It’s always easy to pick the year’s worst TV shows, given all the dreck that’s foisted upon us year after year. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
But picking the year’s best shows? Well, that’s another story. As any series creator, writer, producer and/or network executive would tell you, it’s not easy to find that winning formula that translates into a network hit, be it a comedy, drama or a hybrid of the two.
So, when a particular show does strike a resounding chord with viewers and critics, it’s a gift from the TV gods — which we are celebrating with our picks for “The 13 Best TV Shows of 2013.”
Here, in no particular order, are those 13 shows that caught our attention over the past year. They’re a mix of dramas, comedies and fantasy — and they’re all really good.
Downton Abbey (PBS)
The most popular series in the history of PBS deserves its success. In a medium where most of the roles go to men, it has the most well-developed roles for women across the widest age range, upstairs and downstairs. We have recovered from the deaths of Lady Sybil and Matthew Crawley — and are ready for Season 4.
The Good Wife (CBS)
Breaking up Lockhart/Gardner was the best idea this show has had since Season 1, and the cast went at the new dynamic with gusto. Everyone was good.
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Rarely does one medium do justice to a work from another medium — but the TV version of George RR Martin’s medieval fantasy books never ceases to amaze us with its imagery, writing and acting. And last season’s “Red Wedding” episode? Fuggedaboutit.
House of Cards (Netflix)
So wicked, so wonderful and so sad. Kevin Spacey, as scheming politician Frank Underwood, is rotten to the core. Robin Wright, as his wife, is glamorously devious. And Corey Stoll, as a congressman in over his head, gave the best performance of the year as the unsuspecting pawn in Spacey/Underwood’s diabolical game.
Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
The prison series based on Piper Kerman’s book balanced itself nicely between comedy and drama, and featured standout performances from a terrific ensemble cast led by Taylor Schilling as series protaganist Piper Chapman.
The Blacklist (NBC)
Quirky James Spader is the biggest reason to watch this entertaining drama about a rogue government agent (Spader’s Red Reddington) who’s come in from the cold. Sort of. Spader chews the scenery — but just enough to leave a little for co-star Megan Boone.
Masters of Sex (Showtime)
Sex, science and desire all blended to startling effect as group of Midwesterners grappled with the pioneering scientist Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) and his study of human sexual behavior. The acting was so good across-the-board it made almost every other show look hammy. Kudos to Lizzie Caplan, Beau Bridges and Alison Janney.
Broadchurch (BBC America)
This gripping murder mystery was riveting from the very first episode, as cops Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) investigated the death of a young boy in a picturesque seaside town hiding many weird and disturbing secrets. It will return for a second season on Britain’s ITV (and BBC America) and is being adapted into a US version on Fox, called “Gracepoint” and also starring Tennant. We can’t wait.
Scandal (ABC)
The fearless Shonda Rhimes gives viewers a weekly thrill ride through the corridors of power in the White House with a spicy cast including Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn. Recent additions Joe Morton and Khandi Alexander promise more sinister maneuvers on Thursday nights.
Breaking Bad (AMC)
What’s left to say? The show’s final eight episodes blew through the land of Walter White et al. like an off-the-rails locomotive, careening into the unforgettable series finale. One of the best TV shows of the last 25 years.
The Wrong Mans (Hulu)
This British import flawlessly mixed humor and drama in a highly entertaining mistaken identity caper. In just six 30-minute episodes, the Hulu-based series offers more character development and edge-of-your-seat action than many American series do in twice that many episodes (or more). Credit creators/stars Mathew Baynton and James Corden with turning the standard sitcom and drama genres on their heads.
The Americans (FX)
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are terrific as KGB spies posing as a suburban couple in Reagan-era Cold War America while navigating the complicated emotions of their arranged marriage. Unlike that other spy drama (cough, “Homeland,” cough), “The Americans” never deviated into the absurd, and boasted stellar supporting work by Noah Emmerich and Margo Martindale. The 1980s soundtrack doesn’t hurt either.
The Walking Dead (AMC)
There’s a reason this zombie apocalypse drama continues to rule the ratings roost as one of the biggest shows in cable history: great writing, great plot twists and great acting — mixed with lots of gore. What’s not to like?