Season 2
Action-packed and consistently ambitious, Arrow had an absolutely stunning sophomore year that capably brought everything together to a fantastic collision. Apart from two installments (Blast Radius and Suicide Squad), every single episode this season was a winner as the show’s world slowly grew in scope. Here’s hoping this awesome adventure continues to blow my mind for many years to come. The possibilities are just endless.
Nad Rating
A
Season 2
Devious Maids is my guilty pleasure, and the show’s sophomore year did a great job of running with all the elements that made the first season such an amusing diversion. While I’m not a big fan of all the characters (I’m looking at you Rosie), this is a highly-enjoyable romp that reminds me of Desperate Housewives (although it’s nowhere near as impeccably-written). And hey, that cliffhanger wasn’t half bad.
Nad Rating
B
Season 3
Revenge had an immensely uneven third season. Some episodes were downright atrocious, and they did a fine job of making me question my loyalty to this soapy drama. However, a handful of episodes were beyond incredible, particularly the final two hours of the season which soared to game-changing heights. Although I’m weary of saying it, I’m extremely invested in Revenge again, and I can’t wait to see what season four will bring.
Nad Rating
B
Season 3
The pop culture behemoth that is Scandal unfortunately crumbled under its weight and expectations this year. That’s not to say this season wasn’t gripping and often quite masterful (see Mrs. Smith Goes To Washington and A Door Marked Exit) but the show’s incessantly-insane plot twists often felt like overkill. My advice to Shonda? Shift focus back to your characters and cool it with the bombshells. We need to care after all, and I don’t exactly miss Pope and Associates at the moment (a very sad realization). Again this was a solid year, but after the masterpiece that was season two… I was somewhat disappointed.
Nad Rating
B+
Season 3
Since every season of AHS wipes the slate clean, each year can be effectively judged as a separate entity. I was a big fan of season one, and I pretty much adored season two. As for season three? I think it might have been my favorite. It might not have been as cohesive as Asylum, but Coven had a definite sense of fun top-lined by a downright mesmerizing cast. I could seriously watch Angela Bassett and Jessica Lange kick ass for years on end. Sadly the finale was a bit of a letdown. Let’s see how season four (titled Freak Show) will pan out.
Nad Rating
A-
Season 3
The first half of Suits‘ third year was a boring, muddled mess. It didn’t help that Game of Throne‘s very own Caitlin Stark hijacked the show through a dreadfully long subplot that practically put me to sleep on a daily basis. However, the show found its footing again in the back half of the season, and it did so by focusing on the characters as opposed to disorienting legal theatrics. If there was ever a case of a season being salvaged after a woeful start, this was it. Fresh start season four, fresh start!
Nad Rating
B
Season 4
I know The Walking Dead received a whole lot of acclaim this year (not to mention the fact that it broke every ratings record known to man), but I thought this season was much weaker than season three (a phenomenal year). Maybe it’s because the characters were split up for the second half of the year, or the the fact that we didn’t have a tangible Big Bad like The Governor (who was beyond terrifying), but the show lost quite a bit of momentum. Plus that finale was a real anticlimax.
Nad Rating
C+
Season 4
It’s sad to admit, but Nikita rode off into the sunset without any critical acclaim or recognition. It’s a pity, because this was a gripping and often quite-layered spy-show with lovable characters and astounding action. On the bright side, the show’s way-too-short final season (consisting of only six episodes) was a satisfying conclusion and a fitting end to Nikita’s journey. Gone too soon, but fondly remembered.
Nad Rating
A-
Season 5
Season five of The Good Wife is one of the finest seasons of television I’ve ever watched. It was a downright perfect concoction brimming with jaw-droppers and game-changers. With nuanced storytelling and enormously layered characters, this is the gold standard that all television shows should aspire to, and it was remarkably attained with the show’s fifth season. If you’re not watching this complex drama, now’s your chance to catch up. Outstanding.
Nad Rating
A+
Season 7 Part 1
Although I hate the fact that AMC decided to split Mad Men‘s final year into two parts, I will admit that the first half of the year was excellent. Don’s journey continued to be a highly captivating one, and it was fascinating to watch the power dynamics at the agency shift so completely. My only hope is that the second half of the season (which we won’t be seeing before 2015) gives all our favorite characters a satisfying sendoff. Moody, atmospheric, and tremendously absorbing, there’s truly nothing quite like Mad Men.
Nad Rating
A-
Season 7
One word: lame. Who would have thought that a show I once loved so dearly would devolve into such a pathetic mess? Apart from a few random hours, this year did a splendid job of tainting the show’s legacy. I’ve honestly never been so happy to see a show come to an end and that just breaks my heart. On the bright side, True Blood‘s horrendous finale made me appreciate other series enders which I once thought weren’t as satisfying (see Lost). That’s how bad it was.
Nad Rating
D
Season 9
Although I’m a huge 24 fan, I was sadly disappointed by Live Another Day. Jack Bauer should have had an explosive comeback, and while this season didn’t have many flaws, it was pretty generic and predictable. Thankfully, the finale was an astonishing closer that restored my faith in the possibility of the show being great again should FOX decide to bring it back for yet another year.
Nad Rating
B-
Season 10
Ending Shonda’s signature show at season ten with Cristina’s departure would have been perfect. Unfortunately, ABC won’t let go of one of it cash-cows before it can milk it for all its worth. That’s a pity, because this was the weakest season of the show ever. Instead of focusing on the characters we grew to love over the course of nine seasons, the writers somehow thought it would be wise to give useless interns a whole lot of screentime. Watching Grey’s became a chore, and that’s just not okay. Thankfully, Cristina’s final hour was perfectly executed and extremely moving. But please show, stop next year; I couldn’t bear to see the show’s legacy tainted any further.
Nad Rating
B-
Haram Suits!!?? I thought this season (or the part of the season, (wth is this trend?)) was pretty exciting, especially relative to its monotonous predecessor.
More importantly, what do we watch between now and mid-July when all the good stuff starts again?
That's what I said about Suits – that the second half was pretty good!
As for the hiatus, apparently lots of fantastic shows such House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and True Detective.
Also, I love True Blood and it's back for its final year.
Shikes!! Okay I hadn't concentrated when I read the Suits part!
And yeah True Detective is next on my watch list!! I'm also going to start something called Dollhouse, recommended by a colleague!! I loved the concept and hopefully it'll be a great show!
Thanks for the tips buddy.
I love Dollhouse. I did an overall show review which you can read AFTER watching its 2 seasons. Season one isn't the greatest, but season 2 is superb. Let me know!
I am happy you gave Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D a second chance because I for one never faltered on the show I loved it from the get go and was on for the ride. I love the characters and can't wait for Season 2!!