Continuing we’re I left off last week, we’re moving into my top 5 favorite shows.
Apart from the number one spot, it was tough to do this, so let’s finish this!
5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The only show based off an established IP from another medium, the Clone Wars show really enhanced my enjoyment of the Star Wars franchise, it’s lore, setting, and the prequel saga in particular.
Taking place between Episode 2 and 3, the show does an incredible job of giving us new characters, and handling familiar ones.
Anakin became a better written character, and seeing moments of his dark force use are handled wonderfully. Letting it slowly in, foreshadowing his downfall.
Showing the rise of Palpatine into the emperor is done chillingly well.
But the biggest surprise was Anakin’s padawan Ashoka. At first I didn’t care for her, but by the second season, she really grew on me. As she matured, she became a foil to Anakin’s downfall, especially when she left the order in season 5. Rarely does a character go from being disliked to a beloved fan favorite. In a way, she’s the protagonist of the series.
But they also gave personality to the clones, making them more human, and finding out their role in Order 66 was heartbreaking.
Seeing the Clone Wars fleshed out even more was very important, and showing how the two sides are viewed by the galaxy, especially the jedi, really sells how the galaxy was very willing to believe they were traitors.
Showing different planets, biomes, and creatures, only enriches the Star Wars galaxy. A deeper dive into the Jedi, Sith, and the force was a great first time experience.
A few problems with the show are; the first two seasons feel repetitive, just battles (which are great and different at times) but that’s about it. And there’s still some childish moments that don’t make the separatists feel threatening. The timeline always changing, with episodes airing out of in canon sequence was frustrating.
But by season 3, the show struck a great balance of showing action battle sequences, and small quieter moments, with character driven stories. It became more mature. Showing the political aspects in a way that’s not boring, how the war impacts the galaxy in all facets of life. The darkness growing stronger.
And the later seasons started doing story arcs across three to five episodes. So it’s a balance between these longer episode stories, and self-contained ones.
Plus, despite being canceled twice, each time it felt like a satisfying conclusion that tied the trilogies together, though it was perfectly done with Season 7.
Overall, the Clone Wars was a dream come true for not only George Lucas, but us Star Wars fans.
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender
I was quick to dismiss this show from my friend several years back. I thought it was just a silly kid’s show. Boy was I wrong, and I’m glad.
Avatar is richly original, breathtaking show, and an experience I’ve enjoyed each time I’ve watched it. It got to a point that I was binge watching, something I don’t like doing. It just sucked me.
In a world where certain people can bend elements based off their nation (fire, water, earth, air) the Fire Nation is at war with everyone to rule the world.
The Avatar masters all four elements, a 12-year old named Aang, and together with various characters from all nations, to master being the Avatar, end the war, and bring peace.
I love the show’s blend of Asian anime and American cartoons, with imagery primarily on Chinese culture and martial arts. An incredible blend of East and West, thus the art style is incredible and aged very well. Stuff only done best in animation.
Most episodes aren’t filler, so quality is consistent. I love how the characters explore the world, going on adventures seeing different cultures, sub-cultures, people, biomes, letting the art and architecture thrive. This helped the world feel grounded, but still fantastical. Ancient and mysterious, ripe for exploring. The world feels alive, like you’re right there in it.
You slowly learn more of the world, its history, people, and the main characters of Aang, water tribe siblings Katara & Sokka, Earth bender Toph, and fire Prince Zuko.
Each of the 3 seasons feel distinct from the other, with storylines fitted for just each one, but still focusing on the overarching story. Several episodes are given to certain characters, letting their personalities flesh out. I did say I don’t like big, overarching shows, but this is an exception, mainly because it’s animated. The show’s pace and tension really ramped up at the end of season 2, and with the final season, it’s nail biting excitement. When it ended, I felt so satisfied that no loose ends were left.
But the show’s story isn’t just Aang’s. It’d just as much about Zuko, who has one of the greatest characters in my repertoire of shows. Going from an antagonist hunting Aang, to seeing his backstory, relationship with his family, to seeing the greater good and siding with Aang to take down his father and sister, and help bring peace.
What’s most interesting about the show is it’s use and handling of mature subjects and concepts not usually found in youth entertainment. As it’s not really for young kids, but more older ones and young teenagers, the shows tackles war, genocide, imperialism, totalitarianism, sexism, stereotypes, indoctrination, free choice, and many others. A show that appeals perfectly to young youth and adults.
It's hard for a recent show to hit me and impact me as an adult, but Avatar certainly did, and I love every little bit of this show.
3. Monk
Murder mystery crime shows are a dime a dozen. But Monk stands out.
It’s about a former San Francisco Police detective Adrian Monk, who, after losing his wife Trudy to a car bomb, suffers a nervous breakdown. The series follows his attempts at being reinstated, learning to live again, deal with the loss of his wife, and ultimately, solve her murder.
It’s a fairly different premise from other cop shows, especially in its execution, and Tony Shalhoub’s performance. He’s basically a modern day Sherlock Holmes, but crazy. He suffers from extreme OCD, and has 312 phobias, everything needs to be clean, and perfect. This allow for some great comedic elements, as well as a blend of drama. This incredible blend of dramedy really elevates the show above its fellow peers.
Plus, it doesn’t take place in usually police-type cities like Los Angeles or New York.
It’s a small cast, with Monk, his nurse Sharona, and former colleagues Captain Stottlymeyer, and Lieutenant Randy Disher. Sharona is soon replaced in season 3 because of the actresses’ contract dispute. In comes assistant Natalie, who’s very different from Sharona. Not the same characters played by a different actress, so we can accept her into the show. And her relationship with Monk changes him as well.
What’s great about the show is certain cases and moments reveal Monk’s background a little bit at a time, making him more human and at times relatable. You sympathize with him, but the writers smartly make him flawed with other elements of his personality, OCD, and phobias. Throughout the show you see him change, even if just subtlety. His mannerisms, his fears, slowly being conquered, at least tolerable to function properly in society.
And the overarching plot of solving his wife’s murder is sprinkled throughout. It’d just enough to keep you invested, wanting more, as the mystery in slowly put together. Not done too much that it feels artificially stretched. But this still allows most episodes to be self-contained stories.
And the cases are quite interesting. At first they were basic, or boring. The murderer is shown doing the crime, so it’s a matter of Monk just figuring it out. But the show soon developed a variety; someone mysteriously killed, a classic group of possible suspects, and others we know but don’t know how they did it. And this variety soon enough, became very creative, which kept you invested throughout the series. Plus, not done in a graphic way so families can enjoy it.
What capes each crime is Monk revealing how, by saying “Here’s what happened.” It shows the crime being committed in a black and white flashback, like a neo-noir style.
And through it all we see Monk slowly crawl out of that deep, dark – but I’m sure spotlessly clean – hole. The series perfectly ends in a satisfying way, especially regarding his wife’s murder. No spoilers, I highly recommend you check it out!
A smart, interesting show that’s enjoyable the entire time.
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
A classic from the 90s that launched Will Smith’s acting career, and helped bring more African American shows to the forefront.
The show’s about the fictional Will Smith who moves from Philadelphia to Bel-Air to help improve himself in school and life. He lives with his higher social class family, the Banks. His poor, ‘hood’ background is the perfect premise that’s used throughout the series. The best part is that each side adapts to the other. Will becomes a more mature person, and the Banks become less snobbish and stuck up, more grounded.
Each character is unique, works well with others, and are all very memorable. Clearly the best duo were Will and Uncle Phil. What’s great about Will and Uncle Phil is that each one teaches the other. Uncle Phil isn’t the standard father or father figure that’s always right and is always tough. He makes mistakes too, whether with Will or his family. He accepts them and that makes him more human.
This duo is one of the best in sitcoms because they’re not family by blood, as Uncle Phil quickly pointed out in the first episode “This is my nephew by marriage.” They start off hostile, but eventually, they proudly tell each other they are father and son.
A great element of the show was its frequent use of breaking the fourth wall, to our enjoyment.
Though it’s primarily a comedy, the show wasn’t afraid to tackle a variety of serious issues, sprinkled throughout its six seasons. And when they happen, the show becomes a drama. Though the family is black, it’s never made a big deal, because a lot of issues they deal with are what anyone deals with.
But when it comes to racial topics, that’s the difference. From racial profiling, to what it means to ‘be black,’ and the absence of Will’s father, The Fresh Prince took its premise and raised the bar for other shows to deal with serious, real world issues.
My biggest complaint with the show is changing the actress for Aunt Viv. It’s unfortunate, and to be expected a character will change because it’s a different person. No matter how hard they try, it’ll always be different and you’ll know. But the original actress made her the perfect combination between nice and strict. Her and Uncle Phil felt like a true married couple, there for each other, good and bad. In one moment she’d have a pleasant conversation, but wasn’t afraid to throw down or put someone in their place. When she got mad, you knew you did something wrong.
The new actress didn’t make her feel like that. She was too laid back, too nice. The typical married couple of the husband being the strict one, and the mother always being the nice one. And even her role was diminished, not appearing for several episodes. It's so noticeable it’s the one thing that drags the show down a bit for me, especially as it was halfway through the series.
But overall, I love this show with all my heart, and it’s quotable moments, mixed with serious topics, make it so memorable.
1. Friends
This is my favorite show, by a long shot. The one show that I’d never, ever give up. If I live on a deserted island, this is the show I keep. Okay, you get it.
I love this show, the shows I remember every single episode, situation, lines, and endless quotes. “How you doin?” “I Know!!” “We were on a break!!”
The show’s simple premise of six friends living in New York City in their mid-twenties is not new, but they took it to a whole new level, and did it the best. Before and after friends, no show has come close to being as iconic, memorable, and critically beloved.
The friends always stuck together, and though they had their fights, it almost never threatened to tear them apart. Even after twenty years off air, the show it still relevant, because the topics, problems, interactions, are timeless.
Plus, the comedy is situational, not based around an actual joke.
Unlike many shows where the cast (Main, recurring, or minor) is constantly changing, Friends never did that. And unlike some shows where the social group has some in it who aren’t actually friends, Phoebe, Joey, Monica, Ross, Chandler, and Rachel all genuinely liked, loved, and cared for each other. Some were a little better together, but it never felt like two of them weren’t really friends. Put any combination, two of them, four of them, anyone, and it still works. It doesn’t feel awkward or out of place, they are all friends!
They all had their unique traits, good and bad. Something that you remember instantly and always enjoy.
Unlike many comedies that stray from the original premise and foundation, Friends pretty much always kept the formula. That consistency for ten seasons is unheard of, and just when you can tell in the final season quality was dipping, they bowed out, instead of dragging the dead horse on.
The consistency both on the set and behind the camera are incredible. The original creators were there every step of the way.
Knowing the cast genuinely loved each other as much as they did in the show warms my heart. Most times the actors don’t like each other, either professionally, personally, or a bit of both. They got along with the creators and producers, it was a friendship through and through. And how the actors all wanted the same pay, because they said this is an ensemble, no one hogs the screen time more than others. And that’s true, they all shared it very equally. That camaraderie is unheard of.
Another aspect is equality. Most shows have characters that don’t appear as often, but in Friends, nearly every single episode they appear equally. I can only think of one episode where one character, Monica, appeared inly only one brief scene, and that’s it. Again, that consistency is incredible and unheard of!
By the later seasons the six cast members stuck together and ensured they got equal pay. Again, unheard of!
The finale was handled beautifully, very emotional, with Ross and Rachel being ‘will they? Won’t they?’ to ‘they are.’ I could go on and on about this show, but in certain ways, I can’t describe it. It’s magical.
Well, there you have it. My favorite television shows. What a journey. But what about you? What are your favorite shows? Comment below!
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