NEW YORK - TV in 2013 continued to surprise.
What a fine surprise was The Returned, a French-language zombie series aired by Sundance Channel. And Tatiana Maslany was startling in BBC America’s eerie Orphan Black, a miniseries in which she played nearly a dozen varied clones of her main character.
It was a year that shocked Glee fans with the death of cast favorite Cory Monteith, whose passing was marked in a surprisingly sappy memorial episode of the Fox series.
It was a year that saw once hard-hitting 60 Minutes go soft, and worse, get sloppy, with a story on last year’s attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, based on a professed witness whose account soon came unraveled.The story’s collapse led to CBS ordering 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan and her producer to take a leave of absence, and left the news magazine’s glorious reputation besmirched.
In February, ABC’s Robin Roberts returned to the Good Morning America anchor desk amid unseemly ceremony after her courageous but much-exploited battle with cancer.
Syfy’s silly horror spoof Sharknado triggered a Twitter phenomenon last summer. AMC’s The Walking Dead continued to defy all expectations, averaging 13 million viewers this fall as the highest-rated scripted series in cable TV history. And The Bible miniseries on the History channel demonstrated anew there’s a TV audience for the Good Book.
It’s perhaps a fool’s mission to isolate the top programs of 2013. But, in the order of their air dates, here’s trying …
Downton Abbey (PBS) was reliably delicious and also pretty deadly in its third season. Lovely Lady Sybil died in childbirth. Then, in the season conclusion, Matthew Crawley, heir to Downton and Lady Mary’s beloved, perished in a car crash, leaving her a widowed mother.
House of Cards (Netflix). This Beltway adaptation of the 1990s British political thriller, with Kevin Spacey as its slithery pol, would have been good viewing on any network. But the fact that its outlet was Netflix, which in February posted the entire first season online in one gulp, instantly made Netflix a TV game changer.
Behind the Candelabra (HBO). This splashy and poignant portrait of “Mr. Showmanship,” Liberace, proved a dual career triumph for Michael Douglas, who portrayed him, and Matt Damon, who was no less impressive as the Las Vegas superstar’s tempestuous lover.
Breaking Bad (AMC). In the final dose of eight episodes, the show was never better, concluding the saga with near perfection. From start to finish, was there ever a more unlikely series, more successfully executed?
Sons of Anarchy (FX). In its sixth season, Sons was as gory, complex and absorbing as ever, populated with characters who were brutish, bloodthirsty and yet somehow commanded our respect and affection. It made crime seem thrilling but never, ever, worthwhile (a neat trick). And it featured an ensemble of actors unexcelled on any other series.
The Good Wife (CBS). This brainy, sexy legal drama roared back to life with the latest twist of its recombinant recipe. It’s a series about high ambition and shifting alliances in a grown-up world. And yet it still manages to be lusty, soapy fun, while boasting a splendid cast and a parade of great guest stars.
Alpha House and Betas (Amazon). Sure, this duo seized attention just for being on Amazon, an online site best known for selling books, overcoats and power drills. Just a few months after Netflix’s entry into original content, Amazon emerged as the latest new outlet for what used to be “TV.” But that’s not why these shows are on the list. Both are fresh and funny.
Mob City (TNT). This sassy, two-fisted show is inspired by creator Frank Darabont’s love for the grand film-noir tradition, which he honors impeccably in this crime drama set in 1940s Los Angeles. Beautiful look. Snappy, smart dialogue. Terrific cast.
Sound of Music Live! (NBC). It was easy to fault Carrie Underwood for her shallow portrayal of Maria. Stephen Moyer as the sailor-patriarch seemed lost at sea. Still, it had much to recommend it - splendid production values and supporting players, a beloved story, incomparable Rodgers and Hammerstein score. It was truly an event.
Six by Sondheim (HBO). A portrait of the legendary Broadway composer-lyricist whose works include Company, Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park With George, it not only explored such creations (including musical numbers beautifully restaged), but, through dozens of interviews with Sondheim and scores of others, it shined a light on how a genius creates.
Style, Pages 46 on 12/29/2013