My Favorite Television of 2009

By Josh Hornbeck

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been hearing complaints about the sad state of American television. But over the last several years, we’re entered a creative renaissance that has revitalized the medium. Sure, there are still wastelands of disposable garbage flooding the networks and cable stations, but all the same, some of the most talented artists are coming over to television, utilizing the medium’s strengths to produce engaging and meaningful works of art and entertainment. And the fact that I’ve found so many shows and specials to include on my list of favorite shows of the year gives me quite a bit of hope for the future of television.

Battlestar Galactica – As this epic reimagining of a cheesy 70’s sci-fi series entered the second half of its final season, questions were answered, the human race was saved, and characters (mostly) found resolution and redemption. And as always, the series blended faith and science, and continued to provide real-world resonance in the midst of its outer-space exploits.

Breaking Bad – In its second season, Bryan Cranston’s anti-hero continued to struggle with his dual lives – loving father, high school chemistry teacher... and hard-boiled meth dealer. But his choices began to have a devastating impact on his family and, as we saw in the season finale, on the world at large. A fascinating portrait of one man’s moral decline.

Chuck – I thought the first season of this little show was fun and charming, but by the time it reached its second season, it developed a complexity and a richness that I hadn’t expected. Using the conventions of a “spy thriller” to deal with very real and very personal issues – growing up, finding purpose – “Chuck” has become one of the most consistently enjoyable shows on TV.

The Daily Show/The Colbert Report – Comedy Central’s one-two punch of late-night political comedy is one of the most entertaining and enlightening hours of television. Each evening, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert examine the news and point out media bias and hypocrisy, and even offer up some thoughtful analysis from time to time.

Dexter – Instead of the “hooker with a heart of gold,” we have a serial killer with a heart of gold. For four years now, “Dexter” has been exploring the psychology of a broken, disconnected man, teasing out the glimmering possibility of connection and redemption. Facing off against the brilliant John Lithgow, a killer who seems to have managed to successfully balance his obsessions with a stable family, Dexter is dealt hope and tragedy in one fail swoop.

Doctor Who – Taking a year off in between regular seasons, this British sci-fi sensation instead focused on crafting a series of holiday specials. While campy at times, the specials nevertheless continued to build on forty years of mythology, depening the show’s central character and providing a fittingly emotional swan song for actor David Tennant.

Dollhouse – I do have to admit that I’m a bit of a fanboy when it comes to Joss Whedon. Sure, the first few episodes of “Dollhouse” may not have been the stellar perfection I was hoping for, but not long into the show’s two season run, the series found its stride and created a compelling and vibrant world of moral complication. As always, Whedon find redemption in the most unlikely of places.

Eli Stone – In its first season, this little show about a lawyer who begins to receive musical messages from God was a charming and delightful diversion. By the time this short-lived series reached the end of its second and final year, it had developed into an emotionally rich story about trying to selflessly help others, no matter what the costs.

Friday Night Lights – Who would have thought that the most consistently brilliant and rewarding series on television would be a show about small-town high school football? Throughout its miraculous third season, “Friday Night Lights” continues to be one of the greatest shows on TV – inspiring, honest, and emotionally powerful.

Glee – I really wanted “Glee” to succeed, but didn’t have much hope for its survival on Fox. This musical comedy about the misfits in a high school glee club is all at once an over-the-top melodrama, dark and subversive comedy, and energetic musical. It’s brilliant, messy, and very funny, all the while providing its characters with a surprising depth and emotional resonance.

Lost – Five seasons in, “Lost” has rarely made a misstep. This character-driven science fiction drama finally tipped its hand, filling the season with time-traveling castaways, Egyptian ruins, and mysterious figures controlling the fates of everyone on the Island. A brilliant build-up to the show’s final season.

Mad Men – AMC’s captivating look at advertising executives in the 60’s brought together storylines from the past two seasons and wove them together with a grace and ease you rarely find on television. It’s a dense series, with layers upon layers of symbolism that continues to reward with each additional viewing. Beautiful and elegant, it’s one of the best shows on television.

Collision – In this British miniseries produced for PBS’ “Masterpiece: Contemporary,” two police officers investigate a tragic freeway collision, uncovering murder, corruption, and the seemingly random choices that individuals make. And, in the process, they have to face their own tragic pasts and inner demons.

Modern Family – This is, without a doubt, the funniest show on television right now. Its look at three mildly dysfunctional families provides some of the most honest and refreshing humor I’ve ever seen in sit-coms. Each member of the ensemble is fantastic and every episode seems to be a perfect balance of warmth, wit, and emotion. Brilliant.

Pushing Daisies – It’s a shame this quirky fairy-tale of a series didn’t last longer, but I’m thankful for the two seasons it was on the air. The storybook tale of a pie-maker whose touch can bring the dead back to life was a delightful, fun, and witty little piece of television magic. It’s a shame they didn’t have time to provide closure to the series, but the few episodes we’re left with are absolutely wonderful.

Reaper – The horror/comedy about a slacker whose parents sold his soul to the devil was fun when it started off, but it really found its stride during the second and final season. By deepening the show’s mythology and allowing for a larger story-arc to take shape, “Reaper” became an addictive little guilty pleasure.

Scrubs – Their eighth season was supposed to be their last, and the season finale was a beautiful and poignant look at moving on into a hopeful but uncertain future. Characters grew up and others finally learned to deal with major life changes. It was such an emotionally satisfying way to end the series. Now, if only I could forget that they decided to limp along into a ninth season with an all-new cast...

Stargate: Universe – I’m a new-comer to the world of “Stargate.” I enjoyed the movie but never really connected with any of the TV shows, until “Stargate: Universe.” Taking a cue from the reimagining of “Battlestar,” “Universe” is primarily character-driven. The show spends most of its time focused on the search for food, oxygen, and water than on battles and action sequences. A surprisingly thoughtful and fun piece of sci-fi.

Torchwood – For two seasons, this “Doctor Who” spin-off has shown us the darker side of British science fiction. In its third season, a five-episode miniseries entitled “Children of Earth,” the series became brilliant. Mixing political intrigue with epic action, the show looks at human nature and the paths down which self-preservation can lead. Like the best science fiction, it raises very interesting questions with a connection to the here and now.

True Blood – This lurid, Southern vampire soap opera really hits its stride during its second season. Not for the faint of heart, the violent gothic drama continued to develop its characters in surprising and shocking ways, and gave one of the most memorable villains I’ve seen on any series to date. It’s very funny and very scary.

Oldies, but Goodies
With the advent of DVD, Blu-Ray, and Netflix Instant Streaming (not to mention all of the other platforms for digital distribution), it has become easier than ever to watch older shows or catch up on television series you may have missed the first time around. I was only a few episodes in by the end of 2009, but the first season of Alfred Hitchcock Presents is one of the most entertaining anthology shows ever produced, and it still holds up well more than fifty years after it first aired. Sure, the 1980’s British miniseries The Day of the Triffids has a few dated effects, but this tale of humanity overrun by monstrous plants is still captivating. In its second season, the animated series Ghost in the Shell – Stand Alone Complex asked insightful questions about our essential humanity, all the while wrapping them up in an exciting and mysterious piece of science fiction. Another BBC miniseries, Jekyll is a modern retelling of the well-known story, anchored by a riveting performance from James Nesbitt as both Jekyll and Hyde. Once again proving that Britain is producing some of the most exciting television today, the BBC version of Life on Mars is a great mystery and a very exciting (and funny) show about a police inspector transported back to the seventies. Shot in high definition, the nature series Planet Earth is full of breath-taking visuals. Based on the NPR radio series, This American Life tells short stories of real men and women, managing to be more than just simple documentaries – poignant, heartfelt, and beautiful. When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts is Spike Lee’s powerful four-part documentary about the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, allowing the victims to tell their personal stories in their own words.

Introduction
My Favorite Movies of 2009
My Favorite Books of 2009
My Favorite Music, Theatre, and Visual Art of 2009

(Posted 01/19/2010)