Best TV Shows and Mini Series of 2010
This has been a very strange Top 10 for me since it turned into a cross between a love letter to my favourite shows and a list of reviews. I maybe went a little overboard.
Also, you should know that this Top 10 list has been in the works since around 27 December. Yes, over 10 days. Because I decided very stupidly that I wanted to do a picspam for each choice on my list. I see a lot of other people doing that and I am envious both of their technical ability and the shininess that ensues. However, I had no idea and still have no idea whatsoever how to go about doing a picspam. So... I made it up using paint and GIMP. Which is why the picspams below are bloody terrible. I have eyes, I know they're terrible, but I spent so long working on them I had to post them dammit. I experimented using filters and things so its all a little slapdash, but this is my first attempt at any sort of graphics so please be kind! And if you have any tips or know of any 'how to's I can look at, please help! :D
BEST TV SHOWS AND MINI SERIES OF 2010
10. Going Postal (mini series)
Historically, I haven't liked Terry Pratchett's stuff. I couldn't get to grips with his novels and I hated the previous adaptations. However, I watched this one randomly with my family and I really really enjoyed it. Its such good fun! Considering the fact that I was sort of dead set against it and watched it while trying to ignore it and read my book, its done pretty damn well to get on my Top 10 list.
9. Pillars of the Earth (mini series)
Hands down the best historical drama of the year. The first few episodes sort of drifted past me, but once it got about half way through the series I was hooked. Jack was lovely, Aliena fiesty and tough, Stephen and Maud's feud was fascinating, and the machinations of the church completely insane and wonderful. And Sarah Parish's creepy incestuous was creepy.
8. Chuck
I admit, I've not seen too much of Chuck this year, just the end of season 3 and beginning of season 4 (something I plan on rectifying when I have the chance). For this reason, Chuck wasn't originally in my Top 10, but I recently watched something that changed that. It was the action film, Knight and Day (starring Tom Cruise)- it was okay, easy to watch, but ultimately forgettable. What struck me while watching this film is that Chuck does this type of action 1000 times better on a much much smaller budget and on a weekly frigging basis. EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. Not only is the action cool, but this show is hilarious, sexy, geeky, and emotional. So despite the few episodes I've seen this year, I had to give props to Chuck. Bravo! Also and totally definitely not related is my sudden obsession with Tangled and Zachary Levi's dulcet tones voicing the sexiest Disney hero ever.
7. Supernatural
As with Chuck, I've not seen too much of Supernatural this year. But my ongoing love affair with Sam and Dean has made me include it. Season 5 was awesome. The finale was moving (if slightly disappointing- and I really don't like saying that because I love my boys so much), but it actually felt like it wrapped up the show for me. I wasn't dying for season 6, I had my closure. So I haven't yet seen the new season (I will when it comes onto UK tv). For years now Supernatural has been one of the sharpest, funniest, most emotional and true shows to come out of the US. One of my favourite things is how good the character development is. Yes, we get monsters of the week who do things to our boys, but it actually affects them. They carry their experiences with them through to the next episode. This is rare in tv nowadays (at least, in my experience).
6. Sherlock (mini series)
What a friggin awesome surprise. It should've been a car crash really. Sherlock Holmes set in modern day? Really? How on earth is that going to work? Superbly, actually. Benedict Cumberbatch (wielder of the best name in history) is the best Sherlock ever. I'm sorry, but he beat Robert Downey Jnr to a bloody pulp. Benedict is Holmes. I love how he bounces off John Watson (who in the capable hands of Martin Freeman is nowhere near as bland and dull as usual) and I love how people think they're gay. I love how clever it is, both in its plotting and its snappy dialogue. I love the blogging and texting and internet searching. Somehow, it feels like Sherlock Holmes was meant to be in the 21st century. Also, I love London in this show. London has never looked so...Londony. And appealing.
5. True Blood
If I'd written this Top 10 back in September, there is no doubt that True Blood would've been much higher on this list. I adore its insane mix of sex, blood, violence, randomness, violence, sex, and kimonos. Its like the ultimate in trash tv, but its also freaking awesome. Eric is essentially a God. Jason is hilariously, wonderfully dumb. Terry is sweet and damaged. Alcide is the hottest werewolf to ever exist (scientifically proven). The problem with True Blood and the reason its not higher is that I reallllllly hate Bill (condescending, lying, self-satisfied, self-righteous, sexist, son of a bitch...and his sideburns are too long), and Sookie can be irritating in her life choices. But Eric's soothing, sexy presence alone seals it for me. It also gets bumped up a few places for some killer (harhar) cliffhangers. Russell Edgington's appearance on the evening news is one of the best things I've ever seen on television. And True Blood gave us one of the best finales of the year. It also brought us cement!Eric and naked!Eric. Guh, I'll be in my bunk.
4. Doctor Who
At the risk of angering Tennant fangirls, I was ready for a change. I love Tennant and I always will love Ten for the good times he brought us and the heartbreak. But I was ready for fresh blood (especially some that is in no way whatsoever tied to Rose Tyler, bringer of the angst). When Matt Smith's Eleven bounded onto the screen I cannot describe the relief I felt. Doctor Who was fun again! Its also incredibly magical. I love the tone Moffatt set, a fairy tale set in modern day. I still have my reservations about Amy and how she tends to have a habit of throwing herself at the Doctor, but Rory is wonderful and more than makes up for it. You know its a great incarnation, though, when the Doctor is your favourite character. I ADORE HIM. Also, the Christmas special was incredibly wonderful- beautiful, funny, adventurous, and- best of all- Christmassy. I honest to God have no idea why some people didn't like it. Obviously, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I just don't understand. It was a great piece of storytelling.
3. Misfits
Ah, Misfits. I don't even know what to say. Its just amazing. Simply amazing. Its real. Its hilarious. The characters actually are faced with real life situations and have to use their powers to get their way out of them. Yes, its incredibly vulgar, inappropriate, low-brow, ridiculous, etc., but...isn't life like that? Teenagers do not all talk like those Dawson's Creek kids, or those idiots on Hollyoaks (although, to be fair, I know that some people actually do, which makes my soul die a little bit). What I loved about this season is how they completely upped the ante. They made it epic. So now its epic and vulgar, which makes it one of my favourite things in the world, just behind #1 and #2 and The Little Mermaid. Simon's character journey has completely blown my mind and I adore the random, unexpected, awesome Simon/Alisha doomed romance. And with one of the best Christmas specials ever under its belt, I can't wait for more. I mean, THEY KILLED FRICKIN JESUS!
2. The Vampire Diaries
I wasn't an immediate fan of TVD. When it first came onto TV last year I watched the first two episodes and declared it hokeum and Twilight tomfoolery (which probably manifested itself as the term "meh"). I stopped watching. Since then, numerous people have declared to me their love for it. Sure, it has that delicious Ian Somerhalder in it. Sure, the leading lady is no where near as sour faced as Kristen Stewart and actually seems rather cute. Sure, I heard it had an ace season finale. Whatevs, its just another Twilight, right? WRONG. Once Misfits had finished its run back in December, I needed something to watch and the lovely purely_distel encouraged me via capslocks to watch TVD. I did. It was just okay. When I hit episode 6 or so, I was hooked. This definitely isn't Twilight. Hell, I think its even better than True Blood, if I'm completely honest. The storytelling is better than True Blood and TVD doesn't make me want to poke my own eyes out when Stefan and Elena kiss (I'm pretty sure whenever Sookie and Bill kiss, a unicorn dies). Its got plot, it makes sense and its true to the characters. The plot is what impressed me first, actually- its fast, its obviously well planned out, and it has twists and turns like the best rollercoaster you've ever been on. The acting is wonderful, especially the leading trio (props particularly go to Nina Dobrev for convincingly playing both Elena and Katherine as completely different and distinguishable characters in the same goddamn scene). The love triangle is amazing. I'm a sucker (harhar) for hot people giving each other longing glances but jesus these people do it well. I adore Damon and I ship Damon/Elena like burning, but I like Stefan and I find him interesting. Edward, he is not. I completely understand how Elena is pulled between them and, for once, this is a love triangle where you don't want to scream at the girl stuck in the middle "FOR GOD'S SAKE, CHOOSE THE HOT ONE!" *coughTrueBlood*cough*. I get it. I get the struggle and its all so damn sexy. This is one of the only ensemble shows ever where I don't dislike any of the characters. And its complicated, characters are complicated, motivations are complicated, lines are blurred. Anyone could do anything (including committing murder, or dying, or getting turned, or turning into a bloody werewolf) at any time. Its truly edge-of-your-seat television. So, to sum up (and to paraphrase the BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries) I wasn't always in love with it, but I love it now so very dearly. It is truly one of the best TV shows I have ever known. Also, there's this.
1. Merlin
I know I've been rather verbose in my fangirling over a few of the other TV shows in this list, but I am finding this one difficult to write about. Merlin is such a large part of my life, its like talking about how awesome my family is. I know they are, I adore them for it, but they are a constant presence and its rather embarrassing going on about how fantastic they are. In other words, there was no other place it could go than #1. Merlin was what made me retire from LJ lurker-hood and made me join the world of fandoms and talk to people. I've made so many great friends (some are now RL friends), and been so involved in every aspect of the fandom from writing to squeeing to helping on Merlin websites to attending conventions and stalking the Merlin cast like papparrazzi. I also just want to point out that the Merlin fandom as a whole is wonderful and the easiest fandom to just slide right into. However, despite all that, this year Merlin was just damn good. They introduced Gwaine (swoon), they went all the way and made Morgana evil, they made Arthur man up, they forwarded the Arthur/Gwen romance. They blew my mind numerous times. Despite my desperate love of Arthur/Gwen and the episode "Queen of Hearts", my favourite has got to be "The Crystal Cave" for the storytelling and the angst and how it moved the story along with no reset button in sight. They actually had the bottle to go to the dark side and Colin Morgan's acting consistently amazes me. With only one or two exceptions, it felt like this year most episodes had a purpose and actually forwarded the plot, pushing it closer towards the Camelot of Arthurian legends. Merlin consistently had its best ratings ever and it seemed as though my entire extended family was watching it and talking about it. Definitely the best season yet and definitely the series closest to my heart.
Screencap sources: #10, #9, #8 here and here, #7 here and here, #6, #5 here and here, #4, #3 here and here, #2, and #1.