A full year of television has come and gone, and after watching a plethora of series – the time has arrived for Eclectic Pop to recognize the best and
brightest. 13 series made the cut to be mentioned among the year’s
best. They span the contributions of cable, streaming and network broadcasting. Below you will find zero straight-up comedies, loads of dramas (set in both
the past and the present), a single
superhero series and two horror programs. It’s an eclectic mix and we begin
with the selection for the year’s #1 show…
Best Show: Bates
Motel
For the third straight year in a row, “Bates Motel” proved to have no equal.
The latest season of the A&E series focused on the escalation of Norman’s
(Freddie Highmore) unraveling psyche, as his protective mother (Vera Farmiga)
and vigilant brother (Max Thieriot) struggled to come to terms with what to do
about it.
Mental illness is something a lot of shows vaguely discuss and fewer
explore on a deeply seated level. “Bates” is unwavering in its pursuit of the
topic as a significantly silenced issue facing families. While the domino
effect of Norman’s affliction touched every character on the canvas in a unique
way, the season also gave its characters a chance to explore themselves outside
of their connection to him.
Balancing the overarching umbrella that connects
them and the smaller nuances of their individual development is essential to
the entire series and writers Kerry Ehrin and Carlton Cuse kept the ball
rolling in explosively compelling ways.
“Bates Motel” gave viewers moments of dark humor, tragic
drama and heartening romantic quests. It continued swimming in taboo
thematic waters with its signature grace, careful to never push the envelope for the sake of sheer shock value.
“Bates” finds its power in restraint. In exploring the manifold
of psychological layering that comprise a complicated and all-encompassing
characterization.
Led by the remarkable talents of Vera Farmiga, it is a testament
to the strength of its ensemble that every cast member can stand toe-to-toe
with her and capably hold their own. The collective performances of Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot,
Olivia Cooke, Nestor Carbonell and Kenny Johnson, comprised the best work an entire cast contributed to TV in 2015.
The critical apathy for this phenomenal series is
frustrating. There’s nothing this show is doing wrong to explain the
indifference. It is flawless. In a climate where there has been an increasing
call for female led series, “Bates Motel” is ferociously captained by one and
not just any one either.
Norma Bates is a complex buffet of human emotion; a
mother and entrepreneur trying to take care of her family under harrowing
circumstances and Farmiga portrays her struggle with a stunning clarity that
awes in every episode.
For that reason and many more, "Bates" earned the top spot on this list for the third consecutive year. Simply put, no other series deserves it more.
Best Horror Series: Penny
Dreadful
The first season of Showtime’s horror series made a strong first impression
and its second season managed to build on that sound foundation by striking a
sleek balance between gothic gore, mystical mystery and towering romance.
Boosted by the phenomenal central turns of Eva Green and Josh Hartnett, “Penny”
shined brighter than one could’ve ever anticipated. Of furthering surprise is
that “Dreadful” is has proven to be a horror show with heart, a weird dichotomy that sounds
strange on paper and only makes sense when watching.
Proving that point was the
stand-alone episode “The Nightcomers” featuring guest star Patti Lupone, which
catapulted the series to a newly realized creative pinnacle. A powerfully
moving hour of television that earned a spot among the best the medium has ever
presented.
Most Underrated Show:
Tyrant
Another show ignored by critics, FX’s exotic Middle East drama brought the
heat in a follow-up season that extended its attention from the inner conflicts
of the Al-Fayeed family to the fight over their homeland in Abbudin. An aspect
“Tyrant” manages to consistently get right is how it balances an operatic arc
like Barry’s "death" with the larger real-life picture of geopolitics.
Backed by one of the most underrated ensembles on television, Adam Rayner,
Moran Atias, Ashraf Barhom and Jennifer Finnigan continued giving incredible
performances that sold all of the show’s big moments alongside its small ones.
While showrunner Gideon Raff kept up the enthralling pace of its freshman
season.
Best Comeback Series:
The Blacklist
“The Blacklist” had an interesting 2015. In the midst of an undeniable
sophomore slump, it managed to fight back and reclaim its former glory; proving
it’s not impossible to surmount a second season slip-up. Anchored by the
venerable James Spader as the series’ enigmatic protagonist and Megan Boone as
its endearing heroine, “The Blacklist’s” comeback was not entirely unexpected.
Showrunner Jon Bokenkamp has proven to be highly adept at delivering what
viewers want and succeeding at exceeding even those expectations. The reunion
of the feisty/made-for-each-other Keens, proved to be one such example of long
shot hopes that were rewarded in 2015.
Best Summer Series: Scream
When MTV announced it was making a television adaptation of the hit movie
franchise, you could practically hear the chorus of skepticism ring out amidst
the universe of pop culture. My how “Scream” proved the naysayers wrong.
By assembling
a young cast of relative unknowns and pairing them with the highly familiar
scenario of the slasher genre; MTV hit an unexpected home run.
Best New Drama: Bloodline
A picturesque location gives way to ugly secrets in this Netflix original.
Charged by the tour de force performance of Ben Mendelsohn as the black sheep
member of the Rayburn family; “Bloodline” simmers for quite a while before
reaching the last half’s explosive boil.
For those missing the family drama
ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters” supplied, “Bloodline” has the dose you’ve been missing.
Just be warned that when the Rayburns get together for dinner, it’s a much graver
affair.
Best New Historical
Series: The Last Kingdom
BBC challenged “Vikings” and “Game of Thrones” by throwing down the
gauntlet with their own historical drama. Well-paced, engrossingly directed and
engagingly acted, “The Last Kingdom” did not outperform its rivals but made for an
appealing entry to the genre, all the same.