My Top Five TV Shows

Last weekend, D. asked me if Breaking Bad was not the best TV show I had ever seen.  (We had binge-watched it together early this year and both really, really liked it.)  I couldn't say it was the best TV show, so he pressed me to say that it was in my Top 3 . . . . Hmmm. . .  Nope, still couldn't quite say that.  I did finally agree that it was definitely in my Top 5.   

So, inspired by that conversation, here are my Top 5 TV shows, in no particular order.

1.  Breaking Bad

Despite, or perhaps because of the subject matter, this story is rivetingly well told and tight as a drum.  No fluff, no loose ends, no trailing off into weak filler in the last seasons.  It contains heart-wrenchingly realistic and finely tuned characters who ring true at every twist of the story. And there is big, overarching theological food for thought in a Graham Greenesque fashion. 

2.  Bones

My favorite on screen partnership is Booth and Brennan and the tension of "head versus heart" that they represent in their ways of living.  The dialogue is witty, the characters are varied and lovable and crime solving -- while not always believable-- is lots of fun.   The last couple seasons have definitely faltered though.

3.  Downton Abbey

I've always really loved British "period pieces." These characters are all so well-crafted and the setting so beautifully sumptuous.   And Lady Grantham's quoteable quotes alone are worth the watch.

4.  Prison Break

My "oldie but goodie".  The action is so good, the storyline is so clever and Michael and Lincoln are some of the manliest men in a show. Michael's heart is so true and strong, the way he struggles over each moral dilemma after moral dilemma is noble (and refreshing!).  I need to watch this one again!

5. White Collar

Funny, slick and sophisticated-- this is such a enjoyable show.  It's got clever, non-violent crime, another one of the greatest partnerships/friendships in a show, a tongue in cheek political commentary, one of most solid marriage relationships I've seen on screen and a fun backdrop of New York City.   And Peter is one of my favorite TV/movie characters of all time.  

BONUS:

A close sixth for me is Lark Rise to Candleford.  

This show is set in such a beautiful English countryside that it refreshes me just to watch it.  The people are well and slowly developed, with nuances and shades of characterization coming out in subtle ways as the story unfolds. It's funny, in a soft, sweet way, and the wisdom about people, growing up, marriage, relationships, old age and the passage of time is gently shared.   This show, much more genuinely than White Collar, paints a beautfully realistic picture of a marriage in its ups and downs that is one of the highlights of the show for me.  

Unfortunately the ending season loses a very important character, and therefore a lot of its soul.  

So what are your Top 5?  I'd love to know!