Top 5 Episodes of the 2010-2011 Television Season So Far

The 2010-2011 television season has about 2-3 months before every series goes on hiatus for the summer. Thus far, it's been a rather lackluster season for television overall. The best new series of the season got cancelled after averaging the viewership of the Fox Soccer Channel (that's not true but the viewership for Terriers was atrocious). I had nothing else to write about on this Wednesday night so I've decided to compile a top 5 list for the Best Episodes of the 2010-2011 season. I could've dived into random thoughts but no one wants to read that (because no one reads those posts).

Without further ado, here are my seven selections for the best episodes of the 2010-2011 season (i promise that Terriers and Community won't dominate the list):

5. "Pilot"--The Chicago Code--Written By Shawn Ryan--Directed By Charles McDougall

Perhaps it's premature to place the "Pilot" in the top 5 of best episodes with the many, many episodes that have aired this season. Of course, I'm only an independent blogger with zero access to press screeners so I cannot watch everything. I write about mostly everything I watch except for a few shows like Community. The majority of the shows I watch haven't been memorable either so when something like The Chicago Code "Pilot" comes along and captures my attention and imagination immediately then it deserves a spot.

Cop dramas and procedurals are among the least interesting shows on television for me. The 2011-2012 television season, by the way, boasts a potent lineup of high concept, interesting and intriguing shows with very few procedurals. I felt hesitant about TCC even with Shawn Ryan as creator because procedural cop dramas aren't my cup of tea; however, TCC proved it won't be an ordinary cop show. Critics have thrown around The Wire comparisons loosely (now Wire fans don't get enraged because TCC really isn't The Wire but Ryan shares David Simon's interest in more realistic, fact-based storytelling). The storytelling feels richer and deeper than the majority of procedurals. I actually care about the characters on The Chicago Code, which is rare this television season because I'm not invested in most of the characters in the various shows I watch.

Everything one needs to know about the world of The Chicago Code is in the "Pilot" episode. It's tremendous.

4. "Brave New World"--The Vampire Diaries--Written By Brian Young--Directed By John Dahl

You're damn right The CW vampire show produced one of the best seven episodes of the 2010-2011 television season. "Brave New World" is the second episode of the second season. The episode tells the story of Caroline's transformation into a vampire. What I like about the episode is its portrayal of someone becoming a vampire. The show presented some cool ideas about a vampire's nature in Caroline's world. Unlike other vampire myths, the person retains their soul when they become a vampire. The trick to TVD vampirism is control. Control is everything. Caroline's lack of self-control drives the A story of the episode. She's responsible for a few dead bodies. Damon wants to kill her because he perceives as a problem while Stefan wants to teach her control. Caroline's experience resembles any ordinary teenager though---intense emotions, self-control issues etc. After all, TVD uses the supernatural to tell more intense and visceral stories about growing up.

"Brave New World" is so well-done. The script's fantastic. The direction's terrific. Candice Accola's tremendous as she conveys all of the emotions Caroline feels during the episode. Please watch the episode on Amazon OnDemand. You won't regret the $1.99.

3. "Epidemiology"--Community--Written By Karey Dornetto--Directed By Anthony Hemingway

Critics have complained about the Chang-Shirley hookup becoming a pregnancy storyline. They have their reasons but they're mostly poor. They disagree with the decision to place an important plot point in the middle of a zany, insane episode about students-becoming-zombies. Now, I've written a more lengthy rant about the critics opinion about Community so I won't write much more about the critics opinion that particular plot point. The Chang-Shirley hook up is one of the highlights of an amazing episode. This episode aired three days before The Walking Dead captivated America. The episode gives each character plenty of great stuff, and the best episodes of Community are when the episodes work as ensemble pieces, utilizing each actor efficiently.

Dean Pelton's the MVC of the episode. He accidentally orders rancid food for the Halloween party. His Abba playlist (mixed with personal reminders) never get old. Plus, he locks the student body in the school once the zombie takeover begins. Community is the best series on television.

2. "Ring A Ding-Ding"--Terriers--Written By Angela Kang--Directed By Billy Gierhart

This is the episode that completely hooked me on Terriers. My review for the episode was re-tweeted by the man himself Shawn Ryan. It features a massive emotional gut-punch that completely caught me off-guard. The episode explored the inner anguish and pain that Hank experienced every day. The scene between he and the poor sick woman with a cheating husband is devastating. Of all the scenes during the 2010-2011 season, their scene is the absolute best. It's impeccably written, acted and directed. As an aspiring screenwriter, I've wanted to write something as good as a single LOST episode. Well, writing a scene as powerful as this scene is another goal of mine. The episode blew me away with the depth of emotion the characters experienced. Friends and well-wishers, watch Terriers once in your life. You will not regret it.

1. "Hail Mary"--Terriers--Written By Ted Griffin & Nicholas Griffin--Directed By Ted Griffin

I promised that Terriers and Community wouldn't dominate the list but Terriers was so bleeping good. "Hail Mary" is a pitch-perfect season and, unfortunately, series finale. Every show runner should aspire to write as good a finale for their show this season as Terriers did. The episode wraps up the season-long arc, the personal arcs and closes on a scene that represents the spirit of the show perfectly. One day I'll buy the writers of the show beer for producing one of the greatest seasons of television.

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