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2012 is nearly over. And as the TV shows in America are now taking their usual holiday hiatus, I decided to give you my top 10 best TV shows of the year. This includes new and old shows which ran from January to December 2012. I am following 28 series this year so it's very difficult to evaluate each and choose MY creme of the crop. But I did my best.
I just have to remind you that this is my list - based on my own personal taste and criteria as an audience. I have not seen every show which aired this year so if your favorite is not here, that means either it's not worthy to be in the top 10 or I just do not watch it.
Anyway, here you go.
Starting from...
TOP 1
BREAKING BAD SEASON 5
(July - September)
Are you still even surprised? The first half of Breaking Bad's final season was phenomenal, amazing, exciting, and an instant classic. The preceding season took a lot of hype for its mind boggling and twisted plot, but season five started with a slow rhythm until it built up to some strong momentum halfway - and then bam, a jaw-dropping mid season finale. Season five of this award winning series from AMC is definitely one for the keeps. It may not be as perfect as season four, but I know the last eight episodes which would premiere next year would kill our socks off.
TOP 2
COMMUNITY SEASON 3
(March - May)
Episodes 12 to 22 of Community seaosn 3 was such a blast, And the fact that fans all over the world had to endure such longing from January to March just for the second half of the season made it more worthwile. Community is, without a doubt, the funniest show on TV right now. Hands down.
TOP 3
HOMELAND SEASON 2
(October - December)
I have to admit that the first season of Homeland was better than the second one. But the last 3 episodes of Season 2 put this show on top of my list. It was Homeland at its finest. Unexpected twists, Claire Danes' acting prowess, gut-wrenching plot. And I guess a good season finale is wherein the viewers will have no idea how the next season will go. Homeland delivered that.
TOP 4
THE WALKING DEAD SEASONS 2 and 3
(February - March [2] and October - December [3])
Season two of Walking Dead was a... bummer. Thank god the plot thickened during the second half of season 2. Two major deaths and a thrilling season finale. PLUS, the first 8 episodes of season 3 was turning out to be amazing. The Walking Dead does a good job at finding the balance of putting so much brutality and gore from the fighting sequences and the electrifying stories of the survivors while searching for humanity amidst this calamity. My most favorite line of the show so far (which I think can sum the entire series) was said by Maggie: "All this time running from walkers [zombies], you forget what people can do"
TOP 5
SHERLOCK SEASON 2
(January)
Sherlock's three-episode seasons are all 100% perfect - acting, cinematography, screenplay, direction, plot development. Season 2 was so much better the the previous one and the cliffhanger on the third episode killed me. Without a doubt, best British TV show right now.
TOP 6
GAME OF THRONES SEASON 2
(April - June)
This show has over a dozen major characters yet each still have their moments of glory in this 10-episode per season series from HBO. When I was deciding what to be in my list, Game of Thrones was initially in my Top 10 because I felt that the second season was weaker and less compelling than the first. Daenerys' storyline, for example, was a huge disappointment due to the fact that her storyline in season one was the hilight of the show. I also felt that the characters, especially the Starks, are too apart from each other and there were not any connections that can justify the ending. However, upon realization, Game of Thrones did a bit well. The penultimate episode was the show's best and Arya's and Sansa's plots are very exciting to watch.
TOP 7
PARKS AND RECREATIONS SEASONS 4 and 5
(January - May [4] and September - December [5])
Aside from Community, Parks and Rec is one of the most underrated comedy shows on TV. The second half of season four - the election campaigns and Leslie's victory - was quality television at its finest. Parks and Rec is poignant and funny, with a tinge of romance and political drama. I just wish people would appreciate this show more before it's too late.
TOP 8
SCANDAL SEASONS 1 and 2
(April - May [1] and September - December [2])
What a huge surprise in mainstream/local television. I believe that Scandal should be in a cable network to fully maximize its potential to be the next big hit. All the plots introduced are engaging and the characters are very well written. Shonda Rhimes surely did an amazing job with Scandal.
TOP 9
SCANDAL SEASON 5
(March - June)
Maybe you're wondering why Mad Men is in my bottom 2. The reason is simple: Season 5 did not meet the standards set by season 4. The latter was so amazing that people's expectations for the fifth season was really high. But thank god for Episode 9 and 10, it saved the show from demise. Mad Men is already considered a TV classic that's why every episode is a gem and every characters are precious. Many exciting things had happened in this season, but it failed to capture the harmonious growth o of the characters of that of the prior seasons.
TOP 10
GIRLS SEASON 1
At first glance, you think this is just your typical show about some white girls facing a couple of basic white girl problems - ala Mean Girls and Clueless. But boy, I was wrong. Girls is so much more than that. It offered a complex view of the lives of four teenage girls in New York as they face some complicated adult (and childish) problems. Yes, it may raise the eyebrows of some convservatists, but Girls proved to be the best teen show on TV right now. I can say that this is one of the best freshman show of 2012. PLUS, it's produced, directed, and written by the show's lead actress herself Lena Dunham.
As an added bonus, I've decided to also include my Top 11 to 15 for you my readers!
TOP 11
THE NEW NORMAL
(September - December)
One of the best freshman shows of Fall Season 2012-2013. Although the married gay couple is already cliche in terms of television (ehem Modern Family ehem), the show has a strong ensemble and a very poignant and relatable screenplay.
TOP 12
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM
(October - December)
At first, it was a bit weird and wild... very wild. It's quite difficult to move on from the awesomeness that the first season brought last year. The setting for the second season of AHS is interesting (1960s, asylum), the number of characters and storylines were overwhelming which then became complicated. However, as the season progressed, the events became creepier, dreadful, and drop-dead intense. Plus, the actors (Lange, Rabe, Paulson, Quinto, etc) are all unbelievably and undeniably amazing.
TOP 13
DOWNTON ABBEY Season 3
(September - November)
So many things had happened in the third season of this period drama from UK. It's not as good as the first season, but it's quite better than season 2. Also, the unexpected death of a major character, the conflict between Thomas and O'Brien, the unfortunate events in Sybil's life, and Mary and Matthew's marriage made this season a memorable one.
TOP 14
DEXTER Season 7
(October - December)
Give me this moment and let me rejoice for Dexter. Season 7 became soooo much better than the last two seasons. This season is not perfect (nothing - and I mean, nothing - beats Season 4), but the inclusion of Yvonne Strahovski in the casts made it worth watching. Also, I kinda' like how the Debb-Dexter plot went on. "He knows. She knows."
TOP 15
SUBURGATORY Season 1 and 2
(January - May [1] and October - December [2])
Just like The Middle, Suburgatory is always overshadowed by Modern Family. These shows are in the same network so it's quite difficult to battle an award winning just like ModFam. The second half of season 1 was very funny and season 2 is turning out to be great. Tessa became downright annoying she was in season one to a lovable and funny character.
