Entertainment

Your Guide to the Small Screen: 2014 in Television

Television is now as popular a medium as films, if not more so. With original series on Netflix, binge watching, and movie franchises crossing over into television, the small screen is the place to be.

While we may not be the Emmys or Golden Globes, we have some best of 2014 television here for you so let’s get to the show! Warning: there will be spoilers in this article.

Best New Show: The Flash

The brand new show, which is a spin off from The CW’s Arrow, saw the best premiere ratings for the network in five years. Since then, its ratings have risen and fallen (typical for any show) but continues to be a solid hit for the network.

With only nine episodes under its belt, it has already developed its core cast while exploring the mythology of The Flash in familiar but innovative ways. We are definitely excited for what’s to come, especially with the growing mystery of The Man in the Yellow Suit.

Best Comeback: Agents of Shield

The first season of this show struggled to find its footing but critics and fans almost unanimously agreed that, after the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this show drastically improved. With an appearance by Lady Sif from Thor and a continued growth alongside the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this series shows great promise..

The second season continues to do well, and helps set up future Marvel films (like a possible reveal for Inhumans). It clearly shows Marvel’s creativity and ability to grow a single universe across platforms. Plus, with rumors abound about Jeremy Renner showing up as Hawkeye, this show has an exciting future.

Best Fight Scene: Oberyn Martell vs. The Mountain (Game of Thrones)

We may have only known Oberyn Martell for one season, but his popularity skyrocketed instantaneously and now fans are excited to travel to Dorne next season. This made his death all the more painful in the 8th episode of Season 4. Still, before he met his tragic (and frankly avoidable) death, his showdown with The Mountain was both emotionally charged and exhilarating. Oberyn was named Red Viper of Dorne for a reason and we’ll always miss him.

Best Series Finale: The Legend of Korra

Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko first revolutionized children’s television with Avatar: The Last Airbender and they did it again just last week with the series finale of The Legend of Korra. Treating both their content and audience with a remarkable sophistication, they brought much-needed representation to a medium sorely lacking in it. We’ll miss this universe, and these wonderful characters, but we can’t wait to see what they do next.

Best Season Premiere: The Walking Dead

While this show may have degraded in quality with its latest handful of episodes, its Season 5 premiere this fall was not one to be missed. It brought back its best characters and culminated in a reunion that got even the most stoic of fans teary. The season started out strong and with a lot of promise, so it’s a shame it hasn’t continued with that quality of television.

Best Cast: Orange Is the New Black

Hugely talented and wonderfully diverse, the cast of Netflix’s hit original series Orange Is the New Black won us over yet again this past summer with their second season. Dramatic as ever, with moments and lines you quoted with your friends for days on end, and it’s all thanks to these unique characters, played by one of the most fantastic casts we’ve ever seen.

Best Death: Joffrey Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Book fans knew it was coming and were excited. TV fans who hadn’t spoiled themselves had no idea it was coming but were equally excited when it finally happened. Losing one of the most despicable characters on television is always satisfying and this was no exception. And you thought Viserys’ death in Season 1 was wonderful.

Best Goodbye: The Colbert Report

Try not to cry. We dare you.

Best Comedy: Saturday Night Live Star Wars Trailer Spoof

The 40th season of NBC’s sketch comedy show has been up and down but undeniably one of its best moments was its spoof on the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer. Honestly, we’ve watched it several times already and will continue to do so into the new year.

We could give out so many more but then we’d be here until the next Emmys so we’ll leave it here for now.

Plus we have to start getting ready for next year’s TV, including Marvel’s Netflix shows Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Marvel’s miniseries Agent Carter (January 6th); Better Call Saul (February 7/8th), a possible Halo show on Showtime, the 5th season of Game of Thrones, and so much more!

What were your favorite moments from the past year in television? And what are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!

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