GMonster's Top 10 Television Shows Of 2015

It's time again to reflect on the past year in television. I'm happy to report that 2015 provided some EXCELLENT viewing options for horror/sci fi/fantasy fans. In fact, there were so many good shows, I had a hard time picking just 10. That's why I included 11 instead. I simply couldn't decide between the last two. 

Two of my top picks are in their first seasons. The rest are returnees.  Only one non-horror/fantasy/sci fi show made the list this year. There are three international offerings (1 from France, 1 from Australia and 1 from Canada/UK). There is one show from NetFlix and one from Amazon. Only two series are from the big three networks. The rest are from cable stations (including 2 from SyFy, 1 from Sundance and 1 from BBC America). 

Honorable mentions that didn't make the top 10 list include: "Scream Queens",  "12 Monkeys", "Agent Carter", "Jessica Jones", "Game Of Thrones", "Sense 8", "The Americans" and "Vikings". I'm also anxiously awaiting the return of "Bates Motel" (should it ever get a fourth season). 

Some of my previous favorites didnt make the cut this year. They include:

• "Salem"- WGN America- The all-out-witch-battle I was hoping for never materialized. Janet Montgomery gave her all though as witch Mary Sibley. Lucy Lawless was also a great season 2 addition. If the story was tweaked a little, I could have been excellent.  
• "Helix"- SyFy- The show completely abandoned it's first season story line. The new plot had potential (I still love you Forever Amy!) but turned into a pool of black goo in the end. 
• "House Of Cards"- NetFlix- I love the conniving husband/wife duo of Frank and Claire Underwood but the show suffered from season-three-itis. Let's hope they ratchet up the crazy next year.  
• "American Horror Story: Hotel"- FX- I've watched "AHS" since the beginning but I'm just not feeling it this time around. There's lots of gore and lots of sex but not much substance.   
• "Orange Is The New Black"- NetFlix- Season 3 had some great moments but not enough to make the list. I still love you best Crazy Eyes!
• "Once Upon A Time"- ABC- The show has gone off the rails with it's continual curses. I only watch it for #SwanQueen and there's too little of it this year. Lana Parrilla and Jennifer Morrison deserve better material.  
• "The Strain"- FX- Eichorst and Kelly and the strigoi children continue to be standouts. Eph and his irritating son Zach-- not so much. The show suffers from pacing problems as well. Hopefully they can find a better balance by next year.    

And without further fanfare, here are my 2015 favorites. Please leave your thoughts/picks in the comments below. And if you missed my previous lists, check them out here: Top 10 Television Shows Of 2014 and Top 10 Television Shows Of 2013

11. How To Get Away With Murder- ABC- I wasnt sure how the show would hold up after the season 1 mystery was revealed. I'm happy to report that season 2 is going strong. The flash forward format continues to work well. There are enough murders swirling around the Keating Five to keep the law firm busy indefinitely. Viola Davis is an acting powerhouse (blowing away everyone in her path). She deserves all the awards (and then some). See my reviews here: HTGAWM Reviews 

10. Wentworth- NetFlix- Some think "Wentworth" is an "Orange Is The New Black" knockoff. It's actually based on a long running Australia series from the 1970s and 80s. The show is highly addictive. We quickly become immersed in the lives of the prisoners and guards (Bea, Frankie, Governor Ferguson-- ie "The Freak") and can't look away. The writing and acting are excellent. I can't wait for season 3 to be released on NetFlix. A fourth season is currently in development. See my reviews here: Wentworth Reviews

9. Defiance- SyFy- The human and alien inhabitants of Defiance (present day St Louis) struggle to coexist. The absolute best thing about the show is the Tarr family (who would give the Sopranos a run for their money). Stahma Tarr (played by the fabulous Ms Jaime Murray) appears subservient but actually holds all the cards. In season two we see a number of shocking deaths and the introduction of a much feared alien race known as the Omec. SyFy canceled "Defiance" so there won't be a season 4. Too bad. I would love to see another season of the Tarrs wreaking havoc on everyone around them. See my reviews here: Defiance Reviews

8. The Walking Dead- AMC- Season 6 is off to an excellent start. Carol has become a standout as she rescues the others time and time again. We finally meet up with Morgan and learn his back story. The fortified town of Alexandria turns out NOT to be the utopia they had hoped. And even if they are physically safe, the survivors have so many mental scars its doubtful they will ever be "normal". My heart aches for these characters (which is why the show is so effective). Unfortunately the "TWD" spinoff "Fear The Walking Dead" did not carry the same punch. There was too much talking and too few zombies for my liking. Let's hope it improves next year. See my reviews here: TWD Reviews and FTWD Reviews 

7. The Man In The High Castle- Amazon Prime. What if the Allies had not won World War II? "TMITHC" explores this theme as we see the United States divided between the Nazis in the East and the Japanese in the West. Small pockets of resisters risk their lives (and often lose them) to change things. While there are some pacing issues, the overall execution is excellent. "TMITHC" is one of the most thought provoking shows of the year. See my reviews here: TMITHC Reviews

6. Lizzie Borden Chronicles- Lifetime- I'm not sure this show ever found the audience it deserved but it's one of the sleeper hits of 2015. Based on the Lifetime movie "Lizzie Borden Took An Ax" I thought the series would follow Lizzie as she tried to prove her innocence. Instead, it turned into a campy murder fest with Christiana Ricci delightfully slashes her way through everyone in range. Clea DuVall is also great as her long suffering sister Emma. See my reviews here: Lizzie Borden Reviews 

5. Z Nation- SyFy- I know what you're thinking. Why do we need another zombie show when we already have "The Walking Dead"? While "TWD" deals more with what it means to be human during the apocalypse, "Z Nation" instead just goes for zombie killing fun. In season one we got zornados, zunamis, zombears and Viagra zombies. Season two gave us phytozombies, blasters, zombaby Lucy, a zombified George R. R. Martin and a giant zombie cheese wheel, How can they possibly top themselves in season 3? See my reviews here: Z Nation Reviews 

4. Orphan Black- BBC America- After three seasons Tatiana Maslany (who plays almost every major female character) is finally getting the awards recognition she deserves. The show also has a cult like (in a good way) following with #CloneClub. Why are we so crazy about "Orphan Black"? The interaction between the clones is seamless (see clone dance party and clone dinner party as two examples). The boy clones in season three fell a little flat IMO but the positives still far outweighed the negatives. See my reviews here: Orphan Black Reviews

3. Wayward Pines- Fox- This fun little summer show caught me pleasantly off guard. I won't go into details since it will ruin the mystery for you. Suffice to say, things are never as they appear. It is a M. Night Shyamalan creation after all.  "Wayward Pines" has been renewed for a season 2. I can't wait. See my reviews here: Wayward Pines Reviews

2. Hannibal- NBC- The SERIOUSLY underrated "Hannibal" went out in a blaze of glory in it's third and final season. The first half was dedicated to Hannibal and Bedelia's European adventures. The second gave us the Red Dragon story line. I have no idea how "Hannibal" got most of what it did by network censors. It's violent and beautiful imagery is like nothing else on television (not even on the less restrictive cable and streaming services). Mads Mikkelsen deserves all the awards for his depiction of the repulsive yet completely enthralling Hannibal Lecter. Gillian Anderson is also mesmerizing as his captive/possible accomplish Dr Du Maurier. See my reviews here: Hannibal Reviews

1. The Returned- Sundance- This French import was my favorite show of 2013 and is back at the top of the list. After almost three years, we finally catch up with the residents of a small French town and their deceased relatives. The mystery thickened at every turn as we learn more about old characters (Camille, Victor, Julie) and new ones (Milan, Virgil, Mrs Costa). Why do I love "The Returned" so much? There is simply nothing else on television like it. The cinematography is beautiful. The outside scenes were all shot during dusk to give it an otherworldly feel. The characters are tightly written. Each week peels back the onion a little more. The heavy themes of abandonment, family, and love are dealt with in a skillfully manner. The dead have a lot to say about life (even when they're not talking). And with only eight episodes in season two, it's a quick watch. Just don't get this version confused with the horrible American remake by the same name. See my reviews here:  The Returned Reviews

Photo Credits:
https://futureblue.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/must-watch-t-v-shows-part-1/
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World According To GMonster
TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality

January 1, 2016

10:07 AM