5. Breaking Bad
Even though it’s up from eight on last year’s list, I’m just going to come clean: I’m a bandwagon “Breaking Bad” fan. Although I know it’s blasphemous to say, I watched the first season on Netflix and never felt very compelled to go much further than that.
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After hearing the overwhelming positive response for the final season, I tuned in to watch the final six episodes of the show, which ended up being six of the best hours of television I’ve ever witnessed. To see how Walter White’s story begins in the first season compared to how it all ends in the fifth was incredible, even though I hadn’t taken the entire ride. I can only hope that other television networks will take notice that sometimes it is better to end your hit show when it is in its prime, rather than running it into the ground for the sake of milking the cash cow (cough, cough, “Dexter”).
4. The Walking Dead
Down from third place in last year’s list, “The Walking Dead” has managed to grow its television viewer base annually despite losing a show runner each season that the show has aired. Season four of this zombie drama has been exciting for Rick and company, but it seems as though the mid-season finale only gave us the closure that we should have gotten in season three for a certain villainous story line. I look forward to finding out how everyone fares in the final eight episodes of the fourth season, set to debut on AMC in February 2014.
3. Californication
Up from fifth place from last year’s list, Showtime’s “Californication” has somehow managed to remain absolutely hilarious as the show ages into the twilight of its recently announced final season. Definitely not the best show for those who are easily offended due to its raunchy overtones, “Californication” has remained grounded by the relationships of its ensemble cast. Considering the show’s reputation for pushing the limits of comedic debauchery, this is the series finale that I am most looking forward to in 2014. Here’s hoping that Hank gets the girl for good.
2. House Of Cards
In a role that seems to be custom tailored for Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” is a Netflix Original Series that does a pretty good job of giving credence to the average American’s perception of how the US political system actually works. This political thriller set in the nation’s capital is an elegant dance of power, betrayal, and revenge that is only rivaled in execution by HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” Smartly written, superbly cast, and even better acted, I highly recommend that you queue this up on a Netflix-enabled device near you before the second season debuts in February 2014.
1. Luther
Damn you, Idris Elba, and your cleverly concocted tale of a British copper teetering on the edge. For the second year in a row, BBC’s “Luther” has taken the first place spot in my annual ranking of the best shows I’ve watched within the previous year. I mean, what more can I say, people? Phenomenal character development, thought-provoking story line, out-of-this-world casting — “Luther” has it all in spades. I suppose it comes with a certain level of sadness that it appears as though the recently aired third season marks the end of the show’s televised run, while behind-the-scenes grumblings of a potential movie have been ambiguously uncertain. For fans of dark crime dramas, it honestly might not get any better than this show. I don’t even know why you’re still reading this…go watch this now!
There you have it, folks: the best shows that I watched in 2013. Honorable mention goes to Showtime’s “House of Lies,” which unfortunately did not make my list this year.
My friends have already recommended that I should check out “The Following,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Masters of Sex,” “Newsroom,” “Sherlock,” and “Ray Donovan.” Let me know what you think about my 2013 list in the comments, and definitely give me suggestions if there’s a show that you think I should check out that I did not mention.