14. One Mississippi — a semi-autobiographical show about a woman (Tig Notaro) who goes back to her hometown following her mother’s sudden death. Dark comedy abounds.
Seasons: 2
Favorable review: Lovable characters. Tig’s comedy is really low key, and the whole show has that familiar, comfortable vibe, even when dealing with seriously uncomfortable topics. Tig is great at finding the middle ground, never making too light of, nor giving too much power to the negativity in her life. This show addresses a lot of common but complex issues, and I was surprised at how easy it was to watch. Usually shows that tackle death, chronic illness, sexual abuse, infidelity, personality disorders, etc. take an overly affective approach, which can be helpful to the causes, but can also be off-putting. I usually have to be in the right frame of mind to watch shows like that, meaning I need to be feeling strong in myself, in warrior mode, not weak. I watched One Mississippi when I was sick, and it was actually perfect. Calm, not overly stimulating, not saccharine, just subtle, interesting, and heartwarming. – Vorasynja
Watch here (only available for Prime members; watch first episode for free).
13. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel — A critically-acclaimed 60-minute dramedy set in 1950s Manhattan about Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a married Jewish housewife who discovers she has a talent for stand up comedy. Monk‘s Tony Shaloub also stars.
The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, who also made Gilmore Girls, so if you like that, chances are you’ll like this.
Seasons: 1 (ongoing)
Favorable review: What a pleasant surprise gem of a show. It builds gradually into the promise of the shows capabilities. Using this approach allows the development of the central character’s back story. At the beginning you see small glimpses of her wit and snappy timing. The attention to details in costume and setting is great to see but it does not upstage the well written characters in the show. Tony Shalhoub’s Emmy worthy acting ability stands out in his scenes with his grandson and daughter in the show. Rachel Brosnahan is never overshadowed in her performances and by halfway through the Pilot, I found myself completely sold on how she just absolutely makes the whole well done pilot come together and has you rooting for her in every minute of every scene. The show in it’s entirety is well worth deserving it’s own series. I can’t wait to see more of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” – John W. Hawkins Jr.
Watch here (only available for Prime members; watch first episode for free).
12. The Good Wife — Julianne Margulies stars as Alicia Florrick, a mother and wife who goes back to her career as a defense attorney after her husband goes to jail over a very public scandal.
Margulies won four Emmys for her portrayal of Florrick. Also stars Chris “Mr. Big” Noth.
Seasons: 7
Favorable review: I love this show. Not only does it create depth for the trope of the put-upon wife in Alicia Florrick, but it actually does explore the depths of her roiling feelings as she deals with the pain involved in raising children in the shadow of scandal, picking up the pieces of a career she let be shattered by her husband’s over-shadowing ambition, her own romantic story, her own self-delusion, and the ultimate betrayal by her family. It also allows an avenue to redemption for a character so aptly portraying one of the most deeply troubled tropes – the despicably straying husband. The legal aspect of the show is sound in a way that not many other shows are capable of handling both accurately and entertainingly. Well done! – ABG
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
11. Deadwood — Based loosely on true events, this drama follows a group of men who form a mining settlement without laws in 1870s South Dakota.
This fan favorite is finally getting a movie.
Seasons: 3
Favorable review: I have watched this entire series four or five times and it just seems to get better each time. It is loosely based on true events and it is by far the best television series I have ever had the pleasure a viewing. It is not for the faint of heart especially for the language which I feel is accurate for a rough-and-tumble time and place. If you accept the fact that words are only words and concentrate on the story which is both riveting and entertaining you wont be sorry. If you are lucky enough to own the DVDs you will find that much of the bonus material involve the writers writing the story as they go along. Even today one of the main characters in this story still has his name on a building in Deadwood, South Dakota. If you sit through four or five episodes of this drama, I can’t imagine that you would not eagerly follow the rest of the series. This is great television drama.- Robert (Buff) Leboeuf
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
10. Sex and the City — You know what it’s about. Four women, different backgrounds, different personalities, trying to find love and success in New York City. Also, cupcakes and cosmopolitans.
Cynthia Nixon, who played lawyer Miranda in the series, is running for Mayor of New York City.
Seasons: 6
Favorable review: Thank you, Amazon/Prime, for making “Sex and the City” available to me for download onto my tablet. Each episode is fabulous. Almost every night, when I’m getting ready for bed, I watch 1 or 2 (sometimes 3!) episodes. The writers created years of super shows for our benefit. Their efforts were rewarded by wonderful actors. These thirty minute shows really get to the point Each shares an amazing amount of fun and emotion, showing us the wonderment of friendship; and all the while, entertaining us to the end of each show. – lill
Watch here ($1.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
9. Orphan Black — A science fiction series about human clones and the ethics of cloning in which Tatiana Maslany plays a bunch of different clones. The show earned her an Emmy in 2014.
Seasons: 5
Favorable review: This is an amazing show that transcends what SiFi can be. Orphan Black is a character exploration of about 5 or more women and how they relate to each other, science, their family, and society. Instead of having the science fiction element rule the show the Emmy winning performance of the main actors (Tatiana Maslany) break the boundaries of traditional SiFi and television in general. Yes this is a story about clones but it’s a breakdown of how society, economic status, and culture can alter a person. Don’t get me wrong the science is their, but the well rounded characters bring it home. The SiFi element simply offers a amazing opportunity for an actor to play an infinite role of charters in an unbelievable realistic way. I’m convinced clones are real! #cloneclub In my top 5 favorite shows of all time! – Jasmine J.
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
8. Treme — Named after the neighborhood in New Orleans in which it’s set, this drama portrays the lives of local residents try to rebuild their lives, homes, and culture after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Seasons: 4
Favorable review: This amazing series left me hungry for more. The characters are real and engaging and the story behind their stories of a city struggling with corruption and Inadequate resources while some folks are profiting handsomely off the suffering of so many post Katrina is a story all Americans should know. This series made me go to New Orleans and see for myself. I fell in love with the city and with Treme and was lucky enough to see some of the filming of one episode. I just wish there were more seasons. A truly great and unique blend of human interest and political commentary with a musical backdrop that soars and inspires. – Gretchen C. Eick
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
7. The Newsroom — This series gives viewers a glimpse of behind-the-scenes events at a fictional cable news channel. It features an ensemble cast, with actor Jeff Daniels playing anchor Will McAvoy.
The series was created by Aaron Sorkin, he of the “walk and talk,” who also created The West Wing.
Seasons: 3
Favorable review: The Newsroom starring Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer is an excellent, well balanced serious drama written by the great Aaron Sorkin. This is a really unique show and I came to love it! If you are into journalism, investigations, and real world events, this is the show for you! I really love how they rehash some of the previous years most important and impactful stories such as Deep Water Horizon, the Tea Party, the Arab Spring, and Fukushima Nuclear Plant and tell the story like it should have been told in hindsight. By showing how the news should be responsibly reported, it gives you a greater appreciation for journalism. This is an excellent show, that everyone should watch. – Honey and Tom
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
6. House — A medical procedural starring Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a misanthropic medical genius who leads a team of diagnosticians at a fictional teaching hospital. Despite his tremendous knowledge of all things medical, his gruff attitude causes constant friction between him and his boss and colleagues. Oh, and he’s addicted to pain meds.
Hugh Laurie has been nominated for Emmys a number of times for his portrayal of grumpy Dr. House, but never won.
Seasons: 8
Favorable review: Not many shows get my attention — especially shows which are still in production. I got hooked on House during its second season, and I had never seen the first five shows before I got the first season on DVD as a gift. If you are unfamiliar with the show, I will warn you the main character, House (played by Hugh Laurie), comes off as a jerk. What Laurie brings to the table is his own interpretation of House. Without his excellent talent, this show would not have appealed to me. Somehow, he can play a jerk but still be appealing. The medical aspect of the show always leaves me guessing, and I’m the type to solve mysteries within the first five minutes of a show. It certainly makes this series more enjoyable for me that I am kept guessing until the end. Great cast, great scripts, just a fabulous series. – K. Rodriguez
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
5. Suits — The two main characters of this show work at a fictional law firm in New York City, but only one of them is actually a lawyer. Shhhh.
This is the show Meghan Markle was on before she became royalty.
Seasons: 7 (ongoing)
Favorable review: Like any TV drama, there are times when the show can be a bit over the top but no more than other series in its genre. What you really need to know is that it’s a great script and having worked at major corporate law firms for 7 years, as well as being married to a litigator, I can really appreciate the story lines. It doesn’t hurt that Gabriel (and his character) are eye candy and that the majority of the cast have perfectly quaffed hair with an incredibly inspiring wardrobe – from clothes to shoes and accessories. I literally want to look like them every day. I am half way through the 3rd season after binge watching during the long Labor Day weekend and can’t wait to be caught up. If you enjoy watching intellectual TV that’s not news but can still potentially teach you useful legal jargon and increase your diction, yet be entertaining in the process, then this is your show. – Sheba Munn
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
4. Grimm — In a twist on the fairytales of old, the series tells the story of a homicide detective who finds out he is descended from a group hunters (“Grimms”) who fight against evil supernatural characters to keep humans safe.
The series is set in present-day Portland, OR but is nothing like Portlandia.
Seasons: 6
Favorable review: I remember reading some of Grimm’s Fairy Tales as a child. When I started looking at the series it was somewhat unsettling. It caught me off guard and completely unexpected from what I remembered as a child. The sudden “voguing” of the Grimm characters, the level of violence, made by initial viewing spotty. But I have gone back to it and find it most intriguing. Like POI (of which I am a huge fan) it has a strong storyline and each episode contains an element that will connect the story within the story. Like Once Upon A Time, Grimm borrows characters from other fairy tales whose characters live in the Enchanted Forest or in Oz or Wonderland which is a delightful crossover. Overall, I am a Grimm fan now. I like good drama series of this genre. There are many out there but so far, none matches the quality of characterization and execution of the stories. But I am a fairy tale person. I believe in Peter Pan and unicorns. – georgigirl2
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
3. Boardwalk Empire — Inspired by the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City about Enoch L. Johnson, this period crime drama set during Prohibition follows Nucky Thompson, played by the inimitable Steve Buscemi.
The first episode of the show was directed by Martin Scorcese and had a budge of $18 million.
Seasons: 5
Favorable review: I have watched this So Many times over. Besides being fun and a thriller, it’s great history. But the best is Scorsese’s directing. While other films keep upping the noise a visual chaos in hopes of getting audience attention (and turning me off), the brilliance of this film is the background music. It’s fabulous period music that follows throughout, sometimes with two tapes running, one with music the other with even more subtle ambient sounds behind it. The music rarely takes over the scene or obscures dialog unless the scene, such as in a nightclub, calls for it. But otherwise it’s in the background, where it belongs, just putting the icing on the cake of each scene. The performances by the whole cast are great, and Michael Pitt is terrific to watch. The scene where he and mother of his child girlfriend contemplate the outside beach scene and the meaning of life, laundry flapping in the ocean side summer breeze, is one of the best I have ever seen put together. Just plain fun and a real jewel for anyone who loves artistry in film. – S. Shea
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
2. Vikings — It’s about Vikings. Okay, to be more specific, it’s about Ragnar Lothbrok, a farmer who becomes a Scandinavian king.
As the review states, the show is pretty damn gory (they’re Vikings, after all), so maybe not for kids.
Favorable review: I never thought GOT could be outdone, but this series is top shelf in every way. It’s more intoxicating than your finest whiskey and I can’t stop watching it.…every detail is so researched …and all the acting is incredibly natural…you feel like you are living and breathing right alongside the characters. Given that the earlier Vikings had no written word, they lived “on the edges of history” if you will, so all that has been learned has been through meshing tons of material knowledge at dig sites, writings from peoples they either slaughtered or allied with. No one is good or evil, they all have many shades of grey and the viewer’s intelligence is challenged rather than insulted. The only precaution would be that it is very gory, so kids should probably not watch until older. – shoehound
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
1. Downton Abbey — A period drama about the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants set in the early 20th century.
According to Wikipedia, Downton Abbey holds the world record for the most critically acclaimed English-language series of 2011. So, you know, watch it.
Favorable review: An intriguing look into the lives of wealthy British aristocracy and their large and diverse group of servants, as they face the challenges of a changing world in early 20th century England. The cast is terrific, delivering performances that inspire drama, empathy and well placed humor as they portray a compelling story that draws you into their world. From the father who is trying to secure his families future, sibling rivalry run amok, a dysfunctional relationship with a stuffy but very amusing mother-in-law, and an interloping third cousin, to the infighting and politics of the house staff, the myriad of story lines keeps your interest throughout. There are so many characters that it all seems a bit much for the first few episodes. But once you get to know the characters it becomes easy and delightful to follow. – Salem Buyer
Watch here ($2.99/episode if you don’t have a Prime subscription).
