Community
I will seriously watch any show about group of loveable misfits. And Community is about a group of very, very loveable misfits. The humor relies on a combination of group dynamics, completely bizarre situations, and mixed satire, with several episodes that are somehow a parody of 3 different movies all at once. (Half the time it barely makes sense, but as long as you’re in on the joke it’s okay.) I’ve found the current season to be particular delightful, with Senor Chang joining the study group and even more ridiculous parody episodes.
Favorite characters: Troy, Pierce, Shirley, Senor Chang.
Favorite episodes: “Basic Rocket Science” – the group tries to get through a KFC-themed spaceflight simulation. “Cooperative Calligraphy” – the group turns on each other as they try to figure out which one of them took Annie’s pen.
Favorite quote:
“Hello during a random dessert, the month and day of which coincide numerically with your expulsion from a uterus.”
- Troy (reading his birthday cake)
Lost
I am one of those people who loved the series finale. I am all about existential life experiences where love and friendship are all that matters. I enjoyed the show immensely when it was on, not because of the mystery, but because of the characters and the torture they endured in pursuit of answers (or freedom). I love shows that effectively tell a story to present an idea, whether it be about the meaning of friendship, politics, or whatever. And I’ve never seen a show that’s said quite so much about the nature of humanity and the meaning of life and death. It’s very profound, but also very reassuring.
Favorite characters: Juliet, Ben, Jin & Sun, Miles, Hurley, occasionally Sawyer.
Favorite episodes: “Ab Aeterno” – Richard Alpert flashback, set in the 1800′s. “The End” – series finale.
Favorite quote:
Jacob: I died an hour ago.
Hurley: Sorry, dude, that sucks.
Nurse Jackie
I discovered this show a few months ago, but I always wanted to watch it because I love Edie Falco and I’m convinced that she can do no wrong. After watching a few episodes, I immediately became obsessed. It’s so snarky and bitchy, and the strangely believable shenanigans are so much fun to watch. I love almost all of the characters, even when they annoy me (which they often do).
Favorite characters: O’Hara, Zoey, Akalitis, Thor, sometimes Coop (when he’s not tweeting).
Favorite episodes: “Apple Bong” – Jackie goes behind Coop’s back and recommends that a cancer patient start smoking pot. “Years of Service” – Jackie’s secret is discovered by Kevin and O’Hara. Oh snap.
Favorite quote:
Akalitis: You know, Dr. O’Hara is from Britain.
O’Hara: Yes, I’m from the whole of Britain.
The Big C
I had a really hard time getting into this show at the beginning, but I just finished the season and it has totally won me over. Laura Linney is amazing, obviously, as are all of the supporting cast members. The story is so simple, which is something I don’t usually go for, but it’s just beautiful and peaceful. I’ve never seen another show with such a casual approach to death, but somehow this one pulls it off without a hitch.
Favorite characters: Kathy, Todd, Adam (totally a douche at first but he won me over in the finale).
Favorite episodes: “Summer Camp” – Kathy keeps Adam from going to soccer camp. “Everything That Rises Must Converge” - Kathy goes on a road trip to Canada to try an alternative treatment that involves bees (and Liam Neeson).
Favorite quote:
Cathy: You know, you can’t hate black people, right?
Marlene: I don’t. I just need to get angry sometimes.
Archer
This show is just…perfect. The characters are all so pathetic that I can’t not laugh at them, and it’s endlessly entertaining to see the catastrophic scenarios they get themselves into. I don’t know how I’m supposed to calculate this, but the dialogue is just the right amount of inappropriate to be simultaneously shocking and hilarious. It doesn’t seem to matter how offensive the dialogue is, because the characters are animated and can therefore get away with it.
Favorite characters: Archer, Cyril, Woodhouse
Favorite episodes: “Diversity Hire” - everyone falls in love with the new guy. “Honeypot” - Archer goes undercover in Cuba’s gay scene.
Favorite quote:
Malory: The thought of me dead gives you an erection?
Archer: No, just half of one! The other half would have really missed you.
- by Kelsey Norwood
