Television has become, in many ways, almost cinematic. TV shows now often have big budgets that are capable of world setting and character building on a larger scale. Even if a TV show doesn’t have a big budget it’s even worth watching. If each episode pushes the story or gives context to the story world, it’s worth it. It could even be argued that telling a story through an episodic format is better for storytelling because it allows the narrative to be fully fleshed out and not limited by the time constraints of the film.
There is a lot of hard work, dedication and many hours put into making a TV show. Between the hundreds of cast and crew, scripts that had to be written for each episode, and continuity errors avoided, it’s amazing how many TV shows were ever created. Sometimes it doesn’t come to fruition the way the creators intended, but when a TV show’s story comes together in the right way, it’s beautiful.
There are a wide variety of shows available now at any time thanks to streaming services. With so much TV content out there, it’s clear that everyone has different preferences when it comes to what counts as a good show. However, there are some shows that many people have decided are basically flawless. With everyone’s thoughts and opinions in mind, here are some TV shows that are basically perfect.
9 The Wire (2002-2008)
Looking into the eyes of both law enforcement and drug dealers, the wire He followed the drug scene on the streets of Baltimore as a microcosm of the United States’ war on drugs. The shoe also focused on the impact of people around drug dealers and police officers, such as politicians, the media, and even ordinary citizens.
Critics and fans alike enjoyed this show to the extent that they did because of the way the writing seamlessly blended history with fantasy to make the narrative relevant to the time period. The writers were able to dramatize the relationship between crime, social injustice and corruption, all of which have repeatedly let the young and marginalized down. In addition to the gritty subject matter, the show also featured sharp, fun dialogue, and incredible performances.
8 Lost (2004-2010)
Sci-fi can sometimes be a hit or miss if not done right, but J.J. Abrams’ fantasy adventure show about plane crash survivors was a huge hit among TV fans in the 2000s. Lost It centers around an entirely different group of people who are the only survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 that crash-landed on a deserted island. With few resources at their disposal, the group hastily formed a colony of sorts as they tried to find ways to escape from the mysterious island.
The style in which the show was written and conceptualized was the main reason fans tuned in to it each week, and their eagerness to learn more about such a diverse group of people. Each episode allocates time for a different character to explain different areas of their lives. The episodes will also partially take place in different time periods in the character’s life through either flashbacks or flash-forwards. This unique approach has been a game-changer in the television industry.
7 Law & Order (1990–present)
With the outrageous amount of procedural dramas that have been made over the years, we don’t often hear any of them referred to as “perfect.” Sure, many people are fans of procedural dramas, which is why they keep making them, but that’s usually because we as humans naturally enjoy dramas. but, Law and order It is a different breed of procedural drama. Still currently showing new episodes since its pilot episode premiered in 1990, the crime show has been a household name for more than 30 years. The show was so beloved that after the show supposedly ended in 2010, it was brought back 12 years later for another season and is still going strong. It has spawned several spin-offs, such as the extremely popular Special Victims Unitand has remained a staple show for many fans of the genre.
Law and order It immediately distinguished itself from other criminal procedures by infusing both sides of the law together; Police who investigate crime and lawyers who bring justice to crime. Blending the formulas of a cop show and a courtroom drama together allowed TV viewers a glimpse into our real-life legal proceedings, from criminal proceedings to defendant.
6 The X-Files (1993-2018)
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Another fan favorite that led to the show being brought back for another season years after the show ended, The X-Files It has developed a loyal following and cemented itself a place in popular culture. The show revolves around two FBI agents, the skeptical Dana Scully and the opportunistic second Fox Mulder, who work tirelessly to investigate the strange and unexplained despite hidden forces trying to hinder their efforts.
One of the main reasons the show has been so successful throughout its run has been the natural chemistry between the two charismatic leads. There was clearly a whole lot of talented people in front of and behind the camera to make a show of this magnitude, but what brought viewers back each week were the interactions between Scully and Mulder. Their natural chemistry allowed the show to dive deep into conspiracy theories and the realm of the supernatural while somehow rooting the show in reality.
5 The Sopranos (1999-2007)
HBO’s the sopranos It is often considered one of the best TV shows of all time. The show revolves around New Jersey mafia boss Tony Soprano, expertly played by the late James Gandolfini, as he deals with issues in his professional and personal life that negatively affect his mental state.
The show is already set up for success by having someone as charismatic and talented as Gandolfini play the intimidating leading man. With a cast of characters fully fleshed out and allowed to develop, sharp writing, and stories that made sense for each character, it’s no surprise that many hold a special place in their hearts for the sopranos. Additionally, the show allowed its characters to have their ups and downs in ways that made the show feel real and relatable.
4 Arrested Development (2003-2019)
Until Netflix picked up the beloved comedy seven years after its cancellation, Development stopped It was tragically short-lived. The show never received the ratings needed to keep it alive at Fox, but it proved to be a good show among fans when Netflix ended up green-lighting two more seasons after its initial cancellation. The series follows the Bluths, a formerly wealthy family as they go from rags to rags when the clan’s spoiled patriarch is arrested.
Not only was it funny to watch the Bluths try to live like average Americans and fail miserably at that, it was mostly fun to watch the misguided family plot against one another or try to break one another up. The show was filled with joke after joke and even Ron Howard narrates each episode, adding a unique sense of humor to an already funny show. She also constantly referred to the actors’ past roles, which weren’t as popular 20 years ago as they are now.
3 Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
Very few shows have captured the trials and tribulations of adolescence in this way Freaks and geeks an act. Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s teen comedy is set in small-town Michigan in the 1980’s and featured characters from all different teen stereotypes from jocks to stoners to band nerds. The show also perfectly captured the sense of time through its soundtrack and set design without shoving constant references to the time period down viewers’ throats.
It featured a talented cast including Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel who convincingly portray high school students who just want to find where they belong. The whole show was about coping and learning to accept yourself as you are, and it deserved more than just one season.
2 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
The completely original crime drama by Vince Gilligan, Too bad, captivated audiences throughout its five seasons with its incredibly complex writing and multi-faceted characters. Bryan Cranston’s compelling portrayal of a chemistry teacher dying of cancer turned Walter White’s fearsome drug lord into viewers every week. Cranston was no stranger to the small screen when he took on the role of Walter White, coming from shows like Malcolm in the East, but his previous television roles barely hinted at his ability to play a ruthless man bent on making a name for himself by any means necessary. Despite knowing White wasn’t a very good person, Cranston’s raw portrayal of the character drew viewers in and made them someone to sympathize with.
Every character on the show, whether you like them or not, has elaborate story arcs and enough backstory to make each character’s story worth paying attention to. This show really had everything going for it. Highly intelligent writing, powerful performances, movie-rival cinematography, and an absolutely killer soundtrack made every moment of the show more exciting than the last.
1 Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
Quite possibly the premiere that proved TV series can be truly artistic, David Lynch’s stunning drama paved the way for the future of television. Part parody soap opera, part murder mystery, and part bizarre nightmare, Twin Peaks It was a wonderful meditation on the American Dream and nostalgia. With an ensemble cast led to perfection by Kyle MacLachlan’s lovable FBI agent Dale Cooper, the show centered around the fictional town of Twin Peaks as they try to figure out who killed Laura Palmer and what exactly the sinister presence looming over the seemingly picturesque town is.
Lynch is known for including hallucinatory dream sequences in his projects, and Twin Peaks certainly wasn’t lacking in those. Each dream sequence or moment in the infamous Red Room included symbolic details indicating something that happened or was going to happen. Although the show was tragically short-lived, a controversial prequel movie did Twin Peaks: Firewalk with me It was released in 1992 and in 2017 Showtime aired a strange and beautifully artistic third season called twin peaks: back, It proves that the charmingly bizarre show cemented its place in television history.
