The Ultimate Must-Watch List of Groundbreaking TV Shows

Summary

Television has evolved into a respected art form with trailblazing shows like Mad Men and Band of Brothers pushing the boundaries.

Arrested Development revolutionized TV comedies through its high frequency of jokes and utilization of cinematography, music, and editing to create laughter.

Succession skillfully blends humor and emotional complexity by satirically depicting a wealthy family's power struggle for dominance over a media empire.

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From The Sopranos to Breaking Bad, there is a plethora of outstanding shows that have set the benchmark for contemporary television. While cinema has seen a decline in the 21st century due to the influx of CG-infused blockbuster films, television has only improved. For many years, television adhered rigidly to established conventions in terms of storytelling and characters. However, when these formulaic TV shows inevitably became monotonous, writers such as David Chase and Vince Gilligan emerged to revolutionize the medium with morally ambiguous antiheroes, long-running serialized narratives, and a truly cinematic approach.

For a prolonged period, television was considered to be inferior to more grandiose forms of media such as movies and stage productions. Nevertheless, in recent decades, groundbreaking shows like Mad Men and Band of Brothers have elevated TV to the status of a respected art form. These shows, along with others like The Wire and True Detective, have played a significant role in what is now referred to as the "Golden Age of Television" that audiences currently revel in.

11 Band Of Brothers

With the release of their HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg successfully demonstrated that a television show focusing on the Second World War could possess the same magnitude, grandeur, and significance as a motion picture like their renowned Saving Private Ryan. Presenting the narrative of the “Easy” Company, Band of Brothers offers viewers a firsthand perspective of the conflict from the viewpoint of a foot soldier. Delivering an incredibly realistic and emotionally charged portrayal of the horrors of warfare, Band of Brothers stands on par with any war film ever produced.

10 Arrested Development

Arrested Development surpasses most TV comedies with its unparalleled joke-per-minute rate. While other sitcoms rely solely on situational and dialogue humor, this show demonstrates that cinematography, music, and editing can also elicit laughs. Its abundance of jokes and visual gags makes every episode worth rewatching in order to catch them all. Arrested Development has had a lasting influence on other outstanding single-camera comedy series such as 30 Rock and Community.

9 Succession

8 Mad Men

Jesse Armstrong revolutionized the world of satire with Succession, introducing a brand new form of storytelling. This Shakespearean exploration of entitled, quarrelling heirs vying for control of their father's media empire is a brilliant blend of humor and heartbreak. By exposing the excessive lifestyles of these ludicrously affluent characters, the show invites both laughter and sincere investment in their personal struggles. Strangely endearing, the Roys captivate audiences, while Succession skillfully navigates the delicate line between empathy and ridicule.

Mad Men proved that TV antiheroes can be captivating without resorting to violence, following in the footsteps of game-changers like Tony Soprano and Vic Mackey. The series centers around Don Draper, an ad executive whose highest-stakes conflict revolves around securing the Lucky Strike account. With the ad agency as a backdrop, Matthew Weiner and his writers' room delve into the social, political, and economic revolutions that shaped American society in the 1960s.

7 The Wire

6 True Detective (Season 1)

Former crime reporter David Simon masterfully captures the inner workings of Baltimore, offering a gripping portrayal of the city akin to a documentary in his renowned series, The Wire. Delving into the illicit drug trade and the inadequately funded public schools, this razor-sharp examination serves as a profound exploration of crime and corruption within an American urban landscape. Moreover, it magnifies the profound influence of institutions on individuals, while shedding light on the sociopolitical systems that hinder genuine transformation, perpetuating the endless cycles of violence and impoverishment. With its groundbreaking approach, The Wire revolutionizes the possibilities of what a television show can achieve.

The first season of True Detective stands out as exceptional television, despite subsequent seasons having mixed reviews. Unlike many modern TV shows that aim to imitate the format of long movies divided into episodes, True Detective season 1 truly embodies this concept with its cinematic visuals, renowned actors, and a coherent storyline that avoids unnecessary subplots. This mesmerizing Southern Gothic detective noir unfolds on two timelines, following the strained yet perfectly matched "buddy cop" partnership of Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

5 Chernobyl

Craig Mazin's HBO miniseries skillfully brings the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to life, immersing viewers in its haunting atmosphere. The cinematography captures the essence of Chernobyl, while the unsettling musical score adds to the tension. The actors' performances reflect the grave seriousness of the events, contributing to the authenticity of the series. Chernobyl is a remarkable achievement, seamlessly blending technical prowess in filmmaking with a commitment to historical accuracy. Although some dramatic liberties were taken, the attention to detail showcased in Chernobyl is truly remarkable.

4 Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David's second sitcom revolutionized the entire genre by deconstructing it. Curb Your Enthusiasm takes Seinfeld's satirical examination of the small details of everyday life and blurs the line between reality and fiction. Unlike traditional sitcoms filmed on a stage with a live audience and laugh track, Curb Your Enthusiasm strips away all the artificiality with its improvised dialogue, handheld documentary-style camerawork, and the actors portraying themselves. This groundbreaking approach opened up new possibilities for TV comedy and continues to shape the genre to this day.

3 The Sopranos

David Chase singlehandedly initiated the "Golden Age of Television" with his groundbreaking work on The Sopranos. The series explored the cinematic possibilities of television through surreal dream sequences, dark humor, and a diverse range of filming locations. It boldly deconstructed the gangster genre by portraying a typically stoic mob boss who begins to open up and experience emotions during his therapy sessions. James Gandolfini and Chase's team of writers joined forces to present audiences with a more multifaceted and well-rounded depiction of Tony Soprano than any previous TV show had accomplished with its protagonist.

2 Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad revolutionized the concept of television series with Vince Gilligan's ingenious approach. Unlike most shows that aim to maintain the status quo indefinitely, Breaking Bad embraced change and transformation. Gilligan's visionary idea was to transform a seemingly ordinary character, Mr. Chips, into the notorious Scarface. This gripping series delves into the fascinating journey of a mild-mannered chemistry teacher as he gradually succumbs to his darker instincts, climbing the ranks of the criminal underworld to become a powerful meth kingpin. In addition to its compelling narrative, Breaking Bad shattered barriers by showcasing innovative cinematography, proving that TV directors can break free from conventional methods and explore creative possibilities.

1 BoJack Horseman

Raphael Bob-Waksberg demonstrated with his series BoJack Horseman that it is possible to combine dark character studies like Breaking Bad and wacky animated comedies like Family Guy. Initially, BoJack Horseman was a humorous satire about a has-been sitcom actor who is a horse with the ability to talk. However, it soon delved into more intense themes such as addiction and mental health, surpassing the typical depth of most TV dramas. Although challenging to watch, especially in its later seasons, BoJack Horseman is a remarkable and trailblazing show.