The Young Folks’ Best Television Shows of 2015

TYF Staff

9 years ago

The Young Folks team has come together to list the very best in entertainment and pop culture for the year 2015!

Television has hit it’s peak status this year, with more series readily available than ever. Superheros have officially taken over, The CW has seen a rebirth of sorts, Mad Men solidified it’s place in history as one of the best dramas ever in a daring and sobering finale season and challenging dramas such as The Leftovers and The Americans continued to only get better. While not all shows are recommended, and some would do best by just quietly dissapearing, there was too much worthy entertainment to go around. Check out what the TYF crowd picked as their best shows of the year!

Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

If this were a top 20 list, I’d be much happier. Peak television is killing me because there is just so much great stuff out there that I want to share. However, for the annual year-end list, I can only pick ten shows that stood out to me as the best. So here we go…

1. Mr. Robot (Season 1)

I can’t say that any show surprised me or pulled me in more than Mr. Robot. Besides the superb performances, the story is full of unexpected twists, while being so mind-beingly good. I’m completely riveted by the story and characters, and a lot of it also has to do with how stylistic and cinematic the filmmaking of the show is. Mr. Robot has the whole package: great substance with incredible style.

2. Jane the Virgin (Season 1 & 2)

The best network show is on The CW of all places. It’s one of the most consistent shows, delivering genre-defying antics weekly with great performances grounding the show’s whimsical nature. Anyone who was worried that Jane wouldn’t be as good in its second season are wrong. The writers have upped their game, and it’s still pure joy tuning into this show on Monday nights.

3. The Flash (Season 1 & 2)

This isn’t just me being a CW mega fan. The Flash is one of the most entertaining and ambitious shows on TV. It wears its heart on its sleeve, and god, do you care about these characters. In turn, the writers know how to spin out a story that can leave you going “Whoa!” like a little kid. Grant Gustin is an excellent Barry Allen/Flash, and the supporting cast share a chemistry that makes all of their interactions so much fun, as well as meaningful. It’s far from being totally perfect, but I can’t help but love watching it each week.

4. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)

Jessica Jones is some of Marvel’s best work yet. As great as the show’s villain (played by David Tennant) and very intriguing supporting characters are, Krysten Ritter is the standout here, giving Jessica her trademark unapologetic attitude. She carries Jessica Jones even at the character’s best and worst moments. A victim of abuse, this is her journey into better defining her identity, finding that right balance between superhero and her own person. That’s what makes Jessica Jones so watchable and satisfying.

5. The Leftovers (Season 2)

I liked the first season of The Leftovers. The fascinating premise and ensemble of characters were interesting to say the least. However, season 2 is a totally different animal. Much more introspective, thought-provoking and wild, Season 2 is a hell of a ride, rolling out a narrative so uniquely and effortlessly. In many ways, it’s much easier to swallow, but still as uncomfortable to watch. It explores parts of humanity in a way I haven’t seen before. It’s stunning work from Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta.

6. Outlander (Season 1B)

I’m a huge Outlander fangirl, and the second half of its first season was everything I hoped for: romantic, adventurous, horrifying and hopeful. Season 1B did a great job of steering the narrative into a new direction and allowing us to move past the setup and finally see the characters in action, working toward a great goal in terms of plot. It also showcased the cast at their best.

7. Catastrophe (Season 1)

Funny, real and biting, Catastrophe gets it all right. Co-produced and co-written by comedians Sharon Hogan and Rob Delaney, the two star as strangers, who after a couple trysts, get pregnant. The show explores relationships, pregnancy and all the anxieties that come from that and whatever else life throws at you.

8. Better Call Saul (Season 1)

I never watched Breaking Bad, and I do plan to watch “the greatest series of all time” one day. Yet, give me credit for watching Better Call Saul and loving it. I like not knowing a lot about the characters’ future selves, it makes me all the more curious to see an earnest character like Jimmy evolve into someone as infamous as Saul.

9. Master of None (Season 1)

There is so much truth in Aziz Ansari’s Netflix show about a struggling actor’s encounters with family, love, friends and career. Between “Parents,” “Mornings” and “Old People,” Aziz makes much-needed observations of our generation and privilege. While it’s so entertaining, the show also serves as a bit of a wake-up call.

10. Girl Meets World (Season 2)

It might not have been as obvious in its first season, but Girl Meets World is a great show, a worthy follow-up to Boy Meets World. There’s a confidence to the show’s writing that makes it stand apart from many multi-cam sitcoms even outside of Disney Channel. Female friendships portrayed on television are a rare thing. Girl Meets World isn’t just about Riley navigating through life, it’s also about Maya, how two different people can be so in sync and whether the power of love (not always the romantic kind) can trump whatever life throws at you. That was the moral of Boy Meets World. In the form of friendship, the same message of love thrives in Girl Meets World.

Honorable Mentions: Younger (Season 1), Narcos (Season 1), Daredevil (Season 1), The Affair (Season 2), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1), Empire (Season 1), Orphan Black (Season 3), Rectify (Season 3)

Justin Carreiro’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

1. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)

If there was ever a show you needed to binge-watch on Netflix right now (LIKE RIGHT NOW!), it would be Marvel’s Jessica Jones. The first season had it all: great dialogue, interesting characters, a terrifying villain and a plot you could easily follow. Jessica Jones is hands-down one of the best shows of the year!

2. Empire (Season 1)

Wait, there’s a show about the music business that isn’t cheesy or cliché? Sign me up! The first season is a joy to watch and introduces the world to the star that is Cookie Lyons. Her one-liners are enough of a reason to get hooked on the first season.

3. How To Get Away With Murder (Season 1 & 2A)

Fast-paced, quick-witted and highly dramatic, How To Get Away With Murder is a guilty pleasure soap opera for those who love a good Shonda Rhimes show.

4. Scandal (Season 5A)

After a slow fourth season, the fifth season of Scandal is picking up the pace to once again be a must-watch show. If you’re missing out on Olivia Pope’s latest cases, this would be the season to get back in.

5. UnReal (Season 1)

Reality television has a dark side, and UnReal is a guilty pleasure that turns all of the behind-the-scenes drama of making a TV show on its head into a scripted (and thrilling) series. Brilliant writing, an amazing cast of characters and actors and many twists that will make someone want to start watching reality TV again.

6. Survivor: Cambodia (Season 31)

Thirty-one seasons?! Survivor has come a long way, and it may seem that it does follow the same format. However, with the twist of returning players coming back for their second chance story, these castaways will do anything to win the game. Great moves, likeable players and shocking blindsides that will make your jaw-drop.

7. Orphan Black (Season 3)

Creeping into the third season, the story of the clones is coming together with many new introductions (and losses). Tatiana Maslany delivers in another terrific season that heightens the drama and the conspiracy!

8. Scream Queens (Season 1)

One half the creepy factor of American Horror Story and the other of the campy feeling of Glee, Scream Queens is Ryan Murphy’s true hidden gem. It’s a parody of sorority horror movies set to the extreme. Many of the characters (who you will never root for) are hilarious to watch and feature many amazing one-liners.

9. Gotham (Season 2A)

The villains are rising in Gotham City and their adventures are pure entertainment. Gotham has experienced a change in their writing, plot and editing style. And it’s making a difference! The villains are a draw to return to the show and the first half of the second season stands out as the best so far.

10. Revenge (Season 4B)

A soap opera story must always come to an end, and Emily Thorne’s final chapter is one to watch.

Matt Conway’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

With the ever-changing expansion of Netflix and other digital services, the world of television has become wider than ever. The bigger platform has allowed for unique voices to create some very original and entertaining shows. Here are ten of this year’s best.

Master of None (Season 1)
Empire (Season 1, 2)
Togetherness (Season 1)
Mr. Robot (Season 1)
The Comedians (Season 1)
Public Morals (Season 1)
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 10)
Gotham (Season 1, 2)
Hannibal (Season 3)
The League (Season 7)

Allyson Johnson’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

1. Mr. Robot (Season 1)

Easily the most surprising television series this year, Mr. Robot swept you up in it’s strong pilot episode, and kept you raveled up in Elliot’s (Rami Malek) mind for the rest of the season. With a world that feels fully developed, innovative and consistent filmmaking that makes the overall tone more cinematic, and twists and turns that keep you on your toes, Mr. Robot was an event show, one to anticipate watching week after week. Malek has never been better, mastering an ownership over Elliot that makes everything his character does feel natural.

2. Please Like Me (Season 3)

What more can I really say about this show? Delightful, funny and heartwarming, with characters I can understand and relate to in all of their charms and flaws, there is no other show out there like Please Like Me. Season 3 was it’s best outing yet, with old characters such as Claire making big returns, and new characters charming us instantly such as Ella and Ben. Dealing with new romances and old friendships along with Josh finally seeming to have a good handle on his life, Please Like Me still isn’t afraid to tackle big issues, all the while choosing to laugh as well. What’s life without a sense of humor?

3. Bojack Horseman (Season 2)

Deceptive in it’s ability to integrate themes of depression, loneliness and fame into a show about an anthropomorphic horse who used to star in an 80s sitcom “Horsin Around,” Bojack Horseman had one of the most delicate examinations of depression this year in television. Comedy has the ability to accomplish wonderful things in its storytelling, being given a platform that’s more easily accessible and the series does just that. The characters are far from saints and deeply flawed, and Bojack makes deplorable decisions more often than not, but they’re so layered and fleshed out that we find ourselves sympathizing with them anyway. Gorgeous to watch with eye popping color, I can’t wait to see what season 3 brings.

4. Brooklyn Nine Nine (Season 2, 3)

Is there a show as consistent out right now as Brooklyn Nine-Nine? The little Fox comedy that could, the show has gotten steadily stronger throughout its three seasons, and it shows no signs of relenting. It has the best ensemble on television and their chemistry is effortless, with any pairing of the main characters possessing the ability to deliver a lot of laughs. The second half of season 2 and the start of season 3 have both been excellent, with plenty of heart along with constant hilarity.

5. The Flash (Season 2)

I continue to be impressed by The Flash each week as it continues to up the stakes for our characters, along with creating some very genuine drama to be engaged in. The best superhero show on television, it has mastered how to juggle the comic book narratives and sometimes innate silliness, the heart of the relationships, the development of not only Barry (a great Grant Gustin) but the supporting characters and guest stars too (such as the excellent Wentworth Miller as Captain Cold), while also choreographing interesting and thrilling fight sequences. It’s a show that’s only grown more confident as it’s progressed, and provide the Flash team with a legitimate threat in the form of Zoom.

6. Catastrophe (Season 1)

The bite sized, six episode show that nobody watched, was one of the surprise gems of the year. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney are both great as a one night stand gone awry, when Horgan’s character ends up pregnant and Rob decides they should keep it and make the relationship work, despite the fact that they don’t even really know each other. Aggressively sweet, with two of the most effortlessly funny performances of the year, all I’m wondering is when season 2 is going to be announced for Amazon.

7. Show Me A Hero (Season 1)

No single scene in television this year has emotionally crushed me in the way that one single scene in David Simon’s Show Me a Hero did. It’s in the closing moments of the series, as Nick Wasicsko crumbles under the immense weight of a panic attack. Squeezed into too tight a room, trying to cry out for his brother’s aid but hardly able to omit anything louder than a whisper, Nick sits in the space and cries. It’s the saddest, most fitting way to end not only his story, but the miniseries itself, of a man who tried to build something bigger than himself, only to end at his lowest. Oscar Isaac works wonders as Nick, a man built on faux bravado whose cracks slowly but surely begin to appear, revealing a deeply insecure and painfully sincere man. The show has a wealth of talent in it’s supporting characters, and director Paul Haggis along with Simon create one of the most important, and oddly timely pieces of television this year.

8. Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 1)

Not that it has to be one or the other, but I bet if you’ve read anything of mine in the past, that you thought I’d have AKA Jessica Jones here. Well, neverfear, I did love the series, but there was something about Daredevil that pinged all of my television wants and needs. Saturated in color, making Hell’s Kitchen appear like a walking, talking bruise, with it’s masked hero looking the same as well, Daredevil is gorgeous to watch, helped often but it’s also gorgeously choreographed fight scenes. Charlie Cox wears the role of Matt Murdock like a second skin, fitting as well with his character as Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans did with Tony Stark and Steve Rogers and while the show (like Jessica Jones) would have clearly worked better with ten episodes opposed to thirteen, episodes five through ten offer some of the best serialized storylines this year has had to offer.

9. You’re the Worst (Season 2)

There was a time when I thought that I wasn’t enjoying season 2 of Stephen Falk’s show as much as season 1, but then the finale came, and I looked back at the season and realized how brilliant it all was. From the structure of Gretchen’s depression beginning not just in the first episode of the season, but last year, and the relationship between the two being explored rather than just throwing in easy drama, season two was intelligent and funny television that wasn’t afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve, even if Gretchen and Jimmy would balk at the idea. Comedy has always been a wonderful stage for playing with dramatics, and with Aya Cash and Chris Geere at the helm, season two was a knockout.

10. The 100 (Season 2)

You think you’ve been surprised by The 100 for the last time and then they go and do something shocking and unexpected and you’re once again blown away. Season 2 ended on a low note for the characters, even if they brought their people back, and it was wonderful to see just how deep the series could go. It’s going to take time before Clarke and Bellamy are the happy and healthy characters we wish them to be, but their intrigue is still intact and as the world of the show continues to grow, so does my interest and curiosity.

Honorable Mentions: Jessica Jones, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Master of None, Silicon Valley, iZombie.

Note: I have not managed to catch up on either Fargo or The Americans yet.

Evan Griffin’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

1. Mr. Robot (Season 1)

I truly could marathon this show again. Right now. Mr. Robot seemed like the kind of show that wouldn’t get the reception it did. An incredibly niche hacker society story with an unconventional visual style, co-starring former child star Christian Slater and aired on the USA network? Yet, it works. It’s compelling, it’s terrifying, it’s exciting and thrilling and as noted by showrunner and lead writer, Sam Esmail, it’s brutally honest and real to the point that his hacker knowledge put into the script foresees realities that face our world, the most referenced of which being the Ashley Madison scandal. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen everyone’s “private” world behind their computer and phone screens depicted on film or television in an effective way, and the consequences of people’s actions that take place from the comfort of their own computer. People are manipulated, corrupted and utterly destroyed daily on the internet. Not only is the writing on Mr. Robot phenomenal, but the performance of Rami Malek as the anxiety ridden, paranoid contributor to F-Society, Elliot will hopefully be deserving of some Awards this year.

2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Season 2, 3)

Very few shows make me laugh my ass off as much as this one does, and the entire cast is probably my favorite comedy ensemble of any kind in the last few years. Andy Samberg as Jake is a complete moron, yet is still a character completely competent as a detective, which is an impressive accomplishment from the writing staff. Terry Crews as the 99’s Sergeant turns body image humor on himself in ways that are absurd, yet somehow progressive. Andre Braugher as the stoic captain Holt, Chelsea Peretti’s superficial asides, entrances and one liners as Gina. All of them. All of it. It’s nuts. I love it.

3. Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 1)

Marvel Studios has gone dark, man. They have pushed the boundaries of what they could do with a mature Netflix series. As one of my favorite Marvel heroes, it was fantastic to see the character of Matt Murdock so well balanced as a blind man, a talented lawyer and a bone breaking ninja of the night on screen, and Charlie Cox’s performance throughout was more fantastic than I ever thought it would be. He and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk buried themselves into their roles for this series, and I can’t wait to see them go at it again next spring with the Punisher joining the firefight. Hell’s Kitchen for lives.

4. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)

Where Daredevil was physically brutal, Jessica Jones is a punch to the brain and to the heart. Krysten Ritter stars as Marvel’s first leading female hero, and she’s a complete mess of a woman for very good reasons. The show is the most like a gritty noir film than any other entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, and it’s compelling, depressing and raunchy. Yet, it has moments of uplifting charm thanks to her cynical outlook on the world around her. Between Jessica, the introduction to “Power Man” Luke Cage and the strangely enjoyable horror that was David Tennant’s Killgrave, Jessica Jones is the easiest show to binge watch and connect with all year.

5. The Flash (Season 1, 2)

The showrunners and writers on The Flash are the most daring I’ve ever seen as creators of a superhero show to the point of forcing it’s sister series Arrow to evolve to become more like it. The Flash isn’t afraid of going beyond simple emotional drama, but to also introduce outrageously campy villains, splitting timelines and reintroducing some characters from a completely different multiverse, all glued together by Grant Gustin’s chemistry with the rest of the cast around him. The Flash has been some of the most fun I’ve had watching a tv series in years, let alone enjoying a superhero story.

6. The Man in the High Castle (Season 1)

Based on the novel by Philip K. Dick, the visionary science fiction writer that inspired Blade Runner, this series depicts the greatest “what if” in history: what if the Allied Force lost World War II? This alternative 1962 depicts the East overtaken by the Nazi Third Reich, the West by the Japanese Empire and the American people caught in between as the two prepare for the the future after the passing of Adolf Hitler. To most, this series may look like a horror story, but just as much, it is an alternate history to simulate what happens when societies and cultures assimilate, and how normalcy is completely relative to the society one resides within.

7. Master of None (Season 1)

Aziz Ansari has stretched his writing and directing chops in the fantastic new Netflix series, providing a vastly diverse cast, but also a lead character who is much more honest to the contemporary young man. Ansari’s Dev is much more childish and portrays a man trying to make his way in the world of acting and having a good time while people around him are getting engaged, having an exhaustive experience with children, succeeding financially with lucrative careers and, obviously, the trials and tribulations of indian stereotypes in American culture. The episode “Parents” is one of the most impactful structures I’ve ever seen in a half hour comedy episode as it depicts the chronology of a first generation immigrant to the United States and raising a child in the new, contemporary world.

8. Arrow (Season 3, 4)

The story of Oliver Queen has evolved significantly in 2015, not only with with Lazarus Pit and the League of Shadows in season 3, but particularly a tonal shift that happened in season 4, proving the impact of The Flash’s lighter tone has been very well received by audiences. Arrow has taken itself to a place where it can let the viewers have fun watching the Green Arrow grow into a character more like his comic roots, and the consistent cameos, including various appearance of Barry Allen and this fall’s inclusion of John Constantine, brighten the previously brooding show even further. Finally, Neal McDonough is by far the best villain to be featured on the show thus far as black magic anarchist Damien Darhk with the most jovial demeanor I’ve ever seen boasted by a destructive maniac.

9. The Great British Baking Show (Season 2)

Go ahead, laugh at me. This is, I kid you not, the most relaxing reality show I’ve ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes on. The baking in this show is true artistry, the bakers themselves are people rather than TV personalities and the work of it’s cinematographers is unparalleled to anything I’ve seen of food being captured on screen — whether the food looks good or not. It’s also the most British thing ever.

10. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)

Sometimes you just need something bright, colorful and goofy with some spontaneous singing. That’d be Kimmy Schmidt here to help you out. With The Office’s Ellie Kemper in a leader role with scripts written by comedy’s golden lady Tina Fey, this show caught everyone off guard this spring with it’s eerily infectious theme song, zany humor and a lovable Tituss Burgess through 13 super hilarious episodes.

Honorable Mentions: Rick and Morty, Better Call Saul, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Strain

Evan’s “To Be Seen” List: Fargo, Bojack Horseman

Alana Jane Chase’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

1. Mr. Robot (Season 1)

When I finished Mad Men earlier this year, I never thought I would form a deep and immediate connection to another television show again. But then Mr. Robot happened. Though I was late to the party — it premiered June 24 and I began watching in December — once I heard the opening monologue, it was instant adoration that has been unwavering since. Sam Esmail’s relevant, raw and risky psychological thriller shook me by the shoulders, then took me by the hand and led me to its off-kilter (and stylistically gritty-gorgeous) world. It’s clear that everyone involved in Mr. Robot knows exactly what they’re doing and they’re doing it well. So much so that I devoured season one’s 10 episodes in less than 48 hours. My brain slammed its fists on my skull and yelled, “More, more, more!” The show features hairpin plot turns, ultra-tight pacing, carefully-written dialogue, meticulously-placed self-referential Easter Eggs and a cast so talented and refreshing, they only feel brand new. Rami Malek’s performance as Elliot Alderson — the vigilante hacker/fsociety ringleader with dissociative identity disorder and a drive to disrupt the current world order — is ineffable and spellbinding, something you can’t help but feel lucky to behold. He’ll have you at, “Hello friend.”

2. Mad Men (Season 7)

We bode farewell to Matthew Weiner’s period drama in May of this year, and boy, did it go out with class and wrenching emotion. The seventh season’s second half took hold of the steering wheel and silenced anyone attempting to backseat drive. It was on a mission. From Peggy Olson’s sweet ending with Stan Rizzo, akin to Roger Sterling’s one with Marie Calvet, to the unforgettable hilltop meditation scene we last see Don Draper in, each character’s fates were the ones they needed, though they may not have been the ones we’d anticipated. Mad Men‘s last episodes were the most human of the show’s run; they swam the deep end of engaging in sometimes painful, sometimes peaceful self-reflection, uncovering the illusion of the American Dream and acknowledging the delineation between one’s imagined self and one’s reality. It was a magnificent end of an era.

3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)

Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s zippy comedy made its way into the canon of esteemed Netflix originals the moment it was released (and binge-watched) on March 6. And it’s no wonder, since this streaming sitcom feels so special. It’s savvy overall, serious when it should be and consistently glints with an unmistakable comedic sparkle. With guest spots from Jon Hamm as Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, delivering us wacky lines like “I believe in Gosh and his son Jeepers,” (a far cry from his Don Draper) and not one but two hilarious songs — Titus Andromedon’s “Peeno Noir” and the theme tune — Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as a whole is a riot. But, not surprisingly, the heart of the show exists in Ellie Kemper’s effervescent portrayal of Kimmy. She’s the girl with a truckload of moxie, a head full of wonder and the tenacity to be truly unbreakable. Females are strong as hell.

4. Hannibal (Season 3)

Hannibal is another of my beloved. I even wrote my senior thesis in undergrad on Hannibal and its influence in the psychological drama genre and beyond. Seasons 1 and2 were, in the best ways, grim and gory, and offered daring new takes on Thomas Harris’s iconic characters. While season 3 was slightly weaker in terms of plot and pace as compared to the first two in the Hannibal trio — and perhaps might be the reason for its cancellation — its indulgence into the sumptuous nature of each episode’s cinematography was a treat. The show’s third installment was bloody and visceral, yet elegant and flavorful — no pun intended. It was the height of the Gothic-whimsy hybrid we’d expect from its creator Bryan Fuller, and it will be missed.

5. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Season 2, 5)

The Golden Globe award-winning comedy triumphed in 2015, with its second season rounding out the first half of the year and its third making its return in the fall. Season 2 was chock-full of typical B99-ery: charming performances from the cast, witty push-pull banter, antics that lend themselves to the playfully inane and the ever-quotable one-liners from Gina Linetti and Terry Jeffords. The show’s humor carries over into season 3, but we also see something new — a movement toward heavier subject matter, digging deeper into each character’s truth. Additional kudos go out to the handling of one of the largest through-lines in the second and third seasons: the Jake Peralta/Amy Santiago relationship. Carefully navigating a romantic relationship between two main characters is no easy feat, as the possibility of disaster in the fallout of a relationship always looms overhead, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine treats it with grace and care. Overall, the show knows what works, delivering laughs and character development (no matter how slight) week to week, and shows no fear in tackling territory that lies outside of its comfort zone. Let’s hear it for the Nine-Nine!

Master of None (Season 1)
Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)
Inside Amy Schumer (Season 3)
Game of Thrones (Season 5)
How to Get Away with Murder (Season 1, 2)

Matt Rice’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

I didn’t watch as much TV this year, and barely any dramas besides Mad Men and my beloved Rectify. If I’d found time to watch their most recent seasons, I’m sure The Americans, Transparent and more would be here.

Review (Season 2)
Parks and Recreation (Season 7)
Rectify (Season 3)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
Bob’s Burgers (Season 5, 6)
Nathan for You (Season 2)
Inside Amy Schumer (Season 3)
Master of None (Season 1)
Broad City (Season 2)
Mad Men (Season 7)

Brooke Pawling Stennett’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

After a rollercoaster one and a half seasons with Empire, TV just about wore me out in 2015. Despite the wear and tear of my emotional and sleep deprived schedule, I managed to indulge myself in these better than average shows.

Empire (Season 1, 2)
Sense8 (Season 1)
The Royals (Season 1)
Teen Wolf (Season 5)
iZombie (Season 1, 2)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)
Galavant (Season 1)
Transparent (Season 2)
Master of None (Season 1)

Jose Cordova’s Top Ten TV Shows of 2015

Narrowing down 10 shows is always a difficult task. I always have trouble making those final cuts from 15 to 10. Here are a few shows that nearly made the final cut. Game of Thrones: Season five of Thrones was very up and down. Questionable narrative choices dragged the show down but then an episode like “Hardhome” comes along and almost single-handedly saves the season. Black-ish: Black-ish feels like I’m staring into a sitcom version of my future. Dre’s struggles as a father are things I’ve thought about when I imagine myself with a family in the future. The show manages to tackle ides not usually seen on Network TV while staying funny. Jessica Jones : This was a great season of TV. Killgrave continues the trend of phenomenal villains started by Daredevil. I enjoyed it and respected it tackling the subject matter that it did, the show lost steam midway. At certain points the story felt like it was extended artificially and the show lost some of the energy it had in the early episodes (similar to Daredevil).

1.You’re the Worst (Season 2)

Season 2 is always the true test of a good TV show. Can a show build on the promise it showed in its first season? If the show is You’re the Worst the answer is a resounding yes. You’re the Worst was easily the biggest surprise of television in 2015. Its first season was a fun romp of an anti-romantic comedy. Season two became an exploration of depression and the difficulties of trying to make a relationship work when one person tries to fix a problem that can’t be fixed. This season of You’re the Worst may have been the most heartbreaking season of television this year. Aya Cash deserves major love from critics for her stellar portrayal of Gretchen’s battle with depression and I hope she gets some level of recognition for her amazing work.

2 . Master Of None (Season 1)

After the pilot episode of Master of None I described it to my friends as Louie but from the mind of Aziz Ansari and with his sensibility. Then I watched episode 2 and it wrecked me. Master of None felt like it was made just for me. Almost every episode as the season went along it felt like Ansari, along with co-creator Alan Yang, were saying things that I’ve struggled to articulate in the past. It’s an incredibly relatable show. Ansari and Yang explore a range of under-represented topics carefully and thoughtfully all while crafting a very funny show. It was great to see topics like being second generation immigrant explored on a sitcom. As more people of color create TV and other media, I’m hoping a show like Master of None becomes par for the course but in our current media landscape it’s feels fresh and important.

3. Better Call Saul (Season 1)

As a follow up to Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was always going to have a high bar to clear. The way it did that was by telling a completely different type of story. Breaking Bad was about a man embracing the darkness inside himself. Better Call Saul is the story of Jimmy McGill fighting desperately to do the right thing when everything around pushes him to do wrong. Bob Odenkirk gives a fantastic performance as Jimmy and is surrounded by an immensely talented supporting cast highlighted by Jonathan Banks and Michael McKean.

4. Jane The Virgin (Season 1, 2)

Who would have thought that a telenovela inspired dramedy on the CW would be one of the best shows of the year? Jane the Virgin takes many cues from telenovelas: a messy love triangle, insane villains, and ridiculous plot twists. At its core however, the show is a family drama with real heart and a star king performance from Gina Rodriguez as the titular Jane. Rodriguez is a tremendous discovery. She can do comedy. She can do action. She can dance! There’s a genuine quality that Rodriguez brings to Jane that makes her feel like a real, living, breathing person. A real person trapped in unreal circumstances. In its second season the show hasn’t dipped in quality even as Jane had her baby. That could have easily derailed a lesser show. Jane quickly embraced its new character by exploring the difficulties of being a new mother and including these stories without skipping a beat.

5. Justified (Season 6)

Justified began its life a procedural with a great lead character and a rich and interesting setting. As the show settled in, it became an explorotation of a this community in Kentucky and how where we come from plays a large role in who we are and who we become. Timothy Olyphant’s Raylan Givens and Walton Goggins’ Boyd Crowder existed as two sides of the same coin with Boyd embracing the outlaw spirit of Harlan County and Raylan struggling to reject it. The final season brought their conflict to the forefront after years of the two characters circling each other and refusing to deal with each other head on. The result was one of the best season of television of the year with whip-smart dialogue and tense action. There may not be a better final line of television than “We dug coal together.”

6. The Flash (Season 1, 2)

Comic book heroes have been dominating both the small and big screen for a couple years now but The Flash may be the first series to truly but a comic book on screen. It shies away from nothing in it’s source material. Time travel, alternate universes, telepathic gorillas, even half man half shark villains are fair game on The Flash. With the number of outlandish things it presents, the show could easily have been a bright and colorful disaster. It avoids this by grounding the character work in real human drama and having a strong emotional center. Grant Gustin is great as the earnest Barry Allen and he has a super supporting cast anchored by Jesse L. Martin’s and Tom Cavanaugh. Martin and Cavanaugh are a delight as Barry’s surrogate fathers and bring real emotional weight to the show.

7. Parks and Recreation (Season 7)

Endings are hard. Television endings in particular can be extremely difficult. The final season of Parks and Rec is one of the best final season ever. The creative team took a risk with a seven year time jump at the end of the previous season to set-up a great season of television. Parks and Rec was always about good people trying their hardest to make the world a better place. This sense of optimism was a defining characteristic of the show. Because of that, the number of happy endings on the show doesn’t feel forced or unearned. These characters struggled and fought for years. It seems more than fair for them to finally reap some rewards for all their hard work

8. Fresh Off The Boat (Season 1, 2)

Fresh Off the Boat has been solid since its debut early this year. It owes a lot of its success to an extremely solid cast. Kid actors can be a problem for any show but Fresh Off the Boat has three solid child actors. Hudson Yang as Eddie Huang in particular has really improved in the second season. It’s a great benefit to the show that the kids can often be given their own plotline and episodes quality will not suffer. Rounding out the cast are Randall Park and Constance Wu as the parents. Park had proven his comedic timing before and it’s great to see him as a major player on network TV. Wu has been a revelation. Her portrayal of Jessica Huang is both hilarious and heartfelt. She’s easily been one of the big breakout stars of 2015 and watching any episode of Fresh Off the Boat will show you why.

With a strong cast powering stories that were missing from television, Fresh Off the Boat has quickly become my favorite family sitcom on TV. On a personal level some of that can be attributed to the setting. As a child of the 90’s, it’s fun to see that decade mined for nostalgia in the same way the 80’s have been for years.

9 . Making A Murderer (Season 1)

Coming in at the very end of the year, I’m convinced this show would have made many more top ten lists if not for its release date. Making a Murderer could easily be compared to Serial or HBO’s The Jinx and if you enjoyed either this is definitely a must watch. It’s engrossing and compulsively watchable. The fact that it’s a true story still boggles my mind. Beyond the true-crime/mystery elements, Making a Murderer examines real issues in the American justice system and how “innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t always mean the same thing for everyone.

10. Daredevil (Season 1)

It was very tempting to cheat and use this space for both Marvel Netflix shows but in the end I went with Daredevil because I think it comes together just a little better than Jessica Jones does. Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin is easily the best Marvel villain since Loki and probably the most well developed. The struggle between Kingpin and Daredevil was an interesting look at two men trying to save their neighborhood by completely different means. The action on the show is also some of the best on TV with hard hitting fight choreography that feels solid and like it has real weight to it.

Caryn Welby-Solomon’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)
Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 1)
How to Get Away With Murder (Season 2)
Marvel’s Agent Carter (Season 1)
Game of Thrones (Season 5)
Gotham (Season 2)
Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (Season 3)
The Flash (Season 2)
Modern Family (Season 7)
The Good Wife (Season 7)

Ryan Gibbs’ Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
Parks and Recreation (Season 7)
Broad City (Season 2)
The Last Man on Earth (Season 2)
Bob’s Burgers (Season 5)
Hannibal (Season 3)
Doctor Who (Season 9)
Nathan for You (Season 3)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Season 3)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Season 1)

Cristina Moreano’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

Jessica Jones (Season 1)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
Agent Carter (Season 1)
Mr. Robot (Season 1)
Daredevil (Season 1)
Sense8 (Season 1)
Blindspot (Season 1)
Supergirl (Season 1)
The Muppets (Season 1)
Scream Queens (Season 1)

Luciana Villalba’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

1. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 1)
2. Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 1)
3. Mr. Robot (Season 1)
4. Narcos (Season 1)
5. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Season 1)
6. Master of None (Season 1)
7. Better Call Saul (Season 1)
8. Orphan Black (Season 3)
9. Parks and Recreation (Season 7)
10. Empire (Season 1)