I’d have to have a bazooka to my temple to really try to select ten, but if we were treating this like some weird form of “Desert Islands Discs”, I guess I’d end up with the following (and it goes without saying, order is irrelevant):
BSG - So say we all. The quintessential space-opera, but thankfully with far less singing (and no aliens, though we still don’t know what Starbuck was). Such exceptional character interactions, focus less on sci-fi and more on the social, military, and political ramifications of extremely difficult decisions. A very complex game of chess, with key game pieces that just so happen to regenerate… =)
Carnivale - I’m not EVEN going to get into this here. Just go rent it, or better yet, buy it…and thank me later. Makes “Heroes” look like a bucket of dust, particularly beyond the first season.
X-Files - This is where I really started cutting my teeth as a geek. While it can be attacked for getting a bit bit for its pant-suit britches by the last few seasons, and losing a bit of direction, the middle years of the run were OUTSTANDING. I may be a pacifist, but if you ever said anything derogatory about my beloved Scully, I might have to slap you open-handed in the throat.
Sherlock - A new addition to the list, but after the season 2 finale, this could possibly be some of the best television writing I’ve ever seen…and that’s looking PAST Moffat’s great recent work on “Doctor Who”, not to mention his “Coupling” years.
Doctor Who - No, I’m not going to get into the pre- or post- editions. The show is the show, full chronology, and though they don’t reference older timelines often, I think they might in the near future, as a tip-of-the-hat. (Knowing that Moffat was a big fan of the earlier Doctors, I would think he’s like to do more than just put the St. John’s logo back on the TARDIS door.)
Torchwood - It took me a couple episodes to warm up, but it was such a familiar-yet-distinct diversion from the Whoniverse, I was dyed in the wool by season 2. And though I did say “Sherlock” has some of the best writing ever done? ‘Children of Earth’ is the reigning champion of the superlative until further notice. Holy Hindu Hamsters, what an AMAZING series.
Good Eats - I. Love. Alton. Brown. I will eventually live in a house that is just one big gorram kitchen, and I will follow this man’s tutelage with fanatical devotion.
Dexter - How can you go wrong with a homicidal protagonist? I submit that you can not.
Six Feet Under - Did an incredible job of evolving characters, advancing the focus of the series encompassing arc without feeling forced, and still rode a close line between dark comedy and drama on a regular basis. Still stands as one of the best series finale episodes I’ve ever watched, and I remember watching more than one episode with my mouth literally hanging open in shock, WHILE tears welled up…now that’s impressive.
Firefly - Writing, casting, production, direction, score…this show had it all. And the network put all those amazing pieces together, gently lowered the beautiful new creature to the soil, let it stretch its powerful little legs…and shot it in the back of the head. I hate you, SyFy. So, so much.
(Honorable Mentions - Eureka, Big Bang Theory, Black Books, Spaced, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies.)
