My Top 5 TV Moments of 2015

Let's do this.

5. Narcos - Silver or Lead

Spoiler level of this clip - 4/10. It's from the first episode and is in all the trailers. Your call.

Is Narcos the most insightful, well written show? Nope. But it is a ton of fun. This shortened clip doesn't really do it justice, the full clip is much better. It's perfect to let you know what the show is going to be. If you want a show that's going to feature a ton of action, a ton of Pablo Escobar, and a ton of beautiful shots of Columbia, this fits the bill.

4. Game of Thrones - Hardhome

Spoiler level of this clip - 7/10. Let's be honest though, if you haven't watched Game of Thrones yet, you're probably not going to

So, I have a complex relationship with this show. Obviously I love it, and I look forward to it more than any show. But at the same time it'll always be a supplement to the book series for me. It falls short of the book a lot of the time. This season more times than ever before. But this is one area where it went well and above the books. This scene was absolutely captivating, and helped breath a ton of fresh air into a season that was gasping for it.

3. Master of None - Indians on TV.

Okay, so I couldn't actually find this clip on YouTube, but if you have Netflix it is just the intro to the fourth episode. If you don't have Netflix, let's be honest, you're probably not reading this.

I loved this show. It was my favourite comedy of the year. This episode solidified that for me. Aziz Ansari has a way of bringing a fresh new perspective to comedy, while at the same time making you feel like you can relate to everything that can happen. I have no idea what it's like to be a visible minority, to feel like you're never represented in the media except to be mocked, but this episode made me feel like I knew that feeling exactly. This show is charming, clever, smart, and insightful. More than any other show, I would point to this show as a representation of my generation.

2. Mr. Robot - The End of Episode 8

Spoiler level of clip - Off the charts. Too high. Have a trailer for the show instead.

If you've watched the show, you know what I'm talking about. The show had a lot of jaw dropping moments, but this scene practically unhinged my jaw. Mr. Robot was the "out of nowhere" show of the year for me. It was completely off my radar until it was practically over, but man am I glad I caught it. The first half of the season is pretty good, and the second half of the show is incredible. 

1. The last moments of The Americans season 3. 

Spoiler level of this clip: Yeah right. Watch the show. Here's a trailer.

In season 1, The Americans became one of my top 10 favourite shows. This year, it joined the competition for my favourite show of all time. No show combines history, politics, action, family drama, and deep personal conflict like this show does. It's deep, it's dark, it's surprising, and it's at times troubling. The final moments of season 3 left me wanting more like no other show ever has. When I think about what I'm looking forward to watching the most next year, The Americans is miles ahead.

Honourable mentions.

The Mad Men finale - I love Mad Men. It is without question one of the greatest shows of all time. Having said that, there was no single moment this season that gripped me as much as these shows.

Fargo - So, I'm behind on this show. I just finished season 1, and I loved it. But that wasn't from this year. I have a feeling season 2 will have a moment that would have qualified.

Better Call Saul - Good show. Enjoyed it. Not entirely sure I would've watched it without the Breaking Bad legacy though.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Hilarious show. Tons of great moments. Would make a top ten easy.

You're the worst - Fantastic show. Hilarious and dark and insightful and outrageous all at the same time.

My top 5 TV episodes of 2014

There is a law somewhere that states you have to make a list at new years. I don't know where exactly the law is, but I'm pretty sure it exists, so I'd rather not risk it. Therefore, here are my top episodes of television from 2014!

Pre-emptive spoiler alert, I tried to keep it spoiler free, but if you're really worried, you haven't seen the episode, and you want to, maybe don't read the section.

5. Silicon Valley Season 1, episode 8 "Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency"

Quick warning, don't watch this clip if you're at work, or if you're someone's grandma.

This episode basically makes the cut for this joke alone. It was the joke of the year. Silicon Valley is a great show, it's clever, smart, and has heart. Also, it's only 8 episodes so far, so you don't even have to invest much time in to it.

4. New Girl Season 4, episode 6 "Background Check"

A clip that sets up the ridiculous premise of this episode

New Girl and I have a strained relationship. Sometimes I hate it. Sometimes I think I couldn't even like the basic premise of it. Sometimes it seems like it's trying just a little too hard. And then, sometimes, it nails it. This episode made me laugh more than any other thing on TV this year. If you've watched this show before, but got frustrated by its inconsistencies like I did, watch this episode and let it win you back.

3. The Americans Season 2, episode 13 "Echo"

A preview of The Americans

I just started watching this show a couple of months ago. It had me from the very beginning and only got better. After watching an episode from season 2 Sam would ask me if I was having heart palpitations because I constantly had a shocked look on my face. This episode topped off what was a fantastic season. It was intense, shocking, captivating, and left me desperate for season 3 (Which starts later this month!). If you enjoy drama, espionage, and complex family relationships, you need to watch this show!

2. Mad Men Season 7, episode 7 "Waterloo"

The burger chef pitch

This is a show about people selling things, and it's really hard to sell to people. Sometimes I tell people they wouldn't like it, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the best shows ever. It's slow, it's subtle, and it's hard to explain why a scene like the one above works as well as it does unless you've seen everything leading up to it. Having said that, I love this show, and this was one of my favourite episodes of it. It included the moon landing, last minute closed door business, the death of a major character, a mesmerizing song and dance ending, and yet the best part was watching a fast food advertisement pitch.

1. Game of Thrones Season 4, episode 10 "The Children"

An enormous spoiler clip

I've read the books. I knew what was coming. That did not stop this from being my favourite TV moment of the year. It's hard for me to properly rate this show because for me it's more than a show. I don't think of the show as an independent product, but rather a reinterpretation of the books. I'm always judging it in comparison to what the books did. There are places they fall short of the books and places they do much better. I love seeing the decisions this show makes. Traditionally, with this show, the best stuff happens in episode 9. Episode 9 was pretty good this year, but everyone was waiting for this. If you'd read the books, you were excited to see this scene, if you hadn't, you couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. Based on the quality of the books, the best of this show may be over. The show has a lot of interesting choices to make from here on out, for the first time since I watched season 1 unspoiled, I feel I don't know what will happen in each episode. I love that.

2014 was pretty damn good for television. Some great shows that I didn't get to include are Cosmos, You're the worst, Parks and Recreation, and Veep. Then there are shows I know are good but I haven't gotten around to watching. Here's hoping for another good TV year in 2015!