Top Five TV Series of all Time

While the present COVID situation is rapidly improving, we still have a long way to go. Cold weather, a lack of indoor activities, and early symptoms of Senioritis all come together to make the perfect storm for binging a new TV series. I will admit that I don’t watch a lot of TV; any series not included in this list wasn’t necessarily left off, I might’ve never seen it. From medical drama to fantasy, this list includes something for everyone–except no series set in a high school, I’m sorry but Riverdale has comically bad writing. Without further ado, here are my top five television shows of all time.

5. House

To begin my list we have a medical drama that puts Gray’s Anatomy to shame. While many other series set in hospitals struggle to find a balance between drama and realism, House manages to walk this line with grace by providing the same level of tension and character development of any other acclaimed series while also remaining true to science. At its roots, the premise could be described as Sherlock Holmes meets medicine. Most episodes can exist in a standalone fashion and begin with a patient presenting unusual symptoms of an illness. After some diagnostic magic and several wrong guesses, Dr. House, from whom the series gets its name, delivers a brilliant diagnosis. While this on its own would make for an interesting show, the real beauty is in the development of Dr. House’s character. As the series progresses, House shifts from a brilliant doctor to a troubled man, watching his vices affect those around him as well as himself. House, a redeemable and relatable person in a downward spiral, feels all too real and makes the series much more powerful. 

 

4. BoJack Horseman

Next, we have the list’s only cartoon. While many may view the medium of a cartoon as lesser than live action, BoJack Horseman will surely change their minds. The series tells the story of BoJack, a washed up celebrity from the 80s and cartoon horse. BoJack struggles to find his new place in modern Hollywood while grappling with alcoholism and the demons of his past. Every character in this series is incredibly written, giving a holistic view into different archetypes of people despite being presented as cartoon animals. While BoJack is the main focus of the series, the audience becomes intimate with a wide variety of characters, each extremely complex and dynamic. In this broad look at society, it is very easy to relate different characters either to yourself or those close to you and feel a strong sense of empathy–an emotion I rarely actually feel while watching television. More so than any other series on this list, I strongly urge you to give this a try. The only reason it is not higher is that this is definitely the most serious show on the list. As the series explored themes of race, sexuality, mental health, addiction, consumerism, and trauma, you will likely need to step away at times. Even I had to take breaks and I consider myself to have a high tolerance for emotional content. Overall, this show is a true masterpiece and accurate depiction of the human experience. 

 

3. The Wire           

Next we fill another tv genre: a cop show. Balancing humor with serious themes about poverty, race, and the death of the American dream, The Wire provides a gritty yet entertaining look into the war on drugs in inner cities. While the series mainly follows detectives of the Baltimore Police Department, each season delves into a different force behind the dire straits of inner city Baltimore. Season One provides a familiar view into the drug trade and its effect on the community it infects. In season two, the death of the blue-collar industry and how this forces individuals to turn to crime. Season three peers into corrupt city politics and how the system resists change to the status quo. Season four provides a heartbreaking look at inner city schools and the children who are forced out on street corners to support their families. The fifth and final season examines the media and how they profit off of sensationalizing the tragedies of everyday life. All of these seasons are masterfully intertwined to give the viewer a holistic view of the poverty cycle while also dashing many optimistic hopes for systemic change in the future. 

 

2. Game of Thrones

When many people hear Game of Thrones, they think of dragons, sex, and lots of violence. While that is a fairly accurate summary of Game of Thrones, these things don’t detract from how incredible the series is. Similar to Star Wars or Harry Potter, Game of Thrones offers a fantasy land for viewers to dive into and nerd out over. Within the fantasy land of Westeros, there is something for every type of viewer: wild action, dragons, and steamy romance for those just looking to be entertained but also politics, stunning character development, and themes of justice, power and feminism for those looking for more. The show sets itself apart from other fantasy series because of the level of tension that exists all the way from the first episode until the last. Nobody is safe and the audience will spend most of their viewing experience at the edge of their seat. Once you get started, it is very hard to stop watching. I would regularly find myself up until 4 am, continuously justifying how an episode was worth more than an hour of sleep. My only criticism is that the show’s final season left me disappointed. The ending was underwhelming but only because of the standard the other episodes of the series were held to. Overall, Game of Thrones is well worth watching and deserving of second place on my list.

 

1. Breaking Bad 

Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, Breaking Bad exists in a class of its own when compared to other series. The story of a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin provides enough action to keep anyone hooked while also pulling on the heart strings at times as you watch Walter turn from a well-intentioned man to a cold criminal. Bryan Cranston shines as an amazing actor throughout the series, winning four best actor Emmy awards in the process. The visuals and video editing also work to make the series come alive and won a slew of Emmys in the process as well. Just like the drugs Walter and Jesse cook, Breaking Bad is highly addictive. When I first watched the series, I hunkered down and binged all 62 hours in just a little over 4 days. While that sounds really lame, it was an amazing decision. As I reached the final episode, I felt genuinely sad knowing that I would likely never watch anything that could top Breaking Bad. For those who experience similar sadness, fear not. Spin offs like Better Call Saul can give you your fix of breaking bad even once you have finished the show. 

 

I hope you enjoyed my list and be sure to let me know in the comments what series you think deserved to be on here!