My TV Alphabet Blogathon

Hi guys! Look who has emerged from the shadows of laziness and the doldrums of non-creativity to take part in a TV blogathon! My fellow chick with accent, Getter from Mettel Ray Movie Blog has come up with a new blogathon years after her Movie Alphabet Blogathon, something I had participated in when I had first discovered her awesome blog (P.S. Some of the picks have NOT dated well). I felt it was only right to take part in this blogathon as well. 

I have become more of a TV viewer than a film viewer because of very many reasons and this was surprisingly difficult to make. I've tried to include as many of my favourite ever shows in any way possible, whether it be through a character or an episode. Getter has some cool rules in place too (might have not *fully* followed all of them...) which are:

So following the last command, here are my funnnnn picks for the TV Alphabet blogathon. Woooo!

#

30 Rock

One of the most meta comedies I have ever seen, I can't wait to rewatch it and fall in love with it all over again.

A

Agent Carter

My absolute favourite superhero show! Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter is beautiful, brave, vulnerable and kickass and her chemistry with James D'Arcy's Jarvis was just as superb. I really loved the setting and the female badassery that got to shine in this show and it is missed sorely!

B

The Book of Nora (The Leftovers S3x08)

The most perfect series finale I have ever seen- so good that it made the whole show that lead up to it even better in hindsight. Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux were just breathtaking in the episode and it  tied up everything in this maddening and ambitious series so well.

C

Chandler (Friends)

He's simply the best and funniest part of probably the most famous show of our time. I'm rewatching the series again and Matthew Perry just kicks it out of the park with Mr. Bing every episode. Also I HAD to use a Chandler zinger for this, duhhh!

D

Doctor Who

One of my OG favourite shows that I have fangirled about in this blog a lot. I know I've only put two Doctors in the picture but everyone in New Who is lovely and it's a show that is equal parts amazing, hilarious and heartbreaking. Especially the last part. Pretty sure this is one of the reasons I love crying watching shows so much.

E

The Entire History of You (Black Mirror S1x03)

There are some truly epic Black Mirror episodes but for some reason this one has stuck with me the most. I think perhaps because this is the type of technology I most wish existed but then in true Black Mirror fashion, the episode explores how it can completely destroy lives- not because of some dystopian Skynet type world domination thing, but simply because of our flawed humanity. Both Toby Kebbell and Jodie Whitaker are great in it.

F

Fleabag

HOLY MOLY THIS FUCKING SHOW! I get giddy when trying to talk about how amazing and original and devastating and sexy and funny it is! And I tell everyone! Even before the stupendous second season which is one of the most perfect things to ever exist ever, I was a huge fan of goddess Phoebe Waller-Bridge's broken and fourth wall breaking protagonist Fleabag and all the equally flawed characters that inhabit her world. But then second season happened and HOT PRIEST happened and I have no words but to say that WATCH ITTTTTT!!!!!

G (Wild Remote Entry)

Gilmore Girls and The Good Place

Gilmore Girls is one of those personality-developing shows for me. I saw it in my formative years when all I wanted to be was Rory Gilmore and find a Jess Mariano to fall in love it (not gonna lie- still totally do). Of course, every character in this show is lovely (except Dean. I hate Dean) and it's just one of those shows I'll probably be rewatching till I die. 

The Good Place is one of the most ingenious shows of our time. There are so many twists that take place that I've absolutely stopped trying to predict anything and I wait for all the new ways the writers will surprise and floor me. But that's not even the best part. Nor is its fantastic cast (D'arcy Carden, you infinitely talented being). My favourite thing about this show is how it actually cherishes goodness in people. I have started to really love pop culture that is about empathy and kindness and inclusivity and just being nice because that's really not our world anymore and The Good Place is exactly that. It's healing. And hilarious. I love it.

H

Hannibal

Probably my favourite looking show ever. Everything from the sets to Hannibal's suits to the food to the most incredible crime scenes- it was all stunning and singular. Of course the most gorgeous were Hannibal and Will themselves and their twisted romance.

I

Imperfect Harmony (Selfie S1x10)

RIP Selfie. You were gone before your time. The show, that was based on Pygmalion and starred the perfectly cast Karen Gillan and John Cho (put him in more romcoms, you cowards!) as the Eliza Doolitle and Henry Higgins of today, was really funny and sweet and could have been a great romatic sitcom. This episode was the big romance episode or so we had been led to believe but it ends up being something sadder and more beautiful, which is perfectly encapsulated in Gillan's poignant rendition of "Chandelier". 

J

Jane the Virgin

Quite possibly my favourite TV show ever. If Gilmore Girls was crucial for teenage Nikhat, Jane the Virgin was one of the shows that gave adult Nikhat her voice and understanding of the world. Simply put, it is about love- between family, between lovers, between friends and also between a show and its audience. I am incapable of deciding what was the best thing about the show- its mercurial writing that went from comedy to romance to thriller in minutes, its stupendously talented cast lead by the magical Gina Rodriguez, or its gorgeous direction that captured both of its telenovella fantastical elements and real world issues equally and perfectly. The show had twists that would make Game of Thrones blush but it was never twists for twists sake but careful character work and well, character love. I LOVED the characters as if I knew them and was invested in them like they were my own people. It had a brilliant ending too. God, I will miss this show so much!

K

Knockoffs (Broad City S2x04)

Much like Jane the Virgin, Broad City was also a female led and voiced show that changed my perspective of the world and what stories can be about. Which is why I chose THIS episode to elucidate my point. An episode which features a funeral, an underground market for designer knockoff bags, a 'will they or won't they' moment and of course, as seen from the picture above, dildos and pegging- only Broad City could have done it and through it commented not only on modern day dating but also grief and ways people deal with it. It is also a rip-roaringly funny.

L

Late (The Handmaid's Tale S1x03)

Gosh, what a brutal and unforgettable episode. This is THE feel-bad series that shows us a world that could exist very easily today. Alexis Bledel is shattering in "Late", often just emoting with her enormous horrified eyes at every awful thing happening around her. Reed Morano's direction just got under my skin and never truly left. Wherever the series did go after it, this was an hour of terrifying perfection.

M

Mr. Bean

Before I sat down to make this list, I was very sure that I wanted to include one childhood favourite in it. Between Powerpuff Girls, Rugrats and Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson's taciturn comedy hero won. I have many precious memories attached to this show, that still holds up today because of Atkinson's complete immersion into this role of a bumbling, slightly malevolent but ultimately sweet fool. I honestly even love the movies. There's something about Mr. Bean, you know?

N

Ned and Chuck (Pushing Daisies)

I'm sorry but I can't choose just Ned! It HAS to be Ned AND Chuck because they are THE OTP, guys! I don't make the rules (Getter does but I'm sure she'll understand). Pushing Daisies is the most colourful and cute show about death ever and Lee Pace's Ned and Anna Friel's Chuck were the heart of it. Their doomed love story destroyed me many times over but I wish it had even more times because this show and this romance ended far too soon!! #BringItBack

O

Orange is the New Black

However many shows Netflix comes out with, it will never reach the heights of OITNB for me. The show opened up a whole world many of us didn't know about and showed us the inner lives of so many types of women- black, white, old, young, trans, gay, straight. It had its flaws but when it was good, it was the freaking best! It was daring and open and most importantly, constantly empathetic and so very human.

P

Parks and Recreation

Probably my favourite comedy show. I love the characters. I love the actors. Leslie Knope is a goddamn hero. Ron motherfucking Swanson is my dream bestie. Ben Wyatt is everything I want in a man. Jerry is, well, Garry. *in Billy Eichner's style* I JUST LOVE THIS SHOW SO MUCH, IT MAKES ME SICK!!!

Q

Quite Interesting aka QI

Fun fact: I'm a nerd. So yes, I love a quiz show where I learn facts and also get to laugh a lot. Thank you very much. 

R

Run BTS

Guys, I don't know if you know this about me but I'm oh so slightly obsessed with BTS. Like, in case you still follow me on Twitter, I don't know if you noticed that AT ALL. Btw, thanks everyone who isn't an Army who still follows me. You guys are true friends :)

But anyways, I do really love the band and the members that form it. This is their variety show in which they usually have a topic and they play games or something around it. This is my ultimate comfort show at present. It's funny and sweet and I just love their friendship so much, it actually hurts my heart. 

S (Wild Remote Entry)

Sherlock and Sharp Objects

Sherlock is another show I have written and spoken about a lot. Not counting its last disastrous season, the show was damn near faultless in my eyes. I do want to revisit it as an older, less impressed-by-sociopathic-men person but I couldn't possibly leave it out of this list. I loved all the performances, especially that of the leads Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It was really stylish fun!

Sharp Objects was my favourite show of last year. I have never seen anything that put us in the headspace of its protagonist like it did. It was a horror show of the mind and the body. The acting across the board is fantastic. There are images from the show that are etched into my mind forever. 

T

True Blood

Oh True Blood, you marvelous mess. I have a special place in my heart for this show, with all its zaniness and camp and nonsense. It was just so entertaining! The first 4 seasons were actually really good and even though it went so spectacularly off the rails in the later seasons, I couldn't stop watching! Also Pam and Eric forever.

U (Wild Remote Entry)

Unbelievable 

This is from 2019 but I had to include it. The most feminist crime show I have ever seen, I was constantly amazed by the littlest details in it that set it apart. It is really infuriating but at the same time, it is hopeful. Merritt Wever is totally the stand out for me but all the performances are excellent.

V

Veep

Oh you acerbic wonder! There was so much to love about comedy-turned-documentary Veep but my absolute favourite thing about it was its insults. The crowning glory in my eyes was the following addressed to, obviously, Jonah: "You're Frankenstein's monster, if his monster was made entirely of dead dicks."

W

The Wedding (Outlander S1x07)

The most romantic and sexiest television episode/piece of art to ever exist. THE FEMALE GAZE, PEOPLE! Fuck me, you almost don't need to watch the rest of the show to watch this episode. It's so good!!

X (Wild Remote Entry)

Crazy EX-Girlfriend

I NEEDED to include this show somehow and I've not watched The X-Files or Xena so this I think was the best compromise. This was such a brilliant show. A musical romcom about mental illness! It was as funny as it was damning. The songs were especially genius, from "You Stupid Bitch" to "Let's Generalize About Men" to "Buttload of Cats". I feel like rewatching all of it right now!

Y

You're the Worst

The anti-romcom about the worst humans who are ultimately just that- human. Hilarious and devastating in equal parts, it reached such heights when it was firing on all cylinders.

Z

The Zeppo (Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3x13)

If you have seen this episode, you know why I chose this still and not of "the Zeppo" Xander. Xander was my least favourite thing about the show and yet I love this episode, which was a great example of Buffy at its finest. The show was so surprisingly experimental and concept driven and its best episodes were just that. OBVIOUSLY my favourite such episode is "Once More With Feeling" but I needed a Z :P

And that is it, folks! I hope you liked the list and please do check all the other entries from this brilliant Blogathon :)

"Why is your penis on a dead girl's phone?"- BEST OF 2014: TV EDITION!

           Yeah I know, that's some post title. It's my favourite television quote of last year simply because the hype for it was HILARIOUS! Anywho, it's finally list-making time on my blog and for the first time ever, I am doing a television list, or rather 3 of them (this is going to be a looooong post). This is because I am becoming more and more of a TV fiend. I may not watch as much as some other bloggers out there but I am definitely watching the most TV I have ever done in my life. A lot of big shows one expects in lists like these like The Good Wife or Mad Men and so on, you won't find in mine because I still haven't gotten around to watching them. I think my lists are a bit off-the-centre but I hope you like them all the same.

          I should add that I'm considering 2014 as a normal calendar year and not in the TV calendar way which is honestly confusing to me. Also, though I haven't written any honourable mentions, believe me, there are loads.

FAVOURITE EPISODES OF 2014

10.

"Moving Up"- Parks and Recreation (6x21/22)

The only reason this is so low in my list is because I had watched it so long ago. But I remember loving it to bits and thinking it was a befitting series finale to a most wonderful show.

9.

"Apartment Hunters"- Broad City (1x09)

Honestly, any episode of Broad City could have made it in but I feel like with its impossibly awesome opening scene and Amy Sedaris' legendary turn as the craziest broker ever, this one deserved a spot here the most.

8.

"Chapter 1"- Jane the Virgin (1x01)

Again, I have loved all the episodes of this show so far but the first one gets major props for introducing us to its crazy telanovela world and its lovely characters and just getting us addicted to all of it almost instantly.

7.

"In Summation"- The Fall (2x06)

Maybe it's because this show is so fresh in my mind but god, this episode was the bomb! The interrogation scene alone cemented a spot for it on this list. And then there is that excruciating and plain awesome ending.

6.

"The Secret Fate of All Life"- True Detective (1x05)

I just never saw this episode coming, like in a million years. It turned everything around. The main mystery was ostensibly solved and we still had half a season to go. Also, it looked great.

5.

"Listen"- Doctor Who (8x04)

I was genuinely scared during this episode, which is the last thing I expect from a show like Doctor Who but there you go. Also, it was ballsy to go the places it went- from having a major part of the episode being a realistic romcom to actually taking us to the Doctor's childhood.

4.

"Mizumono"- Hannibal (2x13)

This episode is the embodiment of all Hell breaking loose. I was devastated by the end but I loved every minute of it. Can you imagine if the show ended with it?

3.

"His Last Vow"- Sherlock (3x03)

The bleakest Sherlock episode to date, it gave us one of the most shudder-inducing villains that I have seen and to see Sherlock and John tackle him was a helluva ride. It also had Sherlock almost dying AND Sherlock making out with a girl so there's that. And let's not even talk about that cliffhanger.

2.

"Fight"- Masters of Sex (2x03)

The first of the two episodes in this list where most of the action, so to speak, takes place between a man and a woman in a room over the course of a night. This is one of the finest hours of television of last year and will go down as one of the highest points in the show's history. It is sexy, heartbreaking, amazingly acted by both Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen and just gorgeous. 

1.

"The Wedding"- Outlander (1x07)

I would say spoilers except everyone has already freaked out about this episode. This is the sexiest television episode I have ever seen. A whole hour built around two people coming together and god, it is amazing. Yes, the sex scenes are great, especially due to the fact that they're from a woman's perspective (gasp!), but this is also an intensely romantic episode and also very funny. It almost works as a standalone episode if you have a basic idea of what the show is about but the build-up to it is even more fantastic. So yeah, call me a pervert if you will but I loved the hell out of this episode.

FAVOURITE PERFORMANCES OF 2014

15.

Karen Gillan in Selfie (RIP)
As much as I loved Amy Pond, Gillan was always overshadowed by Matt Smith and Arthur Darvill in Doctor Who. So I was really not expecting the burst of energy that she brought to Eliza Dooley. Her crazy accent, her readiness to make a total fool of herself, the quieter, emotional moments, that "Chandelier" cover- all of it was so pleasantly surprising. I really hope some other great comic role comes Gillan's way soon.

14.

Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who
Speaking of Doctor Who, I didn't think I would get over Matt Smith so quickly but Capaldi is fantastic in this role! One of my favourite things about last series was how often I thought that maybe he is the villain, which was so unique. And it made his inevitable goodness that much more impactful. Also, bless the Scottishness and the eyebrows.

13.

Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer in Broad City
This is the first of the 3 pairs in this list because none can exist without the other. In Abbi and Ilana's case, it is a little difficult to separate their real selves from the characters they play but who cares when all of it is sooooooooooo fucking hilarious?! Both of them are great in this show!

12.

Pedro Pascal in Game of Thrones
He was delicious. Not only because of the sexiness but because there was so much to sink one's teeth into in a performance like this. He was cocky and dangerous and courageous and heroic.

11.

Gina Rodriguez in Jane the Virgin
This show has a lot of wonderful performances but Rodriguez really leads the bunch with her funny as well as poignant take on a young woman who is trying to figure out what to do in a totally insane situation. Also, it's amazing to root for a genuinely good person and Rodriguez makes us do that.

10.

Finn Wittrock in American Horror Story: Freak Show
Though his work out in tighty-whities bring Patrick Bateman to mind, Wittrock's Dandy is another type of psycho all together. One of the most enjoyable and terrifying characters of last year, Wittrock shone brighter than any of his more famous co-stars by really embracing the crazy.

9.

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in True Detective
I seriously cannot pick one over the other. Of course True Detective came out at the height of McConaissance and he did incredible work in the show but at the same time, I couldn't help but think that Harrelson was the most perfect casting choice in the show.

8.

Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan in The Fall
These two get a slight edge over my #8 pairing because I was constantly surprised by them. I never know what to expect from this show and a huge reason for that is the two lead performances. One keeps somewhat rooting for Dornan's Spector even though we know he's a bad guy and sometimes Anderson's Stella makes it really hard to care for her but she's never not fascinating.

7.

Jenna Coleman in Doctor Who
I don't know what Moffat did between series 7 and 8 but he made Clara into a real person and finally gave Coleman a chance to showcase her talents properly. She's so good in this series, exploring Clara in and out. Yes, sometimes the show tries to paint her character in broad strokes but Coleman always finds something real and human even then.

6.

Lizzy Caplan in Masters of Sex

Ugh she's just soooo good in this show! Again, it's a show full of excellent acting but Caplan is still head and shoulders above everyone else. Her character is so complicated but Caplan is able to reveal everything about her in such heartbreaking ways.

5.

Martin Freeman in Fargo/Sherlock
Yes, he was better in Fargo but I love John and drunk John so you all can suck it! I never could have expected someone as sweet and kind-looking as Freeman to play a character like Lester Nygaard. It's not just that he's bad, but that he's so goddamn pathetic and Freeman just makes it so believable. Also that accent, oof! 

4.

Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock
This ranking is almost solely based on his performance in "The Sign of Three" which I feel is Cumberbatch's best performance to date. It shows his emotional, dramatic, comic, purely fucking alien sides perfectly.

3.

Billy Bob Thornton in Fargo
No one has made me laugh and subsequently unable to sleep at nights as well as Thornton did last year. Lorne Malvo is completely unpredictable and Thornton is able to infuse just the right amount of sinister with humour and yet feel like a real person to make us react that way to Malvo.

2.

Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black
I just never remember that this is ONE person playing all these characters. She's on this list purely for that one/multiple moments during every episode when I am completely taken aback that these are not separate actors playing these various, complex roles.

1.

Lorraine Toussaint in Orange is the New Black
I wrote in September that no other television performance of 2014 will beat Toussaint for me and looks like I was right. She was incredible as Vee. Though I had issues with such a humane and compassionate show for giving us an out-and-out villain, she made it worth it. She was so manipulating that even the audience could get confused. She went from emotion to emotion but with such control, it was awe-inspiring.

FAVOURITE TV SHOWS OF 2014

10.

The Fall, series 2
I have a thing for super bleak British dramas and this one is probably my favourite of the lot. I just never know how to react. It constantly provokes unconventional responses and evaluations because it refuses to get bogged down by the expected formula of such shows.

9.

Game of Thrones, season 4
This was one of my favourite seasons just because it was nice for a change to see some of the bad guys get punished. As enjoyable as the show it, it feels masochistic at times to constantly have your favourites ripped away from you. Of course, that *did* happen in this season as well, but we got some well-deserved redemption. Plus, Khaleesi objectifying Daario for all womenfolk, amirite?

8.

Hannibal, season 2
I would have probably placed this show here based on its visuals alone. It is the best-looking show on television. #fact But it is also like a fever dream that keeps evolving and changing and morphing into new, beautiful, terrifying shapes and we can't help but be mesmerised by it all. It also has fantastic performances and god, this show made me want to eat a human leg so make of that what you will.

7.

Veep, season 3
The funniest season of the funniest show on TV. The only reason I don't have any of the actors in my favourite performances list is because I love all of them! Seriously, I cannot decide. Everyone is so funny in this show and the writing is on point and the humour is razor sharp. I love it.

6.

Masters of Sex, season 2
It's interesting to see how this show is moving from season to season. Since this has a historical base, they do try and do service to that, but at the same time, it is ultimately about the people. While the first season was more about the study, this one sees how it has truly impacted the lives of everyone involved. The writing, acting, look- everything continues to be top-notch. I want more.

5.

Jane the Virgin, season 1 (so far)

All the other shows in this list have been evaluated on their complete seasons/series but in spite of having just half of its season out, I had to put Jane the Virgin here. First and foremost, it's because I love this show. I am not the genius who realized this but the show is like Pushing Daisies meets Gilmore Girls meets Ugly Betty- there's that much magic, colour, human warmth, humour and culture in it. Secondly, I just don't see it getting bad. It keeps finding new ways to surprise and entertain and invigorate us with its loveliness. It is both the most melodramatic and the most beautifully human show in this list.

4.

Doctor Who, series 8
I had no idea how I was going to deal with this series. My Doctor was gone and this was the first time I was actually seeing a new Doctor at work. There was going to be a shift not just in the Doctor's personality but also in his relationship with Clara, who had been quite underwhelming as a companion so far herself. And my gosh, were all my doubts baseless or what?! Moffat and Capaldi have given the show a novel, exciting direction for a new Who fan like me. It was a pretty fantastic series with some truly stellar episodes and characters, from Missy to Danny Pink to Twelve himself.

3.

Fargo, season 1
I will be the first one to admit that I didn't think this show would work, and I became a Fargo the movie fan last year itself so that was pretty pretentious of me. I will have you know that I was obviously completely wrong and idiotic, as all pretentious people are, and this show is fucking genius! It is so funny and dark and filled with so many great characters. The time shift was one of my favourite moments of television last year. I love the violence in it because it is actually entertaining and not gratuitous. Also, like Jane the Virgin, it is so awesome to champion a truly good protagonist.

2.

Broad City, season 1
I feel like this is a show I needed all my life and I didn't even know it and I am so glad that I have found it. I keep rewatching it because it makes me cry with laughter. It is totally insane but in such a good way! I just can't get enough of it.

1.

Sherlock, series 3
You guys know how impatient I am, right? I mean, I don't ever publish reviews here because I get bored while writing them and I want something else. Watching a western seems like the cruelest punishment one can give me. All of this has a point, I promise, and that is it has to be a very special kind of show that will make ME wait two years for it and then deliver something that will make me willing to wait even longer after that. And that was what series 3 of Sherlock was. True, they were not able to really match up to expectations with "The Empty Hearse" but even in a lesser episode like that, there were countless moments of gold. Then we got "The Sign of Three" and "His Last Vow" which were the funniest and the darkest episodes of the show respectively, and well, some of its best.
If you watch this show as much as I do, you see that every series is a movement into developing the character of Sherlock who has gone from a "high functioning sociopath" to basically a total softy who deeply cares about a few but significant people in his life and can do any and everything for them. And none of that is possible without giving due importance to these other characters who also get their time to shine. I swear, I am not merely fangirling. This show and this series are excellent television in every sense.

Phew! If you've made it this far, here's a virtual pat on the back from me to you *pats and then subtly wipes her hand on her clothes*. I will soon start with the film version of this post and those will be shorter and more varied. Yayy for blogging!

What do you all think? What were your favourites?