Yes, you're gonna need a TV for this list.
August 2, 2018 6:23 AM Subscribe
The Ringer has come out with their 100 Best TV Episodes of the Century. The list is all encompassing, including not just the usual subjects, but genres like animation and reality/competition shows. You can join the conversation on Twitter with #100BestEps.
I seem to be very behind in my tv watching...
posted by caddis at 6:48 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by caddis at 6:48 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
For those of you who don't want to be bothered with all this scrolling and flashing, #94 is The Price Is Right, episode 46.5. Sorry, that's as far as I could get.
posted by kozad at 6:56 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by kozad at 6:56 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I am so behind on my TV watching, I think I've seen eight of these.
posted by octothorpe at 6:57 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 6:57 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
No "I Remember You"? I actually was left pretty cold by this list, tbh. I like their consideration of all TV genres (but is it just me was there a fucking LOT of reality TV on there? Like, a lot a lot?) but found their choices to be either bland or just... wrong on the internet.
(Also, the best Doctor Who episode is not actually Blink. Fight me.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [10 favorites]
(Also, the best Doctor Who episode is not actually Blink. Fight me.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [10 favorites]
I seem to be very behind in my tv watching...
Yeah, me too. I found this a fascinating overview of "modern" television (I was going to say 21st century, but not quite everything is, is it?). On that list there were only 4 episodes that I have actually seen. There were 18 others where I'd seen the show at least once or twice, or even lots of times (Sex and the City, No Reservations, SNL), but not that particular episode. Of the rest, I've heard of maybe half the shows but never watched any, and the rest I've never even heard of.
But, you know, when I was a kid in the 70s I watched a LOT of tv and still didn't watch every show that was on. So perhaps when you consider how many many many more shows there are on now, I'm still watching the same proportion of shows? Maybe. Or, nowadays I'm just spending all my time watching cats on YouTube.
posted by JanetLand at 7:08 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yeah, me too. I found this a fascinating overview of "modern" television (I was going to say 21st century, but not quite everything is, is it?). On that list there were only 4 episodes that I have actually seen. There were 18 others where I'd seen the show at least once or twice, or even lots of times (Sex and the City, No Reservations, SNL), but not that particular episode. Of the rest, I've heard of maybe half the shows but never watched any, and the rest I've never even heard of.
But, you know, when I was a kid in the 70s I watched a LOT of tv and still didn't watch every show that was on. So perhaps when you consider how many many many more shows there are on now, I'm still watching the same proportion of shows? Maybe. Or, nowadays I'm just spending all my time watching cats on YouTube.
posted by JanetLand at 7:08 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Celebrating Drew Carey’s 10th anniversary as Price Is Right host, the show raised the stakes, awarding contestants $10,000 if they hit a dollar on the wheel and $25,000 if they hit a dollar again on their additional spin. In a sequence of sheer madness and impossible chance, three people hit a dollar five times in a row, and a record-setting $80,000 was given out.
I don't wanna get all conspiracy theory, but "impossible" chance seems pretty apt. Would have been sad to see the special anniversary stakes announced for nothing. Good thing people miraculously won so the special stakes meant something in the end. As if $80,000 means much of anything to a show that gets its contestants for free and is based on viewers watching them guessing prices for name brand products. It's almost like advertising, but, you know, for fun.
posted by gusottertrout at 7:08 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
I don't wanna get all conspiracy theory, but "impossible" chance seems pretty apt. Would have been sad to see the special anniversary stakes announced for nothing. Good thing people miraculously won so the special stakes meant something in the end. As if $80,000 means much of anything to a show that gets its contestants for free and is based on viewers watching them guessing prices for name brand products. It's almost like advertising, but, you know, for fun.
posted by gusottertrout at 7:08 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
This list is all encompassing"
s/all/US/
You left off the rest of the sentence, which clearly refers to genre:
The list is all encompassing, including not just the usual subjects, but genres like animation and reality/competition shows.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:15 AM on August 2, 2018
s/all/US/
You left off the rest of the sentence, which clearly refers to genre:
The list is all encompassing, including not just the usual subjects, but genres like animation and reality/competition shows.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:15 AM on August 2, 2018
Lists like this serve to reinforce that a) I haven't seen enough of a lot of prestige tv, b) I will never catch up on a lot of tv, and c) I guess I will go live in a cave somewhere.
posted by Kitteh at 7:17 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 7:17 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
Oh and extra points for the post title.
posted by octothorpe at 7:26 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 7:26 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen many of these series, so I can't really comment, but for the ones I have seen, I think they picked a lot of episodes where there were better examples. I laughed when they opened up with a Walking Dead season 2 episode. I remember the constant complaints about being stuck at the farm all season.
For what it's worth, I would have added the Crossfire episode where Jon Stewart went on and singlehandedly destroyed the show.
posted by Query at 7:31 AM on August 2, 2018 [15 favorites]
For what it's worth, I would have added the Crossfire episode where Jon Stewart went on and singlehandedly destroyed the show.
posted by Query at 7:31 AM on August 2, 2018 [15 favorites]
Waaaay too much "reality" tv, and not enough of the classics. No M.A.S.H.? No Barney Miller? No fucking Cheers?
Lost at #1 is just shit. Boo list, boo.
posted by Sphinx at 7:33 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Lost at #1 is just shit. Boo list, boo.
posted by Sphinx at 7:33 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
the best Doctor Who episode is not actually Blink.
I just watched Blink the other day, and I couldn't get past how intensely the cop tried to get Sally's phone number, when she'd come into the station to report a missing friend. Then you realize that it's just so that he has it later to call her from the hospital, and it's oh, half-butted writing and the patriarchy.
posted by turkeybrain at 7:35 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I just watched Blink the other day, and I couldn't get past how intensely the cop tried to get Sally's phone number, when she'd come into the station to report a missing friend. Then you realize that it's just so that he has it later to call her from the hospital, and it's oh, half-butted writing and the patriarchy.
posted by turkeybrain at 7:35 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm not as anti-BSG finale as other people, but does anyone really think it's the best episode? Same with Parks and Rec. By the time it finished its third act of character wish fulfillment and second act of flash forwards, it's not the series at its best. It's an Event, but it's not the best the show could produce. Weird choices from shows that should have something on the list.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
Waaaay too much "reality" tv, and not enough of the classics. No M.A.S.H.? No Barney Miller? No fucking Cheers?
How many comments on here are going to be from people who missed the "of the century" bit in the title?
posted by Think_Long at 7:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [19 favorites]
How many comments on here are going to be from people who missed the "of the century" bit in the title?
posted by Think_Long at 7:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [19 favorites]
ctrl-f 'venture bro-' NO RESULTS
close tab
posted by FatherDagon at 7:41 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
close tab
posted by FatherDagon at 7:41 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
I saw that Price is Right episode! It was pretty crazy! I have no life.
posted by dirigibleman at 7:43 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by dirigibleman at 7:43 AM on August 2, 2018
It seems like they completely missed the point of Walt's toxic phone call to Skyler in Ozymandias (which was that he knew the police were listening).
posted by lagomorphius at 7:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by lagomorphius at 7:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
half-butted writing and the patriarchy
You have summarized Steven Moffat's oeuvre quite succinctly.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:51 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
You have summarized Steven Moffat's oeuvre quite succinctly.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:51 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
And clearly all tv is in English, with 90-some percent made in the US.
posted by victotronics at 7:51 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by victotronics at 7:51 AM on August 2, 2018
ALSO THERE WAS NO HANNIBAL ON THIS LIST, IT IS ENTIRELY INVALID
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:52 AM on August 2, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:52 AM on August 2, 2018 [11 favorites]
Missing: Friends - The One Where No One's Ready. Or maybe it's The One with the Embryos.
Anyway, this list is incomplete!
posted by like_neon at 7:56 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Anyway, this list is incomplete!
posted by like_neon at 7:56 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Everyone will have a valid reason to hate this, and that is why it is here.
I am glad 'Blink' is included.
posted by pompomtom at 7:57 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
I am glad 'Blink' is included.
posted by pompomtom at 7:57 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
List inaccurate due to lack of "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space.'"
posted by UltraMorgnus at 8:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by UltraMorgnus at 8:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [9 favorites]
I was just watching House Hunters the other day and thinking to myself "how have these editors not won an Emmy for including cuts to the exasperated faces of the realtors when the couples are being the worst?"
The problem with HH/HHI is that it's all shot after the fact. How they got that couple to melt down on-camera (again?) is probably Emmy-worthy, but it's still a simulation.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:07 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
The problem with HH/HHI is that it's all shot after the fact. How they got that couple to melt down on-camera (again?) is probably Emmy-worthy, but it's still a simulation.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:07 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I am glad 'Blink' is included.
Same.
It's a well-done, focused, episode that actually finds a somewhat new way to deal with the whole hand-wavey, timey-whimey method of the show, while introducing a new, original, and actually scary baddie. Yet, it manages to feel small and comfy, as opposed to the usual Whovian scene-ripping, and running-down-halls-screaming method of story telling. And, Carey Mulligan.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:07 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
Same.
It's a well-done, focused, episode that actually finds a somewhat new way to deal with the whole hand-wavey, timey-whimey method of the show, while introducing a new, original, and actually scary baddie. Yet, it manages to feel small and comfy, as opposed to the usual Whovian scene-ripping, and running-down-halls-screaming method of story telling. And, Carey Mulligan.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:07 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
The list seems reasonably well-considered (presence of a Sherlock episode notwithstanding) but Jesus fucking Christ, let me get rid of that flashing video bullshit in the corner of the screen. Even Adblock can't stop it playing!
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:11 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:11 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Including a Black Mirror episode that isn't San Junipero? That's a paddlin'.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:21 AM on August 2, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:21 AM on August 2, 2018 [7 favorites]
Everyone will have a valid reason to hate this,...
I don't watch enough television to hate it, but I do think it should give at least a nod to some of the stuff being produced outside the US (and not just the small hat tip to some predictable shows from the UK). There should have been room for, say, Canada's Orphan Black, Germany's Babylon Berlin, France's Call My Agent. I could go on....
posted by BWA at 8:21 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
I don't watch enough television to hate it, but I do think it should give at least a nod to some of the stuff being produced outside the US (and not just the small hat tip to some predictable shows from the UK). There should have been room for, say, Canada's Orphan Black, Germany's Babylon Berlin, France's Call My Agent. I could go on....
posted by BWA at 8:21 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
but I do think it should give at least a nod to some of the stuff being produced outside the US
Like, erm, Blink?
posted by pompomtom at 8:26 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Like, erm, Blink?
posted by pompomtom at 8:26 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
(...but yeah - needs way more Philomena Cunk, and even that bloke she's been associated with)
posted by pompomtom at 8:28 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by pompomtom at 8:28 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
ctrl-F simpsons... nope, see ya!
posted by Cosine at 8:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Cosine at 8:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Waaaay too much "reality" tv, and not enough of the classics. No M.A.S.H.? No Barney Miller? No fucking Cheers?
For clarity's sake:
The "century" they are referring to when they say "best episodes of the Century" is the 21st Century. Therefore any show that ended prior to 2000 would by definition be excluded from this list.
....Cheers ended in 1993.
M*A*S*H ended in the 1980s.
So did Barney Miller.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:30 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
For clarity's sake:
The "century" they are referring to when they say "best episodes of the Century" is the 21st Century. Therefore any show that ended prior to 2000 would by definition be excluded from this list.
....Cheers ended in 1993.
M*A*S*H ended in the 1980s.
So did Barney Miller.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:30 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
ctrl-F simpsons... nope, see ya!
Yowsers, we have an advocate for post C20 Simpsons?
I am impressed.
posted by pompomtom at 8:34 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
Yowsers, we have an advocate for post C20 Simpsons?
I am impressed.
posted by pompomtom at 8:34 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
I would have chosen “33” as the Battlestar Galactica representative episode. That was masterfully done, setting up the tension, chaos, and desperation of their situation. There’s a puzzle to be solved and this woefully unprepared ship is dealing with broken equipment and trying to deal with infrastructure while on the run.
TV series rarely do finales well and BSG and Lost and probably GoT all leave us hanging.
Also, who has time to watch even a third of these shows?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [20 favorites]
TV series rarely do finales well and BSG and Lost and probably GoT all leave us hanging.
Also, who has time to watch even a third of these shows?
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [20 favorites]
was just watching House Hunters the other day and thinking to myself "how have these editors not won an Emmy for including cuts to the exasperated faces of the realtors when the couples are being the worst?"
Because the show is built on a lie:
Because the show is built on a lie:
The show is entirely fake, but not just "producers pull some strings" fake. Like, "none of the stuff ever happened and it's on the contestants to fake everything" fake.posted by NoxAeternum at 8:40 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
House Hunters actually rejects contestants who are genuinely in need of a new house, and only builds episodes around people who've already bought one. The show then makes participants do all the work in terms of constructing a deception that they're still house hunting, and it's the participants' job to find the two other houses they're "considering."
One such indentured contestant was Bobi Jensen, who not only had already bought a house with no help from the show, but she also ended up having to ask two of her friends to let them use their houses to pose as houses on the market which they were "considering" buying. The friends had to scrub their places for the TV cameras so Bobi could walk through them and explain exactly why she wouldn't want to live there. Needless to say, Bobi left owing two friends future rides to the airport / help moving / endless any-favors.
Spoiler free summary for anyone:
*Skim*
Hmmm I wonder when they're gonna put in...
*Skim*
Well that's an odd choice...
*Skim*
Huh... now this seems really weird let me look to see if this is actually numbered...
*Skim*
Now they're just fucking with me
*Skim* (Top 10)
Ok... now that I just don't get in the least...this list is just fucked...
*Raise Eyebrow*
Wait What? They can't be serious...
Oh.... This is a fighty thread...
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:44 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
*Skim*
Hmmm I wonder when they're gonna put in...
*Skim*
Well that's an odd choice...
*Skim*
Huh... now this seems really weird let me look to see if this is actually numbered...
*Skim*
Now they're just fucking with me
*Skim* (Top 10)
Ok... now that I just don't get in the least...this list is just fucked...
*Raise Eyebrow*
Wait What? They can't be serious...
Oh.... This is a fighty thread...
posted by Nanukthedog at 8:44 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
Aaahh...this century...so it makes sense there is no:
Dick Van Dyke show: the curious thing about women
Futurama: 300 big boys
posted by sexyrobot at 8:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Dick Van Dyke show: the curious thing about women
Futurama: 300 big boys
posted by sexyrobot at 8:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Ctrl+F for "Wrestlemania 26" -- no results
Oh, wait, Ctrl+F for "Wrestlemania XXVI" -- still no results?
Maybe they're not including pay-per-views?
OK, let's try Ctrl+F for "CM Punk" -- no results
"pipebomb" -- no results, WTF?
"Daniel Bryan" -- no results
"Eddie Guerrero" -- no results
Ugh.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oh, wait, Ctrl+F for "Wrestlemania XXVI" -- still no results?
Maybe they're not including pay-per-views?
OK, let's try Ctrl+F for "CM Punk" -- no results
"pipebomb" -- no results, WTF?
"Daniel Bryan" -- no results
"Eddie Guerrero" -- no results
Ugh.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, who has time to watch even a third of these shows?
IKR?
I mean, I have no children, a part time job, and a couple of fun hobbies, but I still can't make time to see most TV. Like, I have to drop stuff I like constantly because bingeing or even a few episodes a week doesn't work for my schedule.
To people who watch a lot of TV and are able to keep up with every pop culture reference generated from them, I salute you.
posted by Kitteh at 8:46 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
IKR?
I mean, I have no children, a part time job, and a couple of fun hobbies, but I still can't make time to see most TV. Like, I have to drop stuff I like constantly because bingeing or even a few episodes a week doesn't work for my schedule.
To people who watch a lot of TV and are able to keep up with every pop culture reference generated from them, I salute you.
posted by Kitteh at 8:46 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, who has time to watch even a third of these shows?
I might be willing to watch all the episodes on that list, but not all the shows, just to see how good they are completely out of context. For instance, I've watched the stupefying Amy's Baking Company episode of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, but not one of any of the others.
posted by lagomorphius at 8:47 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I might be willing to watch all the episodes on that list, but not all the shows, just to see how good they are completely out of context. For instance, I've watched the stupefying Amy's Baking Company episode of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, but not one of any of the others.
posted by lagomorphius at 8:47 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Would a wrestling PPV count as a TV episode?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:48 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:48 AM on August 2, 2018
Dick Van Dyke show: the curious thing about women
That's a strange way to spell That's My Boy???
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:48 AM on August 2, 2018
That's a strange way to spell That's My Boy???
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:48 AM on August 2, 2018
I am not going to respond to this obviously wrong clickbait article, I am not going to respond to this obviously wrong clickbait article I am -- the BSG FINALE really?????
posted by jeather at 8:50 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 8:50 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think The Dinner Party is an obvious first choice for The Office but I'd hate to have to pick number 2.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:52 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 8:52 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Would a wrestling PPV count as a TV episode?
Even if it doesn't, the other stuff I fake-searched for -- CM Punk's pipebomb, basically his entire feud with John Cena, Daniel Bryan's entire career in WWE -- all aired on (cable) network TV. As did the Eddie Guerrero memorial show.
Also, I know they restricted themselves to 21C but that still overlooks two whole seasons of Farscape, people!
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:52 AM on August 2, 2018
Even if it doesn't, the other stuff I fake-searched for -- CM Punk's pipebomb, basically his entire feud with John Cena, Daniel Bryan's entire career in WWE -- all aired on (cable) network TV. As did the Eddie Guerrero memorial show.
Also, I know they restricted themselves to 21C but that still overlooks two whole seasons of Farscape, people!
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:52 AM on August 2, 2018
At first I was like "There is no way Band Geeks is better than Arrgh!" but than I saw that Arrgh! actually aired in 2000, so I guess, list, I guess....
...except for the fact that Frankendoodle aired like three weeks before Band Geeks...
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:01 AM on August 2, 2018
...except for the fact that Frankendoodle aired like three weeks before Band Geeks...
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:01 AM on August 2, 2018
The series finale of BSG was its best episode?! That makes no sense, much like the finale!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:04 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:04 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
uhh how is Blink in the bottom 10th and below a kardassian episode? no thanks
posted by numaner at 9:08 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by numaner at 9:08 AM on August 2, 2018
No Steven Universe... Hard to pick a single ep but it really is the best thing around these days.
posted by yellowbinder at 9:11 AM on August 2, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by yellowbinder at 9:11 AM on August 2, 2018 [7 favorites]
I'm a bit surprised there's no Steven Universe. Particularly "The Answer," which may be the most groundbreaking 12 minutes of kids' television in history.
Blink is certainly one of my top-5 favorite Doctor Who episodes, although I recognize its issues. Most of my other favorites, however, are two-parters -- The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead, Human Nature/Family of Blood, etc.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 9:13 AM on August 2, 2018 [8 favorites]
Blink is certainly one of my top-5 favorite Doctor Who episodes, although I recognize its issues. Most of my other favorites, however, are two-parters -- The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead, Human Nature/Family of Blood, etc.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 9:13 AM on August 2, 2018 [8 favorites]
Hi-5 yellowbinder.
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 9:13 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Ben Trismegistus at 9:13 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
uhh how is Blink in the bottom 10th and below a kardassian episode? no thanks
Is it "In the Pale Moonlight"?
posted by biffa at 9:14 AM on August 2, 2018 [9 favorites]
Is it "In the Pale Moonlight"?
posted by biffa at 9:14 AM on August 2, 2018 [9 favorites]
Blink is certainly one of my top-5 favorite Doctor Who episodes
Me too! The rest make up "Genesis of the Daleks".
posted by pompomtom at 9:20 AM on August 2, 2018
Me too! The rest make up "Genesis of the Daleks".
posted by pompomtom at 9:20 AM on August 2, 2018
Honestly, I feel like the top episodes are a reasonably defensible bunch (though I haven't seen them all) and they clearly went out of their way to avoid being snobbish, so credit to them. #2 in particular is exactly the right episode of Mad Men to choose. If you've ever been in one of those insanely overworked professional jobs, this episode might break you. I want to make every would-be lawyer watch it ("...and the dude you'll be stuck with will NOT look like Jon Hamm!!!").
posted by praemunire at 9:22 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by praemunire at 9:22 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is this something you'd have to have a high tolerance for really, really aggressively shitty web design to understand?
(No, seriously. I opened this up, tried to kill that obnoxious flickering TV thing, failed and closed the tab in disgust. They didn't even need to offend me with substance; style was enough.)
posted by suetanvil at 9:25 AM on August 2, 2018
(No, seriously. I opened this up, tried to kill that obnoxious flickering TV thing, failed and closed the tab in disgust. They didn't even need to offend me with substance; style was enough.)
posted by suetanvil at 9:25 AM on August 2, 2018
I liked this list! I'm tempted to drop my normally scheduled TV viewing and binge all of these, but if I started at the top I'd have to force myself through Season 2 of Lost and that ain't happening.
posted by zeusianfog at 9:37 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by zeusianfog at 9:37 AM on August 2, 2018
Lots of excellent episodes in there. Also lots of stuff I have no history but fun to read about anyway.
But...
No Avatar: The Last Airbender? That's a bad oversight.
posted by Caxton1476 at 9:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
But...
No Avatar: The Last Airbender? That's a bad oversight.
posted by Caxton1476 at 9:38 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
The BSG finale wouldn't rank in a list of best TV episodes of the 19th century.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:45 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
(Trust me, it made sense when I typed it.)
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:47 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:47 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
Not a single episode from Under the Dome. I feel personally slighted. It may not be the best TV, but it's definitely the most fun I've had watching TV since MST3K episodes in the 90s.
posted by Nelson at 9:49 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 9:49 AM on August 2, 2018 [4 favorites]
Lost had more than one season?
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:51 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:51 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
While they do have THE GOOD PLACE / S1 E13 / “MICHAEL’S GAMBIT”, they completely overlooked S2 E3, "Dance Dance Resolution", which should be at least top 20.
posted by signal at 9:55 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by signal at 9:55 AM on August 2, 2018 [6 favorites]
> yellowbinder:
"No Steven Universe... Hard to pick a single ep but it really is the best thing around these days."
Hard QFT.
posted by signal at 9:56 AM on August 2, 2018
"No Steven Universe... Hard to pick a single ep but it really is the best thing around these days."
Hard QFT.
posted by signal at 9:56 AM on August 2, 2018
> Slarty Bartfast:
"I would have chosen “33” as the Battlestar Galactica representative episode."
Absolutely. I wouldn't put the globawful ending on any position in the list.
posted by signal at 9:58 AM on August 2, 2018
"I would have chosen “33” as the Battlestar Galactica representative episode."
Absolutely. I wouldn't put the globawful ending on any position in the list.
posted by signal at 9:58 AM on August 2, 2018
TV series rarely do finales well and BSG and Lost and probably GoT all leave us hanging.
BSG is one of the few shows in the last twenty years that I've actually watched all the way to the end and my realization that I should have quit a year earlier gave me permission to bail earlier on a lot of shows since then. Actually, I think that BSG is the only show that I've watched until the end in this century.
posted by octothorpe at 10:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
BSG is one of the few shows in the last twenty years that I've actually watched all the way to the end and my realization that I should have quit a year earlier gave me permission to bail earlier on a lot of shows since then. Actually, I think that BSG is the only show that I've watched until the end in this century.
posted by octothorpe at 10:01 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
Meh, it's all subjective anyway. There's too much scripted TV to track, and with the advent of bingeable TV, does "Best Episode" mean the same thing anymore?
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:07 AM on August 2, 2018
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:07 AM on August 2, 2018
I was glad to see Blink and an episode of Pushing Daisies, but...no Stranger Things? No Legion?? Come on, Legion has some seriously genre-and-medium-bending shit going on.
posted by cooker girl at 10:22 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by cooker girl at 10:22 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm pleased that the Finding Frances episode of Nathan For You ranked highly. I didn't expect to see it. It's really unlike anything else.
One overlooked series that hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet: Review with Forrest MacNeil.
posted by painquale at 10:25 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
One overlooked series that hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet: Review with Forrest MacNeil.
posted by painquale at 10:25 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
Connected: When Do TV Shows Peak? - Ben Lindbergh and Rob Arthur, The Ringer
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:25 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
Every television series has a high point. To find out when and why most of them get there and why they can’t stay there forever, we crunched the numbers and spoke to the creators who craft the episodes where everything clicks.They figured out some averages and posted generic charts inside the article. However, there's also:
Naturally, individual shows deviate dramatically from the overall trends. Using the interactive tool here, you can view the quality trajectory of any series with at least 5,000 user ratings on IMDb. Just click on that link and select any show title from the alphabetical drop-down menu to display its complete plot. You can also browse statistical data on comedies, dramedies, and dramas and sort them by any of three criteria: their similarity to the typical trajectory for their genre (the lower the number, the more similar the show); the point in their runs at which they hit their pre-finale peaks; and the slope of the most direct line through the first 85 percent of their runs (to avoid finales). A high and positive slope indicates a show that the audience decided gradually got better, like Breaking Bad.Percent runtime is an interesting choice for the time axis.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:25 AM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
One overlooked series that hasn't been mentioned in this thread yet: Review with Forrest MacNeil.
“Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes” has to be the most crushing half hour of television ever.
posted by ejs at 10:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
“Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes” has to be the most crushing half hour of television ever.
posted by ejs at 10:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [3 favorites]
I appreciate their inclusion of different genres, but I am also a terrible snob about reality TV which I fucking loathe 99% of and think is mostly actively toxic, and there was way too much of it on this list.
Also, there are people who think Lost was good TV and people who don't, and I am, um, one of those who doesn't, and there is no way that any episode of Lost was the best episode of TV in the month that it was on, let alone in the entire 21st century.
Also, Once More With Feeling is not the best Buffy episode of the 21st century. Nope. Wrong.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:40 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
Also, there are people who think Lost was good TV and people who don't, and I am, um, one of those who doesn't, and there is no way that any episode of Lost was the best episode of TV in the month that it was on, let alone in the entire 21st century.
Also, Once More With Feeling is not the best Buffy episode of the 21st century. Nope. Wrong.
posted by Squeak Attack at 10:40 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
I read the article last night, and I am still mad at their selection for Bojack Horseman. I'm still mad at Bojack Horseman for deciding to kill Sarah Lynn, just because we needed to give Bojack something to spin-out from. Why wouldn't you pick the underwater episode??
posted by politikitty at 10:44 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by politikitty at 10:44 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm a bit surprised there's no Steven Universe. Particularly "The Answer," which may be the most groundbreaking 12 minutes of kids' television in history.
QFgoddamnmotherfuckinT
nthing the BSG finale as a terrible call. Honestly, I might give the honors for best BSG episode to "33," the first episode of the show following the initial miniseries.
Also agreeing with politikitty on the Bojack underwater episode. I suspect that will become an even more glaring omission as the years pass and its creative influence grows.
posted by duffell at 11:06 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
QFgoddamnmotherfuckinT
nthing the BSG finale as a terrible call. Honestly, I might give the honors for best BSG episode to "33," the first episode of the show following the initial miniseries.
Also agreeing with politikitty on the Bojack underwater episode. I suspect that will become an even more glaring omission as the years pass and its creative influence grows.
posted by duffell at 11:06 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Thinking about it, there are multiple Steven Universe episodes I'd place above plenty of the ranked entries. "The Answer," for sure, but also "Mr. Greg," "Bismuth," and "A Single Pale Rose."
Community's "Remedial Chaos Theory" is legitimately a solid choice for this list, so no quibble there.
Also, HARD DISAGREE to anyone who thinks "Once More, With Feeling" didn't belong on this list. I will fight you... IN SOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!
posted by duffell at 11:14 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Community's "Remedial Chaos Theory" is legitimately a solid choice for this list, so no quibble there.
Also, HARD DISAGREE to anyone who thinks "Once More, With Feeling" didn't belong on this list. I will fight you... IN SOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!
posted by duffell at 11:14 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
"33" is clearly the correct answer for BSG; it's so tightly edited and tense that the rest of the series tried (and occasionally succeeded) to live up to it.
Parks & Rec probably should be "Bus Tour"--a strong showing from the entire cast, a prime example of its loopy take on small-city politics, and Burt Macklin, FBI.
posted by thecaddy at 11:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Parks & Rec probably should be "Bus Tour"--a strong showing from the entire cast, a prime example of its loopy take on small-city politics, and Burt Macklin, FBI.
posted by thecaddy at 11:29 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
As long as 30 Rock's "Succession" is on the list, I'm happy enough. I still think about that half hour and laugh.
I'd have picked "White Bear" for Black Mirror because that one still haunts me. And, good lord, 51 million people watched the finale of the first Survivor.
posted by gladly at 11:36 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'd have picked "White Bear" for Black Mirror because that one still haunts me. And, good lord, 51 million people watched the finale of the first Survivor.
posted by gladly at 11:36 AM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think the sidebar discussion on the West Wing episodes was right; 24 Hours in America is better than Two Cathedrals.
Also, a Lost episode at #1??? WTF, list? At least it was one of the better ones, but still...
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:05 PM on August 2, 2018
Also, a Lost episode at #1??? WTF, list? At least it was one of the better ones, but still...
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:05 PM on August 2, 2018
I feel like they picked that Galactica episode just because they wanted to talk about a certain type of finale and they were already set on what episodes they wanted to use for The Sopranos, Lost, and How I Met Your Mother.
posted by ckape at 2:52 PM on August 2, 2018
posted by ckape at 2:52 PM on August 2, 2018
Barry just aired, but the last episode absolutely deserves a place on the list. It's one of the rare season finales that actually manages to tie together every episode in the show, in a way that makes even the thought of re-watching them better. (This is also true of The Good Place, but they included that one, so...)
I think all the series finales are a bit of laziness from the Ringer. If they knew they wanted to include a show, but didn't really agree on the episode, they just went for the pilot or the series finale. It's a very stupid choice for BSG -- to my mind, most people either "don't mind it too much" or hate it with show-destroying intensity. I've literally never met a person who liked it, much less considered it their favorite episode. Pilots aren't a great choice, either, because shows will usually produce something better after they figure out what they're doing. The big exceptions to this are Pushing Daisies (which is included on the list) and the absolutely perfect Veronica Mars pilot (which is not).
posted by grandiloquiet at 3:50 PM on August 2, 2018
I think all the series finales are a bit of laziness from the Ringer. If they knew they wanted to include a show, but didn't really agree on the episode, they just went for the pilot or the series finale. It's a very stupid choice for BSG -- to my mind, most people either "don't mind it too much" or hate it with show-destroying intensity. I've literally never met a person who liked it, much less considered it their favorite episode. Pilots aren't a great choice, either, because shows will usually produce something better after they figure out what they're doing. The big exceptions to this are Pushing Daisies (which is included on the list) and the absolutely perfect Veronica Mars pilot (which is not).
posted by grandiloquiet at 3:50 PM on August 2, 2018
BSG is one of the few shows in the last twenty years that I've actually watched all the way to the end and my realization that I should have quit a year earlier gave me permission to bail earlier on a lot of shows since then. Actually, I think that BSG is the only show that I've watched until the end in this century.
Same! I spent the final season of Buffy complaining about it, then transferred my obsessive fan-watching to BSG. That last season of BSG just crushed me. On the upside, I got much better about quitting shows. I quit Sherlock when I realized I didn't even enjoy hate-watching it anymore, I quit Doctor Who when my affectionate ribbing veered into deep contempt (for a children's show, I'm aware). I stopped watching Game of Thrones because I was turning into the Jerk Friend whenever someone tried to discuss it. Peak TV has probably made this easier -- there is so much to watch, why make yourself miserable? -- but BSG still delivered the best, cruelest lesson.
posted by grandiloquiet at 3:59 PM on August 2, 2018
Same! I spent the final season of Buffy complaining about it, then transferred my obsessive fan-watching to BSG. That last season of BSG just crushed me. On the upside, I got much better about quitting shows. I quit Sherlock when I realized I didn't even enjoy hate-watching it anymore, I quit Doctor Who when my affectionate ribbing veered into deep contempt (for a children's show, I'm aware). I stopped watching Game of Thrones because I was turning into the Jerk Friend whenever someone tried to discuss it. Peak TV has probably made this easier -- there is so much to watch, why make yourself miserable? -- but BSG still delivered the best, cruelest lesson.
posted by grandiloquiet at 3:59 PM on August 2, 2018
They picked "The Reichenbach Fall" for Sherlock which I liked at the time but now have come to hate because of what a cheat it turned out to be.
posted by octothorpe at 4:26 PM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 4:26 PM on August 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I admit to an unapologetic bias. I have watched a good 2/3's of the show on that least and while ER and West Wing hit home, most of them I stopped watching after the first season or two, if they made it that far. So for me, all of the best episodes were in those first two seasons. But if we are looking at the 21st century, Supernatural has been on for 13 of those 18 years, and no mention. I'm the first to admit it's no award winner, but seriously, for a genre show that's held an audience that long...you'd think it would have fallen in there somewhere. Devil's Trap, Swan Song, and Sacrifice are all edge your seat episodes. And I could list others that kept me interested longer than the entire 1st run of 24 or Gray's Anatomy.
But again, I'm seriously biased.
So yes, it's a fighty list...
posted by allandsome at 4:55 PM on August 2, 2018
But again, I'm seriously biased.
So yes, it's a fighty list...
posted by allandsome at 4:55 PM on August 2, 2018
But if we are looking at the 21st century, Supernatural has been on for 13 of those 18 years
And ... I've never heard of it. Having grown up in the seventies during a time when everyone knew what was on one of the 3 networks, it's wild to me that a show could be broadcast for more than a dozen years and escape my notice.
posted by octothorpe at 5:57 PM on August 2, 2018
And ... I've never heard of it. Having grown up in the seventies during a time when everyone knew what was on one of the 3 networks, it's wild to me that a show could be broadcast for more than a dozen years and escape my notice.
posted by octothorpe at 5:57 PM on August 2, 2018
I was going to be all growly about how NYPD Blue was completely ignored, but then I remembered it is a show of the last century.
(How can that have ended such a long time ago? It feels so much more recent.)
posted by hippybear at 6:21 PM on August 2, 2018
(How can that have ended such a long time ago? It feels so much more recent.)
posted by hippybear at 6:21 PM on August 2, 2018
Clickbait of clickbait: 21 of The Ringer’s 100 best television episodes of the century involve the loss of an important character.
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:27 PM on August 2, 2018
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:27 PM on August 2, 2018
I was glad to see "International Assassin", but it should have been higher than halfway up the list. I mean come on, you seriously expect me to believe that Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch is better TV than The Leftovers? Pull the other one, it's got bells on.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 6:54 PM on August 2, 2018
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 6:54 PM on August 2, 2018
Waaaay too much "reality" tv, and not enough of the classics. No M.A.S.H.? No Barney Miller? No fucking Cheers?
How many comments on here are going to be from people who missed the "of the century" bit in the title?
It is a grandiose claim given that we aren't one fifth into the century; so it is an easy mistake to make. Just say in the Last 20 Years, and it sounds a whole lot less ridiculous.
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 6:58 PM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
How many comments on here are going to be from people who missed the "of the century" bit in the title?
It is a grandiose claim given that we aren't one fifth into the century; so it is an easy mistake to make. Just say in the Last 20 Years, and it sounds a whole lot less ridiculous.
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 6:58 PM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
No B99? No HMT? No Westworld? I'd also have put some Prison Break < S01E13 (what was originally planned for the serie).
And I concur about BSG, it had gone bad way before that episode, worst episode choice ever! (that's it I'm turning into CBSG). For new viewers I suggest stopping after to Adama maneuver episode.
Seems to be ignoring the Netflix shows for some reason (Stranger Things beats most of this list).
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:10 PM on August 2, 2018
And I concur about BSG, it had gone bad way before that episode, worst episode choice ever! (that's it I'm turning into CBSG). For new viewers I suggest stopping after to Adama maneuver episode.
Seems to be ignoring the Netflix shows for some reason (Stranger Things beats most of this list).
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:10 PM on August 2, 2018
Since It doesn't go back to the 90s I was spared having to whine about the fact Babylon 5 was excluded :) For all it shortcomings it has some powerful moments and nobody did serialized tv like that at the time.
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:20 PM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by WaterAndPixels at 8:20 PM on August 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
*smacks forehead, realizes ALL of Futurama is in the 21st century*
Parasites Lost?!
Jurassic Bark??!!!
The Holphoner episode isn’t even the best Devil Robot episode!
This article is proof that watching too much TV warps your thinking and suddenly I feel better about not watching Stranger Mirror Mr. Robot or whatever.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:27 PM on August 2, 2018
Parasites Lost?!
Jurassic Bark??!!!
The Holphoner episode isn’t even the best Devil Robot episode!
This article is proof that watching too much TV warps your thinking and suddenly I feel better about not watching Stranger Mirror Mr. Robot or whatever.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:27 PM on August 2, 2018
No Person of Interest episodes? S4E11 "If-Then-Else" managed to be brilliant contemporary-setting science fiction, powerful drama and, in places, screamingly funny.
For Doctor Who, it's hard to argue with "Blink", although I think "Midnight" and "Heaven Sent" are notable runners-up. If you allow two-parters (and I don't think this list does) then "Human Nature" / "The Family of Blood" may even edge out "Blink".
posted by Major Clanger at 5:16 AM on August 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
For Doctor Who, it's hard to argue with "Blink", although I think "Midnight" and "Heaven Sent" are notable runners-up. If you allow two-parters (and I don't think this list does) then "Human Nature" / "The Family of Blood" may even edge out "Blink".
posted by Major Clanger at 5:16 AM on August 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'm just glad Justified got an entry, and to think I wouldn't even have cared earlier in the year if not for my binge watching Santa Clarita Diet which led me to that show.
re: Supernatural - I think post-season 7 or 8, it does feel like it took an absolute dip out of the pop culture radar. it's hard for me to find anyone admitting to watching it, and parts of the fandom itself is a mess. But I bailed early, around season 5 (early is so relative!). I learned to cut my losses with The X-Files, around season 6. It's very liberating!
posted by cendawanita at 7:40 AM on August 3, 2018
re: Supernatural - I think post-season 7 or 8, it does feel like it took an absolute dip out of the pop culture radar. it's hard for me to find anyone admitting to watching it, and parts of the fandom itself is a mess. But I bailed early, around season 5 (early is so relative!). I learned to cut my losses with The X-Files, around season 6. It's very liberating!
posted by cendawanita at 7:40 AM on August 3, 2018
One thing I've gained with old age is realizing life is too short to stick it out for shows that aren't delivering right now. Bailed on Lost about when they started flashing back to the mainland, on Breaking Bad in the middle of the second season, when the 'best show ever' continued to fail to materialize, on many other shows in the middle of the first episode.
I think it's that missing out on TV shows, gives me 0.0000% anxiety, even (especially) 'must see' shows, whereas there's a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about all the books I won't have time to read before I die.
posted by signal at 8:29 AM on August 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
I think it's that missing out on TV shows, gives me 0.0000% anxiety, even (especially) 'must see' shows, whereas there's a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach about all the books I won't have time to read before I die.
posted by signal at 8:29 AM on August 3, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm gonna talk about what was on the list instead of the spiral into the myriad of things left off (though I agree %100 that I Remember You is the best animated episode of TV ever) -
TRUE DETECTIVE - S1 E4 - “WHO GOES THERE”. Yes. That episode will stay with me probably my whole life. The technique, the skill, the subject, was all so captivating.
I'm a huge TV person but my tastes don't typically overlap the mainstream (I'm not a fan of most macho shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad, etc). But there were more than a handful that were here, so i got to say "Oh, yeah! that one!" and that was fun for me
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:07 PM on August 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
TRUE DETECTIVE - S1 E4 - “WHO GOES THERE”. Yes. That episode will stay with me probably my whole life. The technique, the skill, the subject, was all so captivating.
I'm a huge TV person but my tastes don't typically overlap the mainstream (I'm not a fan of most macho shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad, etc). But there were more than a handful that were here, so i got to say "Oh, yeah! that one!" and that was fun for me
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:07 PM on August 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
Supernatural - I think post-season 7 or 8, it does feel like it took an absolute dip out of the pop culture radar.
Supernatural's biggest pop culture cross-over was the haunted TV set where the live action stars became animated and went into the cartoon version of a classic Scooby Doo episode. It was.... a thing that happened. Actually, my problem with shows like Supernatural is that they are all essentially the same - so Grimm, Supernatural, Midnight TX, etc - pick your favorite.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:35 PM on August 3, 2018
Supernatural's biggest pop culture cross-over was the haunted TV set where the live action stars became animated and went into the cartoon version of a classic Scooby Doo episode. It was.... a thing that happened. Actually, my problem with shows like Supernatural is that they are all essentially the same - so Grimm, Supernatural, Midnight TX, etc - pick your favorite.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:35 PM on August 3, 2018
I like the list overall, but no Hannibal is baffling.
posted by codacorolla at 5:26 PM on August 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by codacorolla at 5:26 PM on August 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
The Parts Unknown episode that Bourdain did on the heroin situation in Greenfield, Massachusetts was the most amazing hour of TV I've seen in quite a while.
posted by KazamaSmokers at 8:14 PM on August 4, 2018
posted by KazamaSmokers at 8:14 PM on August 4, 2018
Actually, my problem with shows like Supernatural is that they are all essentially the same - so Grimm, Supernatural, Midnight TX, etc - pick your favorite.
Only on the surface. But Grimm had series long arcs that were really well laid out. Not to mention the show actually cared about non-humans way more than Supernatural does. Supernatural really only showed you the characterization of a few "beasts" that became allies. For non-humans it definitely focused almost exclusively on angels and demons. Grimm delved into the world of the "monsters" and even had a few as main characters.
But I love Supernatural almost unconditionally because you can't watch all of that show and not. The in-jokes, the self-references, the constant struggle that the heroes go through, they're all so great.
posted by numaner at 7:39 AM on August 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Only on the surface. But Grimm had series long arcs that were really well laid out. Not to mention the show actually cared about non-humans way more than Supernatural does. Supernatural really only showed you the characterization of a few "beasts" that became allies. For non-humans it definitely focused almost exclusively on angels and demons. Grimm delved into the world of the "monsters" and even had a few as main characters.
But I love Supernatural almost unconditionally because you can't watch all of that show and not. The in-jokes, the self-references, the constant struggle that the heroes go through, they're all so great.
posted by numaner at 7:39 AM on August 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
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But what do they think "century" means!? Like thirty years and some change?
posted by Krazor at 6:48 AM on August 2, 2018 [5 favorites]