consistently affecting with the type of humor that is scathing and resonant in its exploration of race dynamics.
I found myself reminded of scenes days later and suddenly began chuckling because I saw the full scope in that moment. Donald Glover has put together a show in Atlanta that is short, sparse, creative, and effective in all the right ways.
The last TV series I watched this year also ended up being the most surprising as Atlanta is the type comedy that sneaks up on you. It is not riotously funny, but it is consistently affecting with the type of humor that is scathing and resonant in its exploration of race dynamics.
I found myself reminded of scenes days later and suddenly began chuckling because I saw the full scope in that moment. Donald Glover has put together a show in Atlanta that is short, sparse, creative, and effective in all the right ways.
Still can't believe we have gotten to the point where we are getting realistic warfare in fantasy worlds on popular television. (Image Courtesy of: hbo.com)
4. Game of Thrones Season 6 - Initial Grade: A
Transition is never easy, but no series controls television right now the way that Game of Thrones does. With a complete escape in season six from George R. R. Martin's shadow, the season runs hot and cold with some of the best and worst episodes in the series.
While I find myself more focused these days on season six's weaker points, there is no denying how impactful the final two episodes are, perhaps the two best on the entire show. Nothing quite matches Game of Thrones' presence, and that was still clear in its sixth season.
Transition is never easy, but no series controls television right now the way that Game of Thrones does. With a complete escape in season six from George R. R. Martin's shadow, the season runs hot and cold with some of the best and worst episodes in the series.
While I find myself more focused these days on season six's weaker points, there is no denying how impactful the final two episodes are, perhaps the two best on the entire show. Nothing quite matches Game of Thrones' presence, and that was still clear in its sixth season.
This is the definition of cool in 2016. (Image Courtesy of: npr.com)
3. Stranger Things Season 1 - Initial Grade: A-
What is old is new again in Hollywood these days. Everyone wants to make the next Spielberg or Kubrick, and, if they can't, they'll just remake the classics. Stranger Things is as derivative as television gets, but it is so good at what it does that it doesn't matter.
Stranger Things is a celebration of what was old, proving homage can be just as good as the original. The acting is superb. The direction is up to par with the legends it gives homage to. The first season of Stranger Things was basically a film, and it was a remarkable one.
What is old is new again in Hollywood these days. Everyone wants to make the next Spielberg or Kubrick, and, if they can't, they'll just remake the classics. Stranger Things is as derivative as television gets, but it is so good at what it does that it doesn't matter.
Stranger Things is a celebration of what was old, proving homage can be just as good as the original. The acting is superb. The direction is up to par with the legends it gives homage to. The first season of Stranger Things was basically a film, and it was a remarkable one.
It seems the western is not dead, just left to good creators. (Image Courtesy of: hbo.com)
2. Westworld Season 1 - Initial Grade: A
I'm a sucker for a good mystery. Television gives creator's freedom to tell stories in long form, to drive cerebral themes along just far enough to capture the imagination. As Christopher Nolan has taken over the big screen with cerebral tales, his brother Jonathan seems to have taken over the small screen.
Westworld shows the power of HBO, bringing together many great actors to dive into a world that is defined by many values of reality. I can only hope this series can continue to build upon its intriguing foundations toward an even greater conclusion.
I'm a sucker for a good mystery. Television gives creator's freedom to tell stories in long form, to drive cerebral themes along just far enough to capture the imagination. As Christopher Nolan has taken over the big screen with cerebral tales, his brother Jonathan seems to have taken over the small screen.
Westworld shows the power of HBO, bringing together many great actors to dive into a world that is defined by many values of reality. I can only hope this series can continue to build upon its intriguing foundations toward an even greater conclusion.
RIP Person of Interest. I am glad you at least got a fitting end in 2016. (Image Courtesy of: cbs.com)
1. Person of Interest Season 5 - Initial Grade: A
It was the year of Jonathan Nolan for me as he both ended a great series on a series and began a new series already riding high. Person of Interest began slow, but there was clear potential in all it was that came to a head in a short and powerful final season.
Driven by powerful performance that were grown into and an intriguing closing story that wrapped up a series of mysteries while leaving more lingering thoughts, season five was exactly the kind of television I crave even in its imperfections.
It was the year of Jonathan Nolan for me as he both ended a great series on a series and began a new series already riding high. Person of Interest began slow, but there was clear potential in all it was that came to a head in a short and powerful final season.
Driven by powerful performance that were grown into and an intriguing closing story that wrapped up a series of mysteries while leaving more lingering thoughts, season five was exactly the kind of television I crave even in its imperfections.