1. ABQ (Breaking Bad Ep 13) -In a extraordinary season of television, with more then half the episodes being perfect, it would seem obvious to choose the finale, however unlike most serialized television, while it all added up to this it can certainly stand it's own. ABQ is the year's most devastating hour of television and one of the finest to be produced for the medium. With the extraordinary performances of Arron Paul and Brian Cranston at it's center, Breaking Bad took a bold move forward in ABQ, suggesting, without tipping it's hand, the possibly that the universe may indeed come down to karma, and that ultimately our actions can have far reaching consequences that reach beyond our doorsteps or even our neighborhoods. So it's only fitting that the end result of one man's selfish choices rain down from the skies over his home. - Alt Ep 4 Days Out or Phoenix (I CAN'T CHOOSE THE SEASON WAS THAT GREAT) .
2. Seven Twenty Three - Already a stellar third season, however it's primary focus on character rather then plot caused the casual viewer to criticize it's first haft (unjustified n my opinion with a death, a birth and some major revelations along the way). While Guy Walks into a Advertising Agency was one of the boldest works of the series (and the bloodiest, bringing the first in what will likely be many great allusions to the escalating conflict in Vietnam) Seven Twenty Three was the most perfectly realized episode of the season to date, on par with all time highs like The Jet Set and Three Sundays, episodes which subtly observed these characters in their social milieus while everyday choices are made. As always the focus is on Don Draper, here taking a disastrous attempt to reaffirm his "hobo code" only to be pulled down by the social forces that be. Don's already lagging far behind the culture of his time, but as this series has constantly shown he's clearly not the only one. Alt Ep- Shut the Door Have a Seat
3. Children of Earth Day 4 - The first three episodes may be more tightly scripted and crafted (and no question they're among the most best of the year) but Day 4 (and Day 5 ) is where producer writer Russell T Davies further developed his powerful blend of humanism and social cynicism, a mix that had pervaded his work on Doctor Who and the first 2 seasons of Torchwood. The viewer witnesses our bureaucratic constructs play out in horrific fashion in the face of the central threat and all within the realm of plausibility. Here human folly is vividly scaled by Davies and director Euros Lynn, and in the end in concert with the real life tensions evoked we witness a love story come to a devastating yet beautifully realized end. Alt Ep Day 5
4. Underdogs - Friday Night Lights - FNL is at it's best when it evokes the communal thrall (and occasional sadness) of small town football and Underdogs is the most powerful realization of this since the Season 1 finale. But it's all in the details and here the creators craft a scene for scene paean to life as struggle, where decisions however right in theory can have devastating effects both on and off field. The consequences of Tammi and Eric's joint decision to call protective services on Joe McCoy may have formed the dramatic back bone of this episode, but it was again the fringe characters that gave this episode it's depth, be it Tyra's moment of self realization on paper, to Julie and Loraine's recognition that they need to support Matt leaving Texas. But the moment of gut wrenching pain comes in a gorgeous lyrical moment, as time is suspended during the State game where loss is evident, and then the two sides part, one in joy and the other in sadness. Alt FNL ep The Son
5. Epitaph One - One of the boldest episodes under the Joss Whedon producer flag, using the flashback format in a revitalized way as the flashbacks are of our present (or near future) while the bulk of the episode takes place in 2019 with human civilization having been obliterated by our reckless use of the Dollhouse's technology. It's a cautionary tale, almost a work of horror regarding the danger of technology to our human identity(collective and individual). Regardless a powerful sense of hope prevails, not only for our future but for the characters whom we had already spent 12 episodes with and those who we have only just met. Alt Ep Belonging
6. Gilead - To it's tense opening prison sequence to it's haunting finale scored to the great Devandra Banhart, Gilead is the most realized episode of Sons of Anarchy to date (if not quite it's most powerful). It all climaxes with one of the most brutal fight scenes on small screen. It may be behind Captain Turner vs Dan Doraty, Ralphie vs Tony, and even the visceral charge of Tavon and Shane's brawl in Kurt Sutter's other famous series, but still one which finds a nasty vent for Jax and Clay's feelings towards each other. Still Jax doesn't even know what Clay did to his father!! This episode had some of Ryan Hurst's most moving moments as Opie, working behind the scenes to save the club but unable to even look his kids in the face due to his grief. Also Gemma's conversation with Oswalts about healing and the need to keep community together held so many meanings besides the plot requisites that it further deepened the show. But in the end it was Jax's moment of self awareness in his interrogation that moved me the most, the moment where he realized his power and his place however regressive said recognition ends up being by seasons end. Alt Ep Balm
7. Two Weeks Michael Scott puts in his two weeks notice, says goodbye to Dunder Mufflin (at least temporally) and decides to start his very own paper company specifically the MSPC (the subject of many hilarious episodes). Of course everybody is at least curious how the experience of no Michael Scott is going to seem, but not so much that they're willing to follow him. Of course that's the point, Michael may be an idiot about 95 percent of the time (you think I'm giving him too much credit) but he at least recognizes that fundamental truth. That work is tedious bullshit, and that its much better to have fun. Of course Michael isn't some martyr on the alter of our secret desire to break away, but an unfortunate product of no ask no tell corporate culture and a bad pool gene. Regardless when Michael makes his last ditch attempt to bring everybody over, while crawling and pleading with his former co workers, the moment while one of desperation, was the series at it's best in illustrating the character's timely achieved, however backwardly realized, truth. Of course when Pam and Michael turn the corner (in a film parody I thought would never seem fresh ever again), that mixture of hope and fear created as timely a shot as
was crafted in 2009. Alt Ep Murder
8. The Variable - The thematic sequel to last years masterful the Constant is not quite on the level of that work, but it's still one of the years most poetic and profound works, the one where the long time Lost theme of free will vs fate gets it's most devastating yet strangely ambiguous presentation. It's anchored by the ever brilliant Jeremy Davies, who is the one American character actor who can bring real dramatic weight to human eccentricity. It all ends on that final moment of recognition, where we realize the universe we think we understand is far more complex and beyond our control. On a plot level it's the story of how a man was controlled across time and space, but as always in Lost even the most absurd concepts are given genuine depth. Alt Ep - LeFure
9. The Oath - There are more daring episodes of BSG from the final season such as Sometime a Great Notion or Daybreak and the companion episode Blood on the Scales is nearly as good, but The Oath is BSG at it's most perfect, from it's script to it's direction (from the excellent John Dahl) building up systematically to the central coup and documenting the fall out along the way as the fleet splits. Here human civilization really goes to shit with little to no chance to put the pieces back together again. It ends on another of BSG's powerful affirmations of the friendship Tigh and Adama share both whom will go out on their last stand if need be. Space Cowboys indeed. - Alt Ep Sometimes a Great Notion
10. Torch - Torch(episode 13) is the jewel ep of the best season of Rescue Me and under normal circumstances it probably would have been the finale (previous seasons only held 13 eps). Regardless this magnificent work is perhaps the finest episode in the series and one that contains it's greatest moment (you'll know it when you see it). Torch is the show's most powerful statement on grief and how we struggle to live on even when we've tragically become immune to the uglier areas of humanity. It's the episode that manages to effectively dramatize Tommy Gavin's self destruction(something which the series has often failed to do) and amazingly show that the world may have a place for him in it just as he is. - Alt Ep Iceman
and the final 5!!
Debate 101 - It was this or Introduction to Statistics and while having Chevy Chase trip out as "Beast Master" was undoubtedly the funnest moment of the year (ok in the top 3) it was this episode that really delivered on the promise of the initial episodes. It's got Abed taking his meta commentary to absurdest heights, it's got Allison Brie at her most adorable, it's got a wonderfully goofy Evil Woman singalong and yes Arron Himelstein is hilarious as Greendales handicapped rival with his pony tail and scarf. Of course the key here all comes down to the central debate, is man good or is man evil and while Community clearly recognizes human complexity, it certainly in the Abed sub plot recognizes the consistency of human behavior for better or worse. - Alt Ep Introduction to Statistics
Eastbound and Down Part 5 - This is the episode where the series desperate elements came together, Green's poetics, Adam Mackay's goofy farce, and Jody Hill's cynicism, each one balanced perfectly to not only give great empathy to the characters resignation to the mundane, or provide a ruthless attack of small town hypocrisies, but the joy in saying FUCK YOU in the most outrageous way, one which hilariously affirms Kenny Powers proud identity as a sicko, hick narcissistic asshole. And yes it has Will Farrell as a Ric Flair aping car salesmen. Alt Ep Part 3
Chuck Vs the Ring The goody bag episode of the year, meaning its got everything but a big glittering Christmas tree. It delivers the goods with little to spare. It peaks being Jeffster's Mr Roboto wedding ruin and the immortal line "Why are you letting a Sam Kinison lookalike and a lesbian Indian ruin your wedding". And yeah it's got Chevy Chase being a sarcastic bad ass. Alt Ep Chuck Versus the Suburbs
Jabberwocky - It was this or Racial Sensitivity, but Jabberwocky really gets at the heart of Better of Ted as a satire, the way uniformity breeds ignorance, the way fear of ignorance breeds more ignorance and how the corporate latter from the janitors to the CEO respond in turn. Ted and Veronica's big presentation was perhaps the shows funnest moment to date, poking fun at US corporate climate in ways that only 30 Rock USED to match and really Porta De Rosi has given us one of the year's funnest performances. Alt Ep Racial Sensitivity
Tiny Bubbles - What could have come to the sentimental, instead is a lovely paean to the sister/brotherhood of nursing, with the residents here gather to pay tribute to a fallen friend and assist her in her passing. It's got alot going for it including the moving bed side toast, but it's really Paul's speech that really cuts to the bone, about needlessly assisting. It's moments like that minus all the touchy feelie shit that clogs up most of television drama where you understand the appeal of this profession. Alt Ep Pilot
Marissa Nadler – For My Crimes
7 years ago
