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!
