Note: This list is based solely off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best shows of 2014 and is ordered in descending numerical order (not including the runner-ups which are listed before the top 10 in no particular order). To qualify for this list, a show must have aired some time in 2014; I would like to mention I have not been able to watch every show that aired in 2014.
If you were to make a list of the best written shows of all time, one thing you can be sure of is that "Mad Men" will be towards the top of that list. Taking place in the 1960s, the show follows a group of individuals working in the advertising agency. The show mostly revolves around a man named Don Draper, a Korean War veteran with a lot of personal demons. While it might not sound like the most captivating show ever made, it actually makes for great television. Often cited for its authenticity and production value, "Mad Men" managed to strike a chord with audiences and has worked its way into our pop culture. Currently, "Mad Men" is in its last season; with the first half playing in 2014 and the second have airing in early 2015. Whenever a great show ends I get a little sad, but it's been a while since a show's ending really gets to me.
With "Mad Men" coming to an end, I see "Masters of Sex" as Showtime's attempt to have the best mid-century period piece on TV; and fortunately they may have succeeded. "Masters of Sex" tells the story of Dr. Bill Masters and Virginia Johnson as they pioneered research in human sexuality and dysfunction. Set in the backdrop of conservative 1950s America where a study like this was extremely controversial, it's fascinating to watch these two scientists fight conventional norms and enter in an area of research that had been untouched up until the time; but what really takes center stage is the relationship between Masters and Johnson. Whether their relationship was really like that or not, it sure makes for great TV. After receiving much critical acclaim, the show has already been renewed for a third season. Here's hoping it stays on the air for a while, and becomes one of Showtime's flagship series.
Since its debut in 2010, "Sherlock" has become an international sensation; for good reason. A modern day adaptation of the classic character by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the show follows the infamous Sherlock Holmes and his partner John Watson in all their shenanigans. There aren't a whole lot of TV shows produced by other countries that make it really big here in the states, "Sherlock" is one of the few. Highlighted by high production values and Benedict Cumberbatch's fantastic performance as Sherlock, the show has become an international sensation. Probably the biggest problem that befalls the series are two year waiting periods between the seasons, but if anything that just ensures that the show will be of the highest quality. With season four set to air in 2016, people are already counting down the days.
In 2005 Nickelodeon premiered "Avatar: The Last Airbender," which may be the best show to ever air on the network. Ending after only three seasons, many fans were left longing for more but had no hope in sight. But in 2010, it was announced that a sequel to "The Last Airbender" was in development. After debuting in 2012, "The Legend of Korra" was an instant success, garnering critical acclaim as well as the highest ratings the network had ever seen. Seasons three and four both aired in 2014, and have generally been considered to be the two best seasons. Many were afraid about the future after Nickelodeon decided to stop airing the show half way through season three, but the network decided to finish up the series by releasing one episode per week online. It has been announced that season four will be the last season, and there has been no signs of future installments in the franchise other than the possibility of some comics. If that is true, I can safely say that not only does "The Legend of Korra" do its predecessor proud; it stands out as one of the best cartoons of the past decade.
"Rick and Morty" has to be the biggest surprise of the year. Airing on Adult Swim, most people didn't hear about this show until the company put the first episode on YouTube. It quickly got passed around and has since become a sensation. The show follows a young boy named Rick and his crazy, yet genius, grandfather as they go on all sorts of crazy adventures. Very funny but often heartfelt, the show is more than it first appears. To the joy of fans and critics, shortly after the premiere the series was renewed for a second season. While some are nervous since the creators of the show have said that there are going to be some changes in the future, they seem to know what they're doing so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Let's just hope that "Rick and Morty" has a long and successful run, and continues to be great.
HBO has always been the king of original content, with some of the greatest shows to ever air on television; and if you ask me, "Boardwalk Empire" is their most underrated series. Taking place in the 1920s, the show follows a several bootleggers during prohibition. Taking place several years after season four, season five picks up when most of these characters are at their lowest. By this point most people realize that prohibition is going to end, so the big names try to push as much product as possible while others plan for the future and alcohol's legalization. So everyone scrambles to grab what they can, but things don't always turn out great. I'm sad to see the show go, it really was amazing. Probably the biggest problem with this last season was that it was short at only eight episodes and feels rushed. That aside, it is still highlighted by great acting, smart writing, unparalleled production design, and some of the most interesting characters of all time.
Vice media originally started out as a magazine in 1994, since then it has grown and integrated a website, film company, record label, as well as having one of the most subscribed to channels on YouTube. In 2012, it was announced that Vice had signed a deal with HBO to bring their documentary shorts to TV; and since its launch in 2013, the show has become a major hit. Each episode consists of two documentary shorts ranging on a variety of topics. This season some of the topics included ivory poaching, North Korean citizens trying to defect, fallout from nuclear tests in the former Soviet Union, investigating the Fukushima disaster, the heroin epidemic in Iran, and many more. Arguably the most disturbing and real program currently airing on TV, this isn't a show for the faint of heart. Already confirmed for two more seasons, it looks like "Vice on HBO" will continue to cover fascinating stories of our ever changing world.
"House of Cards" is an original Netflix program that debuted in 2013 based off the British series of the same name, and no show that year made as many waves as this one. We had seen a few original Netflix shows before but none of this caliber, it had two time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey as the star, David Fincher as an executive producer, and a budget of 63 million for the first season; it even went on to receive nine Emmy nominations, and became the first web based series to be nominated for outstanding drama series. It helped usher in a new age, and showed that online content could go head to head with TV. With the second season so highly anticipated it had a lot to live up, fortunately it did. Picking up directly after the first season, the characters and the show's scope are increased but managed to have a much more consistent direction (which the first season struggled with). Already renewed for season three, "House of Cards" is looking to cement itself in the history books as the standard for online programming.
To my own surprise "Orange is the New Black" was my favorite show of 2013, even over shadowing shows like "Game of Thrones" and "Justified." And in some ways, it became the most popular show of the year. The show revolves around a woman named Piper who has been incarcerated years after smuggling money for her ex-girlfriend. So we see her adjust to prison life, and dealing with her personal life outside of prison. The show also follows a number of other inmates as they try to continue with their lives even under less than ideal circumstances. Improving on the first season, season two centered less on Piper and focused more on the other inmates; with major story arks not including her at all. With season three set to air next year, "Orange is the New Black" is a sensation, and secured Netflix's place as one of the best producers of original content out there.
"Cosmos" was a show that was long overdue for a second season. In 1980, Carl Sagan's "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" aired and has since become one of the most popular shows of all time being viewed by an estimated 500 million people. And 30 years later Neil DeGrasse Tyson, a astrophysicist inspired by Sagan, was chosen to host the follow up series. The new series, "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" took the formula of the original show and brought it into the 21st century. Using gorgeous visuals and unique story telling elements, we are brought on a journey ranging from the smallest micron to the entire universe. We learn about historical events and people that lead to many modern day scientific achievements, and made the world it is today. "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" is an insightful and beautiful show that really gets you thinking, and is one of the best television experiences of 2014.
"Fargo" was a series I was rather unsure of when I first heard about it. Loosely based off the amazing 1996 film of the same name by the Coen brothers, "Fargo" the series takes place in the mid 2000s in northern Minnesota; the show follows a series of unfortunate events set off when a drifter (played perfectly by Billy Bob Thorton) roles through and kills a local asshole after he learns about him from an insurance salesman (played by Martin Freeman) who was tormented by him in high school. Dark, graphically violent, and hilarious, "Fargo" was easily one of the best new shows of the year. It's unknown (as of writing this) whether or not there will be a second season, fingers crossed there is because this is one of the most brilliant shows on TV.
After only four seasons, "Game of Thrones" has already cemented its place as one of the greatest shows to ever air on television. Based off the acclaimed epic fantasy book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," this show has become a smash hit like we haven't seen on TV in a long time. Following several character's stories on several different plot lines throughout the mythical land of Westeros, this show is filled with action, drama, comedy, revenge, sex, politics, betrayal, and everything else you could want in a show. The closest comparison I can make would be an R rated "Lord of the Rings" with more characters. Combining an incredible story, great acting from the entire cast, and some of the best production value you'll find on TV, it's easy to see why "Game of Thrones" continues to impress with its fourth season.
"True Detective" may have just been the break out hit of 2014. Other than having two fantastic actors at the helm, not a lot was known about this crime drama before its debut. The entire season was written by an unknown writer and directed by an unknown director; but after the first episode I knew it was going to be special, and after only a few episodes I was proven right. Bolstered by amazing performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson and complimented by some of the best writing on TV, "True Detective" was absolutely incredible from start to finish. Originally planned to be a one season mini-series, HBO announced a season two is on the way. My only worry is whether or not season two can be as good as the first; but if it is, "True Detective" is quickly on its way to becoming one of the greatest shows to ever air on television.
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