12. Spartacus: Vengeance (Starz)
Mock it all you like, that won’t change the fact that Starz’s brutally violent, shamelessly libidinous sword ‘n sandal epic delivered the goods every week of its ten-episode third season. It’s easy to get distracted by the spectacular action scenes, and abundance of flesh on screen, but the secret weapon Spartacus has always had is the strength of its storytelling muscles. Lead writer Steven S. DeKnight kept this year’s narrative tightly focused, creating identifiable wants, drives, and desires for all the characters either trying to quash, or ignite, a revolution in ancient Rome.
Following the untimely death of star Andy Whitfield, newcomer Liam McIntyre had some big shoes to fill, but he rose to the challenge, and brought new dimensions to the slave turned rebel leader, Spartacus. The show has always been an exercise in gratification, but Spartacus proves said gratification can be visceral, and dramatic, and emotional, all at the same time. If its final season fine-tunes things even further, the loin-clothed former laughing-stock will be a serious contender for next year’s top 10 list.
- Best Episodes: “Libertus,” “Monsters”
11. Girls (HBO)
It’s become pretty much impossible to talk about HBO’s Girls without mentioning the massive hate-tornado that followed in its wake. Viewers were dumbfounded that a show so low-key in its humor would warrant praise so high from critics, despite Louis C. K. having spent the last couple years successfully carving out a place for TV that treads a line between comedy and drama. Other detractors decided to paint the show as racist for featuring a predominantly white cast, despite the fact that more popular, more beloved programs have gotten away with monochromatic casting for years, without attracting nearly as much ire. And others still just thought writer-director-star Lena Dunham’s voice only spoke for spoiled, whiny 20-somethings, despite that being the point.
Terrible People shows have been a staple of comedy for years now, but Dunham was fearless in taking a warts and all approach to her characters, letting the frequently funny, occasionally poignant, and almost always self-centered adventures of Brooklynite, Hannah Horvath, originate from real, and relatable places. Few can readily identify with the life of an ex-Bank of Mom and Dad urbanite, but feelings of youthful inexperience, self-doubt, and thinking the world is being unfair (when really only you are) are near universal. It’s not for everyone, but Girls’ unwillingness to sacrifice honesty for likeability is exactly what makes it so interesting.
- Best Episodes: “Pilot,” “The Return”
That’s all for today, but be sure to check out our top 10 picks and let us know what you think.