taking a break from my favorite films countdown and since recently i’ve been nothing but a couch potato, i thought i’d give recognition to the shows that had me hooked from beginning to end (well, most of them have ended, anyway. a couple are still ongoing.)
so here they are, my seven favorite tv shows:
7. Doctor Who (and spin-off Torchwood)
one word: fantastic!
Captain Jack Harkness: Okay! This can function as a sonic blaster, a sonic cannon, and a circle-and-hold sonic disruptor. Doc, what’ve you got?
The Doctor: I’ve got a sonic…
[fishes around in pockets]
The Doctor: … uh… oh, never mind.
Captain Jack Harkness: What?
The Doctor: It’s sonic, okay, let’s leave it at that.
Captain Jack Harkness: Disruptor, cannon, what?
The Doctor: It’s sonic! Totally sonic! I’m soniced up!
Captain Jack Harkness: [shouting] A SONIC WHAT?
The Doctor: Screwdriver!
[monsters break through the walls]
6. House M.D.
how can you not love House? he’s so mean and sarcastic and flawed that you can’t help but like him. and really, his constant people-insulting are more interesting to watch than the constant whining going on in other tv medical dramas.
Jill: My joints have been feeling all loose, and lately I’ve been feeling sick a lot. Maybe I’m overtraining; I’m doin’ the marathon, like, ten miles a day,
[House looks tired]
Jill: but I can’t seem to lose any weight.
Dr. Gregory House: Lift up your arms.
[she does so]
Dr. Gregory House: You have a parasite.
Jill: Like a tapeworm or something?
Dr. Gregory House: Lie back and lift up your sweater.
[she lies back, and still has her hands up]
Dr. Gregory House: You can put your arms down.
Jill: Can you do anything about it?
Dr. Gregory House: Only for about a month or so. After that it becomes illegal to remove, except in a couple of states.
[he starts to ultrasound her abdomen]
Jill: Illegal?
Dr. Gregory House: Don’t worry. Many women learn to embrace this parasite. They name it, dress it up in tiny clothes, arrange playdates with other parasites…
Jill: Playdates?
Dr. Gregory House: [shows her the ultrasound] It has your eyes.
5. Gilmore Girls
all the gilmore girls are captivating and addicting–yes even Emily Gilmore. aside from that no two people are more meant to be together than Luke and Lorelai. and since this is the last season to grace us, please, please just let Luke and Lorelai end up together.
Jess: Hi.
Rory: Hey.
Jess: Hi.
Lorelai: Hi.
Jess: Hi.
Luke: Hi.
Rory: I have to get to school.
Jess: Yeah, me too.
Rory: Bye
Jess: Bye. Bye.
Lorelai: Bye.
Rory: Bye.
Lorelai: Bye.
Rory: Bye.
Luke: Bye.
[Jess and Rory leave]
Luke: What the hell was that?
Lorelai: That was episode one of Rory and Jess: The Early Years.
4. Firefly
this short-lived TV show only has thirteen episodes but it’s better than most multi-season shows. trust me.
Capt. Mal Reynolds: If anyone gets nosey, you know, just… shoot ‘em.
Zoë Washburne: Shoot ‘em?
Capt. Mal Reynolds: Politely.
3. Friends
there’s nothing to say really but this is the best TV Sitcom. ever.
[Re: "If you had to give up sex or food, which would you pick?"]
Monica: Sex!
Chandler: Seriously. Answer faster.
Monica: I’m sorry, sweetie. When she said “sex” I wasn’t thinking of sex with you.
Chandler: It’s like a big hug.
Phoebe: Ross, how about you? Sex or food?
Ross: Sex!
Phoebe: What about sex or dinosaurs?
Ross: My God, it’s like Sophie’s Choice.
Phoebe: Joey, if you had to give up sex or food, which would you pick?
Joey: I don’t know it’s too hard.
Rachel: Come on, you have to answer.
Joey: Okay… sex. No, food. No, uh… I want both! I want girls on bread!
2. Veronica Mars
When I heart VM got cancelled, my heart broke. Not only is this show well-written, interesting and entertaining, it also features the best female TV character since Buffy Summers.
Veronica: Look at you, all helpful.
Logan: Hey, your peskiness being unleashed on Conner brings me joy. Annoy, tiny blonde one, annoy like the wind!
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and spin-off Angel)
Joss Whedon rocks. No, Joss Whedon rules the universe (or Buffyverse, as it’s called.) In its seven season run, BtVS had some of the best TV episodes ever. Check out “Once More With Feeling,” the famous Musical episode and “Hush” where some fairy tale demons steal people’s voices and everything is acted by gesture and facial expression.
Angel: I knew this was gonna happen.
Buffy: What? What do you think is happening?
Angel: You’re 16 years old, I’m 241.
Buffy: I’ve done the math.
Angel: You don’t know what you’re doing. You don’t know what you want.
Buffy: Oh, no. I think I do. I want out of this conversation.
Angel: Listen, if we date, you and I both know one thing’s gonna lead to another.
Buffy: One thing already has led to another. You think it’s a little bit late to be reading me a warning label?
Angel: I’m just trying to protect you. This could get out of control.
Buffy: Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?
[Angel grabs her and pulls her close, and she gasps]
Angel: This isn’t some fairy tale. When I kiss you… you don’t wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after.
Buffy: No… when you kiss me, I wanna die.
so there they are, my favorites. there are still a few shows i’m curious about (like Battlestar Galactica and My So-Called Life.) will probably make a longer list someday but for now, back to the favorite films…
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