end of decade lists: tv shows
Top 10 Shows of the Decade: Aughts Edition
Shows that premiered in 2000 or later. The picspam looks all pixelly for some reason since I have been FORCED to upload it to Photobucket. Looks much better on Tumblr, just go over there. Shows I've just started watching this year aren't included-- I need to give them time to ~germinate or whatever.
10.
Lex: Clark, you can't save the world. All you'll end up with is a Messiah complex and a lot of enemies. Clark: I saved you, didn't I? That turned out all right.
Smallville (2001--)
When I started making this post, I tried to properly represent the shows I was ranking-- showcase the most memorable and visually remarkable moments that made them the shows I loved. By the time I got here, I couldn't be bothered to do more than include the shit that I like about the show. Like Lex and Clark. Or Justice League shout out struts done all Cool Guys Don't Look at explosions style. This show was fun for a good four years but it became unbearable for me after Mike Rosenbaum left. I'll always remember it for its ultimate cheesiness and geeky DCU references.
9.
Ryan: All I was thinking about in that ambulance was: I'm so gone-- back to Chino or worse.
Seth: Well, you're not going anywhere, so don't worry about it. I do think that from now on, though, we got to stick together because united we're unstoppable, but divided it's--
Ryan: People get shot.
Seth: That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying.
The O.C. (2003-2007)
I'd like to pretend that season three never existed because then this show would be much higher on this list. If I did that however, I would miss out on the hilariousness that is Volchuk/chok/chuck and Ryan Donowho's pretty, if annoying, face. So I cannot. Season one is still a straight up perfect season of television for me and totally refreshed primetime teen soaps. It made geeks cool, introduced millions of teens to "indie" and made the word "Chrismukkah" party of our collective lingo. For me the show was always about Seth and Ryan, the Cohens as a family, so even though I really enjoyed season four, I wished they would've focused more on the family ties like they had promised. Still some of the greatest TV characters I've had the pleasure of watching and one of my favourite bromances.
8.
Dr. Foreman: You hide drugs in a lupus textbook?
Dr. House: It's never lupus.
House M.D. (2004--)
My introduction to LJ fandom was thanks to this show. As was my subsequent jadeness and cynicism regarding fandom, but that is another tale for another time. When the formula was fresh and I still thought there was more of House to unfold, this show was brilliant. Funny and well-written, with just enough character focus to keep me interested while being a procedural. I lost interest when the original Ducklings, characters I had grown to love were written off for a flashy new team, but God, I loved this show so hard. I am probably as sarcastic as I am today due to my obsession with this show at a ~seminal point in my life. And whatever, Hugh Laurie's eyes are still mad dreamy.
7.
George Michael Bluth: Don't you always say "family first"?
Michael: Yes, I do. But that is not a family. Okay? They're a bunch of greedy, selfish people who have our nose. And Aunt Lindsay.
George Michael Bluth: She's not my real aunt?
Michael: Not her real nose. Got a picture of her when she was 14 in a swimming cap. She looks like a falcon.
Arrested Development (2003-2006)
It was pretty much impossible to pick out a quote here so I went with the one that best sums up the show. If you don't know why this show is here, I'm not explaining it to you. Enjoy your sad sad humourless life.
6.
Dan: Well, uh, she's best friends with this girl, Blair Waldorf, who is basically everything I hate about the Upper East Side distilled into one 95-pound, doe-eyed, bonmot-tossing, label-whoring package of girly evil.
Rufus: [chuckling] No one's that bad.
Dan: She is. I would barely be exaggerating if I told you Medusa wants her withering glare back.
Gossip Girl (2007--)
I have been in love with Blair Waldorf since I was thirteen. This will probably never change, so no matter how far this show deviates from its sublime first season, I will keep watching and loving Blair, along with any character who treats her well or makes her happy. I think people are seriously overreacting to the quality of this season. I've found it pretty enjoyable all around. No where near as unbearable as season three of The O.C. so imo, we're doing well.
5.
Tony: I say this world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in, and I wanna see that world. Chris: What the fuck's he on about? Jal: He's quoting, Chris. It's a literary reference. Chris: What do you mean, like Shakespeare and shit? Jal: Dawson's Creek.
Skins (2007--)
The most honest, lovely, beautiful, heart-breaking teen show on today. It doesn't speak down to young people at all, gives every character in its ensemble cast a chance to earn your love, and presents life as a teenager at its most extreme. The music is fantastic, the people are beautiful, the lines are hilarious. Flawless sounds dramatic, but Skins is this for me. It just feels like growing up, the gorgeous and terrifying parts of that in the form of a TV series. What more could I ask for?
4.
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Piz: She's our age and a detective? Is she also a cartoon?
Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
If Blair Waldorf gave me a sense of style in high school, Veronica Mars made me brave. She's my hero. Snarky, smart, vindictive, vulnerable, brave and desperate to do what's right-- she's a glouriously rounded character. Add in neo-noir sensibilities, a fabulous supporting cast, and another one of those flawless first seasons shows seem to have and you've got a recipe for Emily's Eternal Dedication, serves a limited number.
3.
[Greg opens a cupboard door and pulls a book out.]
Nick: Always thought you kept your porn in there.
Greg: I move it around.
Greg: Okay, now, this is a 66-kilodalton globular protein, composed of two disulfide-linked sub-units, A and B. Nick: Very impressive. Greg: And I know what you all think of me -- I'm just another pretty face who got to where I am by sleeping with Catherine. [Pauses] But seriously, Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford. Can I help it if I'm hip?
Nick: Yeah, which one of your relatives got you in?
Greg: Full ride. [Pauses again.] Hey, eyes forward!
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000--)
I used to watch this show in reruns twice a night, every night for about a year. It's kind of shit now-- maybe it always was-- and Greg still doesn't get enough screen time but I loved it so whole-heartedly for a while. I love the team dynamic and Nick/Greg have been my number one OTP for so long I almost forget that's not just part of the show. It's higher on this list because I feel like, now into it's 10th season, this will be one of the shows people look back on and remember as exemplary of the Aughts-- scientific and a litle futuristic but still sexy and violent. You can turn on any episode at any point throughout and will still be able to follow it, which is comforting somehow. Plus, Tarantino directed an amazing two-parter episode "Grave Danger" and we all know my pathetic love for anything QT-related.
2.
Mal: Well, look at this! Appears we got here just in the nick of time. What does that make us?
Zoe: Big damn heroes, sir. Mal: Ain't we just?
Firefly (2002)
Firefly has the dubious privilege of being one of those shows that will remain perfect in my memory, likely because it never got a chance to be bad. Its 14 episodes were a perfectly contained universe of satisfying, endearing television. It's also the only Joss show I could fit on this list, under the rules, so its ranking also pays tribute to how much he truly made my decade. Plus-- River and Summer Glau. And god, everyone. I am such a sucker for well-done ensemble shows and this is an ideal example. Imagine a space-western as a feasible show? And one popular enough to support a feature film continuation? It warms my cold cold heart.
1.
Sam: How do you do it? How does Dad do it?
Dean: Well for one, them. I mean, our family's so screwed to hell, maybe we can help some others. Makes things a little bit more bearable. And I tell you what else helps. Killing as many evil sons-of-bitches as I possibly can.
Supernatural (2005-2010)
My show.
Honourable Mentions:
Heroes (2006--)
Criminal Minds (2005--)
One Tree Hill (2001--)
Life With Derek (2005-2009)