Well, as the year begins to wind down to a close, it's that time for Jay and I to pick our favorites for the past year! First, we each pick our favorite TV shows which either premiered or continued with much success in 2015!
Matt's Picks
Daredevil (Netflix)
Starting off its run of Marvel series, Netflix picked my favorite Marvel hero, Daredevil. Lawyer by day, vigilante by night, blind lawyer Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) uses his uncanny abilities -- to see using soundwaves -- to fight crime and bring justice to his neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen. This adaptation follows closely to Brian Michael Bendis' epic run on the comic -- the dark, grittier, more realistic tone -- as opposed to the current, flashier, swashbuckling, rollicking adventure which is currently being headed by Mark Waid. Netflix and the producers didn't waste any time throwing audiences into the major threat of Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio), Daredevil's main antagonist. What I love about Daredevil's comic as well as the series is he's not all flash and bang like Marvel's other major films. This series is more steeped in real day-to-day living and seems all the more realistic. But it's not all serious drama. Murdock's best friend and law partner, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) is there to add some needed comedic support and their secretary Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) is there to bring in some light. I was extremely happy to hear the series got picked up for a second season and that there will be appearances by legendary Daredevil characters Elektra and The Punisher! 2016 is shaping up to be a great year in television!
The Flash (The CW)
Hands down, the BEST superhero adaptation on television! What started off as somewhat of a spinoff of The CW's preceding superhero series, Arrow, has now surpassed it to become one of the most entertaining series on TV! The show follows pretty closely to Flash comic book lore, and, even better, all of the characters are here! Unlike ABC's boring Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Flash delves deep into its universe full of heroes, villains, and -- even better -- introduced the concept of DC Comics' infinite earths this season! The first season was flawless as far as network television series go, with the acting, writing and production were all pulled off so brilliantly. I especially loved that the villain the producers used to initiate the series was one of the Flash's most deadly -- and one of the most underrated in comics -- the Reverse Flash! Now, in the current second season, not only does Flash have to fend off a bevy of his usual rogues gallery: Captain Cold (portrayed so damn well by Wentworth Miller), Heatwave, Weather Wizard, Golden Glider, Trickster (a nice Easter egg from the 1990 The Flash series, with Mark Hamill reprising his role!), Gorilla Grodd, King Shark and many more, but his main adversary is Zoom, another deadly foe. Lead actor Grant Gustin does a great job with portraying Barry Allen, capturing Allen's humor and unrelenting hope while also showcasing Allen's frustration of being a new hero. The dramatic moments on the show are even touching without getting pretentious and the show is a fun watch. This show is probably the one I look most forward to from week to week! I love the inclusion of Earth-2 characters (Jay Garrick!) and am looking forward to the emergence of Wally West! If there is one primetime network superhero series to devote your time to, The Flash beats all the rest.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC)
Based on the book by Eddie Huang, who is currently a successful restauranteur, Fresh Off the Boat takes a beat from its successful predecessor, The Goldbergs (also on my list here), and takes place in the mid-1990s. The show is about the Huang family, who move from Washington, D.C. to Orlando, Florida, so patriarch Louis (Randall Park) can run his own successful steakhouse restaurant. Along for the ride are his wife, Jessica (Constance Wu); his oldest son, a laidback, yearning-to-be-cool rap fanatic, Eddie (Hudson Yang), the one who wrote the book upon which the series is based; his middle son, the nice, amicable "ladies man who respects the ladies," Emery (Forrest Wheeler); his youngest son, the super-smart, super-sweet Evan (Ian Chen); and Louis' mother, Grandma (Lucille Soong). The entire cast is funny, working off their character's own respective eccentricities, but it is Constance Wu's "tiger mom" Jessica who steals the show. I honestly don't know why Wu was neither nominated nor won an Emmy for best comedic actress, but she should've been given both this past award season! From the 90s fashion and rap music to the references to all of the pop culture of the time, Fresh Off the Boat is a hilarious series that isn't going off air anytime soon!
The Goldbergs (ABC)
If you grew up in the 1980s (whether as a teenager or kid), then The Goldbergs is essential viewing! Currently in its third season, The Goldbergs has taken what started as a show primarily about the youngest member of the family, Adam (Sean Giambrone), and has expanded its storylines to focus on the rest of the hilarious family members. The other two kids, Barry (Troy Gentile) and Erica (Hayley Orrantia) provide plenty of laughs, but it's the kids' (s)mother, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey), who steals the show! Just like Fresh Off the Boat's Constance Wu, McLendon-Covey should have been nominated and won (over Wu) for best comedic actress in a series. The show continues to up its family love factor while still maintaining the comedic, shouting dialogue its known for. Plus, every 80s fad, toy, music, movie, and fashion is covered -- some even getting their own episode devoted to them (i.e., The Goonies episode, the Risky Business episode, the Ferris Bueller episode, etc.). While the show is still no Wonder Years (although there was a moment in the season two episode, "The Lost Boy," that comes close), it still has a heart all its own ... and it's funnier than a lot of other shows on TV right now.
Gotham (FOX)
FOX's prequel series, Gotham, which delves into the world of Gotham City back when Bruce Wayne/Batman was a kid and James Gordon was a new hire detective to the GCPD, started out a bit slow in its first season. However, halfway through that season and with the beginning of season two, it has upped its game tremendously. When subtitling the second season "Rise of the Villains," introducing Batman's major villains and some new ones, how can it not make good television!? The series perfectly captures the world of Gotham, a city which seems to be stuck in the past with its noir fashion and architecture, but has the contemporary technology. Especially impressive to the show is Robin Lord Taylor's portrayal of The Penguin. He takes a laughable comic book character and turns him into one of the most formidable of villains, making him both repulsive and sympathetic to audiences. What has been most cool to watch this current season has been the emergence of The Riddler and other various villains. DC Comics' television division has dominated the TV universe -- a feat Marvel Comics has yet to do -- masterfully balancing its use of the classic characters of Batman's world while also keeping the style more like a noir cop procedural. With the way the show's mid-season finale ended, I can't wait to see what the new year brings!
Grandfathered (FOX)
On paper, this series' premise seems somewhat ... played-out. And maybe it is. But, to me, there's something that just seems to work. John Stamos portrays Jimmy Martino, a successful womanizing restauranteur who finds out one random day that he's a father of a twenty-something son, Gerald (Josh Peck), who has a toddler daughter, making Jimmy an awestruck grandfather. There is no grand story arc to the show, just a man trying to retrofit his life to now include his new family -- including Gerald's mom, Sara (Paget Brewster), the only woman Jimmy's ever loved. Each week is a new experience for Jimmy and family but it's fun to watch and has a lot of heart.
Jessica Jones (Netflix)
The CW's The Flash may be the best comic book adaptation on TV -- especially network primetime -- but a very close second (almost a tie!) is Netflix's second installment of its Marvel Comics Defenders broadcasting, Jessica Jones! Taken from the very underrated, almost unknown Marvel comic, Jones stars Krysten Ritter as the titular character. I have to admit I was very wary of the casting of Ritter as the tough-as-nails private investigator since she is mostly known for the goofy female sidekick roles in most films and shows. But she has more than won me over with her portrayal of Jones! What I love most about the character is she is a formidable superhero with impressive powers, but chooses not to use them like her famous counterparts, The Avengers. In the comic, she used to be with The Avengers for a time and some of the big names even make appearances from time to time. But what her comic -- and story -- are truly about is her place in a noir detective world which just so happens to have run-ins with superheroes and villains from time to time. To me, Netflix's Marvel series are the only good television Marvel is putting out. Their decision to make the main protagonist Kilgrave a.k.a. The Purple Man is genius! Kilgrave is a major villain in Daredevil's comic book world and I've always believed him to be one of the most dangerous villains. Think about it. A man who can make anyone do anything just by speaking it? The shame of it all is that, in the comic, he's treated like somewhat of a joke. But the Netflix series took the true essence of that concept and ran with it in all the right directions, making his true power the kind of fear which is equal to that of a rapist! David Tennant's portrayal further exemplifies the actor's ease at making an evil character almost relatable. I also enjoyed the inclusion of Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor), who most don't know goes on to be Hellcat. While The Flash is bathed in light and hope, Jessica Jones explores more of the seedy underbelly, which is a testament to Marvel's Marvel Knights/MAX imprint run of comics (Daredevil, Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Punisher), which was a hit during its heyday in the early 2000s. The best thing about this series, though, is the cast, which is composed mostly of women -- strong, smart, confident. I can only hope that Netflix picks up another season like they did with its other hit, Daredevil!
Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
Netflix had a banner year with its programming and is quickly becoming a wonderful alternative to network television. Case in point is my final pick: Orange is the New Black, based on the book, which aired its third season this year. What made this season so much more impressive and enjoyable for me was the fact that the writers used most of its 13 episodes to move away from the show's protagonist, Piper (Taylor Schilling) -- my least favorite character in the show -- and instead explore the lives of the ensemble cast of inmates and how they landed in prison. The actresses who portray the inmates are all so well diversified and complex, plus the writers are damn good at their jobs, that you start to feel a comradeship with these women. This season you begin to root for them and every dramatic turn brings you all the more willingly into their world, with the end of the season delivering a satisfying emotional payoff. I'm not sure where the show will go from after the end of this past season, but if it's anything like season three, then audiences are in for more fascinating, emotional storytelling!
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
By far one of the funniest shows with the sickest sense of humor, Netflix's comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows a former cult follower, Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper), who is rescued along with her three other sister wives of cult leader Richard Wayne Gary Wayne. Upon her rescue, she decides to take her court settlement money and move to New York City to see what she's missed over the year since she's been in an underground shelter since the age of 14 and was told the outside world had suffered an apocalypse with her, her "sisters," and Wayne as the only remaining survivors. This may sound like some intense, gritty drama, but it's anything but. With SNL alumni Tina Fey as creator and producer, the show has too many jokes and dirty humor to take it too seriously. The series follows Schmidt as she tries to begin a life for herself with the help of her roommate, Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), her landlady Lillian (Carol Kane), and her employer who she nannies for, Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski). This show does not disappoint when it comes to laughs. And if you aren't singing the theme song by the end of the first episode, I'll have to highly question your taste in music! UnBREAKable! They alive, damnit!
The Walking Dead (AMC)
Every year, AMC's crown jewel series just gets better and better! In season five, I lost one of my favorite characters, then our favorite band of survivors has discovered a new secure community. If you're asking, Shouldn't they just stay away from communities after what happened with the Governor's people, the hospital, and Terminus?, then you won't be surprised by Rick and company's wariness when they come to Alexandria. They come the closest to dying -- not from zombies -- but from basic needs, and it rocks each one of their personal worlds. So much so that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) slowly begins to become similar to one of the cold, heartless scavengers he's encountered in past seasons. The way the fifth season came to its finale was so well-executed, also bringing back fan favorite Morgan (Lennie James). When season six came on the new threat came in the form of the mysterious attackers known as the Wolves. The Walking Dead continues to lead the way in terms of writing, acting and production! If you don't watch the show simply because "it has zombies in it," then you're truly missing out on one of the best dramas currently on TV, as well as ever!
Jay here!
Wow, another great year in television. Compared to what the movie theaters have been offering recently I think I can confidently say that the small screen is the medium to gravitate towards if you are looking for smart and well-produced storytelling that is also entertaining. This was a tough list to make, and there are at least three shows on Matt's list that I could have included on mine (Daredevil, The Flash, The Walking Dead, and Jessica Jones) but I will only carry two of those over. Each of these shows I list below exemplified the best of what I found on television or streaming.
The Walking Dead (AMC)
AMC's zombie apocalypse mega-hit just keeps getting better. After surviving the gang of cannibals at Terminus, our survivors, led by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) travel north to Virginia and happen upon the residents of Alexandria. The people here have made a life behind giant walls they have erected in order to keep the walkers (and anyone else with bad intentions) out. Doing this, while providing them with safety, has made them soft to the dangers of the wilderness beyond. One of the things I liked the most about this past season is how it really highlights how much these characters have changed since the world collapsed. Rick in many ways is becoming more and more like the Govenor (David Morrisey), a man he clashed with three seasons ago. And then there is Carol (Melissa McBride), one of my favorite characters, a woman who, after living through the death of an abusive husband and the tragic death of her daughter, is nearly unrecognizable from the person she used to be. The Walking Dead continues to be one of the most popular shows on cable. It does this by continuing to make smart choices with its main characters and how they change from season after season.
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Even though it was probably its weakest season since number two, Game of Thrones still managed to have some of my favorite moments on television. Did it deserve its Emmy for this season. Maybe not, but, it was due to get recognized. Season 5 was significant mostly for the fact that it finally caught up to the events in George R. R. Martin's popular novels on which the show is based. This means for the many fans of the books who have been watching the show, knowing mostly everything that is about to happen, now see it with new eyes, unburdened by omniscience. For me, it is exciting and disappointing all at once. Disappointing because, like a lot of readers, I would prefer to read the further chronicles of Westeros than see them on the screen. Season 5 had many epic moments, though, There was the entire episode "Hardhome", which may have been the best single hour of television this year. Also, who can forget seeing Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) meet for the first time? It was a season of highs an lows, but Game of Thrones is still setting the benchmark for what TV is capable of when given the budget to spread its (dragon-like) wings.
Jessica Jones (Netflix)
I don't have a whole lot to add to what Matt wrote above about this second in a series of Marvel shows to stream on Netflix. What elevated it for me was how it played expertly with the notion of control in a relationship and the deep, psychological wounds that can be imprinted on a woman who has been a victim of a warped form of domestic violence. Even if that woman has amazing superpowers. Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) is a new feminist heroine for a new generation of comic book lovers and her tormenter, Kilgrave (played with devilish glee by Doctor Who alum, David Tennant) is a villain who truly creates some memorably terrifying moments. It may seem like lofty praise, but Kilgrave may the very best comic villain realized on screen since Heath Ledger's Joker in 2008's The Dark Knight. Here is a man who isn't interested in using his powers to conquer the world or enslave the human race. No, his only purpose is to serve his own narcissistic desires. His power to make anyone do anything he says, metaphors aside, lend to so many creative ways to make trouble for Jessica and her friends. This is Marvel's darkest story yet and it benefits from how unafraid it is to tackle complex themes while also being a kick-ass superhero series.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)
Probably the most depressing pop culture moment for me in 2015 was the departure of Jon Sewart from The Daily Show. The influence Stewart as had on political comedy cannot be overstated. Thankfully, we have someone like John Oliver, himself a Daily Show alum, to pick up the torch and run with it in his fantastic HBO show. This second season had Olvier tackling many important, yet often overlooked issues like paid family leave, the Canadian elections, and corruption at FIFA. Other notable accomplishments for the British comedian include getting into a Twitter war with the President of Equador, starting his own Evangelical, tax-dodging church with fake wife Wanda-Jo (Rachel Dratsch) or making a soap opera about Syrian refugees. Currently, this is the funniest current events satire on TV.
Master of None (Netflix)
Aziz Ansari's semi-autobiographic series was the best sitcom of the year for me. Taking place over the course of ten half hour episodes, Master of None is the perfect show to binge watch on that rainy day you've got nothing to do. Ansari plays Dev, a struggling actor living in New York City. We follow Dev as he meets Rachel (former SNL alum, Noel Wells) and settles into an uneasy commitment with her. Also, there's Dev's parents (played by Aziz's real-life mom and dad), who were Indian immigrants that tried to instill traditional values. What I loved about Master of None was how much heart it had. I never really saw the warmer side of Ansari before and now I am glad I did. Besides of all that it is frickin' hysterical with plenty of laughs.
The Americans (FX)
If you aren't watching The Americans then I can't help you, because you are willfully choosing to miss out on one of the best dramas on television. Now heading into its fourth season, this engrossing series chronicles the day-to-day life of two married Soviet sleeper spies living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. in the early 1980's. Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Phillip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) never met and fell in love. They were matched by their Russian superiors to be the quintessential couple of Reagan's America. They had two kids and somehow have pieced together a life while taking on ridiculously dangerous missions for the motherland. In its third season, the show finally tackled the problem of the Jennings having to reveal to their older daughter, Paige (Holly Taylor), the truth about their past and dedication to the communist cause. The Americans is show hat just keeps getting better and better. Russell and Rhys are both outstanding in it and I like how it presents with a unique twist on the family dynamic and how espionage can ..... complicate things.
Mr. Robot (USA)
Who knew the USA Network had this one in them? This was absolutely one of the most compelling and exciting shows I've seen in a while. Rami Malek is fantastic as vigilante hacker, Elliot Anderson. By night, he makes life very difficult for some very bad people, by day he is a simple programmer at prominent cyber-security firm. Things get inter posting when Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) the leader of a anarchist group called "fsociety" recruits Elliot to help them pull off the greatest hack off all time by taking down one of the world's biggest conglomerates, E Corp. What makes Mr. Robot so great, though, has more to do with anti-social and borderline schizophrenic tendencies of Elliot. By the time the first season is done there are multiple plot twists and surprises you don't see coming. It's show that is constantly surprising you. Malek is so good in this show. He plays a character that in many ways mirrors the disconnection from society that many feel today. I also like how this series confronts our reliance on a corrupt financial system, and gives us a flawed young man who is willing to shake it up for good.
Fargo (FX)
"Erstwhile on Fargo....."
My favorite show of year is Noah Hawley's brilliant homage to the Coen Brothers' Academy Award winning 1996 film, Fargo. The first season was close to perfection and the recently finished second season was even better. If you were a fan of Breaking Bad and its style of violence mixed with dark comedy than this is the show for you. Taking place in the year 1979, the second season of Fargo chronicles the war between the venerable Gherhardts, the most powerful crime family in the northern Midwest, and the Kansas City mafia, who want to take control of the former's vast trucking businesses. Throw in a likeable, small town cop (Patrick Wilson), a UFO and an eccentric married couple (Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemmons) who find themselves tangled up in these violent affairs and you've got a recipe for darkly comic fun. I have to give special recognition to Bokeem Woodbine as Kansas City mob enforcer, Mike Milligan. He gives one of the best performances of the year in a truly fantastic role. Between the carefully selected music, the Brian De Palma inspired editing and expertly written dialogue that rivals the Coens themselves, there is nothing as good as Fargo on TV right now.
