Favourite Shows from 2013

I shouldn't have to say this but 2013 was a great year for television! I've honestly had trouble trying to keep up with it at times.

So because of the sheer amount of shows I have watched or have started watching this year and because there are a few that I never got around to watching (as I haven't mastered not sleeping yet!) I am going to split this post into a few categories:

  1. New shows
  2. Returning shows
  3. Shows I heard good things about

New Shows

By new shows I am refering to those which started anytime after Jan 1st 2013.

Based on a rather large list I have narrowed it down to a top 10 of new shows listed below in no particular order.

  • The Tomorrow People
  • Masters of Sex
  • The Blacklist
  • Almost Human
  • Hannibal
  • House of Cards
  • Orange Is the New Black
  • Sleepy Hollow
  • Under the Dome
  • The Following

Each show has that special something that made it stand out this year to me as one of my favourites. Some of them you should have heard of if not all of them. I could natter on about how great each one is but instead I'm going to tell you about just 5 of them. This isn't necessarily my top 5 however I do think these 5 shows deserve to be written about.

1.Orange Is the New Black

Orange is the new Black
OITNB is based on a book of the same name written by Piper Kerman and is brought to life by a personal favourite creator, writer, executive producer of mine Jenji Kohan. You may know her better from her critically aclaimed show Weeds.

OITNB focuses on the story of the 30-something Piper Chapman, sentenced to 15 months in prison after being convicted of a decade-old crime.

I won't spoil too much of the story but it is all available on Netflix for those looking to watch it legally. For those looking...elsewhere I'm sure you can find it.

It is a great show that will drag you in from the first episode. I plan to write a more indepth post about it at a later date but for now I can only say that this is one of those shows you need to watch if you haven't already.

2.Almost Human

Almost Human
This isn't just another cop drama that you can pass over. Almost Human is a cop drama set in a not so distant future where humans are partnered up with androids. It's what I imagine iRobot and Judge Dredd would be if their universes were put together into a TV series. Awesome!

It has some great acting talent in Karl Urban who you will recognise as the aformentioned Judge Dredd (Dredd, 2012). But also opposite him is the talented Michael Ealy who is a joy to watch.

This is a show that I am pretty sure won't be canceled and I'm sure you will be hooked if you watch it.

3.Under the Dome

Under the Dome
The summer surprise that no one really expected to take off as much as it did. I still have no idea where this is going but Under the Dome is full of surprises being based on a Steven King novel of the same name.

I was lucky enough to watch it when Breaking Bad was coming to the close of it's final season and had the pleasure to see Dean Norris in not 1 but 2 shows! I won't ruin the show for you but...Dean I both love and hate you at the same time.

4.Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow
A new comer in the fall season of 2013. Sleepy Hollow is brought forward to present day as Ichabod Crane and Lt. Abbie Mills face off against the headless horsemen. It's coming up to the season finale but I see it going on for a few series at least. The relatively unknown leads are quickly making names for themselves with these roles. Plus the show features John Cho better know as Harold from Harold and Kumar.

This show is sure to be around for at least 2 seasons by my estimates as it should be.

5.House of Cards

House of Cards
Finally House of Cards a Netflix original featuring the enigmatic Kevin Spacey has to be mentioned.

I don't smoke recreationally (maybe when I'm highly intoxicated) but if I did I would probably find this show to be akin to enjoying a quality cigar. Taking long, sweet, intoxicating drags before releasing a plume of smoke. Afterwards though I would feel just that little bit dirty...but still glad I had it.

This show is really good at making you feel bad. You cheer for the bad guy and feel good. It's impossible not to. You have to watch it to believe it you really do.

Honourable mentions

The following shows deserve to be mentioned as close runner ups. Unfortunately they did not make the cut for the top 10 they are however still some great shows from 2013.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Americans
Brooklyn Nine-Nine	
The Crazy Ones
Defiance
The Goldbergs 
Graceland 

Returning Shows

As this post is a little long I will keep the shows that returned in 2013 that I loved to a minimum and only list them below.

Breaking Bad
The Walking Dead
Person of Interest
Sons of Anarchy
Supernatural
Hart of Dixie (I like the girly shows too so sue me!)
Game of Thrones
Southland
House of Lies
South Park
Arrow
How I met your Mother
The Big Bang Theory
2 Broke Girls
Revolution
Continuum
Homeland
Girls
Greys Anatomy
Nashville
Community
The League
Nikita
Suits

Shows I heard good things about

This final section could be made rather large but I will keep this to a minimal list while not limiting it to shows from 2013.

Vikings
Bates Motel
The Wire 
The Fall
The Killing
Mad Men

I have probably missed a few off from the list so feel free to enlighten me.

Again I will end with a quote from a TV show I hope someone recognises.

Here's some little-known facts about couscous: they didn't add the second cous until 1979.


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