Like so many other mediums for me, television continues to diminish. Even still, I have enough to watch to keep me at least a little engaged with the medium. The year’s best in TV for me (in no particular order):

1.  After all these years, Survivor continues to be an amazing thing to watch. I’m so glad that I came back to the show a few years ago. This year’s two “seasons” were full of amazing moments. While the contestants rarely talk about the things you want them to (religion, social issues, etc.), the way that the game is played says more than enough about human relations in the 21st century. What started off as a game of alliances has become a game of day-to-day voting blocks. And yet it was an alliance that made it to the final three in this fall’s “second chances” game. The show remains as unpredictable as Jeff Probst is consistent. Best Moment: this fall’s finale, where three immunity idols (one won, two hidden) were used, leaving the final six contestant with a three-level stalemate. Never before, and probably never again.

2.  Parks and Recreation came to an end with a shortened seventh season. It also picked up “3 years later” thanks to a twist at the end of season six. The season was full of great moments. The show-runners really gave the audience what they wanted, I suppose. The finale was particularly sweet (and did the flash-forward aspect quite well). Best Moment: The episode where Ron and Leslie come to terms with their ruined friendship was a laughable yet poignant way to revisit the main themes of the show while also reminding us that people matter, even when it comes to work and government (maybe especially so).

3. Peter Capaldi returned for his second series as the Doctor this year, headlining what many Who-fans consider the most solid series since the reboot a decade ago. The season seemed all about tension (mostly thanks to the predominance of two-episode stories). And while I wasn’t enamored with the Ashdir character (who appeared often), I can say that I finally learned to appreciate Clara. It was good to finally see more of Gallifrey, though I totally understand why the show doesn’t spend much time there. Best Moment: The Doctor’s speech at the end of “The Zygon  Inversion” episode. Wonderfully acted by Capaldi. I find myself thinking “it’s not a game” quite often. Quick update: say what you will about Moffatt, but when he sticks a landing, he really sticks a landing.  Evidence? Las night’s Christmas special.  He can walk away from the show now and will have accomplished a wonderful wrap to all of his work.

4. Tuesday television has been a great thing for me. The first reason is The Flash on the CW. While old-school Wally West will always be “my Flash,” Grant Gustin has turned Barry Allen into a likable character amidst a wonderful cast. The show continues to do a great job of bringing in the character’s past while shining things up for a 21st century television audience. The show has also benefited from the recent trend towards building to the “mid-season finale.” Best Moment: “Out of Time” from near the end of season one when the Flash experienced the end of his city (and found out how Iris really felt), only to travel back in time and do things differently. I didn’t see that part coming, but I didn’t feel robbed when it happened.

5. The second part of Tuesday television that was great in 2015 was Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD. Everyone knows how bland the show felt until the Winter Soldier twist. It’s been a roller-coaster ride ever since. Much like The Flash, the show has used the build towards mid-season finales well. It moves things along at a great pace while also leaving a little room for long-term mystery. Best Moment: the episode “4,722 Hours,” where Simmons is stranded on what is now referred to as the planet Maveth. I didn’t think I would buy in, but I did. And when they revisited the planet during the mid-season finale? Hope and heartbreak. Can’t believe we have to wait until March to pick back up on the story.

Honorable Mentions: I did thoroughly enjoy most of Fargo season two. It was a slow build for me. Once all the pieces were in place, though, things fell apart amazingly. I also really enjoyed Fear the Walking Dead (which means I’d rather watch things fall apart than deal with the aftermath). You pretty much know what’s going to happen with zombies, but you still don’t want her to go to school and run into the principal (poor, poor principal).

(image from avclub.org)