Best Written Television Shows

Earlier this week, TC Luoma posted an Atomic Dog article on what he considers the ten best written television series. I would love to dispute his selections, but I must confess that I have not seen any of them. Not even Game of Thrones. I know. Fantasy fiction writer in the house who hasn't seen GoT. Gasp. It wasn't so much an active decision not to watch as a constant failing to move it to the top of the watchlist.

So I will now declare a list of television shows that I've seen that have top-notch writing. And I'm doing my best to separate simple enjoyment and nostalgia from excellent writing and execution.

I don’t have much time, so I won’t say much about them.

In no particular order...

Lucifer. Based on Neil Gaiman's work, this show has humor and drama and its themes about personal growth and redemption are fantastic.

The Last Kingdom. While it of course has historcial inaccuracies, the portrayal of life at that time is about as close to his historical as it gets with film and tv and what we know. Even better, the story stays close to the books and there is drama and action aplenty. And I cried at least three times while watching the show. Who needs Game of Thrones when you have The Last Kingdom.

True Detective. I’ll be honest. I’ve only seen the first season so far. But it was asbo-freaking amazing. I only got around to it this year. It can take me a while to get around to things.

Leverage. I absolutely adore a good heist. Especially when it’s all about sticking into the man. I love the plots, the humor, and the characters are brilliant.

Schitts Creek. Love, humor, and kindness. Nuff said. (Eew, David.)

Andor. Star Wars for grown-ups. A show about how nasty and bureaucratically evil the Empire was in its prime.

Frasier. Consistently funny and witty and heart warming. Frasier is my feel good show of choice, and I'm always open to a rewatch. You watch it for the snark and perfectly executed situational comedy. You stay for the heart warming family dynamic. Also, Niles is the best.

Criminal Intent. In New York City's war on crime, the worst criminal offenders are pursued by the detectives of the major case squad. These are there stories. And those stories were consistently excellent. No, you won't find any grand, sweeping plots that engulf the city, just a steady drumbeat of solved murders and psychology.

Ted Lasso. How could it not make the list? Heartwarming and sporty, at a time when there didn’t seem to be much heartwarming going around.

Poker Face. There’s only one season of this show so far, and it is hands-down the best detective show that isn’t called True Detective. I love Natasha Leon. So smartly written and directed. Did I mention how great Natasha Lyonne is?

Bonus Pick: Select Episodes of Doctor Who. In general, I think new Doctor Who is entertaining and brilliant to downright dumb. Certain episodes, though, are some of the best tv I have ever seen. Episodes like Blink and The Girl in the Fireplace, for example.

What shows do you think I missed? Seriously, what did I miss? As soon as I started writing the list, I couldn't remember any shows that I’ve watched.

Disagree with me? Think I'm bonkers? Let me know in the comments.

In the meantime, best wishes and Roll Tide,

David Alastair Hayden

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