Before the new fall season starts, here’s part two of my season wrap-ups covering all the shows I watched this year.
Season 1
Revenge was my favorite new drama of the season. No other show this year enthralled me to such a degree with a kickass, unapologetic heroine and an engrossing arc. Both Emily VanCamp and Madeleine Stowe were beyond brilliant in their cunningly devious roles as it was a joy to watch their machinations every week. I’m hoping the show won’t delve too much into conspiracies and shadowy organizations (like the finale) as that’s not what the show is about. Here’s hoping season two is just as satisfying and captivating. Bravo.
Nad Rating
A
Season 1
One of the strongest new shows of the season, Scandal started out with an average pilot and a lead (Kerry Washington) that grated on my nerves, but eventually morphed into fantastic television. The sixth episode in particular which focused on Olivia’s layered and immensely complex relationship with the President elevated the show to a whole other level. By the end of the first season’s seven episodes, I was completely hooked. I have a feeling Scandal‘s sophomore season is going to be even better as Shonda Rhimes finally found the show’s tone and strengths. Here’s hoping for a mind-blowing second year.
Nad Rating
B+
Season 1
Although I’ve gotten over it by now, I was extremely disappointed when GCB got cancelled. Its first few hours weren’t the greatest, but the show also improved immensely over the course of its shortened ten episode season. By the end of its wacky run, I was completely hooked by the show’s zany charm and hilarious religious comedy. Moreover, I don’t think I need to convince anybody with just how magnificent Kristin Chenoweth is. A pity really because while GCB never lived up to Desperate Housewives (which is obviously what ABC was hoping for), it could have been a fun diversion for many years to come.
Nad Rating
B-
Season 1
Smash is an extremely flawed show. I have zero interest in musical theater or Broadway but I gave the show a shot due to my huge crush on Katharine McPhee who I’ve loved ever since her days on American Idol. The first season was an uneven ride with several fun moments and sequences but it never really came together as a cohesive whole due to some of the most annoying characters on television. Thankfully, most of these idiots have been fired for season two so I look forward to a more focused year.
Nad Rating
C-
Season 1
A stunning debut season. I didn’t know what to expect when I began American Horror Story but I found myself pleasantly surprised. Ryan Murphy’s concoction is a strange, freaky, and frequently insane show that’s completely addictive and always enthralling. It’s definitely not for everyone, but the show’s premiere season was a disturbing masterpiece as far as I’m concerned. Here’s hoping season two is just as magnificent.
Nad Rating
B+
Season 8
Weeds overstayed its welcome by a wide margin but I of course stuck with the show (as I always do) out of loyalty. Its final season was admittedly enjoyable, but I really didn’t like the finale which further tainted the show’s legacy. The unfortunate truth is that when a series finale is screwed up, the memory of the show is almost always corrupted. Nevertheless, I’ll try keep my fond memories of the first few seasons.
Nad Rating
C-
Season 5
A definite return to form. True Blood‘s first three seasons were highly enjoyable, but I detested four with the whole witch mess. Thankfully, season five was tons of batshit fun and restored most of the love I once had for the show. However, the show’s biggest flaw remains intact: too many superfluous characters and useless subplots. Hopefully with a new showrunner next year, this can be rectified because the show undoubtedly deserves it.
Nad Rating
B-