With the passage of time – and the popularity of digital streaming platforms – TV shows are starting to become obsolete. However, for most of us, who still saw the age of wonderful television as well as films, along with the newly launched concept of web series, there are several shows that have some of the best stories that we enjoyed thoroughly. Many great new shows were introduced in the 2010s – some of which were acquired by digital streaming platforms – while others continued their running with associated networks. And as the year – or the decade rather – draws to a close, we list down some of the best TV shows that wowed audiences with their epic storytelling and out of the box performances.
1. Game of Thrones
Based on the fantasy novels by George R R Martin named A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones was released on HBO in 2011. Set in the fictional land of Westeros, the show has several storylines going on around the different parts of the continent, each linking to everything going on in King’s Landing – where the Iron Throne exists as the rulers resides. The series kicks off with the Stark family along with the likes of Baratheons, Lannisters and the last 2 surviving members of the Targaryen household. It then follows the stories of several characters bound by only one thing – to sit on the Iron Throne. Full of jealousy, a whole lot of vengeance, romance and drama, Game of Thrones was one of the best TV shows to come out of the decade. The eight seasons of the series came to an end earlier this year as fans bid an emotional farewell to some of their favourite characters.
2. Suits
Much like Game of Thrones, even Suits hit TV screens in 2011. An American drama, Suits is set in a fictional law firm based in New York City and follows the story of a university dropout Mike Ross – who has an insane photographic memory – and Harvey Specter, a genius lawyer. As Mike gets hired by Harvey, despite being a dropout, what follows are a series of the duo closing cases and ruling the world of everything legal. Patrick J Adams and Gabriel Macht essay Mike and Harvey, respectively, which are also joined by Rachel Zane – a paralegal at the same work. And if you’ve been following the UK Royals closely, it’s none other than Meghan Markle who essayed Rachel in the show – now also known as the Duchess of Sussex after she married Prince Harry last year. However after the seventh season, Meghan and Patrick bid goodbye to the show, which eventually aired its series finale earlier this year.
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Premiering in 2013, Brooklyn Nine-Nine revolves around the stories of the cops and detectives working in the New York Police Department’s 99th precinct – as the name suggests. Jake Peralta, played by Andy Samberg, takes the lead as an immature but talented NYPD detective who often comes into conflict with his new commanding officer, the stern Captain Raymond Holt played by Andre Braugher. Each episode of the show features a different case and a different story, set around the same group of cops, who work together to solve these cases while also tackling their personal lives. The series was lauded for its diverse cast and content, wherein the makers did not shy away from touching up on sensitive subjects such as workplace harassment and minority representation. With the decade coming to a close, this comedy is a must-watch to keep up with the times ahead.
4. The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead, much like Friends, Game of Thrones and many others, is one of the most popular TV shows to have ever been produced. Released in 2010, The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror series. Featuring an ensemble cast as survivors of a zombie apocalypse, the story revolves around several characters who are trying to stay alive under the near-constant threat of attacks from the zombies which are also known as ‘walkers’ throughout the show. But with the fall of humanity, the survivors face another conflict from other living survivors who have formed communities with their own set of laws and morals. The Walking Dead completed 10 long years of running, starting at the beginning of the decade and has been renewed for an eleventh season which will premiere sometime next year.
5. Gotham
If the Dark Knight Trilogy is the best set of films made about Batman, then Gotham can be considered its equivalent as an origin-investigating series which explores the characters of Inspector Gordon, Batman himself and a varied number of villains who haunt the crime-struck city of Gotham. The plot begins where everyone picks it up from, with the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s parents. Their death leads to an upsurge in crimes in Gotham and Inspector Gordon, played by Ben McKenzie, enters the scene as a new recruit for the Gotham City Police Department. He joins Harvey Bullock, essayed by Donal Logue, a veteran police officer, on the lookout for the murderer of the Waynes. The case leads Gordon towards the future messiah of Gotham, Bruce – who eventually will become Batman – and investigates how before the arrival of the caped crusader, Gordon helped the GCPD keeping high morals and ethics intact while fighting criminals. The series premiered in 2014 and culminated with the final and fifth season in April 2019. So if you are a fan of the Batman villains then Gotham is a must watch. Note: There’s Joker in there too!
