10. Defiance (Season 2 - RENEWED) on SyFy 2012-2013 Rank: 9 (-1) After the first season of Defiance, I found myself impartial to the show. It didn't exactly suck me in as I had hoped. I didn't rush to watch season two and frankly haven't finished it yet. When I do watch an episode I am mildly interested, but I don't feel the need to watch the next episode when one ends. I would like to finish the season out, but at this point I'm not sure if I will. I like the premise and the environment of the show, taking place on a terra-formed Earth where various races live together. There is an overlying story arc that is interesting, but I think the more isolated stories and interactions just aren't doing it for me. |
9. From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series (Season 1 - RENEWED) on El Rey/Netflix 2012-2013 Rank: New Show I was quite happy when Netflix decided to air this show. From Dusk Til Dawn is based on the film created by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Unfortunately, it initially appeared on Rodriguez's TV channel El Rey. I did eventually get to watch it though. The series basically has the same storyline as the first film. The Gecko brothers are bank robbers who are sent to Mexico to meet up with their boss. Along the way they hijack an RV with a former Reverend and his two children. When they arrive at the meeting place, they find out that it is a breeding ground for vampire/demon creatures and they must escape. The series had much more time to work with however, and dove deeper into the history of the creatures as well as adding some new characters. Overall I found it very interesting even though I figured the outcome would be the same. The series has been renewed, but I'm not sure yet if it will feature different characters or focus on the surviving characters. |
8. Lost Girl (Season 4 - RENEWED) on SyFy 2012-2013 Rank: Previously Didn't Watch Lost Girl is a Canadian series that has been on the air since 2010. SyFy bought the rights to air it in the US, which in my opinion they desperately needed after starting to move away from original sci-fi/fantasy oriented programming. Sadly I was not able to start watching the show right away, and started catching up on Netflix over the last couple of years. The series takes place in a world where people/creatures with special abilities live in a world hidden from humans. The lead character, Bo, is a succubus who doesn't know about this world until after discovering on her own that she was special. Bo, along with a small group of friends works on helping people with unexplainable situations (as humans see it). It took me a little while to get into the show, but I have found myself really enjoying the series as well as the main characters. Bravo Canada. |
7. Once Upon A Time (Season 3 - RENEWED) on ABC 2012-2013 Rank: 7 (-) This past season of Once Upon A Time was broken up into two major storylines, with a couple episodes at the end setting up the upcoming season. The first half of the season found main characters Emma, Snow White, Charming, Rumplestiltskin, Hook and Regina travelling to Neverland to save Emma's (and Regina's) son Henry from the evil Peter Pan. We learned a lot more about the backstory of Rumplestiltskin and Hook in the process. After eventually being victorious, a new villain appeared to take power over the people of Storybrooke...The Wicked Witch. She also eventually was defeated and after some time travelling adventures with Emma and Hook, a new villain was released. I'm assuming her name is Elsa, based on the character from Frozen. Clearly they want to take advantage of the popularity that is Frozen. |
6. Haven (Season 4 - RENEWED) on SyFy 2012-2013 Rank: 6 (-) There were many questions leading into season four of Haven. Audrey had entered the mysterious "barn" and Duke jumped in at the last second before it disappeared. Duke ended up being spit out of the barn, but slightly into the future. He was shocked to find that Nathan was no longer the sheriff and things seemed out of whack. In the meantime, Audrey didn't know who she was and thought she worked in a bar (that didn't exist). Eventually she escaped and knew who she was, but had to hide it from everyone (except Nathan and Duke). A man named William was following her around and we later found out that he and Audrey were once lovers many years ago. Their battle should continue into season five. |
5. The Walking Dead (Season 4 - RENEWED) on AMC 2012-2013 Rank: 2 (-3) I've already mentioned this in talking about some of the characters, but season 4 of The Walking Dead was intermittently good. There were many episodes that only focused on a few characters at a time. The first half of the season was mostly great aside from the two episodes focusing only on the Governor. The half season finale was spectacular however with the battle at the prison, closing the door on both the Governor and the prison in the series. The second half of the season broke the main group into several smaller groups, focusing on a sub group per episode. The end was maybe the most exciting part only because it introduced a new group and a major dilemma for our heroes. |
4. American Horror Story (Season 3 - RENEWED) on FX 2012-2013 Rank: 5 (+1) The third season of AHS, titled Coven, centered around a coven of witches based in present day New Orleans. The reoccurring AHS cast appearing in new roles included Jessica Lange as Fiona the Supreme witch, Sarah Paulson as Fiona's daughter Cordeila, Evan Peters as a former high school student-turned Frankenstein monster, Lily Rabe as the hermit witch Misty Day among others. It's always great to see these actors completely change themselves from one season to the next taking on new challenges. The overall story of the season was pretty good, though I'd rank it third among the three AHS seasons. The coven was struggling for survival among a battle with a voodoo priestess and some witch hunters, not to mention the internal battle of power over the Coven. Another satisfactory season with more to come. |
3. Warehouse 13 (Season 5 - CANCELLED) on SyFy 2012-2013 Rank: 4 (+1) The final season of Warehouse 13 came and went pretty quickly with only 6 episodes. I am very sad to see the series go as it has been a favorite of mine for several years. The final season itself was slightly disappointing. There were only six episodes to work with and some of it felt wasted. The finale itself acted as a bit of a flashback episode but with flashbacks of adventures not actually seen on the show. The show gets rated where it is for more so for the show's overall run than for the final six episodes. I am ok with the where the Warehouse eventually ends up (in the hands of Claudia) but there are so many unanswered questions about the rest of the characters. |
2. Being Human (Season 4 - CANCELLED) on SyFy 2012-2013 Rank: 3 (+1) Two of my favorite SyFy shows ending at the same time? Yeah, it seems pretty typical from the network that has disappointed me plenty over the last few years. The US version of Being Human was a great series, but since I never saw the original UK version I'm not sure how it compares. I loved the main characters (Josh, Aiden, Sally) as well as the supporting cast and conflicts that took place throughout the series. Unlike Warehouse 13, I was happy with the was Being Human ended. They did a much better job of completing the story and leaving me satisfied with that fact that there is no more story to tell. Josh and Nora went on to have a happy life, while Aiden and Sally found each other and we can assume go on to have a happy eternity together in the afterlife. |
1. Game of Thrones (Season 4 - RENEWED) on HBO 2012-2013 Rank: 1 (-) Game of Thrones continues its reign on top of my rankings as my favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror show on television. The HBO series based on the book series is frankly put incredible television. The movie-quality show does a good job of not only bringing the fantasy world to life, but keeps you interested in an array of characters in various places around the world. As in every season, there were some great battles and shocking deaths. I am often on the edge of my seat. The show seems to keep building towards a couple major events, Winter (which I guess is coming) and Daenerys Targaryen eventually taking the iron throne. These of course are speculations on my part since I've never read the books. Everything else that happens in the mean time among the various characters I believe will build towards those events. I really look forward to seeing the upcoming season and major plots including Tyrion Lannister's escape from King's Landing, the events up North with Stannis and Jon Snow, Daenerys continued growth, Arya's journey to the dark side and so on. |