I watched a crap load of TV in 2013. Films have always been my big thing and even with The Wire, The Sopranos and 24, I still didn't jump on the loving TV bandwagon. But this year, that really changed. I'd been slowly but surely getting stuck into a few TV shows and this year, two of my favourites finished forever; Breaking Bad and Dexter.
Helpfully my friend also showed me a way to keep up with TV shows without having to subscribe to ludicrously expensive TV services. More importantly I got sent a few TV boxsets to review for Filmoria and I also got lots of work writing for Yahoo on both The Walking Dead and Homeland.
These are all the TV shows I watched in 2013. If I reviewed them, then just click the titles to see my reviews:
TV shows I watched in 2013:
'Unit One might not reach the heady heights of other recent Danish crime
exports but has plenty to offer fans of the genre and will certainly
please fans of both Mads Mikkelsen and Nordic noir with a healthy
feminist streak.'
'Jack Irish is a cut above many TV movies, injected with plenty of Aussie
charm amidst the occasional stereotypes and distracting subplots, but
shot, edited and scored very effectively. While Irish is the focus, the
supporting cast offer just as much fun and help to illuminate the
central character. Guy Pearce is a very welcome presence to the small
screen and makes further Jack Irish adventures a welcome prospect.'
'What I loved about The Killing is that there was a thick web of
characters surrounding the case. They all felt very real and provided a
great deal of interest and suspense into the events after the murder.
The family of the victim, a politician and his campaign crew and more
and more assorted suspects keep clotting up the case and providing fresh
intrigue and fresh suspects throughout the 20 episodes.'
The Walking Dead Season 2
Better than the first season but I still hadn't fallen in love with the series yet despite loving the premise.
Black Mirror Season 2
The second episode of this season, White Bear, was one of the best bits of TV I'd ever seen. Check out my reviews of
White Bear and
The Waldo Moment here.
Game of Thrones Season 1
Loved it so much, I started reading the books on holiday in Thailand. I got half way through the second season and then stopped so I could read the second book first. Now I've just finished A Clash of Kings, I'm going to finish watching the second season and then move on to the third books.
Arrested Development Season 4
Disappointing but still had it's moments. I also got a perfectly timed second free trial month from Netflix to watch it all. Not enough Job, not enough Tobias and a bit too convoluted and clever-clever for its own good!
Breaking Bad Season 4
Best season of the series yet. The dynamic with Gus Fring went to another level and dominated this season and I loved every minute of it. Ended with an absolute shocker too. Walt had descended to his absolute lowest and scummiest and suddenly I found myself caring for Jesse again.
'Unit One series 2 furthers the drama of the first
series and has a consistently fascinating array of mysteries and
murders. The increasingly challenging relationships of the team might at
first appear to take a back seat but by the end of the series, the
members of Unit One are still the ones audiences will warrant worthy of
further investigation in future series.'
Breaking Bad Season 5
'It was an incredibly eventful season with Michonne getting to kick ass,
The Governor becoming a truly terrifying threat and supporting
characters like Glenn and Daryl finally really getting a chance to
shine. With the deaths of Lori and Andrea, it even tugged hard at the
heartstrings before all out war made for an action packed final episode.
Season four will have a lot to live up to.'
Homeland Season 1
I had to race through this as I had to catch up with the whole show before season three started and I began my writing for Yahoo on the series. Loved season 1 but kind of wished it had ended with Brody blowing himself up and then that would have been that!
Dexter Season 6
The Colin Hanks starring series was ok but ended with the mother of all cliffhangers; Deborah finding out about Dexter. That was enough to keep me watching the next season.
Dexter Season 7
It all started losing the plot a bit here with Deborah knowing about Dexter's secret life. However, again it ended with an absolutely gobsmacking climax; Deborah killing LaGuerta. I personally think that would have been a pretty brilliant and bleak way to end the show.
Homeland Season 2
Not nearly as good as the first but much better than the third season.
'Low Winter Sun sits in the very long shadow cast by other far better
dramas but is a success on its own terms, acting as an autopsy of a
dying Detroit that would soon be declared bankrupt.'
Homeland Season 3
I am still currently watching:
Game of Thrones Season 2 which I am about half way through and intent to finish now that I have read A Clash of Kings.
Dexter Season 8 which I just have the final ever episode left to watch!
In 2014, I intend to get through Game of Throne season 3 and hopefully 4 when it comes out, finish The Walking Dead season 4 and watch Homeland season 4. I'm also tempted to start on Boardwalk Empire and Under the Dome.