Do not adjust your picture, this is indeed a new entry over here on the ol' Blogspot! I continue a grand holiday tradition here at the blog (shut up, three years can be long enough for tradition) by kicking off my year end series for 2014 with a list of my favourite episodes of television from this calendar year.
The list is extensive but still probably by no means definitive (I definitely slacked on keeping good tabs on it in the fall), but is still a reflection of some of the small's screen specific highlights over the last twelve months.
The full list after the break!
Favourite TV episodes of 2014
“Introduction
to Teaching” – January 2, 2014
Community
– NBC
And order was restored to the universe with
just four simple words: “Executive Producer, Dan Harmon”.
“Promises”
– January 2, 2014
Parenthood
– NBC
In which Hank comes to the shocking
realization he may have been living his entire life with undiagnosed
Asperger’s. The heartbreaking performance from Ray Romano was tragically
overlooked.
“The
Big 5-0” – January 7, 2014
Trophy
Wife – ABC
A hilarious and brilliantly written
escalation of madness befalls Pete on his 50th birthday. One of many
episodes that make me miss this show so much.
“Truth
or Dare” – January 12, 2014
Girls
– HBO
Adam, Hannah, and Shoshanna embark on a
bizarre if strangely nostalgic road trip to pick up Jessa from rehab. As funny
and cringe worthy as “Girls” gets.
“The
Punisher” – January 14, 2014
Trophy
Wife – ABC
In a different TV universe, this episode
would have won Malin Akerman an Emmy for showing off Kate’s mature, parental
and legitimately disciplinarian side. But hey, let’s give one of TV’s worst
shows a fifth fucking gold trophy.
“Cooperative
Polygraphy” – January 16, 2014
Community
– NBC
The study group confronts Pierce’s death
and examines their dynamics in one of the year’s best episodes of anything.
“House
and Home” – January 20, 2014
The
Fosters – ABC Family
In which we are introduced to Callie’s new
home at Girls United, one of the best parts of the series to date. Callie’s
home now, but luckily Daphne and company are still in her life.
“Birthday”
– January 21, 2014
New
Girl – FOX
It’s sad that New Girl has become a show
where I can now put an episode of it on this list simply for being funny, but
here we are. Nick’s efforts to throw Jess the surprise party of her life were a
welcome reminder of what this show is capable of after a bumpy fall of 2013.
“The
Carpool” – January 22, 2014
The
Middle – ABC
“The Middle” offers another reminder that
it can be such a nice, sentimental show without beating you over the head about
it.
“Pete’s
Airstream” – January 24, 2014
Enlisted
– FOX
Television has never hit on the subject of
PTSD quite so effectively, and especially not in what is otherwise a goofy
comedy about life on a military base.
“How
Your Mother Met Me” – January 27, 2014
How
I Met Your Mother – CBS
I didn’t want to punch this show and
everyone on it in the face when I was watching it. So there’s that. (But
seriously, Cristin Milioti singing “La Vie en Rose” was pretty spectacular.)
“Muscles
Mirsky” – February 4, 2014
The
Goldbergs – ABC
This wasn’t really any more spectacular a
“Goldbergs” episode than what they do at their best, until a final montage set
to the relatively obscure (for this show, at least) “Kyrie” by Mr. Mister proved
Adam F. Goldberg actually has a sense of irony and/or subtlety.
“Exes”
– February 4, 2014
New
Girl – FOX
Schmidt, Coach, and Winston generate some
interesting ways to woo ladies, as “New Girl” once again produces an actually
funny episode.
“The
Party” – February 4, 2014
Brooklyn
Nine Nine – FOX
In which we are taken into the home life of
Captain Holt and his husband, and we learn that Holt truly is “the funny one”
in the relationship. Great work as usual from Andre Braugher – boy, February 4
sure was a good night for laughter!
“Ready,
Set, Robot Dodgeball” – February 13, 2014
King
of the Nerds – TBS
The nerds build their own dodgeball playing
robots, and Zack’s meltdowns reach DEFCON 1. Is it January 23 yet?
“Iron
City” – February 16, 2014
Shameless
– Showtime
Probably the best episode of the series to
date and the peak of the careers for so many of the actors featured in it. Is
it January 11 yet?
“Looking
For The Future” – February 16, 2014
Looking
– HBO
I said it in my Emmy ballot writeup – more
TV episodes need to just be two people having a conversation, exposing all
their vulnerabilities. What a phenomenal work of art.
“Incidentals”
– February 23, 2014
Girls
– HBO
Hannah lands a big interview with Patti
LuPone, who makes her think twice about Adam’s acting dreams. A very strong showcase
for the reliably good Lena Dunham and Adam Driver.
“Comrades”
– February 26, 2014
The
Americans – FX
“The Americans” begins its tremendous second
season with a heart stopping and horrific reality check for Phillip and
Elizabeth.
“Stolen
Phone” – February 26, 2014
Broad
City – Comedy Central
In which Ilana dates an improv comic who is
ridiculously hot and unbelievably stupid and unfunny. This fucking show.
“Kaiseiki”
– February 28, 2014
Hannibal
– NBC
Rotting in his prison cell, Will discovers
the shocking truth that Dr. Lecter’s Soylent Green is PEOPLE!
“Flo”
– March 2, 2014
Girls
– HBO
Delving into the women of Hannah’s family
is unquestionably one of the best decisions Lena Dunham and “Girls” has ever
made.
“The
Frond Files” – March 9, 2014
Bob’s
Burgers – FOX
A sort of “Treehouse of Horror” or “Trilogy
of Error” type episode is really only fitting for the spiritual successor to
“The Simpsons”
“The
Walk-In” – March 12, 2014
The
Americans – FX
Another strong “Americans” episode that
focuses on Elizabeth Jennings’ conflict between mission and motherhood –
featuring the gorgeous final montage set to “Here Comes The Flood” where she
burns Emmett and Leanne’s letter to Jared. This show sure knows how to use a
Peter Gabriel song.
“Apartment
Hunters” – March 19, 2014
Broad
City – Comedy Central
My God, that “Started From The Bottom” cold
open is still a regular watch for me on YouTube many months later. “I also have
some business with the bank...I’d like to cash these nickels, and I’ll take them
in quarters please, thank you so much.”
“Pancakes,
Divorce, Pancakes” – March 20, 2014
Review
with Forrest Macneil – Comedy Central
This is just THE television episode of the year. The moment in which what appears at
first glance to be just a silly parody of reality shows becomes an incredibly
sad and dark intrusion into the decay of a man who could be any of our
neighbours. Bravo, Andy Daly. Bra-vo.
“Takiawase”
– March 21, 2014
Hannibal
– NBC
Until an episode from later on this list,
no moment on TV this year had me more on the edge of my seat than when Hannibal
Lecter cornered Beverly in his basement and gunshots burst through the dining
room floor above them. Ho-ly shit.
“Charges
and Specs” – March 25, 2014
Brooklyn
Nine Nine – FOX
The best work of the season for Andy
Samberg as Peralta is sent undercover in the first season finale.
“The
Last Call” – March 30, 2014
The
Good Wife – CBS
Fuck the haters. I know there are people
who didn’t enjoy 42 minutes of Julianna Margulies’ lip quivering (and by
extension that it won her this year’s Emmy) but I thought she was fantastic
here. This episode also has the scene where Diane fires the random intern
crying about Will’s death, which was pretty badass even if self-indulgent on
the part of the show.
“Having
a Best Friend, Going to Space” – April 3, 2014
Review
with Forrest Macneil – Comedy Central
In terms of horrifying but side-splitting
dark humour, there was no way “Review” should have been able to top the
existential crisis that was Forrest Macneil having to eat 30 pancakes in one
sitting. And then he killed his father-in-law on a trip to space. I love this
show so, so much.
“I’m
So Bad” – April 8, 2014
Inside
Amy Schumer – Comedy Central
Ripping off my Emmy ballot post again, an
episode that perfectly encapsulates what “Inside Amy Schumer” is – a powerfully
dark satire of 21st century femininity as seen by both male and
female gaze.
“The
Pontiac” – April 17, 2014
Parenthood
– NBC
A fantastic finale that nicely balances the
good and bad feels of “Parenthood”. Jason Katims apparently knew the way to my
heart is through Richie Havens, and his cover of “The Times They Are
A-Changin’” scores a beautiful montage that closes a largely uneven season.
“The
Price of Free and Fair Elections” – April 17, 2014
Scandal
– ABC
This is the show I kept waiting for
“Scandal” to become again after the season premiere. The show only works when
the “OMG” moments actually matter, and the third season finale finally
remembers that.
“A
Day’s Work” – April 20, 2014
Mad
Men – AMC
It’s hard to say anything here other than
“classic Mad Men,” which is still about as good as TV gets. Seven to go...
“Martial
Eagle” – April 23, 2014
The
Americans – FX
In a just world, this would have been the
submission that clinched the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Emmy for
Matthew Rhys. Phillip ripping the pages out of the bible and screaming at his
daughter about how she respects Jesus but not her parents was so, so terrific.
“Governed
As It Were By Chance” – May 10, 2014
Orphan
Black – Space
I wasn’t as in love with the second season
of “Orphan Black” as the first, but damn, when Helena corners Sarah in the
hotel room...more television needs to be legitimately terrifying.
“So
Did The Fat Lady” – May 12, 2014
Louie
– FX
It is a travesty of epic proportions that
Sarah Baker didn’t even get nominated for an Emmy for her performance here.
“The
Strategy” – May 18, 2014
Mad
Men – AMC
God, that last shot of Don, Peggy, and Pete
eating together at Burgerchef like a weird little family. I’m going to miss
this show so, so much.
“Waterloo”
– May 25, 2014
Mad
Men – AMC
“Mad Men” remains the only show on TV that
could so something as bizarre and wonderful as Bert Cooper’s parting dance.
Bravo, indeed.
“Optimal
Tip-to-Tip Efficiency” – June 1, 2014
Silicon
Valley – HBO
I was not really on board with “Silicon
Valley” for its first seven episodes. Its season finale slapped me in the face
with its brilliantly childish but elaborately considered metaphor of a climax.
“Crate”
– June 8, 2014
Veep
– HBO
The scene where Selina and Gary just break
down cackling in the bathroom when they find out she’s going to become
president is a hallmark moment for the careers of both Julia Louis-Dreyfus and
Tony Hale. Just fantastic.
“Souvenir
Shop/E.L.A.I.F.F.” – July 8, 2014
Nathan
For You – Comedy Central
Don’t ever say Nathan Fielder doesn’t
commit to his premises. “Souvenir Shop/E.L.A.I.F.F.” is the greatest comedic
build on TV for the year, even more so than “Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes”.
“Two
Boats and a Helicopter” – July 13, 2014
The
Leftovers – HBO
Kicking off “The Leftovers’” Trilogy of Sad
Character Studies with Father Matt’s valiant and risky attempts to save his
church. The roulette wheel scene might have been my most “edge of my seat” TV
moment of the year.
“Act
As If” – July 17, 2014
Rectify
– SundanceTV
A trippy dream-like night for Daniel Holden
as he shoots at pigeons and stuff – it’s just another week in which “Rectify”
sneakily and quietly punches you in the gut.
“Dumb
Starbucks” – July 29, 2014
Nathan
For You – Comedy Central
I actually didn’t love how much this
episode really only came together in post-production, but it’s hard to leave a
legitimately big pop culture moment for the year off this list when it’s
something as funny as this.
“Keys
Open Doors” – July 31, 2014
You’re
the Worst – FX
Gretchen realizes she’s accidentally asked
Jimmy for a key to his place and the two worst people in the world begin to
wonder if they actually have feelings for each other.
“Guest”
– August 3, 2014
The
Leftovers – HBO
The trilogy continues as Carrie Coon
emerges as one of the year’s brightest new stars on the small screen.
“Girls
Reunited” – August 4, 2014
The
Fosters – ABC Family
The return of Daphne and co., hooray!
“The
Garveys At Their Best” – August 24, 2014
The
Leftovers – HBO
Flashing back to the day before the Sudden
Departure reflects the quiet beauty of the ordinary in Mapleton and leads “The
Leftovers” to its best episode of the season.
“Constant
Horror and Bone Deep Dissatisfaction” – September 11, 2014
You’re
the Worst – FX
Flashbacks show how Gretchen and Jimmy
first meet, and by extension, how they became the sad and miserable people they
never wanted to become. Beautiful stuff all around here.
“Episode
18 – Cuba Embargo, Miss America” – September 21, 2014
Last
Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO
A transcendent moment for “Last Week
Tonight” in which the show proves it’s not just a reliable place for comedy and
necessary cultural conversation, but a powerful watchdog in a country that
desperately needs one of those as well.
“Scroggin”
– September 23, 2014
Please
Like Me – ABC2/Pivot
Josh and Rose go camping in the mountains
and the two-person bottle episode (if the Tasmanian wilderness can be a bottle)
sucker in me fangirls all over the place. Also, Debra Lawrence singing the
show’s theme song was so great.
“Pilot”
– September 25, 2014
How
To Get Away With Murder – ABC
It has not yielded a great series, but the
“HTGAWM” pilot seemed to be setting up some intriguing storylines and interesting
character dynamics that had the potential to pay off.
“Bill
Hader/Hozier” – October 11, 2014
Saturday
Night Live – NBC
Maybe for 39 cents a day we can support SNL
writers to generate episodes like this on a weekly basis.
“Oppo
Research” – October 12, 2014
The
Good Wife – CBS
The beginning of Alicia’s campaign for
state’s attorney has Eli and the team digging through her dirty laundry,
producing the funniest episode of the show’s fall run.
“Family
Takes Care of Beverly” – October 29, 2014
The
Goldbergs – ABC
Wendi McClendon-Covey is seriously giving
the most underrated performance on television. Somehow she’s making it seem as
if she’s invented every hovering mother trope in the book because her energy is
just so electrically infectious.
“Cock
Magic” – November 19, 2014
South
Park – Comedy Central
“South Park” would be wise to remember more
often that straying from topical satire often yields the best episode of their
season.
“The
Trial” – November 23, 2014
The
Good Wife – CBS
Cary’s fate is revealed (kinda) and Lemond
Bishop becomes a legitimate supervillain in a good kind of bonkers episode.
“The
College Tour” – December 3, 2014
The
Middle – ABC
How many ways are there to say that the quiet beauty of “The Middle” is its ability to be heartfelt and touching without feeling treacly and prying emotions out of you?
Up next: My second ten best shows for another strong year in television.
