Previously On...: The Five Best Television Series of the '00s

*As it's been a while since I've had a computer and done any serious writing (outside of my faux-novel at work), so the first few posts will be lists, because they are easy and comforting and... well, easy.

Previously On...: The Five Best Television Series of the '00s
To say that television has evolved over the past decade would be an understatement. From the mockumentary U.S. adaptation of The Office to the high-drama-meets-science-fiction of Battlestar Galactica, storytelling has reached a new plateau on the small screen. And while I would be not only a liar but an outright bastard to say that I have seen every series that's been on TV this decade, I feel certain that I've seen enough to know what is what. I'm excited! Let's watch some tube.

5. Six Feet Under
What I have loved most about Six Feet Under--more than the expertly-crafted, three dimensional characters and outlandish-yet-strangely-realistic story lines--has been the sense of finality. From the first minutes of the first episode, this show about death had been at ease with the impending end. And every episode since the first followed the Fisher family's strange odyssey through life, love, and death; highlighting the tragedy and morbid comedy of the undertaking business. Yeah, morticians are traditionally a buttoned-down, no-nonsense bunch, but the foibles and warts of the characters kept me coming back again and again--even though I knew it had to end sometime.

4. Battlestar Galactica
To be honest, I have to admit that I had absolutely zero interest in the conflict between the humans and the cylons at first. Haven't we done this before? Man versus machine, yadda yadda yadda... But on the strong recommendation of numerous people, I watched the miniseries. After that, I watched the first episode. The taut writing, claustrophobic atmosphere, and excellent acting from a group of talented character actors was intoxicating. But the show went one step further, displaying an intense, insightful contrast between prolonging extinction and working to end another species. Sympathetic villains, daring allegories to current events, and an honest interpretation of religion rounded out an amazing experience. And while the show could not maintain the momentum of the first few seasons, it was never less than time well spent.

3. The Sopranos
Most would place this show firmly at the top of any list about best shows of the decade (or even ever, as some have said), and that certainly would be hard to argue against. Tony Soprano is one of the most multifaceted, despicable, lovable, conflicted villains to ever be written. And he's the main character! Trying to rationalize his actions, to not be repulsed by this man, is trying. This is to say nothing of his "families," a group of maladjusted and fascinating monsters. The Sopranos is a monstrosity of a program, both repelling and compelling. A fitting description.

2. The Wire
I only ever saw the first season of The Wire. That's how good of a show this was. I can't go into detail, but the drama between the police and a drug ring is absolutely riveting. Perfect pacing, storytelling, and characters. No show instills the want--no, need--to watch just one more episode.

1. Futurama
Tender, hilarious, tragic, incredible. Just a few of the hyperbole-free adjectives that can freely be applied to Matt Groening's masterpiece. The tragedy of a man out of his time, hopelessly in love with a woman who continually spurned his advances, his only friend a murderous, drunken robot... Who hasn't been there? Any show can make you laugh so hard that you cry. But to be able to turn around and break your heart in the same episode requires something truly legendary. Futurama was unfortunately cancelled before it was ready, although it has received numerous reprieves in the form of movies and a renewed run on Comedy Central. Should it reach only a fraction of its previous glory... Well, it still stands to be one of the best shows of the coming decade.