# What TV dramas DON'T suck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962 "2015-10-28T13:35:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/21 "2015-10-29T15:10:13Z")
I have just started watching **Mad Men**. It’s better than most other dramas so far. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/22 "2015-10-29T15:12:45Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > **Manhattan** , on WGN. A fairly intelligent drama about the group developing the atomic bomb. Good cast. Some rough stuff, but mainly political and personal intrigue. > > You might also try **Damages** , which is available on Netflix. Lawyer fu. > > Damn, forgot **Longmire** : sheriff in a modern day Wyoming county. Thanks for the information on Manhattan. I have been toying with giving it a watch. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/23 "2015-10-29T15:14:43Z")
I find it interesting, how I come to start watching a particular show, and what it takes to retain/turn off a viewer. Also the dynamics that make more than one person enjoy a particular show. And curious how many shows I’m willing to watch to see if I like a show. For example, we tried at least a couple eps of Scorpion when it came out, but it just didn’t grab us. With the % of shows we like so low, we don’t often find ourselves saying, “I know nothing about this show, let’s give it a try.” Usually we depend on a recommendation, or if an actor/director we like is in it, or some other factor like that. I’ve heard about Americans before - should probaly give it a try. Not sure why we started Madame Secretary, but we do enjoy that one. Masters of Sex - I gave it a shot - just one ep on demand, yet had no urge to watch more. Don’t believe Elementary has started yet this season. We also liked last season’s Better Call Saul - tho that has not started yet this season. I used to like L&O years (decades?) ago, but it seemed as thought the crimes progressively got more and more sex-related/extremely violent. I don’t generally think myself a prude, but something about sexual violence as entertainment doesn’t quite do it for me. Similar issue w/ the CSI shows. The ads so often feature some teaser of a disfigured body, or woman in danger from a madman. No matter how good the character interaction, the nature of the crime subject turns me off. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/24 "2015-10-29T15:36:02Z")
I am re-watching the \*\*24 \*\*series for the second time in three years and still love it. It’s action/drama, but very entertaining. And there’s always the old standy, **The West Wing.** ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/25 "2015-10-29T15:48:34Z")
If you don’t object to British TV, I find some good TV programs can be found in England. A recent thread by up\_the\_junction lists three interesting candidates. They are: 1. Doctor Foster 2. River 3. Unforgotton In addition to these, I found a show called Doc Martin that I thought was real good. > **[Doc Martin (TV Series 2004–2022) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408381/)** > > Doc Martin: Created by Dominic Minghella, Mark Crowdy, Craig Ferguson. With Martin Clunes, Caroline Catz, Ian McNeice, Joe Absolom. The trials and tribulations of Martin Ellingham, a brilliant but socially challenged doctor who moves from London to... I thought Doc Martin had finished new episodes 2 or 3 years ago and was surprised to learn they are still producing new episodes. You might want to take a look at the link above and see if you t think this show might be something that interests you. In addition to those, the following shows are, IMHO, the very best shows on TV today: 1. Fargo 2. The Americans 3. Game of Thrones (this is not really a drama but it would be a shame to omit it from the list - no matter how you would class it). 4. Better Call Saul Besides the four shows above, I’m sure that I’ve forgotten some others but can’t seem to remember what they might be at this time. > **[3 new tv dramas to check out (UK)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=773371)** > > I like to think I’m pretty discerning about drama and I know some here have Netflix or other nefarious means of obtaining the goods so I thought I’d mention these: Doctor Foster - for those who’ve seen Scott and Bailey this is the mouthy one but now... I also like Gotham - providing you can take it in the spirit in which it was intended. It’s the Prequel to some of the Batman shows and is not nearly as “campy” as the show from the 60s. But it’s real good harmless fun - even though some people have objected to the violence. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/26 "2015-10-29T15:52:32Z")
Oh yes. Agent Carter is a comic book style fantasy show. But I think it’s real good - especially rare in so far as the lead character is a female and the audience is asked to take her seriously. I have no problem with that. I think she is great and same goes for the show. > **[Agent Carter (TV Series 2015–2016) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3475734/)** > > Agent Carter: Created by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely. With Hayley Atwell, James D'Arcy, Enver Gjokaj, Chad Michael Murray. In 1946, Peggy Carter is relegated to secretarial duties in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR). When Howard Stark... Also, Murder in the First. > **[Murder in the First (TV Series 2014–2016) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2402061/)** > > Murder in the First: Created by Steven Bochco, Eric Lodal. With Taye Diggs, Kathleen Robertson, Ian Anthony Dale, Raphael Sbarge. A single murder case is dissected from the committing of the crime through to the investigation, arrest and trial. There are plenty of cop shows. But I find this one to be one of the few real good ones. You might want to check it out. Here is the IMDB link for Gotham: > **[Gotham (TV Series 2014–2019) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3749900/)** > > Gotham: Created by Bruno Heller. With Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Robin Lord Taylor. The story behind Detective James Gordon's rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman's arrival. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/27 "2015-10-29T17:29:20Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > In addition to those, the following shows are, IMHO, the very best shows on TV today: > > 1. Fargo > 2. The Americans > 3. Game of Thrones (this is not really a drama but it would be a shame to omit it from the list - no matter how you would class it). > 4. Better Call Saul This list is exactly correct. Although all four of these shows have some amount of darkness in them. If you’re willing to dip back a few years, another great show not previously mentioned in this thread (I think) is **Friday Night Lights**. Feel free to skip the second season, which was (a) by far the worst one, and (b) shortened by the writers’ strike so it never really gets a resolution. I also suggest **Orphan Black** , which is eminently watchable and features a truly stunning lead performance from one actress playing multiple roles. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/28 "2015-10-29T17:33:08Z")
I like “Limitless”, which picks up where the movie left off. Strong cast, no gore. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/29 "2015-10-29T17:38:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Oddly enough, you’re completely right. You can’t watch it for the insightful writing of the plots; they’re easily predictable after about the first act. You watch it to see the characters interact with each other in the context of these issues, and how they act over time. NCIS is surprisingly well at maintaining continuity- they bring up stuff about characters from like 9 seasons ago with shocking regularity. > > It’s not “great television” by any stretch of the imagination, but I think the secret to its success is the attention paid to the characters. I agree. It’s very easy to watch. I agree with Fargo. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/30 "2015-10-29T17:45:38Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > If you liked West Wing, you’ll like The Newsroom. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Seconded. I liked the former, couldn’t stand the latter. > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Not really. Why didn’t you guys like The Newsroom? I just finished watching it and thought it was awesome. As to West Wing… If I like The Newsroom, will I like West Wing? I really like Aaron Sorkin’s style of writing. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/31 "2015-10-29T17:45:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I agree with Fargo. Fargo is an amazing show, but it’s super dark, and very violent in some episodes. One episode from last season was one of the most upsetting episodes I’ve seen in a long time. If you do not want violent shows, then I’d say you should avoid Fargo. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/32 "2015-10-29T18:10:15Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Why didn’t you guys like The Newsroom? I just finished watching it and thought it was awesome. > > As to West Wing… If I like The Newsroom, will I like West Wing? I really like Aaron Sorkin’s style of writing. I’ve never seen the West Wing but the wife and I loved The Newsroom. You’d have to like Jeff Daniels I suppose, but other than that what’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/33 "2015-10-29T23:59:04Z")
Both my wife and I found The Newsroom watchable and entertaining, but unbearably smug. It is SO fond of itself and and its own importance, it was almost impossible to bear. The difference between The Newsroom and The West Wing is that (a) The West Wing did it first and much better, and (b) people who literally work for the President of the United States can get away with being certain of their own importance, because, after all, they are important ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/34 "2015-10-30T00:19:17Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Both my wife and I found The Newsroom watchable and entertaining, but unbearably smug. It is SO fond of itself and and its own importance, it was almost impossible to bear. > > The difference between The Newsroom and The West Wing is that (a) The West Wing… Two names- Martin Sheen & Allison Janney ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/35 "2015-10-30T00:43:27Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I used to like L&O years (decades?) ago, but it seemed as thought the crimes progressively got more and more sex-related/extremely violent. I don’t generally think myself a prude, but something about sexual violence as entertainment doesn’t quite do it for me. You were watching the wrong show. 😉 Law & Order Classic, the original show, was fairly benign and non-violent, with only the occasional sex murder. The spin-off Law & Order SVU, which focuses on the sex crimes unit, is entirely sex-related and extremely violent. The good news is that once sex crimes moved to SVU, original Law & Order was able to mostly drop them entirely, so it was even more watchable. The bad news is that original Law & Order was cancelled in 2010, so there are no more new episodes. I share your aversion to gruesome sex crimes, so it was a happy day for me when SVU, which I have never watched, was created, taking those crimes with it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/36 "2015-10-30T01:06:05Z")
An odd thing about _Manhattan_ is that, while it is shown on WGN America, it’s not shown on WGN, Channel 9.1, Chicago. I can see their broadcast tower from my roof, but I have to watch the show online. I see that William Peterson is in Season 2; I should finish Season 1 so I don’t miss him. I stopped watching Season 1 because some idiot was trying to make an implosion-type bomb with an asymmetrical arrangement of explosives. Wouldn’t, and didn’t, work and he shoulda known better. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/37 "2015-10-30T01:39:54Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > You were watching the wrong show. 😉 Law & Order Classic, the original show, was fairly benign and non-violent, with only the occasional sex murder. The spin-off Law & Order SVU, which focuses on the sex crimes unit, is entirely sex-related and extremely violent. The good news is that once sex crimes moved to SVU, original Law & Order was able to mostly drop them entirely, so it was even more watchable. The bad news is that original Law & Order was cancelled in 2010, so there are no more new episodes. I share your aversion to gruesome sex crimes, so it was a happy day for me when SVU, which I have never watched, was created, taking those crimes with it. I have been a fan of **SVU** over most of the 17-year span it has been on the air. The chemistry between Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Chris Meloni) was undeniable. I also was a huge fan of ADA Cabot (Stephanie March) and ADA Novak (Diane Neal) as well as various other characters along the way. But the subject matter, especially the sexual crimes against children, has grown more and more gruesome over the years. It is very difficult to watch sometimes but what truly makes me sick is that every crime they show has happened many times over and far worse. Much like **Criminal Minds** lets you get inside the mind of a serial killer, SVU shows you the depravity that some people are capable of…and that keeps me up some nights! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/38 "2015-10-30T02:06:39Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Why didn’t you guys like The Newsroom? I just finished watching it and thought it was awesome. > > As to West Wing… If I like The Newsroom, will I like West Wing? I really like Aaron Sorkin’s style of writing. Yes, I think so. Odds are very good. Now I have a hankering. May just do a binge watch this weekend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/39 "2015-10-30T02:17:17Z")
Law & Order The Mysteries of Laura Blindspot Blacklist(though it has some bad violence, though not for the most part). Madam Secretary is also good sans any sick, twisted, depraved violence. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962/40 "2015-10-30T05:41:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Another huge clump of shows fits into what I consider Castle and the latter years of Bones. I used to really like Bones, before the main characters turned into (IMO) really unbelievable caricatures. And in Castle, is there any less convincing cop on TV than the main female character? And I do not find the personal lives of the main characters in Bones or Castle - reflecting apparently boundless wealth - in the least believable or interesting. I quit watching Bones a few years ago because it just wasn’t the least bit entertaining anymore. But the current season (11) is actually really good! A new character was added last season, Agent James Aubrey, who is an up-and-coming junior FBI agent working under Booth. By the start of Season 11, he has earned the trust and respect of the ‘gang’. He is likable and definitely breathes some new life into the cast. What got me to start watching again is that Patricia Belcher (Asst US Atty Caroline Julian) will be appearing in most episodes this season! She is by far my favorite character on the show! You might want to give it another shot… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tv-dramas-dont-suck/735962.md?page=3)