It’s the middle of the year
again, and once more, I rank from best to least the TV shows I’ve watched
during the first half of the year. This
time I decided to include animated series along with the live-action since this
is supposed to give a hint of how my year-end TV show list could turn out, and
animated TV series have always been considered for that.
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Sherlock’s New Year’s Day special was the first TV program I
watched in 2016. Half of the year has
passed, and it’s still the best of 2016 TV so far. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on
it.
The Venture Bros. Season 6
New status quo, still the same
quality of hilarity and brilliant writing. Being one of my
most favorite cartoons ever, I was very happy that there was a new season out
this year – albeit just another 8-episode one.
It’s so frustrating that each new season takes two to three years to
make. Arg.
The Flash Season 2
You can either regard The Flash as one of the most dumb shows on TV right now, or one of the most fun. I deem it with the latter perspective. I love how this show confidently takes on
complex themes like time travel and alternate universes through comic book-y tropes. Though I think the second season isn’t as
good as the first – gone is the lovable Peter Parker-y Barry Allen, as he tends
to be more angsty now (though there were moments that we were able to glimpse
this once again when he interacted with Patty Spivot and Supergirl); and Tom
Cavanagh’s Eobard Thawne-as-Harrison Wells is more endearing than Tom
Cavanagh’s Earth-2 Harrison Wells – The
Flash continues to be rich of exciting twists, enjoyable story arcs, and
wonderful characters in its sophomore season.
Daredevil Season 2
I’m one of those that think the
second season is better than the first.
It began embracing its comic book identity more, and served as an
excellent jumping board for The Punisher character.
The Night Manager
It was a delightful surprise to
discover the existence of this mini-series.
Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in an espionage drama? I’m so in!
CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on it.
Orphan Black Season 4
With each season, this show never
fails to find new ways of delivering fresh plotlines as well as increasing our
awe for Tatiana Maslany’s acting prowess.
Seriously, why is Tatiana not a bigger star?
Erased
It has been a while since I’ve
seen an anime this thoughtful and touching. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts
on it.
Haikyuu!! Season 2
This anime made volleyball exciting for me, so I’m really following it closely.
The terrific second season sees the Karasuno players improving their techniques as individuals and as a team. The result? Punching a ticket to a finals showdown with the powerhouse Shiratorizawa Academy to determine Miyagu Prefecture’s representative to the national tournament. This will be Karasuno’s biggest challenge yet, and I’m greatly looking forward to see this match at the upcoming third season later this year (because I’m as enthusiastic with fictional sports as real-life ones).
Assassination Classroom: Second/Final Season
Season 2 is still funny, though not as much as the
previous season. But since it features
the big reveals, twists, and climax of the story, season 2 is more moving; it traded humor
for more heart.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this
Wonderful World! Season 1
So far in 2016 TV, only The Venture Bros. has been funnier than this brilliant fantasy MMORPG
parody. CLICK HERE for more of my
thoughts on it.
iZombie Season 2
In many ways, this show replaced Castle as the premier crime procedural
in my TV watching lineup. It wonderfully
balances dramatic and comedic tones, while satirizing and deconstructing pop
culture and society with its variously themed episodes, just as Castle did. And just like Castle’s set of characters, iZombie’s is also extremely amiable. In addition,
Rose McIver’s versatile acting is pretty striking. She’s not quite Tatiana Maslany’s level, but
the way she projects the various personalities that her character assimilates is a joy to watch. Lastly, season two had this satisfyingly
grand ending that made me intensely intrigued for its implications next
season.
Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt
A short, stylishly beautiful
Gundam series that even non-fans will appreciate. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on it.
The Muppets Season 1
I’m one of the few that adored
this show. Sad that it was
cancelled. CLICK HERE for more of my
thoughts on it.
The Blacklist Season 3
As usual, James Spader’s
incredible charisma and magnificent acting are the primary reason I keep on
watching this show. More than that, the
third season had been genuinely good overall – a level up from the previous
season – loaded with big twists,
thrilling narrative, and compelling drama.
When a spin-off series was announced to be on the way, I doubted that
it’s necessary. I wasn’t very excited
for it. But after watching season three,
I’m now intrigued of the direction it seems to be going.
12 Monkeys Season 2
12 Monkeys was a surprise last year. I thought it was going to be horrendous, but
it actually turned out being fun and engrossing. In its
second season (still ongoing as of writing), the show only got better. The ludicrous time travel rules, likable
cast, and engaging storytelling make it immensely entertaining. In my opinion, it’s the most underrated or
overlooked ongoing TV series now.
Arrow Season 4
Damien Darhk had been a charming
villain at most parts, and it had its share of exciting episodes (my favorite was the one with John Constantine, but that was during last year’s half of the season). But, overall, season 4 – especially the second
half, which ran this 2016 – is this show’s weakest so far. Hope they can significantly bounce back next
season.
Legends of Tomorrow Season 1
A disappointing debut season, but
with enough positives and potential to keep it afloat.
CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on it.
Supergirl Season 1
Its crossover episode with the Flash is my most favorite thing I’ve seen in 2016 so far. If we can separate it from the rest of the
show, that would handily rank above Sherlock:
The Abominable Bride. However,
evaluating the entire debut season as a whole, Supergirl has significant problems that even Melissa Benoist’s immensely lovable charisma can’t compensate for.
That said, I’m optimistic that it would address and improve upon them next
season – especially since it’s joining the Arrowverse shows at the CW next
season, and it was recently announced that Superman will finally be an actual
character. CLICK HERE
for more of my thoughts on it.
Castle Season 8
It was watchable, but it
totally lost its magic. The abrupt ending didn’t help either. As a long-time fan, I’m sad that it had to end in such
ill-fitting manner. CLICK HERE for more
of my thoughts on its last season.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3
Recently, we learned that the
synergy between Marvel’s TV and movie divisions isn’t pretty well. Thus, the TV
shows and movies aren’t that much “connected” as we’ve thought. Technically, the TV shows and movies exist in
a share universe, but until the movies acknowledge the existence of the TV
shows, this doesn’t matter. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. totally suffered
from the reveal of this saddening truth. The
sense of disconnection from the movies dramatically reduces the show’s
relevance and appeal, and it doesn’t have the same innate great-quality that the Netflix
shows have to make up for it. I no longer
have confidence that this show would actually make an impact on the MCU, at
least, as far as the movies are concerned.
It also doesn’t help that season three’s overall arc wasn’t that much
interesting.
Agent Carter Season 2
Season two is better than season one, but the improvement isn’t big enough to make it great. Thus, I really didn’t mind much when it was
cancelled. But if ever it returns as a
Netflix show, I would welcome it.
Oh My Venus
It’s basically a by-the-numbers
romcom, but its innate cuteness still made it the K-drama that I’ve enjoyed
watching the most in 2016 so far. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on it.
The Big Bang Theory Season 9
Entertaining but no longer hilariously good. But I still watched the latest season since every episode is only 20 minutes long; not much of a hassle.
Descendants of the Sun
Biggest K-Drama series of the
year. But I didn’t love it as much as most
did. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts
on it.
Imaginary Cat
This short K-drama series has an adorable, hilarious cat. Apparently, that was enough reason for me to watch it. CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on it.
Shannara Chronicles Season 1
Its production value impressed me
much at first. But soon, I eventually found the tone, acting, and
narrative bland and boring. I enjoyed the books, but this TV adaptation
was unable to win me over. I eventually
dropped it after watching the first four episodes.
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