2010 Top 10 TV Shows

Since every critic is doing this, and I've found that I'm quite fond of making lists and writing about stuff I like, I've decided to make a list of my top 10 favorite TV shows of 2010. Here we go!

10. Human Target (Fox)
I really hope this show makes it. It's clever, has a sense of humor, it's got some fun action scenes and a really good cast. Another thing I like about it is its stand alone quality. It's a show I can watch for fun and not have to remember stuff that happened three seasons ago. That stuff is good too, but it gets tiring. Kinda like homework.

9. Breaking Bad (AMC)
This show gets crazier with every episode. The thing I love about it is that Bryan Cranston's Walt makes moves that propel him a lot further ahead then he should be. You'd think he'd take baby steps into the world of drug selling, but he plunges in head first with no intent of coming out clean. There's great chemistry between Cranston and Aaron Paul, who plays Walt's partner. I think this is the glue that holds the show together.

8. Justified (FX)
Justified is a western that pretends to be a cop show. Which is awesome. It has entertaining stories, action, and really sharp dialogue. My favorite episode this season is when they talk down a hostage taker with a bucket of fried chicken. Oh yeah, that happens.

7. Dexter (Showtime)
Season 5 of Dexter was really good. I was a bit let down in the finale. I'd hoped that the Deb/Quinn angle about finding out the truth about Dexter would have yielded more, but maybe they're saving it for next season. Johnny Lee Miller, Peter Weller, and Julia Stiles were great additions to the cast this season. Can't wait to see what they do next.

6. Sons of Anarchy (FX)
I actually doubted the show some this season. The first two seasons were strong, but this season...it felt like they were stretching some plot lines. But then, damn, the season finale. The finale made the whole season work for me. It was very satisfying, and contained one of the most brutal kills I've seen all season. Awesome.

5. The Vampire Diaries (The CW)
This show isn't Twilight. Really, it's not! I like this show because of the fast paced way they resolve things. When something gets mentioned in an episode, you can be sure that they'll resolve it without making you wait a long time or not resolving it at all. (Lost, I'm looking in your direction). Watch the show for Ian Sommerholder's portrayal of Damon Salvatore.

4. Lost (ABC)
There was a lot of nerd backlash over the finale of Lost. I'm surprised and unashamed to admit that I really liked it. Yeah, we didn't learn everything about Dharma Island that we wanted. But how often in real life does someone pull you aside and explain why everything is the way it is? You suck it up and move along, people. That's what I got out of Lost anyway, and that's just fine with me. I still think this was a really great show.

3. Supernatural (The CW)
This season was the Apocalypse season. I think the show has never been better or darker. It was supposed to be the final season, but they decided to go for another one. This happens a lot in TV when a network doesn't want a show to end because it makes money. This can be bad, but on the other hand, we get more Supernatural. It still amazes me how dark this show is- and how nothing ever works out for these characters. That's good drama.

2. 24 (Fox)
24 has declined in quality slightly, hitting the same themes over and over. So, the show had to end. This season went out with a bang, though. My favorite scene was when Jack storms former President Logan's motorcade, in full body armor with an assault riffle. Logan says: That's Jack Bauer!!! Which is the appropriate response. Followed by shitting yourself. This was a sad year- I had two shows I loved dearly end. And within a few days of each other.

1. True Blood (HBO)
In an episode this season, after making a speech about eating children, a vampire pulls out a dude's spine. On national television. This is possibly the most awesome, horrifying thing I have ever seen. And that's why True Blood gets the number one spot. The show seemed to be trying to top itself this year. Every episode had something wackier and more violent than the previous one. But Vampire King Russell ripping out that guy's spine...I'm still shocked about it. I really can't wait for the DVDs.

There's my list! Honorable mentions go to Caprica (Syfy), The Walking Dead (AMC), and the Hawaii 5-0 remake (CBS). All were great shows, but they didn't quite make it. I doubt 2011 will have programming as good as 2010, but we'll see. Stay tuned!