Game of Thrones is the first TV show I’ve watched that is based on a series of books I’ve read.
In the case of some shows based on novels, I haven’t experienced either. Dexter, True Blood, Gossip Girl and House of Cards are a few (somewhat) recent examples. In other cases, I’ve watched the shows but haven’t read the books (Friday Night Lights, The Walking Dead, Justified and Orange is the New Black come to mind).
The Walking Dead came back this week after its winter hiatus and drew nearly 16 million viewers, even more than the Olympics that night in the 18-49 demographic.
I was among those 16 million viewers, and I’ve watched the show loyally through all four of its seasons. But I wouldn’t really call myself a fan.
The third show I’m writing about this week is another I’ve only recently started. Orange is the New Black is my first NetFlix Original series and it’s a blast.
Based on the memoir of writer Piper Kerman, the show details the prison life of an upper middle class New York WASP (renamed Piper Chapman) who is jailed for smuggling drug money for a lesbian girlfriend ten years earlier.
I’m sure regular readers of this blog have figured out that I love crime stories. In film and on TV, crime has long been my favorite genre.
So I’m predictably thrilled with True Detective, the new HBO series starring Matthew McConoughey and Woody Harrelson.
True Detective is unique in its concept and execution. It will run only eight episodes, and if it returns for future seasons it will feature an entirely different cast. All eight episodes are written and directed by the same two people (Nic Pizzolatto and Cary Fukunaga, respectively).
Now that Breaking Bad has disappeared into the New Mexico sunset — following a final season that has deservedly won every year-end award in the universe — I’m left with a giant Walter White-shaped hole in my TV heart.
Breaking Bad might be my favorite show ever, but what will replace it as my favorite show currently on the air?
