Below are my votes for top television shows/mini series of 2013. Thankfully all of these shows will be back next year. Please let me know what your favorites are in the comments sections.
And I just noticed that most of my favorites are based on books/short stories. After seeing the show, I read the books such as with "Orange Is The New Black". So the moral of the story is "Read more books kids" (in between watching television of course).
1. "The Returned"- Sundance, season 1 (8 episodes). This is my new favorite obsession. The show is in French with English subtitles. With only 8 episodes in season 1 there is little time for filler episodes that have nothing to do with the actual plot. This is definitely the wave of the future. I predict regular network seasons with 22 episodes (most of which do zero to progress the main storyline) are on their way out. The basic premise of "The Returned" is the dead return to a small French town. Don't think this is a horror show though. It's really about the characters and their relationship with the living and each other. If you only have time to watch one show on this list, it should be "The Returned". See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Returned
2. "Orange Is The New Black"- Netflix, season 1 (13 episodes released simultaneously). This is only one of two non-horror/sci fi/fantasy shows on my list. The other is "The Americans". The great thing about Netflix's releasing all of the episodes of "Orange Is The New Black" at the same time is you can watch them as quickly as possible (which in my case was 3 days). The not-so-good part is there is no time between episodes to commiserate with others about the show (which is one of my favorite parts about watching). The basic premise of the show is that the main character (Piper) is sentenced to a women's prison. Each episode deals with the backstory of one of the prisoners/staff members. And bravo to OITNB for featuring a cast of multifaceted women of different races, ages and body types. We need LOTS more shows like this on TV. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Orange%20Is%20The%20New%20Black
3. "American Horror Story: Coven"- FX, season 3 (13 episodes total, season continuing into 2014). There is nothing else on cable that is as straight up bat shit crazy as "Coven". For those not familiar with AHS, each season tells a different story with the same basic actors. Season 1 was "Murder House". Season 2 was "Asylum". Season 3 centers around a group of witches in New Orleans. I especially appreciate Ryan Murphy's use of older actresses. Nothing in the world can top Jessica Lange, Cathy Bates and Angela Bassett in the same room chewing up the scene and each other. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/American%20Horror%20Story
4. "The Walking Dead"- AMC, season 4 (16 episodes total, season continuing into 2014). Sure this show has been around a while and they stayed at the prison way too long, but I have one word for ya-- ZOMBIES! This was the first zombie television series ever. And while zombies eating people ever week could get boring, we really grow to care about these characters. When one of the main characters dies (Hershel) or is exiled (Carol) I really feel like I've lost a member of the family. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Walking%20Dead
5. "Once Upon A Time"- ABC, season 3 (13 episodes total I think, season continuing into 2014). This is only one of two network shows on this list. The other is "Sleepy Hollow". Let's be honest. I only watch this show for two reason: 1. The Evil Queen/Regina (she is one of the most multifaceted characters on television today plus she's really easy on the eyes); 2. The subtext that is Swan Queen. It's MUCH better than the actual show. Oh and the crazy mishmash of characters relations and fairytale characters is a lot of fun too. Peter Pan is Rumple's father. Rumple is Bae's father. Henry is Emma and Bae's son. Snow White and Prince Charming are Emma's parents. Regina is Henry's adopted mother. Regina is Snow's step mother. If Swan Queen get together you can see the issues they'll have at Christmas dinner. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Once%20Upon%20A%20Time
6. "Bates Motel"- A&E, season 1 (10 episodes total). Shows based on iconic movies typically don't fare well but "Bates Motel" has definitely surpassed expectations. This is mainly due to the excellent scripts and the acting chops of Vera Farmiga (Norma) and Freddie Highmore (Norman). They make the characters someone you want to root for. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Bates%20Motel
7. "Witches of East End"- Lifetime, season 1 (10 episodes total). This is another show of which I had low expectations. What a great surprise! Its a soap opera about witches with crazy plots and over the top campy performances. The interaction between the four main characters are what makes "Witches of East End" such a great success. My favorite is Aunt Wendy the Cat (Madchen Amick). She definitely has the best lines/scenes in the show. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Witches%20of%20East%20End
8. "Sleepy Hollow"- NBC, season 1 (13 episodes total, season continuing into 2014). This is only one of two network shows on this list. The other is "Once Upon A Time". "Sleepy Hollow" is another show that I had low expectations for since it's already been done so many times as a movie. PS I love the one with Johnny Depp. They took THIS "Sleepy Hollow" in a completely different direction though. Sure the Headless Horseman is still around but he's actually one of the four horseman of the apocalypse (which takes it up a few notches). He was bad before but not he's REALLY bad. The town of Sleepy Hollow is some sort of Buffyesque vortex for all sorts of strange paranormal activity. US history is turned on its head. Who knew George Washington was really a member of a secret society fighting to save the world from Moloch? And the chemistry between the two main actors Nicole Beharie (Abbie) and Tom Mison (Ichabod) definitely keep me coming back. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Sleepy%20Hollow
9. "The Americans"- FX, season 1 (13 episodes total). This is only one of two non-horror/sci fi/fantasy shows on my list. The other is "Orange Is The New Black". The premise of the show is two Russian spies Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip (Matthew Rhys) are DEEP undercover in the US in the 1980s (during the height of the Cold War). They're posing as a married couple who run a travel agency. Their marriage was arranged by the KGB. They have two VERY American children who know nothing about their parents true identities. Their new door neighbor works for the CIA. So you can image the kind of trouble they get into. This show works because the scripts are great and the chemistry between the two main characters is sizzling. It's like watching a real married couple fight, make up, and dance around each other. See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Americans
10. "True Blood"- HBO, season 6 (10 episodes total). Yes I know what you're saying. "True Blood" has indeed seen better days and it looks like next year will be it's last (which I think it should be). I still love the characters though. Where else do you have vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, shapeshifters and humans all living in the same southern town? The love quadrangle between Sookie and Bill and Alcide and Eric is still a great one (provided Eric isn't really dead). I LOVE Pam. I really wish she and her great outfits and snarky comments had more air time. And if you haven't seen it, the Russell Edgington scene at the TV station from season 3 (where he says "We will eat you after we eat your children...") is one of the funniest ever! Let's hope "True Blood" goes out with a fang (errr I mean bang). See my reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/True%20Blood
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality
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