I am going to limit this list to shows that premiered in 2013, not shows that ran into 2013.
Game of Thrones (season 3) – Not since LOST and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (2004) has a show held my interest at every turn. Following season 2 I read the five books (have now read them multiple times) and so I know where everything is going, and yet season 3 still found ways to shock, surprise, and horrify me.
Orphan Black (season 1) – There comes a time in a TV generation when creators/writers and actors come together to make a surprising work of art that hits nearly every single beat perfectly. This show now sits alongside LOST and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (how many times will I mention those shows in this article?) as the best first season sci-fi shows of all time.
Breaking Bad (season 6) – If you correct me and say “Hey, it was season 5.2”, then fuck you. It was season 6. Network executives used a douchie way out of having to pay the actors more money while also somehow being up for an Emmy nomination for a single season TWICE. Only an asshole calls this season 5.2 or 5.5. In any event, it was almost perfect. Except that ending. I don't know how some people used that as a platform to launch atop their soapboxes to shit on writers of other shows for their endings. I'm not saying you're bad people. I'm saying you're easily pleased by fluff.
Veep (season 2) – A foulmouthed vice president and her collection of hilarious leechers? Check. Awesome. It’s just the best comedy on TV.
Justified (season 4) – The hero of this story is so capable that he rarely ends up in a situation he can’t find his way out of, and you’d think that would make the show boring. However, this is a rare case of show writers not resorting to ridiculous situations where the hero may die. Instead, it is a show about the villains who are destined to fail. And it works superbly.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (season 1) – I’ve said this for years: casting is everything! This cast is so perfect together that if the show doesn’t get a second season I will burn this planet down!
The Goldbergs (season 1) – This time traveling show about the 80s where things that happened in 1981 also happened in 1983 and 1986 and 1988 and so on, is a wonderful little fantasy about a family of lovable nutties.
The Blacklist (first season in progress) – It has one character who chews up every scene he’s in and then spits it out so he can chew it again. There isn’t a single character or plot, apart from James Spader, worth watching. He’s just so damn good that you can’t stop.
Orange is the New Black – It could have been higher on the list if not for those last couple of episodes trying way too hard to be edgy. It’s already starting to feel tired. But there are some gems in there. Especially around the mid-point. Guaranteed to suck in season 2 and still be praised for its amazing blahblahblah. Bring on the Emmy parade!
Almost Human – Remember that time I said casting is everything? Well, this show at least got the leads down. Though, that female cop who used to date that NY Yankees player, she’s fuckin’ terrible. Kill her off. Replace her with a water cooler. Damn she’s bad. But the show looks great, has some interesting stories, and actors you just like to watch. Minus that one person who is pretending to be an actor…. that I already mentioned earlier. Minka Kelly. I’m talking about Minka Kelly, guys. She’s awful.
And the 'Worst Actor of All Time' award for 2013 goes to:
Minka Kelly
She's super bad. But in a bad way.
Finally, the 'Most Disappointing 2nd Season" award for 2013 goes to:
COPPER
Way to go, writers. That sucked.
