Top Ten TV Seasons

As we are a week away from the start of Fall TV, I realized that it is time to write something about TV. After all, watching TV series is one of my main hobbies the past few years. This experience would just improve this month as my favorite TV shows return.

This year would be different though. Most of the TV series that I follow year in and year out are either gone (Lost, Heroes) or I have given up on (American Idol, Heroes, Prison Break). Losing Lost is the huge game changer. Nevertheless, I already have found the TV series replacements. However, I do not know if these can match the entertainment from previous years. My new Big Six TV Shows are:

Fall TV: How I Met Your Mother, Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and The Office
Summer TV: Mad Men and Entourage

Technically, I will still follow other shows like Glee but I am not sure if I will have the fortitude to keep up to it all season long. If I get bored at the middle of a season (like I did in Heroes, Prison Break, Gossip Girl, True Blood and 30Rock), I will just call it quits. If Glee is not that popular, I would have actually stopped watching last year. But what the heck, they redeemed themselves in the season finale so I am giving them another chance.

This writeup is my way of celebrating the awesomeness of TV shows for the past few years. There must be a reason why I spent countless of hours watching something, right? And to answer that question, I present my list of the ten best TV seasons ever.

Note to hardcore TV aficionados: I have not watched The Wire and The Sopranos (yeah, huge loss on me but I eventually will watch these) so I cannot put their seasons in this list. I am only including what I think is the best season of a TV series so that we can have a wider variety of shows in here. Also, I am not including shows that I never got to watch the whole season. Gotta be fair, right?

Unfortunately, it’s been a long time since I watched most of these so I maybe prone to biases on the most recent ones. Or, maybe not.

Scope: 8 Simple Rules, 30Rock, Californication, Dexter, Entourage, Family Guy, Friday Night Lights, Glee, Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, How I Met Your Mother, Lost, Mad Men, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Prison Break, Scrubs, The Office, That 70s Show, Veronica Mars. Yeah, I am a TV buff and if you are wondering how I was able to watch at least one season of these in a span of six years, there is just one secret: watch one episode before you sleep. That and weekend/holiday marathons. You will be surprised how many episodes you can watch. I have a friend who got to finish two seasons of Friday Night Lights in a span of three days. Up to now, I still cannot figure how he did it. But the point is, it is possible.

10. Prison Break Season 1 (2005-06). It was difficult to decide the season that would get this spot. 8 Simple Rules when John Ritter was still alive was awesome and heartwarming. Veronica Mars had solid seasons and always ended their seasons with a bang. That 70s Show Season 1 was so refreshing and you have to love the gang. However, I decided that Prison Break should get this slot. I never got to watch the succeeding seasons but this first season was phenomenal. The concept was fresh and believable (although I have not watched Shawshank Redemption then). The drama was gripping. The coolest part about it is the fact that they managed to spread the prison escape ideas to 22 episodes without being dragging.

9. Friday Night Lights Season 1 (2006-07). I will always love basketball (or even baseball) over American Football but I have to admit that football movies and shows usually trump other sports shows. In Friday Night Lights, football just upped the ante. From the unconventional camera work to the realistic drama in the Taylor household, FNL’s first season is a huge treat. There might be sports clichés throughout the season but real-life sports is prone to clichés anyway. All in all, I love how solid the whole season was portrayed – it might be a high school storyline but they portrayed it more in the relevance of the sport to the community than in their usual teenybopper storylines (of course, these still existed). FNL exploits the fact that sports gets viewed by a lot of people as a larger than life event. Lastly, Friday Night Lights boasts of the triple hot chick combination of Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki and Aimee Teegarden. Who says no to that?

8. Entourage Season 3 (2006-07). The longest Entourage season is the best for me. Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold continued to shine in here as he won the Best Supporting Actor gig. Ari losing Vince made the series more compelling as we get to see the vulnerable side of the aggressive, chauvinistic Ari Gold. Another bonus is we got to see one of the hottest guests (Carla Gugino) to be Vince’s agent. This season also started the most pivotal plot in the series – Vince’s downward spiral. Gone are the happy-go-lucky-we-are-going-to-have-a-blockbuster-movie-in-the-end for Vince and the gang. The Medellin storyline showed one important aspect in life: no matter how good you are, you should know how to suck up and play with the business’ rules. Of course, we won’t see the result unfold until Season 4.

7. Heroes Season 1 (2006-07). Of all the much-hyped new TV series in the past few years (with the exception of Lost), Heroes had the best first season. Expected to be a blockbuster due to its superb special effects, Heroes Season 1 captivated its audiences with its comic book superhero idea. The story was not messy yet in the series’ pilot season. The idea of “normal humans suddenly finding out about their powers and how flawed they initially were” made the season more compelling. Heck, there were even memorable (yet somewhat cheesy) quotes like “the future is not written in stone.” Heroes Season 1 was so awesome that it brought fans to crave for the show for three more seasons despite of crappy and confusing (yet not compelling) writing. My only complaint is that they killed core characters early in this series. It results to good but it also killed some potentially good character growth. Furthermore, it set up for more clutter in the following seasons when the writers decided to replace dead characters every now and then.

6. The Office Season 3 (2006-07). This marks the fourth season created in the 2006-07 Fall Season in this list. I know The Office fans regard Season 2 as the best. If I am not mistaken, it won the Emmy’s. But I will go against the flow by choosing Season 3 instead. I watched all seasons of The Office in a span of one month so a lot of episodes get less memorable. The Office had its share of amazing and dull moments through the years and I have to say that each season offers memorable episodes. Season 2 with Booze Cruise and  Casino Night. Season 4 had Local Ad and The Deposition. Season 5 kept me hooked when Michael started the Michael Scott Paper Company. Season 6 might be one of their weakest but it featured the best TV series marriage episode ever. But as for Season 3, it had the most shining moments that stuck to my mind. It started with Jim working in the Scranton branch. It was the starting point of one of the show’s best characters – Andy Bernard. Andy was well thought of by the writers as they got another douchebag but is of a different style compared to Dwight.

Season 3 also featured Dwight’s shining moments his character brought a lot of sympathy when he left Dunder Mifflin. The beauty of TV shows is that you get to understand and like characters as they grow into you through the years. Season 3 made Dwight likeable to me. But the best thing about The Office Season 3 was the subtle drama on one of the best TV love teams of all time – the Jim-Pam relationship. Pam Beesly stole the spotlight when she had the amazing speech at the end of Beach Games. The emotional tension of the love story escalated in there (although we can also say that Jim’s man cry scene in Season 2’s Casino Night was also enthralling). Jim’s reaction to Pam’s good luck note in the finale was also priceless. The tension build-up from Seasons 2 and 3 just exploded that moment that a subtle note convinced Jim to refuse a job opportunity. That also led to one of the simplest yet ecstatic reactions by Pam when Jim asked her out for a date. Dammit! Those scenes made me an Andy Bernard* when I watched them.

* Andy Bernard is known to be a crybaby character in The Office. He cries at emotional moments. But in this case, I was referring to times when I get close to teary eyed. Yeah, I admit it. I sometimes get vulnerable when watching TV shows or movies (although not to the point of crying like the actual Andy Bernard in The Office).

5. Modern Family Season 1 (2009-10). This season is the epitome of a consistently solid season – there were no weak episodes but there were also no mind-blowing episodes as well. Every episode was hilarious and feel-good. The charm of Modern Family is that it does not need to try hard in making their audience laugh (yet they are still successful in making me laugh out loud). Like The Office, Modern Family does not rely on a laugh track so I get to appreciate the wit and the facial expressions more. I also like the way that their stories are done on a ‘slice of life’ style as compared to other comedy shows which rely on major events on their main characters. I also like the way they get to come up with realizations on life lessons (i.e., Jay’s description of what a good dad is – to just be there for your kids most of the time). The show is light so it is easily rewatchable.

4. Grey’s Anatomy Season 5 (2008-09). I know most fans would easily say that Grey’s Anatomy Season 2 is their best. I used to think of it that way as well. It had one of the best - if not the best - season enders ever. This might not be a popular opinion (especially given the fact that a good part of the Grey’s fans have stopped watching then) but I have to give it to Grey’s Anatomy Season 5. Season 2 might have the wonderful final stretch, the polarizing decision of Derek to cheat on Addison and arguably TV drama peaking at its finest when they added up the dramatic elements of each character’s storylines in the finale (as the Snow Patrol song plays in the background). However, Season 5 had the consistent stretch since Grey’s resumed from Christmas break. Izzie’s struggle with cancer generated good results as she had one of the most dramatic TV weddings ever. The sudden death of George screamed “Holy Shit!” as I could not help but stay speechless for ten minutes after I watched the finale. Grey’s Anatomy might have sucky episodes but the writers know how to provide masterpieces and they had it in Season 5. I have to admit that Season 5 made me do several Andy Bernards.

3. Mad Men Season 3 (2009). The Game Changer. Mad Men has always been a strong TV series for me. It is one of the only shows where I never doze off while watching an episode. It might be an hour of serious drama but I can endure watching replays over and over again. That is something I cannot do for Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. Normally, rewatchable shows are the 20-minute comedy shows where you are after the laughs than on the outcome of the story (like HIMYM, The Office and Entourage). But, Mad Men has a charm of its own. Its concept and style might not be as compelling and phenomenal as Lost’s, but the third season pretty much change my outlook for the show. The first half of the season was like your ordinary Mad Men season. There were exceptions though. It featured the biggest 180 degree turn in sexiness level in Episode 1. I was delighted when the stewardess and Don were doing the foreplay. A minute later, they suddenly switched to Sal’s homosexual kissing scene with the bell boy. Major buzzkill. The death of Betty’s father and its effect to Sally was also noteworthy., Don Draper’s contract signing spiced things up. The lawnmower scene induced sadistic laughs from me. Mad Men knows how to tap its gore side without overdoing it. The teacher (Miss Farrell) was one of the hottest chicks that Don slept with. 

Then, the show peaked to whole new levels starting from The Gypsy and the Hobo episode. After which, it never looked back. We waited for three seasons for Betty to find out about Don’s real name. And boy, it led to one of my favorite dramatic arguments. Chalk up another one on the Andy Bernard scoring board for me (damn, I should start to have my emotions in check before I watch these shows). Season 3 also made Betty Draper a total ice queen. It’s just so fitting that January Jones is playing Emma Frost in the next X-Men flick. Not only will you dislike Betty for being a horrible mother, you will lose all sympathy for her as she became a hypocrite as she cheated as well.

The Kennedy assassination episode was also momentous. I loved how they portrayed it in a way that people got really affected. It just goes to show how different times have changed. Mad Men tackles on a time when people had nothing much to do other than watch TV so the effect of current events was huge. That’s the 60s, baby! Back when life was simpler and subtler. The season finale screams brilliance as they made a realistic yet clever take on how to outwit the business. I loved how fascinating their idea of firing themselves to create a new company was. It was nice that they did not sensationalize it.

To cap it off, let’s end with Donald Draper’s sweetest quote of what an employer can say to his employee…

Don Draper: “With you or without you, I am moving on… and I don’t know if I can do it alone. Will you help me?”
Peggy Olson (Andy Bernard’ed or teary eyed): “What if I say no? You’ll never speak to me again.”
Don Draper: “No. I will spend the rest of my life trying to hire you.”

Before Season 3, I considered Mad Men as part of the top ten best TV shows of all time. After Season 3, I can say that it belongs in my Top Three. It never had a weak season as it just improves from one season to another. Just by looking at this list, you will observe that most TV shows peak at their initial season. It is not the case for Mad Men. In fact, the ongoing Season 4 is just halfway through, yet it has already bested 90% of Season 3.

2. How I Met Your Mother Season 1 (2005-06). I know, I know. I am a bit biased for putting HIMYM high in this list. The show might not be compelling or thought invoking, but for a sitcom that shares a style of comedy with a clutter of shows, HIMYM should get some credit for standing out and being legend – wait for it – dary! TV enthusiasts tag HIMYM as Friends’ worthy heir apparent. I even think that HIMYM is better than Friends. Thus for all the TV pundits who underrate HIMYM, this is me sticking it to you.

It was difficult for me to decide whether I’ll go for Season 1 or Season 4. I loved the entirety of Season 4 from the ‘leaving at the altar’ scene to the Single Ted. I always liked the storyline when Ted is single. This is because I believe that even if it is better to be in a relationship, life is more interesting when you are single and free. The only bummer for Season 4 is its season finale which became more irrelevant, thanks to the recently concluded Season 5. The initial season, on the other hand, was fantastic because their stories were fresh and Ted was chasing Robin. The pilot episode might be considered one of the best pilot episodes of all time. I initially had no interest on watching HIMYM until I watched the pilot episode. It was well-executed that it got me hooked for the next few episodes. Lastly, Season 1 had the memorable, heartwarming but heartbreaking (at the same time) ending that featured Ted foolishly making a rain dance. Yeah, an effing rain dance. Who does that? The Universe agrees with Ted that it was the right thing to do. I hope the Universe also agrees with me in making this the second best TV season of all-time. Another nostalgic experience in the season finale was Ted’s journey way back home after winning Robin’s love. Ted’s gleeful face pretty much represents the feeling a person will have after winning someone’s heart.

1. Lost Season 1 (2004-05). This is easily a no-brainer for me. From nostalgic to completely rational reasons, Lost Season 1 is the best TV series season of all-time. It started my TV show addiction after all. Apparently, even the Emmy’s agree with me. Lost captivated their audiences in this initial season because the concept was so groundbreaking and the storylines were still ‘virgin.’ The story was covered with mystery and there was no Dharma Initiative or The Others spoiling the plot. Lost capitalized on the flashbacks and the thought processes which made the show a brilliant piece of narrative. The show was more concerned on the metaphysical than on the sci-fi level with the ongoing tension of Jack being the guy of reason and Locke as a man of faith. I preferred it that way because it draws deeper conclusions on the show than a straightforward scientific answer to the mysteries. This is also the reason why I preferred the show’s ending of having some mysteries unanswered because the writers would easily ruin those by explaining them.

The whole Season 1 was solid all throughout as every episode was a surprise. Perhaps, it’s because the novelty is still there. It also featured the biggest and most emotional shocking deaths in all Lost episodes – Boone’s death. I did not visualize it coming very early especially with his key role on the early goings. The agony of seeing him suffer as Jack tried several ways of reviving his severely injured body was heart-wrenching. I always liked the Jack-Kate tandem so Season 1 was a treat to me as the story circulated mostly between the two. The classic move-on quote of Jack’s dad punctuated Jack’s storyline.

I also like Season 1 because it featured the beach a lot. Not only do I get to watch an excellent show, I also get to see nature’s pristine beauty. Of all the TV shows that I got fascinated on, Lost Season 1 was the only one that made me literally clap after watching each episode. I rarely do that now.

Above all, I will always love Lost Season 1 because it set the foundation of this one-of-a-kind TV series that may not be duplicated in our lifetime.