Television's Top 10 Dramas for 2013-2014

All right ... it is FINALLY here. EMMY WEEK! Total excitement in the air as this was one of the best single season's in television history. The debut of such strong single-season serials "Fargo" and "True Detective" have helped create a wonderful Emmy season full of buzz.

I already posted my 20th-11th shows for the the 2013-2014 season right here: http://iwify.blogspot.com/2014/06/televisions-top-20-dramas-for-2013-2014.html

Tomorrow I will roll out my full Emmy nomination predictions AND reveal what I think they SHOULD be. And Thursday morning we will have the big Emmy Nomination rollout!

The top 10 was very difficult. It fell into 4 tiers for me. The top 4 is agonizingly close and I could make a strong argument for each one as the best show on television this season. 

So ... here are my Top 10 Dramatic Serials from 2013-2014, including episodic shows from the miniseries and movie category.

10. The Walking Dead, Season 4 (AMC) — After a slow, boring second season, The Walking Dead hit its stride in Season 3 and then really stepped it up in Season 4. The show has too many "Huh?" moments for it ever to compete with the Top 5 or 6 on this list, but it might be the most watchable show on television. Losing its best actor to another AMC startup (David Morrissey who played the Governor) is going to hurt, but the intrigue of Terminus and the ridiculously high death count make it a must watch week-in and week-out. I can't wait for Season 5.
9. Justified, Season 5 (FX) — FX continues to churn out gold. With three shows in the 11-20 range, Justified is the first, but not the last, in the top 10. Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens and Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder is the best acting duo on television and when they get in scenes together it is always perfect television. The story was not as strong as it has been in a couple of seasons past, but the setup for the final season was great and has me sitting on the edge of my seat. With only one season to go, we are sure to get plenty of Givens vs. Crowder. 
8. The Good Wife, Season 5 (CBS) — The Good Wife continues to be the class of network television and is the ONLY network show to make my Top 20 for the season. While it has a few dull and slow moments due to a network schedule of 22 episodes, the writing and acting keep it as a must see. For anyone who tries to watch all the great television that is on, it is hard to say that any other show delivered a bigger shock moment this season that The Good Wife. When the sheet is pulled back and Will Gardner is dead it changed the show suddenly, violently and shockingly. The problem is the show was just writing out an actor who wanted off in Josh Charles. They need to work hard to make it pay off and pitting Alicia (Julianna Margulies) against Cary (Matt Czuchry) in their battle for the direction they want to take their law firm is a good place to start. Still the best acting ensemble on television.
7. Masters of Sex, Season 1 (Showtime) — Wow. What a good show this became by the end of Season 1. Masters of Sex has an easy premise to hook viewers, but once hooked it is easy to realize that it is some of the best intrigue on television. Almost every character is easy to relate to in some way and the acting is superb, including the magnificent guest appearances by Allison Janney and Beau Bridges. But the real top notch here is Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan as Dr. Masters and Virginia Johnson. The two really do have a chemistry that never seems forced and is always gripping. The show might have some Emmy snubs because it airs in the summer, so far ahead of voting, but it should be in the running in multiple categories.
6. The Americans, Season 2 (FX) — This show has the potential to be the best on television by Season 3 or Season 4. Season 1 was good, but Season 2 ... just wow. It seems the showrunner and writers have realized that they have endless angles they can explore and at the heart of it all, the Jennings' love for each other and their "fake" marriage will always be able to carry the show. Noah Emmerich as Stan Beeman continues to be one of the best characters on television as we see his personal life keep him from seeing so much happening right before his eyes. And Annet Mahendru as Nina has really taken the show to new heights. But all that aside, the chemistry between Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys carries the show and could carry it to a number of Emmy nominations this year.
5. Game of Thrones, Season 4 (HBO) — Somehow, the slow pace of this show — the plodding of Daenerys and the White Walkers — the randomness of many events does not make it any less perfect. This show gets considerably better with age and we all will keep coming back for more, even as character after character is killed. The Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) storyline is the most underrated piece of excellent work on the small screen right now and a Kings Landing without Tywin Lannister surely has everyone salivating to see the circus in Season 5. But all that aside, the show-stealer on Game of Thrones continues to be Tyrion Lannister ... played so excellently by Peter Dinklage. His performance is going to have to fight for the Emmy it deserves, and he might not get it. But his regularly delivery and the emotion he is able to garner in each and every viewer is magnificent only a weekly basis.
4. Fargo, Season 1 (FX) — There were times when I thought this was the best show on television. The acting ensemble was pretty much untouchable, even by the great duo at the top of True Detective. Martin Freeman is simply laughably good at everything he does. Billy Bob Thornton is an Emmy lock. And Allison Tolman was still able to steal the show nearly every week. Without having the Coen Brothers directly involved, it seemed that almost every nook and cranny had their fingerprints all over it. Every single storyline came together perfectly and the show left us very happily fulfilled, but still wanting more. I feel guilty putting it as low as No. 4 on a list because it was just too good. But it will walk out with the Best Miniseries Emmy without much competition.
3. Mad Men, Season 7 Part I (AMC) — I fully admit that I have a huge thing for Mad Men. I think it might just be the best drama ever on television, so sometimes I might be blind to plotholes and other issues with the show. But the fact is this, right when I think they have something not going right, they will wrap it in a perfect bow. Mad Men does not compete on a season by season basis. It will plant stuff in Season 2 that it does not resolve or handle until Season 5. There has NEVER been a show as good at that as this (not even The Wire.) The first half of Season 7 was as almost as perfect as television gets and means that the second half will come hard looking for that Best Drama Emmy for a record fifth time. I can't see it pulling an upset on True Detective or Breaking Bad for the Emmy this year, but it just might be worthy.
2. True Detective, Season 1 (HBO) — Back when Breaking Bad wrapped in September, I declared that the Emmy's were over. Best Actor and Best Drama were locks for Breaking Bad ... then along came True Detective. While the ending seems to have left many people wanting a little more, the getting there was a fantastic season of twists and turns in the psyche of two great characters played by great actors. Matthew McConaughey could still pull off the Oscar/Emmy double this year, even though the show was unexpectedly entered in the Drama category to go head-to-head with Breaking Bad. It was not McConaughey, however, that made this show tick, that was the unbelievable performance of Woody Harrelson. The give and take between McConaughey's Rust Cohle and Harrelson's Marty Hart made the show perfect no matter how many times the script bounced from the past to the present. There were very few flaws in the show aside from a little bit of predictability and the overall ability to grab the viewers visceral emotions nearly every episode made it impossible to turn away from. The hush-hush on Season 2 (a completely new story set somewhere else) has only added to the allure as the Emmy voters filled out their ballots.
1. Breaking Bad, Season Five Part II (AMC) — It was a tough season to pull it off. Mad Men, True Detective, Fargo and others all produced some fantastic stories, but Breaking Bad pulled off a magnificent and satisfying final season that sends it off as the best show on television and one of the best Dramas to ever air. Vince Gilligan made it a little predictable at times, but all-in-all delivered a final season that very few viewers could complain about (paying attention Dexter?). Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul continued to push the envelope and have completely rewritten what viewers expect from actors on televisions top dramas. The death of Hank (Dean Norris) will likely earn Norris a deserved Supporting Actor nod and was probably the most emotional and memorable moment on television this year. And as the world caved in around Skylar, Anna Gunn sold every moment of devastation with fantastic acting. It might have wrapped up in a little too nice a bow, but overall, we could not have asked for a much better final season to one of the all-time greats.

Final Top 20 Tallies — Premium Cable - 7 (Counting Netflix), Basic Cable - 10, Network (counting BBC) - 3. Networks — FX (6), AMC (4), HBO (3), Showtime (3), BBC (2), Netflix (1), CBS (1)

Televisions Top 20 Dramas for 2013-2014 (No. 20 through No. 10)

Well here we go ... the top 20 Dramas on television for the 2013-2014 Emmy cycle. I have AGONIZED over this list. There are so many good things on television right now and my decision to include the Miniseries American Horror Story, Fargo and Sherlock (which is inexplicably in the movie category) made it an even tougher list to crack. I enjoyed all 20 of these shows quite a bit this season ... and definitely enjoyed a few that just miss the list. Let's start with the honorable mentions.

2013-2014 Honorable Mention
Penny Dreadful (Showtime), Person of Interest (CBS), Hannibal (NBC), Grimm (NBC), Dexter (Showtime) — This list of shows is very strong, but all of them had a glaring thing or two missing. Dexter is the toughest one because there were times during its eight-season run that it was one of the five best shows on television. I enjoyed the final season, but it seemed to just be dragging toward its fate. Penny Dreadful and Hannibal both suffer from too much ambition. In the post American Horror Story world, horror stories are becoming more and more common. These two could definitely be very good in the future.

On to the top 20 ...
20. Hell on Wheels, Season 3 (AMC) — Hell on Wheels got relegated to Saturday nights by AMC and I thought it was a certain death blow to what has been a good show. Instead, it got great ratings and became a future Saturday night staple. There is plenty to dislike about this show, but the quality of Anson Mount in the lead role carries it to must-not-miss territory. He is such a strong actor and really carries the anti-hero burden well. Common continues to be a pleasant surprise every season as well.
19. The Bridge, Season 1 (FX) — FX simply does not put bad stuff on television. This show had a fantastic first four or five episodes before losing exactly where it was going. Despite an all-over-the-place plot and a few, "Why do I care about this?" moments, the show was carried by exceptional acting from Diane Kruger, Demian Bechir and Ted Levine. Supporting roles were also cast very expertly. While there was plenty of unfulfilled promise in Season 1, I find myself very much looking forward to the Season 2 premiere.
18. Boardwalk Empire, Season 4 (HBO) — Wow, how the mighty have fallen. While Season 1 and 2 of this wonderful period show were epic, the death of Jimmy Darmody at the end of Season 2 has left the show desperately trying to find its way for two seasons. Steve Buscemi is so good on this show, and it is a shame that he will end it without an Emmy, but unless the writers figure things out quickly, the upcoming final season could be a dud. I think the storyline pitting Jeffrey Wright against Michael K. Williams was entertaining, but stole far too much of the writer's attention throughout this past season. I am very curious to see where Nucky goes from here as he has very few friends left.
17. Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 (FX) — After a couple of fantastic seasons, Season 6 simply felt forced and lackluster to me. Still can't miss television. Still pretty good storytelling, but making the show nearly 60 minutes every week instead of the standard 42 made it often feel tedious. Obviously there is a very explosive final season coming up, and the death of Jax Teller's wife at the hands of his own mother is what the entire season was about. It is still a great show, but Jax vs. Clay is gone and now Mom vs. Daughter-in-law is gone. I am fascinated to see where Kurt Sutter takes us on one last ride.
16. Homeland, Season 3 (Showtime) — Was there any bigger letdown on television this year? No. Is it still truly an excellent show? Absolutely. Damian Lewis will likely not get any Emmy love this year, but he certainly should. He continued to act the hell out of Nicholas Brody right up until his demise. No matter how ridiculous the story was, Damian Lewis and Claire Danes somehow made it believable, right up to Brody dangling from a crane in the Middle East. While the overall story was completely implausible, the one-on-one interactions on this show continue to make it one of the best on television.
15. Sherlock: His Last Vow (BBC) — With two of the hottest actors on the planet carrying this show could it be anything other than fantastic? This show is entering the "Movie" category at the Emmy's and will surely lose to The Normal Heart, but it was a fantastic three parts of storytelling. Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are going to make us wait until 2016 for the next installment, but they certainly make us realize that we want nothing to do with Robert Downey Jr. movies that aren't up to snuff.
14. Downtown Abbey, Season 4 (BBC) — A show that has tumbled down these rankings, but not because it lacks quality. While the acting was superb, I was a little disappointed in the show going to the "rape card" to provide a storyline. They could have taken it a better way if you ever felt that Bates was actually in trouble, but they did not play it out well and it seemed like shock television for a show that had prided itself on pace and LACK of shock. The rest of the story is still moving along at the right pace. I think we are all curious to see what the future holds for this estate.
13. American Horror Story: Coven (FX) — There is not a single show own television as self-aware as AMH. It regularly lays its cards on the table. It is not afraid of being scary, funny, tense and flat-out campy. And because of this it is regularly great. It scooped Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett into the fold this past season and they were perfect. Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson continue to be the best actress duo on television. AMH has been such a huge success that miniseries and anthologies are popping up across television and making for some great stories. Without it we would not have Fargo or True Detective and there are more coming. Very few shows are actual game changers and American Horror Story is one of them.
12. Ray Donovan (Showtime) — If you blinked you missed that Showtime's staples Dexter and Homeland were not the best dramas on the network anymore. Two freshman dramas have taken over, and Ray Donovan is one of them. Not getting nearly enough buzz because of its early run in the Emmy cycle, but Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight should both get serious consideration for a Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nomination. You could tell the showrunners had a plan for if it was only one season and then scrapped it when it was clear they would get a second season. It will be very interesting to see how good that second season is this summer.
11. House of Cards, Season 2 (Netflix) — Ah ... binge watching television at its finest. Makes it tough to remember that Kate Mara was only in one episode because you watched it and Episode 13 all in the same day. There is little argument that the acting of Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright is superb and what carries this show. The overly negative view of D.C. is a little tedious at times, but certainly makes for plenty of fun. Frank Underwood is the ultimate bad guy ... and his ascension to the throne was masterfully done, even if it was highly predictable. It is going to be interesting to see if the writers finally write him a worthy opponent in Season 3.

This Week's Top Three (Saturday, 9/28/13 through Friday, 10/4/13)

A very tough week as Homeland started and Breaking Bad solidified itself as one of the 10 best dramas ever on television. This only left one opening for The Good Wife, Sons of Anarchy, Hell on Wheels, Boardwalk Empire, The Bridge, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, etc. to battle for.



3. The Bridge, Episode 13, The Crazy Place. A very good season finale that helped this show end on a high note. The season's promise from the first episode — with body parts of two dead girls placed on each side of the border — never seemed to materialize ... but the last couple episodes and news of a Season 2 renewal really have this show seemingly finding its pace. Throughout the season, The Bridge seemed close to busting out and being a legitimate top tier drama, but uneven pacing and weird story twists slowed it down. The main thing that has kept this show in good standing has been the fantastic acting of Demian Bichir, Diane Kruger, Thomas M. Wright and Ted Levine. All four of these top flight actors have the ability to steal scenes ... and Wright's portrayal of the intriguing Steven Linder was the high point of the first season. While the season overall left a little to be desired, I will still be looking forward to the second season next Summer.


2. Homeland, Episode 1, Tin Man Is Down. Despite premiering against the finale of Breaking Bad, Homeland still put up decent viewership numbers, because it is still a very well written, twist-filled drama that is nearly impossible to turn away from. This episode is very interesting in that it did not show Nicolas Brody at all and focused almost completely on Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and the intense scrutiny that the CIA is facing after the attack that ended Season 2. As Carrie watches her life seemingly go down in flames, her most loyal and trusted friend, Saul Berenson (Mandy Patinkin) has apparently turned his back on her in an effort to protect the agency. Exactly how all this will play out is going to be very interesting. Somehow, the writers and showrunners here have the ability to make Senate hearings and people watching Senate hearings very interesting.

1. Breaking Bad, Episode 8, Felina. Well ... that was it. Breaking Bad is over. Walter White is dead. Jesse Pinkman is hopefully off to the wilderness to grow old. Skyler and her family is taken care of. And Hank Schrader will get a proper burial. Vince Gilligan wrapped everything up in a nice bow for us ... and it was damn near perfect. Was it very predictable heading into the final episode? Yes. Did Gilligan maybe take the "safe way out" with Pinkman and White? Yes. Did that lessen the value of the ending to the terrific series in any way? Not really.
I probably would have liked it to be a little less predictable. But part of what made this last season so fantastic was the he showed us Walt at that diner at the beginning. So, while it made the last couple hours predictable, it also made the entire season more fun. From the second that Hank realized Walter White was Heisenberg to White's demise while saving Jesse, there was nothing to complain about in the unapologetic Final Episodes. As we watched as the once precious relationship between Walter and Jesse cracked and ultimately crumbled ... it was fantastic to see their last moments together as neither one could finish off the other. Throughout the series, the undertone was that, Walt would not allow Jesse to be killed and then Jesse would not allow Walt to be killed. In the Final Episodes, it was clear both had dropped this "rule," but somehow, when both are given the chance to do it themselves, they can't do it.
Bryan Cranston continues to be the top actor on television. Aaron Paul has taken his career to heights he could never have imagined. And Vince Gilligan will simply never be able to top his work here.
It is common with stuff ends to start spouting how great it is before letting it sink in for a bit. But here, I have no problem saying I think Breaking Bad has carved its niche into the top dramas of all time. Is it better than The Shield? The Wire? Mad Men? The West Wing? The Sopranos? Maybe, maybe not. But it is certainly in the discussion.
All other TV is lucky they have through next May to get their Emmy nominations in order, because right now I see no way that Breaking Bad walks out next September without Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Drama.

Honorable Mention: Sons of Anarchy, Episode 4, "Wolfsangel"; The Good Wife, Episode 1, "Everything is Ending"

This Week's Top Three (Saturday, 9/21/13 through Friday, 9/27/13)

Well ... as more and more shows move to Sunday night, it was time to shift This Week's Top Three to starting with Sunday shows instead of ending with Sunday shows. So, this week started with a Sunday that included the series finale of Dexter, the season finale of Ray Donovan and the penultimate episode of the newly crown Emmy Drama Breaking Bad.
I was curious to see if a very good final season of Dexter would end with a satisfying finale and — for the most part — it did not let me down. But was it good enough to bump Breaking Bad from the top spot?
And as the network shows all start back up, I was definitely looking forward to some new television on NBC and ABC ... so this week I am including a "Best New Show" toss in.

3. Ray Donovan, Episode 12, Same Exactly. Ray Donovan had some stiff competition for best new show of the summer with FX debuting The Bridge and AMC debuting Low Winter Sun, and while those both still have a couple of episodes left ... Ray Donovan was the best of the three going away. Liev Schreiber has completely taken this role and made it one of the most interesting characters on television. When the Emmy nominations come around next July Schrieber  and Jon Voight's mesmerizing performances may be forgotten, but they shouldn't be as they have made the show must see television week in and week out. James Woods could also be in line for some recognition in the guest star category as he was great as the FBI's most wanted ... even if his character made a couple of mistakes that were a little unbelievable by the end.
While Ray's role a as a fixer for the stars provides plenty of intrigue, the real central arch here is the family escaping Boston and the Catholic Church ... only to be surrounded by it when their father comes back around. And it makes for very real and emotional television on a weekly basis. I will certainly be looking forward to this show's return next summer.

2. Breaking Bad, Episode 7, Granite State. What is there to be said about this season of Breaking Bad? There are no words to describe the perfection that Vince Gilligan has crafted in this final eight episodes. While I think the Emmy for Best Drama was long overdue ... it deserved it for Season 2 or Season 4, not the hijinks and loose writing for the first eight episodes of Season 5 ... but that aside ... these final eight episodes have been brilliantly written, perfectly acted and expertly crafted. The whole world will be watching as things wrap up tomorrow night ... and they should be ... this is one of the five best dramas ever on television.
As for this episode ... my favorite thing about it was Gilligan finally using an episode to pass some time. The first 60 episodes of Breaking Bad were quick paced and not much time passed on an episode to episode basis ... but there was a decent amount of time passing here as Walter White sits alone in New Hampshire ... hiding from the world ... fighting his cancer and desperately hoping his family — his son in particular — can forgive him.

1. Dexter, Episode 12, Remember the Monsters. After a down Season 6 and boring Season 7 ... I think many of us were worried about how Dexter would wrap things up in Season 8. But it was well done. Many fans seemed upset with the open interpretation ending ... but I think it was perfectly done.
For eight years we have watched Dexter break his code and create bonds with other humans. Getting married, having step children and his own son, staying close with his sister, making numerous friends, etc. But in the end ... the code had to win out.
I thought the death of Deb was not needed and was a typical final episode shenanigan ... but it helped Dexter realize that everyone around him was always at risk because the Dark Passenger is always there. With his kill of Saxon ... I think he realized that he was always going to be a killer and if he joined Hannah and Harrison in Argentina, it would ultimately lead to problems for them as well.
The final shots were great. He once mentioned that all serial killers end up in Oregon ... and he clearly decided to go that route. And the final shot said to me ... the Dark Passenger is always going to be here, so Dexter has resigned his fate to being alone. The only question left is whether or not he is still following the code?

Honorable Mention: Sons of Anarchy, Episode 3, "Poenitentia"; Hell on Wheels, Episode 8, "It Happened in Boston"

BONUS
Best New Show of the Week
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Episode 1, Pilot.  I had high hopes for "The Blacklist" with James Spader and thought that "Hostages" with Dylan McDermott might surprise, but both of those seemed pretty formulaic so far. "Sleepy Hollow" is just trying to ride the coattails of some other successful shows ... and is doing it poorly so far.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seemed like it could be another show that was just a disappointment ... but somehow it was highly entertaining. It does not seem like this show is going to try and be more than it needs to be, which will keep it very refreshing. It was also clear that this show has a fantastic budget, which is going to be needed to keep it fun and light on a weekly basis. I am definitely looking forward to all the different angles they can take with this show and see what kind of ways they may tie it in to the bigger Marvel universe that is crafted so well.

This Week's Top Three (Monday, 9/9/13 through Sunday, 9/15/13)

As we enter a wide open Emmy's week (and there will be more posts on that later) we are watching as one show is virtually assuring itself of any and all Emmy's that it will be up for in 2014.
With Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, The Bridge, Low Winter Sun, Hell on Wheels, Boardwalk Empire, Dexter and Ray Donovan all putting on great shows week in a week out ... we have another show sneaking into This Week's Top Three with a great series finale.

3. Burn Notice, Episode 13, Reckoning. Burn Notice had struggled to be even an average show the past couple of seasons, but with its seventh and final season it was successful in bouncing back and closing in a satisfactory way. The violence level ticked up considerably the last couple of seasons as Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) struggled to get closure from his time as a spy and move on to a life as a normal citizen and it had gotten kind of tedious. But, in this final season, his relationship with the CIA and his strained relationships with his closest friends Sam (Bruce Campbell), Jesse (Coby Bell) and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) was really put the test and gave the viewer a very good amount of emotional satisfaction as he found his way back to them. Sure, we had the typical "kill off" of a character we cared about in Michael's mother — and it was somewhat unnecessary — but all in all it was a good send off with a happy ending that made putting seven years into this show seem worth it. Good final storylines. An open enough ending for one-off events for the network later. And a show that sends viewers away with a smile. Well done USA Network, if only a single one of your others shows seemed worth a damn to me.

2. Dexter, Episode 12, Monkey in a Box. As one show came to an end, we moved one more closer to the end of another. Dexter closes up shop next Sunday, and its final season has been on par with all but maybe Seasons 1, 2 and 4. The writing has been very good (though a little sketchy with the first "brain surgeon" killer) and the acting has been exceptional as all the different angles are coming together for a perfect storm of events in the series finale. Dexter (Michael C. Hall) has slowly evolved from a psychopathic killer into an everyday citizen ... right at a point when it could cost him everything he cares about. His decision to let Oliver Saxson (Darri Ingolfsson) live and be dealt with by the authorities was shocking and has put his sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) in peril as she lies in a pool of her own blood. This ending is very reminiscent of the ending of Season 4 when his complete consumption with getting the Trinity Killer caused him to be absent while his wife was murdered, only this time it is the opposite. His infatuation with Hannah (Yvonne Strahovski) has led him to not murder a man who is dangerous to him and everyone he has grown to love. As the series comes to a close we all have to wonder if our favorite serial killer has finally let too much invade his life. Will it end with Dexter in cuffs? Dead? Or in Argentina?

1. Breaking Bad, Episode 6, Ozmandias. While this week will see wide open Emmy awards ... next year is already a case closed. Barring a total catastrophe in the final couple of episodes, Breaking Bad will run away with the 2014 Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards. I am calling it before the final season of Mad Men is even in, before Season 3 of Homeland is in and before Seasons 4 of Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey are in. I just can't imagine any of those shows topping the expertly crafted final season Vince Gilligan is giving us to one of the greatest shows that has ever aired. The emotional toll of Hank's death, not only on the viewer, but on Walter, Skylar, Marie and Walt Jr. was perfectly done. As Walter (Bryan Cranston) desperately tried to cling to his family and ran off with his daughter, we see every bit of emotion in his face with Cranston's mesmerizing performance. Somehow, the monster he has become, does not always win out. His decision to leave Holly at a fire station and sever ties with his family by spewing as much venom as he could was the only way to keep them safe. We know that Walt vs. Jesse (Aaron Paul) is not quite yet settled, but Gilligan has made it very difficult for us to see how it gets there. As Walt heads off into anonymity, Gilligan has already let us know that something drags him back to his boarded up home and it likely involves Pinkman. I am not sure what the final two episode hold, but I am sure that they are going to be full of surprises ... and if the first six this season have been any indication ... they will be very satisfying.

Honorable Mention: Sons of Anarchy, Episode 1, "Straw"; Boardwalk Empire, Episode 2, "Resignation"; The Bridge, Episode 10, "Old Friends."

This Week's Top Three (Monday, 8/5/13 through Sunday, 8/11/13)

AMC had a big week debuting a new show and beginning seasons in two other shows. I will fully admit I was nervous about all three. I thought the new drama, Low Winter Sun, looked like it might be a little much. I was scared that Hell on Wheels went to far to come back at the end of last season. And I was worried that Breaking Bad might be trudging slowly for 6 or 7 episodes just to get to its climax.

My worries were laid to rest on all three shows. And in typical AMC drama fashion … they came in an pushed Showtime right on out … taking all three spots in This Week’s Top Three.

3. Hell on Wheels, Episodes 1 and 2, Big Bad Wolf and Eminent Domain. The ending of Season 2 of Hell on Wheels presented some major issues for the show going forward. The death of a very popular character followed by the imprisonment of a central antagonist made the future of Cullen Bohannan (Anson Mount) seem very murky and possibly uninteresting. But, the writers figured out how to keep it going and make it fresh. The opening was a little over the top. A little of the story was herky-jerky (I mean, Cullen and Elam get to New York and back awfully quickly). But in the end, it stayed trued to its spirit and remains a believable Western drama … something television has not had much of in recent memory … if ever. Obviously, the most compelling part of the story here is the back and forth between Bohannon and Elam (Common), but the show is able to bring plenty of other parts of the Wild West to the forefront and explore it emotionally and historically. The eviction of a Mormon family to build the railroad right through their land was gripping television and the friction forming early between Bohannon about doing what is best for the railroad and what is right is going to be the main story point throughout the season.

2. Low Winter Sun, Episode 1, Pilot. When AMC debuts a new drama you should watch. Period. I was almost turned off by the previews of this show, but I kept reminding myself to not doubt AMC’s ability to make amazing dramatic television. From the opening moments where two cops murder another cop to the end where one of those cops feels he was duped … you cannot turn away. Mark Strong is perfectly cast as the brooding Detective Frank Agnew and Lennie James is equally solid playing his partner in murder, Joe Geddes. Some of the other parts of the show were a little cliché for cop procedurals, but in general it was well-written and makes you want to come back for more. Two alumni from The Wire, David Costabile and James Ransone, help round out a solid cast. I am very eager to see where this show goes in the next few weeks and see if AMC has struck gold again.

1. Breaking Bad, Episode 1, Blood Money. The weight of the world is on Vince Gilligan’s shoulders for the “Final 8” and in round one he delivered big time. The first eight episodes of Season 5 (aired last summer) were a little gimmicky in their build up to these final eight and left me wondering if Gilligan and the other writers have lost their mojo as the ending approaches. This opening act left no doubt that we are in for a fantastic finish to one of the ten best shows ever on television. The jump forward to Walter White (Bryan Cranston) making a return visit to his house to get his ricin back had so much information in it that I don’t even know where to begin. The house is condemned. It has clearly been the target of vandals and more. His full head of hair seems to indicate that he has beaten cancer … again. And his quick interaction with his next-door neighbor shows that she knows who he is and fears him. Heisenberg has been outed to everyone. But the show gets great when it starts to explore all the sides of Walt trying to get out of the business. Lydia shows up at the car wash and gets an earful from Walt and Skylar. Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) is in such a bad place mentally that he cannot bring himself to even touch any of the $5 million he has received from Walt. He tries getting rid of it any way he can … no matter how reckless it could be to him or to Walt. And Walt, with cancer back full throttle, realizes a major mistake has happened and Hank (Dean Norris) is on to him.

The confrontation between Hank and Walt at the end of the episode is exactly what you expect from great television series. They did not delay this face-to-face for three episodes while messing around … Gilligan got right to it. And for a show that has had so many memorable moments and so many memorable moments and so many memorable lines … it clearly is ready to tackle the end and it surely will not tread lightly.

Honorable Mention: The Bridge, Episode 5, “The Beast”; Dexter, Episode 7, “Dress Code”

This Week's Top Three (Monday, 7/29/2013 through Sunday, 8/4/2013)

As The Killing closes we head into a week where three AMC shows are slated to debut. Low Winter Sun, Hell on Wheels and Breaking Bad all premier this week, which will make it interesting to see if Dexter, The Bridge and Ray Donovan can stay at the head of the pack. I will also be curious to see how the final 5 episodes of Burn Notice stack up against these heavyweights. Burn Notice has strung together a handful of tightly written shows here during its last hurrah, but it misses the cut again this week.

3. Ray Donovan, Episode 6, Housewarming. Another solid episode put out to continue this shows quest to be the best new show of 2013. Liev Schreiber and Jon Voigt continue to steal scene after scene, as we look deeper and deeper into a dysfunctional Boston family dropped in the Hollywood hills.  The storyline with the stubborn FBI agent trying to bring down Donovan is well done, because Donovan has done his scare tactic and not scared him off. Ray is clearly scared of the thought of having to take out an FBI agent and can’t bring himself to take out his own father, leaving him caught in a position he is unable to solve. As Ray’s family continues to fall apart around him, he does not know how to keep them together and keep everything he has worked for from falling apart. Schreiber’s ability to show the emotional strain on Ray as he transforms back and forth from Ray Donovan family man to Ray Donovan problem solver is so well done that he certainly has him jumping into the Emmy mix next year. Still the show I look forward to the most week-in and week-out right now.

2. Dexter, Episode 6, A Little Reflection. Six episodes left in our glimpse at the life of a Miami police officer serial killer … And they seem to be going out with a bang. The show has always explored Dexter’s willingness to smudge his rules in order to satisfy his own emotional needs, so the Zach storyline has been perfect to give us one more tug-of-war in Dexter’s mind. His — and Dr. Vogel’s — decision to let Zach live and try to teach him the code could be his and the good doc’s downfall. It is nice to see the show really getting into the wind down as they have virtually settled the Deb-Dexter story arc that has dominated the last season and a half and was getting slightly tedious. Hannah McKay showing up at the end only makes things more interesting going forward and is evidence of another mistake by Dexter where he ignored Harry’s Code and tried to be “human.” By chasing Trinity for himself, it cost him his wife and his son his mother. But allowing Hannah to live it could cost him his sister. Is allowing Zach to live going to be his final mistake?

1. The Killing, Episodes 11 and 12, From Up Here and The Road to Hamelin. At the end of the previous episode, viewers of The Killing knew two things for sure. Ray Seward did not kill his wife and Joe Mills was not actually the Piper. Can there be a few holes pointed to throughout the season that make the eventual revelation of Lieutenant Skinner as the Pied Piper a little far-fetched? Sure. But a few slight holes do not change the fact that this payoff was very well done. If you watch shows like this often you learn there are hints dropped off quite often. A couple of weeks ago, when Joe Mills was arrested for the murders, all viewers knew he must not be the actual killer, but what could easily be missed is what Detectives Linden and Holder latched onto in the final two hours. Mills had Bullet and all of the trinkets of the dead girls in his car. It meant that if someone else was the killer — and we knew someone else had to be because why would The Killing give us the killer in episode 9 — it had to be someone close to the investigation … a cop most likely. So, while the season and the final two episodes were a little uneven … the show mostly stayed on course while keeping its “big reveal” in its back pocket. Not to be overlooked this season was the fantastic exploration of the streetkids in Seattle. The entire story almost seemed forced at first. In the end, it was so fantastic and showed so well the difficulty of kids and families that get lost with dealing with the system. Seeing Twitch throw away his habit while at the same time seeing Lyric get into another car was a great way for the show to end their stories and show how the cycle continues. But ... in the end ... what really makes The Killing a show we desperately want to see back for season 4 is the acting. This season could easily bring three acting Emmy nods. Mireille Enos, Joel Kinnaman and Peter Sarsgaard simply could not have performed better and all deserve recognition for their fantastic portrayals of Detective Linden, Detective Holder and inmate Ray Seward, respectively. The final moments of the season between a broken Linden and her desperate to save her partner Holder were agonizing and perfect … and left us all holding our breath for a fourth installment.

Honorable Mention: The Bridge, Episode 4, “Maria of the Desert”; Burn Notice, Episode 8, “Nature of the Beast”