Archer- Solid season from start to finish. Probably the most consistent animated show on right now despite some lulls in the season (even then it’s a good show, usually the comedy doesn’t quite hit the mark). There were a lot of great moments this year, more references than you can count or catch on a first viewing. The messed with the formula a few times (the reality cooking show and the road/train trip with Archer and Ron) to great affect. The characters are working better and better with each other. Ron Cadillac is a great third wheel to Malory’s insanity, Archer and Lana have their own great dynamic (great reveal with the pregnancy, should be interesting for Lana). Pam and Cheryl might be the funniest duo ever, the dialog they get between each other is almost always a riot. Cyril and Ray are trapped together battling Archers ego and insanity. Poor Ray too, I hope he gets his bionic legs back. Such a fun show, there’s nothing else like it on TV. To season 5!

Legit had a great first season. I’m really happy Jim Jefferies got to make such a show, it pulls a few episodes directly from his act but expands on them. There’s some really funny stuff in there, I don’t think there was a single episode I didn’t like. They managed to make some great characters to work with Jim. It makes the show more of an ensemble that really works. Jim may be a obnoxious person with offending remarks and actions but he is a good and loyal friend. The finale brought back the main event of the premiere, giving a time line to the show and filling out the universe of the show. It made for a very complete, funny and touching ending. Great idea casting DJ Qualls as Billy, he often steals the show and really gets to show off what a great actor to. Jim ain’t half bad either! He defiantly got more comfortable as the show went on. I’m happy to hear the show got picked up for another season, I just hope that people follow it to FX’s spin off channel FXX. I question the need for another channel, FX doesn’t need to dilute itself. Along with AMC, FX has turned themselves into one of the premiere cable channels. They have a growing stable of fantastic shows that allow them to have great programming year round.

This weekend saw the season finales of 3 SHO series! That leaves a drought until Dexter starts it’s last season at the end of June.

Shameless- Season 3 was a good season, but not a spectacular one. There was something missing that 1 and 2 had, but that makes it sound like I’m complaining. Still enjoyed it all and the season finale was brilliant. There were a lot of complete story arcs for many characters this year and the strings of each came together for episode 13. Potentially, we have the set up for quite a few characters leaving the show…for good or a return later is anyone’s guess. I find all of them to well thought out and plausible, something the UK version stumbles a lot on when jettisoning cast member after cast member.

“Survival of the Fittest” is an apt title for the finale. Major life events for everyone. Fiona is making strides to keep her family afloat by using Jimmy’s disappearance the best she could. The ultimate thorn in the side of the knowledge that the viewer knows way more about him leaving then she does. In fact, we really don’t know his real fate. Ian is also in a major transition, putting Mickey in his rear view by pulling the trigger on his military commitment. Considering he’s lying about his age to do so, it’s a question of how long he can go before he’s caught. No one in the family knows he’s gone so that’s another kick in the pants.

Lip is in on another plane of existence too. Done with high school, he has no idea what to do now. Thanks to his crazy (ex?) GF he has the huge opportunity of going to MIT on a full ride, he bonds with Frank with a horrible outcome. Karen is now gone with Jodi to Arizona for rehab leaving an empty nest for Sheila to handle…we’re left with a glimmer of hope for her, but there’s no telling how she’s going to cope. Carl and Debbie are growing up fast, they’re pushing more and more to be treated as adults and considering the stuff they’ve done this season, they have handled some pretty heady stuff. Kev and Veronica have a kid on the way, their circus working in the end. That should be a big component of next season.

Last but not least is Frank! Will death at his door lead to him changing his ways? “What if I don’t want to?” Is he capable of changing? He wouldn’t be Frank if he did. The scene with Carl going to the hospital at night to shave Frank’s head was brilliant from start to finish. A great call back, a great expression of love, one that seems to have touched Frank.

The writing was outstanding for the finale, just brilliant TV. Can’t wait for season 4.

House of Lies had a great ending too. There was a big build up towards Marty going out on his own and to bring the gang with him. His dealings whipped up quite a storm, how well he weathers it remains to be seen. It’s going to be a trying time for him after burning so many bridges.

Californication: The treadmill under Hank keeps moving at the same speed and inclination. Some stuff happens through the season but it always comes back to Karen. The one that he had, the one that keeps getting away, the one he can never really have again. Time to wrap this up fellas.

This passed week has seen a few of my favorite shows come to a close for the season. With many more coming within the next 2 weeks. Time for a run down.

Justified has ended it’s 5th fantastic season. It really is one of the best and most consistent shows that airs today; the writers keep coming up with new, inventive scenarios for Raylan Givens and match it with brilliant dialog. So many great characters continue to flourish (if they make it through to the end) like Boyd and Ava Crowder who I was really pulling for at the end of the season. A lot of big events went down this season setting up another promising journey for fans next year.

FX as a whole is just doing really awesome work. Archer is having a great season as is Legit. The Americans is one of my favorite new shows, love the cast and the story on that one.

FaceOff had a quality season. Coming into it, I thought the whole cast looked super strong but there were a lot of stinkers in there. Half of them were just not up to par, at times they could have done a few double eliminations to get rid of the dead weight. I had a good idea of who the final 3 were going to be and really any of the last 5 had a really good chance to win it all. There was some great designs this year, one of my absolute favorite of the whole series was from House who made this killer candy clown with a huge mouth on her stomach. The next season kicks off at the end of August, I’m looking forward to it!

The Following continues to walk the fine line of entertainment and cheese. There’s a lot of wacky stuffy going down that can be hard to swallow, namely the reach of the cult. But when you read about actual cults, the stuff they do is downright bewildering so it does make the show seem plausible. Hannibal just started and I have yet to watch it, but I’ve heard good things.

Spartacus has 2 episodes left and in typical form the show really took off at the half way point (episode 4 for me, but that’s close enough to half way for me). The last episode was a rough one, some major losses to the rebel side and the pressure on the Roman dogs has never been higher. The end seems very clear, it’s just the path and the quality of the resolution(s) that I’m anxious about.

Grimm has been a fun watch too! I came into this show late last season, but it’s quickly become one of my favorites as well as a welcome replacement for my Fringe timeslot.

Picked up on the new BBC show Orphan Black and the gears are just starting to spin on that one. The promos have given away much more than the the premiere so far, but it’s about a woman who’s made some crummy choices coming out of hiding. She witnesses a girl who looks just like her commit suicide at a subway station and decides that it’s the perfect chance to run a quick identity con for some quick and serious cash. Nothing can go wrong with that idea.

Showtime’s Sunday block ends this weekend with Shameless, House of Lies and Californication. I’ll write about those after they close, but I will say I’ve enjoyed all of them so far.

The Walking Dead finished up season 3 with record high ratings. Thankfully the stupidity has been greatly reduced over last season which gave the show it’s best season so far. There were major deaths with major character arcs that have changed people forever (looking at you, Carl). I was left disappointed at the final credit roll, expecting an epic war and got more of a quick battle. Thinking about it aftwards, it was a strong finale. A lot made sense, the prison team used the home advantage to it’s greatest advantage and came out on top as a result. They weren’t stupid, they made a strong plan to avoid brute force and it paid off. Andrea’s roll has turned into one of my favorites, she got a lot of great moments this year. Just 6 months till it starts back up again, I hope they can continue to make the show better and better.

With the Dead shuffling off, Mad Men returns this weekend! Exciting stuff, it’ll be great to get back into the 60’s.