2011-2012 Rank: Summer Shows Not Previously Ranked
This ranking is completely based on Summer 2012-Spring 2013, so the final season of Breaking Bad that just ended is not included here. The end of last season brought on the biggest moment in the series up until that point for Hank. While taking a potty break in Walt’s bathroom he found a book. The book was given to Walt by Gus Fring. It was in that moment when Hank’s entire world completely exploded. I haven’t finished the final season yet, but it’s safe to say a big portion of it revolves around Hank.
2011-2012 Rank: 17 (-2)
I know The Swede is considered a villain and adversary to Bohannan, but I really enjoy his character. One thing I really find interesting is that I think The Swede truly believes he is right about everything and his actions are in the name of good. They aren’t of course, but he really believes it. All he wanted before was to see the railroad succeed, but since he lost his position of power, he will do anything he can to see it fail. And really, he only wants the railroad to fail in order to see Bohannan fail. We last saw him jump off a bridge into a river to avoid being hanged by Bohannan. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him.
2011-2012 Rank: 18 (-)
Elam had a nice new job with the railroad, as sort of a personal security supervisor of sorts for Mr. Durant. Though he had a nice paying job, his personal life was a bit more challenging. Elam worked really hard to win back Eva, who happened to be married to someone else and pregnant. He even built a house intended for him, Eva and what he beleives is his baby.
2011-2012 Rank: 20 (+3)
At the end of season 2 of Boardwalk Empire, Jimmy Darmody was killed by Nucky. Since Jimmy was Richard’s friend and the reason he became involved in the bootlegging business, I was worried that Richard’s importance to the show would reduce significantly. In a way it did, as he wasn’t utilized by Nucky anymore. I thought Richard might want to kill Nucky, but he didn’t really try to do that. Instead he took on the role of protecting and taking care of Jimmy’s family, his mother Gillian and his young son Tommy. I do hope Richard takes on a more exciting role in the upcoming season.
2011-2012 Rank: 11 (-5)
Being the Police Commissioner of New York City is no easy task, but Frank performs his job at a high level. In fact he’s so involved with work (and family) that he doesn’t seem to have time for a social life. I remember in the first season Frank having a sort-of love interest, but there really hasn’t been anything brewing since. Maybe the writers decided it wasn’t interesting enough to focus on. That does make sense, as there are multiple supporting characters to spread the air time among each episode.
2011-2012 Rank: Summer Shows Not Previously Ranked
Saul's impact on the show has reduced recently, but he still brings that small bit of comedy and light to a very dark show (especially recently). There's been talk of a spin-off/prequel about Saul and his law firm. Though I know it won't be anything like Breaking Bad, I could bite on the idea. I would love to see a guest appearance by his former Mr. Show partner David Cross!
2011-2012 Rank: 12 (-2)
Mozzie was pretty excited to leave New York and enjoy life on Cape Verde with Neal. Of course the time was short-lived as Neal was able to get himself back in with the FBI. Mozzie continued to be a valuable unofficial asset to the FBI's white collar division, helping them in areas that are outside the law.
2011-2012 Rank: Summer Shows Not Previously Ranked
Walt certainly descended into darkness over the last few seasons, but he was finally ready to get out of the Meth business. It appeared his cancer returned and he decided to pass on the cooks to Todd and his crew. Things were looking better at home, he had enough money to be happy and got away with0ut being caught...well, almost. In a lapse probably due to his cocky ego, he left a book that was given to him by Gus in his bathroom. And as I stated above, the final scene of the season (or I guess technically half-season) ended with Hank discovering the book and the identity of Heisenberg.
2011-2012 Rank: 9 (-3)
Adam showed incredible strength this past season while dealing with his wife having cancer. He was always there by her side (as he normally is) and helped give her support and strength throughout the process. Fortunately the cancer was eliminated and there should be happier roads ahead for Adam.
2011-2012 Rank: 7 (-4)
After losing his longtime partner Detective Curatola (due to a conflict between the show and the actress), Danny experienced a collection of different new partners. All of which were interestingly female. I see it as sort of an audition for the three actresses for this upcoming season, though I wouldn't be surprised if that got someone new entirely. I'm getting off topic...Danny continued to be the main-ish character on the show (though his father and Police Commissioner Frank is a close second).
2011-2012 Rank: 10 (-)
Though Peter struggled to fully trust his partner Neal throughout last season, he continued to support Neal. First Neal ran off to Cape Verde after escaping his ankle bracelet (for good reason), then Neal secretly searched for his Father, and later his Father's killer. All of which while going around Peter's back, though in all fairness he tries to protect Peter. Unfortunately for Peter, it turned out Neal's father still had some secrets, which led to Peter being framed for a murder that Neal's father committed.
2011-2012 Rank: 6 (-3)
8. Harold Finch (Michael Emerson) on Person of Interest
2011-2012 Rank: 5 (-3)
I love the partnership of John and Harold. Though Harold is mainly the brains of the operation, he has continued to be involved in the field more and more. He began the season having been kidnapped by Root (who is trying to get control of The Machine), but managed to escape thanks to John. They continue to help people in need, all while getting closer to uncovering the secrets of The Machine. John of course continues to make a name for himself as "The Man in the Suit," taking down bad guys all over New York. He did come dangerously close to being captured by the FBI, but managed to get out of the jam thanks to a series of catastrophic events.
2011-2012 Rank: Summer Shows Previously Unranked
Mike began his time on Breaking Bad as a small supporting character. But as the show went on, he became more important. First known simply as Gus's do everything right hand man, he eventually took Jesse under his wing and even partnered with Walt after Gus was gone. Mike could get anything done and always manage to stay five steps ahead of the law. Unfortunately for him, he was not careful with hiding his money he was providing to his granddaughter. Also unfortunately for him, he got in too deep with Walt. SPOILER (if you didn't realize there are spoilers all over this blog already), the moment Walt shot Mike was the moment I officially wanted Walt to die. Mike had such a good heart and it was sad to see him go the way he did.
2011-2012 Rank: 3 (-3)
After Nucky eliminated his major competition at the end of the previous season by killing his former right hand man Jimmy, he quickly made a new enemy. While meeting with a New York mobster by the name of Gyp Rosetti, Nucky accidentally offended Rosetti. It turned out he was the wrong person you want to offend. Rosetti quickly vowed to take down Nucky and his Atlantic City-based bootlegging empire. It quickly escalated into an all out war on the streets of Atlantic City. Nucky reached out to his former colleagues in Chicago and with the help of Capone’s men and the local African-American population led by Chalky White, they were able to stand up to and eventually defeat the New York threat.
2011-2012 Rank: 8 (+3)
Bohannan became more important to the railroad this past season, not only being put in charge by Mr. Durant but also temporarily taking over for Durant while he was incapacitated (near death).
Though he proved to be a successful supervisor, Bohannan upset the wrong people (Durant and The Swede). That eventually led to the murder of his beloved Lily. He tried to hang Mr. Gundersen for the murder of Ms. Bell, but unfortunately he jumped off a bridge into a river and assumingly escaped. Now that Durant will be going to jail for his dirty dealings, Bohannan will probably take over running the railroad construction if anything as a personal endeavor to honor Ms. Bell’s life and work.
2011-2012 Rank: 4 (-)
Neal faced his biggest challenge yet this past season as he searched to uncover the truth about his father, who left when Neal was a child. Neal’s father was a former cop who got into some back business with the mob and may or may not have been framed for some illegal business. Neal eventually tracked down his father and together with the help of Neal’s partner Peter and friend Mozzie they attempted to uncover proof that would prove Neal’s father’s innocence. Sadly, it turned out his father really did make some mistakes and was just looking to protect himself. Now Neal’s partner finds himself in jail for murder because of Neal’s father.
2011-2012 Rank: 2 (-1)
One thing I really like about Justified is that even though Boyd is a criminal and sort of the main nemesis to the hero of the show (Raylan), it’s so easy to like him. It’s not just that he’s charming and pretty good at what he does, but there are many other characters that prove to be worse than Boyd. Though Rayland and Boyd are on different sides of the law, it seems at least once a season they are fighting together for some cause. Though Boyd was continuing to solidify his empire in Harlan, he was beginning to look to his future. He proposed to his girlfriend and vowed to leave the business to escape to a quiet, peaceful life together. That of course won’t come easy, as now his fiancée Ava has been arrested for murder (though Boyd was the target). This will probably expose a darker side of Boyd in the coming season.
2011-2012 Rank: Summer Shows Previously Unranked
Is there anyone you can feel worse for than Jesse? He has had it so rough ever since he partnered up with Walt. Though at first maybe he deserved some pain, things quickly escalated to a point in which everything around him has been destroyed. And again it’s all pretty much because of Walt. With only eight episodes left, it’s hard not to think Jesse will eventually kill Walt. Then again, it would preserve his innocence a bit if he didn’t. Walt told Jesse he’s done with the business and gave Jesse his share of the money, but with Hank now knowing who Walt really is it’ll be interesting to see how Jesse handles it.
2011-2012 Rank: 1 (-)
After a few seasons, I still think Raylan Givens is one of the coolest characters on television. He just has this way about him, almost Eastwood-like. He does whatever it takes to preserve the law, but he has a bad boy way of doing it. This past season found Raylan investigating a thirty-year-old mystery and it was fun to follow him
along for the ride. He was tricked multiple times and as usual on the edge of death once or twice. He now has a baby on the way (with his ex-wife) and has expressed wanting
to have a calmer lifestyle. Interestingly, I only just noticed that both he and Boyd were looking to move away from the lives they currently live and all for family. Those two really are peas in pod.
21. Lionel Fusco (Kevin Chapman) on Person of Interest
22. Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon) on Boardwalk Empire
23. Sheriff Shelby Parlow/Drew Thompson (Jim Beaver) on Justified
24.Wynn Duffy (Jere Burns) on Justified
25. Owen Slater (Charlie Cox) on Boardwalk Empire
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