Here are my ten favorite scripted shows of 2011 with a few thoughts on each. It was a great year filled with a lot of quality stuff. Some other shows that deserve mention for being good but didn't make the cut are Modern Family, The Good Wife, New Girl, True Blood, Wilfred, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Treme, Falling Skies and Cougar Town.
10. SONS OF ANARCHY
Kurt Sutter crafted an emotionally-charged tension-filled season with inner-club turmoil threatening to break SAMCRO for good. Charlie Hunnam and Maggie Siff delivered awesome performances throughout and the stakes were never higher. A finale that undid a lot of what was set up is why this ends up lower on the list.
9. COMMUNITY
When this comedy is on its game, there is nothing more original on television. I loved the paintball sequel, the Glee spoof, Donald Glover screaming at Lavar Burton, and the seven timeline episodes especially. I hope NBC gets this show back on the air ASAP this Spring.
8. BOARDWALK EMPIRE
The Jimmy/Nucky season 2 conflict delivered in spades as all the maneuvering, scheming, and killings led to a fateful climax for one of the main characters of the first two seasons. With a distinct look, terrific acting, and ballsy writing from Terrence Winter, Boardwalk took a big-step forward creatively in year 2.
7. LOUIE
Season 2 of Louie was one deranged, dark, hilarious ride that could only come from the brilliant mind of the ultra-popular stand-up comic. From plots dealing with Louis bringing a duck to Iraq to a one of a kind confrontation with Dane Cook at MSG, you never knew what you would get each week, but knew that it would be some of the best written entertainment on television.
6. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
"Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose." Jason Katim's five season masterpiece finally came to a close in brilliant fashion in a season that finally brought Kyle Chandler a richly-deserved Emmy for his work as Coach Taylor. With returns from the past and compelling plots with the current inhabitants of Dillon, FNL season 5 gave all fans the closure they were looking for with great moments at every turn.
5. GAME OF THRONES
HBO's new fantasy epic burst onto the scene in grand form. Featuring a tremendous battle over power in the Kingdom of Westeros, the show delivered twists, deception, sex, snarky dialogue, and action in unique and incredible ways. No one was prepared for the shocking death the climax of the season would bring but with dragons now in the picture and no one appearing to be safe, season 2 should up the ante this coming Spring as the answer for who really is the king comes to fruition. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion was the standout earning an Emmy for his work as the imp, Tyrion Lannister.
4. JUSTIFIED
Season 2 was incredible featuring the three-way feud between Raylan Givens, Boyd Crowder, and the vicious Mags Bennett. Margo Martindale earned an Emmy for her portrayal of Mags while Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins got to continue showing off some of the greatest chemistry on the small screen as Raylan struggled to believe Boyd was a changed man of faith after all the damage he had caused. With great banter due to the novel-like writing, tremendous action, and well-defined three-dimensional characters, Justified is one of the finest shows on television at the moment.
3. PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks delivered the perfect season in season 3 as the colorful cast sought about creating a great Harvest Festival while the romance between Leslie and her boss Ben heated up. Combining the stupid innocence of Andy and April, the stand-up type A personalities in Leslie and Ben, the Hollywood Dreams of Tom Haverford, and the funniest character on television, Ron Swanson, Parks and Rec has something for everyone. The combination of sharp humor and characters with heart continues to impress in ways no other comedy comes that close to matching. Here's to hoping there are many more episodes ahead.
2. HOMELAND
Bursting onto the scene this fall, Showtime's epic new series showed that when you combine great actors with a great concept, a winning show emerges. Claire Danes played bipolar CIA agent Carrie Matheson, a woman convinced that recently returned marine Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis) has been turned into a terrorist. Throughout the season, we are never quite sure what to make of Brody and the ways Carrie stays right on his tail are shocking and fun to watch. Both leads deserve Emmys as this series delivered week after week with stakes continually raising to a thrilling climax in the finale. Luckily for us, the show will be back for season 2 next year.
1. BREAKING BAD
"I am the one who knocks." This Walter White quote sums up season 4 of one of the best dramas ever created. From the tremendous breakdown of the Jesse/Walt alliance to the riveting Walter/Gus conflict, season 4 of Breaking Bad delivered everything a fan could have hoped for. It answered once and for all whether Walt would be Scarface or a pawn in the drug game and showed the depths he'd stoop to in order to get there. Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Giancarlo Esposito all deserve acting awards. Vince Gilligan continues to craft briliant scripts while also putting to film what is the most beautiful-looking show on television. I can't wait for the sixteen-episode final season.
